Gil, an MMRR club member makes Bi-Lo train run again in early 2020. The Gastonia Gazette originally covered this story and it appeared on GastonGazette.com on February 20, 2020. It still appears there as of today, July 22nd, 2024. Normally, links would be provided to the original article where you could view it as presented by the original source. However, while reviewing the article on July 22nd, 2024, a pop-up virus scam scare warning appeared from the advertisements displayed within the body of the article. As result, we will not send any of our website visitors or links to the original source page.

The following article is completely reproduced by us without requesting permission from the Gaston Gazette. All the original words presented were taken directly from the article shortly after it first appeared as well as copies of the photos shown on the Gaston Gazette’s website. They retain the copyrights to the materials.

Longtime Stanley Bi-Lo train runs once again

Gavin Stewart. Published originally 9:50 am ET Feb 20, 2020 | Updated Feb 20, 2020 at 10:03 AM

A model train inside the Stanley BI-LO that’s brought joy to children and enthusiasts for 21 years is once again making laps around the store’s checkout lanes.

According to store manager Cindy Leming, when the Stanley BI-LO opened in 1999, the store was one of the last to feature a BI-LO Express.

“A lot of the BI-LOs used to have the trains and they took them out,” Leming said. “Mine is the last BI-LO left with the train.”

Jack Ford, a preacher and former BI-LO employee, was the last person to regularly clean and maintain the locomotive.

But as Ford’s health worsened and he could no longer work, the train experienced many mechanical failures that kept it parked for the last several years, Leming said.

“I couldn’t find the right person to come work on it,” she said.

Ford died on Dec. 4, 2019 at age 71. Shortly after his death, Leming said heaven sent a “train angel” into the BI-LO to bring a new life to the train set.

Through mutual acquaintances, Cramerton resident Gil Harris – a model railroad enthusiast since he was a child – heard about Leming’s need.

“One day, Gil showed up,” Leming said.

Harris, who serves as vice president of the Metrolina Model Railroaders, regularly travels to Stanley and was quick to get the BI-LO Express working again.

“All the employees were beside themselves, ‘are you going to get the train running? All the kids love it! They come in and want to stand there and watch the train go around,’” Harris said. “I said I’ll do everything I can to get it running. I said I can’t stand seeing a train set that doesn’t run. It breaks your heart.”

After replacing the engines, repairing the power supply, and installing new accessories here and there, the BI-LO Express was once again running at the end of January.

Harris believes the BI-LO Express ran nonstop for many years on the 280-feet-long track, resulting in the engine failures. Now, the train runs on a timer each day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“In one year, this train will [run] 2,100 miles,” Harris said.

The BI-LO Express, fashioned with new flatbed cars, also hauls and promotes products sold in the store. Most recently, a pack of Peeps marshmallows and a chocolate rabbit rode around with the train.

“I bought $12 worth of candy, stuck it on there and when Easter’s over I’ll have candy,” Harris laughed.

Jerry Whitlock works at BI-LO two days a week. He said nothing makes him happier than seeing a child’s face light up when they see the express.

“I love kids anyway, but they just brighten me up when they see it,” Whitlock said. “They’ll just stop and look at it going around and around. It’s great.”

Wearing a conductor hat in spirit of the express, Whitlock said before Harris fixed the set, children often asked about the non-functioning train.

“The other day, this little boy came in with his mom. Gil was here working on it. The little boy said ‘mom, the train’s running again.’ So I pointed over there and said ‘that man fixed it,’” Whitlock said. “He said, ‘Can I go thank him?’ I thought that was just the neatest thing.”

To help Harris keep the BI-LO Express tip-top, Leming placed jars at each checkout lane, hoping customers will help keep it going.

“This is his (Harris) hobby. He just loves doing it,” Leming said.

You can reach Gavin Stewart, who still remembers the joy of watching the BI-LO Express go round and round as a child from information presented in the original article on Gaston Gazettes website.

Addendum. Bi-Lo has permanently closed the Stanley store, so unfortunately, the Bi-Lo train can no longer be observed running there.