Story last updated at 9/10/2009 - 2:50 am
FAIRBANKS - The train car that carried President Warren G. Harding during his 1923 visit to Alaska has been put under wraps.
It was encased in heavy plastic this week while workers paint a new protective covering for the weathered train car at Pioneer Park.
The structure, which resembles a giant car port, has been built to protect the train car from the elements. The car itself has a leaky ceiling, which has resulted in water damage inside, Pioneer Park manager Jason Avery told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
Borough Public Works Director Scott Johnson said the new roof should buy some time while grant money is pursued to refurbish the car.
Such improvements have been discussed for years, but the train degraded too quickly to allow renovators catch up.
In recent years, blue tarps were stretched over the car to keep rain and snow out.
"It looks pretty poor for a presidential car," Johnson said. "This is the first step of trying to get it restored and protected."
The train car was closed for viewing at the park this year. Avery said it hasn't been determined if the car will be available for public viewing next summer since the extent of renovation has yet to be determined.
A combination of borough and state funds paid for the protective roof, but since it was combined with other projects, a final cost wasn't immediately available.
Harding rode in the car on his way to a celebration signifying the completion of the Alaska Railroad.
He drove a golden spike on July 25, 1923, and died in San Francisco less than two weeks later of a heart attack.
) to vote to remove a comment. Three votes will hide a comment from view.
or 
) to rate comments. These ratings do not effect the status of a comment.
