Bill Stokoe was a Signal Maintainer for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He was able to collect a wide variety of signals for his personal collection while he lived here in Tehachapi. He expressed his wish shortly before he died that the signal collection not be divided up and that it remain in Tehachapi. After his death, the Tehachapi City Council agreed to purchase the collection from his widow Betty and that made his wish come true. The total collection included not only signals but also lanterns, railroad china, locks and railroad miscellany. Finally after almost 10 years of waiting we have most of these items displayed in the Depot Museum.

Many discussions were held and many opinions offered over the years between the City, Friends of the Tehachapi Depot and others as to how to best display the signals. Some wanted them spread all along Tehachapi Boulevard through town. Some wanted a few in Railroad Park. Friends of the Tehachapi Depot held the position that they should all be located on the Depot grounds considering security, maintenance, operation and overall benefit to the public. Several plans were considered for placement of the signals on the grounds but in the end, the City said they needed to all be placed in the two cemented areas which they provided.

The City offered to us the use of half of an airplane hangar at the airport for a workshop. This has been very useful to us and we are very appreciative. In the summer of 2009 a group of volunteers started dismantling the signals which had been left undisturbed in Mr. Stokoe's backyard for 10 years, even though the house had been sold to another homeowner. We started to clean, lubricate, repaint, rewire and reassemble the signals. In the Spring of 2010 after the City had finished the landscaping and cement work on the grounds, we started moving the restored signals from the hangar onto the grounds. Several of the larger signals required either a crane or reassembly onsite. The new restroom building near the signals has a large spare room on the side and rear which will be used for storage, repair and maintenance of the signals. A small wooden shack was placed near the signals and the controls will be located there.

Most of the signals are now in place except for 2 or 3 'searchlight' signals which need to be mounted high on steel poles. When all of the signals are in place the wiring project will begin. All the signals were operative before being removed and the intent is to have them all operative again.

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Recently, the members of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD) hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Evening to thank the dozens of local community friends who generously donate their time and hard work to the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum (the Depot).

The event was, appropriately, held at the Depot. As guests arrived, they were warmly greeted by members of the Board of Directors and served refreshments. A large sheet cake that was as delicious as it was beautiful was served with ice cream, coffee, tea, and water.

Name tags were passed out and worn so that volunteers from each of the different “crews” could meet each other and get acquainted. Some crews work on days the Depot is closed so they don’t often come in contact with members of the other crews. Everyone enjoyed socializing and sharing anecdotes.

Tim Trujillo, President of the FOTD Board of Directors, welcomed everyone and got the party started by introducing Sheryl Bovi, FOTD Board member in charge of the gift shop. She reported that the gift shop had earned $25,000 for the Depot through a combination of sales, donations, and raffle ticket proceeds. These funds are vitally important for the Depot’s continued operation.

This good news was followed by the presentation of Spirit of Service Certificates to the Volunteers. Sheryl Bovi presented certificates to the gift shop Volunteers; Kay Cordes, FOTD Board member and Docent Coordinator, gave certificates to the Docents; and Dennis Storms, head of the Restoration Crew, recognized its members with certificates as well.

All of the Volunteers were invited to share memories of their experiences since the Depot’s Grand Opening on June 12, 2010. There were delightful tales of amusing events and interesting visitors from all around the U. S. and many other countries.

This was followed by the evening’s entertainment, which was provided by the Tehachapi Community Theatre’s Improv Troupe, under the direction of Monica Nadon. Their performance was original, creative, entertaining, and hilarious. The Improv Troupe is truly one of Tehachapi’s treasures.

In closing, Tim introduced all of the members of the Board of Directors who were present. They, who work so hard themselves, showed their appreciation for the hours of work the Volunteers donate to keep the Depot on track and running smoothly.

The FOTD welcomes new members and encourages everyone to lend a hand. All of the crews can use help. If you would like information about becoming an FOTD member, please call the Depot at (661) 823-1100 and leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

All photos are (c) 2011 Nick Smirnoff