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Historic railroad car part of Draper TRAX exhibit

Posted at 12:26 PM, Jan 22, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-23 00:24:41-05

DRAPER, Utah - Crews installed a historic railroad car at the Draper TRAX station Tuesday.

The railroad car will be part of an exhibit about the history of railroads in the Draper. The exhibit also includes a water tower, park area and benches.

"This is a great connection between the past and the present," said Rob Perry, Draper Historic Preservation Committee. "There was a tremendous amount of business that transpired because of the railroad system, which is why we have TRAX today."

The exhibit honors Draper, which was known as the "Egg Basket of America" in the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's. Milk-white eggs were produced there and distributed throughout American by railroads.

"There were eggs that made it to both coasts and servicemen during World War Two that originated from Draper," Perry said.

A search for an authentic railroad car started two years ago, and officials located the one that will appear in the exhibit in a Kanab grocery story about a year ago. It was taken to Tooele for cleaning and refurbishment.

With some federal help, city leaders and UTA are paying the $1 million tab for the project.

The Draper TRAX line and the exhibit are scheduled to open in August.