Historic Poway locomotive needs new boiler
A lengthy Poway City Council agenda for Tuesday night includes a proposal to replace the boiler on a historic steam locomotive and a discussion on whether the former Coco’s restaurant should be replaced by a fast-food restaurant with a drive-through window.
Other agenda items include a mid-cycle two-year budget update and discussions regarding political signs on private property and future water conservation measures.
A 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive has been operated by the all-volunteer Poway Midland Railroad since 1993. The iconic engine’s boiler, often patched over the years, has reached the point where it needs to be replaced, according to a staff report prepared by Community Services Manager Belinda Romero. The cost is projected at between $180,000 and $250,000. The city and the railroad are in talks to amend the group’s operating agreement so that the cost will be shared and amortized over the next 15 years. The railroad plans to increase the ticket prices to cover its share of the cost.
Railroad President Chuck Cross said Friday the Baldwin engine has not be operating since Christmas. Each winter it is taken out of service and receives a state inspection. The February inspection resulted in a follow-up ultrasound scan of the boiler in March and the determination that the boiler needed to be replaced. Cross said a faulty boiler results in increased steam leaks.
The boiler will be shipped to the successful bidder, Cross said, so that an exact duplicate can be created. If all goes well, the engine will be back in service by July 4 of next year, he said.
The railroad also operates a restored San Francisco cable car, a trolley and a speeder. Those rides on a track circling Old Poway Park will continue, he said.
Regarding the Coco’s site at 13464 Poway Road, councilmembers will be asked to comment on a proposal by Chick-fil-A to build a restaurant with a drive-through. The lot is in the Town Center zone, which allows restaurants, but not drive-thoughs. Tuesday night’s discussion is a “pre-development conference” where councilmembers can offer non-binding comments to give the project developer guidance. A city staff report notes that the nearby Lowe’s lot has a spot intended for a future fast food restaurant with a permitted drive-through window.
The council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive.
