THE TRANSFER TABLE
The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter
Internet Edition

VOLUME 25 NO. 5 JUNE 2003

Back To Wilmington Chapter Web Site

MAY 15, 2003 MEETING NOTES

At 7 PM, President Phil Snyder called the meeting to order and Ralph Steven's Treasurer's report were approved as read as were the minutes as read by Secretary Dan Frederick. National Director Tom Posatko reported on the meeting in Richmond, VA where he rode the Buckingham Branch. He reminded the members that National encourages donations and that back issues of The Bulletin are available upon request from headquarters.

....Phil Snyder talked about the Chapter Picnic in June at Perry Point in Perryville, MD. and mentioned that there would be no "Train to the [DE State] Fair" this year. He also noted that they have started work on the soon-to-be-toll RR Bridge #3 over the Christiana River.

Ralph Stevens reported that some SEPTA lines may be shut down soon and that he might lead a Do-It-Yourself Trip over those lines before they are gone. 

Phil Snyder collected donations for the B&O Museum at the meeting, as promised for May and June, to be matched by the Chapter and sent to the Museum.

Frank Ferguson reported on his trip to Cass, WV, the Eastern Shore (of MD) and Cape Charles. He noted that they have one of only two remaining car float operations there (the other being Brooklyn, NY).

Tom Posatko reported that the West Virginia Northern Railroad is no more - even the tracks are gone! Phil Snyder also shared that the Super 7's are being shipped to Brazil.

After the break, the Wilmington Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society held its Annual Doug Weaver Memorial Photo Contest for 2003. See the table of results later in this issue.


NEWS BITS

    Ohio Central Ends an Era - The Ohio Central Railroad regretfully announces the end of regular passenger train service effective Saturday May 24, 2003. Daily Steam powered passenger trains based out of Sugarcreek, OH will make the final run at 3:30pm on Saturday May 24th.
    "Rails to the Circus" train will run from Columbus to Coshocton, OH powered by Vintage Diesel on May 24th. On May 31st, 4-8-4 #6325 will pull possibly her last excursion from Dennison to Newark, OH and vintage diesel will be the return power. The very emotional and difficult decision was based mainly on skyrocketing liability insurance costs and a sluggish tourism economy. This was a very hard choice to make and one that we had hoped would never have to make.
    At this time, we will be running the "Ohio Bicentennial" train ride on June 21st with vintage diesel. All Fall excursions are currently on hold pending further discussions with the insurance agent. All other excursions are canceled for the year including Pittsburgh excursions, Murder Mysteries, Riverboat Cruises, and all other trips planned for this Summer. No decisions have been made as of yet what will happen with the steam locomotives, passenger equipment and tooling. The decision to shut down daily passenger operations is final.
Regretfully,
The Ohio Central Steam Department

Ticket information for remaining excursions:

June 21 Ohio Bicentennial Train, Vintage Diesel, Whistle stop across the state from Newark, Ohio to Dennison, Ohio and back. Meet famous Ohio personalities such as Cy Young, Woody Hayes, Clark Gable, Governor William Dennison, U.S. Grant during your trip. Enjoy a layover at "The Big Buckeye Birthday Bash." Train stops at Newark, Frazeysburg, Coshocton, West Lafayette, Newcomerstown, Port Washington, Gnadenhutten, Uhrichsville, and Dennison. Call the Dennison depot for further  information 877-278-8020.

    Mail by Rail Exhibit at the Postal Museum in Washington, DC. The Railway Mail Service revolutionized the way mail was processed by sorting mail aboard moving trains. Railway mail service began in 1832, but grew slowly until the Civil War. In 1862, mail was sorted en route, as a train moved between two points. The idea proved to be exceptionally successful, and as the postal service decentralized its operations, it concentrated on sorting much of the growing volume of mail while it was being carried on the nation's rail lines.
    This new method of sorting the mail was developed just when railroads began to crisscross the nation on a regular basis. The service grew as railroads came to dominate America from the end of the 19th century through World War II. http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2c1_railwaymail.html

    On the Road to Paradise: A History of the Strasburg Rail Road - An Exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania April 26 - Dec. 7, 2003.
    Early in the 19th century, railroads were pushing ever westward through the Pennsylvania wilderness. Lancaster County greeted the arrival of the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad with open arms.  However the residents of Strasburg were bypassed by some four miles and were determined to have a railroad of their own. 
    The Strasburg Rail Road, dating back to 1832, the oldest shortline in the United States, is still operating under its original charter. This exhibit traces the history of the railroad through photographs and artifacts, emphasizing the importance of the operation to the community of Strasburg and the railroad's evolution into a popular tourist and heritage attraction. Exhibition location: second floor museum gallery.
    Primary elements: The Museum's collection of Strasburg Rail Road photographs and memorabilia, and loaned artifacts, artwork and archival material borrowed from the Strasburg Rail Road, Linn W. Moedinger (Lancaster, Pa.), William M. Moedinger, Jr. (Willow Street, Pa.), Lynford "Bud" Swearer (Scranton, Pa.), and David G. Hoffman (Forest Grove, Pa.).

    Reading Railroad Days @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania - Honoring a Great Railroad and Independence Day Weekend July 3 -6 Featuring Reading Railroad, 0-6-0T, Class B4a, built Reading Shops, Sept., 1918, switching service.
    The Museum will again host Reading Railroad Days this Independence Day holiday weekend. Special  activities for the entire family will focus on the Reading Railroad, one of the most important historical transportation systems in eastern Pennsylvania.
    Exhibits will include an enormous and detailed HO scale model railroad depicting operations on the Reading Railroad, displayed by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Museum visitors can view the famous and familiar Reading Company trains of history speed through scale model villages and countryside. A 24-foot operating O-gauge layout also will be exhibited.
    Special interpretive tours of some of the Railroad Museum's collection of Reading Company equipment will be held. Demonstrations of the 1928 Reading Company turntable (seen at left) and guided tours of the outdoor Restoration Yard will take place, conditions permitting.
    The Railroad Museum's popular and challenging Stewart Junction railway education center will offer hands-on activities for railroaders of all ages during Reading Railroad Days. Also, an impressive array of  railroading books, videos, collectibles and gifts will be available in the Whistle Stop Shop museum store. Reading Railroad Days activities are included in the regular Railroad Museum admission price.

    The East Broad Top Railroad will open for it's 2003 season, June 7, 2003. The East Broad Top Railroad is open the first weekend in June until the last weekend in October. The Fall Spectacular is held on the first weekend of October, but the regular season does not end until the last weekend in October.  The East Broad Top does not operate during the week, only on the weekends. Trains depart the Orbisonia depot at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors to the EBT are welcomed to bring lunch and have a picnic at Colgate Grove. You simply ride one of the earlier trains and catch a later train back, but don't miss it, it's a long walk back! Fall Spectacular is scheduled for October 11th and 12th. Last day of operations = October 26, 2003

    The Reading & Northern will be sponsoring FIVE rail excursions. These usually sell out, so if you're interested, sign up ASAP. http://www.readingnorthern.com/passenger.shtml 2003 PASSENGER EXCURSION SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT The Reading and Northern will operate public passenger train rides again this year. The Passenger Department is pleased to announce the 2003 excursion season. Five different events have been approved by The RBMN Management Team. Additionally, two other events are in the planning stage. Jim Thorpe Excursion Details and Ticket Order Form Now Online! The five approved events include one spring-time trip, four in the fall:

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Port Clinton Area, Blue Mountain Wildlife Special Saturday, May 31, 2003 Trip originates at Port Clinton, departing at 9:00am, returning 12:30pm. Train will run to  Hometown Bridge, and return. The trip is being sponsored by Blue Mountain Wildlife as a fund-raising event. Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc. will host an outdoor picnic event at the Port Clinton Community Playground, following the train trip.  Sponsoring Organization: Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc., P.O. Box 389, Hamburg, PA 19526

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Schuylkill Haven Borough Day Saturday, September 27, 2003 During the annual Borough Day festival, passengers will be carried on one hour "mini-trips." Trains depart from the historic Reading Company Passenger Station in downtown Schuylkill Haven, at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm. The trips will travel to Port Clinton and return. Sponsor and ticket information available soon.

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Tamaqua Heritage Day Sunday, October 12, 2003 As above, during the annual Heritage Day festival, passengers will ride on one hour "mini-trips." Trains will board at the historic Phila. & Reading Passenger Station in downtown Tamaqua, at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm. Trips will travel from Tamaqua to Hometown Bridge and return. Sponsor and ticket information available soon. Annual Reading & Northern Fall Foliage Specials Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe and Return Saturdays, October 11 & 18, 2003 The trips originate from our Port Clinton headquarters, departing at 9:00am. The train travels north along the Little Schuylkill River, through beautiful mountain scenery. Next we enter the Anthracite region, pass Tamaqua, through a tunnel and over the Hometown High Bridge. We continue on to our destination: Jim Thorpe, where passengers have 3 and 1/2 hours to tour the historic town. The trip features many opportunities for photographers, including a photo-runby (weather permitting), and returns to Port Clinton around 6:30pm. The trips to Jim Thorpe have traditionally been our best attended, with trains completely sold-out weeks in advance. These trips are sponsored by the railroad.

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The Reading and Northern excursion train consists of 1920's era coaches with conventional seats, electric lights, and large clear windows which can be raised for ventilation. (This type car is often referred to as an "open-window-coach"). Seating capacity: 72 per coach. Cars are heated, but not air-conditioned. Each coach has a restroom with a camper-style toilet.
    On certain trips, we also offer seating in our heavyweight 1927 Pullman Car, the Lehigh Gorge. 10 rooms (20 seats), are sold as a higher priced "premium service" ticket, which includes a snack and beverage service. Motive power is normally two of the best diesel locomotives from our daily fleet. The Budd R-D-Cs are currently not in service, and there are no current plans for these cars.
    STEAM. We receive many inquiries about steam locomotives 425 and 2102. We have not offered any steam-powered trips since 1995, and have no current plans to do so. Although preliminary work on 425 has been started, there is absolutely no time schedule as to when it might be available. We will, however, post the news on our website, if-and-when either steam locomotive is restored to service.

    Ridership on AMTRAK's Pennsylvanian is up sharply now that the west end of the route was lopped off in February. The new, more convenient times between New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh helped account for a 98% increase in passengers during March (11,800 versus 6,000) and a 75% increase in ticket revenues [from Philadelphia Chapter's Cinders ]


The winners in the 2003 National Railway Historical Society - Wilmington Chapter's Annual Doug Weaver Memorial Photo Contest

CATEGORY PRINTS SLIDES
STEAM Alan Patterson
W&W #58
Phil Snyder
SF 3751 Grand Canyon
DIESEL Alan Patterson
Rockville Limited
** Best Print For 2003 **
Dan Frederick
Flagstaff, AZ
 
HEAVY ELECTRIC Joe Reed
Metro North, New Rochelle
Phil Snyder
ACELA - Perryville, MD
** Best Slide For 2003 **
TRACTION Ron Cleaves
SEPTA Trolley in Tunnel
Dan Frederick
Chicago, IL
GENERAL Alan Patterson
ACELA - Perryville, MD
Dan Frederick
Josephine Gardens
VINTAGE
15 or more years ago
Ron Cleaves
AMTRAK 900 Wilmington Station
Dan Frederick
#614 on 17-Mile Grade
2003 SPECIAL CATEGORY
"Inside Looking Out"
Joe Reed
New Haven, CT
Phil Snyder
Tight-Lock Coupler

 


    SCHEDULE NOTES
Notices, announcements, schedules, etc. are provided here as a service to the members. The Chapter has no affiliation with any commercial operation, museum, or tourist line.

Now through June 22, 2003 - Travel by Train: The American Railroad Poster 1870-1950 Exhibition by New York Transit Museum in Gallery Annex in Grand Central Terminal with vintage model trains

April 26 - December 7, 2003 - On the Road to Paradise: A History of the Strasburg RR An Exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

June 21-22, 2003 Great Scale Model Train Show - Timonium, 9-4 Saturday, 10-4 Sunday, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD. www.gsmts.com

June 27 - July 6, 2003 The Fair of the Iron Horse 175 years of American Railroad B&O Railroad Museum. CANCELLED

July 1-6, 2003 2003 NRHS Convention - STAR SPANGLED RAILS
The National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) and the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Inc. (R&LHS) will hold a joint convention, named Star Spangled Rails, in Baltimore, Maryland July 1 - 6, 2003. Hosted by the Washington, DC Chapter of the NRHS and the R&LHS, the convention will offer exciting mainline excursion trains, other informative, fun rail oriented trips, educational seminars and the annual banquet. There will also be non-rail excursions to see the history and culture of Maryland.
Star Spangled Rails will coincide with the 175th Anniversary of Railroading in the United States and will occur at the height of the B&O Railroad Museum's America on Track Celebration. The highlight of the Museum's celebration will be a recreation of the 1927 "Fair of the Iron Horse". The fair will include special exhibits at the museum and Baltimore's Carroll Park. Railroad equipment of all kinds and vintages will be on display, something special no one will want to miss. Besides all of the exciting public events of the Fair, special private events for Star Spangled Rails attendees only are being planned in conjunction with the museum. For more information, check the official convention website at www.starspangledrails.org. Pre-registration NOW!

July 3-6, 2003 Reading Railroad Days @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Honoring a Great Railroad and Independence Day Weekend - Thursday, July 3 9 AM - 5PM Friday, July 4 9 AM - 5PM Saturday, July 5 9AM - 5PM Sunday, July 6 Noon - 5PM [ NOTE: Pennsy Days, a traditional event, is NOT being held in 2003 because of a scheduling conflict. ]

July 19-20, 2003 Railroad Kids Days @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Sat. 9 AM - 5 PM, Sun. Noon - 5PM Recording artist Andrew Roblin to perform Saturday, July 19, 2003. Known for his fresh and fun musical style, Roblin encourages his audience to sing, clap, yodel, grunt and do the Mummer's strut. He will play railroad, folk and original tunes on the guitar, banjo, mandolin and hammered dulcimer.

August 14 - 17, 2003 Railroad Circus Days @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Thursday 9 - 5 Friday 9 - 5 Saturday 9 - 5 Sunday Noon to 5 = It's the fun of the big top in colorful and exact miniature. See scale model replicas of circus trains, equipment and performances, displayed by the David Deacon Blanchfield Ring of the Circus Model Builders International. Regular admission.

August 16-17, 2003 Great Scale Model Train Show - Gettsyburg, 9-4 Saturday, 10-4 Sunday, Gettsyburg College, Gettsyburg, PA

Sept 6-7, 2003 Chapter Trolley Trip - Toronto [was June 6-7, 2003] Full details on the trip can be found at http://www.daylightimages.com/streetcar.

October 11-12, 2003 Great Scale Model Train Show - Timonium 9-4 Saturday, 10-4 Sunday, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD. www.gsmts.com

October 19, 2003 Susquehanna Valley NRHS Chapter's 10th Annual Train Show Southern Tier Railfest 10 AM-4 PM, Heritage Country Club, Binghamton, NY call 607-775-1267

October 17-18, 2003 Halloween Events @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
October 24-25, 2003 Halloween Events @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 31- Nov. 1, 2003 Halloween Events @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
6:30 - 9:30 PM Treat the entire family to a fun-filled evening of ghostly railroading as you visit the cavernous Railroad Museum and ride the legendary Strasburg Rail Road. Kids and adults come in costume! . Tickets - One ticket covers both the train ride and Museum admission: $17.95 for ages 12 and up and $10.95 for ages 3 to 11. Combined tickets required, must be purchased only from the Strasburg Rail Road -- at their ticket booth, call the SRR at 717 687-7522 or order them on-line at www.strasburgrailroad.com. (This page will also provide details regarding train departure times which you must select, and whether you should plan on visiting the Museum efore or after your train ride. Get your ticket for best time while they last!)

November 8-9, 2003 Troops and Trains @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Sat. 9 - 5, Sun. noon- 5 Greet our guys and gals in uniform and experience the role railroads played time and again in the defense of our nation. Fascinating railroad archival exhibits and displays. Regular admission.

November 8-9, 2003 Taking the Swing Train 40s Dance @ RR Museum of Pennsylvania 7 PM Sound of the Roses 18-piece band. Details.

December 13, 2003 to April 19, 2004 PAGEANT OF LOCOMOTIVES @ RR Museum of PA Photography From North American Railroad Fairs = No aspect of railroad history can match the splendor of the great North American railroad fairs. Railroad fairs gave companies an opportunity to unveil their latest technologies and display celebrated equipment of the past. This exhibit documents the best known fairs of North America and the excitement generated by each, including, for example, the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia; the 1893 Columbian Exposition, Chicago; the 1904 World's Fair, St. Louis; the 1927 B&O Fair of the Iron Horse, Halethorpe, Maryland; the 1939-40 World's Fair, New York; and the 1948-49 Chicago Railroad Fair.

December 27, 2003 Home for the Holidays @ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania 9 - 5 Take a nostalgic glimpse at 100 years of holiday rail travel. Meet engineers, conductors, ticket agents and passengers and enjoy seasonal music and festive decorations among our world-class collection of trains. Regular admission.


CHAPTER EVENTS  

NOTE ! ! ! June 6-7 Chapter Trip rescheduled ! Toronto Trolley Trip POSTPONED ! ! !

Saturday June 7 , 2003 11 AM Chapter Picnic at Perry Point, Perryville, MD

Thursday June 19, 2003 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Richard Hall

Thursday July 17, 2003 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Bruce Barry

Thursday Aug. 21, 2003 7 PM Chapter Trip Circle Trip to "Yet-To-Be-Determined" Instead of normal monthly meeting - Do-It Yourself - probably Philadelphia - Camden -Trenton

Fri-Sat. Sept. 6-7, 2003 Chapter Trip Toronto Trolley Trip

Thursday Sept. 18, 2003 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Phil Snyder Cross Country Part 3 = AZ to LA to Philadelphia

Thursday Oct. 16, 2003 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Frank Ferguson, Jr. entitled "If Everything Pans Out "

The Wilmington Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) meets at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month [except August & December] in the Darley Room at the Claymont Community Center on Green Street in Claymont, Delaware.  Visitors are always welcome. Admission to regular meetings is free. Check out our Website, thanks to Russ Fox at:   http://www.WilmingtonNRHS.com


The Transfer Table
   The Transfer Table is published six to ten times per year as the newsletter of the Wilmington Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.  Items in this publication do not represent the official position of either Officers or Members of the Wilmington Chapter or the Editor of this publication.

    Permission to reprint articles and news items appearing herein is granted to NRHS Chapters and other newsletters provided appropriate credit is given.   Contributions are always welcome and should be sent to the editor at SD40GMA@aol.com or send to: P.O. Box 1136, Hockessin, DE 19707-5136. Deadline for entries is the 25th of the month.

    Chapter Officers
    President:   Phil Snyder
    Vice President & Historian:  Ron Cleaves
    Treasurer:   Ralph Stevens, Jr.
    Secretary:   Dan Frederick
    National Director:   Tom Posatko
    Editor:  Greg Ajamian
    Education Fund:   Ed Thornton
    Public Relations:    Frank Ferguson, Jr.
    Trip Director & Event Photographer:  Bruce Barry

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