 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Gary L. repairs a door frame on the track side of the depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
Work parties continue at the depot in Orchard Park every Wednesday and Saturday year round. This winter season, it has been easier to work inside the passenger station due to our new furnace and how well it heats the building. After a huge attic clean-up campaign by the depot crew, the Northwind Insulation Company from Orchard Park sprayed foam insulation between the rafters. This sealed any open spaces and prepared the attic for a blanket of blown-in insulation. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Workers from Northwind Insulation Company prepare to add the attic insulation. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
| Although the whole building could not be insulated, the new layer of protection should go a long way in saving heat loss. The cost of this work, as yet undetermined, will be paid for, in part, by the Village's donation of $1,000.00. The balance, estimated at approximately $1,700.00, will be paid from 2013 Depot revenue (Native Offering's rent, plant sale rent and other miscellaneous revenue and donations). |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bob R. bought new storage shelves for the depot basement. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
Hats off to our Jack of All Trades, Bob Reynders, for re-doing our basement storage. Bob took down our old shelving and replaced it with some new store-bought shelving, giving our storage area a much neater look. Bob and Jim Slominski also built a shelf for our storage bins in the crawl space. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bob R. and Jim S. fabricate shelves for the storage bins. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Gutter and roof damage from over 60mph winds this past winter. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
The freight house sustained some damage from the wind storm we had on January 18th. A section of the gutter between the street-side doors was blown off and a part of the roof went with it. The money allocated for roof repair in the Volker Grant will now probably go to repairing the damaged freight house roof. |
| The Garden Railway Society of Western New York has moved some of their G-scale railroad pieces into boxcar #1. They put up a pressure-treated home-made staircase to the car in order to make access easier. Native Offerings continues to sell produce at the depot on Tuesdays from 3 to 8 PM, and we have accepted their request of the Orchard Park Garden Club to once again rent the depot for their annual plant sale in May. |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Gutter and roof damage from over 60mph winds this past winter. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
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Congratulations are in order for the society members who work on preserving, restoring and saving the Orchard Park Railroad Depot. This past March, Preservation Buffalo Niagara, Western New York's preeminent preservation organization, selected the Orchard Park Depot Crew to receive an award for their conservation and stewardship of the Orchard Park BR&P railroad depot. Formed in 2008, Preservation Buffalo Niagara's mission is to provide leadership in identifying, protecting and promoting the unique architecture and historic legacy of Western New York communities. |
| The Depot Crew was one of 29 nominations out of which 17 were chosen. The current Crew consists of Gary Ludwig, Bob Reynders, Jim Slominski, Roger Smith, Bob Snyder, Alex Trank and Duane Warchocki. Other society members have contributed a great deal over the past 20 plus years and they have not been forgotten. The list is lengthy but a few names stand out and must be mentioned at this time. Terry Sprague, Ron Dukarm, Dave Peters and Mike Fitzsimmons. Their contributions were huge in the overall history of saving and preserving the Orchard Park Depot. Thousands of man hours have been spent rescuing a piece of local American railroad history and no one will be forgotten for their help in making that happen. All of our board members, the Car Crew, Web Master, and the Williamsville Depot Crew, many current and former society members and so many of our close friends who can no longer be with us are to be congratulated for all that they have done to save the depot. The fifth annual PBN awards luncheon will take place on May 31st at Klienhans Music Hall in Buffalo, N.Y. At least one of the current Depot Crew will be in attendance to accept the award on behalf of all of those who have contributed. |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Jim S. and Bob R. hard at work constructing the attic floor in the passenger depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
In other news, the Depot Crew installed flooring in the attic for a walkway over our new attic insulation. This safety feature was always in our plans and it was also recommended by the people who did the assessment of the depot. Flooring in the passenger station crawl space entrance made the list of projects. We are getting stall door hinge hardware made for both washrooms. A total of 24 welded pieces are to be fabricated by an outside source. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - A deck in the snow? No, the attic floor in the depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - It may look like the door to the ice house, but this is also in the attic. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
We are also obtaining estimates for wood to be used for the washroom stall doors and estimates on lumber for the caboose & freight station roof repairs. We tagged all of the water valves, gas valves and electrical switches in the passenger station. A master list of those tags can be found in the agents office. We purchased a new valve kit for the urinal and are now able to shut the water off. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Yes, we can even turn off the water now. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (100K)") |
| Ray Stevens did roof work on the passenger station for $675. The Orchard Park Garden Club gave us $500 from the sale of the Christmas wreathes and other Christmas decorations they made and sold at Holiday in The Park at the depot. Finally, Orchard Park Mayor, John Wilson, gave us $1,000 as a donation from the Village. |
| May 31st was an important day for all the people who have worked on the Orchard Park Railroad Depot. Jim Slominski and I were honored to attend the 2013 Preservation Buffalo Niagara Awards Luncheon at Kleinhans Music Hall to accept an award for stewardship of the depot. Our society members, who have volunteered restoring the depot, were being recognized for their work in helping to save this national historic landmark. It was a proud moment when the director of PBN, Tom Yots, presented the award recognizing our efforts. The award will be on display in the Orchard Park passenger depot for all to see. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to saving a great reminder of our Western New York railroad heritage. |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Our riding Lawn Tractor gets a new blade. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
4/13 replaced blade on riding lawnmower (Roger Smith, Gary Ludwig, Alix Trank, Jim Slominski and Duane Warchocki), 4/20 yard cleanup work, track side of depot (Depot Crew). |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Trackside spring clean-up. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bob R. paints the restore Semaphore Order Board throw arms. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
4/24 Bob Reynders painted the semaphore throws, 5/4 major freight house cleanup (Depot Crew) & patch door of boxcar II (Gary Ludwig & Roger Smith). |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Door work on B&O Boxcar #2. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Eastern States Security installed some High Temperature sensors in the attic. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
5/11 new high temperature heat sensors installed in depot attic (Eastern States Security), 5/15 two groups of Ed-U-Kids toured the depot. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Ed-U-Kids toured the depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bob R. & Jim S. primed lumber for the new freight House roof. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
5/15 Bob Reynders & Jim Slominski primed lumber for the new freight House roof, 5/22 three groups of Ed U Kids toured the depot (Bob Snyder), 5/23 the freight house roof was repaired (Building Solutions). |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Building Solutions repaired the Freight House Roof caused by winter weather. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bob R. & Jim S. primed lumber for the new freight House roof. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
5/25 we sprayed for carpenter bees & hung the locomotive photo donated by Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Rast (Depot Crew), 5/29 Bob Reynders primed wood on some parts of the new roof while Jim Slominski assisted, 5/31 freight house corner garden was cleared, reworked and mulched (Depot crew). |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - One quarter of the freight house underside roof is painted and one more awaits. What a difference Bob!. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Another couple starts their jouney through life together at the Depot. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
June, July and August have been busy months at the depot. Two weddings, the annual ice cream social, moving archive boxes, getting the new freight house roof woodwork painted and finishing up the reworking of our gardens has kept the Depot Crew plenty busy. A job started in May continued on into the first of June as Bob Reynders and Alix Trank began readying the freight house corner garden for more mulch. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bob R. and Alex T. ready the Freight House Garden for mulch. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Roger S., Jim S. and Bob R. put new mulch in the Freight House Garden. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
On June 8th Bob R., Jim S. and Roger S. spread two big piles of mulch on the garden to finish the job. Now all three gardens have become low maintenance while still being attractive to visitors. June 19th was one of our archive moving days as was August 8th when the depot crew loaded two pickups full of archive material and drove them to the HDC. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - With Jim S. and Roger S. helping, Alix T. loads another box of archive material being sent to the Heritage DiscovRY Center. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Roger S. hauled a trailer load of scrap to the salvage yard. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
In July we devoted time to clearing the right of way of grass, weeds, trees and you name it from the tracks. On July 3rd Roger Smith hauled a trailer load of scrap to the salvage yard to start the month. |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - The long line of people getting ice cream knew it was worth the wait!. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
All of the Depot Crew was on hand to work the ice cream social at the end of the month. The social drew the usual huge crowd to feast on over 100 gallons of ice cream before finishing the evening with a spectacular fireworks display which is held on the freight house front lawn. Prior to the start of the social the new Scenic Byway sign was dedicated by local dignitaries. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Food, family and friends all gathered track side to share summer stories. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Fireworks lit up the Depot on a beautiful starry night! (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - The Societies N&W Caboose at the Erie County Fairgrounds. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
From August 7th to August 18, the Society manned our N&W Caboose at the Erie County Fairgrounds. Most of the Depot Crew took a turns as "car host" to explain what the caboose was and its important job one time on the railroad. The work continues at the depot every Wednesday and Saturday morning for anyone who would like to help. Call us at 716-662-7002 if you are interested. |
 "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - New yellow pine siding for the BR&P Caboose. (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
The year 2013 was a year of many projects at the Orchard Park Depot. The most noticeable of which are: the new section of roof on the freight house, the new siding on the BR&P caboose, the stairs built to the door of boxcar one, the painted and installed semaphore levers in the station agents office, the painted woodwork in the freight house, the removal of the mound at the Lincoln Street entrance and the installation of a gate at that same entrance. |
| What is not as noticeable are the numerous everyday housekeeping and maintenance projects that keep the Depot Crew busy week in and week out. These jobs include changing the light bulbs that light up the Depot at night (a three man job which requires an extension ladder and at least two work sessions to complete), changing the blade on the riding lawn mower (more than a one man job but a necessary fix that had to be done), spreading mulch for the three gardens, moving archival material to HDC, taking scrap metal to the salvage yard, getting new wood siding for the caboose repair, cleaning up the right of way, hosting Holiday in the Park, the Ice Cream Social, the Garden Club plant sale and a Chicken BBQ just to name a few. We also put a light over the basement sink, built shelving in the crawl space, and put new shelving in the basement of the passenger depot. |  "(c)2013 Robert Snyder - Bright Caboose Red make quite a difference! (10K) - CLICK to Enlarge (150K)") |
| My review would not be complete without mentioning the new floor we built in the depot attic, fixing the door on boxcar one to make it easier to open, labeling all of the valves in the depot, hanging a archival locomotive photograph in the ladies waiting room, and the scratch built work being done on the restroom door hinges. And oh yes we did have several tour groups visit the depot and last but by no means least, we were awarded a preservation award from Buffalo Niagara Preservation. Special thanks to the Orchard Park Depot Crew, Jim Slominski, Alex Trank, Gary Ludwig, Bob Reynders, Roger Smith, and Duane Warchocki for all of their volunteer work. The Orchard Park Depot could never be the same without them. |
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