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KUMR marks 30 years with a special celebration

Saturday, August 30, was an amazing day for us at the railroad, and especially for Bill and Carol Spence
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The wedding party of Cara

Submitted

The Kimberley Underground Mining Railway (originally BCMR - Bavarian City Mining Railway) is celebrating its 30th year this year.

And Saturday, August 30, was an amazing day for us at the railroad, and especially for Bill and Carol Spence. It's been 30 years since Bill came up with the idea of turning a used underground loci and some ore cars into a tourist attraction. He was able to make it happen with a lot of ingenuity, hard work and the help of a very supportive wife and family and some hard working friends. The 30 year celebration was organized by Esther Jacobson, who worked as an engineer on the train in the early years.

It was also his granddaughter's wedding — and Bill's mining train became a wedding train as it transported the bride and groom, Cara and Tye, and their guests up the hill to the reception. The wedding train was driven by Dan Jarrett who worked on the train with Bill for many years. Cara worked as a commentator on the train for several summers and so was quite comfortable doing the commentary for her guests as the "original" loci #94 chugged up the hill.