This is one of the projects that I'm involved with.
The group website:
http://eastbrookfielddepot.com/
The facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the- ... 9949670829

To cover the basis, we're still kicking. I'm hoping that I can garner more support for the effort. We already have support of some of East Brookfield's more well known residents, including the historic commission chairman, Dennis Lebeau, and one of the founding members of the new Seven Railroads chapter of the NRHS, Blake Lamothe, known for his very successful operation of the Steaming Tender in Palmer. We also have a person (a professor?) at Worcester State (don't know what his name is, out project leader, Dan, mentioned him yesterday.) Fact is we need more support in our endeavors to save this depot, as the more the merrier.
Dylan M. Lambert, group volunteer

Now, there is an update to give the world. First, I've been interviewed by Kim Rich from Telegram and Gazette, and that article should be printed later this week. That happened Sunday afternoon.

On another note, also on Sunday, I was asked to be the president of the Depot Foundation's young railfan division.

Currently, our project leader, Dan, has been filing the paperwork to create a 501c(3) out of the effort, and he asked me to be the first president/executive director of said non-profit. I'll check that off as a great day...

Anywho, down to the nitty-gritty. Based on comments from other railfans, there has been a consensus that a restoration would cost a significant amount of money, going well into the six digits. Grants are an option, but until we get our non-profit status, don't expect any grants in the near future.

Anywho, keeping the public in the loop,
Dylan M. Lambert

I recently completed a slideshow that outlines the basic points of our effort. I plan to upload it today.

Well, I think that should do it. Key word here is think. Please note, there are two gags at the end of this slideshow. The reasoning is simple
1) This is meant for the general public. Bombarding them with the technicals will make them lose interest in the presentation
2) Towards the end of the presentation, people may drift in thought. The gags are meant to retake the audience's attention, as following the gags is important information, like the basic vision and contact information, as well as the current status of the 501c(3) paperwork.

Alright, having problems uploading the slideshow. Some help please?

I don't think the RYPN interchange is set up to handle file attachments.

An easy, and free way to share files like this is sendspace.com. Just upload the file, make a note of the file download link, and share the link here.

Every since someone brought it to my attention, I use it like crazy to share files between computers that are too big to e-mail.

Thanks for the advice. It might be posted to the facebook page within the next few days, or I'll put it on my photobucket.

Does anyone know about the North Brookfield branch of the B&A? There's going to be a pow-wow eventually on a plan, and having walked part of the branch, it seems like it could be relaid. Problem is I can't follow what's left of the branch north of West Main Street in East Brookfield (yes, lots of contradictory directions in that statement). The branch lasted up until the early 1970s. I want to try and have a proposal for that meeting.

Well, tommorow I'll be heading out to the steaming tender in palmer to meet with Bob Buck and Brian Solomon. Mr. Solomon is going to be doing an article on the depot in "The Headlight", the publication of the New York Central System Historical Society. This could also serve to help develop a plan more than just try to prevent demoliton and rebuild after the depot components are moved. Also, on the suggestion of Bob Buck, I plan to write to the state historical commissioner to see if we can get more assistance. Also, it looks like East Brookfield narrowly escaped the tornados, but Monson got hit pretty bad. Guess Mr. Solomon was in Dublin at the time, so I'm glad he's ok. Anywho, hope that everyone has a good weekend.
-Dylan M. Lambert

It would be good post up to date information on the website. When you go to the main page the last entry is from November 2010 titled "Demolition". Your efforts here are preaching to the choir. The population here, while willing to offer some encouragement and share experience, for the most part, has their own fish to fry. You need to appear up-to-date and having your act together to the public at large, especially the local business/political leaders if you are going to pull this off. A quick look at the main page and Joe Public is going to think "demolition last November ... it's over, too bad... let me check ebay now".

Does this project interlock with any of the efforts to get passenger service west of Worcester? If that service were initiated, would this depot be rebuilt as part of the project?

PC

I don't think so. We just want to save it as a museum. By the way, Dan (project leader) just updated the website today. To say that I'm flattered is an understatement. It would be easier for you guys to read than for me to explain. By the way, Brian Solomon pointed that problem out to me last night at the Steaming Tender, so the problem that could be caused has been narrowly avoided! I direct you all to the website, which give the update on everything that has happened (that we're willing to air. You can't tell everyone everything at one time. Learned that from Otto Vondrak), and there has been a large amount of stuff. I also heard from Kim Ring today. Guess she hasn't heard back from CSX yet, which explains why the article has yet to go to print. Oh well, that makes the wait that much more worth it!
http://eastbrookfielddepot.com/

Could I ask you to supply a location for those of us that failed geography. "From where I am typing this" doesn't show up in any Google search!

Later!
Mr. Ed

Leicester my good man. And I'm fighting for the people in East Brookfield. Thank god that the EB students that have heard of me don't know I go to LHS. Those David Prouty High School students would tear me appart! ;)

I know the feeling. I live in Sewell, NJ, and drive an hour to go help with the equipment in Pemberton Township, NJ. I looked for some rail related restorations closer to home but found none. Oh, well!

Later!
Mr. Ed