Jeff Starck of Coin World writes:

This year's Katy Railroad commemorative coins feature an old inspection car, the last leader of the company and a Katy subsidiary.

For four years, the Katy Days committee has designed and had made a three-coin set commemorating the railroad that was responsible for the founding of Parsons and that the community celebrates each year during the Memorial Day weekend festival. The coins each have the red MK&T emblem on one side and separate depictions on the opposite side. One coin has a copper tone, while another features a silver tone and a third a gold tone.

"By the time it's all said and done, we only have 50 of these to sell to the general public, so they are very, very limited edition," Steve Ferrell of rural Parsons, a Katy Days committee member, said.

The public can buy individual coins at varying prices, depending on how many are purchased, or an entire set, which costs $35 for one or $30 apiece for two or more. Orders can be placed by emailing Katy_Days@yahoo.com or calling (800) 280-6408.

The bronze-toned coin features MK&T Inspection Car 1045. Farrell said the car was a former box car that was retrofitted into an observation car. Katy officials rode in the car to inspect the track. It was attached to the rear of a train and was more low-slung than the cabooses, offering a better view.

The silver-toned coin features Harold Gastler, the last president of the Katy. He served in that role from 1975 to 1988, overseeing the merger of the Katy Railroad with the Union Pacific Railroad.

To read the complete article, see:
Katy Days board offers 2016 coins (www.parsonssun.com/news/article_0f4dafe6-1344-11e6-b752-038a39b95946.html)