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STAR — For just a nickel, the late Glenn Jenkins would take you for a ride.
Many a person took him up on that offer.
The ride was on Jenkins’ “park engine” railroad that he operated in front of the old Star High School.
A granite marker honoring railroad workers over the years was installed this week beside the train display and both will be dedicated during Saturday’s Heritage Day Festival at 11:30 a.m. at the Little Train Display in front of Star Town Hall on South Main Street.
According to information provided by Star Mayor Mary O’Brien, the little train operated from 1934 until 1947. That was the year that U.S. 220, which was the only north-south route in the area, had to be widened, and the track was on the land that was needed for the work.
“It was said that he intended to move it,” said Jim Callicutt, who is a member of the Star Heritage Committee. It was never reconstructed in Star.
The ride was so popular, travelers through the small town would pull over and pony up their nickels.
“It was rumored that during the time it was running, he took in over $5,000, a nickel at a time,” said Callicutt. “Mr. Jenkins even took the train to Raleigh for their Christmas parade.”
Memories of the little train sparked an effort to try to find the old machine and bring it back to Star.
Jim King, a native of Star who now lives in Asheboro, set out to find it. He first traced it to Midland in Stanly County. It later showed up at the Springs Mill recreation complex in Lancaster, S.C., where members of the textile company’s “25-Year Club” would take their families for an annual celebration.
After that, the train was traced to a location in South America. That’s where the trail grew cold.
In 2006, unable to find the original train, King heard of a park engine that belonged to a man in Greensboro. According to O’Brien’s information, the little train, owned by John Allen Watkins Jr. and his wife, was slated to go to either Christi’s of New York or the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.
After meeting with King, Watkins decided that the train was going to Star.
There were a few conditions attached to the decision: It had to be removed from the property by a certain time, be restored to pristine condition in a reasonable time and it was to bear a plaque with his father’s name, Allen H. Watkins Sr.
Later that same year, Bill Bartosh, general manager of the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway Co., made arrangements to have the little train moved to Star.
Greg Johnson of Star stored the little train while arrangements were being made to have it restored.
The community came together and raised the funds for the restoration. Work was done by many local businesses, including Ricky McBride, who sandblasted and powder coated the train. Auto Body classes at Montgomery Community College worked on the restoration while Raymond Taylor of Hamlet, who was the bodywork expert, reassembled the engine and tender.
The late Leslie Kellam, along with his son Bobby, donated their time to manufacture the tracks for the display where the engine now sits on the lawn of the municipal building.
Donald Lamonds did the fine lettering.
Callicutt had a vision for the memorial and drew the plan, which was constructed by Myrick Construction Co. Engraved bricks were sold to pave the area around the train.
John Maynard of Star has produced a video that will be available for those visiting the little train display who want to learn more about the history.
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