The engine-eous event held in the heart of historic downtown proved once again Plant City will forever remain a locomotive town.
Hundreds flocked to the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum to take part in the festivities, taking pictures with “H.B. Plant,” riding in a small train and exploring the museum. In a shock to attendees, the museum announced the grand opening of “The Tower,” which had acted as storage for the museum for all these years. Willaford and his wife cut the ribbon and welcomed the horde of excited visitors.
After the ribbon was cut the crowds flocked to check out the new space and then spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying hearty food, live music and a thrilling auction.
Bennie Lubrano has been the executive director at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum for five years now and was awarded a gold watch and an original painting of the train viewing station by the members of the museum’s committee for his continued service to the depot.
Lubrano announced the museum would soon be accessible to train enthusiasts worldwide with the addition of cameras, which were installed to watch trains pass at the tracks by the depot. The footage should be live in approximately a month’s time.
Jim Scott was awarded the prestigious Golden Spike Award for the hard work and contributions he has provided for the museum’s work.