Safety Village Train Transportation Expenses
Donation protected
I'm hoping to one day rebuild and reopen an old historic traffic park that was known as Safety Village in Tampa, FL. While the long term plan is still a work in progress, I'm currently reconstructing the miniature locomotive that sat outside the railroad station for more than 30 years in Lowry Park until it disappeared during the remodeling of the former site into Kid City. I want to make sure this train is back in time for my future children to enjoy it, and so I've already bought the metal required to craft a scale replica that I personally designed using enhanced pictures and recordings. However, I'm going to need financial assistance to finish the welding process, as well as to powder-coat and paint the locomotive before transporting it to the first of many display sites back in Tampa. Tampa is my hometown but I currently live in Altamonte Springs and have parts being constructed all over Florida. I have very little knowledge of metal fabrication - I'm an artist by trade, and while that helped the redesign process it leaves a little to be desired money-wise. I've already spent a grand of my personal funds on this project, and will spend as much as necessary to make this happen, but any and all the help you can provide would be greatly appreciated in getting the beginning of my dream to revive Safety Village actually happening. Plus, I'm hoping that a team effort to get the train to Tampa's children again will show everyone that the desire for a new Safety Village is stronger than ever, and will inspire others to lend the skills and resources they can offer to the future of this dream.
When finished, this little locomotive will be 7 feet long and 3 feet tall. Think the size of a motorcycle, and to a toddler it's the same proportions you would share with your car. This train is purely decorative and will not be powered to move on its own. However, the wheels will eventually be connected to coupling rods and can be pushed back and forth on a set of rails, similar to how the original one occasionally moved. This project still has a lot of cutting, rolling and welding ahead, with costs being split between two separate fabrication shops and routine trips in between them to transport the expensive materials. Due to the unique nature of this project, it's difficult to ballpark the full amount of money needed to form each and every piece - there are still mysteries surrounding how the original was put together that could only be solved if it were to somehow turn up in time for us to figure out the last steps. But once all the parts are fabricated, the mock engine, its tender car and all its wheels will need to be powder-coated before we can paint everything in its final livery as pictured. Then it will need to travel the entire way across Florida - as most of my connections are in Merritt Island - back to its new home in Tampa. The wheels can disconnect to make transportation easier, but even taken apart it will still be quite large and will require a van rental to safely return to its next destination.
The goal is to have the entire locomotive arrive in Tampa during January of 2019, marking the twentieth anniversary of Safety Village's reopening of Kid City and marking a new era for my fellow Tampa grown Floridians to turn their fond memories into something brand new and permanent for our own children. Until that locale for my new 'Safety City' is procured, a board of directors made up of dedicated donors and I will reach out and present the train at visible spots to spread awareness and keep the memories from fading away, as well as creating new ones. While the locomotive will be my property, it is to be shared with Tampa's residents and ultimately belongs to the city's children the same way the old Fairyland statues have been restored for display at Ulele. And as the papers implied back when Safety Village opened over 50 years ago, as long as there were children in Tampa they would have that special gift - their own copy of the city to explore and learn in.
When finished, this little locomotive will be 7 feet long and 3 feet tall. Think the size of a motorcycle, and to a toddler it's the same proportions you would share with your car. This train is purely decorative and will not be powered to move on its own. However, the wheels will eventually be connected to coupling rods and can be pushed back and forth on a set of rails, similar to how the original one occasionally moved. This project still has a lot of cutting, rolling and welding ahead, with costs being split between two separate fabrication shops and routine trips in between them to transport the expensive materials. Due to the unique nature of this project, it's difficult to ballpark the full amount of money needed to form each and every piece - there are still mysteries surrounding how the original was put together that could only be solved if it were to somehow turn up in time for us to figure out the last steps. But once all the parts are fabricated, the mock engine, its tender car and all its wheels will need to be powder-coated before we can paint everything in its final livery as pictured. Then it will need to travel the entire way across Florida - as most of my connections are in Merritt Island - back to its new home in Tampa. The wheels can disconnect to make transportation easier, but even taken apart it will still be quite large and will require a van rental to safely return to its next destination.
The goal is to have the entire locomotive arrive in Tampa during January of 2019, marking the twentieth anniversary of Safety Village's reopening of Kid City and marking a new era for my fellow Tampa grown Floridians to turn their fond memories into something brand new and permanent for our own children. Until that locale for my new 'Safety City' is procured, a board of directors made up of dedicated donors and I will reach out and present the train at visible spots to spread awareness and keep the memories from fading away, as well as creating new ones. While the locomotive will be my property, it is to be shared with Tampa's residents and ultimately belongs to the city's children the same way the old Fairyland statues have been restored for display at Ulele. And as the papers implied back when Safety Village opened over 50 years ago, as long as there were children in Tampa they would have that special gift - their own copy of the city to explore and learn in.
Organizer
Ryan Martin
Organizer
Altamonte Springs, FL