April 13, 2011

Hello Everyone.

Well the news has officially been released.  The Trolley Museum is the recipient of a generous donation from the Windsor Locks Preservation Association (WLPA).  The WLPA was formed to raise money to preserve the Windsor Locks Train Station.  Unfortunately, the plans did not work out for them, and the organization decided to disband.  They voted to turn over their remaining funds to the museum to fund two specific projects; the Isle of Safety and the Mansfield Caboose.

The Mansfield Caboose will get a new roof and exterior siding along with repairs to windows and doors to make her watertight and looking good.  The caboose will then be set up for birthday parties and other events. 

The money for the Isle of Safety will allow work to be done to repair the woodwork and roof structure and hopefully refinish the tiles, replace the missing tiles, and complete the roof back to her origonal green color.  We still have to get final prices to see how far the money will take us, and the hope is to raise enough money to reproduce the origonal walls that once provided shelter within the Isle of Safety.

A dedication ceremony regarding this bequest will be held on May 7th (Annual meeting day) at 2:00 P.M.  All are welcome to attend.

This year is shaping up to be one of the best years for the museum.  This past Saturday, we had an incredible turnout of volunteers. 

Work this coming weekend includes continuing track work in Kelly yard.  Also, now that we will need to get the caboose out for a dedication ceremony, there is a renewed urgency to building the temporary track in the visitor center area to move 1739 and 0206 out of the way before the caboose needs to be moved on May 7th.

Work of course will continue in the shop.

As always, the operators will be doing their thing to keep the public happy and the trolleys running.

If you have some time, come on down and join the fun.  There is plenty to go around.

Upcoming events include

Easter Bunny fun day on Saturday April 23
The Annual meeting and dedication ceremony on May 7th
Preservation Market on May 21.

Have a great Spring, and hope to see you at the museum.

Galen