Railroad Forums 

  • Sparta Station Status

  • Discussion related to New York, Susquehanna & Western operations past and present. Also includes some discussion related to Deleware Otsego owned and operated shortlines. Official web site can be found here: NYSW.COM.
Discussion related to New York, Susquehanna & Western operations past and present. Also includes some discussion related to Deleware Otsego owned and operated shortlines. Official web site can be found here: NYSW.COM.

Moderators: GOLDEN-ARM, NJ Vike

 #1081248  by NYSW3022
 
whippany wrote:Apparently, it was not arson.

From the Daily Record - The investigation into the fire that destroyed the historic, 130-year-old Sparta Train Station has been determined to be “not suspicious.”
Investigators have determined that an electrical panel box located on the outside of the building was a contributing factor, according to Sparta Police Sgt. John-Paul Beebe.
The joint investigation is being conducted by Sparta Police Detective Sgt. John Schanstra and Detective Jason Garrigan of the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit.
NJTRailfan wrote: whatever to help prevent this sort of this esp the restored ones that took years to rehab by dedicated volunteers.

I guess in Sparta's case they didn't have dedication to a professional electrician. It is cute when a group of "dedicated" volunteers want to splash some paint on something. But this is a clear case in letting professionals do professional work.
 #1081324  by cjvrr
 
NYSW3022 wrote: I guess in Sparta's case they didn't have dedication to a professional electrician. It is cute when a group of "dedicated" volunteers want to splash some paint on something. But this is a clear case in letting professionals do professional work.
Huh? Are you sure about this? While the electrical panel may be a contributing factor, it doesn't say anything about someone wiring it wrong or that it was the actual cause alone.
 #1083846  by NJTRailfan
 
It's cute when some jackss two posts up think volunteers just spash color and jury rig stuff. NOT TRUE!!! Alot of organizations hire professional contractors when it comes to the electrical, plumbing, etc. Alot of these contractors tend to be volunteers themselves be it restoring a historic hom for the local historical society that now serves as their museum and even railroad related structures.
 #1096226  by NYS&W142Fan
 
Thank you for sharing the photos. I will say if it is ever decided to rebuild the Station, you have a very good record of what it is supposed to look like. I know of one group wanting to rebuild a station and photos of it are far and few.
 #1366710  by Jeff Smith
 
<BUMP> Site Admin work: thread consolidation, etc.

News: NJ Herald

<SNIPS> per policy:
Sparta train station rises from ashes

SPARTA -- Rising from the ruins and ashes of its former self, the Sparta train station is being reborn as an event center, railroad museum and a place where local artists and craftspeople will be able to teach their skills to a new generation.

Within the past couple of weeks, the framing of the new station has gone up and the roof timbers have been installed. Construction is expected to take about two months and when completed, the station will be dedicated to William E. Dermody Jr., a township resident and former mayor.

He is the father and grandfather of William E. Dermody III and William E. Dermody IV, who now own the station and continue with the family business, Techflex.
...
Although trains on the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway still travel the tracks, passenger service at the station ended in the 1940s and freight service was stopped in the 1960s.
...
 #1367006  by cjvrr
 
Cool! Thanks for posting the link.