A Mansion resident once told me that the Army Of Good were the people who made their dreams come true.

Mansion Activity Director Paryese Bates Becker has long dreamed of getting a train kit for the Mansion residents to set up and operate. Today her dream came true.

It was a happy and meaningful experience. It meant a lot; it would do a lot of good.

Maria and I went to the Adirondack Train & Hobby store in Saratoga Springs to pick up the new Lionel complete train and track kit, thanks to the Army Of Good. I can’t carry big boxes yet.

The train set all fits into one box, and the train has a steam engine that gives off steam, a whistle and a caboose that lights up and a 60 by 40 inches track. Now it’s time to build a tiny community around it.

I also got some small figures; the first package is of drunks sitting on a bench, the other of townspeople doing their work. It will take a few days, at least, for the Mansion maintenance department to build a wooden platform for the train set.

And I will be working steadily and slowly to get the residents things like a wooden bridge, firehouse, homes, pedestrians, small shops, cafes, schools, and travelers. It will take a few months to build up the environment surrounding the tracks, and I will ask for help down the road.

 

Alyne Mayer, assistant activity director, and Activity Director Paryese Bates Becker met us at the door; we brought it all into the activity room together.

I looked at some of the things we can purchase – street lights and metal overpasses – that we can get for the town – as yet unnamed – over the next few months.

 

The news that the train set had arrived spread throughout the Mansion, and some people came rushing on their walkers and canes to see the collection. Bill is thrilled. He said he had a Lionel set when he was younger and could help put the train and track together.

After talking to the hobby store people, it doesn’t seem difficult. Maintaining it will be more of an issue.

The tracks need wiping or sanding every few months, or they will rust. Mara and I can do some of that if it comes down to it. Windex also helps.

So thanks again for your support, and I look forward to helping the residents put this set together and running it.

The store also sells remote-control and small racing cards perfect for racing on asphalt or lawns. They cost $129 apiece. Paryese wants to have car races on the property during the summer.

She wants to get the residents and their activities outside more. I’m going to get three. If anyone wants to sponsor the races, feel free.

Via Paypal, jon@bedlamfarm, Venmo, Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz-13, or by mail, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. You can also contribute by mail, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.