Chris, did you leave your toys out in the rain again?

Remember when you were a kid? Mom and Dad took you to Nay Aug to ride the amusements on Monday nights and for only 10¢ you got to ride the train with Dad?

The train stopped running in the early ninties, when the amusement park at Nay Aug Closed. Taylor native Ken Koch rescued the train from a field behind Friendship House and had it shipped to his Florida home, where he spent thousands of dollars and countless hours rebuilding it.

Koch sold the rebuilt train to A. Hank Evanish, who, in turn, dontated it to the city. Mayor Doherty had a grand opening complete with photos and a ride. Having served its PR purpose, the train was left to rust, half-covered by a tarp, exposed to the elements.

Complaints about the conditions the train was being kept in led to the construction of a shelter of sorts. Unfortunately, a shelter offers protection only when used.

For example, the engine and one of the two cars sat weathering the remains of Hurricane Ernesto parked on the track, with no protection from the rain. One car was parked in the shelter.

The Nay Aug Train is an icon, a piece of our history. Instead of being covered with rain, it should be protected from the weather and only used when the weather is good.

Instead, it sits out in the rain, a symbol of our past, a dark future of neglect and rust in store.

Remember when you were a kid and you got a new toy? The old toys were pushed to the side because the new toys are so exciting.

The picture was taken, the article was in the paper. Now, the train is on its own. Our history, left to the elements. Once the political mileage has been gained, it's just another gimmick. Another toy to be pushed to the side, your memories be damned.

Remember that ride with Dad? Think about it again when the train is closed because it's too rusted to run.

Thanks, Chris Doherty, you've restored my pride.