January 9, 2015 Dear All

Home , Colebrookdale Railroad, Minnesota Zephyr, Morris Subdivision

January 9, 2015 Dear All:

For those who have asked, my apologies for not letting you all know that the 2014 drawing item will be drawn in a few days (the holidays and illnesses have kept us from drawing the winner). We will announce the winner along with the gift certificates winner. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We will be shortly announcing the 2015 drawing item as the membership is supporting this endeavor. Each year the response and support it receives is better and better. As in past years, we will have a limited number of tickets, so don’t wait too long to get yours!

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/2014%20E‐ Blast%20Page.htm

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/acrvd nld.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).

2015 TCA CONVENTION See http://tcaconvention.org/

OPEN HOUSE INVITE – Sandy and Clem Clement See the attached invite from Sandy and Clem, they hope you can make it.

REMINDERS: John Buxton will be displaying his Dorfan Collection at the open house on Saturday, January 10, 2015. He became interested in Dorfan in 1996 when his Mom moved to a retirement home and they found an O Gauge hopper among his Dads things. Knowing nothing about it or why he had it, he researched it and learned that Dorfan was made from 1924 to 1936 in Newark NJ. After finding little at local shows, he heard about TCA York, and joined TCA. Since then he has accumulated a fair size collection, and has worked to get them to run. Dorfan engines are diecast and have

2 no frames, so the warping and degradation can make running a challenge. He has enjoyed Dorfan Collecting because of its short history and operating challenges. It’s hard to believe that 80 years ago it was the #4 Toy Train Manufacturer and now it is generally unheard of. He will also be sharing his trolley memorabilia. John Buxton has his Christmas Garden up and running at Webers Farms in Parkville, MD http://www.weberscidermillfarm.com/ contact John for more information at [email protected], John is hoping to see you at the Christmas Garden on January 10 from 12‐3 as he opens it up to share with us all.

If you did not pay your 2015 dues in 2014, please click on the link and forward your dues to Dave Eadie. (http://www.wbachapter.org/wbna%20stuff/wba_ap plication_2014.pdf)

UPCOMING WB&A EVENTS March 14, 2015 – WB&A Annapolis Armory Train Show, details attached and mark your calendars. May 9, 2015 – Joint VTC & WB&A (aka NORTH MEETS SOUTH) Great Train Show and Sale at the Eagles Lodge at 21 Cool Spring Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 contact Colleen Hall [email protected] for more

3 information, it’s never too early to start planning. We are pleased to announce that Allen Crotts will be the Train Doctor at the show. Know of a layout that would like to set‐up at the Show? If so, please contact Russell for more information at [email protected].

LAYOUT FOR SALE The attached has 3 pictures of a layout for sale, if interested, please contact me and I will put you in touch with the individual selling it.

WEBSITES/LINKS OF INTEREST/THINGS TO DO/BOOKS Courtesy of the VTC: Suncoast Flyer; High Greet; Empire State Express; and Northstar News.

Courtesy of Andrew while at his son’s cricket tournament in Newcastle, he spent two hours at Sandgate recording the variety of action that passed through, enjoy.

Courtesy of The Frederick News‐Post http://www.fredericknewspost.com/your_life/life_ne ws_collection/hobbies_and_recreation/train‐lovers‐ gather‐around‐model‐locomotives/article_ca143398‐ 7633‐5b18‐8d3f‐1ebd5ac8bad6.html see also

4 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frederick‐County‐ Society‐of‐Model‐Engineers‐ Fcsme/266885386669323

Clem Clement and friends closing down the National Christmas Tree Railroad, what a fantastic job they all do for so many to enjoy, thank you to you all. See Clem’s close down writing attached.

National Capital Trackers at the 2014 Manassas Candy Factory Train Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce‐xTQPUDII

Want to support the C&OHS? I learned of a program thru Kroger Plus Card, see attached.

https://www.facebook.com/wba.chaptertca?f ref=ts&ref=br_tf

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 trains.com calendar of events at: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=list&type =1&cat= 2. Schedule for Trackers can be found at: www.nattrackers.org 3. 2015 Schedule for World’s Greatest Hobby can be found at: http://www.wghshow.com/index.html 4. 2015 Schedule for Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show can be found at: http://www.greenbergshows.com/schedule.html 5. Link for various train shows can be found at: http://www.greattrainexpo.com/ and http://trainshowinc.com and also http://www.modeltrainshows.com/ 6. January 10‐11, 2015 – Delmarva Model RR Club Holiday train show Open House at 103 E. State St. (Rt. 54), Delmar, DE, for more information contact Pete Jackson at 302‐674‐2015 http://www.delmarvamodelrailroadclub.org/eve nts.html 7. January 9 – January 12, 2015 – Dominion GardenFest of Lights celebrates the 30th 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, Va. 23228. Tickets 800‐ 594‐8499, Info: www.lewisginter.org Anniversary of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

8. January 11, 18, 25, 2015 – Antietam Station RR Museum Access and Model train Layouts contact: [email protected] or 301‐800‐9829 9. January 9 ‐ 11, 2015 – Visit Bevell’s Hardware, Inc. Annual Train Display see: www.bevellshardware.com or 434‐292‐7208 109 N. High Street, Blackstone, VA Mon‐Sat. 10‐4 and Sun. 12‐3 (Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) (TCA Member Bobby Daniels creates his 20x60’ Lionel layout every year, thank you Bobby!) 10. January 10‐11, 2015 – WGH in Hampton, VA visit www.wghshow.com 11. January 10‐11, 2015 – Florida Rail Fair Volusia County Fairgrounds in Deland, Florida www.gserr.com 12. January 11, 2015 – RR Memories Online Railroadiana Auction closes for catalog auction www.railroadmemories.com 13. January 11, 18, 25 and February 1, 2015 – Model RR Open House at 423 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frederick‐ County‐Society‐of‐Model‐Engineers‐ Fcsme/266885386669323 14. January 11, 2015 ‐ 9A‐12:30P Plumber’s Union Hall 2791 Southampton Road Philadelphia, PA

19154 Family Admission (2 Adults and All Children Under 12 y.o.) $5.00 see www.ADTCA.com 15. January 17, 2015 – Atlanta RR Show North Atlanta Trade Center in Atlanta, GA www.gserr.com 16. January 17‐18, 2015 ‐ WGH in Raleigh, NC visit www.wghshow.com 17. January 18, 2015 – TTCS Annual Train Show at Utica Union Station in Utica, NY https://www.facebook.com/TTCSUticalTrainSho w 18. January 18, 2015 – Train Show German’s Villa in Vermllion, Ohio www.norwalkandwesterrr.com 19. January 18, 2015 ‐ Virginia Train Collectors, Tidewater Train Show, Nansemond‐Suffolk Academy, 3373 Pruden Blvd. Route 460, Suffolk, Va. 23434. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission $6.00 for non VTC members, Info: Russell Youens, 2019 Floyd, Ave. Richmond, Va. 23220, {804} 342‐6023, http://www.vatraincollectors.com/who‐are‐ we#!__who‐are‐we/vstc3=page‐3 20. January 24‐25, 2015 – RR Hobby Show at Eastern States Expo in Springfield, MA www.railroadhobbyshow.com 21. January 24, 2015 – TCA Raleigh, NC Meet contact Charles Alford at [email protected] or 252‐756‐ 7842

22. January 25, 2015 – Catalog Auction Golden Spike Enterprises Mail Bid Railroadiana Auction www.gserr.com 23. January 25, 2015 ‐ Annual Winter Train Meet 8A‐ 1P Clarion Essington PA 76 Industrial Highway Essington PA 19029 $5.00pp Admission, Children under 12 free w/Paying Adult 24. January 25, 2015 ‐ Toys and Trains Show/Sale 9A‐ 3P Westchester County Center 198 Central Ave White Plains NY 10606 see www.westchestertoytrain.com 25. January 31‐February 1, 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/ 26. February 7‐8, 2015 ‐ WGH in Columbus, OH visit www.wghshow.com 27. February 8, 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 Future Shows (All in 2015) –May 3, Oct 4 28. February 14, 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 29. February 14, 2015 – Jacksonville Rail Fair at Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, FL www.gserr.com 30. February 14, 2015 – SP&S Railway Historical Society Swap Meet at Airport Holiday Inn in Portland, OR www.spshs.org 31. February 14‐15, 2015 – Greater Buffalo Train Show at Erie County Fairgrounds Even Center in Buffalo, NY www.wnyrhs.org 32. February 14‐15, 2015 ‐ WGH in Louisville, KY visit www.wghshow.com 33. February 21, 2015 – Greater Houston Train Show at Stafford Center in Houston, TX http://sanjac.leoslair.com 34. February 21‐22, 2015 – Allentown Train Meet Associates Spring Thaw Train meet, see www.allentownmeet.com 35. February 21‐22, 2015 – Spring Thaw Train Show at Allentown Fairgrounds Ag Hall in Allentown, PA www.allentowntrainmeet.com 36. March 8, 2015 ‐ Earleigh Heights Shows 9‐2 37. March 14, 2015 –WB&A Annapolis Armory Train Show, details attached and mark your calendars.

38. March 15, 2015 – Gilbertsville Train Show at the Gilbertsville Fire Hall, 1454 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Gilbertsville, PA 19525 39. March 15, 2015 – Jersey Central NRHS Train Show in Mother Seton High School in Clark, NJ www.jcrhs.or 40. March 15, 2015 – Winterail at Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Stockton, CA www.winterail.com 41. March 20‐22, 2015 ‐ 3rd Annual M.A.G.M.A. Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at Camp Stephens, Asheville, NC www.wncrocks.com/magma/fieldtrips3.htm 42. March 22, 2015 – Arbutus Shows from 9‐1 43. March 29, 2015 – Great Batavia Train Show at the Clarion Hotel in Stockton, CA www.gsme.org 44. March 28‐29, 2015 ‐ WGH in Edison, NJ visit www.wghshow.com 45. April 11, 2015 – Railroadiana Consignment Auction at Brookline Auction Gallery in Brookline, NJ www.tagtown.net 46. April 11, 2015 – Florida Rail Fair at Volusia County Fairgrounds in DeLand, FL www.gserr.com 47. April 11‐12, 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/ 48. April 11, 2015 – Arkansas RR Museum Railroadiana Show & Sale in Pine Bluff, AR www.arkansasrailroadmuseum.org 49. April 16‐18, 2015 – NRHS & ATRRM Joint Conferences in York, PA www.atrrm.org 50. April 18‐19, 2015 – Super Train RR Show at Genesis Centre in Calgary, AB www.supertrain.ca 51. April 23‐26, 2015 – Katy RR Historical Society Convention in Dalls/Ft. Worth, TX www.katyrailroad.org 52. April 23‐25, 2015 – Eastern Division/TCA York Meet 53. April 25‐26, 2015 – Ottawa Train Expo. At Ernst & Young Centre in Ottawa, ON www.ottawatrainexpo.com 54. April 30‐May 3, 2015 – PA RR Tech & Historical Society Meeting in State College, PA www.prrths.com 55. May 1‐3, 2015 – NY Central System Historical Society, Inc. 2015 Convention & Meeting visit www.nycshs.org 56. May 3, 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 Future Show – Oct 4 57. May 9, 2015 ‐ Joint VTC & WB&A (aka NORTH MEETS SOUTH) Great Train Show and Sale at the Eagles Lodge in Fredericksburg, VA ‐ contact Russell at [email protected] and/or Colleen Hall at [email protected] 58. June 4‐7, 2015 – Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, 2015 R&LHS Convention in Altoona, PA 59. June 20‐28, 2015 TCA 2015 National Convention http://www.metca.org/2015convention.html 60. June 7, 2015 – 9‐1 p.m. Spring Hamburg Dutch Train Meet at the Hamburg Fire Co, File House – Pine Street, Hamburg, PA 61. June 20‐21, 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/ 62. July 20‐26, 2015 – 12th Annual WNC Roundup http://wncrocks.proboards.com/#ixzz3Jd1YzWs H 63. July 26, 2015 ‐ 9‐1 p.m. Summer Hamburg Dutch Train Meet at the Hamburg Fire Co, File House – Pine Street, Hamburg, PA 64. August 8, 2015 – Lynchburg Rail Day 2015 www.crewerailroadmuseum.org

65. September 13, 2015 – 9‐1 p.m. Summer Hamburg Dutch Train Meet at the Hamburg Fire Co, File House – Pine Street, Hamburg, PA 66. September 18‐20, 2015 – ATRRM Fall Conference in Union, IL visit www.atrrm.org 67. September 20, 2015 ‐ Gilbertsville Train Show at the Gilbertsville Fire Hall, 1454 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Gilbertsville, PA 19525 68. September 27, 2015 ‐ Arbutus Shows from 9‐1 69. 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 70. 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/ 71. December 13, 2015 – Earleigh Heights Shows 9‐2 72. 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.

Just returned from my son’s cricket tournament in Newcastle. While in Newcastle I was able to get near the tracks on a couple of occasions. One occasion was today where I spent two hours at Sandgate recording the variety of action that passed through. The trains sighted include the following (thanks Lewis for the notes):

8.43am - AS316 EL56 & EL64 8.59am - RV120 XRN004, XRN001 & XRN018 9.10am - HV207 9208, 9206 & 9313 9.13am - 5424N 8143, 8125 & 8134 9.29am - BG209 TT103, 9202 & TT128 9.39am - WK372 TT02, 9210 & TT03 9.52am - BC223 XRN008, XRN029 & XRN030 10.12am - 4BM4 NR106 & NR26 10.19am - NO122 9214, 9302 & 9315 10.27am - 4190N RL307, C509 & C506 10.29am - BW201 5031 & 5005 10.34am - WG302 5003 & 5023 10.43am - 4BM7 6026 & LDP008 10.47am - BG116 XRN012, XRN024 & XRN005 10.47am - AS195 EL56 & EL64

I’ve attached some phots from this mornings action plus a couple of phots of train no. 2122 arriving at Joppa Junction and working its way along the up refuge at Goulburn.

I have a few more shots from Whittingham Bank which I will post in a day or so.

Cheers

Andrew.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 WB&A CHAPTER TCA TOY TRAIN SHOW

March 14, 2015 SHOW OPENS AT 9:00 AM and ENDS AT 2:00 PM (Opens 8:00 AM to WB&A Members )

At the Annapolis Armory!! 18 Willow Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Admission: $5.00 Children Under 12, Military, and WB&A Members Admitted Free.

THE ONLY TRAIN MEET IN THE ANNAPOLIS AREA THE SHOW WILL BE ADVERTISED FOR THREE DAYS IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS New This Year: National Capitol Trackers O Gauge Modular Layout

Directions: Going U.S. 50 East toward Annapolis, take Parole Exit (#23), left onto West Street for ¼ mile, left on Hudson Street, and proceed to the armory. Going US 50 West, take Parole Exit, bear left (away from Jennifer Rd), left on West St. and follow the directions above.

All vendors selling repro parts, etc. must have a Certificate of Compliance and display it. Sorry, No refunds. ------detach here------

PLEASE contact John Buxton at [email protected] OR (410) 665-3330 to reserve your table(s) AND send this reservation form with payment to:

Send Reservations to: All Tables: $25.00 each $ ______Dave Eadie Admission: $5.00 $ ______7825 Wintercress Lane Non-WB&A Helper (s): $5.00 Each $ ______Springfield, VA 22152 Total Due: $ ______Number of WB&A Members Attending (Free Admission) ______

Make check payable to WB&A Chapter and mail reservation, by March 01, 2015, to guarantee a table. Badges and table assignments will be distributed at time of Show. Tables not occupied by 9:30 AM March 14th, 2015 may be resold. No refunds.

Name: ______TCA# ______WB&A# ______Address: ______City: ______ST: ____ ZIP: ______Day Tele: ______Eve Tele: ______EMail______Name of Helper (s)______Name of Helper(s) ______NOTE: Set-up starts Friday afternoon (Mar 13th) and at 7:00 AM., Saturday, March 14th, 2015. Free coffee & donuts for tableholders 7 AM until 9 AM Saturday.

I agree to abide by all rules of the Association, including those of its Divisions, Chapters, and Committees.

Signed______Weather NICE Temp 31 Deg , CAVU, light wind Jim Gray and I arrived about the time we got there. Access was quick and easy. Very small crowd with lots of questions. More trash that I has seen in a while all along the fence: all picked up. The remaining trains were preforming properly. Several folks comments and asked about the big crates nearby. Most did not know this was the last night. I spoke with a family including 5 kids. They was thrilled to realize they had made the scene just in time. I was so though and convincing that the Dad popped me a fiver which is the other log cabin. I recycled a hand full of pennies to the kids. In the last try one of the kids landed his coin in the passing train. He was a hollering and rubbing it in on his siblings. I loved it. Neato to be there with a good sized moon overhead. Sadly folks were ushered out about 9:55 and we and are down and done done. Painful to close up a wonderful event for another year. We have professionally conducted another super event for the residents and visitors of ole DC and the Presidents Park. Congrats to all involved. I can’t wait for next year. I love this worthwhile task. Clem Clement

“NORTH meets SOUTH”

Great Train Show & Sale Presented by VTC & WB&A Open to the Public ‐ Saturday, May 9, 2015 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM Admission: $5 (FREE Active Military (w/ID) & Children Under 12) Eagles Lodge ‐ 21 Cool Spring Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 Plenty of fun for the whole family including: Trains for sale including Lionel, MTH, K‐Line, American Flyer, etc. ‐ G, O, S, HO, N, Standard & Z Gauge (old and new) (subject to change). Operating Train Layouts; Train Races (for children); Lego Display; Train Repairs & Parts; Free Train Appraisals; Prize Drawing(s); Snack Counter and Free Parking; NOTE: 6 am. Saturday, May 9, 2015 for set‐up of your table (possible set‐up Friday from 12‐5 call Russell 804‐342‐6023 (leave message if no answer) on or after May 6to see if possible). **********************************************Detach Here********************************************** Make check payable for VTC to VTC and/or for WB&A to WB&A Chapter. Mail reservation, by April 25, 2015. Badge/s will be provided at the show. Tables not occupied by 9:30 AM may be resold. All vendor sellers of reproduction parts must have a Certificate of Compliance (and must be displayed). No refunds given. VTC ‐ Send Reservations to: # of Member Tables ____ x $25.00 (per table) = _____ Russell Youens # of Non‐Member Tables ____ x $30.00 (per table) = _____ 2019 Floyd Avenue Admission: $5.00 $______(VTC & WB&A) Richmond, VA 23220 Helper(s): $5.00 Each $______Phone: 804‐342‐6023; Email: [email protected] Grand Total Due: $______WB&A ‐ Send Reservations to: # of Member Tables ____ x $25.00 (per table) = _____ Colleen Hall # of Non‐Member Tables ____ x $30.00 (per table) = _____ 474 Cherokee Run Road Admission: $5.00 $______(VTC & WB&A) Linden, VA 22642 Helper(s): $5.00 Each $______Phone: 540‐622‐2258; Email: [email protected] Grand Total Due: $______Name: VTC# ______WB&A# Address: City: STATE: ZIP: Day Tele: ( ) Eve Tele: ( ) E‐Mail: @ Name of Helper(s): I agree to abide by all rules of the VTC and/or the WB&A that may be in place from time to time.

Signed Date:

HIGH GREEN The Official Newsletter of the Chesapeake Railway Association Volume 41, Number 1 January 2015 www.chessierail.org

Paul Bergdolt Leads The Way

In the third and final chapter of his Excellent Rail Adventure, Paul Bergdolt operates a vintage diesel locomotive on the Chinnor Railway in the UK. In this photo he’s seen with his right hand on the controller and left hand on the vacuum brake. Read about it in this High Green!

This Month’s Meeting: Wednesday, January 7 at 8 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, featuring Alex Mayes’ 2014: Year in Review.

Following Meeting: Wednesday, February 4 at 8 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, featuring John Meise’s presentation of The Western Maryland Railway in the 1970s, Trains in the Snow and Local Shortlines – Long Gone. 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 Directors 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] Program Director 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. JANUARY TIMETABLE Bridge, NY. Motive power includes Alco diesels in Cornell red; Snow Birds; and Norfolk & Western run-throughs on 2: WM Railway Historical Society Membership Meeting Apollos. Also included are an Erie-Lackawanna detour at 8 p.m. at the Community Center, 4770 Ladiesburg Road, freight and a Delaware & Hudson switcher transferring Union Bridge, MD. cars to the Lehigh Valley. We will visit an open house at 3-4: Great Scale Model Train Show at the B&O Railroad Sayre in 1940 with a streamlined 4-6-2 and the road's Museum, 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223, famous Wyoming 4-8-4s on display. Many thanks to Dave from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bieritz for providing this program. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for all, ages 2 and up. 16: Washington DC Chapter, NRHS Membership Meet- Members enter for free. For details go to ing at 8 p.m. at 8 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic www.borail.org/holiday/train-show.aspx National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA, 3, 4, 9, & 10: Delmarva Model Railroad Club Holiday near the Amtrak station. Presentation TBA. Train Show Open House at 103 East State Street (Route 20: Potomac Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at 54), Delmar, DE. For more information contact Pete 7:30 p.m. in the main auditorium, Montgomery County Jackson at 302‐674‐2015 or go to Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, www.delmarvamodelrailroadclub.org/events.html MD. Bob Cohen will present The History of the Manassas 9: Winchester Chapter, NRHS Christmas Party at 7:30 Gap Railroad, a digital program covering the history of p.m. at 7:30 p.m. at the Calvary Church of the Brethren, Norfolk Southern’s line between Manassas and Strasburg, 578 Front Royal Pike (Route 522), Winchester, VA. The VA. Bob will present some of his, as yet, unpublished church is located south of Route 50 near Winchester photos and information on the line, mostly from the Airport Road (southeast of Winchester and east of I-81). eastern half of the line, from Manassas to Strasburg and 10-11: Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show at the York Expo on to Harrisonburg. His first book covered the western end Center, 334 Carlisle Ave, York, PA from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. of the line from Strasburg to Harrisonburg and the Adult admission is $8 and kids under 12 enter for free. Potomac Chapter program for January will cover the 10-11: World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour train show at the history and stations of the eastern end and a little bit of Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive, the west end as well. We should see something from Hampton, VA 23666. See: www.wghshow.com almost every station on it, so bring your questions on a 12: Baltimore Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at part of history few realize dates back to 1850. And nary a 7:30 p.m. at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1911 Falls diesel will be in sight for the entire program, for you Road, Baltimore, MD. history buffs. Along the way, we shall see surviving 13: Action Coalition for Transit Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at remnants of construction completed in the 1850s and the Silver Spring Center, 8818 Georgia Avenue, Silver which never had rails placed on it, including a partially Spring, MD. completed tunnel in Loudoun County, VA. 15: Old Dominion Division RRE Membership Meeting at 20: Rivanna Chapter, NRHS Membership Meeting at the 8 p.m. at James Madison High School, 2500 James Hibachi Grill, 1185 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, VA, Madison Drive, Vienna, VA, in Room 110. The closest starting with a social hour and dinner/buffet at 6 p.m. and entrance door to this room is Entrance No. 1. Pre-meeting the meeting and program at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. dinner at 6:30 at the Amphora Restaurant, 377 West 24: Building Tour of Washington Union Station hosted Maple Avenue in Vienna. To reach the school from the by the National Building Museum from 10 a.m. to Amphora Restaurant, go south two blocks on West Maple noon. Historic architect John Bowie of John Bowie & Avenue to James Madison Drive and turn right. School is Associates and architect of record George Eisenberger of at the end of this street. The evening’s presentation will be Michael Winstanley Architects & Planners will lead a tour Highlights of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, two commercially- of restoration projects underway and planned for this produced films featuring Lehigh Valley mainline operations. iconic building. National Building Museum membership is We will see mostly freights at various locations including required to attend; the tour itself is free. For more Bound Brook, NJ; Mountain Top and Sayre, PA; information see the events section of the National Building and Manchester, Ithaca, Geneva, Buffalo, and Suspension Museum's web site at www.nbm.org

January 2015 Page 2 HIGH GREEN

31 Jan-1 Feb: Great Scale Model Train and Railroad How was December’s meeting? If you were there, you Collectors Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 know the answer: There was no show! Unfortunately our York Road, Timonium, MD, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on presenter, John Meise, attended a funeral that day in Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is Wilmington, DE, but heavy traffic on I-95 slowed him $9 for adults on Saturday and $8 on Sunday; $18 on down on his return trip, and by 8 p.m. he was only as far Saturday for a family of any size and $15 on Sunday. as Baltimore. John will be back, however, in February for a Children up to 15 accompanying an adult enter for free. presentation covering the Western Maryland in the 1970s, Sundays Until 28 Jan: Open House at the Baltimore trains in the snow, and long-gone local shortlines. Society of Model Engineers at 225 West Saratoga Street, 3rd Floor walk-up, Baltimore, MD 21144 from 1 to 5 p.m. Saint Patrick’s Day Trip: This year’s annual Saint Pat’s There is no fixed admission fee but donations in any Day trip will be a return to Culpeper, VA, our destination amount are greatly appreciated. For information call 410- in 2008. For those who haven’t been there yet, Culpeper is 837-BSME (2763), send email to [email protected] a bit like Fredericksburg in that it’s a farming town that or go online to www.modelengineers.com has become “gentrified” as more and more people move away from the Beltway area to live and work further out. AROUND THE BEND For example, someone may live in or near Culpeper and work in Chantilly. This has spawned the kind of downtown 7-8 Feb: Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show at the businesses that one wouldn’t expect to see in a typical Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center, 2371 Carl D farming town, but you will find them in Culpeper, where Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 from 10 a.m. to 4 there are numerous places to eat, drink and celebrate p.m. Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased at the door), kids Saint Patrick’s Day. To discover what the town has to offer, under 12 free. Admission is good for both days. go to www.visitculpeperva.com 14 Feb: Antietam Station Model Train Sale from 9 a.m. The flyer accompanying this newsletter has all of to 2 p.m. at the Washington County Agricultural Center, the details, and of particular note is the fact that Amtrak 7313 Sharpsburg Pike near Sharpsburg, MD, 6.5 miles requires a full roster and payment before the end of the south of I-70 Exit 29 on MD Route 65. Admission is $5 month, so don’t delay – sign up today! Why stay home that donation, under 12 free. For further information call 301- day when your friends will be on the train? 800-9829, send email to [email protected] or go to: www.antietamstation.com/Events.html LAST RUN 21-22 Feb: Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, Alex Mayes writes: Ron [Dieter]’s wife of 46 years, Linda, VA 23451. Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased at the door), called this morning (12/11) to inform me of Ron’s passing kids under 12 free. There is a 50-cent per ticket fee if yesterday, December 10, 2014. He had been in failing tickets are purchased at the door using a credit or debit health over the past year, and succumbed to natural card. causes. Ronald H. Deiter was a long-time member of the INTERNAL BIDNIZ Washington DC and Baltimore Chapters NRHS, and the Old Dominion Division of the Railway Enthusiasts. He was Our next meeting will be on WEDNESDAY, January 7 at the editor of the Washington Chapter’s newsletter The 8 p.m. at Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Timetable for many years, and also served as the president Building SB (Welcome Center), Room 213, Rockville, MD. of the Washington Chapter for several years. Ron met The evening’s feature will be Alex Mayes’ 2014: Year in Linda on a Baltimore Chapter fan trip to Luray, VA, in the Review, a digital program covering his railfanning exploits fall of 1967, and they married a couple years later. in 2014. The program begins with a trip to CSX’s RF&P Ron was an avid electric railway enthusiast, and Sub following a snowstorm in January to photograph was very knowledgeable about current and long Metrorail, Amtrak and CSX trains, and then two days on abandoned electric railways in the U.S. and Europe. He snowy Sand Patch grade. The program then segues to a wrote the book The Story of Metro in 1990, which is a well- trip on the Auto Train to Florida, with scenes of Florida researched detailed history of the early days of the DC East Coast Railway and Tri-Rail commuter trains, and a Metro system from design and construction through 1985. side trip to Key West. Next is a two-week trip to North He also had several articles about electric railways Carolina which includes chasing three North Carolina published in national and historic publications. shortlines, CSX and NS mainline action, and three days at There is no memorial service planned at this time, the Streamliners at Spencer event. The 2014 NRHS but Linda said she may organize a service in the spring. convention in Arkansas follows, with scenes of the If you would like to send Linda a sympathy card Arkansas & Missouri’s Alco fleet in action, and a chase of her mailing address is provided below. the Monett Turn with the A&M’s new EMD SD70ACes. The program concludes with scenes of loading ex-Chesapeake Mrs. Linda Deiter & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 onto a flatcar at the B&O 200 North Pickett Street No. 1505 Museum for transport to the Western Maryland Scenic Alexandria, VA 22304 Railway for extensive overhaul and return to service.

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PAUL BERGDOLT’S EXCELLENT RAIL ADVENTURE a four-carriage consist on the mainline that has minuscule leeway between the turnouts reminded me of the Chessie member Paul Bergdolt recently went on vacation difficulties that Walkersville Southern has. Our runaround to the UK to visit friends and ride the trains. This is the third track has tight clearances when we are parking our regular and final installment of his rail adventure. excursion train for the day while assembling our evening My 2014 UK Vacation dinner train. Part 3: There is a barrier just beyond the end of the Wednesday, October 1st was my day on the Chinnor passing siding where the track continues to the Princes Railway. I would have the entire railway for myself to Risborough station of Chiltern Railways. I was surprised experience my Platinum Diesel Driver Experience. Chris when I saw a Chiltern DMU set parked adjacent to the and I arrived at Chinnor around 9:30 AM. There we were bumper post on their side of the barrier when we were met by Roger Fagg, the Chairman of the CPRR and Duty ready to run around our train. I thought at that time Line Manager that day. I signed in on the Duty Record would the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) allow this Card. Roger then gave me a safety briefing regarding train back home, even with the barrier? I learned from Claire operations and hand signals. I would be operating the later that the Chiltern crews use their portion on the line Class 17, Clayton No. D8568 for four round trips to Thame as a layover track to store their train before heading back Junction and return. I met the rest of the crew: John Web south to London on their next scheduled run. as driver, Brian Woodham as second man and Steven When we got back to Chinnor, they would Jacklin, also second man. Our train would be hauling four uncouple the Clayton and send it into its siding in the yard. carriages. Since there is no passing track at Chinnor, the diesel We were given the green flag by the guard and off shunter Haversham came out of its siding, was coupled on we went. John patiently instructed me on applying power to the train and pulled it into its siding, clearing the via the controller (throttle), slowing the train via applying Clayton’s siding. The Clayton would then come out, couple the vacuum (train) brakes, and setting the engine brakes back to the front of the train and pull it into the station, where appropriate. This along with watching your speed ready to go for trip to Thame. when in a speed restrictive stretch of track, applying the right pressure as indicated on the vacuum gauge, along with blowing the horn at the appropriate time before going through an at-grade crossing. We also made stops to set road barriers before we could continue. Throw in a permanent way (roadbed) that is constantly rising and falling all the way to Thame. Operating a diesel for the first time with all these responsibilities gives one a new perspective and appreciation for an engine driver who has to safely haul a train filled with passengers while maintaining the operating schedule for that day.

Paul poses with his Diesel Driving Experience Certificate in the Clayton at Chinnor. We had two round trips that morning, took our lunch break, and then made two final round trips in the afternoon. After we completed our final run of the day, Steve Jacklin presented me with a certificate stating that I have successfully completed the Diesel Driving Experience day on the Class 17, Clayton, no. D8568. After all of the crews had finished parking the equipment and finishing their paperwork, I presented all who had participated that Fire/Secondman Steve Jacklin walking toward the Clayton day with a Walkersville Southern mug along with a 2007 at Thame Junction while a Chiltern Railways DMU set lays U.S. Quarter that honored the completion of the over between runs in the background. transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah When we got to Thame Junction, I had to stop the Territory. I wanted to express my appreciation for the train at the appropriate spot on the main without fowling CPRR members who took a normal workday off to crew my the passing siding. The Clayton would then be able to Diesel Driving Experience. safely reverse on the passing siding in order to couple up to the rear carriage for the ride back to Chinnor. Stopping

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Friday, I purchased a Day Travelcard to London. I took in exhibits at both the Photographers’ Gallery and Museum of London. Claire told me to stop at King’s Cross to view their new waiting area. In the area, they have a Harry Potter 9¾ shop where you can get your picture taken wheeling a baggage trolley into the wall while wearing a Hogwarts scarf. Saturday, I assisted Claire at her Mid-Shires Orchard Group exhibit at the Festival of Food at Stowe. Mid-Shires is involved with both conservation and management of historic heritage fruit trees and orchards. We sliced, clean, chopped up, and pressed apple fragments to produce apple juice straight from the tree. I remarked to Claire and others that after 200 years, we still have British press gangs. With Claire still occupied with her Stowe exhibit on Sunday, Chris, his son Richard and I went for a boat ride in Bedford on the Great Ouse River. Claire joined us Steve Jacklin presents Paul with his Diesel Driving that evening to a last evening pub dinner that I treated Experience Certificate at Chinnor Station. everybody in appreciation for their hospitality during my That evening I joined Claire and Chris at the stay. Monday, I flew back to DC. monthly membership meeting of the CPRR. Roger was the meeting chairman and introduced me to the members. I PRESERVATION NEWS held up my Squire, Lemkin back pouch in one hand and the Diesel Experience Certificate in the other hand. In the New Coach in Service on the WS: For a decade an old spirit of the Monty Python’s Vocational Guidance MP54 coach languished on a yard track in Walkersville as Counsellor sketch, I told the meeting that I have gone from other projects were given priority. Restoration began in accountancy to engine driver in one go of it and did not earnest in early 2014 in order to replace the unpopular ex- take the intermediate steps of insurance or banking LIRR 2962, a 1950s-era coach on long term lease, which (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h-wVe9a6rQ). The mem- left in mid-August for a new owner in New York. (See the bers got a good laugh out of my statement. Sep 2014 HG.) Starting from a gutted shell covered with Both Thursday and Friday I took rail day trips. rust, peeling paint and no side walls, no floor, and no Thursday, I took a trip on First Great Western (FGW) to windows, volunteers worked to restore it to its former glory. Torquay in Devon. Mike Walker emailed me that FGW is a New steel outer walls were installed, a new floor went in, a construction site with electrification of the main to Bristol, heater was installed, the interior was sandblasted and rebuilding of Reading station, a new FGW Depot and a new painted and paneling was added, light covers and new viaduct over a mile long. It was all that along with being a windows were put in place, and old paint was removed busy station. I went to the Torquay Museum to view the with a needle scaler and an angle grinder and replaced Agatha Christie and World War II exhibits. I had a pleasant with primer. New seats were installed just days before the dinner at a café in the Torquay harbor before returning. first Santa run on the last weekend in November. Below is

a photo of the car in revenue service on a Santa train.

John Meise photo Since the exterior is still a “work in progress,” the British Press Gangs, 2014 version. The author (left) and car was placed right behind the locomotive so passengers Claire Conway-Crapp (right) at the Festival of Food at Stowe. would enter it, not from the side, but through the cars

behind it. In the months ahead the exterior will be

January 2015 Page 5 HIGH GREEN completed for the 2015 season and the number 7091 will Vintage Railroad Again on Track to Bring Prosperity to go on its sides. Below is a shot of the interior. PA Towns: A historic train line formerly used to provide service to iron forges in Pennsylvania's rural Berks and Montgomery counties has been revived to serve a nascent tourism industry. The Colebrookdale Railroad, an 8-mile stretch between Pottstown and Boyertown to the north, uses century-old passenger cars on a 150-year-old rail bed to take passengers through what operators call a "secret valley." "It's comprised of the valley of the Ironstone Creek and the valley of the Manatawny Creek," said conductor Nathaniel Guest. "In these two valleys are among the oldest iron-making sites in the New World. That industry that made Pennsylvania an international power and garnered our reputation as the Keystone State grew up here along what became the Colebrookdale Railroad." Guest encourages passengers on the restored vintage rail cars to look out the windows to see remains of those long-gone 19th-century iron forges, remnants of original stone bridges built by Civil War soldiers, a bald eagle nest, and sheer-cut rock passing inches from the Wayne Kirchhof photo train. For more information on this type of car, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRR_MP54 "We ask that you please keep your head, your If you’re interested in taking part in completing the hands, your arms, all the body parts you wish to keep car’s restoration, contact your editor at 703-758-7449 or inside the train at all times," Guest warned the 110 send email to [email protected] passengers during a recent sold-out ride. Guest is not just a conductor; he is the executive Old Aberdeen Train Station Lifted and Moved: More director of the Colebrookdale Preservation Trust, a group than a decade of effort by members of the Historical he started as a law student six years ago when he learned Society of Harford County paid off earlier this week when the former owner of the underused railroad was petitioning the 129-year-old former Aberdeen B&O Railroad station to legally abandon it. As a train enthusiast, a was moved 50 feet from the space it had occupied along preservationist, and a budding lawyer, he saw a way to the railroad tracks since 1885. utilize all of his interests in a single project. Once a stop on the B&O's old Royal Blue The revival of the Colebrookdale Railroad is the passenger line between Baltimore and Philadelphia, the centerpiece of a planned network of recreational trails for building has not been used as a passenger rail stop since hiking, biking, camping, and water sports in the adjacent the late 1950s, when passenger service was discontinued. creeks. The current owner of the adjoining rail line, CSX, "The creeks are stocked. There's wonderful fishing, wanted the station moved for safety reasons because of its but it's hard to access. That's one thing the train will proximity to its busy intercity freight operations. The provide," said Guest, who envisions a railcar designed to station has been vacant for a number of the years after the transport canoes and kayaks. railroad quite using it for track gangs and to store supplies. Six years ago, the railway was ready to be The Historical Society has been working with CSX, abandoned. Its owner at the time, East Penn Railroad, was the City of Aberdeen and various local and state historic filing the paperwork to legally abandon the tracks. Berks preservation groups for about 11 years to find a new County Commissioner Mark Scott thought that would have location for the station where it can be restored and not only effectively destroy an historic amenity, but create reopened to the public as a museum or for some other a public liability. He urged his fellow commissioners to public use. The Maryland Historical Trust has provided purchase the railway, using $1.3 million from an already $100,000 in grants to support the project. existing environmental fund. The former passenger rail station off West Bel Air Scott admits it was a gamble. Avenue is a one-and-a-half-story, Victorian-style structure "There are plenty of people in my party -- the built with a wooden frame and brick foundation, according Republican Party -- who want smaller government and to a description provided by the Historical Society. would be quick, as they were, to criticize the county getting The station was designed by noted architect Frank involved in buying a marginally profitable – at best – Furness, a Civil War veteran who designed a number of railroad," said Scott. "Nevertheless, in my experience, once railroad stations in the Northeast, both small stops like the a railroad is abandoned, it's gone forever. Many railroad one in Aberdeen and more grandiose urban terminals like companies who abandoned rail lines in the '70s and '80s the old Broad Street Station in his native Philadelphia. The rue the day they did it." existing Amtrak station in Wilmington was also designed Seeking Montgomery County's support by Furness, as was an adjoining office building. David The rail straddles a county line: Boyertown is in Anderson/Baltimore Sun, December 19, 2014 Berks County, Pottstown in Montgomery County. To make

January 2015 Page 6 HIGH GREEN the enterprise work, both counties need to be on board. So The cars are part of a $300 million contract from far, they seem to be. Amtrak through which CAF USA will produce 130 long- The Colebrookdale Preservation Trust approached distance passenger cars — baggage, diner, sleeper and the Montgomery County commissioners for matching bag-dorm cars. Work is expected to continue into 2016. funds to buy an abandoned, historic rail station, believed Employment has grown to 800 at the Elmira Heights plant, to have been designed by architect Frank Furness, which which expanded to fulfill this contract and others. Bob is now propped up in nearby Birdsboro. Jamieson/Star-Gazette, December 17, 2014 Guest would like to move it 10 miles, to Pottstown, to serve as the railroad terminus. Man Struck, Killed by MARC Train: Prince George's The commissioners are considering investing some County police said Ascenscion Guevara, 41, of Beltsville, economic development funds into the project. was trying to cross the tracks to get to a local coffee shop "All of our boroughs – the older boroughs like when he was hit by a MARC train about 6:15 Monday Pottstown – are in need of economic development," said morning (12/15). Guevara died at the scene. Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor. Based on preliminary information, the MARC train "Pottstown is clearly on the rise. Pottstown is forward- was traveling south from the Muirkirk Station to Union thinking. Station at the time of the collision near the 11600 block of "If you want to attract top restaurants and social Baltimore Avenue in Beltsville. gathering spots, you have to have patrons who utilize The accident and resulting investigation closed them," he said. "If you provide attractions, then you have MARC's Camden Line in both directions for several hours, an influx of people to stimulate the economy." creating delays for train commuters and drivers. Service Commissioners are expected to vote on how to returned to normal at about 10:45 a.m. spend the county's economic development funds in early The passengers on the train involved in the crash 2015. were able to continue to Greenbelt at about 8:45 a.m., Right now, the Colebrookdale Railroad is in beta- after they were held at the fatal accident scene for more version, with a single vintage passenger car, an open than two hours. Andrew Mollenbeck, WTOP, December 15, flatbed car, a partially refurbished car used as a makeshift 2014 lounge, and no stops along the route. If all goes well, Guest said, he should have the Furness rail station and another Rare Local Appearance on the NEC: Thanksgiving saw vintage passenger car refurbished next fall, in time for the Amtrak provide extra service to handle the surge in traffic, holiday season. Peter Crimmins/Newsworks, December 29, to include using New Jersey Transit cars. Wayne Gordon 2014 via Alex Mayes (It’s a great ride! Ed.) writes, “This is Amtrak holiday special 1099 with the second set of NTJ equipment heading southbound at PASSENGER RAIL NEWS Seabrook at 4:44 pm. The train was about 30 minutes late at this point. As Art [Audley] mentioned, would be kind of 18 Amtrak Cars Head to Florida: Eighteen shiny new a rough ride from New York. This picture was from a frame Amtrak baggage cars rolled through Elmira [NY] on grab of the video that I was taking of it going by, maybe at Wednesday morning (12/17) bound for Florida. The cars 30 mph. It had to switch over to Track 3 from Track 2 for are part of Amtrak's effort to modernize its fleet and were the stop at New Carrollton.” scheduled to arrive around 9 p.m. Friday at Amtrak's Hialeah, FL, maintenance facility for final inspection. They are slated to enter service in early 2015 on long-distance routes.

Wayne Gordon photo

FREIGHT RAIL NEWS

Swing Bridges of Baltimore: There are still two active swing bridges on former Baltimore & Ohio branch lines in Baltimore operated by current owner CSX. One of these is on the Sparrows Point branch that connects to the main line at Bay View, and crosses over Bear Creek, just outside the former Patapsco & Back River yard (now the Baltimore Bob Jamieson photo Industrial Railroad) where the branch terminates. This

January 2015 Page 7 HIGH GREEN yard, known as Greys Yard, served the now-closed steel mill at Sparrows Point. Rail carloads on this line seem to consist mainly of material from the ongoing scrapping of the steel mill.

The Marley Neck Bridge, while more often closed Bear Creek Bridge near “Greys Yard” (PBR). during the day, as seen in the photos above and below, is The other active swing bridge is on the south side far more problematic to photograph. There are no easy of Baltimore, on the Marley Neck branch that terminates access public access roads and the side of the bridge near the Baltimore Beltway’s (I-695) Key Bridge (near Fort adjacent to the Coast Guard base would not be a good Armistead Park), where the branch crosses Curtis Creek. location to be seen taking pictures. Perhaps the best views These bridges appear to be similar in design and would be taken from boat from the river itself, but again construction. While their exact built dates are not avoiding the Coast Guard base or the abandoned Curtis currently known, one of the concrete bridge piers at the Bay Ordnance Depot on the opposite side. Curtis Creek bridge shows a built date of 1929, so that’s probably a good indication of the construction dates of the bridges themselves. Both are kept open for maritime navigation and only closed when a train is approaching. This is particularly necessary for the Marley Neck branch bridge as a large U.S. Coast Guard yard is located just south of the bridge, and frequent Coast Guard boat traffic must navigate through the open span to reach Curtis Bay and the main water routes around Baltimore, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. Certainly the most significant swing bridge in the The bridges are not normally manned and a bridge Baltimore area was the so-called “Spring Garden Bridge” operator is only called when a train needs the bridge to be which carried the two-track Western Maryland Railway closed. This happens perhaps only once a day, usually at main line into its sprawling Baltimore yards at Port night, on the Bear Creek span. Covington. The bridge on the Marley Neck span is closed more With the abandonment of Port Covington yards, frequently, perhaps four times in a typical 24-hour period, the bridge has been out of service for many years and although the times appear to be fairly random. permanently left in the open position. What is left of the Both bridges were constructed with an operator’s Western Maryland main line is now accessed by a cabin built high on the top of the rotating span. This connection on the former B&O South Baltimore Industrial required the bridge operator to reach the open span by use Track at Westport. of a small boat. Surprisingly, this is still the method used for the Bear Creek span. The bridge on the Marley Neck span was modified some years ago so the operator can close the bridge from controls on the fixed part of the bridge, so a boat is no longer needed. There are additional controls on the center moving span, so there is no need to climb the ladders to the high control tower still existing in the center of the movable span. Even so, when high winds are in the forecast, the operator is not to operate the bridge, probably for fear of being blown off the span. Both bridges also are protected by last operating The photo is taken from a public park that exists on the Port original B&O CPL signals in Baltimore Terminal. Covington side of the river. The Bear Creek Bridge is easily photographed from The bridge had been considered for preservation parallel Route 157 (Peninsula Highway), but the bridge is as part of a bike trail; however, the project appears to be now normally only closed for a passing train at night. hold as there are concerns about deterioration of the bridge pilings. Guest columnist

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WHERE THE TRAINS ARE Death struck again at the battalion while located at Longwy. Sergeant Joseph Cushman of Company C, who Many industries with a requirement to switch rail cars had proved his worth on many occasions, died in a have replaced their aging locomotives with trackmobiles, spectacular train accident near Messancy, Belgium, early one of the last industrial switchers in Baltimore is the on the morning of 10 January 1945. "Joe," as he was best Plymouth MDT at Domino Sugars. This locomotive known, had been an air brake expert for the battalion, a occasionally makes its way out the plant and across a safety representative, an expert locomotive engineer, and of public road to switch cars, but generally it’s hidden within great assistance to the Adjutant since soon after the the confines of the complex at Locust Point. The plant’s activation of the unit. He died when his train, the prized address is 1100 East Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230. Three Star Special, was struck by an ammunition train which rolled down the grade near Messancy. The ammunition, exploded by the impact, devastated the countryside. Joe tried to cushion the impact by backing up his train, and died a real soldier and hero. Although warned of the approach of the runaway train, he declined to leave his post. Sgt Cushman was buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery at Grand Failly, France, near Longuyon. 718th vet Joe Weeks of Anaheim, CA, wrote: “Engineer Sergeant Joe Cushman had started his long rations train up the sharp grade near Messancy, Belgium. He knew that an ammo train was up ahead, but it should have been miles away, so he and his crew were surprised when they heard, in the distance, emergency blasts from a train whistle. Joe sounded his own whistle in reply and proceeded cautiously. When they heard the whistle again, and closer, he braked to a stop. “Suddenly, they saw up ahead, the ammo train had lost its brakes and was coming fast back down the grade on the same track as Joe's train. He threw the locomotive into reverse, and slowly the rations train

The Domino Sugars plant, a huge complex, looks backed down the grade, but the gap was closing. very much like the old days when industries like these “Joe shouted to his fireman, ‘Signal the crew, and were everywhere in the US, and this one is still very much jump.’ in business. The huge orange neon Domino Sugars sign on “They did jump from the train, but Joe stayed at top of the factory has been an icon of Baltimore for the throttle, hoping to use his train as a brake to save both decades, and a model of the sign is available in different trains. The courage of one man was pitted against a scales. runaway bomb. Joe lost the race. The two curved tracks going into the plants “He was a real hero and was awarded a Bronze th buildings are so tight that CSX’s MP15 locomotives squeal Star, posthumously.” Via the History of the 718 Railway loudly as they roll over the track. These tracks are also the Operating Battalion, Transportation Corps and Joe Weeks. reason Locust Point must use MP15 switchers, as no other motive power can work around the curves in the plant. COMING UP Guest columnist Next month’s High Green will feature the closed steel mill A LOOK BACK DOWN THE TRACKS TO… and its railroad at Sparrow’s Point. Stay tuned!

10 JANUARY 1945 The 718th Railway Operating Battalion left Frouard on 5 January 1945 and opened Headquarters at Longwy, France, on the following day. Longwy, best known as one of the fortress cities of the old Maginot Line, is situated almost at the juncture of the borders of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Railheads served by the 718th reached northward from Longwy to Libramont, through Bastogne (famed for the spectacular defense of it by the 101st Airborne Division) north to Saint Vith. Eastwardly, the 718th operated into Luxembourg City, which was under almost direct enemy artillery fire daily. Thus the 718th served truly as an international railroad, operating in three countries, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, at the same time.

January 2015 Page 9

Amtrak HHP-8 locomotives have reportedly made their last revenue runs in early November; MARC HHP-8s; however, remain in service. John Fuller writes, “By chance I had one (#651) roll up and stop in front of me at Baltimore’s Penn Station last July while in town for the day. It’s not a great shot, given the visual clutter at that location, but it’s the last time I saw them in Amtrak service. I did not have a scanner with me so I don’t know which train this was, but from the timetable, it was probably #174.”

Chinnor Signalman, Steve Growcott, hands up the token to the Clayton’s crew on the Chinnor Railway in the UK. Read the third and final installment of Paul Bergdolt’s Excellent Rail Adventure in this High Green!

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

Thank you, C&OHS member, Ray Saunders, for bringing this fundraising program to our attention!

If you are a Kroger Customer and want to support the Society at no cost to you, then please check out the information below:

Dear Friends,

The Kroger Community Rewards Program was announced in the Holiday 2014 issue of The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Magazine. I would like to give an update on information that I found out after our announcement. The program is regionally based. If you are located in any of these states: VA, WV, OH, KY or TN, you may be eligible to participate on the Society's behalf. (Only portions of these states are included in the Kroger's Mid-Atlantic region).

For those of you who did not see the ad in the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society's magazine, the Kroger Community Rewards Program is a way for non-profits and charitable organizations to make fundraising easy ...all you have to do is sign up, shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

To sign up, you must have an email and a Kroger Plus Card. If you need a Kroger Plus Card, you can ask someone at the service desk at any Kroger store. Next go to https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards, sign in and register. (You may have to click the SIGN UP TODAY button.) Enter your zip code, favorite stores(s), email address and create a password. You should get an email message back; click the link within the body of the email. At the next location, click on MY ACCOUNT and enter zip and email address. Click on EDIT KROGER COMMUNITY AWARDS INFORMATION and put in your Kroger Plus Card number. Then enter NPO Number: 92553 (This represents the C&OHS.)

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO REGISTER AND HELP THE C&OHS WITH FUNDRAISING!

You may call Kroger Community Rewards Customer Service with any questions @ 1-800-576-4377.

Sincerely,

Brandy Dudley C&O Historical Society 312 E Ridgeway St Clifton Forge, VA 24422 Phone: 540-862-2210 Email: [email protected]

All Aboard for Chessie’s Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Excursion to Culpeper, Virginia! Sunday, March 15, 2015

“Dinner in the Diner, Lush in the Lounge”

Join your friends for a celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day aboard a train to Culpeper, Virginia! We’ll depart from Washington Union Station at 11:05 a.m. on Train #51, the southbound Cardinal, and we’ll enjoy the views of the Virginia countryside as we head south. Our train will arrive in Culpeper at 12:30 p.m. at the old Southern Railway depot, beautifully restored as a town hall meeting and visitor center. Within easy walking distance of the station you’ll find a variety of restaurants catering to almost every taste and budget, and there’s even an ice cream parlor for dessert. Relax with a cup of coffee at a coffeehouse only a block from the station or bring your cup down to the tracks and watch the parade of NS freight trains rumble through town. After a day spent enjoying lunch and watching trains, we’ll board Train #50, the northbound Cardinal, at 4:11 p.m., arriving back at Washington Union Station at 6:06 p.m. in time for dinner at home. Amtrak requires a complete passenger list and full payment NLT January 29, so please submit your ticket payment NLT January 27. Don’t delay, seats are limited! For further information contact Ticket Agent Tim Moriarty at 703-758-7449 (home) or send an email to [email protected] Notes: (1) Fares are not refundable unless a person is found to fill your seat. (2) The trip is open to CRA members and non-members alike for the same price. (3) You will be on a group ticket held by the Chessie Ticket Agent. (4) Fare covers only the Amtrak ticket. Meals and drinks, at the restaurant of your choice, are not included.

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Yes! Sign me up for Chessie’s Saint Pat’s 2015 trip! Enclosed is my check or money order made payable to the Chesapeake Railway Association. Mailing address for ticket orders: No. of adult tickets ______x $35 = $______Chessie Ticket Agent 2781 Prince Harold Court No. of senior tickets ______x $33 = $______Herndon, VA 20171-2441

No. of senior tickets ______x $18 = $______

Total = $______Others accompanying me are:

Name ______

Address ______

City ______State _____ Zip ______-______

Phone (______) ______- ______Email ______

Photo credits: Trip Advisor, Garmin Geek and R. W. Dawson Suncoast Flyer

Published By

Winter 2015 Roderick D. Smith, Editor From The Siding

Happy New Year!

The holidays are now over and I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

As we begin another year, Chapter meetings and Bob's Train luncheon dates have been updated at the end of this newsletter. Our Chapter meeting times and dates have also been coordinated with the Waldemere Fire Station for 2015.

Plans are under way for our 25 year anniversary which is quite a milestone. Thanks to former and current members that have made this happen. Details are shared later in this newsletter. The invitation has already been sent out and a copy is at the end of this newsletter. Please come out and support your organization!

For those who would like to share information and/or stories, all correspondence can be sent to me by e‐mail at [email protected] or you can reach me at 302‐438‐0685 or at 941‐924‐3160 when I am in Florida.

Enjoy this edition of the Suncoast Flyer!

Rod Smith

Editor

Railroad Ties ‐ The New Biofuel

Discarded railroad ties have become an important source of biomass fuel. members of the Biomass Power Association use about 815,000 tons of ties annually as fuel. This use helps conserve forests, promotes recycling, allows states to meet renewable energy goals, and reduces methane emissions if left to decompose or be landfilled. This could also be a source of carbon credits for the rail industry. ( courtesy Bob Cleaves of the Tampa order Board) More Rock Island Trivia

It was July 21, 1873, and the first train robbery by the James‐Younger gang (it was one of the first recorded robberies west of the Mississippi). Nine gang members to include the James and Younger brothers made up the gang. The gang's target was a Rock Island train coming through Adair, Iowa. While 2 of the men had dinner at a house near the train station, the other 7 members stole a tie hammer and a spike bar from a handcar house. Later, all 9 members met about 4 miles from Adair where they pried off the fish plate and pulled out the spikes. They then tied a rope to the north rail and slid it under the end of the south rail. The gang members then hid in a small gully and waited for the train. The gang thought the train would halt, but it didn't. About 8:30 PM, the engineer, seeing the rail, slammed on the brakes, but the locomotive and two baggage cars derailed killing the engineer and injuring the fireman. Some passengers were injured and the gang was shocked by what they had done, but still half of the gang boarded the

3 train while the other half stayed outside with the horses shooting their guns to keep the passengers inside the cars. The robbery netted $2,000 from the express car and another $1,000 from the passengers. Only the men were robbed, not the women and children. During the robbery, Cole Younger told the passengers they had not intended to kill or hurt anyone. After robbing the passengers, the gang jumped on their horses and made a clean get away while yelling a rebel yell. Rock Island engines were draped in black for mourning the death of the engineer. (courtesy Rock Island Argus newspaper article dated August 7, 1985) Suncoast Chapter 25th Anniversary Celebration

The 25th anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Laurel Oak Country Club. It will begin with a reception at 11:30 AM, and a lunch buffet at 12:30 PM. Following the lunch, there will be a Chapter program honoring our 25 years with a certificate being presented by a National organization representative. Following this will be a special guest speaker, Jackie LeClaire, a former Ringling performer, who will provide us with what life was like on a circus train. Other historical organizations of Sarasota County as well as elected officials have been invited to help us celebrate. All net proceeds will go to support the Venice Area Historical Society Circus Car Project. It should be a very nice affair. Invitations have been sent out and a copy is attached at the end of this newsletter. NRHS Annual Convention Update

Tickets have been on sale as of November, 2014. Visit the NRHS web site.

4 Vermont Railway System, the Saratoga & North Creek Railroad, and timeless New England charm headline the National Railway Historical Society’s 2015 convention in Rutland, Vermont. Taking place June 14‐ 20, 2015, the convention will feature seven days of rare train rides, one‐of‐a‐kind photo opportunities and historic tours, followed by a public rail excursion on June 21.

Highlighting the 2015 convention are specially chartered passenger trains over the colorful and historic Vermont Railway System ‐‐ many traveling freight‐only routes and featuring photo runbys. Roundhouse and facility tours are also planned. Vintage locomotive fans will savor an excursion on the Saratoga & North Creek Railroad pulled by 1940s‐ era BL2 diesels, of which only a handful survive.

LOCATION: The 2015 NRHS Convention will be based in Rutland, Vermont from June 14, 2015 to June 20, 2015 plus a public excursion on June 21, 2015.

HOTELS: The Convention will be based at the Rutland Holiday Inn which will host all convention meetings, seminars and the annual banquet. The hotel is offering a special room rate of $99 for one person, $119 for two, $139 for three and $159 for four. Rooms include free hot buffet breakfast offered in advance of event departures. (Courtesy NRHS Newsletter) NRHS Dues Update

By now, NRHS members in good standing should have received their dues notices for 2015. Dues for 2015 are payable directly to NRHS. NRHS is collecting the National dues directly from our membership and is encouraging everyone to renew as soon as possible, using the online option with a credit card instead of sending paper checks. When members use the credit card option, a processing charge for each paper check is avoided. The online option leaves more of the dues revenue

5 available to NRHS and its programs rather than paying for additional outside administrative support. For those that lack internet/computer capability, they may send their checks to the Suncoast Chapter and the Chapter will combine them and send one check to national with a list of participants. (Courtesy NRHS Newsletter)

NRHS Lawsuit Settled

A final settlement over the 2012 accident involving Barry Smith at RailCamp in 2012 has been reached. This is a public document under Docket No. 30702230 filed with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The accident involved Barry Smith, a camp counselor and a camper. Barry was driving a rental vehicle and had a serious accident injuring the camp counselor. Barry was also injured in the accident but the camper was not injured. The NRHS has been involved with the lawsuit for several years. This ends all claims over the accident. (Courtesy NRHS Newsletter)

Rail Camp

• RailCamp East will be held July 5 ‐10, based at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE.. • RailCamp Northwest will be August 2 ‐ 9, headquartered at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA .

Applications will be available on the NRHS website. Those interested can also request an application by email addressed to [email protected]. The tuition in 2015 will be $1,290, a slight increase from 2014. Early application is strongly encouraged and final deadline to apply is April 15, 2015. (courtesy NRHS Newsletter)

6 The Railroad Caboose

The word caboose basically means the working headquarters of the conductor and rear brakeman. However, the original term was a nautical term meaning a "house on deck where the cooking is done; a galley. The first time the word was used in regards to railroading was in 1855 in reference to conductor cars on the Buffalo, Corning, & New York line (later a part of the Erie‐Lackawanna System). It is rumored that Commodore Vanderbuilt may have had some influence in introducing the name to railroading because of his maritime interests. Then, in 1889, a trainman named Eggerton sued Commodore Vanderbuilt for injuries received in a "caboose car".

The first caboose of record was the last box car of a freight/passenger train on the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad (later part of the NYC) in the 1840's. The conductor, Nat Williams, kept flags, lanterns, chairs, and tools in a wooden box car and used an overturned barrel as a desk.

The first cupola for a caboose originated in 1863 when an N&W freight conductor named Watson suggested the idea and that railroad appears to be the first to use such a structure. Until 1884, the idea to use a cupola appeared to be a local decision. However, the 1884 edition of the Master Car Builders Dictionary mentioned cabooses with "lookouts".

It was called many names over the years, but it was always officially the "caboose". Some of the more interesting ones are as follows:

Brain Box (conductor was considered the brains) Glory Wagon (reference to the men killed in train wrecks) Monkey Cage/Monkey Hat (a derogatory name) (Courtesy The Railroad Caboose by William Knapke with Freeman Hubbard)

7 NRHS Suncoast Chapter 2015 Meetings* Place: Waldemere Street Fire Station

Meeting Time: 7:00 PM in the 2nd floor conference room

Date Topic Refreshments

January 27 TBD Mike James

January 31 Circus Life On The Railroad Laurel Oak CC

February 24 German Train Travel‐Kim Cool John Moran

March 24 TBD Bob Mazur

April ‐ TBD Chattaway's Picnic All

April 28 TBD Ernie Gerlach

May No meeting

June No meeting

July No meeting

August No meeting

September 22 TBD Allen Jelks

October 27 TBD Rod Smith

November 24 TBD Dan Conway

December No meeting

*The Suncoast Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of the meeting month

8 Bob’s Trains Lunch Schedule 2015

(2nd Wednesday of each month)

January 14

February 11`

March 11

April 8

May 13

June 10

July 8

August 12

September 9

October 14

November 11

December 9

9 Suncoast Chapter

National Railway Historical Society

All aboard for our 25‐year anniversary celebration!!

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2015

Departure Station : Laurel Oaks Country Club, 2700 Gary Player Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240 (Garden Room)

(1.8 miles east of I‐75 Bee Ridge Road exit; on left); 941‐378‐3608

Departure Time : 11:30 AM; your train ticket includes a full buffet lunch and cash bar

Order Board : Reception ‐ 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Lunch ‐ 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Program ‐ 1:30PM to 3:00 PM ‐ with special guest speaker

JACKIE LECLAIRE, FORMER RINGLING B&B CIRCUS PERFORMER TO SPEAK ON:

"TRAVELING BY RAIL WITH THE CIRCUS"

Cost: $33.00 per person ; net proceeds donated to the Circus Rail Car Project of the Venice Area Historical Society

RSVP by check made out to Suncoast Chapter, NRHS, to be received not later than January 23, 2015

Questions to: Mike James : 941‐697‐6481 or [email protected]

Ted Cover : 941‐379‐0758 or [email protected]

Rod Smith : 302‐438‐0685 or [email protected]

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Number of persons attending @ $33.00 per person $ ______

Names of attendees ( First and Last) ______

Organization and Title (if any) ______

Send checks to: Mike James

33 Mark Twain Lane

Rotonda West, FL 33947‐2140

10 YOU ARE INVITED TO OLD CAR AND TRAIN DAY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015 12-5 PM

THE CLEMENT HOME

12106 GARY HILL DR FAIRFAX VA 22030

Bring your significant other, kids, parents, and any other train, antique or old car lovers to join in the fun and fellowship of antique trains and old cars.

Weather permitting, additional antique cars may join us. New additions to the antique train collection are on display and some trains are under power. Bring “show and tell” trains, if you like, and we’ll try to run them. If you have trains to be repaired, this is a good time to drop them off.

A favorite appetizer, finger food or dessert brought for sharing would be gratefully appreciated.

DIRECTIONS: Take Route 66 West to Exit 55, VA 286 (old Route 7100) South to Braddock Road. Turn right toward Clifton/Centreville. Turn left at the traffic light onto Colchester Road and go 2.2 miles. Cross Popes Head Road (Church on corner), turn left on Saddlehorn Drive (Through the brick entranceway into Colchester Hunt Village.) Second right is Gary Hill Drive. We are the first house on the left.

Alternate route: Take Braddock Road West off the 495 Beltway. Travel west about 15 miles, cross under Fairfax Parkway and turn left at the traffic light onto Colchester Road and continue as above.

See you on Train and Old Car Day!

Sandy and Clem Clement Ph. (703) 830-5597 C (571)-239-1701 Email: [email protected] Volume 46 #1 January 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wheel work completed on Mid-Continent's CNW locomotive Trains Newswire Dec 26 2014 NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. – Wheel work for Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 has been completed at the Strasburg Rail Road shop in Strasburg, Pa. Steve Sandberg, who is serving as project consultant for the locomotive’s owner, the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, told Trains News Wire the work included new tires and crank pins. The project included installing new tires and truing/turning the tire seats. The museum is able return the engine to original specifications, since the museum and the project members have original documentation, blue prints, and measurements. The goal among the team members working on the engine is to have it operating in 2016, but that depends on keeping a tight project schedule and continued success in fund raising at a pace faster than the restoration work expends those funds. Because of the inherent uncertainty in fund raising and the chance for unforeseen delays, the museum does not have an official estimated completion date. Contents Meeting Notice Meeting Notice P1 Next business meeting will be held January 17, 2015 Officer Contact Directory P2 6:30 pm, at Roseville Lutheran Church at 1215 Roselawn Editors Column P2 Avenue, midway between Lexington and Hamline Avenues in Library Open House P2,3 Roseville. See map on page 2. Minutes of last meeting P3 NRHS report P3 Program after the meeting – Minnesota Zephyr Units report P3 Greg Smith Slide Show from his personal Collection. Amtrak Empire Builder Schedule P4 There will be a pre-meeting get-together Jan 17, 2014 at the California Railfan Trip (Part 3) P4,5,6 Keys Cafe and Bakery at the northeast corner of Lexington and Northpole Express report P7 Larpenteur starting about 4:45 pm. PLEASE CALL Bob Seattle Area Landslides P7 Clarkson at 651-636-2323 and leave a message with your name BNSF Big Lake track expansion P7 and the number of persons coming with you. Optimism on Railroad coal Deliveries article P7,8 Wilmar Bypass P8 Reminder: Dues for 2015 are Due! Extra news,photos P9-13

Page 1 Northstar News January 2015

Northstar Chapter Officers (please note changes from last year) President Richard Tubbesing [email protected] 763-757-1304 Vice President Dan Meyer [email protected] 763-784-8835 Past President H Martin Swan [email protected] 612-961-1684 National Director Jim McLean [email protected] 612-747-8541 Treasurer Russ Isbrandt [email protected] 651-426-1156 Secretary Dave Norman [email protected] 612-729-2428 Trustee Gary Rumler [email protected] 651-385-8752 Staff Program Chairman John Goodman [email protected] 612-839-0905 Newsletter Editor Committee: Richard [email protected] 763-757-1304 Tubbesing, Dawn [email protected] 763-784-8835 Holmberg Newsletter Distribution Richard Tubbesing [email protected] 763-757-1304 Calendar Committee John Goodman [email protected] 612-839-0905 Dawn Holmberg [email protected] 763-784-8835

Trip Director John Goodman [email protected] 612-839-0905 Chapter John Cartwright [email protected] 651-481-8479 Librarian/Historian Web Master Dan Meyer [email protected] 763-784-8835 Chapter Mailbox Northstar Chapter NRHS PO Box 120832 St Paul MN 55112 Library Data Base Russ Isbrandt [email protected] 651-426-1156 Administrator Meeting Site Editor’s Column From the east or west take MN 36 to Lexington Avenue. Drive south From the Editor: on Lexington Avenue to Roselawn Avenue and turn right. The large Happy New Year. John Goodman is now on the NRHS Board of lighted parking lot is on your right as you travel west on Roselawn. Directors, and will be working on the NRHS convention for 2016. John Use the lower entrance to the church and turn left through the has done a very commendable job working on past NRHS conventions commons area. We’ll be in room 40, The Diamond Room. which were very successful. We wish John continued success in his work with the NRHS Board of Directors.

President Note: As new President, I am honored to be President for the next two years. I look forward to working with our very competent BOD members and to serve our organization and its membership. My proverbial ‘door’ will always be open to suggestions to make our organization better, and better serve our membership. I prefer any communication to be my e-mail address (see below) or at our meetings. Please feel free to converse with me or any of our BOD members with any suggestions you may have. Regards, Richard Tubbesing

Reminder Again, I will repeat…Al Weber President of the NRHS, has many hurdles to overcome. His job is very difficult based on the financial situation of the NRHS. Current members of the NRHS should have received a membership renewal notice. . Please consider renewing your NRHS membership. Also, our Library will be open before our next business meeting! See Below. We also have a few 2015 Calendars still available. If you haven’t purchased one, please do.

Page 2 Northstar News January 2015

. LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE .. There should be plenty of live action on the BNSF St. Paul Sub. There will be an open house at Northstar Chapter NRHS Library 2:00 to 4:00 pm Saturday January 17th 2014. We now have additional seating in our viewing room. (Thanks to furniture we acquired from the old Midway Amtrak station.) The library is at 2010 East Hennepin Avenue, the Central Research Building Room 226. From the west take I-35W north to the Hennepin Ave exit and drive east just past Stinson Blvd. From the east take I-35W South / MN 36 West to Stinson Blvd. Turn left on Stinson to Hennepin Ave just under the railroad overpass, turn left. From either direction take the first driveway to enter the parking lot. Selected railroad DVD’s will be shown. You will be free to access and peruse any of our 1,300 Railroad Books and our collection of Timetables. At 4:30pm we will adjourn to Keys Restaurant at Lexington and Larpenteur. Drive straight east on Hennepin / Larpenteur to Lexington. Please join us.

Minutes of the October 18, 2014 Membership Meeting of the Northstar Chapter NRHS Chapter president H. Martin Swan called the meeting to order to order at 6:37 p.m. in the Roseville Lutheran Church with 19 members and guests present. Those present were asked to introduce themselves. The minutes of the October 18th membership meeting were not ready when the November 2014 issue of Northstar News went to press, but they will appear in a future issue, so we can vote to approve them at a meeting early next year.. Election of 2015 chapter officers - there were no nominations from the floor for any of the offices. There was a motion to approve the proposed slate of officers. The motion was seconded and carried. There was an important message from John Goodman. As he is now a member of the BOD of the National NRHS, he can no longer be a member of the Northstar Chapter BOD. Therefore the office that he held on the chapter's board as national representative is now vacant. Jim Maclean was appointed to hold this office until December 31st. This was approved by those members of the chapter's board present at the meeting. John reported on some of the developments relating to the NRHS at the national level. John also noted that we need more people to sign up for the chapter's Holiday Party in early December. Treasurer Russ Isbrandt gave his report. He also reported on finances of the calendar. Joe Stark gave a reort on sales, including those at several recent flea market events. John Cartrwright reported on the chapter library. We have been continuing to view movies from the Cordes Collection. We have had some of them scanned into DVDs and hope to do more in the future. Cheer Committee - Marty said that he would send a card to Dawn Holmberg, who is recovering from eye surgery. We got another donation from the family of Doug Johnson. We will invite them to attend our Holiday Party. There was no other business. Marty gave a brief address. He thanked those who had served on the chapter board. There was a round of applause for Marty. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded, and carried at 6:55 p.m. There was a brief break. There was a message from John Goodman about procedures for paying 2015 dues to the national NRHS. The program was Members; Night. We are particularly looking for images that could be used on the 2016 chapter calendar. Respectfully submitted, Dave Norman, Secretary.

NRHS Report by Board Member John Goodman .

The Winter NRHS Board of Directors meeting will be held January 10th and 11th at Roanoke VA. A report will be in the next newsletter. National NRHS 2015 Dues can now be paid by electronic methods. You may pay via electronic or PayPal methods. Dues continue to be $50.00 for the year. Please go to NRHS.com, then in the upper right hand corner please click on memberships. If you have any questions or doubts...please e-mail me at [email protected] , or you may phone me at 612-839-0905 (cell) and I would be happy to discuss this situation with you. Thank You. John H. Goodman, District 6 NRHS Director.

'Minnesota Zephyr' F units Now Gone. By Steve Glischinski | December 15, 2014. Trains Newswire HOYT LAKES, Minn. In Minnesota this month, followers of Electro-Motive F units can rejoice that two of the classic cab units will be preserved, while mourning the loss of three former LTV Steel/Erie Mining Co. F9 B units. The three B units, Nos. 4223, 4224, and 4225, were scrapped earlier this month at the former Erie Mining plant site in Hoyt Lakes. According to Erie Mining historian and long-time employee Doug Buell, their prime movers, generators, and most of their trucks were shipped out of the plant by flatbed truck, while any remaining scrap from the units is being cut up and will be shipped off for recycling. The units were last used in 2008 by Cliffs Erie Mining, which purchased the assets of LTV Steel Mining in 2002.Erie Mining Co. purchased 11 F9s, five A units and six B units, to haul taconite pellets from its mine and plant at Hoyt Lakes over a 72-mile private railroad to its ore dock on the North Shore of Lake Superior at Taconite Harbor. Operations began in 1957, and the fleet of F9s remained intact even after LTV Steel acquired Erie Mining in 1986. Four F9s, two A units and two B units, were destroyed in a runaway derailment at Taconite Harbor in January 1997. LTV shuttered the taconite plant in 2001.There followed two revivals of the railroad. In 2004 Cliffs Erie hired a contractor to claim leftover chips and pellets from the mine due to the high iron prices, and used the Fs to move them to Taconite Harbor. In 2008, No. 4210 and the three B units were used to haul cars of pellet remains and fines from Taconite Harbor to Hoyt Lakes where it was shipped out by rail. The units had been stored at Hoyt Lakes ever since. F9A Nos. 4210 and 4214 remain intact at Hoyt Lakes, while former F9A No. 4211 and F9B 4222 have been preserved by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. The news is happier in southern Minnesota, where two former Minnesota Zephyr F7s will begin their journey from Stillwater to Alamosa, Colo. Nos. 787 and 788 have been sold to Heritage Rail Leasing, a subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings. Crews will begin loading the locomotives onto flatbed trucks Monday. They will be trucked to Progressive Rail's facility at Randolph and loaded onto flatcars. They will then be moved to Northfield and Page 3 Northstar News January 2015 interchanged to Union Pacific for the trip to Alamosa. Iowa Pacific has no current plans for the locomotives, so they will be stored after their arrival in Colorado. The two Minnesota Zephyr units are No. 787, built in 1953 as Spokane, Portland & Seattle No. 804, later Burlington Northern Nos. 9756 and 716, and No. 788, ex-Chicago & Northern Western No. 4082A, then No. 410, built in 1949. The units were last used in December 2008 when the dinner train made its last run. Its six-mile route has since been converted to a trail.

Amtrak Empire Builder Resuming regular Schedule From John Goodman CHICAGO – Amtrak will resume operating the Empire Builder (Trains 7/27 & 8/28) on its regular schedule and route in both directions, effective with the departures of Jan. 12, 2015. The return of the previous timetables from Seattle and Portland will offer more attractive arrival and departure times for the balance of the winter recreation season in the Flathead Valley of Montana, near Glacier National Park. Additionally, Leavenworth and Spokane, Wash., and Sandpoint, Idaho, passengers will again enjoy same-day round trips to Portland or Seattle. Three additional hours eastbound and 90 minutes westbound were added to the schedules in April west of St. Paul, Minn. This was done to accommodate $1 billion in BNSF construction projects to add capacity and to help improve service for all traffic on its route. Amtrak and BNSF continue to work cooperatively on the operational and maintenance issues that affect Amtrak trains on this line. BNSF is committed to work to improve the performance of the Empire Builder going forward. "Local community and business leaders depend on the Empire Builder and see Amtrak service as an important public transportation link," said DJ Stadtler, Amtrak Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer. "We will work closely with BNSF to fulfill a commitment to Amtrak passengers and our communities to operate this train on schedules our customers expect." "BNSF has a long history of hosting passenger service on our freight network. The investments we are continuing to make will help improve reliability for all our customers, including Amtrak," said DJ Mitchell, AVP Passenger Operations, BNSF Railway. Also effective with the schedule restoration, the Empire Builder will resume operating on its normal route in both directions in North Dakota. Amtrak will then discontinue the use of chartered buses to cover missed station stops in Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby, N.D., which has been routine since May. Amtrak President & CEO Joe Boardman visited North Dakota earlier this year to engage community leaders and stressed the importance of reliable service. Current on-time performance data are available on Amtrak.com, including responsibility for each element of delay. This information is also presented to passengers when booking travel on the website and is available elsewhere from Amtrak.

California Trip (Via Amtrak) May-June 2014 (Article By R Tubbesing. Pictures by R Tubbesing, Roger Libra) Continued from December Newsletter(Part three): June 01, 2014 This was an unplanned day. Since our train didn’t leave LAUPT until 10:00 pm, we had the whole day to explore. We decided to go back to the summit at Cajon pass which we liked before. We drove up I15 to the Junction with Highway 138. We missed the turn off (I wasn’t a good navigator here!) and had to go north on I15, to turn around and found that the freeway was backed up for at least a couple of miles. After creeping up the hill, we finally saw what was causing the delay-a motor home had overturned on the northbound lane causing traffic to be condensed from three lanes to one lane. Alas, we snuck onto the shoulder and got to the next exit and turned around to head back to Highway 138 and the head east to the summit again. After stopping at McDonalds for an ice cream cone and beverage we headed east. We got to the summit just as a BNSF WB auto-rack was approaching to head downhill. A UP WB manifest train was sitting at the summit of the Palmdale Cutoff waiting to head downhill too. Then a BNSF WB Stack came by. Soon after, a BNSF WB manifest which changed from track 3 to track 2 under the signal bridge went through. Then the UP WB 3–unit manifest started down the hill on the Palmdale Cutoff. Whew! four trains in about an hour. Then we decided to head east on Highway 138 toward Victorville and to another well-known location called Lugo. We followed a dirt road near the tracks along the highway a good location near a signal bridge and a nice S-curve in both directions. It wasn’t too long, and we got a BNSF EB stack at speed snake along the track and past us. Then a BNSF WB stack went by, followed by another EB Stack and while filming that, along comes a UP High-railer by on the near track. He gave us a friendly wave! Then we headed east and then north into Victorville trying to follow the tracks and scout for a good photo location. As we followed the tracks, I think we missed about 2 or 3 BNSF stack trains that went by before we could find any location to set up, or check the signals. After a stop for a snack in Victorville, we found where the famous Route 66 was and followed the tracks all the way to Barstow. As we left Victorville, we passed a huge cement plant, and another BNSF train passed before we could find a good location to set up. Along the way, we stopped at some road crossings to check signals, and they were dark. We passed another BNSF train as we got near Barstow. This is the location of a vast BNSF yard and the junction of the line to Mohave and the Tehachapi Loop. We went through town to a bridge over the tracks to the Amtrak Depot, which is the former AT&SF depot. We found a nice museum there with many ex- Santa Fe units and equipment on display. After browsing around, we could see south to the departure yard and there appeared to be an auto-rack ready to head east. We waited but it was still being refueled and waiting for a crew. It was late in the afternoon and we decided to head back to LA. We again followed the tracks, and encountered a short BNSF manifest heading west, which we followed and got some pacing shots of it. We then headed down the road to get a runby at a rural road crossing. It was time to head to LA, since we were about 2 hours from downtown LA. We got to LA about 8:45pm, after a gas up and meal at West Covina CA just off I10. We dropped off out rental car and proceeded to the new Metropolitan Lounge to wait for a boarding call to Amtrak Train #2/22 the Sunset/Texas Eagle. We left right on time, after getting to our economy bedrooms-the last car on the train (nice for looking out the back window!) and retired for the night.

BNSF WB Stack at the Summit BNSF EB Stack at Lugo AT&SF F45 at Barstow Depot Museum Page 4 Northstar News January 2015

June 02, 2014 We got up early in the morning and before breakfast, found that we were entering Maricopa, AZ, which is Amtrak’s station for Phoenix passengers. It is interesting landscape of the high desert that we passed with occasional mountains in the distance. After breakfast, we headed through Arizona to Tucson were we had a nice break to stretch our legs, and saw a nicely restored depot with an SP steam engine on display. We got some video by some of the UP yard facilities as we left and continued onto New Mexico. We stopped at Lordsburg, NM which was just an open spot near the tracks in front of the main downtown storefronts. Just room for a few parking spots and that is it! We headed to our next stop in El Paso, TX, but about 20 miles west in New Mexico, we stopped to refuel at the new $418 million UP Santa Teresa yard. (See August 2014 Trains Magazine news story about this.) We watched two intermodal trains depart to the east as we were refueled and then a manifest departed as we got underway toward El Paso. As we departed, we passed the manifest and headed close to the Mexico border and into El Paso. There was another nicely restored depot. We departed El Paso, and took some video as we headed east along some UP yards and facilities (passing the Heritage MP unit in by the fuel racks) and headed east. We had dinner in the diner, then went back to our rooms and retired for the night as the West Texas landscape went by.

SP Steam engine Tucson AZ depot Sunset Ltd near El Paso TX El Paso Station

June 03, 2014 At above 5am, we arrived in San Antonio, about an hour late. This is where the Texas Eagle and Sunset Ltd parts of the train are split, one going to New Orleans and the other to Chicago. After sitting while this switching was made, our Texas Eagle consist was about seven cars, with the Diner and Sightseeing Lounge part of the consist. Our sleeper car was now the 2nd car in the consist. I think we departed about 8am and headed north to Fort Worth. At about mid-morning we went through Austin, the capitol of Texas across the Colorado River as the rain drops started falling, the first rain we encountered on our trip. Heading north, we passed by a station stop at Cleburne, home to a BNSF yard (shops famous in Santa Fe days for converting F-units to GP like CF-7 locomotives back in the 1970s I believe) then headed north to Fort Worth where we arrived in the mid-afternoon. The train station is a new multi-transportation center just north of the old Santa Fe depot and freight house. We departed and went to the Station’s Enterprise rental car to get our car, (Great Service here) and then proceeded to the Country Inn and Suites north of Downtown but with a view of the UP mainline north of Ft Worth. After settling in we watched a couple of UP freights go by and then went to a Mexican restaurant next to the hotel for a good meal. Returning to the Hotel we retired for the evening…. After I had my evening cigar!.

Cleburne TX Shops

Crossing Colorado River Austin TX

Pullman car and troop car Temple TX

June 04, 2014 Since this Wednesday, both the Grapevine Railway in Fort Worth, and the Texas State Railroad in Perris, TX were closed, as they only operate on weekends. We decided to head north along a UP branch line and BNSF main line northwest to see if we could find some rail action. We headed north along Business #287 which generally follows the BNSF main to Wichita Falls, TX. After passing through Saginaw, we passed the many facilities of Trinity Rail Car-plants in which there were tank car parts waiting for assembly of the tank cars, now booming with the massive increase of oil production in this country. All we saw were some MOW crews working and some grade crossing construction, so we didn’t encounter any trains. Then we decided to find the BNSF HQ north of Fort Worth and went to their visitor center. They have a nice museum, consisting of artifacts and artwork of the BNSF predecessor roads. Outside, there are four Budd stainless steel business cars that were once used as business cars, now encased in concrete and used by BNSF for Board and other staff meeting, thus we could not go inside. After spending some time at the visitor center, we headed back to the Fort Worth station to turn in our car, and board the Heartland Flyer to Oklahoma City. The train consisted of three Superliner coaches (the center car had a Snack bar on the lower level, much like on the sightseer Lounge cars) with an Amtrak P42 at each end. The train left about 5:30pm and arrived at Oklahoma City about 9:30pm on time. We checked into our downtown hotel, the Colcord, for the night.

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Heartland Flyer in Oklahoma City Crossing the Washita River near Ardmore OK Crossing the Red River into Texas June 05, 2014 After having breakfast at the hotel, we took the shuttle to the Oklahoma Station, where the tracks are above the old station which is a former Santa Fe Station. We boarded the train to return to Fort Worth and departed a little late after the 8:25 am departure. Heading south, on the BNSF mainline, went through Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore, OK and along the scenic area along the Washita River and near the Chickasaw National Recreation area north of Ardmore OK. Then we crossed the Red River of the South, the border with Texas and a brief stop at Gainesville, Texas. We got into Fort Worth close to 1pm, just a little late. Then we waited for the Texas Eagle to arrive from San Antonio, scheduled to arrive 2pm. After checking, it was late. (Problems with the equipment). After spending some time in the station, we watched a number of ‘Trinity Express’ commuter trains to Dallas arrive and depart. At about 5pm, the Texas Eagle arrived and stopped south of the station. It sat there as Amtrak People swarmed around the train to attend to mechanical problems, I presume. The northbound Heartland Flyer pulled into the station and departed on time. Then the Texas Eagle came into the station. We boarded at about 5:45pm (3 ½ hours late) and found our sleeper, the 2nd car in the train. No air conditioning in the Economy Bedroom half of the car. It was unbearably hot in the car, however the Bedroom section of the train was cool! After we parked our luggage, the car attendant herded us to the diner where it was nice and cool, and we waited for dinner. The train has to make two backup moves to get on the BNSF main, then backups past the UP/BNSF junction at Tower 55 before heading east off the wye to Dallas. I think Amtrak is considering using the Trinity Express (ex: Rock Island) line between Fort Worth and Dallas to eliminate the time consuming backup moves. After dinner and sitting in the lounge car for a while, we headed back to our still very warm sleeper. The crew had opened the doors to the Crew car ahead and some of the cooler air made its way back to our car. After spending a lot of time in the lounge car, I headed back to our sleeper at about 12:30am and found that it was quite a bit cooler, at least you could lie down and try and get some sleep for the night.

BNSF WB Stack Sitting at Saginaw TX BNSF Office Car at BNSF HQ Trinity Express Commuter Trains at Fort Worth Station June 06, 2014 The last day! We woke up early and headed to the diner for breakfast. We were still behind schedule as we headed close to St Louis by mid-morning. We headed into St Louis with views of the mighty Mississippi and got into St Louis Station, now a transportation hub. After a lengthy stop, we headed out of St Louis, past the St Louis Arch and along to river to a bridge over it to East St Louis, where we past some of the TRRA power moving cars from their East St Louis yard. Then it was on to Chicago. We had a descent lunch and knowing we were 3 – 4 hours late, we had to make changes to our evening flight out of Midway airport from 6:15 to 9:15pm. Once we got to Chicago, with Roger’s ankles and my knees, we got a Red Cap to take us to the cab stand in front of the depot. We tried one way out of the station, but it was blocked by construction, then tried another way, but it was also blocked. We headed back to the main station, stopped at the escalator to the front entrance, the Red Cap took all four of our bags up the escalator (in one trip!) and to the front of the depot, placed us at the head of the line to catch a cap. What a performance, and What Service… needless to say he got a substantial tip for his effort! We got a cab (The fare was not much more to Midway that the Shuttle service they have to Downtown) and got to the airport in plenty of time to catch our flight to MSP. Had a good flight and my sister Carol picked us up at the airport and got home about 11:30 pm. A Great but long trip! R Tubbesing

Leaving St Louis on the Texas Eagle Crossing the Mississippi River, St Louis

St Louis Transportation Hub

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North Pole Express at St Paul Union Depot Dec 6,7 Dec 12,13,14 2014 with Steam Locomotive #261 – A Great Success (8000 Passengers!) , (Sellout Runs!)

See the Video from KARE 11 “All aboard the North Pole Express! | Video | kare11.com” See link below: http://www.kare11.com/video/3940533606001/1/All-aboard-the-North-Pole-Express

No holiday for landslides: Amtrak service suspended again in Pacific Northwest Trains Newswire: December 26, 2014 SEATTLE – A landslide has caused a suspension of Amtrak and commuter-train service between Seattle and Everett, Wash., following a Dec. 24 landslide on BNSF Railway. The tracks, which are used by Amtrak Cascades and Empire Builder trains and Northline Sounder commuter trains, are expected to reopen today, Dec. 26. Amtrak is providing alternate transportation between Seattle and Everett. Northline Sounder service between Everett and Seattle remains canceled today. Sound Transit will provide special buses with direct service to/from Northline Sounder stations in addition to local bus service. If there are no additional blocking events, service will resume for the special Sounder trains for the Seattle Seahawks football game on Dec. 28. The frequent slides have meant delays for freight, Amtrak, and Sounder commuter trains dozens of times over the last few years. When a landslide occurs, BNSF imposes a 48-hour moratorium on passenger trains, although freight service resumes as soon as the slide is cleared.

Railway expansion could shut down businesses in Big Lake, Minn. On Wednesday, December 24, 2014 7:02 AM, Rick Krenske wrote In relation to the double track project between Big Lake and Becker next year. "BIG LAKE, Minn. (KMSP) - A push to expand a railway from Big Lake to Becker could spell trouble for some businesses. In order to expand, Burlington Northern Santa Fe would need additional land near the tracks – but some of that land is already owned. Tootsie's Tavern is one of the most popular watering holes in Big Lake, but Gerry McKernan said his bar could be forced to call "last call" if the railroad tracks behind it expand. "This is ridiculous," McKernan said. "They'll put me out of business in a month for what they are offering." BNSF wants to go from one track to two for a 10-mile stretch between Big Lake and Becker to help ease congestion on the rail lines. Even though the rail bed used to hold two tracks years ago, new regulations require them to be farther apart – so BNSF wants an extra 25 feet of right of way, which would affect more than a dozen nearby homes and businesses. "Everyone in this area completely understands BNSF need to get rail traffic moving effectively," Joel Scharf, interim Big Lake city administrator said. "I think everyone understands it but I think they are concerned with how quickly it came about and the impact it will have on local businesses." With how quickly it came about and the impact it will have on local businesses, the railroad company sent letters to the city and property owners offering anywhere from $2,000 to $2,500 for their land. But city leaders say moving the water and sewer lines under the tracks would cost about 2 million dollars, which is about half their total budget and roughly what they pay for police and fire each year. "The amounts that were initially proposed really aren't a drop in the bucket to the value the property actually bears" McKernan said. McKernan said giving the railroad an extra 25 feet would cost him up to 40 parking spaces, and with the bar already squeezed between the railroad and Highway 10 his business would definitely feel the pinch. "Alright pay me," McKernan said. "I can't lose that much parking lot, I'd lose all my business the first weekend." Utilities, railroads guardedly optimistic about coal deliveries. From Rick Krenske Friday, December 19, 2014 9:53 AM Article by: JIM SPENCER, Star Tribune: They worry that if weather turns harsh this winter, the rail system could be overtaxed. WASHINGTON Representatives of the power and rail industries expressed guarded optimism Thursday about coal deliveries needed to generate electricity for Minnesota this winter. Speaking to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), officials from BNSF Railway, Minnesota Power and the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator agreed that stockpiles of coal, which had been critically low at many electricity generating plants, have grown recently. But they warned that unexpected bad weather or unanticipated shipping problems on the state's overcrowded rail system could change that. "We've got a stockpile that gets us into the coldest months of the winter," Dave McMillan, Minnesota Power's vice president of external affairs, told the Star Tribune after his FERC testimony. "But we need assurances that it doesn't start dropping when Feb. 1 gets here." McMillan had described to the FERC board how his utility got down to a four-day supply of coal at one point in the past year and had to use trucks to carry in emergency supplies. McMillan also told the board that recent coal delivery problems forced Minnesota Power to take the 'unprecedented step' of shuttering four production facilities. He said the utility is looking for a government-monitored coal delivery recovery plan from BNSF, a plan the railroad has resisted. "Lack of a recovery plan does not give us confidence that the supply will continue," McMillan explained to the FERC board. Todd Ramey, representing Midcontinent Systems, the nonprofit that operates the electrical grid in Minnesota and the rest of the Upper Midwest, told the board that delayed coal deliveries have not yet left utilities unable to supply customers with electricity. But Ramey said coal delivery problems sometimes forced consumers to pay more for the power they used. The cost of electricity was up 9 percent in the fall of 2014 compared to fall of 2013, he noted. Current coal deliveries in Minnesota and other states have been sufficient in recent weeks to help build up reserves, Ramey told the Star Tribune. At current delivery rates, it would take 'an extended period of severe weather like a polar vortex' to run stockpiles to zero and threaten transmission of electricity to customers. Still, the issue is far from resolved. Coal shortages have forced roughly a third of the utilities with whom Midcontinent works to adopt conservation measures in the past six months, Ramey said. Even as he described investments in track improvements and a weather forecast that makes BNSF feel 'more prepared this year than last,' Stevan Bobb, the railroad's chief marketing officer, made a point of apologizing publicly to McMillan and other customers for delivery problems. Those problems were brought on by sharp spikes in shipments of crude oil from the Bakken Fields in North Dakota, bumper crops of grain in the U.S. and Canada and increases in transport of manufactured goods as the country's manufacturing sector recovers from the Great Recession. BNSF has "not met expectations across all the markets we serve," Bobb said. By the end of 2014, Bobb said, BNSF will fall about 5 percent short of the 286 million tons of coal its utility customers expected the railroad to ship. But he noted a 'trend' of improving stockpiles. FERC commissioner Tony Clark asked Bobb whether trains hauling Bakken crude get priority on BNSF's limited track space because they bring in more revenue, an allegation frequently voiced by frustrated farmers who can't get their products to market. Bobb said train movements were determined by 'volume.' "Our transportation team, which makes the daily decision about which trains to move, doesn't have visibility into the

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rates or economics," he explained. One sticking point in the coal delivery system appears to be the definition of a critical shortage that could get special attention from the railroad. BNSF picked 20 days as the threshold for critically low coal supplies that cause the railroad to 'focus attention,' Bobb said. McMillan and Ramey told the Star Tribune that virtually all utilities consider a dip below a 30-day reserve a sign of significant trouble. Anything below 20 days usually leads to conservation measures or production slow downs. "We would like a coal supply never to fall below 30 days," McMillan said. "Maybe in this day and age that's not possible." Jim Spencer 202-383-6123

Historical RR Timetables available (Repeat from last month) . The Northstar Railroad Historical Society now has their collection of historical RR employee and public timetables available in digital (.pdf) format. Thanks to John Gaertner for all his work in scanning these in. We have a 21 page index of timetables available on our website. We can also send you the index via E-mail. For a nominal fee (All proceeds go to the chapter!) of $15 we will create an initial DVD of timetables of your choice. Each additional DVD will be $5. Place your order and selections (or for a copy of the index) via email to [email protected] and remit your check to Northstar Chapter NRHS PO Box 120832 St Paul MN 55112.

Milw. Rd. timetable Sept 1949 CB&Q timetable Nov 1942

Subject: Metro News - Wilmar BNSF Bypass Provided by Rick Krenske Sat, Jan 3, 2015 12:59:23 PM Group reapplies for grant to build Willmar railroad bypass. By David Little on Dec 29, 2014. WILLMAR * BNSF Railway, along with local governmental partners, will try again to obtain a federal grant to help build the proposed $50 million railroad bypass, also known as a wye, west of Willmar to possibly divert up to a third of the trains in and out of the city's rail yard. In their first attempt in 2014, the partners did not receive any funding under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program when the grants were announced in September, so they'll be submitting another application in 2015. The partners, Willmar City Council, Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners, Minnesota Department of Transportation and Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, have approved another memorandum of understanding to financially assist in supporting the wye project. Bruce Peterson, director of city planning and development services, said the partners continued their discussion regarding the proposed wye project after the first grant application did not receive funding and they agreed it was worth pursuing again. "We realize that this is something that's going to take a while to get done and if we can get the funding in 2015, if we're successful this next year, we should be able to complete it by 2017," Peterson said. "And if not, we'll have to come back for a different memorandum of understanding if we're going to try it again." Peterson said he believes BNSF is considering revising its level of participation and allow the governmental partners to reduce their share. "There was some response from the federal grant agency that perhaps we're asking for a little too much money and they wanted the railroad to contribute more. That will all be analyzed when we do our next application," he said. Peterson said BNSF's consultant has already done the engineering for the project. "The nice thing about this project is a great deal of it has been engineered. So if it did get approved for funding, it's got the ability to turn around very quickly and go to bid," he said. The proposed 2.5-mile, north-south wye would connect BNSF's Morris subdivision track, which goes to the northwest to Fargo-Moorhead, and the Marshall subdivision track, which goes southwest to Sioux Falls, S.D. The wye would run parallel along the east side of County Road 55 and would include a spur into the Willmar Industrial Park. Associated with the project is construction of motor vehicle overpasses at the intersection of state Highway 40 and County Road 55, and at County Road 55 and U.S. Highway 12. Officials have said the wye would reduce congestion in the rail system and help efficiently move oil, coal and ag commodities. At the present time, trains entering Willmar from either the Morris or Marshall subdivisions must disconnect and move the engines to the front of the train before continuing either northwest or southwest. The wye would allow trains to bypass Willmar without entering the yard and reconfiguring the trains. Peterson said grants will be announced in the late summer of 2015. In theory, he said, the grants go to areas to help them recover from the recession. "We aren't in a real good position to require money for that purpose because we did not suffer that badly from the recession," he said. "But we do qualify because we do have a major carrier through this area and because of all the changes economically west of here in the Bakken (oil field in North Dakota). That's the driving force behind this. Every train car that hauls oil is one less that's hauling coal or ag products."

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CP Holiday Train Visits St Paul Dec 12 2014 .

All Photos by Dawn Holmberg

Holiday Train at St Paul Union Depot

Metro News - Como Area Rail Upgrade provided by Rick Krenske . Sent: Fri, Jan 2, 2015 1:33:11 PM

Como residents open to $25 million rail upgrade.Article by: EMMA NELSON , Star Tribune Updated: January 1, 2015. St. Paul neighborhood residents say they would support bridge project, amid concerns about a possible oil train derailment. The pieces of art hung on Ron Okenfuss' living room walls are almost always straight. He credits the trains. After more than 10 years living near the tracks, he's gotten in the habit of constantly straightening pictures shaken by the daily rumbling. The increasing presence of trains influences day-to-day life in this St. Paul neighborhood, where houses lining dead-end streets on Lake Como's southern end come within feet of the tracks. "You always have to think in the back of your head, OK, what if there's a derailment and something weird happens", Okenfuss said. Derailment worries have escalated as residents have found themselves on a route frequented by North Dakota oil trains. The neighborhood was included in a recent Minnesota Department of Transportation study evaluating the risks associated with potential oil train explosions and Page 9 Northstar News January 2015 fires. With those risks in mind, residents say they'd support the $25 million bridge the study suggests as a safety precaution, despite concerns about the effect of such a project on the neighborhood's character. Therese and Richard Kelly have lived in the neighborhood since 1975 and remember when residents' biggest concern was pollution from the trains. They also remember accidents, including a derailment, though those trains weren't carrying flammable Bakken crude oil. "Now, with fire potential, it's really raised a red flag in the neighborhood," Therese Kelly said. Oil trains often stop on their way through the area, she said, spending anywhere from five minutes to half an hour waiting for track to open up. It can make it tough to get out of the neighborhood, something she said has become more worrisome now, considering that a derailment could trigger a major evacuation. The MnDOT study comes a year after Casselton, N.D., a town 24 miles west of Fargo, was evacuated after an oil train derailment caused explosions and a fire. In the event of such an incident here, the surrounding half-mile radius would be evacuated. That radius measured from the Como Avenue crossing, an area with rows of old houses and three nearby schools, is the most densely populated of 100 sites included in the study. The bridge suggested in the MnDOT report would separate rail and street traffic. Lawmakers have raised concerns about the project's price tag and potential impact on the neighborhood's environment and livability. Therese Kelly said she'd support the bridge, though she'd want the railroad company to carry the cost. "I feel that it would be an asset to the neighborhood," she said. Okenfuss agreed, though he said he's not too worried about an accident.Ultimately, he said, the Como neighborhood's assets ? namely, the nearby park. and lake, outweigh any liabilities the railway line might bring. It's an old neighborhood, and the trains have always been part of it. "It's not like you bought your house and then had a surprise rail line behind you," he said. Emma Nelson * 952-746-3287. SNOW TRAIN North Freedom WI

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. From John Goodman, Article by Jerry Ratliff . Good example of possible public and private partnership- extending double track for Northstar- possibility!

BNSF to replace second main track on Staples Sub December 29, 2014 RELATED TOPICS: CLASS 1 FREIGHT RAILROADS | BNSF | INFRASTRUCTURE MINNEAPOLIS – BNSF Railway has not announced its capital improvement projects for 2015, but one item on the improvement agenda is relaying 10 miles of second main track on its northern transcontinental Staples Subdivision main line between Big Lake and Becker. The second main was torn out as a cost saving measure in the 1980s, and created a bottleneck almost from the time it was removed. With dramatic traffic increases in the last several years, BNSF is moving ahead with plans to relay the second main. The railroad has already approached businesses in Big Lake about purchasing land, KMSP-TV reports. Even though the line used to be double track, BNSF wants to widen the centers between the two tracks, which would affect more than a dozen homes and businesses in Big Lake. In the 1990s, when Northstar commuter rail service was first being planned, the service would have extended from Minneapolis to St. Cloud and included putting the second main track back in. But a change in funding formulas resulted in the commuter line’s western terminal being cut back to Big Lake. There have been discussions about extending Northstar to St. Cloud in the future, but with no firm plans or funding in place for expansion, BNSF is undertaking the double track project on its own. The Big Lake-Becker segment is one of two single-track portions of the Staples Subdivision. The other extends 28 miles from Little Falls to Philbrook, just east of Staples, which is under CTC control with several sidings. The majority of the current Staples Sub was once part of the Northern Pacific’s main line. The portion from Northtown Yard in Minneapolis to St. Cloud was joint Great Northern/Northern Pacific track with one main owned by GN and the other by NP, with NP handling maintenance of the line. Jerry Ratliff

Colfax Railroad Museum (Wisconsin) receives its first steam engine . Posted: Dec 30, 2014 6:09 PM CST By Jesse Yang Colfax (WQOW) - With thousands and thousands of miles logged and weathered to perfection, a piece of history is now resting its wheels for all to enjoy. Delivered on four wheels from Annandale, Minnesota, the old steam engine came to a halt Tuesday for its final destination at the Colfax Railroad Museum. Herbert Sakalaucks, the chairman of the Colfax Railroad Museum, says, "There are not a lot of steam locomotives available anymore. Most of them are already in parks or museums. This museum is dedicated to preserve it and to show people what the day-today experiences were on the road, whether you worked on it, rode on it, or shipped on it." With four locomotives and 15 rail cars on deck, the museum plans to further showcase how iron horses have changed over time. Lois Sakalaucks, from Eau Claire, says, "It is a process that is done with love and understanding and trying to keep the traditions of the railroads in the forefront." Herbert says, "This engine is one of the few prairie designs left in existence. We wanted it in the museum so we could have an example of a steam-type locomotive here. We already have a diesel and two small, narrow-gauge locomotives here too." Getting the train to town was no cheap ticket, a cost of about $20,000. Herbert says, "We're trying to raise about $40,000 and we've already raised $10,000 there." But, it's a cost that staff say is worth the price to give future generations a glance at American history. Herbert says, "They are able to go into the equipment. They can go into the cabooses, see how the crews rode, and see what the experience was like. They can get into the cabs of locomotives. They can see how the engines and the motors of the locomotive actually worked." Lois says, "Children just are very interesting. They are so nthusiastic about learning something about the trains." The 1911 steam engine was purchased from a Minnesota resident who passed away in 2013. The Colfax Railroad Museum is raising funds to renovate and have it on display, hopefully by May. Also on its to-do list: repairing the roof and renovating the interior of a house that served as a train depot back in the late 1800s. The roof of that house was partially destroyed during a tornado in June.

Subject: Metro News - Pulling Up Tracks In Stillwater from Rick Krenske Sent: Wed, Dec 31, 2014 4:46:48 PM Thanks to Bob Helwig for this article

Less than two weeks ago on December 22nd, the locomotives of the Minnesota Zephyr were loaded up on trucks to begin their permenant departure from Stillwater. The Minnesota Zephyr was operated as a popular dinner train from 1985-2008 until raising costs and diminishing interest caused it's owner and operator to lose $1.6 million in the last two years of the attraction's run. Until last week, the train sat, unused and Page 11 Northstar News January 2015 for all practical purposes abandoned, across the street from the Warden's House Museum. It's removal marks the end of another chapter of Stillwater's story. But this isn't the first time a piece of iconic railroad history has disappeared from Stillwater.

Pulling Up Tracks by Brent Peterson There have been many buildings that have come and gone in Stillwater either by fire, flood or by just being torn down. Some don’t bring many memories back, some bring a few, but no other building brings back the flood of memories than the old Stillwater Union Depot. It was the Stillwater and St. Paul Railroad that constructed an 18-mile railroad track from White Bear Lake to Stillwater. The track reached the north part of Stillwater on December 29, 1870 (144 years and a day ago) and that was when Stillwater was connected with the rest of the world. Within the next 15 years, Stillwater was the end of the line for four branch lines of three different railroads. This made for much passenger confusion, so a petition was passed around by Stillwater residents for the creation of a “Union Station.” The transfer company, which linked the railroads together, took on the depot project. The head of the transfer company was Dwight M. Sabin, a Stillwater resident and U.S. Senator. The transfer company was in “receivership” or what today we would call chapter 11, but the company went ahead with the construction of the new depot in July 1887. Chicago architects Edward Burling and Francis Whitehouse were contracted to design the building and local contractor L.W. Eldred was hired to build it. The building opened to the public on February 7, 1888 to a great charity ball. The headline in the Stillwater Gazette read, “For Sweet Charity’s Sake” and continued with “The opening of the Union Station a Brilliant Success.” The exterior of the building was done in the Gothic Revival style with stone arches, gables and at the northwest corner, a 75-foot clock tower. The building was built with “drab colored cut stone, furnished by Henry Furst & Co. of Chicago.” Each stone was numbered and fit in the place for which it was designed in a “snug” manner. The foundation walls were constructed with Stillwater stone furnished by C. Colgren. The roof was made of slate with tin and copper rain spouts. All the pine timbers used in the construction were purchased from Hersey & Bean lumber company and from John G. Nelson. F.H. Lemon, of Stillwater, did the painting and decorating of the building.

Inside the building there were oak, maple and pine floors, along with beautiful stained glass windows and terra cotta fireplace mantles. It had 20 functioning rooms on two floors that were ornately decorated with tongue and grooved wainscoting and bevel edged mirrors. The depot was equipped with electricity, but it also included gas lighting. The total cost of the depot was $45,000 and Sam Hadley was the proprietor of the “cozy little barbershop” and Dan Harkins was in charge of the baggage room while George Hill oversaw the “check room.” Three transfer companies operated the depot at one time or another, all failing. James J. Hill’s Northern Pacific Railroad purchased the final transfer company in 1902. Northern Pacific stopped passenger service from the depot in 1927, but kept a ticket office there until 1954.

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In 1903, just after Hill purchased the transfer company, a new ticket agent started at the depot. Joseph Carroll, later known to most of Stillwater as “Papa” Joe Carroll would work and live at the depot for more than five decades. The depot went through many changes of occupants during its life. Morey Crotto operated the lunch counter starting in 1932. The ladies waiting room was converted into the bus depot in 1946. By 1952, the bus depot closed and the place was used by the St. Croix Valley Arts group until 1955. Russell Gilbert took over ownership of the depot in 1955 where he began his business called United Fabricators and Electronics [UFE]. He sold the depot to Hooley’s in 1959 when his new building on South Greeley Street was completed (which, of course, WCHS purchased and is the process of converting into the new Washington County Heritage Center). Hooley’s torn down the old depot in April 1960 to make way for a new and modern supermarket. It has been more than 50 years since the Union Station was hauled away from the skyline of Stillwater’s downtown. It is probably the most felt and grieved building that was lost in Stillwater, but not the only one. As Stillwater prepares itself for another transformation with the construction of the new St. Croix River Crossing, let us not lose sight of what once was and vow to not to lose anymore than we already have.

Railfan Events (Thanks to Rick Krenske, Joe Stark) Woodbury Flea Market by the Newport Saturday Jan 17 2015 Woodbury High school $5 admission Model Railroad Club 9:30AM – 2:00PM 2665 Woodlane Dr Woddbury MN 55125 All Aboard Night Trains Every Saturday night 6-9pm Bandana Square $10 Children under 4 Free Twin City Model RR Club from November 29th 2014 1021 Bandana Blvd E Suite 222 www.tcmrm.org through February 28 2015 St Paul MN 18th annual Model Railroad Show & Sale Jan 17,18 2015 9-5 PM Stevens Point Holiday Inn $3 $2 kids ages 11-16 Convention Center Hotel 1001 Amber Ave Stevens Point WI 54482 Great Tri-State Rail Sale Jan 31 2015 9-3pm La Crosse Center $5 Children under 12 free nd www.4000foundation.com 2 & Pearl Streets La Crosse WI Great Minnesota Train Expo April 25-26 2015 Eagan Civic Center Arena $5, Children under 8 free www.gmte.net 9-5 PM 3870 Pilot Knob Rd Eagan MN 4th Annual Model Railroad Train Show Aug 15,16 2015 P.E.M High School Gym $5 Children under 12 free Southern Valley Railway 500 West Broadway Email: [email protected] Plainview MN

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