2023 Volunteer Appreciation Day

The track crew laid out the switch frog for the roundhouse lead and track #8, Brian Delaplane, Jim McBee, Jim Scoville, Road Master Alex Hois, Jim Colby, John Kaszanek, Tim Clay & David Fiechtnes

By early afternoon with treat of rain / lighting the switch was almost completely assembled with the bridle bar being clamped, track aligned and secured. Remarkable this is the third brand new “stub” switch completed in two years, and the previous mainline Gunnison / Roundhouse lead renovated. Thanks to volunteer Bob McDowell who fabricated the three new stub switch parts.

Track Crew, Tim Clay, Jim Scoville, Jim Colby, Jim McBee, David Fiechtnes, Brian Delephane, Joey Knous, John Kaszanek, Takoda / Aaron Meyers, Road Master Alex Hois with Kathy Branitgan offering congratulations. Not in photo Bob Revis.

With a new drop service / pedestal service box installed by CORE Electric last spring, Operator Chris Tome trenched from service pole to Roundhouse to install new service feed to enable upgrading electric service in Roundhouse.  

Not in photos, Bob Schoppe removing road crossing cross bars, covering concrete pole mounts and track markers with winter weather protection and Andrew Zimmerman removing the parking lot guide tapes and cones in pasture.

Saturday was a very busy day with visitors coming to look at the Aspen’s on fire and stopping by, Hosts John Huth and Joey Knous hosted many enthusiastic visitors. Not in photos likewise hosting visitors, Michael Bottlemy, Barb Kirk, Deb and Clark Stremke and Kathy Brantigan. James Mackay was present videotaping.

After work was completed Joey Knous fired up the grill cooking Brats with John Kaszanek about to enjoy and the Volunteer Appreciation / Oktoberfest party commenced around the warm potbelly stove.

“Volunteer of the Year 2023” award was presented to Takoda Meyers by Kathy Brantigan and Bob Revis for his enthusiastic and hard work on the track crew.

A special gift was presented to Takoda by Bob Revis, a railroad rotary snow plow for his model railroad, he was thrilled.

The party continued with Herr Alex Hois leading the celebration in his Lederhosen.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for a very successful 2023!

We have plans in motion for our schedule next year. Please be on the lookout for that!

Of course, all of the work we do at the Como Roundhouse wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers and supporters. If you’d like to volunteer in Como next year, send us a message and we’ll get you on our list. Can’t volunteer? Consider making a donation so we can continue the progress we’ve made.