After outcry, agreement reached to keep miniature train at Arkansas park

Undated handout photo of one of the Rich Mountain scenic trains at Queen Wilhelmina State Park near Mena, Arkansas.
Undated handout photo of one of the Rich Mountain scenic trains at Queen Wilhelmina State Park near Mena, Arkansas.

A deal to keep a miniature train at Queen Wilhelmina State Park has been finalized weeks after a proposal to close the train sparked public outcry around the state, officials said Tuesday.

The State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission endorsed the agreement at its monthly meeting, and train owner Ronnie Waggoner signed it this week, Arkansas State Parks spokeswoman Meg Matthews said. The agency leases the land to Waggoner, who owns and operates all the machinery and buildings on that piece of property.

The Glory Train did not open Memorial Day weekend as it has in the past after the commission decided not to renew the concessions contract that allows it to operate on state-owned land, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.

An idea to turn the area into another recreational space with walking and biking trails was proposed last month, but community members and visitors made it clear through an online petition receiving thousands of signatures that they wanted the train to stay.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Upcoming Events