The Rev. Andrew Waldo, president of Old Alabama Rails, looks through one of the buildings near the old Montgomery train shed that has fallen into disrepair over the last two decades. Photographer: David Bundy

The campaign to convert the old Western Railway of Alabama’s Car and Engine Shops into a railroad museum made a whistlestop Tuesday to ask for money and support.

The Rev. Andrew Waldo, president of Old Alabama Rails, talked to the Kiwanis Club over lunch, seeking local support for the proposed museum, which some see as a possible anchor attraction for riverfront development.

Local support is needed because its driving force thus far – Waldo – lives 1,100 miles away in Excelsior, Minn. He grew up in Montgomery and his parents still live here.

“I believe all of us working together can make this happen,” Waldo said. “Neither the buildings on the site nor the railroad cars that are most historic will last much longer. Now is the time to move.”

Three historic structures still stand on the 38-acre site owned by CSX – a large car shed with its original 1906 roof, and paint and pattern shops. What became of the Western Railway of Alabama started in 1834 as the Montgomery Railroad, the second railroad in the state.

Henry Ufford, a railroad buff, thought such a museum could be viable in Montgomery.

“There’s no place like it around,” he said.

As proposed, the museum would incorporate antique railroad equipment with demonstrations of period techniques, a la Colonial Williamsburg, and excursion trips to Old Alabama Town , Union Station and Selm.

Maury Smith thought a museum of railroad history would work well with existing Capital City attractions.

“Montgomery traditionally looks very favorable on historical parks,” he said.

Waldo was generally pleased with the idea’s reception so far.

“There’s been a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of interest. We’re really hoping people can contribute dollars and time,” he said.