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New life for Poway’s ‘Old Number 3’

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The City Council gave an unanimous go-ahead Tuesday night to replace the boiler on Poway’s iconic steam locomotive.

Bids will be solicited and a contract will be awarded this fall for work that could cost between $180,000 and $250,000. The old boiler, built in 1937, will be shipped to the designated contractor so that an identical one can be built.

If all goes as planned, the Poway Midland Railroad’s 1910 Baldwin locomotive will be back in service in about one year, railroad President Chuck Cross said. The railroad also operates a restored San Francisco cable car, a trolley and a speeder. Those rides will continue, Cross said.

The locomotive’s boiler, often patched over the years, has reached the point where it needs to be replaced, Community Services Manager Belinda Romero told the council. 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 agreement will also call for future costs associated with the railroad will be spilt 50-50. In the past, expenditures over $1,000 needed the city’s approval and were taken out of the general fund.

The railroad plans to increase ticket prices to cover both the cost of the new boiler and future operating expenses. Prices will go up between 50 cents and $1, depending on the ride. The railroad attracts about 40,000 riders per year, according to Romero.

Cross said Friday that the Baldwin engine, known as “Old Number 3” has not be operating since Christmas. Each winter it was 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 links.

Councilmembers were both understanding of the situation and appreciative of the all-volunteer railroad’s efforts in Old Poway Park.

“You make Poway the cool place that it is,” Councilman Barry Leonard said.

In other matters, the council:

Informally agreed during a workshop session that mandatory water restrictions should be relaxed a bit in view of improved water supply projections over the next three years. Increasing the frequency of allowed outdoor irrigations from twice to three times a week - perhaps on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - appealed to four of the five members. Councilman John Mullin favored lifting the watering restrictions altogether. The matter will return to the council at its July 19 meeting.

Appeared divided 2-2 over the question of whether a drive-through window should be allowed as part of Chick-fil-A’s proposal to build a new restaurant on the Coco’s site at 13464 Poway Road. The property is in the Town Center zone, which does not allow drive-throughs. Non-binding comments were offered to a company representative. Mayor Steve Vaus was absent during the early part of the meeting when this matter was discussed.

Agreed to proceed with applying for grant funds to purchase 434 acres near Iron Mountain for preservation as open space. The process may take 2-3 years to complete and would require up to $4.3 million. The County of San Diego is trying to buy another 160 adjacent acres, the council was told.

Was told the city is completing the first year of a two-year budget cycle with revenues exceeding expenses by $687,040. About $560,000 of that amount will be earmarked for capital improvement projects.

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