SUMMER (June-August) 2012 Volume 49 Number 2

STREAMLINER SUMMER EVENT ROCKHILL TROLLEY MUSEUM HOSTS SUCCESSFUL FIRST PCC CAR DAY By Matt Nawn

As part of a concerted effort to host additional events during make the car operable, thus, it would serve as a static display. the regular operating season, Rockhill Trolley Museum hosted Early on the morning of July 21, NJT PCC Car #10 was its first PCC Car Day on Saturday, July 21. The idea for the towed to the grade crossing on the old shop track, enabling event was suggested by museum volunteer Bill Monaghan based photos of the car with its sister car #6, as well as car #2743 for a upon the favorable reaction and additional interest observed three-car perspective. David Brightbill displayed his 1964 Ford following the museum’s acquisition and return to operation of Fairlane at the crossing for the day, enabling interesting photos former NJ Transit PCC Car #6 and continued improvements to with all three PCC cars, especially car #6 which wore its current former SEPTA PCC Car #2743. It also would serve as a color scheme through the 1960s until 1975. predecessor event to the Friends of Base service was provided with Philadelphia Trolleys annual San cars #6 and #2743, which ran all Francisco weekend, the proceeds of day. Both cars performed which were designated for the flawlessly. Visitors from other ongoing restoration work of car trolley museums throughout #2743 and its ultimate carbody Pennsylvania and New Jersey came restoration to circa 1959 for the day, which, to the date of the appearance. San Francisco is event, was the best attended event currently the only place besides of the operating year. Numerous Rockhill Trolley Museum where photo opportunities were staged, visitors can ride both a former culminating in a two-car trip in the Philadelphia and Newark PCC car afternoon to Blacklog Narrows with at the same location. photo stops at NJT #10, the 1964 Preparations and staging for the Ford, Carbarn #2, and Blacklog event started long before July 21. Narrows. Raffle tickets were sold, Maintenance work was performed and the three winners received a Cars #2743 and #6 are the stars of the show on PCC Car Day on car #2743 the week prior and the former SEPTA LRV speedometer, coasting problems with the car were resolved. Car #2743 was destination sign from a SEPTA Suburban Division LRV, and a also thoroughly scrubbed as well as the front of NJT PCC Car map from a SEPTA City Division LRV, respectively. #10, which would be staged for photographs. Significant Just a few years ago, the thought of a PCC Car Day at preparatory work took place on Friday, July 20. A work crew Rockhill Trolley Museum would seem to be a far-fetched idea led by Harry Donahue completed more interior work on car considering car #2743 was out of service from 2004 until 2009, #2743, including a repainting of the stepwells. Often out of and car #6 would wait until 2011 for a return to operation. sight, Harry and the dedicated volunteers supporting him have However, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and support made the interior of this car much more presentable and greatly of our donors and friends, the museum can feature two well- improved. Bill Monaghan led the efforts to grind down a corner running and good looking cars for a special event celebrating the of the Blacklog Narrows pocket track platform, enabling car vehicle that revolutionized electric mass transit and is often the #2743 to completely fit on this track and making side-by-side car many of our visitors associate with the word “trolley”. Based parking (and photography) of both of the museum’s own PCC upon the event’s success, popularity, and feedback received, we cars possible at this location. Work was also performed on look forward to hosting this event again in 2013 and beyond. former NJT PCC car #10, but there was insufficient time to

Summer 2012 The Retriever 1 Railways to Yesterday, Inc. PRESIDENT’S PLATFORM -Officers-

President- Joel Salomon A few words from the editor - Joel Salomon First Vice President- Matthew Nawn Second Vice President- Allen Mengel Secretary- David Brightbill Members may have noticed the production of our quarterly newsletter has been Treasurer- Judy Mullen becoming more and more behind a timely schedule that corresponds with the date on Bookkeeper- Charles Kumpas the masthead. Due to competing time needed for other projects at the museum, let alone time to work on personal projects at home, there just has not been the time available to Railways to Yesterday, Inc. give the newsletter the effort it deserves. -Board of Directors- We really need a new volunteer that is interested in the production of this newsletter to step forward to assume the responsibilities in producing the newsletter. Having been John Mowbray, Chairman involved in the newsletter since the mid 1990s, it is time for a new style, new ideas, and David Brightbill a new person to do this job. Joseph Kovalchick For many members of the Rockhill Trolley Museum, the Retriever is an important Charles Kumpas and the only way to be kept informed with the activities at the Museum. If you would Henry Long be interested in taking this position over, I would be happy to talk with you regarding Marjorie Mowbray what is involved and how you would be able to help the museum with this position. Judy Mullen Thank you for your consideration! Matthew Nawn Valerie Robbins-Rice Joel Salomon NOTICE Frank Shoop, Jr. Larry Zilch ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE RETRIEVER IN PDF FORMAT Rockhill Trolley Museum WILL BE AVAILABLE BEGINNING WITH THE NEXT ISSUE. Benefits of the electronic version include it will be in full color, it will reduce paper usage, and it will -Department Heads- save the museum significant money in printing and postage that can be put toward

Archives trolley restoration and other projects. Douglas Peters, 610-965-4203 When a new issue of The Retriever is available, recipients will receive an e-mail

Buildings and Electrical/Security containing a direct link to the PDF file. No log in or registration will be required. The

Frank Shoop, Jr., 717-574-1026 PDF can be saved and/or printed.

Member Activities Those who have already requested to receive only the electronic version of The Marjorie Mowbray, 717-372-8748 Retriever will not receive a paper copy of the next issue. Anyone that would like to sign up for electronic distribution but has not already done so can send a request to Marjorie Members Services Larry and Pam Zilch, 814-599-6519 Mowbray, Member Activities Department head at [email protected] .

Museum Store Charles Kumpas, 717-433-6180

Michael Seguin, 814-641-0207

Operations

Calvin Gerhard, 610-678-3604

Track and Overhead Henry Long, 570-345-3065

Trolley Maintenance Matthew Nawn, 717-637-7471

Trolley Restoration Joel Salomon, 610-437-0448 Riding the rails “Jersey style”

The Retriever is published four times per year for members and friends of Railways To Yesterday, Inc. to retrieve information on what is happening at the Rockhill Trolley Museum.

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER: Joel Salomon, [email protected]

Visit our website: RockhillTrolley.org Find us on Facebook The museum’s first trolley is about to begin an extensive restoration

2 The Retriever Vol. 49 No. 2 CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILROAD X-39 CABOOSE

In September the red caboose was completed and released from the shop. Johnstown 311 has been moved into the shop and is now over the pit. The caboose has been a part of the collection of vehicles since 1972. It arrived at the museum that year and was donated by the Southern Railway. It is originally a Central of Georgia Railroad caboose. Its primary function at the museum is to be used as a bunkhouse, and also as a means to reach the overhead trolley wire when pulled by a locomotive. The caboose has always been stored outdoors, and even with multiple coats of paint over the years, deterioration takes its toll. In the mid 1980s the roof on one end was renewed with new wood and new supporting members inside the car. The interior was rehabbed as well which included adding a changing room. We have noticed deterioration accelerating in recent years as the roof was leaking on the end of the car that was not renewed and the siding was in poor condition. The caboose was moved indoors in September of 2009, but due to competing museum priorities, work did not begin until January 2010. Doing one side at a time, both sides had the old plywood removed revealing the framework and main supporting beams underneath the car. Both main beams were in poor condition and needed attention. One side needed complete replacement with new material. Both sides had framing pieces renewed where needed. To increase heating efficiency, insulation was cut to fit into the framing of the car sides, and spray foam was added as well. The appearance of the caboose really started to change when the new tongue and groove plywood was added to each side. Once the final color of paint was chosen and applied, the car really took on a new look. However, there were many more projects to do after the paint was applied. The roof needed to be completed. New wood was applied on the cupola roof edges for tack strips, and several boards on the actual roof were replaced. Insulation was added to the roof and then covered with luan plywood. It was finally time for the rubber roofing material. A tremendous thank you to all of the volunteers that contributed financially to the caboose fund and to the volunteers that performed the actual work.

Summer 2012 The Retriever 3 HISTORICAL VIGNETTE LEHIGH VALLEY TRANSIT 600-SERIES CARS Compiled by Matt Nawn, from notes by Jack Mowbray, Joe Lance, and Jerry Deily

Note: It is easy to forget, in the day-to-day business of keeping the museum operating, of how the Rockhill Trolley Museum came into existence – due to the desire of our museum’s founders and early volunteers to preserve the memory of the vintage electric trolley that served places like Allentown. A recent conversation between members who are fans of the Lehigh Valley Transit Company which formerly served Allentown, the city where Railways To Yesterday was formally incorporated, led to the compilation of the Historical Vignette shared here. Much like the cars themselves, memories and historical recollections like these are worthy to be preserved and shared. The photo accompanying this vignette is from the collection of Joel Salomon.

The Lehigh Valley Transit Company had the following convertible cars in the 600 number series (reference the J.G. Brill order list compiled by H.E. Cox (http://streetcars.telcen.com/rosters/Brill1910-41.html):

Cars 600-609 built as order 17320 for LVT as Deck Roof Convertibles; April 1, 1910 Cars 610-619 built as order 17885 for LVT as Arch Roof Convertibles; July 14, 1911. According to records compiled by Harold Cox, cars 613-614 burned and were later rebuilt as closed cars (which is why they probably lasted to the end) Cars 620-623 built as order 18180 for LVT as Arch Roof Convertibles; February 13, 1912.

Joe Lance’s research determined that cars 613-614 were rebuilt with a normal side and windows. Each was equipped with trucks and motors from the 200 series (210-223). Cars 613 and 614 lasted to the almost end of service; the rest were scrapped by 1939.

Therefore, the photo of a worn-looking LVT car 619 was taken sometime prior to 1939 but not earlier than 1930, judging by the fender of the automobile at the right side of the photo.

Following the research by Joe, Jerry, and Matt; Jack Mowbray can offer a firsthand account of car 614.

“Hi Folks,

I can verify that car 614 lasted to near the end of service as a local on the Liberty Bell Line. Each weekday morning for some months when school was open during 1950, Motorman Harold Dech used to bring car 614 from Allentown south to Lehigh Siding (near Lanark) and run it into the clear arriving a few minutes after 7:00 AM. He waited until the 7:05 Norristown car passed, brought the car back onto the main line, then picked up passengers (mostly Allentown High School students) starting at Colesville Rd.

The first day this happened, he stopped at 8th & Hamilton Sts. (in Allentown) and asked who was going to the high school. Everyone was, so without further ado, he threw the switch and headed west on Hamilton, right on 17th St and dropped us at the high school.

Car 614 was interesting. The 200 car trucks with which it was rebuilt after the fire made a mini-interurban out of it. It was no 1000 (series) high speed lightweight, but it was clearly faster than any of the 430 local cars on the Bell Line. It still had K control, too.

One of those mornings the controller began to give him trouble. It simply refused to notch up. So, he recruited me to stand in the front of the car while he operated it from the other end. He stopped at 8th & St. John and gave us each an emergency transfer. He took the car to Fairview Carbarn. The rest of us went to school. We weren't even late.

I thought that these memories might be of interest.

Cordially, Jack”

4 The Retriever Vol. 49 No. 2 TAKE ANOTHER POINT

Ragtime Piano Weekend - The Ragtime with new supporting members. The spongy (ok really rotted) roof boards were Piano Weekend, sponsored by the Iron roadway for the Bobcat to access Carbarn cut out and new wood installed on the Rail Bed and Breakfast and organized by Two was rebuilt as well. cupola roof. A new end piece was Dave Brightbill, was a success. This was Thanks to the following volunteers for installed on the cupola. The roofs were held over the same weekend as PCC Car their participation in these important framed out with new 1 x 6 lumber, Day with the piano festival beginning on projects all week long. Henry Long, Tyler insulation added, and then luan plywood Friday. The museum’s participation really McGaw, Frank Shoop, Charlie Wootton, added. The rubber was then cut to size, occurred Saturday and Sunday morning Bill Adams, and Nevin Byers. Lance installed with contact cement, and nailed and afternoon. Many visitors were seen Myers and Carl Salomon also participated on the sides and ends. sitting under the pavilion listening to for several days during the week. A huge Touch-up painting continued and the some very talented piano performers both thank you to everyone for their help! metal handrails and trim pieces were professional and amateur. In the We are also thankful to the donors to cleaned of old paint and installed. One of afternoons and evenings professional the Track and Wire fund. This allows us the last things done saw the platforms performances were presented at the to purchase the materials like the back painted black as well as the trucks. As a Methodist church in Orbisonia. These guy anchors and poles and also to rent the “fun” project, the trucks were lettered were attended by several RTM members auger digging machine. along the raised highlights. and volunteers and were very entertaining. This was the 4th annual Electric service along trolley Line - To George Stetler - Many of our volunteers Festival and was and larger than ever. simplify the Polar Bear Express may remember George Stetler, 91 years Visitors came from Canada, New York operations for the holiday events, a 200 of age, who was a very dedicated state, both Carolinas, Tennessee, Ohio, amp, 120 / 240 volt service line at Altoff volunteer at the museum for many years. and all the way from Paris, France. siding has been installed and is ready for He was primarily involved with selling Performers were from Pittsburgh, Iowa, use. An electric service line has also been tickets for our visitors. Even though and San Francisco. This was also the first installed at Blacklog Narrows and is in George has not been involved at the time the event was held at the museum use. Over the summer wire has been museum for 5 or 6 years, repeating under the pavilion, and it was well installed on the poles. Helping so far with visitors still ask about him. We regret to received. It will return again in 2013, so this project have been Frank, Courtney let you know that George passed away on please mark your calendars for June 21- Brown, Nevin Byers, Lance Myers, Monday September 3, in HCR Manor 23, 2013 and plan to be there for an Nicholas Brightbill, Stephen Lane and Care in Bethlehem. Our sympathies to his enjoyable time. Doug Weidman. companion Pauline Walbert and his surviving family. Week-long work session - Volunteers Trolley operation training - Ed Ruth has spent an entire week (July 8 through July been training this year on operating York Blacklog Narrows platform 13) at the museum working on a variety Railways 163 and has been qualified. modifications - Bill Monaghan and of track and wire projects. While it is cold Valerie Robbins-Rice has recently Nicholas Brightbill carefully ground while you read this, the work week qualified on York Railways car 163 and down a corner of the platform on the featured high temperatures and high open car 1875. Jim Walsh has been pocket track side which had been fouling humidity. Focusing primarily at Altoff volunteering as a conductor and training the skirt of #2743 and preventing it from siding and a few other locations, eleven on car 163. Phil Sauerlender has been also running into the pocket track. Thanks to holes were dug and poles planted and training on York 163. Helping with the their efforts, not only were excellent side- tamped into the ground. Accomplishing training has been Cal Gerhard, Jack by-side photo opportunities of museum this project has planted all the poles Mowbray and Joel Salomon. PCC cars PSCT #6 and SEPTA #2743 which were distributed along the right of Additional trainees are welcome to available for PCC car day, but this gives way several years ago. In addition, seven participate and join our crew of volunteer us greater operating flexibility when back guy anchors were planted as well. trolley operators. Training dates will be #2743 is in service. Due to the doors One span wire at Altoff siding was announced in the spring. Contact us for being on the right hand side of the car, the transferred. additional information. pocket track will only be used when At the museum area, a trench was dug needed to allow another car to pass. from the substation to the carbarn switch Caboose - The caboose is completed as using a rented auger machine. Conduit read in another part of this issue. Getting Pavilion enclosure - Thanks to Frank, was laid in this ditch which will be used to this point was a large commitment of Stephen, and Nicholas for installing the to feed the trolley wire in the future. The time by a few volunteers. The rubber roof canvas sides on the pavilion. trench was then back filled. The stump at was installed in three separate pieces the Buehler Shop track switch was starting with the cupola roof first and the removed and the creek wall was rebuilt ends following. Prior to all this, some

Summer 2012 The Retriever 5 BUEHLER SHOP REPORT

Johnstown 311 - Work began are interested in helping with the installation, and then wired them for test immediately on the museum’s first trolley restoration of car 311, please let Matt operation. The pole base and roof boards since its return to the shop. Once again, Nawn or Joel Salomon know. We are still will be removed when the car is shipped the scope of the project is being expanded trying to have the car as complete as we to its owner (since they use pantographs), to include additional work which will can for next July, which is the 50th but this work is essential for testing at greatly benefit the car over the long term. Anniversary of the official opening of the Rockhill. When the car was previously in the shop, museum in 1963. the inbound door-side corner was Iowa Sweeper 3 - Conductor bells were partially disassembled due to the corroded installed from bells that we had in stock. condition of the steel. Recently, the Fire extinguishers were installed remaining portion of this corner was permanently on each end. The repeating disassembled, all frame steel was cleaned gong on the roof of the car was lubricated up, and new steel welded in where and a new rope installed. A grab handle needed. A new piece of sheet steel has for getting aboard the car was reinstalled been acquired and drilled with holes for with new hardware. Budd Blair and Joel installation. This steel has since been Salomon performed this work. bolted onto the side of the car. Also, a new bolster angle piece was York 163 - The inbound controller has installed. The deteriorated condition of been troublesome and the control fingers the original angle has prompted us to were adjusted again. The carbon inserts expand the project yet again. We will be were replaced as well. This work was renewing the four bolster corner pieces Keith cuts out rusted metal on JTC 311 accomplished by Budd Blair. and installing new supporting angles. When these four corners are replaced, Thanks to the following volunteers for PCC 2743 - Harry Donahue has been there will be only two pieces of original helping with the car 311 progress to this making progress on repainting the interior sheeting on each side remaining so these point: Dave Brightbill, Keith Bray, Matt of our Philly PCC car while waiting for will be replaced with new material as Nawn, Carl Salomon, Joel Salomon, Fred enough funding to professionally do the well. Walter, and Fred Wagner. body work on the exterior and a complete exterior repainting. Bill, Jerry, George, M-100 - While not an electric trolley car, and Matt went to work on investigating this gas-powered motor car is an the dynamic brake issue. The car has been important part of our maintenance fleet as suffering from a heavy dynamic brake it allows for quick and easy transportation drag (more like a slam) for several to get tools and parts. The starter motor months, and it had been several years had became inoperable recently. Frank before the low-voltage braking contactors Shoop and Nicholas Brightbill removed had been cleaned (simple as it may sound, the starter and Courtney Brown repaired this is often the cause of dynamic brake it, returning the car to operation. drag on GE-equipped PCC cars). Once the cabinets underneath were opened, PSCT #6 - Repairs to the headlight/ oxidation was found on all of the low- M-25 moves JTC 311 into Buehler Shop marker light circuit, a nagging punch-list voltage contactors, particularly the low- item from last year, were completed when voltage contacts on contactors B1, B2, The wooden window sills have been a new voltage regulator and associated and B3. After about 30 minutes of work removed to access the T steel so that it fuse were installed. The installation of with a small file, the car coasted perfectly can be examined. The interior of the car new bulbs completed the project. on a brief test run to Carbarn #2. After has been cleaned up and the parts sorted returning the car to the pit, all the and organized. NJT 10 - Members of the museum and equipment covers were replaced and a test While the expanding scope of the readers of this newsletter may know that run was made to Blacklog Narrows. project will be creating quite a bit of we are storing NJT PCC car 10 in Again, the car operated perfectly. additional work, the majority of this will Rockhill which will greatly benefit the Once at Blacklog Narrows, a test trip be contracted out. This does not mean the mechanical restoration of open car 1875 with #2743 into the pocket track was volunteers will not have anything to do in the future. Jerry Evans, George Rich, made. This was a first, as #2743 has never for the restoration of car 311. This is quite Carl Salomon, Budd Blair, and attempted this move before. The test was the opposite. We have many things that Stephen Lane got a pole and pole base successful. volunteers will be responsible for. If you from RTY inventory, prepared them for (Continued on page 7)

6 The Retriever Vol. 49 No. 2 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MEMBERSHIP

Thank you to the following members and friends of the museum for their financial New members - We welcome the support of the museum and the projects below. We could not be making the progress following people who have recently that we do without your generous financial support. Thank you all! become members of the Rockhill Trolley Museum. We look forward to seeing you General Fund Chicago Aurora & Elgin 315 at the museum this year and in the future. Charles Bender Joseph Brabec Community State Bank Thomas Burke Leonel Arias John Finlayson David Butts Bladensburg, MD David Horwitz Raymond Cannon Albie Cincotti James Keener Wouter de Nie Boston, MA Richard and Peggy Potts Edward Foley Myra Reilly James Francis Steve Graves Park Ritter Patricia Gorsline York, PA Richard Swartz Alfred Harvey Pete Grosso Thomas Johnson Bladensburg, MD Ara Mesrobian Track and Wire Sandra Harris Clifford Scholes Bellefonte Historical Railroad College Station, TX John Spychalski Society Michael Wares James Hoffman Spring Grove, PA Johnstown Traction 311 Doug Kirkpatrick Anonymous Apollo, PA Richard Swartz Carl Lutz Shade Gap, PA Donald Weigel, Sr. Keedysville, MD

(Continued from page 6) Johnstown 355 - Its inbound brake valve and handbrakes at the same end were nearly impossible to release without a pipe wrench. Jerry and Matt removed the inbound brake valve and took it to the shop workbench for further diagnosis. Once disassembled, the brake valve (WABCO M-28 for the technical folks) was found to have scoring in some areas, as well as very little grease (what remained was in small clumps). It appears that foreign debris had gotten into the valve somehow and proceeded to grind itself away inside. Thus, after a trip through the parts washer, the affected surfaces were cleaned and ground smooth. It was also found that the rubber seal inside (RTY has been using for some time two-part rubber seals and teflon key washers for these valves) was slightly oversize compared with other stock seals both in width and thickness. Thus, the seal was replaced and the entire assembly was lubricated with WABCO brake cylinder grease and reassembled. After reinstallation, the valve was tested and functions normally. A running test was then made to confirm the same and also to test the handbrakes. With the brake valve repaired, attention turned to the inbound handbrake which has been a source of frustration for some time. After rehanging the chain on the brake staff itself, excessive links from the inbound end chain were removed and then the assembly reinstalled. This corrected the problem and the brakes now set and release properly. The outbound end was checked as well and found to operate fine.

M-25 - Courtney Brown, with assistance from Nevin Byers, completed the brake repairs and adjustments to locomotive M-25. For some time, the brakes did not release properly. This was no simple task as it involved burning out the old brake pins and the installation of new ones, as well as some "thermal persuasion" to free the brake beam adjustment nuts as well. Thanks guys!

Summer 2012 The Retriever 7 Railways To Yesterday, Inc. Non-Profit Org. PO Box 1601 U.S. Postage Allentown, PA 18105 Paid Lehigh Valley, PA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 128

RockhillTrolley.org

WE NEED YOU …. to help with various jobs at the trolley museum - As you read in the articles about the progress made at the museum, all of it is possible only with to the dedication of many volunteers. We want this progress to continue and work is underway on various projects, but we need your help to keep things moving. Think about the fun that you would have helping to accomplish great things at the trolley museum. It is truly a special feeling of satisfaction that you can only get by volunteering! Contact Joel Salomon or any Department Head to see how you would be able to participate.

Wish List - Perhaps you have some of these items around your house or know where we might be able to acquire them. Please let us know if you do.  Digital projector - We are looking for an LCD or DLP  Plastic skids - Wooden skids just do not hold up well enough projector with a USB port. If you have an old unit and for long-term outdoor storage. were thinking of upgrading or if you would like to  Bobcat loader - Our bobcat loader will be in need of outright contribute one, please contact us. replacement someday (we hope not too soon), and perhaps  Step ladders - Sturdy ladders of 6 or 8 feet are really you may know where we might be able to find a replacement needed. at a reasonable cost or possibly better yet, as a donation.  Small garden-type storage sheds  High quality round or flat shovels with strong handles  Hy-Rail for the rubber tired bucket truck - And it  Aluminum track jacks - It is much easier to jack up the track would be great to have a volunteer to work with installing with additional track jacks. it.  Track lining bars - More tools for the track gang is good.  3-wire extension cords of various lengths  Portable storage trailer - We can never have enough indoor  Miscellaneous hand tools - We need a better selection of storage. tools to outfit our bucket car with necessary tools for  Light bulbs - Regular household bulbs just do not seem to working out on the line. find their way to Rockhill when we need them.

Next Issue: Steel Wheels Meet Rubber Tires - The vintage trolleys of Rockhill welcome antique and classic cars to town.

8 The Retriever Vol. 49 No. 2