Upcoming Wb&A Events

July 2, 2015 Dear All: I hope your 4th of July is filled with much happiness and splendor and, however, you spend it I wish you all the very best as we pay tribute to this great country we live in. Happy Birthday America!

I always try to provide you the most accurate and true information, thank you to Dan Rollyson for the attached information clearing up a few misconceptions regarding the Fire Up 611 project.

As a reminder, the eblasts and attachments will be placed on the WB&A website under the “About” tab for your viewing/sharing pleasure http://www.wbachapter.org/2015%20eblasts.htm along with the WB&A Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wba.chaptertca.

The attachments are contained in the one PDF attached to this email in an effort to streamline the sending of this email and to ensure the attachments are able to be received. Click on the Ribbon on the Left and you will see an “index” of the documents and you can click on them to go to them. If you need a PDF viewer to read the document which can be downloaded free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrviewer/acrvdnld.html. To retain a copy you may want to save the file to a folder different from your temporary files (downloading and use is in your discretion).

UPCOMING WB&A EVENTS July 19, 2015 ‐ As a reminder our next “How To” Session will be on scenery at Toy Trains & Collectibles in Manassas, VA! Contact Nada [email protected] if you’d like more information or would like to present on this subject. July 19th,, WB&A “How To” Session ‐ Toy Trains & Collectibles in Manassas, VA Courtesy of Carol McGinnis: Scenery Workshop – Build A Home ‐‐ Buildings make a layout come to life, and can insert a conversation piece to your entertaining. Add a favorite architecture style, a dream home, or a home from your past. Colonial, Ranch, A‐frame, Cape Cod, Train Station and others are all styles that can be found in the current marketplace or the secondary craft or train meet market. Construction techniques depend on the model, the manufacturer, and the endurance of the modeler. Learn techniques, materials, and supplies needed to build your own. October 31, 2015 – WB&A Vienna VFD Train Show, contact Dan Danielson [email protected] or David Eadie [email protected] November 7, 2015 ‐ WB&A Members Only Semi‐ Annual General Membership/Swap Meet from 9‐1 p.m. at Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8 West Overlea Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206, contact Paul Pullen [email protected] for more information (swap meet tables will be available on a first come first serve basis).

TWO yes TWO 2015 WB&A Drawing Items

Drawings to be held January 2016 If interested in either or both, the tickets will be at the May 9th VTC/WB&A Train Show, the June 7 and November 7 General Membership Meeting, and the October 31 Vienna Train Show. You can also send your check to Glenn MacKinnon and he will send you back your ticket(s). Please send your request to: 6908 Trillium Lane, Springfield, VA 22152 1. Premier Set 20‐3574‐1 4‐8‐4 J Class Norfolk & Western Passenger Set: MSRP $1,349.95. (1 Ticket for $5 or 6 for $25). 2. Standard Gauge Set ‐ NO BOXES #38 Locomotive, #112 Gondola, #113 Cattle Car; #116 Ballast Car and #117 Caboose; All Lionel with TCA Stickers for the Restoration Work; APPROX. VALUE $300. (1 Ticket for $5 or 6 for $20).

WB&A MEMBERSHIP Please click on the link and forward your dues to Dave Eadie. It’s never too early to pay and if you pay your 2016 dues (yup 2016), you’ll be eligible for the end of the year gift certificate for $100! (http://www.wbachapter.org/wbna%20stuff/wba_ap plication_2014.pdf)

WEBSITES/LINKS OF INTEREST/THINGS TO DO/BOOKS

Newsletters courtesy of Norris Deyerle: Trainmaster; HighGreen; Turntable Times;

The Railway Mail Service Library has prepared a presentation regarding researching Railway Post Office distribution en route between 1864 and 1977. NRHS Chapters are periodically seeking programs and are welcome to use the presentation slides available at these web links, which are guaranteed to be spamware‐free: http://www.railwaymailservicelibrary.org/articles/R MSCHED2.pdf and/or http://www.railwaymailservicelibrary.org/articles/R MSCHED2.ppt Both are the same presentation; the Adobe Acrobat file is saved as "Notes Pages" for recipients who cannot open a PowerPoint file. Microsoft offers a free PowerPoint viewer for the RMSSCHED2.ppt file. If anyone has questions, please contact me. Best wishes, Dr. Frank R. Scheer, Curator Railway Mail Service Library, Inc. [email protected] (202) 268‐4996 ‐ weekday office (540) 837‐9090 ‐ Saturday afternoon In the 1913 former N&W Railway depot along Clarke County route 723

117 East Main Street Boyce, VA 22620‐9369 USA

J‐611 photos courtesy of John Zampino, we never get tired of seeing them!

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Caboose 2 Hearing Home – shared with us by Ed Fielding (see attached writing)

C&O Historical Society Newsletter – June 25, 2015 http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca= e2ad0297‐dd6b‐42b6‐9672‐ 492a157f8cb7&c=84f4aef0‐5403‐11e3‐ba28‐ d4ae5284344f&ch=857613f0‐5403‐11e3‐ba7d‐ d4ae5284344f

4501 in Bristol on June 26 ‐ Courtesy of Brian Crosier (see attached 5 photos)

See Mike Pierry's photo of the excursion train at Bristol station (attached) also see: http://nwhs.org/mailinglist/2015/20150625.IMG_09 69.JPG and http://nwhs.org/mailinglist/2015/20150625.IMG_09 66.JPG

NRHS member Lee Hawkins shot this photo of "Southern Comfort ‐ Roanoke, Va." while on vacation recently. If anyone knows the heritage and current details of this coach please let Norris Deyerle at [email protected] know (attached)

Lionel N&W Pocahontas Set w/4‐8‐4 J‐Class #611 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuUPl_Isjw

Let us show our support by getting a table and/or being a patron at Piedmont Railroaders July 11 train show (see attached)

Happy 4th of July – Stars and Stripes Celebration ‐ http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca= 0d3c52c9‐ff3d‐4afb‐bad4‐9736c6a10f41&c=84f4aef0‐ 5403‐11e3‐ba28‐d4ae5284344f&ch=857613f0‐5403‐ 11e3‐ba7d‐d4ae5284344f

Southern Railway N&W Steam Chattanooga 1991 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMSzUrQ_MJg

Courtesy of Trains – Norfolk & Western business car restoration underway: http://trn.trains.com/news/news‐ wire/2015/06/norfolk‐‐western‐business‐car‐ restoration‐

6 underway?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_mediu m=email&utm_campaign=TRN_News_Sub_150629_Fin al&utm_content=

Model Railroading: High Bridge Railroad Club, Farmville, Va. Info: www.sites.google.com/site/hbrrclub

Modern Day Railroading: Norfolk Southern and CSX Locomotives – The Diesel Shop, NS and CSX Loco rosters with professional quality photographs. The NS site includes NS Heritage locomotives. http://www.thedieselshop.us/NS.HTML & http://www.thedieselshop.us/CSX.HTML

“Fallen Flag” railroad of local interest: Franklin & Pittsylvania Railroad, The old “fast and perfect” railroad that ran between Gretna and Rocky Mount, Va.: http://www.fandprailroad.org

Locomotive Search Tool And Railroad Photos Link: www.railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net

Railroad Related Events Information: Visit: www.varailheritage.org, www.vmt.org, www.linkmuseum.org, www.nctrans.org, www.RoanokeNRHS.org,

7 http://nrhsrivanna.blogspot.com, www.dcnrhs.org, www.odcnrhs.org www.nwhs.org, www.cohs.org, www.csxthsociety.org, www.thecrhs.org, www.theruralretreatdepot.com, www.srha.org, www.rfandp.org www.vatraincollectors.com, www.traincollectors.org, www.railroadcollectors.org, www.nhvry.org, www.norfolksouthernhs.org, www.RailServe.com, www.gsmr.com, www.trains.com, www.TrainFinder.com, www.gserr.com, www.wghshow.com, www.drpt.virginia.gov, www.crewerailroadmuseum.org

Norfolk Southern/TVRM Steam Excursion Website: http://www.21stcenturysteam.com OR http://www.tvrail.com/pages/21st‐century‐steam

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

Railroad Photos: www.railsinvirginia.com, www.railfirephotography.com

Key Lock & Lantern Railroad History and Preservation Organization, www.klnl.org

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

EXTRA EXTRA READ ABOUT IT AND LET US KNOW Dave Eadie would like to know, would you be interested in a Club trip on the famous N&W #611? If so, Dave would like to hear from you, so please email him at [email protected].

If you are interested in working on the WB&A website, please let me know at [email protected].

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS (please send me items to include on the calendar) – if you like to see some other dates from around the country, check out: 1. Check out: http://modelshopsusa.com/ (one of the places we’re promoting the Annapolis and VTC/WB&A Train shows). Contact Adrian Hall with any questions that you may have at: [email protected] 2. Check out trains.com calendar of events at: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=list&type =1&cat= 3. 2015 Schedule for Trackers can be found at: www.nattrackers.org 4. Atlantic Coast "S" Gaugers ‐ keep up with what is happening with all of the clubs at http://www.trainweb.org/acsg/ 5. 2015 Schedule for World’s Greatest Hobby can be found at: http://www.wghshow.com/index.html

6. 2015 Schedule for Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show can be found at: http://www.greenbergshows.com/schedule.html 7. Link for various train shows can be found at: http://www.greattrainexpo.com/ and http://trainshowinc.com and also http://www.modeltrainshows.com/ http://www.railserve.com/events/railfan_excursi ons.html http://www.nctrans.org/Events.aspx 8. July 11, 2015 – Piedmont Railroaders First Annual Christmas in July Train Show from 10‐4 at Highland School, 59 Broadview Ave., Warrenton, VA www.trainweb.org/piedmontrr or Bill Abel at 540‐752‐2916 or Ed Guest at [email protected] 9. July 13, 2015 – Packard Club Day at NTTM, contact Bob Lubonski for more information [email protected] 10. July 18, 2015 ‐ Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Open House in Vienna, VA from 1‐5 p.m. www.nvmr.org 11. July 20‐26, 2015 – 12th Annual WNC Roundup http://wncrocks.proboards.com/#ixzz3Jd1YzWs H 12. July 26, 2015 ‐ 9‐1 p.m. Summer Hamburg Dutch Train Meet at the Hamburg Fire Co, File House – Pine Street, Hamburg, PA

13. August 1, 2015 – VTC Charlottesville Summer Train Show at the Charlottesville Elk’s Lodge 389 visit www.vatraincolletors.com 14. August 8, 2015 – Lynchburg Rail Day 2015 contact: Barry Moorefield, [email protected] or Norris Deyerle, [email protected], website www.blueridgenrhs.org. 15. September 7, 2015 – 16th Annual Clifton Labor Day Car Show http://www.labordaycarshow.org/ 16. September 12, 2015 – Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Open House in Vienna, VA from 1‐5 p.m. www.nvmr.org 17. September 12, 2015 Hagerstown Model RR Museum, Inc. Trainfest Summer 2015 Model Train sale re: railroading and model railroading at Washington County AG Center 7313 Sharpesburg Pike 9‐2 p.m. contact info: Email: [email protected]; Phone: 301‐800‐9829; Web Site: www.antietamstation.com 18. September 12, 2015 ‐ Venice, FL, Southern Division TCA Meet Host Tim Evert Email ‐ [email protected] www.tcasoutherndivision.org 19. September 13, 2015 – 9‐1 p.m. Summer Hamburg Dutch Train Meet at the Hamburg Fire Co, File House – Pine Street, Hamburg, PA 20. September 18‐20, 2015 – ATRRM Fall Conference in Union, IL visit www.atrrm.org

21. September 20, 2015 ‐ Gilbertsville Train Show at the Gilbertsville Fire Hall, 1454 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Gilbertsville, PA 19525 22. September 27, 2015 ‐ Arbutus Shows from 9‐1 23. October 2‐4, 2015 – The Race of Gentlemen: http://www.theraceofgentlemen.com/index.html 24. October 4, 2015 ‐ New Hope – Solebury Township Train Show and Sale New Hope‐Eagle Fire Company 46 North Sugan Road New Hope, PA 18938 $5.00pp Admission, Children under 12 free 25. October 17, 2015 – Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Open House in Vienna, VA from 1‐5 p.m. www.nvmr.org 26. October 24‐25, 2015 – The Great Scale Model Train Show Makin’ Tracks! Cow Palace – Times Sat. 9‐5/Sun. 10‐4 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093 http://gsmts.com/ 27. October 31, 2015 – WB&A Vienna VFD Train Show, contact Dan Danielson [email protected] or David Eadie [email protected] 28. November 7, 2015 ‐ WB&A Members Only Semi‐ Annual General Membership/Swap Meet from 9‐1 p.m. at Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8 West Overlea Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206, contact Paul Pullen [email protected] for more

information (swap meet tables will be available on a first come first serve basis). 29. November 14, 2015 – Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Open House in Vienna, VA from 1‐5 p.m. www.nvmr.org 30. November 21, 2015 ‐ Jacksonville FL, Southern Division TCA Meet Host Chuck Bryner Email [email protected] www.tcasoutherndivision.org 31. November 28, 2015 ‐ Hagerstown Model RR Museum, Inc. Trainfest Winter 2015 Model Train sale re: railroading and model railroading at Washington County AG Center 7313 Sharpesburg Pike 9‐2 p.m. contact info: Email: [email protected]; Phone: 301‐800‐9829; Web Site: www.antietamstation.com 32. November 30, 2015 – Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Open House in Vienna, VA from 1‐5 p.m. www.nvmr.org 33. December 12, 2015 – Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Open House in Vienna, VA from 1‐5 p.m. www.nvmr.org 34. December 13, 2015 – Earleigh Heights Shows 9‐2 35. December 19, 2015 ‐ Arbutus Shows from 9‐1

As always, if you prefer not to receive these emails, please let me know.

All my best, Colleen

As a reminder to all, I gather my information from all sources, lots of it comes from the membership who includes me on their emails. I respect everyone’s intellectual property rights and do my upmost best not to infringe on anyone’s and to give credit when I am aware of whom to give the credit to. This eblast is an informational newsletter and my intent is to share with you information you may find of use or interest.

The Official Newsletter of the Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.

Volume 47, Number 2 April-May-June 2015 Meeting Notice The Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, July 16. The meeting will be held in the auditorium at the O. Winston Link Museum at 7:30 pm. Please be sure to enter at the west end of the building on the track level. The August meeting will be held Thursday, August 20. Throughout the year, please note our inclement weather policy below, and always check the website for the most up to date infor- Volume 47, Number 2 mation. April-May-June 2015 From The Head End Cards and Flowers EDITOR: If you know of a Chapter Member who is sick, lost a loved one Jim Overholser or has a new birth in the family, please contact Bonnie Molinary. [email protected] Bonnie is responsible for Chapter cards and flowers and can be reached at 362-0273. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Dorr Tucker Deadline for Turntable Times [email protected] The deadline for the next issue of Turntable Times is Friday, August 7, 2015. Please send articles, information and exchange MIXED FREIGHT newsletters to: Editor Turntable Times, P.O. Box 13222, Roanoke, Robin R. Shavers VA, 24032. All parties sending newsletters to the Roanoke Chapter [email protected] via email should send them to Jim Overholser: jgoverholser@ verizon.net, Dorr Tucker at [email protected] and Ken Miller at PUBLISHER/HISTORIAN [email protected] Kenneth L. Miller [email protected] Meeting Cancellation Policy Any Chapter meeting will be considered cancelled if any of the following conditions are due to weather: Roanoke City Schools are All materials should be closed on the day of or for the day after the meeting, or Virginia sent directly to the Editors Western night classes are cancelled for the night of a meeting. at their email address listed with their names. Cover Photo Turntable Times is published Back in steam, and on N&W rails! 611 is shown arriving at quarterly as the newsletter of Woodall Road on N&W Rails, 1:44 pm, Saturday, May 30, 2015. the Roanoke Chapter, National Only 65 years and a day after she rolled out of Roanoke Shops and Railway Historical Society, Inc. Opinions and points of view posed for the company photographers. Looking mighty fine as she expressed herein are those of the is reborn, yet again. Photo by Kenneth L. Miller staff members or contributors of the Turntable Times and do not necessarily reflect those of the members, officers or directors of For current information on the FIRE UP 611! campaign, the Chapter. see www.FireUp611.org 1 From The Editor TN, June 27. This 1911-built engine kicked off the Southern steam program 50 years s this is written, in mid-June, the first ago. See www.tvrail.com for more informa- excursion trips of the great 611 have A tion. been completed and we await the July 3, 4, Former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-2 No. 765 and 5 half-day excursions from the Star City. is also powering NS 21st Century Steam Roanoke Chapter is heavily involved in staff- Program excursions this summer. See the Ft. ing these trips for VMT. Consider helping Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s website out if you can. It’s a lot of work but fun, too. for more information – www.fortwaynerail- All of us should be thankful that Norfolk road.org. Southern through the 21st Century Steam program has enabled the return of 611 Member Update to service after almost 21 years of being By Bonnie Molinary “stuffed and mounted.” NS gave the go- Louis Newton is continuing rehab after a ahead with the project, agreeing to host fall and hopes to do outings soon. Joe Fagan trips on its mainlines, and made a very large has actually improved, and has been in a financial donation that really got the ball long-term care facility for about a month rolling on the restoration. Wick Moorman in Charlottesville. The address is UVA is the man responsible for this. Thanks to Transitional Care Hospital, 2965 Ivy Road, all those involved in the restoration work at Charlottesville, VA 22903. Carol Jensen has Spencer, and while he is no longer directly had surgery on her broken shoulder, and involved in the Fireup611! Project, special thanked us for the flowers sent. Michael thanks to Chapter member Preston Claytor Preston’s mother passed away in late April; for his direction and guidance. Also, Chapter our condolences to him and his family. director Gary Gray is in charge of the 611 excursions for VMT. 611 Excursions The return to Roanoke of the N&W 2-8- Roanoke Chapter is helping to staff the 8-2 Class Y-6a No. 2156 is also because of VMT’s 611 excursions July 3, 4, and 5. Wick Moorman. After years of efforts by Volunteers are needed as coach hosts and many people to have the 2156 come to other jobs. If you can help please contact Roanoke from the St. Louis Museum of Paul V. Howell (First Class) or Lewis Foster. Transportation, Wick presented them with an offer they couldn’t refuse. He had NS 611 Coming Home paint the museum’s 1939 demonstrator FT-A 103 cab unit, painted and loaned the VMT’s By Lewis Foster FT B unit, and had NS paint the St Louis n May 30th, 2015, an event that museum’s Union Pacific Centennial diesel OChapter members have been waiting unit. 2156 is on a five-year loan to VMT – for since 1994 occurred. The 611 returned hopefully it will become permanent. to Roanoke, VA under her own power, fol- Former Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. lowing her first long-distance mainline trip 4501, owned by Tennessee Valley Railway in more than 20 years. Several members Museum, returns to the area with excur- of the Chapter had the opportunity to ride sions from Bristol (with diesel assist) to along from Spencer, NC back to Roanoke, VA Radford June 26 and 28 and to Bulls Gap, via the Southern to Lynchburg and the N&W over Blue Ridge.

2 611 steams around the leg of the wye at Woodall Road in Lynchburg while Chapter members watch. Skip Salmon photo

We arrived (by various means) in Spencer, The crowds along the line started out NC on the afternoon of Friday the 29th. impressive and only got larger as we headed Several of us took the opportunity to go to north. There were a number of people the North Carolina Transportation Museum who had camped out the previous night at and visit the 611 on her birthday. She was the bridge over the Yadkin River. Passing sitting on the track in front of the museum through Greensboro, and again at Danville, with the excursion train, steaming quietly there were quite a few people waiting at and looking wonderful in new paint. There the station. Once we got past Lynchburg the were quite a few onlookers, as well as crew number of onlookers easily exceeded the members who were preparing for the next local population and it was exciting to see day’s trip. the enthusiasm that was on display. Early the next morning, we arrived at As the 611 begins her 3rd career and NCTM to board the train. It was a chance to returns to excursion service, Chapter mem- catch up with many people that hadn’t seen bers, rail fans, and citizens of Roanoke are each other in years. After boarding, the train excited to take part again in the great spec- pulled out of the yard and onto the main tacle of steam rail travel. We extend our just before 8 am. thanks to everyone who had a hand in her 3 restoration and return to service, and hope thought we’d ever be doing that almost 33 to see you on the train or trackside for years years later? I certainly didn’t. to come. This ride was obviously old hat to some; however, my wife, Beth, had never ridden 611 Coming Home, part 2 anything but a commuter train and the By Ken Miller Strasburg Railroad in her life. So, this was o add to Lewis’ story, Chapter mem- her first train trip behind big steam and on a Tbers had the opportunity to ride back mainline. She found the navigation through from Lynchburg to Roanoke via a Chapter the coaches to be a bit challenging with the bus trip. This was organized rather quickly, rolling and bouncing along. with President Jeff Sanders arranging for Everywhere along the way, as Lewis transportation, and Carl and Carol Jensen mentioned, people were in every nook and handling the ticketing. This was a rare cranny. The traffic was amazing, and people opportunity to ride behind 611 on her were all along the way. It made me think of maiden voyage back to Roanoke. Only 50 what I had read and seen on the introduc- members and family responded to the trip. tion of the Class J in October 1941 when We left Roanoke at 10:00 am exactly on the N&W paraded it across the system, and advertised. We kept up with the progress of again with the introduction of the Powhatan 611 headed north from Spencer with texts Arrow in April 1946. The crowds were cer- and tracking information. We arrived in tainly out then as now, but is it going to be Lynchburg at the meal stop, just a little after like the riders in 1946, that seemed to van- 11. The riders scattered among the three res- ish from the rails in rapid numbers? taurants where we were made to feel quite Anyway, this was a day for celebration. welcome. With 611 having a late departure, Our arrival in Roanoke was welcomed by we had more than enough time to eat and another huge crowd; I’d say it was compara- make the leisurely ride over to Woodall Road ble to the crowd that was in place in August where the 611 would stop to take water. 1982. However, in 1982, we pulled right in After an operational stop near Evington and stopped at the platform; today, we had for a hot box detector, the 611 finally arrived to pull in, pull west almost to 5th Street, on N&W rails at 1:44 pm and looked stun- then back in to our spot. ning as she pulled forward toward the fire After some speeches, using a lot of the hydrant. Naturally a good-sized crowd was same words and phrases that Bob Claytor on hand; in addition to our bus, VMT had spoke in 1982, the crowd was allowed to run two buses for their board, donors, and move on. Hopefully, this interest in the 611 volunteers. Since Woodall Road is a bit will hold and riders will be present for all cramped on space, not a huge amount of her trips, and for Amtrak in Roanoke in the vehicles can be accommodated there, but it future. was packed full. We finally hit the road for Roanoke some- Virginian Station Update time after 3 pm, I forgot to note the specif- By Skip Salmon ics. It was a quiet ride; for those of us who Phase II to finish current restoration was had done the same ride on August 22, 1982, advertised May 31 and a non-mandatory it was a time for some reflection on how pre-bid meeting was held June 4 at Spectrum things have changed. I wonder if any of us Design for our prospective bidders. The bids

4 for Phase II are to be in by 2 PM June 24. No. 611 almost completed and its home- This will start the clock on our effort to fin- coming trip from Spencer, N.C., set for May ish the project. 30. When No. 611 arrives, the magnificent three locomotives of the N&W, the Class A N&W No. 2156 Headed To No. 1218, the Class J, and the Class Y will be Roanoke reunited for the first time in one place in TRAINS News Wire, May 4, 2015 more than 50 years. St. LOUIS – Norfolk & Western Y6a No. 2156 will begin the long, slow, journey back 2156 Comes Home home to Roanoke, Va., on Saturday, May 9. by Ken Miller It will begin a five-year visit — arriving in uesday May 12 represented a major time for Class J No. 611’s return to operating Tevent for me, perhaps even a bit more condition. significant on a personal level than 611. I The giant, articulated locomotive will had been a campaigner back in 1979-81 for leave the Museum of Transportation on the return of the Y6a No. 2156 from its St. Union Pacific tracks and transfer to Norfolk Louis home of many years to bring it back Southern rails for the journey east, museum to Roanoke. I was delighted to hear that at officials said in an announcement via the least a lease had been worked out to allow National Railway Historical Society. NS her to leave for a visit. officials confirmed the announcement on Back in 1981, the Chapter sponsored a Monday. The locomotive will go dead-in-tow bumper sticker (which I designed) campaign at 25 mph via Decatur, Ill., Fort Wayne, Ind., to “Free the Y6a.” My how those times have and Bellevue, Ohio, before heading south to changed - I did the artwork with old pho- travel home rails through the heart of West toset type pasted up on a drawing board, it Virginia coal country made famous by O. probably took an hour plus. Today, it can be Winston Link’s night action photos of N&W created for print on the computer in short steam. Link’s scenes recorded memorable order. I may still have the original artwork images of the Y6 class on the point of and somewhere in the files, but certainly I do pushing coal trains. still have two or three of the bumper stick- No. 2156’s train will not adhere to a ers. I considered bringing some out to wel- schedule and will move day or night. The come the 2156 to town, but the issue of dig- trip is expected to take as much as a week, ging them out prevented that process. depending on traffic. The consist will Again, in a nod to technology, we were include NS office car No. 20, the Ohio, the able to know the location of 2156 in her newly painted canteen car for No. 611, special move almost to the milepost as it VMTX No. 250001, and Roanoke Chapter happened. That would have been unheard tool car No. 1407, also in fresh N&W paint. of in 1980! In speculating with one of The St. Louis museum agreed to loan my NS contacts, we had determined that the locomotive to the Virginia Museum of the 2156 should hit the Radford Division Transportation, which is loaning the St. sometime on Tuesday, depending on condi- Louis museum its FTB diesel unit. tions. Sure enough, she left Bluefield that The 2-8-8-2 was built in 1942 in Roanoke morning. I made my plan to hit the road and retired in 1959. Its return has been for an extended lunch hour and headed greatly anticipated with the restoration of west to Vicker. Technology struck again; I 5 Y6a 2156 rolls eastbound at Elliston. Kenneth L. Miller photo

was unable to find my battery charger for Our sincere thanks to Norfolk Southern the DSLR, and Best Buy did not have any in and Wick Moorman who arranged the loan stock (checked via the internet!). The only of the 2156 and especially thanks to the St. choice I had was to take my iPhone and its Louis folks for their cooperation in loan- camera, once again, never even thought of ing the 2156. Now, lets try and work out in 1980. I arrived at Vicker and had only a something to make this a longer term lease, short wait before the special train arrived. please! What impressed me was the loud clanking of the rods, which is a hallmark of all the Report of Spring Conference, old recordings. It sounded great! Advisory Council and Board of I drove on to catch up with them again, Directors April 18, 2015 in York, and this time technology came into play. As PA. I was driving through Christiansburg, my By Carl Jensen, Chapter Advisory Council phone rang; it was one of my pals, retired Representative NS Dispatcher Tommy Duncan, calling ailCamp – both camps are full with 4 from the cab of 2156. He could not really applicants over for the east. All camp hear me due to the rod clank, but told me R partners who provide their facilities and where they were. Again, who would have education presentations are back again this thought of getting a phone call from the cab year. Funding is short for scholarships but of a steam locomotive in 1980? I stopped some judicious adjustments in available just east of Elliston and by chance we had money have allowed us to cover all appli- a meet with a westbound freight. Casually cants’ tuition. There is still a long term need riding down the road, I caught them once for money to rebuild the funds for scholar- again near Glenvar. By this time, I had to ships. leave them and return to work, but the best Heritage Grants status - The amount of memory of the trip is the clanking of rods money to be allocated to this program had and how the technology made such an easy not been determined at the time of the meet possible. 6 meeting, as grant funds are allocated annu- are still months away from renewal time). ally and depend heavily on donations. Reportedly, the NRHS Fund, established last E-mail effectiveness – several National year as a shield of money from NRHS, has Representatives expressed the opinion that not had to send any moneys to NRHS yet many members are not getting correspon- and has about $38,000. dence from National on-line or by mail. We are completely out of Fernley & Plans are underway to mail out membership Fernley, although they are handling the 2015 cards and to include a request for personal convention reservations and ticketing. This e-mail addresses from all members as well will end in June with the convention and as a letter from the President on the state we will be fully out from them. The official of the NRHS, particularly financial and address is no longer with them, and is cur- membership records. Members should have rently at the office of John Fiorilla the gen- received this mailing within the last week in eral council. May. The BOD approved the purchase of Sage By-Laws changes were discussed at both 50 license system for all financial records Advisory Council and Board Of Directors which have been pulled from Fernley & meetings which will provide for the presi- Fernley as of April 15 and the temporary dent and VP both be 2-term limit, then out accounting firm being used since early this one term. Existing by-laws had no term year has been at work getting the Fernley limits for these offices, which many, includ- records straightened out. The Treasurer and ing me, felt was wrong. Also the number of Controller have acquired QuickBooks to do meetings for the board and Advisory Council the accounting. will only be required to meet at least twice A new software program called Amelia was per year instead of the current by-laws pro- been approved by the Executive Committee vision of four meetings. This does not pre- to handle membership matters. We have a clude calling of additional meetings as need- new membership application on line but not ed, and which will probably happen. One of in print yet. Renewed membership totals the main reasons for changing the number between 5,000 to 6,000 out of 10,000 last of meetings is the personal cost for board year (65% renewal rate). and advisory council members to attend Next Meeting will be at the National the current required 4 meetings. National Convention in Rutland VT, June 17. conventions will not have to be sponsored by a chapter (recent ones haven’t anyway). An Update On Amtrak’s Return Proxies were sent to all members for formal To Roanoke vote of approval at the Membership Meeting ometime in 2017, now about two years at the National Convention in June. If you Saway, is the date for the return of Amtrak send in your proxies, I urge your favorable passenger train service to Roanoke. The vote on these bylaws changes. Northeast Regional train that currently NRHS Financial condition – It was report- originates/terminates in Lynchburg will be ed all old bills have been paid up and cur- extended to Roanoke, on the present sched- rent expenses being met. However, overall ule, with an early morning departure and financial condition is still very thin, and late evening arrival back in Roanoke. we are into the low-income part of the year Before any track or platform construction (dues are the biggest single income and they to accommodate the new train can begin the 7 Trout Run culvert needs to be strengthened. February 24th was a real blow. As I men- This brick lined underground stream pas- tioned before, I got acquainted with a num- sageway runs parallel to Norfolk Avenue, the ber of Roanoke Chapter members during David and Susan Goode Railwalk, and the the 1977 National NRHS Convention held in NS tracks through downtown Roanoke. For Roanoke. The Helmers were the first people the last few months, construction on this I met where the entire family was involved project, known as the Trout Run Drainage with the Chapter and railroading as a hobby Structure Improvements for Passenger Rail in general. He always greeted me with a Station Platform Norfolk Avenue, has been warm smile and firm handshake. underway. Now, as of early June, work on While looking thru my collection of this first phase of Amtrak’s return is almost Norfolk & Western Magazines, I came across complete. Extending some 1800 feet, con- an issue I had completely forgotten about. struction crews installed a metal culvert The November 1981 issue featured a story below the top brick arch of the culvert and entitled “Return of the J.” It gave an account then pumped grout into the void between of 611’s history and the project of restoring the two. Workers worked inside the brick- it to operational condition. The 611 depart- lined “tunnel” to do this. This makes a very ed Roanoke for Birmingham via Bristol and sturdy structure, able to support trains. Chattanooga on October 23rd. With four A recent Roanoke Times story reported loaded coal hopper cars for braking power, it that the city had not received as much grant arrived in Birmingham on October 25th. money as requested toward the construc- 2015 marks 45 years since the N&W tion of a proposed new multi-modal bus/ Class A No. 1218 arrived in Roanoke from train station in the downtown area but this Steamtown back in 1970. March 1st of this will not affect the startup of Amtrak service. year also marked 45 years since the cre- David Foster had an excellent article on this ation of Burlington Northern which in turn station project in the 1st Quarter issue of merged with Santa Fe Railway 20 years ago Turntable Times. this summer to create Burlington Northern With this preliminary work almost com- Santa Fe Railway. pleted, when will the real work of construct- Before he passed away many years ago, ing tracks and a platform begin? No dates the late editor of Trains magazine was quot- have yet been announced. ed as saying “Every magazine is new until you read it.” I often purchase old railroad Mixed Freight related magazines at model and prototype by Mr. Robin R. Shavers railroad events. A few months back I pur- ike many of you, I was elated upon read- chased a September 1972 issue of Railroad Ling the news of Class J No. 611 returning Model Craftsman to read three articles. to Roanoke on May 30th along with see- One was on the Southern, one was on early ing the full Norfolk Southern 21st Century Amtrak at that time, and the third was one Steam schedule for 2015. My elation was of my favorite railfan locations, Horseshoe somewhat short lived. About ten minutes Curve. Of all the subject matter I have read into reading the email, I thought about our about Horseshoe Curve, I was surprised to beloved Dave Helmer and how it would read that back in the autumn of 1972, there have been great for him to be a part of the were High hopes of a Great Locomotive Race celebration. The news of his passing on to be operated on The Curve sponsored by

8 The High Iron Company. Yes folks, this was a Norfolk Division work train early Monday the inspiration for my personalized license morning. Another passenger locomotive on plate. The proposed race garnered a lot of the ready track, Class J 4-8-4 No. 611, would discussion and attention from a host of dig- go out on No. 3, The Pocahontas, that eve- nitaries that included Altoona city officials, ning. For some reason Mr. Wilbourne chose Senators, Congressmen, and of course opera- that locomotive as the site for our photo tional management with Penn Central and session of the day. Little did I know, when Amtrak. The proposal called for three races. I climbed into the cab, that some 25 years The ABC Network was planning to cover and later in 1983 I would ride the 611 at track film two of the three races. From my under- speed out of Williamson on a train known standing, former Nickel Plate Road No. 759 as the Independence Limited. And as our owned by Steamtown and Ross Rowland’s Chapter’s Master Mechanic of the 1970’s & former Reading Company T-1 No. 2102 were 80s, the late L. Jack White would often say, to be the contestants. After much discus- “If the good Lord is willing and the creek sion with the above-mentioned officials, it doesn’t rise” I will be riding behind our was decided a race was not in the interest of iconic Northern on Independence Day 2015. Penn Central, which was in deep bankruptcy Only 57 years after Mr. Wilbourne’s prophet- at that time. Tying up an important piece of ic Shaffers Crossing tour! railroad for a non-essential endeavor just did not make good business sense. The ultimate Did I See The 611 From Hotel decision maker was Mr. William H. Moore, Roanoke In ’51? Penn Central’s president and chief operating by Dorr Tucker officer. I got the feeling had Penn Central ome six and a half years before the been in a healthier financial position, that SShaffers Crossing tour (see above), on decision might have swung the other way. December 2, 1951, the day before my family moved into a rented house off Peters Creek Recollections Of The 611 road, I put my 55 lb. body to good use at by Dorr Tucker Hotel Roanoke. Arriving at the hotel around n May 11, 1958, my older brother and 2 in the afternoon, we were situated in a OI headed out in his two-tone 1957 Ford third floor room facing Shenandoah Avenue Fairlane convertible to the 29th Street NW and the tracks! Immediately, I glued myself home of Mr. Martin T. Wilbourne, senior to a wide window sill where I remained machinist at Shaffers Crossing. At 2 PM until around nine that night. And what a on that quiet Sunday he gave us a tour of show was in store for me! Norfolk and Western motive power in the At 2:47 PM No. 46, the eastbound final months of steam operations in the Tennessean, arrived some 45 minutes late Roanoke area. At that time the roundhouse on station track 4. Powered by a J class loco- formed a complete circle filled with over a motive, the consist included several stan- dozen stored, out of service, class Y 2000s dard Southern storage mail cars, Southern and 2100s. We watched the 2056 push cars lightweight baggage mail “Grand Junction,“ over the hump and noted several S1a 200s a faded Pennsylvania box express car, a quietly awaiting the call on the ready track Southern modernized heavyweight com- near the Lubritorium. Nearby was No. 126, a bine, an N&W class Pg coach in Tuscan Red, class K2 4-8-2 that was slated to head out on 2 Southern lightweight coaches, a Southern

9 flat end lightweight tavern observation 7:50. At that time the train carried a heavy- lounge, a Southern lightweight dining car, weight 10 section lounge car that operated a Southern heavyweight Pullman, and a between Norfolk and Chicago as well as Southern 14-4 lightweight Pullman. Another three lightweight Budd built 10-6 Pullmans dirty looking PRR box express brought up similar to our Scioto County. I didn’t remem- the rear. Next was local train 24 at 3:25 PM ber seeing the arrival of three car train 12 with about three cars behind a K2a locomo- from Winston Salem at 6:30 PM from my tive. (I had missed westbound local No. 23 at vantage point at the hotel. But I did sneak a 2:45 PM.) look when No. 17, The Birmingham Special, Promptly at 4:30 that afternoon a former arrived precisely at 9:01 PM. C&O S1 0-8-0 spotted the consist for train I don’t remember No. 611 that day from No. 2 on track 1, adjacent to Shenandoah the Hotel. That number was simply one of Avenue. Two head end cars including a RPO 14 in the series with two others with higher express, one modernized PG heavyweight numbers. Strangely enough, I was always coach followed by a heavyweight 10 sec. on the lookout for No. 613 which to my 1 Compt 1 D.R sleeper, a Budd built light- childish mind was the oddball of the group. weight class S1 10-6 sleeper (like our Scioto However, with my parents detouring by County), and a class De heavyweight diner the passenger station almost every Sunday made up the all Tuscan red consist. These after church in 1952 and 1953, to see The dining cars as well as other N&W diners at Tennessean, I can surmise that I probably that time were signified by Virginia Etna saw all 14 of our magnificent Roanoke- built Springs (of Vinton) water bottles promi- passenger locomotives. nently placed on each table. About 30 minutes before Valley train No. 2’s 6:40 PM Membership Report departure a K2a locomotive arrived from by David Johnson, Membership Chairman Shaffers Crossing. Prior to this two local s of March 25, 2015, the current Chapter trains, both K2a powered arrived, including Amembership stands at 168. According No. 7 from Norfolk at 5:30 and No. 10 from to our record 112 members have paid their Bristol at 6:10 PM. Soon, a light class J from National dues and are members in good Shaffers arrived protecting the arrival of standing. Our record may not be accurate The Powhatan Arrow at 6:35 PM. (But was due to online National renewal. The nation- it a day when the locomotive ran thru to al organization has not sent a list of renew- Norfolk?) als since January of this year. National dues When No. 26 arrived on track 2 there was are required to be a Chapter member in good a scurry of activity as a little S1, coupled to standing. If you have not paid your National the tavern-lounge- observation, pulled to the dues please do so as soon as possible. They west, then headed down set out track 3 to can be paid online at www.nrhs.com/mem- pick up an extra P-3 58 seat coach (like our bership/renew. If you renew online please 537) to cover an assembly of sailors going send me an email confirming payment. to Norfolk (remember this was Korean War Also, if you have not renewed your Chapter days). The last train that I was old enough dues for 2015 you will no longer be consid- to stay up for that memorable day was No. ered members and will no longer receive 3, The Pocahontas, arriving from Norfolk at the Turntable Times or email updates. If 7:27 PM and heading out to Cincinnati at you haven’t renewed (both Chapter and

10 National) please do so now. We have three new members who have joined since the last edition. Please welcome Jeffry Lisowski, Sarah Johnson, and Nicholas (Nick) Medovich. If you have any questions about your membership or to refer someone as a new member please contact me at member- [email protected] or call me at (434) 426-3133 2nd Quarter Mechanical Interior (above) and exterior (below) work in progress on coach 537. Committee Report Window gasket work, floor repairs and body work are in progress. By Lewis Foster Lewis Foster photos t has been a busy spring Iat 9th Street since the last Mechanical Department report. Work is well underway on coach 537, refurbishing it for excursion service. Work completed to date includes removing and repairing the generator and fuel tank, removal of several pieces of out of service equipment under the car and in the vestibules, removal of the old (out of service) standby power equipment, and removal of the restroom interior. A new electric water raising pump has been hung under the car and new plumbing roughed in from the water tank to the bathroom. A new breaker panel has been installed in the electrical locker to handle the increased load complete. The old gaskets were getting of the pump and single-point water heater cracked and brittle and were causing rust in for the sink. the side sheets around the windows. One Several weak spots in the floor that piece of glass that was badly fogged is being were causing cracked floor tiles have been replaced, as well. repaired and the entire floor in the bath- Next, we plan to finish the installation room has been replaced. A survey of the of the sink and toilet in the bathroom and floor has been completed and all cracked / a new waste tank under the car (the 537 weak / loose tiles have been removed for was never upgraded with a holding tank). reinstallation or replacement. The process The walls in the bathroom will be painted, of pulling each window and replacing the along with touch up paint in several places frame to car body gaskets has started, with in the main seating area of the car. The floor approximately 50% of the windows now tile with be patched where necessary in the 11 main area of the car and installed in the and to share the blessings he has received. bathroom as well. Repairs to some of the Grants are available to qualified organiza- upholstery in the car will also be required, tions in several categories, including railroad mainly worn spots on the arm rests. heritage, in amounts up to $15,000. Since its creation in 2013, the Foundation has award- Roanoke Chapter Receives ed grants totaling $380,300. Dailey Foundation Grant By Lewis Foster Circus Trains Pass Thru Roanoke he Roanoke Chapter is pleased to And New River Valley Tannounce that it has been awarded a By Dorr Tucker grant in the amount of $2,000 from the he 61-car Ringling Brothers Barnum and Tom E. Dailey foundation. The Mechanical TBailey Blue Unit circus train raced into Committee applied for a grant earlier this Roanoke at high noon on a gorgeous April year towards the structural repairs on the 21st this year. But, alas, the show was slated Chapter’s former Great Northern Railway for Charleston, West Virginia, not the Star No. 1148 (Devils Lake) which will be nec- City. And, after refueling and a crew change essary to return the car to regular service. at 12th Street, the CSX-powered assemblage These involve repairs to the side sills and headed on to Mullins and Deepwater. The crash posts of the car, to ensure safe main show had encountered a few problems line operation, and installation of new sheet en-route from Fairfax including a raucous metal along the bottom of both sides of the elephant that had to be put off en-route. car once structural repairs are complete. A similar incident occurred when the Blue Along with this work, the trucks and run- Unit, heading to Richmond from Cincinnati, ning gear of the car will receive some atten- Ohio, stopped at the crest of the Eastern tion. Finally, the interior will be refurbished Continental Divide at the old Cambria Depot in the lunch counter area and remodeled in in Christiansburg on March 10th. A prize the former dormitory area to install a sec- show horse had fallen ill and the distraught ond counter for souvenir sales. While this trainers aboard requested an immediate is a longer term project than work on our stop. The railway supervision aboard con- coaches, we want to make progress on the tacted The Virginia/Maryland School of car as time and money permit. Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and We extend our sincere thanks to the Tom three veterinarians were dispatched to E. Dailey Foundation and its board members the old Cambria station, arriving at 8:10 for their support. Our goal is to have the PM. During the almost two hour delay the 1148 (and our other cars) out running where State Route 111 crossing was protected by they can bring enjoyment to everyone and Christiansburg police officers while circus show another generation what rail travel is and railroad personal were served coffee by all about. Meghan Dorsett, owner of the Cambria Toy The Tom E. Dailey Foundation Inc. was Station located in the old Christiansburg established through an endowment by Tom depot. Dailey, a senior executive in the payment Those of you who missed this activity at processing industry for over 30 years. The the crest of the Eastern Continental Divide Foundation was created as a way to support this past winter are reminded that the 611 specific causes which are close to his heart and train will top this grade this on July 3rd, 12 4th & 5th. Be sure to be aboard as either a stop at Lynchburg’s Kinney Yard, a stranger crew member or passenger and be sure to motioned me to take a look at the cab of 611 invite family and friends from abroad, the from ground level. He asked me what was west coast, or even West Virginia! wrong with what I saw. I responded – the ugly day-glow safety vests. He agreed but he Steam Royalty Returns To also asked - where were the dirty and grimy Roanoke shirts and work pants? With the exception by Mr. Robin R. Shavers of the work boots, everyone in the cab could hen editor Overholser informed me have been ready to dine at a fine establish- Wthat the second quarter Turntable ment. I was really surprised and elated that Times would be running a bit behind sched- non-NS employees were allowed at Kinney ule, I decided to present my account of the for 611’s stop. Class J 611 activities along with the BIG Without question the area around THREE Event that occurred during the week- Roanoke’s O. Winston Link Museum/N&W end of May 30th and 31st. Passenger Station was ground zero as 611’s Just as the event STREAMLINERS TO destination for that day. A few years ago SPENCER was the railfan event for 2014, when I reported on the 50th anniversary of the return of N&W Class J No. 611 to her the East Broad Top Railroad, I commented birthplace of Roanoke, Virginia, USA, alive that I had never seen one railroad with so and very well, was the railfan event for many different tee shirt designs. The same 2015. With the return of Y6A No. 2156 to the could be said for 611, too. Wow, what a vari- same birthplace and to once again to be in ety. the company of mates Class A No. 1218 and Along with 611’s return under steam, it Class J No. 611, it was indeed a weekend to was also a reunion of sorts for the human remember and cherish. equation. I saw people I have not seen since Like most railfans, I had plans as to what Norfolk Southern terminated its steam I would be doing and not be doing with excursion program back in Nov. 1994. I respect to the pursuit of Norfolk Southern enjoyed the short speeches and commentary Excursion Train No. 957 from Spencer, NC, that occurred between 530 and 6 PM. to Roanoke on May 30th. Since I had actively Sunday, May 31st started out warm, photographed 611 back in the eighties and sunny, and beautiful with railfans and rail- early nineties, I saw no need for a vigorous roaders enthused about the three class of chase. In the company of two other rail fans, Norfolk & Western steam being together I only secured six shots between Danville as a group for patrons to admire, photo- and Lynchburg. Since I was not driving, I graph, and hold conversation about. All of had to be content, and I was. this occurred at The Virginia Museum of As to be expected, people were every- Transportation. 1218 and 611 were already where, especially people not classified as in place and the crowd anxiously awaited railfans. I only saw one car pulled over by the late arrival of 2156. While awaiting the law enforcement, in the eastbound lane of arrival of the Y6A, I got into a conversation US 460 near Villamont. Police were out there about the BIG THREE with a gentleman who but not in force as if they were expecting noted that his father had the pleasure and something over the top to occur. honor of running all 14 of the J’s between While at the service and crew change Roanoke and Bluefield in passenger service.

13 He and his brother have all their father’s It was a weekend well spent. Thanks railroad related items. to Norfolk Southern, VMT, and lots of Before 2156 arrived, a VMT employee or donors and volunteers, a beautiful machine volunteer informed us to act fast in taking returned to her adoring public and an photos because the yellow rope would be extremely pumped up fan base. The weather lowered so people would have free range was splendid and I guess everyone’s chase to explore up close and personal with the turned out safely and ticket free. I person- three. That would also be the opportunity ally heard no complaints with regards to the for folks to visit 611’s cab. Shortly after 12 planned activities, including the excursion. Noon a freshly painted NS geep showed up Some did express minor disappointment on the NS mainline closest to VMT. Because with the Y6a’s late arrival to VMT. My under- of the curve on the track that 2156 would be standing is it was supposed to be in place by positioned on, the move to join it with its 8 AM. And, last but not least, like the Hall comrades was painstaking slow as cameras and Oats hit from the late seventies, Back of all types were positioned to record the Together Again, Class Y6a No. 2156, Class J moment. When the moment finally arrives, No. 611, and Class A No. 1218 at home in so does a guy who no one wants out there the Star City of the South. with the steamers. The man takes a few shots but takes his time getting out of the 2nd Quarter 2015 Timetable way despite some serious taunts from the June 26, 27 and 28 – Former Southern audience. Railway 4501 powers excursions from Bristol The yellow rope was lowered about 10 to Radford (Friday and Sunday) and Bulls minutes later and the throng of humanity Gap, TN (Saturday). www.tvrail.com flowed towards the 611 for their cab visits. July 3, 4 and 5 – 611 powered excursions I didn’t opt for the cab visit but instead just from Roanoke to Lynchburg (mornings) and fully took in the moment that so many of Walton (afternoons). www.fireup611.org. us Norfolk & Western steam fans had been Please consider volunteering on these excur- hoping for since the mid seventies or longer. sions – contact Lewis Foster. My main goal was to get a people-free shot July 29–August 2 – C&O Historical Society of No. 2156. This goal was achieved about 15 annual conference, Staunton VA. More info minutes before the museum closed for the at http://www.cohs.org/ day. August 1 – Charter bus trip from

The "Big 3" reunited at Roanoke, May 31, 2015. Skip Salmon photo 14 Richmond to the Western Maryland Scenic RR. UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS $110 Adults. Steam engine 734. Old Dominion Chapter NRHS. [email protected] Regular Meeting Locations are at August 8 (Saturday) - Lynchburg Rail Day the O. Winston Link Museum. 2015 train show. www.blueridgenrhs.org July 3-4-5- 611 trips out of Roanoke Phone Numbers For Emergency July 7 - Board Meeting Notification July 16 - Chapter Meeting You may use these telephone numbers to report emergencies or other conditions affect- August 4 - Board Meeting ing railroad operations, including trespassers, August 20 - Chapter Meeting vandalism, fires, defective equipment, etc. If September 1 - Board Meeting at a railroad/highway grade crossing try to provide the unique crossing number/DOT num- September 17 - Chapter Meeting ber posted nearby. October 6 - Board Meeting Norfolk Southern 800-453-2530 October 15 - Chapter Meeting CSX 800-232-0144 November 3 - Board Meeting November 19 - Annual Meeting

Visit us on the web: www.RoanokeNRHS.org

Turntable Times is published quarterlymonthly asas thethe newsletternewsletter ofof the Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc. OpinioOpinionsns and points of view expressed herein are those of the staff membersmembers ofand the non-staff Turntable contributors Times and ofnot the necessarily Turntable reflect Times thoseand do of not the necessarilymembers, orfficerseflect thoseor directors of the ofmembers, the Chapter. officers Items or directorsof interest of shouldthe Chapter. be sent Items to Editor of interest Kenny should Kirkman, be sent590 Murphyto Editors, Road, P.O. Collinsville, Box 13222, Roanoke,VA 24078-2128. VA 24032 Editor, Turntable Times Roanoke Chapter NRHS Return Service Requested P.O. Box 13222 Roanoke, VA 24032-3222 Dated Material Please do not delay Courtesy of Brian Crosier 4501 Today in Bristol - 5 photos

First Annual Christmas in July Train Show Saturday July 11, 2015 At Highland School 597 Broadview Ave. Warrenton, VA Doors open at 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Buy, Sell, Trade Admission $5.00 Scouts in Uniform & Children 12 And Under Are Free Operating Train Layouts, Railroad Sights and Sounds

Trains in G, O, S, HO & N will be running Visit the Piedmont Railroaders website at: www.trainweb.org/PiedmontRR

For more Information Please contact Bill Abel at 540-752-2916 Or Ed Guest at 540-752-2991 540-848-4633 [email protected] Courtesy of John Zampino J-611

Courtesy of Dan Rollyson I have been keeping up-to-date with your recent e-mails/eblasts relative to the recent restoration and operation of the 611. Thank you so much for all of the good press you have provided in support of “The Queen of Steam Locomotives.”

After reviewing readers’ comments in a few of your e-blasts and e-mails, I am concerned that some of our folks do not realize to what extent Norfolk Southern has supported the restoration and operation of the 611. Therefore, I have compiled the following list of just a few of the many items of support provided by Norfolk Southern Corporation.

1) I read one comment which stated that the project needed a corporate sponsor. I don’t know what the official definition of “corporate sponsor” is, but Norfolk Southern’s initial contribution to the 611 project was $1.5 million dollars. That’s $1,500,000.00 in cold, hard cash! In my book, that’s corporate sponsorship and leadership.

2) Norfolk & Western (now Norfolk Southern) could have scrapped the 611 with her sister class J's in 1959. They restored her to glory and ran her extensively from 1982- 1994 giving thousands of rail fans, old and new, the opportunity to witness the very best of steam locomotive construction and operation. Further, Norfolk Southern has quietly provided many movements of 611 and other equipment to support the restoration and operation of 611. NS has graciously helped with many efforts to preserve and care for the 611 (and other iconic artifacts within the Virginia Museum of Transportation and other museums, too).

3) Norfolk Southern offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 611 to become a part of its 21st Century Steam Program, and thus provided us all with its greatest gift, the chance to run the locomotive again. Without this level of support, the project would never have gotten off of the ground. Norfolk Southern also provides comprehensive logistical and protection services for all of our excursions.

4) Norfolk Southern has graciously provided not only the use of their tracks and facilities, but also has provided advice, logistics, services and other vital resources for the operation and maintenance of the 611 and its related equipment. They have been and continue to be a superb partner and friend.

5) Norfolk Southern has, over the years, quietly provided a variety of key services to bring the 611 "back" as a prelude to her return to mainline excursion service this year.

6) It was stated that Norfolk Southern provided four (4) coaches for the Manassas excursions. They actually provided eight (8) coaches.

In summary, I hope that this information will provide some insight about the great support NS has provided in the return-to-steam of N&W 611. Norfolk Southern and WB&A Chapter, have made generous donations to Fire Up 611! Now the ball is in our court. Hopefully many of us will now join the over 3000 individuals and businesses who have already contributed to Fire Up 611! Let’s keep The Queen on the rails for years to come!.

Regards,

Dan Rollyson TCA 72-4393 PO BOX 2140 FALLS CHURCH VA 22042-0140 (703) 573-8822 [email protected] HIGH GREEN The Official Newsletter of the Chesapeake Railway Association Volume 41, Number 7 July 2015 www.chessierail.org Back in Town

John Sery writes that his son Stephen took this picture “of one of the first 611 trips out of Manassas VA last weekend [first weekend of June]. It was always one of his favorite engines as a kid and he really enjoyed being able to actually see it in person and restored! He took this picture after the last Sunday run as the train set was going back to the yard to layover for the move to Lynchburg the next morning. It actually makes a pretty good desktop picture!”

This Month’s Meeting: Wednesday, July 1 at 8 p.m. at the former B&O station in Silver Spring, MD, featuring Transcontinental, a DVD-based presentation on the Union Pacific’s line between Omaha and Sacramento.

Following Meeting: Wednesday, August 5 at 8 p.m. at the former B&O station in Silver Spring, MD, presentation TBA. HIGH GREEN

Chesapeake Railway Association Officers and Directors President Tim Moriarty 2781 Prince Harold Court, Herndon, VA 20171-2441 (703) 758-7449 [email protected] Vice President Wayne Kirchhof 16490 A. E. Mullinix Road, Woodbine, MD 21797-8430 (410) 489-5987 [email protected] Treasurer Paul Bergdolt 8832 N. Westland Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-1206 (301) 926-6136 [email protected] Secretary Bill Breazeale 11302 Orleans Way, Kensington, MD 20895-1017 (301) 942-0083 Director Bill Breazeale 11302 Orleans Way, Kensington, MD 20895-1017 (301) 942-0083 Equipment Chief Tim Moriarty 2781 Prince Harold Court, Herndon, VA 20171-2441 (703) 758-7449 [email protected] Programs Tim Moriarty 2781 Prince Harold Court, Herndon, VA 20171-2441 (703) 758-7449 [email protected] Editor Tim Moriarty 2781 Prince Harold Court, Herndon, VA 20171-2441 (703) 758-7449 [email protected] The High Green is published monthly prior to each membership meeting. Contributions for inclusion in the newsletter are welcome. Send news items, articles and photos (via email or hard copy) to the editor at the address above. Originals will be scanned and returned. Be sure to include caption information. Please send address changes to Paul Bergdolt at the snail-mail or email address above. JULY TIMETABLE the Lisburn Road/Grantham exit. Travel west on Lisburn Road (a right turn if coming from the north, left from the 3: WM Railway Historical Society Membership Meeting south) until you come to the traffic light on Williams Grove at 8 p.m. at the Community Center, 4770 Ladiesburg Road, Road. Turn left onto Williams Grove Road. The entrance is Union Bridge, MD. on the right about 1.5 miles from the light and you’ll see 4-5: Train Rides on the Stewartstown Railroad using a the railroad track at the entrance. locomotive and a caboose. Fares are $10 for adults, $9 for 21: Potomac Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at 8 seniors, and $8 for kids 12 and under. Trains depart at p.m. in the main auditorium, Montgomery County 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. For information call 717-746-8123. Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, 11: Winchester Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at MD. John Sery will present Trains in the Cinema Part II, 7:30 p.m. at the Calvary Church of the Brethren, 578 another set of Hollywood film clips featuring trains as Best Front Royal Pike (Route 522), Winchester, VA. The church Supporting Vehicles. is located south of Route 50 near Winchester Airport Road 21: Rivanna Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at the (southeast of Winchester and east of I-81). Timberwood Grill on Route 29 North across from the 12 & 26: Track Car Rides on the Stewartstown Railroad. Hollymead Town Center, Charlottesville, VA, starting with For information call 717-654-7530 or send email to: a social hour and dinner/buffet at 6 p.m. and the meeting [email protected] and program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. 13: Baltimore Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at Web: http://nrhsrivanna.blogspot.com 7:30 p.m. at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1911 Falls Email: [email protected] Road, Baltimore, MD. 14: Action Coalition for Transit Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at AROUND THE BEND the Silver Spring Center, 8818 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. 1-2 Aug: Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show at the Maryland 16: Old Dominion Division, RRE, Annual Summer State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093 Dinner will be held at the Amphora Restaurant, 377 West from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased at Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA, at 6:30 p.m. Members and the door), kids under 12 enter for free. Admission is good nonmembers are welcome. Come and enjoy an informal for both days. visit with other railfans. RSVP Dave Bieritz by July 13 at 22-23 Aug: Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show at the Dulles [email protected] or (703) 430-6277. Via Dave Expo Center, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, Bieritz VA 20151 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $7 ($2 more if 17: Washington DC Chapter, NRHS Membership Meet- purchased at the door), kids under 12 enter for free. ing at 8 p.m. at the George Washington National Masonic Admission is good for both days. Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22301. 29 Aug: RF&P Railroad Historical Society Meeting at Program: TBA. the Salem Church Branch of the Central Rappahannock 18: Open House at the Northern Virginia Model Regional Library at 2607 Salem Church Road, Railroaders layout in the W&OD depot at 231 Dominion Spotsylvania County, VA, at 10 a.m. Contact the Society at Road, Vienna, VA, from 1 to 5 p.m. [email protected] to let them know you’re coming 18-19: Williams Grove Historical Steam Association and to ensure they order enough pizza. Model Train Flea Market in Mechanicsburg, PA, from 9 to 4 on Saturday and 9 to 2 on Sunday. The event will feature INTERNAL BIDNIZ steam train rides, model train display, stands with collector items to purchase as well as a raffle each day for Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 3 at 8 p.m. a chance to operate Locomotive No. 52. For more at the former B&O passenger station, 8100 Georgia information contact William Nesbit via e-mail at Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 where we’ll watch [email protected] The WGHSEA is located near Transcontinental, a DVD-based presentation on the Union the state capital of Harrisburg, PA. From the east, west, Pacific’s line between Omaha and Sacramento. Thanks go and north take any route to US 15 South (located on the to Alex Mayes for providing this show. west side of the Susquehanna River). Take US 15 South to

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LAST RUN Association, and as an appointed member of the Railroad- Shipper Transportation Advisory Council of the Surface John Harrison Marino Sr., 76, career railroader, Transportation Board. He was a member of the American professional engineer and co-founder of RailAmerica, died Society of Civil Engineers, Institute of Transportation May 19, 2015, at home. Engineers and National Defense Transportation For over 40 years, he was considered one of the Association. William C. Vantuono/Railway Age, May 28, nation’s top experts in the railroad industry, and 2015 (excerpt) contributed numerous innovations that made rail transportation more efficient, cost-effective, and profitable. Last Railway Battalion to Inactivate: On September 13, His extensive experience emphasized multi-modal 2015 the Army’s last railway battalion, the 757th solutions that capitalize on the inherent effectiveness of Transportation Battalion (Railway), will hold an each mode, incorporating public-private partnerships to inactivation ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Reserve center at fund complex capital projects. 4850 West Silver Spring Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53218. The Marino served as a Civil Engineer with DeLeuw, battalion’s headquarters and one subordinate company, Cather and Co. in New York City in 1966 and as an the 1152nd, are located in Milwaukee while other Intermodal Transportation Expert and Industrial Engineer companies and detachments of the 757th are widely to the Reading Railroad in Philadelphia from 1967-1968. scattered in various location in the eastern United States. He then went on to serve as a Management Consultant to From the assets of the 757th’s inactivation the A.T. Kearney, Inc. in Chicago from 1968-1973, and later as Army will activate another Reserve unit, the Expeditionary a Manager Industrial Engineering with Seatrain Steamship Railway Center. Unlike the 757th, which is organized to Lines in Weehawken, NJ. operate trains, repair rolling stock and maintain tracks, In 1974, Marino joined the United States Railway the ERC, according to Army Technical Publication 4-14, “is Association (USRA) where, as Chief of Operations Planning, a force structure within the Reserve component that he assisted in the preparation of the Final System Plan for consists of Army rail experts that perform six key Conrail, which was presented to Congress in 1975 and functions: implemented in 1976. - Provide rail network capability and infrastructure In 1976, Marino left the USRA to acquire the assessments. Hillsdale County Railway and the Lenawee County - Perform rail mode feasibility studies and advise on Railroad in Michigan. He consolidated these short line employment of rail capabilities. railroads and began an era of profitability for the railroads - Coordinate rail and bridge safety assessments. and the communities that they served. That year, he co- - Perform and assist with rail planning. founded Transportation Management Services (TMS), Inc., - Coordinate use of HN [host nation] or contracted rail a company that is still in existence today in the assets. Washington, DC area. TMS provides marketing, business - Perform contracting officer’s representative duties to development and strategic planning services for oversee contracts and provide quality assurance of the government agencies, shippers, equipment suppliers and contracts.” transportation companies with emphasis on rail and The guidance also states: “Army rail has shifted to public transportation. a planning, advisory, capability assessment, and In 1986, Marino co-founded RailAmerica with the coordinating centric force, and has foregone the old formation of the Huron & Eastern Railway Co. Subsequent strategy of providing operating control over HN rail acquisitions included railroads in Canada, Australia and capability. The focus of the ERC is planning and Chile. Marino successfully led the company through its coordinating rail operations within a theater of operations. formative years in the roles of President and Chief The ERC can also focus on enhancing strategic and Operating Officer and served the Board of Directors as Vice operational throughput, such as port clearance via rail, Chairman, Emeritus. He enjoyed a proud moment on the and provide contracting officer’s representative oversight. floor of the New York Stock Exchange when the company The ERC will provide the required rail expertise to was listed on the NYSE in 1997. Genesee & Wyoming accomplish all of this to the combatant commander and acquired RailAmerica in 2012; as a result of the $1.39 theater sustainment command (TSC) or expeditionary billion transaction G&W is the world’s largest operator of sustainment command (ESC) commander, and the HN.” regional and short line railroads. The new unit will be smaller than the 757th, with Marino acquired and operated the Historic only 184 personnel under the command of a colonel. Gettysburg Railway from 1997-2001, fulfilling his desire to serve the historic community. He served as Vice FREIGHT RAIL NEWS President Strategic Planning for Patriot Rail, LLC, an owner and operator of 13 regional and short line freight Diageo Closing: I don’t know anyone who has not suffered railroads in the U.S., from 2006-2012. He also served as a being laid off, downsized, etc., perhaps many times, in Director of Las Vegas Railway Express Inc. from 2008- their lifetime… such as it is in America. So all can 2012. sympathize with the employees in this report who are Marino most recently acted as a Senior Strategic about to lose their jobs. Advisor to Continental Rail Corp., a short line consolidator A little background: At the edge of Baltimore of freight rail and rail related properties. He served as a Terminal limits at Relay, Maryland, just east of the popular Director of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad railfan train watching site at Relay (where the Old Main

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Line and Capitol Subdivisions enter Baltimore), is a long boxcars. There are multiple tracks crossing around the time railroad customer, which in recent years has been different buildings, and many tracks are embedded in the under the parent company Diageo. pavement for a little bit of “street running.” From Wikipedia: Diageo's Relay operation has It’s hard to believe a company that sells “spirits” played a key role in the Maryland community for many would have a plant go under, although I have been told years dating back generations. The Relay site was changes in the drinking tastes of the public have not established in 1933 as the first legal distillery in the state of helped the situation in Relay. In any case, the employees Maryland following the repeal of prohibition. Currently, the join a long list of industry closures. Majestic, another blending and packaging facility employs 140 people. small distillery that receives perhaps one tank car per Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading week, is located about a mile east and is still in service. premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of Guest columnist beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown 5R\DO -ǆ% Partially Demolished Sparrows Point Awaits Tenants, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, 'Thousands' of Jobs: Tonka-like trucks circle the expan- Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose sive 3,100-acre site, navigating the remnants of what used Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and to be an iconic steel manufacturing plant. Separate Sterling Vineyards Wines. corners of the industrial site reveal varying stages of The rest of the story is the distillery and bottling demolition — freshly cleared land, the haphazard debris of plant employed twice as many people until 2012, when the buildings already torn down and their still-intact parent company threatened to close the plant. It then neighbors waiting their turn. decided to invest $50 million in automating the facility, Still a year-and-a-half away from an end to and half the workers lost their jobs, hence the current demolition, Sparrows Point is being marketed to total of about 140. After its “re-opening,” the facility was prospective tenants less for what exists and more for what noted as one of the most efficient in the parent company’s could be there in the future — namely, a transportation, holdings and a model operation. Now barely three years manufacturing and logistics hub. later, it was announced in June that it is “all over” at the It’s a vision adopted for Sparrows Point in 2013 end of July, with the manufacturing business closing and when Baltimore County executive Kevin Kamenetz began almost all the employees being terminated. Inside reports touting the recently vacated land as an asset for job suggest just eight people will remain, presumably to creation. When Sparrows Point Terminal LLC acquired the oversee the removal of stock and shutdown. land in 2014, Kamenetz predicted the site would bring 2,000 jobs to Baltimore in five years. Aaron Tomarchio, vice president of operations for SPT, estimates 300 people report to Sparrows Point every morning for work — a ways off from the thousands that are expected in the future. Kamenetz in an interview reaffirmed his goal of creating "thousands" of middle-skill jobs at Sparrows Point, adding that he's been encouraged thus far by SPT's commitment. “[SPT] are folks who share our vision and, more importantly, understand how to implement it,” Kamenetz said. “Being part-local ownership, they understand the heritage of the land.” Kamenetz said he’s visited the site six to eight times in the past year and has seen every stage of the demolition process. “We’re very pleased with what has been taking place,” he said. “We’re certainly excited about it, but being the anxious person I am, I’d like to see some deals sooner rather than later.”

In this photo, a former caboose with Operation Redblock Kamenetz hinted that real estate deals for markings, numbered CSX 900422 and serving as a shoving Sparrows Point are in the works, but under wraps for the platform, is at the end of a cut of cars at the Diageo facility. time being. SPT has hired JLL as the sole broker to market the site. For CSX, it appears the end of a long-time JLL has started showing the land to prospective customer that dates back to the old B&O and a regular tenants, emphasizing the site’s existing infrastructure. source of income. In recent years, traffic has been all Sparrows Point has 100 miles of short-line railroad inbound tank cars (probably all alcohol!), but as a visitor track with connections to both CSX and Norfolk to the sight observes, the layout of the plant is mostly Southern railroads, a deep-water port and turning basin, unchanged from when both the inbound and outbound and access to interstate highways. traffic would have moved mostly by rail. “That’s what makes the site unique,” said Mark Presumably the sidings going to every storage Levy, a managing director with JLL. “There aren’t too many warehouse were once for loading outbound product in

July 2015 Page 4 HIGH GREEN sites you’re going to find that are privately owned that have Many of the tenants will likely move out by the end all of those attributes.” of redevelopment. But others, like the Pleasant Yacht Club, Levy said JLL is searching for tenants that could have been in place so long they’re now part of the site’s utilize the site’s “unparalleled” features. FedEx has applied history. to build a warehouse at Sparrows Point, the Baltimore Sun At every turn, the peninsula boasts reminders of reported. Levy declined to comment on FedEx and other its long history in steel. The Star of Bethlehem now sits at prospective deals. ground level, the steel slab caste remains though the “The No. 1 ideal prospect is a group that can structure around it is gone, and the L furnace — at one utilize all the infrastructure that Sparrows Point has to point the largest blast furnace on the site — is now a pile offer,” he said. “The ideal tenant is not just a tenant of dirt, just another step in the ongoing demolition. looking for 100 acres of land.” “It’s an industrial site — it’s a former industrial But he said the process to find tenants that are site, it’s going to be redeveloped as an industrial site,” compatible with the land and with each other won’t be Tomarchio said as the van crossed yet another divot in the rushed. uneven terrain. (The truest testament to the rough ground “The ownership of this property — Sparrows Point conditions might be my illegible notes, victim to the Terminal — is very sophisticated and really understands rocking and jolting of the tour van.) how to tackle a project of this magnitude,” Levy said. “They But every now and then the demolition gives way aren’t looking for, sort of, the quick hit.” to glimpses of the property’s potential: resilient trees Levy said one of the main challenges for marketing growing among piles of twisted metal, original foundations Sparrows Point is repositioning the site from a closed steel poking through the aforementioned rough terrain, and the mill to a gold mine of potential. repurposed structure from Bethlehem Steel’s first blast At first glance, it’s a daunting challenge. The site furnace — now a sculpture likely to be repurposed once is still several steps away from a fully formed logistics park. more. Sara Salinas, Baltimore Business Journal, June 15, But many believe the value of the land is in the potential. 2015 SPT and JLL, with the help of planning firm Parsons Brinckerhoff, are still developing a master plan for WHERE THE TRAINS ARE the more than five square miles. “It’s a big blank canvas,” Tomarchio said. “[We Doug Miller photographed WIMX (Wimpey Minerals) 72, have to look at] the opportunities of the property and then an EMD SW9 at Pioneer Materials, 401 Lombard Street, the constraints.” Felton, DE, on the south side of town on the Delmarva Speculation about Sparrows Point's future began Peninsula on December 31, 2013. The locomotive was built soon after the last in a series of steel manufacturers, RG in December 1952 with serial number 17226 and frame Steel LLC, declared bankruptcy in 2012, ending a 120-year number 4186-2. It was previously operated by the history of steel manufacturing at the site. Its first owner, Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England Railroad and is Bethlehem Steel Corp., grew Sparrows Point into one of the now run by remote control. In the past the rock plant has nation’s leading steel mills during its prime in the 1950s. been served by the PRR, PC and Conrail, and today the The illuminated Star of Bethlehem hanging from the site is served by NS. plant’s 32-story L blast furnace became a symbol of prosperity in Eastern Baltimore County. A 2001 declaration of bankruptcy for Bethlehem Steel sparked a less-than-prosperous era for the Sparrows Point site. Four more steel companies would take over and turn over the site in the next 11 years, with RG Steel as the last. SPT, financed by Redwood Capital Investments, purchased the land in September from a liquidation firm for $110 million, a fraction of the original value. The cold mill alone cost $300 million to construct in the 1990s. SPT has big rehabilitation plans for parts of the site, including overdue maintenance to the rail lines, upgrades to the port’s turning basin and docks, dredging PASSENGER RAIL NEWS the 42-feet-deep port an additional 10 feet, and renovations to some of the old buildings. Watch your belongings while riding the rails! Ed. While SPT and MCM Construction Inc. are working Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: No One is Safe from to redevelop the land, JLL is working to market what’s the State's Plundering Parasites: “Is anyone present already there — about 1 million square feet of vacant carrying more than ten marks, or planning to take out of space ready for tenants. the country any foreign money, gold, jewels, or other Pacorini Metals, Lafarge Cement Co., Caprock valuables?” demanded the German customs inspector after Grain and Kinder Morgan already rent space on the land boarding the Innsbruck-bound train. “Any violation of the for various purposes — mostly storage — with the law will be punished with penal servitude – special cases Community College of Baltimore County borrowing space by death.” rent-free for a commercial driver’s license training program. Freya Roth, a single woman in her 20s traveling with her mother and younger brother, produced her

July 2015 Page 5 HIGH GREEN passport and handed it to the inspector. After the specifically, that “I had a sleeper car, was traveling alone, document was stamped, the truculent bureaucrat noticed and did not check my luggage.” the young lady’s luggage. When the officious pest demanded access to the “Whose suitcase is that?” he snapped, his voice sleeper compartment and Heuser’s personal effects, the colored with an implied threat. “Take it down – open it.” traveler refused. Undeterred, the agent informed Heuser “It isn’t locked,” Freya said quietly, her brows “that he was going to bring a dog, walk it by my room, and drawn together in worried puzzlement. Before she had that if it alerted, my room would be searched. He told me finished the sentence the inspector had torn open the that I could not argue this and that I was not allowed to be luggage and started to paw through it. A comrade noticed present for the search.” a large bound volume on the shelf above Freya’s seat. He Like nearly everything else that emerges from the retrieved it and began to pore over its handwritten pages. tax-devouring skull cave of a DEA official, that claim was a “What is that – code?” the policeman inquired of lie. Heuser had every right to be present during the search, Freya. but the agent insisted that he absent himself because “the “No – it’s a physiological treatise,” she replied, dog might bite me.” In retrospect, and perhaps at the time, proudly explaining that it had been written by her late that statement could be seen as a threat garbed in the father, Professor Victor Roth. unpersuasive disguise of solicitude. Radiating hostile disapproval, the inspector As Heuser strode toward the dining car, he was handed the manuscript to a Gestapo officer who had been stalked by a second DEA operative who tried to get him to looming in the background, a silent monolith of murderous leave the train, where he would be surrounded by other menace. law enforcement officers. “Why are you taking this out of the country?” the “The officer followed me, telling me that they know officer barked at Freya. “Do you intend to publish it I am transporting drugs, and if I have any for personal use, abroad?” they do not care, and it would be easier if I just told them,” Freya tried to explain that she kept the book with Heuser told The Atlantic. “I said that was nice to know, her because it was her father’s last work, which was then kept walking.” Yet another DEA operative tried to gain enough to implicate her as an enemy of the State. “I can’t access by pretending that “someone was hiding in my take the responsibility of allowing you to cross the border bathroom.” with this document,” sniffed the officer as if he owned When Heuser was finally allowed to return to his Freya and everything in her possession. “This is a matter compartment, “I found my backpack moved and open, and that can only be decided by my superior.” my wallet, which was set down on the room table, had $60 Freya was taken to a local police station where she missing.” He was told by a dining car attendant that was detained for five days for possession of contraband – “Amtrak is forced to give passenger info to the Feds, that “a seditious production sustaining a theory destructive to the DEA comes on every trip, usually arresting someone in the new ideals.” the sleeping car or taking all their money.” “You belong – in part – to the German race, but by That Amtrak employee did not engage in hyperbole, your action you show yourself unworthy to represent that as Joseph Rivers can testify. The 22-year-old native of race abroad,” the police commander explained to Freya, Romulus, Michigan, was robbed by DEA agents when his alluding to her paternal Jewish ancestry. “You will report Los Angeles-bound train was stopped and searched in to the police daily. Let me warn you to be extremely careful Albuquerque. Rivers, who entertained ambitions of in your conduct, and in your contacts. That is all.” becoming a music video producer, was carrying his life The traumatized woman was “released” to life as savings — $16,000 in cash – in a bank envelope. an inmate in an open-air prison. She had been condemned Behaving precisely like his fictional Nazi analogues and dispossessed without a trial as the result of a from The Mortal Storm, the DEA agent confiscated every warrantless search of her effects during a routine train trip. penny of Rivers’ life savings without arresting him or Freya’s Nazi-era experience, depicted in the 1940 charging him with a crime. Under the Justice film The Mortal Storm, was a fictional parable intended to Department’s civil asset forfeiture program, possession of shock its American audience: Imagine what it would be large sums of cash or other exceptional wealth – “gold, like to live in a country where police could board a train, jewels, or other valuables,” as the customs inspector put it rifle through your luggage, confiscate anything of value in the film – is sufficiently suspicious to justify they found, and detain you indefinitely if they found confiscation. suspected contraband in your possession. “We don’t have to prove that the person is guilty,” I don’t know if Aaron Heuser, a mathematician gloated a DEA agent when asked about the incident by the from Eugene, Oregon, is familiar with The Mortal Storm. He Albuquerque Journal. “It’s that the money is presumed to doesn’t need to see the movie – he has lived it. be guilty.” Sean Waite, the DEA’s Ortsgruppenleiter for As Heuser recounted to Conor Friedersdorf of The Albuquerque, bragged to the Albuquerque Free Press that Atlantic magazine, during an Amtrak trip from Eugene to he and his squalid associates have harvested about $1 Washington, DC, last fall, he received an unwelcome visit million from travelers passing through that city on in his sleeper compartment by a DEA agent whose Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. comportment was indistinguishable from that of the Setting aside questions about the wisdom of cinematic Nazi officials who terrorized Freya Roth. carrying his entire life savings in cash, Joseph Rivers’ The DEA agent addressed Heuser by name and experience is especially poignant, given that he could just claimed that his trip had raised numerous “red flags” – as easily have been robbed by his local police.

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Between 2003 and 2007 – the years of Rivers’ “How much cash is in the vehicle?” asked Klitch adolescence – Romulus witnessed a 118 percent increase after bullying the elderly man into opening the trunk of his in forfeiture revenues despite the fact that there was no vehicle and pretending to detect a “strong odor of corresponding increase in criminal activity. A similar trend marijuana” emanating from the interior. “Do you have any was seen on the part of law enforcement agencies gold, any high-value items in this vehicle?” That question throughout Wayne and Oakland counties. The forfeiture provided a good and sufficient demonstration of Klitch’s take by police in Novi went from $12,278 to $2.7 million. true motive in making the stop: He was looking for loot, The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office netted $8.69 million in rather than contraband. 2007, four times the haul its banditti seized in 2001. Like the fictional Freya Roth, Roseen endured a Sgt. Dave Schreiner, the head of Canton lengthy and entirely unwarranted detention after Klitch Township’s forfeiture unit, was admirably forthright in hijacked his SUV. A thorough search of the vehicle yielded defending civil forfeiture as his department’s chief cash neither gold, nor jewels, nor marijuana. conduit: “Police departments right now are looking for A growing number of Americans who need to travel ways to generate revenue, and forfeiture is a way to offset but want to avoid molestation or irradiation at airports the costs of doing business…. You’ll find that departments have taken to the roads or the tracks, only to find that the are doing more forfeitures than they used to because TSA and its comrades will not leave them alone. they’ve got to — they’re running out of money and they’ve In the film, Freya and her family were interrogated got to find it somewhere.” and subject to detention by Nazi customs officials at a Bear in mind, once again, that this defense of border crossing. Americans can have that experience – forfeiture was offered at a time when the non-official crime which can quickly escalate to threats of arrest and a life- rate was holding steady, and by some measurements in a threatening assault with a deadly weapon – up to 100 modest decline. Acting with the irrepressible predatory miles inside the national border. instinct that guides all State institutions, the police Travelers aren’t free from such potentially lethal responded to this state of affairs by carrying out a crime harassment if they use routes deep within the country’s wave of their own. interior. Multi-jurisdictional task forces called Visual For the privileged plunderers of Romulus and the Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams swarm surrounding towns, preying on the public was encouraged bus and train stations, and even conduct highway and rewarded – but holding back any of the loot from your checkpoints. cohorts was a grave offense. This is why former Romulus As the redoubtable James Bovard points out, the Police Chief Michael St. Andre, his wife, and several attitude of our rulers toward travelers “is best summarized members of his Special Investigations Unit will spend time by the motto posted at the headquarters of the TSA air in prison. marshal training center: Dominate. Intimidate. Control.” Between 2006 and 2011, St. Andre and his Whatever their native tongue, totalitarians from underlings skimmed money from the city’s forfeiture fund every culture speak the same language. William Norman and submitted fraudulent expense reports. Some of the Grigg, Pro Libertate Blog, May 25, 2015 pilfered proceeds were used by St. Andre and his wife to www.lewrockwell.com/2015/05/william-norman- open a tanning salon. The Chief and his favored henchmen grigg/the-states-plundering-parasites/ also used funds seized in counter-narcotics raids to purchase marijuana, alcohol, and the carnal services of prostitutes. One year ago, St. Andre pleaded guilty to three felonies, including embezzlement and conducting a criminal enterprise. Last October he was sentenced to a term of up to 20 years in prison, a punishment forcefully underscoring the State’s determination that its plunderers act with only the purest of motives – like the ascetic, disciplined Nazi inspectors portrayed in The Mortal Storm, for example. The Nazis’ reputation for self-denial was largely unearned. Their version of totalitarianism is as dead as their Fuehrer, but their tactics are widely employed by the enforcement caste in America’s Homeland Security State – a fact that either is or soon will be apparent to anybody seeking to exercise the right to travel unmolested. Recall the question asked by the Nazi customs inspector in The Mortal Storm: “Is anyone present carrying New Tracks, New VRE Station: Chessie member John more than ten marks, or … any foreign money, gold, jewels, Fuller sends this photo of the triple-tracking project south or other valuables?” That same question was posed – of Fredericksburg, VA, looking south from US Route 17 almost verbatim – by Idaho State Trooper Justin Klitch (Mills Drive). He writes, “The new third track is evident; it following a pretext stop of Colorado resident Darien Roseen has been squeezed between the VRE lead to the car barn a few miles from my home in January 2013. (left-most track) and the two active RF&P tracks to the far right -- dark brown ballast. Apparently the new track will

July 2015 Page 7 HIGH GREEN be called Track 1, since the other two are probably 2 and 3 newly acquired AEM7 No. 915, built in 1981, takes the in keeping with the numbering practice on this railroad. place of Amtrak E60 No. 603 as our ‘youngest’ locomotive.” Photos were taken May 30.” The new VRE station, under Fifty-four of the AEM7s, the design of which was construction, is on the left in the photo. based on the Rc4 built by ASEA (Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, translated as General Swedish PRESERVATION NEWS Electric Company), were produced from 1978 to 1988. Amtrak contracted with Electro-Motive Division (EMD, at Railroad Faces Shutdown: The train for the Delaware the time a subsidiary of General Motors Corp.) to River Railroad Excursions can be described as a “living manufacture the AEM7. Philadelphia-based Budd museum,” where tourists can purchase tickets to ride the Company manufactured the carbodies. Electrical, trucks train from Phillipsburg [NJ] 10 miles along the Delaware and mechanical parts were sourced from ASEA in Sweden. River, but it's allegedly a zoning violation. The 7,000 hp “motors” (a term passed on from the The organization that runs the railroad is a Pennsylvania Railroad) measured 51 feet long and 12.5 nonprofit and has been in existence for 27 years with 400 feet high. Considered lightweight at 101 tons and capable members in the area. of a 125-mph top speed, the dual-cab AEM7 became the The train carries more than 100,000 passengers a mainstay of Northeast Corridor motive power. year. And to keep people coming back, they hold major The first AEM7s bore the Amtrak Phase III livery events such as The Polar Express during wintertime and A unveiled in 1979 -- joined red, white and blue stripes of Day Out With Thomas. equal width -- and became the face of a rebuilt and Some events attract up to 6,000 people per day. enhanced Northeast Corridor. “If the GG1 represented the But, not everyone is happy about the train. initial electrification of the rail lines between New York and One of the attractions that they hold is called the Washington and Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the AEM7 Ol’ Susquehanna Mine Train. This attraction takes people was a worthy successor for a new era,” the museum noted. down to the Snyder Farm and Baer Quarry. It is an “Today, as the locomotives are decommissioned, the AEM7 educational trip where riders exit the train, visit the fleet has logged in excess of 200 million miles of service. makeshift mine and search for gems and learn about Among railroad fans, the AEM7 is affectionately known as paleontology and archaeology. a ‘Swedish Meatball’ or a ‘toaster,’ due to its country of In September, the group received a notice from the origin and compact, boxy design.” town of Pohatcong about a zoning violation. The lot in The late Chris Knapton, former AVP of question is for farming, quarry operations, and adult communications at the AAR and later known as “The Voice entertainment. of Metra” as well as “Metramouth” (a name he gave “We operated six and a half years without any himself), famously said about the AEM7 upon its problems whatsoever and all of a sudden we have one introduction, “It doesn’t look like a locomotive. It looks like neighbor who complained and the local government, the box it came in.” although they said they are working with us to try to The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania describes alleviate the problem and to see if we can continue working, itself as “home to a world-class collection of more than 100 they've actually been working against us instead,” Chris historic locomotives and railroad cars, a vast library and Cotty, from the Delaware River Railroad Excursions, archives, a working restoration shop and an immersive explained it was stated that the railroad is in violation education center.” The museum is administered by the because they are an amusement attraction and they are Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, with the not zoned properly, so they must stop. support of the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Reached by phone, Pohatcong Mayor, James Kern Pennsylvania. William C. Vantuono, Railway Age, June 12, III, said the train poses a liability problem. 2015 “The folks get off the train, cross the street, and begin participating in some of these activities that were not approved by the township,” Mayor Kern III explained. Rohan Mohanty, MY9NJ.com, June 11, 2015

Amtrak’s AEM7 Now a Museum Piece: The newest addition to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s extensive collection of historic U.S. locomotives and railcars is recently retired Amtrak AEM7 electric locomotive No. 915, which logged nearly 35 years of service on the Northeast Corridor. “As Amtrak’s Cities Sprinter ACS-64 electric locomotives take to the rails, another class of locomotives, the AEM7, is being retired, passing into railroad history,” said Jeffrey Bliemeister, director of the Strasburg, PA- based museum. “The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has been fortunate to be the recipient of significant railroad equipment donated by Amtrak over the years. Our Photo: Alexander D. Mitchell IV

July 2015 Page 8 HIGH GREEN

Save the Lion Gardiner from Scrapping! Your help Gardiner is, unfortunately, in the way. The car must be needed to save the Lion Gardiner! Fabled chalice of the moved very soon or it will be scrapped. A new home has stars on the legendary Twentieth Century Limited, the Lion been located for the Gardiner, offering some bright hope for Gardiner is a forgotten relic of the golden era of American the future. The Colebrookdale Railroad in southeastern passenger trains. Built by Pullman during the “Gothic Pennsylvania is restoring a fleet of Edwardian-era cars for period” of heavyweight cars, the Lion Gardiner served on service through the Secret Valley, a largely-unknown but the New York Central’s finest trains. Its deteriorated remarkably beautiful corridor with an important iron- condition does little to indicate its remarkable complete- making past. Funds are being raised to move the car to ness. With an intact sideboard, pantry, kitchen, and a safety, then ultimately stabilize and restore it. The CMR bewildering array of underbody systems, the car is a rare has offered to donate the cost of craning the car on the remaining representative of the institution that was northern end of the move. Please consider making a railroad dining during this era. The cuisine served from the donation through the secure crowdfunding site Fundly at Gardiner’s galley was the finest to be had in the United https://fundly.com/save-the-lion-gardiner-1 States, on or off the rails. Railroad dining car staff had a unique hierarchy and culture, much as did the famed A LOOK BACK DOWN THE TRACKS TO… Pullman porter. Photographs and video of those that worked the Lion Gardiner and its peers show the efficiency JULY 24, 1909 and perfection of their service. The Lion Gardiner, dining Motor’s Last Trip: The last trip of the motor car will be car of the flagship train of the New York Central, would made on the Manassas branch of the Southern Railway have been a model to which other services strived. Perhaps today. The car has performed admirably on its trial trips. It equally important, the Lion Gardiner has an important was the first time this type of car propelled by electricity place in the history of the railroad preservation movement. generated by a gasoline engine of its dimensions had been The car was chosen to serve as the dining car for the High given an experimental run. The placing of the car on the Iron trips in the 1960s. The High Iron excursions Strasburg-Manassas road was because of the steep grade introduced countless railfans to the concept of re-using and sharp curves. It was certain if it could make this trip historic railroad equipment for recreation and pleasure. successfully, there would be no doubt about its practicability. The car ran according to the schedule laid down, and was very seldom late, and when late the car and its mechanism were not responsible. On Tuesday General Superintendent Westpall, Superintendent Peyton and Assistant Superintendent Pierce went up from Manassas to Strasburg on the car and were highly pleased with its performance on the trip. The Alexandria Gazette via Frank Tosh

JULY 8, 1982 First Boston to Aid U.S. Bullet Train: The American High Speed Rail Corp. announced yesterday that First Boston Corp. will serve as investment banker and advisor for the planned construction of the nation’s first high-speed passenger “bullet” train between Los Angeles and San Diego. An international investment banking firm based in New York, First Boston is committed to assist in the Ernest Hunt photo, August 11, 2013 placing or underwriting of securities to finance the rail project, Theodore V. Fowler, a managing director of the Sadly, the Lion Gardiner is emblematic of the firm, said yesterday. challenges that face the preservation movement. The “The addition of First Boston to the project team is effects of time and nature have, due to any number of a major step in bringing out plans for America’s first high- reasons, outpaced the ability of the small group of people speed service to fruition,” said Lawrence D. Gibson, who saved the car initially to maintain it. A lack of a president of American high Speed Rail. “They are the national census of railroad artifacts meant that knowledge leading ‘project’ financing institution today; it’s really the of the car’s existence was not widespread. A lack of a Good Housekeeping seal of approval.” national system of prioritizing artifacts for preservation The rail project will require about $2 billion in meant that many of those who were aware the car existed private financing, Gilson said. About three-quarters is to did not realize its significance. The result of these two facts be raised in the United States and the remaining quarter is was that, until recently, a community of interest sufficient expected to come from Japanese sources. Carole Shifrin, to save the car had not been able to develop. The NRHS The Washington Post via Phil Bush chose the car for its very first Most-At-Risk list for precisely these reasons. The Lion Gardiner is currently resting on the Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMR), near the See you at the B&O station in Silver end of that railroad’s useable track. The CMR is pushing Spring on July 1! very hard to open the rest of its line for service, and the

July 2015 Page 9 Al Moran took this photo on August 16, 2013 and wrote, “The demise of the Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point plant near Baltimore has had a major impact on the interplant railroad. What used to be the Patapsco & Back Rivers Railroad was renamed the Baltimore Industrial Railroad. Same engines and paint scheme, just a different name. Here, the train arrives back in Sparrows Point from a trip to Gray's Yard where interchange takes place with both CSX and NS.” The locomotive is EMD SW9 No. 206, built in 1952 with serial number 15491 and frame number 4108-5. Read about developments at Sparrows Point in this High Green!

See https://www.facebook.com/lne611 Page 1 of 1 Mike's photo of the excursion train at Bristol station

http://nwhs.org/mailinglist/2015/20150626.IMG_0971.JPG 7/2/2015

The Trainmaster The Official Publication of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the July 2015 National Railway Historical Society Portland, Oregon ISSUE No 636 www.pnwc-nrhs.org Skagit Crew Speeder Heads to Restoration Material provided By Martin E. Hansen

Skagit Crew Speeder No. 30 before the move (Martin E. Hansen Collection)

A few years ago I put together a deal with my old friend Jim Gertz that would allow the preservation and operation of the former Rayonier Skagit crew speeder #30. The week of June 8th was chosen for the move of the big 10-ton unit. Jim saved this old Skagit back in the early 1960s about the same time he saved Rayonier Willamette #2. The Skagit also had operated out of Rayonier's Sekiu shops up to Hoko Camp. He moved the Skagit to his property in 1965. It was manufactured in 1930s by Skagit Steel & Iron Works of Sedro Woolley, Washington and is a model 6-60. The six denotes it having a 6 cylinder engine; the 60 denotes that it can carry the weight of 60 men. The week of June 8th, our Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad crews all gathered at Jim's place to get the crew speeder loaded for the trip to our shops at Tillamook to start her restoration back to service. My friend and Jim's fellow author of their Willamette book, Steve Hauff was nice enough to arrange the loan of a 1934 Cletrac tractor for our use in the move. This hand-cranked piece of equipment proved invaluable and got us loaded out in one day rather than the planned 2 days. The little giant served us well in dragging the Skagit's storage track over so

July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Page 1 Skagit Crew Speeder on the Move it would align with the dropped low-boy trailer. She then had no trouble what so ever in pulling the Skagit up onto the trailer for final tie-down. Jim had the foresight to not only save the Skagit itself but also extra parts such as extra engines and drive wheels and axle assemblies that will prove invaluable in the restoration of the big Skagit. Those of us today are lucky that there were a few men like Jim Gertz who went to the trouble to save and then preserve these historic pieces of railroad history for the next generation to appreciate and restore back to operation for generations yet to come.

1934 Cletrac Tractor

For more info on the Skagit Steel and Iron Works see: http://www.skagitriverjournal.com/ sw/business/post1900/ss/skagitst Ready for Transportation to its New Home eel01-birthtimeline.html The Crew Speeder being Loaded

Siemens Chargers Coming to WSDOT by Arlen L. Sheldrake. The Washington State Department of Transportation is purchasing eight new Siemens Charger locomotives from Siemens USA. The locomotives will be built in the Siemens Sacramento, California facility. The Departments of Transportation for the states of Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington awarded Siemens in March 2014 a contract for the delivery of 32 diesel-electric locomotives. The contract is valued at approximately $225 million. It includes a purchase option for another 225 locomotives (75 for regional and 150 for mainline operations) which will be used for regional and mainline trains traveling at speeds of up to 125 mph. The 32 locomotives ordered are scheduled to be delivered between Fall of 2016 and mid-2017. The contract is currently in the Final Design Review phase which is scheduled to be completed this summer. First locomotive delivery to WSDOT starts Fall 2016 with testing complete in Spring 2017. The new locomotives will accommodate two additional round trips between Seattle and Portland. The new locomotives will have higher accelerations rates and top speeds, lower emission rates, on-board positive train control and be more reliable. The primary traction drive, a 4,400 hp-rated diesel engine (QSK95) with 16 cylinders and a cubic capacity of 95 liters, will be manufactured in the U.S. by Cummins Inc. These modern locomotives are powerful and efficient and will deliver a cleaner ride, with better air quality and reduced emission rates ensuring compliance with the Federal Railroad's EPA Tier IV regulation required to be in place in 2015. These U.S. locomotives are based technically on the Siemens Eurosprinter, Eurorunner and Vectron locomotive platforms which have been proven through several billion kilometers in both freight and passenger service. The components are procured and Photo Coutersy of Siemens http://www.siemens.com/press/en/pressrelease manufactured exclusively in the United States. Washington State is delivering nearly $800 million in federally funded rail corridor improvements using high speed rail grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and administered by the Federal Railroad Administration. The purchase of these new locomotives is one of those projects. Sources: Siemens Press Release 3/18/2014 & WSDOT Rail – Amtrak Cascades New Locomotives 4/14/2015

Page 2 July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster The Tenders of the SP 4449 Articles Developed by Arlen Sheldrake

4449's Lost Tender Found On May 29th , the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation received the following message: “I have a picture and information on a piece someone found of what looks like a water tender box, with Daylight colors and 4449 on it. I can send a picture and location if you are interested.” Further communication with Armando Soliz developed the following. “A friend took this picture at an abandon gas station/store in Desert Center, California, 20 miles west of Blythe off the I-10 freeway. Picture taken around May 27th .” As one might imagine, Doyle McCormack indicates that he never lost a tender so the possibility of this being a real 4449 tender was eliminated. However, Doyle remembers quite well making the movie Tough Guys during the spring of 1986 and part of that movie was the building of a replica 4449 and tender; this was the replica that was crashed into Mexico. Following the shooting of the movie, the replica locomotive and tender were sold to private individuals. Doyle believes this is the movie tender replica that was discovered in Desert Center, California almost 30 years after being built. The movie train was called the Gold Coast Flyer. Walt Disney Productions leased the 4449 for about 1 ½ months through the cooperation of the Pacific Northwest Chapter, NRHS, the custodian and operator of the SP4449, the City of Portland, owner of the locomotive, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, and the locomotive crew. The movie was released during the fall of 1986 and can occasionally be seen on cable. The Gold Coast Flyer sign that adorned the 4449 and a movie poster are on display at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Article developed by Arlen L. Sheldrake with the assistance of Doyle McCormack. Photo from Armando Soliz.

4449's Auxiliary Tender

4449's auxiliary tender, No. 4219, is used for additional water storage and supply when the locomotive is used for overnight and longer excursions around the state and country. The tender is Amtrak Certified. The capacity of the auxiliary tender is about 30,000 gallons of water. This tender was originally the tender for SP No. 4219, an AC-10 class 4-8-8-2 cab forward steam locomotive, and had actually been with that locomotive thru its entire life, which was very unusual. Later this tender was used to provide water for the rotary snow plows, as SPMW 7206, and later it went to fire-fighting service duty, as SPMW 4764A, for the SP in Eugene and remote areas of the Cascade Line of the railroad. SP donated the tender to the Pacific Northwest Chapter, NRHS to support the 4449's Chapter 1984 trip to New Orleans. The tender was acquired by the Friends of SP4449 from the Chapter. The top corners of the tender where rounded off in order to match the rear portion of 4449's tender, during the conversion to all water, in preparation for the 1984 New Orleans Worlds Fair Daylight trip. The tender is currently stored in the East Portland yard of the Oregon Pacific Railroad just north of ORHC. Photos provided by Arlen Sheldrake. [Some information for this article was from Trainorders.com section titled “Steam & Excursion > SP 4449 auxiliary tender”.]

July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Page 3 The Milwaukee Road in Kittitas County Text and Photos By Ken Vannice The Milwaukee Road Historical Association recently had their annual convention in Yakima, WA. PNWC VP Mark Reynolds and I attended. The first day we toured points west. We visited the Snoqualmie Tunnel, tunnel No. 50, an 11,909 foot tunnel under the crest of the Cascade Mountains. We hiked to the tunnel portal and as far inside as we could see which wasn't far. It is now part of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail within the Iron Horse State Park used for hiking and biking. A feature of the Coast Division of the Milwaukee Road was that it was electrified around 1917. We saw where the Hyak substation at mile 2115 had been. (Mile markers are from Union Station, Chicago.) These substations convert the 100,000VAC, 3-phase electrical power from the utility to the 3000VDC power for the trolley wire to the train “motors” (locomotive implies independence). We also learned that the Milwaukee Road had built a ski lodge at Hyak and ran ski excursion trains in the winter. One of the attendees that had worked at this substation explained that when the snow plow blew snow high in the air, the exposed switches on the top of the power poles would not close properly. We then traveled east to the next power substation at South Cle Elum, mile 2086. This station and the area around it is part of the Iron Horse State Park administered by the State of Washington. The substation Tunnel No. 50 structure is intact but the contents had been removed. We were privileged to be the first public group allowed to tour the inside of this substation. Parts from this and other substations have slowly been returning with the hope that the interior can be partially re-constructed as a display. The passenger station and beanery has also been restored along with an interpretative trail to view the remnants of other features of this crew change station. On the return trip to Yakima we toured the next substation east at mile 2054, Kittitas. All that is left is the foundation but the passenger station has been somewhat restored. In the evenings there were several presentations. Noel Holley, an author and recognized expert

Power Substation on the Milwaukee electrification, narrated a series of slides. Wayne Monger and others from the Cascade Rail Foundation, the people behind the development at South Cle Elum, talked about the bringing home of the Milwaukee 5057, a GE U25B diesel locomotive, from the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola to South Cle Elum for display. Currently this locomotive is offsite being re-painted. The goal is to build an exhibit hall for this locomotive. The hope is to also return the first electric motor, the Milwaukee 10200 GE box cab, to this enclosure from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. Rob Leachman presented a compelling case for the real reason the Milwaukee Road failed. On the second day we traveled east on I-90 through the Saddle Mountains under the 118 foot high Renslow Trestle separating the right-of-way and trail of the northwest from the southeast. The trestle is fenced off but the trail is accessible on each side. Even though the right-of-way to the southeast now passes through the US Army Yakima Training Center, the trail is available to the public. Since we were bus bound we missed visiting Boylston hill, the steepest grade on the Milwaukee Road, and the next substation, Doris. We finally arrived at the bridge at mile 2026 across the Columbia River at Beverly. This bridge is 2,100 feet long with a wye at the western end going north to Boylston hill and south to Hanford. The bridge is intact but fenced on each end. All materials to construct this bridge were brought down the river from the Great Northern on the steam-driven sternwheeler St. Paul. We continued on east to Taunton, the last substation in the Coast Division. We were to visit this substation but the road was not suitable so we viewed it from the highway. It looked well preserved from the outside. Our final destination for this part of the story was Othello. It is in this town the electric motors would be swapped out for steam and later on, diesel, locomotives for a continued trip to Avery, ID. There is an interpretive Milwaukee caboose and a working signal at this location but most everything has been removed leaving only some foundations. Mark and I are thinking there might The Bridge at Beverly be an excursion here with perhaps a stay at the Iron Horse Inn, a rail crew hotel at South Cle Elum that is a museum in of itself, and perhaps a bike ride on the John Wayne trail, downhill of course. The Bridge at Beverly Page 4 July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster PNW SHORT LINES by Arlen L. Sheldrake The Alaska Railroad Corp. has received Silver LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the railroad's renovation of its 74-year-old Freight Shed. The shed is the first historic building in Alaska renovated to meet the council's stringent standards. Alaska Railroad News Release 5/21/2015. The Maxwell Siding Railroad Museum in Hermiston, Oregon, formed thirty years ago, but the group is facing tough times as the membership has dwindled to two (2) and they are 76 and 81 years old. Of their many artifacts, the two rotary snow plows are pretty unique. One was built in 1910 and the other in 1949, one of four steam powered rotary snowplows built after World War II and the only one still in existence. The museum is open on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm and by appointment. The 2015 Enhance Hermiston plan to improve the aesthetic value and livability of Hermiston lists the Museum as one of seven projects to spiff up Hermiston and that the Museum should be acquired by the City, added to Hodge Park, down-sized, and drastically improved. [The Museum is located at 200 W Highland Avenue; sounds like one should not put off a visit.] East Oregonian 5/23/2015, Hermiston Herald 5/22/2025 & City of Hermiston. Visitors to Portland can now “Hop-On Hop-Off” at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. The 2015 Portland trolley tour now turns around in the ORHC parking lot and includes ORHC as one of their 12 stops. Dates of operation: daily, May 23 to October 11 except May 30 and June 6. More information: www.graylineofportland.com. Yamhill County received a National Park Service grant to fund a community planner to develop a conceptual outline for the Yamhelas Westsider Trail. The 17-mile trail will replace the former Union Pacific rail line running north from St. Joseph, midway between McMinnville and Lafayette, passing Carlton, Yamhill and Hagg Lake on its way to a terminus near Gaston, Oregon. More information: www.yamhelaswestsidertrail.org. Member Gordon Zimmerman reports he continues to work with this group. Yamhelas Westsider Trail news 4/13/2015. The Payette River Flyer will operate its 2nd season during the summer of 2015 on Saturdays and Sundays. They will be offering a shuttle service and scenic train ride for those visitors to the Valley County area. Rafter and kayakers will be able to load their watercraft on our train in Smiths Ferry for a one way trip just south of Cabarton. We will be operating on the Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad's subdivision between Smiths Ferry and Cascade, Idaho. This new service will operate with two Budd RDC cars and a raft storage flat car. payetteriverflyer.com [These are the RDC units that ran on the Lewis & Clark Explorer (Linnton to Astoria), then went to Wallowa Union Railroad and are now in Idaho.] The Washington State Department of Transportation asked the public to vote for their favorite clocktower design from three options. The options were: The Traveler, Trestle Clock, or Ghost Clock. The votes were due by June 8. The clocktower will be one element of the new Tacoma station, which will serve Amtrak passengers beginning in 2017. WSDOT has been developing the station design with input from a subgroup of the Citizen's Advisory Committee, who believe the clocktower could serve as an iconic addition to the Tacoma landscape. It will stand 80 to 90 feet tall and be located on 25th Street, in front of the Freighthouse Square building and across the street from the commuter parking garage. WSDOTemail 5/26/2015. Surface Transportation Board Decision, Docket Number FD_35911_0. Decision Notes (March 31, 2015): Decision granted Portland & Western Railroad, Inc., to acquire and continue to operate approximately 3.5 miles of rail line owned by Port of Tillamook Bay in Oregon without giving employees the advance notice otherwise required under the Board's regulations. The rail line is between milepost 774.0, at Banks, and milepost 770.5, at Schefflin, in Washington County, Oregon. PNWR is the current operator of the Line, subject to trackage rights retained by POTB, pursuant to a lease agreement dated May 9, 1999. Pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement dated January 16, 2015, PNWR would continue to operate the Line, and POTB would discontinue its trackage rights over the Line. STB Docket Number FD_35911_0.

July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Page 5 Sound Transit reports strong ridership growth during quarter 1 2015: - Link light rail (Seattle): 31,293 average weekday boardings and 2.4 million boardings for the quarter (7% weekday increase from Q1, 2014). - Sounder commuter rail: 13,845 average weekday boardings and 892,262 boardings for the quarter (18% weekday increase from Q1 2014) - Tacoma Link light rail: 3,655 average weekday boardings and 264,546 boardings for the quarter (12% weekday increase from Q1 2014). The full ridership report can be found here: www.soundtransit.org/ridership. Sound Transit News Release 5/28/2015. On May 21st the Skagit County Superior Court dismissed Shell Oil Refinery's appeal of a decision that required an environmental impact statement for their proposed oil-by-rail expansion. This decision follows the Skagit County Hearing Examiner's February 2015 ruling that Shell's proposed project posed a significant risk of harm to people, water and wildlife. The proposed expansion would route six more mile-long oil trains per week through Washington. [Shell's refinery: Puget Sound Refinery, Anacortes, Washington.] Earthjustice 5/21/2015. The Shell Puget Sound Refinery (PSR) proposed to build a rail spur from the existing adjacent Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) mainline into Shell PSR property with equipment to pump oil from rail cars into the refinery. The crude brought in by rail would replace some supply currently brought in by ship and would serve to maintain current production, not increase capacity. Shell PSR anticipates that it would receive approximately one unit train per day. Each unit train would include approximately four locomotives, and approximately 102 oil tank rail cars containing crude oil. The facility is being designed to receive a maximum of six unit trains per week, for a total of approximately 612 incoming fully loaded oil cars and 612 outgoing empty tank cars on a weekly basis. The rail extension for the crude unloading facility would extend from the existing BNSF rail line and spur (near South March Point Road) in a northwesterly direction approximately 5,500 feet to North Texas Road. The rail facility would consist of approximately 8,000 feet of unloading tracks with a concrete unloading pad, approximately 1,300 feet of track for temporary storage of rail cars that are taken out of service for repair and maintenance, and about 7,200 feet of train-staging track. Shell PSR currently does not have rail access. Skagit County Planning and Development Services. Of special note is the Snoqualmie Railroad Days, August 14 thru August 16, at and around the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington. Railroad Days is the annual community festival celebrating the spirit and origins as a railroad and logging town, and the home of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. Volunteer firemen and their wives organized the first festival in 1938, and the popular event is still going strong. Last year about 10,000 visitors attended the festival. The Northwest Railway Museum is the home of the Santa Cruz and Portland Cement locomotive 2, a 1909-built Porter locomotive. More information: www.railroaddays.com. Opening May 30, 1905, The Oaks, built by the Oregon Water Power & Railway Company, just celebrated its 110th birthday as it continues to operate in the Sellwood neighborhood in SE Portland. The Oaks opened along with the 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition bringing thousands of people, most by train, to Portland. Visitors to both venues arrived via streetcar. As our Oregon Rail Heritage Center Docents tell our visitors, our OR&N 197 was purchased specifically to pull passenger trains full of thousands of visitors to Portland. The Oregonian 5/31/2015. The Friends of the Columbia River Gorge joined six other environmental groups filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Transportation new crude-by-rail safety rules, calling them too “weak” to prevent fiery derailments. The coalition launched their legal challenge May 15th at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9 th Circuit in San Francisco. The other six groups: ForestEthics, Sierra Club, Waterkeeper Alliance, Washington Environmental Council, Spokane Riverkeeper and the Center for Biological Diversity. The Hood River News 5/20/2015. Transit on Tap is a fun and informal talk series hosted by a different pub each month. Expert presenters dish on everything transit-related, from service to history to sustainability. This is your chance to join the conversation, ask questions, or just kick back and listen - all while enjoying some world-class beers! Each event is free to attend (and often includes prizes and giveaways!), but you'll be responsible for purchasing your food and beverages. The June 17th talk was about what crews unearthed and even found in the walls of buildings, during construction of the MAX Orange Line. trimet.org/ontap/

Page 6 July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster On June 27th the West Coast Railway Museum in Squamish, B.C. celebrated the Royal Hudson's 75th birthday with a major gala and fundraising launch as they move to the next step in returning the Royal Hudson to steam. www.wcra.org A new report from BNSF Railway shows that between eight and 12 trains now haul oil through the Columbia River Gorge each week. That's down from as many as 18 each week in 2014. Oil trains have grown less frequent throughout the Pacific Northwest as oil prices have collapsed. Traffic also dwindled earlier this year along two Oregon routes – through Central Oregon and between Oregon and an oil-barging facility in Clatskanie. BNSF noted that it hasn't moved any oil trains through Central Oregon since February. The Oregonian 6/4/2015 A 37% rebound in oil prices will boost crude-by-rail shipments as drillers complete more wells and extract more crude that U.S. pipelines don't have the capacity to handle, BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matthew K. Rose said June 15th . The production cuts and strong demand from refineries have led prices to rebound to about $60 a barrel from a six-year low of less than $44 in March. Bloomberg News 5/15/2015. The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) has announced a new Mutual Aid Agreement for Rail Emergency Response between several Washington state refineries and BNSF Railway. The voluntary agreement will establish the sharing of personnel and resources between refiners, railways and their first responders to ensure the highest level of prevention and response in Washington State. The agreement also stipulates procedures for communicating the need for mutual aid assistance and responses from signatory members. Signatory member include BNSF Railway, BP Cherry Point, Phillips 66, Shell Oil Products US, Tesoro Companies, and U.S. Oil Refining Co. Western States Petroleum Association 6/4/2015. On May 30th Sandpoint, Idaho celebrated the grand re-opening of their 1916 former Northern Pacific depot. This marked the completion of a $1 million project to save and renovate the Gothic-style depot that was a result of community, BNSF Railway and Amtrak efforts that began in 2009. The station and grounds are owned by BNSF; the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Sandpoint Burlington Northern Railway Station. Sandpoint is the only Amtrak Empire Builder stop in Idaho. Currently Amtrak is the only station lessee; additional tenants may be acquired. A soft opening was held on May 1st marking the first time in 6 years that train passengers could again use the station. Preservation Idaho awarded the project an Orchid for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The Orchids and Onions Awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made positive [or negative] contributions to historic preservation in Idaho. Coeur d'Alene Press 6/3/2015& Trains Newswire 6/10/2015. The excitement and planning continues to build as the many August and September MAX Orange Line and Portland Streetcar opening events approach near the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. These events will bring 10s of thousands of visitors to the ORHC neighborhood. Additional volunteers are needed for these special events and regular ORHC service, if interested please contact Al Baker, ([email protected]), Volunteer Coordinator. Events include: - August 8: Providence Bridge Pedal Health & Wellness Expo - August 9: Tilikum Crossing Bike & Pedestrian Review - August 23-30: National Model Railroad Association convention. - September 12: MAX Orange Line Grand Opening. - September 27: Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood Portland Sunday Parkways. PNWC members can also receive a color electronic copy of The Trainmaster by just sending an email message so stating to me: [email protected]. Trainmaster files are a bit over 2MB and the color version is outstanding. I think you will agree that our Editor, T. Trent Stetz does, each and every month, an outstanding layout job. The Palouse River and Coulee City Rail System 2015 to 2025 Strategic Plan was completed in May 2015 by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Freight Systems Division and is available for viewing at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/freight/pcc. The 73 page plan has identified and prioritized $58 million in infrastructure projects. Amtrak's Exhibit Train is visiting Whitefish, Montana August 15-16. No word yet on the re- scheduling of the Salem, Oregon visit. The Sound Transit Board used public input to update the Long-Range Plan in December 2014. Sound Transit 3, the next step toward expanding the regional mass transit system, could be on the ballot for voter consideration as soon as November 2016. To get there, the Sound Transit Board has developed a draft list of possible transit projects for the Puget Sound region. Now it is the public's turn to weigh in on which projects Sound Transit should study for potential inclusion in a regional ballot measure. More information: soundtransit3.org. July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Page 7 1970 & 1971 President of PNWC, Roger W. Phillips, died earlier this year. Hopefully an obituary will be written that we can share in a future Trainmaster. BNSF Railway on June 9th announced new service schedules for its domestic intermodal customers to and from Chicago and St. Paul, Minn. to the Pacific Northwest. The new schedules are in direct response to marketplace demand and are a result of BNSF's record capital investments along its Northern Corridor route. The new schedules will take effect September 14th . The new schedules will feature Expedited service seven days a week for westbound traffic and six days a week for eastbound traffic, which is one day more than is currently offered in the marketplace for this region. BNSF will be the only rail operator to offer Expedited service to and from Seattle. Business Wire 6/9/2015. The City of Prineville Railroad is considering asking the state legislature to approve inland port status for its Prineville Freight Depot to help with the transit nightmare predicted for the I-5 freeway caused by Hanjin pulling out of Portland and shifting operations to Tacoma and Seattle. Oregon Business 6/9/2015. The Washington Department of Transportation submitted an application for a Tiger VII Grant of $5.2 million for rail repairs on the Palouse and Lewiston Branch Rail Line between the cities of Marshall and McCoy. The project will repair one steel bridge and three timber bridges and replaces 11 timber bridges on the Washington state-owned line. The Port of Whitman County is co-applicant with WSDOT for the grant request. Awards will be made by the end of summer or early fall. WSDOT press release 6/5/2015. New book at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center store: 4449 – The Queen of Steam by Henry Brueckman & Jeffrey Moreau, March 1984 by Carbarn Press. 64 pages, hardbound, brand new with dust cover and plastic wrap, ISBN 0-934406-01-4, original 1984 price $23.00, ORHC price = $23.00; a very nice book for your library. By the end of June, crews at BP Cherry Point refinery are expected to complete an additional rail loop at the crude oil train unloading facility off Grandview Road. The third loop allows for more room to store empty crude oil tank cars until they can be taken away by BNSF Railway. BP Cherry Point will allow only newer-model train cars at its crude oil terminal. The new loop will not increase the refinery's permitted capacity to get an average of one crude oil “unit” train per day (on an annual basis), loaded with around 100 tank cars. Work on the projected started in April. The Bellingham Herald 6/10/2015. The Cherry Point Refinery is located in Blaine, Washington, employs approximately 750 people and the main output is diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. This refinery supplies 20% of Washington and Oregon's auto fuel. BP web site. June 11th , Rita and I were doing a Volkswalk around historic Tacoma, 11K and a lot of great architecture. We decided to take a look inside Tacoma's main post office in downtown as we were walking by and who is in line to buy stamps?, one Ed Berntsen (member of PNWC and Tacoma chapters) …..Ed lives in Tacoma but what are the odds…talk about your small world. The Volkswalk start point was the Spar Coffee Bar & Café, Tacoma's oldest saloon that has a bunch of neat historic railroad pictures on their walls of Tacoma by Jim Fredrickson. The Spar has some great draft beers, good food, mainline track and bay viewing (a perfect combo!). For 2015 Union Pacific is making the following investments in their infrastructure: Washington: $4 million, including the following key projects: - $1.2 million investment in the rail line near Seattle to replace nearly 5 miles of rail. - $871,000 investment in the rail line between Spokane and Wallula to replace nearly 1 mile of rail in various curves and repair the surfaces of 7 road crossings. Oregon: $81 million, including the following key projects: - $12.4 million investment in the rail line between Portland and La Grande to replace 91,521 railroad ties and install 56,681 tons of rack ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces of 40 road crossings. - $11 million investment in the rail line between Hermiston and Wallula to replace 22 miles of rail. - $7.7 million investment in the rail line between Portland and Salem to replace 62,414 railroad ties and install 25,695 tons of rock ballast. Union Pacific news releases 6/9/2015.

Page 8 July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Oregon's last two remaining wig-wag crossing signals on an operating railroad are being replaced as the crossings are upgraded. With thanks to Bob Melbo, ODOT Rail Division, these signals are headed for preservation. The 11th Street Medford signal is headed to the Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society. The Oak Street Ashland signal will come to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Canpotek selected National Steel Car (NSC) to manufacture 700 railcars for potash shipments. Canotex's investment in these additional railcars is valued at $70 million. NSC is located in Hamilton, Ontario. Since 1999, Canpotex has invested over $500 million to build over 7,000 railcars with National Steel Car. Canpotex's railcars are custom designed in Canada by National Steel Car in collaboration with Canpotex to conform to the specific properties of potash. Potash is Canada's largest mineral export and Canpotex currently ships in excess of 10 million tonnes per year, representing approximately $3 billion in annual exports. Once in service, Canpotex's railcars will transport potash from Saskatchewan to Canpotex port facilities in Vancouver, B.C. and the Portland, Oregon, to meet the needs of Canpotex's customers in 36 global markets. National Steel Car press release 6/18/2015. Oregon will continue to foot an increased bill for state-subsidized passenger rail service between Portland and Eugene. But the reprieve for Amtrak, which operates the service that extends to Seattle and beyond, may last just two more years. According to Oregon Senate co-chairwoman of the Legislature's joint budget subcommittee on transportation and economic development, “They have a schedule that does not work for people. We cannot keep up the level of subsidization we are providing per ticket.” This key lawmaker said that officials and passenger-rail advocates have two more years to come up with ways to counter declining ridership, increasing costs and a shift from federal subsidies to the two states on the Cascades Corridor. Portland Tribune 6/19/2015. 2015 NRHS Convention Report by Al Baker - PNWC National Representative The 2015 Convention for NRHS was held June 15 through 22, 2015 in Rutland, Vermont. There was approximately 540 attendees, a very good showing. Rutland and surrounding area is a very beautiful area in central Vermont, highlighted by the surrounding mountains and forests. With the cooperation of the Vermont Railroad, there were several great excursions to enjoy as well as other tours of the area. I attended the Advisory Council Meeting, the Board of Director’s Meeting, and the Annual Membership Meeting. In general, the report is that things are progressing nicely towards fixing past problems, and making changes to keep NRHS headed down a better pathway. The key here is to realize that we have had some significant problems, which are actively being worked on, but it is going to take a while until we get everything fixed. Everybody doing this work is a volunteer, and many if not most, have full time jobs that have to be maintained. We have completely severed ties with the company that for several years did much of our administrative work, Fernley and Fernley. This worked good for a while, but in recent years has been the source of many problems. There was some severe financial and accounting problems, and problems with the membership database. We are getting close to having the financial problems figured out, but the membership database needs a lot of work. It was so bad, that we could not even say accurately how many members we had. Family members were not linked together, and in some cases not counted. Some members, maybe some of you, will get renewal notices, when you have already paid. If so, please return them saying that you already paid, or say so in an email to [email protected]. If you haven’t renewed, please do so asap as this is a way that you can help NRHS improve. More and more members have provided their email addresses to NRHS, which helps with communication, and with providing the NRHS News. We expect that we now have over 7000 members, possibly more if some respond to the latest round of renewal notices. Rail Camp will be held both in the east in Delaware, and in the west in Tacoma. Both camps are full and an excellent program has been set up for both. During the meeting the a hat was passed which resulted in collecting over $4,000 for Rail Camp! Several Grants were announced providing funds to various organizations for projects. In addition to myself, there were some other PNWC members in attendance. Those include my wife Marianne, Dale Wilken and wife Marilyn, Tom Smith, John Russell and Mike Bergman. Those are the ones I remember, I hope I didn’t miss anybody. If so, I apologize. Next year the convention will be in Denver, July 1924. That’s quite a bit closer than Vermont, so maybe you can be there too!

July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Page 9 June Membership Meeting Minutes Pacific Northwest Chapter - National Railway Historical Society Held on June 19, 2014 The June, 2015 general membership meeting was called to order at 7:32pm by President Keith Fleschner. There were no guests present. The May meeting minutes were called. Dave Larsen made a motion to approve the minutes and Bruce Strange seconded. The membership voted to approve the minutes. George Hickok gave the monthly treasurers report that all accounts balance. He reported that his previous employer, Intel, pays ten dollars for each volunteer hour made by present and retired employees up to a thousand hours. Ron McCoy made the monthly presentation of the Unsung Hero award to Arlen Sheldrake for his many hours of work including the “Short Lines” column included in the Trainmaster. Ron also announced that at the end of July is the Bohemian Mining Days Celebration in Cottage Grove , Oregon, and they have asked us (the Chapter) to attend and give presentations during the festival. He is looking for volunteers. George Hickok reported that the three railcars at the Albany & Eastern Railroad have received much work and the air conditioning works in all three cars. The glass to replace the bad windows in the round end has arrived and work has started in replacing the foam in the seats of the 6800. Bruce Strange presented the sign-up sheet for volunteers for the Steam-Up at Antique Powerland. Trent Stetz announced that an re-scheduling of the postponed Amtrak Train Day may be coming. Arlen Sheldrake announced that August 9 is the Portland Bridge Pedal and September 12 is the opening of the TriMet Orange line. Jan Zweerts reminded the membership that June 20 is the Rose City Garden Train Tour. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm. Again snack time was provided by Jean Hickok. Thank You Jean.

The program for the evening was a video on the famous F units. Arlen Receives the Unsung Hero Respectfully submitted Award from Ron McCoy by Jim Hokinson, Secretary. Photos by Jim Hokinson Albany & Eastern Railroad (AERC) B-40-8 No. 1841 Pictured March 3, 2015 fresh out of the paint shop at Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, Illinois, is Albany & Eastern B-40-8 No. 1841 built by GE in July 1988 as SSW/Cotton Belt No. 8041 to Union Pacific No. 5650 to UP No. 1841, retired and sold at auction in 2013. Photo & caption provided by Mark Mautner, Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Page 10 July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Chapter Officers President Keith Fleschner 503.516.9272 Vice President Mark Reynolds 503.638.7411 Treasurer George Hickok 503.649.5762 PORTLAND Secretary Jim Hokinson 503.635.4826 National Rep. Al Baker 503.645.9079 TERMINAL Chapter Directors-at-Large Phil Barney 2013-2015 503.706.0498 RAILROAD Ken Vannice 2013-2015 503.244.8732 Bryan Ackler 2015-2017 503.246.2165 David Cautley 2015-2017 503.631.7516 LOGO Jean Hickok 2014-2016 503.649.5762 Trent Stetz 2014-2016 503.643.1494 SIGN Committee Chairs Activities Ron McCoy 503.310.4811 Archives William Hyde 503.666.5530 The above sign is a railroad company locomotive sign from the Auditor Bob McCoy 360.459.3251 1966-1970’s era of the Portland Terminal Railroad Company Car Host Mark Reynolds 503.638.7411 Concessions Vacant (PTRC). When most railroads were painting the company logos Chapter Rep., Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation on the locomotives, the PTRC and its predecessor the Northern Keith Fleschner 503.516.9272 Pacific Terminal Company (NPTCo), used a metal plate with Chapter Home George Hickok 503.649.5762 the logo applied to it that was then bolted to the cab of the Elections Jim Loomis 503.253.3926 locomotive. The NPTCo was founded in 1884 by the Villard Excursions Jim Long 503.313.7382 companies, the Northern Pacific, Oregon Rail and Navigation Flanger Restoration Phil Barney 503.706.0498 Company and Oregon & California Railway as a terminal Library Ken Vannice 503.244.8732 switching and service company. The NPTCo was charged with Meeting Programs Al Baker 503.645.9079 building and operating a Grand Union Station (now known as Membership Diana Mack 503.723.3345 Union Station) and providing local switching and transfer Rolling Stock George Hickok 503.649.5762 services for the owner railroads, which by the 1950s consisted Keith Fleschner 503.516.9272 of: Great Northern, Northern Pacific, Spokane Portland & Chief Mech. Officer Peter Rodabaugh 503.701.7040 Seattle, Oregon Rail & Navigation Company, Union Pacific Car Rental Agt. Bob Jackson 503.231.4808 and Southern Pacific. The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Safety Officer Keith Fleschner 503.516.9272 National Railway Historical Society is restoring NPTCo/PTRC S-2 Restoration Mark Reynolds 503.638.7411 Alco S2 Number 36 and it is on display in Antique Powerland in Webmasters Jim Long 503.313.7382 Brooks, Oregon. [ This information is summarized from a new Mark Whitson 503.533.7005 exhibit panel, developed by Alfred Mullett, to accompany the Printed in the USA sign on loan at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Many thanks to The Trainmaster is the official newsletter of the Pacific North- Bob Portwood and family for the loan of the locomotive logo west Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. It is plate.] published monthly for the benefit of its members. Articles which appear in T he Trainmaster do not express the official position of the organization Bill of Lading on any subject unless specifically noted as such. Skaggit Crew Speeder...... Page 1 Material from The Trainmaster may be reprinted in other publications provided credit is given as to the source, Skaggit Crew Speeder (cont)...... Page 2 except in cases where the article originated in a third party Siemens Locomotives...... Page 2 publication and special permission was given to The Trainmas- ter to print the article here. Please address contributions and The Tenders of the SP 4449...... Page 3 correspondence to: The Milwaukee Road in Klittitas Count.y...... Page 4 Attn: The Trainmaster Editor PNWC-NRHS, Union Station, 800 NW 6th Ave Rm 1 PNW Shortlines...... Page 5 Portland OR 97209-3794 The NRHS 2015 Convention Report...... Page 9 Voice: 503.226.6747 Fax: 503.230.0572 Chapter email: [email protected] Chapter Meeting Minutes...... Page 10 The Trainmaster email: [email protected] Albany and Eastern Locomtoive...... Page 10 Website: http://www.pnwc-nrhs.org Portland Terminal Logo Sign...... Page 11 ISSN: 0041-0926 Editor Trent Stetz 503.643.1494 Officers, Committees & Contacts...... Page 11 Circulation George Hickok 503.649.5762 Calendar ...... Page 12 Mailing/Distribution Jean Hickok 503.649.5762 George Hickok 503.649.5762 Mission Statement...... Page 12 TM Liaison/Reporter Arlen Sheldrake 503.351.9881

July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Page 11 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER TIMETABLE No. 636 Membership Meetings: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5415 SE Powell Blvd. 7:30 pm (Guests Most Welcome!) July 17: Steaming Along the NP with the SP&S 700 thru the Montana Rockies. Video narrated by Ken Vannice and Mark Reynolds. This video covers the trip from Missoula Flood & Cabinet Gorge, which might be of special interest to Portlanders, and ends in Livingston, MT. It is an incredible train film and has lots of beautiful scenery. August 21: Update on the SP&S 700 by Steve Sedaker, Vice President, Pacific Railroad Preservation Association. Sept. 18: "The Last Train to Pittsfield", A video documentary made in 1971 of the last run of a pre- Amtrak train. It is a Penn Central train going from Danbury, CT to Pittsfield, MA and includes aerial photography and professional editing.

Forward program ideas to Al Baker, 503.645.9079 or [email protected]

July 9, Thursday, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd, Suite 200, 7:30pm Board of Director’s Meetings: August 13, Thursday, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd, Suite 200, 7:30pm (Open to all Chapter Members. Note address for Board meetings; Follow instructions posted on the door for entry.) NOTABLE NON-CHAPTER EVENTS: Jan. – Nov. Portland Train Rides, every Sat., Oregon Rail Heritage Center, www.portlandtrainrides.com May 1 – October 15 Northern Pacific Railway Museum open, Toppenish WA, www.nprymuseum.org July 3 to Sept. 7, Willamette Shore Trolley on Fri, Sat & Sun, 10 am, 12, 2 & 4pm, oerhs.org/wst/schedule.htm July 4 Fireworks Train, Santiam Excursion Train, Lebanon OR, www.santiamexcursiontrains.com July 11 Sportman's Holiday Fireworks Train, Santiam Excursion Train, Lebanon OR July 14-18 Northern Pacific Railroad Historical Assn. Convention, Fargo ND, www.nprha.org July 16-19 Bohemia Mining Days, By Wing, By Wheel, By Engine of Steel, Cottage Grove, bohemiaminingdays.org July 18-19 Clamshell Railroad Days, Ilwaco, WA, columbiapacificheritagemuseum.com July 18-19 Pacific Northwest Live Steamers Ramble, Molalla Train Park, www.pnls.org July 18-22 Great Northern Railway Historical Society Convention, Minneapolis MN, www.gnrhs.org July 24-26 Steam-Up & Antique Machinery Show, Alberni Valley Heritage Network, www.alberniheritage.com July 25-26 Down River Days, Pend Oreille Valley Railroad, Ione WA,www.lionstrainrides.com July 25-26 Great Oregon Steam-Up, Antique Powerland, Brooks, OR, www.antiquepowerland.com July 31-Aug 2 Sweet Home Jamboree Party Train, Santiam Excursion Train, Lebanon OR Aug. 1-2 Nampa Depot Fest, Nampa ID, www.canyoncountyhistory.com Aug. 1-2 Great Oregon Steam-Up, Antique Powerland, Brooks, OR, www.antiquepowerland.com Aug. 2 Brooklyn Rail Yard exhibit closes, Oregon Rail Heritage Center, www.orhf.org Aug. 2-9 NRHS RailCamp West, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, www.nrhs.com Aug. 6 MAX History exhibit opens, Oregon Rail Heritage Center, www.orhf.org Aug 14-16 Snoqualmie Railroad Days, Northwest Railway Museum, www.railroaddays.com Aug. 23-30 Portland Daylight Express, The NMRA annual convention in Portland, www.nmra2015portland.org Aug. 28-30 25th Annual National Train Show, Portland Expo Center, www.nmra2015portland.org Sept. 5-6 An Affair on Main Street, Pend Oreille Valley RR Metaline Falls WA, www.lionstrainrides.com Sept. 5-6-7 Pacific Northwest Live Steamers Founders Birthday, Molalla Train Park, www.pnls.org Sept. 5-6-7 Labor Day Weekend Trains, Santiam Excursion Train, Lebanon OR, www.santiamexcursionstrains.com PNWC – NRHS MISSION To preserve and interpret Pacific Northwest railroad history and historical artifacts for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Page 12 July 2015 Pacific Northwest Chapter National Railway Historical Society The Trainmaster Shared with us by Ed Fielding Hello All, As many of you know, the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway is a long standing favorite of mine. Today the RR no longer exists, but it's right-of-way survives from Piney River to Tye River, VA as the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail http://www.blueridge-railtrail.org/

One of the goals of the VBR Trail Foundation is to bring a historic piece of VBR rolling stock back to the trail head at the former Piney River, VA depot. To this end, I have just found out that the Foundation has succeeded in acquiring former VBR (ex-Southern Ry) wood caboose No. 2... or, unfortunately... what's left of it. See the note below from Emily Harper at the Nelson County (VA) Parks & Recreation which oversees the Trail.

The caboose is currently on private property in Rapidan, VA in a very deteriorated state... see attached "before" and "after" pix from 1959 and 2010. Below is some text I put together of what I know about the caboose:

Caboose 2 was a wooden ex-Southern Railway car of 1922 vintage that may have originally carried the road number "X2560". As the Southern began acquiring its first steel, bay-window cabooses in 1948, the old wood cars began their slow march into retirement. X2560 was sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge about that time where it became Caboose No. 2. For the next decade, it faithfully tagged along behind the VBR's freight trains as they rolled their way along the Piney River. By the end of 1960, the stress of long years on the road was apparent, forcing the VBR to retire the car from active service. It was parked on an overgrown side track at Piney River where it was eventually overtaken by plant-life. Around 1979, with old No. 2 clearly showing its age, she was purchased by an individual who trucked the by-now, very fragile car to Rapidan, VA where it was set up on a section of panel track alongside the 1887 Rapidan Depot (currently a private residence) where plans were made to eventually restore the car to its former Southern Railway glory. Unfortunately, this never happened and presently, decades after the caboose left Piney River, it continues to decay and crumble in place...Mother Nature slowly reclaiming the lumber and iron for the earth from whence it came. http://www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/visitor-info/history/43-museuminformation/visitor- information/155-virginia-blue-ridge-railway-page-1

Very fragile indeed ! Hopefully this historic car will survive the planned move back to Piney River and be restored.

Steve

More news, we are getting the old caboose back from Rapidan. It is in terrible condition but evidently savageable. The Trail Foundation will do some fundraising to retore it.

They have wrapped it and I think taken the cupola off. The plan is to put the wheels on one flat bed & the caboose on another.

It will be raised up & the flat bed driven under. Quite a process. Thanks for your help

Emily Harper Director Nelson County Parks & Recreation P.O. Box 442 Lovingston, VA 22949 434-263-7130 www.nelsoncounty-va.gov