The Wichita Great Plains Transportation Museum is converting a former Santa Fe baggage car into a multi-use space to host meetings, parties and other events, providing the nonprofit with a new and consistent income stream.

The car was donated to the museum by Amtrak in 2020, and officials hope to have it available for events by the end of the year. The first order of business has been to replace the car’s roof; that project will be followed by the installation of an HVAC system.

“Providing the community with a railroad-themed venue downtown for various types of gatherings is mutually beneficial to the Great Plains Transportation Museum, the city of Wichita, Old Town and those parties seeking a unique place to hold an event,” museum President Heather Gatton said. “We’re excited about the prospect of adding value to the downtown area, especially amid ongoing investment in business, residential and commercial enterprises.”

The Great Plains Transportation Museum was established in 1983 to preserve the history of railroading in the region, dating to the 1870s.