New Roof for the Hopewell Depot

[Bernard Rudberg]

Our little engine that could was in the East Fishkill Community Day parade and won first place trophy for "Community Spirit".
That is three years in a row that we have won trophies.

On Friday evening, 7/19, I will be doing another railroad talk/slideshow at the LaGrange Town Hall .
This is a meeting of the Mid Hudson Photography Club and I will talk about the seven railroads in Dutchess County.
The meeting starts at 7:30.

Today was a sunny and cool day for the Rail Trail and we had several visitors to talk to.

The next Depot open sessions will be Saturday and Sunday 9/20 and 9/21.


Stop around and check out our newest trophy.

[Bernard Rudberg]

Cool sunny day on the Rail Trail. Our little engine now has a set of faux tracks under it.

Among today's donations are 11 glass insulators and 4 railroad books.

Next Depot open sessions will be Sunday 9/21 and Wednesday 9/24.

[Bernard Rudberg]

On a cool sunny fall day two kids came down the Rail Trail driving a small, battery powered car.
It looks like a mini Mercedes and it has a loud sound system. It was a lot different from the pedal car my kids had.

Next Depot open sessions will be tomorrow (Sunday) 9/28 and Wednesday 10/1.

Saturday 10/4 will be the last Arts and Crafts Expo of the year with vendors, music and free food from the Blue Fountain Restaurant.
Stop around to the Depot and do a little early Christmas shopping.

[Bernard Rudberg]

You may remember Rick Soedler who performed at the Depot Arts and Crafts Expo.
His son built a model of the Hopewell Depot out of Lego blocks and won first prize. Even the interior was complete.

"1st place at Poughkeepsie Plaza annual Lego contest, 11-13 age group. 11 year old Grant Soedler."

Congratulations to Grant.

Next Depot open sessions will be Wednesday 10/8 and Saturday 10/11.

[Bernard Rudberg]

The newest addition to our museum is a shelf display of telegraph insulators. Stop around and take a look.

Rainy weather slowed down the Trail traffic but we did an interview with a student working on a school history project.

Next Depot open sessions will be tomorrow (Sunday 10-12-14) and Wednesday 12-15-14.

[Bernard Rudberg]

We held our annual Depot fund raising dinner Saturday evening at the Blue Fountain Restaurant in Fishkill Plains. Among the guests was State Senator Gipson and Marge Horton from the Dutchess county legislature. MC for the event was our president Joe Sullivan.

The featured speaker was Mary Kay Vrba, Executive Director of Dutchess County Tourism. She gave us a good run down on how much tourism does for the County. It amounts to multi millions of dollars every year.

We also raffled off a table full of donated item which was dominated by the huge plant from Sabellicos Florist and a selection of wines. It was a very good evening.

Here's to another successful year at the Depot. With some luck and fund raising, maybe next year we can celebrate the construction of the switch tower.

[Bernard Rudberg]

The publisher of my book is trying to retire. He has decided that there will be no second printing. We have acquired the last remaining copies from the publisher's warehouse. If you are interested in getting a copy, now is the time.

This book is the story of the ND&C RR which ran from the Hudson River through Dutchess County to the Connecticut state line. It is based on the original record books of the railroad which are now housed at the Beacon Historical Society. It tells of the sweat and effort required to run a successful railroad in the turmoil after the Civil War.

You can stop around to the Hopewell Depot and pick up your copy for $25.

You can also get a copy via mail order for $25 plus $5 shipping and handling.
Send you check to:

Hopewell Depot Restoration Corp..
P. O. Box 1044
Hopewell Junction ,
12533-1044.

[Bernard Rudberg]

On a cool breezy day, we had very little foot traffic on the Rail Trail and a few visitors.


Don't forget to mark your calendar for the upcoming train show at the Poughkeepsie Civic Center on Sunday 9 November.
Doors open at 10:00 and we will be there with our usual table. Stop around a chat for a while and maybe even do some Holiday shopping .


Next Depot open session will be Saturday November 1.

[Bernard Rudberg]

On a chilly breezy day we hosted Boy Scout Troop 48. Christopher DiFede earned his Eagle with a project to build four picnic tables for the Depot grounds. Today was the official acceptance ceremony. Of course he had assistance from several other members of the troop[ and the materials were donated by Kurt Christensen and Mary Lauria. A brass plaque with their names will be attached to the table.

After the ceremony, the troop spent some time inside the Depot soaking up the rich Hopewell Junction railroading history.

With the weather changing, we are switching over to a winter schedule. The Depot will be open for tours on Saturdays from 9:00 till 3:00.

[Bernard Rudberg]

Don't forget the Train Show at the Poughkeepsie Civic Center on Sunday November 9. The attached photo is our table at last years show.
Stop around and chat with "Mr. Conductor" and do some Christmas shopping while you are there. Doors open at 10:00 AM.

There will be many train layouts operating and many vendors selling everything from toys to serious models plus other railroad artifacts and books.
We have a good time every year at this show. Don't miss it.

The Hopewell Depot is changing to winter open hours. Depending on weather etc. we plan to be open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM till around 3:00 PM.

[Bernard Rudberg]

It was 22 degrees with bright sunshine this morning, We had to scrape heavy frost off the car windows.
There was little foot traffic on the Rail Trail and our volunteers concentrated on building a new display shelf for the Visitor Center.

Next Depot open date will be Saturday, November 22.

[Bernard Rudberg]

Hello everyone. Now you can donate to the Hopewell Depot restoration online. We have set up a Pay Pal account to accept online donations.

http://hopewelldepot.org/index.php/give" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your year-end tax-deductible contribution can be an enormous help to the Depot.
We are counting on your financial support to help us maintain and grow the Depot (A 501c3 not-for-profit organization) as a cultural center in the region.

Your donation can be directed to fund one of the following initiatives for 2015:

1- Build of the 1892 Interconnect Switch Tower Fund

2- HDR Sustaining Operations Fund

3- Capital Endowment Fund

Please donate on-line at Hopewell Depot Tower Project

http://hopewelldepot.org/index.php/give" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or you can send a check to:

Hopewell Depot Restoration Corp.

P.O. Box 1044

Hopewell Junction, NY 12533


A 501c3 not-for-profit organization


Sincerely,

HDR Board Members.

[Bernard Rudberg]

Remember hopewelldepot.org on ‪#‎givingTuesday‬ December 2.

[Bernard Rudberg]

Congratulations to the "Polar Express" on the Catskill Mountain Railroad. There was hot chocolate and cookies for everybody along with Christmas Carol singing.
When Santa came aboard, every child got a jingle bell. Even the conductor got into the spirit of the occasion. People were dancing in the aisles.

Ulster County, are you listening ? Over the Thanksgiving week they sold more than 14,000 tickets.
That is 3,000 more than the Great Pumpkin run in October and remember the crowd for Thomas the Tank Engine ?

[Bernard Rudberg]

Very little traffic on the Rail Trail on a rainy, cold Saturday.

The latest addition to our museum displays is a shelf of antique bottles. These bottles were found under the floor of the Depot and date from the 1920's and 1930's when the Depot was a speakeasy during prohibition days. The NEHI soda bottle was patented in 1924 and is called "Silk Stocking Bottle". The Depot was the hottest place in Hopewell during prohibition. Stop and buy a train ticket and get a drink while you are there. The "secret" room downstairs is now our woodworking shop.