• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Baseball ’19
  • Day Zero 3
  • Earl
  • My list
  • Photo Blogging Challenge

A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

bill cash

Take the last train from Delhi…

February 27, 2012

Bill had drawers full of letters sent to him from school kids who came to see his trains.

If you grew up in a small town in the 70s, 80s or early 90s — before technology changed a lot of what we did to how it is now — you might be able to relate to the tale I am about to tell.

This is my story of someone you grow up knowing in many different ways.

In January, a long-time and well-known member of our community, Bill Cash died. He lived an amazingly long life as he was 94 at the time of his death.

He died after a battle with cancer. And he fought. Oh did he fight. But as the time drew nearer, he was seen less and less, which for those of us who have known him for so many years, was a sad thing. He was always out and about. Whether it was doing one of many things he did, walking a neighbor’s dog or just out chatting with somebody, he was always out and about.

The trains zip around the track.

Bill’s memorial service came a few weeks after his death. The service showed what kind of person he was. The church was filled and words spoken about him were glowing.

He was quite the man, especially to the thousands of kids who came through his house over the past 20 years to see the trains. More on that in a moment.

His retirement, which was almost as long as his working years, wasn’t spent in a rocking chair on the porch. Far from it. He mowed lawns in the spring, summer and fall. He removed snow in the winter (as well as in the spring and fall — we are in upstate New York, after all). He was often seen with his red wagon, taking this or that to somewhere. Or, you could visit him in his workshop, where Bill made all sorts of wood trinkets and useful items.

Most of us in the younger generation knew him as one of the friendliest people you’d ever meet.

As the days of him dealing with his riding mower (he used an old-school non motorized mower on his own lawn, however) or snow removing equipment ended, he was often out walking a neighbor’s dog. He had to add a cane in his later years, which I heard him say a few times how much he wasn’t a fan of using it.

If you were lucky enough, each year at Christmas time, you’d get some of his scrumptious caramel popcorn balls. Mmmmm…. so good.

The backside of the tracks.

But for people who might not have lived around him or dealt with him on a regular basis, there’s something else he’ll really be remembered for.

Trains.

His basement was a toy store for fans of electric trains. Hundreds of them. Tracks all over. The basement was turned into a virtual railroad station. Homemade landscapes were all over. Matchbox cars. Buildings. Everything. Some of the buildings were ones that you could buy and put together. Some were made in his workshop out of wood. Others were created from other items — such as an old aerosol can being turned into a building.

It was a town in Bill’s basement.

And the trains would go all over. All these tracks. So many different trains. He even dug out part of the basement wall to make another set of tracks. Incredible.

For those of you who had the chance to see these trains in the glory days, I’m sure you can relate with me how amazing they were.

I had the chance to see them often as a kid. I lived across the street and one of his grandsons was one of my close friends. So we got the show often.

Walking into that basement was like a different world.

The stone steps leading into the basement was a quick excitement. When you got into the basement? Trains!

Parked trains.

Hundreds of model trains were in his basement. Big, small, historic. Almost any type of electric train you can  picture was somewhere in that basement.

The tracks were probably about four feet off the ground, however. So for little ones, it’s tough to see. No problem. Bill had small step stools — probably a dozen of them — scattered throughout the basement. You climbed up and went wide-eyed as the trains zipped all over. In and out of sight. You could climb down and go to another spot and watch them.

Some of the trains even had lights, so the darker parts of the basement were no problem!

Now, kids weren’t there to touch things. We knew it, too. But it didn’t matter. I never cared that I couldn’t touch the trains. Or the cars. Or the things in the “towns.” It was easy to watch it for a long time.

In my youth, there wasn’t all the things of today — computers, crazy video games etc. We were always looking for little things to do. This was something that could captivate attention for a long time.

And Bill never grew tired of showing these trains off.

Over the years, school classes would come and visit Bill and his trains. Elementary schools. Pre-schools. Everybody. The kids were there very often. Marching in and out of the house seeing those trains.

It’s a shame that future kids won’t have that chance.

He had drawers and drawers full of letters from classes thanking him for letting kids come see the trains, too. His impact went far beyond that basement.

Near the tracks.

The trains are starting to dwindle now as the family cleans the house. There aren’t as many left, but a few were remaining. I had the chance to get a last look and see the trains. I wanted to get some photos. Check things out one last time.

Even now, it was still amazing to see the trains. It brought back the feel of childhood. And I couldn’t help but smile knowing how many kids walked through that basement to see Bill’s trains and left as happy little tykes knowing they saw something so cool.

And to also know how much that made Bill happy is something to remember, too.

Those of us who grew up knowing Bill will definitely miss him. Those in the community who knew him for many things will miss him as well. That list goes well beyond, too. To those thousands of kids and more who only knew him for his trains. He’ll be missed there, too.

The day he died, one of his sons told me he boarded the Heaven Express. As long as there are more trains at the end, I’m sure Bill will still be smiling. That train might have been leaving at his memorial service when his other son blew a train whistle at the beginning and at the end of the service.

It was a fitting remembrance and one I’m sure made most people smile as they remembered Bill.

To see all the rest of the photos I took, check out the set on Flickr.

Here’s a quick look at some of the trains when I was there taking photos:

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Filed Under: My world Tagged With: bill cash, bill cash delhi, delhi ny, electric trains, model trains, trains

2 Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to A 'lil HooHaa!

This is a personal website covering many topics! We host a monthly photo blogging challenge, and then every January hold a fun writing challenge.

Thank you for stopping by and hope this becomes a stop for you!

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Follow

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 877 other subscribers

Instagram

hoohaa29

Don’t mind me. Just watching a little TV with so Don’t mind me. Just watching a little TV with some snuggles on the couch! 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #love
It was haircut time with Cameron before Thanksgivi It was haircut time with Cameron before Thanksgiving and he challenged @studio11chris some with this festive art! 

#haircut #barber #barbershop @studio11barbersuite @harmm23 @dlinc27
Sunday was a day with some errands and such, but a Sunday was a day with some errands and such, but also a nice walk on the Vestal Rail Trail. Harper loved it, of course, especially because she got to also walk with her "Gram!" 

#dog #walk #outdoors #goldenretriever #goldenretrieversofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #love #photooftheday #iphoneography
Quick snap tonight while out walking Harper. #ni Quick snap tonight while out walking Harper. 

#night #moon #blackandwhite #spooky
The weather didn’t deter Harper for National Fet The weather didn’t deter Harper for National Fetch Day! And then friends came to Harper’s Landing to make it even better! 

#nationalfetchday #makefetchhappen #chuckit #chuckitfetchgames #dog #dogparty #goldenretriever #ball #play #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta #fun @chuckitfetchgames
Who’s ready for National Fetch Day on Saturday? Who’s ready for National Fetch Day on Saturday? I’m pretty sure Harper is! 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta @chuckitfetchgames
Tis a dreary and rainy day. What better than to ha Tis a dreary and rainy day. What better than to have a cup of tea in my new mug, which was a birthday gift from my nephew/godson Cameron!
Live life the best you can. Have experiences. Smil Live life the best you can. Have experiences. Smile. Love the world. 

#acadia #acadianationalpark #sunrise #sun #colors #sky #nature  #life #love #goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #cadillacmountain
Likely my final game of the year… but a nice nig Likely my final game of the year… but a nice night! 

#baseball #sky
Harper and Phil! #goldenretriever #dog #dogsofin Harper and Phil! 

#goldenretriever #dog #dogsofinstagram #love #iphonography #photography
Saturday was national dog day… posted on Faceboo Saturday was national dog day… posted on Facebook, but forgot here! Harper was spoiled all day!
How could we skip this? North of the border this How could we skip this? 

North of the border this weekend to get away and hit a few caching events and geocache. Dinner tonight was at @harpersburgers, especially with outdoor seating and dog friendly! @harper_dublin got to enjoy a little of my #burger, of course. And, yes, I got poutine, duh! Great service and great food! Went back later for a spiked shake. This one was a Malibu Colada (malibu rum, dark rum, vanilla ice cream, and pineapple juice) … yum! 

Good times! Looking forward to another event and caches on Saturday before heading home! 

#food #foodporn #poutine #fries #dinner #yummy
My newest #pathtag came in! A great design by @geo My newest #pathtag came in! A great design by @geofoxandthehound! This one, of course, is connected to @harper_dublin ‘s Instagram account. It won’t be easy to get! 

#geocaching #pathtags #goldenretriever #instagram
Rain on leaves … still on trees or on the ground Rain on leaves … still on trees or on the ground… is so peaceful. 

#rain #nature #leaves #leaf # water #naturephotography #photography #love #beautiful #raindrops #iphonography
Henlo. #goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #g Henlo. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
Haircut day! I got mine done, as did Cameron. He g Haircut day! I got mine done, as did Cameron. He got some waves for when he goes to the shore next week! One shot of me getting the straight razor too! Nice job @studio11chris at @studio11barbersuite ! 

#haircut #barber #hair
Life is good! #goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram # Life is good!

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #doglife #life #lifeisgood #lifeisbeautiful #morning #morningwalk #walk #iphonography #iphonephotography #photo #photography #love #selfcare #outdoors #sky #bridge
Part one of the backyard work is done. New patio h Part one of the backyard work is done. New patio has been installed ... (the rock garden area is basically done, too ... but i need to put a few things up with it). The guy who did my patio did a great job... looks cool. 

I think Harper approves. 

One more step and we'll be set to really enjoy it back there with some shade!

Working on a few other landscaping things, too.
Golden hour. #goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram # Golden hour. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
Waggin’ Wednesday at the @swbrailriders was a lo Waggin’ Wednesday at the @swbrailriders was a lot of fun! Hot night, but very enjoyable! 

#baseball #dog #goldenretriever #barkinthepark #wagginwednesday
Load More Follow on Instagram

YouTube

P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow Harper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harper_dublin/
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog

Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week5 #weeklychallenge

Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
► Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoohaa29/
► Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softball29
► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooHaaBlog
Load More... Subscribe

Archives

Categories

Calendar

December 2023
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Nov    

Search The Site

Site Information

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

A 'lil HooHaa © 2023 · Created By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2023 · Ava Mae on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in