Rail Car Donation Should Inspire Interest in Black Diamond History 

Matthew Kuchner, a new resident to Black Diamond, has a long association with museums and their display of trains. He donated the last of his personal collection to Black Diamond Historical Society this month. Matthew’s collection includes eight rail cars. The engine has an electric motor that emits imitation smoke. The society foresees a working model of coal cars traveling in front of a diorama that depicts Black Diamond’s history of shipping coal from its mines to Seattle’s waterfront. Ideally, children would be able to push a button activating the train cars. The train would travel along museum walls making the clackity-clack sound on tracks and blowing smoke. Sounds effects and local environmental touches could also be in the works. Donations of “O scale” Lionel products for building a train display are welcome, email museum@blackdiamondmuseum.org.  ~By D’Ann Tedford