The EAST COAST CHAMPION



REMINDER

The November meeting will be at The Fabulous Fifties Dinner on Clearlake Road in Cocoa.

PRESIDENT’S MEMO TO STOCKHOLDERS

Maurice Burke, fireman date Feb. 15,1940: engineer date June 6, 1956.

Burkie was a pretty good engineer and I worked with him on many yard jobs and occasionally on the Homer local. His problem was not rule G, it was another-worldliness. Many times, he seemed to be on another planet. One time he came to work in Conklin and as he drove in from Conklin avenue we could see a plume of smoke coming from the open back window of his old Buick 4-door. When he got near BY tower at the yard office, we started yelling "Burkie, your car is on fire!!" There was a puzzled look and he yelled "I must have flipped a cigarette into the back seat, I'm going to get a hose & put it out." So saying he drove to the nearby Mobilgas station whose owner came flying out & told Burkie he'd shoot him if he didn't leave the gas station immediately. He drove off up Conklin Avenue looking like one of the Messerschmidts in the movie '12 O'clock high'.

I forget how that came out, but another time I was his fireman on the Homer local and we were on our way back to Binghamton & running through Marathon when the headman (who'd been studying the sports pages) yelled "There's no engineer!!". I'd been looking up the track on my side of the Geep and turned to see NO-ONE on the other side of the cab. I got up & ran across the cab and shut off the throttle and made a brake application. I began looking around & saw Burkie sitting on the steps on the engineer's side looking at the ground. I was pissed and yelled "What the HELL are you doing, Maurice??" "Well, last week my hat blew off and I thought if I sat down here I might be closer to the ground & be able to find it." What can you say to a statement and action like that??? The best was yet to come. The conductor called us on the radio & said we'd hit a frozen foods truck and there were frozen french fries all over the crossing. Of course, Burkie hadn't been in the engineer seat to whistle for the crossing and had evidently missed seeing the truck go flying. I looked back and saw a truck lying on its side. When we finally got going we talked it over how to explain this little problem. Burkie seemed not to realize that a problem existed. Somehow the conductor made up a report that explained EVERYTHING - how, I don't know.

Best of all, Burkie had a pilots license and was late for work one time. He told the office that the control tower at the Binghamton airport wouldn't give him permission to land. I forget what Sammy Milller did about that excuse but it didn't phase Burkie - he was in a "galaxy far, far, away".

Other than these little quirks, he was a pleasant man to work with and careful with the engine. Just a little strange.

Regards,

Walter E. Smith - President F.E.C. Chapter/NRHS

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 2005 MEETING

Chapter Vice President Hal Greenlee called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM on October 10, 2005. President Smith was celebrating his anniversary with his wife. Emma Greenlee was attending as a guest. 14 chapter members were in attendance.

Treasurer’s Report –Bob Selle gave the treasurers report. Newsletter expenses are averaging about 54 dollars a month. Don Pirson moved to approve with a second by Jim Carter.

Approval of Minutes –The Vice President called for additions, corrections or comments to the September minutes as published in the “Champion”. None were offered. Ron Halverstadt moved to approve the minutes. Bob Selle seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Old Business:

See “New Business”.

New Business:

Vice President Greenlee said that he had a discussion with Chuck Billings. Chuck has been in contact with Neil Moran.

Neil has offered to speak at possibly our January or February meeting. Neil Moran as you will remember write the “Stack Talk” newsletter that we reprint in our newsletter. Neil will show his 16-mm films that he has taken of steam operations in China.

Neil has asked that we provide him two nights lodging and $30 dollars for a projector bulb. Vice President Greenlee asked for discussion.

The writer reminded Hal that at the preceding meeting that the chapter has voted to authorize the President to offer to reimburse Bill Volkmer his expenses if he would speak at the dinner meeting. The writer suggested that it would be a “ “big hit” on the treasury to reimburse two speakers in a period of a few months. The writer suggested that the dinner meeting be delayed until Mr. Moran could come as the dinner speaker.

Bob Robinson reminded the writer that the reason for the dinner meeting was that the library is closed on our meeting for Veterans Day. Hal also offered his opinion that the library’s meeting room was a better form Neil Moran’s presentation than a restaurant. Hal also stated that he didn’t care for the ideal of spending a significant portion of the chapter’s funds twice in a few months.

Bob Selle suggested that he could get chapter member Bill Robinson to speak at the dinner. Bill is an Amtrak engineer. Bob Selle said that he was sure that Bill Robinson would not expect reimbursement other than maybe a free dinner. Since none of the officers had heard from Walt Smith regarding Bill Volkmer’ available as our dinner speaker Hal asked for a motion.

Don Pierson offered a motion to invite Neil Moran to speak in January of February and to reimburse him for lodging and projection expenses as necessary. Bill Robinson will be invited to speak at the November dinner and will be furnished dinner and reimbursed for gas if he so requests. The invitation to Bill Volkmer will be withdrawn for the moment. The name of the member offering the second was not recorded. The motion passed.

The secretary will contact Walt Smith regarding withdrawing any offer made to Bill Volkmer.

Reports & Announcements:

The writer reported that the chapter had received an announcement for a lecture on ship wreak research in Melbourne beach.

Bob Selle reported that Jim Gillian is now home recovering from bypass surgery and is doing well.

Prototype Rails model railroad convention is coming up the first full weekend in January for the 6th year at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach. The convention was highly recommended for all rail fans of all interests by both the chapter Secretary and Vice-President.

Mike Roth brought in his MoPac Mikado for show and tell.

Program:

Hal Greenlee – Rail excursions at the 2005 national NRHS convention.

RAILS ON THE WEB

This month try . This web site is a little different, dedicated to the logging industry. It has many pictures not only of logging locomotives but also steam powered loaders skidders etc.

THE ELECTRIC NOTEPAD by Dave Klein

Hello again! I have recently returned from visiting my family in New York City (where they make great salsa!). Anyhow, one of the reasons of the visit was to help celebrate my 64th birthday. I can’t believe that I’m that old, but then, I belong to a number of groups where I’m one of the youngest. That hits home when I travel to Boston or Philly to one of their Trolley Meets. I can remember riding streetcars as they were being phased out; at least there is some hope for new blood in the renewed interest in Light Rail as well as “heritage” operations. I’m sure a number of you out there feel the same way about steam engines. Although there doesn’t seem to be an equivalent to Light Rail, there are many steam operations around the US providing rides for the public. What is this leading to? My annual appeal for you to help support your favorite railroad or trolley museum(s) at this time of year. (You’re always looking for a tax deduction, aren’t you?) There are way too many people out there who have never seen or heard a steam engine or streetcar (or think those rubber-tired things is a trolley); only the museums can keep the real stuff alive.

As an example of the problems museums have, the newsletter from the Seashore Trolley Museum mentions that the attendance at Steamtown in Scranton, PA, went from 250,000 in 1998 to 70,000 last year.

The newsletter from The Electric Railway Clubs of Florida reported that the flooding of New Orleans may have done quite a bit of damage to the red cars that ran on Canal Street and the Riverfront. These cars and some buses were stored at the A. Philip Randolph Operations Facility. After Hurricane Katrina left, the RTA workers found lots of water damage there. The 24 newer, homebuilt, cars had lots of electronics and equipment from the Czech company CKD Tatra. They were with the seven Riverfront units that RTA built or brought back from museums . The 35 historic green cars of the St. Charles Avenue line were stored at the Carrolton shops and they seemed to escape the water but officials are not sure about the track and substations. The newsletter said that the fleet is covered by insurance, but depreciation and delays may hamper repairs. I’m sure the green cars will come up against the rules about restoring items on the Historic Register. (How do you get flood insurance in an area that is below sea level, anyhow?)

The ERC/FL reports that one of the Tampa cars got hit by lightning and burned a hole in the roof. Another car was placed into service to keep the schedule. The newsletter also reports that the open car “operates fairly often, but not in bad weather”.

For those of you who want railroad-themed calendars, your intrepid reporter went on a survey run to the local stores. Barnes and Noble has Classic Trains ($12), and Steam and Steel ($13). Books-A-Million also has Steam and Steel, plus Classic Railroads ($15), and Railroads ($13). A new place that opened in the Merritt Square Mall is the San Francisco Music Box Co. (where the Dinosaur Store was) that has a mix of the same items. The Classic Railroads and O. Winston Link’s Steam and Steel are black and white. These and others can be found in the Historic Rails catalog; they have a calendar page, but there are others scattered around. I seem to remember that Trains and Model Railroader also put out a calendar. Call your local model railroad hobby shop to see if they have one. I know that Space Coast Hobbies in Palm Bay carried them. Some may also be available at the next Fred Rose Train Show in Eau Gallie on December 3rd. See you next time!

STACK TALK by Neil Moran

November is upon us and we ask where has the year gone!! Still a lot of steam news to report.

CHINA

We begin our monthly journey into then world of steam by heading to the Far East. Yes, China continues to make interesting copy. Oddly the new diesels that are coming to replace the QJs seem to be the steam engines best friend. Many of them seem to have wheel problems and motor dysfunction. This has kept steam going in some areas that would have been diesel power by now. For instance, the line between Daban and Baiqi had ten new diesels that malfunctioned. Also the district between Guluinanhan and Daban had several diesels break down in normal operations. Steam engines now go out and bring in the train where it has broken down. The railroad is even thinking of having the QJs shadowing some freight trains for protection. Now the track between Daban and Chabuga is in need of repairs. So new concrete ties along with new rail are being installed at several sites. At present five steam engines pulling freights operate between Chabuga and Daban in each direction. There are some diesels that do the same.

At Daban some twenty-two QJs are still being serviced but that is a far cry from a year ago. Also observed was four more 2-10-2’s being cut up for scrap. On the division between Haoluku and Daban there are still a few steam engines pulling passenger trains. Some of the steam fans from the UK are unhappy that proposed “specials” would not be powered by specially polished locomotives. The railroad has stated that it will not clean and polish any QJs to run on fan trips. They have let go hundreds of workers that maintain the engines. So the English and any one else will have to endure available locomotives for fan trips over Jing Peng Pass.

Another disturbing bit of news is that gangsters are trying to rip off the rail fans. These merciless thugs are taking builders plates, bells, whistles, or anything they can get their hands on from engines that are about to be scrapped. They demand that the railfans buy these items. Unfortunately many fans have succumbed to their threats. At present these thugs are focusing on the English. However, with many Americans and visitors from other countries this could mushroom into hundreds and thousands of dollars. When I was in Daban in 2002, several seedy characters tried to sell ornaments off steam engines that were put on the dead line. When I refused, these scavengers became very upset and cursed me out in their language. The same situation happened in Cuba when steam was coming to an end there. People started paying extra money for smoke and extra runbys or to get special engines back in service.

Latest information has it that there are only 25-28 QJs serviceable at Daban. However, the Ji Tong Railway did run a number of “steam specials” over the past month. Some sad news to report that all steam passenger service between Chabuga and Daban will end this month. It was the world’s last steam operated mainline. At Baiqi twenty QJs still remain to service the new line to Langi. China is still making big steam news!

ZIMBABWE

A few months ago Globe Steam Tours ran a trip to Victoria Falls out of Bulawayo. They had quite an array of steam power on this Safari. Up front were NRZ Garratts #525, a 14a class 2-6-2 + 2-6-2, #612 16a class 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 and #416 a 15 class 4-6-4 + 4-6-4, and for good measure threw in a Hwange Colliery 15th class #11 4-6-4 + 4-6-4. Now that is an impressive line up! Of course these Garratts did not run at one time. Usually they all double headed. This tour was a sell out. There will be a similar tour in their late winter 2006 (August - our summer).

At Bulawayo 14 class 2~6-2 + 2-6-2 was back in their museum fully restored along with a 15 class 4-6-4 + 4-6-4. At the depot NRZ announced that it was going to retube ten of its Garratt locomotives. This project will take about a year and a half. A few years ago the steam shed in Bulawayo was to be closed. Luckily a new GM took over and asked to review the situation. It now appears the shed may be saved. NRZ also plans to re-introduce a new South African operator to run a Safari train hauled by steam locomotives between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Garratts will continue to do daily shunting in the yards, and surprisingly they will come back and power urban commuter service. All due to the skyrocketing oil prices. As stated before, the resurgence of steam in Zimbabwe comes at a time when fuel shortages are commonplace in this country. In fact NRZ has been draining diesel fuel from locomotives awaiting maintenance at the shops in order to keep other locomotives on the rails. One last note. A month ago the railway ran a special train to help celebrate the “Victoria Falls Bridge Centenary”. During the first day the train encountered motor power problems with a diesel and a Garratt. The diesel was having problems negotiating the grades. The diesel was finally taken off and another Garratt was summoned to assist. Now the train had a 14a class #525 and a 15 class #416 running between Thomson Junction and Matets. From that point on there was a spectacular show with those locomotives in tandem. With several photo runbys planned between Matets and Victoria Falls the passengers were ecstatic with the show these two engines put on. Many hip-hip hoorahs were heard. As the Brits would say “Smashing, absolutely, Smashing!”

YUKON TERRITORY

We now move from the bottom of the world to the top of the world. In a recent conversation with one of the directors of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad I learned that their #69 a 2-8-2 Mikado originally built for the WP&Y RR had some tests runs in the yards last month. This Mike was basically rebuilt from the wheels up. The restoration took almost a year but now we have what amounts to a brand new engine, even though Baldwin built her in 1908. The testing took place over a period of weeks making sure everything was all right. It will make no trips this year as the railroad has shut down for 2005. However, next year will see her in regular service between Skagway and Lake Bennett. Mainly it will give #73 their other Mikado breather. This year #73 did a lot of hauling of passengers up to Lake Bennett on a weekend basis. I am happy to report she performed well without a single breakdown, Kudos must go to the shop crew for this effort. Ticket sales reached an all time high thanks to the cruise liners who came to Skagway during the tourist season. Over 420,000 rode the WP&Y, that is an increase of 20,000 from last year. Now with two steam locomotives running in 2006 the prospects are endless. Also for next year we could see doubleheaded excursions on special dates. Several tour companies are looking into this.

CANADA

Last month I wrote about the movement of Tom Payne’s ex-Reading 4-8-4 leaving St. Thomas, Ontario for Tacoma, Washington over CP trackage. As of this date October 12, it is not yet certain that the locomotive in Vancouver to be transported to Tacoma. In recent news I found that BNSF is allowing the locomotive to be steamed up at Vancouver and run under its own power with a short consist to Tacoma. Even this part of the plan has problems. Michael Pierce of Tualatin, Oregon head of the Tacoma Rail Golden Pacific has hired a crane crew to remove the locomotive and tender from their respective flatcars in Vancouver. Mr. Pierce is checking with the Canadian city to ensure there are cranes heavy enough to offload the steam engine. Alternatives he says including building and unloading ramp, if necessary, or taking the locomotive and tender across the border still on flatcars.

The 2l00 was expected to be in Tacoma mid-October but reportedly could experience complications due to on-tine clearance problems and insurance difficulties. The locomotive was scheduled to arrive in Tacoma last June. She is slated to power weekend excursions on former Milwaukee Road trackage between Tacoma Freight House Square and Frederickson, Washington a distance of twelve miles. Mr. Pierce says that after a planned series of test runs to train operating crews supplied by Tacoma Rail, Golden Pacific was shooting for its first revenue trip on Oct. 22. The current schedule is to operate most weekends through the end of December.

Our next story comes out of Stettler, Ontario. No. 6060 "Bullet Nose Betty” had a special run out of Stettler to Calgary on September 24. This was more or less an unannounced move. From what I hear all went well and the excursion was almost sold out. The engine has been having trouble with her front and “pony wheels” but apparently that malady has been fixed. She is due to make one more trip out of Stettler in December for the railroad’s Santa Claus Special. Then it is into the shops for maintenance and a long winter’s snooze.

We next head east to Winnipeg, Manitoba for some great news. After four years of sitting in pieces in a dusty warehouse, the Prairie Dog Central steam engine will be back in service in 2006. All thanks to a $350,000 gift from the Province and additional funding from the city. It was pulled out of service in September 2001 by the Vintage Locomotive Society after the engine’s boiler was declared unfit. During this four-year hiatus the railroad was using a diesel engine on their excursions to keep funds coming in to repair the locomotive. It was a means to an end. Thanks to a new boiler, which cost over $250,000, the countdown has started for the return of steam. Additional repairs will be done on the wheels, cab and other accessories. The locomotive itself, an American type 4-4-0 was built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1882 and shipped to Canada for the CPR. The engine had its share in history, pulling hoards of workers to the hydro plant in Pointe DuBois, Manitoba for decades. The engine has appeared in several Canadian movies, and now has momentum behind her restoration. When she returns to the rails next spring it will mark her existence as an operating steam locomotive in three different centuries. Quite an achievement! Hats off to this Grande Dame!

UNITED STATES

And speaking of dowager steam locomotives, another queen of the rails has made some news. She is none other than former Virginia & Truckee 4-4-0 #18, the Dayton. This vintage old gal was built in 1883, and that makes her 132 years old. This classic American type locomotive has been magnificently restored by the Short Lines Enterprises. It was placed on display at the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, a brand new Comstock historical center. Unfortunately this locomotive cannot operate any longer because of a boiler beyond repair. No. 18 will share space with another V&T engine #27, a 1913 ten wheeler built by Baldwin. This 4-6-0 was given to the State of Nevada in 1951 after the V&T ceased operations. The Dayton arrived at Virginia City in 1873 and pulled freight and passenger trains between Carson City and Virginia City. Then in 1879 she had a snowplow put on for snow removal and was used in that service for sixty years. It actually ran up to the 1930s before making its final run in February 1937. One year later she was sold to Paramount Pictures and appeared in Cecil B. DeMille’s production “Union Pacific. The following year the Dayton led a train of UP turbine electric engines along with heavy weight passenger cars to Omaha where the film “Union Pacific” was premiered. Later on it appeared in the movies “The Harvey Girls”, “Whispering Smith” and “Cheyenne”. As you can see Paramount made good use of her. In the 1970s she was in the spotlight again when it was used as a stand in for the UP 4-4-0 #119 at Promontory summit in Utah. The original #119 was scrapped in 1903. Then in 1978 #18 was sent back to Carson City to be one of the centerpieces displayed at the new V&T Railroad Museum. Today the Dayton is in a class of her own. It is also one of the only two locomotives in existence built by the Central Pacific Railroad in their Sacramento shops. Present plans have this locomotive remain on display in the Comstock History Center for many years to come in her newly restored 1941 appearance. What an engine! What a history!

If by chance you are in Carson City Nevada last month they held a special show entitled “Mileposts to the Railroad Dates in American History”. It started with a special night photo session of the steam locomotives stored in the Museum. That proved so popular they had to repeat it the next night. The Museum also had a banquet on Saturday night before the encore night photo session. The following day there was a steam train ride, and after that movies of the V&T engine in which she was featured. Then a tour of the machine shop ended the weekend.

Getting back to present-day mainline steam, one of our favorite steam locomotives, the Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 made two excursions last Oct. 8-9 that ran between Winona and LaCrescent, Minnesota. The train departed both days from the Harrison Street shops in Minneapolis at 8:30 AM. Ticket prices sold for $129 for adults and $99 for children. First class paid $229. Bringing up the train markers was the exceptionally restored ex-Milwaukee Skytop Lounge painted in Milwaukee colors. Rare but well done! The train’s route had it running along the upper Mississippi River with fall colors at their peak. A nice inducement to ride behind a class engine.

Moving south to the mighty state of Texas, and specifically the Texas State Railroad that runs between Rusk and Palestine. The former Texas & Pacific #201 has been returned to service. Long Out of commission because of boiler problems, it was given a complete overhaul at its shop. The Cooke Company built this ten wheeler in 1901. No. 201 takes her place along side another T&P 315, and #300 both Baldwin products. There are four additional locomotives on the property including #4610, a 1927 Lima 2-10-4 (not in service). Quite a stable of locomotives! The railroad trip takes four and a half hours for a 50 mile round trip which includes crossing 24 bridges and travels through the heart of east Texas’ Pine and Hardwood forests. Victorian style depots are located at both Rusk and Palestine. Passenger service ends this month.

Ending on a happy note is one last bit of good news. Volunteer workers from the Louisiana Steam Train Association group moved the former SP #745 out of the Kansas City Southern Yards in New Orleans before hurricane Katrina bit. The engine was not damaged at all.

I have several people to thank for most of the information you just read. Beginning with Steve Barry “Railfan and Railroad” magazine, John Biehn “Dayton RR Society”, Norman Guinard of Edmondston New Brunswick, Canada, John Batman of “SAR Magazine”, John Reilly NRHS-New York, Marcia Rovillard “New Hampshire Cog RR”, Marge Schaeffer “WP&Y RR”, and your most humble servant in steam. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

UNTIL OUR TRACKS CROSS AGAIN

NEWS AND INFO

‘The Lantern

A time freight rear-ended, a local peddler freight one night, and the ensuing investigation centered on whether or not the crew of the first tram had flagged the second train sufficiently.

“Now then,” said the superintendent to the peddler’s rear brakeman, “were you flagging your train that night?”

“Yes, sir,” he said. “And were you at least a half-mile from your train?” asked the super.

“Yes, sir,” said the brakie.

“And did you attempt to flag the express down?” asked the super.

“Yes, sir, and they went right on past me,” the brakie said.

“And did you use a red lantern?” the super asked. “Yes, sir,” the man said, “Of course.”

Well, the railroad couldn’t decide who was at fault, so the investigation was closed.

“You did just what I asked you to, said the conductor of the local freight to the rear brakeman after the hearing. “You told the truth. But were you nervous at all?”

“You bet”, replied the brakeman. “I was just hopin’ that guy wouldn’t ask me if the lantern was lit!”

(The 470 Railroad Club via and Tower Topics)

Rare Mud Hen locomotive chugging into Crossroads Village -“Why do they call it a ‘Mud Hen??’

You might not notice the ride on the Huckleberry Railroad changing, but there’s some extra muscle in the steam locomotive that took over the pulling Friday. “You don’t feel it in the ride but you see it. ... The other one is a ballerina. This one’s more of a sumo wrestler,” said Marty Knox, railroad shop supervisor at Crossroads Village in Genesee Township, MI.

Knox has been overseeing the restoration of the steam engine called locomotive 464 since it was decommissioned for repairs 12 years ago, and visitors to the village are expected to get the first chances to ride behind the 70-ton powerhouse this weekend (8/17). By comparison, the locomotive it’s stepping in for weighed just 38 tons. Trains on the Huckleberry Railroad will run at a slightly slower speed to allow for better photo opportunities, (CSX always runs their trains at slower speeds. I didn‘t know it was for photo ops.) and model trains will be on display, said Hilda McShane, a Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission marketing specialist. The train was the primary reason Knox relocated from Texas to Michigan in 1990. With employees, contractors and volunteers, he’s returned the locomotive to work.

According to Crossroads Village, 464 is one of 15 locomotives designed and built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia and sold to the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1903. Nicknamed the Mud Hens, the trains were used along the Colorado-New Mexico border for gold and silver mining and some may have been used during World War II to haul uranium for the Manhattan Project. Knox said he thinks only two of the 15 trains are still functioning and expects visitors from other countries at Crossroads to see the steam engine. – (Roger Fonger, The Flint Journal, courtesy Larry W. Grant ) (From the “Drawbar”)

PRIVATELY OWNED TRAIN STATIONS LAG. CONDITIONS POOR COMPAIRED TO CITY OWNED DEPOTS Posted on Tue, Aug. 02, 2005 By Daniellie De Pari “The Orlando Sentinel”

Pieces of wood fall from the Kissimmee Amtrak station’s overhang. Paint peels off Orlando’s Spanish-mission-style passenger depot. Potholes welcome visitors to Deland’s train station, which lacks a sign. Across Central Florida, there’s a big difference in the condition of train stations owned by railroad giant CSX and those owned by their host cities. City-owned stations in Winter Park and Lakeland are in good condition, while C‘SX-owned depots need renovations and repair, sometimes badly.

Sanford’s passenger station is closing Monday ( 8/8) because Amtrak complains CSX refuses to do the work necessary to keep it up. CSX argues that while it owns the station buildings in Deland, Sanford, Orlando, Kissimmee and Winter Haven, Amtrak leases those depots and is responsible for their upkeep.

Passengers note the disrepair and lack of upgrades, and many are unhappy about it. Hurricanes damaged the Kissimmee station’s overhang roof. Still, Diane English of Clermont uses it regularly to travel to Savannah, Ga., for weekend getaways. “There is less traffic, and I don’t have to drive,” she said. “As far as the station itself, it could be upgraded. But the people are friendly and courteous.”

The Deland station also is run-down, but the county in 2004 approved using a $424,000 state grant for renovation. Built in 1918, the station looks rusty and has peeling paint. It caught fire in 1982 and has never really recovered, said Tom Scofield, county historic preservation planner. Half the building had to be sectioned off because of fire damage. Temporary repairs were made in the late 1980s, but they were never meant to be permanent, Scofield said. “The bathrooms have been a nightmare forever,” he added. The parking lot is full of potholes, and there is no sign telling travelers they’ve arrived at the station - only two bent metal poles on the side of the property.

David Johnson, assistant director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, said national funding for Amtrak has been stagnant since about 2001. “It is a lack of commitment to rail investment in the country,” he said. “They would never allow Orlando international Airport to get in this condition.” (That’s for sure!)

HTTP//RAILNEWSJUMP.CGI? From the “Drawbar”

CONTRACT TO OPERATE TOURIST TRAINS ON THE FLORIDA CENTRAL RAILROAD HAS BEEN AWARDED TO INLAND LAKES RAILWAY

The Mount Dora & Lake Eustis Railway folded August 6, 2005. Their equipment is still sitting in Mount Dora. The Inland Lakes Railway is owned by Neil Bagaus of Groveland, FL, and Robert Rabkin of San Francisco, CA. Their contract begins October 1, 2005. Robert Rabkin is the President and CEO; Neil Bagaus is Vice-president and General Manager.

The company intends to operate dinner and lunch trains, excursion trains, and charters. Centerpiece of the dinner/lunch train operation will be the dome diner “Silver Bridle.” That car was built in 1948 for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. It was one of the original dome cars on the “California Zephyr.” This car was not originally built as a dome diner. That was generally an UP concept not embraced by the Burlington or other CZ participants WP and D&RGW. The Zephyr usually ran with three dome coaches at the front of the train, right behind the baggage car, and a dome/lounge/observation car at the rear. The diner was always a “conventional” one. The “Silver Bridle” was reported as being refurbished in New Orleans a few months ago.

The Inland Lakes Railway has been assigned the railroad reporting marks of ILRV. The railway hopes to begin taking reservations by the middle of September.

Info from Florida Railfan net

From

Florida East Coast Chapter, NRHS

P.O. Box 2034

Cocoa, Fl 32923

Next Meeting: Monday Nov 14, 7:00 PM

Fabulous Fifties Dinner

1120 Clearlake Rd, Cocoa 321 690-1900

Program: Bill Robinson.

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The EAST COAST CHAMPION

____________________________________________________________________November 2005

CHAPTER OFFICIERS

FLORIDA EAST COAST CHAPTER, NRHS

President Walter Smith (321) 757-3349

Vice-President Hal Greenlee (321) 636-3393

Treasurer Bob Selle (321) 632-0944

Recording Secretary Harlan Hannah (321) 636-7986

Historian Jerry Sheehan (321) 452-8649

Newsletter Editor (Interim) Harlan Hannah (321) 636 7986

National Director Tom Hammond (321) 267-8339

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