Though a group is trying to save the historic Louisiana & Arkansas steam locomotive No. 503 from imminent dismantling at Bryan Park in Port Arthur, according to their GoFundMe page, someone will still have to pay and clean up the mess at the park.

The initial goal of raising $50,000 to cover the cost of moving 503 was surpassed on Tuesday afternoon and a new goal of $65,000 was made. As of 5 p.m., $52,351 of the $65,000 goal was raised.

In a prior News article, the 503 suffered from 60 years of exposure to the elements, especially salt air. Concerns about the engine arose most recently in connection with Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey, mostly because there was a fear that flooding would carry asbestos and oil into neighboring yards and houses.

A spill from the historic railroad in Bryan Park was reported on Sept. 7, 2017, to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, according to Andrea Morrow, media relations manager.

“TCEQ staff and members of the Unified Command responded to the spill to conduct oversight of actions being taken by the city,” she wrote. “The TCEQ has been in contact with the city of Port Arthur throughout their remediation efforts. Documentation that the spill has been properly remediated is due March 6, 2018, 180 days from the date of the spill. An extension to this date is currently being considered by the TCEQ due to the complexities of the remediation.”

Plans are to temporarily move the locomotive to the Texas State Railroad in Rusk. From there, it will go to The Royal Palm Railway Experience that is operated by the Orlando and Northwestern Railroad in Florida.
“The press release is accurate based on our knowledge of the events, but we cannot speak to communications the city may have had with other parties or the dates, Morrow wrote. “We would like to clarify that if the cleanup extends beyond the 180 days, the matter may be referred to the TCEQ’s Remediation Division to continue oversight of the cleanup. However, if the city had failed to take or does not continue with their remediation actions to address the event, the TCEQ may take appropriate action in accordance with TCEQ’s standard administrative enforcement process.

“As long as they clean up the oil spill and remediate the soils at the site, the TCEQ requirements are satisfied.”

Though it appears the locomotive will soon be moving from Bryan Park, the site must be remediated.

“As far as asbestos and lead are concerned, other requirements may apply depending upon how and where the restoration occurs,” she stated.