Robert Stinson reported on the renovation in the Temple Daily Telegram.

The old Moody Train Depot is getting spruced up with the help of an agreement struck in March between the city of Temple and a group of model railroaders.

The city agreed to lease the building, located on the grounds of the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, to CentraMod (Central Texas Area Model Railroaders) for a dollar a year for 15 years, with the understanding that the group would put its building fund into renovation.

Work has begun on the initial stage of construction, which will focus on the exterior of the building.

According to Ed Neill, the depot will receive vinyl siding and trim, energy efficient windows that look like the originals, a new heating and air conditioning system, additional insulation and exterior doors.

Neill said the siding would match the look of the original structure.

“Due to the deterioration of the existing wood siding and trim, repainting would not provide a satisfactory appearance, nor would it be economical to repaint every few years,” he said.

A past president of the club, Neill said most of the group’s funding comes from its annual model train show, this year set for Sept. 16-17 at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center.

The group has been in the depot for nearly five years under a 2002 agreement with the city and the Temple Parks and Leisure Services Department. At that time, the club agreed to set up a museum and make their displays available for viewing by the public.