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THE TRANSFER TABLE
The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter
Internet Edition

VOLUME 31   NUMBER 2 MARCH & APRIL 2008

Back To Wilmington Chapter Web Site

NOVEMBER 15, 2007 MEETING NOTES

President Phil Snyder called the meeting to order at 7 PM, the minutes were read by Vice President Ron Cleaves and approved as read as was the Treasurer's Report as read by Ralph Stevens. National Director Tom Posatko reported on news from headquarters followed by a brief report from retired National Director of Chapter Development Ed Thornton. Richard Hall reported upon the dedication of a marker in downtown Wilmington by the Friends of Furness organization. The head of the Election Committee, Jared Downs, reported no new nominees. Editor Greg Ajamian reported on the tour he took of Union Station in Washington, DC and the possibility that we might sponsor a similar tour in the spring. Then member Ed Thornton spoke about Rail Camp this year. The 19 members and 1 guest had a chance to look over and purchase photos and books from former member Bill Folger's collection. Anything remaining was destined to be donated to the NRHS Library. After all of that business and the customary break

Frank Ferguson presented the evening's slide program that began in Alaska. We traveled to Anchorage, White Pass, Carcross, Summit, Fraser's enclosed water tank, and Bennett which is only accessible by rail. Then off to Fairbanks. We saw the White Pass & Yukon, the Alaska Railroad, RDCs and a work train. It was back to the Lower 48 to Zanesville, Columbus, the CK&S, the Indiana RR Museum, and even semaphores on CSX! We saw the Indiana RR, the Bay Shore, Pere Marquette#1225, the Maine Eastern, and a bit of Gilford. Another of Frank's excellent slide shows and narration was enjoyed by all.


DECEMBER 15, 2007 MEETING NOTES

President Phil Snyder called the Annual Holiday Dinner to order around 6 PM and by motion and unanimous consent, dispensed with the normal business portion of the meeting. The 37 assembled members and guests enjoyed a buffet dinner and decorated cake for desert. Ed Thornton handed out tickets for the door prize drawing after which we heard about all of the "goodies" that had been graciously donated by Ed Thornton, Doug Arnold, Peter Edwards, and Mike Dickey. Our many thanks to the donors and their sources!

Once again, our annual Christmas program was presented by Steve Barry. Computer projection eventually commenced with views of New Hope and the Wilmington & Western. We saw one of the only four trolley/mainline crossings in the US (in Philadelphia) then it was in to IL, IN, MI, the Pierre Marquette, the Black Mesa & Lake Powell, TX, AZ, OH, KY, TN, MA, CT, PA, ME, and WI. Then came the multi media production that included views of the CP. Certainly another fantastic show enjoyed by all.


NEWS BITS 

The Vermonter, which runs daily between Washington, DC and St. Albans in Northern Vermont, had another strong year, surpassing last year's ridership levels by more than 16 percent, 19 percent over budget. Ticket revenue was up by just over $3.5 million, a 14 percent increase over FY06. The Vermonter, which is run by Amtrak, is also supported by the state of Vermont. Amtrak system-wide ridership in Fiscal Year 2007 increased to 25,847,531, marking the fifth straight year of gains and setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation stated operations in 1971. (News Release http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/InsideAmtrak)

Traveling between Washington, DC, New York and Boston, Acela Express is Amtrak's premiere service. Ridership on the service topped 3.1 million in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 20 percent over the previous fiscal year. This is the first time an Acela Express train has been wrapped for a promotion. The History Channel two-hour television event "1968 with Tom Brokaw" is a fast-paced, evocative special exploring the significance of that turbulent - and pivotal - year and the ways it continues to affect the American landscape. Offering multiple perspectives - and with insight from people both famous and not - the special, guided throughout by Tom Brokaw, explores a year that forever changed politics, race relations and our culture. It premieres Sunday, December 9th at 9 p.m. on The History Channel. Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.

"Completion of the third mainline not only improves the flow of loaded and empty coal trains to and from the 10 mines served by BNSF and UP on the joint line, but also allows double-track operations to continue when any one of the three tracks must be taken out of service for maintenance," BNSF officials said in a service advisory posted on the Class I's Web site. By year's end, BNSF also expects to complete 21 miles of quadruple track south of the North Antelope Rochelle Mine - the joint line's first segment of fourth mainline. Additional track capacity already is helping BNSF boost PRB coal traffic. In October, the railroad averaged 51.4 daily train loadings compared with October 2006's 50.4-train average. And through 2007's first 10 months, BNSF averaged 49.8 train loadings per day, up slightly compared with a 49.4-train average during the same 2006 period. (from Progressive Railroading via AMERICAN RAIL LINK - NOVEMBER 7, 2007 via Ed Mayover)

As they piece together the tapestry of facts surrounding Friday's accident, Sumwalt said, NTSB investigators so far have found evidence that:

-- The engineer was certified by Amtrak in September of this year, and had operated the Grand Rapids, Mich., to Chicago stretch about three times previously as a certified engineer, and about 30 other times during "on the job training, under the supervision of another qualified engineer."

-- A two-man relief team joined the Pere Marquette in Hammond, Ind., and were supposed to replace the engineer in Chicago. Investigators want to know how much the engineer worked in the last 72 hours and whether "fatigue" could have played a role in Friday's crash.

-- On the day of the accident, the engineer drove through stretches of track owned by four different railroads, each with their own possible interpretation of various traffic signals. Norfolk Southern owned the accident stretch.The engineer has acknowledged seeing a "red over yellow" signal just before a crossover in the Englewood neighborhood, where he was switched to a track that ultimately contained the standing Norfolk Southern freight train he rammed near 52nd and Shields, Sumwalt said. The engineer's Amtrak certification meant he should have known that "red over yellow" meant his speed was "restricted" to no more than 15 mph, an amount specified in Amtrak booklets; that he should have been prepared to stop at any time; and that he should have been ready to stop in half the distance he could see, Sumwalt said.The engineer slowed appropriately to 8 or 9 mph at the Englewood crossover, but then accelerated beyond the "restricted speed," going some 40 mph as he headed into a curve and a "canyon  " of boxcars that may have blocked his view of the standing Norfolk Southern train ahead, Sumwalt said. Unlike car traffic signals, which have limited nationwide meanings, "there are dozens and dozens of signal combinations," which can hold different meanings under tracks owned by different railroads, Sumwalt said. In addition, Sumwalt said, investigators will use computer simulation to determine whether the engineer, if following the appropriate speed restrictions, would have been able to stop in time to avoid hitting the freight train. They may even try to recreate the actual conditions. "With a train on his left, and a train on his right, how far could he have seen? We may go back and recreate that in reality versus a computer simulation," Sumwalt said. (Chicago Sun Times via American Rail Link - December 5, 2007 via Ed Mayover)

On September 12, 2007, GETS notified FRA that its earlier instructions to inspect and measure the reservoir tanks and replace only those that fail to meet the criteria proved to be only partially effective in identifying the at risk tanks. To minimize the possibility of any additional reservoir tank failures, GETS has advised all known owners and users of the affected locomotives equipped with the involved R&R Metal Fabricators, Incorporated reservoir tanks to replace them by September 30, 2008, or sooner. Any owner or user of these reservoir tanks should contact GETS for replacement of the reservoir tanks at no cost. (Federal Register: December 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 239) [Notices] [Page 70928-70929] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13de07-116] via Ed Thornton)


NRHS Rail Camp by Ed Thornton

One of the NRHS's most successful programs has been RailCamp. Over several years, many future leaders in our hobby have studied the many aspects of prototype railroading.

The Wilmington Chapter has, in the past, sponsored local teens who have attended the program in Scranton, PA. Now, we may have another qualified youth that we may wish to sponsor. However, there are no funds in the Chapter Treasury set aside for RailCamp. Tuition will be $800 if paid by 1 April 2008; $900 after that.

If you feel that RailCamp is a worthy program, please consider making a donation to the Ernie Barry Education Fund. Checks should be made out to Wilmington Chapter, NRHS and mailed to Ralph Stevens, Wilmington Chapter Treasurer, 1432 Governor House Circle, Wilmington, DE 19809. Be sure to mark the check for RailCamp or the Ernie Barry Education Fund.

You may find more information on RailCamp at http://www.railcamp.com/application.htm01. Thanks for your consideration of this request.


URGENT MESSAGE FROM NRHS NATIONAL:
NRHS National Office Transfer Announced

The NRHS has contracted with the firm of Fernley & Fernley to provide the services of the NRHS national office. Office functions will be transferred gradually during the month of January, 2008, with Fernley & Fernley to provide all services starting in February. Lynn Burshtin, the current NRHS Office Manager, will continue employment with the Society through the end of February. She will assist with the transition of work to Fernley & Fernley and the relocation of the NRHS libraries into temporary storage. Fernley & Fernley is the nation's oldest association management company and provides office services for over 20 non-profit organizations. Under separate agreements, the firm already operates the NRHS membership records system and will begin providing many financial services on January 2, 2008. As previously announced, the NRHS must vacate our present headquarters suite no later than February 29, which requires that NRHS change office operations. After reviewing options and weighing many issues, the NRHS officers concluded that transferring this additional work to our existing management services provider was the best option for the Society.

The NRHS office will remain open for business during this transition. There may, however, be brief interruptions as services are transferred, records are relocated and other contractors are working in the present offices on moving the library materials. Some office procedures will change, and the specifics of those changes will be announced as they are finalized. As part of this change, the Society's official mailing address will move to 100 North 20th Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1443 on February 1. The present NRHS telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses will be retained and transferred to the Fernley & Fernley facilities in mid-January. Greg Molloy - President, NRHS


COMPANY SERVICE CARS - OF THE - PW&B, PB&W, AND PRRBy Richard E. Hall

Presents a wealth of information on car numbers and history with many drawings representing the work train, wreck train, cabin, and other company service equipment of the PW&B, PB&W, and PRR which were maintained at the Wilmington Shops and / or saw service in our general area, primarily on the PW&B, PB&W main line, Media Division (the old P&BC which later became the Octoraro Branch), Delaware Division, and the former Norfolk Division (NYP&N).

Detailed lists include: Car Numbers, Tools For Maintenance Of Way Tool Cars, Supplies For Camp Trains, Materials to Equip a Pay Car, Tools & Supplies for Cabin Cars, & more.

Drawings include: Pay Cars, Business Cars, Maintenance of Way Equipment, Dynamometer Cars, Cranes, Clearance Car, hand cars, & more.

COMPANY SERVICE CARS OF THE PW&B, PB&W, AND PRR @ $26.00 each

Please makes checks payable to:
Greg Ajamian
P.O. Box 1136
Hockessin, DE 19707-5136

 

Your Name: ______________________________

 

Street Address: ____________________________

 

City, State, Zip: ____________________________

BOTH STILL ONLY $26.00 each postage paid [includes shipping & handling]Proceeds support the Wilmington Chapter of NRHS


LOCOMOTIVES AND EQUIPMENT OF THE WILMINGTON & WESTERN RAILROAD
Motive Power Gems Of The Diamond State
By Richard E. Hall

175 pages with over a hundred illustrations, photos, maps, tables, and much more about the ORIGINAL W&W RR (NOTE: this book is NOT about the current tourist line's equipment)

Chapter I Misconceptions, Facts & Figures
Chapter II W&W - DWRR - B&PRR Locos
Chapter III W&W - DWRR - B&PRR Rolling Stock
Chapter IV B&O Locos Used
Chapter V Delaware Western Ran to Pomeroy
Chapter VI Market St. & Car Floats
Chapter VII Misc. Notes & Photos-

LOCOMOTIVES AND EQUIPMENT OF THE WILMINGTON & WESTERN RR @ $26.00 each

Please makes checks payable to:
Greg Ajamian
P.O. Box 1136
Hockessin, DE 19707-5136

 

Your Name: ______________________________

 

Street Address: ____________________________

 

City, State, Zip: ____________________________


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.

January 19-20, 2008 The Great LeHigh Valley Train Meet, Merchants Square Mall, 1901 S. 12th St., Allentown, PA. [ www.merchantssquaremall.com ]

January 26-27, 2008 AMHERST RAILWAY SOCIETY RAILROAD HOBBY SHOW, Sat. 9 am to 5 pm, Sun. 10 am to 5 pm. Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. Largest show in the east. Adults $10.00, Children 15 and under free. Parking $5.00. Information: www.amherstrail.org

Super Saturday Streetcar Special XV on February 2, 2008 This four-hour streetcar charter was to depart SEPTA's Elmwood depot at 11:00 a.m. We plan to use two PCC cars on this trip. First will be a PCC-2, which will be making a somewhat rare appearance on SEPTA's southwest subway-surface routes (but we can't take it into the subway). We also planned to have an orange work PCC following us around. Frequent stops will be made to photograph these cars. http://www.daylightimages.com/streetcar or via U.S. mail to Wilmington Chapter NRHS, c/o Steve Barry, 117 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860. Confirmations will be sent via e-mail (for on-line orders) immediately; mail orders will receive confirmations about two weeks prior to the trip, although you can include an e-mail address for immediate confirmation and updates. If you have any questions contact Steve Barry at 973/383-3355 between 9am-5pm ET weekdays.

Sat.-Sun., Feb. 2-3, 2008 Great Scale Model Train Show & RR Marketplace @Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium9 am to 4 pm Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, ADMISSION $7, kids 12 & under FREE, Family $14, 26th year of the biggest & best train shows in the Mid-Atlantic. SPECIAL FEATURES this show.... Now get 4 shows for the price of 3!!Super ticket good for any 4 of our shows available for $21 Over 800 vendor tables Door prizes 3 $25 & one $100 in train show $$!!! => Four County Society Model RR HO featured in October 2007 Railroad Model Craftsman (64'x116' with 5.1 scale mile mainline!!) plus Sipping & Switching Society of NC HO/HOn3 (about 50' x 100'), Baltimore Area NTrak 50'x50', Baltimore Area American Flyer Club 28'x20', Baltimore Soc. Model Engineers Time-Saver layout, Bill Frankman's O gauge 12'x28', Chesapeake & Allegheny live steam static display, Custom Model Railroads HO 4'x8', DC Area Independent HiRailers O gauge 24'x40', Delaware Valley Hi-Railers O gauge 28'x60', High LiNn3 Route 8'x26', Japan Rail Modelers of DC N scale 4' x 30', European Train Enthusiasts Keystone Chapter HO scale 32'x46', Mason-Dixon Large Scale RR 30'x40', Trackside Modules HO scale 18'x50' [ http://www.gsmts.com/ ]

Fri.-Sun., April 11-13, 2008 SPRING NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY DIRECTORS MEETING Holiday Inn, Electronics Parkway, Liverpool (Syracuse), NY. Information, George Read, Registration chairman, bnsf@twcny.rr.com or 315-469-0864.

Sat.-Sun., April 12-13, 2008 Great Scale Model Train Show & RR Marketplace @Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium9 am to 4 pm Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, ADMISSION $7, kids 12 & under FREE, Family $14 [ http://www.gsmts.com/ ]

Sat.-Sun., June 28-29, 2008 Great Scale Model Train Show & RR Marketplace @Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium9 am to 4 pm Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, ADMISSION $7, kids 12 & under FREE, Family $14 [ http://www.gsmts.com/ ]

Sat.-Sun., Oct. 11-12, 2008 Great Scale Model Train Show & RR Marketplace @Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium9 am to 4 pm Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, ADMISSION $7, kids 12 & under FREE, Family $14 [ http://www.gsmts.com/ ]


CHAPTER EVENTS

Thursday Jan. 17, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Phil Snyder
entitled " 25 Years Ago "

Saturday Feb. 2, 2008 ? Chapter Trolley Trip Super Saturday Streetcar Special XV

Thursday Feb. 21, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Dave Warner entitled "Before I lived here, the Worlds of Green PCCs."

Thursday March, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Frank Ferguson entitled " ? "

Thursday April, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Mike Burkhart entitled " ? "

Thursday May, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting Annual Doug Weaver Memorial Photo Contest 2008 special category: "Chapter Members with Railroad Equipment in the Scene"

Thursday June, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by ?

Thursday July 17, 2008 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by ?

Thursday Aug. ?, 2008 7 PM Chapter Trip possibly a circle trip to Fox Chase?


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. http://www.WilmingtonNRHS.com

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 SnyderVice President & Historian: Ron CleavesTreasurer: Ralph Stevens, Jr.Secretary: Dan FrederickNational Director: Tom Posatko Editor: Greg AjamianEducation Fund: Ed ThorntonPublic Relations: Frank Ferguson, Jr.Trip Director: Ralph Stevens, Jr.Event Photographer:  Ron CleavesWeb Master: Russ Fox

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