Vol. 20 July 2012 No.7

From the iron ore region of Minnesota, across the high plains of Montana, to the Cascade Mountains of Washington, the Great Northern Railway of the 50’s and 60’s will be the subject of Fred Mayer’s program for the July meeting of the Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS.

Shown above is GN 2505, a Class P2 4-8-2, which once pulled the Oriental Limited and the Empire Builder, in 1955 finishing out her life in freight service.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012. 6:00 p.m. Charley’s Restaurant. 707 Graves Mill Rd. Lynchburg, VA Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society Minutes of Meeting June 13, 2012

President Rick Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at Charley’s Restaurant and welcomed 27 members and 5 guests. The May minutes were approved as distributed and then treasurer John Tanner made his report. Rick reported that Chuck Haldik was in the hospital again.

Ed Fielding announced that he and Skip Hansberry would give the VBR program on Sunday at the Massie Mill Ruritan Club for the Nelson County Historical Society and again on Monday at Hull Street Station in Richmond for the Old Dominion Chapter. Ed also asked members to consider helping the Old Dominion Chapter with their Buckingham Branch excursions in the fall; they need manpower. Lee Hawkins spoke briefly about the Manassas trip on August 25. Charlie Long updated members on the N&WHS Annual Meeting in Lynchburg. Skip Hansberry reported that Kenny Kennier told him work would begin on the Amherst Station project shortly and also said that his friend George Hamlin, who has done several programs for the chapter in the past, had just published a new book on trains in the Chicago area. Rick reported that he had received a letter of thanks from the Friends of High Bridge for our letter of support in obtaining a NRHS Rail Heritage Grant.

Lynchburg Rail Day needs 6 and 8 foot tables to fill in and Norris announced that State Parks ranger Bob Flippen will present his High Bridge program at noon for Rail Day. He also announced that fliers are ready to distribute.

There were no reports from officers or committees. Gary Quale reported that the long abandoned N&W rail stands near the Blackwater Creek Nature Trail had been reinstalled and used as a resting bench at trailside.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. and Lloyd Lipscomb won the 50/50 drawing. The program was presented by Steve Hutchison from the Winston-Salem Chapter who showed a selection of Blackhawk slides from his collection..

Tom Ledford, Secretary

Roanoke Chapter, NRHS, sets tentative dates for fall train excursions - ROANOKE, Va. — The Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society has set tentative dates for its fall excursions out of Roanoke. While the chapter has not received final confirmation from either Amtrak or Norfolk Southern to run the trips, it has issued a schedule so passengers can save the dates. On Nov. 10, 2012, plans are to run the excursion train from the former Norfolk & Western passenger station in Roanoke, climb the Christiansburg grade, then travel across the former N&W line via Radford, Pulaski, Rural Retreat, and Wytheville before arrival in Abingdon, VA. The train will continue on to Bristol before returning to Abingdon and Roanoke. Riders will have the option of detraining at Abingdon or to remain on board for the additional ride to Bristol. On Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, the excursion train will operate from Roanoke up the scenic Shenandoah Valley to Shenandoah, VA, and return. The chapter expects to have full information available sometime in mid-summer. To get train information, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to: Amtrak Excursions, Roanoke Chapter NRHS, P.O. Box 13222, Roanoke, VA 24032. To get information by the Internet, send an e-mail with "2012 Amtrak Excursion" in the subject line to [email protected]. Information will also be posted at www.RoanokeNRHS.org.

Blue Ridge Chapter trip reminder! Many of us are travelling to Manassas and back on August 25 on the Lynchburg Regional train to commemorate the anniversary of the second battle of Manassas/Bull Run. There's still plenty of room and the price is right. Call Lee Hawkins for further info: 434-610-2429.

2 Derecho headaches! – The violent windstorm that blew through the Lynchburg area the evening of June 29, an event that meteorologists call a derecho , (see http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm), caused some real headaches for the railroads in the area as well as for the millions of people left without power in a multi-state region across the mid-Atlantic. Your editor was on duty at Kemper Street station the night of the storm. The Lynchburg Regional train, #171, was running about an hour late that evening. Earlier in the afternoon Chapter member Galen Wright had informed me that a big line of storms was entering West Virginia from Ohio. I watched the line advance toward Virginia on the internet wondering which would reach Lynchburg first, the storm or the train. Getting rained upon at train time is always a nuisance. I had forgotten about the storms until I went outside to meet the train when the lightning all around quickly reminded me of their approach. The Regional arrived Lynchburg about 9:30 p.m. I heard the roar of wind in the distance behind the train and saw a grayish cloud approaching, and thought, “Oh no. We’re going to get soaked.” As the passengers were detraining this blast of wind hurtled down the platform north to south, but there was no rain in the wind, just grit. It was very dirty. Almost immediately the power went out all around us, platform lights, street lights, the station… all dark. Lightning was flashing all around and orange glows appeared in the sky. The wind continued to howl and, needless to say, the people getting off the train were starting to get a little concerned. The inside of the station was packed with people seeking shelter when I got back from trainside. Several asked me where the safest place to stand inside the building was in case this turned out to be a tornado. Fortunately, it was not a tornado event, but a lot of damage had been done. If the train had to arrive at the same time the storm did, the timing was perfect. Had the train arrived just a minute or two earlier people would have already been inside the station and it is more than likely some would have been trapped in the elevator when the power went out. Had the train operated a few minutes later it may have been blocked by a fallen tree just outside the station. Ah, yes. Fallen trees. Then there is Train #19. Train #19, the , had just left Charlottesville and was only 20 minutes behind schedule when the storm struck. To make a long story short, there were so many trees across the railroad to be cleared that #19 did not arrive into Lynchburg until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, or 13 hours late. It was a long, dark and warm wait for those who held tickets to ride #19. The two northbound trains Saturday morning, the Regional, #156 and the Crescent, #20, had to hold at Lynchburg until the job of tree trimming north of the city was finished. The Crescent left town 4 ½ hours late, but due to the fact that signals and road crossing gates were out, it lost even more time en route to Washington. The Regional followed the Crescent out of town. In fact, the two trains were combined three miles south of Charlottesville for the remainder of the trip to Washington. Arrival time at Washington was 7:19 p.m.: 10 ½ hours late for the Crescent and 5 ¾ hours late for the Regional. Saturday morning’s departure were rough, for sure, but Saturday evening’s southbound trains were even rougher. It seems the Northeast Corridor suffered damage from the storm mainly between Washington and Philadelphia and had to be shut down for most of Saturday morning causing big initial delays to #147 and #19, followed by delays in the terminal at Washington and delays getting to Lynchburg account of continued signal problems. I understand the Regional train, #147, would have been terminated in Washington and busses substituted had any been available, but with the Fourth of July holiday just around the corner there were none to be had. Saturday’s #147 arrived into Lynchburg (No. Not kidding.) at 2:18 p.m. SUNDAY, almost NINETEEN hours late. Saturday’s #19 got here at 9:46 a.m. Sunday 11 ¾ hours late. Again, it was another dark and hot night at Kemper Street Station. Even darker than Friday night because the batteries for the emergency lighting had played out. But the fun did not stop there. You must understand that Saturday’s #147 is turned at Lynchburg and goes back north the next morning as #156, which is supposed to leave here at 9:59 a.m., but #147 did not arrive until mid-afternoon on Sunday. It was turned and the maintenance contractor went to work cleaning the consist. A fresh crew had to be called to take the train back to Washington. Unfortunately, the Regional’s crews are all based out of Washington, which means a lengthy taxi ride from D.C to Lynchburg first. Finally, at 9 p.m. the crew arrived and after their job briefing and trip preparation Sunday’s #156 left Lynchburg at 10:05 p.m., a shade over 12 hours late. Oh, I forgot to mention. There were passengers who waited ALL DAY Sunday and into Sunday evening for the Regional to leave, some thirty or forty of them. Their patience was admirable. Toward 3 the end of the afternoon pizza and a few drinks were bought for everyone and that softened the tension waiting for departure. One passenger, on his own, went out and got several cases of Gator-aid and bags of ice for the throng. He kindly declined our offer to be reimbursed. To the left is a picture of our late- afternoon pizza party in the waiting room. Things ran a little better Sunday evening. The Regional, #145, arrived at 10:37pm, about two hours late. #19 arrived at 2:30 am, 4 ½ hours late, but most of that was due to waiting in Charlottesville for the crew to sign up for work following their 12 hour rest period. By Monday train operations were almost back to normal. The station itself did not get its power restored until early Tuesday evening. Your Editor’s power was restored late Friday afternoon, almost a week after it failed. How he coped with the outage at home for a few days is related below.

Railfan history made! NS’s “Family Portrait” event at Spencer, NC - “This has exceeded all my expectations.” in effect is what Andy Fletcher had to say about it if front of a crowd of about 1500 sweaty, but appreciative railfans last week. I am talking about the gathering of all of Norfolk Southern’s “heritage” locomotives in one spot that took place July 3 and 4 at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Norfolk Southern, the company announced on March 1 that it would be painting 18 recently-ordered GE and EMD locomotives in paint schemes used by many of the predecessor railroads that ultimately became part of the Norfolk Southern system. After the initial announcement was made NS upped the total to be painted to 20 units. The following railroads were chosen to be represented: Central of Georgia Railway; Central Railroad of New Jersey; Conrail; Delaware, Lackawanna and Western; Erie Railroad; Illinois Terminal Railroad; Interstate Railroad; Lehigh Valley Railroad; New York Central Railroad; New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate Road);Norfolk ; Norfolk & Western Railway; Pennsylvania Railroad; Reading Company; Savannah & Atlanta Railway; Southern Railway; Virginian Railway; Wabash Railroad; Penn Central; Monongahela Railway. Andy Fletcher, mentioned above, is the artist that created the renderings of what old paint schemes on modern motive power might look like. To see company photos of each unit go to this link: http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Community/Heritage%20Locomotives/ Your editor and several other Blue Ridge Chapter members made the trek down to Spencer to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. I rode Amtrak #19 to Salisbury, NC, and was picked up by a friend who was going to attend, too. I saw Rick Johnson-1 and -2 and Bob Leslie there. It was very hot, for sure. Several people required EMS attention account of the heat. At least it was sunny. I was thinking what a mess the whole affair would have been if we had to deal with a tropical storm Debby situation, for example. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending upon your point of view, there were a LOT of people there. The crowd on July 3 was about twice the size of the 4th’s. NS CEO Wick Moorman, Trains Magazine editor Jim Wrinn and NS unit artist Andy Fletcher were scheduled to speak on the 3rd. Maybe that’s why the crowd was larger. It was difficult to get photos of the units without heads or hands in the way, unless you were very persistent. The NS company photographer did not have any trouble with people in the way. A portion of the day he was perched in a cherrypicker some 100 feet above the fray. Follow this link to see what he saw from up there. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=402338&nseq=2 Still, it was pretty satisfying to know that you were being included in railroad/railfan history. As an aside, I must tell you this. Your editor can actually be seen at the event on Norfolk Southern’s website.

4 Go to this link: http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Community/Heritage%20Locomotives/#&panel1-4 See the cop on the Segway scooter under the cab window of the N&W engine? Go two people to the left. See the chap holding the blue bag? That’s yours truly! The flow of the day went something like this. From 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. each unit was moved from its position at the roundhouse, onto the turntable, given a spin around once, and then moved back in place. I had the feeling that I was at a fashion show of sorts with each “model” taking turns on the runway. Following the speeches at 11 a.m. the units were paraded in family groups on a track about ½ mile long adjacent to a hillside from which fans could shoot. By family groups I mean the fallen flags of the three major railroads that became Norfolk Southern, i.e. those that became a part of N&W or Southern or Conrail. Southern and N&W merged on June 1, 1982, to become Norfolk Southern. Conrail was divided up in June, 1999, between NS and CSX. A night photo session was held, too, between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. for those wishing to purchase a ticket for it. Flood lights were set up at various points aimed at the roundhouse to illuminate the engines facing the turntable pit. One astronomical bonus made the night shoot even more interesting. A nearly- full moon rose behind the roundhouse during the shoot making for a great backdrop. Scattered throughout this issue of the BRD are a few shots from that day. To repeat, it was a great day for railfans and Norfolk Southern. THANK YOU, NS and the N.C. Transportation Museum for putting this together!

5 Restored NW SD-45 1776 makes her debut - The Virginia Transportation Museum held a grand event in Roanoke July 7 welcoming back the beautifully restored SD-45 NW 1776 sporting the bi-centennial scheme N&W applied to it in 1974. In addition to the 1776 a cosmetically restored Chesapeake Western Baldwin, #662, rescued from the Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Company thanks to their very fine donation was presented to the public. And if that weren't enough, three of NS's heritage units, the N&W, the Interstate, and the Virginian units, were on display, too. Norris and Peggy Deyerle and several other Chapter members were on hand to savor the event and share a few pictures and thier story with us.

Party Like It’s 1776! By Norris Deyerle My wife Peggy and I attended the dedication ceremonies on Saturday July 7, 2012 at the Virginia Museum Of Transportation in Roanoke, Va. I was there representing the Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS. As many of you know the Blue Ridge Chapter was a contributor towards the painting of the N&W SD45 #1776. One of our BRC members Skip “Groundhog” Hansberry who was also a contributor attended the ceremonies also. Early on, Skip challenged the BRC, NRHS to match his donation before we made our chapter donation. We gladly matched Skip’s. Then we made our chapter donation. Our BRC donation could have not have been possible if it wasn’t for the generosity of our BRC members. The record of our giving along with Skip’s is prominently displayed on a plaque hanging on the side of the locomotive’s walkway for everyone to see. It’s truly something to be proud of. 6 Everyone at the VMT showed us their true Southern Hospitality as always. Bev Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the VMT thanked our chapter members along with others that got the ball rolling. He told me that if groups like ours and other folks had not started the ball rolling that Trains Magazine wouldn’t have stepped in as one the major players. Trains Magazine put the ball in the end zone! Jim Wrinn, Editor of Trains Magazine was there with Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr. to dedicate the locomotive along with other dignitaries. The other locomotive that was dedicated on Saturday was the beautiful Chesapeake Western Baldwin Diesel DS-4-4-600 #662. It was painstakingly cosmetically restored by members of the Roanoke Chapter, NRHS. I had no idea that there ever was a colorful locomotive like this that operated in the State of Virginia! Ha! It was one of the “Lost Engines Of Roanoke” that was a rusted pile of steel before the Roanoke Chapter Members brought her back to life. After all it sat in Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal for decades before it was removed in 2009 and donated to the VMT. Now it will take your breath away! Awesome job folks! It’s truly an accomplishment to be proud of. Both of these beautiful locomotives are an example of what can be accomplished when we all work together. They will both be impressive centerpieces of the VMT for years to come. When you see one of the hardworking employees of the VMT or a Roanoke Chapter member please take time to thank them for their dedication to preserving Virginia’s railroad history. They both are very valuable members of “Virginia’s Rail Heritage Regions Partners”!

Main Line Steam in Roanoke! - The last time steam was seen on the main line in Roanoke was Dec. 7, 1994, when the Class J, #611 arrived into Roanoke for the final time prior to her retirement. The steam drought ended on June 24, 2012, when Southern 2-8-0 #630 arrived into Roanoke following a one-way ferry move from Winston-Salem, NC. The 630 is being used as the star of Norfolk Southern's scaled down steam program to commemorate the company's 30th anniversary. The train set has been making short runs mainly for the benefit of employees, but a few trips have been opened up for the public, especially the ferry moves. Your editor and the Chapter's webmaster and his Mrs. were in Roanoke June 24 following the close of the United Methodist Annual Conference and were able to capture a few images.

7 The 630 was scheduled to make employee round trips between Roanoke and Walton on June 30 and July 1. Bearing issues sidelined the steamer before all the trips could be completed. The ferry move between Roanoke and Bristol, VA July 7 was operated with NS's Savannah & Atlanta heritage unit instead. Work is underway to get the 630 back into service.

Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS 2012 Calendar of Events 54TH Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Chapter A Virginia’s Rail Heritage Region Partner Compiled By Norris Deyerle, Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS Chairman of Virginia’s Rail Heritage Region Partners Newly updated or added events since last month printed in “Bold Italics”. Notice: I urge our friends with the other railway historical groups and museums to take advantage of www.trainfinder.com. There is no cost to promote your train show on this website. It’s simple to add your event to their website and your event approval is fast and efficient. This is a website that will help us all get the word out about our events! July 2012 07-11-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Monthly Meeting, Fred Mayer presentation 07-25-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS “Fun Meeting” August 2012 08-04-12: {Saturday} Virginia Train Collectors, Inc. Charlottesville Summer Train Meet, Holiday Inn Monticello, 1200 5th. Street SW, Charlottesville, Va. 22902, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Admission: $6.00 at Door, {Members $5.00}. Spouses and children under 17 {with adult} admitted free. Contact: Stuart Gordon 804-798-3739. Breakfast and lunch will be available. www.vatraincollectors.com 08-08-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Monthly Meeting, Kurt Reisweber 08-08-12-12: {Wednesday – Sunday} C&OHS Annual Conference. Old Town Alexandria, Va., Info: www.cohs.org 08-11-12: {Saturday} Lynchburg Rail Day 2012, Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Our 34th year! 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Boonsboro Ruritan Club, Lynchburg, Va. Admission: $6.00 Per Person, $10.00 Family Admission, Children 12 & Under Free With Paying Adult. “White Elephant Table” where we will sell your railroad related items for a 20% commission. Our concession stand will be serving doughnuts and coffee during breakfast hours and our freshly prepared “World Famous North Carolina BBQ” will be served during lunch hours. Plan on eating while you shop for some of the best model train and railroad artifacts in the area. The kids both young and old always enjoy our operating model layouts that are set up in the exhibit hall. Also again this year we will have a special show on prototype railroading from Noon till around 1:00 PM. This year we are happy to announce that our special quest presenter will be Bob Flippen with Farmville’s High Bridge Trail State Park. He will present his very popular program on the 1913-1914 construction of N&W’s famous “High Bridge” just east of Farmville, Va. Bob’s program will feature the outstanding photographs of Willis W. Vail, the resident engineer of the project! Please let all of your N&W and Civil War friends and family members know about this outstanding presentation. It’s worth the price of the train show admission alone! Our annual raffle prize will be awarded after our noon show. Door prizes will be given out throughout the show. This is truly a family oriented train show that continues to grow each year. Again, please help spread the word.

8 Vendor Table Prices: 6 Ft. = $25.00 each, 8 Ft. = $33.00 each Rental Vendor Tables are sold on a first paid for basis. Please reserve your Vendor Tables before they’re all sold. Lynchburg Rail Day 2012 Info, White Elephant Table Guidelines and Vendor Registration Forms are available on our website: www.blueridgenrhs.org Need additional assistance? Please contact: Barry Moorefield: [email protected] {434} 821-2174 Norris Deyerle: [email protected] {434} 237-4912 John Tanner: [email protected] {434} 525-1318 Model & Photography Contest Info:Fred Mayer: [email protected] {434} 384-2773 08-25-12: {Saturday} Blue Ridge Chapter Outing, Amtrak’s #156 train ride to Manassas, Va. Departs Lynchburg’s Kemper Street Station at 9:59 AM and arrives in Manassas, Va. at 12:39 PM. Returning on train #147 from Manassas at 4:53 PM arriving back into Lynchburg’s Kemper Street Station at 7:39 PM. The approximate cost will be $44.00 per person. Earlier reservations are recommended to get the best price for the round trip ticket. This will be the 150th. Anniversary of the Second Battle Of Manassas. You may make your reservations by calling Amtrak at 1-800-USA- RAIL, www.amtrak.com or by calling the Lynchburg /Ticket Agent Office at 434-847-8247. The Lynchburg ticket office is closed from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Trip Questions: Call Lee Hawkins at 434-237-2429 or email at [email protected]. This is not a BRC, NRHS chapter sponsored function. It’s simply an outing. The BRC, NRHS or Lee Hawkins is not responsible for any issues that may arise during this outing. The BRC, NRHS or Lee Hawkins is not handling any tickets sales or accepting any money for this trip. September 2012 09-08-12: {Saturday} Sharpsburg, MD Summer Model Train Sale, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM Info: 301-800-9829, [email protected], www.antietamstation.com 09-12-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Monthly Meeting, Norris Deyerle presentation 09-16-12: {Sunday} BRC, NRHS Summer Picnic, English Park, Altavista, Va. 09-26-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS “Fun Meeting” October 2012 10-10-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Monthly Meeting, Kurt Reisweber 10-18-21-12: {Thursday – Saturday} Train Collectors Association “TCA” York Train Meet, York, PA. Info: www.easterntca.org 10-27-28-12: {Saturday & Sunday} The Great Scale Model Train Show, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD. Info: www.gsmts.com November 2012 11-04-12: {Sunday} Railroadiana & Transport Show and Sale, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, MD, Info: www.gserr.com 11-10 & 11-12: {Saturday & Sunday} 2012 Amtrak Excursions From Roanoke, Va. Please verify that these trips will run. The Roanoke Chapter, NRHS is still working out the final details with Amtrak and Norfolk Southern. Info: [email protected] 11-10 & 11-12: {Saturday & Sunday} 24th Annual ’12 Railfest Model Train Show, Pocahontas Chapter, NRHS, Bluefield Youth Center, 1780 Stadium Drive {Next to Mitchell Stadium} Bluefield, WV, Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sun. 12:00 Noon – 5:00 p.m. Admission $5.00 Per Person, $10.00 Per Family, Info: {304} 431-2593 or {304} 327-0026 Mail: Pocahontas Chapter, NRHS, P.O. Box 151, Bluefield, WV 24701 11-14-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Monthly Meeting, Wayland Moore 11-21-12: No November “Fun Meeting” due to Thanksgiving 11-24-12: {Saturday} Sharpsburg, MD Fall Model Train Sale, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Info: 301-800-9829, [email protected], www.antietamstation.com December 2012 12-01-12: {Saturday} BRC, NRHS Annual Christmas Banquet, Altavista, Va. 12-12-12: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Monthly Meeting, Rick-2 Johnson, presentation 12-22-12: {Saturday} BRC, NRHS Kemper Street Station Christmas Gathering Railroad Related Events Information: Visit: www.varailheritage.org, www.vmt.org, www.linkmuseum.org, www.nctrans.org, www.roanokenrhs.org, www.dcnrhs.org, www.odcnrhs.org www.nwhs.org, www.cohs.org, www.thecrhs.org, www.srha.org, www.vatraincollectors.com, www.traincollectors.org, www.klnl.org, www.railroadcollectors.org, www.nhvry.org, www.norfolksouthernhs.org, www.RailServe.com, www.trains.com, www.TrainFinder.com, www.gserr.com or www.wghshow.com Norfolk Southern/TVRM Steam Excursion Website: http://www.21stcenturysteam.com Steam Train Events in the United States and Canada: www.diary.svsfilm.com Steam Locomotive Locations: www.steamlocomotive.com Railroad Historical Information And Related Photos: www.hawkinsrails.net Danville & Western Ry. Website: Railway operated in Southwestern Virginia between Danville and Stuart. http://southern- railway.railfan.net/dw/ Trains & Travel International: www.traintrips.biz Additional links to other NRHS Chapters, Railroad Historical Societies and Museums available at www.blueridgenrhs.org Virginia Museum Of Transportation Rail Cam: http://www.nwhs.org/cam/vmt Roanoke, Va. Rail Cam: http://128.173.197.94:443/RRCmov Lynchburg Rail Day 2012 {Saturday} August 11, 2012

9 Update on Fred Reburn - I just received an update on Fred Reburn's condition from Howard Gregory and it's not very good I'm sorry to say. Fred was badly injured in a lawn mower accident Saturday, June 16 at his home in Lynchburg when the mower he was riding plunged off an approximately six foot high retaining wall landing on him. Howard stated: "Fred has been moved from The Summit back to Lynchburg General Hospital due infection with MRSA! As you know, this is a very serious infection that is resistant to most anti-biotics. Due to the danger to both Fred and any visitors, visits are strongly discouraged. Fred certainly needs our prayers. Will keep you posted if I get further information." I realized after sending out my previous email concerning Fred's condition, that many of you may not know Fred.....but once you meet him, you'll never forget him. He can tell a railroad story like no one else I've ever met! Fred has never been a member of the Blue Ridge Chapter, but has always been a friend of our chapter and a dear friend to many of us "old timers" in it. Fred has attend many BRC meetings, the last being several months ago. As best I know, and this is open to any correction, Fred began his career in 1948 as a brakeman / conductor at Lynchburg on N&W's Island Yard. Island Yard was a little over a mile long with the yard office located in the middle. The only way to get to work on the island was walk in from the west end (the above deck bridge on the west end had a walkway on it) or catch a ride on a eastbound train if one was fortunate enough. C&O's "ND" Cabin was also located at the west end of the bridge protecting it's grade level crossing with the N&W. I'm sure due to the walking distance and the possibility of a C&O train blocking your route, being to work on time was probably difficult. One of Fred's classic stories was getting called to the yard office one day by the trainmaster. According to Fred, the trainmaster said "Fred, I understand you've been coming to work late and leaving early!"...... Fred's response was "Well...... you don't want me to be late for both of them do you?"...... Classic Fred!!!! I met Fred in the mid 1970's at N&W's Kinney Yard where Lynchburg yard operations moved to after Island Yard closed. As a teenager, Fred always shared his stories and railroad experiences with me when switching time permitted and always let me know when the railroad bulls or "higher ups" were around so I could disappear from the "property". In later years, Island Yard still had a couple of tracks for storage and scale house and the old main line was still used for the Kinney yard job to work the few businesses that remained east of Island. On September 12 1979, one such trip across the island was being made to work the Lynchburg Training School & Hospital siding at "Leptic". The eastbound run was uneventful. The same could not be said for the return westbound run. As the yard job trundled west back down the island towards the Lynchburg side of the James River and Kinney Yard....a Tree-of-Heaven (almost rightly so named) aka: Paradise Tree, fell as the locomotive was passing below. Fred was riding outside on the locomotive's front steps as the train and Fred went head long into the tree. Fred took more of a beating than the locomotive did with a branch of the tree impaling and breaking off in his upper chest. After stopping, the crew laid Fred on the front platform of the locomotive with Paradise tree intact and proceeded west towards the bridge, "ND" Cabin and a waiting ambulance on the Lynchburg side. Their train's arrival at "ND" Cabin found the crossing blocked with a C&O train...... the waiting ambulance was on the opposite side. Contact and permission with the C&O was made and Fred, with tree, was passed under the C&O train for his ride to the hospital. Fred was conscious the entire time and upon arriving at the hospital, the doctor that drew the short straw for the removal process asked Fred if he could photograph the stick protruding from Fred's chest. "Sure!" said Fred "As long as you give me a print of it!"...... and a print he got....along with the stick...... both of which he will gladly show you as he tells the story!!! Fred retired from the N&W after his near fatal accident...... but the accident in no way retired his love and/or interest in railroading in general....and the N&W in particular! In 1985 Fred began building beautiful hand-crafted models of N&W steam locomotives and cabooses (39 as of March 2010) using various types wood. Many of his models have been, and are presently, on display at The Depot Grille at Lynchburg's Riverfront. To the left is Fred with some of his models. Photo courtesy the News & Advance Fred is tough-as-nails and is a fighter, and I, along with all of his Blue Ridge Chapter friends, wish him and Ernestine, his wife, to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time...... and I hope and pray that I can hear Fred tell the "Lawn Mower" story one day soon!

-Rick 10 11 CHAPTER OFFICERS AND STAFF

President Rick Johnson, 104 Mowry Ln. Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-660-1113 [email protected] Vice President Charlie Long, 106 Pacos St., Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-239-3521 [email protected] Secretary Tom Ledford, 2186 Woodcrest Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24503 434-384-2013 [email protected] Treasurer John Tanner, 209 Pocahontas Dr., Forest, VA 24551-1235 434-525-1318 flytrains@ verizon.net National Director Earl Guthrow 1909 Quarry Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24503 434-384-2583 [email protected] Editor Garland R. Harper, 3920 Harbor St. Lynchburg, VA 24503 434-384-7210 [email protected] Historian Rick Johnson, 104 Mowry Ln. Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-660-1113 [email protected] Webmaster John Siegle 1225 Krise Cir. Lynchburg, VA 24503 434-384-6951 [email protected] BRC Chairman. VA Rail E. Norris Deyerle, Jr. 744 Chinook Pl., Lynchburg, VA 24502 Heritage Region Partners 434-237-4912 [email protected]

The BLUE RIDGE DISPATCHER is published by the Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. Opinions expressed are those of the editor and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Blue Ridge Chapter or the National Railway Historical Society unless otherwise stated.

Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS P. O. Box 11731 Lynchburg, VA 24506-1731 www.blueridgenrhs.org

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