The miniature train that chugged around the top of 2,681-foot-high Rich Mountain in Polk County's Queen Wilhelmina State Park for the past 60 years will be rolling down the tracks once again this weekend after a new contract was negotiated.
Public outcry from people in Polk County, around the state, Oklahoma and Texas, and as far away as Canada reversed a decision in May to ditch the train and transform the tracks into a walking and cycling barrier-free path that would include "playscapes" that pay homage to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, for whom the park is named.
Ronnie Waggoner, the Glory Train's owner, said his crew is readying the train for a test run on Friday and hopes to have it, as well as a refreshment stand and miniature golf course, open to the public by this weekend.
"All of the ice cream has been ordered," Waggoner said.
Still, he added, the negotiated contract was not exactly what he had in mind.
The original agreement stretched for five years. The new one will expire on the last day of the year with an option for a one-year extension with the state Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission's approval. An additional two years may be granted with commission approval if Waggoner complies with the terms of the agreement.
"To be honest, I'm not real pleased with that because I'm still having to spend quite a bit of money for the short time of the contract," Waggoner said.
Parks Director Grady Spann said Tuesday that he feels good about the new contract, which is significantly more stringent than the last.
"We've really focused on three items in these negotiations: safe operations, consistency and providing a quality experience for our public," he said. "We've made it clear in the contract that we expect our concessionaire to deliver that."
The shortened length of the contract is necessary to ensure Waggoner complies with the stipulations, Spann said.
"It's all up to the concessionaire," Spann said. "If he delivers, I feel pretty certain he will continue to operate."
According to documents obtained by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette under the state Freedom of Information Act, Waggoner was reprimanded by the state for spotty compliance with financial requirements and payments to the state.
Ashley Smith, the director of the Mena Chamber of Commerce and the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission, said previously that the train was also often down for repairs, frustrating travelers who drove to the top of the mountain specifically to ride the train.
Others complained that the golf course was in disrepair and that sometimes riders would have to disembark to help push the train up a steep part.
The new contract requires Waggoner to install a computerized point-of-sale system and to maintain a daily record of income. Financial reports and the agreed-upon 10 percent of gross revenue are due to the park superintendent by the 15th day of the following month with a fine of $25 assessed each day after.
According to financial documents, Waggoner reported earning $50,390.72 in 2016, with more than $40,000 coming from the train. He did not submit financial records to the state for 2017.
The train must operate Wednesday through Sunday from at least 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Any decision to close the train for the day will be a joint one between Waggoner and the park superintendent and will not be made before 1 p.m. each day, according to the contract's dictates.
Failure to open and operate during the agreed-upon hours will result in a written warning for the first offense, a $100 fine for the second and an immediate contract termination for the third.
The whole concession -- including the snack bar, gift shop, train tracks and golf course -- must be landscaped, painted and kept "in a high state of repair, cleanliness, sanitation and safety at all times," according to the document.
"No one shall be allowed, other than employees of the concessionaire, to push, move, drive, or otherwise assist the train to move," is printed in bold type in the new contract.
The commission gave Waggoner 45 days from the date of the agreement to renovate the golf course to state parks standards or remove it.
Chris Daniel of Mena -- the unofficial Glory Train activist leader who led an online petition signed by thousands -- said he was glad that Spann listened to the people.
"It's very encouraging that people had enough pride in the train to save the legacy and tradition," Daniel said. "It's good for our economy."
Metro on 06/27/2018