The restoration project for a former railroad facility has an official name once renovations are completed.

The former engine house will be known as the Jamestown Area Railway Heritage Center. Lee Harkness, Jamestown Area Railway Heritage Center spokesperson, said a number of local residents and businesses have joined forces to renovate the old rail engine house located along Second Street, on the west side of the Jamestown Gateway Train Station.

”This building was built in the early 1950s by the Erie Railroad at a time when the railroads were switching from steam engines to diesel locomotives,” Harkness said. ”It was built to house a diesel locomotive repair shop. The group would like to focus on a historical rail museum as well as a location to house the newly renovated Trolley 93 when it is completed. The name they would like to see on the building is the Jamestown Area Railway Heritage Center.”

Harkness said, once renovated, the facility would be open to the public and house other historical artifacts related to the rail industry. Since the renovation of the 1930 Erie rail station, he said the public has shown interest in the railroad and trains. He added it is evident the railroad and trains played a huge role in the development of Jamestown as well as the rest of the country.

”The train station is another historical asset to Jamestown and this newly formed committee wants to add the historic Erie engine house to the historic inventory Jamestown has to offer,” Harkness said. ”The group would like to pursue the idea of making the engine house and engine house area into an operating historic rail museum, which would be complete with actual trains in the area of west of the train station, Third and Sixth Street bridges and McCrea Point. There is already interest by rail enthusiasts to put actual operating trains in that area.”

The group is planning a Santa Claus Express for Dec. 10, Harkness said. He said this will be Jamestown’s version of the Polar Express, with Santa and Mrs. Claus delivering presents to downtown Jamestown.

He said the event, which has been held at the train station in past years, will be held at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.

He added the event is made possible with assistance from Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad officials.

A fund has been set up at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to accept donation for the engine house restoration project. People interested in donating can send a check to the Community Foundation with a note stating the funds are for the engine barn renovation project. To learn more about how to donate, visit crcfonline.org or send a check to 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY, 14701. For more information about the project, call 338-6089.