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| Atlas’ Rob Pisani,
center, a member of the Maywood Station Historical Committee
hoists wood with his fellow club members during the restoration
of the original Maywood Station, located in northern New Jersey.
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Led by a determined band of volunteers, a mission to restore an historically significant New Jersey train station has resulted in an award-winning success story, and a new Atlas HO and N Scale trackside structure for those who desire maximum realism with an Atlas connection. Yes, there really is a Maywood Station, and it’s been accurately restored for public use. One of Atlas’ own experts had a hand in both the real project, and the one you can hold in your hand.
Before joining Atlas’ Research & Development Department four years ago, Rob Pisani worked for ACF®, a major prototypical freight car manufacturer. One of his co-workers was Ed Kaminski, president of the Maywood Station Historical Committee, (MSHC), a division of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, (NYS&W), formed in 2002. Rob, a long-time modeler, became an original member. The MSHC soon undertook the preservation of the 1872 NYS&W railroad station on Maywood Avenue in the Borough of Maywood, Bergen County. Passenger trains had ceased running there in 1966, with the tracks catering to freight-only since. Suffering from disrepair, the station was last used in the 1990’s. As work commenced, the community responded.
“The station is located on a main street by a light,” said Rob, Atlas’ HO expert. “Many local residents came in with anecdotes about the station’s role in their lives. We picked their brains, even asking them about the original look. Some told of leaving for World War II from there, and someone had gotten engaged there.”
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| Maywood club member
Keith Smollin joined Rob (on ladder), in painting the station’s
shed during the massive restoration project, which was done
to exacting historic preservation specifications. |
In 2002, the MSHC received a Certification of Eligibility to place the station, one of the oldest in N.J. still retaining most of its original character, on the N.J. Register of Historic Places. The MSHC then entered into an agreement with the NYS&W allowing members to restore the station and use it for meetings and a museum featuring town history and the station’s role in it. Soon, other railroad historical societies were offering assistance.
"The project's coffers were filled by a New Jersey Livable
Communities State Grant of $40,000, a Bergen County Community Block
Grant of $28,500, and a total of $60,000 over two years from the
N.J. Department of Transportation Trust Fund," Ed said. "Had
we contracted the entire restoration, it would have cost, on average,
$440,000 based on quotes we received to repair the station. We did
the job for roughly 25% of that average as volunteers." To
date, volunteers have put in about 8,000 work hours. An engraved
brick drive fundraiser is ongoing. Bricks are still for sale and
will be ordered twice yearly, Ed added.
How They Did It
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| A newly painted caboose now sits adjacent to the restored Maywood Station. Soon it will contain an N scale layout, made with products donated by Atlas. Photo by E.S. Kaminski, courtesy of the MSHC. |
Members held weekly work sessions, removing five tons of old stucco dating back to the 1920’s, restoring the exterior to its original board and batten, adding a new bay window, re-glazing and re-painting windows, re-painting the interior with original 1890’s Victorian colors, applying stain to the natural wood walls, and adding ADA compliant facilities. Slate flooring, exterior lighting, heating and an original rolling freight platform door were installed. Professionals researched and ensured historical accuracy, installed a new roof, and handled hazardous paint removal and more complex construction. The hardest part was the stucco removal, which Rob said required, “a few weeks of grueling effort.” Ironically, the stucco had preserved the wood underneath. There are about 35 members of the MSHC, and about 20 of those actively worked on the restoration, Ed said.
Among those pitching in was Atlas’ N Scale R&D expert Cory Rothlisberger, who painted benches over several weekends. He will return to assist in the creation of an N Scale layout for the group’s current project, the restoration of a caboose recently donated by Conrail. The caboose’s exterior was painted red and carries the club name, while an N scale layout featuring the original Maywood station site, constructed with track and accessories donated by Atlas, will become the inside attraction.
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| A crowd gathered at
the Maywood Station in June, 2003 for the formal dedication
of the Maywood Station onto the New Jersey and National Registers
of Historic Places. United States Senator from New Jersey,
Frank Lautenberg, left, a long-time proponent of mass transit,
addressed the gathering. Photo by Rich Henion,
courtesy MSHC. |
Maywood Station re-opened with an official ceremony on September 25, 2004. Hundreds joined local and state officials, dignitaries and NYS&W representatives. Among those in attendance was NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg, a long-time proponent of mass transportation, who was “instrumental” in the restoration’s successful completion, Rob said.
Visitors enjoyed live music and food donated by Atlas, which also donated prizes for that and subsequent events. In May, the station was added to the list of NJ State Archives. The Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board bestowed a 2004 Historic Preservation Commendation Award to the MSHC. One year after the society’s formation, the station was formally nominated onto the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the station’s “living history” museum facilities host class trips, scout groups, senior citizen organizations, historic awareness programs, special events, and a popular Santa at Maywood Station event each December.
From the Real World to Your World
“Wouldn’t it be great if Atlas made this as a model?” remarked Ed one day. Rob’s R&D mind kicked into action. Realizing the station resembled many around the country from that era, he proposed the idea to Atlas’ CEO Thomas Haedrich, a New Jersey native and history buff, who agreed it would be a natural.
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| The interior of the
Maywood caboose was completed in February. The N scale layout
will be installed on the long table at right. Photo
by E.S. Kaminski, courtesy of the MSHC. |
“Atlas has always been supportive to our club through Tom’s interest,” Rob said. “The model really captures the prototype well. It looks almost exactly like it. People in Maywood are amazed. It’s been well-received and is selling well in town.” Proceeds from direct sales of the Maywood Station via the club’s own website will help support their ongoing efforts. “We put a lot of equity into this building,” Ed said. “We don’t want it to fall into disrepair; we want to maintain it. Hopefully people will support that.”
“With this historic station right in our backyard and one of our own employees intensely involved in its worthwhile preservation efforts, we were happy to lend our support,” Tom said. “The tale of Maywood Station, its restoration and current public use, and the connection we’ve forged with the MSHC gives added meaning to our latest trackside structure. We put a little something extra into this model, and we hope HO and N Scale modelers enjoy having it on their layouts.”
“Rob and I have been friends a long time,” Ed said. “He has a lot of experience, and is very adept in railroad matters and railroad history. He was a big help with the restoration. Atlas’ support has been great. We had a handful of supporters right from the beginning and Atlas was one. The donations are especially appreciated because the kids love the train sets. Our first Christmas we had about 40-50 visitors. It’s up to 300 now, and they all get an Atlas catalog!”
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| Road freight SU-100
passes the newly restored Maywood Station, which is surrounded
by engraved bricks that helped raise funds for the project.
Photo by E.S. Kaminski, courtesy of the MSHC. |
“This model is like our trophy,” Ed continued. “We’ve gotten over 18 awards, but those are paper on the walls. This is a desk piece. People who worked on it are overjoyed; there’s a sense of pride. We’re getting emails about it from all around the U.S.” Ed said some are working on adding their own interior lighting to their Maywood Stations.
To learn more about the Maywood Station Historical Committee and its ongoing activities, visit their website at www.maywoodstation.com.
Be Part of History
Adding a Maywood Station to your layout provides added interest and authenticity. You can now relate its back story to others who appreciate what makes prototypical model railroading unique and rewarding.
Atlas’ Maywood Stations are available in both kit and built up versions, molded in colors historically appropriate for the prototype. Features include separate window glazing, separate platform base with brick pattern, small detail parts, and decals for various station names.
HO Scale Maywood Station (http://www.atlasrr.com/Trackmisc/homaywood.htm)
Available NOW!
| ITEM# | DESCRIPTION | MSRP |
| HO Maywood Station Built-Up | ||
| 620-1 | HO Maywood Station Built-Up (Tan with Brown Trim) |
$39.95 |
| 620-2 | HO Maywood Station Built-Up (Gray with Maroon Trim) |
$39.95 |
| 620-3 | HO Maywood Station Built-Up (Pale Green with Dark Green Trim) |
$39.95 |
| HO Maywood Station Kit | ||
| 720 | Maywood Station Kit (Tan with Brown Trim) | $24.95 |
N Scale Maywood Station (http://www.atlasrr.com/Trackmisc/Nmaywood.htm)
Estimated Availability: June 2006
| ITEM# | DESCRIPTION | MSRP |
| N Maywood Station Kit | ||
| 2848 | N Maywood Station Kit (Tan with Brown Trim) | $19.95 |
| N Maywood Station Built-Up | ||
| 2849-1 | N Maywood
Station Built-up (Tan with Brown Trim) |
$29.95 |
| 2849-2 | N Maywood Station Built-up (Gray with Maroon Trim) | $29.95 |
| 2849-3 | N Maywood
Station Built-up (Pale Green with Dark Green Trim) |
$29.95 |
