Last Run - John Schneider

Another long time member has left us. John Schneider, #99, passed away recently in Florida. John, a native of the Richmond VA area, first volunteered for the then CVRA in 1971, helping to prepare for the Valley Railroad's opening day. Later he served as trainman and conductor on the Valley as well as working on many museum projects. He served his country in the U S Coast Guard during World War II.

—Bill Sample

Boy Scout Invasion!

It's still about a month away, but it's time to start thinking about helping with a large Boy Scout group visit to the Naugy on the weekend of 2-4 May. Member Otto Vondrak, Andy Kromer and Brent Bette can use some assistance with the project, which we expect to have 150-200 participants from the Westchester-Putnam Council BSA. Imagine, if we can plant seeds of interest in only 10 percent of them, we will be on our way to finding the next generation of members and volunteers. More details will appear in the next issue or in a special edition.

—Bill Sample

New Arrivals at the Naugy

The weekend of the 29th and 30th of March was an important one in the history of the RMNE as well as a number of other railroads in Connecticut as the scheduled rail move was successfully made from the RMNE's Saybrook Yard to Naugatuck Railroad. The following items made the journey: Alco FA diesel NH 0401 (facing south), 4-6-2 Pacific-type steam loco CP 1246 (facing north), SW1 diesel switcher B&M 1109 (facing south), former Pullman solarium-lounge "Mt. Royal," New Haven work train car W-221 (ex RPO-Baggage-Express 2789), NH 6800 (deluxe-smoker coach), insulated box car BAR 2569, and express-box car PRR 9495.

—Bill Sample

Thomaston Shop Report

Locomotives and Rolling Stock
Andy Kromer reports that 2203 received its 92-day maintenance and other work to insure reliable operation in 2008. The "quarter pounder," our 25-ton GE switcher, has been brought up to the shop for brake work and possible cosmetic work. Coach 5805 continues to see progress each Saturday at the TSY under the direction of Sam Walker. Window shade boxes and other trim stripping continues but is nearing completion. Other projects include the completion of priming of the inner lower walls and insulation installation and preparing the battery boxes to receive a heavy-duty gasoline powered generator. More help is always welcome.

Thomaston Shop
Electricians Stewart Fritts and Jack Tarter continue to make strides in wiring the shop. The John Cerreta and Don Chepurna carpentry and painting operation continues. A larger scissors platform lift is now on-site, and the installation of heating units and gas piping is underway.

Motor Vehicle Department
Gene Pfeiffer and Bob Harrington have recently been busy with some work on both TC-35 and TC-40, the two hi-rail crew cab utility pickups. The Dyna-hoe is off and running, and the Cummins powered front-end loaderís engine work continues. The MVD is planning on a lot of MoW equipment work to prepare for a busy season.

Easter Bunny Train

Our first operation of 2008, the "Easter Bunny Train" on Saturday, March 22, was a great success with the first train sold out and the second not too far behind. Thanks to all for getting 2008 started out on a good note with a successful operation.

—Bill Sample