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THE TRANSFER TABLE
The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter
Internet Edition

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SEPTEMBER 2011 MEETING NOTES

President Mike Burkhart called the Sept. 15 meeting of the Wilmington Chapter to order just after 7 p.m. There were no minutes to approve from the August meeting, as the secretary was not present. The treasurer's report from David Warner was approved as read.

Tom Posatko volunteered to head the election committee, which will report to the membership during the October meeting. The annual election of officers will occur during the November meeting.

The annual holiday diner is set for Sunday, Dec. 4 at Maximillian's in Upper Chichester. As is tradition, Steve Barry will give the presentation. Cost is $20, and the sign-up sheet will be available at meetings in October and November. You can also sign up by e-mailing Mike Burkhart at m.t.Burkhart@rcn.com or by calling (610) 833-2338.

There was much business to discuss regarding the upcoming Directors Conference, which the Wilmington Chapter is hosting from Oct. 28-30. Volunteers are still needed for important duties. Much of the October meeting will be devoted to conference preparation.

Registrations are strong, and final details are nearing completion. Because of weather and other factors, the planned trip on Cape May Seashore Lines on Oct. 29 may be moved to a steam-powered trip on the Wilmington & Western, reported National Director Steve Barry. A trip on the West Chester Railroad is set for Friday, Oct. 28. Details will be available soon for Chapter members who wish to ride the trips or attend the banquet. (In short, Chapter members will pay the base price for the trips, but will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the railroads. They will not pay the registration fee, however. Cost for the banquet is $47.)

Following the business meeting, the dozen members in attendance were treated to a step-back to 1977-78 by David Warner. We started around Mechanicville, N.Y.; saw streetcars in Boston and trains at South Station. Dave was lucky enough to take several cab rides - including in an FL9 - along the Hudson River. We saw the Croton-Harmon shops and new Amtrak Turbo trains at Albany.

Further south were classic PPC cars on the Newark City Subway, CNJ-painted passenger diesels at Newark and early Conrail (including Baldwins, Reading-painted power and electrics) in the Harrisburg area.

Next up was Delaware & Hudson in Binghamton, Saratoga Springs and Fort Edward. One of Dave's haunts was Mechanicsville, where the D&H interchanged with the Boston and Maine. Dave was lucky enough to catch the D&H Sharks, as well as the famed Alco PA units. Trips were also documented to Toronto and Montreal. It was another great show!

Respectfully submitted, Mike Burkhart.

! ! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ! !

October has arrived, and that means the Fall 2011 NRHS Board of Directors' Conference is just a few weeks away. We need your help with some of the behind-the-scenes preparations that are needed, as well as many up-front activities.

At our monthly membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20, we will prepare the welcome packages to be given to conference attendees. Included in the packages are tickets, the neck wallet with name tag, some complimentary pens (that only write nice words) and several brochures and other things that will help our visitors enjoy their time in Wilmington. The more folks who attend the meeting to help out, the easier this task will be for us.

We still have openings for volunteers during the conference. The following time slots are still open:

• Saturday, 7-11 am: Registration table assistance (and aid with getting people on bus for rail trip.)
• Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm: Registration table assistance, and standby assistance with Saturday Working Session
• Sunday, 8 am - 1 pm: Standby to help as needed with BOD meeting

To provide assistance during the National Director's meeting that we be hosting October 27-30, 2011 Please contact Dave Warner to sign up to help out at: 302-762-2389 or david.warner@comcast.net

Fall 2011 NRHS Conference & Board Meeting:

Thursday, Oct. 27: Arrive early and explore Wilmington, or watch the bustle of Amtrak and SEPTA trains.

Friday, Oct. 28: Motor coaches will depart shortly after noon for the West Chester Railroad where a special mixed train will provide a round trip and photo opportunities amid the fall foliage. Regional Vice President_s mtg. at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29: Breakfast (on your own) - motor coaches depart for Wilmington & Western RR then Auburn Heights, and Furness RR District Tour. Saturday afternoon directors' working session. The traditional Saturday evening banquet buffet-style. Keynote speaker Mario Bergeron, Amtrak's Chief Mechanical Officer.

Sunday, Oct. 30: Board of Directors_ meeting from 8:30 a.m. -1 p.m.

Hotel is the DoubleTree Hotel Downtown Wilmington, 700 N. King Street -seven blocks from the train station.

NEWS BITS

• U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a $5 million grant to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) to complete preliminary engineering and environmental reviews for the Northern Lights high-speed rail project between Minneapolis and Duluth. The 155-mile project will have station stops in Coon Rapids, Isanti, Cambridge, Hinckley, Boylston and Duluth, MN, through Superior, WI, and travel at speeds up to 110 mph. As part of this grant, the Minnesota Department of Transportation must complete an environmental review for the corridor. The U.S. Department of Transportation had already provided grants of $2.2 million and $500,000 for the initial phases of that environmental review. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will contribute $3 million to the preliminary engineering/project environmental review phase of the project. [DOT Press Release via Ed Mayover]
   

• Despite record-breaking Amtrak ridership and strong support for intercity passenger rail by 15 states, the House Republican transportation budget plan will effectively eliminate all state-supported Amtrak service across the country for the fiscal year beginning October 1. The FY 2012 Transportation-HUD House Appropriations Subcommittee budget proposal offered by the Majority prohibits the use of federal funds provided to Amtrak to fund any operating costs of state-supported trains. If enacted by the full Congress, it will eliminate nearly 150 weekday state-supported trains and negatively impact the more than nine million passengers who ride those trains each year and the communities they live in. Under legislation passed by Congress in 2008, Amtrak is working cooperatively with its state partners to develop a common methodology to shift more of the operating and capital costs of state-supported trains to the states. The 15 states which provide state-supported Amtrak service are: California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. [AMTRAK Release via Ed Mayover]
   
• The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has won a $32.5 million grant to expand and upgrade South Station in Boston. The U.S. Department of Transportation grant will pay for environmental reviews and preliminary engineering on the upgrade. Plans for the upgrade call for a new location for trains to lay over, improvements to existing track layout, and improved platforms. An adjacent U.S. Postal Service building will be demolished to make room for the upgrades. The redesign also calls for improvements to the streetscape, connections to transit, and the reopening of Dorchester Avenue for public use. [TRAINS News Wire via Ed Mayover]
   
• Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that eight cities and states will share $19.4 million to replace, relocate and improve segments of railroad track in order to enhance safety, livability, and economic development. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) received 51 applications from across the country for the Rail Line Relocation and Improvement (RLR) grants, seeking more than $202 million. FRA's RLR Grant Program assists projects that improve community livability and promote economic development by addressing the effects of rail traffic on safety, roadway and pedestrian traffic, overall quality of life and local area commerce. Funding for these grants is made available through annual appropriations and requires a 10 percent contribution from the project sponsor. Rail line relocation dollars will fund the following projects:
  • Port of San Francisco, California - Quint Street Yard Track and Signal Improvements - $2,970,000 to improve an approximately one mile-long spur connecting a Caltrain mainline track to the San Francisco Rail Yard. The mainline is under consideration for use as part of the California high-speed rail project, and the current condition of the spur track limits the frequency, weight and length of trains that can use the track, causing delays. The improvements will allow freight trains to operate at higher speeds and clear the mainline more quickly, significantly reducing delays to Caltrain commuter trains and future high-speed rail trains.
  • Sprague, Connecticut - Providence & Worcester Railroad Willimantic Branch - $5,302,900 to upgrade track on the Providence and Worcester Railroad Company's Willimantic Branch, allowing freight operations to increase speed from 10 mph to 40 mph. Located in a rural section of east central Connecticut, the Willimantic Branch serves local shippers, and improvements will provide for more efficient movement of freight shipments originating from or destined to customers across the nation or overseas.
  • Maryland Department of Transportation- Canton Area Rail Improvement Project, $1,742,240 for the expansion of a Canton Railroad Company yard facility. The short line railroad serves industrial customers in and around the Port of Baltimore. Current switching operations often cause major motor vehicle traffic delays, requiring traffic to be rerouted around the yard. The improvements will permit more efficient switching operations, and create additional car storage, which will help reduce traffic congestion.
  • Tavares, Florida - Florida Central Railroad Upgrade and Rehabilitation, $2,200,000 to upgrade a segment of track on the Florida Central Railroad in Lake and Orange counties, allowing increases in speed from 10 mph to 40 mph. Coupled with additional track and bridge repairs, freight service can be restored to areas currently not served by rail. The improvements may also benefit potential future SunRail commuter service and an excursion train service between Orlando and the City of Mt. Dora.
  • Minnesota Department of Transportation - K-Line Rail Improvement Project, $1,469,556 to improve and extend a municipally-owned rail spur. The line connects to an industrial park in the City of Wadena, where last year, tornados caused severe damage to local homes and businesses. Extending the track will enable a local shipper, whose current location forces it to route traffic close to a high school, to relocate its operations to the industrial park.
  • Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department - Arkansas Midland Railroad/Warren Branch, $2,721,435 to rehabilitate and improve 40 miles of track along the Warren Branch of the Arkansas Midland Railroad, a short line railroad located in the Arkansas Delta. The planned improvements will remedy poor track conditions caused by inadequate drainage and heavy freight loads, which have contributed to washouts, broken rails, derailments and slow orders that reduce train speeds.
  • Springfield, Missouri - West Wye Connection Track, $1,898,444 to relocate an existing "Wye" track (a triangular junction utilized for rail switching and turning) that runs through the center of Springfield to the western side of the city. The project will enable the permanent removal of 23 highway-rail grade crossings, increasing roadway safety in the area while improving railroad operational performance.
  • Alaska Railroad - Milepost 142 Curve Alignment, $1,141,840 to reduce the curvature of the Alaska Railroad mainline adjacent to the Native Village of Eklutna. The realignment and improvements will increase track speeds, reduce noise and improve operating safety and efficiency. A new access road will also allow vehicles to access trains for inspection and car repair, and provide Eklutna, Inc. tribal members access to their property.

  In September, as part of the Rail Line Relocation Grant Program, FRA will issue a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for more than $11.5 million (made available through annual appropriations), with applications due 30 days later. [USDOT News Release via Ed Mayover]
   

• U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $22 million for the Maryland Department of Transportation to complete preliminary engineering and environmental work for replacement and expansion of the Susquehanna River Bridge on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC) that stretches from Boston, MA to Washington, DC. The 105 year-old Susquehanna River Bridge is a major rail chokepoint for passengers traveling along the NEC and requires significant and constant maintenance. Replacement and expansion of the bridge is a key component to the region's long term plans to drastically expand capacity, and improve reliability and on-time performance for high-speed and regional trains.. The NEC is Amtrak's most heavily traveled route, servicing both the high-speed Acela and Northeast Regional services, and carried more than 10 million passengers in 2010 with an expected increase of approximately six percent in 2011. Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the NEC received $449.94 million to upgrade electrical systems and tracks between Trenton, NJ and New York City, with an initial increase in top operating speeds up to 160 mph and future maximum speeds of 186 mph. Another $294.78 million for New York's Harold interlocking, will alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new routes that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation. Thirty-two states across the U.S. and the District of Columbia are currently laying the foundation for high-speed rail corridors to link Americans with faster and more energy-efficient travel options. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and annual appropriations have provided $10.1 billion to put America on track towards providing new and expanded rail access to communities and improving the reliability, speed, and frequency of existing service. [USDOT News Release via Ed Mayover]
   
• Amtrak celebrated the 100th anniversary of Baltimore Penn Station with a ceremony and a public display of rare photo imagery, artifacts and other items commemorating the station's deep and rich history. On September 14, 1911, Baltimore Penn Station opened its doors for business. The Beaux Arts style building designed by Kenneth MacKenzie Murchison played a key role in emphasizing Baltimore's importance as a dominant rail hub. On April 1, 1976 as part of the reorganization of the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak took over ownership of Penn Station. Since then, Amtrak has worked to maintain the station's historic charm. In the early 1980s, under the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, many of the station's historic details were refurbished including one of the station's most magnificent features - the stained glass ceiling in the main entrance area. The ceiling had been painted black during World War II because of the threat of bombing. During the 1990s, the current plaza and below ground parking garage were constructed in front of the station. Most recently, with funds granted to the Maryland Transit Administration under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, three major projects were undertaken at the station. Work was done to install a new fire protection system, improve the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, as well as refurbish the century old windows throughout the building. Today, Penn Station continues to serve as a major transportation hub and a catalyst for economic growth and revitalization in Baltimore. Plans are underway to increase that station's role as an economic hub given its close proximity to Baltimore's business district and scenic Inner Harbor area. Amtrak is currently working to select a developer who will develop a surface parking lot adjacent to the station into a transportation-oriented development that would include residential, office, retail, parking and outdoor space. Approximately 2 million passengers pass through Baltimore Penn Station annually, which makes it the eighth busiest station in Amtrak's system. This station is also served by MARC commuter trains as well as Amtrak's high-speed Acela Express trains and other regional and long-distance intercity services. Together, these two agencies operate nearly 150 trains daily at Penn Station. [AMTRAK Press Release via Ed Mayover]
   
• U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $82.7 million to improve high-speed and intercity passenger rail in Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut and Vermont. The dollars will provide needed upgrades to the Northeast Corridor, Connecticut's New Haven - Springfield line, Maine's Downeaster route and the Vermonter service. A highlight of the rail dollars includes:
  • Rhode Island Department of Transportation. $26.2 million for the design and construction of an electrified third track parallel to the Northeast Corridor's main line, and a new platform for the station in Kingston, RI. The third track will permit faster trains to overtake slower trains, reducing congestion and improving on-time performance on the Northeast Corridor for Amtrak and commuter trains. Throughout the Northeast Corridor from Washington, D.C to Boston, $1.75 billion is being invested to improve service.
  • Rhode Island Department of Transportation. $3 million for preliminary engineering and environmental reviews for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant platforms at the Providence station on the Northeast Corridor. The project also includes improved parking and pedestrian access, station repairs, potential reconfiguration of transit circulation and drop-off facilities, and future tunnel improvements.
  • Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA). $20.8 million to alleviate congestion and reduce delays on segments of Amtrak's Downeaster service. The project will provide critically needed double track, as well as signal and highway-rail grade crossing improvements between Wilmington and Ballardville, MA. Aging rail will be replaced with new, continuously-welded rail between Lawrence and Bradford, MA. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates commuter trains on this line, and on-time performance for the Downeaster has deteriorated due to bottlenecks within this area. Currently, the Downeaster operates from Boston to Portland, ME, and is expanding to Brunswick, ME thanks to previous, federal grants totaling $38 million.
  • Connecticut Department of Transportation. $30 million for 6 miles of new double-tracks from Hartford to Windsor, CT, which will connect with an existing siding to create a 9-mile double-tracks segment on Amtrak's New Haven-Springfield line. In addition, a new 8,500-foot siding will be added through the Hartford Yard to better clear freight trains off Amtrak's main line. Together, this added capacity will substantially relieve existing congestion in the Hartford area and will support future increases in rail service. The project also includes repairs and maintenance to bridges, signal improvements, and grade crossing improvements. Connecticut previously received $40 million for double track work between New Haven and Hartford to reduce delays and improve travel time.
  • Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). $2.7 million for a 16-mile extension of improved signal and train control technology to enhance the safety and operation of the Amtrak Vermonter service. Additionally, upgrades to the dispatch communication system will be made to enhance its reliability. VTrans previously received $50 million for improvements to the 190 miles of track between St. Albans and Vernon, VT servicing the Vermonter. The collective improvements will result in increased speeds, reduced travel time, and greater reliability.
  • North Carolina - $4 million for environmental and design work for the construction of a new connection between Raleigh and Richmond, that could reduce travel time to just two hours between the two cities, a reduction of one hour and 30 minutes from the current schedule. The North Carolina Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, will contribute $3.9 million toward this project.
  • Virginia - $44.3 million for environmental analysis and preliminary engineering to prepare for the construction of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor between Washington and Richmond. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will contribute $11.1 million toward this project.
     
• U.S. Transportation $13.3 million grant for the Delaware Department of Transportation to add a third track immediately south of the Wilmington, DE station. The additional track will eliminate a chokepoint on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC), improving on-time performance, with increased schedule flexibility on Amtrak's high-speed Acela and Northeast Regional services, as well as local commuter rail service. The project includes construction of 1.5 miles of a third track near Wilmington Station, two additional crossovers, and a bridge replacement that will help reduce congestion and deliver increased on-time performance. In addition to Amtrak's intercity operations between Washington, DC and Boston, MA, commuter trains operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will also benefit from this additional track capacity, through improved reliability. Freight operations will be enhanced as a result of the greater dispatching flexibility within the NEC. The Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration will contribute a combined $38.4 million to this project. The NEC is Amtrak's most heavily traveled route, servicing both the high-speed Acela and Northeast Regional services, which carried more than 10 million passengers in 2010 with an expected increase of approximately six percent in 2011.
  • Last month, the NEC received $449.94 million to upgrade electrical systems and tracks between Trenton, NJ and New York City, with an initial increase in top operating speeds up to 160 mph and future maximum speeds of 186 mph. Another $294.78 million for New York's Harold interlocking, will alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new tracks that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation. In addition, $29 million was recently announced for NEC improvements in Rhode Island.
  • $149.3 million for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to upgrade high-speed and intercity passenger rail service on the Empire Corridor. The improvements will increase capacity and reliability, while reducing delays and travel time on several Amtrak routes, including the Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf, Adirondack, and Ethan Allen Express. A first grant, for $91.2 million, will allow NYSDOT to add a 17-mile second mainline track between the Albany-Rensselaer and Schenectady stations. The existing single track causes significant delays, requiring trains to wait up to 26 minutes for the rail line to clear when another train is traveling in the opposing direction. Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2012. A second grant, for $58.1 million, will fund track and platform improvements at the Albany-Rensselaer and Schenectady stations, as well as the relocation of signal wires on the Hudson Line, which have been prone to outages. These improvements will result in greater reliability and on-time performance, more flexibility in train schedules and reduced congestion between freight and passenger trains. The Schenectady Station improvements are part of a downtown revitalization program. Improvements to both stations are expected to begin in late summer 2012.Thirty-two states across the U.S. and the District of Columbia are currently laying the foundation for high-speed rail corridors to link Americans with faster and more energy-efficient travel options. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and annual appropriations have provided $10.1 billion to put America on track towards providing new and expanded rail access to communities and improving the reliability, speed, and frequency of existing service. [multiple USDOT Releases via Ed Mayover]
     
• MTA Long Island Rail Road announced that Amtrak is beginning work the weekend of October 1-2 on a multi-year program for the full replacement of track in all four of its East River tunnels. MTA has urged Amtrak, which owns Penn Station, to perform this work to improve the reliability of train service linking Manhattan and Long Island points, as well as Northeast Corridor service between New York and Boston. In May, an Amtrak train derailed in one of the East River tunnels due to a broken rail. The track damage resulted in a major disruption of LIRR service for almost a week as Amtrak crews worked around the clock to make repairs. Following this incident, inspections revealed significant water drainage issues inside the tunnels, LIRR said.

  Over the course of the project work, which is expected to be completed by mid-year 2015, the total track structure in each tunnel will be replaced. New ties, continuous-welded running rail, stone ballast (rock), insulated joints, and impedance bonds will be installed for the length of each tunnel. Equally important, the drainage system throughout the tunnels will be re-established with newly re-designed drainage improvements. The work is being performed on weekends, since fewer trains operate through the tunnels than on weekdays with the demands of the peak periods. [Railway Age Rail Group News via Ed Mayover]
   

• The Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car rolls out of the company's Juniata Shops for a multistate public tour, newly equipped with enhanced displays showcasing the railroad transportation network. The Exhibit Car is a restored 1926 Pullman passenger car that was converted to a mobile museum in 1971. In its 40 years of service as a display car, it has traveled to hundreds of cities across Norfolk Southern's railway system and has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people.The car took a break from its tour schedule this summer for installation of high-definition monitors, digital players, a new audio system, and other upgrades to enhance the experience for guests. New backlit panels illustrate the variety of freight commodities Norfolk Southern transports across its 22-state network, opening up worlds of possibilities for the railroad's communities and customers. A diorama brings added realism to a continuously running model train showing the types of rail cars in the Norfolk Southern fleet for serving the diverse needs of the American economy. Everyone's favorite display - the locomotive simulator - remains in the car, complete with throttle, brake, and horn putting guests in control of a virtual freight train. Upgrades to the car were completed at Norfolk Southern's Juniata Shops at Altoona, Pa., one of the largest railroad mechanical complexes in the world. The Exhibit Car will tour from now through November on the following schedule:
  • Oct. 8-9: Appomattox, Va., Historic Appomattox RR Festival
  • Nov.18-20 Thomas Tank Engine at Strasburg RR [NS Release]
   

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.

Until October 31, 2011 Philadelphia & Reading Railroad & the Civil War
Reading Railroad Heritage Museum, 500 S. Third St. in Hamburg, PA. New temporary exhibit Any Saturday (10-4PM) and Sunday (Noon-4PM) for the regular admission charge of $5 adults and $4 Seniors

Until December 31, 2011 Railroad Communications & Signaling @ RR Museum of PA. From solitary signals to centralized traffic control centers, learn about the history of railroad technical operations and try to run a simulated railroad. Photographs, artifacts and video from the Museum's collections will round out the story of rail communication.

Until May 30, 2015 Civil War 150th Anniversary: The War Came By Train@ B&O RR Museum in Baltimore. Monday - Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.), Sunday (11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Between April 19, 1861 (The Baltimore Riot of 1861) and April 21, 1865 (Lincoln's funeral train leaving Baltimore for Illinois), the B&O stood witness and participant in the greatest conflict the U.S. has ever faced and changed the course of American history. The War Came By Train serves as the B&O Railroad Museum's primary attraction for the five year commemoration of the War's sesquicentennial. The National Landmark Roundhouse will exhibit the largest assemblage of Civil War railroad equipment in the world featuring locomotives and rail cars that served during the war, significant military and personal artifacts that will change annually to portray each year of the war (some artifacts never before on public display), and a narrated train ride to the original site of Camp Carroll, the largest Union encampment in Baltimore.

October 13-15, 2011 Train Collectors Association, Fall York Train Meet, York, Pa. Thursday-Saturday, Info: http://www.tcamembers.org/newsandevents/york.htm

Monday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday Oct. 18 - Western Maryland Scenic Freight Photo Specials Outstanding video and photographic opportunities for the serious railfan-photographer are presented along the sixteen miles of track from Cumberland to Frostburg, Maryland. The fall foliage should be at its peak. The star performer will be the beautiful 1916, Baldwin-built, 2-8-0 dressed in a Western Maryland paint scheme complete with a fireball emblem. This ex Lake Superior and Ishpeming locomotive looks very much at home on the old Western Maryland right-of-way. The freight train will consist of ten, vintage freight cars and a caboose. Passengers ride in an air conditioned coach and diner. A Western Maryland GP-30 diesel is used to drop the passenger cars for the 25, or more, photo runbys. Because most of the line is uphill, westbound, the engine and train will back down from Frostburg to Cumberland to enable up-hill runbys to be made in the afternoon sun which will front-light the engine. Complimentary warm muffins, tea, hot chocolate and coffee are served in the dining car. Ride in 734's locomotive cab for a $30.00 donation to the railroad crew tip fund. Both trips depart the WMSR Cumberland station at 7:45 AM; return is at 5:15 PM. The cost of the Monday trip (approx. 55 patrons) is $139.00. The Tuesday trip (about 35 patrons) is $189.00. Optional hot lunches are available for $11.00. For a trip flier or additional information, please contact Carl Franz at: cmfrr@aol.com or call: 240-720-8686 or cell: 301-943-0608. Mail: Carl Franz, 16620 Shea Lane, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

October 27-30, 2011 Wilmington Chapter will host the NRHS's Fall National Director's Meeting

October 29-30, 2011 Great Scale Model Train Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD. State Fairgrounds Sat. 9-4, Sun. 10-4, Admission $9, under 15 free, family $18, tickets good for both days.

Saturday & Sunday, October 29-30, 2011 Delaware Train and Toy Show, Nur Shrine Temple, Rt. 13/ 198 So. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, DE.

Saturday, November 5, 2011 Taking The Swing Train '40s Dance @ RR Museum of PA7 PM to 10 PM

November 6, 2011 Train Meet - Ramada Inn Essington, PA 8:00 AM until 1 PM at Ramada Inn on Rt 291 (I-95 Exit 9) Essington, PA

Saturday & Sunday, November 5 & 6, 2011 Trains & Troops @ RR Museum of PA. Greet guys and gals in uniform, experience many splendid railroad and military archival displays, enjoy the patriotic spirit. Ride the troop trains on the Strasburg Rail Road with living history reenactors on both days of the Railroad Museum's Trains & Troops program. Troop train tickets are sold separately by the Strasburg Rail Road on line at www.strasburgrailroad.com.

Saturday & Sunday, November 12 & 13, 2011 First Frost Train Meet9-4 & 9-3, Allentown Fairgrounds Agricultural Hall, 1120 S. Jefferson St., www.allentowntrainmeet.com

Saturday, December 3 & 10, 2011 Home For The Holidays @ RR Museum of PA. Take a nostalgic glimpse at holiday rail travel. Meet costumed engineers, conductors, ticket agents and passengers representing the past century and enjoy seasonal music, festive decorations, more, among our world-class collection of trains.

Sunday, December 4, 2011 Wilmington Chapter's Annual Holiday Dinner, 5 PM at Maximillians's Restaurant and Tavern in Upper Chichester, Pa. Cost is $20 per person and as is tradition Steve Barry will present a year in review. Sign-up for the banquet at Chapter meetings through November. You can also sign up by contacting Chapter President Mike Burkhart at m.t.burkhart@rcn.com or at (610) 833-2338

Saturday, January 21, 2012 Great Lehigh Valley Train Meet 10-4, Merchants Square Ma; 1901 S. 12th St, Allentown, PA - new one day all scales

February 4, 2012 Super Saturday Streetcar Special XIX -- This trip will hopefully include the very first and very last Kowasaki cars. Details still being worked out. Tickets will be $?? More info soon. Visit http://www.daylightimages.com/streetcar to order tickets or to get more information. Paying by mail? Make checks payable to "Wilmington Chapter NRHS" and send to: Wilmington Chapter NRHS c/o Steve Barry 117 High Street Newton, NJ 07860

CHAPTER EVENTS

Thursday Oct. 20, 2011 7 PM Chapter Meeting (short) program by Dan Frederick

October 27-30, 2011 Wilmington Chapter will host NRHS's Fall National Director's Meeting

• Thursday Oct. 27, 2011 3-10 PM Director's Meeting Registration
• Friday Oct. 28, 2011 PM Chapter Trip on WCRR as part of Director's Meeting
• Saturday Oct. 29, 2011 AM Chapter Trip on CMSL as part of Director's Meeting

Thursday Nov. 17, 2011 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Frank Ferguson

Sunday Dec. 4, 2011 5 PM Holiday Dinner in lieu of normal monthly meeting

Thursday Jan. 19, 2012 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Dave Watterson

Thursday Feb. 16, 2012 7 PM Chapter Meeting program by Frank Ferguson

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: