HEMET: Backers call for the addition of railroad cars that would create a historical touch.

02:07 AM PST on Thursday, March 9, 2006

By HERBERT ATIENZA / The Press-Enterprise

HEMET - Authentic railroad cars soon could be parked alongside the historic Santa Fe Depot under expansion plans announced Wednesday by Hemet Area Museum supporters.

Museum supporters told the audience Wednesday at the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce's regular Power Lunch that the museum needs more space.

They also said the museum at Florida Avenue and State Street is working to add:

Two railroad cars to house more of the museum's collections.

A dining car to allow eating at the museum.

A caboose to bring a more distinctive look to the museum.

The Hemet Area Museum showcases San Jacinto Valley history, from the Pleistocene era to the modern day. The museum is at the historic train depot in downtown Hemet.

Those who heard the plans said they were excited about what's in store.

"It's timely because of all the new growth we've had in Hemet," said Morley Wigle, owner of Hemet Rubber Stamp. "It ties in very much with where the city started -- the railroad."

Kit Longe, a retired Hemet High School counselor, said the planned additions should increase interest in local history.

"I love trains," she said. "It should be wonderful, especially for the kids."

Linda Krupa, president of Save Our Station, the group who owns the Santa Fe Depot, said that Rep. Mary Bono, R-Palm Springs, has committed to helping find the railroad cars free of charge.

She said some cars are being looked at in the Omaha, Neb., area. If the cars become available, the museum would need to raise funds to transport them to Hemet and to clean them up, she said. Krupa said she hopes the cars would be open to the public within the year.

Bono's spokeswoman Kimberly Collins said the congresswoman was thrilled to help because "these will help to restore the ambience and history of the area."

Jim Venable, a former Riverside County supervisor and president of the Hemet Area Museum Association, said the adding the cars would let visitors see even more of the museum's collections.

Some pieces are now kept in places such as the Hemet Public Library, in storerooms and in people's garages, he said by phone.

The railroad cars also would serve as a visual treat for people visiting downtown Hemet, Venable said.

"It's really going to look nice and be the center of attraction in the center of Hemet," he said.

Reach Herbert Atienza at (951) 763-3464 or hatienza@PE.com