by Notch 8
Slowly the anticipation is beginning to build on the Bel Del. In just a little over a month, we will begin to hear a steam whistle echoing along the Delaware River once again. I'm sure on Memorial Day weekend, there will be more than a few buffs out there snapping away with their cameras saying "Oh yeah!" and "Cool!" But they'll just be looking in from the outside.
There is still quite a bit of work to be done, and lots of time for anyone new to get involved.
Helping out on a volunteer railroad is a neat experience. You can show up as little or as much as you want, or as your schedule allows. I've found the latter to be true for me. I had initially gone up there looking to help out on the engine crew. Interestingly enough I have kept going on up there doing everything else but that. Simply helping out gives you a good feeling and a sense of involvement that is quite rewarding. No matter what you do, you can leave the place a little better than it was the day before. Particularly in the off season, you can really leave a good mark. It could be a a spot of brush that got cleared, a coach that you e - cleaned, or even something as mundane as taking off a pain in the butt air pump starting valve that has bad shoulders while hanging off the side of the 142 and you really can't get a wrench on it, but you eventually do remove the valve, then lap the valve seat and finally get the body back on just trying to get it tight without destroying the shoulders once again swearing at the thing to yourself the entire time, and probably for the rest of the summer.. GRRR!.....But I digress.
All these little accomplishments give you a sense of pride when the throngs of buffs are taking pictures of what you worked on. It is a piece of something very special and rewarding. All of the volunteers on the BD are first rate and will be glad to welcome and guide anyone new.
Remember the railroad is a lot more than a train going down a track.
There is still quite a bit of work to be done, and lots of time for anyone new to get involved.
Helping out on a volunteer railroad is a neat experience. You can show up as little or as much as you want, or as your schedule allows. I've found the latter to be true for me. I had initially gone up there looking to help out on the engine crew. Interestingly enough I have kept going on up there doing everything else but that. Simply helping out gives you a good feeling and a sense of involvement that is quite rewarding. No matter what you do, you can leave the place a little better than it was the day before. Particularly in the off season, you can really leave a good mark. It could be a a spot of brush that got cleared, a coach that you e - cleaned, or even something as mundane as taking off a pain in the butt air pump starting valve that has bad shoulders while hanging off the side of the 142 and you really can't get a wrench on it, but you eventually do remove the valve, then lap the valve seat and finally get the body back on just trying to get it tight without destroying the shoulders once again swearing at the thing to yourself the entire time, and probably for the rest of the summer.. GRRR!.....But I digress.
All these little accomplishments give you a sense of pride when the throngs of buffs are taking pictures of what you worked on. It is a piece of something very special and rewarding. All of the volunteers on the BD are first rate and will be glad to welcome and guide anyone new.
Remember the railroad is a lot more than a train going down a track.
You people are beautiful. Don't forget to tip your engineer. Good night.
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