The SETOFF The Official Publication of NARCOA North American Railcar Operators Association May / June 2010 Volume 24 No. 3

NARCOA Rulebook Changes New NARCOA Secretary History of the Hy-Rail Associated Manufacturing Company The NNAARRCCOOAA OOffffiicciiaallss SETOFF President: Warren Froese Nominations, Elections Volume 24 - No 3 Vice-President: Mark Springer Carl Anderson Secretary: Mark Hudson 1330 Rosedale Lane Treasurer: Tom Norman Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 The SETOFF is the official publication of [email protected] the North American Railcar Operators Associ - Area 1 Director ation (NARCOA) and is published bimonthly (ME, NH, VT, NY, MA, CT, RI) NARCOA Insurance Administrator to promote safe legal operation of railroad mo - Warren Riccitelli (401) 232-0992 Tom Norman (406) 722-3012 torcars, and to encourage fellowship and ex - [email protected] 1047 Terrace View Drive change of information among motorcar Alberton, MT 59820 enthusiasts. Membership in NARCOA, which Area 2 Director [email protected] includes a subscription to The SETOFF, is $30 (NJ, PA, DE, MD) per year, and is available from Secretary Mark John Gondor (724) 244-7538 Rule Book CertificationTest Hudson. Please send your check made out to [email protected] Al McCracken 2916 Taper Avenue NARCOA to: Area 3 Director Santa Clara, CA 95051 Mark Hudson, Membership (IN, Lower MI, OH) [email protected] P.O. Box 321, Dry Ridge, KY 41035. Dave Verzi (216) 941-5273 [email protected] [email protected] The SETOFF Editor Brian Davis (330) 554-4480 Brian Davis, SETOFF Editor Area 4 Director [email protected] 5626 Chadwell Circle (WV, VA, KY, NC, SC, TN) Ravenna, Ohio 44266 Tom Falicon (828) 488-8063 NARCOA Webmaster [email protected] [email protected] Keith Mackey (352) 347-0770 [email protected] Leon Sapp, Assistant Editor Area 5 Director Jan Taylor, Assistant Editor (MS, AL, GA, FL) NARCOA Forum Moderator Jamie Haislip, Contributor Bobby Moreman (770) 457-6212 Rich Stivers (408) 264-1048 [email protected] [email protected] The SETOFF is printed by Greg Kightlinger, GEK Printing Area 6 Director (MN, WI, IL, Upper MI) Committee Chairs All subscriptions and address changes Bob Knight (815) 786-3096 must go to the Secretary. All materials for pub - [email protected] Judiciary Chair lication must go to the Editor. Jim Spicer (541) 344-3079 Materials received by the 15th of even Area 7 Director 91375 Coburg Rd numbered months will appear on the 1st of the (ND, SD, NE, IA) Eugene OR 97408 next odd numbered month subject to editing Carl Schneider (515) 967-5181 [email protected] and available space. Please include your e-mail [email protected] Safety Chair address and phone number. Electronic submis - Area 8 Director Bob Knight (815) 786-3096 sions are preferred. Text files must have either (Canada, World outside U.S.) [email protected] .doc or .txt extensions. Photo files must be high Warren Froese (204) 668-8311 resolution with .jpg extensions. All materials [email protected] Rules Chair are archived and not returned. We cannot Jim McKeel (316) 721-4378 reprint copyrighted material without written au - Area 9 Director [email protected] thorization or proper attribution. (AR, CO, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX) Letters to the Editor must be signed and Mark Springer (316) 721-4804 Operations Chair include an e-mail address or phone number for [email protected] Bill Taylor (406) 721-2351 authentication. All such letters will be printed [email protected] as discussed in the NARCOA policy book. Area 10 Director Committee Chairs For more information about NARCOA, (WA, OR, ID, MT, AK, WY) Jim Spicer (541) 344-3079 the safe legal operation of motorcars, or to find [email protected] Affiliates ...... Dave Verzi NARCOA affiliates located in Canada, the Custom-Built Motorcars ...... Tom Falicon United States, and Mexico, please see: Area 11 Director Communications ..……..…. Bernie Leadon www.narcoa.org (CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, HI) Data and Computer ...... Pat Coleman © Copyright 2010 - NARCOA. All rights Pat Coleman (925) 979-1030 FRA ...... Ron Zammit reserved. Reproduction, by any means, in [email protected] Legal Forms ...... Mark Springer whole or part, by any party, is strictly prohib - ited. Director-at-Large (non–voting) Margaret Hope (604) 320-7613 S [email protected] NARCOA Licensed Radio Call Sign WPH T745 On The Cover: Amador Central – March Director-at-Large (non–voting) 21, 2010 near Ione, CA. The last east - Bernie Leadon (615) 478-3660 Channe l 1 – 151.625 MHz Channel 2 – 151.505 MHz bound group crosses the Hwy 104 over - [email protected] Channel 3 – 158.400 MHz pass at MP 3.3. Photo by Wayne Parsons Page 2 The SETOFF May / June 2010 PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss MMeessssaaggee #ARCOA Warren Froese Income/Expense Statement 1/1/09 through 12/31/09 The sun is out even in the far north, most of the snow is gone and the lakes are starting to break up after a long frozen winter. Is that the view I#COME out your window? Many of you will have participated in one or more Dues 42,926 excursions by the time you read this edition of the Setoff. Many will be Gr sales 3,095 actively preparing their cars for the tracks, and some will still be plan - Meet Setup fees 8,750 ning for the great unveiling when the motorcar emerges from the garage Other Inc 1,073 (or tarp!). TOTAL I#COME 55,845 I want to pass on to you an overall summary of NARCOA activities EXPE#SES over the 2009 calendar year. 165 excursions were organized compared Ads 239 to 168 in 2008. There were 1007 insured motorcar operators partici - Bank Charge 187 pating in those 165 excursions, compared to 974 insured operators in Calendar 3,357 2008. Membership was 1566, down approximately 100 from 2008. Calipers& Gauges 1,172 The insurance premium was unchanged from 2008, and dropped to $105 Freight 243 for 2010. Insurance Exp 1,962 Our summary financial statement is at right. Under Tom Norman’s L&P fees 1,625 guidance we have successfully completed 2009 with an operating sur - Lanterns 707 plus of $655. Our expenses were down this year as we did not print a Nameplates 587 paper roster ($7000), spent $3000 less on calendar publication, and Office 20,656 saved approximately $2500 on Setoff costs. The two largest expense Rule Book 2,204 items are the Setoff and office (which includes annual board meeting Setoff 22,221 costs). Our balance sheet shows equity of $35,465, up slightly from Tax 25 2008. TOTAL EXPE#SES 55,189 Overall we had a successful year with a full slate of excursions at - tended by more insured operators than ever. Our membership numbers OVERALL TOTAL 655 fell this year, a trend which has gone on for a number of years. Reasons (All numbers listed to the dollar only) for this are difficult to clarify, and it continues to be a concern, offset by our increasing numbers of actual insured operators. Your thoughts on In This Issue this change in membership would be welcomed by your board of direc - tors. We are all welcome to invite all interested persons to join NAR - Masthead ...... 2 COA, whether they have a motorcar or not. Financially we operated NARCOA Officials ...... 2 President’s Message ...... 3 within our means and continue to have a significant bank account for un - Directors’ Messages ...... 4 foreseen expenses going forward. From The Editor ...... 5 If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact your Voting Announcement ...... 6 area director or myself. Full financial statements are available from New NARCOA Secretary ...... 7 Tom Norman. On behalf of all NARCOA members I want to publicly NARCOA Rulebook Changes ...... 8 thank Tom for his precise work and cheerful assistance. He works tire - Farmrail Excursion ...... 9 lessly on our behalf. Amador Central Setback ...... 10 Be diligent as you prepare for your next run, and please remember that Everett RR Excursion ...... 11 History of the Hy-Rail ...... 12 everything you do and say reflects on NARCOA as a whole. Be Riding with Joe ...... 15 thoughtful, consider where you can lend a hand and enjoy each moment Two Cylinder Coils ...... 16 on the rails. Border Pacific RR ...... 17 If you are in an “ODD” area please take the time to cast your area di - Associated Manufacturing Co ...... 18 rector vote when it comes in the mail. Excursion Announcements ...... 20 - Warren Supplier Listings ...... 26 Checking for a Bent Axle ...... 27 Company Store ...... 28 The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 3 It seems that a lot of you have There is room for you as a member Area Two questions about the wording or lack to step up and assist too. Our Re - (DE, MD, NJ, PA) of wording and clarifications in our gion has seen a maintained interest John Gondor rule book. As these questions have in our activities by the general pub - come up, I have been trying to get lic at railroad oriented events. Sev - Greetings from (partly) sunny your questions addressed and an - eral organizations have been in southwest Pennsylvania. This year I swered. It is my belief that we contact for us to display and inter - am trying a new approach to hope - don’t need more rules added to the act with the public. While I am gen - fully gaining some new rail for us book, just perhaps some better ex - erally reserved with broad in the region to run on. Teaming up planation or definitions for what we promotion activities I feel that the with some coordinators from an - currently have. this is being ad - effort is well spent to inform rail - other regional affiliate, we spent the dessed. If you have questions, road interested potential members day touring and mapping a poten - please ask. Your board has been ex - about NARCOA. More impor - tial new rail line. As we all know, perimenting with the new computer tantly is interaction with those that these new trips have to be mapped data base that will make things eas - could potentially open up additional for logistics and operational obsta - ier for our new secretary Mark rail access for our travels. cles as well as time frame, potty Hudson and his committee to keep stops, scenery, crossings, set-on lo - Several museum events have been all our records together and acces - posted on the NARCOA web site cation, turn around points, RR pi - sible and safe from hackers. lots, parking for our vehicles, and regionally updated is community involvement, medical Let’s have a great season. Help www.ohiovalleyrailcars.com . Re - emergencies, and oh my! the most each other to enjoy the hobby , and quests to post events in addition to important thing on a speeder yes... Keep it SAFE out there! OVR’s NARCOA insured excur - trip.....FOOD availability! Now John Gondor sions are frequently listed there. that we have done that, on to While too late for this Setoff issue preparing a written proposal for the Area Three to publicize, there was a request to railroad and associated properties display in the Train Day Toledo IN, Lower MI, OH May 1 st where we anticipated inter - that will require several meetings, Dave Verzi lots of travel back and forth, count - acting with several thousand rail in - terested people as well as industry less emails, and phone calls, and The past couple of months have and government folks. Upcoming WOW ! way too many hours of seen a notable transition for NAR - on June 26th is a request for motor - preparation just to make this trip COA in the retirement of Joel car operators to assist with a Na - attractive to the railroad as well as Williams as NARCOA secretary. tional Railroad Historical Society you folks. We had a good start yes - The transition seems to have gone event at the Southern Michigan terday. Now we wait and see what smoothly and we appreciate Mark Railroad in Tecumseh, Michigan. comes back from the railroad. I just Hudson stepping up as NARCOA’s The NRHS folks are very interested wanted you all to know some of secretary with assistance from Bob in learning about our hobby and what goes on behind the scenes of Hastings and Dan Page. Also of traveling on a motorcar. Please con - getting your railcar season under - note is concurrent progress with tact Region 3 NARCOA member way. All this is just for one excur - NARCOA’s communication team Pat Robertson at acrmc@com - sion. there is lots more that has to and electronic data base let by Pat cast.net and he’ll reply with the de - be done. Your area coordinators Coleman. Details of these accom - tails. The SMRS is a cornerstone are the life line of our hobby. There plishments are better detailed else - supporter of the hobby and if you are many trips, both repeat and new where but my emphasis to thank can make this event your efforts this year all over the country. All these dedicated members for their will be greatly appreciated. have been the result of thousands of efforts to step up and progress the man hours in preparation by folks organization. Thanks also to Joel Later this summer is the Orrville that ask nothing in return other than for his several decades of service to Railroad Days celebration and mo - that you come and enjoy yourselves NARCOA as officer, director and torcars are traditionally a part of and be SAFE! founding member. that event so watch for details on this event. There are also several re - Page 4 The SETOFF May / June 2010 gional museum’s with motorcar re - all the hard working NARCOA vol - lated activities and/or NARCOA Area Five unteers and you read about in the members active within their mem - MS, AL, GA, FL ‘SETOFF’. Our hotel is just min - bership. Some of these groups Bobby Moreman utes from O’Hare Airport and a free presently support our travels via shuttle will get you there quickly. NARCOA Affiliate excursions and By the time you read this, we will We will have elected three new di - others have in the past. Any efforts have had several successful motor - rectors and I’m sure we will have a we make to assist their effort cer - car excursions in the Southeast. very interesting meeting. There are tainly help our motorcar excursion While NARCOA runs on very committees that need volunteers efforts as well as preserve some rail much appreciated volunteers, it is and much work for all of us. Come history for future generations. If the Excursion Coordinators that go to Chicago and support your NAR - you are in Indiana, Michigan or out and get permission from rail - COA motorcar organization. roads for us to ride on. Some of us Ohio there are museums close Most of you know of the passing enough to satisfy your rail related are getting older and feeling the ‘aches and pains’ of senior years. It of Dr. Jack Whitt this past winter. desires for an occasional weekend Jack was one of the founders of between our motorcar travels. is important for new folks to ‘step up to the plate’, and learn from their NARCOA and Area 5’s first direc - elders the ‘ins and outs’ of being tor. He and Susie put on the first successful excursion coordinators. excursions in the southeast before Area Four I urge each of you to look into be - there was a NARCOA or a MCCA. KY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV coming excursions coordinators. Jack and Susie also went all over Tom Falicon Contact your Area Narcoa Direc - the US, Canada, and Mexico in tors and work with Bill Taylor your their standard and narrow gauge Hi Area Four members! NARCOA Operations Chairperson. cars. Jack was an inspiration to me Just a short note to remind you that To me, it has been a lot of satisfac - to become an excursion coordinator now that we are in the peak of ex - tion to promote, organize, and run and I was very proud to take over cursion season we all must take successful and safe motorcar excur - the directorship of Area 5 when he extra care and stay focused. You all sions. I’m slowing down now to let retired. I and many others will miss can help prevent rear-enders by the younger folks do the work and Jack for a very long time. maintaining the proper following Brenda and I will start riding other Be safe out there. distance, by operating your vehicle excursions. Brenda and I figure we Bobby Moreman at the proper speed for track condi - have been the EC for almost 100 tions, by slowing down if your line- excursions in the past 20 plus years Frroomm TThhee of-sight distance is short and by and have ridden that many other ex - being aware of adverse track condi - cursions. Eddiittoorr tions and altering your operation Brian Davis accordingly. Also, remember that Larry Crowe is Area 5’s newest ex - poor quality rail, a tight curve and a cursion coordinator and is already Hello Fellow Members! got plans for his first excursion in bit too much speed are all that is Spring has come to Ohio, the necessary for a quick derailment. the works. He will be followed by Will Thompson to become Area 5’s snow is off the rails, and the ex - Last but not least, please strive to cursions have begun. It is time to stay extra alert during those “sleepy next excursion coordinator. There are others out there throughout get out and see how the landscape hours” right after your lunch break. has changed over the winter. During these crazy times we all NARCOA land and we need your The SETOFF has had some need more joy in our lives and a help and input. changes over the winter as well. NARCOA excursion is the best It’s not too late to plan to attend the This will be the first issue which way to laugh more and live more , annual NARCOA directors meeting does not have any of the familiar so get out there and enjoy a run next in Chicago the first weekend of Oc - For Sale or Wanted Ads. These are weekend ! tober. We have a really good room rate and hope that many of you will best left on the website. In their plan to attend the meeting and meet place I have been able to add an - Continued on Page 7 The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 5 From the Editor, continued. ALL ODD NUMBER Dear Editor, other excursion report and a how to AREAS Allow me to introduce myself...my article by Wayne Parsons. I hope Now is the time name is Harry Fischer, and I am a you like the changes! to VOTE! new member of motorcar-ring since I would also like to take a moment August 2009. I live in Saugus, Cal - to welcome Mark Hudson to the Depending how you receive your ifornia (Southern California), and a post of Secretary, and hope you all copy of The SETOFF. Your ballot member of PRO. will join me in giving Mark our will be provided as follows: If you I have been a participant of other support. I also want to thank Joel receive a hard copy of the SETOFF, associations during my 62 years. for his long service, and bid him a your ballot will with your SETOFF. But nothing has come close to the warm farwell. If you receive your copy of the friendship, camaraderie, willing - SETOFF electronically, your bal - I also want to thank Leon Sapp for ness to help others and just plain lots will be sent in a separate mail - his continuing support and consis - fun as this hobby. tant level of quality. Make sure you ing. EVERYONE is willing to help thank him as well, because the AREA 11 has three members run - you! Whether it is over a friendly SETOFF wouldn’t exist without ning for the Board seat and AREA 3 phone, before, during and after an submissions from the membership! has two. All other ODD number excursion. Although, I’ve been rid - AREAS have only one person run - See you on the rails! ing the rails a short time in Califor - ning for each Board seat. Write in Brian Davis nia, I look forward to meeting new votes are welcome. member in other States as well. I’ll Voting is very important for at least EMAIL ADDRESSES be heading east to Arizona in April two reasons. 1- To select an Area for the Grand Canyon Run and will Your membership team would member for the NARCOA Board to continue to meet new members greatly appreciate your attention guide our Organization into the fu - from other regions and share help - to this detail. As we work to trial ture. 2- To show support for the ful hints, information and stories. Board members. They all are inter - a web based data base we need I especially learn from the articles ested in the percentage of members accurate email addresses from I read in the Setoff as well as our in their Area voting. each member. regional publication of Motorcar Please forward your primary I am trying something new, adding West. There is SOOOoooo much to email address to Dan Page at: a picture of the candidates running learn and share. I am thankful to all in each Area. So you can connect a of you who write these articles and [email protected] name to a face. I would like to share your knowledge and experi - This list will not be passed on to know your thoughts on this, a note ence. added ( no names ) or just write a any third party at any time. If Sincerely Yours you do not have email access yes or no on the ballot envelope. please disregard this message. Thanks! We will continue to provide for It is important that each of us take Harry Fischer paper /mail communication for a few minutes and 44 cents to vote. MT14L, # 250629 you. You never know, yours may be the vote to make the difference. We would also encourage each member to join the NARCOA I look forward to your Ballots Forum (details at the bottom of coming in. My letter carrier ( a new the “Members Only” page at one ) has no idea how many letters www.narcoa.org This will ensure will be coming in. that each member receives the - Carl Anderson regular username and password updates for the members only page.

Page 6 The SETOFF May / June 2010 New NARCOA Secretary Working to Improve Member Service Our new NARCOA secretary, and protection of valuable and sen - ing to a web based approach to Mark Hudson, is working with sitive NARCOA data. Bob Hast - serve their members. Dan Page is NARCOA officers and the Board of ings is working this effort guided handling the technical issues and Directors to modernize how serv - by Pat Coleman. You can reach web design tasks. Dan can be con - ices are delivered to NARCOA Bob at [email protected] . tacted at [email protected] . members. Mark has created a Mark, Pat and the committee are Mark and his team will keep the membership committee to assist also working on a plan to bring membership updated with frequent him in this task. NARCOA mem - NARCOA member services into communications as the project pro - bers Bob Hastings and Dan Page are members of the com - mittee. Vice-Presi - dent Mark Springer and Area 11 Director Pat Coleman are mentoring the effort. Mark has completed the hand off of re - sponsibilities from our former secretary, Joel Williams. The new ‘official’ organi - zational address for NARCOA is P.O. Box 321, Dry Ridge, KY 41035. Mark handles all the ‘snail mail’ that NARCOA receives at this address. Ap - plications for mem - bership and changes to your current mem - ber data should be sent to Mark at this address. Please note that addresses for insurance and op - the 21st century. They are consid - ceeds. Questions and suggestions erator testing have not been ering a web site based system for should be sent to Mark, Bob, and changed. membership sign up. This would Dan. be an option in addition to using the Initially, the membership commit - – Dan Page current paper application but would tee is working to consolidate sev - be faster and more accurate. No de - eral different sets of membership cisions about adopting this system data that exist within NARCOA have been made by the NARCOA into a single integrated data set. Board of Directors, but many non- This effort will ensure integrity profit organizations are now mov - The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 7 NARCOA RULEBOOK CHANGES Jim McKeel The following rules in the NAR - sibility of each operator to make on-track equipment that needs to be COA rulebook have been modified certain that the length of the tow bar towed, must be pulled and not to wording as shown in this article is sufficient to clear any structural pushed. This would apply to move - as approved by a recent confirma - overhang or attachments on the end ments either forward or backward. tion vote by the board of directors. of the car that might otherwise pre - If it is necessary to push another A preliminary vote on the changes vent safe coupling to another car. motorcar, trailer, or other on-track was taken at the last board meeting. equipment; it shall be done at a Time was then allowed for member Section I, rule #18 speed no faster than 10 mph and for comment before the confirmation 18. ADDITIONAL SAFETY the shortest distance possible to a vote was taken giving final ap - EQUIPMENT. A first aid kit, a point where the towing vehicle can proval of the changes. The follow - fully charged 1A:10B:C fire extin - be placed in front of the other ing wording for these rules is now guisher (or larger, but must be rated equipment. Equipment being in effect with publication in this for class A, B & C fires), and an op - pulled or pushed must be coupled issue of the newsletter. erable flashlight or lantern, are re - to the assisting motorcar with an quired to be carried on each motor approved tow bar, tow hitches, and Section I, rule #9 car. Properly installed seat belts are pins. The operator of a motorcar 9. TOW HITCHES. All motor - recommended. being towed should be prepared to cars must be equipped with se - assist with braking as necessary. curely attached horizontal tow Section II, MOTORCAR OPER - hitches, with a 3/4 inch to 1 inch ATING RULES, INTRODUC - Section III, rule #11 hole, mounted on the front and rear TION. 11. SAFETY MEETING ATTEN - of the car 6 inches to 16 inches Motorcar safety hazards com - DANCE. It is mandatory that all above the railhead. The hitch must monly include the following: excursion participants attend the be constructed of material at least a. Operator inattention. safety meeting each day prior to de - as thick as the member that it is at - b. Operator fatigue. parture and be attentive to instruc - tached to. Eye bolts used as tow c. Following too closely. tions and other information hitches must be of 1/2 inch stock or d. Insufficient signaling. provided. larger, and must be welded closed e. Excessive speed for conditions. or cast. Hitches must be mounted f. Improper yielding to automobile Section IV, rule #11 on the center-line of the car. traffic. 11. SAFETY MEETING. A g. Collisions with animals. safety meeting will be conducted Section I, rule #10 h. Improper seating of passengers. prior to departure each day of every 10. TOW BARS & PINS. A metal excursion. The safety meeting will tow bar strong enough for pushing Section II, rule #1: serve as an opportunity for the Ex - or towing must be carried on the 1. HOST RAILROAD. The oper - cursion Coordinator to remind op - car. It must be at least 20 inches ation of a railroad motorcar upon a erators of important safety items, to long. The ends of the tow bar shall cooperating railroad’s right-of-way inform operators of unusual cir - overlap the top and bottom of the requires obedience to special in - cumstances that might be encoun - hitch. Tow pins must be between structions by the railroad and to tered on the excursion, to inform 3/4 inch and one inch and must NARCOA rules. operators of the schedule for the have a retainer clip to prevent them day, and to pass along any other in - from falling out. Bolts and nuts are Section II, rule #22 formation from the Excursion Co - not acceptable unless drilled for and 22. TOWING OF MOTORCARS, ordinator or from railroad officials. used with a retainer clip. Hitch pins TRAILERS, OR OTHER EQUIP - with swivel latches are prohibited MENT. Whenever practicable, in any application. It is the respon - other motorcars, trailers, or other

Page 8 The SETOFF May / June 2010 Farmrail Trips in Western Oklahoma By Drake Rice

On Saturday, April 10 and Sunday railroad placed on future rides last west to Elk City. The damp morn - April 11, fifteen units operated on November. The second was the ing required additional separation. the Farmrail system in Western planned break in Cordell, Okla - No mechanical problems were en - Oklahoma. The weather was pleas - homa. The local Dollar General countered and the group arrived in ant in the 70’s, but a 25mph breeze Store accommodated the group, ex - Elk City at the old Rock Island from the south made the morning cept for one who made his way to Depot. The units had been turned travel a little slower than antici - the city police department to check prior to arriving at the depot so par - on the facilities. A ticipants again loaded in the Hy-rail good laugh was en - trucks for the mile ride to the joyed by all on his restaurant area adjacent to I-40. story of why he chose After an hour and half lunch break the PD to use the facil - it was the return trip to Clinton. ities. Back in Clinton, Again we had great weather, and the railroad allowed the winds had died down some the units to remain on compared to the Saturday trip. the track at the railroad The Oklahoma Railway Museum, shops under a blue flag a NARCOA affiliate sponsored the protection overnight. trip and as always appreciates the That evening several staff at Farmrail, Rodney Roof, of members gathered Units lined up on the main at Farmrail Shops prior to de - Business Manager for allowing us parture to Elk City. -photo by Leon Sapp for dinner at a local to enjoy their railroad in Western restaurant to share sto - Oklahoma and special thanks to pated. The arrival at Rocky, Okla - ries and become better acquainted. G.W. Householder for being our homa was about 45 minutes behind The next morning with only one pilot for the two days. Members en - schedule due to the headwind. The additional unit setting on that re - joyed over 187 miles of travel on units were comprised of thirteen placed a unit that had mechanical Western Oklahoma’s Railroad. motor cars and two Hy-rails. The problems, the fifteen units pro - I also want to thank participant NARCOA members were from ceeded north onto the old Rock Is - Leon Sapp for the two pictures used British Columbia, Canada, Min - land main for the 30.3 mile run in this report . nesota, Iowa, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma. The units all arrived in Snyder, OK 63.5 miles from Clin - ton for the turn-around point. After turning around everyone loaded in the Hy-rail vehicles for a short 3 block trip to a local café. After lunch the group began the trip north back to Clinton, only this time with the 25 mph breeze behind, good time was made on the return with two stops, one unscheduled one in Hobart where the Railroad Superin - tendent met the railroad pilot and was pleased to see all units had amber safety beacons that were op - Units lined up in Elk City for the return trip to Clinton in front of the old Elk City Rock erating. This was a requirement the Island Depot. -photo by Leon Sapp The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 9 RRC SUFFERS SETBACK Amador Central RR Lease Not Renewed By Wayne Parsons

Above: Motoring through California gold country on Saturday March 20. Below Left: Approaching a HWY 104 crossing on the last Sunday run. Below Right: The Martel, CA depot that the Amador County Historical Society wants to save. Ione, CA – Marc h 20, 2010. Motorcar Lead by Excursion Coordinator Dave SPI regarding the preservation of various Operators West hosted what may be the Balestreri, 37 speeders participated in one properties. In particular, the society last Amador Central RR run following no - or more of the five trips run during the wanted a gift of the old depot at Martel, tice by Sierra Pacific Industries that the weekend. Starting in Ione, CA and run - and a land donation, and moving expenses, Recreational Railroad Coalition (RRC) ning to the turn-around near Martell, the and restoration money on top of every - lease of the line will not be renewed. twenty mile roundtrip travels through the thing. As one wag put it, "They don't know RRC has leased the Amador Central RR heart of California gold country. There are how to ask for nothin'." Following the re - for the last five years and made improve - long sweeping curves through green hill - cent removal of track in Martel, the local ments to the line to facilitate motorcar sides dotted with oak trees and grazing cat - press vilified SPI. The result was a deci - events. The first upgrade was the con - tle. In several places the rail follows the sion by SPI to end all activity on the struction of a concrete turn-around pad at high ridge line of the hill country offering Amador Central. Ridge Road. Next RRC began a 2+ year spectacular spring-time views of the high - Larry Bowler, President of RRC, has project to reconstruct the south leg of the ways and farms below. Following this asked the speeder community to write turning wye removed in the 1940's. Using years' heavy winter rains, the vistas were thank you letters to Sierra Pacific Indus - rail from old industrial sidings, volunteers especially beautiful making the loss of this tries for the access granted over the last spent thousand of hours on the project ful - railroad particularly painful. five years. Bowler has a meeting sched - filling the educational goals of the RRC as The relationship between RRC and the uled for April 13th with management to they rediscovered traditional "gandy owner Sierra Pacific Industries has been a discuss ideas for the future and see if a way dancer" skills. (See July/August 2008 good one. Unfortunately the local histori - forward can be found for future speeder ac - SETOFF article.) cal society has made strident demands of tivity.

Photos by Wayne Parsons Page 10 The SETOFF May / June 2010 10th Excursion on the Everett Railroad Dan Page

On Saturday April 10, 2010, thirty-eight Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Sproul, and ror about the run. The article was pub - cars and their crews enjoyed the tenth run Claysburg. These roads serve customers lished about ten days before the run. In his in eleven years on the Everett Railroad in in the food, warehousing, printing , milling, interview, Gary did a great job explaining central Pennsylvania. Northern Central and feed industries. the history of the run and promoting NAR - Railcar Association EC Gary Shrey and his We set on under a little cool but otherwise COA and the hobby. The article also wife Eileen have led this interesting run beautiful morning sky at the Claysburg, PA quoted Everett Railroad General Manager Al Novotny. “They are a very safety-conscious group,” Novotny said of the association. “They don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that relationship with the railroad. They run a tight group, and we make sure they do and that everybody’s happy. It is a pretty cool thing.” Day two of this excursion was a ride on the Western a Maryland Scenic Railroad on Sunday April 11. Dale Steiner assisted Gary as EC on this run. Thirty-one cars came to run on this scenic mountain rail - road. Fortunately, the trains were not run - ning on Sunday and we had good flexibility in our schedule. From our set- on at the engine house in Ridgeley, WV, Al Tyson (L) / Jack Bubernack (R) set their speeders on -photo by Gary Shrey we ran past the former Western Maryland railroad station, through the narrows, and each time . Dean Grote served as assistant yard which is just off I-99 south of Al - up the mountain to Frostburg. As we trav - EC. For many NARCOA members in the toona . After our safety meeting, we left the elled on a spring weekend, the leaves were area, this is the traditional first run of the yard and traveled north to Hollidaysburg not out yet, allowing us to see into the val - season. To celebrate, Gary arranged for where we turned the cars. We then trav - leys for some beautiful views. We turned railroad logo hats for each operator and tee eled south to Roaring Spring station, where the speeders on the turntable. After a lunch shirts for all who attended the run. we made our lunch and restroom stop. break, we returned for set off, for a total of The Everett Railroad Company is a class- Lunch and ice cream were once again about 34 miles. We were off the rails by 3 III common carrier railroad offering served at the by the local Roaring Springs PM allowing everyone an early start on the carload freight service in Blair County, Historical Society at the restored station. trip home. Pennsylvania. The interchange carrier is After lunch we continued south to Mar - Gary, Eileen, Dean and Dale have a Norfolk Southern at Hollidaysburg, PA. tinsburg and turned our cars on the wye . strong history of running interesting and The Everett Railroad Company and its On the way back we could not resist an - safe excursions and maintain excellent re - affiliate, the Hollidaysburg & Roaring other stop at Roaring Springs for more ice lationships with the railroads and local Spring Railroad Company, are both cream! After that, we returned to Clays - communities. We look forward to running handling line carriers for Norfolk burg for setoff . with them many times in the future. Southern. Together, they operate 25 miles Prior to the run, Gary had been inter - of track serving the communities of viewed by a reporter for the Altoona Mir -

All turned and are preparing for the trip south - photo by James Matalik Speeders at Roaring Spring station for lunch -photo by Gary Shrey The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 11 A Brief History of the Hy-Rail Leon Sapp

When we think of the Hy-Rail we Passable roads across the Sonora tionally well. However, following the usually look back only about 60 years Desert were nearly non-existent but punitive expedition they seem to have to Fairmont’s innovative design of there were several very good railroads. been forgotten in the American Mili - The answer for tary Arsenal. Both the British and the General Pershing French were only too glad to borrow had been a two the idea during the latter days of WWI piece flanged steel but with war’s end they too dropped the shell which bolted idea . around the solid In 1918 a California inventor tried rubber tires of his bolting slightly smaller rail wheels in - trucks . It took two board of the solid rubber tires of an au - men only 15 min - tomobile enabling it to run on either utes per wheel to rails or the highway using small install or remove wedges to mount and dismount the the shells but the rails. The dual wheels were fitted to a Army found that small bus which was tried out for a once in place the short time on the Southern Pacific truck could be Branch Line between Holtville and El 1948. After all, isn’t the very name driven over dirt roads without remov - Centro, California. Although consid - their trademark? However the idea for ing them and they were simply left in ered a success the idea did not catch on an all purpose vehicle that could ride place. So, tongue-in-cheek, they might elsewhere. the rails as easily as the highway and Following up on the California idea quickly change from Mack Truck Company had built a true one mode to the other hybrid truck in 192 2 that also used the has been around for a same double wheel arraignment on a lot longer, in fact truck with a separate single axle pilot nearly 10 0 years . En - set of rail wheels up front. The Mack trepreneurs had been system also had the rail wheels slightly bolting flanged smaller than the solid rubber tire and wheels on automo - mounted inside solid rubber wheels so biles since the turn of the vehicle could be safely driven over the century . Ransom the highway. When the pilot wheel set Olds had marketed his famous little qualify as dual mode ‘hy-rails. ’ In all was lowered the steering gear was dis - runabout with rail wheels straight from thirty Army Trucks were fitted with the abled. Mack had some success with the the factory in 1903. Some of the very bolt -on flanges and performed excep - idea and in 1922 an article in ‘The In - first Fords were already on the rails and several companies including Kalama - zoo and Buda were stamping out steel wheels for automobile conversions. However once converted those vehi - cles usually remained on the track for the rest of their useful life and rarely if ever went back to the asphalt so they don’t really qualify as a Hy-Rail . For the first true hybrid we need to go back to 1916 and thank the military. When General Pershing was chasing Poncho Villa across Mexico he asked for a vehicle that could do both duties. Page 12 The SETOFF May / June 2010 ternational Yearbook’ stated that “12 guide wheel arrangement for a (U.S.) steam railroads employed motor bus but did not attract a buyer . It trucks with flanged wheels on regular would be another five years be - tracks.” But, as freight carriers they fore a truly successful American were just one small unit trying to com - system would come along. pete with mile long freight trains for All the builders of our modern track time. Although workable and rel - Hy-Rail vehicles owe a histori - atively inexpensive it now appears the cal debt to Evans Products of Mack design was a victim of the post - Detroit, Michigan. In 1937 war slump , a troubled economy and the Evans would take the best of all rapid transition to pneumatic tires. the previous ideas and produce cle to move from rail to asphalt with - Simply carrying bolt on rail wheels in the first truly workable hybrid. Al - out stopping. That time saving feature an automobile for a quick change of though Evans never realized a profit was one of their strongest selling points modes was not uncommon. On Sep - they did manage to sell a few and pave for the passenger carrying bus and sev - tember 8, 1925, Ford’s chief photogra - the way for the future revolution in rail eral transit companies would try out the pher left Halifax Nova Scotia in a brand maintenance vehicles. Evans called idea including The Old Dominion Rail - new Ford with the intention of driving their machines ‘Auto -Railer ’ and they road in our Nation’s Capital and at least 4,794 miles across Canada to Vancou - offered several very innovative designs. one Alaskan railroad where they operated as school busses well into the WW War II years. Evans designed differ - ent rail buses to be ca - pable of carrying from 12 to 27 passengers . A small pick-up truck was marketed for light freight or company sup - plies and sedans were equipped for VIP in - spections . Several were sold to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The railroad ver but for 500 miles of the trip he had An ad from 1937 shows a bus, pick-up had once claimed to to fit the Model T with railroad wheels truck and a small automobile style lo - have purchased the very first railroad because there were no roads. Suppos - comotive running side by side down motor car and could now claim to have edly the conversion from highway to the rails. Like Mack the weight of the the first American Hy-Rails in mainte - trail or back again took less than 20 vehicle was carried on its rubber tires , nance service with some 1940 and 41 minutes so, arguably, it could be called but this time all four wheels were in - station wagons and pick -ups. A larger a hy-rail . volved. Unlike Mack, they were pneu - flatbed truck was also design for track maintenance and an even larger version In 1932 and at about the same time matic tires and the front wheels remained on the rail with the steering could even be had with a dump bed and two companies would try different ap - a coupler at the rear to serve as a small proaches to the concept . Karrier Mo - locked . Just enough of the vehicles tors of Great Britain developed an weight was transferred to spring elaborate dual wheel system on rotat - loaded steel pilot wheels both front ing eccentrics and sold at least three and rear to capture the rail. different units, two to British Rail and Using pneumatic cylinders the driver one to Holland. They called their sys - could both raise and lower rail wheels tem the “Ro-Railer” but it was compli - from inside any of the three vehicles. cated and prone to breakdowns . The The remotely operated lifting system Twin Coach Corporation in the U.S. was truly cutting edge technology for came up with a simpler, drop-down the day and actually allowed the vehi - The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 13 locomotive but there is no record that with mainline trains for track time pneumatic lifts and instead used a sim - either model generated a sale. Evans doomed the experiment. ple manual drop -and -lock design . It continued to advertise their concepts All of which brings us to the real win - was cheaper and required less mainte - throughout nance. They sold their first production World War unit to the Louisville & Nashville Rail - II. They road in 1949. Fairmont, like Evans had ran a full small rail guide wheels in both the front page spread and rear of the vehicle with nearly all in the No - the weight of the vehicle carried on the vember rubber tires both on and off the rail. In 1943 Life partnership with Willys (Jeep) they Magazine dominated the new and growing mar - about their ket. In a very short time virtually every machines railroad in the country had at least one contribut - in operation. Their trade name ‘Hy- ing to the Rail’ would soon become synonymous War effort. They included a “Bomb ner in the battle to put rubber tires to for all such hybrids regardless of the Train” which consisted of a step van work on the railroad. Following World manufacturer. type of tractor with two trailers riding War II railroad workers demanded a 40 At first railroads who had a large fleet on a total of 42 rubber-tired wheels hour work week and Fairmont saw an of traditional motorcars in service were which carried 80% of the gross capac - opportunity. They quickly moved to reluctant to make big purchases of the ity of 90,000 pounds. The U.S. Ord - meet the changing market and the need machines But with sections getting nance Plant in Detroit used the ‘train’ for a road-rail vehicle. They improved longer ; the gangs getting smaller ; the to move ammunition from a plant to its on the Evans system by eliminating the work week getting shorter ; and wages Depot. Several of the automobile bodied light industrial switch - ing locomotives did sell and were capable of moving up to two loaded freight cars. As a testament to the success of the design, one was still at work in Minneapolis as late as 1955 working for a municipal water treatment plant . At least two of the busses would be converted to overhead line maintenance vehicles and also soldier on well into the 1950’s on two dif - ferent electric railroads . But as reliable as the system was, for some reason Evans was never able to capture a large market. In 1939 the Pennsylvania Railroad had applied for a patent for its own design for a hy-rail freight delivery truck which lowered rail wheels be - hind both the front and rear axles lifting the entire vehicle off its rubber tires and powering the vehicle through the steel rail wheels. The system was me - chanically sound but competing Page 14 The SETOFF May / June 2010 climbing, time was becoming the pri - mary factor in the decision making RRiiddiinngg process. The Hy-Rail just made mon - etary sense and a fairly rapid transition WWiitthh JJooee began. Several firms would license the By Jim McKeel Fairmont patents and build kits for vir - tually every make and model of truck or car on the market. At first they were Ahhh, the smell of spring . . . and must be set off at the nearby road purchased for officers and senior main - creosote! These are invigorating crossing to be picked up later by the tenance officials such as Division En - smells for a speeder enthusiast. Joe operators so they can take them gineers and Roadmasters. But gang Speeder is excited because it is time home, fully assess the damage, and size trucks soon followed and slowly for the first ride of the season. The begin repairs. What had started out the new vehicles worked their way cars are on the rail and he’s off. It’s as a beautiful spring day is ruined, down the list. It would take over forty a great day ! Riding the rails with and their speeders didn’t fare too years for the motorcar to be completely friends and making new friends. well either. It’s a sullen drive home moved aside but the end finally came in the early 1990’s when the last of the How can it get any better? This rail after what could have been an ex - great manufacturers shut down the as - line has some very scenic locations ceptional day on the rails. sembly lines for good. The Hy-Rail and Joe has his camera at the ready. was then and now King -of -the-Road… Joe is cruising along nicely at about Joe Speeder learned something here both kinds of road. 23 miles per hour about ten miles today, but did he also violate any into the excursion. He spots a NARCOA rules? Yep, unfortu - beautiful view of the ocean as he nately he sure did. Rule #11 under passes an opening in the trees. It’s Section II in the NARCOA rule - a short opportunity for a great pho - book states as follows: “Sudden ap - EMAIL ADDRESSES tograph. He pushes the brake lever plication of the brake shall not be forward, latching it into the first made except in an emergency. Your membership team would notch. The car comes quickly to a Warning of such application shall greatly appreciate your attention to halt as Joe reaches for his camera. be given to riders and following this detail. As we work to trial a BAMMMMMM!!! What the . . . cars as soon as possible.” Joe web based data base we need ac - ??? Joe is slightly stunned as he stopped his speeder very quickly curate email addresses from each jumps from his car to see what hap - and did so without giving adequate member. pened. He quickly surveys the warning to the operator of the fol - Please forward your primary scene, realizing at the same time lowing car. The operator of the car email address to Dan Page at: that he doesn’t seem to have any in - following Joe may also share in [email protected] juries. He sees that his car has been some point loss as she may have struck from behind by the follow - been following a little too closely. This list will not be passed on to ing car. He checks with the folks in That will be determined by the EC’s any third party at any time. If you that car to find out if they have been investigation and the judgment of do not have email access please hurt or not. Both cars have derailed the Judicial Committee as they re - disregard this message. We will and are locked together with signif - view the reports and photographs of continue to provide for paper /mail icant damage to both cars but, for - the incident. Joe should have made communication for you. tunately, no one is hurt. The EC sure that he gave adequate warning We would also encourage each comes running up from the rear of to the following car any time that he member to join the NARCOA the group to see what happened and decided to slow down or stop and Forum (details at the bottom of the if everyone is okay. The EC’s in - he should not have made the sud - “Members Only” page at www.nar - vestigation into what happened be - den stop unless it was absolutely coa.org This will ensure that each gins as the two operators start to necessary. member receives the regular user - work on the incident report form name and password updates for the and photographs of the scene are members only page. taken. Both cars are disabled and Thank you for your timely help. The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 15 Improved Design Ignition Coils For 2-Cycle Cars By Randy Rundle

Those of us who enjoy running grades for antique and classic cars. new design I use on the antique the 2-cycle cars because of the nos - About 20 years ago one of the cars. They are the same physical talgia often have to experience a lit - major grain dryer manufacturers size as a Model T coil; they are tle dose of reality now and then… came calling wanting to know if I sealed in a tough plastic case using as a result of 1930’s technology. had a better design Model T igni - a hi-temp epoxy, making the coils One of the most common defects is tion coil. waterproof and vibration proof. The the 2-cycle ignition coil. Fairmont They were using wooden case outside terminals are the clip type motorcars used wooden cased Pon - original design Model T Ignition just like the motorcar timers use so tiac coils and wooden cased Model coils to ignite the burners on the vibration does not jiggle the wiring T car coils along with various com - grain dryers and having lots of trou - nut loose. binations of homemade railroad ble with the wooden cased coils These coils have heavy gauge shop inventions to power the 2- drawing moisture while exposed to copper windings inside for a hot cycle cars. the elements. Wooden cased coils spark. They will jump a bright blue As many of us 2-cycle car owners spark 3/8 of an inch or more. They have experienced first hand… will work on either 6 or 12 volts. without a good hot spark from the They DO NOT need a ballast re - coil you are not going very far. sistor. The come with the points Wooden cased coils of both the preset and all of the connections Pontiac design and Henry’s design are brass for good conductivity. had a few inherit design flaws. The And they are proudly made in the one that affects us the most is vi - USA! bration. 2-cycle cars have their fair The grain dryer company initially share of engine vibration and trav - bought three and tried them out. eling down the rails will shake They have been buying them every things up a little more. Many of the since. ignition coils rode in motorcars in the front toolbox and were seldom If you have heard the rumor tied in, so they just bounced around about the heavy-duty ignition coils inside the took box while going that you can buy from the grain down the track. dryer company to use on your mo - torcar…these are the ones. Moisture is another thing that causes 2-cycle ignition coil prob - I have used one of these coils on lems. Setting out in the weather as my M-19 motorcar for six years many early motorcars often did, with good success. I have sold the wooden cased coils drew mois - quite a few for motorcar applica - ture from the damp air causing tions they have proven to be very them to fail internally. Finally… reliable in motorcar use. loose wiring connections would The cost for the coils is $80.00 cause the spark to arc to ground on each plus $10.00 shipping via pri - the body of the motorcar (often ority mail. Sent to Fifth Avenue going unnoticed until a missed de - Antique Auto Parts 415 Court veloped) causing the coil to eventu - were also getting expensive, and Street Clay Center Kansas 67432 or ally fail. Without a spark it is a long with a number of overseas cus - ph. 785-632-3450. walk back to the motorcar shed. tomers the failures were becoming costly with the added shipping I make my living designing elec - charges. trical cooling and fuels system up - So I sent them information on the Page 16 The SETOFF May / June 2010 Border Pacific Railroad Leland Stewart On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, Rail - Penitas and headed west for Rio leisurely and tasty meal. road Partners, Inc. and the Border Grande City. The area through After dining, we boarded Bessie Pacific Railroad hosted a NAR - which the railroad travels is very again and returned to the rail yard rural interlaced with to prepare for the return trip. On the small colonias. The close way back to Rio Grande City our proximity to the border entourage attracted the attention of gave us a chance to see a couple of Border Patrol trucks the new border fence who paced us for a couple of miles under construction as and then accommodated us by well as the first hand using their vehicles to flag a high - workings of the US Bor - way crossing for us. We were much der Patrol. At one point obliged. A few more leisurely miles we encountered a fully and we were back in Penitas. A armed agent patrolling flawless trip with no operator is - Set on in Penitas, TX the tracks. The railroad sues, no breakdowns, and no seton runs through a segment or setoff problems. COA motorcar excursion on this of a US Wildlife Preserve so many My thanks to a great bunch of op - unique and scenic line. This line migrating birds were in abundance. erators who made this excursion a runs approximately. 35 miles be - One motorcar had a close encounter pleasure to coordinate. I want to tween Mission, and Rio Grande with a wild hog. thank Joe Escamilla and Jesse Lon - City, TX where the railroad goria of the Border Pacific for their is headquartered. The Border hospitality and Frank Jacobson for Pacific hauls aggregates and his extensive work to help make agricultural products con - this run happen. The attached pic - necting with the Rio Grande tures were provided by Leon Sapp. Switching RR in Mission. Most of its ROW runs paral - We (RPI) hope to make this a lel to the Rio Grande river regular winter run so keep this in which is also the US/Mexico mind for a good opportunity to border. shorten the time away from the rails during the cold months. For We started the day with the Border Pacific Locomotive at Rio Grande City yard more information on Railroad Part - set on in Penitas, TX. Penitas is the Upon arrival in Rio Grande City, ners check out our web site at oldest settlement on the Rio Grande the motorcars were secured in front www.railroadpartners.com . and was founded in the 1790’s. We of BoP’s motive power at the office Hope to see you soon on the rails. had 8 motorcars from Ft. Worth, and yard. The group then walked Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and across the highway to board Leland Stewart New Orleans. Riding with the lead Bessie 3, a motorized trolley, car was BoP’s head locomotive en - for a 1 hour tour of historical gineer, Jesse Longoria, who was Rio Grande City. The tour in - our host and escort. Another key cluded Ft Ringgold which player in the event was Frank Ja - served as a supply point for all cobson of Rio Grande Valley Rails, of the forts along the Rio who was my prime contact for set - Grande dating back to the ting this run up. middle 1800’s. The tour con - After inspection of the cars and cluded at the historic LaBorde House where we enjoyed a the safety meeting, we departed Along the ROW east of Rio Grande City The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 17 Associated Manufacturing Company Leon Sapp

The Associated Manufacturing and an engine kit to convert hand engine came equipped with dual Company of Waterloo, Iowa was cars . The complete car was given ignition. Reversing was simply founded in 1896 primarily to man - the unusual brand name ‘Husky accomplished by cranking the en - ufacture cream Jerry Boy gine in the opposite direction. separators. Motor Car .’ Teeth on the starting crank were However, two of Their offi - angled to allow quick release in ei - the firms that cial entry ther direction. Using a belt tight - joined the new into the ener pulley the car could be started company were railroad and idled in place. The idler pul - the Sherman & market ley was heavy enough that its Smith Manufac - came on weight alone was sufficient to run turing Co. and September the car without a ratchet, spring or the Theodore C. 12, 1912 other fastening. Four-inch leather Menges Engine when they belts with alligator lacing were Works, both exhibited supplied along with directions on builders of small both their how to shorten a stretched belt . gasoline en - car and The upper works were of oak and gines. Menges conversion the protective housing was would later be one of the founders kits at the Track Supply Asso - of the National Gas Engine Asso - ciation in connection with the ciation. As General Superinten - Road Master’s Convention. dent of the combined company They were again listed as an Menges began a line of gasoline exhibitor at the 1913 conven - engines for farm applications tion . The Jerry Boy and the under the trade mark name of Chore Boy were essentially Chore Boy . In a time before being the same engine, the only dif - ‘politically correct’ was a concern ference was in the manner of any hired hand was derisively re - cooling. The Chore Boy was ferred to as a hopper cooled, “boy.” The en - the Jerry Boy gines were mar - was air cooled. keted as tireless Later on most non-human work - Associated en - ers and therefore gines would be the choice of the offered in either con - equipped with a full length hinged name. Their line figuration. Associ - top that served as a seat for up to of little engines ated engines had a eight men. Associated manufac - for farmers were one-piece casting of tured their own magnetos . Belt used for every - cylinder and hollow pulleys were deliberately sized for thing from pump - base which on some a top speed of only 15 to 20 mph. ing water to models served as the With the typical railroad section grinding grain and fuel tank. only 5 to 7 miles speed was not corn and accord - The Husky Jerry Boy that important but pulling power ing to size went Car was a cut above was. The wheels were 17 inch under such names the competition. pressed steel on 1-1/2 inch axles as Johnny Boy, While most were still Although Associated pushed Busy Boy, and using wooden frames their product to railroad manage - Chore Boy. the Jerry Boy was constructed of a ment it appears that most of their Three years later Associated riveted pressed steel channel. The advertisements targeted the work - would market a railroad motorcar air-cooled, four-cycle 2-1/4 h.p. ing man, not the railroad he Page 18 The SETOFF May / June 2010 worked for. Knowing that Rail - petitor’s brand) repeatedly failed. tised as “Iowa Over Size. ” The kit road Management might be reluc - And others claimed savings in was shipped completely assembled tant to make the investment the time of up to an hour each day . in a sturdy Oak frame that bolted employee was encouraged buy one Ads claimed that a car in daily use directly onto the deck of a hand himself. Advertisements began on a typical section should not car . Installation was said to be extolling the labor saving engines consume more than ten to twelve quick and easy and like the factory that were claimed to make life eas - gallons of gasoline and a half pint made car the hinged top deck ier and going to work a pleasure. of lubricating oil per month. Sev - served as a bench seat for the However buying a brand new fac - eral testimonials told of an entire gang. tory made motor car seemed an ex - year of service with no repair costs Full page ads began appearing in at all. In 1913 Associated pub - railroad trade publications and lished a small 49 page booklet en - Union Newsletters in 1913 and titled Associated Manufacturers were frequent until about 1920. Company: Worlds Largest Gaso - Both the complete Jerry Boy Car line Engine Builders . However in and conversion kits were adver - those days ‘Truth-in-Advertising ’ tised until the very end. Their last was a vague notion at best and advertisement would appear in several firms were making the 1920 in the American Railway same claim . They also claimed Bridge and Building Association that Jerry Boy Service Cars were Convention minutes when the pro - pense few could afford . As late as working “on a hundred railroads in duction line was closed . After 1914 the wage of a common track forty-two states and Canada” only seven years of production the laborer was still just .25 cents an which was certainly possible. Kit Associated Company fell back on hour. An experienced skilled track sales had been especially strong their stationery farm engine and inspector could expect a bit more during the early years of produc - cream separator market and qui - but even a Track Foreman aver - tion. etly disappeared from the railroad aged only $65 a month. All the A complete Jerry Boy kit for a world. They survived the Great manufacturers struggled to keep hand car cost as little as $ 66 plus Depression and the Second World the prices low and both cars and freight and gave the buyer the en - War but in 1946 after exactly 50 kits could be purchased on a pay - gine and all the parts, chain and years in business the company was ment plan, some as little as $5 sprockets to convert any make or sold to Hamilton Engineering down and $5 a month. Unfortu - model of hand car. For a few dol - Company and the As - nately this led to some unscrupu - lars more a larger 4 hp engine was sociated brand name lous practices. There were stories available. Near the end of produc - was retired . of Foremen being disciplined for tion the engines would be adver - charging their laborers a few cents for the ride each day to make the payments. The Jerry Boy motor car prompted some rave reviews. Early advertisements stressed the time and money saving advantages of repowering old hand cars and prospective buyers were supplied with numerous testimonials. One report from a very satisfied Sec - tion Foreman told of pulling six 33 ft., 83-pound rails and 12 men, a total weight he estimated at 5,280 pounds. Another told how his car had logged 6,322 miles in one year with a total repair cost of only 45- cents. Still another told of having to push his Road Master up a hill when his own motorcar (a com - The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 19 NARCOA Excursions as of April 16th, 2010 Please submit all excursions and ads directly to [email protected] The SETOFF downloads directly from the website for the most current information. May 01, 2010 - OH - #ational Train Day - Toledo, Ohio : Partners, Inc. Additional RPI safety rules will apply. Do not set on until Non OVR / NARCOA event. We are invited to display our motorcars at permission given by EC. Set on at 8:00 am at Llano wye. Safety meeting the Northwest Ohio/Southeast Michigan observance of Amtrak’s Na - at 8:45 am. Please pre-register so we may plan accordingly and know tional Train Day. Last year, some 3500 people visited the station area who to notify in case of cancellation. Excursion Coordinator: Leland throughout the day. There will be a static display of Amtrak equipment Stewart 10057 Palomino Canyon converse, TX 78109 210-945-9268 on the station tracks. This event is being held one week earlier in Ohio to home 210-863-5397 cell email: [email protected] . RPI website: assure a good representation of equipment from Amtrak and possibly www.railroadpartners.com other railroads. Several tourist railroads will also have displays set up. For more info contact Bill Gill, Chair National Train Day - Toledo Toledo May 14 - 16, 2010 - PA - Oil Creek & Titusville - Titusville, PA : Metropolitan Area Council of Governments at [email protected] Non OVR / NARCOA event. Friday, May 14 -We will set-on at the Perry or Dave Verzi at [email protected] Street Station for a very scenic ride down thru the valley where oil was first discovered. Saturday, May 15 -We will have a work detail before May 01, 2010 - PA - #ittany & Bald Eagle Railroad: and after lunch thru the same valley. Sunday, May 16 – We will have a Ride the approximately 70 miles RT of the Nittany & Bald Eagle Rail - morning run thru the valley and an early setoff. Approximate round trip road from Bellefonte to either Tyrone or Mill Hall and return if track is mileage each day will be 26. There is no fee for this event. We just ask available. If not, we will ride the Bellefonte Secondary. The exact itiner - that you help out as much as you can with the work. Our railcars will be ary will be set by the railroad that day due to train traffic. Former Penn - used when we do the MOW. You may have a chance to stay in one of the sylvania Railroad, lots of welded rail. Proof of NARCOA insurance Cabooses that are very close to our seton. For more information and to re - required, all NARCOA rules will be enforced. Registration fee - $55.00. serve your spot for the weekend, mail or e-mail Alan Wilber, PO Box Note: All CPE rides are rain or shine. No cancellations due to weather or 368, Hartville, OH 44632 [email protected] schedule changes. Hard soled shoes required - NO sneakers or sandals. Children must be closely supervised at all times. Send check to: Central May 15, 2010 - GA - Blue Ridge Scenic RR : PA Excursions, PO Box 145, White Deer, PA 17887. Questions: (570) Blue Ridge, GA to Talking Rock, GA – Approx 60 miles round trip. PIC - 538-9050 or email [email protected] . NIC – BRING YOUR PICNIC LUNCH AND DRINKS. Set-on at Dav - enport Wood Yard at 8 AM, Safety Briefing at 8:45 AM. Do not set on May 02, 2010 - PA - Lycoming Valley Railroad until permission is given by EC. Price: $5.00 per active Blue Ridge Sce - Ride the 80 miles RT of the Lycoming Valley Railroad from Williamsport nic Railroad Volunteers. All others $10.00 per car. Coordinators: Carl to Muncy and Avis. Former Reading and New York Central Railroads. Hymen (706-455-0492), Scottie Wershing (828-644-5204), Ron Long Proof of NARCOA insurance required, all NARCOA rules will be en - (706-632-9736). Email: [email protected] Directions to Set- forced. Registration fee - $55.00. Note: All CPE rides are rain or shine. On – South Bound on Hwy 515 – from traffic light at Arby’s go 1.4 miles No cancellations due to weather. Hard soled shoes required - NO sneak - and turn Left on Boardtown Road. Go to RR crossing. North Bound on ers or sandals. Children must be closely supervised at all times. Send Hwy 515 – from traffic light at June Walker Chevrolet go ½ mile and check to: Central PA Excursions, PO Box 145, White Deer, PA 17887. turn Right on Boardtown Road. Go to RR crossing. Call if you get lost. Questions: (570) 538-9050 or email [email protected] May 15, 2010 - MA - Pioneer Valley Railroad : May 08, 2010 - #J - Cape May Seashore Line ; Please see our additional trip on Sunday - only a few miles away on the The Volunteer Railroaders Association is pleased to sponsor a 1-day run Mass Central Railroad. Join us on the Pioneer Valley Railroad for a tour over the Cape May Seashore Line on May 8, 2010. Participants will travel with this “can do” railroad. Trip will start in Westfield and to Holyoke and approximately 54 round-trip miles between Tuckahoe, NJ and Cape May, all railroad trackage. We will set on at Westfield, MA at 8:00 AM. De - NJ. We will be stopping at convenient locations for bathroom breaks. Set parture is scheduled for 9:00 AM. Approximate round trip mileage for on will be at Tuckahoe and run all the way into Cape May where we will this excursion is 35 miles. The event is sponsored by NERCA. Excur - have some time to shop and get some lunch before we head back to Tuck - sion limited to 25 cars. NARCOA insurance and rules apply. Please bring ahoe. Being that the next day is Mother’s Day some people may choose a box lunch. No food is available on this excursion. Trip is contingent on to spend the weekend in the area so that the Mom’s in the group can ride minimum 20 car sign up. All payments / cancelations are required 30 be - the rails one day and enjoy a day doing “Mom” type stuff the next day. fore the excursion. The price of the trip is $55. Equipment Restric - The trip fee is $50.00 per car which includes the railroad’s per car fee. tions/Requirements: No HY-Rails or A-cars. All NARCOA rules apply. There is a 40 car limit. This is a NARCOA insured excursion, and all NARCOA insurance and rules apply. Reflective vests are required. No NARCOA rules will apply. This is a mentoring run. EC for the trip is KC cars will be able to operate with sanders and use of manually applied sand Smith. For trip details contact the VRA at 80 Royal Avenue, Hawthorne, will not be tolerated. Additional information: NAROCA mentoring al - NJ 07506 Tel: (973) 238-0555 or email to: [email protected] . You can lowed on this excursion. The event is sponsored by NERCA; The price also sign up and pay for the trip with a major credit card via our website of the excursion trip is $50. Event Coordinator: Warren Riccitelli / Al El - at http://www.vratrips.org liott. For more information please contact Warren Riccitelli, 39 Jackso - nia Drive, North Providence, RI 02911 (401) 232-0992

May 08, 2010 - TX -Capitol Metro Transportation : May 15, 2010 - MA - Mass Central Railroad : Llano, TX to Scobee Spur, TX – Apprx. 54 miles RT. NARCOA insur - Please see our additional trip on Sunday - only a few miles away on the ance and rules apply. This will be a cleanup ride to clear flangeways and Pioneer Valley Railroad. This is a beautiful trip thru many small undis - brush to prepare the line for the 3/27 and 7/4 excursions. Bring weed turbed New England towns, this excursion is set in the rural hills and val - trimmers, loppers, and grubbing hoes. Fee: $25 membership to Railroad Page 20 The SETOFF May / June 2010 leys of central MA. Please bring a box lunch. No food is available on this A block of rooms have been reserved to participants at Hotel Bernières. excursion. Trip is contingent on minimum 20 car sign up. All payments / You must make your own booking before April 20th 2010. Call cancelations are required 30 before the excursion. We will set on at Sébastien Rousseau at 1-800-749-3119 Palmer, MA at 7:00 AM. Departure is scheduled for 8:00 AM. Approxi - SETON: Friday evening after dinner and/or Saturday morning at 6:00 mate round trip mileage for this excursion is 50 miles. This ride is limited AM. Departure shall be at 8:00 AM. SETON is just beside the Ste. Foy to 25 cars. Equipment Restrictions/Requirements: No HY-Rails or A-cars. VIA Rail Station located near the SMFQ which is at 3350 chemin de la All NARCOA rules apply. The event is sponsored by NERCA. NARCOA Gare - postal code G1V 4N6. Please, keep your vehicle lock correctly insurance and rules apply. Reflective vests are required. No cars will be when not in use. Safety boots, safety hats and safety vests are obligatory. able to operate with sanders and no use of manually applied sand will not Saturday May 22nd, departure from Ste. Foy at 8 AM for Hervey Junc - be tolerated. Additional information: NAROCA mentoring allowed on tion via Charny (approx. 149 miles). Bring your food or a lunch box to this excursion. The price of the excursion trip is $55. Event Coordinator: be furnished. Sunday May 23rd, departure from Ste. Foy to Limoilou Warren Riccitelli / Al Elliott. For more information please contact War - East and than to Clermont (approx. 110 miles). Room in Motel is paid ren Riccitelli, 39 Jacksonia Drive, North Providence, RI 02911 (401) 232- by the CRQ and probably a few meals such as dinner and breakfast. 0992 Meals must be taken at CHEZ PIERRE Restaurant in front of Motel CHEZ PIERRE. Monday May 24th, departure from Clermont at 8 AM direction Ste. Foy (approx. 110 miles) - Arrival at Ste. Foy (SMFQ Gare May 15 - 16, 2010 - KY - Big South Fork Scenic Railway de Sainte-Foy) around 4:00 PM for the SETOFF. NOTE: On arrival, Great Lakes Railcars is pleased to announce a trip on the Big South Fork Miniatures trains inside the SMFQ Hall will run at your convenience. E- Scenic Railway at Stearns, KY. Come help us celebrate the Kentucky and mail: [email protected] – Louis-François Garceau, Certified Excursion Co - Tennessee Railroad railfan weekend. We will be displaying our motorcars ordinator. for the railfan weekend and making at least 3, possibly 4 trips on approx - imately 16 miles of track. For further information, please contact Andy May 26 - 31, 2010 - WA - Eastern Washington Gateway, Great Sargent at [email protected] or call 812-591-3345 before #orthwest and BG&CM Railroads 9:00 pm. Full - wait list started : Pacific Railcar Operators is pleased to announce the third annual East - May 16, 2010 - IA - Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad ern Washington Gateway Railroad excursion on May 26 and 27 com - Boone, Iowa - The First Iowa Division is hosting a ride on the Boone & bined with the fifth annual Memorial Day Weekend motorcar excursion Scenic Valley Railroad as a season opener. Notice that this is a Sunday on three branches of the former Camas Prairie Railroad (CSP) on May ride and not Saturday as in the past. There will hopefully be four trips dur - 29, 30 and 31, 2010. Initial set on will be at Wilbur, WA on Tuesday, ing the day and a night ride. Enjoy the 156 ft. high bridge and Des Moines May 25. We run Wilbur to Medical Lake on Wednesday, the 26th, 127 River bridge by the Y-Camp. The track damage from flooding last year miles, and Wilbur to Coulee City on Thursday, May 27th, 67 miles. Fri - and the year before has been repaired and the line is open all the way to day, May 28th is a travel day and set on at the Great Northwest yard in the end at Wolf. Round trip mileage is 22 miles. Set on at the depot will Lewiston. The Great Northwest management has graciously allowed us start at 7:00am with a 9:00am departure. Cost of the ride is $20. Current to use the Lewiston yard as our base of operations and Saturday, the 29th membership in the Iowa Railroad Historical Society ($25) is a railroad re - we will run the Riparia branch, 144 miles, Sunday to Kamiah, 124 miles, quirement. Please make checks for the ride payable to FID and member - and Monday to Craigmont, approximately 86 miles. Storage cars have ship payable to IRHS. Motels at Boone are the Super 8 (800-800-8000) been removed off the hill between Spalding and Culdesac which pro - and the Amerihost (515-432-8168). Dave Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Ex - vides us the opportunity of running out of Lewiston to Craigmont for cursion Coordinator for this ride. Contact Carl Schneider at 515-967-5181 the first time in several years. We require that hyrail vehicles comply or e-mail [email protected] for more information. This is a Narcoa- with rule 12.1 (E) of the #ARCOA operations handbook and carry insured ride and all Narcoa rules apply. enough blocking and other materials needed to re-rail the vehicle in case of derailment. We strongly urge all A series cars to do the same. May 22 - 23, 2010 - CA - Skunk Train - Mendocino Railway : There is a limit of 30 cars for this excursion with preference given to MOW is pleased to sponsor an overnight B&B run on the Skunk Train those who sign up for the entire package. A waiting list will be main - RR May 22-23, 2010. Participants will travel 40 miles from Willits to Fort tained on a first come – first served basis and late entries will be notified Bragg, CA Saturday May 22, stay overnight in Fort Bragg , return to of their status on the waiting list. Run fees for the package are $525 and Willits on Sunday, May 23. Required: Pre-registration, current NARCOA no refunds will be issued after May 1, 2010 unless the vacancy can be liability insurance and Rule Book Certification, spark arrestor. MOW filled from the waiting list. Make checks payable to Pacific Railcar Op - membership is not required. You must receive confirmation from me (by erators and mail them to Meet Coordinator Steve Taulbee, 2206 Burrell mail, email or phone) before coming to this excursion. For trip details Avenue, Lewiston, ID 83501. For more information contact Meet Co- check www.mowonline.org . To register, mail a check for $160 payable to Coordinators Steve Taulbee, (208) 746-5430, [email protected] , MOW to Bill Owen - 24601 Voorhees Drive, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. or Jim Morefield, (208) 743-0802, [email protected] . NARCOA Tel (650) 949-4564 or email [email protected] . insurance, NARCOA Rules Certification, PRO membership, spark ar - restors and mechanically sound motorcars with all the specified NAR - May 22 - 24, 2010 - QE - Canadian #ational & Charlevoix Railway COA equipment are required. Packets with itinerary, motels, restaurants, The Club Railcar Québec (CRQ) invites you in Québec City for its 2nd camping spots and maps will be mailed after payment is received. As NARCOA excursion. Track used are with Canadian National (CN) and before, Lewis Clark State College is hosting the NAIA college baseball Charlevoix Railway Inc. (CFC Inc.); a run of approximately 370 miles. world series the same weekend. Once the field is set, the teams and fans The run is of three days on May 22, 23 & 24. NARCOA insurance and will start to reserve rooms in Lewiston. Usually by the first of May, all rules apply. Fees are $250 per vehicle payable in Canadian or American available rooms are booked for this weekend. money. Send your check payable to “Club Railcar Quebec” at this ad - dress: Club Railcar Québec, P.O. Box 45005, Charny (Quebec) Canada May 29, 2010 - CO - San Luis Central RR : G6X 3R4. The number of participants is limited to 30 cars on the first day Monte Vista, CO - The Rocky Mountain Division ( www.rockymoun - and to 25 cars on the two others. The deadline for registration is April taindiv.com ) invites you to this railroad set in the famous San Luis Val - 20th 2010 and after this date, there will be no refund possible. For more ley of Colorado. Set-on will at the SLCRR offices at 2899 Sherman Ave., information, please contact Louis-François Garceau at 1 (418) 832-1502. Monte Vista, CO followed by safety inspections, signing of liability Mobile is (418) 955-2466. VISA and/or MASTER CARD are accepted. waivers and a safety meeting. We will travel north 12 miles to Center, The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 21 CO for a lunch break. Departure for the return will be after lunch with to arrival. Experienced operators only. Mentoring by permission only. arrival back at Monte Vista early afternoon for a 24 mile round trip. Hyrails welcome. No homebuilt motorcars. Trip fee of $80.00 includes This railroad aka The Pea Vine moves over 3000 carloads in and out railroad fees. This is a NARCOA insured excursion and all NARCOA rules during the year. It serves an agricultural area involved in the production will apply. Trip information available at www.railroadpartners.com and of potatoes and potato products. This is a NARCOA insured event and for registration contact the excursion coordinator, Leland Stewart 10057 all NARCOA rules will apply. No Hi-Rails. Operators needing men - Palomino Canyon Converse, TX 78109 210-945-9268 or popper - toring are welcome, just please let the EC know when you sign up that [email protected] you will need mentoring. The fee for the day will be $50 per car. Fee must be received by EC two weeks prior to the event. For information June 04, 2010 - #H - Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club: and/or reservations contact: Jon Keeling Phone: 719-989-0779 Mail Pre-HOBO tune up ride The Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club is hosting a pre- P.O. Box 721 La Veta, Colorado 81055 Email: jkeel - HOBO tune up ride at their trackage in Wolfeboro, NH. This will give [email protected] everyone a chance to shake the bugs out of their speeders before the pres - sure of the time constraints of an actual run. Experience the scenic New May 29 - 30, 2010 - OH - City of Greenfield RR, US Rail : Hampshire wilderness along 11 miles of club maintained track, with a Saturday May 29th, 2010. Greenfield (Ohio). City of Greenfield Rail - good diner at the other end of the line. Hot dogs, etc. will also be available road. Ohio Valley Railcars sponsored excursions. Former B&O St. at our engine house throughout the day. This is open to all speeder own - Louis Main Line with some travel over the former Detroit Toledo & ers/operators/riders, regardless of club affiliation. This is not a NARCOA Ironton. Set on begins at 8 a.m. 60 mile round trip. Travel west from sanctioned event. CVRTC operates from Fernald Station. The station is Greenfield to Midland, Ohio where we will turn our cars. This is part located approximately 3 miles East of downtown Wolfeboro, NH on Route of the same former main line as the US Rail line in Jackson, Ohio. 109 (64 Governor Wentworth Highway). The closest intersection is Gov - There are several large bridges and vintage depots along the route. We ernor Wentworth Highway & Fernald Crossing in Wolfeboro, NH. Please have a brunch stop planned at a local restaurant and your meal is in - stop by on your way to the HOBO run, check out your speeder, check out cluded (2 per car). Dave Verzi is coordinator for Saturday and can be our tracks and share the fellowship of other speeder owners. This is a ‘drop contacted at [email protected] or 216.941.5273. Sunday May 30th, in’ event and no reservations are required. Donations to the club will be ac - 2010. Jackson (Ohio). US Rail Jackson Division 110 + round trip mile. cepted. We will be starting about 8:00am and will finish with enough time This line is comprised of the former B&O, C&O and DT&I lines. Fea - to get to Lincoln, NH for HOBO’s Friday evening events. Dick Forde, co- tures much welded rail along varied scenic locations with 2 tunnels. coordinator, e-mail - [email protected] Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club Our set on is to be announced in your confirmation letter planned to be web site: http://www.cottonvalley.org in Jackson. There will be a stop planned to eat Wellston, Ohio. Jaime Samuell is coordinator for Sunday - contact info below. NARCOA In - June 12, 2010 - IA - Iowa River Railroad surance and compliance with the Rule Book is required along with the Eldora, Iowa - The First Iowa Division will host a ride on this ex-M&StL OVR policy book. All operators must be NARCOA certified. HyRail line which runs from Marshalltown to Steamboat Rock, Iowa and north operators required to contact coordinators prior to registering. With the past the ethanol plant towards Ackley. Due to track repairs from the 2008 return of your registration you will be sent a map and required NAR - flooding, mileage could be up to 70 miles round trip depending on how far COA paperwork. NOTE: Run(s) subject to change destination, tours we can ride. We plan on possibly riding the line twice if time permits. Cost and there may be additional rules by the railroad including no pets. of this ride is $45 per car. The set on time will be at 7:00am with an 8:00am NARCOA Rules & Insurance/OVR policy in effect - 35 car limit each departure. The set on location is about 2 blocks north of the Hwy 175 trip. Confirmation and releases will be pre-sent via email and will be re - crossing. Motels in Eldora are the Village Motel (641-939-3441) and the turned the morning of the excursion. The railroad and OVR is not re - Eldora Motel (641-939-2232). Both of these motels are small and family- spons ible for unannounced change in plans or schedules. Fee will be owned so there is a limited number of rooms at each so make your reser - based on registration of 20 cars minimum, and the railroad is paid per vations early. Dave Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Excursion Coordinator for car. RETURN COMBINED REGISTRATION FORM TO: Ohio Val - this ride. Contact Carl Schneider at 515-967-5181 or e-mail motor - ley Railcars c/o Jaime Samuell 3624 Watt Road Columbus, Oh 43230 [email protected] for more information. This is a Narcoa-insured ride and [email protected] Phone 740-427-4444 www.ohioval - all Narcoa rules apply. leyrailcars.com Saturday (only) Fee: $80 per car includes two meal se - lections Sunday (only) Fee: $110 per car Saturday & Sunday combined June 19 - 20, 2010 - WV West Virginia Central RR, Cass Scenic RR: fee both trips is $185 Checks payable to Ohio Valley Railcars A.R.E. Appalachian Rail Excursions is pleased to announce another run on the West Virginia Central Railroad and the Cass Scenic Railroad for June May 29 - 30, 2010 - #E - #ebraska #ortheastern Railroad 19-20, 2010. This is for vacation planning only. DO NOT SEND ANY Osmond, Nebraska - The First Iowa Division is pleased to announce a MONEY. Announcements will be sent out next year. If you would like an - 2-day ride on the Nebraska Northeastern Railroad. The Osmond to nouncement as soon as it becomes available send a #10 self addressed en - O’Neill segment will be ridden on Saturday and the Osmond to Jack - velope to: West Virginia Central Motorcar Run, c/o Paul S. Rujak, 786 son part will be ridden on Sunday. Mileage for this 2-day event is ap - Hudson Hill Road, Weirton WV 26062-5584 proximately 230 miles. Set on will be at the NENE offices in Osmond beginning at 6:30am and departure for both days will be at 8:00am. July 4, 2010 - TX - Capitol Metro Transportation: Cost of this 2-day event is $60. The Cedar Motel (402-337-0500) is in Railroad Partners, Inc. is pleased to sponsor a motorcar excursion over the Randolph about 14 miles east. Dave Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Ex - ex SP Llano branch. This is a scenic stretch of track which parallels the cursion Coordinator for this ride. Contact Carl Schneider at 515-967- Llano River and crosses the Colorado River on Lake LBJ. There will be 5181 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. This is a abundant wildlife and open range vistas. Participants will travel from Narcoa-insured ride and all Narcoa rules apply. Llano, TX, through Kingsland, TX to Scobey Spur, a round trip distance of approx 54 mi. Trip fee is $40.00 per car payable as a donation to Rail - May 30, 2010 - TX - Blacklands Railroad road Partners, Inc. (a nonprofit 501c3). This is a NARCOA insured ex - Railroad Partners, Inc. ( a NARCOA affiliate) is pleased to announce a cursion and all NARCOA rules apply. Hy-rails welcome. For trip details 1 day run on the Blacklands Railroad (former Cotton Belt) on Sunday or lodging information, contact: Excursion Coordinator Leland Stewart May 30, 2010. Participants will travel approx. 110 RT miles between 10057 Palomino Canyon Converse, TX 78109 (210) 863-5397. Informa - Greenville, TX and Mt. Vernon, TX. Sturdy shoes and long pants re - tion about RPI may be found at www.railroadpartners.com quired. No shorts or tennis shoes. All cars must be pre-registered prior Page 22 The SETOFF May / June 2010 July 10 - 11, 2010 - SD - Prairie Village, Herman & Milwaukee Rail - Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter Court, Plainfield, Indiana 46168-8035. road For questions or more information, contact Mike at: (317) 839-9320 or Historic Prairie Village is Featuring Motorcars this year for Railroad email: [email protected] Days. July 10 & 11 motorcars will be giving rides both days. This is a NON-NAROA event NARCOA rules do apply. Prairie Village is located July 17, 2010 - SK - Last Mountain Railway two miles west of Madison, South Dakota on Hwy 34 & 81 website North Central Railcars, Ltd. is pleased to announce a one-day motor car www.prairievillage.org . We are also checking for the interest in having excursion over a portion of the Last Mountain Railway, Ltd (ex-CN Craik a Motorcar swapmeet the same weekend. Please contact me if you would Subdivision) between Condie, SK and Aylesbury, SK on Saturday, July 17, be interested in attending the swapmeet or Railroad Days. LeRay 2010. The trip will cover approximately 120 round trip miles through the Swedeen e-mail [email protected] 605-532-3470 beautiful Qu’appelle Valley area northwest of Regina, SK. This is a first time excursion on this railroad. Excursion fee of $85.00 (USD or CDN) July 10 - 11, 2010 - M# - #orth Shore Scenic Railroad per car covers the railroad fee, insurance, and other excursion related ex - North Central Railcars, Ltd. is pleased to announce two, round-trip ex - penses. Canadian participants are welcome to pay cash for the excursion cursions over the North Shore Scenic Railroad along the Lake Superior in local currency at the beginning of the trip, but need to register in ad - shore, between Two Harbors, MN and Duluth, MN; one on Saturday af - vance. There is a 25 car limit. Complete details will be sent upon receipt ternoon/evening, July 10, 2010, and a second trip on Sunday morning, of the excursion fee. This is a NARCOA-insured excursion and all NAR - July 11, 2010. You have the option to travel Saturday, Sunday, or both COA rules will apply. To register for the excursion, send a check for $85 days. We will set-on at the historic D.M. & I.R. station (adjacent to the (payable to North Central Railcars, Ltd.) to, or request registration mate - ore docks) in Two Harbors Saturday morning, display our cars for 2 rials from, Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter Court, Plainfield, Indiana hours as part of the Two Harbors Heritage Festival, then depart at noon 46168-8035. For questions or more information, contact Mike at: (317) and travel approximately 52 miles round-trip between Two Harbors & 839-9320 or email: [email protected] Duluth. Upon arrival in Duluth, we will have refreshment and free time to tour the museum, shop area, and gift shop. Later, we will proceed to July 17 & 18, 2010 – PA - #orth Shore and Shamokin Valley Rail - the Canal Park area for dinner (on your own).We plan to return at dusk, roads: with night operation a possibility. Our Sunday trip will cover the same Ride the 86 RT miles of the North Shore Railroad from Northumberland route, with coffee & rolls at the midpoint in Duluth, returning to Two to Berwick and back. Former Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Sunday, ride the Harbors around 1:00 pm. The excursion fee is $70.00 per car for 1 day, 50 miles RT of the Shamokin Valley Railroad from Sunbury to Mt. Carmel or $100.00 per car if you sign up for both days. Your payment includes Junction and back. Former Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads. Saturday the railroad fee, refreshments, museum & shop admission, gratuities and night dinner and tour at the Central PA Chapter NRHS White Deer Train other related excursion expenses. There is a 25 car limit. Complete de - Station. $10 of the registration fee donated to the chapter. Sunday tour of tails will be sent upon receipt of the excursion fee. This is a NARCOA- the Lower Anthracite model railroad while in Shamokin. Proof of NAR - insured excursion and all NARCOA rules will apply. To register for the COA insurance required, all NARCOA rules will be enforced. Registra - excursion or obtain more information, contact Michael P. Ford, 7712 tion fee - $75.00. Note: All CPE rides are rain or shine. No cancellations Carpenter Court, Plainfield, Indiana 46168-8035. Tel: (317) 839-9320 or due to weather. Hard soled shoes required - NO sneakers or sandals. Chil - email: [email protected] dren must be closely supervised at all times. Send check to: Central PA Ex - cursions, PO Box 145, White Deer, PA 17887. Questions: (570) 538-9050 July 13, 2010 - #D - #orthern Plains Railroad or email [email protected] North Central Railcars, Ltd. is pleased to announce a one-day motor car excursion over a portion of the Northern Plains Railroad Company be - July 19 - 20, 2010 - SK - Great Sandhills Railway tween Fordville, ND and Devils Lakes, ND on Tuesday, July 10, 2010. North Central Railcars, Ltd. is pleased to announce a 2-day motor car ex - The trip will cover approximately 110 round trip miles. This is a first cursion on the Great Sandhills Railway in the rolling hills of southern time excursion on this railroad. Excursion fee of $85 per car covers the Saskatchewan near Swift Current. The trip will cover approximately 260 railroad fee, insurance, gratuities, and other excursion related expenses. rail miles of the ex-CP Empress and Burstall subdivisions between Mayne, There is a 25 car limit. Complete details will be sent upon receipt of the SK (just west of Swift Current) and Burstall, SK. This is a new railroad excursion fee. This is a NARCOA insured excursion and all NARCOA for NARCOA. The excursion fee of $225 (USD or CDN) covers the rail - rules will apply. To register for the excursion, send a check for $85.00 road fee, bus transportation between Burstall and Leader, Sandhills tour, (payable to North Central Railcars, Ltd.) to Michael P. Ford, 7712 Car - evening barbeque, and other related excursion costs. Overnight accom - penter Court, Plainfield, Indiana 46168-8035. For questions or more in - modations in Leader, SK (night of July 19), which are being arranged by formation, contact Mike at: (317) 839-9320 or email: the railroad, will be an additional cost to be paid by each participant, es - [email protected] timated to be approximately $80.00. Canadian participants are welcome to pay cash for the excursion in local currency at the beginning of the trip, July 15 - 16, 2010 - #D, MT - Dakota, Missouri Valley, & Western but need to register in advance. Registration materials and complete trip Railroad details, itinerary, and maps will be sent upon receipt of the excursion fee. North Central Railcars, Ltd. is pleased to announce a two-day motor car This is a NARCOA insured excursion and NARCOA rules apply. There excursion over a portion of the Dakota, Missouri Valley and Western is a 25 car limit. To register, send a check for $225 (USD) (payable to Railroad (DMVR). On Thursday (7/15), we will run approximately 130 North Central Railcars) to, or request registration materials from, Michael round trip miles between Raymond, MT and Crosby, ND. On Friday P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter Court, Plainfield, IN 46168-8035. For questions (7/16) we will run approximately 60 round-trip miles between Raymond, or further information, contact Mike at (317) 839-9320 or via e-mail MT and Whitetail, MT. This will allow an early set-off for those who [email protected] will be heading on to Regina, SK. If you plan on attending, make your hotel reservations at the Sherwood Inn, Plentywood, MT (406-765- July 21 - 23, 2010 - SK - Great Western Railway 2810) as this is only 8 miles south of Raymond, MT. Excursion fee of North Central Railcars, Ltd. is pleased to announce a 3-day motor car ex - $125.00 per car covers the railroad fee, insurance, gratuity, and other cursion on the Great Western Railway in the rolling hills of southern excursion related expenses. There is a 25 car limit. Complete details will Saskatchewan. The trip will run between Assiniboia and Consul, SK, cov - be sent upon receipt of the excursion fee. This is a NARCOA insured ex - ering approximately 360 rail miles The excursion fee of $300 (USD or cursion and all NARCOA rules will apply. To register for the excursion, CDN) covers the railroad fee, insurance, gratuities, and miscellaneous ex - send a check for $125 (payable to North Central Railcars, Ltd.) to cursion costs. Canadian participants may pay in local currency at the be - The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 23 ginning of the excursion, but do need to register for the trips in advance. Cadillac, MI with set-on Thursday evening. We will run the line to Participants will need to make their own lodging arrangements in Shau - Petoskey, Michigan on Friday, Petoskey to Traverse City on Saturday, navon, SK (nights of July 21 & 22, 2010). For those interested in mak - and Traverse City to Cadillac on Sunday. The excursion fee of $450.00 ing the trip, please contact the excursion coordinator for a list of potential (USD) includes all railroad fees, very nice overnight hotel accommoda - hotels. Lodging is limited, so please reserve rooms early if you plan to at - tions in both Traverse City and Petoskey, MI; deluxe continental break - tend. Registration materials, complete trip details, itinerary, and maps fast on Saturday & Sunday morning, transportation to/from the hotel in will be sent upon receipt of the excursion fee. This is a NARCOA insured both Traverse City & Petoskey, and other related excursion costs. Com - excursion and NARCOA rules apply. There is a 25 car limit. To register, plete details will be sent upon receipt of the excursion fee. There is a 30 send a check for $300 (USD) (payable to North Central Railcars) to, or car limit. This is a NARCOA-insured excursion and all NARCOA rules request registration materials from, Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter will apply. To register, send a check for $450.00 (payable to Great Lakes Court, Plainfield, IN 46168-8035. For questions or further information, Rail Cars) to: Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter Court, Plainfield, Indiana contact Mike at (317) 839-9320 or via e-mail [email protected] 46168-8035. For questions or further information contact Mike at (317) 839-9320 or email: [email protected] . July 24 - 25, 2010 - #J - #ew York Susquehanna & Western Railway, Syracuse Branch September 04, 2010 - MO - Ft. Leonard Wood Army Base The Volunteer Railroaders Association is pleased to sponsor a 2-day run Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri The First Iowa Division has set up a ride on over the NYS&W Syracuse Branch July 24th and 25th, 2010. Partici - the Army base at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Set on will be at 8:30am pants will travel approximately 160 round-trip miles between Chenango with a 10:00am departure. As you enter the fort from I-44, be in the left Bridge, NY and Syracuse, NY over the two days. Saturday we will be lane and pull into the inspection area by the security check point. You running roundtrip from Cortland, NY to Syracuse, NY where lunch will will have to go in the visitor center before proceeding through the vehi - be on your own at Syracuse’s famed Carousel Mall next to the CSX cle check point. Have an early lunch or bring snacks along as there won’t Chicago mainline which hosts many trains per day. Sunday we will run be a stop for lunch. We will make two trips on this 20-mile scenic line roundtrip from Cortland, NY to Chenango Bridge, NY, lunch will be deli through the Ozarks to the connection with the BNSF at Bundy Junction. sandwiches for an additional $9.00 per person. We will be stopping at Due to security issues, everyone will need a picture ID, vehicle registra - convenient locations for bathroom breaks. Operators and riders under 18 tion, proof of insurance, and be prepared for a vehicle inspection. Cost of are not permitted by the railroad. The trip fee is $120.00 per car which in - this ride is $35. Motels are the Red Roof Inn (573-336-2510) and the cludes the railroad’s per car fee. There is a 40 car limit. This is a NAR - Budget Inn (573-336-5212), all in the St. Robert - Waynesville area. Dave COA insured excursion, and all NARCOA rules will apply. This is a Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Excursion Coordinator for this ride. Contact non-mentoring run. ECs for the trip are KC Smith and Chris Vitz. The Carl Schneider at 515-967-5181 or e-mail [email protected] for NYS&W requires that ALL operators must pass a Northeast Operating more information. This is a Narcoa-insured ride and all Narcoa rules Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) guidelines training class and test apply. prior to the event. If you have a current NORAC certification please mail us copies that we can forward to the railroad. A class will be offered Fri - September 05, 2010 - MO - Colt Railway day night prior to the next day’s trip. To attend the event operators MUST Columbia, Missouri Come join us on this First Iowa Division ride which attend the class and pass the test. If you have attended a previous class and runs northeast from Columbia to Centralia on an ex-Wabash track. We have a current NORAC certification you will not need to attend. We are will set on beginning at 6:30am and have a scheduled 8:00am departure sorry for the inconvenience but this is a requirement of the railroad. Your for the first run. Our set on location is at Boone County Mill Works which NORAC certification will be good for three full years. For trip details is located in downtown Columbia. Take the Rangeline Rd. exit from I-70 contact the VRA at 80 Royal Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506 Tel: (973) and drive south until the T intersection with Rogers St. Turn left and the 238-0555 or email to: [email protected] . You can also sign up and set on is about a half block in the Boone Co. Millworks facility. We will pay for the trip with a major credit card via our website . run this line two times during the day. Each run is approximately 44 miles round trip so we will have a total for the day of about 88 miles. There is August 20-22, 2010 - I#/MI - Indiana #ortheastern Railroad a Lee’s Chicken across the street from the tracks for our lunch break. Cost Great Lakes Railcars, Inc., is pleased to announce a 2-day motor car ex - of this ride is $45 per car. There are several motels in Columbia with cursion on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad in northeast Indiana and many at the junction of I-70 and Hwy 63. There is a Super 8 (800-800- southeast Michigan on Saturday & Sunday, August 21 & 22, 2010. The 8000 or 573-474-8488), Ramada Inn (537-449-0051), and Econo Lodge trip will start in Ashley, IN (set-on Friday evening) and run east/west, (573-442-1191) just to name a few. Dave Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Ex - then north to Coldwater, MI for an overnight stay, with return to Ashley cursion Coordinator for this ride. Contact Carl Schneider at 515-967- early afternoon on Sunday. The entire trip will cover approximately 150 5181 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. This is a miles. The excursion fee of $250.00 includes the railroad fee, overnight Narcoa-insured ride and all Narcoa rules apply. accommodations in Coldwater, MI (Sat., August 21, 2010), gratuities, and other miscellaneous excursion costs. Registration materials, com - September 18, 2010 - IA - Appanoose County Railroad plete details, itinerary, and maps will be sent upon receipt of the excur - Centerville, Iowa The First Iowa Division is pleased to announce a ride sion fee. This is a NARCOA insured excursion and NARCOA rules on the Appanoose County Railroad between Centerville and Albia, Iowa. apply. There is a 35 car limit. To register, send a check for $250.00 Set on will be at 6:30am at the APNC shop building just south of the (Payable to Great Lakes Railcars) to Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter water tower in the southeast part of town with an 8:00am departure. We Court, Plainfield, IN 46168-8035. For questions or further information, will travel 32 miles north to Albia on a well-maintained combination of contact Mike at (317) 839-9320 or via e-mail ( [email protected] ). welded and jointed track. This line also crosses the IC&E Kansas City - August 26-29, 2010 - MI - Great Lakes Central Railway (FULL - Quad Cities mainline and we might see a train there. There will be a bar - WAIT LIST O#LY) becue lunch available at the Moravia depot for $7. Cost of the ride is $35. Great Lakes Rail Cars, Inc. is pleased to sponsor a 3-day motor car ex - Motels are the Super 8 (800-800-8000) and Motel 60 (800-437-7271). cursion over a portion of the Great Lakes Central Railway (ex- Tuscola Dave Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Excursion Coordinator for this ride. & Saginaw Bay Railway), beginning with set-on Thursday evening, Au - Contact Carl Schneider at 515-967-5181 or e-mail [email protected] gust 26, 2010 followed by the excursion on Friday/Saturday/Sunday, Au - for more information. This is a Narcoa-insured ride and all Narcoa rules gust 27-29, 2010. All NARCOA members are welcome to participate. apply. Participants will travel approximately 238 miles in the beautiful north - western portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The trip will start in September 25 - 26, 2010 - WV - West Virginia Central RR, Cass Sce - Page 24 The SETOFF May / June 2010 nic RR quirement of the railroad. Your NORAC certification will be good for Come ride the most scenic railroad south of the Canadian border. Travel three full years. For trip details contact the VRA at 80 Royal Avenue, West Virginia’s ex CSX, B&O and Western Maryland Railroad through Hawthorne, NJ 07506 Tel: (973) 238-0555 or email to: volun - mountains and along streams on a railroad flanked by some of the best [email protected] . You can also sign up and pay for the trip with a scenery in the east. On Saturday we will start at the former Western Mary - major credit card via our website . land Depot in Elkins West Virginia and travel south to Spruce. At Spruce we will switch to the Cass Scenic Railroad’s Spruce connector. We will October 08, 2010 - IA - Iowa River Railroad travel the 1.5 mile track to Old Spruce where we will meet Cass Scenic Eldora, Iowa - The First Iowa Division will ride this ex-M&StL line Railroad’s Bald Knob train coming off the mountain. On Sunday we will which runs from Marshalltown to Steamboat Rock, Iowa and north past travel north to Tygart Junction where the WVC interchanges with the the ethanol plant to Ackley. Mileage is about 70 miles round trip. We P&LRR (formerly CSX’s Cowin sub). Early set-on Friday. Round trip plan on possibly riding the line twice if time permits. Cost of this ride is miles is 180. Fee is $150.00. 40 cars. Box lunch and Saturday buffet diner $45 per car. The set on time will be at 7:00am with an 8:00am depar - available at extra fee. No High-Rails. EXPERIENCED OPERATORS ture. The set on location is about 2 blocks north of the Hwy 175 cross - ONLY. THIS IS A NON-MENTORED RUN. 2 WAY RADIOS RE - ing. Motels in Eldora are the Village Motel (641-939-3441) and the QUIRED. Contact: Paul S. Rujak, 786 Hudson Hill Road, Weirton WV Eldora Motel (641-939-2232). Both of these motels are small and fam - 26062-5584 Email: [email protected] Phone: 304-670-4099 ily-owned so there is a limited number of rooms at each so make your reservations early. Dave Pratt (515-674-3803) is the Excursion Coordi - October 01 - 02, 2010 - IL - 2010 #ARCOA Annual Meeting: nator for this ride. Contact Carl Schneider at 515-967-5181 or e-mail Sheraton Gateway Suites, 6501 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL [email protected] for more information. This is a Narcoa-insured 60018 This meeting is open to all paid NARCOA members. ride and all Narcoa rules apply.

October 01 - 03, 2010 - SD - Black Hills Central RR: October 09, 2010 - PA, #Y Wellsboro and Corning Railroad: The Rocky Mountain Division and the Black Hills Central have teamed up Ride the 70 miles RT of the Wellsboro & Corning Railroad from Wells - again for a 3 day excursion. October 1-3, 2010. The Black Hills Central, boro, PA to Gang Mills, NY and back. Former New York Central. Proof a tiny remnant of the extensive railroading that went on there in South of NARCOA insurance required, all NARCOA rules will be enforced. Dakota during some booming days. 4-4-0’s paced themselves up the 4-6% Registration fee - $55.00. Note: All CPE rides are rain or shine. No can - grade of Tin Mill Hill out of Hill City on the way to Oblivion. So opera - cellations due to weather. Hard soled shoes required, no sneakers or san - tors, beware. How often can we do a 4-6% grade on most motorcar ex - dals. Children must be closely supervised at all times. Send check to: cursions? This is the best little railroad for a evening trip too. Curves, Central PA Excursions, PO Box 145, White Deer, PA 17887. Questions: hardwood and pine forests and a twisty rural country road that we must (570) 538-9050 or email [email protected] . cross several times. This railroad demands safety at all crossing! The rail - road in Oct will be running just one train per day. Scheduling of runs will October 30, 2010 - TX - Capitol Metro Transportation – ex SP Llano be done as soon as we hit a minimum of 15 motorcars. Cost of excursion branch Bluebonnet Run: will be $60.00. With an addition of $8.00 for the Saturday night BBQ. Railroad Partners, Inc. is pleased to sponsor a motorcar excursion over Which has always been fun item on this excursion too. Another change the ex SP Llano branch. This is a scenic stretch of track which parallels this year will be a BHCRR sponsored raffle for all ride participants on Sat - the Llano River and crosses the Colorado River on Lake LBJ. There will urday AM. Prizes will include a pair of train tickets and other memora - be abundant wildlife and open range vistas. Participants will travel from bilia from the 1880 TRAIN. Meals and lodging are on your own other than Llano, TX, through Kingsland, TX to Scobey Spur, a round trip distance the BBQ on Saturday. Holiday Inn Express is right next to the railroad of approx 54 mi. Trip fee is $40.00 per car payable as a donation to Rail - within walking distance. And many restaurants as well. And there are many road Partners, Inc. (a nonprofit 501c3). This is a NARCOA insured ex - campsites around Hill City. Set-on would be at the Hill City BHCRR yards cursion and all NARCOA rules apply. Hy-rails welcome. For trip details near the engine shops, Oct 1, 2010. So come join us and enjoy the Black or lodging information, contact: Excursion Coordinator Leland Stewart Hills in October! EC for this event is Gus Mocilac, 5155 Bluestem Drive, 10057 Palomino Canyon Converse, TX 78109 (210) 863-5397. Infor - Colorado Springs, CO 80917 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 719- mation about RPI may be found at www.railroadpartners.com 304-1646 December 04, 2010 - PA #orth Shore Railroad: October 02 - 03, 2010 - #J - #ew York Susquehanna & Western Rail - ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS RIDE – Ride the 86 miles RT of the North way, Southern Division Shore Railroad from Northumberland to Berwick and return. This is for - The Volunteer Railroaders Association is pleased to sponsor a 2-day run mer Erie Lackawanna track. As part of the fee for this ride, please bring over the NYS&W Southern Division October 2nd and 3rd, 2010. On Sat - a new, unwrapped toy with you for either a boy or a girl. The Toys for urday the participants will travel approximately 100 round-trip miles be - Tots folks will be on hand to collect the toys. We hope to have good press tween Riverdale, NJ and Warwick, NY. On Sunday we will run coverage for this event. The public will be invited to bring a toy also and approximately 60 round-trip miles between Riverdale, NJ and North to see your motorcars. There will also be prizes for the best Christmas Bergen, NJ. Operators and riders under 18 are not permitted by the rail - theme decorated motorcars. Proof of NARCOA insurance required, all road. Trip fee of $120.00 per car includes railroad costs. Lunch will be on NARCOA rules will be enforced. Registration fee - $55.00. Note: All your own at a sit down restaurant or deli on Saturday, On Sunday we are CPE rides are rain or shine. No cancellations due to weather. Hard soled planning on a deli sandwich lunch for an additional $9.00 per person. ECs shoes required - NO sneakers or sandals. Children must be closely su - for the trip are KC Smith and Chris Vitz. There is a 40 car limit. This is a pervised at all times. Send check to: Central PA Excursions, PO Box 145, NARCOA insured excursion, and all NARCOA rules will apply. This is a White Deer, PA 17887. Questions: (570) 538-9050 or email fire - non-mentoring run. The NYS&W requires that ALL operators must pass [email protected] a Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) guidelines training class and test prior to the event. If you have a current NORAC Excursions Held On A Monthly or Bi-Monthly Basis certification please mail us copies that we can forward to the railroad. A class will be offered Friday night prior to the next day’s trip. To attend the Monthly Excursions thru October 2009 - MI - Sweet Line Railroad, event operators MUST attend the class and pass the test. If you have at - Carson City, Michigan : tended a previous class and have a current NORAC certification you will This is a non-NARCOA excursion on the Sweet Line Railroad that oc - not need to attend. We are sorry for the inconvenience but this is a re - curs every month through October 2009. Dates are June 12 - 14, July 10 The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 25 - 12, August 7 - 9, September 11 - 13 and October 9 - 11. Round trip mileage is 14 miles and as many trips will be held as people want. Motels and campgrounds are within 1/2 mile. Set on will start on Friday night. Suppliers More details are on the Sweet Line website at www.sweetlinerr.org. This is a Non-Narcoa ride and all railroad rules apply. If you are a supplier of motorcar parts, and wish to be included here, please contact [email protected]. o endorsement is made 2010 Season - First and Third weekends of each month - #C - Red of the products, services, or vendors. All listings are for members’ Springs and #orthern Railroad: consideration only, and are at the discretion of the Editor. Railcar Operators of the Carolinas (ROC) invites you to ride 12.5 miles on the Red Springs & Northern Railroad in Red Springs. Located near Atlantic Rail Cars / Warren Riccitelli, warren.riccitelli@veri - Fayetteville, NC and 17 miles west of Lumberton/US 95 on Hwy 211. zon.net 39 Jacksonia Drive, North Providence, RI 02911 phone: NARCOA rules are in effect. Trips are mainly on Saturday, starting in (401) 232-0992 Fax: (401) 231-7073. Brake Shoes, brake liners, Red Springs and going north to Parkton, NC and return. Cost is $25/day and brake parts for most cars. or ROC membership of $90/year. Contact person: Carey Boney - EC, 1605 Powers Road,Wallace, NC 28466. Tel:910-285-7489 or carey - Carey Boney , [email protected] or 1605 Powers [email protected] Road, Wallace, N C 28466 phone (910) 285-7489. Engine & Car - buretor gaskets - RKB Twin engine set. 2010 Season – PA Stewartstown Railroad : Brown Railroad Equipment / Dan Brown, www.brownrr.com. 4 The Northern Central Railcar Association is offering to NARCOA mem - Amersham Court, Glen Carbon, IL 62034. (618) 797-5484. The bers, excursions on the Stewartstown Railroad from New Freedom, Pa. to Stewartstown, Pa. on various dates between February 1, 2009 and Janu - entire remaining Fairmont factory inventory of motorcar parts was ary 31, 2010. Call Dean L. Grote Excursion Coordinator at 717-637-7647 bought by Brown when Fairmont stopped making speeders in the or e-mail [email protected] for details. early 1990’s. Web site has NOS inventory look up by part num - ber. Over 200 cars for sale. 2010 Season - PA - #orthern Central Railroad : Railroad Motor Car Resource Library / Doug Cummins, The Northern Central Railcar Association is offering to NARCOA mem - [email protected] 1146 W. 27th St. Independence, MO bers, excursions on the Northern Central Railroad from New Freedom, PA to York, PA, on various dates between February 1, 2009 through Jan - 64052-3222. Library of rail motorcar manuals, performance uary 31, 2010. Call Dean L. Grote Excursion Coordinator at 717-637- sheets, parts lists, maintenance instructions. 7647 or e-mail [email protected] for details. Tom Falicon [email protected] 1227 Sawmill Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713 ph: 828-488-8063 after six. Fairmont Billet Shift Knobs. #ARCOA does not guarantee, certify or warrant that any Fredericksburg Shops , [email protected] or leskingmo - mechanical equipment, modification, solution or device de - torcars.com or 209 Creamery Rd., Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627, scribed in articles or advertisements in The SETOFF are phone: 330-465-0713 2PM-6PM EST. Newly manufactured safe or suitable for any members’ needs or purposes. Tech - motor car parts and accessories. Many original producers identi - nical articles are provided for members’ consideration only. fied, and their parts are again for sale. Shop also does car repair. Readers are advised to do their own due diligence to deter - Formerly Les King & Company. mine the safety and suitability of any such equipment, modification, solution, or device for their purposes, and Doug Heinmuller , www.dhrc.clco.us P.O. Box 111, 153 Bobbin are advised to seek outside expert advice. B Mill Rd, Lunenburg, VT 05906, phone 802-892-6144. Former ONAN dealer has many Fairmont and ONAN parts. Complete engine & transmission rebuilding. For a detailed list of parts avail - A able, see website. On n A L&S Speeder Repair and Restoration [email protected] t f 17504 438th Ave., Henry, SD 57243 phone (605)532-3470. Cus - h f tom motorcar trailers - will build to your specifications.

g i

i l Dave Myers at: [email protected] or 928-380-7056 MT-19

i l Temporary Axle splint. Fairmont transmission sprockets, and spe -

a

t cial sprockets of interest when re-powering a car with non-Onan

t

o engines. e p S #ewman Machinery , OUT OF BUSINESS. Dudley Newman writes that he still has a few parts left that he is selling on rail - speeders.com, but otherwise he’s out of business. Please, only Yes, we printed another issue with - call him in response to one of those ads. out a “Spotlight On An Affiliate” Tom Phair [email protected] phone (925) 820-4159 Complete line of the David Clark Company Intercom systems and article. It brings us no joy to do so. railroad type Motorola Radios; new double chain sprocket kits, large inventory of NOS Fairmont parts. Some motorcars for sale. Please help by submitting YOUR Motorcar Shipment by Truck , Charlie Lix, Reno, NV. (775) Affiliate for the Spotlight. Thanks! 742-7366. Costs depend on being able to combine several speed - ers, or speeders with other general freight. Page 26 The SETOFF May / June 2010 CHECKING FOR A BENT AXLE - By Wayne Parsons The next time you change a wheel, check that the axle is straight. The way to do this is sand the rust off the hub surface and use a feeler gauge. Turning the hub will reveal if the axle has a bend. Do this on each hub because bends often happen at the ends of the axle when the car gets dropped. After mounting the wheel and tightening down all the bolts, do the same test again to determine the wheel’s “true” and how well it is mounted. Of course, good record keeping for each hub and wheel surface will give you the data for deciding what is a normal vari - ance and what might indicate trouble.

Missing your copy of The SETOFF? Please do not contact the SETOFF Editor about distribution problems. If you did not receive your SETOFF please contact Mark Hudson, Membership Secretary. Only Mark Hud - son has replacement copies, which are sent to him at the same time the mailing goes out. For each edition Mark creates the the mailing address list and sends it to Greg Kightlinger, the printer who mails the hard copies. At the same time, Mark creates the e-mail address list and sends it to Jim Hughes, the e-mail distri - bution volunteer who sends out the emails. Remember, if you have asked to receive The SETOFF electronically you must have a working e-mail ad - dress in order to receive it. You can not have e-mail ‘attachment blocking’ enabled. Check your SPAM folder. If you need to change either your snail mail or your e-mail address, you must notify: Mark Hudson, #ARCOA Secretary & Membership Chairman P.O. Box 321, Dry Ridge, KY 41035. [email protected] It's best to send in a hard copy change by snail mail for all updates. It is your responsi bility to inform the Membership Secretary if your e-mail address changes to insure the timely reception of your e-mail newslet - ter. Keep your snail mail address current. We want you to continue to receive your annual calendar, insur - ance and membership renewal information, as well as other important association mailings which are sent out as hard copy even if you get The SETOFF electronically.

The SETOFF May / June 2010 Page 27 [>narcoa_company_store] Wheel Inspection Tools -The clear plastic wheel profile is necessary to determine if the wheel is flat, thin in the flange area, or has wear between the flange and the flat section of the tread. Use the wheel profile as your first step in diagnosing “hunting” on the rails. Use two of the clear plastic wheel profiles to determine track gauge. The stainless steel caliper is necessary to determine if you have the required 1/8” minimum wheel thickness. One plastic wheel profile is $11 including s/h. Two plastic profiles are $17 including s/h. Stainless steel wheel calipers with laser printing (they’ll outlast your grandson!) are $30 each including s/h. One plastic profile and one stainless steel wheel caliper go for $35 including s/h. Two plastic profiles and one stainless steel wheel caliper caliper are the best combination for $40 including s/h. The new calipers have a bold mark at the 1/8” minimum. Because the new stainless steel calipers are just starting production, the photo at left is of the no longer available old caliper. We’ll get an updated photo in the next edition. Make your check payable to NARCOA, and mail to Warren Riccitelli, 39 Jacksonia Drive, North Providence, RI 02911 E-mail questions to: warren.ric - [email protected]

#ARCOA Lanterns - NARCOA has re - ceived another order of Trainman's lanterns produced by Star Headlight and Lantern. They are model 292 featuring a bright halogen lamp along with a conven - tional bulb. A standard 6 volt lantern bat - Want the Spotlight on tery is required (not included). The body is your Affiliate Club? orange plastic with the NARCOA name, The SETOFF Editor motorcar logo, and "Safety First" im - printed. The lamps are effective for night wants to hear from you! I signaling, and make great presentation would like to have your items for our railroad hosts. Cost is $29.00 Club on this page next Please note: each item is shipped from each plus $5.00 shipping for the first issue! the person in charge of that particular lantern and $1.50 s/h for each additional product. Profits from Company Store lantern per order. Shipping is free on case sales go to ARCOA. lot orders of 12 lanterns. Make your check payable to NARCOA, and mail to Dave Verzi, NARCOA Lantern, 3922 Rocky River Dr. Cleveland, OH. 44111 phone 216.941.5273, [email protected]

Reproduction Fairmont Data Plates - These plates fit on the engine cover. They are correct for late 1930's to late 1960's cars. M9 M14 M19 S2 ST2 A3 A5 59C - maybe others. $6.00 per plate except Membership plate which is $3.00. Include SSAE with one stamp for each plate (Three Plates per enve - lope maximum) to: Richard C. Ray, 5 Hemlock Place, Randolph, NJ 07869 All Profits go to NARCOA - Make checks out to NARCOA. ray_r@rock - etmail.com

Page 28 The SETOFF May / June 2010