Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club

The updated 2024 Membership Form has been uploaded to the Membership Page.

(JWM)

Message from President Bruce Stuart:

Good afternoon friends. There are moments in your life that time and understanding prepare you for, what news I bring does not lend itself to one of those moments. As I sit here at this keyboard, still trying to digest this loss, I struggle to come up with words that can truly express my sadness in saying goodbye to a very dear friend. On this 17th day of June. The brakes have been released, markers hung and the throttle cracked for one last departure from Fernald Station for Sean. More...

(JWM)

The 2023 CVRTC season started off with a bang! Over 25 members attended the business meeting and then stayed working for many hours painting the engine house. It was a great effort with great results. The southern and western sides of the engine house get baked by the sun and weather so it took a lot of paint to cover the faded walls. The window and door trim were also painted. Linda and Jeff came by with a lunch for everyone! Thank you! While the paint crew applied 25 gallons of barn red, a track crew of four headed west and fixed the rolled rail that occurred last fall during the brush cutting activity. The gauge was fixed, rods installed and spiked back down to keep us running into town for the 2023 season. Thank you to everyone involved for the job well done!

(N McDonald,S McInerney,A Mansur Photos) (SPM)

Message from President Bruce Stuart:

I was apprised by Jon Minor last evening that member Denneth "Tiny" Lee had passed away at 83. Tiny joined CVRTC in 1995. Tiny held both officer and director positions as well as writing an early RTP Grant for the club to install guard rails on Willey Brook Trestle. Tiny was a big man who drove truck for St Johnsbury as well as Roadway. Tiny was seldom found on the line working without his sidekick Wayne Goldthwaite. He was also a quiet member who's action spoke more than his words. The two of them worked side by side their entire time at CVRTC. Both also provided the initial work rides on the Conway Scenic RR due to the relationship & trust they had fostered with management at the tourist line. I'm saddened at seeing yet another long time member depart the station. RIP Tiny.

(D Kotsonis Photo) (SPM)

The new roof on Fernald Station looks great. All the gingerbread has been returned to it's former glory. The contractor even took a day to apply a new coat of cream colored paint to the trim. The task list is being created and the club is looking forward to completing the paint on the engine house and do the same for Fernald. Hopefully the current storm will melt quickly and the track passable by Saturday, 15 April for our first meeting of the year.

(S McInerney Photo) (SPM)

The meeting was held at the function hall at the Merrimack Valley Railroad on Park St in Northfield, NH. Per our by-laws, annual elections were held and the new officers were welcomed to the Board of Director fold. All officers reported to those in attendance about their respective responsibilities. Updates from DNCR, NHOVA, NARCOA and other topics were covered by the Vice President and President. A summmary of our 2023 goals were stated and lots of discussions ensued to hammer them out and begin to define what this year's activities will look like. Please see the Events Calendar page on this website to help plan your motorcar activities.

(S McInerney Photo) (SPM)

Message from President Bruce Stuart:

It is with deep sadness that I bring this passing before the membership. One passing that I'm finding hard to acknowledge the very depth of, Scott Fuller. I struggle with the insignificance of the word passing in relation to Scott. Words that come to my mind and seem more fitting are words such as, Engaged: Engaged in any project he could contribute to and make a difference with, you could count him in 100%. Knowledgeable: There weren't many subjects with which Scott wasn't knowledgeable. Whether it be a mechanical question or a technical question, a certain way to accomplish something or the best way to go about doing a task, he usually had the answer. If he did not, he would by the next time you spoke. Committed: When Scott accepted responsibility for a project or a promise that he made,he was committed to see it through to completion. His word meant something to him, and that is exactly how he carried himself. Giving: Giving of his time and resources. When a club member needed help with something or did not have the wherewithal to carry out the task or resolve the issue, Scott would make himself available. He always took care of those in his life. His family, friends and friends to be. Determined/Tenacious/Perseverance: Regardless of any failures, to Scott, they were just another rung in the ladder. Simply another part of the climb in attaining the end result. Never have I witnessed the slightest telltale of defeat in anything Scott took on. Whether that was mounting the highrail gear to the tractor or taking on the fight for his life, determination and tenacity are what showed up in his voice and his actions. Rest in peace Scott, you have certainly earned it.

(SPM)

The BOD wants you to be aware that we will have new CVRTC hats and shirts available at the Business Meeting on Saturday, 18 March. We have replenished our stock of the popular safety green T-shirts and embroidered caps. Of course we will have our traditional CVRTC Safety Orange T-shirt and black embroidered cap. New this year will be a V-neck shirt that many of the ladies in the club have requested. Items are reasonably priced at $15 each. (SPM)

CVRTC President, Bruce Stuart has some words to say about long time member Ben Hubley

With sadness, I announce to the club that a member has left the station for the last time. Ben Hubley passed suddenly this past Nov 26th. Ben is the son of Frank & Heleen Hubley of Warner NH. Frank, Heleen and Ben have been members of CVRTC for a very long time. For many years, Ben has been doing what he loved best when surrounded by folk's and motorcars. Being involved.

With much enthusiasm and excitement, Ben would want to give a helping hand when opportunity arose to turn a railcar or be the first with a flag in hand to protect a crossing. Frank and Heleen were very acute to Ben's love for the club and all that took place on meeting Day. They have always ensured, when time permitted, that Ben was present and fully engaged in something he loved so much, CVRTC and riding the rails. Rest in peace Ben, the members will miss seeing that broad smile you brought to the table and your enthusiastic love for being a part of this Hobby.

(Hubley Photos) (SPM)

The CVRTC motorcar season is starting to take shape. The Board of Directors is meeting on Saturday, 25 February at Fernald Station. They will have the B&M potbelly stove stoked and the 2023 activity planning will be discussed. Please send your suggestions to any club officer or director. The clubs Annual Business Meeting has been booked at the Merrimack Valley Railroad function hall in Northfield, NH. This will take place on Saturday, 18 March. This is the same location as last year. The doors will open at 9:00 for a social hour before the meeting is called to order at 10:00 AM. We will have light refreshments (coffee, muffins etc.) and there will be club apparel on sale too. Keep your eye on the club's Event Calendar page for all the posted activities.

(S McInerney Photo) (SPM)

The State of New Hampshire contractor has finished replacing the roof at Fernald Station! The deck was replaced with new plywood. The chiminey flashing was sealed. The new roof deck also has real eves which allow for a more secure attachment of the cherished gingerbread. The fresh paint on this trim looks great. I guess we all know what tasks await us in the spring. Painting the remainder of the station!

(N. McDonald Photo) (SPM)

A message from CVRTC President, Bruce Stuart.

It is with deep regret that I announce the passing of long time club member Dwight Winkley of Ossipee, NH. Long associated with anything trains, Dwight was always interested in helping out or volunteering wherever he could make a difference. The gang trailer we use at CVRTC for giving rides at our various gatherings is Dwight's doing. Many current members may not have met or worked alongside Dwight. Many of these original club members were instrumental in creating what we now all enjoy with CVRTC. Dwight is one of these individuals. Thank you Dwight, Rest in Peace.

(WW&F RR Photo) (SPM)

Work on the roof that started after Chritmas has progressed. As of this writing Fernald Station has a new roof deck installed. The new asphalt shingles are soon to follow. This will allow work inside the station to continue in earnest this Spring.

(R. Libby Photo) (SPM)