THE TRANSFER TABLE
The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter
Internet Edition

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MEETING NOTES

Regretfully, President Phil Snyder had to open the meeting by passing along some extremely sad news. Pete Cramer's brother Sam "Bud" Cramer, a former member of our Chapter, passed away in early May and Doug Weaver, long-time member and Chapter Photographer, passed away on May 14 after many weeks of discomfort following neck surgery. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 17. Doug was one of our most active members, often chaired the election committee, and helped out whenever needed. He was always cheerful and brightened any gathering. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathies go to Pete, Gloria, and their families.

Secretary Walt Robbins read the minutes and they were approved as amended. Treasurer Ralph Stevens' report was approved as read. Phil Snyder reminded everyone that the Chapter Picnic will be at the W&W this year on August 16. Following refreshments we voted on the prints and slides submitted for this year's photo contest. We hope to publish the winners here & on the Chapter Website.

A LOOK BACK by Historian Ron Cleaves

June 1974: The June meeting was held aboard the Penn Central local M.U. train operating from Media to West Chester. About 12 members enjoyed an eventful evening aboard the train. In local railnews, a round-trip regular coach ticket aboard Amtrak from Wilmington to Baltimore was $9.00. GG-1 #4800 'Old Rivets' painted in shiny black Penn-Central paint with white 'worms' logo could occasionally be seen pulling freight trains on the corridor. Also that month, in nearby Concordville, PA, just off Route 322, derelict tourist/excursion line (last operated summer 1970) could still be seen. The two steam locomotives there were #37, a 2-8-2T saddle tank unit and #3, an 0-6-0T. Also remaining and visible from Rt. 322 was the Concordville station. The Wawa & Concordville which operated over a portion of former PRR Octararo branch between those villages and this portion of track, about 5 miles, was severely damaged by a flash flood in September 1971.

ANNUAL PHOTO RESULTS

Here are the results of the Wilmington Chapter's 1997 Photo Contest

The Wilmington and Western and the World by Tom Gears

I have compiled some fun facts and interesting thoughts about the Wilmington and Western Railroad. I've found that if you carefully qualify your facts, you can make some pretty impressive claims and when you think about the big picture many things don't add up the way they seem.

For instance, did you know that the W&W has been operating scheduled passenger trains longer than any other railroad currently operating in Delaware? Greenbank is the 3rd busiest train station in Delaware. The W&W has operated under the same name longer than any current railroad operating in Delaware. If you were to add up all the miles we operate in one year you could cross the country.

Our trains are all 100% American designed and made. We have operated equipment used from Canada to the deep south and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We operate the oldest railroad equipment in Delaware. We operate the last original standard gauge 4-4-0 steam locomotive in regular passenger service in the United States. We run cabooses on a higher percentage of trains than any major railroad operating in the United States. Our passenger trains have been powered by steam locomotives of six different wheel arrangements.

While we are known as the Wlmington and Western Railroad and operate the tracks of the original Wilmington and Western Railroad we don't sell tickets to or from Wlmington we go more north than west. call us by a name more truly reflecting our route we could the Wilsmere and North West Railroad. There was a time when a railroad's name reflected where it went or at least where it ho to go. The Wilmington and Western never made it that far west but if things were differ' maybe they would have made the Ohio River or even the Mississippi River. There have been other railroads that have made it to where they intended The "Frisco" never made it to "Frisco" but they did get a little more than twenty miles of track laid.

Nowadays you can tell little about where a railroad goes by it's name. Just what does the name CSX say about where they go. Railtex operates trains all the United States and the

Wisconsin Central operates trains in Wisconsin, but also in Can; Great Britain, and New Zealand With all of the recent rail mergers this is likely to be the case in future. The chance we may see our #98 meet Union Pacific #844 at Wilsmere Junction gets better each day. [from "The Lantern", Spring 1997 Edition]

KNOWN NRHS CHAPTER WEB SITES

Compiled by Ed Thornton, Wilmington Chapter, with thanks to the Pacific Northwest Chapter web page. (with additions by Greg Ajamian). Also, special thanks to Russ Fox (www.foxcity.com) for his technical assistance!

Presidential Trains [from the March 1, 1997 – "Bull Sheet"]

Included here are instructions dated April 15, 1940, from the office of the vice president, operations and maintenance, of the B&O relating to special train moves by the President of the United States, furnished from the collection of Crew Heimer.

THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD COMPANY
Operating Department

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING OF TRAIN
AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

1 - Special train will be placed at his disposal (if he so desires) and the movement of such train over any portion of the road will be given absolute right over all other trains of any class or character.

2 - It will not be stopped, except for operating reasons, nor will it be run on side track when possible to avoid doing so. The best equipment will be selected for such train and given careful inspection before being used. Selected men will be placed in charge of the train and one of the operating officers will accompany the train over each division - preferably the Superintendent. Not more than one officer, in addition to the regular crew will ride on the locomotive, preferably the Road Foreman of Engines, and his special duty will be to keep a close lookout on the fireman’s side for facing point switches, signals, obstructions, etc.

3 - No effort will be made to establish new speed records, but on the contrary, first and above all, the element of safety will be considered and the train will be handled with that thought constantly in mind. Speed will be reduced around curves and train will be handled in such a manner as to result in the greatest comfort to the occupants of the train. The matter of time will be given the last consideration.

4 - In the event the President desires to use one of our regular trains, he will be furnished with a special car by this company, unless he is otherwise provided. If this company furnishes a car, it will all times be the best and most suitable one available, and will be carefully inspected and put in the best possible condition before being placed at his disposal.

5 - Whenever the President’s car is attached to one of our regular passenger trains, such regular train will resolve the same handling so long as the President's car is attached thereto, as indicated for the President’s special (excepting of course, the regular train will make the stops provided in the time card) the train so handling the President being given absolute right over all other trains of whatever class or character. It will not be held for connections, for loading mail or express matter or for any other purpose beyond say five minutes at junction points for a considerable number of passengers. Such train will be given the most careful inspection, capable men will be selected to man the train and engine, and an officer of the division will accompany the train at all times during the trip.

6 - Nothing should be left undone, which it done, would in any way contribute to the safety of the train or the comfort of the passengers.

7 - Engines to handle these trains will be selected and carefully inspected by Division Master Mechanics.

8 - Especially selected coal will be placed on the tenders of these engines.

9 - Engine and train crews are to be selected with special reference to their fitness.

10 - All cars are to be thoroughly cleaned and in first class shape in every respect. The District Master Car Builder on the Maryland District to personally supervise this work before cars are placed at Washington for occupancy.

11 - Members of train crews handling train will not pass through the car occupied by the President unless in extreme emergency.

12 - Division officers will be prepared, if called upon, to furnish soft coal, charcoal, water and ice at designated points.

13 - A thorough inspection of all main line tracks and bridges over which Special Train will operate, will be made by the Division Engineers, Supervisors, Master Carpenters, assisted by Bridge Inspectors and Track Foremen, giving careful attention to evidence of indicated rail fractures, and particularly the condition and security of frogs, switches and their fastenings, especially the lugs and other fastenings in the switch connection, measuring the openings in the frogs and switches to determine that they are according to standard, and such other observations in checking that would be included in a first class inspection for safety of track and appurtenances.

14 - This inspection should be so arranged as to be completed not later than eight (8) hours before movement of special train, whenever possible, and immediate arrangements made to take care of any conditions needing attention.

15 - Rails in tunnels and plank crossings will be carefully inspected not later than one (1) hour in advance of arrival of special train to insure their being in sate and proper condition.

16 - Watchmen will be stationed at tunnels and also at such bridges as the Superintendent deems necessary.

17 - Non-interlocked main track facing point switches will be spiked at least one hour ahead of special and spikes drawn as soon as possible after special passes.

18 - At cuts or fills where there is any possible danger of slide, watchmen will be furnished and night track-walkers will be provided where there is any apparent necessity therefor.

19 - All tunnel signals will be given careful inspection in order to avoid the necessity for train flagging through tunnel.

20 - Section Foremen will arrange to have than territory patrolled, and as far as practicable should make report to the Division Engineer or Train Dispatcher one (1) hour before the passage of the train. Employees assigned to patrol track will be provided with standard flagging equipment as per Paragraph 59, Maintenance of Way Book of Instructions, and also one good Dietz or Car Inspector's lantern.

21 - Signal Maintainers will be kept at all interlocking plants until after the passage of train, and section foremen will remain at headquarters until after passage of train.

22 - Trackmen will not be permitted to lay rail, raise or crib out track when special train is moving over any part of the division. During hot weather, where track has recently been raised or otherwise disturbed watchmen will be stationed to afford protection against buckled track.

23 - At important highway crossings, which are protected normally during a portion of the day, watchmen should be provided to afford protection until after the special passes, and at other important crossings where ordinarily no protection Is provided and in the opinion of the Superintendent itis advisable to do so, watchmen should be stationed until after the special passes.

24 - On single track, all freight trains will be in the clear one hour before the arrival of the special. On multiple tracks all freight trains on all tracks will be at a standstill one hour in advance of the arrival of the special, such train where possible to be held at an open telegraph office. No switching will be permitted on yard or running tracks, adjacent to the main track, for a period of 30 minutes prior to the passage of the train carrying the President of the United States. Crews in charge of such trains will make careful inspection of the cars In their trains to see that there are no dangerous conditions existing.

25 - When President's Train Is parked on line of road, passenger trains will be permitted to pass at a speed not exceeding thirty (30) miles per hour, using care to eliminate all noise possible and will not blow the whistle or ring the bell while passing this train. Freight trains will be permitted to pass at the discretion of the Superintendent at a speed not exceeding ten (10) miles per hour, except that no freight train will be permitted to pass on any track adjacent to the one on which the President's Special Train is parked. Also the whistle will not be blown nor the bell rung while passing this train.

26 - All passenger trains will be at a stand-still when train carrying the President of the United States passes. Superintendents will provide Engineers and Conductors on opposing passenger trains with detailed schedule of the movements of special so that they may know just when their trains are to be brought to a stop.

27 - The calling of freight trains will be arranged so that there will be a minimum number of freight trains on the road at the time this train passes.

28 - Baggage and express trucks at all stations will be placed a safe distance from the main track and properly secured.

29 - Should the special train be running close ahead of a regular train, Agents at stations where the regular train stops will be notified so that they may afford proper protection to passengers.

30 - Relief train, manned and with engine attached, ready for immediate use headed in the direction the President’s train is moving, will be stationed at points designated by Superintendent at least one (1 ) hour in advance of the arrival of the Special Train on the particular division or sub-division.

31 - Protect engine will be provided at the discretion of the Superintendent, to be located at the designated points one (1) hour in advance of the arrival of Special Train on the particular division or subdivision.

32 - Telegraph lineman with portable telegraph set and portable telephone set, provided with blue print showing location of telephone and telegraph wires, will accompany the train and when possible and equipment is available, portable and telephone communication will be established between engine and train. Car Foreman or competent Car Inspector should accompany the train, equipped with tools and supplies to take care of any mechanical defects which might arise.

33 - The following officers and employees will accompany the special train:

Superintendent

Road Foreman of Engines

Car Foreman or Car inspector, with screw jack, bucket of packing, bearings, emergency knuckle, steam, air and whistle hose, etc.

Telegraph Lineman, with portable telephone set and portable telegraph set and blueprint showing location of telephone and telegraph wires.

No person will be permitted to ride on the engine except the Fireman, Engineer and Road Foreman of Engines.

34 - Detailed schedule of the movement of special will be prepared and a copy of the same placed in the hands of each member of the crew operating the train.

35 - No information concerning the details of the movement of the President of the United States is to be communicated to any outsiders and in the case of inquiries from representatives of the press or any other source, they should be advised to direct their inquiries through the proper press channels of the Executive Department.

36 - If for any reason it should become necessary to detour train every precaution must be taken to prevent unnecessary delays. In case of an occurrence which would leave any doubt as to the necessity for arranging a detour, such arrangements should be made immediately and subsequently cancelled, if the necessity does not materialize.

37 - At all interlocking plants where conflicting movements do not prevent the route will be lined up one hour in advance of special. In case plant is operated by foreign road, Superintendent will take up with line operating to insure that this plant is lined up in advance of special.

38 - When train carrying the President is being operated as a section of a regular train, in addition to protection afforded by the established block the train dispatcher will see that trains are not operated closer than ten (10) minutes apart.

39 - Superintendents upon advance notice of contemplated movement of the President of the United States will hold staffs meeting with all subordinate officers, reviewing those general instructions with them in detail and supplementing them by such special instructions as may be necessary. At such meeting the Superintendent will designate the points at which each member of his staff will be located, outlining to them in detail the features to which they will be expected to give their particular attention.

40 - The operation of the special train will be conduced as quietly as possible to avoid unnecessary noise and annoyance to passengers.

Office of Vice President,
Operation and Maintenance,
Baltimore, Maryland.
April 15, 1940.

News From National:

Highlights from NRHS Spring 1997 Board of Directors Meeting

The Society Board of Directors met on Sunday April 6,1997 at the Imperial Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon. 58 voting officers and directors were present with a total attendance of 74. Here are the meeting highlights.

Chanter Directory to be Reinstituted - Based on feedback from the Directors, the National will again be producing the Annual Chapter Directory.

Official Web Page On Line - Secretary Hodges reported for NRHS Web Page Director Mike Bettiol that official NRHS Pages were on line. The internet address for the site is http:www.rrhistorical.com/nrhs

New Chapter Approved - a charter application from the White River Junction Chapter of White River Junction, VT was approved with 42 charter members.

1999 Directors Meeting Sites Chosen - The Directors chose Chicago, IL (Chicago Chapter) for Spring 1999 (April 23 or 30) and Scranton, PA (Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter) for Fall 1999 (Nov.11-14).

- New Assistant Secretary Ellen Pinsky will now be in charge of the logistics for future NRHS Directors Meetings.

- Upcoming Directors Meeting are - Fall 1997, Dearbom, Ml, Nov. 7-9 / Spring 1988, Roanoke, VA, Mar. 27-29 / Fall 1988, Kansas City, MO, Nov.6-8.

New Secretary Appointment Confirmed - The Directors confirmed President Molloy's appointment of Bruce Hodges as National Secretary. Retiring secretary Dave Ackerman was applauded for all his years of service to the National.

Endorsement Criteria Approved - Criteria for endorsement of projects was approved. A copy of the criteria wilt be included in the full meeting minutes.

President's Report - President Molloy stated the officers are very busy on several fronts on behalf of the Society. We have tumed the comer on some of our past problems such as membership records Communications among officers has greatly improved with the institution of monthly conference calls.

Other Officer Reports -

- General Counsel John Florlla will chair the Bylaws Committee. Suggested Bylaws changes should be sent to Mr. Molloy and Mr. Forilla.

- Senior Vice President Larry Eastwood will chair the National Headquarters Search Committee. The committee will first look at extending the current office lease for 1-2 years, then perform a thorough review of the current and future office needs.

- Vice President Robert Pinsky reported the new dues processing system at the National Offices is functioning well.

- Comptroller Bob Heavenrich reported 1997 dues are still coming in strong and contributions are significantly above budget.

- Editor Frank Tatnall informed the Directors that by combining Bulletins 5 & 6 and other economies last year a savings in excess of $30,000 was realized.

- Audit Committee Chair Mike Trzeciak informed the Directors that an audit was conducted at the National Offices on March 14-16,1997 and no major problems were uncovered.

- Nominating Committee member Jo Ann Rife reported all officers were running for reelection this November. Other members interested in running for an office should contact the committee before the Salt Lake City Meeting.

Convention News – Convention Committee Chair Judy Calvert reported this year’s convention in Salt Lake City, UT is selling out fast with several trips already sold out.

- Plans are developing nicely for the 1998 Convention to be held in Syracuse, NY July 8-12.

- Central Coast Chapter will announce tentative plans for the 1999 Convention in Sacramento, CA, at this year's convention. - A site for the year 2000 Convention is being sought.

Other Activities -

- Marty Swan of Northstar Chapter has been named Director of Emblem Sales and is looking to revitalize the service by expanding the merchandise line and producing a catalog. Suggestions are welcome.

- Office Manager Lynn Burshtin's new e-mail address is nrhs@compuserve.com

- The Board authorized the selection of a new registered agent in the State of Maryland to maintain the National's incorporation.

NOTICES

More extensive details will be available in the full meeting minutes to be mailed on or about May 23,1997. Questions can be directed to the National Secretary: Bruce Hodges, 18 Park Avenue, Oneonta, NY 13820.

The Summer Board of Directors Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 1997 Convention in Sad Lake City, UT on June 27, 1997. Deadline for reports to go in the Notice of Meeting package is Wednesday, May 14,1997.

NEWS BITS

While monitoring the scanner during the Transportation Day festivities, theengineer on a northbound Amtrak train noted over the radio, "Hey, there's a steam locomotive at the Wilmington station!", and evidently it was a Conrail engineer that replied, "That's Conrail's new high speed loco!" [submitted by Phil Snyder]

An agreement was reached so that 192 of William Rau's original photographs will be owned by the Altoona Area Public Library along with 271 museum-quality copies. This includes all of Rau's photos that were once on permanent loan to that library. Control of the photos has been in dispute with American Premium Underwriters for about a decade. Rau worked for the Pennsy and the Lehigh Valley in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The negatives are 18x22 inches [so imagine lugging THAT camera around!] The originals will be displayed only twice per year, about 30 at a time for 7-8 weeks to protect the egg white coatings. The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art will direct the displays and created an area with special lighting and environment control in the Brett Central Court Building. [from Altoona Mirror via Potomac Chapter's Potomac Rail News]

re: Casey Jones

re: Casey Jones [From Hawk Mountain Chapter's The Hostler May 1997] Carl Englund, Conrail Trainmaster in Rochester, NY, brings us up to date on Casey Jones. He managed to salvage the official Illinois Central Railroad file on one J. L. Jones. The file gives more detail to what is generally known about the collision at Vaughn, Mississippi. For instance, there were four trains in town, crowding the yards and passing tracks. As is known, Casey's train ran into the rear of a freight train that had not completely pulled off the main. The flagman for that freight had gone back up the track behind his train 3000 feet and placed a torpedo on the rail. He then continued another 800 feet where he signaled Casey's train to stop. The various train crews in Vaughn all stated that they heard the torpedo explode when Casey came down with plenty of time to stop. Here is a summary of his own work record from the file:
"Suspended-
10 days, 2/14/1891, collision Water Valley Yard
5 days, 1/17/1893, running switch at Carbondale
5 days, running through switch at Villa Ridge
10 days, 12/6/1893, striking flat car in siding
15 days, 1/4/1896, rear end collision at Toone
30 days, 1/16/1896, carelessness in handling of orders at Jackson, Tenn.
30 days, 9/3/1896, sectional collision at Hickory
10 days, 9/22/1897, not recognizing flagman who was protecting a work train
30 days, 5/22/1899, for leaving switch open at crossover resulting in a collision

In the approximately nine years prior to his fatal collision, he had been suspended nine times for a total of 145 days! It's amazing that he was allowed to operate at all after the first half-dozen incidents. Based on the testimony of all of the employees present at the scene, as well as the prior work record, one could reasonably conclude that Casey Jones was solely responsible for the wreck that claimed his own life.

The Transfer Table

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

Permission to reprint articles and news items appearing herein is granted to NRHS Chapters and other newsletters provided appropriate credit is given.

Contributions are always welcome and should be sent to the editor at P.O. Box 1136, Hockessin, DE 19707-5136.

Deadline for entries is the 25th of the month.

Chapter Officers
President - Phil Snyder
Vice President & Historian - Ron Cleaves
Treasurer - Ralph Stevens, Jr.
Secretary - Walt Robbins
National Director - Ed Thornton
Editor - Greg Ajamian
Public Relations - Ken Berg
Event Photographer - Doug Weaver

Back To Wilmington Chapter Web Site

This material may be reprinted without permission as long as it appears as shown above and is not changed in any way. Credit must be given to the Wilmington Chapter NRHS and it's Internet Web Site at: http://foxcity.com/nrhs/wilm/wilm.htm.
Mail: Wilmington Chapter - NRHS, P.O. Box 1261, Wilmington, DE 19899-1261, USA
E-mail: edthorn@bellatlantic.net
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Copyright © 1997, 1998 Wilmington Chapter NRHS/Fox Information Services, Inc.