OLD FASHIONED WATER PUMP

This water pump was at the Chester on Track Festival. It was one of the displays of old machines. From the sound of it, it had one piston, just chugging away.

FORMER CHESTER MA JAIL

Chester MA - In the basement of the Chester Historical Society is the former town jail. Since Chester was a railroad town I wonder if they had any train robbers in there?

CHESTER MA - FIRST AMERICAN EMERY MINES

Chester MA - Chester Massachusetts is where Emery was first found in America. Emery is used in grinding wheels and sanding paper and boards.



Grinding Wheels

Mining Lamps

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - CHESTER MA

Chester MA - This Congregational Church doesn't fit the mold of you stereotypical New England church. It kind of looks like a Cape Cod style house with a steeple, that's OK, God doesn't mind.

THE CHAIR AND THE TRAIN

Taken at "Chester on Track" - Chester MA - That is all I have to say about that.

TRAIN TRESTLE OVER THE WESTFIELD RIVER

Chester MA - I was driving down the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail looking for the "Arch Bridges". I did photograph one(more on that in the future). Anyway the road got a little too rough (see photo below). I was afraid of ripping out the transmission of my wife's truck so I did not go any farther; the photo doesn't really show how rough it was. I had already done a lot of hiking and didn't feel like hiking too far so I went down to the river and found this railroad trestle crossing the river. It reminded me of a bridge in the mountains out West somewhere even though it was just the Berkshires.

PEASE CLOTHING STORE

Chester, MA - While in Chester I went into this store and I will tell you one thing it has a lot of character. It reminds me of the L.L. Bean Store in Freeport Maine before they built the one they have now. It is the kind of place you can go and get good quality work clothes or a nice wool coat. The store was built around 1892 and is very Victorian. You can just imagine the railroad workers wives buying material for a new dress or maybe the railroad bosses wives picking up the latest fashions that came in on the train from New York or Boston.


Here is a boy trying on a hat at the glass case in the front of the store.


On the wall are these sewing notions. Now I don't know hold old these are but I remember my mother having these in her sewing kit in the early 60's. Hooks and Eyes, 15 cents...cheap. They are probably worth more as antiques.


They even have a sleigh and old wood cooking stove in the window.

LOOKING FOR CREATURES

Chester MA - I was crossing over a bridge when I spied this boy looking for some sort of creature. I remember long ago as a boy doing the very same thing. Whether it was crayfish, salamanders, or some kind of bug larva, it was always interesting. I just noticed that his jacket says, "Northwest Jr. Flyers Racing Pigeons". I wonder if that has anything to do with what he is catching? Do pigeons eat creatures?

THE ROAD OUT OF TOWN

Chester MA - This is just outside of Main Street, on the left is the Historical Society.

A YARD OF IRON ART

Chester MA - This house which is downtown Chester was quite unusual. The yard has a lot of iron fences and pieces of iron work throughout the yard. Normally I would say junk, but it seems to work for this house; very Alice-in-Wonderlandesc.

Here is a display of some rusted toy cars and trains, I like it. Like I said before, it works for this house. I just noticed that these cars have little people in them.

MORE FROM CHESTER ON TRACK

Chester MA - Here are some more images from "Chester on Track".


Hanging out at the "Blue Note Cafe".

Here is an Old Hound Dog just watching the world pass by.

A Face Painter.

You could even do rubbings of animal tracks. You can see the Beaver tracks rubbing I did. I had it up on the refrigerator until my wife took it down.

CHESTER TRAIN STATION

Chester MA, This train station is vintage 1840, ten years from being the country's oldest station. It is also home to many artifacts from the world's first mountian railroad, The Western Railroad. The station is now a museum and can be rented out for events. Info: http://ChesterRailwayStaion.org.

CHESTER ON TRACK - OTHER RAILROAD CARS

Chester MA - These photos are of three other railraod cars at the train museum.


The Blue Caboose is where the food is made, there is a take-out window in the back.

Of course you need a "Dining Car", only this one is made out of a freight car.

This freight car has been turned into a museum.

CHESTER ON TRACK - TRAINS

Chester MA - What would Chester on Track be without trains.

The Old Engine.


The Caboose


Inside the Caboose. You can rent the caboose for an overnight stay, inquire at www.ChesterRailwayStation.Org


Wouldn't you want this bad boy parked in your backyard? Mmmmm chocolate.

CHESTER ON TRACK - MASS 10TH CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS

Chester MA - Another attraction at Chester on Track 2007 was the Massachusetts 10th Civil War Re-Enactors. You might notice streaks in the photos, it was raining.

Enjoy the photos.


In formation


My nod to Matthew Brady.


Hope they like Sarge!


Seasoned Soldier...Green Kid




Officers!

CHESTER ON TRACK - ENTERTAINMENT

Chester MA - I went to Chester on Track Festival yesterday and will be posting some photos for the next few days.

This was the some of the entertainment that was going on. By the time I got to the Town Hall the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers had ended and the dancers hadn't started yet.

These two guys were next to the train station museum; the guy with the fiddle was also singing. The other guy dressed as a railroad worker was just standing watching the fiddler. He might have sang but not at the time I was there.

If anyone knows there names just leave a comment or send me an e-mail so I can give them credit.

CHESTER ON TRACK

Chester MA - This weekend May 19, 2007, there will be big doings. At the Chester Railway museum there will be a train show, Civil War Reinactments, Historic Stone Works, Pioneer Valley Live Steamers, locomotive tours and a parade(and many more things to numerous to list here). So if you are into trains or just a good time, take a trip to Chester.

More info: www.ChesterRailwayStation.Org or (413)354-7878

MASKED DONKEY

This must be a new twist to "Pin the Tail on the Donkey";the donkey is blind folded.

This is actually a fly mask to keep the Black Flies out of their eyes; I especially like the ears.