By Jane Smith

meadville tribune

CONNEAUT LAKE — The campaign to raise $36,500 to return Conneaut Lake Park’s miniature train to operation continues to chug along, reaching $31,600 or 87 percent of the goal.

That leaves only another $4,900 — or the equivalent of 49 $100 bricks — to be raised.

Inoperable for several years because of needed repairs, the train is tentatively set to be back in operation this weekend.

Carol West, Conneaut Lake Institute treasurer, said the funding total represents money she has received since the campaign started in February.

The campaign involves the sale of engraved bricks at a cost of $100 with three lines of engraving, or $200 with six lines.

Bricks will be put in a display area near the miniature train station.

For those wanting to purchase bricks, the deadline for orders has been set at July 15. This will allow the bricks to be purchased and put in the display before the end of the summer.

West said that doesn’t mean additional orders can’t be taken at a later date, but those bricks may not be placed in the railroad area as the design for placing of the bricks will soon be under way.

She is reviewing all the orders and confirming the engraved messages before sending the final order for production.

Orders postmarked by July 15 will still be included in the area near the train station.

Bricks can be purchased by downloading an order form at www.conneautlakepark.com.

In addition, the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society has containers at various businesses for donations. Any business which collects $100 can have a brick purchased in the name of that business and its clients.

Bricks can be purchased by individuals, groups or businesses.