PENNSYLVANIA LIVE STEAMERS, INC. P.O. BOX 26202, COLLEGEVILLE, PA. 19426-0202 March-April 2006 THE PREZ SEZ Just recently, a memorial for Late Member and Past President Bill Scott, who died late last year, was held. Bill led a full and productive life, some of it with us. Reflecting on Bill’s many accomplishments, it occurred to me that our club is very rich in accomplished members with many different skills and abilities. For the most part, these members are glad to share their knowledge and experience with other members, enriching us all. I urge you all to get to know us better. And Bill, we miss you. I want to remind you all that we are approaching the summer season and, at Labor Day, our Sixtieth Anniversary Meet. We have a great deal of work to do in preparation, and need your help on work days during the spring and summer. Also, all those attending the anniversary meet must register and pay the registration fee, including members. We ask that members help us out by registering early, for instance, NOW. You can download a registration form from the club web site, or pick one up at the clubhouse. Are you familiar with the technical contributions of Richard Trevithick to the development of steam railways? Perhaps his most important contribution was that he proved that locomotives could operate on smooth rails using the friction between wheel and rail to develop useful drawbar pull, so that cog railways were not generally necessary. Since the frictional force developed is a function of the coefficient of friction and the weight on the driving wheels, this proof also predicted that the weight of locomotives would grow, meaning that improvements in rails were vital. He also proved that high pressure (actually only about 50 psi) boilers could be safely utilized, making compact but powerful locomotives possible. The famous James Watt lobbied to have high pressures outlawed. So much for the ‘inventor of the steam engine’. Not coincidentally, Trevithickbuilt a model steam locomotive. The model first steamed in 1796. It had a boiler, but no firebox. The boiler was filled with water and a hot piece of iron was inserted into a well provided in the boiler. The heat of the iron caused the water to boil. On Christmas Eve 1801 he used a later version to take seven friends on a short journey. By 1804 he had produced the Penydarren locomotive which hauled ten tons of iron and ten passengers for nine miles, at speeds up to nearly five miles per hour. With it he introduced another vital development by using the exhaust steam to improve draft by jetting it up the flue. Trevithick had everything but good P.R. He died in poverty even though the more famous George Stephenson attempted to push forward a Parlimentary Act to provide him a pension in light of his many contributions to locomotive development. Let us remember him better than his nation did. Finally, DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER. Bill Love Donations The following members have made donations to PLS: Ken Williams, Harry Quirk, Steve Getz, James Pierce, Dave Knowles, William Scott-Family, Robert Kulp, Antonio Kulak, Bob Morris, Ed Faller, Walt Mensch, Barry Shapin, Paul Kulp, Jerry Shank, and David Taylor Pennsylvania Live Steamers, Inc. President – William J. Love – 9 Red Cloud Circle – Royersford, PA 19468-5701 email;[email protected] Secretary – George F. Lord- 2988 Pennview Ave. – Bromall, PA 19008-1126 – 610-356-5713 Treasurer – Edward L. Abate – 2411 Anthony Av. – Bromall, PA 19008 – 610-356-4237 email: [email protected] Board of Directors – Pete Brown- [email protected], Bruce Saylor – [email protected] , George Cooper, Walt Mensch, Jim Salmons, Lynn Hammond, Ron Shupard Gazette Editor – Phil Paskos – 508 Boeing Av. – Reading, PA – 19601-1124 – 610-374-0498 email: [email protected] Clubhouse Phone – 610-454-0477 Club Web Site: http://PALiveSteamers.org CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2006 Sunday, April 23 Boiler Testing – 8:30 AM Sunday, April 23 Run Day – Members & Guests Only – Rain Date April 30 Saturday, May 13 Board of Directors Meeting - 12:30 PM Saturday, May 20 Membership Meeting - 12:30 PM Saturday, May 27 Spring Meet Sunday, May 28 Spring Meet Saturday June 10 Board of Directors Meeting - 12:30 PM Saturday, June 17 Membership Meeting - 12:30 PM Afternoon/Evening Run Members & Guests Only Sunday, June 25 Run Day – Open to the Public – Rain Date July 2 The PLS Gazette is published 6 times a year starting in February. Deadline is BOD Meeting. Membership cards will be mailed to all paid up members with the April Gazette. Annual Election Results - March 18, 2006 Annual elections were held during the regular business meeting at PLS in Rahns, PA on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 12:30P.M. Elected were a president, secretary, treasurer, and three members for regular two year membership on the board of directors. President- Bill Love Secretary- George Lord Treasurer- Ed Abate Board of Directors-regular two-year term: Pete Brown, Lynn Hammond, and Ron Shupard. The Board wishes to thank Erich Boldt and Bob Blackson for serving as this year’s nominating committee. Health And Welfare News On Sunday April 2, 2006 a memorial service for William Scott was held at the Peter Becker Community, Harleysville, PA. His many accomplishments were on display. Mr. & Mrs. Bill Morewood, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Blackson, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Manley, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Thomas, John Bortz, John Caldwell, George Lord and Walter Mensch attended to represent PLS. In the last month and a half Al Heller has been in the hospital twice. He did stop by to visit. He’s doing better. Dave Cushwa is still having pain in his legs when walking and will be seeing a surgeon on April 21. John Bixler had another fall, but no damage done. Just slow overall recovery. May they all recover soon and get back to PLS for our 60th. WHM For Sale Built 1970. Propane fired. 2 3/8" cylinders (LE catalog). All Copper boiler; Current Pennsylvania Live Steamers Boiler Certificate; 2 New (2004) Super Scale safety's; 110/ 114; 2 Injectors (Reeves); Axle Pump; Keim steam pump; steam operated bell ; steam operated cylinder cocks ; headlight (external battery) and whistle; steam generator (functioning but non operational); new drivers bearings and axles (2001); new rod bearings (2001); bronze rods; mechanical lubricator for cylinders; locomotive and tender brakes - Vacuum, vacuum line for train brakes.Brass Slopeback Tender with full rivet detail. Includes well built 50' metal box car (no brakes) with two 40 lbs propane tanks with internal baffles. Box car is open on the bottom and top lifts off. Can run continuously for about 6-8 hours average. No smell. Includes rolling track work bench for loco and tender. Includes custom built single wood car barn for outdoor propane car. Very reliable and well built steamer. Extremely strong puller. Asking $13,750 to PLS members. Pat Murphy 610-659-9418 [email protected] Gauge1- Catatonk Shay- 2 cylinder- Butane fired- Lightly run- Wooden/Display-Carrying Case Included $2500.00 1” Scale Propane Fired 0-4-0 Koppel. Includes Riding Car and Caboose to hold small Propane tank. Easy to fire and clean. Includes all propane fixtures and manuals. $6000.00 Phil Paskos 610-374-0498 or [email protected] Pennsylvania Live Steamers 60th Anniversary Meet Registration Form THURSDAY AUGUST 31 THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3. EARLY BIRDS MAY ARRIVE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30. NO FOOD SERVICES. This meet is open to live steamers, their families, and guests and will not be open to the general public. Visiting steam locomotives must have a current club or state boiler certificate. If you do not have one, we will require that you perform a boiler test. PLS safety rules will be in effect. Registration: $5.00 per person. Spouse and children under 16 free. Each registrant will receive a commemorative 60th anniversary pin, name tag, and information packet upon arrival. Saturday night dinner will be a pig roast with all the trimmings, drinks and dessert. Cost: $12.00 per person. Dinner seating will be limited to the first 150 persons. All registration forms must be accompanied by payment in full. Deadline for registration August 11, 2006. NAME_______________________________________________________ PHONE_____________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________________________ CITY_________________________________________________________STATE __________ZIP___________ E_MAIL ADDRESS______________________________ EQUIPMENT NO. STEAM LOCOMOTIVES __________ GAUGE __________ NO. DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES __________ GAUGE__________ NO. CARS __________ GAUGE__________ Please circle days that apply. 9 Early arrival Wednesday 9 Thursday 9 Friday 9 Saturday (pig roast) 9 Sunday Pig Roast – number of tickets. ___________ @$12 per person $_____________ Number of registration(s) ___________ @$5 per person. $_____________ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $_____________ CAMPING - Contact Pete Brown for availability. [email protected] - 610-701-5462 Check #_________ Date________ Confirmation letter sent_________ No. of badges___________ Editor’s Notes Building # 3 Lease Holders. Your lease fees are now due. You must sign the new lease Holder form. Paid-up members will be receiving their membership cards with this Gazette. If you are an associate member and this Gazette arrived minus the list and cards, then you have not renewed and this will be your last Gazette. We value your membership. If you would like to renew at this time, please remit $30.00 along with your membership form and release form to: PLS, Inc. P.O. 26202, Collegeville, PA 19426-0202. Work is progressing on the caboose and Bob Blackson has done a lot of work at cataloging the PLS library. It’s a special resource available to all members. Neither rain nor snow or other foul weather deterred several members when the walls went up for the new Car Storage Barn.