By Hannah Garcia
Foley Onlooker
FOLEY, Alabama – City officials and community members gathered at the Railroad Museum for a memorial train dedication for former Councilman Charlie Ebert Jr., Friday, Sept. 30.
Ebert, father of current councilman Charlie Ebert III, passed away Dec. 10. He served on the city council from 1979 to 2004.
“He did a lot for this community. He was a quiet man, but got a lot done behind the scenes,” Mayor John Koniar said. “Charlie was a great man and I remember him fondly.”
Bill Gordon, of the museum’s Caboose Club, spoke fondly of a man with a dedication to the city and a love for locomotives. He recalled a story a few years before his death, when Caboose Club members restored an old Caboose and surprised Ebert.
“He walked in the caboose and the expression on his face made all that dirty hard work worthwhile,” Gordon said.
“He sat down in the engineer’s seat and he reached up to the horn cord. Now, we hadn’t told him that we had repaired the air compressor and there was an air supply to the horn.”
Ebert pulled the horn cord, and startled himself, Gordon said.
“Finally the grin came on his face,” Gordon said. “And for a moment, I saw a little boy come out in Charlie.”
The memorial train is an homage to the “little boy” in Ebert. The engine is a small, five-car train painted in bright colors, sporting a plaque embossed with his name.
Ebert said he never wanted to be famous, but with his work for the Depot Museum and his years of service to the city, he will be remembered just the same, according to Gordon.
color:black">“Charlie has left one giant footprint here in Foley,” Gordon said.
“The family is just so grateful for the opportunity to honor dad,” Ebert’s son said. “We thank the city very much for this recognition.”
