the crusader - reading railroad heritage museumreadingrailroad.org/2rcths/crusader2013-09.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
The Crusader “Preserving the Past for the Future”
September 2013
The Crusader RCT&HS 1
More Funds Are Needed to
Move Car #1189
On October 1st, the Executive Board agreed
that it is best to preserve the 1189 and bring it to
Hamburg. The 1189 should be ready to be move
within the next two months. We had been looking to
move the car on it’s own by rail but that option fell
through when we found out that it could not due to
outlawed wheels. We checked into the possibility of
using our 89’ TTX flat but the 1189 is too heavy for
the flatcar. We are now limited to having the 1189
trucked over the road to Hamburg as was originally
planned.
The fund for the 1189 was looking good until
we were informed that we needed to have an
asbestos abatement done for the car to be able to
leave the Strasburg RR property. With that work
now done and $7200.00 spent, we now need to raise
additional funds to move the car.
The Society is looking for supporters to
donate whatever they can to help raise the funds
needed to get the car to the museum. Membership
into the “1189 club” for supporters who donate
$1189.00 or more is still being offered. We need to
raise another $10,000.00 to $12,000. Any amount of
donation will help!
Please help us bring this piece of Reading
RR history to the Reading Railroad Heritage
Museum where it belongs.
-Duane Engle, President
DO YOU SHOP ON-LINE? Your on-line purchases this holiday season
can turn into money for the Reading Railroad
Heritage Museum!
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum is
registered with ShopforMuseums.com.
ShopforMuseums.com is secure and simple to use.
Log on to the website, www.ShopforMuseums.com.
They have a relationship with over 300 national
participating retailers, including Boscov’s, Macy’s,
Amazon, Office Max, Cabela’s, Lands’ End, Dell
Computers, PetSmart, Sears, Office Max, Ebay,
and many more.
With each online visit, shoppers simply start
at www.ShopforMuseums.com, sign in and select
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum to receive
a donation. Then choose the store you would like to
shop at by using the links on the ShopforMuseums
website. The rest is automatic!
ShopforMuseums.com tracks the sales and sends
donations to us quarterly. Depending on the store,
the donation varies from 1% to 10% of the
shopper’s total.
Hamburg’s King Frost
Parade - October 26th
This year's King Frost Parade is being held
on Saturday October 26, 2013. As always we will
have a food stand at the RRHM. We will need help
manning the stand and could use baked goods such
as cupcakes, brownies, or cookies. If you can help or
supply these items please contact Greg Goodridge at
215-699-3353 or [email protected].
- Greg Goodridge
The Crusader RCT&HS 2
SEPTEMBER 24th GENERAL MEETING President Duane Engle called the meeting to order at
7:32 p.m. there were 6 individuals from the Executive Board
and 36 members in attendance. A motion to accept the August
2013 minutes as printed was made by Larry Mundell and
seconded by Pete Urbaitis. The motion passed.
EXECUTIVE BOARD Duane Engle 610-929-5661 [email protected] The September meeting of the Executive was held at
7PM on September 3rd at the Reading Railroad Heritage
Museum in Hamburg, PA. Topics of discussion and motions
carried are as follows:
Financial – The Treasurer presented the financial report, we
approved an expenditure in the amount of $385 for roof
repairs, and we approved an expenditure of $400 for Duane
Engle to rent a backhoe for museum work.
Museum – The board approved pursuing the acquisition of a
piece of land adjacent to the RRHM currently owned by the
Borough of Hamburg. This piece of land was previously
thought to have belonged the R&N. We will also pursue the
acquisition of R&N property under the canal track between
Grand Street and the borough property by offering the R&N
our Schuylkill Haven property in exchange. The price to
acquire the Reading dock crane from the Canal Museum has
increased. The board asked the acquisition committee to
provide a written document showing the new proposal. A
permit was signed to start construction of the security fence
around the museum property.
MP&RE – The board agreed to allow the R&N to use 5 of
our coaches during the month of October. Paul Payne
reported on the 1189 and the quest to get the car moved.
After the required asbestos abatement, more money will need
to be raised to move the car as the fund was depleted. We
also discussed the FP7’s and the possibility of attending the
NCTM’s Streamliner Event with them next year. A
complete report on the status of the units was presented. No
decisions have been made in regards to this event.
Other - multiple minor topics
The next general meeting of the Executive Board will be held
at 7PM at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg,
PA on October 1st. For a complete copy of the board meeting
minutes please contact Jeff Smith at
[email protected] . BUDGET & FINANCE
John Brown 717-426-2238 [email protected]
No report.
SALES Duane Engle 610-929-5661 [email protected] (for mail order questions contact Dave Heffner at 717-290-1493 [email protected]) We received notice that the Feb. Greenburg Meet in
Reading has been cancelled due to the fact that the Greater
Reading Expo Center is closing in November. Greenburg is
looking for another site. The next regular show is our fall train
meet on October 6th.
TREASURER’S REPORT Jim Adams 610-777-3764 [email protected]
A motion to refer the Treasurer’s Report to the
Finance Committee for audit and vote was made by John
Greene and seconded by Don Davis. The motion Passed.
The Crusader RCT&HS 3
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE Mike Stehman [email protected] We have been working on the Munchkin Railway on
adding ties and grading. Top soil is arriving and we need help
with landscaping. Plans are to open the attraction on October
12th.
Jim Adams reported the members should have
received the annual fund raising letter.
The scheduled golf tournament has been cancelled
due to lack of interest.
MEMBERSHIP
Melanie Zimmerman 717-445-6301 [email protected] No report.
MUSEUM OPERATIONS
Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 [email protected]
Carol Adams reported that from Thanksgiving to end
of January we will be featuring the Trains, Trees, and
Gingerbread exhibit. We are looking for clubs, organizations,
businesses, etc to decorate a tree in a railroad theme and to
enter a contest. Voted from museum visitors will determine
the best tree. The gingerbread house contest is open for
anyone to participate. Please consider making an entry.
LONG RANGE PLANNING TASK FORCE Carol Adams 610-777-3764 [email protected] The Long Range Planning Committee is working to
prepare Phase One of the revised site recommendation.
Committee members are examining feasibility of various
aspects to be considered for the plan.
Carol Adams presented the program, “Pulling for the Union:
The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad in the Civil War”, to a
group at the Robesonia Library on September 11. MUSEUM BUILDING COMMITTEE
This committee needs a new chairman. If you are interested,
please contact a board member.
TRACK & GROUNDS Duane Engle 610-929-5661 [email protected]
We again spent a good bit of our time this month on
grounds work and mowing. We can always use help in this
area. There was a small amount of track work done again this
month which allowed us to move the cars on the new track
south another car length. Work on the Canal Track in the area
of our new switch should begin soon. More work was also
done grading the site for the Munchkin RR. Fence work has
begun. Plans are in the works for repairing portions of the
existing fence. Anyone that can help with any of this work,
please contact me or Paul.
MOTIVE POWER AND ROLLING EQUIPMENT
Paul Payne (717) 917-7403
Car 1189 – Rail transfer eliminated due to rim stamped
wheels. RCT&HS flat car can not handle the
weight. Truck transfer the only remaining option. The
car must be weighed to ensure it falls under the legal
weight limit for over the road transfer. King pin removal
is the current hold up. Weighing also holding up the
assessment by the second trucking company.
Car 1715 – Sheet metal and rivets have been replaced on
one end of the car. Roof has been recoated with black
paint.
FP7As at Streamliners in Spencer event – If not already
received, a formal invitation is expected. Internal
assessment shows numerous items must be addressed to
pass inspections and return the units to operational status,
with the costs and efforts being prohibitive for June
2014. Wheels on the 902 are the most significant issue
and they will put the 902 at risk if it makes the trip to
Spencer. The RCT&HS Executive Board has asked that
we investigate a display-only option. MP&RE is now
working the matter with Jim Wrinn of TRAINS
magazine. With that in mind, Jim Wrinn has asked NS to
inspect candidate locomotives sooner vs. later.
Shop Requirements – In support of Long Range
Planning, MP&RE is assembling a set of minimum
requirements for a Shop. Although there is no
expectation that these requirements will be met near term,
the expectation is that the plan will provide a footprint
and placement on site that will allow for the addition of
critical needs as funds become available.
2014 Planning – Yet to be done. Will most likely be a
carry forward of incomplete 2013 projects, display needs,
and have more attention to how MP&RE can become
more financially self-sufficient.
Pete Urbaitus questioned why we don’t scrap the
1189 as it is becoming such a money pit. Rick Hoffmaster
questioned bringing another eye sore to the museum stating
that the 2060 and the wooden cars are also eye sores. Rick
proposed taking the money and put it into restoring a
locomotive which can be used to make money.
Paul Troutman added that the costs to stabilize and
restore a car should be considered before accepting a new
piece. Bill Hodson agreed that we need to analyze our
equipment and prioritize our projects. Duane Brisco asked
how many are willing to help with the 1189 work. Paul Payne
responded that he has a list but has not utilized it yet. Duane
Brisco would like to see us start to work together toward a set
of goals that have yet to be set. John Greene reported that the
board has asked the MP&RE committee for a report on the
collection incuding a cost analysis and priority list several
years ago and got nothing until Paul Payne became chairman
of the MP&RE. Since then we have been making progress
toward prioritizing our restoration efforts.
Rick Hoffmaster suggested selling some pieces of our
collection to raise money to be put toward what is left. Duane
Engle stated that the board has had these discussions.
Paul Payne asked for an opinion one way or another
on the 1189 so that the board can make a decision. Duane
Engle stated that he would like to see every member have
input on this decision not just those here in attendance. It was
suggested to mail out a poll. Paul Payne asked the Executive
Board for approval to get a no-cost estimate to scrap the
1189. The board members present agreed to this idea. The
Executive Board will review all options for 1189 at the next
board meeting.
*see the October 1st decision on the front page
PASSENGER OPERATIONS Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 [email protected] No report.
ACQUISITIONS Steve Schwartz 610-434-1289 [email protected] No report. ARCHIVES AND PUBLICATIONS Rick Bates 610-647-9359 [email protected]
Archives
Many thanks to all of the following for Archives
donations during September: some equipment diagrams from
the Electric City Trolley Museum; a box of worklogs for a
Reading RR employee from Ben Bernhart; a box of 1800s-era
shipping documents from the North Penn area from Tom
Poserina; some railroad pictures and calendars from Marjorie
Keene, widow of our member, the late Carroll Keene; two
cartons of railroad magazines, books, and other paperwork
from Ben Deeble, Jr.; and a RdgCo system public timetable
from Moreland Houck. We also thank those members who
made some additional generous monetary donations towards
the costs of purchasing archival supplies. It is appreciated
very much. We now have enough to carry us through the end
of the year on supplies, but can certainly use more donations
for next year, especially for map folders for our large
drawings where the ultimate need is going to be several
thousand dollars to properly protect these items. Thanks to
Duane Briscoe and Sam Herb for help with archives sorting
this month. Finally, we also handled about 16 requests for
information in September and hosted several researcher visits.
Publications
Bee Line issue #4 for 2009 is still at the printer, but
is expected to be done in October. Work is well underway on
a double-issue Bee Line to follow it. We are doing a series of
articles on the Iron Horse Rambles, so if you have any espe-
cially interesting photos, stories or information to contribute,
please contact us soon.
CALENDAR Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 [email protected] John Greene 215-721-3006 [email protected] No report.
MODULAR Jonathan Barket 570-366-1533 [email protected]
No report. MODELING -John Greene 215-721-3006 [email protected]
No report.
The Crusader RCT&HS 4
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Steve Gilbert 610-781-2100 [email protected] Don Crabtree reported that the A5a parade engne
was at the 100th anniversary celebration at Sinking Spring
and they were down in Montgomery County as well. MAILING
Ken Riegel 610-777-4555
No report.
SAFETY Rick Hoffmeister 484-769-7872 [email protected]
This month we cleaned up the tie plates and loose
spikes at the museum property. TRAIN MEET Tom Brown 717-279-6783 [email protected] The Society’s train meet will be held on Sunday,
October 6, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Leesport
Farmers Market. Tables and chairs set up will begin at 6:00
a.m. Dealers will be admitted at 7:00 a.m. and the public will
be admitted at 9:00 a.m. So far, 57 tables have been reserved
by dealers. Food service will be provided by the Boy Scouts.
There will also be an outdoor flea market the same day.
Come on out – browse the trains, check out the flea market,
and buy some food from the Boy Scouts. Good weather is
guaranteed!
WEBSITE AND CORRESPONDENCE
Norman O. Mueller 610-446-6651 [email protected] Mike Martin 215-681-7428 [email protected] A museum location map was added to the web site
using Google maps. ENTERTAINMENT
Dale Woodland (215) 723-5848 [email protected] October – Escapades of NS/ RDG 1067, Dale
Woodland; November – The Reading’s Echo Valley, Dave
Augsburger; December – Reading Alco RS3 Diesels, Dale
Woodland.
OLD BUSINESS
Back lot Security, Fence: Initial material order
received. Work on South Gate portion to begin week of
September 23.
Duane Engle reported that a presentation from the group
looking at the descriptions and committee organization map
will take place at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Duane Brisco reported that staffing the museum is again
becoming a challenge. Please consider helping out.
Bill Bubeck reported that this Saturday will be the
Schuylkill Haven Borough Days where steam
locomotives 113 and 425 will make an appearance.
Paul Troutman reported that we were unable to get a
second car for the November 2nd AMTRAK trip. We
sold out the car we have and will earn a Profit of $1500.
Paul wanted $1000 of this to go into a newly established
fund for a new building. Rick Bates made a motion
recommending that the board establish a Building Fund
at the next board meeting. Mike Stehman seconded the
motion and this passed with all yes votes.
John Greene announced that Bethlehem Car Works will
have a one piece resin body model of the Wall Street car
available soon. If this works out, we will produce the
King Coal parlor/diner and the 2060.
Pete Urbaitis reported that a now book titled “Norfolk
Southern Heritage Locomotives: ONE YEAR
LATER” will be out in November. This book is written
by Rich Jahn and Gary Pancavage and will be published
by RailPace news magazine.
Tonight’s coal bucket contained $121.01 and 15 pay
down the loan envelopes. Thank you!
CLOSING
Pete Urbaitis made a motion to adjourn the meeting
and Dave Heffner seconded the motion. The motion passed
and President Duane Engle adjourned the meeting at 9:07
PM.
The Crusader RCT&HS 5
Hamburg Museum Track Fund
Receipts Current Month: September, 2013 = $95.00
Total: May 2007 thru September, 2013 = $31,902.70
Payments Current Month: September, 2013 = $0.00
Total: May 2007 thru September, 2013 = $29,044.53
Current Fund Balance = $2,858.17
Pay Down the Loan Program
Receipts Current Month: September, 2013 = $1,240.00
Total: Nov, 2010 thru September, 2013 = $30,764.80
Payments Current Month: September, 2013 = $1,400.00
Total: Nov, 2010 thru September, 2013 = $30,700.00
Outstanding Balance = $66,300.00
RCT&HS Corporate Members
Russell & Julia Angstadt
Bethlehem Car Works, John Greene, CEO, Telford,
PA (215) 721-3006
C&C Tax Service, Inc., Reading, PA
(610) 796-9330
Centralia Coal Sales Co. ,Wilkes-Barre, PA
(570) 822-4135
Doll and Train Museum, Harrisburg, PA
(717) 233-3099
G&K Hobbies, Bill Krug CEO, Reading, PA
(610) 374-8598
Health Insurance Solutions, Inc., Tom and
Nanette Poserina, Health Brokers (215) 721-2220
Lancaster Chapter, NRHS, Christiana, PA
(610) 593-4968
Municipal & Financial Services Group, Annapolis,
MD (410) 226-9101
PENNVIA Private Railcars, Inc., Passenger Dome
car charters in the US and Canada, West Lawn, PA
(610) 678-3604
R Y Models/Richard D Yoder, Wyomissing
PA, (610) 678-2834
Rabenold, Koestel, and Scheidt, Attorneys at
Law, Wyomissing, PA (610) 374-2103
RackAbility, Inc., Ephrata, PA 17522
(717) 917-7403
Reading and Northern Railroad, Co., Andrew
Muller Jr., CEO, Port Clinton, PA (610) 562-2100
Reading Berks Historic Transportation Assoc.,
Inc., Reading, PA
R. Harris Russo, MD, Neurological Surgery,
Kalamazoo, MI (269) 343-3939
Security First Inc., Shillington, PA (610) 777-8890
Jonathan L. Shalter III, Conservationist-Naturalist-
Historian, Temple, PA
Town & Country Newspaper, Pennsburg PA,
(215) 679-5060
Vreeland & Linda Wood/V J Wood Towing &
Recovery LLC, Hamburg PA, (610) 587-1335
The Munchkin Railway Track Plan
Now that you have heard so much about the Munchkin Railway, the committee thought you would like
to see the track plan. Below is the track plan that has been constructed at the Reading Railroad Heritage
Museum under the direction of Jim Blake and his committee. Plans are to open this attraction on October
12th. At this time the track has been installed and we are working on landscaping and construction of the
station (storage shed). Look for more news and photos as things progress. A grand opening event is being
planned for the spring.
Left and Above: RCT&HS President Duane Engle tests
the track work of the Munchkin Railway. Photos by
Mike Stehman.
Existing Museum Building
N
St. Nicholas Breaker May be in Jeopardy
According to information posted on WNEP Channel 16 serving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area
demolition work is taking place at the Reading Anthracite’s St. Nicholas Breaker near Mahanoy City, PA.
You can see the report at: http://wnep.com/2013/09/23/historic-coal-breaker-being-torn-down/
For those who get the eCrusader click the Reading Diamond.
Model railroad Open House
The "Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club" is holding open houses again this year. The club layout
is an HO gauge point to point system from Philadelphia to Reading; with some 600 feet of main line
trackage. It also includes a branch line and an narrow gauge railroad. All operating on DCC. They've spent a
lot of effort in creating animation scenes for kids to play with. They also have a few freaky things to see like
Tony the tank engine and "Reading Army Tanks" to make war on competitive railroads. The club is located at
2nd and Main streets in Phoenixville PA. The open house dates are Nov 30 and Dec 1, 2013, Dec 8 & 9th
2013, Jan 11 & 12th, plus Jan 17 & 18th, plus Jan 24 & 25th of 2014. All times are from 1:00 pm to 5:00
pm. Admission is free.
www.readingrailroad.org
Mark Your Calendars
October 22: General Meeting of the RCT&HS at Trinity Bible Fellowship
Church, Rt. 73, Blandon, PA
October 26: King Frost Parade in Hamburg, PA - Food Sales
November 23: Holiday Exhibit Opens at the RRHM
December 4 - 8: Modular and Sales at the PA Christmas Show in Harrisburg, PA
December 19 - 22: Modular and Sales at the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, PA
Save your Redner’s Tapes