By Rhonda Dedyne
for Clinton Northern Railway
Trains, whether they’re full-size or model HOs, capture the imagination of folks young and old. Railroads are part of America’s history – perhaps not as evident in today’s landscape, but never forgotten.
Brett Cheeseman understands the allure of railroads, and he’d like others to experience the feeling, too.
That’s why he devised a fund-raising project at St. Johns High School on behalf of Clinton Northern Railway that netted over $250 for the non-profit organization.
“The idea just popped into my head,” the SJHS sophomore says about the plan to support CNR’s work at the former Grand Trunk Depot, located in downtown St. Johns.
Volunteers like Brett want to showcase the important role that railroads played in the nation’s history by restoring vintage cars situated on tracks outside the building, and creating model train layouts throughout the depot’s interior.
Gary McCampbell (far right) presents a model railroad book to St. Johns High School student, Brett Cheeseman, for his fund-raising efforts benefitting the Clinton Northern Railway. Also pictured are John Shaver who helped with the project and Jenny McCampbell.
“Brett worked on the model train tracks this past summer and fall, and did a great job for us,” says Gary McCampbell, manager of the CNR along with his “railroad buff” wife, Jenny. “He was so dependable, and really made the tracks look like new again.”
Making trains bright and shiny is something Brett is familiar with. He has a number of steam and diesel models, including a 40-year-old steam engine, that he’s creating a layout for at his home in St. Johns. Being at the depot with other like-minded railroad enthusiasts was a new experience for the 15-year-old, and helped prompt the idea of raising funds for CNR programming.
“There are lots of things we could use for the model railroad layout,” Brett says, adding that as good as the fund-raising idea seemed, he wasn’t sure how to organize it.
Enter Jason Gnegy, SJHS teacher and Student Council advisor.
“Brett is a nice kid,” Gnegy says, citing his help with the student council on its own fundraisers, like the pop machine in the cafeteria. “It’s pretty common for us to take on projects, but this was something that Brett wanted to do on his own – he just needed a little help.”
When they talked about who Brett might get to work with him, John Shaver’s name was at the top of the list.
“I don’t know too many kids, but John and I talk every morning at school and I thought he would help me,” Brett says about his fellow classmate who’s a student council representative.
Brett was right about that. John agreed without hesitation.
“I wasn’t that familiar with the railroad organization, but when Brett talked about volunteering there it seemed like a good thing for us to support,” John says.
That sort of response is typical, Gnegy says.
“John is a friend to everyone – a super student who’s always willing to lend a hand.”
The duo quickly launched the fund-raising campaign. They visited every seminar class, providing information on the CNR and work being done at the depot, and asked for donations.
“It’s a busy time of year here at the high school, so we wanted Brett and John to complete the project in a short amount of time,” Gnegy says, citing the one-week format. “It’s pretty amazing that they could collect so much money so quickly – $258.75 was the total.”
The instructor may have been surprised, but Brett wasn’t.
“I knew we could do it,” he says with a smile. “Mr. Gnegy is cool, and lots of other teachers and kids helped us, too.”
The positive attitude displayed by Brett and John is what most impressed the McCampbells.
“Brett took the initiative and really made it happen,” Jenny says. “I think that speaks well for these two young men, and we’re certainly very grateful for their work and the donation.”
Brett’s pleased, too, although he’s most interested in working on the model trains at the depot.
“I like spending time with the other people there; we all like trains,” he says.
Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait awhile to work there again. The depot won’t officially reopen until May of next year.
“We’re looking forward to having Brett help us after the holidays as we prepare for the reopening of the depot next spring,” Gary says.
Clinton Northern Railway, a partnership endeavor of the Clinton County Arts Council, is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. All donations are tax-deductible. For detailed information on CNR, visit http://clintonnorthernrailway.org