From the archives comes this interesting photo of the first New Haven train across the new Thomaston Dam, a local freight headed for Torrington and Winsted. In the background, the temporary steel trestle over the "old" line is visible; this bridge was later removed. The train was headed by New Haven Railroad locomotives 561 and 533, both Alco RS-3 units like our NH 529. There were 28 cars headed north that day, including 2 refrigerator cars with perishables for Torrington-area grocery stores. Caboose C-673 brought up the rear of the train. The Thomaston Dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control project, following floods that devestated the Naugatuck Valley in the mid-1950s. You can ride this line today as this is where the regular passenger trains of the Naugatuck Railroad turn to head back to Thomaston. PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
First New Haven train over Thomaston Dam, 1960
From the archives comes this interesting photo of the first New Haven train across the new Thomaston Dam, a local freight headed for Torrington and Winsted. In the background, the temporary steel trestle over the "old" line is visible; this bridge was later removed. The train was headed by New Haven Railroad locomotives 561 and 533, both Alco RS-3 units like our NH 529. There were 28 cars headed north that day, including 2 refrigerator cars with perishables for Torrington-area grocery stores. Caboose C-673 brought up the rear of the train. The Thomaston Dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control project, following floods that devestated the Naugatuck Valley in the mid-1950s. You can ride this line today as this is where the regular passenger trains of the Naugatuck Railroad turn to head back to Thomaston. PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
September Thomaston Shop Report
NOTICE: Please do not bring items to leave at the shop without prior arrangements. Space is at a premium at this time, and as we develop the east side into staff offices and locker facilities, even with the current items we will have a tough time moving things about to accommodate construction. Same goes for the Thomaston Station where well intentioned individuals have flooded the gift shop with used magazines – please bring nothing to the station or shop without consulting a Board member for advice.Air Compressor – a heavy duty air compressor has been position along the east wall and now is in service.
“Machinery Hall” – the machine shop area has become just that with the arrival of a number of machines including drill presses, lathes, and saws earlier this month. The machinery had been acquired through donation of the Congress Avenue property in Waterbury and held in storage for the past several years. Our expert rigger Bob Eberheim was a major player on this project.
Coach 5805 continues to see metal renewal in the north vestibule inner wall. The preparation and priming of the upper ceiling is just about complete, and the replacement of the three damaged lower ceiling panels continues. Needle-scaling of the truck frames has begun. The Car Department welcomes Kurt Wiener to the team, joining regulars Sam Walker, Jon Chase, Dan DiTullio, Howard Pincus, Brent Bette, Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell and Bill Sample.
Coach 4980 has received repairs to its lower deck roof surface, which had pulled away from the clerestory, making for some serious leakage. Weep holes were also drilled into the bottom rail for ventilation. Al Pomeroy, Howard Pincus, Hal Reiser, Matt Lawson, Jeff Fruithandler and others have been working on this project.
Locomotives – NH 529 has been on the passenger train recently, while 2203 gets some maintenance which included the sanding system. NH (CDOT) FL9 2019 has been receiving maintenance and has been test-run, and the batteries that need replacement have been located. RMNE member and EMD expert Preston Cook has given the 1732’s “new” 567 engine a preliminary exam and some work has begun on its overhaul. Flatcar CTVR (ex-NH) 17221 now is the home for the new Diesel engine for NH 2525 and the spare EMD 567 plus two main generators, and these items will be covered with a weatherproof enclosure.
—William Sample