March20,2015DearAll:MotherNaturehasagriponusandjustwon’tletuswelcomeinthefirstdayofSpringwithoutplayingalittlehavocwiththeweather!Whilewedidn’thavesnowlastSaturdayfortheAnnapolisTrainShowwedidhaveadayofrain,however,itdidn’tstopfolksfromcomingoutandhavingafunfilldaywithus.Forthosethatwereabletojoinus,Ithankyouforcomingout,forthosethatcouldn’tIhopeyoucanmakethenextevent.OurfirsteverElephantTablemannedbyNadahadaflowoffolksstoppingtotakealookandafewfolkswalkedawaywithanitemortwo.NadawillagainsetupthetableattheMay9VTC/WB&ATrainShowinFredericksburg.TalkingabouttheShow,Ihopeyou’replanningonsupportingthiseventbygettingatableand/orbycomingoutandsupportingthetableholders.ThiseventisthatoftwoClubsandwehopetoseeyouallthere.AsweareallgettingreadyforAprilYork,takesometimetoreadClemClement’sPrimer,thankyouClemforallyourhardworkonthis.Onamoreseriousnote,pleasewatchthisvideowhichdiscussesarecenttheftatEnglishModelRailroadSupplyinMontoursville,hopefullythoseinvolvedwill

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becaughtsobeonthelookoutandreportanythingyouaresuspiciousof:http://wnep.com/2015/03/17/hundreds‐of‐model‐trains‐worth‐thousands‐stolen/Asareminder,theeblastsandattachmentswillbeplacedontheWB&Awebsiteunderthe“About”tabforyourviewing/sharingpleasurehttp://www.wbachapter.org/2015%20eblasts.htmalongwiththeWB&AFacebookpage.TheattachmentsarecontainedintheonePDFattachedtothisemailinanefforttostreamlinethesendingofthisemailandtoensuretheattachmentsareabletobereceived. ClickontheRibbonontheLeftandyouwillseean“index”ofthedocumentsandyoucanclickonthemtogotothem.IfyouneedaPDFviewertoreadthedocumentwhichcanbedownloadedfreeathttp://www.adobe.com/products/acrviewer/acrvdnld.html.Toretainacopyyoumaywanttosavethefiletoafolderdifferentfromyourtemporaryfiles(downloadinganduseisinyourdiscretion).

UPCOMINGWB&AEVENTSMay9,2015–JointVTC&WB&A(akaNORTH MEETS SOUTH)GreatTrainShowandSaleattheEaglesLodgeat21CoolSpringRoad,Fredericksburg,VA22405contactColleenHallmemberwba@gmail.comformoreinformation,it’snevertooearlytostartplanning.WearepleasedtoannouncethatAllenCrottswillbetheTrainDoctorattheshow.May16,2015‐BaltimoreStreetcarMuseum–FREEtoWB&Amembersandfamily/significantother,contactJohnBuxton.AsyourBoDdidlastyearandduetothe

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greattimewehadalongwiththewelcomingwehad,weareagainthisyeargatheringtorideTrolleysandvisitingtheirMuseum.Forthosethatbringitemstoputoutforsaleorshow&tellthereareafewtablesavailabletodoso.Thisisa“giveback/thankyou”totheWB&Amembership.Hopeyoucanjoinus.FormoreinformationcontactJohnBuxton:jbrookbuxton@gmail.com.October31,2015–WB&AViennaVFDTrainShow,contactDanDanielsonpostwar@comcast.netorDavidEadiedbeadie@verizon.net2015WB&ADrawingItemPremierSet20‐3574‐114‐6‐8JClassNorfolk&WesternPassengerSet:MSRP$1,349.95.DrawingtobeheldJanuary2016(1Ticketfor$5or6for$25)ifinterestedtheticketswillbeatAnnapolisTrainShow,theYorkWB&ATable,VTC/WB&ATrainShow,theJuneandNovemberGeneralMembershipMeeting,andtheViennaTrainShow.YoucanalsosendyourchecktoGlennMacKinnonandhewillsendyoubackyourticket(s).Pleasesendyourrequestto:6908TrilliumLane,Springfield,VA22152REMINDERS:2015TCACONVENTIONSeehttp://tcaconvention.org/

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WB&AMEMBERSHIPPleaseclickonthelinkandforwardyourduestoDaveEadie.It’snevertooearlytopayandifyoupayyour2016dues(yup2016),you’llbeeligiblefortheendoftheyeargiftcertificatefor$100!(http://www.wbachapter.org/wbna%20stuff/wba_application_2014.pdf)WEBSITES/LINKSOFINTEREST/THINGSTODO/BOOKSNewsletterscourtesyoftheVTCandNorrisDeyerle:TheGatewayRailletter;PotomacRailNews;TheHighball;CoalBucket;TheGreenBlock;andGulfCoastRailroading;ArticleandpicturescourtesyofJimRowlandattached.Courtesyof:AubreyWiley:IampleasedtoannounceanadditiontotheVirginianRailwayHeritageTrail,theDeepwaterBuildingindowntownBeckley.Thisbeautiful,fourstory,stonebuildingwasbuiltbytheDeepwaterRailroadtohousethesalesofficesforsubsidiary,LoupCreekCoalCompany.Apressconferenceandbriefceremonyfortheunveilingofthebuilding'sVHThistoricalmarkersignwillbeFriday,March27that11:00am.

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OnSaturday,March28that2:30pm,therewillbeaprogramandPowerPointshowontheVirginianRailwayHeritageTrailintheCoalCampChurchatBeckley'sExhibitionMine.Botheventsarefreeandopentothepublic.Formoreinformationonthebuildingandtheprogram,usethelinksbelow.VIRGINIANRAILWAYHERITAGETRAIL:http://virginianrailwayheritagetrail.blogspot.com/VHTNEWS:http://vhtprogram.blogspot.com/WARNINGGRAPHICVIDEOThisistheactualvideoofaCamrybeingtotaledduringaCSXgradecrossingaccident.Twopeoplewerekilledinstantly!PleasekeepthefamiliesofthefolksintheCamryandtheCSXcrewinyourthoughtsandprayers.http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=616_1426435652CheckoutHistoricLocomotiveNo.765:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mU6jVcv4wCivilizationinWinchester:http://wmrrc.org/FortheCivilWarbuff:GregEaneshasreleasedarevisededitionofhisbookonthebattlesatSailor’sCreek,see:http://www.amazon.com/Sailors‐Creek‐Black‐Day‐

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Army/dp/1508707065/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426457713&sr=8‐6&keywords=Greg+EanesThe2015LincolnFuneralRe‐enactment:http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/2015_event.phpChessieShop.comneedsyourordersfortheChesapeake&OhioAllegheny2‐6‐6‐6‐:ARetrospective,checkitoutat:http://www.chessieshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51&products_id=3175

https://www.facebook.com/wba.chaptertca?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

UPCOMINGCALENDAREVENTS(pleasesendmeitemstoincludeonthecalendar)–ifyouliketoseesomeotherdatesfromaroundthecountry,checkout:1. Checkout:http://modelshopsusa.com/(oneof

theplaceswe’repromotingtheAnnapolisandVTC/WB&ATrainshows).ContactAdrianHallwithanyquestionsthatyoumayhaveat:ukmodelshops@gmail.com

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2. Checkouttrains.comcalendarofeventsat:http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=list&type=1&cat=

3. 2015ScheduleforTrackerscanbefoundat:www.nattrackers.org

4. AtlanticCoast"S"Gaugers‐keepupwithwhatishappeningwithalloftheclubsathttp://www.trainweb.org/acsg/

5. 2015ScheduleforWorld’sGreatestHobbycanbefoundat:http://www.wghshow.com/index.html

6. 2015ScheduleforGreenberg’sTrain&ToyShowcanbefoundat:http://www.greenbergshows.com/schedule.html

7. Linkforvarioustrainshowscanbefoundat:http://www.greattrainexpo.com/andhttp://trainshowinc.comandalsohttp://www.modeltrainshows.com/

8. March20‐22,2015‐3rdAnnualM.A.G.M.A.Gem,MineralandFossilShowatCampStephens,Asheville,NCwww.wncrocks.com/magma/fieldtrips3.htm

9. March22,2015–ArbutusShowsfrom9‐110. March27/28,2015AACASugarloafCarparts

show,WestminsterFairgrounds,MDhttp://chesapeakeaaca.org/pages/activities/flyers/2015smrfleamarket.pdf

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11. March29,2015:AACAsouthjerseyCarPartsmeet(COWTOWN)

12. March29,2015–9:30‐3:30p.m.GreatBatavia/ClarionHotelTrainShowinBatavia,NewYorkwww.gsme.org

13. March28‐29,2015‐WGHinEdison,NJvisitwww.wghshow.com

14. April10‐12,2015:CabinFeverExpo,YorkFairgrounds,York,PAhttp://www.cabinfeverexpo.com/exibitor.html

15. April11,2015–RailroadianaConsignmentAuctionatBrooklineAuctionGalleryinBrookline,NJwww.tagtown.net

16. April11,2015–FloridaRailFairatVolusiaCountyFairgroundsinDeLand,FLwww.gserr.com

17. April11‐12,2015–TheGreatScaleModelTrainShowMakin’Tracks!CowPalace–TimesSat.9‐5/Sun.10‐4attheMarylandStateFairgrounds,2200YorkRoad,Timonium,MD21093http://gsmts.com/

18. April11,2015–ArkansasRRMuseumRailroadianaShow&SaleinPineBluff,ARwww.arkansasrailroadmuseum.org

19. April16‐18,2015–NRHS&ATRRMJointConferencesinYork,PAwww.atrrm.org

20. April18,2015–ModelRailroadingClinicsDayandminiconventioncochairedby:SouthMountain

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DivisionoftheNationalModelRRAssociationandMainlineHobbySupplyfrom9‐3see:http://www.smdnmra.org/miniconvention.htmlorhttp://www.mainlinehobby.net/

21. April18‐19,2015–SuperTrainRRShowatGenesisCentreinCalgary,ABwww.supertrain.ca

22. April22‐2015–TTP&MGroupfrom6‐8p.m.atTheLibertyFireCompany(akaNorthYorkFireDepartment)CallToddat248‐214‐8186orwww.ttpandm.com

23. April23‐26,2015–KatyRRHistoricalSocietyConventioninDalls/Ft.Worth,TXwww.katyrailroad.org

24. April23‐25,2015–EasternDivision/TCAYorkMeet

25. April25‐26,2015–OttawaTrainExpo.AtErnst&YoungCentreinOttawa,ONwww.ottawatrainexpo.com

26. April30‐May3,2015–PARRTech&HistoricalSocietyMeetinginStateCollege,PAwww.prrths.com

27. May1‐3,2015–NYCentralSystemHistoricalSociety,Inc.2015Convention&Meetingvisitwww.nycshs.org

28. May1‐3,2015–The2015LincolnFuneralRe‐enactment:http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/2015_event.php

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29. May3,2015‐NewHope–SoleburyTownshipTrainShowandSaleNewHope‐EagleFireCompany46NorthSuganRoadNewHope,PA18938$5.00ppAdmission,Childrenunder12freeFutureShow–Oct4

30. May9,2015‐JointVTC&WB&A(akaNORTH MEETS SOUTH)GreatTrainShowandSaleattheEaglesLodgeinFredericksburg,VA‐contactRussellatjryouens@verizon.netand/orColleenHallatmemberwba@gmail.com

31. May16,2015‐BaltimoreStreetcarMuseum–FREEtoWB&Amembers,contactJohnBuxtonjbrookbuxton@gmail.comformoreinformation

32. June6,2015–10‐3p.m.HistoricDowntownManassas,ManassasRailFestival,Manassas,VAhttp://visitmanassas.org/event/20th‐annual‐manassas‐heritage‐railway‐festival/?instance_id=

33. June4‐7,2015–Railway&LocomotiveHistoricalSociety,2015R&LHSConventioninAltoona,PA

34. June20‐28,2015TCA2015NationalConventionhttp://www.metca.org/2015convention.html

35. June7,2015–9‐1p.m.SpringHamburgDutchTrainMeetattheHamburgFireCo,FileHouse–PineStreet,Hamburg,PA

36. June20‐21,2015–TheGreatScaleModelTrainShowMakin’Tracks!CowPalace–TimesSat.9‐5/Sun.10‐4attheMarylandStateFairgrounds,

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2200YorkRoad,Timonium,MD21093http://gsmts.com/

37. July20‐26,2015–12thAnnualWNCRounduphttp://wncrocks.proboards.com/#ixzz3Jd1YzWsH

38. July26,2015‐9‐1p.m.SummerHamburgDutchTrainMeetattheHamburgFireCo,FileHouse–PineStreet,Hamburg,PA

39. August8,2015–LynchburgRailDay2015contact:BarryMoorefield,rockdalefarm@live.comorNorrisDeyerle,railcow@msn.com,websitewww.blueridgenrhs.org.

40. September12,2015HagerstownModelRRMuseum,Inc.TrainfestSummer2015ModelTrainsalere:railroadingandmodelrailroadingatWashingtonCountyAGCenter7313SharpesburgPike9‐2p.m.contactinfo:Email:Hmrrm@myactv.net;Phone:301‐800‐9829;WebSite:www.antietamstation.com

41. September13,2015–9‐1p.m.SummerHamburgDutchTrainMeetattheHamburgFireCo,FileHouse–PineStreet,Hamburg,PA

42. September18‐20,2015–ATRRMFallConferenceinUnion,ILvisitwww.atrrm.org

43. September20,2015‐GilbertsvilleTrainShowattheGilbertsvilleFireHall,1454E.PhiladelphiaAvenue,Gilbertsville,PA19525

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44. September27,2015‐ArbutusShowsfrom9‐145. October4,2015‐NewHope–SoleburyTownship

TrainShowandSaleNewHope‐EagleFireCompany46NorthSuganRoadNewHope,PA18938$5.00ppAdmission,Childrenunder12free

46. October24‐25,2015–TheGreatScaleModelTrainShowMakin’Tracks!CowPalace–TimesSat.9‐5/Sun.10‐4attheMarylandStateFairgrounds,2200YorkRoad,Timonium,MD21093http://gsmts.com/

47. October31,2015–WB&AViennaVFDTrainShow,contactDanDanielsonpostwar@comcast.netorDavidEadiedbeadie@verizon.net

48. November7,2015‐WB&AMembersOnlySemi‐AnnualGeneralMembership/SwapMeetfrom9‐1p.m.atSaintJamesEvangelicalLutheranChurch,8WestOverleaAvenue,Baltimore,MD21206,contactPaulPullenbcrr@netzero.netformoreinformation(swapmeettableswillbeavailableonafirstcomefirstservebasis).

49. November28,2015‐HagerstownModelRRMuseum,Inc.TrainfestWinter2015ModelTrainsalere:railroadingandmodelrailroadingatWashingtonCountyAGCenter7313SharpesburgPike9‐2p.m.contactinfo:Email:

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Hmrrm@myactv.net;Phone:301‐800‐9829;WebSite:www.antietamstation.com

50. December13,2015–EarleighHeightsShows9‐251. December19,2015‐ ArbutusShowsfrom9‐1

Asalways,ifyouprefernottoreceivetheseemails,pleaseletmeknow.Allmybest,ColleenAsaremindertoall,Igathermyinformationfromallsources,lotsofitcomesfromthemembershipwhoincludesmeontheiremails.Irespecteveryone’sintellectualpropertyrightsanddomyupmostbestnottoinfringeonanyone’sandtogivecreditwhenIamawareofwhomtogivethecreditto.Thiseblastisaninformationalnewsletterandmyintentistosharewithyouinformationyoumayfindofuseorinterest.

Spring 2015 TCA e-Train Edition

Return to TCA e-Train Website

Clem’s York Primer

By Richard B."Clem" Clement

Clem’s York Primer

By Richard B."Clem" Clement April 2015 Update

The Primer is a composite of the personal experiences and views of several attendees and is designed to enrich Eastern Division, TCA’s York Week Experience. The Eastern Division, TCA, York Meet Notice is the official document for the York Meet. The Primer is not sponsored by any organization; business or company nor does it sell, endorse or promote a particular product. If you have a question about an activity or event listed herein, please contact the listed sponsor. Events off the York Fairgrounds or the NTTM site are not TCA sponsored. This version negates all previous versions. In my view, York is much more than a train-meet. It is about the gathering of families, friends and acquaintances. -Your TCA Family- This Primer highlights the TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet; the TCA Museum, Library and Business Office Activities; member meetings and specified train group activities; non-TCA sponsored train events locally; local attractions; restaurants, tips on navigating the events and the locale. For the price of admission which includes free parking, this is the best deal for a 3 day train meet

in the universe. My hope is that the Primer will help you enjoy the week as much as I do.

“New info is presented in red.”

The information in italics comes from the York Registration Chair/Presidentoperating or both, you can enjoy the camaraderie of your fellowtoy train enthusiasts. You may be thrilled with that once in a lifetime find or thejoy oPresident's Message

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of our Eastern Division members who cast their vote this past Fall for our newly elected Board of Directors. I assure you that all of us on the Board are fully committed to continue to sponsor the best toy train experience at the semi-annual York, Pennsylvania train meet. For 2 ½ days, whether your interests favor collecting, operating or both, you can enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow toy train enthusiasts. You may be thrilled with that once in a lifetime find or the joy of meeting up with old friends from all over the country or indeed the world. It is always a pleasure to make new friends and share experiences of the toy train hobby. If you've never made the trip to York or have been away for a while please accept our invitation to join us in April and again in October to take in this incredible experience. Click on the “You’ve got it made in York” for information regarding accommodations and other enjoyable activities in this great region of South Central Pennsylvania. And while you are in the area take the time to visit the TCA Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, PA. A great family experience.

If you are a seasoned veteran of the York train meet please spread the word to your fellow train hobbyists at home. We, as TCA members, should be enthusiastic about our hobby and invite new people to share in the fun. If you are a first timer and wish to speak with someone directly with questions about the Meet feel free to contact our Registration team or anyone on our Board. Their contact information is readily available on this website. They would be happy to pass on any helpful hints regarding the Meet or help you get registered to attend. In closing I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge with gratitude all of the hard work that our volunteer staff performs to make everything come together twice a year for the enjoyment of our members and their guests.

As I write these remarks in frigid, snowy Buffalo, NY I am looking forward to seeing everyone again in the Spring at York. Best Regards,

John Zobel, President Eastern Division TCA

The York Train Meet is the Train Collectors Association greatest recruitment tool. The October Meet proved to be no exception. TCA has 55 new members because of the York Meet and 77 members renewed their TCA dues. If you want to see the TCA membership

grow - then take a guest to the York Train Meet and encourage them to join TCA to continue attending.Online Registration begins in early January 2015. If you are as enthusiastic about toy trains as we are, come see what we are all about. Once there, join the Train Collectors Association so you don't miss a single show. Watch for April 2015 Meet Notice for meet details, member, dealer and guest registration forms.

York Meet Registrar's October 2014 Wrap Up

The October 2014 York Meet is behind us and work has begun on the April 2015 Meet.

A big "Thank you" to all the volunteers and staff that donated countless hours to put on another successful meet.

The Lower Susquehanna Valley Modular Railroad Clubs brought their "O" & "HO" layouts to York and put on a spectacular display. Thank you. Click on the club's name to visit their website.

We registered over 12,355 members, families and guests for the show. 55 of the guests attending also joined TCA and 77 renewed their TCA membership dues. York remains TCA's best recruiting tool. A big thank you to Leslie Houser (TCA National Business Office) for her dedication signing up new members and assisting those renewing their membership.

Now for the registration numbers:

Don't forget you may bring as many guests as you want to the show. You'll find the guest form on our website. (Guest form) Register them early and get the advance discount pricing. Remember, guests may attend one time and then they are expected to join the TCA to continue attending the York Train Meet.

Work has already begun on the April Meet Notice. If you don't receive yours by mid February, please Contact Us. Online registration will begin in early January 2015 and I encourage you to register early and receive the advance discount pricing.

We again offered members the opportunity to register at the October show for the April show. If you didn't take advantage of this convenience, please try it at the next show. A sign up table will be located across from the Registration Desk. Put that on your list of places to stop while wandering through the Silver Hall in April.

You might ask: what are the advantages of signing up at the meet?

Convenience - do it at the meet and forget about it until you receive your badge in the mail.

Cost - we pay the postage.

Time saver - you save time as you no longer need to wait for the meet notice to arrive, then complete the form, put a self addressed stamped envelope in with your registration form and make a trip to the post office.

Accuracy of information - ensuring the information we have on file is correct and eliminating errors due to illegible penmanship.

Everyone should consider using this method to register for the next meet. We'll begin mailing badges out the first part of February to those members attending the meet only. Just a reminder: if you're a table holder or dealer, your badge(s) will be mailed after March 22th, 2015. If you pre-registered, you will still receive a meet notice for informational purposes only. No need to submit a registration form and if you're not sure if you pre-registered. The York Meet is open to TCA members, their families and guests.

??? NOT A MEMBER OF THE TRAIN COLLECTORSASSOCIATION ???

but you would like to attend our meet and see for yourself what it s like to go toToy Train Heaven . With 3 dealers halls and 4 non dealer halls loaded with trains,

plus modular exhibits of operating toy train layouts, dealer seminars, buying, selling andmuch more... you don t want to miss it. We have over 190,000 square feet of trains,trains and more trains. For more information click here.

Eastern Divison is the sole sponsor of the York Train Meet. It is the largest division within the Train Collectors Association with over 6,600 members. The York Train Meet has a long history dating back to 1964 when it began holding its first train meet in the Blue Hall, also known as Memorial Hall. When you hear the old timers tell how they used to secure their tables, you can't help but smile. It was a free for all and whoever managed to get to the table first laid claim to it for the entire meet.

Upstate New York Chapter - founded in 2012, they are the newest chapter in the Eastern Division. With a membership fast approaching 400, they are the fastest growing chapter in TCA. If you live in this area check out what they have to offer - train meets several times a year.

The WB&A Chapter, also known as the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Chapter. WB&A is the oldest chapter of the Eastern Division and a very active chapter sponsoring 2 meets a year and numerous trips dedicated to fostering the love of the toy train hobby.

The Train Collectors Association with over 28,000 members world wide, is dedicated to the hobby of collecting and operating toy trains, the fun of members buying, selling and discussing them, the study of their characteristics and the history of their production. As a member of TCA you have access to the amazing library of historical resources at the National Toy Train Museum Library, Strasburg, PA as well as the wealth of knowledge held within the membership. The camaraderie and fellowship you'll find in the organization is a testiment to the 60 years since it was founded in Yardley, PA in 1954. The National Toy Train Museum sponsors an Open House October 15th, 2014. While there if you join the TCA you are entitled to register to attend the York Train Meet which is the largest members only meet in the United States. (The registration fee to attend the York Meet will gain you entrance to the meet for all three days). Visit their website, review the benefits and then JOIN the TCA.

Eastern Division Call Center closes April 15th, 2015 and then all registrations will be processed at the door.

Nancy tentzeras, York Registrar registrar@easterntca.com<registrar@easterntca.com>

NEW NEWS:York fall dates separate Hershey Antique Car Show and York Train Meet by a week. For many years the fall meets were coordinated.

I’m noticing in the York Registration package that fall York 2015 dates has been changed to October 22, 23, 24, 2015. That is a week later than what has been the rule for years. For as long as I have been involved, the York train show always followed after the 2 big Pennsylvania car shows: Carlisle and Hershey. This arrangement was done with the counties’ involved visitor bureaus’ coordination to help with room accommodations and to free the last weeks of October for the huge influx of “Leaf Peekers” with their different “Kind” of money.”

For several of you TCAers, including me, that means that we have a week between the end of the Hershey car show and the York week. For those who travel long distance that means do Hershey OR York only, or spend an extra week on the road. Tough decision.

Hi Clem,

The Fall 2014 Registration packet had a typo in it regarding the October 2015 dates, which was announced numerous times during the October 2014 meet of the error and to make note of the correct dates as well as included in an Eblast that was sent to members

between 8/20/14 - 8/23/14 (depending on your last name stating a Correction to the Meet Notice as follows:

Correction to Meet Notice:Future Meet Dates for October 2015 is October 22, 23, 24, 2015.

Thanks,-Nancy Tentzeras, York Registrar

FUTURE YORK MEET DATES

Mark your calendar for these

The NEW Wyndham Garden, former Holiday Inn (by the Westmanchester Mall), has undergone an extensive renovation in 2014 to include:

~Brand New Crystal Ballroom~~Renovated Guest Rooms~

~New Onsite Restaurant/Lounge~~Upgraded Business Center~

~Addition of Elevator~~Renovated Fitness Center~~Updated Pool Courtyard~

Steam into History The York registration Package has the wrong date for the Steam into history special event. It is Saturday afternoon, not Thursday.

Join in the fun and Steam into History riding the rails that Abraham Lincoln rode to give his Gettysburg Address. Saturday afternoon you're invited to board the train in Glen Rock, PA for an excursion through the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside and visit Hanover Junction. Please call 717-942-2370 or visit their website for more information and to sign up. http://steamintohistory.com/home.

**********************

YORK TRAIN MEET MADE EASY EASTERN DIVISION’S YORK MEET. York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Ave, York PA, 17404 (This is the GPS location) York Fairgrounds emergency phone # is 1-717.848.2596 https://www.google.com/maps/place/York+Expo+Center/@39.9583672,-76.7548524,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c88c0b3c6bdd05:0x92728627075a6f87 is the fairgrounds map. THE NATIONAL TOY TRAIN (TCA) MUSEUM/LIBRARY/BUSINESS OFFICE 300 Paradise Lane, Strasburg, PA MUSEUM APPRECIATION DAY OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY OF YORK WEEK The museum, library, and business office are open all week and are a must see. The Open House on Wednesday features a schedule of special events; refreshments and prizes, which are detailed further on the TCA web site. Please plan to attend and enjoy the Museum’s special presentations and displays. For open house schedule, visit www.nttmuseum.org. Contact mrogers@traincollectors.org for more info. The The York Train Meet is sponsored by the Eastern Division and it is open only to members (and family) of the Train Collectors Association and their guests. (To join TCA click here) Members are invited to bring their families and guests; however each person attending the Meet must be registered and receive a badge. Badges are required for entry to the buildings and must be visible at all times during the meet. Guests are required to show ID when picking up their badge at the door (see map).

NOT a member of the Train Collectors Association but love trains and want to see what the York Meet is all about, then click here.

We offer several ways to register for the meet:

1. Online at https://www.yorkregistration.org 2. Eastern Division Call Center - 1-814-928-0196 3. Registration form located in the TCA Headquarters Newsletter (see Table of

Contents for registration form page number)

4. By mail using the registration form located in the 2015 April York Meet Notice (registration form only)

5. At the Door

Overview of the Eastern Division York Meet

NOTE: THE EASTERN DIVISION NEWSLETTER (YORK MEET NOTICE) IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FOR GUIDANCE REGARDING THE YORK TRAIN MEET. READ IT THOROUGHLY AND BRING IT WITH YOU TO THE MEET. LAST MINUTE CHANGES WILL BE NOTED ON CALENDAR OF EVENTS POSTERS AT YORK. Meet notices are located on the Eastern Division web site: http://www.easterntca.com/ or you can link from the TCA web site: http://www.traincollectors.org/ Or call 302-674-5797 for a copy of the meet notice. MEET HOURS: Dealer Halls- Orange (Utz), Brown (JS Smith Ctr.) & Purple (Heritage)

Set-up ONLY: Dealer Badge Required Wed ......9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thurs.....9:00 AM - 12:00 noon Fri/Sat...8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

OPEN to all attendees

Thurs 12:00 noon – 6:30 PM Fri 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Sat 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Member Halls- White (Horticultural) (sometimes has layouts as well), Red (Old Main), Blue (Memorial West), & Silver (Memorial East)

Set-up Only: Table Holder Badge Required Thurs 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon Fri/Sat 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

OPEN to all attendees

Thurs..12:00 noon - 5:00 PM

Fri.... 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat.... 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Black Hall (Pennsylvania Room): check Eastern Division website for info on layouts. Registration Hours: Wed.......3:00 PM-5:00 PM Thurs/Fri. 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Sat.......8:30 AM-2:00 PM Registration is now available for the next meet at the door. Table located in Silver Hall across from registration counter. Kids Korner (Parents/guardian [Only one] must remain with child) Thurs. . 12 Noon- 4:00 PM Fri. . . 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM Sat. . . 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon General Meet Rules include: Badges must be worn at all times. Reprints are $5 each. If you sleep on the fairgrounds must pay the $40 RV fee. This is a York Expo Center liability requirement. RV’s, campers, self–contained vehicles permitted on the grounds Wednesday 9 AM-Saturday 6 PM. See detail rules in Registration Packet. Still Photography permitted in the Dealer halls and of the modular exhibits. No photos be permitted in the Blue, Silver, Red or White (Layout photos OK) halls or of copyrighted materials. Not sure? Ask! Cell phones may be used in all the halls. No buying, selling or trading permitted during setup. No Alcohol allowed on the fairgrounds No Strollers permitted in halls No Smoking permitted in halls No Vehicles in the halls.

No private golf carts permitted on the Fairgrounds without a certificate of insurance for one million dollars liability coverage on file with the Fairgrounds. Pets are not permitted in the buildings except for licensed, service or medical animals. For safety reasons no Handcarts/Dollies/Suitcases or large backpacks permitted in the halls during show hours. Follow the Yellow Arrows on the hall floors. GENERAL INFORMATION/AVAILABLE SERVICES/ACTIVITIES 1. The York meet is THREE wonderful days on the York Fairgrounds. 2. Pre-Register if you can. The money is nonrefundable but general admission is inexpensive and can eliminate any waiting in registration lines. 3. Guests can be registered in advance, but must show a picture ID and pick up their badges in person at the registration desk. Guest badges are NOT mailed. 4. Guests can attend York only once. Bring a train friend to York and sign ‘em up for TCA. A guest can join TCA on the spot at York. No two-member signature required any more. The new member is probationary for a year, but that doesn’t restrict them from attending any meets including this York’s Meet. 5. The TCA National Business Office has several tables at/near the registration counter staffed to assist with membership issues. The Museum gift store booths are near the registration counter in the Silver Hall. 6. Bring your meet notice with you as reference. A map of the fairgrounds is in the notice. Note: 3 ATMs are located on the Fairgrounds. 7. Member halls close earlier than dealer halls to allow member table holders the opportunity to shop with our dealer members. 8. Hall floor plans will be available from Hall Captains and will be at the Registration Desk or online. Red & White hall info tables are close to the hall captain’s tables. Silver hall table with hall charts is across from Kids Korner, Blue Hall down by the food service. Dealer halls are online at the Eastern Division web site and each shows the location of the information table.

9. YORK SHOW numbers (unofficial) Here is the history: York Statistics – Apr `07 Total Registrations 14,325 York Statistics – Apr `08 Total Registrations 14,567 York Statistics - Apr `09 Total Registrations 14,109 York Statistics - Apr `10 Total Registrations 13,769 York Statistics - Oct `10 Total Registrations 13,648 York Statistics - Apr `11 Total Registrations 13,521 York Statistics - Oct `11 Total Registrations 13,608

York Statistics - Apr `12 Total Registrations 13,403

York Statistics - Oct `12

Total Registrations 13,864

York Statistics – April ‘13

Total Registrations 12702 (First time below 13 K)

York Statistics - Oct ‘13 Total Registrations 13517 (Nice increase)

York Statistics – Apr 14

Total registrations 12,225 (699 registered at the door) 80 new members to TCA York Statistics – Oct. ‘14 Total 12,355 (8011 members) RV’s 157

10. Volunteers are welcomed and needed. Wednesday at 1:00 PM there will be a briefing in the Blue Hall outside of the Blue Hall Cafeteria. Vol. lunch begins at noon. The York meet requires a huge number of members to make it happen. Contact our Volunteer Committee Chairman, John Zobel:

volunteer@easterntca.com

or (716) 662-7760 to volunteer.

11. The WB&A Chapter brings Kid's Korner @ York to the open space between the Blue and Silver Halls. Plan to visit, stay and play. Our Kids Korner managers are: Chuck & Pam Morkosky, Jennifer Skinner & Mitch Boyle and Martha Skinner. Be sure and stop by to chat and thank them for their interest and support for the next generation of TCAers. There are ride'em trains that circle the perimeter of the area, small train loops, a windup layout and lots of push-me trains for kids to play. Donations of play train toys are welcomed. Bring your kids (Age 0-110) and join in. There ain't no age or fun limit! There is a lot to do; track to assemble (probably plastic type), trains to push on the rug, windups to run, sharing concepts to learn, teaching to be done and fun for all. Door Prizes are awarded, as well as a Grand Prize. A Parent/guardian must accompany the child. This is not day care. I have found in my experiences, the adult who gets down flat with the kids and learns/watches/helps the play activity gets, by far, the most enjoyment. Photos may be taken in this area. We are seeking volunteers to help continue making this activity a success. Kid’s Corner snacks are donated from the York County CVB. WB&A, a very active Chapter of Eastern Division, conducts two open meets per year in the Baltimore/Washington/Annapolis area, as well as two “members only” meets. http://wbachapter.org/

12. UPS has a booth in the Lobby entranceway to the Blue/Silver halls to accept, wrap and mail trains. It is Open Thurs 12-5 PM, Friday 9-5 PM and Saturday 9-2 PM. For incoming parcel receiving service, as well as outgoing service: store3038@theupsstore.com Remember Uncle Clem's secret plan: Mail your expensive goodies to your office so that when you report to your significant other, you have no evidence of your wise investments. 13. WHEELCHAIR/SCOOTER RENTALS: contact Dave Bubernack, D&R Mobility 570-274-3181 for reservations or questions. Dave will setup on the Fairgrounds next to the First Aid Building. I suggest you reserve early. Be courteous and drive carefully. 14. TCA GROUPS: MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES TUESDAY: Eastern Division BOD Meeting: 12 Noon Orange Hall Meeting Room WEDNESDAY: TCA Museum open house 10: AM till 6: PM. See Wednesday Museum day activities on http://nttmuseum.org/ 19th Semi-Annual DCS User Group Meeting-6 PM Wyndham Garden (formerly Holiday Inn Holidome) Address is 2000 Loucks Road. 6 PM dinner 7 PM Q&A. 8 PM MTH presentation Barry Broskowitz: broskowitz@computercompetency.com The Toy Train Paper & Memorabilia Meet - 6 PM Liberty Fire Company, 160 E 8th Avenue, York. For more information contact Joe Mania at: joe@jlmtrains.com or http://www.ttpandm.com/ Bring a favorite item to share. TCA National Executive Committee Meeting. Orange Hall 7-10:30 PM THURSDAY

Strategic Planning Meeting 7:30 am Orange Hall ticket booth. Reliance Fire Hall opens 8 AM-1 PM Standards Committee General Meeting-9:10 AM Orange Hall meeting room. Wood Toy Train Collectors, 10:30-11:30 AM, Blue Hall Atrium. Stop by and see their display MTH will be conducting seminars in their booth and the website address for details is: http://www.mthtrains.com Advanced registration is required. Atlas O Seminars: Stop by their Orange Hall Booth for times and details. National Kids Club Committee -2 PM Orange Hall Meeting Room Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. Reliance Fire Hall opens 5 PM–9 PM Ives Train Society BOD Meeting -5:30 PM Orange Hall Meeting Room Marx Show & Tell 7 P.M. Liberty Fire Company, 160 East 8th Ave., York. Bring a Marx trains, accessory or toy. OGR Forum dinner and happy hour at Ruby Tuesday, 1401 Kenneth Road York, PA Thursday after 4 PM, 1411 Kenneth road, York, PA. Open to everyone. jimbarrett@ogaugerr.com “Flyer Nut” Meeting 8:30 PM Reliance Fire Hall, 1341 W market St, York

FRIDAY: York Legacy Users. 8 AM, Alexander’s Restaurant. 840 Carlisle Ave, York Reliance Fire Hall open 9 AM - 5 PM “OO” Gauge Meeting – 10:-11 AM Orange Hall Contact: flyerlarry@yahoo.com Atlas O Seminars: Stop by their Orange Hall Booth for times and details. MTH will be conducting seminars in their booth and the website address for details is: http://www.mthtrains.com Advanced registration is required Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. Plasticville Collectors Assoc (PCA) 11 AM-Noon. Orange Hall (Utz) meeting room. John Niehaus johnln@netins.net Ph. 515-771-6888 after 5 PM Central time. Ives Train Society General Meeting NOON to 1:00 PM Orange Hall Meeting Room. Contact Don Lewis: dorfan@comcast.net New and unusual items will be photographed for use in the TCA Quarterly, Friday 1:00 PM-Blue Hall (near Men’s room) Contact Ron Morris – Blue hall table G69. National Convention Guidelines: 1:30-4 PM. Orange Hall meeting room OGR Forum Meeting- 2 PM Fairgrounds Grandstand. Contact Ed Boyle ed@ogaugerr.com

Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. FREE ICE CREAM SOCIAL – 6:30 PM ORANGE HALL PROMENADE SATURDAY: Free Coffee and Maple Donuts - 7:30 AM Orange Hall Promenade Eastern Division General Membership- 8-8:45 AM Orange Hall Meeting Room Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. 15. SHOPPING OPTIONS FROM THE YORK MEET The shuttle bus #I to the local mall leaves from in front the Blue Hall every hour Thursday 12-4 PM. Friday every hour from 10 AM-4 PM. $1.00 each way, exact change only. No reservations required. Shopping II – Bus trip to Lancaster area Outlet Mall Friday 10 AM-4 PM. Pick up in front of Blue Hall. Mark Reservation Box on Meet Registration Card. $10 round trip paid in exact cash to the bus driver. 16. FAIRGROUNDS INFORMATION: Emergency Phone Number during Meet

(717) 848-2596 GPS location is York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Ave, York PA, 17404 https://www.google.com/maps/place/York+Expo+Center/@39.9583672,-76.7548524,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c88c0b3c6bdd05:0x92728627075a6f87 First Aid Station–next to the Fire Station near the Brown Hall.

HAVE YOUR SIG OTHER PREPARE YOUR MEDS.

PUT THEM WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM.

TAKE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Fairgrounds flag area near the main entrance to the Orange Hall U.S. has an honorary brick purchase program sponsored by the York Fairgrounds. Contact Fairgrounds at (717) 848-2596.

Rest rooms open only during meet hours are inside the Blue, White, Black, and Brown halls, the inside lobby between the Blue and Silver Halls, east outside area of the Red Hall, next to the EMT (First Aid) building and the Orange Hall promenade area. Restrooms open 24/7 on the Fairgrounds: the west side Orange Hall promenade restrooms include coin–operated showers have an outside entrance for use after hours and the Firehouse.

17. RV ACCOMODATIONS Fairgrounds RV Accommodations Open 9:00 AM Wednesday till Saturday 6:00 PM Enter from the back side of the fairgrounds through Gate 6, Highland Ave. Dave Goodhart will help you park. (570-847-8017) RV@easterntca.com You are not allowed to put stakes thru the asphalt. Bring pads for your jacks and wheels (see the registration package.) The Northwest corner of the Fairgrounds has a nice RV area which we encourage you to use. You need the permit if you intend to sleep on the grounds: camper, tent, sleeping bag or your car. Current fee is $40. The Fairgrounds charges us per user, no matter what you use. Electricity: If you plug in to a receptacle (all electrical devices) you are required to pay the $40 electric fee and provide your own extension cord.

18. The PA Tax Office can and does send people to visit the halls during York. Space holders in the Orange, Brown and Purple Halls are required to have PA Tax number. If you have a dealer license, be prepared to show it. 19. York County maintains a booth in the Silver Hall during the meet for your convenience. Contact them if you have accommodation issues or questions. They will have discount coupons for some restaurants and points of interest. The staff is most helpful. www.yorkpa.org 20. TRAVEL DIRECTIONS York area from the South: travel to the Baltimore loop and then go up 83 North. Direct from the Washington area to the York Fairgrounds, in York, take 83 Business (from George Street) right onto Market, left onto Duke and then left on Philadelphia St., then right on Carlisle St. to Fairground on the left. Alternate, northbound on I-83 from Baltimore, as you near York, exit on Business 83N. Within a few blocks, you'll see a "FAIRGROUNDS" sign that will direct you to make a left turn on "Country Club Road". Stay on this road to right turn onto "Richland Ave." At Market St. make a left. The Fairgrounds is one block away on your right. Alternate route from the Washington area: Route 15 North to Route 30 East to York, then Route 74 (Carlisle St.) south to Fairgrounds. The Long Island/NYC/Jersey York Bus: “If you don't want to drive and hail from New York City, Long Island or New Jersey, there is a TCA Show luxury bus which will take you to York, gets you to breakfast locally (at your cost, but cheap) and brings you home. Included is an all you can eat buffet on the way home. Pick up points are located in shopping centers with all-day parking included. Sleep on the way down (bring your own pillow). Usually, on the return, there is a movie on board. They run train tapes.) You could bring your own favorites! Lot's of good camaraderie aboard. I've done it 3 or 4 times and it's great to not drive.” (Chris Zizzo) Bus Info from Lenny Joerg: “Les and I are doing the buses again. Now we use luxury buses. We already have 80 riders so it should be a good turn out! The stops are still Commack, West Babylon, & Hicksville on Long Island along with the Bronx & Flushing NY and finally Woodbridge NJ. The cost has risen to $80 but it still includes supper at the Old Country Buffet. We still stop at Alexander’s for breakfast but it is not

included in the fare! For more info I can be reached at (631) 874-6834 or via email. Lenny Joerg sljoerg@optonline.net or Lester Livingston (678) 398-9449. Pittsburg and Washington County, Pa. bus trip to York Antique Coach Excursions is located in Washington County, PA and is making plans to bring a bus full of eager toy train enthusiasts to the York Meet. For information, contact Alex Demtzak at 724.947.9000 or email him at info@antiquecoachesexcursions.com. Sounds like a great way to do York. 21.YORK TRAFFIC AND WEATHER INFORMATION: WSBA--AM-910 radio regular traffic updates WSOX--FM-96.1 the same WGAL--Channel 8 TV traffic updates from 5 to 7 AM every 10 minutes WROZ--FM-101.1 "The Rose" regular traffic updates. Comments: Pennsylvania has had rough winter weather wise. PENNDOT and county/city staffs are working very hard to clear and repair roads. Give them a brake and drive carefully. (Clem) The city of York has various ongoing street repairs that change on a daily or weekly basis. The best source of information is http://www.ydr.com/ People traveling the Turnpike need to be aware of a heavy police presence in construction areas and that all fines are doubled for construction areas (true in constructions areas all over the state). Also be aware that Pennsylvania has numerous “add-ons” for violations that can actually be more than the fine for the violation. All of this is totaled before being doubled. Please drive safe. (Clem) Pennsylvania Official Travel Information website is “511PA”. Dial “511” or go to www.511PA.com to obtain the travel information. Traffic at the Carlisle Gate of the York Fairgrounds can be horrendous. Please be careful. I recommend Gate 6 on Highlander Ave. - the Northwest end of the fairground opposite from the Blue Hall area or from the Blue Hall on past the

Orange Hall to the fence). That gate is always open and you can turn left or right easily. (Clem) York weather info: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USPA1834.html _CWSU National TAF METAR maps - NOAA NWS_ Check this out for up to the minute weather info anywhere in the USA-really high tech stuff here. 22. ACCOMODATIONS The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCCVB) is the official tourism promotion agency for York County. The organization's website, www.Yorkpa.org or call (888) 858- 9675, or (717)-852-9675, www.yorkchamber.com Nearby Lancaster County Visitor’s Bureau can be reached at (800) 723-8824 or www.padutchcountry.com. We have two new hotels in York. The Towne Place Suites by Marriott is located at 2789 Concord Road, York PA 17402. For reservations call 717-840-1180. The Hampton Inn & Suites York South is located at 2159 S Queen Street, York PA 17402. For reservations call 717-741-9900. RV accommodations non-meet days. Indian Rock Campground, just outside of town to the south and west. They run a reasonable rate a night, with electric and water; including decent shower facilities .Contact them at http://www.indianrockcampground.com Ben Franklin Park in York, PA is approximately 5 minutes west of the York Fairgrounds. They are a mobile home park that is offering RV spaces with full hookups. They offer services as possible overflow or for those who might have special needs which they may be able to fulfill. (717) 792-9612 www.benfranklinRVPark.com The best place to camp is the Gifford Pinchot State Park which is located on Rte. 74, about 12 miles from the York Fair Grounds. It has camp sites on a lake, has great showers/bath rooms and is very quiet.—(Bob Obara)

http://www.bing.com/search?q=Gifford+Pinchot+State+Park&src=IE-TopResult&FORM=IETR02&conversationid= 23. NON -TCA SPONSORED TRAIN SHOWS DURING YORK WEEK There are five different train shows held on days prior to the TCA meet at the York Fairgrounds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. These are: The old Billy Budd is now DAYS INN. PH. (717) 845-5671. http://www.daysinn.com It is located at the confluence of Route 30 and Interstate 83 (334 Arsenal Road.) Show Contact: Rich Dedufour (609-466-3933). Best Western Motel just north off of Route 30 (1415 Kenneth Road). (717) 767-6931 http://www.bestwestern.com Contact Gene Simbolt (718) 229-8927 nites or gms01@hotmail.com Wynhdam Garden (formally Holiday Inn) at West Manchester Mall north of Route 30 on Carlisle Road (2000 Loucks Road.) Phone: (717) 846-9500). http://www.hiyork.com/ Christina Cross handles the outside space/table reservations. Charlie Phillips kc97trainsmto@aol.com handles the inside reservations. The Reliance Fire Hall (West York FD) on 1341 West Market Street. Contact Barry @ (717) 424-1308 or kingkodak@hotmail.com for tables. Listed at http://trains.com/ Commonwealth Fire Hall, 2045 North Sherman St., York PA 17402. Contact Barry @ (717) 424-1308 or kingkodak@hotmail.com for tables. Listed at http://trains.com Entrance to these meets is free and not restricted to TCA members. Locations: The Hotel at the confluence of Route 30 and I-83 is known as the Days Inn (former Billy Budd) When you exit off of I-83 onto Route 30 going east, make a right at the next intersection (Arsenal Road) and the Days Inn is on your left. The train meet is held inside the main meeting room and sometimes outside in the parking lot. Many guests display their trains inside their rooms. From the Days Inn, if you go back West on Route 30, under I-83, you will pass several traffic lights and blocks of stores and restaurants and then come to a traffic light with an Olive Garden Restaurant on the left.

If you make a right turn at that light, you will come to the Best Western Motel within a half a block (1415 Kenneth Road). This property has a local train show outside in the parking lot (weather permitting). The Wyndham Garden (Formerly the Holidome) can be reached two ways. If you turned right at the Olive Garden to get to the Best Western, you should continue north and turn left at the next light onto Loucks Road. This will take you to the back of the Wynhdam Gardens. You can also reach the Wyndham Garden by continuing West on Route 30 and exiting right on Route 74 (Carlisle Rd.), turning right at the second light, and then left onto the Wynhdam Garden back driveway. The train meet is held in part of the parking lot that surrounds the Wyndham Garden and inside in the main banquet room, hall area and adjacent rooms. The Reliance Fire Hall show is primarily for S gauge folks. The Reliance Fire Hall is at 1341 W. Market Street Ph. (717) 843-6305.) Its location is out the Market Street gate of the Fairgrounds turn right and go a couple of blocks. From there, if you go east thru town you come to a left on North Sherman St. Commonwealth Fire Hall, 2045 North Sherman St. York PA 17402 (It is east of I-83, so you could also get on Rte. 30E to I-83S to E Market St.) If you exit the Wyndham Garden and turn left on Route 74 and travel towards York a mile or so, crossing under Route 30, you come to the York Fairgrounds on your right. This is where the action is Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday. Red Lion Area Historical Society & Red Lion Train Station Model Railroaders are holding an Open House at the former Maryland and Penna. Railroad’s Authentic and historic Red Lion Train Station. The “0” Gauge Model Railroad layout will be on view Wed., & Thurs., from 6PM-9PM each evening. The train station is located at 73 N. Main Street, Red Lion, PA I7356. Route 24, (block north of the town center square). For more information go to the Red Lion Area Historical Society’s website at http://www.redlionpa.org/history.htm Vintage toys 717-818-6660 Rt30 north on Carlisle Rd (74) 4.1 miles right at light onto Palomino Rd. Over 800 vehicles on display, by various makers in die cast, plastic, steel, tin...Tootsietoys to pedal cars. Building on next corner on right at 3988 Sheppard Lane M-F 4-9 PM. Saturday 9-1PM Christmas Museum 3427 Lincoln highway (Route 30) Paradise, PA Ph (717) 442-7950 http://www.nationalchristmascenter.com/

TOY TRAINS UNLIMITED 38 YORK ST. HANOVER PA. 17331 ( 25 minutes from York, PA FAIRGROUNDS ) 1-717-637-4717 FOOD, DRINKS & PLENTY OF GOOD CONVERSATION Toy Trains Unlimited, will be having an open house on Wednesday, This is the week of the York TCA, Meet. This year's event will start at 2 PM., and will continue until everyone has left or has been thrown out, including myself (Ron). There will be food, drinks, and a large selection of American Flyer & Lionel trains and accessories. Hopefully there will be some very unusual and interesting Flyer items to show and tell about (please bring in your interesting Flyer items), and of course we will also have a large group of Flyer and Lionel operators and collectors visiting. Make plans to attend this yearly event and please tell your American Flyer & Lionel friends to come along. There is plenty of that stuff here to choose from. DIRECTIONS: From the York Fairgrounds, take Market St. to Carlisle Ave. until you get to Route 30 west. Follow Route 30 west (for approximately 8 miles) until you come to the intersection of Rt.116 & Route 30. Turn left onto Rt.116. From route 116 & 30 you will travel approximately 20 miles where Rt. 116 will become York St. in the town of Hanover. As you enter the town of Hanover, travel approximately 2 miles. The train shop will be on the right side of York St./116. Look for the Railroad Flag hanging from the front of the store. POST & PRE-WAR LIONEL //// TRAINS & ACCESSORIES AMERICAN FLYER //// NEW & USED TRAINS & ACCESSORIES MTH //// S & O GAUGE TRAINS & ACCESSORIES AMERICAN MODELS, S-HELPER, K-LINE, DISCOUNT TRAIN SETS THERE IS NO RETAIL PRICES IN THIS STORE !

24. Steam into History The Eastern Division is celebrating 46 years of train meets at the York Fairgrounds, York, PA and Steam into History's Historical Train Ride is the end of “Happy trails.” Ride the 1860's era replica steam train Saturday afternoon April 24th) joining the fun of being whisked back into history as you ride the rails Abraham Lincoln rode on his way to give his famous Gettysburg Address. For information call 717-942-2370. cting

25. TCA National Convention items and information will be available at tables in the usual place near the Registration counter in the Silver Hall. 2015 Convention is near New York Metro area June 20-28, 2015. http://metca.org/ 26. Economic impact [EEI] of the Eastern Division meets on York County. Hi Clem and Jan, Thank you for contacting us for the estimated economic impact [EEI] of the Eastern Division meets on York County. We are fortunate that train collectors are almost as passionate about York as they are about their trains. We conducted primary research in 2009 that yielded a spending figure for those attending meetings and conventions in our town. They spend and average of $833/trip. With 27,000 train collectors coming to both meets, that is an annual estimated economic impact of $22,491,000 million! Hope this data is helpful to Eilene and her presentation to Rotary. Diane Yocum, our business manager, is a member of the East York Rotary Club and I am a member of the downtown York Rotary Club. Hopefully, one of us will have the pleasure of hearing Eilene. If we can be of further assistance, please let me know. Thank you, Anne Druck

Anne R. Druck President York County Convention and Visitors Bureau The Official Tourism Promotion Agency for York County 155 W. Market St. York, PA 17401 888-858-9675 "Factory Tour Capital of the World" www.yorkpa.org

27. WiFi is available. Contact York Expo to reserve at 717-848-2596. Fee charged. MONDAY: The Wyndham Garden (Formerly Holiday Inn and Conference Center) opens up on Monday morning, both inside and outside. The Reliance and Commonwealth Fire Halls open 9-5 pm. The Billy Budd is open 7-9 pm.

TUESDAY: The Wyndham Garden ballroom will open 7:30 AM till 7:00 PM. Times are approximate. The correct times get posted on the main doors. The outside parking lot trading area opens early and gradually fills during the day. (Phone: (717) 846-9500. At the Days Inn (Former Billy Budd,) the hotel rooms may be full of wondrous trains and some dealing is done as early as Sunday. Hours: 8 AM-9PM. The Best Western (OUTSIDE ONLY) is in full swing 8 AM-7PM during the day. The Reliance and Commonwealth Fire Halls Open 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. WEDNESDAY: YORK MEET DEALER SET UP: Orange, Brown and Purple Halls 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Dealer badges required. Registration in the Silver Hall is open from 3-5 PM The Days Inn (Former Billy Budd) opens around 8 AM-5 PM. The Wyndham Garden parking lot trading area opens around 7:00 AM till about 3:30 PM. The inside opens around 7:30 AM. The Best Western Motel show open Wed. 7:00 AM till 5:00 PM. The Reliance and Commonwealth Fire Halls open 9:00 AM-5 PM. York Meet Volunteers Meeting Wednesday 1 PM in the Blue Hall lunch area. NATIONAL TOY TRAIN (TCA) MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE The Museum is in nearby Strasburg, Pa. It is an excellent full day of special activities. See the TCA web site for current details. www.nttmuseum.org THIS IS A MUST ATTEND EVENT! The schedule for Wednesday Open House at the NTTM is not available at this time.

Email mrogers@traincollectors.org for the latest on improvements/changes to the museum and the York week schedule. Or use the TCA Museum website http://nttmuseum.org/ Thanks for your support and enjoy the Eastern Division meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Directions to the National Toy Train Museum from York Expo Fairgrounds Follow Route 30 East approximately 42 miles. Turn right onto Route 896 (just past Rockvale Outlets). At second traffic light (in center of Strasburg), turn left onto Route 741 East. Follow Route 741 East, passing Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of PA. Turn left at traffic light onto Paradise Lane. Pass Red Caboose Motel. Turn right into Museum Parking lot. After dropping off your passengers, please park in one of the outlying parking lots. We once again have our FIVE (5) parking lots--- 3 SHUTTLE STOPS at CHOOCHOO BARN, STRASBURG RR, & RRMPA. I hope you will use one of them and ride in on the SHUTTLE. We also have limited parking at the NTTM. We require more dedicated spaces than ever at NTTM due to more presenters, PLUS Handicap Parking may actually be easier at a Shuttle location, if needed. Each Pick-Up Point will be signed. SHUTTLE runs from 9 AM til 6 PM, approx 15 minute headway. However you arrive, where-ever you park, ENJOY a DAY at NTTM on Wednesday, of York week. The Parking Crew will gladly assist anyway they can and the E & M Committee have a GREAT day planned for YOU. Jim Lyle

Volunteers - Be sure to thank our Museum Volunteers who devote so much time and talent to make The National Toy Train Museum the very special place it is. New Volunteers Welcomed! Contact Melody Rogers at NTTM (717)687-8623 Melody Rogers mrogers@traincollectors.org York Registration opens 3:00 PM-5:00 PM THURSDAY: Strategic Planning Meeting 7:30 AM Orange Hall ticket booth.

Reliance Fire Hall opens 8 AM-1 PM Registration opens 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Load-in/unpacking for Table/Dealer badge holders: Orange/Brown/Purple Halls 9 AM -12 Noon TCA Standards Committee Meeting: 9:10 AM Orange Hall Meeting Room Blue/Silver/Red/White Halls 10 AM -12 Noon. EASTERN DIVISION YORK MEET OPENS AT NOON ON THE FAIRGROUNDS WITH THE PLAYING OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. STAND TALL AND BE PROUD. MEMBER HALLS 12 NOON TIL 5:00 PM. DEALER HALLS 12 NOON TILL 6:00 PM. Parking is free but arrive early if you want to park near a building. Parking guides will assist you. Huge crowd! The pre-meet buzz around the outside of the halls is toooo much to miss. Plan a restroom stop prior to opening time. Food is available on the grounds. If you don't have a registration badge you may register at the meet. The registration badge lets you get in all buildings. If you are a TCA member, you don't need a member to sponsor you in. Bring your TCA membership card! There is a shuttle bus around the fairgrounds, but it is quicker to walk (Wear comfortable layered clothes and shoes). YORK HALLS (Map of York Fairgrounds in your York Meet Notice) White Hall, Red Hall, Silver and Blue Halls: Individual TCA Hobbyists Orange, Brown and Purple Halls: are TCA member dealers Black Hall: Check Eastern Division Website for info on train layouts. The shopping I shuttle bus to the local shopping mall leaves just outside the Blue Hall Thursday every hour from 12:00 noon -4:00 PM. $1.00 each way, exact change only. Downtown and Galleria.

Food can be obtained on the fairgrounds in several locations. There is so much to see and do at the York Fairgrounds, that it is tough to do it justice in one day. Although there are thousands of tables to view, a lot of us just enjoy the opportunity to socialize with the membership. National Kids Club Committee -2 PM Orange Hall Meeting Room Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. Reliance Fire Hall opens 5-9 PM Thursday evening “Flyernut” gathering. 8:30 PM at the Reliance fire hall, 1341 W market St, York. FRIDAY: Registration counter is open from 8:30 A.M.-5:00 PM. YORK MEET ALL HALLS OPEN AT 9 AM. Member halls close at 5:00 PM. Dealer Halls close at 6:30 PM Table/booth holders all halls: Loading/unpack 8-9 AM YORK HALLS: Map of Fairgrounds in Registration Package White Hall, Red Hall, Silver and Blue Halls: Individual Collectors. Orange, Brown and Purple Halls: TCA member Dealers Black Hall check Eastern Division website for info on train layouts Reliance Fire Hall opens 9 AM-5 PM

The shopping #I shuttle bus to the local shopping mall leaves just outside the Blue Hall Friday every hour from 10:00 noon -4:00 PM. $1.00 each way, exact change only. Shopping bus #II round trip to Lancaster area outlet mall. Bus trip 10: AM- 4 PM. $10 round trip. Pay exact change. Pickup is in front of the Blue Hall. Shuttle bus between halls is free. Runs 30minutes after hall closure: Thursday: 1200 noon -7 PM Friday: 9AM-7 PM Saturday: 9:AM-2:30 PM Food can be obtained on the fairgrounds in several locations. Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. PHOTOGRAPHS – New & Unusual Items will be photographed for use in the TCA Quarterly Friday, 1:00 PM, Blue Hall (near Men’s restroom.) Contact Ron Morris - Blue Hall- G69 Special meetings also occur on Friday. Check your Meet Notice for details. Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at

703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. You are invited to Eastern Division’s Ice Cream Social 7-8 PM in the promenade area of the Orange Hall. This is a good chance to meet and chat with fellow collectors. Come one come all and enjoy the fun. SATURDAY: Free Coffee and Maple Donuts 7:30 AM Orange Hall promenade. The Eastern Division General Membership Meeting is at 8-8:45 AM in the Orange Hall Meeting room. Eastern Division members please attend as we need a quorum to do official business. LOADING/SET UP 8-9 AM BOOTH/TABLEHOLDERS ONLY Registration desk open 8:30 AM-2 PM. YORK MEET OPEN 9 AM -2 PM Lionel Prewar O Gauge Train Study & Standard Gauge Seminar Bruce Greenberg will photograph Lionel Prewar O Gauge locomotives, rolling stock and sets in the Orange Hall. To have your items photographed. Please go to Bruce’s tables, Row O, Tables 1-3. He is interested in both unusual items as well as items in exceptional condition. Photography hours: Thursday 4-5, Friday 11-12, and Saturday 11-12. For more information please call Bruce at 703-461-6991. Bruce will present a seminar, “Lionel Prewar O Gauge 1915-16 -A new beginning.” on Friday at 4 pm in the Orange Hall meeting room. Hope you have a great time at your EASTERN DIVISION, TCA, YORK MEET! FUTURE YORK MEET DATES

York Primer Part II below has a Listing of Local interests or try the detailed listing of things to do in and around York go to Toytrains.info.com at: http://www.toytrains.info/get.asp?mod=subject&subject=%28%22family+activities+%25+york%22+%22family+fun+%25+york%22+%22York%2C+PA+and+the+steam+locomotive%22%29+-was Remember: trains are about people, so meet some new friends and greet some old ones-for sure. Thank any volunteers you see, as they work very hard for your meet. See ya at York, Clem Clement YORK PRIMER PART II: LOCAL INFORMATION/ ACCOMODATIONS/YORK REVIEWS

YORK REVIEWS YORK WEEK IS HERE: FINALLY!!

Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:52 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "clem clement" homemadetrain YES I’M SHOUTING AS I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE ALL OF YOU AT YORK THIS WEEK. It will be gooder’n a 60 dolla Blu Comet. THINK YORK, Clem Clement

YORK WEEK IS HERE: FINALLY!! Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:32 am (PDT) . Posted by: ron190sl Clem, Did you give up finding the $50 Blu Comets and now looking for the $60 variety? No, I ain't singing this year – AGAIN! Ron M Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:52 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "clem clement" homemadetrain YES I’M SHOUTING AS I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE ALL OF YOU AT YORK THIS WEEK. It will be gooder’n a 60 dolla Blu Comet. THINK YORK, Clem Clement K. It will be gooder’n a 60 dolla Blu Comet. THINK YORK, Clem Clement

Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:46 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Don Conard" ddclacrosse I see inflation has finally caught up to that $50 Blue Comet! Don Conard

YORK WEEK IS HERE: FINALLY!!

Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:47 am (PDT). Posted by: "Carl" carl5blum Hello Clem: I'll miss you at York, I'm taking toy trains to a Folk Festival for the kids to play with! www.theleaf.com http://www.theleaf.com Good luck, Carl.

October 17 in toy train history: TCA

Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:02 am (PDT) . Posted by: jlechner2001 Sixty years ago today, a meeting of train collectors at Alexander's Train Museum in Yardley PA resulted in the formation of the Train Collectors Association. How appropriate that the 60th anniversary should coincide with a York meet. Happy birthday, TCA. Joseph Lechner

October 17 in toy train history: TCA Sat Oct 18, 2014 6:12 pm (PDT) . Posted by: carol.mcginnis74@verizon.net As always, Dr. Joe shows such a grasp of the obvious. Thanks. Returned home from York this afternoon. Got a pizza for dinner, and am now relaxing. Got to see many good friends, and made a few new ones. Weather was great, Wednesday aside. Good times. See you in April.

1 Back from York

Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:22 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Chris Allen" cgallen@prodigy.net Back home after another great York. Added two things to my collection. One was the K Line BN 25th Anniversary tractor, container and spine trailer from the 1995 TCA National Convention. My thanks to Gordon Wilson who spotted it amongst other items in the Orange Hall. This is a very hard to find item from that year and it completes the 1995 TCA suite that I needed. The second and more precious was over dinner Thursday evening when Clem Clement gifted me with a special home brew (no pun intended) tank car custom made out of glass beer bottles. I cannot begin to say how special that car is to me and my collection. Very unique piece that made it through security with nary a scratch or a question. I can buy trains anywhere and those that go to York and claim it looks like an AARP convention are missing the reason many of us go and spend a week with 100's of our closest friends. Sure it is fun looking for trains, but the friendships renewed every six months make up for all the treasures we never find. Many people stay in TCA for that single reason, York. If you have never been, plan a trip in the spring. I'll see you there. Chris Allen

Yorkin October 2014

Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:25 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "clem clement" homemadetrain Eastern Division's Fall York 2014 was again a wonderful show. They preregistered 11, 000 plus and had 1100 at the door. That is a fine number in this tough financial environment. All other shows I have attended this fall, either car or train, have been way down in attendance. We arrived Tuesday about noon and I jumped from the moving car to get in the middle of it all. Good to see so many old friends. sadly we had to note some of those usual's who now attend from above and some who are not as chipper in stride and appearance as they were once. The Holidrome lot was about 1/2 full

and so much fun to peruse all the options. Ms. Sandy wanted lunch right away so we did, but My mind was not there...Tuesday evening we ate at Isaacs. That evening we heard that our son Eric was flying in from Detroit to have dinner with us Wednesday evening. What a thrilling surprise. Wednesday seemed to drag time-wise. Plus it rained so train business was restricted the the inside activities. Our time with Eric was precious as we caught up on his trip to London and elsewhere. For some reason he did not take his Mommy to London with him?? Thursday morning was meeting time for me: TCA Strategic Planning and Standards committees were in session. Eastern Division kindly provides meeting rooms for our National gatherings. The meet opened Tuesday at hi noon with the playing of our National Anthem. I still tingle at the sound and history behind that powerful song. I’m so proud to hold a tight salute during its playing. The afternoon went by in a rush of seeing trains and chatting with fellow TCAers. Thursday evening was our gang’s dinner time. Good fellowship for sure. Friday began with the SGMA meeting at the Reliance. We love meeting on their “deck” with the heater fired up. That meeting as all are open to all. Then trains and running all today. By 5 pm we were numb so it was off to the Reliance for shrimp and tilapia and horizontal by 7 pm. Saturday I cleaned up a few deals and we rolled home late afternoon. some one in authority asked what are the bennies of joining TCA: Yorkin experiences and other great meets. Seeing so many old friends and making new ones. Talking to humans rather that 2-D social media tracks. Joining in the many many meetings and session about trains. No where else other that TCA can this be done Visiting so many dealers in one place to talk/compare/shop about trains Having the natural high of train fever wash all over you. Seeing so many great layouts Looking at a bazillion trains in one place Getting ideas about what your chapter/division can do for future activities On and on and on. This is my 50th year in TCA and it is as great and exciting as my first year in Sacramento, CA back in 1964. I was stunned at that time to realize 986 folks

ahead of me loved trains as I did! Love it I hope all have as much fun in TCA as I’m having, I can’t wait for spring Yorkin, Clem

York Observations

Tue Oct 21, 2014 3:04 pm (PDT) . Posted by: cmtarkus After reading all of the YORK posts for the last couple of days, thought I would add my two cents! My October York experience was different I didn't find out till 10 days before that I would be able to go. Too late to get a table so I waited till I arrived. Drove in from Chicago. Thursday morning was told none were available that it was sold out. Well it appears the Blue and Silver Hall's had wider aisles, eliminated a row of tables maybe? Got on the waiting list walked around Silver and Blue Hall's and noticed that there were a number of empty tables, went to see the hall captain was told that the tables could not be assigned until Friday after 10:00 as table holders are not required to be there on Thursday? So many tables went unused on Thursday. Was assigned a table at 10:30 on Friday morning but got the usual warning of having to stay until 2:00 on Saturday. Kind of innocuous rules, do not have to show on Thursday but must stay until 2:00 on Saturday. Assigned to Blue Hall, in my estimation at least 40% of the tables were vacated by Noon on Saturday. In my opinion these rules need to be updated. Traffic in the Blue Hall was very light on Saturday. Have been going to York for the last twenty years, but this experience has left me wondering if I wish to continue. Cris Matuszak

Yorkin October 2014

Tue Oct 21, 2014 4:28 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Alfred Galli" tcaprofile100 Ski

What would you think of the idea to hold the meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Seems to me there are a lot of guys who can’t get off work during the week and don’t bother to come Saturday due to the short hours and perhaps a long drive.Al Galli

Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:29 am (PDT) . Posted by: "John Warren" lionelskistrains mailto:lionelskistrains@yahoo.com?subject=Re%3A%20Yorkin%20October%202014

<< I left work early on Friday and did the 255 mile drive, with some traffic, in 5 and a quarter hours. Got to the Fairgrounds at about 5:30 and, even with the new early closing (does any York veteran read the pamphlet? I didn't and was surprised here), I was able to run through that hall before it's closing.>>

John ('Ski) Warren

Yorkin October 2014 Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:51 am (PDT) . Posted by: "John Warren" lionelskistrains I think that would be a good idea, probably better would be to cut Thursday (WHAT is with the noon opening anyway??) and make Saturday all day - regular halls to 5:30, dealer halls to 7:00. In any case, will soon be a moot point for me as I plan on retiring in March. Another thought. I find that, at local shows without floor arrows, that if I go around one way, and then the other way the 2nd time, I see stuff I didn't the first time. If not too confusing for some, how about York being follow the arrows one day and go against the arrows the 2nd day? John ('Ski) Warren Visit: www.WarrenvilleRailroad.com < Ski What would you think of the idea to hold the meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Seems to me there are a lot of guys who can’t get off work during the week and don’t bother to come Saturday due to the short hours and perhaps a long drive. >

Yorkin October 2014 Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:53 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Edward Abbot" eabbotiii This is something that should be thought about or at the very least having it open all day on Saturday. The first time I attended York was on a Saturday. This left a lot of ground to cover, plus people were already packing up their booths by 11 nor were their vendor sponsored events. Since then I take a vacation day to go on Friday. I would like to spend more time at the show, but taking off four (or more) days a year from work to support my hobby would not go over well with either my family or my work situation.

I joined TCA a couple years ago and enjoy the camaraderie for what could be an isolating hobby. I am one of the "youngsters&quot; in my early 40s with a wife and two young kids. While my family respects my hobby. they don't have a real interest in it. A "family vacation" to York twice a year isn't going to cut it. ;-) Additionally, it is extremely difficult for me to get away from the office during the work week. People make observations referring to York as an "AARP convention" (which I can understand by viewing the attendees), but that may also be at least partially attributed to not making the event conducive to people of working age with young families. I understand that people may see me as naive and I may be kicking over a hornets nest making this comment. Just trying to make a point. -Ed Abbot

Yorkin October 2014 Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:54 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Clint Jefferies" jefferycorrick < What would you think of the idea to hold the meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Seems to me there are a lot of guys who can’t get off work during the week and don’t bother to come Saturday due to the short hours and perhaps a long drive. > I couldn't agree more. As I still hold down a 9-5, it's hard to take the time off to make it to York. The current schedule is great for retirees, but if we're serious about getting younger blood into the organization, I sure think it would make sense to have a York schedule that works for folks who are still wage-slaves. Best, Jeffery Corrick (aka Clint Jefferies) Visit my website at: http://clintjefferies.com http://clintjefferies.com/ (Plays) http://clintjefferies.com/trains.html http://clintjefferies.com/trains.html (Toy Trains)

Yorkin October 2014

Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:55 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Chuck Campbell" rupert.campbell Al, Speaking of a long drive, Maybe those who come from ‘afar’ would take exception to this suggestion. It would be interesting to see just how many table holders come from great distances.

I know many table holders from southern Virginia, NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, MO, IN and even TEXAS who make the pilgrimage twice a year. Some leave Pennsylvania Saturday evening, stop along the way and finally get home late Sunday. Making these faithful stay another day would possibly diminish the number of tables for sure. I also know of those who ship offerings and fly in from the west coast. Some even arrive by REAL trains. To make it worth while, many arrive the weekend before, set up at the early events and enjoy the time meeting old friends and possibly sell a few items. So you see, for some, it’s an eight or nine day affair already. They’ve used a weeks vacation and maybe can’t afford to take another Monday. The proposed added attendance dollars could possibly never add up to the dollars in lost table rentals. How would you balance more people looking at fewer trains? Consider more buyers, even less sellers and watch the dollars flow from your wallet for the higher prices. Talk about ‘Lookie Looos’ and ‘Bebacks’ and pretty soon no one shows up on Sunday anyway. Not to mention those Eastern Division workers who have put in long hours and REALLY need Sunday as a ‘day of rest’. I spoke with Sam Gieser, Friday morning, and he commented that registration and attendance was up from the spring and had surpassed 11,000. It’s the big picture, the York Management focuses on and I’m glad they do. Us folk in the hinder land can’t survive on the small, occasional shows that we have back home. We need our “York Fix” to survive in our train world. Opposing opinions are welcome. Regards, Rupert Campbell Huntsville, ALABAMA PS. I filled up with gas at Sheetz, across from the Billy Bud, and arrived at home 772 miles later. Total for the week; 1,755 miles.

< What would you think of the idea to hold the meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Seems to me there are a lot of guys who can’t get off work during the week and don’t bother to come Saturday due to the short hours and perhaps a long drive. >

Yorkin October 2014

Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:26 am (PDT) . Posted by: lyleleverich Living on the West Coast since 1975, I have only made it to two York meets, but at one in the early '90's there were plenty of folks there on the week days who clearly were below retirement age, including me. If the majority now seem to be AARPers, it's not because of the schedule, it's just the aging demographic of the hobby! <snip> it is extremely difficult for me to get away from the office during the work week. People make observations referring to York as an "AARP convention" (which I can understand by viewing the attendees), but that may also be at least partially attributed to not making the event conducive to people of working age with young families. >

Yorkin October 2014

Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:57 am (PDT). Posted by: "Ken Sr" oldtrack47 Ed. I think you make a good point. A very common concern is that younger people are not coming into the hobby. If that's a valid observation, then it makes sense for the "old guard" to do what ever we can to accommodate folks like you. We would like to see this interest grow, or so we say. Yet, at the same time, some of the old traditions/rules make it difficult at best. That is very interesting to me, since 25 years ago, I was you! And I'm reasonably certain that many others of my generation can relate to your situation. In any event, I share your hopes and interest. And the best of luck to you as you move towards the inevitable invitation to join AARP! Ken Deardorff

< The first time I attended York was on a Saturday. This left a lot of ground to cover, plus people were already packing up their booths by 11 nor were their vendor sponsored events. Since then I take a vacation day to go on Friday. I would like to spend more time at the show, but taking off four (or more) days a year from work to support my hobby would not go over well with either my family or my work situation. I joined TCA a couple years ago and enjoy the

camaraderie for what could be an isolating hobby. I am one of the "youngsters&quot; in my early 40s with a wife and two young kids. While my family respects my hobby. they don't have a real interest in it. A "family vacation" to York twice a year isn't going to cut it. ;-) Additionally, it is extremely difficult for me to get away from the office during the work week. >

Yorkin October 2014

Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:58 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Clint Jefferies" jefferycorrick < probably better would be to cut Thursday (WHAT is with the noon opening anyway??) and make Saturday all day – regular halls to 5:30, dealer halls to 7:00. Yep. Like that idea too. Jeff Jeffery Corrick (aka Clint Jefferies) Visit my website at: http://clintjefferies.com http://clintjefferies.com/ (Plays) http://clintjefferies.com/trains.html http://clintjefferies.com/trains.html (Toy Trains)

Yorkin October 2014

Tue Oct 21, 2014 1:01 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Hi Hocustom3" I agree. My biggest sales day was Thursday even with the 12:00 start. York has always been a vacation for me and the wife. If the show ran all day Sunday, we would not get home until Monday. Leave it alone. Dick Silber < Maybe those who come from ‘afar’ would take exception to this suggestion. I know many table holders from southern Virginia, NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, MO, IN and even TEXAS who make the pilgrimage twice a year. Some leave Pennsylvania Saturday evening, stop along the way and finally get home late Sunday. Making these faithful stay another day would possibly diminish the number of tables for sure. I also know of those who ship offerings and fly in from the west coast. Some even arrive by REAL trains. To make it worth while, many arrive the weekend before, set up at the early events and enjoy the time meeting old friends and possibly sell a few items . So you see, for some, it’s an eight or nine day affair already. They’ve used a weeks vacation and maybe can’t afford to take another Monday.... Talk about ‘Lookie Looos’ and ‘Bebacks’ and pretty soon no one shows up on Sunday anyway. Not to mention those Eastern Division workers who have put in long hours and REALLY need Sunday as a ‘day of rest’. >

York Successes

Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:26 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Carl" carl5blum Hello Ken: One of the best things about York may seem odd to most people: The attendants in all the restrooms! I just returned from a folk festival with 4K people, with terrible restrooms and porta-johns. Having some one on top of keeping the facilities clean is well worth the tips. And you had over 12K! Thank you so much.Carl.

Re: Yorkin October 2014

Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:30 am (PDT) . Posted by: trainman1963 I know nothing will happen with the schedule because as it was explained earlier, this meet is designed around the older retired members. I have been attending this meet since the early 90's and even then I was one of the youngest in attendance. I am in my early 50's now but back then I was in my late 20's. I am fortunate enough to be able to take a few days off a year and attend one or two York shows each year. However, I know of many members that live a few hours from York but don't attend because they can't get off on Friday and know as well as most members that going Saturday is not productive. It amazes me that when I take my boys someone always says, isn't it good to see children at the meet. Fortunately, my boys do real well in school so taking them out a day or two a year isn't a problem. Everyone knows in order to see all the halls you really need a full day. Want to know why there are not more younger attendees. School is in session on Thursdays and Fridays. Surprise! Even years ago when the meet was only two days long many of the dealers complained by Friday that they weren't selling anything. Many of the members arrived a day or two early and were buying in the parking lots of motels and such. Stretching the meet out more days doesn't mean anyone will sell more. At any given time there is only so much disposable income available for toy trains no matter how adamant you are about collecting. The funny thing is my 15 year old said to me at the show he thinks the amount of dealers in the halls has decreased over the past few years. Remember, he is only 15 and hasn't been going for years as I have. At his age he can remember the Gold Hall, Green Hall and was it Black Hall that all used to be filled. In addition, the isles in the White and Purple Halls are wider than they used to be. Both he

and I can remember the days when you could barely walk the isles without bumping into someone including the table holders. I know one of the reasons is the addition of the Orange and Silver Halls but did extending the show to Thursday hurt that sellers? I have gotten a table at this show in the past just trying to get rid of a few items and wouldn't want to have to commit to being there Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I think the last time I had a table at York I sold less than $200 worth of items. I wouldn't want to commit to a 3 day show to only sell $200 worth of stuff. Just a few opinions York schedule--another thought(s)

Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:18 am (PDT) . Posted by: traindavid I find it interesting that the club does not want to run the meet into Sunday, so dealers can get home for Monday---but wait, it starts on Thursday, so what is the importance of being home on Monday?? You've already been gone during weekdays. If the meet is to be three days, why not Fri, Sat, Sun? What's so "holy" about Monday? Yes, Sunday will probably be dead, but then Saturday would be a full day for shoppers! The bargain hunters still get Friday to "beat out" the "younger crowd stuck at work." Of course, this does ignore that for many, Sunday is a holy day--but then Saturday is too for some believers--I doubt one could ever satisfy everyone! David "two rails" Dewey

York schedule--more thoughts Sat Oct 25, 2014 3:06 pm (PDT) . Posted by: franktrainman I worked in heavy industry for 35 years. My employer wanted employees to take vacation in full week blocks. They didn't want employees to be absent on parts of two weeks rather then gone for a whole week. It just made it easier to schedule replacements assuming your job was important enough to require a replacement. There's a railcar organization named the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance (RPCA). If you take a fall color tour you will probably ride in cars owned by members of this organization. A lot of private cars have RPCA reporting marks. The RPCA annual convention is held each year over the Martin L King weekend. This gives most attendees Monday to return home. I am not suggesting that York be held MLK weekend. The weather at that time is most likely to be very cold. I attended one of these conventions the was held in Buffalo, NY. That was probably the coldest I have been in my life, The Saginaw, MI convention was no picnic either. My favorite convention was hosted by RBB&B in Florida. I left cold and ice in Michigan for sunny Florida. Among other attractions we visited RBB&B's railroad shops. It was a first class operation. I was impressed.

Best regards, Frank Corley, TCA 97-46165

Yorkin October 2014

Sun Oct 26, 2014 11:58 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Charles Brumbelow" mrb37211 Is there still a large amount of buying and selling in motel rooms and parking lots in the days prior to the official meet opening time? Charles < Why couldn't the people who travel long distances come out a day or two later so that the total days away from home are the same or less. I would think that if you drive a long way maximizing sales is a good goal and I believe that with Friday through Sunday there would be greater attendance. Am I missing something? >

Yorkin October 2014

Sun Oct 26, 2014 1:01 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Charter" ivescollector I was there from Sunday onward, and I spent half my budget before Thursday. The hotels have definitely shrunk from the past, but there were five different preshow venues. The days of the antique dealers showing up early to dump their trains are over, but there are still many trains to buy Monday through Wednesday. It is also a good time to socialize. Jim Nicholson Sheboygan Falls WI < Is there still a large amount of buying and selling in motel rooms and parking lots in the days prior to the official meet opening time? > York Table Owner ID

Sun Oct 26, 2014 4:09 pm (PDT) . Posted by: I would like to contact a table owner I met at York. Is there a chart available to us where we could identify who owned which tables? I would like to contact the couple who set up in one corner of the Blue Hall opposite the registration desk. The couple is from Florida, have appeared in Classis Toy Trains and the man always wears a hat. Thanks, Frank Anderson York Table Owner ID

Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:47 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Roy Aydelotte" royaidlot You can always contact Debbie Geiser or Jess Steele (dealer registration). Their emails are on the Eastern Div. TCA site. But you need either the table location (hall, aisle, #) or business name. Roy Aydelotte

York Table Owner ID

Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:47 am (PDT) . Posted by: trainphreak I believe that the person you are looking for is Clark Vegazo. He wears a straw hat that says "I buy toy trains" His email is: tigermk2@aol.com I actually met him on the AutoTrain traveling back to Floriduh on the Sunday after York, as well as another TCA member. Not everyone on this sold out train were snow birds. bob mintz

York Table Owner ID

Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:16 am (PDT) . Posted by: wfttrains Frank: Bob is correct as Clark is the member you are asking about. However his table was in the SILVER Hall, not the Blue Hall. For future reference, the Eastern Division prints charts showing the tables with rows, table numbers and table holder names for at least the Blue Hall and Silver Hall among the MEMBER’S halls. I picked up copies of each at the announcer’s desk in each of those halls on Friday of York week. I would think they have them for the Red and White Halls as well. I’m not sure the table charts for any of the Member’s halls are posted on the Eastern Division’s website ahead of time like they do for the dealer halls. So next York when you walk past the announcers table in each hall, take a table chart from the stack on the table in case you need to identify a table holder either during the meet or like in this case after the meet is over. HTH, Bill Trappen

York schedule--another thought(s)

Tue Oct 28, 2014 5:28 am (PDT) . Posted by: lner2512 David, York is not alone. The O Scale West meet in California changed to a Friday/Saturday format years ago to accommodate dealers, who insisted on the change. Cheers, Scott Maze Clem,

Here are our updates: Workers House and Yorktowne Golf Club are closed. Our Downtown Visitor Center has moved to Central Market. Central Market is located at 34 W Philadelphia Street, York, PA 17401. The visitor center is just inside the Philadelphia Street doors. The Downtown Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. We have several new businesses including several new restaurants so make sure to visit www.yorkp.org. Thank you, Sam Samantha Longworth Special Events Coordinator York County Convention & Visitors Bureau York County’s Official Tourist Promotion Agency 155 West Market Street York, PA 17401 P: 717-852-9675 x 111 F: 717-854-5095 Factory Tour Capital of the World ************************************************* SPRING 2014 YORKIN REPORT: MOST OF THIS IS TRUE... Another great York week has come and gone. Where did the time go?? I’m so tired I can’t remember what I bought or what I paid for the fitty dolla Blu comet. Everything was a highlight! Photos are now allowed in the Dealer and Black halls. THANKS Eastern for the change! Show hours will change in the fall. Look for the new times. Thursday and Friday nights the member halls close at 5: 00 pm and the dealer halls at 6:30 pm. Tuesday brought some rain and hi winds damaged some booth covers at the Holidrome. The Holidrome has redone some of its function rooms: the dining room became a conference room, fixed up the bar including a fire place, and moved the food service there. Their food handling was outsourced to Aultlands. The place had several meetings going on and was booked full for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nites (Not all trainics) Tuesday evening came early as the rain and wind storm closed the Holidrome outside meet so smoothy me promised Ms. Sandy a romantic dinner experience.

Off we go to try the Moonlight Café in Dover. Of course we drive right by it as we were looking at the S----creamery across the street. The Moonlight Cafe is between the two traffic lights in Dover on R74, just north of Mac’s Ice Cream Parlor. We came back and found the small Café set back off the road. Ms. Sandy thought it was a used car dealer’s shack and opined about the potential of non- romanticnesses. We pressed on in and the place is lovely. 38 seats and very friendly inside. Sandy quaffed two huge carb cakes (sharing a little bit of the huge chunks of meat, but not much of it. The cakes contain Gouda cheese and apples as well as bread crumbs and crab meat. I had soup and chicken and pasta. Bestest meal we have had in a long time. They open at 11am until 10 pmish. They are crowded Friday and Saturdays. Cash only. Did I mention great service? Two cooks labored over the same 4 burner gas stove right it the room with us and the several wait staff made sure that a prepared plate never stopped until in the properly place in front of its customer. There was not chance of us having desert: too stuffed. Moonlight Café, 4010 Carlisle Rd Dover, PA 17315 (717) 292-5643. Tuesday evening after dinner I hiked around the Holidrome parking lot, which is my want to do to get some exercise. The lot was very clean. This is a change as we all tend to leave trash for the next guy to clean up. Actually the new staff did a fine job of cleanup. So did the strong winds and plenty of paper and boxes were in the woods. I search for the right size boxes to pack the stuff I buy at the outside meets. One big box did not move in the wind. Why: it had tossed out train parts in it. Track for my train day play area, sockets for my tools and screws for my work area, etc. Wednesday had winds but no rain. The Springettsbury Show has moved to a new location. The National Toy Train Museum was in full splendor with fresh paint inside and new custom carpets. Just follow the rails! The place looks great! The staff and the committees worked very hard during the off season to get things ready for their April opening of the 2014 season. Congrats to all involved. The presentations by some of our supporting manufacturers were excellent. I hope all got to attend this excellent day at our museum and library. There were 3 layouts this time; one each in the Black, White and Orange halls. They were all wonderful and a must see for all attendees. We had such good times seeing so many friends which to me is the key feature of York week. Sadly some of our friends are no longer with us. Rain and chilly were two of the phenomena describing Spring York 2014. Spring had barely arrived at York when we all showed up. It rained and stormed Tuesday afternoon and again on Friday evening. Chilly all week.

The outside off-fairgrounds meets that I attended were fun but slow, both in dealers and customers. Still goodies flowed. There is a great story about the huge pile of trains on the Predneville tables at the Holidrome. Ed bought a 3-trailers load of trains from Texas. There were many great trains as well as a huge load of bottom-dwelling stuff. As Doug and Ed struggled with what to do about their high storage costs, Allentown show came up last month. They took a truck full of the “junque” and pilled it on their Allentown tables to the discomfort of the Meet’s leadership) Never mind they were selling from the truck enroute to the hall and until they got it back in the truck to return home. A high percent sold sez Ed. At the Holidrome there was a 2.367 feet high pile still full of goodies. Of course I dived in! The Best Western was smaller than usually but the hardy were offering and customers were shopping. At the Billy Budd, Rich said that Tuesday evening it was good and all day Wednesday there was some action. He displayed a neato double helix of unknown, but commercial build. I did not get to the other shows. (I must comment that the Reliance Fire Hall show was open during the York meet. Still photos now can be taken in the Dealer and Black Halls. This is great news!!! NO videos (As they don’t wanna see Clem whizzing by seeking the famous Fitty dolla Blu comet). Still no photos in the member halls. The opening of the York meet is so special. Members and guests form all over the world stand and honor our great flag and nation. A wonderful way to start a Meet! I’m happy to report that some homey-did trains found me. I ran into the Osisek brothers at their booth in the Blue hall. They and their dad (Harry was the grandfather) are building standard gauge rail tank with two cars. One car carries bullets and the other is an operating rail gun. I asked Trip Riley about it and he is aware of their work. He said their tank is much simpler in construction than his. Both the tank and the rail gun shoot wooden bullets. A thumb tack on the back of the silver bullet connects with a magnet in the gun for loading. It is spring fired. York attendance 12,0xx folks registered. 700 registered at the door.

It was sooo good to see so many friendly faces after such a cold and miserable winter. That was the biggest common topic of conversation. Sadly, recently we lost Fran Audie and Tony Hay was reported in the hospital. The National Capital Trackers setup up a high tech stunning over-and-under layout in the Black Hall. They were up and running by 12 noon on setup day. What a record setting presentation. Photos at http://www.nattrackers.org/archives/category/shows/york-2014 I had a nice chat with Mike Wolf at the TCA museum. He was looking for some info on Marklin’s Leipzig Station that he is going to repro. That should be stunning! The York County Convention and Visitors Bureau folks are pleased to have TCA/Eastern Division as a member of the YCCVB. There were more rare pieces than I had seen in a long time. LOTS and I mean lots of standard gauge IVES. For instance there is a transition tanker in bright yellow. It is not as rare as hen’s teeth but more rare than the chance of me telling the truth. There were 4 at York this time. Plenty of IVES Gauge 1 trains as well. I thunk I was in heaven (which I was). We found a great new place for our Thursday night dinner with our friends. Sam and Tony's had superb food and atmosphere and the prices were far less than we have been paying previously. Great time had by all. We eat early after a hard afternoon of playing trains and finish early making the evening free (For us this time we went back to the hotel and crashed. No more boozing till midnight for us oldsters.). This started when my boys were young and needed chow as soon as meet was over. When Sandy and I pack to come home, we tight-pack to save space and we safe-pack to protect the treasures I have acquired. Then when I get home and unpack, it is like Christmas all over as I forgets what I acquired. Also I usually put small pieces in safe packing places so they won’t get lost: Well they is now lost. It takes months for finds stuff. Christmas again. Saturday morning I was making a final sweep to continue to invest my heir’s future inheritance in. As I was chatting with a fellow about the 6 wheel Lionel # 33 he had which his dad had restored (I saw more 6 wheelers and trolleys than I had ever seen this time.) I noted a nice toy Bronco and trailer in Chessie yellow and picked it up just to be looking at something. By golly, it was a homey-converted toy to a track maintenance vehicle in standard gauge. The truck was a Nylint Corp. with some kind of motor in it and the trailer was home made with some kind of electrical junction cover for the load. For my final buy, that was a

winner. Thanks to the seller and his Dad. It found a new home and will join my fleet. Clem, ready for Fall Yorkin From: Carol Redman McGinnis Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 5:50 PM To: Clem Clement Subject: Primer updates I have been enjoying a local Bed and Breakfast for the last 4 years. It is just down the road in Red Lion, PA, and not far from the Red Lion Train Station where their open house is held each year. The B&B is just over 10 miles south of town off of Rt. 74. Your hosts are George and Danielle, and they welcome TCA in October, in April, and at any time of the year. And it's a great place to stay for York week. Danielle owns a bakery in town and she and George create a great breakfast each day. Address is: 101 S Franklin St, Red Lion, PA 17356 Phone # (717) 244-4739 Thanks, Carol R. McGinnis TCA Immediate Past President 6293 Lightpoint Place Columbia, MD 21045 Cell #410-336-8522 Hi folks, Christie and I are heading to the Roosevelt Tavern for dinner at around 6:30 or so on Thursday evening, April 24. I think I sent everyone one of the money off coupons we received from the Roosevelt Tavern's web site. Although 10% isn't a whole lot, it will at least cover the Sales Tax part of any of our tabs. One nice thing about this new owner is that he allows for separate checks if and when we all congregate together in one area. I'd be happy to make reservations for as many as may wish to get together and break bread together on that Thursday night. Just let me know if you ( and whoever else might be with you ) will be coming by April 15th and I'll get in touch with the Roosevelt Tavern to have them set

aside a table or area big enough to accommodate however many of us there are. I am leaving for the East Coast on the 16th of April ( Phillies baseball, Hockey, Opera, Symphony, etc ) as I like to make a mini vacation out of going to York. For those of you who are NOT on the EX COMM and will be in YORK on Wednesday night, April 23rd, did you know that YORK has a Minor League Baseball team called the Revolution? There is a really nice Minor League park on North George Street, right by the Railroad tracks and on the 23rd, they have a game. After I drop Christie off for her EX COMM meeting, I am going to that baseball game. Minor League baseball is not at all like the Majors - it is FUN. Lots of activities for the fans between innings; ticket prices are affordable, and SO IS FOOD. Furthermore, it is usually quite good and varied. It surely beats staying in a motel, watching TV all night. I told Christie to find a way back to the hotel after the meeting. Speaking of hotels - did you know that there is a new MARRIOTT PROPERTY in YORK, as of last November? The TOWN PLACE SUITES by Marriott is just off Mt Zion Road (Route 24) in East York. We use them all the time as we travel around the USA. They have a Great, HOT & FREE BREAKFAST, plus all rooms have full kitchens and living areas. The rate at this place is $ 127 per night, all year round, not just for YORK. A week ago they still had rooms available. Go to www.marriott.com and check it out if you haven't booked a room yet. As I said, we use Town Place Suites all the time. Hope to see a lot of you on Thursday night at the Roosevelt Tavern for dinner. If you haven't eaten here since it reopened with these new owners, the food is still fantastic - I love the LUMP CRAB CAKES. They are the size of two hockey pucks! We don't get Crab cakes like that in Arizona! Regards, Gordon Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:28 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Tom Weaver" tdw6974 Well another York under my belt! Arrived for Thursday set up in white hall. Thursday turned into best sales day, followed by half the amount on Friday and Saturday nothing very light traffic. Did see a lot of Guest passes which I would think is good! Switched from Hampton inn to Red roof to a Motel 6 decent room saved almost $300.00 on room cost and was closer to fairgrounds. A little tricky getting in and out but got the hang of it after a while. Always enjoy visiting with the table holders around us! Got to see the layouts in white hall very nice! Hope to continue to be able to attend. Tom Weaver 66-1559 playing with trains since 1968 It was a pleasure meeting you at April York. I was also fortunate to meet Mr Clem Clement in the Blue hall while wandering through there on Saturday.

I wish to again thank you for being able to find a meeting room for the Plasticville Collectors Association on a very short notice. This was probably the best assembly of members we have ever had at a York meet. We were able to discuss issues and concerns as well as pass around items brought by various members without the noise associated with meeting in the cafeteria. It was a refreshing change, to say the least and the attendees expressed their wishes to continue meeting here. With that said; I would like to request that the Orange hall meeting room be reserved from 11:00AM until Noon on the Friday of the future York meets for our Association's meeting. York is the only meet throughout the year where members are able to get together. Please let me know if 11:00AM until Noon on Friday of the upcoming York meets is available or any alternate times if 11:00 until Noon is unavailable. Thanks John L Niehaus, Secretary/Treasurer Plasticville Collectors Association PCA #01-03 TCA #04-57460 Join the only organization dedicated to study and collecting of plastic village buildings. Visit our web page at http://www.plasticvilleusa.org or send me an email request for an application. Please ignore any attachment below this line of text Hi Clem, We are excited to have TCA as a member of the CVB. There is a little one on the way and she will be here in July. I will be sure to bring some pictures along to TCA in October to show you. Altland House is handling all catering and events at the Holidome. I am glad you like all of their renovations and will be sure to pass it along to their staff. See you in October! Sam Samantha Longworth Special Events Coordinator York County Convention & Visitors Bureau York County’s Official Tourist Promotion Agency 155 West Market Street

York, PA 17401 Hotels are tough to find space in during the York week. Plan early. Sometimes you can find rooms at the last minute north of Harrisburg. (It has been easier in the last few years to find rooms, but don’t wait.) Contact the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau for Bed & Breakfast referrals or any accommodation issues. Call (888) 858-YORK or http://www.yorkpa.org/ For Lancaster County. Dialing (800)-PADUTCH (800-723-8824) will connect to a "Lodging Hotline" or the visitor's Bureau website, www.padutchcountry.com a link called Lodging that will lead people to places to stay.

National Toy Train Museum

Each year our tourist bureau, The PA Dutch Convention & Visitores Bureau, publishes a 'Map & Overnight Getaway Guide.' This year on page 5 is an article called "Old Friends and Hidden Gems." Under 'Take the Train' you will find us listed as the "Hidden Gem." Below is a link that will allow you to order one of these Guides to see just how much there is to see and do in the area around us. http://www.padutchcountry.com/travel-tools/order-travel-guide.asp RESTAURANTS: Various comments from members Follow (These may not be current so check first.): Tuesday evening came early as the rain and wind storm closed the Holidrome outside meet so smoothie me promised Ms. Sandy a romantic dinner experience. Off we go to try the Moonlight café in Dover. The cafe is in Dover on R74, just north of Mac’s Ice Cream Parlor. (R74 is Carlisle Avenue that goes past the York fairgrounds and the Holidrome). The restaurant is on the left between the 2 traffic lights in Dover. The small café is set back off the road. Ms. Sandy thought it was a used car dealer’s shack and opined about the potential of non-romanticness. I pressed on in and the place is lovely. 38 seats and very friendly inside. Sandy quaffed two huge carb cakes (sharing a little bit of the huge chunks of meat, but not much of it.) The cakes contain Gouda cheese and apples as well as bread crumbs and crab meat. I had soup and chicken pasta. Best meal we have had in a long time. They open at 11am until 10ish. They are crowded Friday and Saturdays. Cash only. Come early. Did I mention great service? Two cooks labored over the same 4 burner gas stove right it the room with us and the

several wait staff made sure the prepared plate never stopped until it was in the properly place in front of its customer. There was not chance of us having desert: too stuffed. Clem Moonlight Café 4010 Carlisle Rd Dover, PA 17315 (717) 292-5643 The York County VB has an excellent list of restaurants. We have several new businesses including several new restaurants so make sure to visit www.yorkp.org. http://www.yorkpa.org/index.asp?act=page&sct_id=10 The Blue Heron Restaurant has relocated to 3320 E Market Street, York PA 17402. www.bluemoonfresh.com (717) 854-6664 361 W Market St. York, PA 17401 I recommend making a reservation as it is not a large restaurant and quite popular. Also right beside the York Blue Moon is the York Emporium which is a great place for book enthusiast.

Samantha Schrum Longworth Bureau Services Assistant York County Convention & Visitors Bureau 155 West Market Street | York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-852-9675, ext. 111 Fax: 717-854-5095 sam@yorkpa.org www.yorkpa.org

I hear the Buffet at Shady Maple restaurant in East Earl is excellent. May be too far away?? http://www.shady-maple.com/smorgasbord

From: Samantha Schrum Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 11:38 AM To: clem.clement@cox.net Subject: Udpates to webpage Hi Clem!

I hope you are excited to be heading back to York. October will be here before we know it! I wanted to give you some updates as things have changed a little since this information was provided. You also list Isaac’s Restaurant in East York and I wanted to let you know that there is also an Isaac’s in West York. Carlisle Commerce Center 2159 White Street York, PA 17404 Phone: (717) 854-2292. http://www.isaacsdeli.com/york.asp If you are interested in expanding the list that Tina provided this link will take you to a list of restaurants in York. http://yorkpa.org/index.asp?act=page&sct_id=10 Here is an updated list of York County Parks as we have added a few: http://www.yorkcountyparks.org/ Here is an updated list of public golf courses as some have closed on your list: http://yorkpa.org/index.asp?act=page&pag_id=16 Here is an updated list of theaters in the surrounding area: http://yorkpa.org/index.asp?act=page&pag_id=45 Here is an updated list of Factory Tours as they have grown quite a bit in the last few years: http://yorkpa.org/index.asp?act=page&pag_id=5 Please let me know if you have any questions. I just wanted to make sure you had up to date information from us.

Samantha Schrum Longworth Bureau Services Assistant York County Convention & Visitors Bureau 155 West Market Street | York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-852-9675, ext. 111 Fax: 717-854-5095

My favorite York place remains the Round the Clock Diner. 24 hours of good cheap food in huge portions. Best restaurant I know of that has a train meet across the street. (Paul Wassermann MD) Roosevelt’s new ordering concept We had dinner at Roosevelt’s Thursday. A wonderful culinary experience. They reopened after being closed for 6 months in order to change ownership. The dinners were mostly TCAers enjoying the fine food. The wait staff was back and so glad to see us. We met the new owner, Byron Kehr, Jr, chefbvk@comcast.com Roosevelt’s is www.roosevlttavern.com He said that we could order ahead a few days for the meals we wanted that were not on the menu!!! We need to clarify this great option. We were asking about Veal Chesapeake or Mock Turtle soup which the sometimes have on their menu. I believe he said they plan to change menus once a month. What a neat concept if we could email a week out or so and ask for our special choice of food. This idea is a winner!! Food and service were excellent. Clem

An all you can eat place called Aroma opened in East York next to Sam's Club. (The old York Mall) It’s Americanized oriental food that's very good. Comb's in York has a great prime rib and is always full of TCA-ers (Ph. (717) 854-8146). According to the York Newspapers, the father & son owners of the "Clock" Diner are leased the space to Sheetz for a gas store & also a new restaurant called Cheddars is moving in beside the gas guys. 1340 Toronita St., York. The owners say there should be no competition between the two restaurants, as each has its own "style". Jim Lyle. (Sandy and I had lunch at Cheddars. Seemed very nice. Plenty of wait staff, excellent menu and great decor. It is located across the mud from the Billy Budd. At 1:30 PM there was a large crowd of diners.) On Market Street just west of the Fairgrounds is Latuca's pizza- excellent and reasonable. The Left Bank, downtown York, has mighty fine gourmet sandwiches and other goodies (717) 843-8010 http://www.leftbankyork.com 10 to 15 minutes North of Rte.30 on Rte.74 is Dover Dinner, a new 24 hr. restaurant and going a bit farther up the road, Three Fountains is under new management. This group has gotten it right, good food at reasonable prices. Ask for their Hag Maw if you wish to sample a local Pennsylvania Dutch gastronomic delight. At 110 N. George St. The Harp & Fiddle (Now called Maeynyn’s) also opened late last year. They're an upscale Irish-American pub and restaurant. (Tina Smith) Friday night will take many of us to the Roosevelt Tavern in downtown YORK, at the corner of Roosevelt and Philadelphia (Rte. 462 W) Streets. On Friday night you WILL need a reservation. We also have a favorite breakfast haunt and that is the Around The Clock Diner, catty-cornered across the street from the Days Inn on Route 30. If you are NOT from Philly and have never tasted SCRAPPLE, here is your chance. You haven't lived until you have eaten Scrapple. Then again, you may not live long after it either. Just don't ask about its ingredients (Everything but the squeal. ed by Clem). One member of the Desert Division simply cannot start his YORK experience without first getting his FIX of SCRAPPLE. More power to him. Hope this helps and can be a culinary addition to your Primer. Don't you think that pretty soon you should apply for a copyright on this "bible?" Looking forward to my 59th YORK MEET since

joining the TCA in 1976.--Happy Training and Best Regards, Gordon Wilson, "KING" of the Maple Donut Lovers Club The Culinary Arts Center Restaurant of York sometimes runs specials. 1063 N George St. http://www.yorkchef.com/ (717) 846-5000. Mack's Ice Cream Shopppes are super. One is located on Route 74 nearly 4 miles north of the Holidrome in Dover, PA. Mac's has a new location on Route 74 (Road going north past the Holidrome.). Killer good ice cream!! http://www.macksicecream.com/ Worth the trip for a cone of French vanilla or whatever is your favorite. Here are the addresses for the 5 Mack’s Ice Cream Shoppes in the area: 1. 5745 Lincoln Hwy EAST York PA 17402 2. 3890 Carlisle Road Dover, PA 17315 3. 2595 S. Queen Street York PA 17403 4. 1305 Mount Rose Ave. York PA 17403 http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g53573-d627868-Reviews-Jennie_s_Diner-Ronks_Lancaster_County_Pennsylvania.htmllaughren Jennie’s is good old fashioned Diner with great chow. It is on R30 a couple of miles from the TCA Museum. Accomac Inn http://www.accomacinn.com/restaurant/ Altland House Abbottstown www.altlandhouse.com Moonlight Cafe. 717 292-5643. 4140 South Main St. Dover. Go up Rt.74 'bout a mile past Mack’s ice cream. It's on the same side as Macks. It's small and easy to miss. It's sandwiched between an RV dealer and a used car dealer. Be prepared, it only seats about 35 and the locals fill it up at peak times. If the lot looks full, park at one of the two dealers if they're closed. Also, cash only, no checks or credit cards. If there's something you have a hankering for that's not on the menu, ask. If it's Italian, chances are Vito can make it. Oh, one last thing. Take your appetite with you, you'll need it.—Scott Hinkle's Pharmacy 261 Locust Street Columbia, PA 17512 http://www.hinklespharmacy.com/index.htm 717-684-2888. York Chow

Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:53 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"clem clement" homemadetrain I’m hearing good things about Sam and Tony’s in Downtown York. Comments? Clem

3b York Chow

Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:05 am (PDT) . Posted by: "John Warren" lionelskistrains Hi Clem, I was there in April. Gotta say, from a kid from Queens, NY with an Italian mother and wife, they have the best Italian food in PA. Service is good too. John ('Ski) Warren Visit: www.WarrenvilleRailroad.com http://www.WarrenvilleRailroad.com

York Chow << YORK CHOW! Before we all forgets, please let me know what discoveries and information you have collected about York eating spots this fall. With the recession some of our favorites ain't no more. I did learn of a nice Italian place near the Holidrome. >>

York Chow

Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:41 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Scott Petty" Two of my favorite restaurants at York: Roosevelt Tavern Ironwoods at Heritage Hills Scott Petty

Lancaster Brewing in Harrisburg Only trouble was my wife had to drive after I had a couple glasses. Good stuff.

http://www.lbcharrisburg.com/ Clem: A large group of us went to Sam and Tony's Thursday night. The good was good, reasonably priced; service was friendly Lew Strauss

York Chow

Fri Nov 1, 2013 7:50 am (PDT) . Posted by: gordon.wilson5344 The NEW best Philly Cheese Steak place is back where Thomas Industries ( Trains ) started back in the late 1940's & early 1950's - Wenonah, NJ, on the Glassboro-Woodbury Road, just to the north of the Exit off Route 55 South as it goes through Wenonah, NJ. Sorry YORK goers, this is not close to YORK, but if you are from Philly or South Jersey, it is now listed as THE BEST OF PHILLY for CHEESE STEAKS. Sorry, I know this is for Train Talk, but don't train collectors like to eat too? This place is worth a stop - it is called STEAK OUT. Wenonah was made famous by Thomas Industries Trains - they are the ones who more or less forced Lionel, Flyer, and Marx into making the General 4- 4- 0 style locomotives in 1959. Their final resting place was in Shawnee, Oklahoma, site of a devastating Tornado this past spring. Shawnee has an incredible BNSF Depot which looks like an English Medievel Castle. It's just east of OK City and worth a stop if you like trains!!!! Enjoy, Gordon Wilson

York Chow Fri Nov 1, 2013 11:34 am (PDT) . Posted by: "P. J. Heck" heckinohio@att.net York Chow........I have told this story before but seems it should be retold here........ Brother & I stood in a double line outside registration before opening time in 1980 or so. In the edge of the parking lot, a vending trailer was just opening up. He had the usual breakfast items listed & another sign that said 'Maryland Crab Cakes'. As soon as I saw that I went to negotiate. Not often two misplaced to Ohio guys from Maryland get such a treat!!!! I had to talk the vendor into it but we both got several crab cake sandwiches one after the other......maybe as many as 4 each.....seems like we spent about $40 (what were 1980 prices?) or more for our standing-in-line 'breakfast & would gladly do it again. When we came back

that way for lunch, he was out of crab cakes.... No matter what you guys did, it could never have been as good as this! PJHeck, 73-5817

York Chow Fri Nov 1, 2013 11:38 am (PDT) . Posted by: "John Warren" lionelskistrains Let us also not forget the Pumpkin Funnel cakes at the fairgrounds for lunch. A twice a year treat - yum! John ('Ski) Warren Bob Drake:” Was there in April with a TCA group. Best Italian I've had in a long time.”

3d Hi Clem, Thanks for your e-mail. I look forward to your post-TCA e-mail each year because you share some of the neat things you experienced. � I also appreciate the feedback about the accommodations and wanted to let you know we’ll discuss your comments at the November general manager’s meeting. If you have any additional examples, please do share. Kind Regards, ~Tina West Manchester Diner (Former Mickey D’s) Ken – comments on the excellent eggs benedict -----------------------------------------------------------------

York April 2013 From: clem clement Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 5:36 PM To: Ttml Subject: Yorkin Another wonderful Yorking experience is in the books and our minds. Such a good time we had. And nobody tole lies and faked trains or got wet or nuthin...

York and TCA are really about friends. If you attend just for the tin and plastic, check in the mirror. It is so great to see fellow members every 6 months. Even if it is just for hug and a howdy. Those encounters are so comforting and powerful to us all. We don’t say “Goodbye,” we say “See ya in 6 months.” Whatta great hobby and super group of people!! So many sincere thanks go to Eastern Division, TCA for shouldering the responsibility to put on such a wonderful event. Having some knowledge of how hard this task is, my extra big congrats on another job well done!! We all stood so tall and proud as our National Anthem was heard throughout the halls and outside, signifying our love for America and the opening of Spring 2013’s edition of Yorking with Eastern Division. I had a long roof for several years. I brought it to York and learned that it was an original Boucher Blue Comet roof. It is made from sheet copper, as are the car bodies! I did not know this. Sheet copper is very soft and easily bent. It is easy to shape but does not survive rough handling. In the Orange Hall several big shiny homemade cars, standard or Gauge I cars were spotted. Did anyone see them and could they describe them please? I believe they were on “C” row. My group had dinner at Roosevelt's as always. With the new chef, the yumminess went up significantly. What a lovely place to have a nice group diner, although a bit pricy. I found a rusty homey-did passenger car with an option that I have never seen before. All whom I showed it to were pleasantly surprised. The passenger door hinge rods protruded thru the car’s roof and were bent over (The roof was not removable). A child could open or close the door by turning the hinge rod lever. What a neato idea. The Lionel sprung doors stay closed, but if a kid gives his marble or frog a ride, the door closes behind the item (Or on his fingers). The car was signed by W. S. Robinson in 1919. It did have a bathroom and seats inside. The Standard Gauge Module Association (SGMA) met for breakfast on the porch at the Reliance Restaurant. What a fun place. The porch is open to the elements and was nice and bright on that sunny Friday morning. As I got up to give a sterling speech, the beer truck pulled up outside and drowned me out. Happiness is... During the IVES society meeting I gave a special talk and demo on ringing bell accessories. I had two members hold up a towel and I knelt down behind the

towel with my accessories (Several were afraid I was going to flash my IVES undies). Actually I had a transformer and powered up each accessory behind the towel so all the attendees heard was the noise, but could not see the piece. I had several manufacturers’ units to use. Funny we think we know our stuff, but by the sound of the ringing bell, it is very hard to identify who made them. Pure fun. I’m thrilled to say the 4 members came up to me afterward and said they would go home and wire-up their own ringers. Message received. Doug, that was NOT me you seen dumpster diving. That was my long lost second couzin twice removed (and shoulda been thrice removed Richie.) Plus the boxes were wet and I couldn't use them... We did get a downpour as the Ice cream social was winding down. And some drizzle off and on during the meet. For the St Louis National Convention I have agreed to conduct one of the seminars. It will be on train fakes and reproductions. This is another for-sure reason to attend the upcoming convention!!! Register at http://www.tca59.org/index.html (ed.: I gave the talk to 50+ of the convention’s attendees. I think it went well and I hope I’m asked for the next convention.) If I promised to do sumthin for somebody please remind me as I already forgots. Who was it he said they had a $50 dolla Blu Comet for me? I neva got it. Don did bring me a full box of 5 wooden homey-did freight cars. Polished oak in construction. Lovely. Thanks very much Don. Keep ‘em coming. I’m hearing the TCA auction at the Museum Wednesday went very well. Note there are two more auction planned for this spring. Be ready to bid. I understand the dates for the next TCA auctions might change. Stay tuned. I’m happy to reports that Ron Morris again did not sing at the York. How so lucky can we be?? Three members asked me who sells Restorsit now? Terry Trickel handles the home-made product. Any information or changes that we should include in Clem’s Primer for next fall’s Yorkin? Please let me know STOMPER SAVES TRAIN COLLECTOR FAMILY RELATIONS WORLD WIDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read it here:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/russian-diamonds-siberian-meteorite-crater-carats_n_1891691.html

STOMPER discovers huge cash of trillions of diamonds and tells Russians. World diamond values may drop. Luckily trains collectors have invested in trains rather that diamonds. Spouses thrilled at their wizenesses... Film @ 1:31 am yesterday. STOMPER is back home and safe. As I unpack my new treasures, I find an extra STG motor and blu Comet in my boxes. I hate it when that happens... Again, thanks all for the wonderful times at York See you all in the fall at York, Clem Clement

York October 2012 The turnout of TCA members, their families, and guests was greater than in April. Virtually our members bought out all the tables for this meet sponsored by Eastern Division, TCA. Two rows of tables were added in the White Hall to meet the needs of our members. President Kronz reported that there had also been a rise in the number of applicants for membership in TCA this fall. At the opening of ED's Board meeting Vice President Brian Reilly presented Clem Clement with a professionally printed copy of the 2012 edition of "Clem's Primer," as a memento for his outstanding and dedicated service as President of TCA National and his years of serving as President of Eastern Division. The "primer" was first written and compiled in the 1990's and by the early 2000's had developed into a guide to the York Meet. Woody Kriner, the representative of the new Upstate New York Chapter, was welcomed to Eastern's Board of Directors. Woody previously served as an at-large ED Board member Minutes of the Board's April 2012 meeting were approved. The Division's financial situation is reportedly sound as we approach the October Meet and the end of the calendar year. Two bylaw changes, introduced in April, will be presented for ratification in the November election of officers and board members for 2013-14. President Kronz invited eligible members who were interested in running for an office or the board were welcome to do so by submitting their applications to Sam Geiser, immediate past president. Ballots will be mailed to all Eastern members in November. Oral and written reports by the secretary, treasurer, and committee chairs for registration, meet chairman, and nine other standing committees were approved. There will be no layouts running in the Black Hall for this meet. Board Member Dan Danielson reported that membership in the WB&A Chapter had reached 285 thus far in 2012 and Chapter finances are in excellent condition

as 2012 comes to a close. Meets are scheduled at Kena Temple, in Fairfax, VA, December 8, and the Annapolis, MD, Armory, March 9, 2013. Board Member Woody Kriner reported for our new Upstate New York Chapter. He announced that their membership has reached 210. Woody noted that the Chapter will host a meet in Rochester, NY; early in 2013 and that a couple of mini-meets are planned. Lee Wood, Eastern Division's Treasurer, volunteered to assist the new chapter in "setting up" their treasury. A motion was made and accepted that the Division's "paid-for services" will be contracted beginning in 2013. ED's Parliamentarian Jim Williams will assist in drafting the appropriate language. President Kronz announced that Vice President Brian Reilly would be leaving the board in January. He thanked him for his 11 years of service to Eastern Division. Dan Danielson recounted highlights of Brian's service to Eastern and his years working for and with the WB&A Chapter. Respectfully submitted, Brian Reilly, TCA 75-8427, VTC 85-434 Yorkin Paul Herr & I crossed the Great Susquehanna River this AM, our intent to view all York had to offer on a Tuesday. Best Western must have been the place to sleep in, two guys were in the process of setting up, not much else going on a 0830. On to Holidome, EASY to park there now, most of the tables in the Banquet Hal were occupied, if not open. On the last aisle, met the McCurdy Crew, both North & South Divisions, they mentioned the Feeding Frenzy that occurred at Reliance the day before in the area known as Jester's. Seems Fred's daughter, Amanda, had brought a trailer load up and it mostly disappeared in a flash. MORE was brought up for today, less of a frenzy, but, lots of activity. ALL kinds of stuff, mostly very reasonable in CASH price. The real fun there will be Thursday & Friday from 0800 to 2000 hours both days Bring Cash. There is an unconfirmed rumor that if & when they actually empty all the places Fred had goodies stashed, Chester may rise another foot above sea level. ONLY time will tell. On to Dilly Dudd (now Days Inn, referred to less than kindly by one train collector resident). Ironically, we found our best deals there, WAIT til you see the pics of the Diesels we bought. You will not believe what we plan to do with them. Last York Stop was Springettsbury Fire Co hall, presided over by Barry King, American Flyer parts manufacturer, distributor, arranger of the Jester Sale, etc. On to DALLEE to pick up goodies for Wednesday's NTTM presentation (Wardie Jay goodies were here, obviously). For those of you who have NOT seen the Choo Choo Barn layout, you'll want to view the NetVision pics I'll have tomorrow from the presentation at NTTM, of one portion of the CCB layout. Once again the genius of Tom Groff using the products designed & made by DALLEE, I've seen them in action; you get to see phenomenal pictures. Paul & I will be at NTTM at 0645 tomorrow setting cones in preparation for our last turn

on the Parking Lot. Paul, Mike Packi & I have been doing this since 2000, my knees are gone, Mike has mobility issues, Paul is the "Energizer Bunny" we're wearing out. Come on down to NTTM on Wed, join the fun, meet some new people, try the donuts (not bad, BTW) OOOPS, I'm not supposed to know that. Jim Lyle Paul Herr & I met on the NTTM lot at 0645 to set cones, etc to prepare for the day. Our days started much earlier to get our trucks loaded with signs, radios etc. we then met the rest of the "crew" at Dienner's Rest for breakfast, camaraderie, discussion of the plan, etc. Onto the lot we went, where we were from 0830 til 1745, with NO rain, NO hail, NO snow, NO gale force winds, ALL of which we have had at one time or another. The DALLEE & Wardie-Jay presentations went well, brief & to the point, I had some great pics DALLEE took several months ago of the circus tents on the Choo Choo Barn layout that Tom Groff lit using DALLEE LED lighting boards and his skill. Effect is amazing, you HAVE to see it in person to really understand & enjoy it. ALSO had a little DALLE product that will make installers lives MUCH easier, wait & see. The Parking Crew did their usual fine job, a GREAT bunch of guys who have volunteered under all sorts of weather, dodged hail & rain, hot & cold, etc. Mike Packi, Paul Herr & I have finished our careers in parking; I am guessing volunteers would be welcomed. On to York on Thursday, ORANGE HALL, N-11, drop by and say HI, my "crew' or I will be there to greet you, show you the TRACK WACKER & TinPlate Ties and maybe a very special set of SHS diesels, LONG sought after and LONG out of production. Jim "leavin' the Keystone Main for York" Lyle Thursday in YORK, the great Reunion continues. It IS nice to see old friends, make new ones, LOTS of Vets are now wearing affiliation hats, LOVE that one, need to get one. Most people recognized the Flag this time in Orange Hall, anyway. Heard a few singing the Star Spangled Banner. Maybe a very special set of SHS diesels, LONG sought after and LONG out of production. The diesels ARE on table N-11, they ARE SANTA FE "S" GAUGE A-B-B-A, made by SHS, they are Chrome Plated, in the boxes; I have not removed then since I got them many years ago. Jim Lyle

Had a great time at York for the third time since I have been a member of TCA!! Met and talked to lots of nice folks, saw some fascinating trains, sold a bunch of stuff and bought even more. Thanks to all the volunteers and to the Eastern Division for inviting their brothers and sisters to join in the fun. Now for a very serious report. I was walking around the Blue Hall on day 1 when I stumbled upon Clem Clement's table. He was not at the table but his beautiful and patient wife Sandy was in charge in Clem's absence. As I scanned the piles of scrap metal - - - - I mean treasures that Clem had hauled to York to foist on the unsuspecting and sightless---what did my eyes land on but STOMPER!!!!!! Stomper was out of his corral and on display at Clem's table. I look down below Stomper and I see a price tag for $135.12. Not a bad price for a piece of history. So I say to Sandy--"I will take it" and she says that is the price for the bridge it is sitting on--not for STOMPER--Clem would never sell STOMPER!!!! So I immediately went to the hall captain and asked him if there was a rule against just having an item on your table for show?? After all the meet has a rule for almost everything else--but we could not find one that would force Clem to sell it to me. So STOMPER remains in Clem's possession and can be seen tomorrow at his table in the blue Hall--do not miss it if you are at York. I think everyone has a price. I personally think Clem is holding out for a higher price so I will now ask him publicly--"Is STOMPER for sale and what would it take to move him (or her) out of your collection and back to the Midwest where he belongs? Andy Dubill adubill@aol.com Oh, Andy, Andy, what a war you have started. STOMPER is so angry Clem is afraid he'll rip apart the bridge he is sitting on and just come right after you for thinking he would ever want to leave Clem. He loves Clem, and you have really made him furious by trying to buy him from Miss Sandy. You had better go make amends before STOMPER destroys the entire fairgrounds and makes it impossible to have another York. I'm sure glad I'm out here in California so STOMPER won't affect our power grid. Hope you have a flashlight, Andy. Barb Jones

That must have been why the clouds moved in early and the lightning was

flashing this evening. The wrath of Stomper is unfolding! Katie Elgar

Barb - Don't count on Stomper's rage not affecting your electricity reliability. California gets a lot of its electricity from Arizona which is tied in with the mid-western states and the east. When my lights dim here in Michigan I know Stomper is on a mad tear. Best regards, Frank Corley Just got home from another wonderful York. Saw lots of old friends and made some new ones. Missed a few of the regulars. I heard that Nancy Swann passed away in early September. She was at every York and TCA Nationals right up until this year. The little lady with the red hair and lately a walker. She was an ardent supporter of TCA, TTOS, LOTS as well as other toy train groups. Always a pleasure to talk to and very very knowledgeable on trains. I remember her best for organizing the banquet room at the old Howard Johnson's on Toronita St. as a Barracks, if you will, for guys attending York and left without a room because of a problem (I don't remember what it was) that reduced the number of rooms available considerably. I will miss her. In regard to the current meet: What's going on with transformers? I never saw more large and medium transformers (ZW, VW, Z, V, KW, TW LW, 1033's) for sale in all my life. Everybody had one for sale. ZW's no longer bring $275. even the Buck and quarter ones weren't moving. One guy had a box of 10 misfits for $150 for them all. Two KWs, two TWs, a LW and and a mess of 1033's. O f course all needed some TLC but nothing significant. No one even looked at them. Hmm. Oh yeah lots and lots of 671s with 2671W tenders. I saw one boxed Excellent for $150. I would think the guy asking $335 for his probably took it home. The $9K boxed girls set, reduced to $7.5K sat out the meet but the $4800 boxed 1950 773 went out suite at a reduced price. A great meet thanks to the folks at Eastern. Kudos to them all for their hard work. Les Mathis Sorry for not reporting Friday evening. Had NO electricity to run the ,puter. Tornado touched down about 1000 linear feet from house, dropped a park pavilion on 15 people (prox) our volunteers got them out quickly, no major injuries reported so far. Lots of property damage in a very long, as in miles, narrow path. At least one of our own ( PVMR & occasionally NTTM guy, Jeff Leeking ) has major damage to yard & he reportedly had trees on his home. Those of you who saw the circus train on the NTTM "S" layout, it belongs to Jeff, on loan for season. Will find out more tomorrow.

York continues to be a great reunion, plus new friends to make, stuff to see. Still one of the "younger" ones there at 66. Scary. Jim Lyle Andy, I met with serious county officials during York. I'm pleased to announce that for the paltry sum of $2500, the County will expunge their blotter and commence cleanup in a certain location that was a parking lot before a ruckus visit from a Kansas bunch. When can we expect the check? Clem For those lucky enough to pass by my tables, they saw STOMPER and JUNKS face-to-face on Climbing Bridge. There was great fear that, even with their engines at still, the world would suffer. Climbing bridge is wood, as no metal can hold the pair. I had placed the exostonic non- square surgo caditonator between the seething locos to maintain control much as Kryptonite does to superman. The only reports from NORAD were that 3 loose rocks from the back side of the moon were sucked into a garbage can near the Orange hall (Since we can't ever see the back side of the moon, this event was considered non-sig.) 3 Higgs-Bosom particles were seen loose in the area without York badges on. More after The Calming occurs... Clem However there was a terrific tornado in Paradise, PA, a short distance from York on Friday night about 8:00 PM. Chester Zmijewski

That was a tornado? When left York we encountered heavy rains and wind on the bridge over the Susquehanna, (I think that is how it is spelled), river. We were in a pizza place in Strasburg and everything went dark. When we went back to our motel it was eerie to see no lights on at the Strasburg Railroad, Choo-choo Barn, the Penn. state railroad museum, red caboose motel and the toy train museum. Luckily we were staying up on route 30 and there was power at our motel. Rich Giannino

Another super great Yorkin. So good seeing all. Home safe about 6 pm. Gorgeous colors on the way thru Maryland. Virginia leaves are starting to turn as well. Fall is here on the east coast. Clem Good to meet with you at York, Clem. Thank you for your advice and for looking at the large metal bridge in the Silver Hall. The majority of the standards

committee had questions about its origin, however all felt it was very well engineered, and a nice piece for any layout. I am still uncertain about how it came to be. My purpose was to expose the bridge to knowledgeable people and to not misrepresent the piece. Arno Baars says hello, and I bid you farewell until next Fall... or maybe St. Louis. Dave Rodgers I'm working on Clem's Primer for the next meet. Any change you know of/corrections/ improvements/etc.? Please send them to me or post on the ttml. I do my best to keep things current. Eastern Division presented me with a published copy of Clem's Primer. I'm greatly honored. 2 copies were sent to the TCA Library. ED BOD each has a copy as well. I am greatly honored and was speechless at the presentation ceremony done by Boxcar Reilly. Really all of you who have contributed to this effort deserve credit as well. I continue to get compliments and requests for the Primer. I'm truly happy it is helping folk enjoy Yorking experience better. I did ask if this meant that I was finished and someone else would take it over, and the answer was not as long as I'm on the green side of the grass. I teared up. Clem STOMPER's blood challenge from JUNKS To help answer the many Qs about when the blood challenge will occur: Currently the universe as we know it is not set. The powers that be are not and the surf is not up on the North Shore. Clem

YORK SHOW - how was yours? Posted by: "allanmiller48" ogreditor@gmail.com allanmiller48 Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:55 am (PDT)

For me, York is always more about the people than the trains. I view it as

the greatest social event in the hobby. All the trains I want can be

purchased online easily enough and in a more timely manner, so the

things I may find at York are kind of the frosting on the cake. I no longer

even take a list of things I might be looking for. Still, I did manage to find

some nice things at the meet, and at good prices.

I wasn't able to attend the previous three York Meets, but did attend this

most recent one. Regardless of what the registration numbers may show

(those reflect those who registered, not those who actually attend),

nobody will ever convince me that the number of participants, both sellers

and buyers, is not going down. Having missed a couple of meets or shows

really brings this fact home.

Friday definitely was the most busy and active day. Thursday was great

for anyone who wanted to freely browse abound because the traffic was

light in every respect. You might as well sleep in late on Saturday; eat a

hearty breakfast; and then take a leisurely drive home because that day--

as has long been the case--is absolutely dead. Too bad, too, because having

a robust Saturday event would certainly make things easier for those who

have to work during the week and/or those who can budget only a night

or two of hotel stays.

Allan Miller

York Meet Posted by: "NobelLugo@AOL.Com" NobelLugo@AOL.Com Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:41 am (PDT)

There were 5 of us that went to the York Meet. We could only be there from Wednesday until Friday so we left late on Tuesday evening. Traveling from Indianapolis is a 10 hour trip. We arrived at the fairgrounds; just to get the lay of the land and then went to the Billy Budd, the Holidome, Days Inn and another one close by Route 30. We ate at the Silver Dinner on Rte. 30 and went back to the fairgrounds. Attended the MTH presentations and had a great time listening to problems and resolutions, future of DCS and new Proto 3 that would be compatible with initial engines. Back to the Silver Diner and desert and our rooms. We finally got to our rooms in Lancaster and it seems we all were a little tired. But what a first day.

Thursday we went to the PRR Museum in Strasburg...what a place. Lots of pictures and another great time. However, we had to get to the Fairgrounds for the opening of the Meet. Did not get a chance to see the Toy Train Museum nor ride the Strasburg steam & passenger cars. Once we arrived, at York, it was scour the halls, find we came for and the help each other with bargains in the halls. We stayed until the halls closed and found out we had a little problem with the room - too many purchases and "Bargains". On the way back to Lancaster we stopped at Columbia, PA and went to Hinkle’s Pharmacy - it was just like to old Woolworth Drug Stores...the food was great -- crab cakes for all...and at a reasonable price. ANOTHER great day at York. Finally, on Friday we left our rooms for York for our last day. Yes, "all" the halls were visited, bargains were still there and I guess those things we passed the day before were now rising to our "need" list. The initial plan was to leave around 1:00 PM...But we stayed until 4:00 PM so another long ride back home. What I saw at this York were many collectors looking for their list and finding much more. However, in the years past, 2007/2008, Thursday usually had all of the parking space full or filling until 1:00 PM. So the lots were filled to the outer fences. We were still 4 or 5 rows short. The traffic within the halls was not crowded as they were in 2007; but there were still a lot of people in the halls. I attribute this to 2 things -- the economy - it is still not that great - and those that attend are getting older - but we have yet to realize a growth in our TCA numbers. The leadership of all Divisions and Chapters need to look at ways to make being a TCA member easier or just plain betting the bushes for a younger population. But those are problems we already realize. One thing I heard at the MTH presentation was the use of APPs and other gadgets to bring on the younger crowds -- at least MTH is looking ahead. Why shouldn't National and Div/Chap do the same thing?

Nobel (Lu) Lugo 01-53171

Wondering around York Posted by: "WJJIM@aol.com" WJJIM@aol.com wjjim2001 Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:51 pm (PDT)

Tuesday AM found four of the PVMR crew, Paul Herr, Dave Pierce, Rich Glass & myself "Yorkward" bound. We arrived at the "Holidome" around 0830, most of the interior tables were at least set up & covered, not so many in the parking lot anymore. Paul found an MTH car to add to his railroad. Maybe 100 shoppers in the time we were there, leaving around 0945. Headed to Reliance Fire Hall, the domain of all things "S". Got some A/F parts from Amanda Jester, spent some time with Bobby Persing, he has just released a Post Office Flag in P-Ville repo parts, looks great; most of us dealers will have them soon. Looks like 5 bucks per???? Headed on eastward to the former Billy Budd, crowd about the same as last year, stalwarts to say the least. Dave found two PUTT Birney trollies (before I did, BTW). He was planning to make them DCC on the way back. Moved on east to "Springettsberry Fire Hall", talked to Barry King about the pending sale of Fred Jester's inventory in October. Rich found a tunnel for a grandkids project, PVMR got another MRC power pack (one made in USA, remember that??). We stopped at DALLEE on the way back to pick up some display items for NTTM Open House tomorrow ( DALLEE, WARDIE JAY & a book signer in the museum, Bachmann, Weaver, Mike's & Lionel in the Atrium ) OPENS at 10 AM. Our buds from Smokey Roberts will have the vids on YouTube miraculously quickly. PVMR's Glenn Ritter will have pics to post tomorrow evening. I'll send the link.

Paul Herr & I will be on the NTTM lot at 0645 Wednesday "setting cones", apparently in the rain, before our semi-annual planning breakfast with the rest of the Parking Crew and then back to the lot ‘til around 1750. If you are traveling west thru Gap to York, FUEL UP in GAP. Gas in York was 14 cents a gallon, on average, higher today than in Gap. On the way home Saturday, I'd suggest the Ham & Oyster Supper ( we're in the country, folks ) at the Gap Fire Hall, a block off of Rte. 30. From 2 PM until out of goodies. Tomorrows report will be from NTTM, hopefully a DRY NTTM.

York Report (Kinda) Posted by: "WJJIM@aol.com" WJJIM@aol.com wjjim2001 Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:56 pm (PDT)

The sun did not shine on Strasburg on Wednesday, not outside anyway. One of those days, IF you didn't like the forecast, you'd change the channel, BUT, ultimately they ALL blew it. The late AM rain arrived at 0600, I understand it poured for a while in York, we had rain or drizzle or spotty showers or "normal York Wednesday" weather as the Parking Crew has come to know it. Mr. Herr & I "set cones" starting at 0645, wet then, went to breakfast meeting, wetter, off and on all day. At least three of the "Crew" are standing down after the October meet, all three of us have done this over 20 times in twelve years, Mike Packi and Paul Herr will have 24 & 23 respectively. I will have my 25th. Parking Crew IS Hiring, contact me. Smaller crowd than "usual" it seemed at NTTM, presenters were good, well prepared, knew their stuff. "Smokey's Crew" will have vids out soonest, great outfit to work with. Thursday, many dealers reported doing well or better than they expected, heard some buyers talking about something or other they were able to find to enjoy. Classic Toy Trains has ended their long running button

program. BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, BTW. Friday, more of the same. BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, may be changing for Saturday, MORE of the change the channel forecasts. Attended my first Plasticville Collectors Meeting at noon today, another of those groups with a "twenty-four hour man", John Niehaus.

Gas is STILL cheaper in Gap than anywhere west of there, thru York. My South Jersey buddies ( Hank Worrell & Tom Burns, Mike Packi left a day earlier due to illness ) were hoping to "get across the bridge" today before they had to fill up. Interesting point, those THREE of the six Parking Crew on Wednesday paid for their own rooms, their own gas and their own food to come to Pennsylvania (from Jersey) and park cars for their fellow members, in the rain. PVMR guys Paul Herr & Howard Taylor round out the Crew, obviously they did the same. Jim "back on the Keystone Main" Lyle

Many of you traveling to York may travel close to Scranton, Pennsylvania. Scranton is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania and was the center of the industrial boom during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The downtown area of the city has been recently revitalized and there are a number of attractions that family members on their trip to York may enjoy. They include: The Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and the Steamtown National Historic Site. Steamtown is part of the National Park Service and is located on 52 acres of historic rail yard in downtown Scranton. Visitors start in the Visitor center on the main level where railroad artifacts are displayed. The movie "Steel and Steam" lasts 18 minutes and can be viewed every half hour in the movie theatre on the second floor. The movie is very nostalgic and reminds the viewers both of the important role steam trains played in the building of America and how railroading still has a place in the heart of all Americans. The tour continues into the history museum where the history of railroading unfolds as you walk along. There is a "Life on the Railroad" exhibit where

various jobs from the railroading era are explained as well as an exhibit on railroad stations. The tour continues into the Roundhouse where there are a number of exhibits-both static and active maintenance projects unfolding before your eyes. The exhibits detail how the trains operated - both mechanically and service wise. Steamtown has over two dozen steam locomotives and 70 old freight cars. Some are restored, others undergoing restoration and others in line for work. The park has steam train excursions throughout the year. A schedule is available for the "Short Excursion" and "Cab Ride" as well as longer Pennsylvania countryside excursions. The website for general information is www.nps.gov/steam Located very close to these attractions is The Mall at Steamtown and several restaurants. Kids (and adults) will enjoy a wiener place called The Coney Island Lunch at 515 Lackawanna not far from Steamtown. The restaurant is filled with old baseball and other local memorabilia and is a fun place to eat. Andy Dubill adubill@aol.com Before we get too deep into our semi-annual discussion about what's right and what's wrong with "York", please permit me to point out nine facts. 1. The Train Collectors Association is not in charge of "York". 2. "York" is the semiannual swap meet of TCA's Eastern Division. 3. TCA's Eastern Division (organized 1954) comprises most of upstate New York; portions of northeastern and south central Pennsylvania; the District of Columbia; the states of Delaware and Maryland; and portions of Virginia and New Jersey. 4. For most of Eastern Division's history that I know about, their swap meets have been held either in Lancaster PA or York PA. It so happens that both of those cities lie within the territory of TCA's Keystone Division, but those places still seem to be convenient for a majority of Eastern's members. 5. Eastern Division swap meets have become very large and very successful. In recent years, they have attracted most of the major toy train manufacturers and publishers, plus lots of smaller manufacturers and lots of dealers. Because of its size and variety, "York" attracts lots of TCA members from all over the United States and indeed from many other countries. "York" has become so well-attended that several other toy train clubs, including LOTS, have been known to hold their business meetings on the York fairgrounds, simply because a majority of their officers attend the Eastern Division meets.

6. Because of Eastern's great success, many people come to York from far outside the boundaries of TCA's Eastern Division. As outlined in (7) below, they're welcome to attend; however, they may end up spending far more for transportation and lodging than do members who reside within Eastern's geographical region. It's a free country; each person decides for himself whether he can afford a trip to York and whether it's worth the cost. Personally, for me a York trip involves two nights' motel stay and 800+ miles of driving, and I would LOVE to go if my work schedule would permit it. 7. Every TCA division and chapter honors national TCA membership cards. Any TCA member with a valid membership card can be admitted to any division's or chapter's meet. 8. Each division or chapter of TCA is free to set its own policies, including whether attendees can use cameras and cell phones (Eastern says no; but most other divisions don't prohibit), and whether a portion of the meet will be open to the public (again Eastern says no; but some other divisions do allow it). 9. TCA and its Eastern Division enjoy a healthy symbiosis. Without doubt, TCA benefits from "York" because York motivates new members to join the club. Without doubt, Eastern Division benefits from the rest of TCA because so many York participants come from other divisions, and because TCA's national headquarters are only a 35-mile drive from the fairgrounds. Open house at National Toy Train Museum has become a major attraction of "York week". All TTMLers are welcome to share their experiences and reflections on "York". As you do, please keep in mind that: (a) Eastern Division is the host; all others are guests. (b) York is Eastern Division's meet, not a TCA national event. Suggestions for improvement should really be directed to ED's president, Sam Geiser. (c) This is a hobby, and the men and women who worked hard to make "York" happen were volunteers who did what they did for love of the hobby. Joseph Lechner

From: Michael and Linda Marmer <mlmarmer@verizon.net>

For those who never been to the baseball stadium at York or Lancaster

too, I highly recommend it, the ballpark is better then most minor league

stadiums, great food, as York is a independent team with many ex- major

leaguers. This is a spring York option.

Also, take a walk on the York Rail Trail, wonderful. Also in New Freedom

PA is a wonderful train museum in a RR station run normally by 81 yr old

Mr. Neal and his wife. Mr. Neal loves trains; he worked with CSX for 43

years, has HO but really loves AF over Lionel.

There is no train layout just a small but nice museum in a train station.

New Freedom is south of York, down I-83, as it is on the York Rail Trail.

There is no train layout just a small but nice museum in a train station.

You can not miss the station as it is so small, the town. Once you cross

over some RR tracks, there is public parking and the station is right there.

You can not miss it.

here are two cabooses, use to be three, a neat painted mural on a produce

canning plant, a very old closed down hotel/restaurant from 1903 or so,

and some train cars in ruins.

Have a bike? Bring, as the ride is wonderful on the trail.

http://www.yorkcountyparks.org/parkpages/railtrail.htm

Map shows you where New Freedom is.

Mike Marmer

Clem Clement clem.clement@cox.net Clem’s York Primer Part III Family Fun at York: This listing, up-dated as of March 12, 2006 from Scott Arber toyrail@yahoo.com. (I recommend you confirm times and details as these are frequently changing. Clem) A comprehensive listing is archived at www.Toytrains.info.com

VISITORS CENTER The Downtown York Visitors Center is located at 149 W. Market Street in downtown York. The center is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and extended hours during downtown events. YORK COUNTY HERITAGE TRUST (YCHT) (YCHT) The Trust has a group of Museums throughout York. All sites within the Trust cost: Adults $15.00, Senior Citizens, College Students & Children over 12 years old $7.00, Children 12 and younger, FREE. Website: http://www.yorkheritage.org/ The Museums are:(YCHT) HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM(YCHT) THE GATES HOUSE, PLOUGH TAVERN, BOBB LOG HOUSE, and THE COLONIAL COURTHOUSE COMPLEX (YCHT) BONHAM HOUSE (YCHT) AGRICULTURAL and INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM (YCHT) THE FIRE MUSEUM OF YORK COUNTY WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC YORK Website: www.yorkcity.org/visitors/walkingtour/index THE MURALS OF YORK Website: www.yorkcity.org/econ/murals/index.htm WEIGHT LIFTING HALL OF FAME Website: www.yorkbarbell.com/hallfame/hall00.html POLICE HERITAGE MUSEUM, INC Website: www.policeheritagemuseum.com INDIAN STEPS MUSEUM Website: www.pplweb.com/holtwood/things+to+do/indian+steps+museum.htm WATCH AND CLOCK MUSEUM Website: www.nawcc.org/museum/museum.htm HANOVER FIRE MUSEUM Website: www.visitpa.com/visitpa/visitDetails.do?name=Hanover+Fire+Museum Address: 44 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA 17331 Phone: (717)-637-6674 WIRT PARK FIRE STATION MUSEUM Website: www.borough.hanover.pa.us/images/hanover/hbfiremuseum.html

HANOVER AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/visitDetails.do?name=Hanover+Area+Historical+Society Address: 105 High St., Hanover. Phone: (717) 632-3207. NEAS HOUSE MUSEUM http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/visitDetails.do?name=Neas+House+Museum Address: 113 W. Chestnut St. Hanover. Phone: (717) 632-3207 STATE PARKS: Samuel S. Lewis Website: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/samuelslewis.aspx Gifford Pinchot Website: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/giffordpinchot.aspx Codorus Website: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/codorus.aspx YORK COUNTY PARKS: Rocky Ridge -- From Route 30 bypass, take Mount Zion Road exit. Follow Route 24 North (Mount Zion Road). At top of hill turn right on Deininger Road. Follow road back to park. William H. Kain Park -- From York, follow South George Street (extended) to Jacobus. For Lake Redman area, turn left on Church Street and go 0.6 miles to main parking area. For Lake Williams area, turn right on Water Street and go 0.5 miles to main parking area. Richard M. Nixon Park -- From York, follow South George Street (extended) through Jacobus to Valley Road. Turn right. Follow road 0.8 miles to bottom of hill. Turn right at park sign. At stop sign, turn left and follow road into park. John Rudy Park -- From Route 30, follow Sherman Street north three miles to Mundis Race Road. Turn left. Park is 0.6 miles on the right. Apollo -- From Route 74 south of Red Lion, take Burkholder Road east to New Bridgeville. Take Route 425 east. Turn left at Boyd Road. Parking lot is at the end of the road.

Spring Valley Park -- Follow Interstate 83 to Glen Rock exit. Turn left on Route 216. Go 0.1 mile and turn right at Potosi Road. Travel another 2.1 miles to Crest Road and to the entrance of the park's Animal Activity Center. To find the Fish for Fun pond, stay on Potosi Road going past Crest Road until Line Road then turn right. To enter the park from its’ northern access, continue from Glen Rock exit on Route 216. Go 2.9 miles and turn right on Line Road. P. Joseph Raab Park -- From Route 30, take Route 616 east through York New Salem, continue toward Seven Valleys. Turn right onto Green Valley Road. Continue for 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Hoff Road. Travel 0.6 miles to park entrance on the left. YORK COUNTY HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL Note: New Web Address http://ycwebserver.yorkcounty.org/Parks/RailTrail.htm http://www.yorkcountyorg/gov/Parks/RailTrail.htm The trail has two distinct styles of milepost markers: Large white posts with black lettering are historical markers used by the Northern Central Railroad, and more numerous green posts with white lettering. These posts indicate actual mileage from the origin of the Northern Central Railroad, the Baltimore, MD station. Trail Distances from the Maryland Line. The park is open year round, 8 am until dusk, and is patrolled by York County Parks Rangers. Park regulations are posted at each parking lot. The Museums are open May thru October. Three additional historic structures are on the trail: Hanover Junction, New Freedom train stations and Howard Tunnel, oldest continuously operated railroad tunnel in nation. The new web address listed above has links to the structures, directions to the various parking lots, maps, and regulations. Please check it out. PUBLIC GOLF COURSES IN YORK COUNTY Briarwood and Briarwood West Golf Club -- 4775 W. Market St., York; 792-9776 or 792-5016. Capital Region Golf -- 2700 Mt. Rose Ave., York; 840-4815 Cool Creek Golf Club -- 300 Cool Creek Road, Wrightsville; 252-3691 Grandview Golf Club -- 2779 Carlisle Ave., York, 764-2674. Heritage Hills Golf Resort -- 2700 Mount Rose Ave., York, 755-4653

Hickory Heights Golf Course -- RD 1 Lehman Road, Spring Grove, 225-4247 Honey Run Golf Course and Country Club --3131 S. Salem Church Road, York, 792-9771 Little Creek Golf Course -- Spring Grove RD 1,225-1702. Midlantic Eagleview Golf Club – 2531 Municipal Road, Dover; 292-9727 Pleasant Valley Golf Club -- Stewartstown RD 1,993-2184 Range End Country Club -- 303 Golf Club Ave.,Dillsburg; 432-4213 Rolling Acres Golf Course -- 490 Windsor Road, 755-1406 Valley Green Golf Club -- 1227 Valley Green Road, Etters; 938-4200. Yorktowne Golf Club -- 1605 Loucks Rd. York; 764-2224 PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center Website: http://www.strandcapitol.org/ Dream Wrights Youth & Family Theatre Website: http://www.dreamwrights.org/ Eichelberger Performing Arts Center Website: www.goepac.com FACTORY TOURS FAMILY HEIR-LOOM WEAVERS Website: www.familyheirloomweavers.com/ HARLEY DAVIDSON, Inc. Website: http://www.harleydavidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Company/company.jsp?locale=en_US NAYLOR WINE CELLARS Website: www.naylorwine.com

PERRYDELL FARM DAIRY Address: 90 Indian Rock Dam Rd. York, PA For details, call (717) 741-3485 and ask for Diane. SEVEN VALLEYS VINEYARD AND WINERY Website: www.sevenvalleys.com NEW: For more on York, virtual tours, architectural styles tutorial, history, area information, visitor information, local links, prints, and more. Check out Virtual York at: http://www.yorklinks.net/ AUTHENTIC SHOPPING OUTLETS These are outlets owned and run by the factories. Not owned by a third party that licenses the name. Most are located at the factories themselves. Family Heir-Loom Weavers Inc. Factory Tour & Outlet 775 Meadowview Drive, Red Lion Telephone: (717) 246-2431 Website: www.familyheirloomweavers.com Naylor Wine Cellars Inc. 4069 Vineyard Road, Stewartstown, PA Telephone: (800) 292-3370 Website: www.naylorwine.com Perrydell Farm Dairy Outlet 90 Indian Rock Dam Road, York Telephone: (717) 741-3485 Pewtarex Factory Outlet Store 722 West Market Street, York Telephone: (800) 358-3997 Website: www.pewtarex.com Snyder's of Hanover Factory Outlet 1350 York Street (Route 116), Hanover Telephone: (800) 233-7125 Website: www.snydersofhanover.com Stauffer's Cookie Outlet Belmont and Sixth Avenue, York Telephone: (800) 673-2473

Website: www.stauffercookie.com Susquehanna Glass Factory Outlet 731 Avenue H, Columbia, PA Telephone: (800) 592-3646 Website: www.theglassfactory.com Utz Quality Foods Factory Store 861 Carlisle Street, Hanover Telephone: (717) 637-6644 Website: www.utzsnacks.com Wolfgang Candy - Outlet 50 East Fourth Avenue, York Telephone: (800) 248-4273 Website: www.wolfgangcandy.com for “Chocolate experience tours” York Wallcoverings Home Design Center 201 Carlisle Avenue, York Telephone: (717) 854-4285 Website: www.yorkwall.com NOTE: York Wallcoverings carries train related wall paper. To find the detailed listing go to Toytrains.info.com at: http://www.toytrains.info/get.asp?mod=subject&subject=%28%22family+activities+%25+york%22+%22family+fun+%25+york%22+%22York%2C+PA+and+the+steam+locomotive%22%29+%2Dwas

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Official Newsletter of

NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

P. O. Box 1361 Altoona, PA 16603-1361

www.hscnrhs.org

SPRING 2015

CHAPTER OFFICERS

President: Francix X. Givler Jr., 114 Scott Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 NOTE: * time-sensitive correspondence should be sent to this address. ottodocfacs@atlanticbb.net Vice-President: Joseph K. Harella, 3812 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 jkharella@pennswoods.net Chapter Delegate to NRHS: Joseph A. DeFrancesco, 5069 Gensimore Ln., Tyrone, PA 16686 jdefrancesco5@verizon.net Treasurer: Denny Walls, 123 Sandcastle Ln, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 d63w@aol.com Secretary: Joseph DeFrancesco, 5069 Gensimore Ln., Tyrone, PA 16686 jdefrancesco5@verizon.net . Chapter Historian/Editor: David W. Seidel, 2011 14th St., Altoona, PA 16601-3020 dwsnrhs@aol.com Webmaster: Joseph De Francesco, jdefrancesco5@verizon.net Note: Horseshoe Curve Chapter, National Railway Historical Society was granted a charter by the NRHS on May 11, 1968 (3 months and one day after the PRR-NYC merger), evolving from the Altoona Railway Museum Club (1965-1968). We meet on FOURTH Tuesday of each month except December, at Railroader’s Memorial Museum, Altoona, PA, 7:30 PM. Occasional exceptions are announced to the membership. 90 (+) % of all communications and notices are handled by e-mail. Please keep your e-mail address current with the officers, especially the Chapter Historian/Editor. Meetings are open to those interested in railroad history and membership inquiries are invited. Chapter-only membership is available but national membership dues are separate. For more information visit www.nrhs.com.

People fight to restore the East Broad Top Railroad via WJAC-TV February 5, 2015

Updated: Thursday, February 5 2015, 06:46 PM EST. Note: This report was supplemented by two television videos about the East Broad Top Railroad on this date at 6 & 11 PM, also. By: Erin Calandra HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Railroads were – and still are – an important part of life in central Pennsylvania. They shaped the history of the state and the country. For many who are interested in historic trains, places like the East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County are critical to preserve that bridge to the past. Huntingdon County houses a historical gem – The East Broad Top Railroad. It’s recognized by the National Park Service as a National Historic Landmark, but what was once a bustling industrial rail turned tourist attraction, is now a silent railroad. People came from all across the globe to ride these massive, old steam engines. You can still find a steam engine or two across the country, but experts say you won’t find anything like the East Broad Top Railroad, saying it’s the last railroad system of its kind still intact. And now, a lot of people are fighting to keep it that way. “I like to think of it as the Humpty Dumpty story,” said Joe Kovalchick, owner of the East Broad Top Railroad. “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t get Humpty Dumpty together again. ”Kovalchick, an entrepreneur from Indiana County, feels the nursery rhyme best describes to possible future of the railroad. “If East Broad Top starts to liquidate, it’s a one-way show, it’s a one-way tour it will never be again,” said Kovalchick. Experts say this is a piece of American history that can’t be replaced. “The East Broad Top Railroad is described by the Smithsonian Institute as the best preserved example of a 1900-era facility anywhere in the country,” said Historian Lee Rainey. The operation contains six steam engines, built in the early 1900s, many on site, along with a building that houses forgotten technology. Rainey said this place is a snapshot of what the railroad and coal industry looked like turn of the (20th) century. This rail was built in 1859; 32 miles of narrow gage rails were used to haul coal during a very busy industrial era for Pennsylvania. Kovalchick’s father bought it in 1956 and the family preserved it for six decades. “Everything is there,” said Kovalchick. “The engines, coaches, cars, shops, roadhouse, office, black smith shop. All intact.” During that time, the East Broad Top Railroad ran 2-3 engines at a time, bringing 150,000 to 250,000 tourists annually to the tiny town of Orbisonia – population: 422. “In this small community, that was a big deal, still is a big deal,” said Matt Price, executive director of the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau. But due to finances and liability, the Kovalchick family stopped the train rides in 2009 and leased the

operation to a nonprofit group – The East Broad Top Railroad Preservation Association – run by Larry Salon. “That was the first railroad they took me to, in 1964 was my first train ride ever and I fell in love with this place,” said Salon. The lease was short lived – only three years – and in 2012 the railroad once again fell silent. Kovalchick said the decision was difficult. “Sometimes I feel it’s not worth the risks for my family,” said Kovalchick. He remains hopeful that money will be found to put the trains back on the track. “The focus was to get some grants, state federal money to restore it and that hasn’t happened yet,” said Kovalchick. And this train town is feeling the pain financially, and emotionally. “We had four bed and breakfasts,” said Price. “We’re down to just two.” This community was built around the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company,” said David Brightbill, owner of the The Iron Rail bed and breakfast. “You would be hard pressed to go door-to-door and find a family not tied to the railroad.” Brightbill owns one of the two remaining bed and breakfasts – The Iron Rail. He bought the house 10 years ago from the East Broad Top Company. It sits right across from the train station. Brightbill said when the steam engines were operating, all five rooms of his home were sold out most weekends. But now, they’re rarely full. “We are lucky to keep our head above water, but question how long we wish to continue,” said Brightbill. Kovalchick said the railroad is only sleeping. He wants to see it as a state or federal attraction with restored engines and bustling tourism. “I’ve seen federal and state spend a lot of money on history much less important than East Broad Top,” said Kovalchick. Salone is trying to buy the railroad, and has already purchased four miles of rail in Mount Union for industrial use, something he said will help play for the tourism operations in the long run. Kovalchick won’t say how much it will cost to reopen, but he, Salone, and historians fear that without public support and government funding, this railroad could be lost forever. “It’s not a carnival, it’s not a toy,” said Kovalchick. “It’s a real, honest to goodness American railroad heritage experience.” So, when will the East Broad Top Railroad wake from its sleep? Salone said he has high hopes you’ll be able to step abroad by 2016.There are hundreds of people from several different organizations that are working to keep the system maintained (especially the Friends of the East Broad Top RR, who have worked diligently for decades to maintain, repair and stabilize the historic shops, buildings and equipment).

Altoona Association of Model Railroaders representatives don their bow-ties: L-R:

William Burket, Justin Rogers, and Jeffery Holland.

STATE LEADERS REQUEST INPUT ON RAIL PLANS

As published in the Altoona Mirror, February, 17, 2015, public input was requested into proposed changes for Amtrak’s Harrisburg – Pittsburgh route, referred to as the Keystone West corridor, with the intent of expanding rail passenger services. Information regarding this proposal can be found at www.planthekeystone.com and then checking under tabs “resources” and “keystone west”. Comment on the proposal can be sent to keystonewest@planthekeystone.com. Horseshoe Curve Chapter NRHS is now approaching its 47th year (May 11) and has born witness to all the changes in passenger operations in the region over these many years. Accordingly, we drafted a comment (approved at the February 24th monthly meeting) and submitted our observation, which follows: “AMTRAK – KEYSTONE WEST COMMENTARY Frebruary 29, 2015 The Horseshoe Curve Chapter, National Railway Historical Society www.hscnrhs.org was chartered on May 11, 1968 following its un-affiliated existence dating from 1965. The tenure of our organization has been witness to the

ending years of the Pennsylvania Railroad; the short duration of Penn-Central Transportation Co.; the whole of Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL); present day Norfolk Southern Corporation in Pennsylvania; and, Amtrak. During this time we began to witness the downgrading of passenger services, followed by the gradual elimination of passenger trains, especially in the period of Penn Central’s bankruptcy. The PCRR bankruptcy and accrued petitions for passenger train abolishments, led to the development of Amtrak (National Rail Passenger Act) May 1, 1971. While this permitted railroads to divest themselves of the obligation of providing passenger services, this retrenchment also resulted in eliminating routes and services, forcing passengers accustomed to such travel conveniences, to seek alternative methods. Left behind were many established routes & cities, resulting in timetables representing a fraction of routes and services the public was accustomed to. While interstate highways and air travel was part of the issue initially, the corridors of rail transportation across the United States became significantly under-utilized for mass transit. In western Pennsylvania, the once four-track mainline was reduced to two tracks for economic efficiencies (3 for the mountain west of Altoona), but also reduced capacity at the same time. The former 4-track mainline formerly accommodated 50+ passenger trains daily, maintaining schedules with reliability, while regular freight trains (and defense traffic in WWII) was maintained with quality performance [primarily because passenger and freight operations were separated on the 4-track mainline], all of this with manual control systems in place. In the 21st Century, the cost of highway and airline fuels has escalated the cost of travel significantly enough to make rail passenger services more desirable, especially with destination arrivals and departures conveniently located in city-centers. Today, the western Pennsylvania corridor is still physically present, but any passenger train still must contend with slower freight traffic on the line, especially during periods of track maintenance. You may hear that the route lacks “capacity” which is true, but only because that prior capacity was removed. But the corridor remains. We do acknowledge the need to serve the student population density of Pennsylvania State University at State College, PA. , but are also reminded that passenger services in the peak-passenger train-era provided for shuttle connections at Lewistown. This was functional because the railroad maintained schedule reliability. Reliable shuttle service could be established once again at Lewistown and Tyrone. In summation, the need and the demand for increased passenger services is there. The corridor is intact although minus some capacity. We recommend utilizing the existing corridor, possibly adding one track for the capacity. The concept of major line-straightening is probably cost-prohibitive, considering the advancements in railroad technology, which, among other things has eliminated the use of jointed-rail in favor of welded rail and improved signaling and digital/satellite communications. A further cost reduction might include the use of alternative passenger equipment such as the self-propelled DMU (Diesel Multiple Units as

developed by the former Colorado Rail Car Co., now under United States Rail Car Co., similar to the former technology of the Budd RDC (Rail Diesel Car). Respectfully submitted: Francis X. Givler, President, ottodocfacs@atlanticbb.net Joseph K. Harella, V.P. jkharella@gmail.com Denny Walls, Treasurer d63w@aol.com Joseph DeFrancesco, Secretary jdefrancesco5@verizon.net David W. Seidel, Chapter / Historian-Editor dwsnrhs@aol.com M. Richard Charlesworth, Past National Director charlesworth2@verizon.net www.hscnrhs.org “

NRHS CONVENTION 2015

Plans have been formulated for the annual convention of the National Railway Historical Society this year in Vermont, which is handy to the east coast particularly. For more information, go to: www.nrhs.com/2015_Convention.

•

“NORTHmeetsSOUTH”

GreatTrainShow&SalePresentedbyVTC&WB&A

OpentothePublic Saturday, May 9, 20159:00 AM To 5:00 PM

Admission: $5 (FREE Active Military (w/ID) & Children Under 12)

EaglesLodge 21 Cool Spring Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405

NOTE: 6 am. Saturday, May 9, 2015 for set up of your table (possible set up Friday from 12 5 call Russell 804 342 6023 (leavemessage if no answer) on or after May 6to see if possible).

**********************************************Detach Here**********************************************WB&A Chapter. Mail reservation, by April 25, 2015 adge/s will be provided at the

show

Phone: 804 342 6023; Email: jryouens@verizon.net Grand Total Due:

Phone: Email: Grand Total Due:VTC WB&A

I agree to abide by all rules of the VTC and/or the WB&A that may be in place from time to time.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING PROGRAM

“REMEMBERING RAIL CITY”Presented by Bob Groman

MARCH 18, 2015ART & HOME CENTER, NEW YORK STATE FAIRGROUNDS

THIS COULD BEYOUR LAST GREENBLOCK IF HAVEN’TPAID YOUR 2015

CHAPTER DUES ORGREEN BLOCKSUBSCRIPTION.

PLEASE CHECK TOSEE IF YOU HAVE

PAID. Chapter Dues &

Subscriptions haveincreased to $15 for 2015.

Please send your checkpayable to Central New York

Chapter, NRHS to:Tom Edwards

Membership Chairman202 Walrath Drive

Chittenango, NY 13037-1021 Chapter Dues are

separate and in addition to NRHS National Dues For administrative help

in paying National DuesOnline, Contact Al Kallfelz

Please Pay your Duesor Subscription Promptly

Visitors to Rail City wave from the top of a 50,000 gallon RR water tank from Lowville,NY. Engineer, Ray Owens and Fireman John Miller are in the cab of “Old 38” fromthe Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, Huntingdon, PA. Old 38 made theFinal Steam Passenger Run in New York State on the NLYC RR while enroute to RailCity on June 6, 1954. RCHM Photo Collection.

THE GREEN BLOCKMARCH 2015Volume 56 • Number 3

Official Publication of theCentral New York Chapter,

National Railway Historical Society, Inc.

www.cnynrhs.org

PAGE 2 THE GREEN BLOCK MARCH 2015

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING REPORTSubmitted by Jeff Paston, VP/Recording Secretary

THE GREEN BLOCK is published monthly by the Central New York Chapter, National RailwayHistorical Society, Inc., Box 229, Marcellus, NY 13108-0229. Statements and opinions expressedin THE GREEN BLOCK articles and editorials do not necessarily represent the policies or opinionsof the Central New York Chapter or the NRHS. Subscriptions are free with membership, and are$12.00 per year for non-members. Articles, photos, and announcements from chapter membersand from other NRHS Chapters are welcomed and appreciated. No paid advertising is accepted.

CNY CHAPTER OFFICERSPRESIDENT

Al Kallfelz (488-8208)president@cnynrhs.orgFIRST VICE PRESIDENTPhil Edwards (451-6551)

vpres1@cnynrhs.orgVICE PRESIDENT & RECORDING SEC’Y

Jeff Paston (682-8144)vpsecretary@cnynrhs.org

TREASURERJosie LeMay (289-3346)treasurer@cnynrhs.org

CORRESPONDING SECRETARYHerb Meinking (699-5198)

herbtrain@verizon.netNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Open Position2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phil Edwards Gus Nordone Tom Edwards Dick Palmer Al Kallfelz Jeff Paston Josie LeMay Tom Pierson Bob McNamara Bob Townsend Gerrit Vanderwerff

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONSELECTRONIC MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jeff Paston (682-8144)webmaster@cnynrhs.org

MEETING PROGRAM COORDINATORDick Palmer (475-8748)programs@cnynrhs.org

LIBRARIAN & ARCHIVISTDick Palmer (475-8748)library@cnynrhs.org

RAILROADIANA STORE MANAGERBob McNamara (939-6932)

shop@cnynrhs.orgSTATE FAIR DISPLAY COORDINATOR

Al Kallfelz (488-8208)MARTISCO STATION MUSEUM CURATOR

Open Positionmartisco@cnynrhs.org

CENTRAL SQUARE MUSEUM CURATORSBob Townsend (668-6727)Harvey Harke (676-3501)

csquare@cnynrhs.orgMEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON

Tom Edwardsmembership@cnynrhs.org

EDITOR & HISTORIANEd Post (635-9552)

greenblock@cnynrhs.orgFINANCIAL ADVISORPaul Shinal (568-5286)

pshinal@aol.comEQUIPMENT COORDINATOR

Jeff Hagan(cnycmo@aol.com)

EXCURSION COORDINATORRick Faigle (446-1423)

MODEL RR EXHIBIT COORDINATORPhil Edwards (451-6551)

modelrr@cnynrhs.orgMODEL TRAIN FAIR COORDINATORS

Phil Edwards (451-6551)Tom Pierson (447-2272)Jeff Paston (682-8144)

March 4, 2015Meeting called to order at 7:08 PM.Present: Directors Philip Edwards, TomEdwards, Al Kallfelz, Josie LeMay, BobMcNamara, Gus Nordone, Jeff Paston, andTom Pierson. Not present: DirectorsRichard Palmer, Bob Townsend, and GerritVanderwerff. Guest: Jeff Hagan.Minutes of the February 4, 2015, meetingwere approved.TREASURER'S REPORT: Josie LeMaysubmitted February report, which wasapproved. Josie reported that Iowa Pacifichas now made 28 payments towardpurchase of E8s. Josie presented end of yearChapter financial report for 2014.MEMBERSHIP: Tom Edwards reportedthat out of 42 Green Block subscribers,seven are not paid up to date; out of 169members, 49 are not paid up to date. Tomsaid he will notify those owing fundsthrough the Green Block. Tom reportedreceiving applications for studentmembership from Matt Rosenbloom-Jonesof Albany and William St. John ofJamestown.PROGRAM: Eleven members and guestsattended the February 18 member photomeeting. “Remembering Rail City” by BobGroman will be presented on March18. April's meeting will feature “MilkTrains North - NYO&W’s NorthernDivision Milk Train Service” by John Taibi.In May, Dick Palmer will present“Memories of the Lehigh Valley’s BlackDiamond Express.”OLD BUSINESS: Regarding a banquet tocelebrate the Chapter’s 75th anniversary,

the Board tentatively selected Saturday,June 6 for a banquet at the Empire Room.The Board suggested a price of $25 aperson.Al Kallfelz said Dick Palmer plans to pickup the collection of NYC locomotive roster(index) cards offered by a company inToronto.NEW BUSINESS: Jeff Paston and PhilEdwards expressed concern that a NewYork Central sign donated by Jeff about 30years ago from the side of a Flexivan trailerwas used to slide store inventory frominside the B&O car across high snowwithout regard for the historical value of thesign.CORRESPONDENCE: Notice aboutJune 20-21 being “Path Through HistoryWeekend.”DONATIONS: 1) Books and magazinesfrom member Max Smith. 2) Fourteenbooks from Susan Michaels of Pennellville.RAILROADIANA: Al Kallfelz thankedJeff Hagan and Bob McMamara for loading,transporting and staffing sales tables at theEastwood train show on Feb. 22. He alsothanked Syracuse Model RR Club membersfor unloading and loading at the show. Thestore will be at the Marathon Maple FestivalMarch 21 and 22. Al said he is still seekingvolunteers to assist. Al said he is working onstore inventory.Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM. Moved byPhil Edwards, seconded by Tom Edwards.Next meeting at Art & Home Center atFairgrounds on April 1 at 7:00 PM.Respectfully submitted,JEFF PASTON

MARATHON MAPLEFESTIVAL

Saturday, March 21& Sunday March 22

CNY Chapter Store willbe at this event.

Volunteers Needed to Help.Contact Al Kallfelz (488-8208)or Bob McNamara (939-6932)

75TH ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION

CENTRAL NEW YORKCHAPTER, NRHS

BANQUET - EMPIRE ROOMReserve the Evening ofSaturday, June 6, 2015

Speaker to Be Announced

MARCH 2015 THE GREEN BLOCK PAGE 3

April Green BlockDeadline

MARCH 24E-mail inputs to:Ed Post, Editor

greenblock@cnynrhs.orgOr: 7611 Merritt Drive

Baldwinsville, NY 13027315-635-9552

Visit Us on the Web athttp://www.cnynrhs.org

CHAPTER PROGRAMSNY State Fairgrounds

Art and Home BuildingWed. Mar. 18, 2015 - 7:30 PM“Remembering Rail City”

By Bob GromanWed. Apr. 15, 2015 - 7:30 PM

“NYO&W’s NorthernDivision Milk Train

Service”By John Taibi

Wed. May 20, 2015 - 7:30 PM“Memories of the LehighValley’s Black Diamond

Express”By Dick PalmerSat. June 6, 2015

CNY Chapter, NRHS75th Anniversary

Celebration BanquetEmpire Room

NY State Fairgrounds

EUROPEAN TRAINSHOW & SALE

Sunday, April 26, 201510:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Electric City Trolley MuseumCliff Street, Scranton, PA

Adjacent to Steamtown

For more information pleasecontact Gordon Davis atGhdavis81@Verizon.net.

Officials at the B&O Railroad Museumin Baltimore plan to commemorate the150th anniversary of President AbrahamLincoln’s funeral train on April 18-19. Aweekend full of commemorative events isplanned, including scheduled re-enactmentsof Lincoln’s funeral cortege and placing ofthe coffin in the center of the Museum’sNational Historic Landmark Roundhouse.

Visitors will be able to view anauthentic reproduction of Lincoln's casket.Civil War soldier and civilian re-enactorswill participate in the solemn ceremoniesand researched authentic funeral music willbe provided by the Federal City Brass Band.The Museum’s 1863 locomotive ThatcherPerkins will accompany the ceremony andbe decorated exactly like the LincolnFuneral Train. Each ceremony will be

narrated by noted author and guest curatorDaniel Carroll Toomey at 11:30 each day.

Visitors may view the casket andexhibits, and interact with soldier andcivilian mourners throughout the day. TheMuseum’s nationally acclaimed exhibit,“The War Came by Train,” will featurespecial artifacts, including an exactreproduction of the overcoat Lincoln woreon the night of his assassination made byBrooks Brothers, a hand-made scale modelof the Lincoln Funeral Car and Civil Warveteran’s ribbons and uniforms in galleryexhibits that highlights the events of theyear 1865 and the end of the War.

Admission is $18 for adults, $16 forseniors, $12 for children. For more aboutthe museum, go to www.borail.org.

Trains News Wire

LINCOLN FUNERAL TRAIN COMMEMORATIONB&O RAILROAD MUSEUM - APRIL 18 & 19

Editors NoteIn January’s Green Block, I included an

article regarding NRHS Dues that appearedin the Cinders, Philadelphia Chapter’sNewsletter. The article indicated thatFernley & Fernley was charging NRHS (notmembers) $12 to $15 for processing eachcheck they receive and as a result the articlerecommended that membership renewals bedone online to avoid the processing charge.

One of our CNY members complainedto NRHS about the $12 to $15 fee thatFernley & Fernley was charging NRHS,because he refuses to pay electronically.Jeff Smith, NRHS Editor, responded bystating that the information in Cinders is notcorrect. In an email, Jeff wrote, “There isno fee imposed by F&F to process checks.It is true that it costs NRHS less to processan electronic payment than one that comesin by mail but it is difficult to pin a numberon each transaction since they are done inlarge numbers simultaneously. Thedifference in costs is simply because a creditcard payment requires fewer steps toaccount for the transaction - in other words- we can automate more of the process thanwith a check payment.”

Jeff Smith’s reply is in direct conflictwith what was written by Mr. Eastwood,President and Editor of the PhiladelphiaChapter. But consider what NRHSNational wrote in their document, theDecember 2014 “NRHS Telegraph.” Thisdocument is sent to NRHS Chapterleadership every two months or so. It statesas follows:

“This is an update on how the NRHSintends to deal with dues collecting andreporting information back to the chapterson their paid members. By now, NRHSmembers in good standing have receivedtheir notices that their dues for 2015 arepayable to NRHS. Unlike recent years, for2015, NRHS is collecting the National duesdirectly from our membership. We areencouraging everyone to renew as soon aspossible, and to use the online option with acredit card instead of sending paper checksto Fernley & Fernley. When the memberuses the credit card option, we avoid payingFernley & Fernley a processing charge foreach paper check that they have to manuallyhandle and deposit. The online optionleaves more of the dues revenue available toNRHS and its programs rather than payingfor additional outside administrativesupport.”

This official NRHS document seems tosupport Mr. Eastwood, except it doesn’tdefine the amount of the charge (fee).Confusing, isn’t it?

Where does the truth lie? Suppose anF&F employee can reasonably process andrecord 10 paper membership renewal formsand checks per hour. That employee mightmake $20 per hour plus cost F&F another$30 per hour in the usual healthcareinsurance, employee benefits, overheadcharges, state unemployment taxes andother government levies for a total of $50per hour. Then each member paper renewaland check processed will cost NRHS $5.That is my best estimate, but please don’ttell NRHS and get me in trouble. - ED

PAGE 4 THE GREEN BLOCK MARCH 2015

CALENDAR OF EVENTSSaturday, March 7, 11 AM to 4 PM

ESPA Annual Meeting, Key Hall at Proctors,Schenectady, Contact bbecker@esparail to register

Saturday, March 7 (10 to 5) & Sunday, March 8 (1 to 5)Rochester Model RR Club Open House, FirstUniversalist Church, 150 Clinton Ave S, Rochester

Saturday, March 14 (10 AM to 3 PM)Binghamton Regional Train Show, AmericanLegion, 177 Robinson St., Binghamton, NY

Wednesday, March 18, 7:30 PMCNY Chapter Member Meeting,Art & Home Building, NY State Fairgrounds

Saturday, March 21 & Sunday, March 22Marathon Maple Festival, Marathon, NY

Sunday, March 22 (10 to 4)Kingston Model Train & Hobby Show, MurphyMidtown Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston, NY

Sunday, March 29 (9:30 AM to 3:30 PM)GSME Great Batavia Spring Show, Clarion Hotel,Batavia, NY

Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 PMCNY Chapter Board of Directors MeetingArt & Home Building, NY State Fairgrounds

Thursday, April 9 (11:00 AM to 12:30 PM)The Easter Express - 1 Hour Train Ride & EasterEgg Hunt, Medina RR Museum, Medina, NY

Sunday, April 12 (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)Rails Along the Mohawk Train Show, Main Street(Rte 5), Amsterdam, NY (ALCO Historical Society)

Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 PMCNY Chapter Member Meeting,

NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEMHISTORICAL SOCIETY

2015 CONVENTION & MEETINGUtica, New York

May 1 to May 3, 2015Registration Fee: $179 for Members

$179 plus $39 (Annual Dues)for Non-members

Excursion & EventsMay 1- Registration, Archive Open House, Layout

Tours, Afternoon & Evening Speakers, Timefor Historic Site & Hobby Store Visits

May 2 - Adirondack RR Utica to Thendara Trip, AnnualBanquet, Guest Speaker: John Taibi“Radiating out of Utica,” General MemberMeeting

May 3 - Train Show (Buy & Sell), PresentationsHost Hotel: Hotel Utica

For More Information & Registration Form:http://www.nycshs.net

Preliminary Metro-North Collision ReportThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its

preliminary report on the February 3rd collision between an MTAMetro-North Railroad train and a sport utility vehicle at a crossingin Valhalla, N.Y.

The collision caused six fatalities, including the SUV driver.About 650 passengers were on board the train.

The NTSB's preliminary findings confirmed earlier reportsthat the train was traveling below the 60 mph speed limit and hadslowed to 49 mph when the train hit the SUV, which was stoppedon the tracks in the crossing. Witnesses reported the driver of theSUV was stopped in the crossing before the gates lowered. Whenthe gate struck the rear portion of the SUV, the driver got out tolook at the back of her vehicle, then got back in the vehicle, droveforward and was struck by the train.

Based on a preliminary review of the train's event recorder,investigators believe the train was traveling at 58 mph beforeemergency braking was applied and the horn was operated inaccordance with operating rules on the approach to the crossing.The recorder indicated the train engineer activated the emergencybrakes about 300 feet before the collision after seeing what hecharacterized as “a vehicle partially fouling the crossing.” In thefour seconds after applying the emergency braking, the trainslowed to 49 mph, at which time it hit the SUV.

The train and SUV continued to move northbound after theimpact, resulting in damage to the third rail on the west side of thetrack. The third rail detached, pierced the SUV and then entered thefirst rail car in two locations. Twelve sections of the third rail —each 39 feet long — were found inside the first rail car. The trainand vehicle finally came to rest about 650 feet from the point of thecollision.

The collision resulted in a fire that consumed the SUV and thelead rail car.

The NTSB will conduct a metallurgical examination of someof the third rail, agency officials said. Samples from the interior ofthe lead train car also will be examined by investigators forcompliance with fire protection standards, they said.

Damage was estimated by Metro-North at $3.7 million. Inaddition to the NTSB, those involved in the ongoing investigationinclude the Federal Railroad Administration, Metro-North, theCommuter Rail Employees, the town of Mount Pleasant, and theNew York Public Transportation Safety Board.

Progressive Railroading, February 25, 2015

Hazardous Road Design Is the Real CauseIt takes only one good look to realize this grade crossing is an

accident about to happen. The road, Commerce Street, crosses thetracks at a 45 degree angle. To see if a train is coming, a driver hasto look 135 degrees to the right, an uncomfortable position yieldingan obscured view due to vehicle center posts and headrests.

A hundred feet beyond the grade crossing, a traffic light at theTaconic State Parkway causes traffic to back up on CommerceStreet. Vehicles can easily end up on the grade crossing having towait in line for a green traffic light unless drivers are completelyaware and are extremely careful.

The New York State DOT should not have created such adangerous driving situation.

This unsafe grade crossing should be eliminated. CommerceStreet should be dead-ended and barricaded at the tracks. - ED

MARCH 2015 THE GREEN BLOCK PAGE 5

RAIL PRESERVATION NEWSFort Wayne Plan Includes Home for #765

The city of Fort Wayne and its consultant SWA Group haverevealed the master plan for the 700 acres of downtown riverfront.As part of the first phase of enhancements, SWA has recommendedthe inclusion of Headwaters Junction, a railroad tourist attractionfeaturing the collection and operations of the Fort Wayne RailroadHistorical Society, including Nickel Pate Road 2-8-4 No. 765.

Initial plans call for Headwaters Junction to include a recreatedroundhouse, which would include a turntable, small yard, andinterpretive facility for display and exhibition, as well as a mixeduse venue for private and public events. Visitors would be able toboard excursions, tour the facilities, and participate in hands-onactivities. Additionally, educational outreach programs targetingyoung adults would be offered, allowing high school students theopportunity to learn welding and preservation skills, as well asexperience working on a railroad.

The historical society would use Headwaters Junction toexpand its operations and events. An adjoining railroad right-of-way would be reactivated for tourist train service with annualoperations that would include events like dinner trains, the PolarExpress, and others throughout the year.

Total cost for the entire riverfront plan is estimated at $200million, with projections for the construction of HeadwatersJunction ranging between $10-20 million. Trains News Wire

Altoona Museum Moves into RoundhouseThe Railroaders' Memorial Museum is now able to make use

of its new roundhouse. Construction has been underway for morethan two years.

Museum officials decided to move several significant items ofrolling stock into the building. Those include PennsylvaniaRailroad GG-1 electric locomotive No. 4913, Pullman solariumobservation Loretto, Vulcan-built 0-4-0T Nancy, and BroadwayLimited observation lounge Mountain View.

The building also provides classroom space for Penn State'srailroad engineering and management classes. Trains News Wire

Historic WV 2-8-0 to Return HomeThe North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation has

reached an agreement to sell Buffalo Creek & Gauley 2-8-0 No. 4,a 1926 Baldwin-built steam locomotive with deep West Virginiaroots, to the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad for restorationand operation in the Mountain State.

The locomotive will move this spring to the shop in Cass,W.Va., at the Cass Scenic Railroad, now operated by the Durbin &Greenbrier Valley, for the completion of boiler work and otherrepairs. The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley hopes to complete therestoration in time for the locomotive’s 90th birthday in 2016.

When completed, the locomotive will appear as it did in theearly 1960s when it gained fame as one of the last steamlocomotives in regular service in the U.S. Because it was asaturated steam locomotive, it often showed signs of leakage on itssmokebox front, thus earning it the nickname “Old Slobberface.”

The Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia built thelocomotive for use in Mexico, but instead it was sold to the BuffaloCreek & Gauley in Clay County, W.Va. There it became one of themost photographed steam locomotives in the East, making its lastrun in 1965.

The locomotive was sold to the Pennsylvania-basedQuakertown & Eastern excursion operation in 1967; the SouthwestVirginia Scenic Railroad in Hiltons, Va., in 1972; and the nonprofitsupport organization for the North Carolina TransportationMuseum in 1978. It was restored in 1986 and lettered andnumbered as a replica of Southern Railway 2-8-0 No. 604, whichhad been based at Spencer. The locomotive pulled the museum’sown 3-mile train ride for years. It last operated in November 2001and was partially restored in the 2000s before other priorities at themuseum resulted in the restoration being stopped. Proceeds fromthe sale will be used to upgrade the museum’s permanent rollingstock. Trains News Wire

B&LE 2-10-4 #643 May Get New HomeThe saga of Bessemer & Lake Erie 2-10-4 No. 643, which has

long languished in outdoor storage in McKees Rocks, may finallybe coming to a close. According to a report in the PittsburghTribune-Review, the locomotive may be put on display in nearbyTarentum, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. Thecity is the recipient of a $500,000 Federal CommunityDevelopment Block Grant, and is planning to spend $250,000 tobuild a pavilion to house No. 643.

Baldwin built No. 643 in 1943. After steam was phased out onthe Bessemer, the engine was retained and stored in the roundhousein Greenville. It is the last remaining B&LE 2-10-4 from a fleet of47. The engine remained stored by the railroad until 1983, when itwas sold to Pittsburgh rail enthusiast Glen Campbell. Campbellrestored and test fired the engine in the late 1980s, but it neverpulled any excursions. It has been stored outdoors at the AGFWarehouse in an industrial area of McKees Rocks for several years.

If the engine is moved, it will have to be trucked out of itscurrent location, since the track it rests on is no longer connectedto the rail network. Trains News Wire

N&W No. 611 Completes Hydro TestThe Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) announced on

February 20th, that Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611 hascompleted the hydrostatic test of the boiler as required by federalregulations.

“The restoration is progressing quickly,” said Beverly T.Fitzpatrick, Jr., VMT's executive director. “We expect the Norfolk& Western Class J 611™ to return to her home in Roanoke inmid-2015. The mechanical team in Spencer, North Carolina, isworking seven days per week to make this happen safely. We areso proud of their hard work and dedication to this restoration.”

Fitzpatrick said that the 611's Homecoming and excursionschedule is being developed with the help of Norfolk Southern.

Virginia Museum of Transportation

GE Donates Locomotive Control Stand General Electric has donated a locomotive control stand to the

Lake Shore Railway Historical Society and Museum in North East,PA. The artifact will be placed in the museum later this year.

The control stand was used in one of the test labs at GE formany years and is similar to what was installed in many Dash-8series locomotives. Instead, it was used in Building 42 as part of aDash-7 simulator. It has the No.1 serial number. Trains News Wire

PAGE 6 THE GREEN BLOCK MARCH 2015

Text & Photos by Ed PostThe 2015 NRHS National Convention

is headquartered in Rutland, Vermont just amodest trip from Syracuse, so it is likelythat a number of CNY Chapter memberswill attend. Most all excursions are on theVermont Rail System (VRS) rail lines.

This article presents an overview of theVRS locomotive roster and presents a mapof the VRS rail lines as a preparation for theconvention.

In January 1964, the Vermont Railway(VTR) began service over 125 miles offormer Rutland Railway from Burlington toWhite Creek, N.Y., including a 4.5-milestretch of track between North Benningtonand Bennington.

Over the years VTR, has absorbedother Vermont rail lines. Currently, theVermont Railway System consists of fiverailroads:

1) Vermont Railway operates betweenBennington/Hosick Falls, and Burlington.

2) Green Mountain Railroad operatesbetween Bellows Falls and Rutland,

3) Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad,operates a 24 mile former D&H line fromRutland to Whitehall, NY and servesseveral limestone and marble plants in theRutland area,

Vermont Railway System Hosts 2015 NRHS Convention Excursions

Green Mountain Alco RS-1 No. 405 is at Bellows Falls Amtrak Station on the headend of the Green Mountain Flyer tourist train in the Autumn of 2004. No. 405 is theonly non-EMD locomotive on the VRS roster and has served on Vermont Railroadsever since being delivered to the Rutland Railway in 1951. The 1000 horsepower 405is primarily used as power for the passenger tourist trains, but has updated brakingand multiple unit controls, so can also help out the EMDs in freight service.

Green Mountain Alco RS-1 No. 405 is hauling the Green Mountain Flyer back toBellows Falls Station. The bridge is over the canal that parallels the ConnecticutRiver. The track branching off joins the New England Central rail line that goesthrough the Bellows Falls tunnel and heads south to Palmer, Massachusetts. Just20 yards ahead of No. 405, the New England Central (NECR) rails cross the VRS railsand onto a bridge over the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. The NECR linegoes north on the eastern side of the Connecticut River and crosses back intoVermont at Windsor and continues north to White River Junction.

4) Washington County Railroad operates104 miles between White River Junctionand Newport.

5) New York & Ogdensburg Railway isbetween Ogdensburg and Norfork, NY.

The Vermont Railway System has aroster of 23 locomotives most of which aresecond-hand models. All are EMD’s exceptfor ALCO RS-1, #405, which is a gempainted in Green Mountain colors and isnamed the “F. Nelson Blount” in memory ofthe founder of Steamtown. The locomotiveshave paint schemes and lettering for theindividual railroads in the system. VRSlocomotives are shared by all rail lines inthe system which makes for interesting andcolorful locomotive combinations

Today, the Vermont Rail Systemoperates over 350 miles of track with itsfamily of over 125 dedicated railroaders.The railroad hauls over 25,000 cars eachyear, with nearly 90% of traffic servingVermont businesses.

VRS maintains interchanges with:Canadian Pacific, CSX Transportation,New England Central (NECR), CentralMaine & Quebec, Pan Am Southern, andCanadian National Railway via NECR, andalso hosts Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express.

On January 1, 2014, the Vermont RailSystem celebrated 50 years of continuousfamily-owned and operated service. .

For more on the Vermont Rail Systemsee the December 2014 issue of Trains or goonline at www.vermontrailway.com, twoof the information sources used for thisshort article along with Trains News Wire.

MARCH 2015 THE GREEN BLOCK PAGE 7

Rutland’s Amtrak Station from which most excursions depart.

2015 NRHS CONVENTIONRutland, Vermont

Excursions on Vermont Rail SystemJune 14 - Green Mountain Railroad charter photo

freight from Rutland to Smithville & returnJune 16 - Green Mountain Railroad charter train from

Rutland to Bellows Falls and return,June 18 - Vermont Railway charter train from Rutland

to Burlington/Shelburne Museum and returnJune 19 - Rare Mileage Trip on Clarendon & Pittsford

charter train to the Omya Verpool/West Plantnear Florence, Vermont (Bus one way)

June 20 - Vermont Railway charter train from Rutlandto Hoosick Junction and return

June 21 - Green Mountain Railroad charter train fromRutland to Ludlow and return

For More Information & Tickets:http://www.nrhs.com/2015_Convention

RoadNYOGVTRVTRCLPCLPVTRVTRVTRVTR

GMRCVTR

GMRCGMRCCLPVTRVTRVTRVTRVTR

GMRCVTRCLP

GMRC

No.14

201202203204205206207301302303304305306307308310311312405801802804

ModelSW900GP38-2GP38-2GP38

GP38-2GP38-3GP38-3GP38-3GP40GP40

GP40-2GP40GP40

GP40-2GP40-2GP40-2

GP40-2LWGP40-2LW

GP40-3RS1

GP18GP16GP9R

Built19511972197419661973196919691969196719711977197119701972198419771976197619671951196119791955

Acq’dUnk.1972197419911996200520112011199319971998199819992000200420052005200520091965198319931992

HeritageCRI&P (1)

NewNew (2)

MEC 255SCL 528PC 7764

SOU 2741SOU 2718WA 701

B&O 4017B&M 314B&O 3756SCL 1606

TO&E D-15SSW 7255B&M 303CN 9650

CN 9662 (3)DRGW 3077

RUT 405TPW 600

ACL 103 (4)N&W 13

NOTES(1) Owned by Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority(2) Lettered Washington County Railroad(3) Painted in 50th anniversary scheme(4) Built as ACL GP7 #103 in 1950, rebuilt by SCL to GP16

ABBREVIATIONSCLP - Clarendon & Pittsford RailroadGMRC - Green Mountain RailroadNY&OC - New York & Ogdensburg RailwayVTR - Vermont RailwayACL - Atlantic Coast LineB&M - Boston & MaineB&O - Baltimore & OhioCN - Canadian NationalCRIP - Chicago, Rock Island & PacificDRGW - Denver & Rio Grande WesternMEC - Maine CentralN&W - Norfolk & WesternPC - Penn CentralRUT - RutlandSCL - Seaboard Coast LineSOU - SouthernSSW - St. Louis SouthwesternTO&E - Texas, Oklahoma & EasternTPW - Toledo, Peoria & WesternWA - Western of Alabama

VRS LOCOMOTIVE ROSTER

NY& OgdensburgRailway

VRS Rail Lines

VRS Trackage Rights

PAGE 8 THE GREEN BLOCK MARCH 2015

By Gordon H. Davis& Malcolm Young

Photos Scanned by Dick Palmer[This article was originally written for

the West Winfield Star, a weeklynewspaper covering some of the UnadillaValley communities. It was a joint effort ofthe New York and Syracuse Chapters of theNRHS. It appeared in the December 1961issue of the Green Block.]

To the Parlor Car patron of the 1880’s,Bridgewater, New York was but aninconvenient stop on the run to RichfieldSprings, the Vichy of Upstate New York.However, to certain New York Citypromoters, the town represented a startingpoint for a railway to tap the rich milk-producing area of the Unadilla RiverValley.

A charter for a railroad from Bridgewater to New Berlin wasgranted in 1890, and during the ensuing year the financing of theUnadilla Valley railroad was accomplished.

The year of 1892 saw the first rail in place and the gradingand track laying gangs alley toward New Berlin. The financialpanic of 1893 brought construction to a standstill, the Italiantrack workers turning temporarily to cheese making. The panicwas short-lived, and by October of 1894 the rails had reachedWest Edmeston and regular service was inaugurated between thatpoint and Bridgewater.

July of 1895 marked the completion of the line to NewBerlin, whose Citizens turned out for a gala celebration. Aparade of two brass bands, six fire companies and a hundredwheel riders trouped before the 8000 spectators. The Mayor, inhis address of welcome, stated: “Now we have a railroad and adoctor, now what we need is a shoemaker.”

Service in the early years was afforded by threeaccommodations each way, a day, hauled by the line’s two

THE UNADILLA VALLEY RAILROAD

locomotives, the Merlyn and the Pendragon. Although some ofthe trains were but freights with a coach attached to the rear, thetravelers from the valley were reasonably certain of makingconnections with the scheduled trains of the Lackawanna atBridgewater.

Although the early years were considered good ones, it soonbecame apparent that the Unadilla Valley was headed forfinancial difficulty. In 1904 the line went into receivership. Dr.Lewis Morris of the neighboring Butternut Valley than assumedcontrol of the line, and while under the Doctor’s control saw itsmost profitable times. On occasion when the Doctor’s father-in-law, copper baron Senator Andrew Clark, would come to visit hisdaughter, his private railway car would be attached to thescheduled train for the run into New Berlin.

With the advent of the automobile, passenger traffic on theline declined, and in the 1920’s the line invested in a gasolinerailbus, an attempt to reverse the flow of passenger traffic awayfrom the railroad. In 1924 the railbus, heading south fromBridgewater and executing its superiority over freight trains methead-on with a northbound freight, killing one passenger and theconductor. Following the investigation of this accident it wasrecommended that the line cease hauling passengers.

Although 1929 was one of the line’s most profitable years,the early Thirties again found the Company in the financialdoldrums. In 1939 the H. E. Salzberg Company, railroaddismantlers and equipment dealers, gained control of theUnadilla Valley. The Salzberg interests give the railroad a newlease on life, preferring to operate the line instead of dismantlingit.

In August of 1938 Henry Luce’s glossy financial magazine“Fortune” gave the Unadilla Valley Railroad national recognitionin a full-length article on grass roots railroading.

The Unadilla Valley, in 1941, increased its trackage bypurchasing the 21 mile Edmeston Branch of the New York,Ontario and Western Railroad. The Second World War found the

This illustration graced the Christmas Cards of Mr. & Mrs.Halbert Hiteman, owners of one of the showplaces along theUnadilla Valley Railroad. In her ink drawing Mrs. Hitemandepicts one of the line’s steam locos hauling its train of carsacross their farmstead. Continued on Next Page

Unadilla Valley Railway 4-4-0 #1 “Pendragon” is at New Berlin Junction, ca 1942.Built in 1895 by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works, it served the railroad for manyyears and was scrapped in 1946.

MARCH 2015 THE GREEN BLOCK PAGE 9

Unadilla Valley #2 4-6-0, was built in 1895 by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works.Named “Merlyn”, it only stayed with the railroad for a few years.

No. 6, a 4-6-0 Ten-wheeler, is hauling a mixed train on the Unadilla Valley Railway.

UV Railway No. 7, a 2-6-0 Mogul, was former NYO&W #42 and was scrapped in 1956.

This view of the Unadilla Valley Railway’s New Berlin Station is from about 1907.

U. V. with forty miles of track fromBridgewater to New Berlin and fromEdmeston to New Berlin Junction, and aroster of locomotives that included theoriginal Pendragon, two Prairie typespurchased in 1918, a graceful ten-wheeler,and a Mogul acquired with the purchase ofthe Edmeston Branch.

With the end of hostilities, theUnadilla Valley started its gradual decline.As the years passed the milk carsdisappeared from the line, the milkcompanies finding it more economical touse tank trucks. The feed companies ofEdmeston and New Berlin supported theline for the rest of its existence. In order tocut their operating expenses, the U.V.turned to diesel power, and sent theirsteam locomotives to the scrap merchantin the early fifties.

By the end of 1959 the handwritingwas on the wall—declining revenues anddeferred maintenance brought about thedecision to abandon the line.

The dismantling operation started inthe summer of 1960 and on November21st, the line’s orange and yellow diesellocomotives left the Unadilla ValleyRailroad for the last time. The last fewrails were removed by truck and therailroad is now but a memory.

Gone are the days of the steamlocomotives, the echo of the whistle as theengineer blows for River Forks, thefireman who waved to the farmer’schildren hanging on the barnyard gate, alasgone forever are the two steel rails thatmeandered through the hedge-rows andalong the river bank on toward NewBerlin…….New Berlin with only a doctor.

PAGE 10 THE GREEN BLOCK MARCH 2015

J=======KL=======RAILROAD NEWS BRIEFSNational Train Day to Amtrak Train Days

In 2015, America’s Railroad® is launching Amtrak TrainDays (ATD) to celebrate with local communities why trains matterand reasons to ride. Due to the past success of the “National TrainDay”, Amtrak is expanding its community program from multipleevents on a single day to individual events over the course ofspring, summer and fall.

Amtrak Train Days will demonstrate why “Trains Matter” bysharing with the local communities we serve the ‘reasons to ride’the train. ATD will focus on reaching current and new audiencesacross America to reinforce the importance, benefits and value ofpassenger train travel.

ATD will officially kick off on May 9, 2015 at Chicago UnionStation and then will travel across the country during the summerand fall. ATD celebrations will feature a combination of outreachtools, including a dedicated tour of the Amtrak Exhibit Train inselect markets, interactive displays of the Amtrak experience atevents sponsored by community organizations, Amtrak employeeguest speakers, media and event promotions, and an ATD toolkit tosupport local community activities.

Communities from across the nation are invited to join in thecelebration of passenger train travel by hosting their own ATDevents during 2015. For more info visit AmtrakTrainDays.com.

Amtrak Press Release

Oscar Munoz Named CSX PresidentCSX Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has

unanimously elected Oscar Munoz as president, CSX Corporation,overseeing operations, sales and marketing, human resources,service design and information technology. Munoz assumes thisnew role immediately and also remains chief operating officer.

Michael Ward Continues as CSX Chairman & CEO.Munoz has served CSX as both chief operating officer and

chief financial officer. Before joining CSX in 2003, Munoz wasAT&T Consumer Services chief financial officer and vice president.

CSX also announced the promotion of Vice President andChief Transportation Officer Cindy Sanborn to the position ofexecutive vice president-operations, reporting to Munoz. In her 25years with CSX, Sanborn has risen through the operatingdepartment to a number of senior leadership roles, including vicepresident of Northern Region operations. CSX Press Release

Port of NY & NJ Set Cargo Record in 2014The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)

set a new cargo record in 2014 at 3,342,286 units, surpassing theprevious high-water mark recorded in 2012.

Annual volume rose 5.4 percent versus 2013's total and 4.1percent versus 2012's mark. The cargo flow enabled PANYNJ tomaintain its position as the East Coast's busiest port, with nearly 30percent of total market share, authority officials said in a pressrelease.

ExpressRail — PANYNJ’s ship-to-rail system serving NewYork and New Jersey marine terminals — also set a new record at465,405 containers, up 9.3 percent year over year. The previousrecord of 433,481 containers was set in 2012.

China remained the port's top import nation last year with923,975 containers. Germany was No. 2 at 179,715 containers andIndia was No. 3 at 176,621 containers. The top importedcommodities were furniture, beverages and appliances.

However, the port reported a 12.8 percent decrease in vehicleshandled, from 451,900 units in 2013 to 393,931 in 2014. To attractnew vehicle business, the authority began an incentive program inApril 2014 aimed at attracting new automobile manufacturers tothe port and providing incentives to existing customers.

Progressive Railroading

UP, CSX and NS among ‘Most Admired’Three Class I Railroads earned high marks on Fortune

Magazine’s annual “Most Admired” companies list. Union PacificRailroad was named the most admired company in the Trucking,Transportation and Logistics category for the fifth year in a row,with CSX Corp. coming in at second and Norfolk Southern Rail-way listed fourth.

UP was ranked No. 1 in all nine reputation attributes identifiedby Fortune: innovation; people management; use of corporateassets; social responsibility; quality of management; financialsoundness; long-term investment value; quality ofproducts/services; and global competitiveness.

Progressive Railroading

CN Sets Grain Movement RecordsCanadian National Railway moved 18 per cent more grain

hopper cars in first-half of the 2014-15 crop year than during sameperiod of the 2013-14 crop year

During the 2013-14 crop year, CN helped Canada to disposeof its largest-ever crop -- at 77 million tonnes -- and set an all-timerecord for grain exports at 42 million tonnes. CN's strongperformance in 2014-15 is helping Canada's grain supply chain tobe on track for another banner year. CN Press Release

FBI Investigating SC DerailmentFederal officials have confirmed they are investigating a CSX

Transportation derailment in Martin, near the Georgia state line.The FBI is leading the investigation into the January 27 incident,which the agency believes may have been intentionally caused.

The train involved ran onto a customer's spur, causing achemical leak and evacuations in the area. The railroad is nowoffering a $10,000 reward for information regarding the derailment.

Trains News Wire

$120 million for LIRR's Hicksville ProjectNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced a $120

million project to rehabilitate an MTA Long Island Rail Road(LIRR) station in Hicksville, N.Y.

Of the total funds, $68.7 million will cover the cost of thestation rehabilitation, which is scheduled for completion in 2019.Poor drainage, cracked concrete and aging elevators and escalatorsrank among the Hicksville station's current structural issues.

The remaining $52.3 million will go toward constructing theHicksville north track siding. Siding construction is aimed atincreasing the speed and frequency of the service followingcompletion of the ongoing East Side Access Project, which willcreate a direct route from LIRR lines into Grand Central Terminalin Manhattan. That project is slated for completion in 2022.

Progressive Railroading

MARCH 2015 THE GREEN BLOCK PAGE 11

J=======KL=======RAILROAD NEWS BRIEFSNew Locomotive Deliveries Begin

General Electric has begun shipping the first of its Tier 4“Credit User” locomotives to customers this month. Both CanadianNational and BNSF Railway are the first to receive newlocomotives from GE’s Erie and Ft. Worth, Texas, plants,respectively. A Credit User locomotive is essentially a Tier 3emissions-equipped locomotive built after the January 1, 2015implementation date for Tier 4 emissions.

General Electric was able to generate and bank credits by theuse of its Energy Saving Design Features such as DistributedPower and Consist Manager on existing GE locomotives. Thesecredits can then be applied to new locomotives to offset thedifference between the differing emission requirements of Tier 3and Tier 4. Any locomotive built using credits will be labeled assuch on the builders plate on the locomotive. General Electric alsohas a handful of orders this year for non-Tier locomotives to NorthAmerican customers, which can only be used in locations outsideof the U.S.

General Electric plans to build only Credit User and non-Tierlocomotives during the first part of 2015, and begin the switchoverto production of Tier 4 locomotives beginning in the second quarterof this year. Industry observers expect that GE will continue tobuild Credit User locomotives through at least 2016.

Class I railroads have also announced their upcoming 2015locomotive purchases in the latest quarterly earnings call toinvestors. Only two railroads are sitting out this year for newlocomotive purchases: Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific.The rest will be acquiring new power from General Electric thisyear, totaling almost 900 locomotives. These orders are: BNSF,310; CN, 90; CSX, 200; KCS, 50; UP,218. Trains News Wire

Rail Supplier NewsGeorgetown Rail Equipment has received a notice of

allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for thecompany's recently released X-ray backscatter inspectiontechnology. The technology is designed to find flaws deep withintrack components that traditional inspection methods might notreveal.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's (UIUC)Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) received a$2.4 million grant from the US DOT to improve rail safety andinfrastructure.

Alstom will supply Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) with fourPendolino high-speed trains under a contract worth $131 million.The trains are slated to run various routes from Milan.

Alstom has been awarded a contract worth $169.7 million bythe Swedish operator Skanetrafiken to supply 25 Coradia Nordicregional trains for Skane region, in the south of Sweden. Each trainwill have four cars with a capacity to carry up to 510 passengers.

Alstom announced that it will provide maintenance servicesfor 75 passenger cars on Serco’s "Caledonian Sleeper" trains in theUnited Kingdom under a $142 million, 15-year contract. The termsof the agreement cover both current units and Serco’s eventualacquisition of a new fleet in 2018.

Alstom unveiled its new 214-passenger regional train,Regiolis, which will provide service in the Provence-Alpes-Coted'Azur region in France.

New York Air Brake announced its first shipment of DB-60II air brake control valves, which will be used on tank carstransporting Bakken crude oil by rail. The new control valvesfeature a mechanism that works to replenish brake cylinderpressure when a leak occurs.

Alstom will provide 30 coupled Citadis X05 trams for a newtramway system in Sydney under a $1.59 billion contract. TheTransport for New South Wales awarded the contract to a four-company consortium known as ALTRAC in December 2014.Alstom will provide trams, power supply equipment, signalingsystems and an energy recovery system, and maintain the tramway.

Progressive Railroading

Tiger Cool Express Buys 200 New Rail UnitsTiger Cool Express purchased 200 refrigerated rail container

units from China's Qingdao CIMC Special Reefer Co. Ltd.Tiger Cool Express will begin receiving units in early May,

and the company has the option to order 300 additional units by theend of 2015. Following the acquisition, Tiger Cool Express'refrigerated container fleet will increase to 734 units.

Formed in September 2013, Tiger Cool Express providestemperature-controlled intermodal equipment and manages long-haul intermodal freight transportation for produce and foodstuffs.

Progressive Railroading

Port Settlement to Increase Rail TrafficFederal intervention has helped settle the labor dispute that

snarled West Coast ports, hampered U.S. and Asian businesses,and cut intermodal rail traffic.

This is likely to result in a vigorous push by ports and railroadsto undo the damage from months of reduced productivity. UnionPacific is positioning additional assets - locomotives, cars and traincrews – to support the expected increase in demand.

Some damage may be irreparable, however, as retailers missseasonal shipments still in containers offshore and farmers watchexport produce spoil. As many as 50 ships are reported to be atanchor, with more than 30 of them waiting to berth at Los Angelesand Long Beach. Trains News Wire

NJ DOT Grants $4.3 Million for Rail BridgeThe New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has

announced awarding a $4.3 million grant to replace a rail bridgespanning Overpeck Creek in Ridgefield Park. Built in the early1900s, the bridge serves as a critical freight-rail link in the region,averaging 25,000 rail cars per year.

The three-span bridge's north and south approaches wererehabilitated in 1985. The current project calls for replacing allthree spans with a new steel bent system and steel superstructure,as well as installing new steel and concrete abutments on the northand south sides. Progressive Railroading

Volkswagen Selects Jacksonville PortVolkswagen Group plans to import and distribute new

Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley vehicles at the 85-acre AMPORTSfacility at JAXPORT, beginning May 1. CSX Transportationserves JAXPORT's Blount Island Marine Terminal, where theAMPORTS facility is located. Progressive Railroading

THE GREEN BLOCK BACK PAGECENTRAL NEW YORK CHAPTER, NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC

• 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Phil Edwards • Tom Edwards • Albert Kallfelz • Josie LeMay Bob McNamara • Gus Nordone • Dick Palmer • Jeff Paston

Tom Pierson • Robert Townsend • Gerrit Vanderwerff• OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS •

President ................................................................................ Al KallfelzFirst Vice President ......................................................... Phil EdwardsVice President & Recording Secretary ............................. Jeff PastonTreasurer ........................................................................... Josie LeMayCorresponding Secretary ............................................. Herb MeinkingNational Representative ............................................................... OpenElectronic Media Coordinator ............................................ Jeff PastonProgram Coordinator .........................................................Dick PalmerLibrarian and Archivist ..................................................... Dick PalmerRailroadiana Store Managers ..................................... Bob McNamaraState Fair Display Coordinator ............................................ Al KallfelzMartisco Museum Curator ............................................................ OpenCentral Square Museum Curators ....... Harvey Harke & Bob TownsendMembership Chairperson ...............................................Tom EdwardsEditor & Historian ..................................................................... Ed PostFinancial Advisor ................................................................ Paul ShinalEquipment Coordinator ....................................................... Jeff HaganExcursion Coordinator ....................................................... Rick FaigleModel RR Exhibit Coordinator ....................................... Phil Edwards

CHAPTER MEETINGSChapter meetings are held on the third Wednesday ofeach month and the Board of Directors meet the firstWednesday of each month in the Art and Home Centerat the New York State Fairgrounds.

ANNUAL DUES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015

Regular Members are adults more than 24 years old.Student Members are ages 13 thru 24.

Family Members are family members living in thesame household as a Regular or Student Member.

Youth Members are children ages 5 thru 12. Additional Members have their main NRHSmembership with another NRHS Chapter.

Additional and Youth Members do not have CNYChapter voting privileges.

Green Block Subscriptions (Non-members) are $15.Dues and Subscriptions run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31

Member CategoryRegularStudentFamilyYouth

Additional

National$50$16$7$5

------

Chapter$15$15$5

$15$15

Total$65$31$12$20$15

Eastbound tank train on CSX’s main track 1 at Oakland Road, Weedsport, NY. Photo by Ed Post, February 27, 2015.

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 1

GULF COAST RAILROADINGOfficial Publication of the Gulf Coast Chapter – NRHS, Inc., and Texas Railroading Heritage Museum

Vol. 53, No. 1 ••••• January 2015

Judges for the Chapter’s 31st Annual RailroadPhotography Contest were “wowed” by a number ofthe entries, but in the final tally the Best of Show wasobvious.

Fred Stigale’s stunning photograph of five loggingengines under steam at the Cass Scenic Railroad inWest Virginia scored 42 of 45 possible points, earningFred the David M. See Best of Show award for2014. Fred also won the Robert H. SunderlandPeople’s Choice award for a fine portrait of restoredPennsylvania Railroad E-8 No. 5809 taken at theStreamliners at Spencer event at the North CarolinaTransportation Museum. After the first tally of the

Judges find a lot to like in 2014 photo contestby Tom Marsh

People’s Choice votes, the group attending theNovember Chapter membership meeting had to breaka five-way tie for the award.

Six photographers submitted a total of 68 photo-graphs in 19 categories to the 2014 photo contest; fivecategories for black & white photos received noentries. We extend thanks to everyone who partici-pated as a photographer or judge.

Full contest results can be found on page 6. Andremember: It’s not too soon to start thinking aboutyour entries for the 2015 contest!

(Chapter Photo Contest - continued on page 6)

Five Cass Scenic Railroad logging locomotives send steam and smoke skyward in West Virginia; this dramatic shot won theDavid M. See Best of Show Award in the 31st Gulf Coast Chapter Photo Contest. Photo by Fred Stigale

Have you renewed your Gulf Coast Chapter membership for 2015? Deadline is January 31!

2 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

Welcome Aboard!

Bill Pollard

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

The Annual Corporate Meeting of the Gulf Coast Chapter - National RailwayHistorical Society, Inc., will be held.on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 7:30 p.m. atValley Ranch Grill & Barbeque. See Annual Corporate Meeting page 5 for direc-tions.

Contributing to Gulf Coast Railroading: we welcome submissions. The deadlinefor submitting material to the editor is the 12th day of the month prior to therespective cover date. Material may be submitted on a CD or DVD in text or Wordformat along with a hard copy, or e-mailed as text or with a Word or text attachmentto wwillits@comcast.net, or you may mail a typed or printed copy to: W. E. Willits,Editor, P.O. Box 457, Houston, TX 77001-0457. Time-sensitive news items will begiven priority over general interest subjects. The editor reserves the right to edit,hold or omit material at his discretion.

GULF COAST

RAILROADING

Vol. 53, No. 1 • January 2015

Gulf Coast Railroading is published10 times each year by Gulf CoastChapter, National Railway Histori-cal Society, Inc., P.O. Box 457,Houston, TX 77001-0457. Opinionsexpressed herein may not reflect theofficial position of the Gulf CoastChapter or the National Railway His-torical Society.

Editor ................. W. E. (Bill) WillitsCirculation .......... J. Dorcz, P. Jones

Gulf Coast Chapter, National Rail-way Historical Society, Inc. is anon-profit, 501(c)(3) educational or-ganization incorporated under thelaws of the state of Texas.

Meetings of the Membership areopen to the public and take place onthe third Tuesday of designatedmonths except December. See Time-table Notes on page 16 for dates andlocation of upcoming meetings.

Gulf Coast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. ownsa collection of rail equipment:Texas Railroading Heritage Mu-seum. The collection is now in stor-age awaiting completion of a newmuseum site: to be announced. Formore details, visit us on the web atour NEW address:

www.texasrrmuseum.org

2014 OfficersPresident ............... Shawn SandersVP-Administration ...... Tom MarshVP-Mechanical ................Al DykesVP-Membership .......... Perry JonesVP-Events ............ Doug WeiskopfVP-Editor ........... W. E. (Bill) WillitsSecretary ................. Dave BatesonTreasurer ..................... Jerry Dorcz

From the Editor...Bill Willits

Looking back as we go forwardAs we look back briefly at 2014 and enter a new year, I want to say “THANKYOU” to those who help me produce Gulf Coast Railroading year in and year out.Without them the newsletter would only be an empty promise. Kudos to JerryDorcz, who gets the hardcopies printed, then stuffs and mails them and handles theChapter Treasurer’s post on the side, and to Perry Jones, who is not only ourMembership Vice President and Director, but maintains the email distribution listsand sends out the PDF newsletter copies. With these guys on the job, all I have todo is type fast and stay ahead of the next issue deadline (but don’t tell them that).

Article and photo contributors provided varied content for the ten issues of 2014.They included: Dave Bateson, Chris Beetle, Thomas E. Bell, Jerry Dorcz, JonathanGerland, Perry Jones, Don Kendall, Eddie Kosar, Tom Mather, Brent Lamb, GeorgeLoftin, Jim Lueders, Tom Marsh, and Phil Scheps. Plus, special thanks goes to myfriend Ken Stavinoha for the use of photos from his excellent collection in my recentGC&SF article installments.

On the Chapter front I want to also deliver a cheer to my fellow board members.During 2014 the board made a lot of decisions relating to our aspirations to build anew museum as well as conducting Chapter business on other matters. Severalboard members went well above and beyond to produce results, and it was not funand games! In 2015 as we bring the new museum board into action handling theestablishment of Texas Railroading Heritage Museum, the chapter board willcontinue to function in its decision-making and fiduciary role representing themembership of Gulf Coast Chapter – NRHS, Inc.

As to NRHS? 2014 was a tough year. At present we anticipate the revival andgrowth of NRHS under the leadership of newly elected president Al Weber. I, forone, will continue to advocate for participation in the 2015 NRHS Convention andother NRHS activities by our chapter membership. Your continuing support ofGulf Coast Chapter and of NRHS are very much appreciated. Chapter membershiprenewals were sent out in November. NRHS membership renewals were mailed outby the national organization in December.

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 3

Chapter & Museum News

(Chapter & Museum News - continued on page 4)

Membership information current?Please let Perry Jones, Chapter Membership VP,know as soon as possible about any address,phone number or email address changes bycontacting him via e-mail:(jones_perry@hotmail.com) or(membership@houstonrrmuseum.org)or by phone: 281-844-0951 (Mobile). Pleaseinclude your membership ID (NRHS MemberNumber) and mention “Membership Change.”

Chapter Renewal Deadline 1/31!We mailed out Gulf Coast Chapter 2015 Membership

Renewals in November 2014. Deadline is January 31.Completed renewals with payment must be received inthe Chapter P.O. Box by Monday, February 2, 2015.

Do not delay! If your paid up Gulf Coast Chapterrenewal has not been received for processing by Febru-ary 2, your last Gulf Coast Railroading will be theFebruary issue.

If you did not receive a Gulf Coast Chapter member-ship renewal form or have lost it, immediately contactMembership VP Perry Jones. See the “MembershipInformation Current?” box below.

NOTE: NRHS national 2015 membership renewalswere separately mailed by the national organization andare being processed by NRHS, not by your chapter.

Summary of the Chapter BOD Meeting,Tuesday, November 4, 2014

by Jerry Dorcz, Acting Secretary

Meeting at IHOP, 6508 Washington Ave., Houston.

Present: Directors C. Beetle, J. Dorcz, A. Dykes, T.Marsh, D. Weiskopf, B.Willits; past presidents S. Sandersand P. Whitley.

Called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chris Beetle, presi-dent.Minutes of the October 7 meeting presented. Move toaccept by J. Dorcz, second B. Willits.

Tom Marsh updated board on several topics:New attorney engaged to review contracts. Retainer

paid by T. Marsh (to be reimbursed).Tomball proposal under review along with TRHM

contract with Chapter.Transfer of Verde Valley to Arizona museum.Ft. Lauderdale sale contract discussed; pending

completion of sale.

Review of site feasibility study. Key points:- $1.6 million to develop site.- Does not included some component costs

such as fencing, electrical service.ESCH business plan now available.DG Studios plan now available.

Nominating committee presented the slate for 2015:President – Shawn SandersVP Administration – Tom MarshVP Mechanical – Al DykesVP/Director Membership – Perry JonesVP Events – Doug WeiskopfVP Editor – W. E. (Bill) WillitsTreasurer – Jerry DorczSecretary – Open, not filled

Al Dykes discussed need for work party on weekendof November 15 to prep Tomball storage location foritems to be moved from Railwood and Todd Sandblast-ing.

Chris Beetle discussed possible trips for 2015.Chapter Holiday Party scheduled for December 7 at

Puffabelly’s.Meeting adjourned 8:00 p.m.

Minutes submitted by J. Dorcz; summary by the editor.

Summary of the Chapter BOD Meeting,Tuesday, December 2, 2014

by Dave Bateson, Chapter Secretary

The meeting was held at the IHOP Restaurant locatedat 6508 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas.

Called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President Chris Beetle.Present: Directors Bateson, Dykes, Jones, Maxwell,Weiskopf, and Willits, Past Presidents Beetle, Dorcz,Marsh, and Sanders. President Beetle declared therewere enough members of the Board present to constitutea quorum.

Chris Beetle moved, seconded by Shawn Sanders,that the Minutes of the November 4, 2014 BOD Meeting,submitted by Acting Secretary Jerry Dorcz, be approved.Passed.

Treasurer Dorcz distributed copies of the November30, 2014 Treasurer’s Report.

Membership Director Perry Jones reported that alarge number of family memberships have been receivedin the mail. Total numbers were unavailable at the time ofthe meeting.

4 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

(Chapter & Museum News - continued from page 3)

Discussion Items:Tom Marsh reported that the Tomball property

agreement contracts are awaiting final review by thechapter’s attorney, at which time the contracts can beclosed. It was revealed that the property acquisition issuewas over the wrong property and although a finalagreement for purchase has not been reached, it will notbe as expensive as originally thought.

The need for updating the chapter display wasdiscussed and several members suggested a committee beformed to draft a plan for updating and improving thedisplay.

Tom Marsh reported there is a remaining balance of$8,000.00 in the Houston Endowment Grant. It wassuggested the money be spent to pay DG Studios todevelop a museum program display.

Al Dykes suggested the remaining museum collectionbe moved on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, and said thatwith board approval of funding he will arrange for a truckand equipment to move the items. Jerry Dorcz said hecan get a check to the movers by the end of the week. Alhad no updated information on the Good Cheer trucks.

The Verde Valley donation agreement is currentlybeing reviewed by the chapter’s attorney.

The payment of $45,000.00 for the purchase of theFt. Lauderdale was received and deposited. The car willbe moved in the next 2-3 months.

Actions of the Board:Tom Marsh moved, seconded by Chris Beetle, that

$2,000.00 be allocated to pay for the move of theremaining items at Railwood. Passed.

Tom Marsh moved, seconded by Shawn Sanders,that the remaining funds in the Houston EndowmentGrant be allocated to pay for DG Studios to develop amuseum program display. Passed.

Upcoming Programs/Meetings:Chris Beetle reported there will be no Membership

meeting in December 2014, which is customary for theChapter. The Holiday Banquet will be on Sunday,December 7, 2014.

Meeting adjourned by President Beetle at 7:50 P.M.Minutes respectfully submitted by Chapter Secretary DaveBateson; summary by the editor.

Changing the guardby Chris Beetle, outgoing Chapter president

A year ago, in January 2014, I thought I was throughdoing president’s columns! The year started off with PhilScheps elected as president to follow my 2013 stand atthis post. Little did any of us know that Phil at midyear

would step down from the presidency to concentratetotally on fundraising for the museum, a very importantpart of the work that requires complete dedication. So,as VP Administration I stepped back into the president’sharness in July for the rest of the year.

Thanks to all for your support as we prepare to buildthe new museum. You may wonder when it will happen:the answer is unclear now, but this train is going forwardand will arrive when all the details are worked out. Weare meeting frequently with various people to assure thatthose details are being addressed and having you behindus is crucial to success.

Please give your continuing full support to ShawnSanders and the board as Shawn takes over the GulfCoast Chapter presidency for 2015. This chapter and themuseum are on the right track; ride with us.

Happy New Year!by Shawn Sanders, incoming 2015 Chapter President

As we enter 2015, I take on the role as ChapterPresident for a third time. I am not sure that anyone hasoccupied the office three separate times, but it is notcommon. I guess every ten years or so is often enough.

Also as we enter 2015 our organizational roles arebeginning to change, namely in the area of the museumand its operation and structure. As I write this article(pre-Christmas 2014) we are awaiting consultation onnew by-laws for the organizational structure for themuseum (Texas Railroading Heritage Museum). This thenallows the Gulf Coast Chapter - National Railway Histori-cal Society, Inc. to be technically out of the museumbusiness. Once all the legal obstacles are cleared we willgive a detailed report on how the Chapter supports themuseum. The bottom line is that the Texas RailroadingHeritage Museum will be on its own as far as operationsand fund-raising.

We are also undergoing some changes at the nationallevel (NRHS) which should help bring the nationalorganization up to date and operate at a lesser cost. Wehope these changes will improve the organization as awhole and enhance the benefits of being a part of it.

There are many changes to look forward to, and wehope you will remain active (or become more active) inchapter activities during 2015. We also hope you willremain supportive of our efforts to get the museumoperational again in Tomball after we had to leave our oldsite in Houston. While it is not, as mentioned above, anobligation of the chapter, all of us who care about thiscollection of vintage equipment expect to be very in-volved as volunteers. We need to be positive and proac-tive in seeing the return of the railroad museum; we alllook forward to that happy prospect.

Our regular monthly membership meetings for 2015are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month of the

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 5

year through November to be held at Valley Ranch Grilland Barbeque restaurant on SH 249 at Spring CypressRoad. Please come out, have a bite to eat and enjoy thefellowship of other rail fans, modelers and historians aswe present special programs to enhance our enjoyment oftrains and railroading. And please bring a friend too.

Happy New Year! And on behalf of the entire boardof directors, we look forward to seeing you at an upcom-ing meeting or event.

Update -Museum Relocation EffortsReport of the Tomball Relocation CommitteeSubmitted by Jerry Dorcz - January, 2015

For the past year our efforts at relocation havemoved, at times, at less than glacial pace! One year ago,the then-Houston Railroad Museum vacated RailwoodIndustrial Park and moved into “hibernation.” One yearinto our storage location, and now in my position back onthe board as chapter treasurer, I can say that moving outof storage can’t happen soon enough.

The City of Tomball and the Gulf Coast Chapter havebeen working on this relocation effort in one form oranother over the past two years. On the chapter side, wehave completed a number of site-specific preliminary duediligence work tasks to make sure the area the museum isplanned to be located on does not have any surprises (itdoes not!). Additionally, work that is related to costestimation was completed in the last quarter of 2014. Itgoes without saying that the report was an eye opener butnot completely unexpected.

As for the City of Tomball, they have been busy infinalizing the land acquisition comprising our museum siteand we fully expect that by the time we hold the GulfCoast Chapter Annual Corporate Meeting on January 20,2015, we will have the full details of this available.Additionally, the City and the Chapter have been workingon the contract terms and hope that the last copy submit-ted following a review in mid-summer will be finalizedand can be signed by the Chapter board and the City.This will set in motion the physical work associated withthe relocation of the museum collection and make therebranding of our preservation efforts under the TexasRailroading Heritage Museum a reality.

I personally request that all of our members attendthe January 20 Annual Corporate Meeting. I will beproviding more details, and hopefully at that time can givea general view of the expected timeline for our relocation.It is important that you continue to be engaged with thechapter and the museum efforts. Your commitment alongwith that of your chapter board shows all outside con-cerns that we continue to be a serious and capablepreservation organization.

Annual Corporate MeetingJanuary 20, 2015

The Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Annual Corporatemeeting of the Gulf Coast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. will beheld at:

Valley Ranch Grill & Barbeque22548 Texas State Highway 249Houston TX 77070When coming from central Houston, this location is

approximately 6.5 miles northwest of the Sam HoustonTollway intersection with State Highway 249. Take theSpring Cypress exit from SH 249 onto the frontage road.Valley Ranch is at the north end of the shopping area atthe southeast corner of Spring Cypress Rd. and the SH249 frontage road.

We will be meeting in a separate room behind thedining room. Come early to eat and to greet your friends.The brief business meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and theprogram immediately follows.

January 20 program:Doug Weiskopf, author of the book Rails Around

Houston published by Arcadia Publishing, will present aprogram he has tentatively titled “Beginnings.” It will lookat the very first rail lines in Harris County, how they cameto be, where they were laid out, and how they came to bethe network we have now.

As our VP Events, Doug also wants to spend a fewminutes getting input on what kinds of activities and tripsthe membership would like to see for the coming year.

Reminders from the EditorI need your articles for the February issue by

Monday, January 12, for the March issue by Thursday,February 12. Thank you.

NOTICE: All 2015 Gulf Coast Chapter MembershipMeetings are scheduled for Valley Ranch Grill & Barbequeon the third Tuesday of the month (except December).If any change is needed it will be announced in advance.

6 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

(Photo Contest Results - continued from page 1)

Above: The winners in the 2014 photo contest brought in many very good entries, showing the continuing popularity of this longrunning (31st year) activity in the Gulf Coast Chapter. Thanks to Tom Marsh for his coordination of this event, receiving theentries, providing the article and results of the contest plus preparing the display of the photos for judging at the November2014 Chapter Membership Meeting. As Tom says: it is never too early to start looking for photo opportunities that could makeyou a winning entrant in the 32nd annual Gulf Coast Chapter Photo Contest come November 2015!

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 7

Above: Fred Stigale’s shot of PRR E8 5809 shows the familiar paint scheme of the “Standard Railroad of the World.” Fred wonnot only the David M. See Best of Show Award with his photo of Cass Scenic locomotives in action on this month’s cover, but alsothe Robert H. Sunderland People’s Choice Award for this memory stirring photo of 5809 in the 2014 Chapter Photo Contest.

The Local

(The Local - continued on page 8)

“Moving a museum” goes onfrom email information by Al Dykes

On December 9, 2014, Al Dykes, Chris Beetle, DaveTaveirne and Phil Whitley, working with a crane operatorand truck drivers, wrapped up the removal of the lastheavy items from the old museum (with the exception oftwo items that proved too much for available truckingcapacity and were to be taken out later). This materialhad all still been stored at the Railwood site and at anothernortheast Houston storage site since early 2014. It tookthree semi-trailer loads to transfer the items to a storagesite at Tomball arranged by Al in a marathon day requiringcoordination and hard work by all.

High Speed Rail (HSR)by the editor

The Central Texas Railway (CTR) has applied to theFederal Railroad Administration (FRA) for permission tobuild a dedicated high speed rail line between Houston andDallas. The initial part of the process requires the FRA todetermine the environmental impact of such a project

through overall analysis of the proposal. By holding“public scoping meetings” at which members of thepublic can express opinions and concerns, the FRA andits co-lead agency TxDOT are acquiring part of the dataneeded for consideration in the actual EnvironmentalImpact Statement (EIS) to be produced after exhaustiveanalysis by the federal agency. From this process, aftertwo or more years of study, will come a “bill” (permis-sion granted) or “no-bill” (permission denied).

Central Texas Railway management has determinedthat a route based primarily on (actually, above) thepresent BNSF (ex-Trinity & Brazos Valley, Burlington-Rock Island) right of way or an existing utility easementbetween Houston and Dallas are their favored choices.Two other possible routes, including by way of Bryan/College Station or along I-45, were originally among fourroutes considered.

If approved, this obviously would lead to a massiveconstruction project involving an elevated and fencedtrack structure separating the dedicated rail line from thesurrounding properties on both sides. High Speed Rail,with speeds in the 205 mile per hour range, cannot co-

8 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

(The Local - continued from page 3)

Below: A photo from Brenham radio station KWHI’s websiteDecember 5, 2014 shows a 12 foot high tractor-trailer whosedriver tried to pass through the BNSF’s plainly marked 9 foot10 inch clearance Gay Hill underpass on FM 390. GC&SFbuilt through this area on a fill in 1881 and the stone-linedunderpass has been the scene of other “overheight” incidentsover the years, but this has to be the dumbest ever.

exist with highways, streets, and driveways; it must beisolated above (or in some cases, below) them.

Jerry Dorcz and I attended one of a series of 12 suchpublic scoping meetings conducted by FRA and TxDOTpersonnel in various communities along or near theproposed right(s) of way that was held at Tomball onDecember 3, 2014. Beckendorf Conference Center atLone Star College-Tomball had been set up with multiplelocations for signing in and leaving written comments;large-scale signage and maps explaining the projectproposals were posted around the hall. The 30 minutePowerPoint presentation by an FRA representative and anengineering consultant explained the basics of the processleading to an EIS; this was followed by one hour forcomments from the public. Several persons representingCentral Texas Railway were also available for questionsbefore and after the meeting.

The public present at this scoping meeting, asrepresented by the comments of the dozen or so whorequested speaking time, was largely opposed to theproject. This was generally based on preconceptions(and mis- or dis-information, some of which has beenaround since the first efforts to promote high speed rail inTexas in the 1980s) typical of any proposals for a majorchange in the local landscape.

The dominant concerns included a fear of losingaccess to and/or loss of value of their land or homes nearthe line; a general assumption that there would be highlevels of noise from the trains themselves; doubt as to the“need” for an alternate transportation option such as HSRbetween Houston and Dallas; opposition to “big compa-nies with money” for such a project being able to “dic-tate” locally; and one who claimed steel wheel on steel railconstruction is obsolete technology and that “they oughtto build a mag-lev” line instead. The FRA representativereminded the audience that this particular meeting hadbeen called to discuss only the project in question, a highspeed rail entity, and not any other technology.

There was also a statement made by one citizen that“this has never been done before” despite the fact thatHSR is alive and well in many countries around the worldand even in the U.S. is already under construction inCalifornia. Some also complained that they had not beeninformed until as recently as the previous day that ascoping meeting was being held in their area. Getting theword out is always important, of course, and undoubt-edly will be better addressed for any future meetings thatmight be called.

Fears and concerns such as cited above are not new.There is of course validity when people see somethingsuch as this HSR line as a threat to their tranquility. TheEnvironmental Impact Statement is planned to addressand weigh all such concerns leading to a decision. Thatmay be several years away.

2015 NRHS Conventionby the editor

I’ll be there. Will you?The 2015 NRHS Convention at Rutland, Vermont,

June 14-20 will feature several excursions and otherunique events.

To register, go to the NRHS website: www.nrhs.comA PDF booklet containing Convention information is

part of the “Registration Package.” It is recommendedyou read this PDF document for full informationbefore attempting to actually register.

The address for actually registering is displayed onpage 23 of the 30 page PDF information booklet:

http://www.regonline.com/nrhs2015conventionSelecting “Tickets On Sale Now” on the second page

of the website goes directly to the registration form at theabove address.

You can also obtain a convention booklet and regis-tration form by writing to:

2015 NRHS Convention100 N 20th St., Suite 400Philadelphia, PA 19103-1462

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 9

Loren Wilson McDaniel

Member Loren McDaniel, born September 8,1916, passed away July 31, 2014, in Paris, Ken-tucky. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Carroll,son Jim, daughter-in-law Janet, granddaughtersDeirdre and Ainsley and all who were privileged toknow this sensitive and gentle man.

Swimming in the RR Water Tankby Loren W. McDaniel

The 1920s and 1930s have been called the “GoldenAge of Railroads” with respect to the traveling public. Ilived a stone’s throw from all railroad activities (at age 8 Icouldn’t throw a 5-Oz stone much farther than from3rd to 1st), that is, depot, switching areas, stockyards,pump station and elevated water tank for thirsty locomo-tives. Maintenance of the water supply for the trains wasperformed by an elderly gentleman named Mr.Henderson, a crusty Scot who lived in a small town onthe railroad about 10 miles east of Urich. Two or threetimes a week, depending on demand, Mr. Hendersoncame riding the rails on his small motor car to operate thepump to refill the elevated tank

Mr. Henderson always welcomed the four of us,who usually prowled together as a unit, to explain anddemonstrate the mechanics of the pump system. It wasa steam-operated pump, the steam generated by a bigboiler which he heated by coal from the trains. However,he also succeeded, with strong, understandable language,to imprint our minds with the dire consequences ofcatching us “meddling” as he termed it, about his sacredpump-and-tank operations in his absence. Now, youhave probably guessed, I will relate a “meddling” episode.

We four were Bill, Joe (Dodo), George and me. Asuggestion by one of us if it seemed risky or entertainingenough was quickly endorsed and put into action. Onthis hot August day we sat under the railroad water tankletting it drip on us, for it did leak, sometimes profuselyon hot days when nearly empty. It was wood, you see,with staves that would shrink when dried creating tinywaterfalls all around its circumference. One of us (not Iof course) said “Why don’t we climb up and see if wecan get in it for a swim?” There were no objections.

Up the ladder we went. Who was first, I don’tknow, Dodo or Bill, probably, as eldest of the group. Thehatch cover was loose, easily shoved aside, and in wewent, shucking off our overalls as we climbed downinside. George, who was last to enter suddenly shouteddown “I hear Mr. Henderson’s motor car coming.” Panic! What to do? Bill, maybe, or Dodo, probably,advised quietly waiting until Mr. Henderson left. Hecouldn’t see us and never climbed the tank.

This was midmorning. A poor choice of action, butthe alternative was a face-to-face with an irate Scotsmanwhose reprisal was unknown. Mr. Henderson fired uphis boiler to generate steam, then sat in the shade behindthe station, smoked his pipe and read a newspaper(Edinburgh Gazette, probably) until noon when he arose,checked his gauges and started the big pump, then settleddown to eat his lunch. Now four boys, who were nolonger in swimming mood, watched the water belowthem slowly, so very slowly, rising toward them. They

talked in whispers, which were unnecessary with thepump noises, and water leakage covering their voices.

It was a long, exhaustive afternoon. They knew thepump would be shut off when the tank filled, but what ifMr. Henderson let it run over, as he had been known todo once before. It was too tiring to hang on to the ladder,so they put on their overalls and let themselves down intothe water at intervals to float and rest. Eventually eveningcame. The pump stopped when the water came to theoverflow pipe, about 3 feet from the entrance hatch. Mr.Henderson concluded his shut-down procedure, filled hispipe, locked the pump house, pushed his motor car backon the track and put-putted his way eastward.

Four boys, hungry, exhausted, skin wrinkled fromlong immersion, slowly and with very shaky movementsdescended to solid ground, vowing to never try thatexercise, “ever again.” They were very quiet, each, Isuppose, wondering at the home reception awaiting. I forone knew I was expected to help with assembling somebee hive supers. But if to my Dad, I recounted the wholestory truthfully, there would be no reprisal, only asking ifI understood the lesson provided me. He was always likethat. I’m forever grateful.

The incident described in this story occurred in Urich,Missouri, where Mr. McDaniel was born and raised untilhigh school age. It was written by Mr. McDaniel in hislater years and is printed here through the kind sharing ofit by his son Jim during an exchange of emails when welearned of Mr. McDaniel’s passing in the fall of 2014..Thanks to Perry Jones for following up with JimMcDaniel and for alerting me to his contact. - Ed.

Members please noteCompleted Gulf Coast Chapter 2015 renewals aredue January 31. The clock is ticking. Have you sentyours yet? Talk to Membership VP Perry Jones if youhave a question. See “Membership InformationCurrent?” on page 3.

10 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

Early Texas Railroads

Missouri Pacific Lines in Texasby W. E. (Bill) Willits

Part 1

This is one of a series of articles I have assembled that isbased primarily on items from early newspapers whichreported on the railroads building into the Texas interior.These items were the way “the man on the street” learnedabout the railroads of that time. In addition to newspa-pers I have consulted other publications and historicaldocuments to help explain events, information whichwould not have been available to a newspaper reader atthe time they occurred. Wherever possible I have in-cluded dates and places from various records that providesome continuity to the eventual emergence of the MissouriPacific Lines within Texas.

Missouri Pacific – 1870s: “Gone to Texas”The Missouri Pacific in Texas most people remember

was eventually associated with and emerged from acombination of several predecessor lines. This article ismainly about the creation and growth in Texas of variousrailroads that became important parts of the MissouriPacific Lines, “MoPac” or “Mop” within its borders, butalso some about the Missouri Pacific itself. The mostprominent of the “native” Texas lines were the Houston &Great Northern Railroad (H&GN), the InternationalRailroad Company and subsequently the International &Great Northern (I&GN) that emerged from the combina-tion of the International and the H&GN.

There were several other lines chartered in Texas thateventually came under the Missouri Pacific umbrella aswell. Because of Texas laws requiring in-state railroadsto maintain in-state headquarters and operations, someaffiliated lines remained as separate companies into themid-20th century, although closely associated with theMissouri Pacific during extended periods in the 19th and20th centuries (but not continuously in some cases).

The Missouri Pacific’s parent, however, was thePacific Railroad built west from St. Louis, Missouri,starting in the early 1850s. Groundbreaking for thispioneer line, the first railroad construction begun west ofthe Mississippi River, occurred on July 4, 1851, predatingthe start of the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado(BBB&C) from Harrisburg, Texas, westward by only afew weeks, and figured prominently in opening up theinterior of the United States. Following several years ofraids and damage during the Civil War, the PacificRailroad was finally able to run its first train into KansasCity on September 20, 1865.

A “Southwest Branch” of the Pacific Railroad left theSt. Louis-Kansas City mainline at Franklin (later renamed

Pacific), Missouri. It would eventually become part ofthe Atlantic & Pacific Railroad and even later the St.Louis & San Francisco. However, the history of thatcompany’s eventual links to Texas will be told anothertime when it can be the primary actor.

A reorganization of the Pacific Railroad was begun in1872 and when the company emerged from receivershipin 1876 a new company had been formed: the MissouriPacific Railway Company. Then, in the late 1870s for thefirst time the Missouri Pacific became a factor in Texasrailroading. During the 1870s also, the St. Louis, IronMountain and Southern Railway (StLIM&S) runningfrom St. Louis to Texarkana at the Arkansas/Texas borderhad become another major connection for Texas with therest of the country; the StLIM&S would later be acquiredby the Missouri Pacific.

Jay Gould’s name is prominent in the affairs of theMissouri Pacific and its affiliates in Texas during a periodfrom 1880 forward when he gained control of thecompany for an extended period. Jay and George Gouldand their close associates were masters at moving assetsaround so that the railroads they controlled often wereacquiring or leasing other properties or being themselvesleased or somehow being rearranged, all in the pursuit ofprofits (at least for the masters of finance).

But several years before the names Missouri Pacificand Jay Gould became part of Texas railroad lore, otherrailroad enterprises in Texas itself were being planned andconstructed to reach out to the state’s borders.

Houston and Great Northern Railroad (H&GN)Because of events during the Civil War and immedi-

ately afterward in the Reconstruction period, Texasrailroad building was slow or inconsistent for a few yearsafter 1865, but by 1870 with an influx of financialresources from both inside and outside Texas, activitypicked up considerably.

All railroads planned or underway were anxious toacquire the vast amounts of land available through landgrants by the State of Texas (a law that initially went intoforce in the early 1850s and was amended several timesin ensuing years, resulting in more generous awards torailroads at times and less at others, before being com-pletely rescinded) which gave them the means to settlethe areas around their rail lines as people from the eastand north in the United States and from several countriesin Europe emigrated to Texas. The Texas Legislatureeventually ended the land grant awards (available land ranout), but that time was far off in 1866.

The Houston and Great Northern Railroad waschartered on October 22, 1866 and officers were electedJune 1, 1867. Initial officers included prominentGalvestonians; in the beginning the railroad was projected

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 11

to build northward along the 95th meridian fromGalveston, with several possible “northerly” destinationsbeyond Texas borders in mind. But changing plans andprospects caused revisions. For example, one scenariohad been to meet a railroad building south from Kansasacross Indian Territory at the Red River (one of the “Joy”roads promoted and headed by James F. Joy of MichiganCentral and Burlington fame). But the Missouri, Kansas& Texas (MK&T) was awarded approval by Congress tocross into Indian Territory from Kansas and build on toTexas at the Red River instead of the Joy road, thwartingthat arrangement for the H&GN.

At this time the only railroad between Galveston andHouston was the Galveston, Houston & Henderson(GH&H), which had completed its fifty two mile line bybuilding from Virginia Point on the mainland across thebay from Galveston into Houston (south of BuffaloBayou) in 1859 and had gone no further north. TheHouston & Great Northern, after several changes ofofficers and when revisions of earlier plans were final-ized, was finally projected to extend northward from thenorth side of Buffalo Bayou in Houston via Palestine tothe Red River and subsequently to the Canadian border.The resulting rail route would benefit both Houston andGalveston.

Delays ensued for several years so that the railroaddid not start building wharves and docks at the foot ofBremond Street in Houston until December 8, 1870.However, within little more than a month after that, on

January 21, 1871, the contractors Shepherd, Mitchell andHenry began track grading work “about opposite RailroadStreet” at the H&GN wharves along the bayou andheaded north. By February 15 the first H&GN locomo-tive had been delivered, placed on what limited track wasalready in place and steamed up to perform switching inthe city. Palestine was 150 miles away.

International Railroad CompanyThe International Railroad was chartered August 5,

1870 and its company offices were initially located atHearne. The Houston & Texas Central (H&TC), buildingnorth from Bryan, had reached Hearne in 1869 and hadcontinued north as it built toward Dallas constructingtrack of five foot six inch gauge. Construction materialsfor the International were transported to Hearne fromHouston by the H&TC. Grading on the Internationalcommenced both east and west of the Houston & TexasCentral crossing in Hearne on December 30, 1870 andtrack laying began April 18, 1871 in the International yardwest of the crossing. The initial objective was construc-tion of a standard gauge line (four feet eight and one halfinches between the rails) between the east bank of theBrazos River and Longview which would pass throughPalestine enroute. To the southwest of Hearne the linewas projected to go to Austin and beyond to San Antonioand the border of Mexico. The name International fittedthe projected destinations well, but would require a fewyears before fulfillment.

This Houston & Great Northern Stock Certificate #214 issued April 17, 1871to A. Belmont was signed by President C.G.Young, who was killed in a construction train accident about four months later. A 25 cent stamp is affixed to the certificate.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

12 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

Early progressIt seems reasonable in retrospect that the Interna-

tional and H&GN would eventually consolidate withPalestine as a hub, but that did not occur right away.They were busy building separate railroads toward thatobjective first. The following observation by a newspa-per editor just a month after the International’s gradingbegan stated a fact that was still many months away fromrealization:January 26, 1871

“The International railroad will cross the Trinity,thirteen miles west from Palestine.”

In early 1871 construction of a railroad bridge for theInternational Railroad across the Colorado River at Austinwas even farther in the future than the Trinity bridge.Nevertheless, grading between the south side of theColorado and San Antoniowas already being forecastin the news:January 26, 1871

“It is said that railroadhands of the Internationalcompany will be at workbetween Austin and SanAntonio by Christmas.”

Far to the northeast ofAustin around Hearne,track building was goingforward in the oppositedirection:February 2, 1871

“The International. –The contractors have overtwelve hundred experi-enced Railroad laborersengaged near Hearne now,and accessions are beingmade every day. A largewagon train, all the way from Nebraska, passed throughCalvert a day or two ago on their way to the scene ofoperations near Hearne. The work is going forwardrapidly. Lots in the new town, near Hearne Station, willbe sold on the 3d of February. Good chance for invest-ments.” Indeed it was.

On the H&GN, State inspector John W. Glenn’sSeptember 25, 1871 report (for some reason the inspec-tor identified the company as “Houston Great WesternRail Road”) to Governor Davis stated, in part:

“From the terminus on Buffalo Bayou to stationnumber nought (0), five thousand five hundred (5500)feet. From station number nought (0) to station numbertwenty five (25) there are twenty five (25) miles of road.Near stations nought (0) and seventeen (17) there are fivethousand nine hundred and fifteen (5915) feet of turnouts, (For authority to include turnouts see PaschalsDigest Par #4956) which together with the remainder

make twenty seven and 143/880 (27 143/880) miles ofroad.

“Within the limits above described there are seventythree (73) spans of Trestle, sixteen (16) feet long each,supported by oak piles not less than twelve (12) inches indiameter driven in pairs for the better support of thesuperstructure.

“Across Spring Creek there is a Howe Truss bridgeof seventy five (75) feet span supported by oak piles ofnot less than twelve (12) inches in diameter and driven ingangs of six (6) under each of the four corners of theTruss parallelogram.

“The gauge of the road is four feet eight and one half(4: 8 1/2) inches. The rails weigh fifty six (56) pounds tothe yard; average twenty four (24) feet long; are con-nected by fish bars & bolts and are underlaid with two

thousand six hundred andforty (2640) oak ties toeach mile. The turnoutsare, in my opinion,insufficient and I haverecommended the com-pany to put in about two(2) miles more which theywill do…”

Meanwhile, as theH&GN built northwardfrom Houston newspapersreported there were riversto be crossed:October 19, 1871

“The cars on theGreat Northern railroadran on Saturday last to thestation on the other side ofthe San Jacinto river. Theroad is graded beyond theTrinity, and trains will be

running to that stream in a few weeks. The work isprogressing rapidly all along the line.”

Meanwhile, the International line being built towardPalestine from Hearne had to cross some of the samerivers farther upstream than the H&GN as the gradeapproached Palestine from the southwest:October 19, 1871

“The Waco Register says the force employed to buildthe International railroad bridge across the Trinity riverare now busily engaged. The place of crossing is thirteenmiles west of Palestine.”

Having the H&TC and International railroads crossingat Hearne gave local pride a boost, although the differencein track gauge would continue to prevent easy inter-change until the late fall of 1874 when the H&TC com-pleted a change to standard four foot eight and one halfinch gauge track between Bremond and Hearne. Themention of Louisville, Kentucky, as a measure of excel-

This metal Houston & Great Northern baggage tag number459 has an (obscured) patent date at top of 1867. It was dug up.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 13

lence is interesting, but not unprecedented, as Louisvillewas cited from time to time in other dispatches of theperiod:October 26, 1871

“Hearne. – The Central and International RailroadCompanies must be determined to make the little town ofHearne a prosperous place. The Hearne Press says:

“’The International and Central Railroads are erectingsubstantial buildings, a water tank and a Union hotel.This latter building merits more than a passing notice. Itis not to be excelled, we venture to say, by any house forthe same purpose, this side of Louisville, Ky. Thatbuilding and their round house would ornament a city of20,000 inhabitants. This is not all, as they will soon buildother important buildings that will be ornaments in thetown.’”

Railroads building with aspirations to reach any of thecoasts or borders of the country were applauded in thenewspapers of that era. At that time it was widelyassumed (typical American thinking?) that U.S. railroadswould have ready (if not free) access into Mexico tobring out materials from that country’s rich ore depositsand to provide access to yet-to-be-developed Pacificports south of the border for export and import goods ofall kinds, presumably to the great benefit of Americancompanies, but not necessarily to Mexico itself:November 2, 1871

“The following railroads may be said to be national intheir character, all pointing in the direction of Mexico andhaving their termini on the Pacific, taking Texas en route:The Trans Continental, the Atlantic and Pacific, theHouston and Great Northern, and, we might add, therailroad being built by the Chattanooga Company fromNew Orleans through Houston westward. – HoustonAge.”

Of the railroads mentioned in the previous item, theH&GN (whose charter had envisioned reaching theCanadian border) was the only north-south line; theothers all were primarily east-west routes. The TransContinental was soon to be part of the Texas & Pacific(T&P) as that railroad was constructed. The Atlantic &Pacific (A&P) would become the St. Louis & SanFrancisco (SL&SF) and the A&P’s charter would beused 10 years later to extend a line from Isleta, NewMexico on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (AT&SF) toCalifornia. The “Chattanooga Company” referred to theNew Orleans, Mobile & Chattanooga (NOM&C), acompany that in 1871 was rumored to be trying toacquire the existing (and in poor shape) Texas & NewOrleans (T&NO) between Houston and Orange tocomplete an improved New Orleans-Houston line.

If a railroad didn’t build to their town, some folkssimply moved to the railroad:November 30, 1871

“Regular trains are now running on the Internationalroad to Marquez, forty miles from Hearne, in Leon

county, and they will be running to Jewett, ten milesfarther, by the first prox. Jewett is near by (nearly?)opposite the town of Centreville and will draw to itselfmost of the business men and citizens of that place. TheExperiment is making arrangements to move to Jewettand will issue its paper at that place as soon as trainscommence running.”

South of Houston the Houston Tap & Brazoria hadcompleted its railroad from Houston to East Columbia onthe Brazos River prior to the Civil War; the line deterio-rated badly during and after the war and only operatedsporadically for a time. Its remaining usable property hadeven been sold at a sheriff’s sale in 1869 for $500 beforethe State of Texas intervened to try and recover some ofthe early investment the state had made back in the1850s. H&GN officially took control of the line Septem-ber 11, 1871 with some high expectations of gainingaccess to coastal traffic if all went as planned:January 18, 1872

“The Houston and Great Northern Railroad, havingpurchased the old Sugar road to Columbia, intendextending it to Victoria, with a branch down to Palacios,on Matagorda Bay. This route will be through the heartof Matagorda county, and give that people a long desiredcommunication with the outside world. The port ofPalacios is the best on the coast of Texas, and should thiscompany take hold of the matter with energy and liberal-ity, they will build up no inferior town at that place. Wehope it may be done.”

Acquiring the HT&B brought the H&GN much closerto the Gulf coast, but the extension of the HT&B toVictoria mentioned in the previous item never occurred.Also, although an extension to Wharton had been hopedfor in 1860-61, it had not occurred either, although somegrading was done. Another charter in 1866 for theVictoria and Columbia Railroad Company had envisionedbuilding a line between those two locations, but it alsowas not to be.

The Houston and Texas Central Railway had initiallybuilt its lines, including, of course, the one throughHearne, to five foot six inch gauge. Some other railroadsalso had built to the wider gauge and were experiencinginterchange problems with standard gauge roads:January 18, 1872

“The Calvert Texan learns that the Central RailwayCompany have commenced laying track beyondCorsicana on the same gauge as the International, 4 feet8½ inches. It also says: The gauge from Corsicana toHouston will be changed by the time the Central andMissouri & Kansas (Missouri Kansas & Texas) roadsmeet, at or near Preston, on Red river, so that throughtrains can be run from St. Louis and other Western andEastern cities to Houston or Galveston – the Galvestonroad (GH&H) will also be compelled to change itsgauge.”

Actually the gauge change of the H&TC would be

14 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

done in large segments, not in one overall operation, andwas not completed from Hearne to Houston, where theroad had begun in 1853, until 1876.

The H&GN would have to complete a bridge soon toget north of the Trinity River:February 8, 1872

“The Great Northern is completed to the Trinityeighty miles from Houston.”

Meanwhile, after reaching Palestine and continuingnortheastward, the International track builders weremaking good progress:February 8, 1872

“The International is now working in Cherokeecounty, between Jacksonville and Knoxville.”

On March 1, 1872, the tracklayers of the H&GNreached Phelps Station, 66.7 miles north of Houston.Through a prior arrangement with the promoters of theHuntsville Branch Railway, a planned seven mile line toconnect Huntsville to the mainline at Phelps, the H&GNagreed to provide the necessary “rails, fastenings,switches and other metal required for the main track onthe Huntsville Branch…” The H&GN president, Mr.Grow, had signed an agreement two months earlier thatthe H&GN would “run a train of cars to and fromHuntsville once a day, six times a week for passengersand freight – accidents or unavoidable delay or any othercause such as shall prevent running trains regularly on thetrack of said H&GN RR only excepted.” By March 26the track was completed. Huntsville had its branch andthe H&GN had a new connection.

Over on the International, although track building hadcontinued eastward to and beyond Palestine, bridgeworkwas still underway at the Trinity crossing 13 miles westof Palestine.March 15, 1872

“The International Railroad trains will pass over theTrinity about the 15th of April.”

Work began in Houston in early September 1872 on adrawbridge and viaduct to carry H&GN tracks acrossBuffalo Bayou to the south bank. During the same periodtrack was built from the south side of the Bayou to linkthe new Union Depot (H&GN and GH&H) with theH&GN main track on the north side of the Bayou. Whenthe bridge was completed on January 15, 1873, theconnection was accomplished.

On December 7, 1872, the H&GN tracks fromHouston were completed to the International tracks“opposite the station” in Palestine. For the H&GN thiswas 150.6 miles from milepost 0 on the north side ofBuffalo Bayou.

Until December 1872 the offices of the InternationalRailroad were located at Hearne. H.M. Hoxie, GeneralSuperintendent of the International, had now been namedSuperintendent of the H&GN as well, and on December10 he moved his offices to Houston in order to have allhis work concentrated in a single location. That same

day a slate of officers was elected by the board ofdirectors. All of this was preparation for a comingmerger.

Oddly, during this 1872-1873 period of great activityamong Texas railroads, newspaper coverage in smallertown newspapers became unusually sparse. Papers thathad spoken frequently of railroad building in their areabecame suddenly silent. It was a strange lull.

On January 22, 1873, the H&GN and GH&H beganinterchange at their Union Depot in Houston. Althoughthe H&GN was standard gauge, the GH&H would remaina wide gauge railroad until its rails were finally placedfour feet eight and one half inches apart on July 28, 1876.

Back in 1866, on November 13 of that postwar year,the Victoria and Columbia Railroad (V&C) had beenchartered to build a line from Victoria to Columbia, whereit would connect with the Houston Tap & BrazoriaRailroad. A supplemental act to the original charter by theTexas Legislature added authorization to build southwest-ward from Victoria to the Rio Grande River “at or belowLaredo, Texas.” Although some grading apparently wasdone, the V&C railroad never built track in any direction.The H&GN owned $50,000 in V&C stock, so had adefinite interest in preserving its investment, but norecords of the acquisition or disposition of materialspurchased for the V&C were ever found by thecompany’s auditors.

The HT&B, the Huntsville Branch and the V&Cassets were merged into the H&GN on May 8, 1873.This ended their independent status, added mileage to theH&GN and promised better things for their collectivefutures.

International & Great Northern: consolidationThe International and the Houston & Great Northern

became part of the same company by consolidationSeptember 30, 1873 as the International & Great North-ern (I&GN) Railroad. At that time the International itselfhad constructed 176.9 miles of railroad which it broughtinto the combination. The H&GN was credited with208.8 miles, including sidings. News dispatches oftenreferred to the I&GN as the “International” and that nameremained in use long after the railroads merged.

On October 1, 1873, a worldwide financial crisisbrought on by the collapse of Jay Cooke & Co., whosehuge holdings included railroads (notably NorthernPacific) and other industries, led to a period known as thePanic of 1873 that would last until 1878. The effects ofthe slump were bound to be felt in Texas, althoughconstruction on several roads, including the I&GN,seemed to continue unabated.

A one year trackage agreement with the Texas &Pacific Railway (T&P) instituted on June 1, 1874,allowed the I&GN to begin operating both freight andpassenger trains to and from Texarkana via LongviewJunction. This 97 mile route in northeast Texas gave the

Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015 15

I&GN access to “St. Louis traffic” off the standardgauge Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad (CA&T; it hadbeen the Cairo & Fulton Railroad, C&F, until September1872) that reached Texarkana January 15, 1874. TheCA&T connected with the St. Louis & Iron MountainRailroad from St. Louis at a location on the Missouri-Arkansas border aptly named MoArk. Both the CA&Tand the Iron Mountain Road, as it was best known, wereleased to the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and SouthernRailway (StLIM&S) May 6, 1874. Several years later theStLIM&S would come under control of the MissouriPacific, but in 1874 the MP had not yet been heard fromin Texas railroading.

In the southwesterly direction from Hearne at thisperiod the I&GN had not yet reached Austin; the trackwas only in place from Hearne to Rockdale, 24 milesfrom the east bank of the Brazos, and still 61 miles fromthe Capitol City. However, south of Austin the Interna-tional crews were busily building roadbed toward SanAntonio even without tracks into Austin from the north-east or a connecting bridge across the Colorado Riverthat was yet to be constructed:

July 9, 1874“The road will certainly reach San Marcos by August

next, the iron is at Galveston to complete the road to SanMarcos and ten miles beyond.”

There was a report in Railroad Gazette (Volume 6)during 1874 that provided perspective on the Internationaland Great Northern’s construction progress in thenorthern part of Texas:

“The International Railroad (now called the Interna-tional Division) was extended from Overton northeast 25miles to a connection with the Texas & Pacific atLongview early in the year, and at the close of the yearfrom the southwest terminus on the Brazos River south-west 15 miles. The Tyler Branch of this Division wasextended from Troupe (38 miles southwest of Longview)north by west 44 miles to a connection with the Texas &Pacific at Mineola. This is a total of 84 miles constructedby this corporation.”

Missouri Pacific Lines in TexasEnd of Part 1

Left: The front side of an 1873 joint International and Houston& Great Northern pass is ornately decorated. The map at thebottom shows the two roads in red. The upper blue line showsthe combined Cairo, Arkansas & Texas and Iron Mountainrailroads, while the lower blue line shows two Mexican linesconnecting to the I&GN at Laredo, Texas.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

Right: The back side of the same 1873 joint Internationaland Houston & Great Northern pass displayed to leftdisplays conditions under which the pass was issued at thetop. Note the emphasis in the mileage chart at the bottomclaiming the lesser combined distances of connecting roadsbetween New York and the Pacific (at Mazatlan, Mexico).

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

16 Gulf Coast Railroading • January 2015

Timetable Notes

NOTE: Meetings

Tuesday,January 6, 20157:00 p.m.

Tuesday,January 207:30 p.m.

Tuesday,February 37:00 p.m.

Tuesday,February 177:30 p.m.

Tuesday,March 37:00 p.m.

Watch for monthly Membership Meetinglocation announcements in this newslet-ter, on the Chapter website and onFacebook.

Happy New Year 2015!

January Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meetingat the IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

Annual Corporate Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at ValleyRanch Grill & Barbeque. CorporateMeeting article on page 5 has directions.

February Gulf Coast Chapter BoardMeeting at the IHOP on Washington andI/10 (south side of I/10).

February Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

March Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meetingat the IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

Work Party InformationRemember: “Just one volunteer day amonth will make a big difference!”

IF/WHEN MUSEUM WORK PARTIES ARE SCHEDULED

An announcement will be made when the museum is readyto receive work parties.

See contact information below and at right.“Wednesday” - confirm w/Chris Beetle 281-970-6708“Thursday evening” - confirm w/Al Dykes 281-367-7019“Saturday” - confirm w/Jerry Dorcz 281-357-4141

THE MODEL RAILROAD IS CURRENTLY STORED

An announcement will be made when the layout located inthe baggage end of ex-ATSF Railway Post Office car No.3401 is again available for work and operation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Al Dykes, Mechanical Vice President281-367-7019

Gulf Coast Railroading by PDF?Members: Get the PDF version of Gulf CoastRailroading early via e-mail! Send your e-mailaddress to jones_perry@hotmail.com and tell us“I want Gulf Coast Railroading via PDF.”

Contact us!We want to hear from you. If you have comments,questions or suggestions concerning your chapter,please do not hesitate to contact these officers.

Shawn Sanders, President.......bellzandwhistles@aol.comTom Marsh, VP-Admin........................txtr7@yahoo.comAl Dykes, VP-Mech .......................al_dykes@swbell.netPerry Jones, VP-Memb...........jones_perry@hotmail.comDoug Weiskopf, VP-Events...texianbear54@yahoo.comW. E. (Bill) Willits, VP-Editor.........wwillits@comcast.netDave Bateson, Secretary....................dbate332@aol.comJerry Dorcz, Treasurer ...................jw_dorcz@swbell.net

March Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

April Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

April Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

Additional announcements may be added tothis schedule periodically.

Tuesday,March 177:30 p.m.

Tuesday,April 77:00 p.m.

Tuesday,April 21,7:30 p.m.

NOTE

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 1

GULF COAST RAILROADINGOfficial Publication of the Gulf Coast Chapter – NRHS, Inc., and Texas Railroading Heritage Museum

Vol. 53, No. 2 ••••• February 2015

The 2014 KCS Holiday Express train brought joy to young and old at Newton, Mississippi, on its journey across the system.Newton is on the Meridian, MS to Shreveport, LA, east-west “Speedway” that helps link Norfolk Southern and north Texas.

Photo by Phil Whitley 12/04/14

On December 9, 2014,four sturdy Gulf CoastChapter volunteers, a cranelift crew and truck driversconverged on the formerHouston Railroad Museumsite nearly a year afterremoval of the rolling stockto storage. Their purposewas to remove three semi-trailer loads of signalstandards, heads, relayboxes and multiple otherheavy pieces left at the siteand carry them to a storagesite at Tomball. The sameday the crew also conveyed

Heavy lifting at Railwoodthe last materials fromanother northeast Houstonsite to Tomball as well.

The photos accompany-ing this article show justsome of the tasks facing AlDykes, Chris Beetle, DaveTaveirne, Phil Whitley andthe removal crew. Exceptfor two heavy items thathad to be left for anotherday after truck capacity wasfilled, this cleared theRailwood site of ourlongtime museum home.

For those who spent

A crane crewman and Al Dykes have a semaphore standardand head chained for lift and movement onto a trailer. Theold familiar concrete phone booth waits in the background.

Photo by Phil Whitley

(Heavy lifting at Railwood - continued on page 6)

2 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

Welcome Aboard!

All new and renewing members

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

The February Membership Meeting of the Gulf Coast Chapter - National RailwayHistorical Society, Inc., will be held.on Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m. at ValleyRanch Grill & Barbeque. See Membership Meeting page 4 for directions.

Contributing to Gulf Coast Railroading: we welcome submissions. The deadlinefor submitting material to the editor is the 12th day of the month prior to therespective cover date. Material may be submitted on a CD or DVD in text or Wordformat along with a hard copy, or e-mailed as text or with a Word or text attachmentto wwillits@comcast.net, or you may mail a typed or printed copy to: W. E. Willits,Editor, P.O. Box 457, Houston, TX 77001-0457. Time-sensitive news items will begiven priority over general interest subjects. The editor reserves the right to edit,hold or omit material at his discretion.

GULF COAST

RAILROADING

Vol. 53, No. 2 • February 2015

Gulf Coast Railroading is published10 times each year by Gulf CoastChapter, National Railway Histori-cal Society, Inc., P.O. Box 457,Houston, TX 77001-0457. Opinionsexpressed herein may not reflect theofficial position of the Gulf CoastChapter or the National Railway His-torical Society.

Editor ................. W. E. (Bill) WillitsCirculation .......... J. Dorcz, P. Jones

Gulf Coast Chapter, National Rail-way Historical Society, Inc. is anon-profit, 501(c)(3) educational or-ganization incorporated under thelaws of the state of Texas.

Meetings of the Membership areopen to the public and take place onthe third Tuesday of designatedmonths except December. See Time-table Notes on page 16 for dates andlocation of upcoming meetings.

Gulf Coast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. ownsa collection of rail equipment:Texas Railroading Heritage Mu-seum. The collection is now in stor-age awaiting completion of a newmuseum site: to be announced. Formore details, visit us on the web atour NEW address:

www.texasrrmuseum.org

2014 OfficersPresident ............... Shawn SandersVP-Administration ...... Tom MarshVP-Mechanical ................Al DykesVP-Membership .......... Perry JonesVP-Events ............ Doug WeiskopfVP-Editor ........... W. E. (Bill) WillitsSecretary ..................... Brent LambTreasurer ..................... Jerry Dorcz

From the Editor...Bill Willits

Thanks for being with us!

Special thanks if you have renewed your Gulf Coast Chapter membership for 2015.Your loyalty and support are greatly appreciated.

If you have not already renewed, this February issue is the last Gulf CoastRailroading you will receive. But even if you failed to send your renewal in by theJanuary 31 deadline, send it NOW to be reinstated and you may not miss an issueafter all. We want you riding with us!

Now to other good stuff! Texas Railroading Heritage Museum (TRHM) is a giantstep closer to reality. In early January 2015 the City of Tomball completedacquisition of the entire space we need to build on. Of course we have to continuedoing some serious fundraising to make the museum happen. Obviously we can’tname a date when TRHM will be ready to open, as lots of work is ahead, but yoursupport in this endeavor will help get us to that happy day.

Members in the Houston and Tomball areas: for the past several years both DougWeiskopf and I have been presenting programs on historical Texas railroads as wellas our Chapter’s museum aspirations to let people in the community know who weare and what we do. If you know of or belong to an organization or group thatwould be interested in such a presentation, please contact me:wwillits@comcast.net or 281-373-4041.

The 2015 NRHS convention is just four months away. If you have not registered toattend and haven’t selected your choices of events, time is wasting! There will be agreat week of railroading in Vermont, so get on board with those of us who are going;it’s a much different and unique part of the U.S.A. than where we live and a greatplace to visit.

Have you renewed your NRHS membership? Now’s the right time.

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 3

Chapter & Museum News

(Chapter & Museum News - continued on page 4)

Summary of the Chapter BOD MeetingTuesday, January 06, 2015

by Brent Lamb, Chapter Secretary

Meeting at IHOP, 6508 Washington Avenue, Houston.Present: Directors Tom Marsh, Chris Beetle, Al

Dykes, Perry Jones, Doug Weiskopf, Bill Willits, BrentLamb, and Rob Maxwell; past president Phil Whitley;visitor Robert Rivera.

Called to order at 7:00 pm by President Chris Beetle.Treasurer’s report: on behalf of Treasurer Jerry

Dorcz, Bill Willits presented copies of the financial reportfor the period ending December 31, 2014. Tom Marshstated that the 2015 budget must be set at the next boardmeeting.

Membership report: Perry Jones said that there havebeen 84 membership renewals to date with 14 yet to beentered. The chapter has received $2,016 in dues anddonations of $2,547 for a total income of $4,563. Thirtynine members requested first class (newsletter) deliverywhich totaled $390. Forty nine renewals came back withneed for various corrections. Two have used “Pay Pal”(not an option offered – Ed.). Tom suggested that asecond mailing to those who have not renewed be madewhich would be approximately 75 letters. There are 127email addresses in the membership list.

Mechanical report: Al Dykes updated the remainingequipment at Railwood. There is a signal cabinet thatwas removed from its concrete base by the WednesdayGang and is now ready to be loaded on a trailer andmoved to Tomball. The concrete telephone booth willhave to be lifted vertically to prevent damage. Thechapter received $2,100 for the truck frames that weresalvaged.

Discussion items:The transport agreement for the Verde Valley with the

Arizona group that purchased the car will be reviewed on01/08/2015. They will then be ready to move the car.Tom would like to move the Eagle Chasm to the Naviga-tion site when the Verde Valley is removed. That wouldend our equipment presence at Produce Row.

The Ft. Lauderdale sleeping car has been sold. Thechapter will assist the new owner in getting the carmoved to Dallas. They would like to have the car inDallas by March, 2015.

The final Tomball property will close on 01/07/2015.This acquisition will provide the space needed to properlyhouse the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum andmaintenance facilities.

The chapter web site needs to be updated.Chapter field trips for 2015: one possibility being the

Hill Country Flyer from Cedar Park, near Austin, toBurnet, Texas. A charter bus for that event may bepossible.

This year’s chapter Christmas Party in Spring, Texasnetted a $516 profit, which was less than last year’s.

Chris Beetle said that he would like to see the GoodCheer move to Tomball on its own trucks. Tom said thatwould cost about $100,000 to occur.

Tom asked if the chapter would like to renew itsmembership with the Association of Tourist Railroads &Railway Museums which would cost $200. No action atthis time.

Tom asked for a motion to spend (an additional)$1,500 on legal services to establish a museum. BillWillits seconded the motion and it was passed by theboard of directors. Attorneys have already handled theVerde Valley transfer of ownership, sale of the Ft.Lauderdale sleeping car, land leases for the city of Tomall,revisions for the certification of the formation for themuseum, and a teleconference for the operating agree-ment between the chapter and the museum. The mu-seum board will begin with Al Dykes, Phil Scheps, andTom Marsh. New members will then come aboard. Thechapter has allocated $400,000 to spend on the museumsite in Tomball. It is estimated that it will cost $1.6million to build the museum grounds.

Rob Maxwell from Tomball said that grading plansneed to be sent to the city and that a survey plat will alsobe needed. He will put together a list of engineering stepsinvolved.

Tom said that once the chapter signs an operatingagreement with the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum,we (the chapter) are not responsible for the museum.The chapter only owns the railroad cars.

Phil Whitley asked about the donation of the formerSanta Fe switch engine to the Rosenberg RailroadMuseum. It is up to the Rosenberg Museum to prepare asite for the engine and find a way to move it.

The next BOD meeting will be at 7:00 pm Tuesday,February 03, 2015 at IHOP on Washington Avenue,Houston, Texas as usual.

NOTE: the Tuesday, March 03, 2015 BOD meetingwill be at the Denny’s Restaurant on Washington Avenue(across I/10 overpass from IHOP) to avoid NationalPancake Day at IHOP.

The board of directors meeting was adjourned byPresident Chris Beetle at 7:55 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Chapter Secretary BrentLamb. Summary by the editor.

4 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

(Chapter & Museum News - continued from page 3)

Reminders from the EditorI need your articles for the March issue by Thurs-

day, February 12, for the April issue by Thursday,March 12. Thank you.

Chapter Membership MeetingFebruary 17, 2015

The Tuesday, February 17 Membership Meeting ofthe Gulf Coast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. will be held at:

Valley Ranch Grill & Barbeque22548 Texas State Highway 249Houston TX 77070As always, Chapter meetings start at 7:30 p.m.Come early to eat and to greet your friends.When coming from central Houston, this location is

approximately 6.5 miles northwest of the Sam HoustonTollway intersection with State Highway 249. Take theSpring Cypress exit from SH 249 onto the frontage road.Valley Ranch is at the north end of the shopping area atthe southeast corner of Spring Cypress Rd. and the SH249 frontage road.

We will be meeting in a separate room behind thedining room, so tell the host/hostess you are with therailroad group.February 17 program

Jerry Dorcz will present some of Dave See’s railroadslides. Our dear friend and longtime Gulf Coast ChapterAdministrative Vice President David See died suddenly onNovember 21, 2000 at age 45; his family agreed to givehis railroad slides to the Gulf Coast Chapter. We lookforward to remembering Dave trackside.Preview of March 17 program

Chapter VP-Events Doug Weiskopf has been able totentatively schedule Texas Central Railway PresidentRobert Eckels to speak on this high speed rail (HSR)project planned between Houston and Dallas.

NOTICE: All 2015 Gulf Coast Chapter MembershipMeetings are planned to occur at Valley Ranch.

March BOD meeting changeThe March 3 Gulf Coast Chapter board of directors

meeting will be held at the Denny’s restaurant on thenortheast corner of Washington and the westbound I/10frontage road to avoid conflict with IHOP’s NationalPancake Day. This change is for the March BOD only.

President’s cornerby Shawn Sanders, Chapter President

Greetings on a cold, wet, rainy day in January, withhopes that we are not iced in as you are reading this,unless it is in a “new” refrigerator car for the museum.Sorry, the car is wishful thinking!

As we enter February, we seem to be nearingcompletion of terms and agreements to move the mu-seum to Tomball. There will be feature articles detailingthis as we move through the year.

We are also looking forward to having a steady“meeting home” at Valley Ranch Grill & BBQ for ourmonthly Membership Meetings and programs. Pleaseplan to attend and bring a friend with you.. Valley RanchGrill & BBQ is at the north end of the shopping center atSH 249 and Spring-Cypress Road.

As a chapter, we are working on putting togethersome trips and other exciting activities, so stay tuned formore details. As for me, I am trying to stay warm andhope you all are warm and well as we move through thewinter months.

We appreciate your attendance and support of theGulf Coast Chapter. Happy Railroading!

Membership reminderby Perry Jones, VP – Membership

Thanks to all who have renewed your membershipsin Gulf Coast Chapter for 2015. This renewal year hasbeen somewhat of a challenge in that NRHS elected notto include local membership renewals along with theNational renewal process. Fortunately, the Gulf CoastChapter has members experienced with the membershiprenewal process and they quickly responded to help meprepare the revised billing.

The Gulf Coast Chapter needs your continuedsupport through your memberships and donations as wecontinue forward with creation of a new museum tohouse our collection of railroad history and memorabiliain Tomball, TX. We mailed over 150 Gulf Coast Chaptermembership renewal forms in November and we havereceived 100 paid renewals as of January 12, 2015, a67% renewal rate.

Donations to the Chapter totaled $3263.00 during thesame period. What a great response! Thank You.

Please review your separate NRHS billing andconsider your involvement.

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 5

2015 NRHS Conventionby the editor

I’ll be there. Will you?The 2015 NRHS Convention at Rutland, Vermont,

June 14-20 will feature several excursions and otherunique events.

To register, go to the NRHS website: www.nrhs.comA PDF booklet containing Convention information is

part of the “Registration Package.” It is recommendedyou read this PDF document for full informationbefore attempting to actually register.

The address for actually registering is displayed onpage 23 of the 30 page PDF information booklet:

http://www.regonline.com/nrhs2015conventionSelecting “Tickets On Sale Now” on the second page

of the website goes directly to the registration form at theabove address.

You can also obtain a convention booklet and regis-tration form by writing to:

2015 NRHS Convention100 N 20th St., Suite 400Philadelphia, PA 19103-1462

Rachel Pipkin Awardby the editor

Congratulations to Tom Marsh. During the GulfCoast Chapter Holiday Party at Puffabelly’s on December7, 2014, outgoing president Chris Beetle bestowed the2014 Rachel Pipkin Award on Tom. This award is giveneach year to a member who has gone above and beyondin service to the Chapter. Tom certainly earned thisaward, as he has been taking the lead on many chapterand museum matters and delivering for a long time. Myapologies for not according Tom due recognition in theJanuary issue.

Membership information current?Please let Perry Jones, Chapter Membership VP,know as soon as possible about any address,phone number or email address changes bycontacting him via e-mail:(jones_perry@hotmail.com) or(membership@texasrrmuseum.org)or by phone: 281-844-0951 (Mobile). Pleaseinclude your membership ID (NRHS MemberNumber) and mention “Membership Change.”

Above from left: The evening’s emcee Jerry Dorcz, RachelPipkin Award winner Tom Marsh and Chapter president ChrisBeetle as Tom received his award. Photo by Al Dykes

City of Tomball acquires site!by the editor

As of January 7, 2015, the City of Tomball com-pleted acquisition of the several contiguous properties thatare to become the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum(TRHM) site. This culminates more than two and a halfyears of anticipation by the city and Gulf Coast Chapter.Engineering work on the site will proceed in the nearfuture under direction of the newly constituted museumboard of directors.

Greater Houston Train Show 02/21/15Join us at the Greater Houston Train Show spon-

sored by the San Jacinto Railroad Club on Saturday,February 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the StaffordCenter in Stafford, Texas. Gulf Coast Chapter will have abooth in the outer hallway; we need volunteers to man itand greet our many friends there. Of course you’ll havetime to buy a ticket and enjoy the “inside” show, too!

“Thanks and welcome”by the editor

Thanks to Dave Bateson, our Chapter board Secre-tary in 2014, for his well written and delivered minutes.Dave’s night work schedule has made it difficult for himto attend all board meetings and he is stepping down. Hesays he’ll be able now to help with the Wednesday Gangprojects regularly though, so that’s good news!

Welcome to Brent Lamb, who has volunteered to takeover as Secretary in 2015. Brent has been a longtimemember and volunteer, also a regular with the WednesdayGang, and board members look forward to working withhim this year. Brent, thanks for stepping up.

6 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

many happy hours at the old museum after the movethere from Union Station in 1977, this brings another erato an end. But soon we expect to be hard at workbuilding our new museum in a third site. Then we willbring all the elements together again.

(Heavy lifting at Railwood - continued from page 1)

Above: Just a few odd-shaped items take up a lot of space!

Below: This signal base and relay case were finally persuadedaboard with some coaxing.

Above: No, kids, it is not a giant spider or an alien; a long-agodamaged Blunt truck sideframe is enroute to the scrapper.

Above: A tall boom makes working over the fence a lot easier;no amount of volunteering can beat a machine like this!

Left: This relaycase, after muchh a m m e r i n g ,chiseling andother kinds ofpersuasion by Aland Chris, wase v e n t u a l l yseparated fromits very heavyconcrete baseand now residesin the Tomballstorage location.

All photos on this page by Phil Whitley

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 7

Above: Wheelsets, intact trucks and all sorts of other heavyhardware can make a trailer-load very quickly. One of the oldtrucks that used to sit in the weeds is being swung into positionfor placement on a trailer.Below: The old traction motor wheelset from the HB&T S-2 islifted to be swung over onto one of the trailers.

Above: One of the Blunt trucks here being cut apart to makesmaller packages for scrapping will soon be a “non-truck.”

Above: Crewmen strap the double height wigwag case outsidethe “station” for lifting.Below: At the Tomball end of the trip, Chris Beetle surveysjust part of thematerial deposited after trucking.

Above: The following day Al picked up some “leftovers” in hispickup truck and took them out to Tomball.

All photos this page by Al Dykes

8 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

Left: Photo 2 - T&NO F-5 2-10-2 #916 pulls eastbound train246 across the Devil’s River (mile 394 of the Houston Divisionon the T&NO’s Sunset Route). In 1948 flooding destroyedfour of the six spans, requiring a massive reconstruction. Anew and relocated six span bridge to carry the railroad acrossthe water was built in 1963 and Lake Amistad began filling in1968; the lake has since occupied most of this view. The trackcomes straight off the south end of the present bridge insteadof curving as in this 1941 photo.

The culvert marker in the foreground (39450) provided theeditor’s initial clue to confirming this location. The companyphotographer who took this photo had to be capable of someserious hiking, as this area of Texas was and is very rugged.The Mexican border (now in the middle of the lake) is out ofsight to the left of this view.

The cantaloupe train: 1941by the editor

We have, among the archives of the Chapter, a bindercontaining some glossy photographs from the SouthernPacific and its affiliates dating from the early to mid-20thcentury. As we prepared to move the museum collectionto storage in 2013 I saved at home some archival materi-als with potential as article sources, since I had no ideahow long it might be before we could again access thearchives; the binder is among those materials.

Some but not nearly all of the photos are stamped onthe back with the statement: “From Southern PacificPublic Relations 65 Market Street, San Francisco.” Mostof the photos are of California SP scenes (including some

interesting steam), but on examination I noticed four (atrandom in the binder, not all together) are related toT&NO and Texas. They show a solid reefer train loadedwith either California or Arizona cantaloupes (“1941cantalope train” [sic] and the number “9” are written onback of all four in pencil) enroute at four differentlocations in Texas on the SP, T&NO and SSW. Noidentification as to the actual locations are on the photos,but I recognized one almost immediately and by researchdeduced two others after some study. My special thanksto George Werner for information on the Devil’s Riverbridge floods and to both George and Joe Dale Morris fortheir help in verifying train numbering and times on theHustler’s route.

Left: Photo 1 - The cantaloupe train is eastbound on the formerPhelps-Dodge EP&SW line via Columbus, New Mexico,crossing the Rio Grande River from New Mexico into Texasjust west of Smeltertown on the west side of El Paso; highwaybelow is US 80, track is P&SF. The Mexican border is about1/2 mile to left of view; at some points in New Mexico theborder is only feet away from the right of way. The EP&SWline was acquired by SP in 1924 and used as a second mainlinebetween southeastern Arizona and Texas. SP’s original(regular) main west via Deming and Lordsburg, New Mexico,curves away over the Rio Grande in right background.Columbus was the scene of a 1915 raid by Pancho Villa thatsoon brought U.S. troops under General Pershing there.

The December 1949 Official Guide shows that SouthernPacific routed certain Sunset Route and Golden State Routepassenger trains via the EP&SW: westbound Golden State #3,Argonaut #5 and Imperial #39; eastbound Golden State #4,Imperial #40 and Cherokee #44. The Sunset Limited #1 and#2 regularly ran only on the original SP main.

Most of the EP&SW line was abandoned in the early 1960s butabout three miles remain; the portion visible in the photoconnects to the regular SP main just beyond the hills in thebackground, giving UP a (separated) double track into El Paso.

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 9

Right: Photo 4 - SSW (Cotton Belt) 4-8-4 #805 (left tracknearer the photographer) is about to receive the cantaloupetrain from the T&NO (train on the other track in background)for movement east from Corsicana. The head brakeman (orbystander?) by the switch in front of 805 is wearing a jauntyboater hat; possible railfan?

This series of photos obviously was an SP/T&NO companypromotion for the fruit block service in season. Therefrigerator cars would have been serviced at various locations;the railroad maintained a large icing operation at El Paso,among other places.

From Corsicana the train could have been routed to Memphis,St. Louis or Chicago via the Cotton Belt and its connections; itwould be interesting to know how long the total trip took fromfarm to grocery in 1941.

Right: Photo 3 - Northbound onH&TC/T&NO, 2-10-2 #984 withtrain 3-263, the “Cantalope Train”passes the Hustler that is enrouteto Houston somewhere south ofCorsicana. “Sunbeam” is writtenon back of the photo but this musthave been the Hustler, becausethere are no elongated shadows,making it appear this shot wastaken closer to midday; theSunbeam ran late in the day. Theupper parts and roofs of buildingsin the background are evidentrailroad structures (note the trainorder signal) but no amount ofsearching revealed a matchingphoto profile along the Dallas-Houston route that could identifythe location absolutely.

(From progressiverailroading.com)Houston transit authority readies new CAF light-rail cars for service

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) will launch six new CAF USA light-rail cars intorevenue service on Wednesday (January 7th), marking the entry of Houston’s third generation (H3) of rail cars.

Other new CAF vehicles will enter service over the next several weeks leading up to the opening of two new raillines. The East/Green Line and Southeast/Purple Line are scheduled to open in April, METRO officials said in a pressrelease.

The H3 CAF cars will join 19 H2 and 18 H1 (Siemens S70) cars now providing service on the North and MainStreet (Red) lines, bringing the total to 76 METRORail cars once the CAF car delivery of 39 H3 vehicles is completed,they said.

The units are powered by an overhead catenary system and can carry up to 200 riders per car.CAF USA, a subsidiary of Spain’s Construcciones y Auxilliar de Ferrocarriles, is contracted to provide the new

cars for METRO’s light-rail expansion. The units will be used throughout the agency’s system.

10 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

Early Texas Railroads

Missouri Pacific Lines in Texasby W. E. (Bill) Willits

Part 2

The I&GN had sought some financial relief from theTexas Legislature, but the Governor was apparently not intotal agreement with that body:March 11, 1875

“The International”“The Governor vetoed the International compromise

bill which granted $3,000,000 in bonds to the companyfor building the road to the Rio Grande, and exacts thatthe road pay into the State Treasury annually two percent of its gross earnings until the principal and interestof the bonds are paid. The bill also required the road tobuy $80,000 of any State bonds which may be issued andplaced upon the market semi annually every two years, orto the amount of $320,000…”

As the I&GN’s one year trackage agreement with theT&P to route trains to and from Texarkana by way ofLongview expired, the T&P decided not to renew it,citing dissatisfaction with the terms. These trackagerights would be reinstated later but for the time being theI&GN had to seek another arrangement.

The I&GN’s cattle shipping business in Texas wasdoing well:June 6, 1875

“Large trains of stock for Shreveport and St. Louisare passing on the International daily.”

June 15, 1875, brought the beginning of majorchanges. The I&GN general offices were being relocatedfrom Houston to Palestine. This move would bring greatpride to Palestine as an important part of the railroad’sexpansion and added significant numbers of jobs to thelocal work force.

And at the Texas-Arkansas border the cattle just keptarriving:

The I&GN General Office Building constructed in Palestine in 1874 provided the railroad with an imposing presence in thatcity. Additional structures, including shop buildings, roundhouse and others, all added to the prominence of I&GN. This wasto be the railroad’s gem and promised permanence that would only later be challenged.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 11

July 1, 1875“There have been fed, watered and shipped from

Texarkana during the week 120 carloads containing 2500head of cattle, and one car load of horses containing 20head.” Were these animals going west to build herds oreast (to St. Louis?) to slaughter. Heavy traffic wasmoving both ways.

At Columbus, 80 miles west of Houston and far fromany of the International & Great Northern’s existingtracks, there was anticipation that the I&GN would soonbe building in another direction:December 16, 1875

“A party of surveyors in charge of Captain Wm. F.Clarke left Columbus on Thursday last for the purpose ofsurveying lands in Colorado County for the Internationaland Great Northern Railroad company. It may not beknown to every one that the vast prairie region south of

this city was, until very recently, public domain. It isnow, however, filed upon and is being surveyed for theabove mentioned Railroad company…” Any anticipatedrail line in this item never materialized. Actually therailroads of Texas owned vast amounts of land far fromtheir own operations; land was the same as money in thetreasury.

The reactivated I&GN and T&P interchange meantbusiness for both companies. In this period ratesgenerally were set by the railroads themselves and stateor federal regulation had not yet become a factor:January 6, 1876

“The Texas Pacific Railroad has cut rates on cottonfrom the junction of the International to $3 per bail toNew Orleans, via Shreveport and Red River.”

The following item indicated migration outward toareas far beyond the larger towns:

This International Railroad 2nd Mortgage Bond was issued in 1874, after the consolidation of the H&GN and International asInternational & Great Northern. It is signed by Galusha Grow, president of the International prior to the merger. Why it wouldhave been issued at this late date in the name of the International only is unclear.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

12 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

January 27, 1876“The Great Northern is crowding so many immi-

grants into Dallas and adjacent counties that a few ofthem are ‘sloshing over,’ and coming this way. These arenot the first people whom the force of circumstanceshave assigned a better condition.”

From Hearne the I&GN had finally completed itstrack southwest to Rockdale and graded a line onward toreach Austin:March 2, 1876

“The International Railroad Company is preparing toextend their line of road from Rockdale towards Austin.Rockdale is full of contractors, engineers, etc.”

Jobs on the railroad’s construction were said to beavailable:March 2, 1876

“Two hundred men and one hundred teams can getwork on the International.”

The following item, whose message was quite clearin the first words, was unfortunately not readable beyondthe first sentence in the newspaper copy. One can only

speculate what was said, but it was an optimistic start:May 4, 1876

“Now that we know that the International Railroadwill be completed to Austin by September, and that thebusiness and population of the city will be largely …”

The following item was tongue in cheek; the Austindepot (later Union Depot) was built centrally at Congressand Cypress (3rd St.). Mt. Bonnell is the highest pointnear Austin, on the Colorado River northwest of town, apopular tourist destination since the 1850s. The “narrowgauge to Mt. Bonnell” evidently was a non-starter, as nohistories of the area mention it and there is no indicationon maps of the era that it was ever built:June 1, 1876

“The Statesman is satisfied the depot of the Interna-tional railroad will not be located near the business centerof Austin, as it will cost the people of the city $90,000;and thinks it would be better for the depot to be located inthe suburbs, where donations of land for it had beenoffered gratis, and the money put in a narrow gauge toMt. Bonnell.”

This very fragile map from an 1877 passenger timetable issued by the I&GN shows Texas with some of the I&GN’s in-stateconnections emphasized. In the upper right portion the Texarkana connection via the CA&T (and the Iron Mountain innorthern Arkansas to St. Louis) are evident. Obviously the map outside Texas is condensed considerably to fit.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 13

There were always optimists who expected anearly arrival of “their” railroad:August 31, 1876

“It is stated that the International road will becompleted to Austin in October.”

The following is the first mention of theMissouri Pacific Railroad in the Colorado Citizen,whose editor always seemed to have a good nosefor railroad news from farther north:September 14, 1876

“On the 6th inst. Andrew Pierce, Jr., bid in theMissouri Pacific Railroad for $3,000,000.” Was JayGould waiting in the wings?

Although somewhat delayed, Austin wouldprobably soon have its second railroad (the H&TChad arrived five years earlier):October 26, 1876

“The International is expected to be completedto Austin by the 18th of November next.”

Construction was indeed getting close to Austin:November 2, 1876

“Duval is the new terminus of the Internationalroad, nine miles north of Austin.”

Earlier optimism had been dashed, but therailroad was still coming:December 7, 1876

“Austin expects to have the International roadrunning trains there by the 1st of next month.Work will be promptly begun on both passenger andfreight depots.”

The following item was the first mention of aclosed roundhouse at Hearne, perhaps from a fire, afrequent occurrence around railroad properties.However, it is likely that Hearne had temporarily lostits prominence on the railroad as constructioncontinued away from that area, and the roundhousemay not have been needed for a time:December 28, 1876

“The I. & G. N. Railroad have again madeHearne the end of a division, and will soon re-opentheir round house at that place, so say reports.”

Migration to Texas was in full swing:December 28, 1876

“A party of seventeen went South to Palestine,Texas, yesterday, on the Iron Mountain Railway. Thiswas an advance guard of a colony of and from Pennsyl-vania. Texas immigration was never so heavy before as itis this season… St. Louis Republican, 15th.”

The consolidation of the International and H&GNseveral years earlier had resulted in a large complexrequired to service the expanded railroad’s operations atthe Palestine hub:May 24, 1877

“The general offices and shops of the Internationaland Great Northern are located at Palestine.”

Typical of many railroads as they struggled to

expand, the I&GN was forced into receivership in early1878. R. S. Hayes was appointed to the post of receiverApril 1, 1878 by the U.S. Circuit Court for the WesternDistrict of Texas at Austin in response to a suit by thetrustees of the railroad over due mortgages of both theInternational and the H&GN dating from prior to theircombination in 1873.

There was soon to be another railroad connection notfar north of Austin. The Georgetown Railroad Companywas incorporated under the General Laws of Texas May16, 1878. It was to construct 9.7 miles of track betweenGeorgetown and Round Rock, where it would inter-

January 1877 passenger timetable cover illustrates two themes usedby the early I&GN, Short Line to Texas and Lone(Star) Route. Bright color looks like the sunshine in Texas!

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

14 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

change with the I&GN. This small road was sold underforeclosure to an agent of the I&GN’s receiver on August5, 1879, was then deeded to an officer of the I&GN andsubsequently, on August 20, 1879, was leased by theI&GN.

Texans had a new reason for pride in their state:October 31, 1878

“Col. J. H. Page, the well known general passengeragent of the I. & G. N. route, was in the city yesterday,and from him it was learned that Texas carried off theprize and first honors at the St. Louis exposition, in thedisplay of products, fruit, soil, etc., as arranged by thepassenger department of the International…”

Undoubtedly the first hastily built passenger depot inAustin had proven inadequate:

June 12, 1879“The International railway company is about to put

up a comfortable passenger depot at Austin.”In Houston there had been need for a better

routing between two railroads:August 21, 1879

“The International and Great Northern railroadcompany is laying a switch track from their bridgeacross the bayou, to connect with the Central tracknear the Texas Transportation company’s depot. Thiswill cause a considerable saving of time to theGalveston, Houston and Henderson trains coming fromUnion (the joint GH&H/I&GN depot) to the Centraldepot. A considerable force is at work on the line atthis time. – Houston Telegram.”

In 1873 and 1874 the infamous financier andpromoter Jay Gould had acquired large holdings in theUnion Pacific Railroad, and soon acquired control ofthe Central Pacific and Kansas Pacific railroads as wellas the Denver Pacific. In a strategy at least partiallyintended to prevent competition by the expandingMissouri Pacific with his western holdings, Gould thenbought control of the Missouri Pacific and madehimself its president. Using his considerable leverage,Gould began acquiring control of several lines in Texasto ally them with the MP in a “Southwest System.”

Beginning in 1879-1880, Missouri Kansas &Texas, International & Great Northern and othersmaller roads in Texas were taken over. Gould’sweight would also be felt on the Texas & Pacific(T&P), which until this time had not been allied withthe Southwest System, when Gould bought control ofthe T&P in December, 1880. In fairness, the T&P,which had been trying to construct its line west of Ft.Worth for more than five years with little progress,probably could be said to have benefited greatly fromthe driving personality and financial clout of Gould, asits construction accelerated and resulted in relativelyrapid progress after 1880. The T&P story is also anintriguing one to be told another time.

In the meantime, the I&GN was preparing to buildtrack southward from Austin to San Antonio. The initialsurveys had been done years earlier; now they wereselecting a final route:December 18, 1879

“The International surveyors have reached SanAntonio. Their survey makes the distance from Austin toSan Antonio 76½ miles. – San Marcos Free Press.”

Track gauge differences had been a longstandingissue among railroads elsewhere as well as in Texas; thefollowing item on the subject is of interest:July 8, 1880“The Vanished Broad Gauges”“(per the New York Journal of Commerce):”

“The last of the six gauges has disappeared from thegreat roads in this country. The Erie and the Atlantic

St. Louis page of 1877 I&GN passenger timetable containsinteresting notes in the left portion and major connections.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015 15

Great Western are now standard gauge all through. TheOhio and Mississippi road was the third great exemplar ofthe broad gauge folly. But of this burden the lattercleaned itself some years ago…”

The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe and the International& Great Northern had a new junction, as noted in thefollowing item:July 22, 1880

“The new town at the junction of the Internationaland Santa Fe railroads, in Milam county, is called‘Temple,’ in honor of the chief engineer of the road(Bernard Temple of the Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe,GC&SF), but as yet there are no marks of civilizationabout the place.”

The ownership of trackage from Waco southward toTaylor through Temple changed from time to timewithout ever really changing at all. This part of the linewas built by the I&GN. On December 1, 1880, theMK&T was put under Missouri Pacific control and onJune 1, 1881, the I&GN was leased to the MK&T for a99 year period (although the lease would be terminated in1888; more on that later). An 1885 topographical mapshows the Waco-Taylor line as “Missouri Pacific.” Itwould eventually revert (rightfully, since it was built onan original MK&T survey) to MK&T ownership a fewyears later when Jay Gould no longer controlled the Katy.

Optimistic predictions were frequently made:August 19, 1880

“Between now and the first of September over twohundred miles will be added to Texas railroads. TheSanta Fe will extend from Caldwell to Cameron; theInternational will be extended from Austin to San Marcos;the Texas Pacific will be extended thirty or forty mileswest of Weatherford; the M. K.& T. will be extendedsouth of Denison about thirty miles, and other extensionswill be made and the Texas and New Orleans road will beat last completed. – Ex. (San Antonio Express News)”

A new railroad to be built in northeast Texas, theHenderson & Overton Branch Railway, had been char-tered April 29, 1874. Construction began in 1875 andapparently considerable progress was made on gradingand bridges. However, the contractor (possibly for non-payment) stopped work in early November 1975 with theline incomplete. By April 1876 the original constructioncontract was declared null and void. Local officers ofthe railroad then attempted to persuade the I&GN to takeover the incomplete line without success. Individuals inHenderson formed their own company in October 1876and completed construction of the railroad as of May 7,1877. The company continued to operate independentlyuntil September 27, 1880, when I&GN purchased it.

South of San Marcos the work on the Austin-SanAntonio line was going rapidly forward:November 4, 1880

“Track-laying on the International has reached theGuadalupe, a temporary bridge will be erected, and in two

weeks the locomotive is expected to ring the bell in thestreets of New Braunfels.”

While the track-building went on well south ofAustin, work was still in progress on the bridge over theColorado River in the Capitol City:December 2, 1880

“Work on the International bridge at Austin is pro-gressing rapidly; the piers are nearly up and soon the ironsuperstructure will be put in position. The road isfinished ten miles beyond New Braunfels.”December 23, 1880

“Work is being rapidly carried forward on the Austinbridge across the Colorado river. The structure is to haveseven piers, five of them have been completed.”

At this time the eventual MK&T tracks from Denisonto Ft. Worth to Waco to Taylor were identified as “Mis-souri Pacific” property in the following item:December 23, 1880

“The Missouri Pacific will be built to Fort Worth.The contract for grading and bridging the road fromDenison has been awarded to Mr. Martin Jones, an oldrailroad builder. This is the result of the southern tour ofGeneral Manager Talmage.”

Meanwhile, the bridge over the Colorado River atAustin was getting closer to completion:January 6, 1881

“Five of the massive piers of the International bridgehave been finished, and work on the last two is progress-ing rapidly and will soon be completed and the iron workbe put up. The whole structure will probably be inreadiness for trains to pass over by February 1st. –Austin Statesman.”

In early January, 1881, the Galveston, Harrisburg &San Antonio (GH&SA, the Sunset Route), which hadcompleted track westward from Columbus and broughtits first train into San Antonio on February 5, 1877, beganits long awaited extension west from the Alamo Citytoward a rendezvous with the Southern Pacific forcesbuilding east from El Paso. That event would occur twoyears later near the confluence of the Pecos and RioGrande rivers more than 200 miles to the west of SanAntonio.

Over on the I&GN its southwestern extensionbetween Austin and San Antonio, 79.3 miles of railroad,opened for business February 16, 1881.

In the same period the Missouri Pacific forces werecontinuing to build in north Texas, too:March 31, 1881

“Construction work is being pushed on the MissouriPacific southwest and northwest of Fort Worth and westof Denton. Construction material is being rushed to thefront over the Texas and Pacific, Dallas and Wichita andTranscontinental. – News.”

Missouri Pacific Lines in TexasEnd of Part 2

16 Gulf Coast Railroading • February 2015

Timetable Notes

NOTE: Meetings

Tuesday,February 37:00 p.m.

Tuesday,February 177:30 p.m.

Tuesday,March 37:00 p.m.

Tuesday,March 177:30 p.m.

Tuesday,April 77:00 p.m.

Watch for monthly Membership Meetingannouncements and other information inthis newsletter, on the Chapter websiteand on Facebook.

February Gulf Coast Chapter BoardMeeting at the IHOP on Washington and I/10 (south side of I/10).

February Membership Meeting of theGulf Coast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. atValley Ranch Grill & Barbeque. Mem-bership Meeting article on page 4 hasdirections.

March Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meetingat the Denny’s on Washington and I/10(NORTH side of I/10). NOTE change oflocation for this month only!

March Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque. Membership Meetingarticle on page 4 has directions.

April Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

Work Party InformationRemember: “Just one volunteer day amonth will make a big difference!”

IF/WHEN MUSEUM WORK PARTIES ARE SCHEDULED

An announcement will be made when the museum is readyto receive work parties.

See contact information below and at right.“Wednesday” - confirm w/Chris Beetle 281-970-6708“Thursday evening” - confirm w/Al Dykes 281-367-7019“Saturday” - confirm w/Jerry Dorcz 281-357-4141

THE MODEL RAILROAD IS CURRENTLY STORED

An announcement will be made when the layout located inthe baggage end of ex-ATSF Railway Post Office car No.3401 is again available for work and operation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Al Dykes, Mechanical Vice President281-367-7019

Gulf Coast Railroading by PDF?Members: Get the PDF version of Gulf CoastRailroading early via e-mail! Send your e-mailaddress to jones_perry@hotmail.com and tell us“I want Gulf Coast Railroading via PDF.”

Contact us!We want to hear from you. If you have comments,questions or suggestions concerning your chapter,please do not hesitate to contact these officers.

Shawn Sanders, President.......bellzandwhistles@aol.comTom Marsh, VP-Admin........................txtr7@yahoo.comAl Dykes, VP-Mech .......................al_dykes@swbell.netPerry Jones, VP-Memb...........jones_perry@hotmail.comDoug Weiskopf, VP-Events...texianbear54@yahoo.comW. E. (Bill) Willits, VP-Editor.........wwillits@comcast.netBrent Lamb, Secretary................brentlamb@hotmail.comJerry Dorcz, Treasurer ...................jw_dorcz@swbell.net

April Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

May Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

May Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

June Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

No Membership Meeting will be held in themonth of June. How about attending theNRHS Convention?

Additional announcements may be added tothis schedule periodically.

Tuesday,April 21,7:30 p.m.

Tuesday,May 57:00 p.m.

Tuesday,May 19,7:30 p.m.

Tuesday,June 2,7:00 p.m.

SPECIALNOTICE

NOTICE

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 1

GULF COAST RAILROADINGOfficial Publication of the Gulf Coast Chapter – NRHS, Inc., and Texas Railroading Heritage Museum

Vol. 53, No. 3 ••••• March 2015

Checking out at Railwood!by the editor

Wednesday, January 28 – Railwood has hadthe “final, final” load taken away. Way back onSunday, December 15, 2013, we watched thelast of the rolling stock as it was taken away tostorage and thought “this is the end.” Well, itwasn’t, and many more days of effort by Chaptervolunteers, track removal crew and others wasneeded in early and late 2014 and on January 21,2015 to get the “almost last load” of materialremoved from the old museum site.

Well, today was the true last day! Mechani-cal VP Al Dykes made the arrangements. Thelast signal base and the concrete phone boothwith its heavy concrete roof (separated for

handling and movement) have been carried tostorage at Tomball.

It is time for some accolades, not only tothe six Gulf Coast Chapter volunteers (ChrisBeetle, Al Dykes, Perry Jones, Brent Lamb,Tom Mather and Russell Straw) who removedthe absolute last remnants of our former Hous-ton Railroad Museum from the Railwood site,but also to Ralph Radtke of Global Stainless forproviding two fork lifts and their operators todo the heavy lifting and to Roger Galloway forhis generous help by loaning us his trailer andallowing us to store our tonnage on his storagelot. Checked out. Done. See photos on page 8.

Photographers in Colorado often sought Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) action shots. On the Royal Gorge route inthe summer of 1990, SD50 5509 is about to lead a heavy merchandise train carrying hoppers up front onto the mainline.

GCC archives - Photo by David See

2 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

Welcome Aboard!

Charles Harding

Notice of Upcoming Meetings

The March Membership Meeting of the Gulf Coast Chapter - National RailwayHistorical Society, Inc., will be held.on Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. at ValleyRanch Grill & Barbeque. See Membership Meeting page 4 for directions.

Contributing to Gulf Coast Railroading: we welcome submissions. The deadlinefor submitting material to the editor is the 12th day of the month prior to therespective cover date. Material may be submitted on a CD or DVD in text or Wordformat along with a hard copy, or e-mailed as text or with a Word or text attachmentto wwillits@comcast.net, or you may mail a typed or printed copy to: W. E. Willits,Editor, P.O. Box 457, Houston, TX 77001-0457. Time-sensitive news items will begiven priority over general interest subjects. The editor reserves the right to edit,hold or omit material at his discretion.

GULF COAST

RAILROADING

Vol. 53, No. 3 • March 2015

Gulf Coast Railroading is published10 times each year by Gulf CoastChapter, National Railway Histori-cal Society, Inc., P.O. Box 457,Houston, TX 77001-0457. Opinionsexpressed herein may not reflect theofficial position of the Gulf CoastChapter or the National Railway His-torical Society.

Editor ................. W. E. (Bill) WillitsCirculation .......... J. Dorcz, P. Jones

Gulf Coast Chapter, National Rail-way Historical Society, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) educational organi-zation incorporated under the lawsof the state of Texas.

Meetings of the Membership areopen to the public and take place onthe third Tuesday of designatedmonths except December. See Time-table Notes on page 16 for dates andlocation of upcoming meetings.

Gulf Coast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. ownsa collection of rail equipment:Texas Railroading Heritage Mu-seum. The collection is now in stor-age awaiting completion of a newmuseum site: to be announced. Formore details, visit us on the web atour NEW address:

www.texasrrmuseum.org

2015 OfficersPresident ............... Shawn SandersVP-Administration ...... Tom MarshVP-Mechanical ................Al DykesVP-Membership .......... Perry JonesVP-Events ............ Doug WeiskopfVP-Editor ........... W. E. (Bill) WillitsSecretary ..................... Brent LambTreasurer ..................... Jerry Dorcz

From the Editor...Bill Willits

Membership has its privileges!

Have you sent in your 2015 Gulf Coast Chapter renewal? Please renew and stayaboard. We want every member with us as we roll on into 2015 and this is the thirdGulf Coast Railroading issue of the year, with seven more yet to come. Renewnow if you haven’t already!

As a Chapter member, what do you expect from this newsletter? Chapter news?Got that. Museum news? Got that. Other emphasis? Railroad history is myfavorite subject (we are, after all, a railway historical society), but maybe I have aone-track mind in this era of multi-track thinking. When there is significant local orTexas railroad news that comes to my attention, I try to report it, but I don’talways report things farther away that will likely appear in the national rail-interestpublications. They have people with access to industry news and report itregularly, both online (some of which provides source material) and in print later; Ialso subscribe to several of those publications myself. But I get the feeling at timesthat I may not be reaching every member with my efforts. Please share yourthoughts with me.

The 2015 NRHS Convention centered at Rutland, Vermont, is now just threemonths away. Despite uncertainty about the future of the NRHS organization andhow it is going to operate into the future, several of us from the Chapter areregistered for this convention. I urge you to join us there. See page 5.

Regarding NRHS: as of mid-February I do not know how many Chapter membershave renewed with NRHS for 2015. I did “re-up,” because I believe the nationalorganization has an important role to play in rail history preservation on a largerscale. Eventually we all need to decide about supporting NRHS as our currentbylaws require. I recommend NRHS membership to all. End of sermon.

On April 20 an AAPRCO train will be coming to Houston from Albuquerque andthen is scheduled to go to San Antonio on April 21, part of the way via the formerMKT! I will publish the latest revised schedule in the April issue. Watch for it!

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 3

Chapter & Museum News

(Chapter & Museum News - continued on page 4)

Summary of the Chapter BOD MeetingFebruary 03, 2015

Brent Lamb, Secretary

Meeting at IHOP, 6508 Washington Avenue, Houston.Present: Directors Shawn Sanders, Tom Marsh,

Perry Jones, Doug Weiskopf, Bill Willits, Jerry Dorcz,Brent Lamb; past president Phil Whitley.

Called to order at 7:06 pm by President ShawnSanders.

Motion to accept the January 06, 2015 BOD meetingminutes by Tom Marsh, second Jerry Dorcz; accepted.

Treasurer’s report: Jerry Dorcz presented treasurer’sreport in a new format called the “2015 Monthly Opera-tions Report” and also distributed copies of the proposedbudget in a new way called the “2015 Dedicated Catego-ries Activity Report.” Motion to accept treasurer’s reportby Tom Marsh, second by Doug Weiskopf; accepted.(Full report available, not included in summary – Ed.)

Railwood: Chris talked about the last trip to site onJanuary 28th with the Wednesday Gang. A pipe yardemployee thought company did not want to spend moneyleveling former museum site for pipe yard use.

Tomball site report: Jerry said that all the property forthe museum has been acquired which includes 5 lots anda house which is being rented and probably will be movedsoon.

Museum corporation report: Tom stated the operatingcontract between the city of Tomball and the chapterneeded some minor changes. The new corporation calledthe Texas Railroading Heritage Museum (TRHM) has notyet received 501-3c status but is listed by State of Texasas a non profit.

Mailing address: Jerry asked about acquiring amailing address in Tomball. May later talk to Tomballpostmaster.

Tom reported on status on movement of museumrolling stock:

1. The Arizona Railroad Museum has agreed toacquire and move the “Verde Valley.”

2. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum presently has nomoney to lay track or move the GE (former Santa Fe)switch engine.

3. The “Fort Lauderdale” journal boxes inspectedwere a little over lubed; now ready to move.

4. The “Eagle Chasm” is still at Produce Row. TheMissouri Pacific Historical Society is meeting in Houstonnext September and wants to tour the “Eagle Chasm” andT&P car #1. We hope to move the “Eagle Chasm” to theNavigation storage site when the “Ft. Lauderdale” leavesProduce Row.

Stafford train show February 21: Chapter to set up a

display. Shawn asked if chapter brochures would beavailable by then; updated membership applications andbrochures should be ready.

Renewal reminders: Jerry asked if a final reminderfor chapter membership renewals should be mailed outnext week. Tom said that we could also invite people topay their dues at the Stafford train show.

Main Post Office: Tom stated bulk mail now beinghandled at the downtown post office will be moving toBush airport. Chapter post office box will be moving tothe San Jacinto Post Office, which has very little parking.Email addresses: Tom led discussion on what to do withthe email addresses collected at Big Texas Train Show.

Future shows: Berry Center in Cypress discussed asa possible site for the next chapter train show.

Membership Meeting programs: Doug reporting.February 17th: Jerry Dorcz to present David See

slides.March 17: Robert Eckels, president of Texas Central

Railway and former Harris County Judge, will discuss theplans for TCR’s planned high speed rail line betweenHouston and Dallas.

April 21: Greg Johnson, a model railroader, will talkabout the old “Rabbit Line.”

May 19: traditionally the “Show & Tell” railroadmemorabilia program.

Trips: the “Austin Steam Train” organization onlygives shop tours during the week, but not weekends.

Newsletter: Bill working on the March issue.Membership: Perry - 20 renewals including 4 in mail

on night of the BOD meeting. Total of 104 renewals forthe year - $2,472; additional for mailed hardcopy newslet-ters - $500; donations $3,465. One donation wasdedicated to the “Good Cheer.” Total $6,437.

Other matters:Chris reported that the old tile floor in the “Alton”

parlor car was removed by the Wednesday Gang.Phil Whitley reported that an American Association of

Private Railcar Owners (AAPRCO) train will be arrivingat the Houston Amtrak station on April 20, 2015. It willthen depart for San Antonio on April 21 via Alvin, Sealy,and Smithville.

MARCH 03, 2015 BOD MEETING TO BE AT DENNY’SRESTAURANT ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, HOUS-TON, NOT IHOP.

Meeting adjourned by President Shawn Sanders 8:45 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Chapter SecretaryBrent Lamb. Summary by the editor.

4 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

(Chapter & Museum News - continued from page 3)

The Tuesday, March 17 Membership Meeting of theGulf Coast Chapter – NRHS, Inc. will be held at:

Valley Ranch Grill & Barbeque22548 Texas State Highway 249

When coming from Houston, this location is approxi-mately 6.5 miles northwest of the Sam Houston Tollwayintersection with State Highway 249. Take the SpringCypress exit from SH 249 onto the frontage road. ValleyRanch is at the north end of the shopping area at thesoutheast corner of Spring Cypress Rd. and the SH 249frontage road.

We will be meeting in a separate room behind thedining room, so tell the host/hostess you are with therailroad group. Come early to eat and to greet yourfriends.

Chapter meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and are followedby a program.

March 17 program:Texas Central Railway (TCR) president Robert

Eckels will be speaking to us about the high-speed rail linehis company is planning between Houston and Dallas.This major transportation project is a subject of greatinterest and importance to our large and traffic-congestedmetropolitan areas.

April 21 program:Model railroader Greg Johnson will present a pro-

gram on “the Rabbit,” the Houston East & West Texas(HE&WT) line between Houston and Shreveport that hasalso had T&NO, SP and UP markings over the years.

NOTE: All 2015 Gulf Coast Chapter Membership Meet-ings are planned to occur at Valley Ranch. Reminderswill be in each issue of Gulf Coast Railroading.

Courtesy Google Maps

President’s messageby Shawn Sanders, Gulf Coast Chapter president

Greetings! As spring is knocking on the door andwinter is working its way out, the Chapter is embarkingon promising news of final negotiations with the City ofTomball on the site to house the newly named TexasRailroading Heritage Museum. This a major milestone forour organization, but we still have a long way to gobefore any rolling stock appears on the BNSF mainlineheaded north out of Houston.

There is much fund-raising to look forward to andstill volunteer work to do “behind the scenes” prior to ouremergence as a premier attraction in Tomball. Workingtogether, the Chapter and the newly formed Museumboards will oversee the initial development of our mu-seum site, until such time that the Museum board be-comes self-sufficient to operate independently of theChapter on matters relating to the museum. What we willhave in common is the rolling stock, which the Chapterwill lease to the museum. For more detailed informationrelating to these matters, we invite you to participate inany board of directors meeting or to visit with any of ourofficers directly. It is an exciting time!

On another note, I want to thank Doug Weiskopf forhis wonderful program at the Annual Corporate Meetingon January 20 about the early days of Houston arearailroading. It was very well researched and presented.Also, while as I am preparing this article the Februaryprogram has yet to be presented, I want to thank JerryDorcz for taking time to share some slides taken by ourlate member and Administrative VP David See. I know wewill have a good time reminiscing Dave’s tracksideexploits. Also coming soon we will have a speakerregarding the proposed high-speed rail line. Pleasecontinue to support these wonderful programs with yourpresence and PLEASE invite a friend to join us. Seeprogram details located within other pages of this news-letter.

Finally, we have a couple of past presidents dealingwith major health issues. Please continue to pray forDavid Taveirne and Bill Baxter and their families. David isdealing with cancer and Bill recently had open heartsurgery.

Until next time, (and there is a time change onMarch 8 to Daylight time - I wonder if the idea to call itDaylight Savings Time was related in any way to preserv-ing the memory of “The Most Beautiful Trains in theWorld.”) I can just see our illustrious editor now on asearch engine verifying enactment of DST and the end ofan era on the Southern Pacific in California. Happy andSAFE Railroading!

Chapter Membership MeetingMarch 17, 2015

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Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 5

Membership information current?Please let Perry Jones, Chapter Membership VP,know as soon as possible about any address,phone number or email address changes bycontacting him via e-mail:(jones_perry@hotmail.com) or(membership@houstonrrmuseum.org) or(membership@texasrrmuseum.org)or by phone: 281-844-0951 (Mobile). Pleaseinclude your membership ID (NRHS MemberNumber) and mention “Membership Change.”

2015 NRHS Conventionby the editor

I’ll be there. Will you?The 2015 NRHS Convention at Rutland, Vermont,

June 14-20 will feature several excursions and otherunique events.

To register, go to the NRHS website: www.nrhs.comA PDF booklet containing Convention information is

part of the “Registration Package.” It is recommendedyou read this PDF document for full information beforeattempting to actually register.

The address for actually registering is displayed onpage 23 of the 30 page PDF information booklet:

http://www.regonline.com/nrhs2015conventionSelecting “Tickets On Sale Now” on the second page

of the website goes directly to the registration form at theabove address.

You can also obtain a convention booklet and regis-tration form by writing to:

2015 NRHS Convention100 N 20th St., Suite 400Philadelphia, PA 19103-1462

ErrataOn page 8 of the October 2014 issue, I twice reversed thename of Texas Central Railway as Central Texas Rail-way; I’ve written it correctly many other times. I wouldnot confess now, except that apparently NOBODY caughtthe error. Oops! – Ed.

Archives projectby George D. Porter

Sometimes it takes three people to do one job. Thatis the case with our Chapter and one additional player. Inthe Spring 2012 issue of “The Eagle,” the magazine of theMissouri Pacific Historical Society, the then president,Bob Hochstetter, appealed to their membership to sharepersonal collections of documents that related to theMissouri Pacific Railroad. Having read that, the light bulbwent on in my head about all of the Missouri Pacific files(in folders) that I made from material we (our Chapter)got when we helped to clean out Union Station in Hous-ton back in the 1990s. We have a filing cabinet full ofMissouri Pacific-related correspondence and reports.

Kevin Love, now the fearless president of MPHS,was one of the original people to start on their librarycontents and get those on a computer. I contactedMPHS asking if our files could help in digitization ofpaper work relating to the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Yes.

So the only way to eat an elephant is one mouth fullat a time. I took one file folder in July 2012 and scannedthe first document in it. Once scanned I emailed it as anattachment to Kevin Love of MPHS and to Bill Willits. Itwas okay. With that start, we were off and running.When we first started Bill and Kevin would take the emailwith the attached scans and save those files to theircomputers.

In 2013 I started putting the files out in a dedicatedlocation online where both of them could access the filesand download them from there. So instantly we have ouroriginal files stored in two different locations and backedup separately as well. If anything ever happens to ouroriginal paper files we have them saved digitally.

One of the great features of the Internet is that youcan do work from almost anywhere. Even though Irecently moved to Georgetown I can still assist Bill andKevin by scanning files to build up the digital archives ofour Chapter and MPHS simultaneously.

So far (as of mid-February 2015) I have scanned thecontents of over 1,100 file folders, which representsabout 8,000 page scans. Bill keeps an exact count of thefiles and accompanying records for our Chapter. And weare helping ourselves and the Missouri Pacific HistoricalSociety at the same time. Now, if you don’t mind, I’dbetter get back to scanning more…

Reminders from the EditorI need your articles for the April issue by Thursday,

March 12, for the May issue by Sunday, April 12.Thank you for your continuing support.

Day TripperOn Saturday, January 24, 2015 the PBS “Day

Tripper” TV program that visits Texas historic places dida video piece about El Paso which showed (in thebackground of one scene taken at the Mexican border)the two Union Pacific Railroad bridges over the RioGrande from New Mexico at Smeltertown that appear inone of “The cantaloupe train: 1941” photos in theFebruary issue of Gulf Coast Railroading. – Ed.

6 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

The Local

On Other Rails

BNSF plans capital spending in TexasA recent item in progressiverailroading.com related

BNSF’s planned capital spending in three states for 2015:Illinois, North Dakota and Texas. BNSF plans to spend$223 million on capex projects in Texas:

“Major work involves constructing a southeastquadrant connection at Tenaha to facilitate the use of theLongview Subdivision for southbound trains heading toEast Texas and Louisiana; building a new siding inLumberton featuring CTC; beginning a two-year projectto replace the Trinity River bridge in Fort Worth; andexpanding parking and support tracks at the Allianceintermodal and automotive facilities in Haslet, and theAmarillo Automotive Facility.

“Track maintenance work includes 2,043 miles ofsurfacing and/or undercutting work, the replacement of62 miles of rail and 245,500 ties, and signal upgrades forPTC.

“BNSF previously released highlights of capital workplanned in Minnesota, Nebraska and Washington. All thework is part of the railroad’s record-setting $6 billioncapex budget for 2015…”

(From progressiverailroading.com)UP notes lower derailment rate; NTSB citesalertness device concerns

A sharper focus on training and technology upgradeshelped Union Pacific Railroad improve a key safety metricin 2014.

The Class I reduced its reportable derailment rate 7percent to 3.0 versus 3.24 in 2013. The railroad hasimproved the rate — which is calculated using thenumber of derailments per million train miles reportable tothe Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) — 38 percentover the past 10 years.

“We invested $4.1 billion in 2014 in our network andoperations, enhanced already solid track inspectionprocesses and technology, and broadly deployed creativeemployee training initiatives to continue our journey tozero derailments,” said Bob Grimaila, UP’s vice presidentof safety, security and environment, in a press release.

Employee training improvements had a direct impacton decreasing derailments and enhancing overall safety,UP officials said. For example, the railroad deployedillustrative shoving-move training videos on internaltelevision systems, in training classes and on its Intranet.

UP has spent more than $31 billion over the past 10years to strengthen its infrastructure, technology andequipment. The Class I now uses lasers and ultrasoundtechnology to identify rail defects; forecasts potentialfailures by tracking the acoustic vibration on wheels andheat trends on wheel bearings; performs a real-timeanalysis of every car each time it passes a tracksidesensor; and incorporates regular employee participation inrigorous safety training, such as to identify and preventpotential derailments.

Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations aboutelectronic alertness devices to the FRA, Association ofAmerican Railroads, American Short Line and RegionalRailroad Association and American Public TransportationAssociation based on an ongoing investigation of a UPaccident that occurred last year.

The recommendations aim to help ensure that thedevices or alerters work as intended on trains. If it hasbeen too long since the locomotive engineer performed aninput or action to reset the alerter, visual and audible alertsare activated and the train’s brakes are applied. But theNTSB determined that an alerter’s “idle time” reckoning

(From progressiverailroading.com)Texas railway narrows corridor search for Dallas-Houston bullet-train service

Texas Central Railway (TCR) has informed theFederal Railroad Administration (FRA) that it recom-mends narrowing the consideration of potential high-speed rail corridors between Dallas and Houston to whatis generally known as the Utility Corridor.

TCR officials concluded that the Utility Corridor isbest suited to meet the goals of the project to provideN700-I bullet-train service between Dallas and Houston,according to a TCR press release.

They reached their conclusion after a significanteffort to seek solutions to engineering, construction andeconomic challenges associated with building high-speedrail in or along the existing freight corridor.

“Texas Central has gone to great lengths to identifycorridors that will have the least impact on local commu-nities and meet our purpose and need,” said TCR Presi-dent Robert Eckels. “By informing the FRA that webelieve all ongoing studies and analysis should focus onidentifying potential alignments within and associated withthe Utility Corridor, we are staying true to our commit-ment to follow existing rights of way as much as pos-sible.”

The railway will “continue to work closely with

communities to make this project a success that we canall be proud of,” Eckels added.

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 7

The work never stops…

Right: Brent Lamb wields the scraper on a 68 year old concretefloor base in the 1947-delivered ALTON. The floor coveringhas probably been replaced several times since 1947.

Photo by Tom Mather

Wednesday, January 21 – No power? No problem.At the Houston storage site, Brent Lamb and Tom Mather(reduced Wednesday Gang for the day) removed tilingfrom the floor of GM&O parlor car ALTON and identi-fied floor areas that will require repair before futurereplacement with new floor covering.

can be reset to zero by inputs that don’t necessarilydemonstrate a crew member’s continuing engagement.

“We found that the alerters were acting from auto-mated events as if they had been human inputs,” saidNTSB Acting Chairman Christopher Hart in a pressrelease.

The NTSB discovered the safety issue as part of itsinvestigation of the 2014 collision of two UP trains inHoxie, Ark., that resulted in two crew member fatalitiesand the derailment of 55 cars. An examination of thesouthbound train’s event recorder found that the hornsequencer reset the electronic alertness device each timethe horn blew as if the engineer were commanding eachsound manually, preventing the device from providing analarm to the train crew or activating the brakes.

“Union Pacific Railroad has moved to fix this prob-lem. The FRA needs to require that other railroadsunderstand the problem and fix it where it is necessary,”said Hart.

(From progressiverailroading.com)PTC: KCSR’s signal forces focus on field instal-lations, testing and deployment strategy

Since 2008, Kansas City Southern Railway Co.’s(KCSR) Signal Group has posted progress with positivetrain control (PTC) implementation duties.

The group worked with suppliers to design varioussignal location types, completed the design of a darkterritory switch monitoring system for a PTC pilot in theNew Orleans Subdivision, determined locations to replaceout-of-date centralized traffic control equipment withnew PTC-compatible equipment, and initiated PTCengineering across various subdivisions, according to animplementation update on the “KCS News” web page.

For the rest of 2015, signal field installations willcontinue and the group is expected to begin working onwriting programs for various types of PTC/signalequipment to develop a testing and deployment strategy.

PTC program objectives include using a PTCgoverning body and implementation structure to comply

with federal PTC requirements; deploying technologiesneeded to deliver required PTC functions; collectingaccurate information and reporting data; preparingresources with the right PTC knowledge and skills;aligning operational processes to effectively operate andmaintain PTC technologies; and implementing a success-ful, interoperable PTC solution in compliance with federallaw, KCSR officials said in the update.

A key objective is reinforcing company-wide aware-ness of the PTC initiative. The railroad is committed toPTC implementation in order to meet the federal mandateand maintain its strong safety culture, KCSR officialssaid.

Union Pacific receives favorable rulingA judge in Midland, Texas, ruled in favor of the Union

Pacific Railroad regarding an accident in which a UnionPacific train struck a parade float with veterans and theirfamilies aboard at a crossing in Midland on November 15,2012. Four people were killed and 14 others were hurt.The float struck was following another float which hadjust crossed and the second one did not stop despiteoperating crossing warnings which were properlyworking. An appeal of the case is expected.

Judge James Rush wrote in the judgment disposingof the final claims against UP:

“As the court has determined, the first tractor-trailerdriven by James Atchison, and the facts and circum-stances associated with its crossing the Garfield Streetcrossing, as a matter of law did not create a specific,individual hazard and, for this reason, it did not create aduty on the part of the train crew to slow or stop thetrain.

“Plaintiffs have no evidence that Union Pacific’s traincrew could have avoided the accident by taking action atthe time when the crew first knew, or through theexercise of ordinary care should have known, based ontheir perception of the second tractor-trailer driven byDale Hayden, that a collision was imminent,” he added.

8 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

Checkout at Railwood!

Above: The two Global Stainless fork lift operators coordinateto move the concrete phone booth forward over double axles.Below: After centering the cylindrical booth, the concrete roofand the signal base are placed at the front. Watch those hands,Al! Brent supervises(?) from the ground.

Two photos by Tom Mather

Above left to right: Russell, Brent, Chris, Al, Tom (almosthidden) and Perry stand with the loaded trailer ready to go.

Photo by Russell Straw

Above left to right: Chris closes the gate for the last time asPerry watches. No more Wednesdays at Railwood, ever.Below: The load arrives at the Tomball storage site.

Two photos by Tom Mather

Above: The Global Stainless fork lift positions the concretephone booth for a “straight ahead” loading onto the trailer.

Photo by Russell Straw

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 9

Sharing a little local historyby the editor

Bob Rivera visited our Chapter booth at the Big TexasTrain Show in September 2014 and subsequently con-tacted Perry Jones, our Membership VP/Director, andsaid he wanted to join our organization. He then came tothe September 16 Membership Meeting and we “signedhim up.”

As I talked with Bob at the meeting, I began to puttwo and two together. Back in 2010-2011 while re-searching my multipart article on the Houston & TexasCentral, I acquired some photos and background infor-mation from the Cypress Historical Society. Among thatsociety’s newsletters I read an article about the Riverafamily. During the 1950s, Bob’s father Melesio Riverawas the track foreman for the Southern Pacific (T&NO)at Cypress. In my PowerPoint program on the H&TCand Cypress presented to the Society and at Lone StarCollege, I have featured photos of the earlier 20th century

section house and a track crew just south of theHempstead Highway as well as a 1915 map segmentshowing the lake (for steam locomotive water) coveringthe location presently occupied by the Mueschke Roadintersection below US 290 (NW Freeway) just west ofCypress.

History is great stuff when you can piece it alltogether. Thanks for refreshing my memory, Bob.

In the early 20th century a track gang has lined up facing eastfor the photographer (probably very early in the morning) justwest of Cypress on the H&TC (later to become T&NO and SP).The section house is out of the picture to left and HempsteadRoad is to the right. Water tank in the background was locatednear the southwest edge of the lake shown in the adjoiningmap. View looks west toward Swanson and Hockley.Courtesy Cypress Historical Society, Frank Litt Collection

A closeup from a 1915 topographical map of the Cypress areashows old Hempstead Road curving around the H&TC’s smalllake; that’s Mueschke Road angling away northward.

Image courtesy Perry-Castaneda Map Collection – UT

Right: In a much later era, the 1950s, on thesame 10 mile section of track the work hadbecome more mechanized. Mr. Melesio Rivera(center) and his track gang maintained thetrack in Section 4 on the SP/T&NO“Speedway” east and west of Cypress in thatperiod. The name Speedway had been appliedto the 50 mile stretch of track between Houstonand Hempstead in the late 1930s for the fastruns (reportedly up to 100 mph) made on thispart of their trips between Houston and Dallasin both directions by the Sunbeam and Hustlerengineers who needed to make up timebecause of delays elsewhere on the railroad.

Photo courtesy Robert Rivera

10 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

Early Texas Railroads

Missouri Pacific Lines in Texasby W. E. (Bill) Willits

Part 3

Somehow, apparently very quietly where newspaperreporting was concerned, not only was MP-relatedrailroad construction underway in northern Texas, but theI&GN had also com-pleted its tracks throughSan Antonio and wasadvancing towardLaredo:April 7, 1881

“The Internationalcompany have completedtheir bridge across theLeon and Indian creek,and all the forces havebeen moved on to (the)Medina, at RafaelQuaintana’s place, wherethe big bridge is to beconstructed.”April 21, 1881

“The Internationalhas laid its track outeleven miles from SanAntonio.”

And in north Texas,track laying was rapidlyprogressing, too:April 28, 1881

“The MissouriPacific Road betweenFort Worth and Denton isto be completed by the27th of this month.”

Jay Gould’s namewas constantly in thenews; talk of his financialactivities elicited big andfrequently, but notalways, exaggeratedexpectations:May 5, 1881

“It is announced thatJay Gould has exchangedMK&T stock, so that heowns a majority of theI&GN stock, and fromLaredo will, through theCentral & Wabash RR,

have a clear line to N.Y. city.”Southwest of San Antonio, I&GN construction

continued toward Laredo:May 12, 1881

“The International railroad bridge across the Medinariver west of San Antonio will soon be completed, all thematerial be(ing) put in position.”

In the meantime the Missouri Pacific wasted no timein trying to reach theGulf Coast as it report-edly surveyed for a newline:May 19, 1881

“Hon. Robert Zappof Round Top informedus Monday, that lastweek the engineer corpsof the Missouri Pacificpassed near Round Top,running the line fromBelton via Georgetown tothe mouth of the Brazosriver. The engineer incharge of the partyinformed Mr. Zapp, thatit was the intention of thecompany to run theirroad from Georgetowndown the dividing ridgebetween the Brazos andColorado rivers. The linejust run is one-half mileeast of Round Top. – LaGrange Journal.”

Although the surveycited in the previous itemcaused some localexpectation and excite-ment, no railroad line wasever built on this particu-lar alignment.

Out to the southwestof San Antonio the I&GNwas moving aheadrapidly after bridging theMedina River:July 21, 1881

“International trainsare running 40 miles westof San Antonio.”August 4, 1881

“The Internationalroad is now completed

Want to get to Texas by way of Louisville? This 1877 I&GNpassenger timetable shows connections via that Kentucky city.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 11

about seventy miles from San Antonio, and is beingpushed right along at the rate of one and a half miles aday. A great deal of lumber is being shipped to Pearsall,the new town on this road.”

Often there were rumors of happenings that did notoccur. The road mentioned in the following item as “St.Louis & Texas” was correctly Texas & St. Louis(T&StL) and actually only built its extension southwestfrom Waco to Gatesville, but never south from Wacotoward Georgetown as far as can be determined frommaps and other sources. The T&StL started as the TylerTap in 1877, would bestandard-gauged in 1886and would be extendedthrough Arkansas andsouthern Missouri underthe name Texas, Arkansas& St. Louis (TA&StL).These lines formed amajor portion of thefuture St. Louis South-western (Cotton Belt):August 18, 1881

“Georgetown nowcomes to the front with areport that the St. Louisand Texas narrow gaugerailroad will be extendedfrom Waco to Belton,Salado and Georgetown.This will be done to flankthe Missouri Pacific nowbeing extended fromWaco to Taylor, viaTemple.”

In the meantime,there was much to bepleased about downtoward Laredo:August 25, 1881

“The Internationalrailroad is now completedabout 70 miles beyondSan Antonio.”September 1, 1881

“The Internationalrailroad is now runningtheir construction trainsthis side of the Nueces,and we are informed thatif they choose to do so,they can lay two miles oftrack a day all the way toLaredo, and not be toofast for the graders. –Times.”

The I&GN was advertising the attributes of Texaswidely:October 20, 1881

“The International railroad has ordered two thousandcopies of the Governor’s book on Texas and will distrib-ute them at the Atlanta Exposition.”

The Mexican border would soon be within easyreach:November 17, 1881

“The International is now within fifty-seven miles ofLaredo.”

Within a few daysafter the previous itemappeared the link toLaredo was completed;undoubtedly track workhad been going on fromthe Laredo end at thesame time track wasbeing laid from SanAntonio. This called for acelebration:December 1, 1881

“Yesterday the firstpassenger train crossedthe Rio Grande, and afterrunning across to NewLaredo, Mexico, and therebeing regaled by exhilarat-ing beverages and joinedby Mexican officials, theyre-crossed to the Texasside and ran up theextension to Fort McIn-tosh in the elegantcoaches of the company,and the large number ofMexican and U.S. offi-cials, both military andcivic, and railroad offi-cials, headed by Gov.Hunt, were met andtendered a warm recep-tion by Major Caraher,Commander of the Fort,and the liberal hospitalityof the Major flowed out inother enlivening bever-ages, and many were thetoasts offered up to thetwo Republics, theperpetuity of friendliestrelations, &c., &c., andmuch good will andsatisfaction was manifestthroughout the entire

Through the hub city of Chattanooga, 1877 I&GN passengershad several ways to make their journey to and from Texas.

Courtesy Ken E. Stavinoha Collection

12 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

long-to-be remembered occasion. – Laredo Times, 22d.”Typical of the frequent talk about the controversial

figure, a long article under the headline “Will Jay Gouldown the country?” appeared in the Colorado Citizen ofDecember 8, 1881. At this time Gould commanded a lotof press as well as a lot of property:

San Antonio was thriving on having two long andconnected railroads serving it:February 2, 1882

“San Antonio has a line of Herdie coaches runningbetween the International and Sunset depots.”

In Houston, two hundred miles to the east, there wasmuch freight activity emanating from California and beingrouted throughout Texas and other destinations by theI&GN and other railroads. On December 16, 1881, theTexas & Pacific had connected with the GH&SA (South-ern Pacific) track about 90 miles east of El Paso at SierraBlanca, Texas. Technically, the track from El Paso toSierra Blanca was the far western extension of theGH&SA, but it was a track built for/by SP utilizing theGH&SA charter after coming eastward from California,thus providing a direct link between Texas and the“Golden State.” It would be another year before theGH&SA’s eastern and western ends joined three miles

west of a newly constructed bridge over the Pecos Riverin January 1883, but the T&P already interchanged withother roads at Ft. Worth, Dallas and other points whichwere happy to get the California traffic:March 23, 1882

“Through freight from California is now not so muchof a novelty, but the largest through shipment arrivedyesterday by the International and Great Northern thathas yet come from the Pacific slope, consisting of 22cars in one train, as follows: 10 cars pig lead for NewYork, 5 cars wheat and 1 car canned goods forGalveston, 2 cars wine for New Orleans, 2 cars wheatand 1 car flour for Houston, 1 car flour for New Orleans.– Houston Post.”

The official announcement in the following itemindicated a corporate separation between the two rail-roads as required under Texas law, but they were in factvery closely related under Jay Gould’s control. Therewas now a railroad link Denison-Ft. Worth-Waco-Temple-Taylor under the MP name that served a largesection of rich and productive farm and ranch country incentral and northern Texas:May 18, 1882

“Connection is now completed between the Missouri

This Sanborn Fire Map image of 1885 shows that by the mid-1880s a small “Union Passenger Depot” (a portion is visible at thelower right) had been built in Houston serving the I&GN and GH&H rail operations. The leftmost tracks are GH&H, all othersI&GN. Also shown are the extensive freight sheds and I&GN Freight Depot.

Image courtesy Perry-Castaneda Map Collection - UT

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 13

Pacific and International roads. The junction is atTaylor.”

In June 1882 the International & Great Northern wasleased to the MK&T as Jay Gould’s “empire” wasconsolidated. Gould continued to have his name promi-nently in the news.

The assets of the Georgetown Railroad, which hadbeen leased by the I&GN in 1879, were acquired by thelarger railroad on June 2, 1882. The Georgetown itselfwould prove to have a long life.

Alliances between railroads(usually opposing others) were a factof the times:July 20, 1882

“It is stated that the Gould roadsat Dallas and the Houston and TexasCentral have formed an alliance atDallas against the Santa Fe onthrough freights to Galveston.”

Rumors and misinformation were hard to separatefrom factual news. On December 22, 1881, the Colo-rado Citizen had reported:

“Yesterday the charter of the Kyle, Lockhart andSouthern railroad was filed in the office of the secretaryof State. The capital stock is $240,000, and the road willbe immediately constructed from Kyle to Lockhart. Thefollowing are the incorporators… (followed by a longlist). – Austin Statesman.” It is possible the charter ofthe Kyle, Lockhart & Southern was related to the rumorin the next item that began circulating the followingsummer:September 14, 1882

“It is rumored that the Missouri Pacific railwayexpects to extend a branch line to Indianola from Kyle(on the I&GN between Austin and San Marcos) or someother point along its line. This would take in Cuero andgive us a direct connection with St. Louis and othermarkets. Let her come. – Cuero Bulletin.” While theremay have been an actual plan by the railroad’s manage-ment, no such line appears to have been built. A majorfactor might have been that Indianola had been severelydamaged in an 1875 hurricane and had been only partiallyrebuilt; in 1886 the port and town would be destroyed byanother hurricane, never to rebuild..

Some announcements were rather brief and some-times surprising, such as the following:December 21, 1882

“Jay Gould has withdrawn all his railroad construc-tion force from the State.” The significance of thisannouncement is not spelled out; it may have been at leastpartially related to the completion of the T&P connectionat Sierra Blanca in December 1881 and whatever addi-tional work had been performed afterward to improve theline for actual operation (a common occurrence).

The Galveston, Houston & Henderson had been thefirst railroad to reach Galveston Island, in 1860, on a

railroad bridge (trestle) from Virginia Point to the islandpaid for with Galveston city bonds. Later the Gulf,Colorado & Santa Fe built its own bridge between theisland and mainland in the mid-1870s. Other railroadswanted access to Galveston, too; the GH&H bridge couldget them there.

On August 1, 1882, the GH&H was sold to Jay Gouldand his business partner Russell Sage; they then reorga-nized the railroad as a new company under the original

charter and sold it to the MK&T (atleast on paper). However, it wasn’tlong before another deal amongGould’s holdings was in the making:December 21, 1882

“On the 19th instant there will be ameeting of the stockholders of theInternational and Great Northernrailroad, at Palestine, and amongmatters that will be considered is a

proposition to purchase or lease the Galveston, Houstonand Henderson railroad. The latter, it will be remembered,was purchased by Jay Gould and Russell Sage, on the 1stof August last at the public sale in this city under order ofthe United States Circuit Court. As it was bought byMessrs. Gould and Sage in their individual capacity, it is,of course, at this time so held by them. The charter ofthe railroad company contains a clause which providesthat the successors to the stockholders shall have powerto operate and control the road, but it is claimed thatbefore any further disposition of it can be made, it isrequired by the general law of the State that there shall bea corporate body, with regular officers, and that any sale,transfer or lease must be made in corporate capacity. Ifthis be correct, (and it is given upon good authority), thepresent owners of the road, it is held, would have to filenew articles of incorporation before any proposition fromthe International and Great Northern stockholders couldbe considered. Whether anything of the kind is incontemplation is not ascertainable. A News reporteryesterday called on General Manager Harding, of theGalveston, Houston and Henderson, and asked him if hehad any information relative to his promotion to theposition of assistant-general manager superintendent ofthe Gould Southwestern system. He very promptlyanswered that he had not. – Galveston News.” As itturned out, the I&GN leased the GH&H in 1883, leadingto later complications.

Cotton, the commodity that paid the bills for many afamily, was in demand:December 28, 1882

“Cotton Receipts. – The Santa Fe road reports that ithas shipped from this point since the first day of Septem-ber, 15,000 bales of cotton, and the Missouri Pacific3,792 bales. In the warehouses of the city there areabout 600 bales. This makes a grand total of 19,492bales. The figures will go above 20,000 before tomorrow

“Jay Gould has with-drawn all his railroadconstruction forcefrom the State...”

14 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

night, and it is likely we shall get between eight and tenthousand bales between this and the first day of January.– Belton Journal.”

With the former Houston & Great Northern roadoriginally built from Houston, a share of that growingcity‘s market had long been secured for the MissouriPacific system. Further expansion into Galveston (viathe GH&H) had now been successful:May 31, 1883

“The Missouri Pacific railway company will shortlyerect grain elevators at Galveston and Houston.”

Fuel supplies for locomotives were always beingsought. Having coal mines not far away was a greatadvantage:June 7, 1883

“The I. & G. N. R. R. Company is having erected attheir depot in this city a large coal bin for the convenientsupply of their engines with coal brought from the RioGrande & Pecos coal mines. – Laredo Times.”

Acquisition of the Houston Tap & Brazoria ten years

earlier had given the H&GN and subsequently the I&GNanother rail line toward the Gulf, but it had never beencompleted all the way to the coast. Now this idea wasbeing revisited:June 21, 1883

“The engineers of the International railway aremaking a survey from Columbia to Brazoria, with a viewto extending the line to the latter place.”

Inspection of new railroad construction by the stateto assure its quality was imperative to justify the grant ofstate lands; however, the grants themselves were nolonger to be available (the Texas Legislature repealed theapplicable laws in 1882), and in fact the State beganefforts to recover millions of acres. State inspectionswould, of course, continue:August 23, 1883

“Mr. Britten, State Railway Engineer began onMonday at Taylor an inspection of the Missouri Pacificrailway on a special train.”

A small railroad northwest of Austin that briefly

I&GN 4-4-0 #50 was polished and ready for the road as it waited for a highball in Palestine. Having the headquarters and shopsof the I&GN with lines running three directions gave Palestine great prominence among Texas railroad towns.

Courtesy Museum For East Texas Culture, Palestine

Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015 15

became part of the I&GN was incorporated October 25,1883 by Taylor & Associates of Chicago, later known asthe “Capitol.Syndicate.” The Austin and OatmanvilleRailway Company, building from what was described asa “blind station” called Kouns was to “secure the right-of-way and grade and bridge the road, ready for the ties, andthen transfer all of its capital stock and the propertythereof to the International & Great Northern Railroadfree of liens or encumbrances…” The I&GN would“furnish the ties, rails and fastenings and finish the roadbetween Kouns and Oatmanville.” The purpose of theA&O was to transport stone from a quarry at Oatmanvillewhich would be used in construction of the planned StateCapitol at Austin. Unfortunately for all parties, testing ofthis quarry’s stone in Austin proved it to be too soft forthe purpose, and the quarry was ultimately abandoned.The materials that had been used to build the A&O werepulled up and taken where needed elsewhere on theI&GN.

Of course, when the Capitol was built several yearslater, red granite from the Burnet-Marble Falls area washauled to the construction site in Austin by the Austin &Northwestern Railroad; the I&GN would have liked tosecure that business. Subsequent examination of avail-able records by the I&GN auditors indicated that the deedof conveyance from the incorporators of the A&O to theI&GN had never been recorded, further making thisappear “a deal that really wasn’t” in all ways.

In 1860 and 1861 the “Columbia tap” (the formerHT&B, part of the H&GN/I&GN since 1873) hadplanned to expand into Wharton County and surveys hadbeen made, but construction delays and the Civil Warintervened before such an extension could be built. It hadbeen mentioned from time to time. Now the idea hadbeen proposed again:December 27, 1883

“The Columbia tap road is to be extended toWharton.” Examination of records and maps indicatesthis extension never was built, although surveys andapparently some grading had been done many yearsearlier.

The year 1883 had been a down year in railroadbuilding according to reports:March 27, 1884

“Only about one hundred miles of railroad were builtin Texas last year.”

In 1882 the Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe had boughtthe Central & Montgomery railroad which ran east fromNavasota to Montgomery, but was prevented from takingpossession by questions about the legality of the sale.Regardless, as the matter wound through court proceed-ings the GC&SF planned to build a line from Montgom-ery to Conroe Station and interchange with I&GN:September 25, 1884

“The Santa Fe railway company will soon commencework on the extension of their road east from Montgom-

ery; they want to reach the International.”San Antonio chose a reliable shipper to carry its

locally-brewed beer:October 23, 1884

“The Lone Star Brewing company have establishedan agency at Austin and today shipped their first carloadof beer to that point via the Missouri Pacific railroad.The San Antonio manufactured beer is bound to gain thepatronage of the Western market, not only on account ofits fine quality, but on account of its easy accessibility. –San Antonio Times.”

Missouri Pacific Lines in TexasEnd of Part 3

Awaiting an Act

In Part 2 of “Missouri Pacific Lines in Texas” onpage 11 in the February issue, the author expresseda question in the caption under an image of a $10002nd mortgage bond issued in the name of theInternational Railroad about why such a bond wouldhave been issued after the International and theHouston & Great Northern became consolidated asthe International & Great Northern. Thanks toGeorge Werner, who provided the answer.

George wrote: “The reason that the bond illustratedin the February GCR was issued in the name of TheInternational Rail Road Company is that the mergedcompany had no legal right to issue securities in thename of The International and Great NorthernRailroad. This authority was not granted by theTexas Legislature until 24 April 1874. The bondillustrated is probably from the issue mentioned inthe Galveston News of 11 January 1884. Accordingto the News, both the International and the Houstonand Great Northern had recently auctioned$500,000 in eight per cent convertible bonds. Theproceeds to the company for the $1,000,000 facevalue bonds was $658,000, which I would considerrather expensive financing. No wonder the I&GNwould soon go into receivership...”

He also attached a copy of the Act titled “An Act toauthorize the International & Great NorthernRailroad Company to issue Bonds.” Section 1 ofthe Act authorized the company to borrow moneyon its bonds, convert bonds issued by the Interna-tional or H&GN into the stock of the I&GN or intonew bonds issued in the name of the I&GN. Section2 stipulated that bonds previously issued or debtsand liabilities incurred by either of the previouscompanies would be binding on the I&GN.

That $1000 2nd Mortgage Bond in the name of theInternational Railroad was issued and seal affixed onthe “Fifteenth day of January A.D. Eighteenhundred and seventy four.” In the spring it wouldbecome eligible for further action.

16 Gulf Coast Railroading • March 2015

Timetable Notes

NOTE: Meetings

Tuesday,March 37:00 p.m.

Tuesday,March 177:30 p.m.

Tuesday,April 77:00 p.m.

Tuesday,April 21,7:30 p.m.

Tuesday,May 57:00 p.m.

Watch for monthly Membership Meetingannouncements and other information inthis newsletter, on the Chapter websiteand on Facebook.

March Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meetingat the Denny’s on Washington and I/10(NORTH side of I/10). NOTE change oflocation for this month only!

March Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at ValleyRanch Grill & Barbeque. MembershipMeeting article on page 4 has directions.

April Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

April Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque. Membership Meetingarticle on page 4 has directions.

May Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

May Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

June Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

No Membership Meeting will be held in themonth of June. Why not attend the NRHSConvention?

July Gulf Coast Chapter Board Meeting atthe IHOP on Washington and I/10 (southside of I/10).

July Membership Meeting of the GulfCoast Chapter - NRHS, Inc. at Valley RanchGrill & Barbeque.

Additional announcements may be added tothis schedule periodically.

Tuesday,May 19,7:30 p.m.

Tuesday,June 2,7:00 p.m.

SPECIALNOTICE

Tuesday,July 7,7:00 p.m.

Tuesday,July 21,7:30 p.m.

Gulf Coast Railroading by PDF?Members: Get the PDF version of Gulf CoastRailroading early via e-mail! Send your e-mailaddress to jones_perry@hotmail.com and tell us“I want Gulf Coast Railroading via PDF.”

Contact us!We want to hear from you. If you have comments,questions or suggestions concerning your chapter,please do not hesitate to contact these officers.

Shawn Sanders, President.......bellzandwhistles@aol.comTom Marsh, VP-Admin........................txtr7@yahoo.comAl Dykes, VP-Mech .......................al_dykes@swbell.netPerry Jones, VP-Memb...........jones_perry@hotmail.comDoug Weiskopf, VP-Events...texianbear54@yahoo.comW. E. (Bill) Willits, VP-Editor.........wwillits@comcast.netBrent Lamb, Secretary..................brentlamb@hotmail.comJerry Dorcz, Treasurer ...................jw_dorcz@swbell.net

Work Party InformationRemember: “Just one volunteer day a monthwill make a big difference!”

IF/WHEN MUSEUM WORK PARTIES ARE SCHEDULED

An announcement will be made when the museum is readyto receive work parties.

See contact information below and at right.“Wednesday” - confirm w/Chris Beetle 281-970-6708“Thursday evening” - confirm w/Al Dykes 281-367-7019“Saturday” - confirm w/Jerry Dorcz 281-357-4141

THE MODEL RAILROAD IS CURRENTLY STORED

An announcement will be made when the layout located inthe baggage end of ex-ATSF Railway Post Office car No.3401 is again available for work and operation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Al Dykes, Mechanical Vice President281-367-7019

Hello members of the Eastern Division. My name is Stuart Rankin and I’m the President of the Metropolitan Division of TCA (METCA) and the Chairman for the 2015 TCA National Convention. It is this this second hat that I wear which brings me to you today.

For the first time in TCA history, the National Convention will be visiting the Big Apple. I want each and every member of the Eastern Division to consider yourself personally invited to attend the 2015 Convention in the New York metro area. This week long event will be unlike any other; there’s a reason that New York City is one of the world’s most popular destinations.

The first half of the week will consist of the “best of the best” trips and tours. During the week we’ll have something for everyone; train related activities including a combination steam train and riverboat cruise, a tour of Grand Central Terminal, a trip to the TCA Headquarters, Museum, and Library in Strasburg PA and more; history related tours such as a visit to the home of FDRwith lunch at a restaurant owner by a graduate of the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America, a tour of Sleepy Hollow (yes, of headless horseman fame) and more; military themed tours such as West Point and the aircraft carrier Intrepid; science and technology related tours such as the Cradle of Aviation and the Thomas Alva Edison laboratory and more. Finally what trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without the most famous NYC sights; a daytime ride on the Circle Line going completely around Manhattan, a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or an emotional visit to the 9/11 memorial and museum, and more.

In addition to trips and tours, the second half of the week will include the Welcome Party with a decidedly local “flavor”, the sunset Dinner Cruise along the illuminated Manhattan nighttimeskyline, home layout and collection visits (some world class and some more modest), and the concluding Banquet. Not to be left out is the trading hall swap meet. Here’s your chance to find that item for your collection from a new/different set of vendors than you normally see at your local meets. We’ll also have participation from some of the hobby’s leading train manufacturers.

The weather in the northeast is particularly nice in June. Although spring will be behind us, typically the hazy, hot and humid dog days of summer haven’t begun yet. This really will be a once in a lifetime experience to have a TCA National Convention in such a location.

Be prepared to have the time of your life as you put yourself in a New York state of mind. I really hope that I do see you in June 2015. For further details and complete descriptions of every trip, tour and event, check out the new permanent TCA convention website at: www.TCAconvention.org

Hello members of the WB&A Chapter. My name is Stuart Rankin and I’m the President of the Metropolitan Division of TCA (METCA) and the Chairman for the 2015 TCA National Convention. It is this this second hat that I wear which brings me to you today.

For the first time in TCA history, the National Convention will be visiting the Big Apple. I want each and every member of the WB&A Chapter to consider yourself personally invited to attend the 2015 Convention in the New York metro area. This week long event will be unlike any other; there’s a reason that New York City is one of the world’s most popular destinations.

The first half of the week will consist of the “best of the best” trips and tours. During the week we’ll have something for everyone; train related activities including a combination steam train and riverboat cruise, a tour of Grand Central Terminal, a trip to the TCA Headquarters, Museum, and Library in Strasburg PA and more; history related tours such as a visit to the home of FDRwith lunch at a restaurant owner by a graduate of the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America, a tour of Sleepy Hollow (yes, of headless horseman fame) and more; military themed tours such as West Point and the aircraft carrier Intrepid; science and technology related tours such as the Cradle of Aviation and the Thomas Alva Edison laboratory and more. Finally what trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without the most famous NYC sights; a daytime ride on the Circle Line going completely around Manhattan, a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or an emotional visit to the 9/11 memorial and museum, and more.

In addition to trips and tours, the second half of the week will include the Welcome Party with a decidedly local “flavor”, the sunset Dinner Cruise along the illuminated Manhattan nighttimeskyline, home layout and collection visits (some world class and some more modest), and the concluding Banquet. Not to be left out is the trading hall swap meet. Here’s your chance to find that item for your collection from a new/different set of vendors than you normally see at your local meets. We’ll also have participation from some of the hobby’s leading train manufacturers.

The weather in the northeast is particularly nice in June. Although spring will be behind us, typically the hazy, hot and humid dog days of summer haven’t begun yet. This really will be a once in a lifetime experience to have a TCA National Convention in such a location.

Be prepared to have the time of your life as you put yourself in a New York state of mind. I really hope that I do see you in June 2015. For further details and complete descriptions of everytrip, tour and event, check out the new permanent TCA convention website at: www.TCAconvention.org

Courtesy of Jim Rowland: Located approximately thirty miles north of Richmond lies the locale of Ruther Glen, Virginia. In this largely rural part of the state, this unincorporated town in Caroline County holds no major reason to journey there. The average person passing through the region might only know it for the Exit 104 rest stop on I95.

Scholars of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad will recognize that name for different reasons. For those that have the Old Line Graphics book “Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad Linking North and South”, this location is featured on the dustjacket cover. That shot remains one of my favorites. Located about a mile off the interstate, mile post 27.1 on the RF&P mainline (distance measured from Acca Yard in Richmond) is the location of Ruther Glen. At one time, a small sawmill produced loads of lumber, and a small side track off the northbound main existed for local business. The sawmill is long closed, and the side track is still intact for maintenance of way equipment.

Trains have passed through this bucolic area since Spring of 1836. As trains headed northward, they descended a small grade and canted into a curve before ascending another grade. In the ensuing 179 years since the first train arrived, little has changed. Housing developments, industrial parks, nor big box stores have marred the pristine landscape. Only the installation of CTC signals by the RF&P at milepost 27.4 in the late 1940s changed the view. Though the RF&P became an integral component of CSX in January, 1991 and has had major upgrades since that time, Ruther Glen still retains its RF&P flavor. A location of a small dirt road, classic RF&P signals, and a rural setting make rail photography at this location enticing.

After what has seemed like an endless parade of winter storms, things finally came together to get out of the house and get some trackside time today. Excellent weather provided a great backdrop for today’s outing. Making quick time of the hour and half drive, I arrived and parked along the snow-covered dirt road. Not having been there in about two years, it was a nice location to spend the afternoon. In the ensuing time, a patch of briars had claimed their spot along the tracks, marring the view of the curve. Quick use of a bow saw cleaned up the scene, but the briars did not go quietly, as my hand will attest to. However, the results were worth the battle. The two cars that passed during the time I was there wanted to make sure I was not in trouble as the location is not one that sees any type of measurable traffic.

What initially seemed like a busy afternoon quickly quieted down. The dispatcher talking to Q439-05 made reference to some problems at Acca. Minutes turned into hours as the sun moved across the sky. Despite the lack of traffic, it gave me time to pause and consider other angles from which to photograph CSX freights and Amtrak passenger trains. Southbound freights are easier to discern than passenger train, which can come out of the blue. More than once I have missed a photograph due to lack of advanced notice. By the time they are coming around the curve it is too late to set up. While I was walking around and trimming, I also pondered the fact that the bloodshed incurred by me earlier was nothing compared to the fierce fighting which occurred at various points along this line during the Civil War.

It may have been a quiet day when one considers the dearth of traffic on an ordinarily busy double track mainline, but the warmth of the sun was a welcome respite from the harsh winter. It

was enjoyable to feel a semi-warm breeze brushing through the old pine trees and over cold white snow while birds chirped. Only the occasional sound of traffic on I95 disturbed the serenity at Ruther Glen. I may have felt frustrated as the best light of the day yielded no results, but it was a great afternoon to be outside as well as to see classic signals in service before they are replaced. My work to clear brush was not in vain. It provided additional impetus to return to this serene location sooner rather than later. It was time well-spent.

Ruther Glen, Virginia7 March, 2015

Comments welcomed!

Jim Rowland

Volume 55 March 2015 Number 4

Meeting Information

Membership Renewals

Update on 611

Summer Charter Trip

March Archives Photo

Rare Photo

Hull St. Station in the Snow

WV Steam Locomotive Returning Home

BB Calendars

Richmond Railroad Museum Report for Feb. 2015

March Museum Host Schedule

TBA

0-6-0T Update

Archives Report

Railroading News

From the Trains Magazine Newswire

Railroading Today

From February

From March

POTOMAC RAIL NEWSPOTOMAC CHAPTER, NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

P.O. BOX 235, KENSINGTON, MARYLAND 20895-0235

MARCH 2015

AMERICA’S FIRST RAILROAD WAR...will be discussed by John Hankey at ourMarch 28 banquet. One of the participants in the Civil War was theth

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad’s American Type 4-4-0 Class F "WilliamMason," which was built in 1856 by the Mason Machine Works Company. The William Mason is shown here operating during the B&O RailroadMuseum’s Steam Days on October 7, 2007. Photo by: Clay Moritz

PROGRAM: “FALLEN FLAGS REMEMBERED,” Bill Kalkman will present a slideshow highlighting several railroads that have faded from the landscapeover the past 20 years due to mergers and abandonments, including theSanta Fe, Southern Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande Western, BritishColumbia Rail, and other well-known railroads that we thought would bearound forever.

MEETING: March 17, 2015. 8PM. Lobby Level Auditorium of the Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street,Rockville, MD.

NEXT MEETING DATE: April 21, 2015

DEADLINE FOR MARCH ISSUE: March 27, 2015. Send news items to ClayMoritz, Editor, Potomac Rail News, at c.moritz@comcast.net

INFO ON CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:301-251-9461; www.trainweb.org/PotomacNRHS/

ADDRESS MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES TO: Rick Davidson, Membership Agent, 2908Breezy Terrace, Alexandria, VA 22303-2401 rdavidsonjr2908@verizon.net

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 2 OF 12

THE CHAPTER FAMILY

If you know of a Chapter Member who is sick, has lost a loved one, or has a

new birth in the family, please call the Chapter on (301) 251-9461.

FINAL CALL TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR OUR ANNUAL POTOMAC CHAPTER BANQUET. Thebanquet will be held on March 28 at the Golden Bull Grande Café Restaurant inth

Gaithersburg, MD. See the banquet reservation form on Page 11.Our GUEST SPEAKER will be John Hankey, presenting a program on America's

Railroad War. April of 2015 marks the 150 Anniversary of the end of theth

American Civil War. Some regard it as the "second act" in the war forIndependence and our struggle to create a continental United States. Othersregard it as the dire--but sadly necessary--struggle to end slavery once and forall and set the United States on a path to industrial and agriculturalprosperity. No matter how you regard it, the Civil War was America's first"railroad war." Railroads were crucial in every aspect of the conflict, andshaped the timing and conduct of the war in ways that we are only now beginningto more fully understand. In this illustrated lecture, Historian and CuratorJohn P. Hankey looks at the many roles railroading played in our great nationalconflict, and ultimately how "the Iron Road" was a decisive factor in the Unionvictory. This is not a detailed account of battles and tactics, but a broadinterpretation of how "railroad mobility" shaped people's thinking, altered thecourse of the war, and resulted in new ways of fighting--and of healing theNation afterwards.

John Hankey is an independent scholar, historian, and railroader. A nativeof Baltimore, he served the B&O Railroad in a variety of capacities includingcompany historian, locomotive engineer, and Curator of the B&O Railroad Museum.He holds a BS from the John Hopkins University, an MA as a Hagley Fellow at theUniversity of Delaware, and did further graduate study at the University ofChicago. Currently, he is a consultant to railroads, railroad museums, andhistoric preservation projects throughout the United States.

IS THIS YOUR LAST ISSUE OF THE PRN? If you have not renewed your Potomac Chaptermembership as a regular member or associate, this will be the last PRN that youwill receive. A RED MARK on your mailing label indicates that we have notreceived your membership renewal for 2015. Members who have not renewed thatreceive the electronic PRN will be notified about their membership status byemail. For questions about your membership status or the renewal process, pleasecontact Rick Davidson, Membership Agent, 2908 Breezy Terrace, Alexandria, VA22303-2401 by email to: rdavidsonjr2908@verizon.net or (703) 768-2831

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP CARDS. FYI - (from Interchange, Baltimore Chapter NRHS):There have been several inquiries as to when members will receive the NationalMembership Card. As of right now, the method of distribution has not beendetermined. Two methods are under consideration. First is a PDF file to allmembers for which National has an email address. This would be attached to aletter from National. Second is the mailing of a letter and card to thosemembers who do not have access to e-mail. The bottom line is to provide Nationalwith your e-mail address so that it can conduct as much business via the internetas possible in order to reduce printing and mailing costs. While things areimproving financially, National remains in a precarious position as it works itsway through difficult times. If you have not yet renewed your Nationalmembership, you are requested to do so now. This will help stabilize theNational's finances.

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 3 OF 12

REMINDER - NEW POTOMAC CHAPTER WEB ADDRESS. We have a new Chapter websiteaddress, www.trainweb.org/PotomacNRHS/, which is effective immediately.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. The Wednesday Regulars of the National Railway HistoricalSociety are looking for you! Are you between ages 35 and 65? Want to get moreinvolved with the volunteers who work at our Philadelphia location? Then Burt,Les, Mike, and Ray would like to meet you at 1601 Walnut Street. If you wouldlike to know what 60 other chapters are doing. If you would like to have accessto over 15 rail-based magazines, then please call Burton Eisenberg on his cellphone (267) 312-4703 on a Monday or Tuesday to arrange a meeting that Wednesdayat the DVARP office. You can drop a note to us at: NRHS c/o D.V.A.R.P, 1601Walnut Street, Suite 1129, Philadelphia, PA 19102-2933. We hope that you willjoin the Wednesday Regulars! - Burton Eisenberg, NRHS Volunteer

RAIL NEWS

611'S HYDROSTATIC TEST COMPLETE! The Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) hasannounced that the 611 mechanical crew, led by Scott Lindsay, Chief MechanicalOfficer and President of Steam Operations Corporation, has completed thehydrostatic test of the boiler required by Federal regulations. "The restorationis progressing quickly," said Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., VMT's ExecutiveDirector. "We expect the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 to return to her home inRoanoke in mid-2015." Fitzpatrick said that the 611's Homecoming and excursionschedule is being developed with the help of Norfolk Southern. "We appreciateNorfolk Southern's interest in 611's restoration and all the help they areproviding to make her Homecoming a celebration that will be remembered for a longtime." The VMT hopes to announce her Homecoming and early excursion schedule ina few weeks. "But with any restoration as thorough and complex as 611's, it'simportant to remember that the unexpected is expected," Fitzpatrick said. "Themechanical team in Spencer, North Carolina, is working seven days per week tomake this happen safely. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication tothis restoration."

Fitzpatrick also credits the team at the North Carolina TransportationMuseum (NCTM) in Spencer, North Carolina, for the success of the restoration todate. "The team at the NCTM has welcomed the 611 and has been so helpful to usthroughout the restoration. We are so thankful for all they have done for us!"In other restoration news: The superheaters were installed; Side rods are beingcleaned, tested, repaired and polished to a shine. Volunteers have donated almost7,000 hours of work with no safety incidents! Thank you to the incredible teamof dedicated volunteers and the mechanical team for helping our dream come true!(Virginia Museum of Transportation and Fire Up 611!)

BC&G LOCOMOTIVE HEADING HOME TO WEST VIRGINIA. The Durbin and Greenbrier ValleyRailroad (D&GVR) has reached an agreement to purchase the Buffalo Creek & Gauley2-8-0 No. 4, a 1926 Baldwin-built steam locomotive with deep West Virginia roots,from the North Carolina Transportation Museum. The D&GVR will restore the steamengine and put it back into service in the near future. The locomotive will bemoved this spring from the NCTM to Cass, WV, where the skilled employees at theCass Scenic Railroad, now operated by the D&GVR, will complete the boiler workand other repairs. The D&GVR hopes to complete the restoration in time for thelocomotive’s 90 birthday in September 2016. When completed, the locomotive willth

appear as it did in the early 1960s when it gained fame as one of the last steamlocomotives in regular service in the United States.

The Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, built the locomotive for

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 4 OF 12

use in Mexico, but instead it was sold to the Buffalo Creek & Gauley in ClayCounty, WV. No. 4 made its last run in 1965 and was sold to the Pennsylvania-based Quakertown & Eastern excursion operation in 1967, the Southwest VirginiaScenic Railroad in Hiltons, VA, in 1972, and the non-profit support organizationfor the North Carolina Transportation Museum in 1978. Once restored, No. 4 willbe return to service not far from where she once operated. (Durbin & GreenbrierValley Railroad)

CSX STARTS WORK ON VIRGINIA AVENUE TUNNEL AND OPPONENTS SEEK INJUNCTION TO STOPWORK. The Virginia Avenue tunnel project in Southeast Washington was scheduledto have its day in court on February 17 when a District Court judge was expectedth

to hear a petition for a preliminary injunction that would halt construction ofthe $170 million project, at least until the court reviews and rules on a lawsuitchallenging the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) decision to approveplans to reconstruct the 110-year-old rail tunnel. The hearing comes as CSXbegins site preparation for the reconstruction and expansion project, whichreceived Federal clearance last year.

CSX says residents should expect to see some utility relocation, treeremoval, and fencing-off of the area in coming weeks. Excavation could begin asearly as this spring, as soon as CSX receives permits from the D.C. Department ofTransportation and other City agencies. The project is expected to be completedin 3½ years. Opponents, however, remain optimistic about the court’sintervention and their last resort to stop the project. The Committee of 100 onthe Federal City, which serves as a watchdog on transportation issues, has builta case questioning the legality and transparency of the project’s Federalenvironmental review process and says there were violations of Federal and D.C.law. In its lawsuit, the Committee cites DDOT’s early commitment to the project. Before completion of the mandated National Environmental Policy Act review, theAgency had agreed to let CSX take over the roads near the tunnel for the purposeof rebuilding it. The Committee and residents opposing the construction hope ajudge will grant their motion to keep CSX from turning their community into awork zone before their lawsuit is heard.

Last November, the FHWA gave CSX clearance to rebuild the aging rail tunnel. The decision came after a series of delays and in spite of vigorous oppositionfrom some neighbors. The Federal environmental approval process took three yearsto complete. CSX plans to demolish the 3,800-foot-long tunnel, beneath VirginiaAvenue SE (from Second to 11 streets) and build twin tunnels that are highth

enough for double-stack trains. The tunnel’s single-track configuration hasbecome a major bottleneck in the region’s rail network, and CSX says thatmodernizing the tunnel will not only help maintain the integrity of what isconsidered an important access point in the East Coast rail system, but also willallow it to handle expected increases in freight transportation.

CSX has a team of lawyers working on the court case and company officialsare confident that the project will move forward. DDOT has issued one permit toCSX that allows for the temporary installation of equipment to obtain noise andvibration readings in the area, a DDOT spokesman said. Another permit is pendingfor tree removal within the CSX property limits. CSX officials expect excavationwork to begin this spring. Kirsten Oldenburg, an Advisory NeighborhoodCommissioner who represents part of the area affected by the project, said shehopes the pending litigation won’t delay the project further. Just as someresidents don’t want the construction to take place, others think it’s necessaryand just want it to be over with, she said. “The study is done. The results aredone. It’s time to get it done,” Oldenburg said. (Washington Post)

P.S. The Tunnel project’s scheduled day in court was put on hold by a higherauthority - Mother Nature) A snowstorm intervened and forced a postponement the

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 5 OF 12hearing to a date to be determined) DO THE CRIME DO THE TIME. Two West Virginia coal operators will each spend threeyears in prison for participating in a $10 million cash selling scheme. Fifty-five-year-old William “Bill” F. Adams of Yukon, West Virginia, and 43-year-oldJohn B. Ward of War, West Virginia, are among more than two dozen people who’vebeen sentenced in the scheme. Adams and Ward were convicted in 2014 ofconspiring to defraud the government in the collection of taxes, and structuringcash transactions to avoid reporting requirements. They were sentenced onFebruary 27 in Federal court in Abingdon, VA. Prosecutors say the schemeth

involved people who provided cash and fraudulent invoices to coal operators inexchange for a 10% fee. The coal operators would pocket cash obtained from thescheme or pay their workers in cash to avoid paying taxes. (www.wtop.com)

NORFOLK SOUTHERN TO CLOSE ROANOKE OFFICE BUILDING, RELOCATE EMPLOYEES. NorfolkSouthern announced on January 27 that it will close its Roanoke, VA, officeth

building at 110 Franklin Road SE later this year and relocate the functionscurrently housed there to Atlanta or Norfolk. About 500 people currently work inthe building in marketing, accounting, information technology, and otherdepartments. Affected employees will have the option of relocating with theirpositions. The action is being taken to foster departmental synergies and tomake better use of the company’s real estate assets and support the company’sgoal of streamlining its management workforce. NS is in the final process ofevaluating which positions will be relocated to its corporate headquarters inNorfolk, VA, or its operational headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Some regionallyoriented positions will remain in Roanoke but will move to other work locationsin the area.

“This will not involve any involuntary force reductions, and we will providesubstantial relocation packages for those who choose to relocate,” said James A.Squires, Norfolk Southern President. “Norfolk Southern has been a proudcorporate citizen of Roanoke for more than 130 years, and that will not change. While our profile may be reduced, Roanoke will remain a key location in ournetwork, and we will remain engaged in the community.”

Roanoke will remain the headquarters for NS’s Virginia Division, and thecompany will continue operating a local switching yard and locomotive and carmaintenance facilities at Shaffer’s Crossing, and a locomotive overhaul andrebuilding facility in its East End Shops. In total, about 1,700 peoplecurrently work for Norfolk Southern in Roanoke.

The Roanoke office building was built in 1992 and consists of more than203,000 square feet of office space. Disposition of the building will bedetermined at a later time. (NS Press Release)

MARYLAND'S GOVERNOR WANTS CHEAPER BIDS FOR BUILDING THE PURPLE LINE. WhileMaryland Governor Larry Hogan does not appear to have given up on the PurpleLine, his administration does want to find ways to cut costs, and for now thatmeans that firms bidding to work on the $2.45 billion project will get a five-month deadline extension. The decision should give those companies more time tofigure out how to shrink their proposed expenses.

The Maryland Department of Transportation notified participating bidders onFebruary 20 . A best-case scenario would see construction of the light-rail lineth

begin before the end of 2015, though the timeline for transitioning from thebidding process to building would be cut significantly (if not moved into 2016)with this deadline now moved from March 12 to August 19.

Local lawsuits have already emerged that threaten to alter Maryland's PurpleLine plans, which Hogan criticized as being too expensive while he was running for office in 2014. The 16-mile route connecting Bethesda to Silver Spring,

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 6 OF 12College Park and New Carrollton has survived budget planning so far and the newdelay came as a response to the potential contractors, who asked Maryland forextra time. It's the second extension to be applied to the deadline since Hoganwas elected, though the first push from January into February came for similarreasons while the new governor rethought existing plans left over from formerGovernor Martin O'Malley's administration. If anything, this may be a good signfor Purple Line supporters, since delaying the process means that it hasn't beenkilled outright. Nevertheless, the move signals that Hogan isn't backing downfrom his calls to slash costs. (DCInno City News; http://dcinno.streetwise.co/)

WHAT’S NEXT FOR DC STREETCAR? D.C.'s new streetcars already sit in testing limboamid repeated delays, a systemwide safety review that could push their openingdate into May and multiple collisions with vehicles. On February 21 , the linest

along H Street Northeast suffered one more setback, as the area on top of one ofits cars caught fire. The D.C. Department of Transportation released anassessment of what happened, detailing the situation as follows:At approximately 11:45 pm Saturday during simulated service, a brief flash firewas ignited on top of the streetcar vehicle. The sparks extinguished veryquickly on their own and fire suppression was not required by the firstresponders on the scene. The vehicle operator was safe due to the vehicle’sinsulation from electrical current. After the flash fire sparked, DC Streetcar’semergency procedures were put in place. The vehicle went into fail-safe mode andstopped moving. Power to the system was cut and the vehicle was towed back tothe yard. In order to test the power system, another vehicle was immediately putinto operation and ran without issue. Simulated service resumed withoutincident. The exact cause of this incident is being investigated by the DCStreetcar team and the vehicle manufacturer. Initial observations suggest thatthis was an isolated incident. State Safety Oversight (SSO) was immediatelyalerted and continues to be updated as the investigation proceeds. The DCStreetcar team is embarking upon a full inspection of the entire system. Thisincident will be part of DDOT's top to bottom review of the system that isunderway. "My administration will open D.C. Streetcar to the public when we knowit's safe, and not a moment sooner," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in astatement, according to a WUSA9 report. (DCInno http://dcinno.streetwise.co/)

CHICAGO'S PULLMAN DISTRICT PROCLAIMED A NATIONAL MONUMENT. On February 19, 2015,President Obama, citing his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906, issued aproclamation designating Chicago’s Pullman District on the Far South Side as aNational Monument. Members of Congress from Illinois had urged that Pullman benamed a National Historical Park, citing the area's history and architecture, aswell as the potential for tourism and economic development that such adesignation could generate. A Federal study determined that the Pullman HistoricDistrict is worthy of being considered as a National Park. The Pullman HistoricDistrict is Chicago’s first National Park. The new Monument's boundaries are103 Street to the north, 115 Street to the south, Cottage Grove Avenue to therd th

west, and the Norfolk & Western Rail Line to the east. According to a WhiteHouse official, Pullman's new designation demonstrates Obama's commitment toprotect places that reflect the nation's diverse history and create opportunitiesfor all Americans to access outdoor spaces.

Railroad magnate George Pullman created the District in the 1880s as home tohis Pullman Palace Car Co., which built sleeping cars for railroad passengers. The site included his factories and the housing where his workers lived, makingit one of the country's first "company towns." It also is noted for giving birthto the first African-American labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping CarPorters. A strike at the factory in 1894 triggered the country's first industry-wide walkout and resulted in several worker deaths at the hands of U.S. marshals

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 7 OF 12and the military. The strike occurred after Pullman refused to lower the rentsfor company housing at the same time that he lowered wages in 1894.

The District has many homes in good condition but suffers from age, blightedsections, and the effects of a 1998 arson on the factory grounds. More than ayear ago, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the 300-acrePullman District one of its 35 national "treasures," signifying a commitment topreserve the area. While officials have yet to detail the total cost to developthe Far South Side site, including much-needed renovations to the historic clocktower damaged in a 1998 fire, it has been announced that nearly $8 million inlocal donations has already been raised to support site projects. (ChicagoTribune, White House Briefing Room www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room, ProgressIllinois www.progressillinois.com)

EVENTSOld Dominion Division RRE Meeting. February 19, 2014, 8:00 PM. James Madison High School, 2500James Madison Drive, Vienna, VA, in Room 110; Closest entrance to Room 110 is Entrance No. 1. Pre-meeting dinner at 6:30 at the Amphora Restaurant, 377 West Maple Avenue, Vienna. To reach theschool: From Amphora Restaurant go south two blocks on West Maple Avenue to James Madison Drive andturn right. School is at the end of this street. Program: Alex Mayes will present a digitalprogram covering his railfanning exploits in 2014. The program begins with a trip to CSX’s RF&P Subfollowing a snowstorm in January to photograph Metrorail, Amtrak and CSX trains, and then two dayson snowy Sand Patch grade. The program then segues to a trip on the Auto Train to Florida, withscenes of Florida East Coast Railway and Tri-Rail commuter trains, and a side trip to Key West. Next is a two week trip to North Carolina that includes chasing three North Carolina shortlines, CSXand NS mainline action, and three days at the “Streamliners at Spencer” event. The 2014 NRHSconvention in Arkansas follows, with scenes of the Arkansas & Missouri’s Alco fleet in action, and achase of the Monett Turn with the A&M’s new EMD SD70ACes. The program concludes with scenes ofloading ex-Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 onto a flatcar at the B&O Museum for transport to theWestern Maryland Scenic Railway for extensive overhaul and return to service

Railfan's DiaryCincinnati and Washington—a Tale of Two Cities’ Passenger Rail Service

1971-2014 Part 2–WashingtonBy: Jim Mixter

In Part 1, I described how Cincinnati lost most of its passenger train servicewith the advent of Amtrak, and today the Queen City of the Midwest has even lessservice than when Amtrak began on May 1, 1971. So, how did Washington make outas Amtrak began, and what has happened since? The answer is that Washington’sexperience was and continues to be much different, and far better, thanCincinnati’s. In this Part 2, I will deal with each railroad operating trainsserving Washington as of April 30, 1971; since the B&O is the favorite of many ofthis column's readers, I’ll cover it last so you’ll hopefully read the entirearticle!!

Penn Central operated the ex-Pennsylvania Railroad service into the nation’scapital, all on what had become the Northeast Corridor heading to New York and(over the former New Haven Railroad) to Springfield and Boston, MA. I couldn’tlocate a timetable effective through April, 1971, but an Official Guide a fewmonths prior indicated that PC operated 6 Metroliners and 11 conventional trainsto New York, including four conventional trains that continued to Boston. Whilethere was no longer a Washington-Harrisburg connection to long distance trainsserving Chicago, there was a coach-only train from Baltimore to Harrisburg, soone could travel between Washington and Chicago or St. Louis with a change inBaltimore and Harrisburg. The Penn Central also operated two Seaboard CoastlineFlorida trains, the Silver Meteor and the Champion, as separate trains between Washington and New York. With the coming of Amtrak, all of this service wascontinued, and a Washington-Harrisburg connecting train with dining-lounge carand through coaches and sleeping cars was established for the New York-Chicago

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 8 OF 12Broadway Limited and the New York-Kansas City (via Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, andSt. Louis) National Limited. The Metroliners, which had been increasing serviceas the full car order was delivered, had increased to 9 weekday trips, withconventional Northeast Corridor trains reduced to 9 trips.

Over the last 43 years, Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Service has increasedsubstantially, with combined Acela/Regional service now totaling 37 weekdaytrains, 16 of them Acela Expresses and 18 continuing through to Boston, one toSpringfield, MA, and one to St. Albans, VT. Weekend service is somewhat less butstill much more than in 1971. An overnight train with sleeping car service toBoston was added by Amtrak fairly early on and later extended south to serveRichmond and Newport News, but its sleeping car was removed a few years ago dueto a shortage of Viewliner sleepers; perhaps the arrival of additional sleeperswill bring this sleeper route back. Also significant is that train speeds havebeen increased in the Northeast Corridor, so trip times are now faster than in1971. Through Washington-Harrisburg-Chicago service over the ex-PRR is gone (asare Amtrak’s National Limited and Broadway Limited), but Amtrak’s Capitol Limitedover the ex-B&O out of Washington provides better service to Chicago than did theBroadway’s leg to Harrisburg.

The Chesapeake and Ohio had one remaining train serving Washington justbefore Amtrak, the George Washington. Just prior to Amtrak, its Washingtonsection carried a sleeper-lounge for Louisville (with just two bedrooms availablefor passengers, since the other three were used as crew dormitory space), andcoaches for Cincinnati and Louisville. Several hours west of Washington, inCharlottesville, the Newport News section joined it, with a sleeper forCincinnati, a food bar coach for Cincinnati, and coaches for Cincinnati andDetroit. The sections for Louisville and Detroit split from the main overnighttrain in Ashland, KY. Amtrak didn’t continue the C&O routes to Detroit andLouisville, continuing the George Washington as a Washington/Newport News-Cincinnati train with coaches from Washington and coaches, dining-lounge car, andsleeper from Newport News. Eventually, this morphed into today’s Cardinalthrough train Between New York, Washington and Chicago. The Newport News-Charlottesville section was dropped; today, two trains from the NortheastCorridor continue south to Richmond and then go onto the ex-C&O to Newport News. While at one time the Cardinal featured Superliners, including Sightseer Lounge,diner, and several sleepers, today’s train is tri-weekly and has single levelcars, with just one sleeper (partly used for crew space, reminiscent of C&O’sGeorge Washington sleeper-lounge to Louisville), an Amdinette, coaches, and abaggage car.

Each passenger railroad was offered the choice in 1971 of joining Amtrak orstaying out and having to continue (and lose money on) its own passenger trains. If a railroad joined, it gave Amtrak permission to operate over its lines, and ithad to buy stock in Amtrak in the amount equal to the amount of money it lost onpassenger trains the prior year. Southern Railway elected not to join, forseveral reasons (some of which I am speculating about here): 1) it had alreadyreduced its passenger losses, but much of this reduction occurred shortly beforeMay 1, 1971, so the payment to join Amtrak was high relative to Southern’sexpected continuing losses. 2) it didn’t want to cede control to Amtrak regardinghow many trains could be operated over its lines, and finally, 3) Southern mayhave wanted to ensure that good service continued on its flagship SouthernCrescent, in the interest of good public relations. Only two other railroads(the Rio Grande and the Rock Island) stayed out of Amtrak, each with slightlydifferent circumstances, each having one or more of Southern’s motivations.

Southern Railway operated only three passenger trains as Amtrak began: theSouthern Crescent (Washington-New Orleans (tri-weekly south of Birmingham), the Washington-Atlanta day train Piedmont with a coach-only tri-weekly connectionbetween Salisbury and Asheville), and the unnamed remnant of the BirminghamSpecial Washington-Lynchburg, VA. The Crescent had a New Orleans or Birmingham

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 9 OF 12sleeper and coaches carried by the PC from New York, and a through New York-LosAngeles sleeper carried by Southern Pacific’s Sunset Limited west of New Orleans;there were additional sleepers and sleeper lounge between Washington and Atlanta,and dining car service as far as Birmingham, with a dome lounge offering foodservice on the tri-weekly train south of there. Southern had to continue thisservice since it did not join Amtrak. The Crescent’s transcontinental sleeperstarted its run on Amtrak out of New York and ended it into Los Angeles onAmtrak, being operated by the Southern between Washington and New Orleans. Southern also had to continue the Piedmont, which carried coaches and a loungecoach, as well as the single-coach local to Lynchburg; Southern helped these twotrains cover costs by adding trailer-train equipment (including cabooses—rememberthem?) just outside of Washington most of the time. Eventually, Southern decidedto join Amtrak, and when it did, the Southern Crescent became an Amtrak trainover its entire route (going daily south of Birmingham), and the Piedmont andLynchburg local were discontinued. Today’s Crescent carries single levelsleepers, lounge, diner, and coaches over its whole route to New Orleans; thethrough sleeper to LA was dropped when Superliners replaced single level cars onthe Sunset Limited. A few years ago, Amtrak returned the Lynchburg local in theform of a Springfield, MA, (Boston on weekends)-Lynchburg train with coaches,business class, and dinette service with a subsidy from the State of Virginia. This train has gained notoriety as one of the best financial performers in thesystem, running a slight dollar surplus over costs. Virginia has committed toadding an additional train over today’s Norfolk Southern from Washington toRoanoke within several years.

Next comes the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, which waslater absorbed into CSX. Right before Amtrak, it operated five trains betweenWashington and Richmond, all of which continued south of Richmond on the ex-Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the ex-Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which hadmerged into Seaboard Coast Line by that time and would eventually become part oftoday’s CSX. Southbound were 1) a wee-hours departure of a coach-only train that would split in Richmond with sections to Columbia, SC,(the ex-SAL Palmland) andJacksonville(the ex-ACL Gulf Coast Special), 2) a late-morning coach-only trainto Jacksonville (the ex-ACL Everglades), 3) the early afternoon Silver Star forMiami and St. Petersburg (ex-SAL), 4) the dinnertime Silver Meteor to Miami (ex-SAL route), and the dinnertime Champion for Florida’s West Coast (ex-ACL.) Thetwo coach trains had cafés or train sales service during meal hours; the threeovernight trains to Florida carried a full range of coaches, lounges, diningcars, slumbercoaches, and sleepers. In its final winter, the seasonal FloridaSpecial had run over the RF&P and ex-SCL. Amtrak did not continue the coach-onlytrains but retained the big overnight trains and operated an additional winterseason train for a time. Florida service has varied over the years, and thetrains that continue over the CSX south of Richmond today consist of 1) theSilver Meteor to Miami, the Silver Star to Miami via Tampa, and the daytimePalmetto to Savannah, GA. All carry coaches and a lounge, with the Floridatrains also carrying sleepers and a dining car. While Florida service over theex-RF&P to the routes south is somewhat less now versus prior to Amtrak, trainfrequency between Washington and Richmond has grown significantly, and severaltrains continue from Richmond to other points not served from Richmond in 1971(Newport News, Norfolk, and Charlotte) each with its own Virginia-supportedtrain. To sum this up, Washington-Richmond train frequency was five daily justbefore Amtrak, three daily when Amtrak began (four in the winter), all toFlorida, and today the frequency on weekdays is 8, with two trains to Florida,one each to Newport News, Norfolk, Savannah, and Charlotte, and two terminating in Richmond.

Last and certainly not least, we come to the Baltimore and Ohio. It hadthree long-distance trains serving Washington as May 1, 1971, approached. First

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 10 OF 12was the Capitol Limited to Chicago, which by that time was down to a sleeper,sleeper-lounge, lunch counter dining car, and coaches. It also had theShenandoah, with coaches and a food bar coach Washington-Akron, and theMetropolitan, which was coach-only between Washington and Cincinnati (westboundit ran combined with the Shenandoah and thus offered food bar coach service asfar as Cumberland, MD. There were also two eastbound and three westbound coach-only trains Washington-Cumberland. Amtrak did not continue any of B&O’s longdistance trains initially. It added a Washington-Cumberland-Parkersburg trainunder political pressure (Part 1 mentioned this train, which was derisively knownas the “Harley Staggers Special”) that was extended overnight to Cincinnati(circa 1975) but later cut back to Cumberland. Still later, (1981) theCumberland train was extended to Chicago as the Capitol Limited (combined withthe Broadway Limited west of Pittsburgh), and it continues today as a premierSuperliner offering and a separate train to Pittsburgh on the ex-B&O, from thereto Cleveland on the ex-PRR, and from there to Chicago on the ex-NYC.

B&O’s service between Washington and Cumberland, including a localWashington-Martinsburg, initially was in a temporary limbo stage, in that itwasn’t determined to be either commuter (which Amtrak would not operate) or longdistance (which the B&O could drop if Amtrak didn’t retain it.) This was duringthe time Maryland’s commuter rail service, MARC, was being formed. So B&Ocontinued to operate some Washington-Martinsburg-Cumberland service (listed in a“Potomac Valley Service” timetable.) After a while, Amtrak decided to operatethe Washington-Martinsburg Blue Ridge, a commuter-type schedule with ex-New Haven“American Flyer” coaches, and it added the Parkersburg train. This allowed theB&O to eliminate its “Potomac Valley Service.” Later, Amtrak turned over theMartinsburg train to MARC, which had also taken over other ex-B&O commuterservice.

And let’s not forget Washington’s commuter service as of May 1, 1971, whichI have not mentioned in the previous paragraphs; it was not affected by thestart-up of Amtrak. Penn Central offered two weekday round trips of two-carheavyweight electric MP-54 “grinders;” they operated from Baltimore (PennStation) into Washington in the morning and out in the afternoon. Later, aslocalities across the U.S. created entities to subsidize and/or operate money-losing local service, MARC took this service over. It mushroomed over the yearsand today features 28 round-trips on weekdays and reduced service on weekends onwhat it calls the “Penn Line.” The B&O operated five weekday (and two weekend)round-trips between Baltimore (Camden Station) and Washington using Budd RDCequipment, including one daily non-stop that connected with the Capitol Limited. Today, this “Camden Line” MARC service has 9 round-trips on weekdays only. Westof Washington, in addition to service to Martinsburg and Cumberland, the B&O hadtwo RDC commuter round-trips to Brunswick, MD. Today, MARC operates 5 weekdaytrains to Brunswick, 2 to Martinsburg, and 2 to Frederick, MD. Adding to thecommuter service renaissance in Washington is service on two lines that had nocommuter service at all in 1971; today, Virginia Railway Express operates 8weekday round-trips on the Norfolk Southern (ex-Southern) to Manassas, VA, and 7on the CSX (ex-RF&P) to Fredericksburg, VA.

So, Washington has done very well as far as rail passenger service isconcerned in the Amtrak era. Certainly, the city’s proximity to other majormetropolitan areas has played a part, as has the willingness of Maryland andVirginia to support passenger rail, both inter-city and commuter. HavingCongress located in the city actually may not have helped inter-city passengerrail, as some long-haul lines have bitten the dust since Amtrak began; Congresshas often initiated Amtrak budget cuts and has resisted any sort of reliablelong-term funding for Amtrak. Nonetheless, from any standpoint, Washington, as avisit to the crowded Washington Union Station will demonstrate, has experiencedthe rail renaissance that Cincinnati, at least so far, has not.

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 11 OF 12

POTOMAC CHAPTER, NRHS 45 ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL BANQUETth

SATURDAY, March 28, 2015, 5:00-9:00 PM

FEATURING JOHN HANKEY, NOTED RAILROAD HISTORIAN,SPEAKING ON RAILROADS IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Banquet Returns to Montgomery County!

ALL POTOMAC CHAPTER MEMBERS, GUESTS, AND OTHER INTERESTED RAILFANS ARE

INVITED. PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN ENJOYABLE EVENING!

LOCATION: Golden Bull Grand Café, 7 Dalamar Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20877DIRECTIONS: FROM THE CAPITAL BELTWAY (I-495): TAKE I-270 North to Exit 11 onto East bound

MD124/Montgomery Village Avenue. Go 0.3 mi to MD 355, Frederick Avenue. Turn right onto MD

355, Frederick Avenue. Go 0.7 mile. Look for Golden Bull sign which is just past the

corner of Dalamar. Turn right onto Dalamar Street. Restaurant is on your left about 250'

from the corner. Restaurant Phone: (301) 948-3666.

SOCIAL HOUR: 5:00 PM (CASH BAR); DINNER: 6:00 PM. PROGRAM 7:30 PM.

CHOICE OF: CHICKEN MARSALA ($34.00), GRILLED SALMON ($38.00) OR PRIME RIB

($43.00) SERVED WITH SALAD BAR, POTATO & SEASONAL VEGETABLES, CHOCOLATE MOUSSE,

AND TEA or COFFEE.

COST: AS SHOWN PER MENU CHOICE.

DOOR PRIZE DONATIONS WILL BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED

_________________________________________________________________________________RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 21, 2015. PLEASE USE OUR ON-LINE RESERVATIONSAT http://www.trainweb.org/PotomacNRHS/ OR COMPLETE THE RESERVATION FORM BELOW AND MAIL ITALONG WITH YOUR CHECK TO: POTOMAC CHAPTER, NRHS – BANQUET, P.O. BOX 235, KENSINGTON, MD20895-0235 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL: (301) 251-9461 or email PC_banquet@hotmail.com ================================================================================PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: "POTOMAC CHAPTER, NRHS"

Name & Address:__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phone number: __________________ E-mail:_________________________________________

Guest Order Cost ( )Chicken $34.00

( ) Salmon $38.00

( ) Beef $43.00

( )Chicken $34.00

( ) Salmon $38.00

( ) Beef $43.00

( )Chicken $34.00

( ) Salmon $38.00

( ) Beef $43.00

( )Chicken $34.00

( ) Salmon $38.00

( ) Beef $43.00

Order total

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS MARCH 2015 PAGE 12 OF 12

POTOMAC RAIL NEWS is published monthly by the Potomac Chapter, National Railway HistoricalSociety, Inc., P.O. Box 235, Kensington, Maryland 20895-0235

Phone: (301) 251-9461; Website: www.trainweb.org/PotomacNRHS/

* * * * * Potomac Chapter Officers: President...................Gordy Bjoraker (301) 577-5061 Vice-President..............Marc Laborde Secretary...................Bill Holdsworth (301) 762-9376 Treasurer...................Jay Creswell (703) 255-3258 Directors...................Jerry Hott, John Sery, Carl Franz, Gordon PiscacekNational Representative.....Rick Davidson (703) 768-2831 Membership..................Rick Davidson (703) 768-2831 Historian...................Bob Cohen (301) 424-3228Editor, PRN.................Clay Moritz (301) 933-3618 Activity Committee: John Morris (301) 946-8266 Program Committee: Jerry Hott, Alex Mayes, John Sery Contributors: Carl Franz, Alex Mayes, Glenn Orletsky, Ray Saunders

POTOMAC CHAPTER, NRHS

P.O. BOX 235

KENSINGTON, MD. 20895-0235

CELEBRATING OUR 45 YEAR!TH

1970 -2015

FIRST CLASS

The Gateway Railletter

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(Continued on page 3)

Nancy Carrol, Librarian

Al Weber

David Huelsing

(Continued from page 2)

Pacific Union Pacific Union

(Continued on page 9)

Published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Mar. 2, 2015

(Continued from page 8)

Photos and text by J.E. Obernuefemann

By Andy Sisk

rwgawed@yahoo.com

Wednes-day, April 1, 2015 at 7:00 PM

Spring 2015 NRHS Conference, April 16 - 18, York, Pennsylvania

Ron Gawedzinski