The Semaphore
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The Semaphore Newsletter of the Rochester NY Chapter, NRHS April 2006 P.O. Box 23326, Rochester, NY 14692-3326; Published Monthly Volume 48, No. 8 Program for Apr. 20: The restoration of the Plymouth "critter" advances! South Buffalo Railway by Stephen M. Koenig Mr. Koenig has written a book on this road's history entitled:"South Buf- falo Railway". The road was con- structed to serve the new Lackawanna Steel plant in 1903; and later its successor, Bethlehem Steel. With de- mise of the steel production in 1983, it continued to serve coke plants and other industries. In 2001, Genesee and Wyoming Industries purchased the railroad. His talk will be illustrated and we will see both steam and diesel operations. Future Programs May 18: RR Museums at Elkart & The Plymouth "Critter" gets its rebuilt power plant re-installed. Too bad this photo is not in Cumberland, by Irene Szabo. color: a black engine resting in a bright yellow chassis! The "disk" on the end will soon mate with a wheel that moves back and forth on a shaft which is connected to the wheels. The ALSO Elections . transversal movement of this wheel will control both speed and direction of the "critter" June 11: Annual Banquet, Newport Additional information Page 3 under Motive Power Report. [Photo by John Redden] House June 15, July 20 and August 17: All Candidates for May Chapter's Pennsy hopper meetings and activities are at the model now available! Industry location. Election by Lynn Heintz Sept. 21: Nickel Plate Diesels, by Bill John Stewart, Nominating Com. Chair As of April 9, the Chapter will have Quick President: Jeremy Tuke available a custom decorated HO-scale Oct. 16: Photos of the LV and EL, by Vice President: Bob Achilles Bowser hopper car. It is an H21g Ken Kramer Treasurer: Don Wawrzyniak Pennsylvania 4-bay hopper that is let- Nov. 16: American Orient Express Ltd, Recording Secretary: Dave Peet tered as our car was when it came from byk Bob Achilles Corresponding Secretary: Chris Hauf the rebuild program shop in the early Dec. 21: Depots in New York State, by National Director: Bob Miner 1960s. John Stewart and Charles Woolever Trustees: The model sells for $15 and that includes tax. This fund-raiser will raise Mike Roque' money that will be used to repaint the Chapter Library car. The models will be available 11 May Street, Webster (by OMID Tracks) Mike Dow starting at the Batavia train show and at NOTE: We're back to Summer hours!! all Chapter Store dates. Hours: 7:00 to 9:00 PM Dave Luca [Ed. This project was undertaken by Monday, April 24, 2006 Lynn Heintz.] Library Phone: 872-4641 Harold Russell =====$13,600> Capital Fund Drive Campaign $72,000! ######################################################################## Page 2 April 2006 The Semaphore Membership Report Track Car Training Schedule for 2006 (Updated: 4/6/2006) Jessica Stallone, Membership Chair All training is at NYMT, 6393 East River Road 585-350-9306; [email protected] Date Type Operators Time Three members have been voted in 22-Apr Classroom Experienced and New 9-10 AM during recent Chapter Meetings: Samuel J. Swisher Hands-on Experienced A>H* 9-12 AM 1020 Garson Ave. Hands-on Experienced I>M* 1-4 PM Rochester, NY 14609 29-Apr Hands-on Experienced N>S* 9-12 AM 585-201-0050 Hands-on Experienced T>Z* 1-4 PM Sam, a CSX conductor in Rochester, has 6-May Hands-on New by appointment been volunteering at both the NYMT and the 7-May Classroom Experienced and New 9-10 AM R&GVRM for several years. He has helped Hands-on, make-up Experienced, A>Z* 9-12 AM out with countless projects and continues to be a very active volunteer. Sam is interested 13-May Hands-on New by appointment in every aspect of the organization. 20-May Hands-on, make-up New by appointment Luther Brefo * Initial refers to the first letter of the student's last name. 1971 Nathaniel Rochester Hall Rochester, NY 14623 646-241-5294 Depot Guides Luther, an RIT student and member of by Dave Peet Bon Voyage - Randy the RIT Model Railroad Club, has been Once again we will need volunteers to by Rand Warner coming to the chapter meetings for several work as Depot Guides at Industry. Bon Voyage to Randy Bogucki, our months now. He has volunteered at the Sundays: May 21 thru October 29 hardworking, multi-talented and very conge- R&GVRM during the last few months. He is Saturdays: July 15 thru August 19 nial Track Superintendent. Randy has moved interested in every aspect of the organization. Weekdays: for group tours to a new job in the State of New Hampshire. William & Gail Carr If you are available to help with this, Under Randy’s watchful eyes, many 7670 Stone Hill Rd. please contact Dave Peet to get on the MANY new ties and switch timbers were Lima, NY 14485 schedule! Call me at 586-8964 days or installed, new and relay ties and switch 585-624-9034; [email protected] timbers were procured, specialized track evenings, OR email to davepeet97@frontier William is an avid modeler railroader and maintenance-of-way equipment was net.net. has a fantastic model of Selkirk yard, part of designed, built and put into operation, new We will have a voluntary training session which he brought to the RIT Train Show volunteers were recruited and organized, and Sat. May 20 at 10 AM and Sun. May 21 at recently. He is interested in Rolling s[tock many emergencies were quickly and compe- 10 AM at Industry. restoration, Trips, Museum operation; and tently responded to. Under Randy’s Track car operations. He is a computer Additional session will be scheduled if vigilance, several broken joint bars were specialist and also knowledgeable in model needed! detected and replaced, and other track and railroad electronics. Thank you to all the members who switch hardware issues were identified and worked on this last year — I hope we can resolved. Welcome to these new members! Address correction: Add Apt 4 to address for count on you in 2006! We all wish Randy the very best in his David A. Falk new position, and we really appreciate all his 2006 Special Events great work for R&GVRM and NYMT - ***** May 21 (Sun.): Joint Operation Opening wearing all his many hats. Chapter & National dues Weekend We will really look forward to seeing you Regular: $42.00 June 18 (Sun.): "Caboose Day" Family member: $11.00 (for two) July 15 - Aug 20 Saturday hours; The Museum Education Assistant Each additional family member: $4.00 museums are open both Saturday and Sun- Local member: $20.00 (Primary day from 11 AM - 5 PM. Desired A volunteer position for a self-starter to membership in another Chapter) July 15-16 (Sat & Sun): Trolley Rides Subscription to The Semaphore: $12 begin; "Rochester Subway Anniversary develop co-curricular educational materials Celebration" for school groups and youth groups visiting Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Remember to Reserve Sunday, August 19-20 (Sat. & Sun.): "Diesel Museum. Ideal for a retired history or Days" June 11! science teacher. Need not be a railfan but This year's Chapter Banquet will be held Oct 29 (Sun.): Last day of Joint must be interested in helping young people on Sunday, June 11, 2006 at the Newport Operations. Track car rides end. R&GV RR understand the world around them. Contact House (500 Newport Road, Rochester, NY), Museum closes for the season. NYMT one of the Mangers on Page 3. museum remains open from November starting around 6 PM. There will be a cash Wiith the opening of the two museums, it through April at reduced admission rate. bar, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert. More would promote the Chapter's purpose. details are to come. The Semaphore April 2006 Page 3 Managers: Railroad: (Motive, Rolling stock, MOW, ROW) Chris Hauf: 381-8583; [email protected] Infrastructure: (Buildings, grounds, shops, construction, communications, signals & power, heavy equipment) Dave Luca: 288-0318; [email protected] Steam: Work has continued on the Vulcan 0-4-0T number 12. We re- moved the front pilot pilot beam and associated hardware, the smoke box door and the old air reservoir, with assistance from Art Mummery on the Motive Power Report Austin-Western crane. This will allow by John Redden us to continue the cosmetic restoration General: Our Motive Power Volunteers of the 12 for display outdoors. had a very productive month. We have Thanks to: All of our Motive achieved a significant milestone that is the Power Volunteers, and also to Kevin result of many hours of dedicated work. Klees, Ron Amberger, and Norm Plymouth Gasoline Locomotive Our Shaddick for their input to this article. Plymouth had its fully-rebuilt Buda FRH The Buda FBH prime mover (on the gasoline engine re-installed this month. This right) awaits installation in the frame of the work was completed after a great deal of Plymouth model BL locomotive (on the left), restoration work, both on the locomotive and while Art Mummery prepares to make the the engine itself. lift with the Austin Western crane (left All of the work on the axles and thrust background). [John Redden photo and bearings has been completed. Four new bronze thrust bearings have been installed, Work has continued on the engineer’s and the locomotive has been lowered back seat. The frame has been completed, the down onto its axles. New axle bearing work on the foam cushion and vinyl uphol- retainers were fabricated and applied to the stery has been started.