Model railroad engineers stay on track

Lolita Harper

Burrowing owls and purple needle grass threatened to derail plans

for local train enthusiasts to expand their model railroad tracks at

Fairview Park, but City Council members approved the expansion

Monday, as long as tracks meet environmental standards.

The City Council approved the addition of 2,250 feet to the Orange

County Model Engineers train ride with the condition that the train

enthusiasts work with state Department of Fish and Game officials to

devise a path that does not endanger burrowing owls.

Environmental officials asked that the new tracks be laid outside

of a 160-square-foot buffer zone that surrounds the birds’ prime

burrowing spot.

Model railroad engineers asked the city to help with the cost of

ensuring an environmentally safe train ride at Fairview Park after

state officials demanded a “biological monitor” of the proposed track

site.

Kevin Tollin, a member of the Model Engineers, said a privately

funded monitor could develop a bias.

“It would be in the city’s best interest to pay for a biologist

that has the city’s best interests at heart,” Tollin said.

Environmental enthusiasts expressed concern about the rare breed

of owl and the importance of securing their survival. Most agreed it

could be done in conjunction with the railroad.

Jan Vandersloot, a Newport Beach resident who has been involved

with the Fairview Park planning, suggested that any purple grass

displaced by the additional tracks be replaced in another part of the

park.

“I ask that you allow volunteers a chance to transplant the

grass,” Vandersloot said.

About 45,000 to 60,000 people ride the railroad per year, and

council members have called it a distinct attraction that makes

Fairview Park a special place to visit. The railroad also hosts

schools, parent-child groups, Scout troops, Cub packs, service clubs

and other private organizations.

“This is a great asset to our park and draws additional people to

our park,” former Mayor Sandra Genis said.

The model railroad train ride currently spans about 8,800 feet in

a figure-eight in the northwest portion of the park. The request to

expand the ride required an amendment to the Fairview Park master

plan.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.