The Semaphore Newsletter of the Rochester NY Chapter, NRHS January 2006 P.O. Box 23326, Rochester, NY 14692-3326; Published Monthly Volume 48, No. 5 Program for Jan 19: Railroad Stories of Long Ago by Michael Rickert Mike Rickert comes from a family of lumber jacks, circus clowns, and story tellers. He has been telling stories professionally for 10 years. Before that, he was a Kodak engineer for 29 years. This has impacted his story telling, as his stories have to make sense–at least to him. He is always behind the curve. His first job was timekeeper when the DM&IR (Duluth Mesabi & Iron Range Railroad built a diesel roundhouse, and switched from steam to diesel. He then joined the Navy and served on diesel submarines. He even worked at Kodak when they were a film company. [Editor's italics] Chapter 2006 Subway made payable to Rochester Chapter NRHS, Calendars Now to: Rochester Chapter NRHS, Attn: Chapter Future Programs calendar, P.O. Box 23326, Rochester, NY Available! 14692-3326. Be sure to include the Feb 16: Mike's Photo Gallery, by Mike This year is the Fifth Anniversary of the address(es) to where calendar(s) will be sent. Roque' ending of this famous subway: the last to be For additional information, contact Chris March 16: Member's Slide Night constructed in a small city and one of the Hauf (585-381-8583) [email protected]. first to end service. To commemorate this NYSR History on CD Summer Program Ideas Wanted event, the Chapter is issuing this collector's by Harold Russell calendar. In the 1920s, Transportation News, a The 2006 Chapter Calendar will be company magazine of the New York State At a recent Board of Trustees meet- Railways, published a series of articles about ing it was suggested we do something available at the January meeting. The supply is limited, so if you can not make it to the its street railways and interurban lines. "The to 'spice up' our June, July and August meeting, it is suggested that you reserve your History of New York State Railways" covers meetings at the depot. One tsuggestion copie(s) with Chris Hauf (see below.) the horsecar days of 1860s through the was a Chicken Barbecue. If you have The 2006 Calendar features 12 views, creation of NYSR in 1909 and into the 1920s. any suggestions, please contact Chris printed in color on heavy paper stock, of the Hauf or Harold Russell. We would like Rochester Subway. Most of the photos, taken Charlie Lowe, of NYMT, has reproduced to hear from you. by Robert Fitch and Roy Kiggins, were taken the complete set of articles on compact disc, in the final days of operation—some on the adding an introduction and table of contents. Chapter Library last day! This CD is available for the NYMT's Gift Shop at $13.99 plus tax. [Headend, Fall 11 May Street, Webster (by OMID Tracks) The cost is $15.00 per calendar, plus $2 per calendar if you want them sent to you. 2005, pg.4] Winter Hours in Effect To order calendars by mail, send your check, Hours: 2:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday, January 22, 2006 =====$13,600> Capital Fund Drive Campaign $72,000! Library Phone: 872-4641 ######################################################################## Page 2 January 2006 The Semaphore Library Report Membership Report Charles Robinson, Chairman Notice: Jessica Stallone, Chair The library will be open for general 585-615-4862, [email protected] use Sunday afternoon January 22 between The next issue (February 2006) will be I would first like to thank all of you the hours of 2 and 5 PM. The library has the LAST issue of The Semaphore that you who have already returned your mem- grown and you are invited to check out a will receive if you have not paid your 2006 bership renewal forms. Over half of you railfan book of your choice. dues, or renewed your subscription at $10 have returned renewals thus far! That is per calendar year. The shift of the winter working hours to an amazing return percentage and we Monday afternoon rather than that evening Send your dues or subscription, payable truly appreciate such a quick response. has worked well. The staff is no longer at the to Rochester Chapter, NRHS to: Furthermore, I thank those of you who library in the dark of a cold night alone. On Rochester Chapter, NRHS have generously made contributions. So Monday afternoons there are others around in P.O. Box 23326 far, you have donated over $1600.00 to case someone slips and falls on the ice and Rochester, NY 14692-3326. the chapter. Your contributions will needs help. This change has been a plus for the staff. make the 2006 year as active, if not more active, than 2005. Because of the holiday celebrations one of the usual Monday work sessions was Caution ... Next I would like to welcome our newest member, Michael Walsh. Mike is eliminated as it occurred right after ... Beware of the new 4-way stop signs Christmas. Gale Smith continued with log- at the intersection of East River Road and an RIT student from St. Louis. He has a ging in more books and tapes in our NYS Route 251, which were installed early deep interest in steam locomotive opera- collection. Jerry Gillette and the library in January. tions and restoration. He is also inter- chairman placed more photos in sleeves and NYS DOT found this necessary in an ested in museum and track car entered them on lists so they could be attempt to reduce the number of accidents operations. He has come out to the located more quickly. The pile of books and that have occurred at this intersection. museum to volunteer many times tapes are noticeably declining. already. James McFarlane, a well known collector Harold Russell wants to Lastly, your 2006 membership cards of electric railway historical materials, is now know .... will arrive sometime in January or breaking up his collection and has allowed February. the library chairman to pick up 26 books as a ... Was the Lehigh's depot at P&L donation to our library. These cover the Junction ever used for passengers? There is Welcome to this new member: interurban trolley lines in Pennsylvania, no community nearby; Caledonia is to the Mike Walsh Canada, mid-West states, and other states east a short distance and it had its own 444 Kimball Drive further in the West. These are mostly soft depots. cover and not hard cover books. There are Was this a gloried yard office? Was it Rochester, NY 14623 also two publications on main line used as a transfer point for passengers to the [email protected] electrifications. Those interested in the inter- B&O? Mike is a member of the RIT Model urban railways will find some outstanding Contact Harold at 17 Dover Road, Railroad Club and has helped at the Museum traction publications. Pittsford, NY 14534-4643; 585-427-9159; several times. His interests are Rolling stock restoration, Hope to see you at that the library on haro [email protected]. Museum and Track Car Operations. Sunday afternoon January 22. [Editor: One of the many "Official Guides" in our library may give you an Temporary address (Jan. 1 to April 30) for: Contributors to this issue answer.] Dave Luca/Janet Dittmer 1633 E. Lakeside Dr., Apt. 131 Harold Crouch, Jim East, Chris Hauf, Gilbert, AZ 85234 John Redden, Charles Robinson, Harold BYOT Returns 480-632-7394 (Remember there is a 2 Russell, Joe Scanlon, Jessica Stallone, and Bring Your Own Trains (BYOT) returns times zones difference. E-mail address Rand Warner and various publications as stays the same: daveluca @frontiernet indicated. to the New York Museum of Transportation on Sundays through the Winter months and .net. Chapter's Biannual Rail Trip April. See your December issue for the With paid admission ($3/adult; Combined, Chapter & National $2/student), patrons may bring their HO scale dues itinerary of the May 7 thorough 25, trains (engines and cars) to run on the Regular: $42.00 2006, escorted Rail Tour to Califor- extensive model HO train layout. First family member: $7.00 nia and Texas. A recently added attraction in the layout Additional family members: $4.00 This trip is also listed on American room is an N-scale layout of the Rochester each Subway. Although still under construction, it Rail Link's e-mail newsletter To sub- Local member: $20.00 (Primary is possible to run trolleys from one end scribe to this free newsletter, send (Rowlands loop) to the other (General membership in another Chapter) name, address, railroad affiliation and e- Motors) with stops along the way. Subscription to The Semaphore only: mail address to: americanraillnk@twcny. rr.com. The Semaphore January 2006 Page 3 Managers: Railroad: (Motive, Rolling stock, MOW, ROW) Chris Hauf: 381-8583; [email protected] Infrastructure: (Buildings, grounds, shops, construction, communications, signals & power, heavy equipment) Dave Luca: 288-0318; [email protected] Plymouth Gasoline Locomotive: Machine Shop Update Progress continues on the 6-ton Plymouth by John Redden Model BL locomotive. Thanks to a crew including John Redden, Servicing of the rear axle is complete, Dan Waterstratt, Dave Luca, Art Mummery, including the installation of the thrust Kevin Klees, and others, the very large drill Motive Power Report bearings, and bearing box lower retainers. press has been reassembled. The only hard- by John Redden The same procedures have begun on the front ware that it needs to become operational, is a Diesels: axle. The bearings will be cleaned and new little control wiring and a three-phase seals installed.