Pictured, The Thomas H. Ball statue at the Tomball Depot will soon be joined by one of a train conductor.

Just three months after unveiling the Thomas H. Ball statue in front of the train depot in downtown Tomball, the city council approved last week a $42,000 expenditure for a second statue on the grounds, this one of a train conductor.

The city is once again enlisting the services of Oklahoma-based sculptor Sandra Van Zandt to create the piece.

At the March 16 Tomball City Council meeting, City Manager Jan Belcher said the efforts to include more art at the depot is in continuation of a charge put forth by Mayor Gretchen Fagan and the council to make the city a tourist destination.

In a letter addressed to the council, Tomball Economic Development Corporation Betty Reinbeck stated “the Depot has become a destination spot in Tomball, drawing the interest of train and historic depot enthusiasts, photographers and even wedding parties seeking the perfect spot for wedding pictures.”

The new life-sized statue is slated to be completed by the fall and is scheduled to be unveiled at the city’s Second Saturday at the Depot on Dec. 2, following the schedule of the Ball statue, which was revealed at last year’s Christmas event.

According to the contract with Van Zandt, the figure will hold a legible Tomball train schedule in one arm and a pocket watch in one of his hands.

The project will be funded by the Economic Development Corporation.

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