Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame is now in Wichita after ceremonial signing

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill into law as part of a ceremonial signing on Monday afternoon.

The signing of Senate Bill 353 created the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame in Wichita at the Great Plains Transportation Museum.

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The idea of the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame is to celebrate the state’s connection to the rail industry. Kansas has a rich history when it comes to railroads.

The museum’s executive director, Lon Smith, shared what this ceremonial signing means for the museum.

“To be designated the official railroad hall of fame, that’s a big deal for us. It will attract people to our community, and it helps us recognize those who contributed to rail and commerce, and it will help us in our fundraising efforts,” Smith said.

Smith said it will take a lot of effort to get the hall of fame open, including a lot of administrative work and setting up a dedicated fund to help keep the new addition to the museum up and running.

The Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame will be located along a railing on top of the museum. It will feature names and faces of those who played a role in the history of railroads in Kansas.

Smith pointed out that this designation is the first step of many things the museum has planned for the future.

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