 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Bob R. and Jim S. work on replacing a bad check valve on the Depot Sump Pump. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
The Orchard Park crew works throughout the winter, even though the weather can be challenging. During the first week of January, the sump pump in the depot took a permanent vacation. Bob Reynders found two inches of water in the basement. Immediate replacement of the sump pump was undertaken, and the crew added a backup sump pump, placed just below floor level and hooked up to a separate power line, in event of another primary pump failure. |
| Thanks in part to the gift from the Village of Orchard Park, mentioned as breaking news in the last issue of the Flyer, Bob Reynders and crew installed two new reproduction sets of lights in the baggage room, part of the overall program to replace all of the passenger station lighting with genuine reproductions of the original equipment. Bob Reynders and crew install two new light fixtures in the baggage room. The fixture is an exact copy of the original. From left to right are Jim Slominski, Duane Warchocki (behind Jim), Bob Reynders (on ladder), Gary Ludwig and Roger Smith. |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - New lights in the Baggage Room really add a lot of character's to the room! (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Duane Warchocki clears a path to the Depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
From time to time a little manual labor is required to clear a path to the depot, here performed by the newest Orchard Park crew member, Duane Warchocki. A security alarm failure was the result of the cold January weather and the lack of heat in the freight house. A terminal box in the freight house froze, setting off alarms in the freight house and the railway cars on the siding. Bob Snyder met a technician from Eastern States Alarm Company at the depot. The technician identified the source of the problem and put the system back on line. |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - A new shelf for our Electronic Surveillance Equipment is constructed. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
Wednesday and Saturday work sessions continued through the end of winter at the Orchard Park depot. February 7th found the depot crew building a new shelf for a piece of our electronic equipment in the passenger station basement. Bob Reynders, Gary Ludwig, Duane Warchocki, Jim Slominski and yours truly were outside to cut up scrap wood to make the shelf. |
| February 14th was devoted to repairing damage to the passenger station roof caused by squirrel activity. Bob Reynders and Jim Slominski cut up wire material to cover the hole in the outside overhang, then Bob, Jim and Roger Smith sealed the hole. The squirrel was found dead in our animal trap in the attic of the passenger station a couple of days later. We're not sure if he died from the confinement in the trap or from the peanut doughnut we used as bait. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Patching up the entrance hole in the Depot Overhang. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - A roofing installed on the BR&P Caboose by Bob R. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
On March 11th, the depot crew replaced a piece of temporary roof covering on the BR&P caboose cupola that had been damaged by a severe wind storm. Finishing the month were the usual on-going clean-up and storage activities, as shown by the photo of Duane Warchocki helping Bob Reynders pack away part of our “Holiday in the Park” display. |
| On Saturday, March 21st, the depot crew had their annual pancake project planning meeting breakfast at the Pancake House on Union road in West Seneca. Plans were put together for projects we hope to complete in 2009, following a review of the good project year of 2008. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Bob R. and Duane W. packing up the Holiday in the Park decorations for the season. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Gary L. adds the final coat of Polyurethane to the Staion Agents Desk. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
As the weather warmed up, the work parties at the depot slowly moved from inside to outside. Our resident wood worker, Gary Ludwig, continued working in the station agent's office while the rest of us moved to the gardens, the freight house and the caboose. |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Bob R. cutting up the old Drain Pipe. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
On May 2nd, Bob Reynders cut up a cast iron downspout that was hanging in a dangerous position off of the freight house west wall. Later that month, Roger Smith, Jim Slominski and yours truly loaded Roger's trailer with scrap metal that was sold at a Cheektowaga scrap dealer. We got very little cash for the scrap. But getting rid of it helped us make a lot of room in the RPO car and in the freight station. I planted many new plants, some shrubs and a whole lot of annuals, while Roger Smith eased into the grass cutting season. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Loading up the scrap metal for recycling. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Ed-U-Kids climb the steps into the BR&P Caboose. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
On June 3rd, our annual visit of Ed-U-Kids took place. We had four groups tour the passenger station and the caboose, about 80 preschoolers, plus their teachers, in all. I started the tour at the passenger station while Jim and Roger assisted the kids in and out of the caboose while Jim explained its interior. On June 10th, a parade of small groups of second graders and their teachers took similar tours. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Ed-U-Kids inspect the interior of the BR&P Caboose and learn about life on the road from Jim S. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Gary Ludwig, continued his work in the Agent's Office by cleaning and varnishing the wooden track-side window frames. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
It's summer time at the depot, but the livin' is anything but easy. Our Orchard Park work parties continue to make progress upgrading and maintaining the depot buildings and grounds on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Our resident woodworking master craftsman, Gary Ludwig, continued his work in the Agent's Office by cleaning and varnishing the wooden track-side window frames. |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Bob R. and Roger S. finish one of the last lighting fixtures in the restroom. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
Bob Reynders and Roger Smith finished the interior lighting in the passenger station on June 13th by assembling and hanging the last set of lights in both lavatories. With that done, all of the lights in the passenger station have been replaced with exact copies of the originals at no cost to the society. The final dollar amount came to over $10,000. This work was accomplished mostly through the tireless efforts of Bob Reynders. On behalf of the Orchard Park Depot Crew and the WNYRHS, I am publicly thanking Mr. Reynders for a job extremely well done. For those members of the WNYRHS who haven't been to the Orchard Park Depot lately, it's well worth the trip to see our new lights. Thanks Bob! |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - On Friday, July 24th, the Village of Orchard Park held its annual Ice Cream Social at the Depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
On Friday, July 24th, the Village of Orchard Park held its annual Ice Cream Social at the Depot. It was a record breaking affair, with over 81 gallons of ice cream being served, compared to last year's 72 gallons. The Depot Crew sold water and pop. A special note of thanks goes to Jim Slominski's wife, Maureen, for her help in making that a success. Thanks Maureen! Oh, did I mention the fireworks? Once again, the pyrotechnics were spectacular. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Over 81 gallons of ice cream was served, compared to last year's 72 gallons. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
| On July 29th, we purchased a dehumidifier for the archive boxcar, and quickly learned that it is a necessary item. The machine quickly filled with water, so we set it up for continuous service with a discharge hose to the outside. On the bad news but good news note, our security cameras videoed two boys throwing rocks at the passenger station. After several tries, they managed to pop a hole through the track-side ladies waiting room window. Two weeks after turning the video over to the Orchard Park Police, the boys were apprehended and one of them confessed. The good news is the check we got for the replacement window in the amount of $195. On August 5th, we installed a new back-up battery for the security system. The old battery was showing its age with a "low batt" |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - The Orchard Park station crew painting and repairing rust spots on the baggage car. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
Work sessions at the Orchard Park depot have concentrated on the cosmetic restoration of the 1925 Lackawanna baggage/railway express car. This car was long overdue for a new coat of paint and some minor repairs. The old paint was chalky, faded badly and marked up with graffiti. Also, rust damage along the bottom edge of the car and in a few other places required patching. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - The roof of the baggage car gets a second coat. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
| The roof got a second coat of paint, the first coat having been put on last fall. Then the sides were painted a beautiful dark green color. The results are stunning. |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Preparing the metal patches that will cover the areas rusted through. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
The work is about 75% complete. Left unfinished were the four large wooden sliding doors. They will be worked over the course of the next six month's, the work to be done indoors, one door at a time. Members of the OPD crew working on the restoration include Gary Ludwig, Bob Reynders, Jim Slominski, Roger Smith and Duane Warchocki. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Work progresses on the end of the baggage car. Note the shiny new roof preparation. On the lower right side of the car, an area rusted through, that has been filled, can be seen. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
| In other news, all of the two-year old CFL lights on the outside of the both the passenger depot and the freight station have been replaced. |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Cleaning up the garden at the Orchard Park Depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
Our Wednesday and Saturday work parties, a wedding party photo shoot, a bulb planting party and the Village of Orchard Park's annual party "Holiday in the Park" all made for plenty of work and very little partying for the OP Depot Crew. After finishing restorative work on the Lackawanna baggage car, the fellows at OP put the gardens to bed for the winter, assisted a wedding party with wedding photos and helped to plant over 300 bulbs, which had been donated by Authur's Hardware Store, for flowering in the spring. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Planting bulbs for spring flowering. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Wedding photos taken at the depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
We helped to set up tables for the Train Show and assisted at the headquarters table. We also connected the electric, put up Christmas decorations inside the passenger station and manned the station for Holiday in the Park (see photographs). |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Back to the “North Pole” for the electric connection for Holiday in the Park. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Decorating the Christmas tree in the waiting room. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
As always, Holiday in the Park was a huge success. This year, the Orchard Park Garden Club set up tables under the portico roof and sold Christmas arrangements. Part of the money they made will help benefit the depot. Out on the property in front of the freight station, the DPW set up 20 Christmas trees. Clubs and organizations from OP did the decorating while businesses from Orchard Park paid for all the decorations. |
| A hay wagon pulled by two beautiful black horses rode party goers through the neighborhood by the depot for a small fee. Santa Claus (aka Fran Hogenkamp) arrived at the passenger station at 4 PM and stayed until 7 PM. As soon as he took his seat, the station became so full of people waiting to see him that the line stretched all of the way out into the street. This year, in addition to setting up our tree in the depot, we ran our kiddy train and sold hot chocolate. Over at the DPW, the Village sold pizza, soup, pulled pork stew, hot chocolate and cookies. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Two beautiful black horses pulled the hay wagon. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - The depot has been decorated for Holiday in the Park, awailtin the arrival of Santa Claus. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
There is always something happening or needing to be done at the OP Depot. New Depot Crew members are always welcome. An expression of thanks goes out to Depot Crew member Duane Warchockis' son for assisting at this year's Holiday in the Park on December 5th. Nick manned the agent's office, answering questions and selling quilt raffle tickets from 4 PM until 7 PM. |  "(c)2009 Robert Snyder - Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the many childern in attendance. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
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