Though less of a public topic these days because of the downturned economy, the possibility of a railroad museum is still a hot button issue for Cleburne residents and taxpayers.

In a question-and-answer exchange on Monday, city councilman Bob Force brought forward the idea of building a replica version of the former Trinity & Brazos Valley depot in the city-owned vacant lot just north of the Intermodal Depot on Border Street.

T-R: Do you think there will be a railroad museum in Cleburne eventually?

Force: Eventually, yes. The 4B board has formed a committee of two board members, two citizens and one council member, who is me. One of the things we’ll be doing is defining what a railroad museum is, where it’s to be located, how it’s to be operated, what will be the dominant project and exhibit. I do not see a railroad museum being operated as an all-volunteer museum. I see that 4B and the city will have to pick up the maintenance, the operation, and it could turn out to be very costly for our citizens if it’s not done correctly. A lot is going to depend on the money that becomes available. Until it’s determined what the museum is to be and how it’s to be operated, you can’t figure out the cost.



T-R: What are the options for a railroad museum location?

Force: I still think the major option should be a location accessible to the railroad tracks. I don’t know whether the people will want to move the 3417 engine out of Hulen Park. I know the architects have said the caboose at Layland Museum is creating a problem with the foundation of the (Layland building).



T-R: Who would be responsible for deciding if the steam engine is to be moved?

Force: That’s a good question I don’t have an answer for. In the long run, it would probably be a combination of the Parks & Recreation Department, the city council and 4B. And I think the citizens should have some input on that.



T-R: Where would you locate the railroad museum?

Force: My personal opinion is that it would be in the vacant lot just north of the Intermodal station on Border Street. I think that would be an excellent place to build a new building, a replica of one of the depots that’s been here. That way, you’re not doing maintenance on an old building.



T-R: It’s cheaper to build new than renovate, correct?

Force: In my opinion, yes.



T-R: Would you be in favor of recreating the Trinity & Brazos Valley depot if the original blueprint for it could be found?

Force: If there were a way to make it ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliable, probably so. I do know the blueprints are available for the T & BV. Gary Shaw, an architect here, has told me he has a copy of them. I spoke with him Sunday. He assured me he has them. I think if that were to be done, that would be one of the most unique things Cleburne could do to maintain the history of the railroad industry here.



T-R: Would you rather have a T & BV replica or a replica of the former Santa Fe depot with the second-floor Harvey House?

Force: Oh, I’d much rather have the Santa Fe and Harvey House. You’d be looking at a big price tag.



T-R: What would you do with the rest of that space in the Santa Fe replica building after you put the museum in it?

Force: Good question (laughing).



T-R: How big is that vacant lot next to Intermodal that the city owns?

Force: Big enough to accommodate a pretty large building. A lot across the street could be purchased as parking for both (Intermodal and railroad museum) facilities. And that street is not traveled heavily, so it wouldn’t be a hazard for people to walk back and forth.



T-R: If the lot north of Intermodal is the spot, then you automatically have adjacent track for rolling stock like the steam engine and caboose, right?

Force: Correct.



T-R: How much have you thought this through?

Force: Quite a bit. I’ve been thinking on this for a long time. I’ve visited with a number of people who are interested in having a railroad museum put in place in Cleburne.



T-R: Are you speaking for yourself or for anyone else?

Force: Just me, as a citizen.



T-R: Have you discussed this with any other council members?

Force: No. A lot of the reason is open records. I can visit with one council member but not with two or more, and I will not do that. Also, it has not been on an agenda.



T-R: Have you mentioned it to Ted Reynolds, the mayor?

Force: No.



T-R: Would you be willing to talk to him about it?

Force: Sure. He has a vital interest in trying to get this done for the city while he is sitting mayor.



T-R: What is your working relationship like with the mayor?

Force: Good. He and I don’t always see eye to eye, but we both have the city’s best interests at heart.



T-R: Looking back on the final demolition of the T & BV depot in the early years of this century, could remnants of it have been saved?

Force: Having looked at it structurally, I doubt there was anything left that was really of value. It seemed to me the value of that property had deteriorated from lack of maintenance. If you don’t do maintenance on a building, sooner or later you won’t have a building. That’s strictly my opinion.



T-R: How much did it bother you to see that depot pushed down?

Force: I thought we lost part of our history, but that part of our history had become an eyesore from lack of maintenance.



T-R: Is Cleburne’s railroad history lost forever?

Force: I don’t think so. There’s a tremendous amount of printed history and artifacts. A lot of it can be displayed. A lot of it can’t. Part of it can be seen, such as the 3417 in Hulen Park and caboose at Layland Museum. Personally, I would like to see us have a good railroad museum, but it can’t be a detriment to our taxpayers.