Train Restoration Project Seeks Donations to Stay on Track

The town of Troy welcomed a new resident at the end of 2023 and ever since its arrival at the Cheshire Railroad Depot local volunteers have given their time and skills to see it returned to its former glory. The Budd Rail Diesel Car #6154 was delivered to Troy in November of 2023 and has undergone massive restoration efforts, including the removal of outside graffiti, parts reattachment, the complete stripping of the inside of the train (seats, hardware, floor tiles, light fixtures), a power washing of the interior, paint and new decals, the installation of power lines, updated lighting fixtures in the ceiling and the connection of power to the new fixtures. The 1957 car is 85 feet long, 118,000 pounds and once carried 90 passengers to distant destinations. It was purchased from Vermont Rail of Bulington, Vt., for $6,000 (which was fundraised) and then moved by tractor trailer from its previous resting place in North Walpole to its final home in Troy at a cost of $20,000, covered by donation. The preservation and management of the Cheshire Railroad Depot falls under the umbrella of the Troy Historical Society. Kim Chaffee, chair of the Troy Historical Society and the Cheshire Railroad Depot, said all the work on the train has been completed by volunteers, with some thanks to in-kind donations, such as the graffiti stripping done by Environmental Alternatives Inc. (EAI) and electric work done by Amer Electric, both of Keene. Their goal, Chaffee said, is to completely refurbish the inside of one end of the train and then to utilize the other end as more of a museum space for photo and video displays, presentations and book-signing events. They recently completed a successful campaign to replace the 22 windows where each window could be sponsored by a donor who receives their name on a plaque. However, the project is now in need of more donations to keep up the restoration efforts. "We're a very small organization," Chaffee said. "We're running really low on funds." The restoration is a labor of love, she said. Of the regular volunteers, three are her family members and three are local gentlemen. "For me, it's fun to bring in groups to see the train … the Troy School just came, and it's exciting to hear their enthusiasm." Reconnecting older visitors to the past is always on her mind as well and she's heard many nostalgic memories about how trains like this one were once a part of people's daily lives. "There are so many stories, and they will all be lost if we don't capture them," Chaffee said of the depot's historical significance. The Cheshire Railroad Depot is 178 years old and is a showpiece of its own, she said, adding, "I lived in Keene all my life and until we moved to Troy seven years ago, I didn't know anything about it. We have people come here from all over to see it." The depot sits on the Cheshire Rail Trail, which is busy this time of year with recreational usage, and passersby stop all the time to rest and ask questions. "They're like little kids when they see the train," she laughed. While Chaffee didn't grow up with an interest in trains, her grandfather and uncles were engineers and conductors, she shared. Her personal passion for the depot and train project developed when she moved to a 1920s home in Troy, overlooking the depot. "When you say the word 'train' the most amazing people show up," Chaffee said. "It's the best thing that's happened to me in seven years. The stories are something I'll never forget." Chaffee's dog Hobo is also doing his part as the self-appointed "depot dog" and he regularly greets visitors to the depot, asking only for belly rubs in exchange for his volunteerism. He's become an additional draw, she said, and his adorable face can often be seen in photos on the depot's Facebook page. While they've been approached about taking more train cars and envision the possibility of a full park down the road, right now the focus is on finishing the #6154. They attend model train shows to get the word out about Troy's piece of railroad history. The volunteers can be found working on the train almost every Saturday and could use additional reinforcements, Chaffee said. She encourages everyone to come see the train for themselves and learn more about the history, as well as volunteering or donating. The Troy Historical Society Arts & Crafts Fair will take place on July 18 and 19 and the depot will be open for visits. Troy's annual Depot Day is also planned for Oct. 4. "I know nothing but I'm always willing to learn," she said of restoring the train car, which Chaffee often refers to as a "she." "She's 67 years old," Chaffee said of #6154. "Where has she been? What has she done? She's just big and amazing. I'm like a proud parent." The Cheshire Railroad Depot is open the first and third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon, and during the summer is also open the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m., or by appointment. T-shirts to support the project are available for sale at the depot for $25. For more information and to follow along for updates, find "Cheshire Railroad Depot-Troy NH" on Facebook. To learn more about upcoming Troy Historical Society events, visit www.troynhhistoricalsociety.com/events. To contact Chaffee, email CRRDepot@gmail.com.