Life Scout to Restore Rail Trail Baggage Wagon

Starting in June, a local Life Scout will be restoring a baggage wagon on the Windham Rail Trail, a project that will take about six months to complete.

Brian Wong will be restoring the wagon as part of his Eagle Scout service project. The goal will be to remove all rust, replace wooden boards and paint the wagon to its original cover.

The wagon will then be on display to the public at the Windham Depot once it is completed.

According to Wong, he will raise money for the restoration through fundraisers, such as setting up a table at the annual Rail Trail bike race in June.

His proposal also goes on to list other fundraising efforts he will partake in, including a summer car wash and a request from businesses to donate material and services such as sandblasting.

Wong will also enlist the services of about a dozen others to help, whether they be friends or family.

Mark Samsel of the Windham Rail Trail Alliance represented Wong at the April 23 Board of Selectmen meeting to present the project.

Samsel said that it was the ninth Eagle Scout project along the trail.

"The intent was we were looking for an Eagle to put (the wagon) into better shape," Samsel said. 

He added that the wagon was donated to the Windham Rail Trail Alliance about two years ago.

The estimated cost for the project is $1,800, with $800 needed for materials, $200 for supplies, $400 for tools and $400 for other expenses such as food, water, gasoline, parking, permits, equipment rental and sales tax.

The propsal explains that Wong will work on the wagon in his garage.

An extensive service project is a requirement in order for a Life Scout to rank up to Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouting.