The dream of restoring the Ontelaunee Express and returning it to its original home at Ontelaunee Park edged a step closer to reality on March 12.

At a groundbreaking ceremony at the park, the Lynn Heidelberg Historical Society welcomed Susan Kistler’s donation of $25,000 and then put shovels to the ground to signify the pivotal moment linking the past, present and future.

The project not only includes train restoration but the construction of a train station to showcase the engine and passenger cars.

“Today we break ground again, to replicate aspects of the Tripoli, Germansville, Wanamaker’s stations on the Berksy Line to house the historic Ontelaunee Park amusement train,” said Kistler. “Today, I honor my grandparents, Alice and Homer Snyder.”

“There is a really great meaning to being here,” said Jim Warfel, who chairs the train committee at the Lynn Heidelberg Historical Society. “It was Carl’s [Snyder] dream to honor the history of Ontelaunee Park and [though] it sort of stood for a while waiting for things to come together, here we are 16 years later to honor the park’s history and also [demonstrate] the significance of what that train meant many years ago.”

The historical society was grateful for Kistler’s large gift donation.

She’s on board to be a major contributor, and along with organizations, banks and a number of small donors, we’re now 60 percent toward the construction of the train station,” Warfel said.

He also gave thanks to donors, promising “a formal celebration to thank the many, many donors and those providing services to the project.”

The groundbreaking was years in the making.

“We started meeting in the fall of 2013 at [Jim and Mary] Warfel’s home, discussing the possibility of erecting a pole building,” said Susan Kistler. “We ended up with a replica of the Berksy Line station that will turn heads upon entering the park.”

Architect Dale Roth designed the plans for the train station, gratis.

Informative displays will further explain the history of the train.

In the future, the his torical society would like to add a 50-foot section of track.

“I told the historical society the entire field [behind the building] is still available,” said Justin Smith, chairman of Lynn Township supervisors.

Cody Snyder is charged with the construction of the train station to house the train.

The building is expected to be completed within two months.

We picked materials that will replicate the period with some modern additions like exit signs,” Cody Snyder said. “It will be a commercial structure up to today’s standards. The outside is really what we’re focusing on.”

In addition to Warfel and his wife, train committee members include Bob Nagle, Bob Young, Linda and Terry Rehrig, Roger George, Bill Mantz, Kevin German, Susan Kistler, Jim Long, Gary Dotter and Craig Weaver, who Warfel described as “the mastermind of the committee, making this happen,” crediting his “passion and excitement.”

“Trains brought the country together,” said Weaver, a member of several different model train clubs. “Seeing big machines like that run by boiling water is amazing.

“I didn’t even know there was a train here. It’s a big step. I think it’s great.”

Richard Handwerk agreed.

“The first locomotives were some of the biggest machines at the time,” said Handwerk, who was one of the 30-plus people gathered at the groundbreaking.

He continues to be fascinated with the big machines and how they were made.

“I grew up hearing my mom talk about the park, but I didn’t see any of it,” said Julie Lubinsky, the historical society web manager.

Lubinsky values the revival of the barn and the fort, but is even more excited about this new phase.

“I’m passing this info down to my children, [things like] the hex signs and barn signs, but to have the train brought back is absolutely different. We’re taking about a time when the train was running. I feel like I’m part of a whisper down the alley. I’m spreading the word with photography and the website.”

Social studies teacher Justin Arifaj wants to get his eighth graders involved not only in the construction phase, but also as tour guides and in other capacities.

“Involvement in this restoration is a perfect Eagle Scout project,” he said. “The district has changed over the years [so] the construction of the train station is more than just a text book approach to history. This is about identity.”

Ontaulaunee Park was built by Homer Snyder and his neighbor Mark Hoffman.

The park first opened Labor Day weekend in 1929.

Snyder continued to operate the park until 1966 when it was sold to Shorty Long.

One of the most popular rides was a small train that carried people around the park.

The Ontelaunee Express originally sold for $800 in the 1930s.

Carl Snyder purchased the original train, cars and 1,500 feet of track at auction in 2000 for $16,000 in hope of one day restoring it to running condition.

“It was Carl’s dream to return it to the park to honor the history of the original park,” said Warfel. “We also have the chance to honor the artistry of the Berksy Line which brought freight and transported kids to school in Slatington. It’s a big deal for New Tripoli.”