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The Semaphore

Newsletter of the Rochester NY Chapter, NRHS January 2002 P.O. Box 23326, Rochester, NY 14692-3326; Published Monthly Volume 44, No. 4

Program for Jan. 17:

Wellsville, Addison & Galeton Railroad by John Stewart John will be showing slides and dis- cuss the "WAG", which he has researched and is of interest to him. His presentation will feature the F- units and other miscellaneous items. This program will commence after the regular business meeting scheduled for 8:00 PM. We meet at the 40&8 Club at 933

Program Committee John Stewart 387-9185 Bill Limburg 586-9470 Chris Hauf digital photo Dan Cosgrove 352-6931 The Committee welcomes suggestions and ideas for future programs. Contact any of the Committee members. Home at Last!!!

On Saturday, December 29th, the LA&L heaters and other systems so a safe winter Library Hours finally brought our wayward 80-tonner home start-up can be achieved very soon. 2 to 5 PM from Northumberland, PA. The engine was The ’s running gear remains brought in to our yard by our other 80- damaged, and we continue to work toward a Sunday, Jan 20 tonner, Eastman Kodak #6. The R&GV RR settlement. In the meantime, we now have Library Phone: 872-4641 Museum Motive Power Department quickly the locomotive on our property where we can went to work checking and charging the evaluate it, operate the engines, use it as an batteries, securing the locomotive cab, and interpretive display, and work toward its Another Successful doing some research into the loco’s block repair. by Chris Hauf Year End Party More pictures on Page 6. by John Redden On January 5, another enjoyable Year The recent travels of DLA 1654, our new 80 End Party was held at the Depot. The weather was good, with fairly mild tempera- ton locomotive. tures and no precipitation. Most of the food ? Departed Northumberland on Wednesday December 19, at an unknown time. was set up in the DL&W M.U. car, while ? Arrived Renovo, Pa. at 7:50 p.m. on that day. several “satellite” locations had assorted ? Departed Renovo at 5:45 a.m on Thursday, December 20. soups, chili, and other munchies. ? Passed Olean at 10:07 a.m. that day, and observed passing North Olean by Chapter operations were handled by Dale member Gene Redden. Hartnett, Jeremy Tuke, Jeff Carpenter, Ed ? Arrived Buffalo at 1:35 p.m. that day. Van Horn and others. ? Departed Buffalo at 1:45 p.m. that day. We had the trusty EK-6 coupled to our ? Interchanged with Rochester & Southern at Silver Springs, N.Y. at 4:00 p.m. that day. two shiniest cabooses, the Erie C-254 and the ? Arrived at P&L Junction, Caledonia, sometime during the night of December 20/21. PC 18526 for rides up to the NYMT. The ? Interchanged to the LA&L on December 28. EK-6 was serviced by Jim Johnson and ? Norm Shaddick. In addition, our “other” 80- Arrived at our Museum on December 29 at 11:15 a.m. by John Redden ? (Continued on Page 5)

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Library Report Register your Donations for Membership Report Charles Robinson, Chairman 2001 Beth Krueger, Chair The Library will be open for general use from Dave Luca Janet Dittmer, Assistant on Sunday afternoon, January 20 between 2 Dave Luca, the Chapter’s Treasurer, Add this name to your Roster: and 5 PM. Start the New Year out Right! would like to remind all of the members that Lewis Bracey Visit the Library! Our heating system is if they made any cash or non-cash donations 125 St. Paul St., Apt. 1220 working very well. A congenial group of rail for the year 2001 and they need an acknowl- Rochester, NY 14604-1229 fans are always welcomed. edgment letter from the chapter for their Thanks to Bob Miner the library has now income tax return, they should send this Addresss Change: dealt with the problem of too many surplus information to Dave at 983 Winton Road Patrick Sofin and Sara Phoenix magazines. Bob has hauled away our surplus North, Rochester, New York, 14609-6824. 301, 2910 N Powers Blvd. and Railroad And Railfan maga- This should be sent before January 20, 2002, Colordo Springs, CO 80922 and has sent them to railfan heaven for so if anyone has additional donations to the benefit of departed enthusiasts. But do register, please send them to Dave. not despair about this donation to the outer Temporary change of address until April: world as the library maintains an almost a Call for Nominating Thomas Ewart complete set of these magazines for this Committee 7001 142nd Ave. N world. by Janet Dittmer Largo, FL 33771-4717 Bob has also replaced the furnace stack All of the officers and two of the trustee cover. The former one was literally pulver- positions are up for election. Change in e-mail address: ized early last winter when the protecting We will be electing the following: Marlin D. Diehl: tarps caught by the winds pulled off part of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Record- [email protected] the east siding and repeatedly smashed the ing Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Na- Individual to Family Change: furnace stack with those boards as it fluttered tional Director and two Trustees. Nobody has in the winds. exceed the term limits, so maybe some will James Morrow Jr. adds Rosa to his membership. Gordon Fewster, now of Hendersonville, run for re-election. I have not talked to any NC, has donated recent issues of Trains, of the officers as to their intentions. Any corrections? RailPace, and Railfan & Railroad maga- If anyone is interested in running for any Please either e-mail Janet corrections to zines that will bring our collection up to date. position, have them contact Janet, either or send to P.O. He also has donated issues of Model through the mail, by phone or e-mail. I will Box 23326, Rochester, NY, 14692-3326. Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman. be at the January meeting. [Janet Dittmer, Please no phone messages. Changes and These will be placed in the model railroad 983 Winton Road North, Rochester, NY omissions will appear in the January issue. magazine library in the NYMT model rail- 14609-6824; 585-288-0318; road room for those interested in model [email protected]] NOTE Area Code Change railroading.* I also need one other member and two Effective immediately, the area code for The library staff is still sorting through trustees or officers to help on the Nominating the Rochester area, which was 716, is now the Charles Belt collection. Jerry Gillette, Committee. 585. Gale Smith, Bob Miner, Steve Oagley and myself are still placing the unusually good Dept. of Corrections Subscription Price Increased 35mm slides in sleeves. Bob Miner has been Vern Lawrence, husband to Kathy, was For those who subscribe to The doing a good job of identifying the diesel inadvertently left out of last month's list of Semaphore, the yearly rate has been in- but more help is needed in this volunteers on Fall Foliage Trips. Vern creased to $8.00. Increased postage and endeavor. Please come out if you can help assisted with parking. printing costs makes this necessary. Depend- with the daunting task of identifying this ing on how one accounts for costs, this interesting assortment of rail equipment. Have you RENEWED?? increase may still not cover the cost of the Hope to see you at the Library, Sunday If you have not sent in your 2002 dues, Contributors to this issue afternoon, January 20! Janet would appreciate you attending to this The December Sunday session was opportunity in the very NEAR future. Harold Crouch, Janet Dittmer, Dale Hart- nett (DH), Chris Hauf (CH), Lynn Heintz, poorly attended–just the two librarians! Sun- Janet is processing renewals as they John Redden, Charles Robinson, Don day hours were developed so that you would come in and acknowledging your Shilling, John Stewart, Jeremy Tuke, Rand not have to travel during the winter in the contributions. Soon she will have to return Warner. dark. to another of her "jobs" — preparing tax * NYMT’s Model Railroad room/library returns. has an extensive collection of modeling Send your renewal form, check for 2002 magazines. As NYMT is open every Sunday dues (and a contribution?), payable to Roch- afternoon of the year, modelers may wish to ester Chapter, NRHS, to: take advantage of this collection, maintained Rochester Chapter, NRHS by ‘Luckey’ Luctherhand. Admission is free c/o Janet Dittmer, – if you are a NYMT member (individual: 983 N. Winton Rd., Rochester, NY $15; family: $25 per year). 14609-6824.

The Semaphore January 2002 Page 3

Substation construction and enclosure op- After getting lots of good experience on tions are being investigated by Ted Strang this project, they’ll be ready to work with and Jim Dierks (NYMT) and Rand Warner. Dick Bean and our Burro crane when that Our goal is to have a substation running unit goes into operation – hopefully in 2002. on commercial NiMo power, completed and in operation to support at least some portion R&GV RR Museum Star of the 2002 visitor operating season. Brakeman’s Lanterns still available! Shops Department Our first order of Star 292 Brakeman’s Metal Shop lanterns with the R&GV RR Museum logo Rand Warner, Director Emeritus Kevin Klees has agreed to head up our were delivered before Christmas and all pre- Metal Shop area; to organize and get into Christmas orders have been filled. We have operation at least some of the machines we extras, though! Electrical Gang now have in storage – for the benefit of our Charles Harshbarger and Jim Johnson volunteers and our projects. Redundant or have installed protective guards around poles unsuitable equipment will be disposed of for and stanchions along the west edge of our cash, or trade for something we need. new temporary entrance road. Wood Shop Scott Gleason has retrenched for electri- Bob Mader has agreed to head up our cal conduit north of the Restoration Building, Wood Shop area; to mount up and get into laid in plastic conduits, and backfilled the operations some of our current inventory of trench – using our new International backhoe wood shop tools, and to determine suitable tractor. Now we’re ready for the wiring to plans for disposition of the remainder. This supply the stanchion posts with power. will benefit our many wood craft intensive Scott Gleason, Dan Waterstraat, Ron projects on trolleys, buildings and rolling Amberger, Dick Luchterhand, Rand Warner stock. and Jeff Carpenter have installed three wood Kevin and Bob will coordinate their poles between Switch #6 and Reid’s Cross- efforts with Charles Harshbarger/Supt. Tool ing for experimental support. Car & Shops, and Dave Luca/ Supt. Build- The return of our single axles Army ings & Grounds. trailer from Victor will provide our line crew They will also require support from with a candidate pole trailer -- thanks to John Jeremy Tuke/Storage Coordinator, Art McDonald. Mummery/Supt. Heavy Equipment, and Joe Jim Johnson has rigged up a transformer Scanlon/ Supt. Construction. Anyone interested in purchasing a lantern cart to provide various types of single and Kevin and Bob will be identifying any can contact Chris Hauf (381-8583) three-phase output from 3-phase 480v input. gaps in the capabilities of our present [email protected]. Lanterns are $25.00 + equipment complements – to prioritize any tax ($2.00) without a battery and $30.00 + future power tool machine acquisitions. tax ($2.40) for a lantern with a 6V battery, Electrification & Line Crew each. All proceeds go directly toward sup- Charles Lowe (NYMT) and Rand Warner Crane Gang porting the R&GV RR Museum. have surveyed the main line R.O.W. from the We have a new Crane Gang. Sam A special thanks to Star Headlight and S-curve to Switch #6 for possible future pole Swisher, assisted by Otto Vondrak, Joe Lantern for getting our lanterns ready for locations. Woerner and Tom Rohatsch are using our Christmas and for Jeremy Tuke for handling From this survey, three pole locations Fairmont Track Crane (ex G&W RR) to ordering and pick-up. They look really great! were staked out for three wood poles to be relocate rail and switch parts presently stored (Editor: They are also robust, have selection installed now, such that they would be in the in the S-curves area. of spot or general lighting, plus a spare bulb. right place later on. This project will yield several benefits to The spot is a halogen bulb and very bright. Trolley power substation alternatives both R&GV RM and NYMT. have been investigated extensively by Rand 1. Move stored material to west side of Who Knows? Warner & Co., resulting in a recommenda- main line, out of way of pole crews for ? Someone who has railroad photos tion to go forward with Niagara Mohawk electrification. showing the handling or of (NiMo) commercial power. Details have 2. Free up east side of right-of-way for milk, dry beans, hay or apples on the been written up in several recent letters general equipment access for M.O.W. and distributed to involved personnel. railroad? (We're also looking for other other purposes. artifacts, paper goods and stories related Substation design requirements in terms 3. Organize the rail and switch parts into of NFPA and electrical codes are being to the handling of these produce items). neat piles so we know what we’ve got and investigated by Jim Johnson, Rand Warner ? Who can donate two large wooden can easily get to it. and Scott Gleason. barrels to the Museum? 4. Eliminate the present safety hazard of Contact: Dale Hartnett at 585/243-0139 poorly stacked rail and switch parts. or at [email protected].

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REA Truck Update Young Railfans Wrap Up Busy 2001 by Lynn Heintz by Dale Hartnett The progress on the ‘39 Ford Railway Express Agency truck has recently seen some The Rochester Chapter’s Young Railfans ? Replaced battery in TC-3 good news and bad news. We now have a have moved from “helping” on projects to Young Railfan Jesse Marks is currently grill and axles for it. To complete the “owning” projects in 2001. restoring the REA express cart for his frontend only a pair of fenders and the The eight young men’s accomplishments scouting Eagle project. stainless grill trim are needed. Earlier in the in the past year included: The Young Railfan group hosted its third fall a very nice gentleman from Lockport ? Restoration of antique phone boxes annual pancakes breakfast in May. Members donated a large quantity of parts to the of the group and their families also partici- project. Just about everything to rebuild a ? Restoration work on interior of BR&P pated in the End of Summer Picnic, Year complete block was included. Upon caboose End Party and Winter Overnight. investigation, it was discovered that this ? Preparation of BR&P caboose for Along with learning how to perform the truck has been re-engined with an 85 hp outside winter storage tasks necessary for all the above projects, motor. As built and delivered from Ford it members of the group also received instruc- had a 60 hp motor. The difference is the ? Assist with the replacement of hill tion on operating diesels and track cars. They physical size of the motor. The 60 hp looks block even had the chance to get some “seat time” like a shrunken version of the 85 hp. ? Set grade stakes for subgrade north of with both locomotives and speeders. Restoration Building None of this would be possible without LV Bridge Print Donation ? Marked east property line the help of dedicated parents who bring the by Lynn Heintz young men to the Chapter’s museum twice ? The very large framed blueprint of the Helped on building Track 7 north of each month and the Chapter members who Restoration building LV RR bridge crossing the Genesee River generously share their time and skills with that was on display in the south waiting ? Helped scrape, prime and paint the the group. A special thanks goes out to dads room during the 2000 season is now the depot exterior Charlie Marks and Tom Downes who have property of the Chapter. This donation was helped the group on numerous occasions ? recently presented to us by Joe Spezio. Cleaned leaves from right-of-way (and done a considerable amount of work When Monroe County became owner of ? Painted signal boxes along right-of-way themselves) and to the parents who helped the LV right-of-way in the county, this print prepare the Pancake Breakfast. was conveyed along with the title. This print ? Made safety chocks for construction One of the most rewarding aspects of the dates to WWI. It was given to Joe when his equipment program is watching the participants grow as firm was contracted by the county to remove they take o more responsibility and become the ballast for the developing trail. ? Began building eight additional lecterns more independent. We even have one of our for museum displays Although it now has a home that will group studying surveying at Alfred Tech give it greater exposure to the interested, one after first being introduced to a transit at the ? Painted picnic tables and steps can only wonder what other historical assets museum! ? Removed paint from FGEX reefer have been disposed of by the careless The Young Railfans are the Chapter’s handing of municipalities. ? Assisted with enclosure for lagging youth group, organized under the auspices of removal project the scouting Venture program. Young people Chapter Member has article ? Waxed sides of MU car ages 14 to 21 are eligible to join. The Young Railfans will be recruiting new members in RMC ? Helped with TC-3 starter and fuel tank before Spring.- Contact the group’s advisor, Chapter member, Otto Vondrak is an repairs Dale Hartnett, for more information (585- active author with another of his articles appearing in Railroad Model Craftsman – the February 2002 issue this time. Thanks to .... Old Dominion Chapter develops This one is on modeling an HO gauge Scholarship Plan modern sanding facility based on one at the John McDonald for arranging return of The Old Dominion Chapter, NRHS, of CSX’s Rochester Goodman Street yards. The Museum’s single axle Army trailer from Richmond, VA has developed a eight step model appears on Rochester & Irondequoit Victor Highway Dept. scholarship plan for volunteers attending Terminal model railroad at the Rochester Gale Smith for donations towards PC training and educational conferences. Among Institute of Technology Model Railroad Club Caboose Fund, Pine Falls and Excursion the steps, the Chapter will pay one-half of layout. Besides telling how to do it, Otto has Train Car set. tuition and registration (or $250.00, which- illustrated his article with two prints of the Rand Warner for set of starter wrenches, ever is less); member must provide a write- model and five pictures of the prototype. The 600v meter for trolley, and assorted maps. up; member to make duplicate set of any prototype consists of a former NYC 34-foot Dale Hartnett for underwriting materials training materials (reimbursed); Chapter will twin-bay hopper, and a 20-foot container charges for new lecterns built by Young not pay for personal expenses. [Highball, housing the air compressor equipment. Noth- Railfans. Dec. 2001] ing fancy, but effective! RW

The Semaphore January 2002 Page 5

Railroad Area mounted an improved handbrake on this unit. Year End Party - From Page 1 John Redden recently hooked up the shop air John Redden, Administrator supply, in order to test the many feet of new tonner, the DLA 1654 was worked-on by Art piping and fittings in the brake system. The Mummery, Norm Shaddick, Jim Johnson, Motive Power Update for electrical team of Jim Johnson and Dick and John Redden. We were able to start its December Holbert have made significant improvement prime movers late in the afternoon. It was in the insulation on the high voltage wiring idling most of the evening, giving the Steam Locomotives and bus bars running from the electrical membership a chance to see our latest The shed inside the building has been cabinet to the generators and traction motors. acquisition. The Pine Falls was again ably completed by Kevin Klees, with help from staffed by Gale Smith, who provided hot the R.I.T. volunteers and several chapter Gasoline Locomotive cider, rum balls, and hot popcorn. Thanks to members. This shed has been given a Sam Swisher and Otto VonDrak for helping As the weather has gotten colder, the preliminary inspection by our contractor, and out on the Pine Falls, including polishing the has been approved. This is a significant Plymouth locomotive is starting to get more attention, per plan. The engine block has lounge windows. They also provided the milestone in the lagging removal project. TV/VCR setup at the last minute so the been in a local shop for cleaning and Our “R.I.T. Team”, which includes Ron lounge patrons could enjoy the videos on rebuilding. Kevin Klees has taken the genera- Amberger and students Tim Tuetken and tor home as a “cottage industry” project, and railroads. Sam Rogers, as well as several other has rebuilt it with a cleaned up commutator, Hot chili and soups were available in the students, and alumni, has been very active in new brushes and new bearings. He also cabooses and in the depot agent’s office, supporting the steam program. They recently fabricated a cover for the voltage regulator. courtesy ofChris Hauf,Jeremy Tukeand others. took the mechanical lubricator from the Next component into his home shop will be It was another thoroughly enjoyable Heisler fireless locomotive up to R.I.T., the starter. evening that offered some experiences that cleaned it up, and tested it. It has been are not easy to find in 2002: returned to the Museum for future installa- Many thanks to everyone who generously tion on the engine. They also took the turbo- offers their time and talents to the Motive - A nighttime ride in a cupola caboose electric generator to a laboratory at R.I.T. for Power Department. that’s carrying kerosene markers; testing and re-work. - A walk down the hallway of a vintage Pullman car, that ends in a lounge that has Tim has blocked the driving boxes on the Colorado RR Museum installs great food, great company, and train videos Fire-less, in preparation for jacking it up. turntable running all evening. Moving the Fireless into the building will The Colorado Railroad Museum in Colo- require some jacking and sliding on I-Beams. - A country depot that’s alive with rado has installed a 72-foot turntable. With activity on a wintry night. These beams were moved up to the building volunteers not having a degree is ‘Turntable by Dan Waterstraat, and prepared for use by 101,’ they are proud that one or two persons - A ride in a freshly repainted and fully Kevin Klees. A load of stone was ordered can spin the turntable; the problem is, lettered caboose, from a fallen flag road and delivered for this project. Dan Water- stopping it! [Interemountain News, Jan/Feb that’s been gone for 25 years. straat took about 10 tons of it up to the 2002] - A walk through a railroad yard that’s building using the Trojan loader. Ron illuminated with kerosene switch lamps, and Amberger, Tim Tuetken and John Redden brakemen’s lanterns. spread the stone and tamped it down. Building a Line Car This one may be of interest to Rand and Our thanks to Rand and Marge Warner Diesel Locomotives the #01 Line Car project. This is a modeling for their many years of dedication to the As noted elsewhere in this issue, our article on scratchbuilding a Niagara, St. Year End Parties. They have organized and wayward 80 ton locomotive has arrived on Catharines and Toronto line car by Bill managed the parties for at least 15 years, and December 29. This is a result of a great deal Sharpe appearing in the February 2002 issue their efforts are greatly appreciated. of work by many Chapter Members. From of Railroad Model Craftsman. R&GV RR Museum Denim the time of its purchase, until its arrival at Included in this article are five pictures of our Museum, there have been many trips to Shirts Available the prototype line car, a picture of the truck Pennsylvania by our people, and countless detail fifteen photographs on constructing the We are pleased to announce an on-going hours of phone calls, letters, fax messages, model and the plan for same. fundraiser for the Rochester & Genesee and meetings. Although the engine is, in fact, Valley Railroad Museum. We now have damaged, its arrival is a significant Rochester Junction Program available long-sleeve denim shirts embroi- accomplishment. dered on the left breast with logo of the The Honeoye Falls-Mendon Historical The other military engine, Army 1843, Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Society is calling for input for an open has had an electrical problem in the battery Museum. roundtable forum ""Rochester Junction" to charging circuit diagnosed by Norm be conducted on Thursday evening, May 2, The Shirts are $25.00 plus tax (4%NYS Shaddick, Jim Johnson, Dick Holbert and 2002. Walking tour of the Junction will be Tax = $1.00 per shirt) each for adult sizes Kevin Klees. Replacement parts were or- at 6 PM; forum at 7:30. Bring photos, small to extra large. For sizes 2XL and dered by John Redden, and may be installed memories and memorabilia. To participate, larger, please add $2.00. These are GREAT by the time you read this. call Paul S. Worboys at 624-9803. looking shirts! They can be ordered at any The RG&E 1941 continues to make time by calling or emailing Chris Hauf (381- progress in its long restoration. Neil Bel- 8583, [email protected]) or send your lenger has fabricated mounting hardware, and order and check to the Chapter's P.O. Box to the ATTN: Shirt Fundraiser. CH

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last car to derail just missed the empty railroad station located on the river bank. The reason why the train was travelling faster than the posted 5/10 mph has not been published. It appears that the problem started near the Ridge Road area when the train began to pick up speed as it was being pushed by loaded cars down a gradual downward slope as it travelled the four miles to Charlotte. This trackage was the former New York Central's Charlotte Secondary, and connected with the former 'Hojack' (originally RW&O, later NYC) which crossed the Genesee River on a swing bridge. The engineer/conductor jumped from an engine; he received a minor arm injury. Fortunately, there were no other injuries or human casualties. The Fire One tanker of acetone ruptured and caught fire, which in turn Jeremy Tuke Photo ignited the a large quantity of spilled coal. The status of the other two tankers was not clear, except one was pumped out to truck tankers. One house was destroyed by a rail car; another by the Charlotte Train Wreck [Editor: The following is based upon excerpts from the Democrat & fire. Several cars and boats in the area were destroyed; one boat, a race-winning three pontoon racer, was heavily damaged. Chronicle newspapers and R-NEWS TV news (Channel 9). The first reports are based upon preliminary The Rochester Fire Department went to 4-alarm status, calling information; '/' indicates variations. The final report, and cause, will be in other fire departments such as Kodak Fire Department and a months away.] foam unit from the Rochester Airport Fire Department plus other At about 3:30 PM on Sunday, December 23, a freight train, consisting departments. It was several hours before the fire was put out. of two locomotives, two tankers of acetone, one of methylene chloride, a Because of hazardous materials, many blocks in the area were possible box car or two, and the rest loaded coal hoppers totaling 43/45 evacuated until the next day. cars derailed about half of them with spectacular results. The Engines The cars and the locomotives derailed as the train, travelling at an One of the two engines, GP38s, had almost half on one side estimated 35-45 mph, failed to negotiate an almost 90-degree curve. The (Continued on Page 7)

The Views: Page 1: A roster shot of the 1654 parked on our lead. Left: LA&L Alco RS-1 #20 delivering the locomotive to our switch. Below: EK-6 heading out to pick 80-tonner#1654 from the LA&L, and then pulling it into the yard. Below left: A shot of Jim Johnson, Art Mummery, Scott Gleason and Dan Waterstraat observing the delivery. Digital photos by Chris Hauf

The Semaphore January 2002 Page 7

Origins of Our Depot’s A Hudson to the Rescue Names by Harold Crouch control fuse had blown. By now there was a Research: Donovan A. Shilling One night in the summer of 1950 while small “mountain” of blown fuses on the cab While we’re sure most members know working the Westbound platform at Buffalo floor. It was pointed out that it is useless to that the name of our Chapter’s depot is Central Terminal, train #68, The “Commo- keep putting more good fuses in only to have INDUSTRY, many may not know the origins dore Vanderbilt” arrived whistling for relief them blow: something had to be done. of the other colorful names the depot site – account ground relay trouble. An inspec- Going back in the trailing “B” unit, the once held. “Industry,” by the way, was the tion of the main generator, electrical control was put in there, only to have this official U.S. Post Office’s name for the New cabinets, and the two traction motors of the fuse blow too! Obviously, we had a bad low York State Industrial School in the town of E-7 “A” unit did not take any exceptions. So voltage ground – compared to the high Rush. Our Erie station, therefore, also re- told the Syracuse Division crew that they voltage ground mentioned previously. So the ceived “Industry” as its title shortly after would have to make it on three power units – next move was to take down the jumper 1909. That’s when the last of the inmates the power plant with the ground being left cable between the units. With one last from Rochester’s Western House of Refuge off the line. No. 68 departed on time and I ground fuse, it was applied to the “B” unit. at Phelps and Backus Avenues were trans- returned to the West End to check the Fortunately it held and the two oil engines in ferred to their new location in south Rush. Westbound fleet coming through. On reach- the “B” unit were re-started and put on the Rochester’s old penal establishment, cre- ing the West End again the Yardmaster line. ated in 1849 as a “refuge” for juvenile called to say that #68 was dead at Depew, By now the head brakeman was on the delinquents from ages eight through eighteen, NY. Oh Boy!! ground and so the hostler’s controls in the was a dreary complex built of stone and Rushing back down to the East End “B” unit were cut in and the locomotive brick with walls twenty feet high, the only again, a mail and express train with a J-1 moved away from the train. The Road such walled institution of its kind in Class Hudson on the head end was just Foreman shortly re-appeared – he had gone America. departing. The engineer was swung down to obtain a relief locomotive – and it took At the turn of the last century there was a and I got aboard to ask the engineer to drop over. The relief locomotive took the train nationwide movement to reform these me off near #68. He nodded his head and forward while we took the units back to East institutions. An endeavor was made to pro- widened on the throttle once again while I Buffalo Engine Terminal. vide the young miscreants with more humane took the Brakeman’s seat behind the fireman. Here it was found that a fuel pump motor conditions. The State Board of Charities in Sure good to be on a steamer again! NO on the “A” unit had gone to ground. The Albany felt strongly that fresh country air, ground problems here! motor was changed out and the units dis- pastoral surroundings and agricultural pur- The engineer dropped me off where #68 patched East to Harmon Electric Shop for suits in rural locations such as Rush, would had stopped and, on getting up to the cab, a maintenance. hasten the rehabilitation of the young hood- Road Foreman of Engines had been able to An exciting night!! lums during their incarceration. Thus, the precede me. It turned out that the eighty amp present State Industrial School was relocated beginning about 1908. The original name for the early depot was Plumbing Help Needed “SCOTTSVILLE.” This was its name when We are looking for some professional plumbing help to estimate the cost of some drain the Rochester Division of the Erie Railway repairs in the basement of the Industry Depot at R&GV RR Museum. Basically, some acquired the Rochester & Genesee Valley modifications and repairs need to be done to the 4" cast iron drain pipe in the floor of the Railroad. At the time the village of Scotts- basement. We want to understand the cost and any issues with making the repairs and ville was the nearest community to the old improvements. Charlie Harshbarger has already done a preliminary estimate and had it railway station. reviewed by some members of the R&GV RR Museum, but we want to make sure we did not In 1903 the name of the depot was miss anything. If you can help, please contact Charlie Harshbarger or Chris Hauf (381-8583; changed by Erie railroad officials to [email protected]). CH “PIXLEY.” This name was in honor of Wreck - From Page 6 removed, roadbed repaired, new panel tracks Charles Hunt Pixley, who had been Station laid and ballast applied. The next train was agent at the site for nearly forty years! ripped open [see photograph by Jeremy not scheduled until January 6, a week later Later, when the present station was built, Tuke]. after the reconstruction finished. the Erie officials again changed the name, Clean-up [It was my intent to include a few photos this time it was to be “O-AT-KA.” However, CSX had contractors on the job early the the name change wasn’t very accurate since of the fire from the Internet. However, was next morning (Monday, Dec. 24). The crews not able to make contact for permission to Oatka Creek is actually on the opposite side had Christmas Day off and then returned. print. Besides, the absence of 'color' reduces of the Genesee River, nearly a mile and a Just in that one day, they made a lot of their impact.] half away. Fortunately the name was changed progress. Wrecked coal cars were shoved off Web sites are: once again, this time to INDUSTRY. the ROW, the engines were re-railed and 1. www.mcfw.com (Monroe County Fire hoppers that could be re-railed were done so. Within a week, any contaminated soil was Wire.) bulldozed onto tarps for disposal as hazard- 2. www.rochester-railfan.net Select ous waste, coal piled up, wrecked tracks

Rochester Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Semaphore Non Profit Org. P.O. Box 23326 U.S. Postage Rochester, NY 14692-3326 PAID Rochester, NY Permit #826

Chapter Meeting & Program: Wellsville, Addison & Galeton RR by John Stewart January 17, 2002 40 & 8 Club 933 University Ave.

The Semaphore is published monthly by the Rochester, NY Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. It is mailed free to all Chapter members. Non-member's subscriptions are $8.00 and run from January 1 to December 31. Chapter meetings are held the third Thursday and the Board of Directors meets the first Thursday of each month.

Contributions to The Semaphore are welcomed and encouraged from all readers. They Rochester Chapter NRHS Officers: should be mailed to: Gale E. Smith, 299 Seneca Park Avenue, Rochester, NY 14617-2433. President: Chris Hauf Phone: (716) 544-6221. Contributors using a computer are asked to send their submissions on Vice President: Steve Oagley any MS-DOS diskette in ASCII or *.txt format, as well as a printed copy. Deadline: First Day Treasurer: Dave Luca of Each Month. Recording Secretary: Jeremy Tuke Correspondence Sec.: Tom Tucker National Director: Bob Miner Pouring the Restoration Facility Floor! Trustees: Charles Harshbarger, Dale The Restoration Building is up and running! Now we need to provide it with a concrete Hartnett, Art Mummery, Joe Scanlon, floor. We raised the dust to finish the space. Now we've faced with dust all over the place. John Stewart and John Weber. One hundred dollars will buy a batch of concrete. The estimate for the floor is $25,000; we'll need 250 batches (!). Help "cement" together a great project. Maybe we'll even let you write The Semaphore Staff: your name and date in a slab! [Don Shilling] (Each block indicates $1,000) Editor: Gale Smith Printing: Bob Miner/Gale Smith Mailing: Dan Cosgrove

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