Mid-Michigan city could become site of a national railroad memor - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/12/13) - A Mid-Michigan community could become the site of a national railroad memorial to honor the men and women of the railroading industry. The project could transform the city.

Life in Durand has long been centered on the railroads. Visitors today can see a steam engine, a caboose and a railroad museum. There's a statue dedicated to rail workers.

"Durand is just the absolute railroad town. We wouldn't have this country as we have it now if it wasn't for the railroad and the people who work for them," said Dallas Brownson, president of the National Railroad Memorial Inc. board of directors.

For five years, an effort has been made to locate a national railroad memorial here.

"A very important component is to honor the people who died in the building and maintenance of the railroad over the years," Brownson said.

While many cities develop parks along their rivers, Durand wants to try something different. It wants to develop a linear park on its river of steel.

"It's an endless opportunity to improve the quality of life in the community and provide new attractions for visitors to come to," said Amy Roddy, Durand city manager.

The project was awarded a grant through Michigan State University that called for graduate students to develop design ideas for the memorial park. They include an entertainment venue and water park.

"In one conception, an area is going to have a siding. This will be for excursion trains," Brownson said.

Organizers are working with congressional representative Mike Rogers to officially designate Durand as the site of the National Railroad Memorial.

"The idea to me has always been to bring in people into Michigan to make this a weekend destination at least," Brownson said.

There are still several political and financial problems to overcome become the railroad memorial picks up a full head of steam.