The Times Advocate, 2006-11-01, Page 3232
TIMES—ADVOCATE
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
All aboard Poppy's recycled Expre s s
Centralia recycled train — Poppy's Express will be choo-chooing shortly
throughout the community.The train, made mostly of recycled materials was the
idea of Rev. Bob Degraw, left. His friend and former welder George Gagne, right is
also part of the project.The express will be used for many events, including
parades. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
By Nina Van Lieshout express, making a dream Advanced Auto Parts &
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF come true. Salvage in Crediton and
Degraw has been fond Easy Build Products in
CENTRALIA — It won't of trains since he was a Hensall, his 10 -year
be long before the Exeter young boy, watching dream soon became a
and area community will trains go by at his grand- reality.
get the opportunity to parents' farm near a rail- "Everybody I've talked
experience Poppy's road. to is so co-operative," says
Express, an idea 10 years He was also inspired by
in the making but con- his father, the late Neil
strutted in just a month Degraw, who actually built
through discarded recy- a functional merry-go-
clable materials. round for children in
Centralia resident and 1976.
Rev. Bob Degraw, former Degraw got to work
reverend for Faith drawing plans for the
Tabernacle in Centralia train and with the help of
has wanted to build a a few friends — former
train for years but just General Motors welder
hasn't found the time. George Gagne, along with
But at the beginning of Al Jeffrey who is part of
last month, Degraw decid- Community Living in St.
ed there was no better Marys and the support of
time to construct the a couple local businesses,
<nnurnacnury ii
BLUEWATER
• •• -- 2001
— NOTICE & WARNING —
MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER
NO PARKING IS ALLOWED ON ANY ROAD
ALLOWANCE BETWEEN
THE HOURS OF 2 a.m. - 7 a.m.
DURING THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 1 -
APRIL 1 FOR SNOW REMOVAL PURPOSES
VIOLATORS WILL BE TICKETED.
THE COUNCIL HAS PASSED A MOTION PROHIBITING
THE PLACEMENT OF SIGNS, PLANTERS, POP
MACHINES OR ANY ITEMS THAT WOULD INTERFERE
WITH SNOW REMOVAL ON SIDEWALKS OR
BOULEVARDS DURING THE PERIOD OF
NOVEMBER 1st to APRIL 1ST.
Degraw.
The express is made
from several different
recycled materials, includ-
ing an 1839 antique brass
bell found at a yard sale
from Manitoulin Island.
Degraw used his old
Sears Roper riding lawn
mower. Although about 30
years old, the motor still
works.
"Discarded water cover
heaters were used for
both cars and car covers,"
says Degraw.
He is also using an
authentic "conductors hat
and engineers hat," donat-
ed by Grand Bend resident
and former CNR worker
Don Koby.
Although most of the
train is complete, Degraw
is still gathering materials
to finish the project.
He plans to add a "VIP
car for adults" a coal car
that will be similar to an
old fashioned Mennonite
buggy which will be
attached behind the
engine of the train.
A caboose cover will
also be added to the train,
as well as red and black
tennis balls attached to the
front of the train which
will bounce up and down
in plexiglass shaped into a
cylinder, mimicking fire
and smoke when the train
moves.
Degraw is planning to
set three different speeds
of "puffing"
Mud flaps, two small
and two large bike wheels
will also be added and
other wheels will be
drawn on corrugated plas-
tic to get the express
affect.
And as a finishing touch
Degraw is putting speak-
ers in each car, playing
the same song.
It's A Small World,'
says Degraw. He'd like to
play that song during
parades.
The train will be used
for several different
events, "parades, Sunday
school, daily vacation
schools, day nurseries"
and more. Degraw also
stresses they are willing to
travel with their train once
a trailer is made for it, as
far as London and any-
where else within reason.
Tickets are needed to
board the train but are
free by calling Degraw at
228-6839 and setting up a
train ride with Degraw
and Gagne, where they
will hand out the tickets.
Degraw, who has com-
pleted several other pro-
jects, including building
the new Faith Tabernacle
church and renovating
most of his home, says this
project was particularly
special to him because, "I
love the kids. I want to see
the kids happy, smiling
and laughing."
Poppy's Express was
named by Degraw's 14
grandchildren and three
great grandchildren.
Councilor Ward 3
HUGH McMASTER�
519-235-1498 j
ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Sponsored by:
THE SPIRR OF INNOVMK R
'rbec
PAPER GROUP
1D
Canada
Trust
Coordinated by:
The strength of our community lies in solid citizens. Here is your
chance to nominate a young person, aged 6 to 17, who is involved in
worthwhile community service; who is contributing while living with
limitations; who has performed an act of heroism; or is a 'good kid'
who is making life better for others and doing more than is nomally
expected of someone their age - help us recognize their contribution.
Nominations will be accepted until November 30.
Nomination forms available at www.ocna.org
or 905-639-8720 or contact this newspaper.
Ontario Junior Citizen Of The Year Awards
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!
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