The Spencerport Trolley Depot restoration crew takes a break on a rainy Saturday afternoon. They've just completed installation of six windows made to order to match the original windows. They can be seen on the wall on the left of the group and immediately behind the group. According to volunteer Bernie Cubitt: "We are working on getting grants and donations to permit buying more materials. We'll have T-shirts available soon at The Unique Shop in Spencerport. They'll have an inscription which says: "Help Restore Our Depot" RL&B RR Depot 1908/1931 Spencerport, NY and a picture of the depot as it looked." More details about the building have just been decided. It'll be white on top with Navaho Red trim and bottom. The tentative schedule calls for the building to be moved to its new location next to the canal mid to late summer this year. Completion of the project is expected to be next summer. The total costs will be around $80,000, which includes restoration work, providing a foundation, moving the building, plumbing and electrical. Photograph by Walter Horylev.

Progress on former trolley depot project reestablishes building's form and details

The restored trolley station in Spencerport almost looks like it could be part of a toy train layout in a quaint village scene. "It is really shaping up," said Bernie Cubitt, chairman of the project. With Bud Nichols, construction supervisor, and a crew of workers, Cubitt is part of a group of citizens working to restore the Buffalo, Lockport and Rochester Trolley station. The group works on Wednesdays and Saturdays and began work last September.

The trolley was in use from 1908 to 1931 and the station originally sat on the site near the electrical substation at the exit to the Spencerport Village Plaza. The building was moved to a site off Amity Street and had become a private home. It needed a lot of work to reclaim its original look.

Ogden Historian Carol Coburn said that the project is in need of new sources of funding. Sizable grants as well as individual and group donations are needed. "We are looking for at least $15,000 to move the building back to near its original site and then another $25,000 to $50,000 plus or minus to do the first floor/foundation, to finish up the interior, and add security and to furnish it," she said. In addition a full-time employee will also be needed to be at the site once it is operational.

"We have not been able to find large grants to cover it so far," Coburn said. "Most large businesses I have contacted are concentrating their grant/community spending on youth projects this year."

There are plans for the upper level to house a visitor center with historical displays and possibly ticket sales for Erie Canal boat and/or canoe rentals. The hope is for the first floor or "lower level" to have public restrooms and shower facilities for use by canal travelers. A deck would be built on the depot level to connect with the canal area. "The property (that will be the site of the renovated trolley station) needs to be prepped with 80 feet of five-foot tile in the creek (which will be covered). Money would come from the village budget," Cubitt said.

"A lot depends on the village budget passing," Coburn said. "There is some money in that for preparing the site." A public hearing on the Spencerport village budget was held April 7.

In addition, Coburn said, the group working on the station has a slide show and information about the project and would be willing to talk to any group wishing to host a fundraiser or donate to the project.

Note: Bernie Cubitt and Bud Nichols will present a program on the Trolley Project at a meeting of the Ogden Historical Society at the Ogden Senior Center, 200 South Union Street, on Sunday, April 18, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.