|
Clubhouse phone: 908-604-2770 Email: njlivesteamers @ gmail . com (type it without the spaces) © 1997-2007 by New Jersey Live Steamers, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. NOTE: SEE OTHER NJLS WEBPAGES FOR SOME OF THE PHOTOS MENTIONED IN The Whistle Blast ARTICLES! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vol. 45-6 Holiday Issue in MS Word format... End of Year 1.5" Notes By John Stibravy 1. Well golly! There were tons of locomotives and people out for the big Blow Down Run, including Adam with a surprise visit. The Inner Loop was very crowded with activity while the Outer Loop was light. Some 15 locos made a fine end to the outdoor season and everyone seemed to have fun. The Nov. Work Day AM was mostly a rain out with the hurricane off the coast, but we moved in the scale towns for the winter. Hello 2008! 2. We are going to have a lull over the holidays while we await the budget. We’ll replace some wood ties, do alignment, move gravel, and fix a bad spot on the Inner East. A very big thanks to everyone who worked on the RR in 2007: built the jigs, panels, salvaged, shoveled, planned, researched, inspected, repaired, did curve work, connector line, yards etc. More than 40 people were involved in the 2007 efforts, and I believe that we will need this level of effort up to the 50 Year Meet due to increasing and serious rot in the old wooden ties. 3. Social Notes: Our live steam friends in 7 ½" near Atlantic City extend an invite to attend their annual 12 Jan 08 live steam club dinner, site TBA, so check their web site at jerseyshorelivesteam.com. We took a 7 ¼" car down there last month and put it on their 600 ft of track, and you guys were right, it would not stay on through the switches, so that operation is a 7 ½ only railroad, but may be a nice place to visit when they get their 10,000 feet done. Also coming is the NJLS New Year’s Eve and Day Run, and party 31 Dec. Run Safe! 4. Work is underway on the east transfer table ramp and yard lead. Out on the horizon is the replacement in 2008 (Aug again?) of the East Outer straight (20 panels) and probable use of plastic ties there to stop the rot. That area has an increasing rate of rot problem. George Parsons and many members are right: now is the time to bite bullets and go plastic over there. If you look at the east mains, you will see that all of the ties are rotting. With one new straight jig for the increased width of the plastic tie we can replace a lot of panels in plastic. The screw holes for the plates will have to be predrilled in the plastic, but that’s pretty fast. We’re looking at replacing the Inner East straight or Outer Walkers Curve in 2009 (plastic?). For years, we’ll still need wood ties and jigs for repairs, and to keep the cost down we plan on wood in the car barn yards/sidings with the recycled flat plates and rails. So the old jigs will be used. As soon as we see the budget, we’ll order the plastic from PA, with cutting maybe at the March Work Day. It’s all plastic, no wood or Trexx. George has done a lot of work finding a supplier and researching other clubs’ conversions. Look at the Blow Down: there were very few trains manned by young members. So let’s try plastic. It’s more work to build panels, but lots of effort saved later. 5. The bullet we are going to bite is this: The cost of the plastic ties, while mitigated by needing about 8 fewer per panel, is roughly 2 times the cost of a wood tie. Prices float, but plastic costs more. This doesn’t count needing wood ties for the car barn yards, repairs, and the long siding to the right of the car barn. The fact is that in spite of several years of replacing 200+ ties/ year as repairs, many major areas are rotting out. We are going to attack this problem two ways: A. The budget request for 1.5" is going up from last year, because it’s not just plastic ties, it’s tie plates and screws again. Someday, after all these repairs, I personally hope our budget will drop. B. I’m asking the members who can to send Gary Madlinger, our Treasurer, an additional $100 to be used for ties only and he will put those donations into a separate accounting column we can draw on. We can mitigate the impact on dues if donations will offset some of the cost. Your donation will ONLY go towards wood or plastic ties. The car barn area, in addition to the east mains, is getting in disgraceful shape. So, I hope to limit any increase in the formal budget, but through you, really get a full pallet of 2x4 lumber too for the car barn yards and repairs on the East Inner straight.. 6. I regret we have a lot to do by the 50 Year Celebration, but I am always amazed how talented and dedicated members are at preserving the history of steam and railroading in an operational setting. Best wishes for an enjoyable holiday season. See you in 2008!
Charles Minot and the RR revolution he began Material submitted by Hank Seesselberg Charles Minot must not have been very happy. He had a reputation for being quick-tempered and rude, and as general superintendent of the N.Y. & Erie Railroad, he was not used to waiting for anything. Yet, here he was - on a west bound train sitting in Turner (now Harriman), New York, passing time while waiting for an east bound train coming from Goshen, NY, fourteen miles away. It probably did not improve Charles’ mood that the reason for the delay was proper railroad procedures. It was 1851 and the N.Y. & Erie followed the same procedures as all major railroads when it came to train movements. The time interval system gave the ruling train up to one hour of leeway against an opposing train of the same class. This meant that an express train opposed to a ruling express, had to wait for an hour at a station or siding for the opposing ruling express train before it could move. If the ruling express did not appear in one hour, the freight engineer could move his train slowly forward behind a flagman until the ruling train or its flagman were sighted. This was an expensive practice, but until a railroad committed to the even more expensive step of building a double-tracked line, the time interval system was the best way available to prevent more serious delays and accidents. Or, at least that was the case until this fall day in 1851 when Charles Minot was stuck waiting in Turner Station. Charles had been working on an idea that seemed right for the circumstance. After seeing the success of Samuel Morse’s telegraph line from Washington DC to Baltimore, and discussing the technology with its builder, Ezra Cornell, Charles had gone on to convince the officers of the N.Y. & Erie that a telegraph line along the railroad’s right-of-way would be a good tool for conducting general railroad business. With its completion in 1850, Charles appointed two junior superintendents to manage the line, and before long the three were speculating on the efficiencies to be gained by moving trains via telegraph order. But as Charles sat waiting for his train to leave Turner, that was all it was – speculation – until Charles decided that perhaps this misfortune was really an opportunity. Using the lines so recently installed, he telegraphed Goshen to see if the ruling express train had left. When he received "no" as a reply, he wrote out an order to be sent to Goshen via telegraph: "To Agent and Operator at Goshen: Hold the train for further orders, signed, Charles Minot, Superintendent." Then he wrote an order to be passed to the engineer of his train: "Run to Goshen regardless of opposing train." Isaac Lewis, the engineer, was now on the spot. The superintendent of his railroad had ordered him to violate one of the cardinal rules of railroading, but everything he knew told him that to do so was to risk people’s lives, to say nothing of his own. He refused Charles Minot’s written order. When Charles showed up to verbally order Isaac to get the train moving, the engineer refused him again. Charles saw only one choice. As an experienced engineer himself, he relieved Isaac Lewis of his duties and took control of the train. As he pulled out of Turner for what turned out to be a safe and uneventful fourteen mile trip to Goshen, no one knows if he realized he was also taking a trip into railroad history as the man responsible for the first train orders using the telegraph ever recorded in the United States. Shortly after this event, the Erie adopted the telegraph for their train orders, and soon all railroads in the United States followed. The improvement in railroad efficiency and safety was dramatic, and in subsequent years fellow pioneers such as Thomas Edison and Andrew Carnegie would acknowledge Charles by donating funds to erect a monument to him and his accomplishment. In 1912 a dedication ceremony was held at the former site of Turner Station. 13 feet tall on a 14 x 12.5 feet base with a bronze tablet, the monument can still be seen on the south side of the eastbound roadbed in Harriman, NY. But Charles Minot’s story does not end there, for not included at the memorial today is the 6 x 3’3" bronze tablet depicting Charles Minot and his famous order in both written and Morse Code form. It first disappeared from the site around 1980, and only after local officials pressed for an explanation did Conrail admit that they had moved it to one of their stations in New Jersey to protect it from vandalism. It was returned to the Harriman site, but in the early 1990s it disappeared again. It is still missing, and no one is sure if it was stolen or once again removed to another site. As the town of Harriman makes plans to restore Charles Minot’s monument, it is hoped that someone will come forward with information about this historic tablet. It seems fitting that it should once again be included on the monument so that, in words spoken at the 1912 dedication, "one of the most important events in railroad telegraphic history may be worthily remembered by future generations." –GMM Source: John Casale, "Key and Telegraph: A Monument to Charles Minot," The AWA Journal, October 2006
A view into the past By Keith Muldowney 50 years ago, on November 12, 1957, the last scheduled Pennsylvania RR steam train left Pemberton, NJ Station for Camden. I had the opportunity to visit Pemberton and Mount Holly on the Saturday just after this anniversary to look around. There is a small Railroad Museum at Pemberton with a collection of equipment, and the station is nicely restored and holds exhibits. Alas, the old right of way is now a trail. Further west down the line in Mount Holly I was pleased to find not only the old Victorian station still standing, but it is the end of track for combined NS/CSX operations. Also there was a unique yard crane still in place. A walk to the end of the platform brought me to a filled in trestle and past the site of the water tower. The Station is now a restaurant. Clockwise from top right find photos of the Pemberton Station, the Mt. Holly Station, a photo looking East towards Pemberton at the current "end of track". At the center of this photo would have stood the water tower. Across the street in the "yard" stood a unique crane once used to load and unload railroad cars.
Thanks ... to all the Regulars, Associates, and friends who once again pitched in to make sure the Fall Meet was a success. Trains of all sizes were running over the weekend and the Saturday Night Dinner saw its largest crowd in many years with 68 diners. It all makes you look forward to doing it again next June, doesn’t it?
NJLS Remembers 1977 Ponds, steamboats and holiday cheer on the agenda Between now and our 50th Anniversary, TWB is looking at the history of the NJLS from the Club documents of the time. Unless otherwise noted, these events were reported in The Whistle Blast. This is the ninth installment. –GMM "Marty (Knox) mentioned that he is interested in building locomotive boilers. If you need to have a boiler built, why not give Marty a call." February 1977 "As most of you know, nominations for officers and directors are opened at the March meeting. Every regular member has an obligation to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Some might say that they live too far away. This is understandable. However, there are quite a few members that don't live that far, and have never served on the Board . . " March 1977 "I would like to see us again put out donation boxes during the meets and on weekends when there are a number of locomotives running. . . The present dues structure cannot handle all the expenditures, and those small donations that we used to get from the boxes all add up." March 1977 "Thirty good men and one member of the Ladies Auxiliary (Thelma Bortz) showed up (for March Workday) to spruce up the place and do some work on existing projects." March 1977 "It is good to see some new members nominated that have not served before. Maybe we can get in some new Directors who will make good future officers for the NJLS. It is always refreshing to get some new ideas in the running of the club. This enables us to continue to be progressive and keep from becoming 'an old man's club' which has happened in some organizations." April 1977 Artie Jones led a crew on the project of enlarging the duck pond now that Artie has stocked the pond with gold fish. Looks like there might be room in that pond for a few steamboats. How about that, Admiral. . ?" June - July 1977 "Art (Jones) worked for two weeks before the meet to complete a scale station for the 1 1/2" track. . . The station has been named 'Lake Russell' and is between the two 1 1/2" lines by the frog pond. I guess we should also now call the frog pond 'Lake Russell' so that we can keep our locations straight." August - September 1977 "Thanks to the tremendous effort on the part of Ed Hospodor, Joel Beecher, Stan Robinson, Bill Morewood, Frank Vintschger, and many others whose names escape me, the 3/4' elevated track was completed in time for the FALL MEET." August - September 1977 "The NJLS is what it is today because people like those I mentioned before took the time to work at something until it was done so that we may all benefit from it, and take pride in it." Mike Plihcik, President - August - September 1977 ". . . the signal system was back in operation for the Fall Meet. The signal system had suffered extensive damage from lightning. We really didn't think that it would be repaired in time. . ." August - September 1977 ". . . we are sorry to learn of the break-up of the O Gauge Model Railroad Club in Westfield. Their building has been sold and they must move. . . This club was also kind enough to lend us their facilities for business meetings back in the 'old days' before we had our clubhouse." August - September 1977 "We almost did not have our 16th Christmas Dinner this year, but thanks largely to Bob Moser, we are going to give it one more try." October-November 1977 "I have always enjoyed my association with the W-B and it has resulted in a number of friendships all over the country. I also feel that the W-B is a vital part of the NJLS and, besides being an informative tool, it helps to mold the club together." Ron Muldowney (on leaving the role of WB Editor) October - November 1977 "Our 16th Christmas Dinner has come and gone. This year we had one of the best meals we have ever had. The Watchung View Inn was excellent but the turnout was disappointing. We had only 55 or so present and again it was the Associate Members who helped to boost the total." December 1977 "If you would like to participate in the Snow Run Day, let me know, so that I can get in touch with you when there is snow. You will notice on our meet schedule that we are again going to have a 'Special Run Day.' To add a little variety, I am also designating this day as 'Steamboat Day' so that Lake Russell, on which Art Jones has worked so diligently, may also see some action." - Mike Plihcik, December 1977
Worthwhile Reminder: In the last issue of TWB, President Tom Piccirillo made a request that bears repeating and may look good on your New Year’s resolution list: "I cannot stress enough that it is important for regular members to attend business meetings. The decisions that are made at these meetings affect all of us. All of you have valuable experience that can assist us in making these decisions. If you do not attend meetings, the members who do attend cannot benefit from your experience. So, won't you all please make an effort to attend the monthly business meetings? I certainly recognize that we all have other events which interfere with a meeting here and there (I, myself, cannot attend the November meeting), but I notice it's pretty much the same 30 guys and gals that attend most meetings. I'd really like to get that number up to at least 60. So, what do you say? Please attend the meetings. We miss you!" - Tom Piccirillo Press Time: The Waushakum Live Steamers (www.steamingpriest.com/wls>) have updated their web site and are featuring photos of their August Meet. At the top of page one is a photo of NJLS live steamers Gary, Cathy, and Adam Madlinger passing through the station. Waushakum is a great layout with great people and always worth the trip. It is also another place where those traveling live steamers from New Jersey seem to show up. End of an Era: Since 1972, countless live steamers have come to rely on Robert Dustin for the accurate decals required to add the finishing touch to their locomotive and rail car creations. A look around the NJLS will show ample examples of the prototypical and custom work Dustin has provided. However, as reported in the November-December issue of Live Steam, Robert Dustin is giving up the decal part of his business due to reduced orders and the increased cost of filling the subsequent smaller runs. He will, however, continue to supply plates and number boards, and a new catalog of plates is available. To contact Robert Dustin, write to P.O. Box 77, Thompson, CT 06277 or e-mail rdustin@charter.net. Ship Shape: The Queen Elizabeth 2 ship will be sold to the government of Dubai through government-owned companies for $100 million with delivery in November 2008 to become a floating hotel at The Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island and resort location. The ship, launched in Sept 1967, is the longest serving ship in the Cunard Line’s history with 25 world cruises and 800 Atlantic crossings. Well, at least she won’t be scrapped. (www.cunard.com) –John Stibravy Thank you: As another year passes into the books, I would like to thank all those people who continue to contribute to The Whistle Blast and make the job of editor so easy – sort of. I hope it goes without saying, but just in case …. TWB is your publication, so I appreciate all the submissions that are made that are of interest to a few or many. That’s what keeps it fun and interesting. Have a great Holiday – see you New Year’s Eve! - GMM
A Santa Story ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through my pike, Not a steamer was stirring, not even a Mike. My yard tracks invitingly empty and bare, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The steamers were nestled all snug in their sheds, While visions of proto-smoke danced in their heads. While I, in my blue-and-white engineer’s cap, Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap, When down in the train room, there ‘rose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the basement I flew like an ace, Tripped over the cat and fell flat on my face. I stifled a curse meant for Chessie (the cat), And muttered to no one, "I meant to do that," When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a narrow gauge sleigh and eight powered reindeer. With an engineer driving, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than Northerns, onward they came, And he blew a steam whistle and called them by name: "On Athearn, Max Gray, Kato and Walthers! MTH, Sunset, Kadee, and others! To the top of the mountains of Hydrocal plaster, Now dash away, dash away, dash away faster!" As dry leaves that behind a new Genesis fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So in through the window the coursers they flew With the sleigh full of trains, and St. Nicholas too. And then, on my roundhouse, I saw on the roof The prints in the dust of each narrow gauge hoof. As I drew a deep breath, and was turning around, From beneath the benchwork, St. Nick came with a bound. He was dressed like an engineer from his head to his foot, And his clothes had that fine smell of ashes and soot; A bundle of trains he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes – just like marker lights! Dimples, how merry! His cheeks like a warbonnet, nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And his beard was so white, it would please Phoebe Snow. He puffed on a pipe as he refilled its bowl, And the smoke, it smelled just like bituminous coal. He had a broad face and a belly (I found) That shook like a tank car with wheels out-of-round. He was chubby and plump, and I wanted to shout, "Yes! The man’s got a route the UP can’t buy out!" A wink of his eye as he passed near the door Soon gave me to know I’d have freight cars galore. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. He filled all my yard tracks; then turned with a jerk, And, leaving an airbrush he’d found on eBay, Giving a nod, he returned to his sleigh. He pumped up the brakes, blew two blasts on his whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! KEEP ‘EM ROLLING! GOOD NIGHT!" Author Unknown Submitted by George Parsons
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Whistle Blast: Volume 45,
Number 5 - Oct./Nov.
2007
in MS Word format...
Club Bulletin Board Tom's Corner, President's Message: I cannot stress enough that it is important for regular members to attend business meetings. The decisions that are made at these meetings affect all of us. All of you have valuable experience that can assist us in making these decisions. If you do not attend meetings, the members who do attend cannot benefit from your experience. So, won't you all please make an effort to attend the monthly business meetings? I certainly recognize that we all have other events which interfere with a meeting here and there (I, myself, cannot attend the November meeting), but I notice it's pretty much the same 30 guys and gals that attend most meetings. I'd really like to get that number up to at least 60. So, what do you say? Please attend the meetings. We miss you! - Tom Piccirillo Attention Shop Users: Recent events in the Machine Shop have brought the issue of HOUSEKEEPING to the forefront. If you use a Machine, CLEAN IT. Don’t just sweep the floor around it. This goes double for users who cut or sand wood on the machines. It is true that some of the machines are dual purpose, (wood & metal) but in a shop where the predominant work deals with metal, SAWDUST is a HAZARD!! Wood and sparks do not mix well. PLEASE, if you must work with wood, vacuum it out when you are done. While I am on my soapbox, it has come to my attention that non-Regular Members have been seen using the shop equipment. The use of the Shop equipment is a PRIVILEGE reserved for Regular Members only! Interlopers will be addressed on an individual basis. Also, be advised that the weekend after the Fall Meet, the shop will be PURGED of junk and items that have been left there. - Barry Vaning, Machine Shop Chairperson
Treasurer’s note to club chairpersons: The NJLS Constitution requires that the 2008 Budget be approved by the membership, so it is time for the Committee Chairpersons to start thinking about the projects and expenses they expect to incur in 2008. To help, the Treasurer will soon be providing you with a worksheet of your committee’s current status in terms of 2007 expenses and the moneys set aside for future projects. Use it and your own ideas in formulating a workable budget for your group for 2008. - Gary Madlinger. VP/Treasurer.
Water Tower location: The functioning water tower that Ron Cicchini built and Bill Musgrave and Paul Kurtz have worked to refurbish had been sitting in the 1.5” yard for many years, but with the track expansion in that area there was talk of moving it to the front of the clubhouse at Libertyville Station. After much discussion and a “vote” via a sign-up sheet at the Club, it was clear that the majority of interested members liked the original location in the yard, so that is where the water tower will be re-installed after track work is done. If the site proves to be a problem for yard operations, no doubt further discussion will ensue.
Swap Table Update: At the Fall Meet we will be trying a new approach to the traditional Swap Table. First, instead of having the club involved in manning and managing the table throughout the meet, members will be asked to display their items on the Swap Table and include information on who the potential buyer should see about a purchase. Activities will be between the seller and buyer. Since the club will not be involved, any profits from the sale will go completely to the owner of the items. Second, the Swap Table will be moved outside of the Clubhouse to allow this popular space to be available for attendees as a place to relax and congregate.
Thank You, Gordon: A special thank you is in order to Gordon Guenther, who generously volunteered to feed the work crew (10 pizzas did the trick) on Saturday, August 4th. Thanks also to the membership for providing water and soda to keep the crew well hydrated throughout the day. It was truly a team effort, and the result was a record-breaking success.
Reminder: Run Don’t Walk - Second Sunday of the Month - Show off your stuff at the NJLS Run Day.
Upcoming Whistle Blast Schedule: Issue: No. Issue Date of Publication Copy/Ads/Photos Due: Delivery the week of: Vol. 45 -6 Holiday December-January November 18, 2007 Nov. 25, 2007 Vol. 46 -1 Winter February-March January 20, 2008 Jan. 28, 2008
Letter to the editor Memories and the NJLS
Hello New Jersey Live Steamers, Perhaps this letter to you will promote similar letters from some of the many members on your roster who no longer live near the great NJLS club. I have been an associate member for many years. I joined after a very good friend, Don Smith, suggested I consider joining. I did, and he and I have attended many very informative and enjoyable sessions at the NJLS Club and operating facility in a very pleasant area of New Jersey. I lived in NJ from 1940 until 2000. Don and I and three other good model RR friends started a model RR club in Morris Plains, NJ in the DL&W RR Freight Station that the town had purchased along a sizeable strip of land. That club is still very active with some twenty members. I became very interested in the NJLS club and decided to see what I could do to be as active a member as my age and physical condition allowed. At one of the weekend meets a 4 ¼ gauge two-axle small diesel switcher was for sale. I bought it. That fall at the TCA Eastern Big Meet at York, PA, I was browsing the many tables and spotted under a bunch of boxes what appeared to be 1 1/2” scale car. The man dug it out for me and it was a metal framed long flat car with two metal trucks and a lever operated brake system that pushed automotive brake pads down against the track rail. So now I had a train! The couplers worked fine so one Saturday morning I went to the club early to try out my train. All went well until I apparently came to a slight upgrade. The engine spun its wheels and I did not move. So, I took the train home for modifications. There did not seem to be much room to add weight, but I went to a junk yard in Dover. I explained what I wanted to do and the man suggested a supply of sheet lead that he had on hand. The sheets were of various sizes but all were about ¼” thick. So, I bought all he had. It was easy to work with. I cut pieces that could be attached to the inside of the removable cab that covered the entire loco’s frame. That added about 30 pounds to the 5 pound metal cab. The next test was a complete success. Various life instances happened and I never got a chance to run at the NJLS club again. I had lost my wife 15 years prior, so in 2000 I moved to Rising Sun, Maryland to be with my son who had retired from teaching. I sold all my model RR items and my layout, the 13th I had built. I figured my indoor model RR days were over. I looked for an outdoor club in this area and finally found one in nearby Delaware. But, that club has only 7 ½” gauge tracks and no plans to add smaller gauges. So, my train awaits an opportunity to change gauge. I believe I will always continue NJLS membership. I look forward to receiving The Whistle Blast. It sort of keeps me in touch with NJ. Don Smith and I communicate regularly. He is still a full fledged member with a 7 ¼” train. I believe it is a battery powered loco similar to mine. Oh yes. I got back one weekend to your club to pick up a G size train set that was advertised in the Whistle Blast a few years ago. It’s an old time Penn RR train – steam loco and three passenger cars and a couple of matching freight cars. It was at the same time I started to build my 14th indoor model RR with G, Standard, and O Gauge trains. There is also a 4’ x 4’ layout with loops of O, HO, N, and Z tracks. My wife, Ann, and I hosted over 100 people of all ages at our last open house, with our partially finished layout in the basement of our small but very cozy and easy to manage home on an acre plus in Rising Sun, MD. That is all. Best wishes to all,
Floyd LaBarre Jr.
1.5” Railroad Report
A year of great progress along the main line
By John Stibravy with Adam Madlinger
The year is drawing to an end; the nights are getting longer. It’s been a good year to savor as we approach Halloween and Thanksgiving. The Inner Loop Curve project is done months ahead of projection thanks to sore backs, blistered hands, and mechanized equipment. The Connector Line and new Yards are in. Next, we turn our attention to the welded ramp on the east end of the transfer table, and replacement of straight panels to the East in summer 08 Also coming is the reinstallation of the long siding west of the car barn made from salvaged rail. Adam at MIT for a Masters degree. Adam says farewell until Christmas while he spends a year away studying for his Masters degree. Good luck, Adam! Members’ Weekend 07 Notes: There really is something for everyone, sometime, during this fine annual 3-day event with the free Sat. dinner. The Courtyard Hotel 3 minutes away had a AAA $80 rate, pool, and a $13 weekend buffet breakfast, so it’s possible for the family to have vacation and trains on the same weekend. The Spike on Sunday was done under the imminent threat of being hit by lightening, but it got done. We see on the Web that the CALS track was hit by lightening. Under threatening conditions, it was very impressive at NJLS to see how fast everyone could move to put away equipment. Steam locos were sitting on the bays with blow downs wide open, engineers rushing around in the steam shoving trains into sheds, and lightening all around. On the ride home to the fort we saw lightening hit every 4 seconds on 287 down to the Parkway South at the Raritan. The August Work Days: HOT. 92+ degrees most days so one can imagine what it was like up on the Curve. Hot enough to sweat through one’s eyeballs. Sweat kept dripping into the drill motors. 1 Aug: Entire Curve removed, moved all the panels down next to the clubhouse, salvage work. 3 Aug: Panel salvage. Track work tent set up. 4 Aug: Salvage work: 3,808 total screws removed. All 28 panels salvaged across 3 days. Saved the ss screws, plates, and good ties for reuse. Installed and finished 140 ft. of the new Curve. Ditched for the remaining 140 ft. Moved all old ballast onto the new Yard sidings, raked and leveled so that the 2 sidings, while not tamped, look done. Ditched for another Yard panel. Mike Plihcik headed a serious emergency project to repair a switch on the west side. Huge turn out of workers, at least 35 present, along with 2 backhoes, two 1.5” ballast trains, a 1” tool train, and crews. People were too tired at the free lunch to even talk. They sat and sweated quietly.
Crew 1: Frog Emergency Project Crew 2: Salvage Project Crew 3: Ditching Project (mechanized) Crew 4: Panel Connecting Crew 5: New ballasting (mechanized) Crew 6: Tie Installation between new panels Crew 7: Yard Project, install used ballast, leveling, and ditching Crew 8: Logistics Support
Note: Above does not include the regular work day clean up completed on 4 Aug.
5 Aug:: All of the Curve panels were connected at 3:15 PM w/ 20 tons of ballast shoveled in later.
Historical Societies’ Picnic brings the crowds
The 2007 version of the NJ Historical Societies’ Picnic at the NJLS was a success. The weather cooperated fully, and as in the past, the Historical Societies took care of organizing the event and making sure all the attendees were well fed; the NJLS Members took care of displaying our finest locomotives, answering questions, and making sure those who wanted to ride had the chance to do so in a manner that was fun and safe for all. Once again we were complimented by the organizers for our friendliness, professionalism, and obvious efforts to maintain such a nice facility. Of special note were the engineers and conductors who kept the engines running all day and the crew in the yard that got them out on the main line. And, worthy of special mention and a great big thank you is Barbara Vaning for making sure the crews were well fed and watered. Sometimes in their enthusiasm these crews lose sight of the heat and their need to stay hydrated, and Barbara was there all day to watch after them. She also made sure the passengers in the station were having a good time and following the rules. Thank you, Barb, and all the members who came by to help! -GMM Societies’ Picnic Roster of Engines
NJLS Images: 1976
Construction slows as maintenance, rebuilding becomes the focus
Between now and our 50th Anniversary, TWB is looking at the history of the NJLS from the Club documents of the time. Unless otherwise noted, these events were reported in The Whistle Blast. This is the eighth installment. -GMM
"Thanks largely to the efforts of Larry Green, the NJLS now has a multi-colored cloth patch that can be sewn onto your jacket, shirt, or what have you. It is presently ONLY available to REGULAR MEMBERS and their immediate families." February - March 1976
"If you have junk at home, please don't bring it out to the Club until we decide what we are going to do with all the junk we have now. We will need real good junk for the Spring Swap Table, but if it doesn't sell, return it to your junk department at home." - April 1976
"All that we have built up over the past 15 years must now be maintained if it is to last us. . . We must always keep the foresight to remain progressive, flexible, and streamlined. Petty and imagined problems that are magnified many times over, will only hurt the NJLS in the long run." - April 1976
"Make an extra effort to bring out your locomotive to the (Spring) Meet, even if you do not plan to run it. . . We still need to break the record of approximately 71 locomotives that was set back in 1967. There are many locomotives around that have not seen daylight or fire in years!" - May 1976
"Some more full size railroad ties were acquired and the one retaining wall along the creek was rebuilt. That job was a very urgent one." - May 1976
"The long overdue upgrading of our electrical service is finally complete. . . Hopefully, everything is labeled clearly enough so that no one turns off the wrong things anymore." - June 1976
"No sooner had we put out a call for sources of coal and along comes associate member Bob Hayes and approximately six tons of coal for the taking. . . we were able to get ten drums in time for the meet. Ten drums is about two tons of coal." -September 1976
"One project that has been completed this past month is the bridge over the River Wye (at today’s Herb’s Grove) thanks to some hard labor and material donations from Larry Green, Ed Kruckeberg, Bob Bayuk, Bob Holder and several others." - September 1976
"On Sunday, July 3, 1977, we have scheduled a Special Run Day for NJLS members. The special part is that we will be making up trains and running to a schedule. The planning is still being done, but if you are interested in participating, be sure to attend the January meeting." December 1976
"Today (November 6) was the day that the elevated track was officially closed down for renovation. The rail was dismantled from the ties and laid aside for future use. The ties were removed from the stringers and will be used for kindling. . . Looks like the elevated track will be out of service until late Spring or early Summer '77 --soooo - all you engineers who like to run on the elevated better get out on workday and help." - December 1976
Locomotives at the 1976 Spring Meet 3/4"…….……….. 16 1"……..…….….… 17 1 1/2……….…… 27 3"…………….… 1 Total….….……… 61 Stationary Engines……12
Club News & Notes
This summer really was a great time to be around the NJLS. It started with the regularly scheduled events like the Steam Up and the Spring Meet, but what really made it special was what came after that. The completion of the Lake Russell crossover started the ball rolling, and Member’s Weekend at the end of July kept things exciting. Saturday of the Weekend included the first known Operating Session where we ran trains in both directions on the 1.5” track. This was followed by our annual bar-b-que where some laughs over the day’s session added just the right seasoning on the meal. Sunday of Members’ Weekend was special, for it allowed all those who worked on the crossover and the new yard track behind the car barn to celebrate with our first “Golden Spike Ceremony” of the new millennium. People showed up in a festive mood and, as the photos attest, many dressed in the appropriate fashions for the ceremony. Many got a chance to drive the spike, and all shared in the photos, the bubbly (low and hi-test) and the camaraderie of the day. Thanks to John Stibravy for promoting the Golden Spike and coordinating everything we needed for the ceremony. It was great to see so many smiling faces on the track. A week later the crowds were back for a different purpose – to replace the inner loop at Walker’s Curve – 30 ten-foot track panels – in one weekend. The enthusiasm was there as well, and the register of people who came out to help on pages 2 of this issue show how willing members are to pitch in to help the club. By Sunday afternoon the track was in place and all that was left was the leveling and tamping of the ballast. That began the following week when Ken Miller took it upon himself to level the track so we could run non-passenger trains across it at the Historical Societies’ Picnic. Everyone who tried it said it was a great improvement over the old track, and with some finishing touches at upcoming workdays we will be ready for full service use soon. The run of fun continued when the members of the Antique Car Association showed up on August 20th to tour the grounds and check out our stuff. The weather was terrible, but the rain did not deter the car owners and some intrepid NJLS Members from being at the Club to share our passions. The car owners received rides and instruction on live steam, and our members received the same from the car owners. It was a pleasant experience for all, and incidentally resulted in a generous donation from the car association. Next up was Labor Day, and the weather was certainly not a problem. Members and their families gathered as usual to enjoy the traditional end of summer with a train ride, some good food, and friendship. Fortunately for the NJLS, the season really does not end at Labor Day, but continues through the first week in October at our Fall Meet. So, plan to be there. It’s a great way to extend the season! Road Trip? MTA MetroNorth will be holding their annual Open House at the Harmon Shops on the Hudson River on Saturday, October 20. Tours of this expansive maintenance and repair facility, including an opportunity to board the Fall Foliage Special, will be offered. If you are interested and would like to travel along with other NJLS Members, contact Gary Madlinger or Chris Harding. We can meet at the club and go together from there. For more information check out the MTA website at http://www.mta.info/mnr. A New York Milestone: Member Joe Kavanagh continues to forge ahead in building his 1” home railroad in upstate New York. As of August 23, 2007, here is a taste of the incredible effort he has expended, with the help of his wife, Daisy, and a few friends, since he began 3 years ago. · 5288 feet of track assembled · 3748 feet of track has been laid · 830 feet of roadbed prepared for the next extension. · 390 feet of track laid for the extension. · 340 feet of track rough ballasted for the extension. And they call this retirement?
Resident Historian:
This past summer long-time member Keith Muldowney was once again called upon to
share his vast knowledge of New Jersey railroading with the public as part of a
series of lectures for the Readington Museums. Keith’s lecture centered on
Hunterdon County railroad stations, and included a look at the work he and his
employer, Pickell Architects, put into restoring the 1865 Central New Jersey
Railroad Station in Flemington into a branch office of the Unity Bank.
As
always, it is nice to see an NJLS member doing his or her part to keep New
Jersey railroading history alive, and it’s hard to find someone as committed to
that effort as Keith. Press Time: The Summer 2007 Edition of The Home Railway Journal arrived and it was nice to see Editor Matt Mason sticking to his vision of creating a magazine for live steamers who enjoy locomotives first. It was also nice to see page 6, the “News” section of the magazine. Here John Lucasavage’s super looking Conrail Burro Train was featured as a quality addition to any live steamers railroad. What was doubly interesting though, was the fact that the article also showed two photos of the crane taken at, you guessed it, the NJLS. The photos were from the front of the club house, and in one of them Bob Ballantyne and Bill Michels can be seen walking in the background. Now that’s authentic! -GMM
NJLS UPCOMING EVENTS . . . Oct. 5, 6, & 7…Fall Meet October 14……Club Run Day October 21……Business Meeting October 28……Blow Down November 3….Work Day November 18..Business Meeting November 18..TWB copy/ads due December 1….Work Day December 31..New Year’s Run There is no Business Meeting scheduled in December OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS . . . October 20: MTA MetroNorth Harmon Shops Free Open House October 21; Batsto Village’s Country Living Fair 10 AM – 4 PM includes steam traction engines. October 28 Pennsylvania L.S. Run Day (Members & Guests only) Nov. 3-4 and 10-11 Thomas the Tank Engine Days at Essex, CT Steam Train November 4 Long Island L.S. Blow Down Nov 23-25, Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2, & Dec. 7 - 9 Model RR Club of Union Annual Holiday Show (HO & N scale) Nov. 30, December 1 & 2: Thomas the Tank Engine Days Strasburg RR
Welcome . . . New Associate Member Shana Harding Junior Member Cheyenne Stephens
Passages Live steam pioneer and NJLS Honorary Member, Bill Morewood, passed away on August 6, 2007. Bill, who was also closely associated with the Pennsylvania Live Steamers, is perhaps best known for his phenomenally successful design of the ¾” “Raritan” 2-4-0 live steam locomotive. Bill’s design, loosely based on the prototype “J.W. Bowker” which still exists at the California Railway Museum, offered modelers a simple but elegant design that could be built with a minimum of machine tools, and it inspired many, including the great Japanese designer Kozo Hiraoka, to design and build live steam locomotives. Almost 500 kits of the Raritan have been sold since 1977, making it perhaps the most popular live steam design of all time. |