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The Full Version is our printed newsletter which is mailed to you.  It contains everything in the Lite Version along with many other reprinted pages from other NRHS newsletters, railroad publications, and flyers that contain photographs, drawings, and maps.  The full version is just another benefit of joining our chapter. 

THE TRANSFER TABLE
The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter
Internet Edition

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JANUARY 15, 2009 MEETING NOTES

Re-elected President Phil Snyder called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Re-elected Secretary Dan Frederick's minutes were approved as read. Recently elected Treasurer Dave Warner's report was also approved as read. Former National Director Tom Posatko reported on the National Officers and read from what may be the last issue of the NRHS Telegraph (Phil Snyder later informed the Editor that our new National Director, Dave Watterson is currently in Christiana Hospital. We all wish him a speedy recovery). Richard Hall requested anyone taking photos of the upcoming President-Elect Special Train through Wilmington provide him with duplicate prints. Dan Frederick reported on the Ashley, PA Anthracite Coal Breaker. Dave Warner covered various membership and dues issues.

After the usual refreshment break, Chapter Member Mike Madonna presented an excellent slide show of his "Travels in 2008." We got to see an interesting assortment of interlocking towers including one on the old RF&P, ALTO, AR, MO, Huntington, Harrisburg, and Bethlehem. He shared views of Worster, MA, North Conway, and the NRHS National Convention. We saw E-8s in Altoona, the Black River & Western, Bronx (NYC) subways, and Coatsville, PA. We saw the stations on SEPTA's R5 Line, the Market-Frankfort Line, and CSX in Camden, NJ. Everyone was glad to see the results of his adventures.

Sadly, we have to report the passing of Chapter Member Dr. Philip A. Toman, native Delawarean, newspaper columnist, educator, radio host and arts champion died suddenly at home November 11, 2008.

He was 77. Born in Wilmington to the late Andrew M. and Hazel P. Toman, he grew up with a love of music and a passion for opera, instilled in him by his late aunt Estelle C. Patterson.A 1949 graduate from Archmere Academy, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Delaware and later received a doctorate in education from Nova University in Florida. Toman began his teaching career in 1957 in the Smyrna School District and in 1960 transferred to the Newark Special School District, known today as the Christina School District. He went on to hold several teaching and administrative posts before becoming the director of public information, a position he held for almost 30 years and for which he is most remembered. Toman was honored with many achievement awards during his career but was most proud of three. The first was the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil award for communication efforts in 1978 during the desegregation order for schools in New Castle County. His professional organization, National Schools Public Relations Association awarded him the President's Award in 1988 for contributions to school PR and in 2004 he was honored by Opera Delaware with a lifetime achievement award for his service to the arts through his newspaper columns and radio shows around the First State. Retiring from the Christina School District in 1990, Toman took the post of Vice President of Communication at Wilmington College, now Wilmington University, where he retired again in 1995. His faith was also important and during an active retirement served as a Eucharistic minister for St. John's-Holy Angels Catholic Church in Newark, held weekly communion services at Newark Manor Nursing Home, and took communion to patients at Christiana Hospital as a volunteer in Pastoral Care. He was actively involved in many volunteer organizations during his life including most recently The Wilmington & Western Railroad, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame and the Air Force Association. Toman is survived by his wife, Marie; daughter, Jean, both of Newark; and a host of cousins. He was preceded in death by a son, Drew, in 1976. http://miva.delawareonline.com

November 20, 2008 MEETING NOTES

President Phil Snyder called the meeting to order at 7 PM with attendance eventually reaching 20 members and guests. Minutes were approved as read by Vice President Ron Cleaves. Current National Director Tom Posatko deferred to former National Director Steve Barry who gave a report. There may be a special winter Board of Directors meeting in February in Philadelphia. Treasurer Dave Warner reported great difficulty filing e-mail reports and getting the checks to National for the 23 renewals and 1 new member so far.

The evening's program was by Frank Ferguson. He started out in Indiana with NS, CN, & CP. Next was ICE in Milwaukee, an AMTRAK CAB//AGE car, and MRL power on an Indiana Railroad train on CP rails. We saw #261 with two original Hiawatha end cars, the Soo, a Wisconsin Central train with six GP-40s, AMTRAK's Empire Builder, and the UP in Dressler, OH. There was a Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton engine, a Winchester & Western Alco RS-11 cut down slug, and a GE 100-tonner. Plus the AT&L in OK, views of Amarillo, a St.Louis & Rio Grande in Alamosa, a 70-ton GE and the Silverton & Durango. Just another great slide show from Frank - as always.

NOTICE: IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER

If our normal "THIRD THURSDAY" NRHS meeting is canceled due to inclement weather, it will be postponed and held on the FOURTH THURSDAY.If it must again be canceled, it will NOT be rescheduled. We will simply wait for the next month's normal "third Thursday" meeting. If the weather looks bad or is predicted to be bad, you may telephone the Claymont Community Center to see if it will be open that evening for our meeting.

NEWS BITS 

• The Chapter received a very nice thank you note from Ralph Stevens sister, which is reproduced later in this newsletter.
   
• News Release - National Railroad Passenger Corporation - November 19, 2008 - Amtrak Focuses on Restoration of Auto Train Service - Auto Carrier Frame Repairs Underway - WASHINGTON - Amtrak yesterday canceled operation of its Auto Train after cracks in auto carrier underframes were discovered. The daily Auto Train carries passengers and their automobiles between Lorton, Va. and Sanford, Fla. After the late-day decision to cancel the train yesterday, Amtrak personnel offered Auto Train passengers the option of remaining on the trains they had boarded for meal service and use of the accommodations they had reserved, without charge. Full ticket refunds were also offered. Amtrak also provided hotel vouchers to those passengers who chose to rest over night before driving their cars to their destinations. The popular Auto Train, which carries passengers and their automobiles between the Washington, DC area and the Orlando, Fla. region are also canceled Nov. 19-21, while repairs are made. The repairs involve welding steel plates to the cracked area of the frames. Amtrak has called customers with Auto Train reservations to inform them of the cancellations. Cracks in the auto carrier frames were discovered late Tuesday, Nov. 18, as Amtrak car inspectors made an in-depth inspection of the area above the wheel assembly of one of the cars that was not in service. This discovery led to inspections of other cars, revealing other cracks, which drove the immediate decision to cancel the trains until repairs could be made. To make repairs and restore service as quickly as possible, Amtrak has dispatched materials from Indiana and Delaware and deployed welders to join forces with personnel at the Auto Train terminals in Virginia and Florida. The repairs are expected to start today and will continue around the clock until the cars are fixed. Amtrak owns 80 of the two-year-old auto carriers, which have logged approximately 500,000 miles each since they were built in 2006. All cars require some level of repair, but only approximately 50 auto carriers are needed to restore service. An announcement of service restoration will be made as soon as a full assessment of needed repairs is made. Amtrak has posted six consecutive years of growth in ridership and revenue, carrying more than 28.7 million passengers in the last fiscal year. 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. [from AMTRAK News Release via Ed Mayover]
   
• Norfolk Southern Corporation has offered a challenge grant of $1 million to the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) for capital and operating expenses over a three-year period to help the museum implement certain recommendations from Museum Management Consultants. The challenge grant is contingent on equal commitments of support by both the governments of the Roanoke Region and by other private donors to meet the estimated $3 million required for the museum's long-term needs. Norfolk Southern also will assist museum staff in drawing up a three-year business plan and establishing measurable objectives to restore the museum's vitality. In addition, other local rail-related organizations including the Norfolk and Western Historical Society (NWHS), the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS), and the O. Winston Link Museum have offered their support for the effort. The proposed three-year plan would implement many of the consultant's recommendations: re-evaluating and redefining the museum's mission, vision, and core values, and establishing priorities, accountabilities, financial milestones, and timelines. The plan would result in strategies addressing exhibits and the visitor's experience; focusing the collection of rolling stock, documents, and artifacts; shaping the governing board to involve more leaders from the community at large; developing the professional staff; and funding for sustained operation. The Virginia Museum of Transportation is Virginia 's official transportation museum as designated by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia . It is one of the largest rail museums in the United States with a varied collection of rail equipment, including the world-famous Class J 611 and Class A 1218 steam locomotives. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia , serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections to western rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America 's largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products. [NS News Release via Ed Mayover]
   
• Both BNSF and Union Pacific announced record coal loadings for trains moving out of Wyoming's Powder River Basin coal fields. BNSF said that they moved out a record 24 million tons of coal in August, breaking the previous monthly records of 23.9 million tons set in March. Union Pacific said that they loaded out a record 1,190 trains in August, surpassing their previous high of 1,174 trains in July. Together, the two railroads dispatched a total of 2,197 trains out of the PRB in August, also a new record. (ffd: BNSF Corp., UP Corp. from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The Bayonne NJ Historical Society observed the 50th anniversary of the accident in which a Central of New Jersey passenger train plunged off a drawbridge and into Newark Bay. The accident, which occurred the morning of September 15, 1958, killed 48 persons, many of who drowned. Investigators noted that the train's engineer ran through three warning signals, didn't look out to see that the bridge had been raised for a passing boat, and didn't apply the brakes until the train was less than eight feet from the open draw. (ffd: Newark Star-Ledger from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General released a report on the lateness of Amtrak train services on host railroads entitled "Root Causes of Amtrak Train Delays." The report found four top causes: 1) host railroad dispatching practices, some of which result in preference violations; 2) track maintenance practices and their resulting speed restrictions; 3) insufficient track capacity; and 4) external factors beyond host railroads' control. On-time performance for Amtrak trains operating over host railroads has declined notably in recent years. The report recommended that several improvements be adopted, including that there be legislative changes to clarify Amtrak's priority over freight trains and increased enforcement of those rights. (ffd: NARP from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority said that it will need $11.3 billion in capital funding between 2010 to 2020 to bring its network of subway, bus and paratransit services to a state of good repair. The funding request does include money for some hoped-for expansion projects, such as light rail lines on former railroad rights-of-way in the city's Anacostia section and in suburban Maryland, which a WMATA spokesman said "are just about off the table [for active consideration] right now." The spokesman added that, by 2020, system subway ridership was expected to grow 22 percent to about one million trips a day, and system bus ridership was expected to grow about 9 percent to about 600,000 trips a day. (ffd: Railway Age from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration announced that it had readied for release its "Essential Elements of a Railroad Bridge Management Program." The program includes nine "essential elements" that apply to all railroads, which include a detailed bridge inventory, implementing procedures for bridge design and safety ratings, ensuring bridge inspectors are properly qualified, establishing procedures for performing bridge inspections, and developing a plan to protect train operators after a critical bridge problem is discovered. In announced the program, the FRA also commended the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and its Bridge Committee for working to create a model bridge management program for shortline and regional railroads. (ffd: Progressive Railroading from Weekly Rail Review For The 7 Days Ending Fri, Sept. 26,2008 By Dave Mears via Ed Mayover)
   
• The State of New York announced that it would replace, and not rebuild, the Tappan Zee Bridge, which carries the New York State Thruway across the Hudson River near Tarrytown, NY. The state said that it had looked at rebuilding the 52 year-old bridge, whose approaches to the main span have notably degraded, but that it would be more cost-efficient to build a new bridge. Including in the new bridge's design will be room for dedicated bus lanes and for railroad tracks that would be part of a new Metro North commuter rail line connecting MNRR's Suffern Line with its Hudson Line. The state said that it currently has no funding plan for the new bridge and its extras, which are expected to total approximately $16 billion. (ffd: New York Times from Weekly Rail Review For The 7 Days Ending Fri, September 26, 2008 By Dave Mears via Ed Mayover)
   
• The U.S. Senate passed the combined "Rail Safety Improvement Act" and "Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act." Both bills had earlier been passed by the House and, after Senate passage, were sent to the White House, where a spokesman for President Bush said that he would sign them into law. Included in the provisions of the rail safety act is the requirement that train conductors be certified; that by December 31, 2015, Positive Train Control (PTC) be installed on all rail lines where intercity passenger and commuter trains operate, and over which Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) is transported; that train crews get at least 10 consecutive hours of rest following 12 hours on duty, and that their "limbo" time be limited; and that the number of FRA inspectors and support staff be increased by 200. Included in the provisions of the passenger rail bill is the formal reauthorization of Amtrak, the providing of seed money for development of new high-speed corridors, and the discretionary fining of host railroads that delay Amtrak trains. The passenger bill also authorizes $13.1 billion in federal subsidy to Amtrak over a five-year period, leaving the actual appropriation of these funds to annual Congressional approval. (ffd: Railway Age, wire services from Weekly Rail Review For The 7 Days Ending Fri, October 3, 2008 By Dave Mears via Ed Mayover)
   
• Massachusetts announced that it had agreed to purchase the 23-mile, former Boston & Albany line between Framingham and Worcester from CSX. The state already owns the 20-mile segment of that line between Boston and Framingham. Although the deal may take up to four years to complete, five MBTA commuter trains that originate or terminate in Framingham will be extended to Worcester effective October 27. The deal also provides for the state to purchase the CSX line between New Bedford and Fall River, which is planned for future commuter service, as well as the eventual relocation of CSX's locomotive servicing facility out of Boston's Beacon Park Yard. CSX has said that it hopes to exit all operations on its valuable real estate in Beacon Park, which locates across the Charles River from Harvard University. (ffd: NARP, Worcester Telegram & Gazette from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 3, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• Metro North said that it would add bike racks to some of its New Haven Line trains this fall as part of a pilot program. Passengers are presently restricted from bringing bikes on the line's trains during peak hours and conductors may bar them from off-peak hour trains that are crowded. A MNRR spokesman said that a study was underway to determine how the number of bikes on trains may be increased without reducing seats. (ffd: Hartford Courant from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 3, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• Canadian National said that it would acquire 232 new rapid-discharge ore cars and refurbish 500 existing ore cars. A CN spokesman said that the new and refurbished cars "...are part of a long-term plan to upgrade the fleet used to move pelletized iron ore produced in the Upper Midwest." CN hauls ore pellets from three mines in Northern Minnesota and one in Michigan primarily to Great Lakes ports. (ffd: CN Corp., Progressive Railroading from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 10, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The four largest U.S. railroads announced that they had reached agreement among themselves on interoperability standards for Positive Train Control (PTC) technology. The announcement follows a requirement for PTC on rail lines over which intercity and commuter passenger service is operated, and over which Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) commodities are transported, by the end of 2015. Concurrent with the interoperability announcement, BNSF and Union Pacific announced that they planned to install PTC on lines in Southern California over which Metrolink commuter trains are run by the end of 2012. (ffd: Progressive Railroading, wire services from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 10, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• Amtrak announced that its Fiscal Year 2008 ridership increased to 28,716,407 riders, setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since it started operations in 1971. Amtrak's fiscal year ended September 30. An Amtrak spokesman said that its FY2008 ridership marked an 11.1 percent increase in ridership from the previous fiscal year and that "all Amtrak trains across the system saw increases in ridership." The spokesman added that FY2008 ticket revenue reached $1.7 billion, a 14.2 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. (ffd: Amtrak from Weekly Rail Review For The 7 Days Ending Fri, Oct. 10, 2008 by Dave Mears via Ed Mayover)
   
• The University of Wisconsin announced that it would begin offering courses in railroad engineering. A university spokesman said that the courses will be for postgraduate engineering students. Two other universities, Michigan Technological University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, both now offer undergraduate railroad engineering degrees. (ffd: Wisconsin Badger Herald, Trains from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 10, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The State of Delaware announced that it had purchased four Class Silverliner V commuter rail cars for use on the SEPTA R2 line, which serves Wilmington DE. The purchase is a first for Delaware and will replace older cars in service on the line. The Silverliner V's have digital destination signs, among many new features, and also include regenerative braking capability. In a related story, SEPTA planners announced that they were anticipating a 25 percent growth in ridership on its regional rail network by the Year 2035. (ffd: Philadelphia Intelligencer, wire services from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 10, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad debuted a 52-foot, double-plug-door boxcar repainted in honor the 75th anniversary of Model Railroader Magazine. Both Model Railroader's parent company and the WS are based in Milwaukee. The car, WS No. 503175, was painted blue with a 75th anniversary commemorative insignia. The painting was done at WS's Horicon WI shop. (ffd: Trains from WEEKLY RAIL REVIEW FOR THE 7 DAYS ENDING FRI, OCTOBER 10, 2008 BY DAVE MEARS via Ed Mayover)
   
• We regret to announce that Trains Unlimited, Tours will be closing in early 2009 because of the recession, bad economic conditions worldwide and the drop in bookings. The good news is that several tour operators will be taking over and operating some of TUT's most popular 2009 tours for the enjoyment of our clients. Most of our 2009 tours will be promoted and operated by other tour operators. We will have company names, addresses and contacts posted in the next newsletter soon. We can advise now that California Zephyr railcar charters will operate the valentine snowflake express over Donner Pass in February. [Press Release via Tom Smith]
   
• Your Editor just received word that the nationally syndicated TV program "Tracks Ahead with Spencer Christian" will be carried by WHYY/Channel 12 starting Saturday, March 28th at noon. The Wilmington & Western feature is part of Program #705, which should air on April 25th, if calculation is correct. [from J. Harry Feldman via E. Wilks]

  Program #701 Ohio Central Railroad (26:46) Tracks Ahead goes in to the hills of eastern Ohio to visit a ten line railroad; ride a historic Japanese steam train that has been lovingly restored; visit a man who has realized his childhood dream, and meet a dentist who has taken his passion for trains into the back yard. Spencer Christian again hosts this 14-part series on railroading.

  Program #702 Maine Narrow Gauge (26:46) Head to Maine for a memorable experience for the entire family with a visit to the "Two Footers;" head to Arizona and explore a remote river canyon; meet a man who has made a living from preserving railroading history, and discover that model railroading is alive and well in the center of Tokyo.

  Program #703 Japan's Meitetsu Railroad (26:46) Visit a steam operation and museum in Nagoya, the fourth largest city in Japan; experience the "up north" feeling as Tracks Ahead visits Michigan's Upper Peninsula, meet a group of modelers who have built an impressive layout beneath a shopping center, and visit Idaho to see the reincarnation of the "Railroad on Stilts."

  Program #704 Young Guns of Steam (27:16) Meet some of the people who are preserving the steam technology that helped shape the nation; visit a garden layout in Scottsdale which has a whimsical theme; meet a young railroad artist with a talent for realism, and visit the Windy City Chicago, for a little holiday magic.

  Program #705 Palo Verde & Western Railroad (27:06) Check the progress of an amazing garden railroad display in the sunny state of Arizona; visit an S gauge layout in the Bay Area that recreates some of the industry of New York state; explore the recreation of a major toy train display of the late 1950's, and visit a steam tourist line in Delaware.

  Program #706 Japan's Bullet Trains (26:46) Take a ride on the world's first high speed rail line, home to the famous Japanese bullet trains; visit an interpretive park in eastern Michigan that holds a steamy surprise; visit a man who has collected toy trains from the Louis Marx company, and see a re-creation of the 1949 Lionel showroom layout.

  Program #707 The Dakota Southern Railroad (26:46) Talk with a man whose hard work has resurrected a short line railroad in South Dakota; visit an astounding 15 inch gauge railroad on a game preserve in the Midwest; visit Kyoto, Japan, and look in on a steam museum and train ride; and head to the Smoky Mountains for a visit to a new public layout.

  Program #708 Railroads in Patagonia (27:06) Travel to Argentina for a rail adventure through the vast expanses of Patagonia; visit with a man who has taken his vocation and used it to literally take railroading to new heights; look in on the last car float operation in the country, and head just south of Tokyo to ride some unusual railcars.

  Program #709 Panama Canal Railway (26:56) Tracks Ahead visits the Panama Canal Railway that serves as a bridge between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; meet a man who was in the middle of each major crisis of the railroad industry; visit Zanesville, OH for a club layout; and head to the Garden State, where a tourist and freight railroad keeps history alive.

  Program #710 Los Angeles Rail Transit (26:46) See how a modern rail transit system thrives in Los Angeles; visit a garden railroad on a quiet street in San Mateo, California; relive the exciting moment when the transcontinental railroad was completed; and ride a spectacular dinner train in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains.

  Program #711 Railtown 1897 (26:46) Look in on the old Sierra Railroad shops in the gold country of Calif.; visit a high rail S gauge layout that is the culmination of a 30 year dream; drop in on the family farm in southwestern Wisconsin and explore history of a narrow gauge line in Iowa.

  Program #712 EnterTrainment Junction (26:46) Venture into America's heartland for an impressive public garden railroad display; ride several unique rail lines to explore the lush Japanese countryside; look in on a re-creation of a 1960's railroad in southern California and visit with the heir apparent to noted railroad artist, Howard Fogg.

  Program #713 Strasburg Railroading (26:46) Visit Strasburg, Pennsylvania, where trains are a major attraction; visit an operational layout that has recreated the Cajon Pass area; see what roller coasters and trains have in common and look in on one of the largest railroad museums in the country.

  Program #714 St Kitts Scenic Railway (26:46) Visit a Caribbean sugar cane line that has found a new, more glamorous life; ride a spectacular three stage rail line in the Minami Alps outside of Tokyo; visit one of the largest Z gauge layouts around and look in on a museum that operates one of the last great steam locomotives in the United States.
   

• Feds eye exclusive Washington-New York passenger line (Published: Tuesday, December 16, 2008) WASHINGTON - Federal transportation leaders announced Monday that the government is seeking contractors to build a $30-$40 billion high-speed rail line between Washington and New York to be used exclusively by passenger trains, according to a story in the Washington Times. The line is the first of a series of nationwide high-speed passenger rail lines that the government is considering funding.
   

The new rail line would carry passengers between Washington and New York in no more than two hours, compared with nearly three hours now on Amtrak's high-speed Acela trains. Trips on slower Amtrak trains can take as long as four hours. Amtrak shares its current Northeast Corridor rail line with freight and commuter trains, which can significantly increase the time it takes for passengers to arrive at their destinations.
 

Plans for the rail line are part of a request for proposals to the U.S. Transportation Department that seeks contractors to build the system. It was authorized under the Rail Improvement Safety Act Congress approved in October that also funds subsidies for Amtrak and other railroads for the next five years.The newspaper said the legislation would provide $13.06 billion to help bring the Northeast Corridor rail infrastructure to a state of good repair. It also provides $1.5 billion for the planning and development of high-speed rail corridors in other parts of the nation. The legislation requires operational reforms for Amtrak, such as measures to improve on-time performance and the appointment of a new board of directors.
 

Other rail lines planned would run the lengths of California and Florida; spread throughout the Midwest with a hub in Chicago; connect Portland, OR, w/Seattle; & run between major cities in TX. [from TRAINS Magazine News Wire via Ed Mayover]
 

• The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Monday said Americans continue to ride public transportation at record levels even though gas prices have declined. APTA said more than 2.8 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the third quarter of 2008 up 6.5% from the third quarter of 2007, and the largest quarterly increase in public transportation ridership in 25 years. APTA noted that, by contrast, vehicle miles of travel (VMT) on the nation's highways declined in the same period by 4.6%, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

  For rail modes, light rail (modern streetcars, trolleys, and heritage trolleys) had the highest percentage of ridership increase among all modes, up 8.5% during quarter compared with the comparable period last year. Light rail systems showed double-digit increases in the following areas: Baltimore (19.6%); Minneapolis (18.3%); Sacramento (16.5%); New Jersey (15.9%); Los Angeles (15.3%); Dallas (15.2%); Denver (15%); Buffalo (13.4%); and Memphis (13.3%).

  Regional rail ridership grew by 6.3%. Regional and commuter systems with double-digit ridership growth included: Albuquerque (35.8%); Pompano Beach, Fla. (32.9%); New Haven, Conn. (32.2%); Portland, Maine (29.6%); Oakland (26.1%); Stockton, Calif., (22.5%); Seattle (22.4%); Harrisburg/Philadelphia (21.7%); Dallas (18.8%); Los Angeles (17%); and San Carlos, Calif. (16.4%).

  Heavy rail (subways and elevated trains) ridership increased by 5.2%, led by Los Angeles (14.1%), San Juan (13.5%), Lindenwold, N.J. (13.3%), Miami (12.2%). and Atlanta (11.3%).

  APTA's ridership report is available at the association's website at www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership. [from Railway Age Rail Group News - December 8, 2008 via Ed Mayover]
   

• Norfolk Southern will open a new intermodal terminal in Titusville, Fla., Feb. 16, that will provide shippers of containers & trailers with improved access to central Florida. NS also has established a new, faster route for intermodal traffic between Chicago & Jacksonville and Miami, FL, improving service by a full day. The new terminal will enable NS to provide highly reliable, truck-competitive service between Titusville & Chicago, Atlanta & Los Angeles when combined with capacity and efficiency improvements along these routes. The terminal is strategically located near the Orlando and Tampa markets via the Bee-Line Expressway. NS serves the terminal via the Florida East Coast RR. The new Chicago-Florida train will improve service by a full day versus existing schedules. Chicago-Miami service will improve from 4th morning to 3rd morning availability, and Chicago-Jacksonville service will improve from 3rd morning to 2nd afternoon availability. The new train will depart Chicago from NS's 63rd St. terminal, replacing the Florida service at Landers terminal. This service begins Feb. 9, and traffic from Chicago to the new Titusville terminal will also ride this train. [NS News Release]
   
• The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a final rule that establishes interim design standards aimed at improving the crashworthiness of tank cars carrying poison inhalation hazard (PIH) materials. The rule mandates that tank cars carrying PIH materials, such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia, feature thicker inner shells and/or outer jackets to improve puncture resistance in case of a side impact. In addition, the car's ends must be protected with a full head shield. To prevent a haz-mat release in a rollover accident, the cars also must feature stronger valves, top fittings and nozzles used for loading and unloading. Under the new rule, the USDOT is imposing a maximum speed restriction of 50 mph on all loaded PIH tank cars. The department also is allowing for an increase in the gross weight of the cars to accommodate the enhanced safety measures. To be applied to all PIH tank cars built on or after March 16, 2009, the standards will improve haz-mat tank car designs while the USDOT completes longer-term testing and research, and validates advanced tank-car designs for a more stringent performance-based standard, the USDOT said. Tank-car owners must retire or replace PIH tank cars built before 1989 that feature non-normalized steel, which might not adequately resist fractures. [From Progressive Railroading Daily News - January 13, 2009 via Ed Mayover]
   
• On Dec. 31, 1965 the Blue Diamond made its last run between Wilmington and Delmar thus permanently ending regular passenger service on the Delmarva Peninsula south of Wilmington. The six-month experiment earned $5,500 versus $40,000 in expenses. [from the Lancaster Dispatcher]

COMPANY SERVICE CARS - OF THE - PW&B, PB&W, AND PRR
By 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.

Friday, February 27 - Sunday, March 1 Happy Birthday to the B&O! B&O Railroad MuseumCome celebrate both the B&O's 182nd birthday as well as the 125th birthday of the historic 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse! The B&O will be running programs on both the birth of the oldest railroad in America and the 1884 Roundhouse.

March 7 & 8 GATSME Open Housenoon - 4PM, Prospect and Madison Ave, Ft Washington, PA, 40' X 50' HO/HOn3 museum quality layout based on Pennsylvania during the steam-to-diesel transition of the early to mid 1950's. http://www.gatsme.org/index.html

Every Saturday, starting March 28th Tracks Ahead with Spencer Christian" on WHYY/Channel 12The series will begin on at noon and airs every Saturday at noon for the following 13 weeks.

April 24-26 Day Out with Thomas at B&O Railroad Museum

May 1-3 Day Out with Thomas at B&O Railroad Museum

May 29 - 31 Conrail Days at Railroad Museum of PA

June 5 - June 7 Pennsy Days at Railroad Museum of PAPennsy Days 2009 annual weekend will again be filled with interesting activities for the entire family, including exhibits of original work by railroad artists and authors, displays of memorabilia and collectibles, historical presentations, tours of locomotives and railroad cars, operating model railroads and other special events for Railroad Museum visitors. The event is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society, Philadelphia chapter.

June 13 - 21 Day Out with Thomas at Strasburg Rail Road

July 1 - 5 Reading Railroad Days at Railroad Museum of PAThe Museum will again host Reading Railroad Days this 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 typically 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. 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 right) and guided tours of the outdoor Restoration Yard will take place, conditions permitting.

September 12 - 20 Day Out with Thomas at Strasburg Rail Road

December 4 - 6 Day Out with Thomas at Strasburg Rail Road

CHAPTER EVENTS