Volunteers of the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society in cooperation with employees of the Bellefonte Borough extended the brick platform adjacent to  the Bellefonte Train Station and Talleyrand park. The project also included improvements to the train station gutter drainage system and repairs to portions of the brick apron surrounding the station. The project added 28 linear feet to the loading platform between the train station and the SEDA-COG JRA/NBER tracks. President Dan Durachko said "The extension enhances rider experience, provides a long-lasting improvement to the Station area, and is a definite safety upgrade over previous conditions." In foul weather stone and mud are carried into historic passenger cars creating slippery conditions on the steps and the previous uneven gravel paving could be difficult to navigate safely. In addition to the platform extension, Bellefonte Borough employees redirected the train station downspouts into the nearby mill race. Previously the spouting led to a dry well which would back up in heavy rain spraying water along the walls of the building and damaging the brick and mortar joints. BHRS volunteers repaired the paving disturbed by the spouting redirection. The spouting redirection will allow the Bellefonte Chamber of Commerce to move forward with repairs to the brick work of this historic building. Dan, who spearheaded the project, would like to thank the Bellefonte Borough, the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad, SEDA-COG JRA, and volunteers Tim, Keith, Mel, George, Ken, and Andy for making this project a success. |