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THE TRANSFER TABLE
The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter
Internet Edition

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April 19, 2007 MEETING NOTES

The meeting was called to order by President Phil Snyder at 7 PM, the minutes approved as read by Secretary Dan Frederick, and the Treasurer's Report as read by Ralph Stevens. There was no National Director's report . Dave Watterson reported that the Ringling Bros. Circus Train was in South Philadelphia.

Following the customary break, we were treated to another great slide program from Frank Ferguson. These VIEWS OF 2006 started with Hancock, WV, the W&LE and RJ Corman, the Ohio Central, and on to the NRHS National Convention. More W&LE in Brewster, OH, then Brunswick, MD and on to the Maryland Midland. Some Delaware & Lackawanna, the Cape May Scenic, and Lamokin Station on the NE Corridor. We saw a C42o on the D&L, Christmas lights on the Chapter's Night Trolley Trip, views of Gap, PA and Parkersburg in the 1980's and the Wilmington & Western last year. Another great show!

From The Editor

Somehow this issue grew to extra size, too. I wanted to get this material out in time for you to plan all of your spring and summer activities and before the postal rates increased. With so many pages in such a short time, you had better expect a post card for the next issue or a dues increase to cover costs! Some of the photos in the last issue were supposed to accompany an article by Richard Hall entitled "Down By The River." So, I thought that I had better run it this month.

NEWS BITS  

• NRHS Chairman of the Board Emeritus Leroy S. (Lee) Dietrich, passed away on March 24. Final internment was at Arlington National Cemetery [From Lynn Burshtin, Office Manager, NRHS National Office, Philadelphia, PA via Ralph Stevens]
   
• Effective April 2, new schedules have been published for Amtrak service around the country. For the most part there have been no major changes, just some small and seasonal changes. Highlights of these changes can be found in our recent press release and of course for the most up to date information check on Amtrak.com. WASHINGTON -- The newest Amtrak System Timetable, covering 21,000 miles of train routes in 46 states and the District of Columbia, is available next week in staffed Amtrak stations across the country and through Amtrak.com. Several changes have been made to make the booklet easier to use. "We have gone to larger format, so the System Timetable is now the same size as it's related publication, the Amtrak Vacations travel planner," said Emmett Fremaux Jr., Amtrak Vice President, Marketing & Product Management. "There are four-color pictures throughout the timetable and the use of more vivid colors in the timetable grids make them easier to understand. "Between the detailed information in the System Timetable and the destinations and packages in the Amtrak Vacations booklet, there's every reason to say 'all aboard,'" Fremaux added. Timetables can also be obtained by calling 800-USA-RAIL. There are many minor and some seasonal changes throughout the timetable, but the following are the most noteworthy items in the Spring-Summer 2007 Amtrak System Timetable, which is effective with departures on April 2.
  East - - While there are minor changes to Acela Express schedules along the Boston-New York-Washington corridor, there are several improvements planned for the Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg, Pa., and Philadelphia.Two new weekend Keystones will be operated. On Saturdays, Train 610 will depart Harrisburg at 7:05 pm to offer a later eastbound departure and connect in Philadelphia with Regional trains to the north and south. On Sundays, Train 615 will offer an additional westbound frequency from Philadelphia at 1:45 pm for passengers returning home or to school at the end of the weekend. On the popular Regional trains between New York and Washington, new Train 121 will operate on Saturdays, departing New York at 5:45 am to allow a full day in visit to Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington. Also on Saturdays, new Train 147 departs Springfield, Mass., at 8:05 am, providing an additional frequency southbound to Washington. Train 448, the eastbound extension of the Lake Shore Limited between Albany/Rensselaer, N.Y., and Boston, via Springfield, Mass., will depart at 4:10 pm due to the new Chicago-Rensselaer-New York schedule of Train 48 (see below).
  Central - - Train 48, the eastbound Lake Shore Limited, will depart Chicago at 10 pm nightly, allowing it to accept more passengers arriving on other trains from the west and south, while providing a more attractive eastbound departure from Cleveland. At Chicago, Lake Shore Limited passengers can begin boarding two hours before departure and Sleeping Car customers will be offered a complimentary Welcome Aboard Reception in the Dining Car in lieu of dinner.Two of the three Wolverine Service trains from Chicago to Detroit/Pontiac have new schedules. The departure of Train 350 has been moved to 8:30 am in order to allow for a connection from the first inbound Hiawatha Service train from Milwaukee, Train 329, due into Chicago at 7:57 am Additionally, Train 352, the mid-day Wolverine, has been moved up one hour, to depart at 12:15 pm, in order to offer a more attractive lunch-time departure for this service from Chicago. Between Chicago and St. Louis, Trains 300-307 will be known as Lincoln Service and all trains will originate in either Chicago or St. Louis. Passengers riding past St. Louis to and from points in Illinois and Missouri will need to change trains at St. Louis. Carlinville, Ill., has been added as a Flag Stop on the Texas Eagle. Trains 21/321/421 and 22/322/422 will stop when advance notice is given by passengers making reservations or signaling from the platform. Most Lincoln Service trains are scheduled to stop at Carlinville. Between St. Louis and Kansas City, Trains 311, 313, 314 & 316 will continue to operate, despite scheduled Union Pacific Railroad track work on the route. There could be an opportunity for a schedule change that would restore Train 314 to an earlier eastbound schedule from Kansas City this summer.
  West - - There are no significant changes in schedules for the Pacific Surfliners, San Joaquins, Capitol Corridor, Amtrak Cascades or overnight trains in the region. However, some additions to the Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach system in California are expected May 21, 2007. Consult an agent for details.
   
• BOMBARDIER AWARDED CONTRACT TO ASSEMBLE 100 LOCOMOTIVES FOR ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL: Bombardier Transportation announced today that it has concluded a framework agreement with Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) to assemble an initial order of 100 SD70ACe EMD locomotives. Valued at approximately 50 million euros ($67 million US) the contract calls for fabrication of sub-parts and assembly of the locomotives at Bombardier's production facility in Sahagun, Mexico. Commenting on the agreement, William Spurr, President, Bombardier Transportation, North America, said: "This framework agreement is a demonstration of our world-class manufacturing capabilities, and our expertise in delivering high-quality products to the North American market. We are proud to continue our long term relationship with EMD." Since 1998, Bombardier's Sahagun facility has produced more than 1,100 locomotives for EMD. Deliveries are scheduled to begin by mid-June 2007 and will take place until the end of 2007. [Bombardier, 4/03 via American Rail Link for April 11, 2007 via Ed Mayover]
   
• EX-ERIE MINING RS11's SCRAPPED: Five former Erie Mining Company Alco RS11 locomotives purchased by the Morristown & Erie are being cut up for scrap. Erie, which operated a large taconite mine and processing plant at Hoyt Lakes, Minn. Erie was acquired by LTV Steel in 1986, which changed the name to LTV Steel Mining in 1987. LTV remained in operation until a 2000 bankruptcy; the company shut down the plant in January 2001. The locomotive fleet that worked in the plant area included Baldwin and Alco switchers. The Alco models included RS11s, C420s, and a single C424; they were gradually sold off. Five F9 locomotives used in road service between Hoyt Lakes and the ore dock at Taconite Harbor, Minn., on Lake Superior's North Shore are still up for sale. M&E acquired ten of the Erie RS11s and has used them primarily for parts. Ex-Erie/LTV 7214 and 7216 were scrapped in 2006. One unit, RS11 7215, has been put into service and repainted by M&E. It was originally Northern Pacific 910, then Burlington Northern 4190 before becoming LTV 7215 ]Trains News Wire, 4/13 via American Rail Link for April 18, 2007 via Ed Mayover]
   
• Train Stuff on the Internet - - [from Bob Watson via Paul Kutta]Here's the link to the Alstom site with the TGV record speed run: http://www.record2007.com/site/index_en.phpHere's the site of the NYC M-497 - - http://midwesthsr.org/pdfs/M-497online.pdfHere's the site for some great photos of the 1939 World's Fair! - -http://www.pmphoto.to/WorldsFairTour/Zone-6/186.htm
   
• AMTRAK's new Whistle Stop - a community site for everyone who loves train travel as much as we do. Think of it as your virtual Cafe Car, where you can pull up a chair and swap stories with fellow travelers. Dive into first person travelogues to see what it's like to ride the rails: the fantastic variety of sights you can see from a train and the many interesting people who share the journey with you. Pictures are included, so you can see the wonderful American landscape you have time to enjoy along the way. You'll also find a collection of shorter articles detailing train-related facts & tidbits. Just as the people who ride trains are a big part of the rail experience, so too are you and your experiences an important part of the Whistle Stop community. If you have a fond memory of a favorite train adventure, we'd love to hear from you so we can post your story to share with other readers. Yes, there still is adventure, mystery and romance out there, so climb aboard and see what you can discover.Passengers traveling between Albany and Schenectady are following the route of the State's first and oldest active rail line. The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, chartered in 1826, was constructed as a "shortcut" to avoid the much longer (40 miles) and slower (all day) Erie canal route via the Cohoes Falls lock flight. The section of rail line used by Amtrak from about milepost 145 to milepost 156 is the same route used by the first successful trial run of August 9, 1831 and opened to the public on August 10. With speeds up to 30 miles per hour, the trip took about 30 to 40 minutes each way. The current speed limit is 110 mph, one of the fastest routes in NY State. The first train consisted of the tiny four wheeled "Dewitt Clinton" steam engine and three stage coach-bodied passenger cars. A replica of this train is in the collection of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. [from http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?c=WSArticlePage&cid=1173376437135&pagename=WhistleStop%2FWSArticlePage%2FBlank_Template]
   
• STEAMTOWN PLANS DELAWARE WATER GAP EXCURSION: On June 30, the Steamtown National Historic Site will operate a steam-powered excursion from Scranton to the community of Delaware Water Gap for the annual "Founders Day" celebration. The train will depart the Steamtown Boarding Platform at 9 a.m.
   
• AMTRAK BILL CLEARS SENATE COMMITTEE: Amtrak legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg won unanimous approval from the Senate Commerce Committee today, but is a long way from becoming law. The $11.4 billion measure, sponsored by the New Jersey Democrat and Republican Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, would provide money to operate the railroad over six years and help states establish train service between selected cities. The bill would also allow the federal government to issue $7.8 billion worth of bonds to improve Amtrak and help states seeking to increase passenger rail service. That piece of the overall Amtrak bill has to win approval from the Senate Finance Committee before it can proceed. "Our legislation will provide the necessary resources to bring Amtrak up to speed as a real alternative to taking a plane or driving a car," Lautenberg said in a statement. "People in New Jersey rely on Amtrak and want to be sure that the system will be there for them in the future. With this plan, it will." The Senate has to approve the Amtrak bill, then the House. Then President Bush would have to sign it into law. The Bush administration has proposed $800 million for Amtrak next year and $100 million for states seeking to boost intercity passenger rail. (from Cherry Hill (NJ) Courier Post, 4/26 via American Rail Link for May 2, 2007 via Ed Mayover)
   
• The New Jersey Department of Transportation proposed a $3.3 billion transportation capital program for Fiscal Year 2008, which includes a $1.3 billion capital program for New Jersey Transit. A NJT spokesman said that, if approved and funded, it would use the funds to improve its infrastructure, including rehabilitating its Newark Drawbridge, replacing the North Jersey Coast Line Shark River Drawbridge, and completing preliminary engineering work to replace the Northeast Corridor Line's Portal Bridge. The spokesman added that it would also use the funds to replace 230 Class Arrow III commuter rail cars, rehabilitate 99 Class Comet IV commuter rail cars, and replace 42 locomotives. (from Progressive Railroading Weekly Rail Review - For The Week Ending 06APR2007 via Ed Mayover)
   
• A site dedicated to existing railroad stations in the state of Pennsylvania. Your help as a railroad historian has been and will continue to be essential to the life of this page. This is a sister site of my Ohio Railroad Stations Past & Present site. The stations listed in the database are organized by county (there are 67 in Pennsylvania). This site is still growing and your submissions will help the database become more complete. Currently listing over 600 current PA stations with photos of over 400 stations of the past. The station database is the heart of this site. You can browse stations by county. You can select a county from the alphabetical table by name or use the image map of Pennsylvania located below the table. The imagemap will allow you to select a county by location and is ideal for those not familiar with Pennsylvania's counties. A navigation bar has been added to the table for each county so you can refer to the table key and other information while browsing stations. [ from http://www.west2k.com/pastations/pastations.htm ] [This was a link from an under-construction site on York County Railroads: http://www.trainweb.org/rrofyork/ that was sent in by Ed Thornton]

The National Railway Historical Society's Wilmington Chapter's Annual Doug Weaver Memorial Photo Contest will be held at the regular Chapter meeting on Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Here are the guidelines for entering images in this year's contest:

• As usual, there will be two separate contests; one for prints and one for slides. Each contest will have the same SEVEN categories. Prizes will be awarded for winners in each category (that is fourteen winners in all), plus additional awards for the best print and the best slide in the show.
• Each member can have up to three entries per category (that's 42 total photos if you are really ambitious: up to 21 total slides and 21 total prints!).
• Photos for the five normal, standard, REGULAR CATEGORIES #1-#5, as always in the past, must have been taken within the LAST FIVE (5) YEARS (anywhere on this planet).
• For the VINTAGE CATEGORY #6 ONLY, the photos can be of any railroad related subject but must have been taken 15 OR MORE YEARS AGO, that is before May 1, 1992. As voted on at the January 1998 meeting, the time frame was changed from "more than 25 years old" to "more than 15 years old".
• For SPECIAL CATEGORY #7 ONLY, designed to get people out to take new pictures; photos must have been taken in the LAST TWO (2) YEARS; that is, between May 1, 2005 and May 17, 2007 and must be a photo of " Interior of RR Equipment or Structure "

CATEGORIES [note timeframes]

1. STEAM - Photos with a steam locomotive as the primary subject within the last 5 years.
2. DIESEL - Photos with a diesel locomotive as the primary subject within the last 5 years. This category also includes gas-electrics, Doodlebugs, RDCs, and FL9s north of Harmon, and the like.
3. HEAVY ELECTRIC - Electric power on big railroads within the last 5 years.
4. TRACTION - Trolleys & light rail including streetcars, all subways, etc. within the last 5 years
5. GENERAL - Any photo that does NOT include one of the above as the primary subject within the last 5 years. Passenger and freight cars, stations, signals, railfans, and the like go here.
6. VINTAGE - Any railroad-related subject photographed 15 or more years ago.
7. SPECIAL CATEGORY for 2007 = Interior of RR Equipment or Structure taken within last two (2) yrs.

DEL-MAR-VA Express Rare Mileage Train Ride

The following was found online at www.southernappalachia.railway.museum.com Scroll down and click on Bay Coast Railroad. [from THE FIRST STATE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB, INC. NEWSLETTER, MAY 2007 via Ed Thornton]

Sponsored by the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum Sunday, August 5, 2007 The Southern Appalachia Railway Museum (SARM) announces the DEL-MAR-VA Express Rare Mileage Train Ride on the Bay Coast Railroad between Cape Charles, Virginia, and Pocomoke City, Maryland, on Sunday, August 5, 2007. Come join us as we ride and dine over this former Pennsylvania Railroad line, built in the 1880s as a speedway and bypass between Norfolk and the northeast. The all-day trip includes three meals, photo run-bys, and a stop at the Eastern Shore Railroad Museum, all for $220. Seating is very limited so make your reservations early.

The Southern Appalachia Railway Museum is based in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge, Tennessee, area and operates the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train through the former K-25 Manhattan Project facility.

Equipment: All of the equipment used on the trip will be supplied by the Bay Coast Railroad and their Bay Creek Railway passenger division. The train will consist of two passenger cars, recently rebuilt from former interurban cars, and will be limited to 60 passengers. The equipment has been restored for modern use but may not be fully accessible for all passengers. Steps and narrow aisles may make it difficult for some people. Because of the cars' historical design, passengers needing special assistance are asked to make arrangements on their own for physical help.

On-Board Services: Snacks, drinks and souvenirs will be available for sale on the train. To ensure adequate space on the cars, passengers are encouraged to carry only small bags or coolers. Coolers and bags must fit overhead or under seats to keep the aisles clear. Remember, meals are included in the ticket price.

Hotels and Local Transportation: Passengers are expected to make their own hotel reservations and accommodations to get to and from the train. Numerous hotels are available in the area. Lodging is also available from a company related to the railroad, Bay Creek Resorts, at www.baycreek.net and click on "vacation" for rentals and packages.

Further Information: This train is operated for the entertainment and enjoyment of the passengers and as a fundraising activity for SARM. It will run rain or shine. The train is not a part of the regular operations of the railroads involved; therefore, the Bay Coast Railroad/Bay Creek Railway cannot be held responsible for delays or changes in the equipment or itinerary. The operators cannot be held responsible for problems associated with connecting transportation, lodging, sickness, weather, acts of war, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. The same holds true for the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum and any other non-profit or for-profit organization assisting with these trips. Tickets cannot be canceled less than 3 weeks before the event. Remember, this is a volunteer-operated fund-raising event; please assist us as you can. Please contact the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum with any questions that you might have. E-mail is preferred at: b.jennings@mchsi.com. If you want to send a written question, send it to SARM Del-Mar-Va Express, c/o Barton Jennings, P.O. Box 620, Avon, IL 61415. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with any correspondence.

Schedule of Events:
8:00 am - Departure from Cape Charles.
8:00 to 9:00 am - Leave the Cape Charles Boarding site and travel to the Cape Charles Float Bridge for pictures and breakfast.
9:00 am to Noon - Travel to Parksley (43 miles) and the Eastern Shore Railroad Museum.
Noon to 1:30 pm - Lunch will be a "Grill-Out" under the shelter at the Museum. Also, tour of the museum.
1:30 to 3:00 pm - Travel to Pocomoke (20.5 miles).
3:00 to 3:15 pm - Picture taking of Cassatt Tower and Railroad Swing Bridge at the Pocomoke River.
3:15 to 6:15 pm - Head back South stopping at the Exmore RR Station and begin the "light" meal.
6:30 to 8:00 pm - Leave Exmore and head to Cape Charles arriving around 8 pm.

Ticket Price: Tickets are $220 each and include the train ride and meals. There are no reduced fares for children or senior citizens. Orders must be received before June 1, 2007.

Tickets: Tickets for DEL-MAR-VA EXPRESS are $220 each and include the train ride and all meals. Sales are limited so make your reservations early. Please print the ticket order form (see below) and mail along with a stamped self-addressed business-size envelope and a check or money order made out to SARM Del-Mar-Va Express, to SARM Del-Mar-Va Express, c/o Barton Jennings, P.O. Box 620, Avon, IL 61415. Please note that ticket orders must be received before June 1, 2007.

Ticket Order Form, DEL-MAR-VA Express, Sunday, August 5, 2007Tickets for DEL-MAR-VA EXPRESS are $220 each and include the train ride and all meals. Sales are limited so make your reservations early. Please print the following information and include with a business-size stamped self-addressed envelope. Mail along with a check or money order made out to "SARM Del-Mar-Va Express" to: SARM Del-Mar-Va Express, c/o Barton Jennings, P.O. Box 620, Avon, IL 61415.

Please note that ticket orders must be received before June 1, 2007.

Name: _____________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
E-mail address: ______________________________________________
Tickets:Del-Mar-Va Express _____ @ $220 = ____________ Please include all names that you are buying tickets for: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Meals:

Please select your meal choices for lunch and dinner. Breakfast will be buffet with multiple selections.

Meal Choices are (please indicate number of each where required):

Breakfast (Served in shifts on the train) Hot Coffee and Decaf; Orange, Pineapple or Cranberry Juices; Fresh Baked Muffins with Whipped Butter; Fresh Bananas, Apples, Peaches and Pears; House Made Granola with Yogurt.
Lunch (Grilled and served buffet style under the shelter in Parksley/Eastern Shore Railroad Museum)
Salad (choose 1 per person)
______Caprice Salad - Sliced fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese with chiffonade of basil, balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil.
______Greek Salad - Romaine salad with feta cheese, olives, pepeproncini, tomato, and onion with balsamic vinaigrette. Main course (choose 1 per person)
______Grilled Tuna Steak with olive, caper and tomato chutney.
______Grilled Marinated Flat Iron Steak with Aqua's Steak Sauce.
______Grilled Speedie Marinated Airline Chicken Breast.
______Vegetarian Selection (Details not yet available.) Served with: Corn on the Cob with butter, Grilled Rosemary Potato Wedges, Fresh Fruit Skewers with Ginger Syrup, Baked Fruit Crisp.
Light Dinner (Served on the train in shifts) Soup (choose 1 per person)
______Shore Style Clam Chowder with Crackers.
______Minestrone Soup with Croutons.
Main course (choose 1 per person)
______Classic Club Sandwich Wrap.
______Traditional Tuna Salad Wrap.
______Veggie Wrap (Details not yet available.) Served with: Cole Slaw and Potato Chips, Fresh Brownie with Chocolate and Caramel Sauces and Whipped Cream. Bottled Water and Soft Drinks included for the duration of the Excursion Trip.

Thursday Sept. 20, 2007 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by David Warner entitled "September in the 80s"

Thursday Oct. 18, 2007 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by to be determined entitled "see line above"

Thursday Nov. 15, 2007 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Frank Ferguson entitled "If The Plan Comes Together"