A committee is trying to convince the Town of Bonavista to rethink its decision to remove the train, but the town council says the cost would be prohibitive.

The T.K. Kelloway Train Station and train have long stood as Bonavista’s heritage, but the old car and caboose are rusted and damaged and Mayor John Norman says the estimated cost to fully restore the train and site would exceed $1-million.

He says council believes that taxpayer dollars are better spent on priorities such as a new water treatment plant, road paving, water tower removal, sidewalk expansion, developing the cruise ship industry and recreation facilities.

Eliza Swyers, who’s with the Save the Train Committee, says it will take a lot of work but they can start with securing the site and raising money.

She’s urging people to turn out for Monday night’s council meeting as a show of support for restoring the train.

“Council needs to take another look at it, and give us a chance to try to do something and come up with a plan,” said Swyers.