Grand Island Train Engineers Bid Farewell After 40 YearsGrand Island Train Engineers Bid Farewell After 40 Years Ken and Christy Scholl, the longtime stewards of the Stolley Park Train, are retiring and departing after four decades of dedicated service. Ken, the lead engineer and conductor, developed a lifelong passion for the hobby since taking the reins 24 years ago. “I tell passengers to enjoy it while they’re young,” he said. The Scholls’ passion has fueled their commitment to providing memorable rides, encouraging passengers to embrace the experience and create lasting memories. Their decision to retire was bittersweet. “We’ve met so many wonderful people,” Christy said. “We’re going to miss it tremendously.” However, they believe the time has come for a new chapter. They plan to move to South Dakota to be closer to family. Passengers will have one final chance to bid farewell to the Scholls this weekend, July 5-7. The train and Sweet Tooth will be operating at Stolley Park for their last time. Despite the emotional farewell, the Scholls are confident in their decision. “It’s time,” Ken said, acknowledging his physical limitations. “I’m not one to slow down, but I’ve been told I have to.” The legacy of the Stolley Park Train and the Scholls’ unwavering commitment to the community will endure long after their departure.
Grand Island, Neb. — After a combined 40 years of running the Stolley Park Train, Ken and Christy Scholl plan to pull the train into the station one last time on the weekend of July 5-7.
For Ken, who is the lead engineer and conductor of the train, he says the hobby turned into a lifelong passion for him 24 years ago.
Courtesy of/City of Grand Island — Ken and Christy Scholl
“I always tell everyone who gets on the train to enjoy it,” he said. “You’re a young person. Scream in the tunnel, because the kids will, and so will I. We’re just having fun. They come across with a very passionate feeling about this train.”
While the passion certainly doesn’t go away, Ken and Christy both say it’s time for their next chapter, which is to retire and move to South Dakota to be closer to family. As you can imagine, the decision was fraught with emotions.
“A lot of ups and downs,” Christy said. “We feel like we’re on a roller coaster right now. I’ve been managing the Sweet Tooth and the Stolley Park Train here for 16 years. I’ve met so many nice people, worked with so many nice people, and we’re going to miss it tremendously.”
Passengers on the train will have one last chance this weekend to say goodbye to the Scholls, who operate the train and Sweet Tooth at Stolley Park. While emotions will undoubtedly run high, the Scholls say this is a difficult decision that is the right one.
“It’s time,” Ken said. “Me and old man arthritis have become best friends. I don’t like him and I’m not one to slow down, but I’ve been told I have to.”
