This Past Year has been Amazing. Tomorrow is March 20, 1 year since the McKeen Car “Cuyamaca” arrived in Ramona, however, we wanted to celebrate today, March 19 and I specifically wanted to celebrate 12:40PM, because exactly 109 years ago, the Cuyamaca arrived in San Diego for the first time, finishing it’s trip from Omaha, which at times ran at 60MPH. The car would quickly begin testing before serving on the railroad for 6 years.

One of my first goals after receiving the car was to create an accurate 3-D model of the car, one where blueprints could be made off of digital parts, but to also act as a body that I can render and apply paints to. To achieve this level of detail, I spent about 350 hours over summer and school time constructing this model. I have been keeping these renderings(images) a secret, but I feel this is the best time to share them.

We are also now a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation and we set up with GoFundMe to receive at a reduced rate, and in a way where you can use it as a tax write-off. Here is the link to the page. www.GoFundMe.com/McKeenCarCuyamaca

We have a tinsmith who is currently reproducing the McKeen Ventilators that go on the roof, and soon we’ll be working on the “Dr. Suess” (not the professional term) Air Intakes for the car. We are also finishing up blueprints for the entire side sill of the Cuyamaca, that will be the first major part on the car that we replace, a major piece of the framework.

I hope you all have had a great year, and I really have to say thank you to everyone out there who have helped with the project, My Parents, Riley (my Brother,) my Friends; Taylor, Shae, and Bob, and I have to thank those who helped with my modeling and graphics work including Andrew Brandon, Randy Hees, and Kevin Bunker.

Thank You for Donating to the project, for none of this would be a reality if our followers had not helped out.

Thank You Again – Madison Kirkman