the DispatcherCentral Oklahoma Chapter

of the National Railway Historical SocietyOklahoma Railway Museum Ltd,

NARCOA Affiliate Member

Volume 50 Issue 10 October 2015

Rock Island caboose updatephotos by Steve Kamm

The major restoration of the Rock Island caboose is nearing completion.

Many volunteers have spent a tremondous number of hours on the project. Your ORM is so fortunate to have such talented folks.

Flooring has been replaced, paneling and several win-dows remanufactured to match the orginial etc. Great craftmanship by the guys.

Actress Milla Jovovich and other cast member of “Bringing Up Bobby” might not recognize it now.

Page 2 the DispatcherOklahoma Railway Museum,

Ltd.

Board of DirectorsStan Hall, President

Erick Dilbeck Vice President

and Program Chair

Drake Rice, Secretary

Charles Price, Treasurer

Greg Robertson, NRHS Director

Bob Cossairt, Director of

Buildings & Static Displays

Bob Hussey, Director of

Track Maintenance

Terry Birchett, Director of

Mechanical Operations

Harry Currie, Director at Large

Greg Hall, Director of

Museum Activities

Bob Cook, Director of

Museum Displays

Ed Birch Jr., Train Show Chair

Anne Murrary Chilton, Membership Chair

Gary Githens, Dispatcher Editor

Stan Hall

The Presidents Column

Oklahoma Railway Museum 405-424-8222

Photographs and stories by Gary Githens unless credited otherwise

2016 Board of Directors electionsThe following Board of Director positions are com-ing up for election in January, 2016.

Board Position IncumbentPresident Stan Hall Treasurer Charles PriceDirector Buildings-Static Displays Bob Cossairt Director of Mechanical Operations Terry BirchettDirector at Large Harry CurrieDirector of Museum Activities Greg Hall

Nominees will be published in the December and January issues of the Dispatcher.

Elections will be held during the annual membership meeting on January 9, 2016 at Furr’s Fresh Buffet in Moore. Arrive at 6:00 P.M. to eat. Meeting starts

at 7:00 P.M.The Oklahoma Railway Museum By-laws require elections for the positions listed at left in 2016. The position term is for two years.

Nominees Qualifications:ORM member for six (6) months prior to Friday, No-vember 13, 2015.

Nominations must be received on or before Friday November 15, 2015.

Send nominations to:Anne Murray Chilton3400 NE Grand Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73111 e-mail: annem@oklahomarailwaymusem.org

I am writing this the week before Thomas. Thanks to all of you who have volunteered to help with this activity. WE can still use more of you if you are available during Thomas. The shop has been cleared and cleaned as much as possible. Eric is putting out merchandise and oth-ers are putting up tents and play equipment. We are anticipating the most successful Event ever. Ticket sales are way ahead of last year’s event. We have all of the equipment ready for Thomas’s arrival. Truman Hefner is scheduling the Car hosts for a bunch of trains.

Work on other projects is on hold until Thomas is completed. Work on the Frisco ca-boose from the fairgrounds has had some progress in cleanup and sealing the car. Some parts such as the pot bellied stove have been removed for use on the Rock Island caboose recently put on display. The Conoco tank car is 90% painted. This will be fin-ished with the board walkways and painting the Conoco logos.

The steam locomotive is still being worked on. It will be returned to the shop for more work on exterior finishes and more paint chipping. Come help on this project if you want some interesting work.

Page 3the DispatcherMuseum Update by Drake Rice

Work continues at the museum on many different projects, however the focus has now moved to our annual Thomas event. The roof has been replaced on the barn for which we received some insurance along with replacement of a downspout that was dam-aged on the Murray Shop by a downburst earlier this year from a storm. Also the old shed by the dumpster is gone and the area looks a lot better. Volunteers have sealed up the ATSF 643 and it has been placed on a display track till after Thomas for ad-ditional clean up, painting and repairs. Work contin-ues on the interior of the Rock Island Caboose which is stationed behind the 643 engine. In the shop, vol-unteers completed the black paint coat on the Tank Car and after Thomas, it will be returned to the shop for additional painting and restoration. The Frisco Ca-boose from the Fairgrounds was placed in the shop for two weeks so temporary repairs to the roof could be made and then it was moved out to the Rip Track to await permanent repairs after Thomas.In the shop equipment and items have been put away and a cleaning effort was made to prepare the shop to be changed to the Thomas Store for the event. This is a major undertaking but it is an event well worth the effort. We hope we have many Thomas fans at this year's event. As always, we can use volunteers to help with the Thomas event as well as our ever growing number

of visitors at the museum. So it's always helpful to have volunteers around to answer question sand show our guests around. And when there are no visitors, there are several small projects that can be addressed. After the Thomas event work will re-start on our projects which include completing resto-ration of the Conoco Tank Car, and repair and restora-tion of the Frisco Caboose from the fairgrounds. The tank car will need some additional painting and then the walk ways rebuilt and hand brake re-installed, let-tered, numbered to complete the project. The me-chanical crew has repaired the brake system and the journals boxes have been checked and re-oiled. The caboose will need extensive roof work along with floor rebuild. Bob Hussey Track Repair company has replaced a number of ties in the mainline between NE 36st Street and NE 30th Street so Thomas will have good track to operate on. The Mechanical Department has been busy checking the ORM Engines for the event. ORM plans to have the Frisco 814, ATSF 2571 and MKT 48 all available for service as needed. Yard switching will be handled by ORM 301. We hope all members can come out and help with this year's event this year at ORM.

Page 4 the Dispatcher

Frisco caboose from Fairgrounds another major restoration project

photos by Steve Kamm

Planning aheadHalloween trains October 31st. Christmas trains December 19th and 20th.

volunteers needed for these events

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Fence panels replaced

On August 29th the Luther High School Design and Fabrication class brought their project to the ORM. The project was to raise money for the class. After local news organizations did not run any story about the project Mike Rowe of TV’s Dirty Jobs picked up on the project and gave it some promotion. As a result over $35,000.00 has been raised.

Students working on the project were: Kodee Christy, Chan-dlor Ballard, Jake Holman, Jacob Peak, Caleb McCaslin, Da-kota Martin, Brandon Denman, Brandon Brice, Cody Whar-ton and Erick Pontiff. Class instructor is Mr. Mark Dunn.

Luther High School Design & Fabrication ClassLocomotive grill and smoker project

Pictues of a few of the fence panels that were painted to replace those destroyed by a storm.

Harry Currie coordinated the project for the ORM. The painting was handled by Dr. Bob Palmer, retired art professor at Central State University. Dr. Palmer was assisted by several of his fomer students.

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On August 29th Ken Street shared a birthday cake with the ORM volunteers. The cake was made by his wife Terri. It is nice to know we have a baker in our group.

Lands’ End and ORM logoYou can now order apparel with an embroidered ORM logo from Lands End at the website below. Once you select the item you want, you will then be able to select the logo and where you want it placed.

We will send out emails when Lands End runs a special. Anything on sale in the regular catalog will be on sale on this site as well.

ces.landsend.com/Oklahoma_Railway_Museum

Demolition of the shed is complete.

Visit the Oklahoma Railway Museum on YouTube

Around the grounds

2015 ORM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:

New Membership Renewal Membership (begin Jan 1st) Date __________________ $36.00 per year – Individual Membership in the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (spouse included) Pro-rated dues $3.00 per month

$30.00 per year – Individual Senior (age 65 and up) (spouse included) and Individual Student (full–time student) Membership in ORM Pro-rated dues $2.50 per month $500.00 - Lifetime Membership

Send your application and dues to: Oklahoma Railway Museum , Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________ State _______ Zip Code _______________________

Phone ________________________ Fax ______________________ Cell Phone_____________________

E–Mail __________________________________________________________________________________

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Order Form – Engraved Platform BricksCost is $50.00 per brick.

Up to a maximum of 4 lines with 16 letters and spaces per line

Purchaser’s Name ________________________________ Phone No. (______) ________________

Engraved Platform BricksMore than one platform

brick can be donated to the Mu-seum and you can make cop-ies of the attached form. Mail completed forms with checks or money orders to: ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Okla-homa City, Oklahoma 73111. If you have any questions call 405-424-8222 Thursday or Fridays.

The Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (ORM) has items available for both chil-dren and adults at the Depot Store. These include baseball caps, polo shirts, t–shirts, lapel pins, and coasters. Funds raised by donations for these items support the Museum projects.

The Depot Store, located inside the Oakwood Depot on the Museum grounds, is open during regular Museum hours – 9 am to 4 pm on the first and third Saturday opera-tion days of each month April through August. The store is also open for special events.

Crosstie Donations Friends and families of ORM continue to make dona-tions for crossties, equipment and facilities on the Museum property and on the leased track.

If you want to make a do-nation to purchase a crosstie, a donation of $50.00 will help purchase a new crosstie. You can donate a crosstie in recog-nition or in memory of someone. All donations should be made out to the Oklahoma Railway Museum Ltd.

Please note on the check what the donation is for, mail to: ORM Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Bou-levard, Oklahoma City, 73111

Become an ORM Member

ORM Depot Store

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Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd.3400 NE Grand BoulevardOklahoma City, OK 73111-4417

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

TIMETABLE Any changes to the following information or articles for “the Dispatcher,” should be directed to the Editor, Gary Githens,(e–mail: githens@cox.net). For information on upcoming programs, contact Larry Dodd email: dodd@airosurf.com).

Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) – Open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 A:M: until 5:00 P:M. except on major holidays ORM Train Rides - First and third Saturdays April through August at 9:15 A.M, 11:15 A.M, 1:15 P.M. and 3:15 P.M. ORM Board Meetings – Last Thursday each month at ORM, Oklahoma City – 7 pm.

Oklahoma “N” Rail – For information, call Rick Inselman, 405/412–1552.

Central Oklahoma Garden Railroad Society [COGRS] Contact information: Steve Lemcke (405) 703-0209 e-mail steve.lemcke@att.net or Marshall Douglas (405) 290-8989 or Steve Kamm (405) 685-3755 e-mail skamm@college.occc.edu

Passenger Rail Oklahoma – A grassroots advocacy organization. Meets every Saturday and Sunday morning an hour prior to the arrival of the Heartland Flyer in Norman. The depot opens at 7:50 am. Contact Evan Stair at sfrr@aol.com, www.passengerrailok.org, 405/366–8957, or 517 Claremont, Norman, OK 73069–5020. Depot volunteer opportunities are available.

Oklahoma S.W. Division NMRA – 2nd Saturday each month, 1 pm, Goldman Room, Kirkpatrick Center, Jim Heidon, President Yukon’s Best Railroad Museum – Thursday/Saturday/Sunday and by appointment. Located 1 block north of Main and UP tracks in Yukon. Call John Knuppel, 405/354–5079, for times and information.

OUT OF TOWNWaynoka Station/Waynoka Historical Society – 202 South Cleveland, Waynoka Call Sandie Olson, 580/824–1886. Notice: They need help with their model railroad layout. If you could help some call Sandie.

the Dispatcher

Birthday Party package options and membership information next page

Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 Museum Information Contact us-Thursday and Friday. We have someone to answer your questions 405-424-8222. Our museum is open every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm. Admission to the museum is free. The Museum is an outdoor museum and MAY BE CLOSED for inclement weather or when the temperature is below 40°F.

Find us From I-35 North take the NE 36th St. exit, at the stoplight on NE 36th turn left and go west about 1/2 mile. At the stoplight for Grand Blvd turn left for about two blocks, we are on the left at NE 34th St. Regular Trains Train Rides are scheduled the First and Third Saturdays of the month from April through August. The trains leave the Station at 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM and 3:15 PM. Ticket Price is $12 for Riders 13 years old and up, $5 for Riders from 3 to 12 years old, Children under 3 are free when carried on adult lap. Special Trains Thomas the Tank Engine will be here on September 25, 26, 27 and October 2, 3, 4, 2015. We rec-ommend that tickets be purchased in advance. All Tickets are $16 on the Friday Trains. These leave the Station every 50 minutes starting at 9:50am All Tickets are $18 on Saturday and Sunday Trains. These leave the Station every 50 minutes starting at 9:00am Halloween Train October 31, 2015 Tickets $12, $5.00 children from 3 to 12 years old. Children under three are free on lap of parent The trains leave the Station at 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM and 3:15 PM. Smiley O’Riley the Clown will be here. This is for Children, no scary stuff. Christmas Train December 19 and 20, 2015 Tickets $15 Children under three are free on lap of parent The trains leave the Station at 9:00, 10:30, noon, 1:30 and 3:00 on Saturday. and 1:30 and 3:00 on Sunday. Santa Claus will be here, hot choc-olate, candy canes, songs and more fun. Birthday Parties We offer you two unique venues to host a birthday party. You supply the cake, presents and the guests while we supply tables and chairs. Also included are paper engineer hats and a rail safety activity book. We have a 1921 wooden caboose which can accommodate up to 25 people and a 1921 Party coach which can accommodate up to 60 people Time and date must be held with a 50% depos-it. The balance is due day of the party.

Package One includes one hour and fourty five minutes for the party and an approximate 40 minute train ride for 20 guests on historic railroad passenger cars. Additional train tickets can be purchased for $5.00 each. The train rides are available on the schedule for regular trains above. The costs are: Birthday Caboose: $250.00 (includes $50.00 refundable security deposit) Party Coach: $300.00 (includes $50.00 refundable security deposit)

Package Two is one hour and fourty five minutes for the party without a train ride. This package is available throughout the year on most non-operating Saturdays. The costs are: Birthday Caboose: $150.00 Party Coach: $200.00 (includes $50.00 refundable security deposit) Bookings and date/time availability are available on our website -www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org -and can also be made with our party coordinator Chuck Shinn. He can be reached at 405-850-0597 or by email -chuck@oklahomarailwaymusem.org Membership -Membership benefits include: Two free train rides on regular run days (Does not apply to Day Out with Thomas, Halloween and Christmas trains) Emailed copy of the ORM newsletter The Dispatcher Member Picnic and train ride Memberships are available at the following rates: Regular Membership – $36 per year (spouse included) Senior Member (age 65 and up) – $30 per year (spouse included) Student Member (Full-Time Student) – $30 per year [these are prorated if you join during the year]. Lifetime Member – $500. If you wish to join the National Railway Historical Society, dues are an additional $50.00 per year. This organization’s due are not prorated.

Note: Events, dates, times and charges subject to change without notice.

Birthday Party package options