There will be a brand new station and brand new trains at Lansdale Founders Day this August 25.

SEPTA has committed, in writing, to refurbish and revitalize the Lansdale Train Station in preparation of the 140th anniversary of Lansdale Borough.

SEPTA has also helped in securing an excursion train from Ivyland to New Hope, and from Lansdale to Souderton as part of the second-annual community event.

Founders Day organizer and councilwoman Mary Fuller teased three weeks ago some big news about Founders Day that would bring in more people from outside the Lansdale, North Penn and Montgomery County regions.

"Most of you know we are celebrating 140 years this year, so the Founders Day Committee wanted to do something big. We chose to pick something from the beginning of our roots, which is the theme centered around the railroad," Fuller said at the June 20 council meeting.

She said the committee reached out to SEPTA and it returned with a lot of promises.

"I am extremely happy to report that SEPTA has committed several things to this endeavor. They are anxious to work hand-in-hand with the borough to provide a great train day all around the railroad," she said.

SEPTA has begun to spruce up, rejuvenate and refurbish the train station, which is the second-busiest station on that regional line.

"That includes painting, some reconstruction work, clean up, weeding and landscaping," she said. "I have a list of commitments on two pages, in writing and signed, that SEPTA has made to this."

Opening ceremonies for Founders Day will kick off at the station.

Fuller said SEPTA will have two of their new trains on display at the station for interested persons to tour and explore. SEPTA also agreed to allow visitors to use their lots

"Lansdale is second busiest regional line, so we are happy to, of course, have SEPTA as a partner on our special day," she said.

Fuller said the excursion train coming to town is a bigger announcement.

"Many of you know that a year ago for Lansdale Day, an excursion train came in from West Chester. We tried to get that, but the tracks are under repair and it wasn't possible," she said. "We didn't take 'no' for an answer."

Fuller said the excursion train that runs from New Hope to Ivyland will be at Founders Day.

"We have it in writing," Fuller said. "They will run the excursion train - we hope it's the steam train, but if not, it will be a diesel train."

She said the excursion train will pull into the station around 10:30 a.m.

"While here, they promised to two one or two mini-excursions from Lansdale to Souderton," Fuller said. "If you don't want to take the big ride from New Hope, you can do one of the mini-rides."

It doesn't stop there with the train theme at Founders Day.

There will be scale model displays all around town at three locations: S-Gauge at Lansdale Library, N-Gauge at Jenkins Homestead and O-, HO- and N-Gauge at Fairmount Fire Co. 

Henning's Scale Models and Trains will be heavily involved in that aspect of Founders Day.

"They will bring their parade train out so we can transport people in an area to-be-determined," Fuller said. "They will also sponsor train races for children." 

Furthermore, there will be a new video premiering at the event on the history of the railroad, produced by Dick Shearer of Lansdale Historical Society.

Fuller also confirmed that fireworks will be back this year, thanks to presenting sponsor Tyco Fire Products giving at the $10,000 level.

"Certainly, 'thank you' seems insignficant, but we will have fireworks. We will not have rain," Fuller said.

At the town hall meeting on June 26, Fuller said fireworks will be shot off from Memorial Park. Penn Street will be blocked off as a non-spectator area. She said that attendees last year had great views of the fireworks from the Penndale Middle School fields, Madison Parking Lot and borough hall.

She called the event a big day with lots of train activity.

"We did look into Thomas the Tank Engine, but money is better spent on fireworks," Fuller said. "It was quite hefty. We thought about bringing out his cousin, Timmy, but we'll stick with what we've got."

The borough will also be awarding a Lifetime Achievement Award to a yet-unannounced individual.