A Wichita, Kan., man has been hired as the Great Plains Transportation Museum’s first ever paid employee. Lon Smith, 62, became the museum’s executive director on March 10. Smith’s mission will be to expand the museum’s fundraising efforts and enhance the visitor and volunteer experience there. 

Smith previously held leadership roles at the Kansas Aviation Museum, the Museum of World Treasures and the Wichita Independent Business Association. 

“Everyone loves trains, and GPTM has a wonderful opportunity to enhance the experience guests have at a hands-on museum that celebrates the terrific history and current-day importance of the region’s railroads,” Smith said in a press release. “Being centrally located in Old Town, and having a railroad mainline adjacent to the museum, we have the unique ability for visitors to experience both historical and current trains and railroading. We will explore a myriad of ways to enhance that experience and attract more visitors to the downtown/Old Town area.”

The museum was founded in 1983 and has a number of locomotives and rail cars on display, including Santa Fe FP45 93 (which is currently being restored to its historic warbonnet scheme) and Santa Fe 4-8-4 3768.

For more information, visit gptm.us. —Railfan & Railroad Staff