Things are busier than ever on the Bel– Del. Prior to A Day Out With Thomas we took on a huge construction project, literally re landscaping the whole station area. With help from Haag Construction of Maywood the volunteers of the NYSWTHS built a retaining wall with 2,200 pound blocks, creating a much needed wider loading platform, and increased the size of the gravel area down by the station. One of the biggest improvements was the hill on your left hand side as you go down the path. It had become a garbage dump and a weed tangled jungle for many many years. While we had the tractors there we stripped it down to dirt, cleaned out tons of debris and glass and finally planted some shrubbery and over 1,500 dragons blood sedum plants as ground cover. I guess the NYSTWHS now has a horticultural branch of the society! John Stocker, Wayne Nilsen, Wayne Jennings, Dan Haag, Martin Den Bleyker Chris Cotty , Dave Hutsebaut and Dylan Vieyles all volunteered their time for this project. We plan to keep up the beautification of the station area adding lighting as well as 24/7 video surveillance. The quite talented “Doc” Koschker carved (with a chain saw) this amazing bear in memory of late member Bill Doran. Billy the Bear now resides at the mine for all to enjoy. Top both pages: Our newly landscaped station area just prior to the Thomas event. Above top left: One of the bunnies ( Noah Conrad) visits with a happy family Above top right: Conductor Myron Biggar and trainmen Don Young prepare to head back to the station. Bottom left : A pair of bunnies is necessary to handle all of our passengers. Devin Stasak is the gray bunny. Bottom right.: Devon McEnteer gets ready to board the Easter Bunny Train Ride’s passengers. Next page top left: Dave Hustebaut and Noah Conrad planting over a thousand plants on the hill. Next page top right: The finished product. Next page Center left: Wayne Nilsen, Dan Haag and Wayne Jennings all running heavy machinery. Next page Center right: This view shows the 2,200 pound cement block in place making the new wall. Next page bottom right: Wayne Nilsen digs the foundation for the new wall. 8
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