Staff Writer
Cordele Dispatch
Cordele —
In spite of budget shortfalls, several businesses in Cordele helped rescue SAM Shortline when they heard there was a need.
During a meeting in the spring, Friends of SAM were discussing the need for a new generator and a crane and other heavy equipment to take out the old generator and install the new one.
One of the members, Lee Gibbs, approached Ernie Rhodes with Harris Waste Management and asked if the company could assist in installing the generator in the train engine.
"SAM Shortline brings a lot of people to Cordele,” Rhodes says, “and when I asked others at Harris about helping the train, the response was ‘sure.’
“We are all working together for our community to continue bringing in customers from all over the state," he continued.
Cook Industrial Electric (CIE) won the bid for the purchase of the generator and Richard Payne, vice president of Cook said, "Partnerships are vital to businesses today compared to a decade ago.
“We have been the recipient of various forms of goodwill and we're glad to help when we can. The generator supplies the energy on the train while rolling down the tracks.”
“Today with temperatures reaching 100 degrees, SAM Shortline must have a well working generator to ensure our passengers stay cool and comfortable," says Marshall Wooten, the train’s mechanic.
Friends of SAM also asked Tim Kilpatrick, manager of Cordele Metal Works to help out with the assembly of the exhaust. "All these businesses have been willing to assist and help me out," says Wooten. "I am the only one hired to work on the train, and it is a great pleasure to have such capable people who are willing to help us."
Cordele Metal Works will customize an exhaust system which Marshall needs to help with the fumes and sound in the baggage car.
When the new generator came in, Wooten carried the train engine to the Harris Waste Management facility, pulled it inside a building there, and Harris personnel used their heavy equipment to lift out the old four-ton generator and replace it with one slightly smaller.
SAM Shortline Excursion Train has operated for eight years under the management of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites Division.
Friends of SAM Shortline is an organization which assists the train in raising funds and receives contributions from donors. They appreciate those in-kind donations provided by Harris, CIE and Cordele Metal Works as much as the monetary contributions they receive.
“It is certainly great when numerous businesses work together for an attraction like SAM Shortline which depends so much on volunteers,” says SAM Executive Director Kathy Odom.
“Last year, SAM brought over 22,000 passengers into Cordele. Anyone who would like to find out how to volunteer or help, may give Friends of SAM Chairman, Marybeth Kelley a call. She will be happy to hear from you.”
