UPDATE: August, 2008

The Windsor Locks Preservation Association has been busy at work this Summer. In July, Mickey Danyluk, Martha Jarvis, Barbara Carlson and Barbara Schley held interviews to hire an attorney to represent the group in its on going negotiations with Amtrak. Several legal firms responded to the group's RFP in the Hartford Courant. Attorney Edward McAnaney of Suffield was selected to be the group's attorney.

Negotiations with Amtrak are continuing, for the sale of the Historic Windsor Locks Train Station to the WLPA. A recent conference call took place with representatives of Amtrak as well as our US senate and congressional offices. We have received 8 of 11 necessary approvals for the sale of the Station and property. The WLPA, through our attorney, has responded to several concerns regarding the transfer of the property. At this time, we are unable to release details of the negotiations, but are moving forward with our plans.

In August 2008, the group received its third grant from Amherst Railway Society. The grant in the amount of $1000.00 is to be used towards the Train Station Project.

Barbara Schley recently submitted a request to have the Historic Train Station listed on the State's Most Endangered Historic Properties list. The list is compiled by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. The necessary correspondence was submitted the end of June 2008.

With Fall right around the corner, the WLPA is gearing up for it's Annual Fall Mum Sale. Jean DeSousa is the sale organizer. More information about pricing and availability to come.

To volunteer or for more information about the Preservation Association, please contact Barbara at (860) 798-5376.

-Barbara Schley
Chairman, Let's Save the Windsor Locks Train Station

Celebrity Sighting

WLPA members Martha Jarvis and Barbara Schley were fortunate enough to meet Tom Silva personally at a recent CPTV event in Middletown.  Silva can be seen on the long-running PBS TV series This Old House and Ask This Old House. According to the ladies, Tom is "a very down to earth, friendly man and very interesting".

Fanmail

From: Bob Jones
To: TrainStation@WindsorLocksPreservation.com
Sent: Wed, 21 May 2008
Subject: Windsor Locks Station...

My ‘Wonder Years’ were spent in Windsor Lock. At the Rialto Theater I got my first…. ahh… kiss. Yeah, kiss.

As a kid I was quite the train enthusiast. A buddy and I (foolishly) walked across the rail bridge to Warehouse Point.

These days my railroad enthusiasm is limited to my laptop and Microsoft’s Train Simulator (MSTS). However, while researching details for the New Haven - Springfield mainline that I’m creating for the simulator, I stopped in Windsor Locks to photograph the Main Street that I fondly remembered. Much to my surprise… it wasn’t there.

Such a shame… history down the drain. The train station was one of the few remaining structures of the 50’s / 60’s Main Street.

Long story short, attached is my artistic (Desktop) rendering of the station. (click to view the image). Sorry about the quality, but I’ve misplaced the original work and had to ‘screen shot’ this image.

Enjoy,
Bob