Miscellaneous, Who's Who in Bainbridge - Anthony Delello 1938

Who's Who in Bainbridge - Anthony Edward Delello

Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 17, 1938

 

Twelve hours a day, seven days a week, just watching the trains go by from his little tower on West Main street, is the daily routine, of Anthony Edward Delello, known to everyone in town as "Tony."  Now in his 39th year of service for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, Tony started his railroading, Tony started his railroading career in Port Crane, the place of his birth.  He was 12 years old when he became a railroad water boy.

 

In 1914, he came to Bainbridge where he was established first as watchman at the Dry Milk crossing.  Working north, he moved to the Scott Street crossing and then took over the important charge of operating the West Main street gates.  He has been stationed there for the past 20 years.

 

Working from 6 in the morning until 6 at night, Tony has missed only parts of several days at his post.  And, none of these occasions were because of illness.  Known up and down the line as the "strong man of the D.&H.", it has been often recounted that he alone lifted the end of a rail which was so heavy that 12 men had to struggle to lift the other end. 

 

Tony prides himself on his innate ability as a jack of all trades and master of quite a few.  Several boys in the village are the proud possessors of crystal sets which Mr. Delello has assembled.  The set, which he has made for himself, is so powerful, that he claims to get programs broadcast directly from "the old country."  But, the complications of radio are only child's play!  The workings of watches that suddenly refuse to tick, are a real challenge, for Tony is a general repairman par excellence.  So it is no wonder that, if no one else can fix it, housewives say, "take it to Tony."

 

Exciting times, when cars stall in front of fast expresses, and drivers crash through lowered gates, would sufficiently break the monotony of daily living for most people, but not for Mr. Delello.  Snatching time outside of his 12 hours of gate watching, and from his radios and watches, the thrills pictured in Western movies often find him an interested spectator.

 

Leaning from his watch tower, Tony's kindly interest in the world that passes at his feet is best characterized by his greeting of "And, how are you today?"  which he gives to his many friends in the village.