Ties and rails have been laid and the track spiked down for the John Bull replica locomotive at Kennedy Memorial Park.

The John Bull locomotive replica project is progressing on schedule and it is on its way to its permanent home at Kennedy Memorial Park. Most recently, the ties and rails have been laid and the track spiked down in front of the gazebo. Also, the locomotive's boiler assembly has been painted and placed upon the frame/wheel assembly.

The full-sized, non-operating replica, which has taken Hicksville Chamber of Commerce President James Pavone slightly over two years to build, is based on the 1831 "John Bull" locomotive, which was imported from Britain and run on the Camden and Amboy Railroads. It served as inspiration for Matthias W. Baldwin to build locomotives in this country, including the Long Island Rail Road's first locomotive, the Ariel, which serves as the image seen on Hicksville welcome signs and banners.

A public ceremony celebrating the 360th anniversary of Hicksville and the dedication of the John Bull locomotive replica will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at Kennedy Memorial Park.