In 1951 a man named Calhoun began the development of land behind the Northside School. It became the city's first dedicated park and is now known as the Opelika Municipal Park.
Intent on finding a way to attract guests and provide a catalyst for public recreation, the idea of a miniature train running through the park was born.
The project was budgeted at $10,000 and included the purchase of a 43-foot train and 1130 feet of track, according to Matt Battles, municipal area supervisor and head of the restoration project.
The train was set to be delivered in June of 1955. The only order of business left was naming the locomotive. A citywide contest was held and the winning name was submitted by a fifth-grade student named David McGinty. He called it the Rocky Brook Rocket.
The train arrived at the park July 1, 1955, and made its first departure that same day with 15 passengers.
The train has been a part of the park for more than 50 years. In the 1990s, the train began showing its years. It was then several members of the community, including the Opelika Kiwanis Club attempted to get the train in good mechanical condition, keeping the train operable until parts were too difficult to acquire.
In the early 2000s the Allan Herschell Company started making reproduction parts that helped restore the train. However, the train wasn't officially reopened until 2008.
Battles has been working to restore the train to ideal working condition.
"The Rocky Brook Rocket has provided fun and family entertainment to thousands of Opelika citizens since 1955." Battles said. "Like Mr. Calhoun always said, without the Rocky Brook Rocket, public recreation in Opelika would have been set back many years."
More than 240 G-16 train sets were produced by the Miniature Train Company. However, today, less than 100 locomotives remain in existence, while only 50 are in yearly operation.
Currently the train is operable. The body has has succumbed to rust and deep surface scratches.
According to an official statement issued by Municipal Park, their goal is to, "To provide a fully restored 1955 Miniature Train Company model G-16 train that would continue to serve our local community by uniting the citizens of Opelika and surrounding communities with a historical, enjoyable train ride together with parks and recreation."
Battles said the project has raised more than $100,000 and is set to be conducted by Rick Dale of Rick's Restorations in Las Vegas. He will conduct a full restoration of the Rocky Brook Rocket and will include an engine overhaul, new wiring, refurbished braking system, reconditioned body and new paint.
The project is expected to gain the attention of LeftField Pictures, the producers of "American Restoration," who will record the process and air it on the History Channel.
The restoration is expected to take 4-6 months. Battles said right now it's just a matter of waiting on a phone call from the History Channel for the project to proceed.
Once restoration is complete the train will return to the Opelika Municipal Park where a renovation presentation will be held.
"The remodeling of the train is a great story," said Dinah Motley, business marketing director for the Chamber of Commerce. "It's always been a huge attraction and the fact that the History Channel is going to feature it is great!"
Anyone wishing to donate to the project should contact Matt Battles at 334-705-5547.
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