News From The Naugy

Order Board for January

2012-01-07T09:58:00.002-05:00

MEMBERSHIP MEETING SCHEDULING – Celeste Echlin

Knowing the history of why the December meeting was moved up to November is part of the same problem that has made it difficult to come up with a quick solution to the bylaw problem and has also gotten in the way of communicating a plan for resolving the issues now before us. In case a rare few members have forgotten, or are new to RMNE since November 2009, we moved the annual December meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to November three years ago with the advent of our first Northern Lights Limited because our December weekend nights were going to be filled with our evening train special events. The simple solution at the time seemed to be to just hold the dinner earlier before December train operations began and also include the member meeting. No one on the Board and no one in the membership thought at the time to look at the bylaws, no one noticed that we were not following protocol until this last meeting in Nov. 2011.

After the November 2011 meeting and the issue of not properly scheduling the annual meeting was revealed, most board members were subsequently heavily involved in running the December special events and Saybrook move activities with no time available to schedule either a board meeting or send out any communications regarding plans to resolve the bylaw issues. Board members did communicate with each other during the last month and were able to locate amended bylaws that had been approved in late 2000. The board also started working through revisions of the bylaws that will be needed going forward to bring the bylaws current with changes in the organization and to help communications with the general membership. The board of trustees is planning to meet within a couple of weeks to go over the issues at hand and to re-schedule a member meeting at the earliest convenience for presentation of proposed new bylaws and to properly elect the trustees who wish to serve going forward. I am sorry to all our members that we were not able to resolve these issues more quickly to everyone's satisfaction, but it was more important for me, the other board members and other persons involved to participate in the December special events to help ensure the organization's financial well-being for the future.

I am very thankful for working with so many very special volunteers over the past month who all contributed greatly to making this year's December trains our most successful yet. We all had fun and heard many compliments and sincere thanks from our customers. We know that we produced a high quality event and know that the hard work by all contributed to our museum's success. It is our reward in itself.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The framework of the Education Committee was organized over the year 2011. As of November 19 members include Lori Bean, Matt Andel, Matt Lawson, Dana Hunt, Jason Hartmann, George Roraback, and Brent Bette. Committee Consultant: Sherry Edmonds. Howard Pincus is the Museum Board liaison.

Programs will include “Tour Time at the Station” a hands-on, interactive program that will be focused toward students from the elementary through high school levels. “Go Gear” (a program to equip 18-22 year old members with necessary safety and other items), “Railroad Experience” (a hands-on program for adults who are mentored by our volunteers in real project work in restoration, operations, and maintenance), “Story Time at the Station” (train stories, poetry and games for the very young) and “Rail Talk” (an oral history program interviewing museum members about their history and interests in railroading) will also be offered, insuring that there will be something of interest for all age groups from pre-school to seniors.

In addition, other new visitor materials are being drafted: Fast, fun facts about railroading (focusing on the Naugy, and the industrial and natural history of the Naugatuck River Valley) will be available as brochure inserts and on a rack in the station, with an initial run of twelve cards, each presenting a different topic.

Lori’s children’s book about who and what makes our railroad run is in its second revision, and Lori asks for assistance from other writers and readers for review and feedback in order to help get this book ready before Memorial Day 2012. Contact her at 646.491.1473.

Education Committee next steps include: Finalizing all program start dates; Finalizing copy for the website; recruiting leadership for Education publicity and promotion.

MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT

As most of you already know, RMNE membership renewal notices have been sent out. It has been suggested that only those who have paid their dues will be eligible to take rules classes (later this winter, dates to be determined). Please remit ASAP and help to make our treasurer happy!

THOMASTON STATION

The west side window rebuilding continues, with windows 3 and 4 scheduled for completion of the re-installation by mid-January. Windows 5 and 6 have now been removed for rebuilding. Once again Kevin Meehan is requesting that the station be kept clear of clutter through the off-season as well. The station is not a warehouse and clutter gets in the way of the restoration work that is best done when the public is not around. The cellar will be targeted for a big cleanup, which will probably include a large dumpster to haul useless items away. There is no way we can do any meaningful work to improve the cellar until it is largely cleared out.

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

Bob Harrington reports that there is a new starter on the “upper deck” of the Gradall hi-rail excavator. The hi-rail equipment on the machine is currently under repair and should be completed soon. The IHC front-end loader continues to be a valued machine at the Saybrook Yard, and the Cummins front-end loader awaits brake repair and an alternator upgrade when shop time is available.

LOCOMOTIVES

Jason Hartmann, Stewart Crouse, Matt Lawson and others have kept busy with various locomotive projects.

Boston & Maine GP 9 1732 is scheduled for some shop time later this winter for engine removal preparation.

Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 1246 played an important role as a display during our Christmas operations, especially the premium Northern Lights Limited service. On display at the shop yard for all to see, the locomotive was well decorated and lit after dark and used a smoke machine supplied by Stewart Crouse to provide some special effects.

Maine Central RS3 557 has had its damaged horn rebuilt by Matt Lawson.

NAUG U23B 2203 covered the north end of the Holiday service trains without major problems. It remains serviceable to cover any needed assignments.

New Haven RS3 529 received a Christmas present – its batteries were recharged.

New Haven U25B 2525 had an exterior cleaning to remove accumulated leaves and other tree debris left over from its stay at the Chase Yard.

ex-CDOT FL9 2002 got an inspection done to prepare for an engine roll-over but a test cock was found to be stuck. Ex-CDOT 2019 FL9 successfully completed covering the south end of the Holiday service trains. It was drained and set up for its winter hibernation on New Year’s Eve day. Dave Kornfeld was back east for a holiday visit and worked with Howard Pincus and Jay Hartmann on this project.

RMNE 45-tonner 42 also received a battery recharging over the Christmas week. Although not used over the past few years, “the Critter” may be returned to limited service as the shop switcher.

CAR DEPARTMENT

Coach 4980 has had a dual propane tank holder installed by Jason Hartmann, matching the set-up in the other two regularly assigned coaches. Now all 3 of the currently used coaches 4980, 4990, and 5046 have this setup. Sam Walker has the parts cut for another holder which will be installed in the 4992 once it's welded together and painted. Coach 4992 has had its first day of rubberized roof scheduled for Saturday January 7 and work will likely continue on Sunday January 8. Coach 5046 should be getting some shop time later this winter for exterior work as previously discussed.

VOLUNTEER SHOP AND YARD PROJECTS

Adam Miller and Jason Hartmann set up the Eastwood blast cabinet for use inside the shop, and it has already been handy for cleaning small parts. Outside the well-head along track 5 south of the shop was protected with an application of blue paint. Jack Tarter, leader of the electrical installation program, has been sidelined by an accident at home that left him with shoulder problems. He reports that he will be entering a therapy program soon and we’re looking forward to seeing him back at the shop. Howard Pincus has been evaluating possible modifications to the heating system that would make it more efficient.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY MATTERS

The southward extension of track 5 has slowly begun. Jason Hartmann reported that he has finished raking the track bed smooth, set up a string line to locate the path of the track, and painted an edge line to mark the alignment for placing the ties. Spikes and other smaller supplies are slowly making their way to the area. With the Cummins loader being down, the moving of the ties has been held up. Jason warns that erosion is taking place on the embankment between track 5 and the driveway and recommends that it gets a coating of crushed rock or have some grass planted next spring.

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER NEWS

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Volunteer Worksheets are being re-designed and will be available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms or also records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds . These forms are usually available by the dispatcher’s desk in the Volunteer Shop and at the Thomaston station ticket office.

Amherst Railway Society Train Show

As no information was received, the editor assumes that set up for the show in the usual manner – Friday afternoon, January 27. (at the Better Living Center section 23). That is when the staffers should get their admission passes and can purchase their parking permits for the weekend. Check out the show website for details. If any additional information is received I’ll send out an extra edition to the active members.

That’s all the news that fits for now- Thanks to Celeste Echlin, Bob Harrington, Jason Hartmann, Kevin Meehan, Jon Chase, Howard Pincus, Lori Bean, and Sue Sample for their assistance —Bill Sample, editor

Order Board for December 2011

2011-12-14T00:27:00.003-05:00

Santa Express at Reynolds Bridge - Photo by Scott Hartley

DECEMBER OPERATIONS UPDATE

Special thanks go to RMNE President Celeste Echlin, who compiled a detailed report on the preparation and beginning of our 2011 Holiday Operations. Celeste reported that we carried 180 ticketed passengers on our first operation – two Northern Lights Express premium runs on the Thomaston’s “Light Up the Town” night. Advance sales for future operations continue at a good clip, and with good weather we should easily beat last year’s ridership and revenue.

Our good friends up at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum have sold out their Polar Express trains for the season so they have kindly featured a link to our holiday operations on their web site’s home page and undoubtedly this will help build our sales. We also received mention in the AAA Southern New England (which covers western Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island) club on line Horizons magazine, which is accessible by 1.76 million households, all for free! We have also been working with radio stations WATR 1320 AM in Waterbury and WZBG FM 97.3 of Litchfield with advertising and promotion.

Many volunteers have helped with the decoration of the station, shop yard and train and this has once again given our railroad a sparkling appearance. New on the train this year is Al Pomeroy’s freshly overhauled Central Vermont 4014 caboose, with seating available only by advance arrangement with Al. Previously the CV 4014 had appeared with CPR 1246 as part of the "Santa’s Workshop" displays at the Thomaston Shop Yard, but this role has now been assumed by “NH C507.” Another great addition to Santa’s Workshop this year, and a big surprise to many of us last Saturday, is the use of a smoke machine for the CPR 1246 brought to us by Stewart Crouse. That and bright running lights circling the wheels had passengers talking about the big steam engine running on the Naugy!

We continue to need help for the operation on the train, at Thomaston and at the Volunteer Shop. We’re now running Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the next 2 weeks with a final night on Friday 23rd Dec. (Thursday 22nd Dec at 5pm & 7pm has been set aside as a snow date if needed.) Remember, it’s Fridays at 5:00 and 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00, 5:00 and 7:00pm. Tell your friends and neighbors to help spread the word. For ticket purchases, please visit www.rmne.org or call (860) 283-7245.

VOLUNTEER SHOP PROJECTS
Locomotive Department

NAUG 1732 - Our former Boston & Maine GP9 is slated to become an active project once again in 2012. Funding provided by the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award grant (via the Mass Bay RRE) and National Railway Historical Society grant will help finance additional parts purchases to help complete the engine rebuilding. With the locomotive close to the shop, preparation for the removal of the carbody hoods and internal items will begin.

NAUG 2203 – Our U23B has returned service and has been assigned to the north end of the holiday service train.

NAUG 2019 (ex-CDOT) remains in service and is the “southbound power” on the holiday trains.

Other Locomotives – Jason Hartmann has continued the inspection program dealing with our stored locomotives, although time devoted to this has been limited by the demands of holiday preparation. Jason and Matt Lawson continue to loosen up the diesel engine in FL9 Metro-North 2033 (ex-NH 2059), which had two cylinders fouled by moisture intake due to improper storage before we acquired the unit. The next locomotive scheduled for inspection is NH (CDoT/RMNE) 2002.

Car Department

This year’s Holiday Service train consists of coaches 5046, 4980, and 4990 plus caboose CV 4014, courtesy of owner Al Pomeroy.

Coach 4990 had a hot-air furnace installed by Howard Pincus to prepare it for winter season service. Coach 4992 awaits the installation of the roof surface. All lower deck tack boards have been installed. Coach 5046 has had a generator similar to the one in 4992 installed in an underbody battery box. This was scheduled for next year but was advanced due to 4992 remaining in the shop.

Motor Vehicle Department

Bob Harrington reports that Gene Pfeiffer has been doing various MVD projects at the TSY, while Bob has been spending most of his time on duty at Saybrook, operating and maintaining the IHC powered front end loader.

SAYBROOK YARD REPORT

The trucks belonging to boxcars Boston & Albany 39569 and Boston & Maine 70341, plus New Haven mail/express 3008 are now awaiting the arrival of their carbodies from Saybrook. B&A 39569 has been unloaded at the Chase Yard in Waterville, and when the other two arrive a crane will be called in to move the bodies onto their trucks. Bob Eberheim is master-minding the movements and he has kept costs lower than originally anticipated.

At the entrance to the Saybrook Yard, we have added a couple of loads of gravel to level off the surface to prevent loaded trailers from bellying out on the formerly uneven driveway. Walt Hermann and Bob Eberheim have done quite a bit of brush and tree cutting to prepare for upcoming gate and fence realignments, which will be needed when the passenger cars begin to depart. Yard cleanup continues; with all old ties having their track hardware removed to the metal scrap dumpster, and the old ties not needed for blocking also being disposed of. Any remaining loose tie plates were loaded into pallets for shipment. Jon Chase, Dan DiTullio, Bob Harrington, Walt Hermann and Bill Sample worked on the Nov. 3rd crew. We were visited by former members Bill Jeske and Howard Bidwell during the late morning.

Please note that our storage yard at Saybrook is not open to the public.

THOMASTON STATION

As the station is quite busy with holiday visitors, work has been somewhat limited. The third and fourth upper window sashes have been received, painted, and installed with lower sashes still under reconstruction. Some additional work was done in the baggage room area. Kevin Meehan, John King, Bob Martinchek and possibly others have been involved. A tip of the hat goes to John King for discovering some problems with one of the light timers. Sam Walker will be make modifications with parts in stock at the shop. The transom section above the sliding door has been painted for now and will receive more attention after the Christmas season. The TV has been set up with a loaned DVD player behind the information booth.

In the gift shop we will be selling a number of used railroad books donated by the late Harry Vallas.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY MATTERS

A major push to reopen our seldom-used main line north of the Thomaston Dam occurred in late November to allow a work train run to the Plains siding south of Albert St. in Torrington. Another pair of former Long Island Rail Road coaches was ready to depart their repair site for Saratoga Springs, New York, and they and the remaining two pairs of coaches had to be shuffled at Torrington, with the completed cars going to an arranged interchange at Highland Jct. in Waterbury. Ordinarily this would have been any easy move, but the State of Connecticut inspectors had discovered a damaged culvert between East Litchfield and Torrington and banned any locomotive movements over the site. But wait, there’s more… Extensive tree fall damage along our entire line had occurred, especially north of the Dam. While our first efforts were made to reopen the line that we normally use, armed with chain saws, bow saws and the tie handler we began to work our way north. It took hundreds of volunteer hours to make it but we finally had the line opened by Wednesday the 23rd. While we did most of the work, Iowa Pacific, the owners of the Saratoga & North Creek Railway – the destination of the coaches – was quite anxious to get the cars from the Naugy to their new home in NY. Not only did they assist with the culvert project but they sent a hi-rail grapple truck and crew over to help wrap up the project. The work train Extra 2203 ran Friday to Torrington and Highland Junction as arranged and the coaches were on their way to Saratoga Springs by that afternoon.

Chairman Howard Pincus, who spent many an hour on the phone orchestrating the above adventures, thanked all who were involved with this project. Some of those that your editor worked with included Randy Patterson, Stuart Crouse, Adam Miller, Louis Edmonds and Sam Walker. As was said in the previous edition, it is safe to say that in our 15 years at the Naugy, we have never seen anything approaching this level of tree damage for such a long stretch of the line.

Howard reported that this major effort - which landed right in the middle of holiday preparations, the Saybrook Yard evacuation, and the roof project on coach 4992 – impressed many outside of our all-volunteer organization as well as our own members.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER NEWS

- The Cheshire (CT) High School Ram Band Train Show was staffed by Kevin Meehan, Lisa Drazen, Tony Pratt and Sue Sample.

- Our next show will be the Amherst Railway Society’s 2012 Railroad Hobby Show at West Springfield. The dates: set up on Friday 27th January, with the show on 28th and 29th. Details will be in the January Order Board.

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Volunteer Worksheets are being re-designed and will be available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area or at the Thomaston Station. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms, which can be left at the station or shop. Records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds at LRWEdmonds@gmail.com or mailed to Sherry at P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Celeste Echlin, Bob Harrington, Jason Hartmann, Kevin Meehan, Sam Walker, Louis Edmonds, and Sue Sample for assistance.

—Bill Sample, Editor

Caboose 4014 lettering complete

2011-11-21T19:01:00.002-05:00

A photo of a completed 4014 outside this past Saturday afternoon at Thomaston Shop. This former Central Vermont caboose was originally built in 1925, and retired in 1972 when it was purchased by the Steamtown Foundation in Vermont. In 1987 the caboose was purchased privately and moved to several museums around the New England region before it eventually found a home at the Railroad Museum of New England and the Naugatuck Railroad. Photo courtesy Al Pomeroy.

Continued repainting of Central Vermont caboose 4014

2011-11-18T16:03:00.001-05:00

RMNE Volunteer Al Pomeroy pauses while hand-painting the intricate Central Vermont "Maple Leaf" logo on the side of restored caboose 4014 (the CV was a subsidiary of Canadian National Railways, hence the maple leaf design). Stewart Crouse works on painting the complicated end handrails and hand brake mechanism; there are a lot of square feet to cover here! Photos from inside Thomaston Shop on Sunday November 6, 2011. Photos by Howard Pincus

CV 4104 caboose painting continues

2011-11-18T13:53:00.003-05:00

RMNE Volunteer Al Pomeroy pauses while hand-painting the intricate Central Vermont "Maple Leaf" logo on the side of restored caboose 4104 (the CV was a subsidiary of Canadian National Railways, hence the maple leaf design). Stewart Crouse works on painting the complicated end handrails and hand brake mechanism; there are a lot of square feet to cover here! Photos from inside Thomaston Shop on Sunday November 6, 2011. Photos by Howard Pincus

MEC 557 gets a little touch-up work

2011-10-25T12:53:00.005-04:00

Railroad Museum of New England volunteer Jason Hartmann has become a valued member of Naugatuck Railroad's motive power force. He not only has worked keep the operational locomotives on the road, but is spending as much time as possible providing care to some of RMNE's stored out-of-service power. Dedicating not only his time, but spending his own funds for paint, Jason has been working on cosmetically restoring some of the museum's pieces, including Maine Central Alco RS-3 557. He is seen at the Thomaston Volunteer Shop on October 23, 2011, matching colors on the historic Maine Alco. With this work towards cosmetic restoration, the historic unit will be a nice addition to be viewed by our passengers as they ride past the shop area. Meanwhile, Jason explores the unit's physical condition, working to ensure that it can be made operational in the future. Jason is also providing some needed mechanical preservation to the 557 in addition to the cosmetic work. He will be finished with this project within one week to allow other projects needing attention to move into the shop.

Builder's photo of sister unit MEC 556

Coach roof restoration continues

2011-10-19T23:00:00.002-04:00

Repairs to the wood roof of Canadian National coach 4992 are almost complete. Working on the north end of the car, Tony Pratt is attaching new curved wood pieces to the roof. These cars used a composite roof, with steel structural framing, wood strip underlayment and heavy canvas as the outer layer.

In this rebuilding, any deteriorated wood has been replaced, and heavy commercial rubber roofing membrane will be the outer layer, replacing the old canvas. This is the first major roof rebuilding the Museum has done and it will serve as a guide for this work on the other CN cars in coming years.

Project Leader Sam Walker performs the "measure twice, cut once" ritual on a piece of edge tack molding before bolting the new wood part onto CN coach 4992. These pieces form the edge of the roof above the steel car side, seen in the background of this image.

—Photos by Howard Pincus

Central Vermont caboose 4014

2011-10-14T16:52:00.005-04:00

RMNE volunteer Al Pomeroy continues to perform some maintenance on Central Vermont wooden caboose #4014, taking advantage of the warmer weather to make repairs and apply fresh paint. This particular caboose was built in February 1925, replacing another car of the same number that had burned at White River Junction, Vt. The car was in service until at least 1972, when it was purchased to become part of the collection of Steamtown when it was located in Bellows Falls, Vermont. The caboose was privately purchased in 1987 after that organization had decamped to Scranton. The car was later moved to display on the Valley Railroad and eventually moved in 1996 to the Naugatuck Railroad and the Railroad Museum of New England.

—Photos by Howard Pincus

Order Board for October

2011-10-13T00:01:00.004-04:00

NEXT MEETING
The next Meeting will be the Annual Membership Meeting, held on Saturday, 19 November 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

TRAIN CREWS NEEDED
Engine and train crews are needed – engineer, conductor, brakeman and car host positions plus we can always use help at the station, in the office and also tour guides now that we have the B&M 1109 SW1 diesel and B&M C72R caboose on the display track, which have been very popular with our visitors. Barb asks that you please sign up early so she doesn’t have to recruit crews at the last minute. This is especially important during our busy fall season! Please help out. Please contact Barb Walcott at 860.283.5790 or wwalcott@snet.net

TROPICAL STORM LEE FOLLOWS IRENE
In a scenario not unlike 1955 when Hurricane Connie was quickly followed by Diane, the remnants of Hurricanes Irene and Lee struck the upper Naugatuck Valley. As in 1955, the second storm added a very heavy rainfall to an already saturated ground and this time we suffered some damage, particularly in the Reynolds Bridge area, where we had a long wash over and a pair of wash outs, most of this run off from Waterbury Road. Operations were suspended for two days to allow repairs to be made. A work train with engine 2203 and the Pennsy hopper car was dispatched helped get the track back in service for the final weekend of the month. Side dump car NYC 133 was also used to help build up some of the eroded shoulders along the main line. As our own Gradall is out of service Murphy Construction’s Mike Vincent was hired in with his modern Gradall to perform ditching at various points between the shop yard and Thomaston station.

SHOP YARD TRACK EXTENSIONS UNDERWAY
The southward extensions of tracks 1, 2, and 3 saw much progress late in September. The roadbed was graded, ties were laid out and the rail and miscellaneous track hardware was brought to the site for placement with crane PTM 198. Track 1 needed spiking at the end of the month but tracks 2 and 3 were completed except for ballast and surfacing and were immediately filled with equipment. This additional space will help accommodate the arrival of equipment from Saybrook.

Extension of tracks 4 and 5 is underway as grading, including ledge removal, has begun. Gene Pfeiffer has arranged this and other grading to be done at no cost to the RMNE, which allows funding to be directed to other cash hungry projects.

Remaining to be done: spiking track 1, ballasting and surfacing all 3 tracks. Also, over 200 new ties have been installed in the main line using a mix of contract and volunteer labor. Some tamping remains. We hope to be hiring in a ballast regulator this fall. Contact Howard Pincus for project details hpincus@mindspring.com

PROJECTS AT THE THOMASTON SHOP
Motor Vehicle Department - Bob Harrington reports that he is modernizing the brakes on the boom truck mainly to save us $700. on the replacement costs on the antiquated system. New front tires are now on the Dyna-hoe. The IHC loader continues to serve at Saybrook. Gene reports that brake work is needed on the Cummins loader, the Dyna-hoe and Gradall to get things in good order for the winter.

Car Department - Coaches 5046, 4980, and 4990 continue in use on the regular service train.
Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop and work is progressing on the roof. Work on the wood sub-surface at the north end of the car is now nearly complete, and the drip rail installation has begun. Once the woodwork is done a major interior cleaning can start. An all-hands effort will be required to do the job correctly when we will be installing the roofing membrane – a special Order Board will be sent to announce the dates. NYC 133 Side Dump Car received some repair work and again became capable of being dumped to either side, just in time for flood repair duty. CV 4014 has had its roof completed, including walkways. The window repair work, including sills, is also done and the repainting has begun.

Locomotive Department - NH (CDoT/RMNE) 2019 (EMD FL9) remains in use as the regular loco, with NAUG 2203 being used for switching and work train duties until electrical problems in the higher throttle notches can be corrected.

Regarding other locomotives, Jason Hartmann has taken the lead in caring for the stored fleet. NAUG (B&M) 1508, NAUG (MEC) 557, and NAUG (MN 2033) have received recent work, which will be detailed in various upcoming Along the Line issues.

THOMASTON STATION
Kevin Meehan reports that the first two restored windows have been installed along the west wall and the restoration of the next two is underway. They sure look good!

SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER NEWS
- The new RMNE web site is now up and running. Check it out at www.rmne.org
- Advance sales and reservations for the autumn and holidays seasons are reportedly going well. Two complete trains have been reserved in December.
- The Cheshire (CT) High School Ram Band Train Show will be held 20 Nov, 10AM-4PM – we’ll be there!
- The RMNE appeared at the Eastern States Exposition in the Connecticut Building on 28 Sep. Tony & Nancy Pratt, Bill Sample, Timothy Reed, Matt Lawson, Kevin Meehan and Lisa Drazen worked the booth.
It’s not too early to start planning to assist with our busy fall season. One area where we’ll need extra help is the Pumpkin Festival, where we will need “Pumpkin Wranglers” to assist with distribution.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS
Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

That’s all the news that fits for now- Thanks to Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, Jason Hartmann, Kevin Meehan, Howard Pincus, Jon Chase and Sue Sample for their assistance —Bill Sample, Editor

Track extension at Thomaston Shop Yard

2011-09-29T11:15:00.002-04:00

The wooden Central Vermont caboose gets some attention inside the shop.

More track expansion at Thomaston Shop Yard! During the weekend on September 25-26, museum volunteers added 330 feet of new storage track to the Thomaston Shop Yard. Using the 1954 Portland Terminal Company self-propelled crane to handle the rails, the crew extended Tracks 1, 2, and 3 each by 110 feet. This track extension will allow us to house even more equipment at our secure restoration facility, helping to protect our historic equipment from potential vandalism and making it easier to access for routine maintenance. Photos by Howard Pincus.

Order Board for September

2011-09-02T00:26:00.000-04:00

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 10 September 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

TRAIN AND ENGINE CREWS NEEDED

Engine and train crews are needed – engineer, conductor, brakeman and car host positions plus we can always use help at the station, in the office and also tour guides now that we have the B&M 1109 SW1 diesel and B&M C72R caboose on the display track, which have been very popular with our visitors. Please contact Barb Walcott at 860.283.5790 or wwalcott@snet.net

TROPICAL STORM IRENE BLOWS THROUGH NEW ENGLAND

Over the weekend of August 27-28 a well-watched former hurricane Irene passed over New England, leaving a path of destruction throughout most of the region, with only eastern Maine being spared. Virtually all railroad operations were effected, with such major routes as Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and the former Boston & Albany and Boston & Maine routes being shut down for days. In Vermont the destruction was worse, with some routes suffering damage that will keep them closed for weeks or even months. Thankfully, the Naugy was spared major damage from both wind and water, and was closed for two operating days due to weather and post-storm repairs.

A crew was assembled to inspect and start repairs to the line on Monday the 29th, consisting of Howard Pincus, Jason Hartmann, Lori Bean, Walt Hermann and Stewart Crouse. Hi-rail truck TC30 and the tie crane covered the line from Highland Jct. in Waterbury to the “DAM” block station at the west end of the Thomaston Dam, the current limits of regular operation. Several small trees were either cut up or moved off the track, and a number of silted-in drainage areas were cleaned out. The culvert north of the Chase Bridge held up well, remaining stable.

A Gradall run is planned before operations resume to touch up the few areas where minor erosion occurred. Once again the Thomaston Dam added to its value by preventing much downstream destruction of the type suffered in many areas of Vermont and New York.

EARLY SEPTEMBER ALL-MEMBER WORK WEEKENDS

Labor Day and the following weekend will be major project weekends as the Naugatuck Railroad will be on its usual end-of-summer shutdown. We are planning some significant work for the Labor Day weekend and the weekend after (Sept. 10 & 11). Work will include extending the outside trackage at the shop yard, preparing for tie replacement along the main line, running a work train to reposition equipment at Waterville and Thomaston, and repairing the roof of the comfort coach at the Thomaston Station.

If you have a friend who had always wondered about how this stuff is done, bring them along! We will plan to provide a grilled lunch at the Shop Yard on Labor Day weekend days, and will do likewise on the following weekend (although that may be a moveable feast, out along the line).

PROJECTS AT THE VOLUNTEER SHOP
Motor Vehicle Department - Bob Harrington and Gene Pfeiffer have both kept busy assisting with other projects, mainly work at the Saybrook and Shop Yards. The use of equipment maintained by them saves a considerable amount of money that we don’t have to pay in rental fees!

Car Department - Coaches 5046, 4980, and 4990 continue in use on the regular service train. Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop and work is progressing on the roof. Currently plywood clerestory sides have been installed on the east side, and the scaffolding is being moved around to allow work on other areas. Over the next month or two we will be installing the roofing membrane and we will need an all-hands effort to do the job correctly. We will make a special announcement when dates are known and it will be very important to have an adequate staff of about 10-12 to handle the membrane and keep it tight so that we don’t get wrinkles. Other work needed on this car includes interior cleaning and floor painting. Please consider assisting us with this important project. Please report to Sam Walker for instructions.

Locomotive Department - Former CDOT 2019 (EMD FL9) has been covering most of the trains so far this year due to 2203’s operating problems. It is used in the push-pull mode at the south end of the train. NAUG 2203 is again marked up for use on a work train this month.

THOMASTON STATION

RMNE President Celeste Echlin reports that we have been awarded a second grant from the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, bringing funding up to $3400.00 for restoring windows along the west side of the station and installing the rebuilt original doors where the sliding door currently exists. Two windows have been removed to Torrington Sash & Door fro repairs, and when these return two more will be sent out.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER NEWS

Check out our newly designed web site at www.rmne.org. Designed by museum members Otto Vondrak and Mike Roque (by remote control from California), look for continual improvements throughout the end of the season.

Advance sales and reservations for the autumn and holidays seasons are reportedly going well. Two complete trains have been reserved in December.

The RMNE will be appearing at the Eastern States Exposition in the Connecticut Building on 28 Sep. We will be displaying info on the RMNE and the Naugatuck Railroad.

It’s not too early to start planning to assist with our busy fall season. One area where we’ll need extra help is the Pumpkin Festival, where we will need “Pumpkin Wranglers” to assist with distribution.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

That’s all the news that fits for now- Thanks to Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, Celeste Echlin, Howard Pincus, Jon Chase and Sue Sample for their assistance —Bill Sample, editor

40 years ago...

2011-08-29T09:13:00.001-04:00

The date is Sunday, August 1, 1971, the location is Deep River, Connecticut. Amtrak is 4 months old today. It is the Valley Railroad's second day of public operation, and engine 103 is having a little indigestion this morning. Raising steam to get out of Essex was a bit of trouble, so 44-tonner #400 pushed on the other end of the train all the way from Essex to Deep River. Engineer R. B. Jones was really not too happy with his fireman this day. This historic locomotive is part of the collection at the Railroad Museum of New England, moved by truck to our site in 2009. —Photo by Howard Pincus

Order Board for August

2011-08-23T21:52:00.000-04:00

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 10 September 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

TRAIN AND ENGINE CREWS NEEDED

Engine and train crews are needed – engineer, conductor, brakeman and car host positions plus we can always use help at the station, in the office and also tour guides now that we have the B&M 1109 SW1 diesel and B&M C72 caboose on the display track. Barb asks that you please sign up early so she doesn’t have to recruit crews at the last minute. Please contact Barb Walcott at 860.283.5790.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY PROJECTS

The next major job will be extending a couple of the yard tracks southward in the shop yard, likely just tracks 1 and 2 as track 3 is too close to the driveway. A work train, using the PTM 198 crane, was run to collect rail for the siding extensions, which are needed to allow room for equipment arriving from Saybrook and Chase Yard. Ties are in stock and tie plates have been brought in from Saybrook. The construction time will be announced, likely for this fall.

Gene Pfeiffer has been grading the area south of tracks 4 and 5, the tracks that pass through the Volunteer Shop. Not surprisingly he hit some rock ledge below the driveway that goes along the shop, but is locating someone to remove the ledge, which is not too extensive. The extension of these tracks will occur after tracks 1 and 2 are done.

Louis Edmonds and Matt Andel recently cleared the former Civil War exhibition site south of mile post 8 of many years of tree and brush growth to allow the site to be used as a pumpkin patch at a future fall event. Platforms have yet to be constructed and will be needed to allow safe passage of “pumpkin hunters” to and from the train.

PROJECTS AT THE THOMASTON SHOP

Motor Vehicle Department

Bob Harrington and Gene Pfeiffer have both kept busy assisting with other projects, mainly work at the Saybrook and Shop Yards. The use of equipment maintained by them saves a considerable amount of money that we don’t have to pay in rental fees!

Car Department

Coaches 5046, 4980, and 4990 continue in use on the regular service train. Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop and work is progressing on the roof. Currently plywood clerestory sides have been installed on the east side, and the scaffolding is being moved around to allow work on other areas. Later this summer we will be installing the roofing membrane and we will need an all-hands effort to do the job correctly. We will make a special announcement when dates are known and it will be very important to have an adequate staff of about 10-12 to handle the membrane and keep it tight so that we don’t get wrinkles. Other work needed on this car includes interior cleaning and floor painting.

A Request from Our Treasurer

Louis Edmonds is looking for financial donations to help defray the expenses of re-roofing coach 4992. These expenses include plywood, supplies such as sandpaper and additions to our tools, the scaffolding, wood repair, and the rubber membrane surface and related installation items. Donations to pay for these items should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443. Please consider assisting us with this important project. Please report to Sam Walker for instructions.

Coach 5805 - Interior woodwork continues to see attention from Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Wiener and occasional others, although some of the crew has been pressed into service on 4992.

Locomotive Department

Metro-North 2033 (ex NH 2059, the last production FL9 and the last production carbody F-unit by EMD) has been evaluated and sealed up by Jason Hartmann. Jay has taken on the management of the out-of-service locomotives and is compiling records detailing their status and needs.

NAUG (ex-CDOT) 2019 (EMD FL9) has been covering most of the trains so far this year due to 2203’s operating problems. It is used in the push-pull mode at the south end of the train.

NAUG 1508 (Alco RS3) was placed over the pit at the request of project manager Jason Hartmann so that the locomotive can be maintained for continued secure storage. The 1508 is a former B&M locomotive that probably has one of the more interesting histories of any of our fleet. The unit is being sealed up, cleaned up, and being evaluated for needed repairs. One traction motor needs replacement before regular service can begin.

NAUG 2203 is running in the work train with a new fuel pump and hopefully this will be what the loco needed to return to our active duty lineup.

THOMASTON STATION

Kevin Meehan and his crew have continued the improvements to the station waiting room. About 80% of the temporary crown molding has been installed and needs caulking and painting. Wainscoting has been evaluated and the first area that passed the solidarity test has been given a coat of paint that matches one of the NYNH&H era green colors. Next, four window sashes will be removed to be brought to a restoration shop in Torrington as part of a grant awarded by the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation.

SPECIAL EVENTS

It’s not too early to start planning to assist with our busy fall season. One area where we’ll need extra help is the Pumpkin Festival, where we will need “Pumpkin Wranglers” to assist with distribution.

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Please complete the Volunteer Worksheets that are available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms or also records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds. These forms are usually available by the dispatcher’s desk in the Volunteer Shop and at the Thomaston station ticket office

OTHER NEWS

Executive Director Tom Carver has completed his work as RMNE Executive director and is heading for a new position in the operating department of the new Saratoga & North Creek Railroad, which is owned by Iowa Pacific, a prosperous midwestern regional railroad holding company. In his short time with the RMNE he assisted with gaining several grant awards including funding for locomotive B&M 1732 and the Thomaston station and shared his experiences on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. We wish him well and look forward to his future visits with us.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

That’s all the news that fits for now- Thanks to Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, and Sue Sample for their assistance!

—Bill Sample, Editor

Order Board for July

2011-07-05T12:54:00.000-04:00

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 10 September 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

TRAIN AND ENGINE CREWS NEEDED

Engine and train crews are needed – engineer, conductor, brakeman and car host positions plus we can always use help at the station, in the office and also tour guides now that we have the B&M 1109 SW1 diesel and B&M C72 caboose on the display track. Barb asks that you please sign up early so she doesn’t have to recruit crews at the last minute. Please contact Barb Walcott at 860.283.5790.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY PROJECTS

Repeat: Howard Pincus has released the planned trackwork for July. We are planning to do work on various spots on the mainline the weekend of July 1-4. We’d like to have at least 4-5 people each of the days we plan to work, especially Saturday July 2 and Monday July 4. Sunday July 3 we are running the regular 12:00 and 2:00 pm trains. We can plan the Sunday work to be done in an area where we can “clear up” for the trains, so that day is not lost as a workday.

PROJECTS AT THOMASTON SHOP

Motor Vehicle Department

Bob Harrington reports that he and Gene have completed work on the Ford Boom Truck. Gene managed the move of the IHC loader to the Saybrook yard. Gene also began to clear work areas for upcoming track extension work at the south end of the Shop Yard.

Car Department

Coaches 4980 and 5046 are scheduled for air brake servicing over the weekend of 1-4 July under the leadership of Al Pomeroy, at the Volunteer Shop track 4.

Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop. Work continues on the roof, with repairs to the wood base being nearly completed in late April. Tack boards have been custom made and are on hand, being prepped before mounting. Please consider assisting us with this important project. Please report to Sam Walker for instructions.

Coach 5805 - Interior woodwork continues to see attention from Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Wiener and occasional others, although some of the crew has been pressed into service on 4992.

Locomotive Department

B&M 1109 (EMC SW1) continues to be a popular display at the Thomaston Station.

B&M 1732 – Thanks to the efforts of Tom Carver, who credits Dana Hunt and the Western Connecticut Chapter NRHS for their assistance, the RMNE has received a grant from the National Railway Historical Society of $3400.00 to finance the purchase of replacement power assemblies and components to continue the engine rebuild program for our B&M GP9.

NAUG 2203 has received much cosmetic work in addition to various mechanical repairs. The completion of the current session was delayed somewhat by the discovery of a leak in an air system pipe adjacent to a main reservoir tank, necessitating its removal. Side reflective striping has been replaced.

NAUG (ex-CDOT) FL9 2019 remains in service covering all assignments pending the return of U23B 2203 to duty.

THOMASTON STATION

Kevin Meehan and his crew have spent various Saturdays putting up a temporary wall crown in the waiting room, once again upgrading the appearance of the station interior. Outside, much of the equipment on the bulk (display) track now displays descriptive signage. Kevin renews his request that the station be kept clear of clutter. Jason Hartmann took down the O gauge layout for the summer.

While the above was going on, Don Watson was putting the final touches on his architectural narrative description and an accompanying photo exhibit document and submitted it to Ed McAnaney for review. This will be a firm foundation for future grant requests.

A Request from Our Treasurer

Louis Edmonds is looking for donations to help defray the expenses of re-roofing coach 4992. These include plywood, supplies such as sandpaper and additions to our tools, the scaffolding, wood repair, and the rubber membrane surface and related installation items. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443

OTHER NEWS

Steve Butterworth would like to resume crossing signal painting as we get into summer and/or early fall.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

INSTRUCTION AND RULES CLASSES

NORAC rule and air brake classes will be handled on an individual basis. Please contact rules examiner Brent Bette or air brake instructor Al Pomeroy for details.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, Steve Butterworth, Kevin Meehan, Don Watson, and others who helped with this issue.
—Bill Sample, editor

Order Board for June

2011-06-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

NEXT MEETING – CHANGE OF DATE!

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 18 June 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

FLAGG COAL COMPANY #75 RETURNS TO THE NAUGY

The Gramling Family brought their 0-4-0ST steam locomotive back to the Naugy in late May for another 7 days of steam experience. A number of the regular engine crew staff took their turns running and/or firing the locomotive, and this year one trip had two sisters – Sue Sample and her sister Sally Ostlund, running and firing – likely a unique type of crew in New England and certainly rare worldwide! While the ridership for the event was less than what was hoped for, we did not lose money and are looking forward to a return next year. John Gramling and his wife Pat were joined by their son Barney over the Memorial Day weekend.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROJECTS: HELP WANTED

There are a good number of projects scheduled that could use YOUR help, please lend your museum a hand to get these things done!

TRAIN AND ENGINE CREWS NEEDED

Now that our busy Flagg Coal #75 weekends are behind us it is back to our regular schedule of Tuesday and Sunday operations, plus Saturday the 18th of June. Engine and train crews are needed – engineer, conductor, brakeman and car host positions plus we can always use help at the station, in the office and also tour guides now that we have the B&M 1109 SW1 diesel and B&M C72 caboose on the display track Please contact Barb Walcott at 860.283.5790.

CLASSES

Your editor has received several requests for information concerning upcoming NORAC rule and air brake classes - none are currently scheduled as rules examiner Brent Bette is busy winding up the school year where he teaches and air brake instructor Al Pomeroy is recovering from surgery. We hope to have further information in the next Order Board about these and also Roadway Worker Protection and possible timetable classes.

PROJECTS AT THOMASTON VOLUNTEER SHOP

Jason Hartmann reports that he is building some heavy-duty shelves over a storage area for jacks and blocking, which will result in better space utilization. Jack Tarter and Dick Edling continue the construction of the electric service in the building. The shop air system is now accessible throughout most of the building – please keep air tools and hoses stored in their designated areas.

Motor Vehicle Department - Bob Harrington, usually the first responder to my requests for information (Thanks, Bob!) reported that recent weekends were spent preparing the Chevy dump truck for coal duty during the Flagg Coal #75 visit, an assignment that was successfully completed without any problems, as did the station front end loader. The Eslargo GMC boom truck received a new wheel seal. The tie inserter received running repairs, and the NYC 133 side dump car was serviced as has seen use with some washout repairs at the south Thomaston twin bridges. The Ford boom truck has seen considerable work with a hydraulic overhaul being completed, the bed being raised to provide better wheel clearance. Remaining work should be completed over the next few weeks. Gene Pfeiffer’s new job has him working on many weekends but he has working on weekdays as time permits.

Car Department - Coaches 4980 and 5048 had their floors repainted prior to the Flagg Coal Co. operations. Coach 4990, our reserve coach in recent years known as “The Beater” due to its well-warn appearance, can no longer be known as that as far as the interior goes. A number of volunteers under the leadership of Sam Walker completed a complete interior repaint in time for the Flagg Coal Co. #75 weekends. This, combined with window repairs by Sam, Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Wiener and others, got the car returned to service. Trap repairs were also continued, and the seat cushions were re-installed during mid May. We ran out of time before any exterior painting could be done – hopefully we will get this done later this year.

Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop where it took a time-out while full attention went to the other coaches in the operating fleet. Work should be resuming later this month after the scaffolding is reinstalled. Woodwork on the roof is mostly completed.

Coach 5805 – Like the 4990, activity on this car was halted so that the car department staff could concentrate on the active fleet.

Locomotive Department

NAUG 2203 – Our U23B has received much work through the spring, both mechanical and cosmetic. Details will appear in an upcoming Along the Line issue. As of early June the locomotive remains on the pit track but should be back in service shortly.

New Haven (CDoT/RMNE) 2019 is in service and was recently the “protect” locomotive for the Flagg Coal Co. #75 visit. As usual, #75 performed without operational problems but to save coal the 2019 hauled the 75 and its trains from the shop yard to the station and return. Fresh paint is also slowly appearing on this locomotive and this work will likely resume once the 2203 returns as the primary locomotive.

Other Locomotives – Jason Hartmann is beginning a general locomotive inspection program dealing with our out-of-service locomotives such as former Maine Central 557. This work will include the “barring over” of the diesel engines, inspection of stack and vent covers, and general clean up.

THOMASTON STATION AND GROUNDS

With the general freshening of the interior of the station by Kevin Meehan and his crew, the building was ready for the beginning of the 2011 season. The south waiting room wall was completed and all walls were re-coated, and the floor was touched up where needed. A temporary crown will be applied where the walls meet the ceiling later this year. The new point-of-sale system has allowed a ticket position to be located at the information booth display, which sits at the former location of the Thomaston ticket office. Outside, Howard Pincus and crew applied striping to the station approach road that helped with the traffic flow during the Flagg Coal event. Walt Hermann has continued his landscaping work with plantings around both the building and parking lot.

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Please complete the Volunteer Worksheets that are available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms or also records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds at lrwedmonds@gmail.com.

A Request from Our Treasurer

Louis Edmonds is looking for donations to help defray the expenses of re-roofing coach 4992. These include plywood, supplies such as sandpaper and additions to our tools, the scaffolding, wood repair, and the rubber membrane surface and related installation items. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, Steve Butterworth, Pam Larson, Jason Hartmann and others who helped with this issue. —Bill Sample, editor

May Order Board, Second Section

2011-05-11T18:09:00.000-04:00

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROJECTS

One of our major events of the year is fast approaching and we have a number of tasks to complete before Flagg Coal Company #75 returns to the Naugy. Listed below are the schedule of classes and also various projects that could really use your assistance. Every little bit helps – even if your schedule allows for a day or two, we appreciate it. Please lend your museum and railroad a hand to get these things done!

Blue Flag Safety Class

Hal Reiser will conduct a Blue Flag safety class at the Volunteer Shop on the 14th of May (Saturday) 9:30am shop. This will be a short class and it is recommended that all who might have reason to use the blue flag system attend. Please register with Hal so he can prepare materials. Please bring a pencil, pen and notepaper.

Other Classes
No other rule or air brake classes are currently scheduled. Please contact Brent Bette concerning rules or Al Pomeroy about air brake classes. We will be scheduling Roadway Worker Protection and possibly Timetable classes at later dates, to be announced.

14 May: Flagg Coal #75 planning dates with meetings at the Volunteer Shop, 2:00 pm covering operations, staffing & activities for the event. Please bring your suggestions!

PROJECTS AT THE THOMASTON VOLUNTEER SHOP

Car Department

Coach 4980 will have its floor painted this month. Coach 4990 is now in our regular lineup and a general refurbishing is underway. Work will concentrate on the interior. To date, seat cushions and backs have been replaced where necessary and removed to allow access for interior cleaning. The windows have been inspected and repaired as required. Surface preparation is in progress – scraping, sanding and some light patching are the primary tasks, then vacuuming and a tack-cloth rub-down treatment will ready the car for painting, including the floor. This is the first priority of the coaches at this time. This project will be ongoing on Wednesday and possibly Thursday afternoons/evenings as well as on weekends. Sam Walker is the project manager – questions or to conform Thursday call him on his cell phone 860.485.2569.

Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop. Work will continue following the completion of pre-season work on 4980, 4990 and 5046. Coach 5046 is scheduled for a floor painting this month. Coach 5805 – most work suspended until active fleet is ready for service.

Locomotive Department

FL9 2019 is in service.

U23B 2203 is on the final stretch of its pre-season repair session. Andy Kromer and/or Scott Paribello will be completing the project over the next few weekends and need at least one helper. Besides mechanical/electrical completion, it also needs some minor cosmetic work before going back into service by 22 May.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY

Track projects are planned for the weekends of 14-15 and 21-22 May. The first weekend will see tie replacement on the main line on the tangent just south of the south twin bridges in Thomaston, and the following weekend we will be doing some tie replacement and gauging south of the Jericho Bridge. We can use at least 4-5 people on each track crew – please contact Howard Pincus for information, cell phone 914.907.7071.

THOMASTON STATION

We need a crew at the station to help ready the grounds for the Flagg Coal #75 visit. The platform around B&M caboose C72 needs to be moved to allow switching – we will be moving B&M 1109 to the display track and switching out the crane and MEC gondola. Rolling stock signs need to be installed. Contact Celeste Echlin (cell 860.485.2567 or Tom Carver (cell 315.351.6680)

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Please complete the Volunteer Worksheets that are available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms or also records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds.

A Request from Our Treasurer

Louis Edmonds is looking for donations to help defray the expenses of re-roofing coach 4992. These include plywood, supplies such as sandpaper and additions to our tools, the scaffolding, wood repair, and the rubber membrane surface and related installation items. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443

FLAGG COAL #75 CREW CALL

I will need crews for May 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 (Flagg Coal #75 trains). Please contact Barb Walcott at 860.283.5790 or by email.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569. Thursdays may be added if required.

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 11 June 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 7:30pm.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Tony Pratt, Howard Pincus, Sam Walker, Pam Larson, Tom Carver, Celeste Echlin and others who helped with this issue. —Bill Sample, editor

Here comes the Revolution…

2011-05-10T23:44:00.002-04:00

It’s a quiet Saturday in Binghamton, NY; a local railfan is roaming the Delaware & Hudson yards with his camera, and is intrigued by three new diesel locomotives among all the D&H steam power. Five days ago, on Monday November 13, 1939, Electro-Motive Corporation released these 600-horsepower switchers from their new plant in the cornfields west of Chicago, at LaGrange, Illinois. EMC’s soon-to-be-famous Model 567 Diesel engines are inside those glossy black hoods, the first of that model to cross the Hudson River and enter New England.

Stacks covered and engines quiet, they are bound for the Boston & Maine Railroad and will be handed over at Mechanicville, NY by the D&H within hours of Mr. Humphrey’s picture. B&M 1109, 1110 and 1111, the three sisters, will serve as passenger train switchers at Boston’s North Station until 1959, and will go on to have an after-life on two New England shortline railroads. 1109 and 1110 eventually will be preserved by Railroad Museum of New England. On this quiet Saturday, they are the advance troops of the Diesel Revolution, ready to kill off the majestic steam power that rules the rails this November day. Within 14 years, they will have triumphed in New England and the Northeast.

This small print was discovered in a batch of prints obtained at an auction by RMNE’s Al Galanty. The EMC builder number for 1109 is actually 912; the “#192” on the back of the print is a typo.

—Howard Pincus

Order Board for May 2011

2011-05-04T09:45:00.000-04:00

Col. Randal B Hathway, USAF (ret.), 1921-2011

RMNE member Randy Hathway passed away on Saturday evening, April 30, at his home after a period of declining health. Randy joined the RMNE soon after we began operations at the Naugatuck Railroad and was quite active in many projects, including the Thomaston Station rebuilding. He had been a Thomaston resident since 1931 and often shared his memories with your editor, including riding the last passenger train from Thomaston to Winsted and return. A P47 fighter pilot in both the European and Pacific theaters of World War II, he flew many combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational church in Thomaston on Thursday 5 May at 11am. Calling hours will be at the Lyons Funeral Home on High St, Thomaston, on Wednesday 4 May 4-7pm.

SUCCESSFUL EASTER SATURDAY

Our first operation in 2011 was the “Easter Bunny Express” service, which ran 3 trains consisting of FL9 2019 and coaches 5046, 4980, and 4990. Despite the weather being miserably wet and cold, we had a very good crowd of over 550, almost equaling last year’s, which had benefited from operations being on a fine spring day. Retail sales were also strong and our new, state-of-the-art point of sale and ticketing accounting system was ready for the task, and Celeste Echlin, Lisa Drazen, Barb Walcott and Executive Director Tom Carver put it to work. Now gathering the various income flows will be far easier and take a fraction of the time.

Tom recognized Sue Sample for leading the cleanup and decorating of the station, comfort coach, and train; and also thanked Kevin Meehan and his crew for finishing up the sheetrock installation and painting of the waiting room. Agent Joan Jackson was also thanked for her part in helping to get the retail department ready for the opening day. Tom, Bill Sample, Stewart Crouse, and others helped keep the parking lot operating smoothly.

Train crew was Hal Reiser, engineer; Ed McAnaney and Bill Sample share the conductors duties, Matt Andel was the brakeman, Matt Lawson the student brakeman, car hosts were Lou Beres, Lee VanIderstine, and Joe Viener and the Easter Bunny was portrayed by Sue Sample. As noted, the day was wet and cold but the train was warm thanks to the efforts of Sam Walker, Jason Hartmann and other members of the shop crew who had all three cars heated.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROJECTS: HELP WANTED

There are a good number of projects scheduled that could use YOUR help – please lend your museum a hand to get these things done!

Blue Flag Safety Class

Hal Reiser will conduct a Blue Flag safety class at the Volunteer Shop on the 14th of May (Saturday) 9:30am shop. This will be a short class and it is recommended that all who might have reason to use the blue flag system attend. Please register with Hal so he can prepare materials. Please bring a pencil, pen and notepaper.

Other Classes

No other rule or air brake classes are currently scheduled. Please contact Brent Bette concerning rules or Al Pomeroy about air brake classes. We will be scheduling Roadway Worker Protection and possibly Timetable classes at later dates, to be announced. An additional NORAC class may be offered if there is sufficient interest – please contact rules examiner Brent Bette so that arrangements can be made.

PROJECTS AT THOMASTON VOLUNTEER SHOP

Motor Vehicle Department

Bob Harrington reports that work continues on the Boom Truck, and the Gradall has been brought to the Shop Yard from Chase Yard for some maintenance work by Gene Pfeiffer.

Car Department

Coach 4990 was returned to service for use on the Easter Train. Jason Hartmann, Terry Hannon and others replaced worn or damaged seat cushions and backs with some from the currently out of service 4992. We hope to have some new paint on the exterior prior to the Flagg Coal weekends.

Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of track 5 in the shop. Work continues on the roof, with repairs to the wood base being nearly completed in late April. Other work that can be done while the car is in the comfort zone of the shop is a thorough interior cleaning and floor painting. Please consider assisting us with this important project. Please report to Sam Walker for instructions.

Coach 5805 - Interior woodwork continues to see attention from Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Wiener and occasional others, although some of the crew has been pressed into service on 4992.

Locomotive Department

Currently FL9 2019 is in service while U23B 2203 continues to receive miscellaneous repairs. The rebuilt governor was installed in later April using one of the new forklifts donated through the effort of Jason Hartmann. 2203 is also receiving some cosmetic work, particularly on the nose and cab, which will help to give it a less-rusty look until a complete exterior repaint can be done.

Tom Carver has prepared and submitted a grant request to the National Railway Historical Society for funds to assist with the 1732’s diesel engine rebuilding.

THOMASTON STATION

Kevin Meehan and crew got back to work inside the station once the weather warmed up, continuing the wall improvement project. The remainder of the east wall was patched and painted, and the south wall of the waiting room was sheet-rocked and painted, being completed in time for a pre-operation spring-cleaning. The station hasn’t looked this good since long back into the 20th century.

Tom Carver, Sue Sample, Lou Beres, Kevin Meehan, and others helped with the big cleanup while the final installation of the new Point of Sale accounting system was completed. Celeste Echlin, Joan Jackson, Barb Walcott, and Lisa were in the first training class. All gift shop stock was entered into system prior to the Easter train.

May 14: Flagg Coal #75 planning dates with meetings at the Volunteer Shop, 2:00 pm covering operations, staffing & activities for the event. Please bring your suggestions!

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Please complete the Volunteer Worksheets that are available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms or also records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds at lrwedmonds@gmail.com.

A Request from Our Treasurer

Louis Edmonds is looking for donations to help defray the expenses of re-roofing coach 4992. These include plywood, supplies such as sandpaper and additions to our tools, the scaffolding, wood repair, and the rubber membrane surface and related installation items. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443

OTHER NEWS

- Membership Chair Pam Larson reports that about 100 members still haven’t paid their dues this year and a second and final billing will be going out early in May. PLEASE PAY YOUR DUES!

- Tom Carver reports that he and Celeste Echlin are resubmitting a grant request to Community Foundation of Northwestern Connecticut for stairway and signage supplies for exhibit track at the Thomaston station.

- Advertising is beginning for the Flagg Coal #75 visit and we will attempt to recruit school field trip visits to the Friday events.

- I will need crews for May 26,27,28,29, and 30, Flagg Coal #75 trains - Barb Walcott. Contact Barb at 860.283.5790.

- Steve Butterworth would like to resume crossing signal painting as we get into summer and/or early fall

- Your editor has not heard any confirmation on any spring track project as of publication date. Usually they are scheduled for May. A special e-mail Order Board will be sent out if details become available.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 11 June 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 7:30pm.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, Steve Butterworth, Pam Larson, Tom Carver, Celeste Echlin and others who helped with this issue. —Bill Sample, editor

Order Board for April

2011-04-07T12:03:00.001-04:00

A portrait of three F-units getting some sun at Thomaston Volunteer Shop. The two units at left are former CDOT F7's that ran in Shore Line East commuter service, while the unit at right is a former New Haven FL9 rebuilt by CDOT in the 1980s for Metro-North. Photo by Howard Pincus.

REVISED Rules Class Schedules

Due to schedule conflicts, the 16 April and 21 May Blue Flag classes have been cancelled. The only class scheduled for now is the 14 May class, but an additional class will be offered in June – date to be determined. “Blue Flag” classes take place at the Volunteer Shop. It will be a hands-on class with a short exam and should not take more than one hour. The class is required for all NORAC qualified personnel as well as anyone who intends to work at the shop. All those who plan to take the course please register with instructor Hal Reiser by email to get details. Starting time will be at 9:30am. The classes are open to anyone interested in getting involved with train operation on the Naugatuck Railroad!

2011 ANNUAL DINNER
There's still time to sign up for the RMNE 43rd Annual Dinner. Please call Nancy Pratt at (203) 578-5930 for details.

PROJECTS AT THOMASTON VOLUNTEER SHOP

Motor Vehicle Department

Major work on the Boom truck continues in the northwest corner of the shop – good progress has been made in raising the body and rebuilding the hydraulic controls. Also the TC-30 is in for hi-rail work.

Car Department

Coach 4990 will be brought into the shop for a light prep and repaint and vestibule repairs. Air brake servicing is also needed on this car. This car is scheduled to re-emerge as Canadian National Railways 4990 in the 1950s color scheme.

Coach 4992 remains in the north bay of Track 5 in the shop. Our brand-new scaffolding has been set up along the east side and south end of the car, making for a safe and pleasant working platform for roof work. The west side and north end are reachable using the mobile scissor lift – no working from ladders is needed The large opening that once housed air conditioning equipment has been successfully enclosed. The priority project is to complete the sanding and any needed surface preparation to ready the car for roofing installation. and the other with its deteriorated painted canvas roof removed down to the wood surface. This will allow the installation of a rubber membrane surface that should stop the leaks that the car has been plagued with in recent years. Plywood covering will be fitted to the side of the clerestory surface once the roof membrane is installed. Other work that can be done while the car is in the comfort zone of the shop is a thorough interior cleaning and floor painting. Please consider assisting us with this important project. Please report to Sam Walker for instructions.

Coach 5805 - Interior woodwork continues to see attention from Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Wiener and occasional others.

Locomotive Department

Currently FL9 NH 2019 is in service while U23B 2203 receives governor, exhaust system, and other miscellaneous repairs.

Train and Engine Crews:

16 April – Possible work train crew Volunteer Shop Yard – Thomaston Station

23 April - Easter Bunny Train: need conductor, engineer, and car hosts including Easter Bunny Assistant.

Rules and Training Classes:

We will be scheduling Roadway Worker Protection and possibly Timetable classes at later dates, to be announced. An additional NORAC class may be offered if there is sufficient interest – please contact rules examiner Brent Bette so that arrangements can be made. Regarding any future Air Brake instruction and exam needs, please contact Al Pomeroy.

Pre- 2011 Operations Projects:

16 April (plus 17th if needed) we will have a Spring Cleaning Day (s) at the Thomaston Station and also on the train, which may be moved to the Station to facilitate cleaning.

30 April, 14 May: Flagg Coal #75 planning dates with meetings at the Volunteer Shop, 2:00 pm covering operations, staffing & activities for the event. Please bring your suggestions!

Volunteer Work Hour Records

As part of the renewed emphasis on obtaining grant funding, we must resume the recording of our volunteer time. Please complete the Volunteer Worksheets that are available by the north door of the shop by the dispatcher’s area. Sherry Edmonds will be recording the hours as submitted from these forms or also records can be e-mailed up to Louis Edmonds.

A Request from Our Treasurer

Louis Edmonds is looking for donations to help defray the expenses of re-roofing coach 4992. These include plywood, supplies such as sandpaper and additions to our tools, the scaffolding, wood repair, and the rubber membrane surface and related installation items. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

THOMASTON STATION

Kevin Meehan is resuming his work inside the Thomaston Station and has his staff needs under control. He asks that we all continue to keep the station neat and to refrain from cluttering the building.

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 11 June 2011. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 7:30pm.

Thanks to Celeste Echlin, Louis Edmonds, Bob Harrington, Al Pomeroy, Jon Chase, Kevin Meehan, Tony Pratt, Hal Reiser, Howard Pincus, Barb Walcott, Sue Sample and others who helped with this issue. —Bill Sample, Editor

March Order Board

2011-03-02T10:21:00.001-05:00

RULE AND AIR BRAKE CLASSES AND EXAMS

Brent Bette and Al Pomeroy will be conducting classes for RMNE members in good standing who wish to participate in the operation of our Naugatuck Railroad. Details received are as follows:

RULES – Change of Time - Brent Bette

Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) instruction and exams will be given on Saturday, February 26 and Saturday, March 5, beginning at 9:00am, breaking for lunch from 12:30pm-1:15pm, finishing up by 4:00pm. Brent advises registration is not necessary. Location will be the Thomaston Town Hall Senior Citizens Center, in the basement of the Thomaston Town Hall on Main St. We will add another date if necessary but Brent would like to see if the majority of our operating crew can be certified on those two dates. The third date will be a weekday mutually agreed upon by those who cannot attend either of the Saturday sessions. (Editor’s note – please bring your NAUG employee’s timetable, pen, pencil, and scratch paper.)

AIR BRAKE – Al Pomeroy

Air brake class will be held on Saturday March 12, 2011 starting at 09:00 location is at the Senior Citizen’s Center, basement of the Thomaston Town Hall. I have been advised that with the new rulebook due out soon that both engineers and Conductors will be required to pass this exam to continue in qualified service. Brakemen are encouraged to participate as well. A three-part download is available on request with an e-mail to alp4@myfairpoint.net if you do not have class materials from previous classes. A limited quantity of new books is being printed and will be available at the class if you have not previously received one. A $25.00 fee for a replacement copy is available for those who have lost/misplaced their copy. This class is made available subject to advance reservation to the above e-mail address. Reservations must be made prior to March 7th 2011 so that the correct quantity of tests may be prepared. This exam will be for new and experienced qualified Naugatuck railroad employees only. Additional testing/retesting dates to be determined based on need. Any additional details will go out to those individuals who have reserved their place in the class. (Editor’s note – please bring your NAUG employee’s timetable, pen, pencil, and scratch paper.)

ADDITIONAL CLASSES

We will also be scheduling Roadway Worker Protection and Timetable classes as well as a possible additional NORAC class – a special edition of the Order Board will be sent out when this info is confirmed. If a member cannot attend either of the scheduled NORAC classes, they may contact Brent at bbette@msn.com so that alternate arrangements can be made.

PLANNING FOR THE RMNE’S FUTURE

While the most visible focus of RMNE activity is the hands-on work in the shop or Thomaston station, rest assured that many hours of behind-the-scenes planning work concerning the RMNE’s future does continue. The Board of Trustees and Executive Director recently met in a daylong that session to help write a strategic plan. Our progress will be reviewed at the next General Membership Meeting on March 12, and this will include details of our leasehold expansion south of the Volunteer Shop and Yard area and RMNE control of the reversionary rights of the Thomaston Station. Some of the foundation of the overall plan was established during the meetings held last winter, and the Board is most appreciative of the input and support offered by our membership.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

CONNECTICUT PUBLIC TELEVISION (CPTV) SPONSORSHIP

Celeste Echlin reports the RMNE was contacted by CPTV last week to see if we were interested in becoming a sponsor for their March fundraiser, which will air during the evenings of March 6 and 7 and possibly some additional dates. CPTV came to us through Robert Van Camp, the producer of the Great Scenic Railway Journeys series. He has been in the area to arrange for the showing of his new series “Celebrating North America’s Steam Railways.” We will be included with video footage taken by Ralph Harris, which will include Flagg Coal, NH (CDoT) 2019, and the Northern Lights Limited. Ralph’s footage will be edited into a presentation that will also include 30-45 second clips of the Cape Cod Central and the Delaware & Ulster lines. In return for this publicity, we will provide the CPTV a number of 4-pack tickets good for regular train rides. Celeste made a short presentation to Mr. Van Camp describing our operation, and this has spurred his interest in possible future work with our organization.

Pre- 2011 Operations Projects: – Sat, April 16, 10:00 am (& 4/17, as needed) will be clean-up day for the Station & the Train with the train parked at the Station to facilitate cleaning.

Sat, Apr 30 & Sat, May 14 are Flagg Coal planning dates with meetings at the Volunteer Shop, 2:00 pm covering operations, staffing & activities for the event. Please bring your suggestions!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Tom Carver

Tom continues to research grant request and other income possibilities from a number of different resources. Tom is now the head of the Thomaston Station Development Committee, which will oversee the planning and financing of the restoration of the passenger station, of the crown jewels of our collection. In this position he will be meeting with various interested community and political officials beginning this spring.

Tom also reports that he has lined up a replacement air compressor for his locomotive (Alco C424 #4243) and he will be ordering other needed parts for an upgrade of the 251 series engine. Once the installations are completed, the locomotive will be test-run and if successful, the 4243 will be on its way to the Naugy.

TICKETS PUNCHES AVAILABLE

Our friends up at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum are in the process of ordering ticket punches and have offered to include our staff if interested. There are two types available – with a “chad” hopper (catches the punch-outs, less sweeping in the coaches!) for $28.60 each, or the hopper-less model for $24.10. Designs include "Heart," "Star," "T," "Rounded T," "Sideways Y," "Circle on Square," "J," "Key," "Wrench," Hammer," “L,” "Star with squared point," "Lightning Bolt," "P," and "Celtic Cross." Please contact Kevin Chittenden, Supt., BSRM, to order at his e-mail kchittenden at berkshirescenicrailroad.org and be prepared to send a check made out to the Berkshire Scenic Railroad Museum to the BSRM, P O Box 2195, Lenox, MA 01240 – don’t forget to describe the design and with or without the chad hopper.

February Order Board

2011-02-10T10:06:00.002-05:00

2011 RULE AND AIR BRAKE CLASSES AND EXAMS

Brent Bette and Al Pomeroy will be conducting classes for RMNE members in good standing who wish to participate in the operation of our Naugatuck Railroad. Details received are as follows:

RULES – Brent Bette

Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) instruction and exams will be given on Saturday, February 26 and Saturday, March 5, beginning at 8:00am and likely lasting until 2:00pm. Brent advises registration is not necessary. Location will probably be the Thomaston Town Hall Senior Citizens Center, in the basement of the Thomaston Town Hall on Main St.

We will add another date if necessary but Brent would like to see if the majority of our operating crew can be certified on those two dates. The third date will be a weekday mutually agreed upon by those who cannot attend either of the Saturday sessions. (Editor’s note – please bring your NAUG employee’s timetable, pen, pencil, and scratch paper.)

AIR BRAKE – Al Pomeroy

Air brake class will be held on Saturday March 12, 2011 starting at 09:00 (location to be confirmed but probably in the usual place in the Thomaston Town Hall) I have been advised that with the new rulebook due out soon that both engineers and Conductors will be required to pass this exam to continue in qualified service. Brakemen are encouraged to participate as well. A three-part download is available on request with an e-mail to alp4 at myfairpoint.net if you do not have class materials from previous classes. A limited quantity of new books is being printed and will be available at the class if you have not previously received one. A $25.00 fee for a replacement copy is available for those who have lost/misplaced their copy. This class is made available subject to advance reservation to the above e-mail address. Reservations must be made prior to March 7th 2011 so that the correct quantity of tests may be prepared. This exam will be for new and experienced qualified Naugatuck railroad employees only. Additional testing/retesting dates to be determined based on need. Any additional details will go out to those individuals who have reserved their place in the class.

PROJECTS AT THE VOLUNTEER SHOP

We all owe a big thank you to Gene Pfeiffer for his continuing efforts in battling the record snowfall this season. Thankfully this did not start until after holiday operations ended but Gene was ready “just in case.”

January did see a number of substantial snowfalls and few if any days above freezing to reduce the groundcover. Gene has kept access to the Thomaston station, dumpster, and display track equipment open as well as keeping the greater Volunteer Shop and Yard areas opened – important for staff and emergency access. Gene has also monitored the interior temperature at the shop, which allowed the excessive snow to slide off the roof at the expense of the gutters – but the alternative was a possible roof sag or collapse under the snow load. Please use caution – icy conditions persist despite our best efforts at plowing and sanding our access areas. Watch out for falling snow from building and equipment roofs, and slippery footing especially on hidden ice.

The wintry weather now has precluded Naugatuck Railroad operations, limiting even switching in the Volunteer Shop Yard. Before the most recent foot or so of snow fell, coach 4992 was switched into the shop on track 5 north, and then 2203 headed onto the pit. Christmas decorations need to be removed and packed away from locomotive NH 2019 and coaches 4980 and 5046, likely to be done outside – Sam Walker reportedly will wear his snowshoes. At last report, Coach 4992 will remain inside to receive a new roof covering and tack strips, work to begin now.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

An old RMNE tradition is being formally revived – Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

In Motor Vehicle Corner at the northeast end of the shop, Gene has opened up enough space to serve as a motor vehicle dept. repair area. Work on the Islargo boom truck has been completed for now, and our Ford boom truck, which has been a hard working part of the RMNE family for over a quarter century now, has entered for needed maintenance and repairs. The two front-end loaders have been busy with the snow clearing work mentioned above. One of the uses for our vehicle fleet will be further work at the RMNE Saybrook Yard once the weather breaks. We hope to have most of the yard clear of most non-rail equipment items by summer and will need MVD assistance.

Jason Hartmann recently hung up a pair of message boards on the south wall of the comfort station that list various equipment projects. In addition to these projects, electrical and air installation continue, mostly along the east wall.

THOMASTON STATION

Up at the Thomaston Station, work on interior repair and painting will resume when it warms up a bit. The east wall is almost completed, and the south wall awaits sheet rocking. Watch for further information in the next Order Board.

TORRINGTON NEWS

As expected, the privately owned former passenger station in Torrington, a victim of over 50 years of neglect, was torn down during the first week of January. Ralph Harris videotaped a segment of the demolition, which shows the south end of the building as it was ripped apart. It was unfortunate that no one in town had the will and financial ability to save the structure.

Also now missing in Torrington is a former B&M drop bottom gondola that resided on the bulk track for a number of years. Scratch the B&M W610 from your rosters... Sister NAUG 92788 survives.

Membership Matters

Membership Chair Pam Larson announced that the 2011 dues billings have been mailed. Please respond as soon as possible and don’t be afraid to upgrade your membership and add a donation!

RMNE Treasurer Louis Edmonds suggests that, as dues are a portion of the Museum's income, he would like to see members consider an upgrade to the next higher membership level. Also, since all levels of membership now will receive the same benefits, the value of membership dues paid above the base level of $35.00 is tax deductible.

And the Museum will always gladly accept direct donations to the General Fund, which is also tax-deductible. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer, either to the Museum at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 or the Treasurer’s home address at P. O. BOX 443, GEORGES MILLS, NH 03751-0443

RECENT EVENTS

- As most readers know, this winter has been a severe one with some extraordinary snowfalls. Several snowfalls in early January deposited around 2 feet of snow along parts of the line and it was decided to run a plow train over most of the length of the line on January 12th. Locomotive 2203 retrieved our snowplow X105, which formerly fought snow for the Green Mountain and Maine Central railroads since its construction in 1936. The operation was depicted on our web site and will appear in an upcoming “Along the Line.” Howard Pincus, Dave Manning, Al Pomeroy, Brent Bette and Randy Patterson crewed the move.

- Once again the RMNE appeared at the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby show during the final weekend of January.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Celeste Echlin, Louis Edmonds, Bob Harrington, Al Pomeroy, Brent Bette, Sue Sample and others who helped with this issue. - Bill Sample, editor

Snowfighting on the Naugy

2011-01-17T15:44:00.006-05:00

An early January blizzard dumped more than 24" of snow on our railroad in a matter of hours! A plow extra was run on January 14 to keep the line clear consisting of NAUG 2203 and our Maine Central snow plow. Enjoy these photos from Celeste Echlin.

A great composition video by one of our volunteers...

Also, enjoy this view of our plow train crossing Frost Bridge Road.

Order Board for January

2011-01-11T14:06:00.000-05:00

Thomaston Station Reversionary Rights Resolved

Thanks to a lengthy pursuit by RMNE Trustee Ed McAnaney and the assistance of Torrington commercial realtor Vance Taylor, a purchase and sale agreement has been received by the RMNE from rights holder Jay Horowitz for Thomaston Station. This will give the RMNE full control of the station’s future and opens the door to pursue funding for a major restoration project. Additional details will appear in an upcoming issue of “Along the Line.”

Torrington Station Death Watch

An article that appeared in the 27 December edition of the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper announced the impending death of the Torrington passenger station. Owned since the late 1950s by the Kelley family, onetime owners of bus, trucking and fuel operations, the building saw little maintenance and much neglect which led it to its current poor condition. The article did not state who the present owner of the property is, but it did say the city would be applying for the demolition permit. Years ago the RMNE approached the Kelley family concerning an offer to help preserve the building, but our help – which was a proposal to tarp the roof at our expense – was flatly turned down. As the building entered the new century, its condition became basically beyond saving. Demolition began on Tuesday, January 4 and continued through the week. (Thanks to Jason Hartmann for the news tip)

Holiday Operations

RMNE president Celeste Echlin provided a very positive report concerning our 2010 holiday operations. Our preliminary reports have listed ticket sales of more than 3600 passengers and a gross income greater than $62,000, which is a 30% increase over the successful 2009 season! And this was done with fewer scheduled runs. One big help was from Mother Nature as we enjoyed good weather throughout except for one very rainy but non-freezing day. Celeste began her report with a big thank you to the membership, old and new, who spent hundreds of volunteer hours planning, preparing and operating the event. Crew Dispatcher Barbara Walcott also send a big thank you to the membership for their help on staffing the train and station throughout the 2010 season.

Membership Matters

Celeste Echlin reported that several new members were signed up during the holiday season at the Thomaston Station.
Kevin Meehan thanks Lisa Drazen, Tom Carver, and Bill and Sue Sample with their help staffing the December Cheshire High School train show.

Membership Chair Pam Larson announced that the 2011 dues billings are being prepared and will be going out beginning in mid-January. The Regular Membership rate is being increased to $35.00 per year, but this increase is the first in at least 24 years – how many other organization have kept their basic dues at such a reasonable rate for a quarter century despite rising operating costs, such as postage? And the Museum will always gladly accept direct donations to the General Fund, which is also tax-deductible. These donations should be sent directly to the Treasurer at P. O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington

The coal truck is in the usual DMV corner of the shop for water pump and brake work. The IHC front-end loader has returned from the Saybrook Yard and is also receiving repairs so that we will be ready to battle any snowfall. The Boom truck will also get some shop time for needed repairs, and the borrowed boom truck has also returned to the Naugy from Saybrook duties for now.

VOLUNTEER SHOP (formerly THOMASTON SHOP)

With the start of a new year, we will be phasing in the name “Volunteer Shop” at the request of RMNE Treasurer Louis Edmonds, whose own support and leadership made the complex a reality. Louis wishes to name the area “Volunteer” due to the dedication of those who not only are helping build the trackage and fit out the building (both projects are far from complete) but also to honor the volunteers who staff the railroad from the Board of Trustees through those who maintain the comfort coach, and also as a tribute to those who offer their knowledge and compassion to guide the Museum’s development.

The “Volunteer” name will also apply to the shop yard and lead track from the main line, and this is scheduled to be formalized in an upcoming Naugatuck Railroad operating timetable. This renaming has a number of precedents in New England – for safety reasons a number of similar station names were changed, in this era it was to prevent confusion on train orders. One example that your editor remembers was on the Boston & Maine in New Hampshire when West Lebanon became Westboro - following a serious train wreck that was likely caused by confusion with the use of similar station names on a train order.

Although the shop naming is being phased in ahead of completion, improvements do continue. Gene Pfeiffer and Jason Hartmann have now hooked up hot water to the newly installed sink, and lighting has been installed inside the toilet stall with electrical work being done by Jack Tarter with assistance by Dick Edling. Electrical conduit installation continues at a steady pace at various areas around the building. Much appreciated outside lighting has been installed outside the staff doors at both ends of the building.

For those of who remember our bare-bones existence not all that long ago at the Chase Yard and earlier at Saybrook, the newly upgraded Volunteer Shop is a real blessing! As Steve Butterworth said “I washed my hands inside, at a sink, standing up. So marvelous, for something we usually take for granted.”

THOMASTON STATION

With the completion of the holiday operations, quiet has again returned to the Thomaston Station and Kevin Meehan and his crew will resume the repair and repainting of the waiting room walls. The east wall is almost complete. Work on the south wall of the waiting room will be a more extensive project that will begin later this winter.

NORAC BOOK OF RULES AND AIR BRAKE CLASSES

We are working on setting up NORAC Book of Rules classes for our operating personnel later this winter. These classes will likely be offered on two weekend days and one weekday, probably in the Thomaston Town Hall. Details will be provided when available. Members who will be taking these exams should begin reviewing their rulebooks.

Al Pomeroy is setting up his upcoming air brake classes and exams. The class schedule still is to be determined but will be coordinated with the rules classes. Al suggests that this is a good time to dig out your books and do some studying. Requests for books to alp4@myfairpoint.net so that he can get an idea of how many he needs to print. They will be free for first time students, $25.00 replacement book charge to apply for lost /missing. They also will be available as an e-mailed PDF file upon request. The air brake class is required for engineers, but conductors are strongly recommended to attend due to upcoming certification requirements. The class will be open to all current or future employees in covered service.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

Passenger Car Christmas decoration removal will commence inside the Volunteer Shop in January – work days are scheduled on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 12th

The Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show is scheduled for set up on Jan 28 (set up, around 1pm), 29 (show staff time 8am-5pm), and 30 (show staff time 9am-5pm, followed by take down)

Possible days set aside for NORAC classes – February 5, 19, and March 6. Watch future Order Boards for confirmation.

The Saybrook Yard cleanup will resume later this winter – watch for announcements.

Car Department

5805 – overhaul will continue, with continuing wood and metal repair inside and outside. Saturdays are the best day to find a crew working on the project.

4990 – At some point, “The Beater” will be given some shop time to prepare it for service when other coaches are undergoing repairs. This will include window and trap repair, a thorough interior cleaning, and a basic exterior painting to give the car a presentable appearance.

4980, 4992, 5046 – the active fleet will receive roof attention to address the leaks that were apparent on that extremely wet day we had during the holiday operations. The car with the original canvas roof will be the first car to have its roof updated with a rubber-fabric overlay, a treatment that will eventually be applied to the remaining composite roofed cars time and finances permit.

5046 will receive an exterior prep and repaint following the rubber roof project

As track expansion continues in the Volunteer Yard, other cars will be brought in from Waterville for safekeeping.

Locomotive Department

No information was submitted. It is assumed that CDOT 2019 will be drained for outside storage, and 2203 will be kept in service for needed switching.

Maintenance of Way

There is a possibility of brush and tree cutting gangs going out, primarily to keep sight lines open and later to open up scenic vistas for our passengers.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

An old RMNE tradition is being formally revived – Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED - Louis Edmonds, Treasurer

The RMNE has been incurring costs for a number of projects as described in recent issues of the Order Board. The RMNE is a 501c3 charitable organization – tax time is coming. Now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to Celeste Echlin, Louis Edmonds, Bob Harrington, Barb Walcott, Sue Sample and others who helped with this issue.

—Bill Sample, Editor

Order Board for December

2010-12-07T18:43:00.000-05:00

Naugatuck Railroad Holiday Operations

Our first runs of the holiday season have been made and so far the weather has cooperated and has not been a problem. As we did in 2009, we are running two separate operations: “The Santa Express” service is a 2:00pm run on Saturdays and Sundays, and the premium “Northern Lights Limited” service is scheduled for 5:00pm and 7:00pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We are also operating a pair of charter trains on the 16th which have been sold out. Please spread the word of their operation. As always, details can be found at our web site www.rmne.org or by calling 860.283.7245

Operations will be “pull-pull” using the U23B 2203 on the north end, coaches 5046, 4992 and 4980, and the FL9 NH (CDoT) 2019 on the south end. This year we have increased the exterior lighting with another “layer” and the locomotives are both decorated, including custom signage that is truly first class. The staff sign up sheet is still available in the Shop on the east side of coach 5805. There are a number of different positions to be utilized to fully staff the operation ranging from train crews to station service positions.

RMNE President Celeste Echlin asked me to share this e-mail we just received from a very satisfied customer:

“My family and I have been to the Thomaston train rides at least 4 times over the past 2 – 3 years. Saturday night was the first time we had ever been on the Xmas ride. It was the most amazing ride we’ve ever been on. After picking up Santa at his workshop, he took the time to talk to every single child on the train which was absolutely priceless. My grandson is only 7 months old but what an experience for him! He was all smiles for Santa & Mrs. Claus. We had such a wonderful time, we can’t thank you enough for your rides which we always loved but we have found a new Christmas tradition! I also have to thank you for a wonderful staff. Every time we are there everybody is so friendly and helpful. I have recommended your rides to all my friends. I am always gushing about the rides, now more so about the Christmas ride. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories that you create for families. In this day and age, that is beyond priceless. Sincerely, Rose G.”

Thanks to all the staffers who made the Gardner family’s visit such a pleasant experience!

Regarding the Holiday operations, the RMNE gives a hearty thank you to Western Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau. The WCCVB’s executive Director Janet Serra publicized our operation in their website, and Channel 30 (NBC Connecticut) arranged a visit and taped a feature that was shown on Friday, December 3. This certainly helped to generate some good business for the following Saturday and Sunday and hopefully beyond.

Indoor Plumbing In Service!

Thanks largely to the efforts of Gene Pfeiffer, a “temporary” toilet room and wash-up sink have been placed in service inside the Thomaston Shop. Bob Harrington, Bruce Hollis, Jack Tarter and Dick Edling (and probably others) have given movement to this necessary project, which is very good news to the volunteers at our shop.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

Once the Holiday operations conclude, it will be time to take down the decorations on the property and equipment. The well organized and careful storage procedures that we followed last year paid big dividends during set-up time this year and we will strive to continue this effort. The next Order Board will list the details, but in general the locomotives will be “de-frocked” followed by the coaches, mostly inside the shop. The final coach will be the 5046, which will remain inside the shop in the north bay of Track 5 for an exterior refurbishing, which will include new paint and lettering. This will need to be completed by April 16, 2011, as it has to be ready for the Easter Bunny Express on April 23.

Executive Director Tom Carver will be busy wrapping up some grant writing in early January to help with marketing, brochure production and various improvements within the organization.

The Special Events Committee will be completing the draft of the 2011 schedule to allow brochure production in time for the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show on 28 (set-up)-29-30 January 2011.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington

Bob reports that the MVD has kept the fleet ready to go in addition to installing the indoor plumbing mentioned above. The Dyna-hoe is currently inside receiving brake work, and the Chevy/GMC dump truck will be getting some attention. The front end loader that had been used at the Saybrook Yard will return to the Naugy to be available for snow duty.

POST-HOLIDAY SWITCHING

Dave Manning is developing a switching plan to rearrange our rail fleet for easy access over the winter hibernation period. Dates to be announced.

THOMASTON STATION - Kevin Meehan

Work inside the station is suspended until after the holiday season. We have received a number of positive comments on the work that Kevin and his crew have accomplished. The reversion rights agreement, a key part of receiving future grant funding, is showing some progress thanks to the effort of Trustee Ed McAnaney.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY

The November Work Weekend and a few extra days afterward saw the completion, except for ballast and surfacing, of the latest southward extensions of Tracks 1, 2, and 3 which now nearly reach the bottom of the driveway to the vehicle gate. Next extensions will be Tracks 4 and 5 when time will allow Gene Pfeiffer to get digging again.

CAR DEPARTMENT

B&M C72 R - Our modern caboose is in service as a snack dispensary at the Thomaston station for the duration of Holiday operations. The car department completed an access platform which was moved to Thomaston in late November.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

NH (CDoT/RMNE) 2019 is in regular use along with NAUG 2203 through the Holiday season.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

An old RMNE tradition is being formally revived – Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED - Louis Edmonds, Treasurer

The RMNE has been incurring costs for a number of projects as described in last month’s Order Board. The RMNE is a 501c3 charitable organization – tax time is coming. Now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has a new address - P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue!

—Bill Sample, Editor

See the Northern Lights Limited on TV!

2010-12-05T08:55:00.004-05:00

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/video.

Thanks to our friends at NBC in Connecticut!

All aboard for the Northern Lights Limited!

2010-11-26T15:29:00.002-05:00

The Northern Lights Limited is all dressed up and ready to go!

Enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere!

Our comfortable vintage coaches are ready to whisk you away on a magical holiday journey! It's fun for the whole family, won't you join us this holiday season? Our special trains run November 27 and 28 and December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19, departing at 5:00 and 7:00 pm. ALL ABOARD!

November Order Board

2010-11-05T18:13:00.000-04:00

NEXT MEETING: THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 20. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 7:30pm.

RMNE AND NAUGATUCK RAILROAD PROJECT NEWS

ANNUAL FALL WORK WEEKEND: 6-7 NOVEMBER AT THE TSY
Come help your museum on the 6 and 7 of November as we push our TSY tracks 1, 2, and 3 southward. When completed these extension will allow 6 or more items to be stored within the secure confines of the TSY, and will help clear tracks 4 and 5 north of the shop building, important for access during our upcoming holiday season. A barbeque lunch will be served to those members who sign up in advance. Please notify volunteer coordinator Steve Butterworth if you’ll be there.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington
Bob reports that the MVD has kept the fleet ready to go. The Boom Truck has been active with retrieving ties from the Plume reclamation area and lumber for various shop projects from Chapman’s in Thomaston.

Publish Post

THOMASTON STATION - Kevin Meehan
Kevin Meehan and Lisa Drazen brought in a good-sized load of pumpkins for our Pumpkin Fest operations last month – these were unloaded by the Special Events Committee. With the refurbishing of the east wall of the waiting room completed for now, the station rehab project will take a break until after December. Kevin will be doing some fund-raising to cover the expenses incurred with all the improvements. The waiting room’s appearance has vastly improved due to efforts lead by Kevin and also Ralph Harris over the past year. A grant awarded to the RMNE from the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation will rebuild 5 windows along the west-facing wall of the station. November activities will primarily be decorating the station for the holiday operations.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY
There is much progress to report with the southward expansion of the Thomaston Shop Yard. Tracks 1, 2, and 3 will each be extended 150 feet. Preparatory work done by the end of October had the surface graded, and then ties were mined from the Plume “tie mountain” and brought to the TSY. As of Sunday evening, ties were laid in place, plugged and tie plates were distributed on the entire length of tracks 1 and 2, and about 20 or so ties were set for track 3. About 50 or 60 more will have to be selected and brought down from Plume. As mentioned above, the 1st weekend of November will see an all-hands effort to get this job done.

CAR DEPARTMENT
B&M C72 R - the former B&M 472 – has been backdated to its previous number as part of its overhaul. The “R” addition to its number stands for “restricted” to home road service. This buggy’s origins date back to a short wood-bodied car built by Laconia, but it received a new body c. 1959 and new trucks in the early 1970s, giving it a modern appearance. Hal Reiser did a lion’s share of the painting, with Howard Pincus applying the lettering. All of the body but the red ends and roof walks have been prepped and repainted – the roof walks will be stripped and painted later. The red surfaces remained presentable as they were sheltered somewhat by the end of car roof over hangs. Both couplers were removed and rebuilt with the uncoupling mechanism on the underside to prevent buffer plate problems when used with passenger equipment.

Claremont & Concord #50, wood ex B&M Caboose – project leader Al Pomeroy thanks all who helped to cocoon the car with shrink-wrap for a period of outdoor storage. The “buggy” has apparently been rescued from a certain death by deterioration. Brought inside the shop for an extended period, its woodwork eventually dried out. The car’s roof, floor surface, and cupola structure was removed during that time, which allowed a thorough inspection to determine what course of action would be needed to restore the car. Temporary rafters and a plywood roof were constructed. On the weekend of 30-31 October the car was prepared and shrink-wrapped by a team led by Bob Eberheim. Later on Sunday, TSY track 5 was pulled and the C&C 50 was switched to a position just south of the shop on that track until the next stage of work can begin. The MEC 6323 boxcar that had resided there will be transferred to the Chase Yard for storage.

Coaches 4980, 4992, 5046 – Our active fleet will be rotated through the north bay of track 5 for an extensive cleaning and installation of Christmas decorations, with 5046 being the 1st one in getting attention. Work is being done on Tuesday and Wednesday nights as well as weekends. Contact Tony Pratt at tonypratt@comcast.net for details

Coach 5805 – The carpentry team has been drafted to build some platforms for use with B&M caboose C47 R when it is assigned for refreshment distribution duty at Thomaston. Exterior work continues with rotted areas being removed from the east side of the car, mostly along the letter board.   Like many departments, many volunteers are working other than usual tasks as part of the effort to prepare for Northern Lights Limited holiday service.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT
NH 529 has been buttoned up and removed from the shop for now. CDOT FL9 2019 will be in regular use along with NAUG 2203 through the season, and 2019 needs to have a heated storage area while in cold weather service.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS
An old RMNE tradition is being formally revived – Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED - Louis Edmonds, Treasurer
The RMNE will be incurring costs for a number of upcoming developments, including the executive director, shop development, continuing the refurbishment of coach 5805 (including heating, sidewalls, roofing and seats); continuing progress on the B&M GP9 1732; wheels, carbody and prime mover projects on NH RS3 529. Treasurer Louis Edmonds will get some budget numbers together for an upcoming Opportunity Flyer, but now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has a new address: P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

TRAIN, ENGINE and STATION CREW STAFFING
Crews will be needed for most of the following operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop and station support staff. We definitely need a good turnout of crews for the busy month of December, which includes Friday and Saturday service. Ed McAnaney is working with crew dispatcher Barb Walcott to set up a computer-based sign-up procedure, and it is hoped that volunteers will sign up ahead of time so that we can fill the vacancies.   The start of this program has been quite encouraging. Please help by signing up ASAP! A Northern Lights Limited sign up sheet is in the shop on coach 5805 but please also let Barb know what you signed up for.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue - Bill Sample, editor

Track Extension Underway at Thomaston Shop/Yard

2010-11-01T11:00:00.001-04:00

The photo shows the progress of the track project by the end of Sunday afternoon at TSY. Well, actually not, because more ties were being harvested from the Great Thomaston Tie Pile by Louis Edmonds, Gene Pfeiffer, Bruce Hollis and Lou Beres (they were brought to the yard after dark). About 50-60 more ties remain to be harvested next Saturday, while the rail is being laid.

Saturday’s crew, led by Chad Boutet and Steve Butterworth, marked out the lines and started laying out and spacing ties and setting tie plates. Another crew, with Bob Harrington and Gene, were pulling out ties at Thomaston and bringing them to the shop yard.

Please participate this coming weekend. Our plan is to lay rail and spike it down, while some additional tie harvesting is going on at Thomaston. Thanks to all who helped this weekend, and to those who will be coming out to help this coming Saturday and Sunday!
—Howard Pincus

Boston & Maine Caboose Repainting Update

2010-10-18T21:43:00.004-04:00

Boston & Maine C-472 is a steel cupola caboose, originally built in 1921 by Laconia Car Co as a wood-bodied car. Rebuilt as a steel car in 1959 by International Car Co., restored by Railroad Museum of New England volunteers in the 1990s and used regularly on the Naugatuck Railroad. Due for a freshening up and a few repairs, the caboose was brought in to Thomaston Shop. Once the exterior painting is complete, the intention is to return the caboose to its 1977 appearance and number.

Applying the first coat of B&M blue paint. The powered lift and the concrete floor inside our climate-controlled shop make painting a whole lot easier!

The second coat of B&M blue was applied Sunday, October 17. The caboose is going back to its 1977 appearance as C-72R. Safety appliances (grab irons, ladders, brake wheels) are being painted white this week. New vinyl lettering decals will be applied to the car next Saturday.

Howard Pincus applies the first piece of the iconic B&M logo to the side of C-72R. Photo by Mike Smith

Hal Reiser applies fresh white paint. Photo by Mike Smith

Here is a photo of B&M C-72R as it appeared in 1977.

Order Board for October

2010-10-10T21:51:00.002-04:00

NEXT MEETING: THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 20. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 7:30pm.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER

Also on November 20th at the Thomaston Town Hall Senior Center, The RMNE will be holding the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, free to those members who have volunteered their time in RMNE or Naugatuck Railroad service in 2010. The dinner is by reservation only and we will announce the reservation procedure in the November Order Board.

RMNE AND NAUGATUCK RAILROAD PROJECT NEWS

THOMASTON STATION - Kevin Meehan and his various assistants have done a phenomenal job on improving the appearance of the Thomaston Passenger Station. Over our September “break” the floor was painted, vastly improving the environment in the station. Also, the plaster and drywall work on the east wall is virtually complete. Next, the south wall of the waiting room will be receiving some attention. A substantial curtain has been installed to cover the opening between the waiting room and baggage room. Upcoming work includes wainscoting replacement, window improvements, display improvements, and possible additional work on the ceiling. Kevin invites anyone with an interest in keeping this project rolling forward to donate to the Thomaston Station Fund c/o the RMNE. In late-breaking news, executive director Tom Carver has announced that we have received a generous grant from the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation for the refurbishment of four windows on the west side. With all the improvements happening within the building, Kevin requests that we all work together to keep “foreign matter” out of the waiting room.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY - Repairs to the stone box culvert just south of the Thomaston Station have been completed and the speed restriction has been removed. A tie reclamation project has resumed up at the former Plume crossing area, with over 50 ties being pulled out of the pile for use in the Thomaston Shop Yard track extension project. More of this work will continue on future weekends. Steve Butterworth, Louis Edmonds, Bob Harrington, Lou Beres, Howard Pincus and Bruce Hollis were some of the participants.

CAR DEPARTMENT

Coach 4989 – Stripping of usable parts continues so that the tired, rusted, and rotted carcass can be scrapped. Jason Hartmann, Sam Walker, Jon Chase, Dan DiTullio, and John Cerreta have been seen working on this.

Coaches 4980, 4992, 5046 – Our active fleet has seen a major cleanup and interior upgrade, with floors being painted. Various trim pieces are being repaired and painted as time permits, and window repairs and replacements continue on 4980 and 4992.

Coach 4990 has been brought up to the TSY for various repairs to keep it in standby service condition.

Coach 5805 – Work continues on the interior, including window fittings. Exterior work will continue, including roof repairs to the damaged wood pieces at the north end. Shelving has been built inside to provide a better more efficient work environment.

Caboose B&M 472 – As of late September repairs to the north coupler including the pocket were just about completed, and the south coupler was seeing good progress. Surface prep was completed, and black paint was being applied.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

The lube oil change on NH (RMNE/CDoT) 2019 was completed by mid September. NAUG 2203 (U23B) is the regular locomotive.

WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED

The RMNE will be incurring costs for a number of upcoming developments, including the executive director, shop development, continuing the refurbishment of coach 5805 (including heating, sidewalls, roofing and seats); continuing progress on the B&M GP9 1732; wheels, carbody and prime mover projects on NH RS3 529. Treasurer Louis Edmonds will get some budget numbers together for an upcoming Opportunity Flyer, but now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has a new address - P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Bob Harrington reports that the fleet is serviceable and active. One loader is currently assigned to the Saybrook Yard assisting with cleanup.

TRAIN, ENGINE and STATION CREW STAFFING

Crews will be needed for most of the following operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop & station support staff. We definitely need a good turnout of crews for the busy month of October, which includes Saturday service. Ed McAnaney is working with crew dispatcher Barb Walcott to set up a computer-based sign-up procedure, and it is hoped that volunteers will sign up ahead of time so that we can fill the vacancies. The start of this program has been quite encouraging. Please help by signing up ASAP!

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

We had a good turnout of staffers at the BigE info counter on 29 Sep – thanks to Celeste, Sam, Tom, Diane, Tony, Nancy, Kevin, Lisa, Bill and Sue for handing out our brochures. Fall Harvest Festival operations 16, 17, 23, 24 Oct., with “Magic by Marie” Padilla reappearing on the final weekend. Halloween Party at TST station to benefit station 30 Oct., see next page for details. Haight/Brown Vineyard Vintage Express 6 Nov, 60 tkts already sold.

NORTHERN LIGHTS LIMITED COMMITTEE

Next meeting will be Sunday October 10. Tony and Nancy Pratt are working on a staffing chart for the Holiday services, which will allow staffing needs to be seen at a glance and this has been posted on the side of coach 5805 in the shop.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue — Bill Sample, Editor

Sunday crew pictures

2010-10-04T22:18:00.000-04:00

Brent Bette, new conductor; Dana Hunt, veteran conductor; Dave Manning, veteran conductor; Lee Van Iderstine, car host; Randy Patterson, new conductor. Brent and Randy were each promoted on Sunday October 3, 2010 (the date of the photo). Photo by Howard Pincus

From left to right: Dana Hunt, Brent Bette, Sam Walker (brakeman), Dave Manning, Lee Van Iderstine, Randy Patterson, and Scott Lent, our newly-promoted engineer, making his first solo trips on Sunday’s trains! Our all-volunteer crews receive the same rigorous professional training as our mainline counterparts. Does this sound like something you'd like to do? You can get involved! Photo by Howard Pincus

September Order Board - EXTRA EDITION

2010-09-27T14:41:00.000-04:00

THOMASTON SHOP AND YARD TRACK BLITZ
Beginning next weekend, we will be preparing to extend the three yard tracks at the Thomaston Shop site. There is grading to be done, material to be moved and eventually track to be laid. This will allow us to expand our safe, secured storage yard at Thomaston Shop.

We have much of the material available, but not all of it. We would like to see if we can find enough people to help us sort through the tie pile near the Thomaston station to re-use any of the ties in that pile that would be suitable for yard track. This would save the museum a lot of money, and help us to use the brand new ties we have in stock in the mainline, where they are best used. Again, these endeavors require a lot of help. We are still working out the details as to start time and location, but for now, plan on meeting at Thomaston Shop around 9:30 AM each day if you’re able to assist. Please sign up in advance!

PREPARATIONS FOR HOLIDAY TRAINS
Also, beginning in late October, and lasting until mid November, we will need help in decorating our shop, station, and our train in preparation for our Holiday train events. Last year our holiday trains were our biggest fundraiser, and we need to ensure that is the case again this year. Everyone can help us in preparing for this most important time of year for the museum. A signup sheet is located on the side of the coach 5805 in the shop, and if you’re unable to make it to the shop to sign up, please send us an email. Work on decorating will begin around 9:00 am each day.

—Bill Sample, Editor

September Order Board

2010-09-07T12:05:00.004-04:00

NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 11. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

CURRENT MAJOR PROJECTS

As we will not be operating trains over the next two weekends, we will be taking advantage of this to perform necessary maintenance where not normally possible during the operating season. These projects will be shown in bold print in the proper category below. Howard Pincus already e-mailed a list of projects to many of you – sorry for the delay in getting this edition out.

THOMASTON STATION - Work will take place inside the station, cleaning then painting the floor. Kevin Meehan is leading the project which will run on Saturdays 4 and 11 September.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY - Repairs to a stone box culvert just south of the Thomaston Station are scheduled starting Saturday 4 September. 2 or 3 people will be needed to assist on this project.

CAR DEPARTMENT

Coach 4989 – Stripping of usable parts continues so that the tired, rusted, and rotted carcass can be scrapped- Jason Hartmann and Bob Carlson have been seen working on this.

Coaches 4980, 4992, 5046 – Our three active coaches will be getting their floors painted at the Thomaston Shop/Yard facility starting Saturday, September 4 and continuing until completed. This will involve removing seat cushions and doing a thorough cleaning – vacuuming and washing – before painting which will be cutting in new paint around the edges and rolling on the remainder.

Tony Pratt attacks the roof of coach 5805 from our platform lift, a most useful addition to the shop. Photo by Bill Sample

Coach 5805 – Work continues on interior, including window fittings. Exterior work will continue, including roof repairs to the damaged wood pieces. Welding will continue on the exterior after Sam Walker returns from vacation.

Caboose B&M 472 – As of late August work continued both couplers, with welding being performed on the coupler pockets to build up worn surfaces. Following the reinstallation of the couplers work will continue on converting the couplers to bottom linkages so that use with the coaches will be less of a problem. Surface prep continues and the car will ultimately be repainted into a slightly older color scheme and renumbered to its earlier number C-72.

Caboose C&C 50 – Stripping of the car has continued with most of the floor planking being removed. The entire roof has been stripped away along with many ribs. The walls have had the lower boards removed to allow inspection of the interior support structure. The cupola (monitor) is in the process of being disassembled.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

NH 529 will be returning to the shop pit for the reinstallation of it cylinder head following work on NH 2019. NH (NAUG/CDoT) 2019, the last FL9 operating on former New Haven trackage, is scheduled for a lube oil change starting September 4 at the shop. NAUG U23-B 2203 continues to receive sandbox work when off duty but has resumed service as the regular locomotive.

WEDNESDAY WORK SESSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington

Bob reports that the fleet is serviceable and active. One loader is currently assigned to the Saybrook Yard assisting with cleanup.

TRAIN, ENGINE and STATION CREW STAFFING

Crews will be needed for most of the following operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop and station support staff. For September we need passenger conductors for the 19, 21, and 26 of September. It is not too early to start thinking of working in October, when we will have a much busier schedule including Saturday service. Ed McAnaney is working with crew dispatcher Barb Walcott to set up a computer-based sign-up procedure, and it is hoped that volunteers will sign up ahead of time so that we can fill the vacancies. The start of this program has been quite encouraging. Please help by signing up ASAP!

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

Our upcoming events include staffing an info booth at the Eastern States Exposition September 29, Fall Harvest Festival operations October 16, 17, 23, 24, Halloween Party at TST station to benefit station October 30, Haight/Brown Vineyard Vintage Express on November 6.

Marie Padilla, who had appeared in the past at the Naugy as “Prinkles the Clown,” will be starring on our September trains doing her “Magic by Marie” show – entertaining children of all ages with her magic and balloon creation talents. This is a new marketing event to attract families during a traditionally slow time of the year. She will perform in 2 of the 3 cars, leaving the 3rd coach as a “quiet car” for passengers who wish to concentrate on our ride. (Corrected 9/8/2010)

NORTHERN LIGHTS LIMITED COMMITTEE

A separate committee has been organized to specifically deal with our growing "Northern Lights Limited" operation, as we had done with the Day Out With Thomas events. Tony and Nancy Pratt are working on a staffing chart which will allow staffing needs to be seen at a glance. More details soon.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Tom Carver has been in the process of setting up an office in - what else – the Office Caboose (“New Haven C-507”) which has been relocated to the Thomaston house (display) track. Tom has been very busy getting established at the Naugy is deeply involved with the special events and fundraising.

COMMUNICATION & SIGNAL DEPARTMENT

Steve Butterworth is still interested in resuming crossing signal and relay case repainting. Contact him if you can get involved. It's one of the few jobs that pays off with immediate results!

Thanks to all those who helped with this issue! — Bill Sample, editor

Train time along the Naugatuck Railroad... 1940s-1960s

2010-08-24T23:51:00.003-04:00

Northbound just north of Highland Jct, Waterbury, shot from the Thomaston Avenue overpass. Two year old 0504 pulling the through train from New York to Winsted (after dropping some coaches at Waterbury). Note the new "stainless steel" 8600 coach; unusual first-line mainline equipment for this little branch train. Photo by Kent Cochrane, labeled only "1949."

Another Kent Cochrane photo, no date, most likely 1947 or early 1948 from appearances. New Haven 164 on the Winsted freight, northbound at Reynolds Bridge with about 20 cars. The engine is right at the whistle post for the Jackson Street bridge grade crossing (the bond wires are still on some of our rails here). That crossing and bridge over the river was taken out by the 1955 flood and never replaced. A cut though the old quarry was then used to access the Jackson Street area. On the extreme left edge, what looks like a late 40s Buick convertible is southbound on Waterbury Road (original Route 8).

As far as we can tell, this was taken at the south end of our current Thomaston Shop Yard, along the tangent just south of the MP 6 curve. The train is coming off the "Stevens Curve." The hillside and rock formations correspond to those above Route 8 across the river, and the topography of the land in the foreground is identical (except for all the trees that are there now). The engine is one of the F-5 class 2-8-0s, number 164, that were the usual freight power until the diesels took over in early 1948. 164 has 13 cars in tow, including two PRR X-29 boxcars, the same class as the one on display at Thomaston. Photo by Kent W. Cochrane.

Snapshot from a 1961 fantrip over the Naugatuck Railroad. Here we find the trip paused at the new Thomaston Dam, the scene not looking too much different from today.

—Caption information provided by Howard Pincus

A look back at Thomaston Station

2010-08-17T00:13:00.006-04:00

The view looking south at Thomaston on June 29, 1929. Notice the fuel oil dealer at far right, whose tanks are still located here today.

The view looking north at Thomaston, June 29, 1929. Notice the brick enclosed water tank and the freight house on the right.

Looking across Main Street in Thomaston, Connecticut on June 29, 1929. These photos from 1929 were preliminary "survey" photos taken prior to the construction of the East Main Street bridge.

This view looks towards the west on July 23, 1931. The freight house is located on the far left of this picture.

Thomaston Station in the fall of 1955, only a few months after devastating floods tore through this area. Notice the "temporary" crossbuck flashers installed at this location.

Looking towards the north at Thomaston Station in the Fall of 1955. Plume & Atwood can be seen in the distance beyond the bridge, and the platform of the freight house is seen at far right. With steam engines vanquished from the Naugatuck, the brick enclosed water tank has been removed. Today you can board Naugatuck Railroad excursion trains from the Thomaston Station and enjoy a scenic ride through the Naugatuck Valley!

Starting up New Haven 529 for the first time in 1985

2010-08-12T09:33:00.005-04:00

NH 529 on the Valley Railroad, 1985. Photo by Howard Pincus

Former New Haven Alco RS-3 529 was purchased by our museum from Amtrak in September 1985. Once the check was written and the documents signed, NH 529 arrived at our then-home on the Valley Railroad by mid-October. A few days before our first Railfan Day (which was held the last Saturday in October 1985), we prepped and started 529 for the first time in her preservation career. The still-visible outlines of the NH numbers had already been filled out with white paint. Valley Railroad (ex-Morristown & Erie) RS-1 #15 supplied the jump start needed for 529’s batteries (locos placed cab-to-cab for running the jumper cables). The Amtrak 138 numbers are still on 529, but the name has been painted out. More than 20 years later, this former New Haven workhorse continues to pull trains on a branchline in Connecticut, much like she did when new...

August Order Board

2010-08-07T19:37:00.005-04:00

A minor tornado on July 21 brought many trees down onto the Naugatuck Railroad. Photo by Bill Sample

NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 11. This meeting will include discussion of a possible revision of the RMNE by-laws, which date from 2001. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

CURRENT MAJOR PROJECTS WEDNESDAY PM WORK SESSIONS

An old RMNE tradition is being formally revived – Weeknight Work Sessions are being held on virtually all Wednesdays at the TSY, running from about 4:00pm until about 8:00pm. Sam Walker is heading this – please call him if you wish to confirm the session on cell 860-485-2569. Projects: coach 5805, parts stripping on 4989, and possibly MVD work.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED - Louis Edmonds, Treasurer

The RMNE will be incurring costs for a number of upcoming developments, including shop development, continuing the refurbishment of coach 5805 (including heating, sidewalls, roofing and seats); continuing progress on the B&M GP9 1732; wheels, carbody and prime mover projects on NH RS3 529. Treasurer Louis Edmonds will get some budget numbers together for an upcoming Opportunity Flyer, but now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has a new address - P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY

A weak but still powerful (EF1 scale) tornado struck the East Litchfield and Thomaston areas on Wednesday 21 July, bringing down a large number of trees with damage affecting the line at the north end of the Plume siding in Thomaston and also north of the route 118 overpass in East Litchfield. A work crew reopened the line north to the Thomaston Dam north cut on Saturday 31 July.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington

The DMV‘s equipment was ready to assist with tree removal at Plume. Having the equipment available for use in the Saybrook Yard project has been very helpful.

TRAIN, ENGINE and STATION CREW STAFFING

Crews will be needed for most of the following operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop & station support staff. Ed McAnaney is working with crew dispatcher Barb Walcott to set up a computer-based sign-up procedure, and it is hoped that volunteers will sign up ahead of time so that we can fill the vacancies. The start of this program has been quite encouraging. Please help by signing up ASAP!

MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT

The final dues billing for 2010 is about to be sent out – if you haven’t yet paid please do so! We could use your financial help.

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

Our upcoming events include staffing an info booth at the Eastern States Exposition 29 Sep, Fall Harvest Festival operations 16, 17, 23, 24 Oct., Halloween Party at TST station to benefit station 30 Oct., Haight/Brown Vineyard Vintage Express 6 Nov.

CAR DEPARTMENT

Coach 4989 – Stripping of usable parts continues so that the tired, rusted, and rotted carcass can be removed from the property and recycled.

Working on 5805. Photo by Bill Sample

Coach 5805 - From top to bottom: the scissors-lift certainly has helped with the removal of the roof covering down to the wood substructure. A few repairs to the woodwork will be dealt with. The wooden tack strip around the base of the lower edge of the roof was removed and the area was treated to some extensive rust removal using a wire wheel. Tony Pratt led this part of the project, assisted by Matt Andel and perhaps others.

The steel for the new window mountings is being fabricated for installation, and rust-hole repairs around certain windows and the upper half of the sides is underway. Inside, Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, and Kurt Wiener continue the rebuilding of the north vestibule area including the threshold – this entire area suffered from severe damage to both wood and metal but most of the substructure has been completed. Extensive restoration to wood trim pieces is underway – nail holes, gashes, and other damages are being repaired with color-matched filler.

Caboose B&M 472 – Both couplers have been removed and are having repairs done to the carriers. Uncoupling rods will be converted to bottom type so allow easier hitches with vestibule buffer equipped cars. Car is being prepped for repaint. Al Pomeroy, Sam Walker, Hal Reiser, Jason “Hawk” Hartmann and others are helping.

C&C 50 inside Thomaston Shop - Photo by Bill Sample

Caboose C&C 50 – Al Pomeroy, Bob Harrington and others have cleaned out this ex-B&M narrow-monitor caboose, which has suffered insect and water damage over the years. The roof has been removed from about half of the car to date – thankfully we have the shop that makes this possible. Evaluation of this piece of equipment continues as we peel back the layers.

CDOT/NAUG 2019 at Reynolds Bridge. Photo by Otto M. Vondrak

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

NH (NAUG/CDoT) 2019, the last FL9 operating on former New Haven trackage, is the current locomotive for our regular runs.

NAUG 2203 (U23B) is receiving new sandboxes and some cosmetic work as it takes some summer time off.

COMMUNICATION & SIGNAL DEPARTMENT

Steve Butterworth is still interested in resuming crossing signal and relay case repainting. Please contact him if you are available to help.

THOMASTON SHOP IMPROVEMENTS

Jack Tarter continues the intricate job of installing needed electrical service throughout the shop. Electrical outlets are now available in most areas, eliminating the need for chains of extension cords. Work on a portable circuit panel continues.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue – Sue Sample, Steve Butterworth, Barb Walcott, and Bob Harrington.

— Bill Sample, Editor

July Order Board

2010-07-12T15:21:00.005-04:00

NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 18. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS – Celeste Echlin

11 July Charter Cancelled - The Saltwater Grille of Litchfield has cancelled their Singles Mix & Mingle due to low response. Only 8 reservations were received, all from women – so single guys mark the Saltwater Grille as a promising place to go!

29 September – The RMNE will again have an informational booth in the Connecticut Building during the Eastern States Exposition on Wednesday 29 Sept. Contact Celeste if you’d like to help.

30 October - The RMNE will again host a fund-raiser Halloween Party on Saturday, to benefit the Thomaston Station. Details will be available in the next Order Board.

Northern Lights Limited - Tony Pratt has taken the lead as the head of the “Northern Lights Limited” Committee, which will be in charge of the planning and operation of that event, now our number one fund-raiser. Tony and his wife Nancy will be developing staffing level needs for the event, which will commence in November.

TRAIN, ENGINE and STATION CREW STAFFING

Crews will be needed for most of the following operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop & station support staff. Ed McAnaney is working with crew dispatcher Barb Walcott to set up a computer-based sign-up procedure, and it is hoped that volunteers will sign up ahead of time so that we can fill the vacancies. July positions have been mostly filled so it is now time to think about August.

WELCOME ABOARD!

Tom Carver introduced himself at the recent RMNE General Membership Meeting. He is currently getting established as the RMNE Executive Director and contact information will be available soon. His initial work will mostly involve grant writing and fund raising. A request was submitted to the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation to cover the cost of new windows on the station’s west side. Tom’s role also includes volunteer allocation and activity and he has already been active on the Special Events Committee.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED - Louis Edmonds

The RMNE will be incurring costs for a number of upcoming developments, including an executive director, shop development, continuing the refurbishment of coach 5805 (including heating, sidewalls, roofing and seats); Claremont & Concord ex B&M “buggy” #50, continuing progress on the B&M GP9 1732; wheels, carbody and prime mover projects on NH RS3 529. Treasurer Louis Edmonds will get some budget numbers together for an upcoming Opportunity Flyer, but now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has been quite busy with a change of location for both his residence and business – his new address is - P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington

The RMNE’s DMV has been busy readying the borrowed Islargo Boom Truck for duty at the Saybrook Yard, and a on of the front end loaders will also go there. The DMV staff also re-secured the Jericho Bridge access gate to prevent illegal dumping alongside the Naugatuck River at that location. The DMV’s running of the coal operation during the Flagg Coal Co. #75 visit impressed locomotive owners the Gramling Family with their efficiency.

CAR DEPARTMENT – Sam Walker, Al Pomeroy, Jon Chase

5805 – Upcoming projects include removing upper clerestory roofing down to the wood, removing insulation above windows (dust masks needed!), and needle-scaling metal and prime area along drip rail. Work will also continue on planning interior finishing including seat overhaul.

Claremont & Concord 50- This historic caboose (“buggy” on the B&M, its original owner) was recently rescued from the brink of death thanks mainly to the efforts of Al Pomeroy with help from Jon Chase. Al is in the process of writing up a professional–grade repair and restoration plan for the classic car. The 50 is now in the shop, drying out, and some work has begun by Al and Jason Hartmann including removal of the remnants of the roof and interior cleanout.

B&M 472 – This far-younger B&M buggy is in the shop for running repairs and paint touch up.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

NAUG 2203 - remains in service. NH 529 – new wheels have arrived at the TSY, ready for fund raising and installation. NH (CDoT) 2019 – remains in standby service.

COMMUNICATION & SIGNAL DEPARTMENT

Steve Butterworth is planning on resuming crossing signal and relay case repainting starting at the Commons Crossing at Waterville. Contact him if you'd like to help a hand with this very visible restoration and maintenance project!

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue – Celeste Echlin, Ed McAnaney, Al Pomeroy, Louis Edmonds, Sue Sample, Steve Butterworth, Barb Walcott, Sam Walker, Jon Chase, and Bob Harrington. —Bill Sample, editor

June Order Board

2010-06-14T14:21:00.002-04:00

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DATE CHANGED

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 26. This meeting will cover a possible revision of the RMNE by-laws, which date from 2001. Also, we will need formal voting membership approval for the appointment of Ed McAnaney to the Board of Trustees (BoT). Following a recent BoT meeting Ed, who is an attorney, began a review of the by-laws. The meeting will be held at the Thomaston Senior Center, Town Hall, Main St. and is scheduled for 6:30pm.

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

The recent visit by the Gramling Family and their locomotive Flagg Coal Co. #75, a/k/a “Hank the Tank Engine,” was a rewarding adventure for all who participated. Father John, Mother Pat, and Son Barney were a pleasure to work with, patiently sharing their skills with those of us who had never worked with steam either recently or ever. Although the 75 was designed as an industrial switcher, it still provided the sights, smells, feel, and sounds of those long departed New Haven Railroad locomotives that once ventured through the valley, bringing the steam experience to over a thousand and a half passengers and volunteer staffers. Visiting locomotives are a comparative rarity in the US, but this concept is fairly common in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom - a nation that leads the world in railway preservation. This concept serves an important need that allows the demonstration of a vital part of railroad history to areas that otherwise would not see it. We will cover this event in more detail in an upcoming issue of Along the Line.

TRAIN, ENGINE and STATION CREW STAFFING

Crews will be needed for most of the following operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop & station support staff. Ed McAnaney is working with crew dispatcher Barb Walcott to set up a computer-based sign-up procedure, and it is hoped that volunteers will sign up ahead of time so that we can fill the vacancies. For June we will need staff on most of the following days: 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, and 27 – hours vary by schedule.

SPECIAL EVENTS – Celeste Echlin

Upcoming special events and operations:

12 June - To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Thomaston Dam, we will be running 3 “Dam Shuttles” from TST to the Dam, economically priced at $5.00 each. Trains will run at 10:00am, 12:30pm, and 2:00pm

13 June - the RMNE will be participating in the second annual “One Tank Expo” at the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT. The One Tank Expo is a free event where regional attractions with a one-fuel-tank range of the New York metro area can publicize their venues. The event runs 11am until 4pm. and parking is $5.00 per vehicle. Uniform will be RMNE shirts and Naugy hats. Please contact Celeste Echlin on cechlin@earthlink.net if you’d like to assist.

11 July we will be hosting another new event - the Saltwater Grille of Litchfield will sponsor a Singles Mix & Mingle on Sunday July 11, on the 2:00 pm scheduled train from TST. Purchase tickets now by calling 860-283-7245 any time (24/7) or purchase online at www.rmne.org. Advance Reservations recommended. Pick up tickets at Thomaston Station's WILL CALL window on the day of the event.

WELCOME ABOARD!

Tom Carver, well known to many RMNE members, has joined the staff of the RMNE as Executive Director. Tom’s railroad experiences go back many decades, including extensive travel on the New Haven Railroad’s Shore Line between New York City and the Mystic area. As Tom lived in the Stonington, CT area as a teen, he met Jim Bradley, who encouraged his railroad interests by introducing him to a number of New Haven Railroad facilities and employees. During these visits Tom began to learn the inner workings of the railroad, and these seeds eventually grew into an interesting and varied railroad career, which has seen service at several different railroads, including a stint as General Manager of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Tom will share his thoughts, experiences, and visions of the future at our next General Membership Meeting.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED - Louis Edmonds

The RMNE will be incurring costs for a number of upcoming developments, including an executive director, shop development, continuing the refurbishment of coach 5805 (including heating, sidewalls, roofing and seats); continuing progress on the B&M GP9 1732; wheels, carbody and prime mover projects on NH RS3 529. Treasurer Louis Edmonds will get some budget numbers together for an upcoming Opportunity Flyer, but now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has been quite busy with a change of location for both his residence and business. His new address is P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – Bob Harrington

The RMNE’s GMC dump truck played an important supporting role during the recent visit from Flagg Coal #75 – it carried the coal from the stockpile to trackside. The dump body was painted to match the cab, and the dump body was lettered “COAL” by Al Pomeroy. The cab received RMNE markings on the cab as well. The MVD also designed and constructed a coal holding area for the visit of Flagg Coal #75.

CAR DEPARTMENT – Jon Chase

Coach 5805 - Both vestibule deck plates have now been fabricated and fitted by Sam Walker, Jon Chase, Dan DiTullio and others. The north vestibule reconstruction is just about complete, next will come step and trap installation. Parts from coach C 4962 are being used to rebuild the north diaphragm. The south deck completion will be next. “Upstairs” the lower deck roof fabric and wood drip edge strips have been removed along with the clerestory cladding by Al Pomeroy. The seat frames most suitable for this car have been selected – they are from a former Erie “Stilwell” coach. The frames most recently used in 5805 will be set aside for 6606 as they are the correct type for that car. Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Wiener and others have nearly finished the lower deck ceilings, and the floor has been completed inside the north end so that interior bulkhead wall work can resume.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

No current report available, but NAUG 2203 remains in service.

COMMUNICATION & SIGNAL DEPARTMENT

Steve Butterworth is planning on resuming crossing signal and relay case repainting now that warmer weather has returned. Contact him for more information on how you can get involved!

BRIDGES & BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

Thomaston Shop: Improvements continue in several areas. Jack Tarter and Stewart Fritts are designing a portable circuit panel that can provide multiple outlets where needed. General heavy-duty electrical service installation continues and it is hoped that some of the large machinery such as the milling machine can soon be in service.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue: Celeste Echlin, Sue Sample, Steve Butterworth, Ed McAnaney, Barb Walcott, Tom Carver, Louis Edmonds, Jon Chase, and Bob Harrington. —Bill Sample, Editor

Thanks for your support!

2010-06-02T15:55:00.004-04:00

A handful of the many RMNE volunteers who helped during the weekend steam operations pause briefly for a photo at Thomaston, Connecticut. Photo by Otto M. Vondrak

A big thanks goes out to everyone who helped support the two-week visit of Flagg Coal No. 75 on the Naugatuck Railroad in May! It was a very successful series of trips, and we hope to continue special events like this in the future. Thanks also go out to the "cast of thousands" who helped everywhere from train operations to loading coal to track patrol and crowd control.

Steam visits the Naugy

2010-05-24T10:02:00.002-04:00

Flagg Coal 75 arrives at Thomaston, Connecticut - Photo by Jim Hinman

Relive the days of steam on the Naugatuck Railroad! Flagg Coal Co. #75 is a 40 ton coal-fired steam locomotive built in 1930. It worked in Pennsylvania coal mines and New York rock quarries until it was retired in 1953. #75 rusted away, forgotten until 1991, when it was purchased by father and son team John and Barney Gramling from Indiana. The Gramlings moved #75 to their farm and fully restored it to operating condition, completing it October 2001. Since then, #75 has since traveled as far as Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina as a living, breathing ambassador of American steam railroading. Flagg Coal Co. 75 will be operating on the Naugatuck Railroad May 28-31 at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm. Buy your tickets now!

Video by Jim Hinman

Flagg Coal Co. 75 arrives at Thomaston!

2010-05-21T10:05:00.005-04:00

Volunteers from the Railroad Museum of New England prepped Flagg Coal Co. 75 for a few trial runs on Thursday, and showing her off to the local press. If you want your chance to ride behind steam on the Naugatuck Railroad, get your tickets today!

Celebrate the Railroad History of New England
Paul Murnane - WCBS 880

THOMASTON, CT (WCBS 880) -- In Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, you may stop, look, and listen as a little bit of history comes down the track. Hell's waiting room has nothing on the smoking heat in the cab on #75. "This is the machine that built America," says Howard Pincus with the Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston. Pincus says the 40-ton machine toiled on the tracks around foundries and coal mines in its 80 years. This weekend and next, it's pulling passenger coaches.

Museum volunteer Randy Paterson makes three generations in his family in the business. Paterson says, "My father and my grandfather have always said this is not, not reall the life. I think they're keeping a good secret from me." Running a grand machine like this, he says, you watch your fire, steam pressure, water, everything - and you keep her happy.

LISTEN: Paul Murnane reports from Thomaston

Flagg Coal 75 alongside the Plume & Atwood complex in Thomaston, Ct.
Photos by Howard Pincus

Order Board for May 2010

2010-05-07T09:34:00.003-04:00

SUCCESSFUL MAY DAY VINTAGE EXPRESS CHARTER RUN

Thanks to a good turnout of volunteer support, starting with the superb leadership of Celeste Echlin, the Naugatuck Railroad carried about 120 members and friends from Waterbury’s St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary. The 90-minute train ride, which featured wine tasting, was bracketed by food and entertainment sessions in the upgraded waiting room of the Thomaston Station. The group thoroughly enjoyed their Naugatuck Railroad experience and already many have begun to offer the all-important word-of-mouth advertising that will benefit our operation.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Later in May we will be running other special operations:

May 8th: Haight/Brown Vintage Express (from Thomaston Station), departing 2:00pm for Waterville and Thomaston Dam.

May 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, and 31 - Flagg Coal #75, a coal-burning industrial 0-4-0 saddle tank. #75 will be running from Thomaston Station to a point near Watertown Frost Bridge Road. We will need extra crews for firing and servicing the locomotive, which will be coaled “bucket-brigade” style. Trains will depart at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, and 4pm. This will be the first known steam loco operation in the Naugatuck Valley since 1968.

Reminder to our members: Help support the RMNE – you can also buy tickets for family & friends to ride the Flagg Coal trains. Train rides on this special event are not free to members. This is an important fundraiser for the Railroad Museum and support from all volunteers and customers is much appreciated! Our members can either buy online or by calling 860-283-7245 anytime 24/7. Price will be $18.00 for all.

June 13: The RMNE will be participating in the second annual “One Tank Expo” at the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT. The One Tank Expo is a free event where regional attractions with a one-fuel-tank range of the New York metro area can publicize their venues. The event runs 11am until 4pm. and parking is $5.00 per vehicle. Uniform will be RMNE shirts and Naugy hats. Please contact Celeste Echlin if you’d like to assist.

July 11: We will be hosting another new event - the Saltwater Grille of Litchfield will sponsor a Singles Mix & Mingle on Sunday July 11, on the 2:00 pm scheduled train from Thomaston Station. We would love our single members to come join the fun and buy a ticket. Be a customer for a really fun event on the Naugy! Climb aboard the Naugatuck Railroad for an exclusive Singles Mix & Mingle Event with Litchfield's Saltwater Grille! Adults only, limited to 50 passengers. Enjoy the romantic ambiance with wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and the vintage train ride through the scenic Naugatuck River Valley. The train leaves promptly at 2:00 pm. During the hour and 15 minute train ride, each person aboard the 1920's era passenger coach will circulate providing an opportunity for each man and woman to talk briefly. Follow up after the event will be provided to ensure that if a match is made, the journey will not end at the railroad station! Past events have produced a high success rate of happy couples. Purchase tickets now by calling 860-283-7245 any time (24/7) or purchase online at www.rmne.org. Advance Reservations recommended. Pick up tickets at Thomaston Station's "Will Call" window on the day of the event.

Crews will be needed for most of the above operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop and station support staff. Also it is not too early to plan on helping with the staffing needs of our regular season that commences in June. Please contact Barbara Walcott at 860-283-5790.

WELCOME ABOARD!

The Honorable Edward G. McAnaney was appointed to the RMNE Board of Trustees during the April Meeting. Ed has been active at the RMNE as a passenger conductor and has recently become involved with museum strategy planning. Ed, who currently serves as a judge of the Probate Court in the Suffield CT area, brings a wealth of experience in civic matters to the Board. He is a retired Captain in the United States Naval Reserve.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED

The RMNE will be incurring costs for a number of upcoming developments, including an executive director, shop development, continuing the refurbishment of coach 5805 (including heating, sidewalls, roofing and seats); continuing progress on the B&M GP9 1732; wheels, carbody and prime mover projects on NH RS3 529. Treasurer Louis Edmonds will get some budget numbers together for an upcoming Opportunity Flyer, but now is the time to plan what financial support you can assist the RMNE with. Louis has been quite busy with a change of location for both his residence and business – his new address is - P. O. Box 443, Georges Mills, NH 03751-0443.

ANNUAL ALL-MEMBER WORK WEEKEND – April 24-25

We had a small but talented turnout of about a dozen volunteers for our latest track project- continued tie replacement between the Thomaston Shop Yard (TSY) switch and the Reynolds Bridge curve. Thankfully many of the crew had prior track maintenance experience. Around 40 ties were replaced , spiked and tamped. We replaced 14 sets of the “wrap-around” angle bars with standard bars, which are believed to be a superior design, as they allow the use of "double-shoulder" tie plates – the plates lie between the rail base and tie, providing an extra cushioning and better weight distribution which leads to longer tie life. The wrap-around angle bars are converted to a standard style by a local metalworking shop, another way that the RMNE and Naugatuck Railroad benefit the community. Other activities that weekend took place at the TSY, both inside and outside. A more detailed account with photos will appear in an upcoming Along the Line newsletter edition.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The RMNE DMV has just about completed preparing the roadbed area south of TSY tracks 1, 2, and 3 to allow for future track extensions. The GMC dump truck, which will be used to haul coal for Flagg Coal locomotive 75, is getting some new paint on its dump body.

CAR DEPARTMENT

Progress marches along on coach 5805 as the remaining steel needed for outside repair work is arriving. Sam Walker has made substantial progress on finishing exterior side sheet welding, and riveting has been completed on the north end. North end interior bulkhead work has continued, and a window repair project for coaches 4980 and 4992 has been utilizing the 5805’s interior workspace.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

Getting ready for the coming season, former CDOT FL9 2019 (ex-NH 2049) has been filled with water and was switched into the shop for further “reawakening” work.

COMMUNICATION & SIGNAL DEPARTMENT

Steve Butterworth is planning on resuming crossing signal and relay case repainting now that warmer weather has returned. Please contact him if you'd like to learn how you can help.

BRIDGES & BUILDINGS

Thomaston Station: Kevin Meehan, Walt Hermann, Bob Martinchek and others have continued the interior station improvements, with the west, north and much of the east walls being painted. Kevin requested that train crews use the ex Waterville/East Litchfield ticket office to store station and parking signs as well as the traffic control guidance system (cones) to keep clutter out of the station.

Thomaston Shop: Improvements continue in several areas. Jack Tarter and Stewart Fritts are designing a portable circuit panel that can provide multiple outlets where needed. General heavy-duty electrical service installation continues and it is hoped that some of the large machinery such as the milling machine can soon be in service.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue – Celeste Echlin, Ralph Harris, Sue Sample, Steve Butterworth, Howard Pincus, Kevin Meehan, Lisa Drazen, Barb Walcott, Dave Manning, and Bob Harrington.

—Bill Sample, editor

April Order Board

2010-04-11T22:54:00.003-04:00

The Easter Bunny Express was a resounding success this year, due to a combination of good marketing and good weather. Originally scheduled for two runs, the increasing demand was monitored through our on-line reservation system by Celeste Echlin and Dave Manning and it was decided to add a 10:00am run before the scheduled 12noon and 2:00pm trains. When the 2:00pm sold out we decided to add a 4:00pm run, and we ended up carrying over 600 passengers! We had a good turnout of both on board and station crew and the operation ran smoothly. Locomotive 2203 headed up coaches 5046, 4992, and 4980 on this service.

In May we will be running a number of special operations. On May 1 we will be hosting a charter Vintage Express for the St Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary. On May 8 we will be operating the Haight/Brown Vintage Express (both from TST). On May 21 (training and private operation), 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, and 31 we will be hosting Flagg Coal #75, a coal-burning industrial 0-4-0 saddle tank. Flagg Coal #75 will be running from TST to a point near Frost Bridge Rd. We will need extra crews for firing and servicing the locomotive, which will be coaled “bucket-brigade” style. Trains will depart at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Crews will be needed for most of the above operations, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, car hosts and shop & station support staff. Please contact Barbara Walcott at 860-283-5790. It is not too early to plan on helping with the staffing needs of our regular season that commences in June.

One-Tank Expo at Quassy

On 13 June the RMNE will be participating in the second annual “One Tank Expo” at the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT. The One Tank Expo is a free event where regional attractions with a one-fuel-tank range of the New York metro area can publicize their venues. The event runs 11am until 4pm. and parking is $5.00 per vehicle. Uniform will be RMNE shirts and Naugy hats. Please contact Celeste Echlin on cechlin@earthlink.net if you’d like to assist.

BOOK OF RULES CLASS POSTPONED

Due to the passing of his mother, rules examiner Ralph Harris will not have the time available to organize and conduct the NORAC rules class that was in the planning stages for April. We will announce the rescheduled dates when they become known.

ANNUAL ALL-MEMBER WORK WEEKEND – APRIL 24-25

Planning for the upcoming Spring Work Weekend is progressing. Our main focus will be on extending tracks 1, 2, and 3 in the Thomaston Shop Yard by 130 to 150 feet each. This would allow the secure storage of additional equipment within the secure confines of our facility at TSY. A preparation weekend will be held 17-18 April, including a work train with crane PTM 198, to gather rail and other supplies for the trackwork. Please consider helping out on one or both weekends to make our efforts successful. Howard Pincus is the project leader. As usual, there will be other work in the TSY area both inside and outside of the shop. We believe that food will be provided on both the 24th and 25th.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The Cummins front-end loader bucket is getting rebuilt at Cigar Man’s Welding. All Hi-Rail vehicles have received their final pre-season servicing, track equipment inspection & servicing is now underway. The Eslargo GMC hi-rail truck is back outside, ready to assist the Boom Truck’s scheduled repair work. TC 35 is scheduled for some additional work later this spring.

CAR DEPARTMENT

Progress marches along on coach 5805 as the remaining steel needed for outside repair work is arriving. Sam Walker has made substantial progress on finishing exterior side sheet welding, and riveting has been completed on the north end. North end interior bulkhead work has continued, and a window repair project for coaches 4980 and 4992 has been utilizing the 5805’s interior work space.

During late March a work train was run to reposition some equipment for future work. Coach 6606 moved from Chase Yard to Thomaston Shop site, initially for easy access as a pattern for interior end bulkhead reconstruction on 5805. “Cadaver” coach 4989 was positioned at the north end of shop for component recovery. Ex-colonist sleeper 4952 was moved from the DA track to Chase Yard for safekeeping and easier access to seat cushions stored within.

Plans are to bring several Pullman cars and “permanent collection” locomotives to Thomaston Shop site, once more track is built, to facilitate future conservation activities including roof painting.

Plans are being finalized by Al Pomeroy for movement of the ex-B&M, ex C&C wooden caboose to shop for serious roof attention. The car received a thorough inspection in late March by Al.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

NAUG 1732 – 567C engine: The engine has now been completely disassembled and inspection and testing of various components has begun, with most work being done by Scott Lent. Cylinder liner pressure testing is complete with only the freeze-damaged unit not passing. Scott and Howard Pincus planned and built a portable piston and rod rack to safely store those items.

NH 529 is on track 5, north bay, and continues to have engine work – heads are being removed, one by one.

BRIDGES & BUILDINGS

Thomaston Station: Kevin Meehan, with the assistance of Walt Hermann and Sue and Bill Sample, began an interior upgrade to the TST station waiting room. While not a “total restoration,” the effort certainly dramatically improves the appearance. Loose material is being removed, most holes (except fastener inspection openings) are being repaired, and the entire wall is receiving a base coat of paint. Additional improvements are being considered, and a proposal by Lee VanIderstine outlines a complete restoration of a small area which should show the potential future appearance. Ralph Harris has also been in conversation with a contractor regarding finishing the waiting room ceiling and Ralph also has been removing the corrugated window coverings along the platform side, improving our “front door” appearance. These efforts headed by Ralph and Kevin have re-ignited enthusiasm for an eventual restoration of the building. And as these improvements continue, we should increase our efforts to keep the station clean and uncluttered – all parking lot signs and cones will be kept in the former Waterville/E Litchfield ticket booth, the key for this being stored with the comfort coach key inside the TST station. Kevin also is interested in improving the displays inside the waiting room.

Thomaston Shop: Major improvement work continues. The air compressor has been relocated to the south end of the building, and shop air piping is now in service on 2 of the 3 sides to be equipped. 208V three-phase power is now in service to the machine shop area and our Bridgeport milling machine should be in service soon. A portable gantry crane has been constructed by Bob Eberheim and is now in service. The crane has 2 1-ton hoists, 16’6” vertical and 13’6” horizontal clearance.

—Bill Sample, Editor

Steam Trains Return to the Naugy!

2010-03-02T14:37:00.003-05:00

Join us this May to experience the exciting sights and sounds of steam on the Naugatuck Railroad! Several trips will be operated over our scenic railroad between May 22 and 31, departing from Thomaston Station. This is a special event you will not want to miss!

Order Your Tickets Today!

The hiss of steam, the steady chugging of the engine, the call of the whistle echoing off the hills… These were the sounds of the iron horse, the American steam locomotive, the Machine That Built America. Those sounds will be heard again in Thomaston this May, for the first time in 62 years. This May the Railroad Museum of New England will host Flagg Coal Co. #75.

Between the 1830s and 1960, steam locomotives carried passengers and freight to every corner of America. They became part of our national history, a symbol of mobility and change. Over the years, steam locomotives became larger and more efficient. Technology advances through World War II would soon change the face of railroading forever. By 1948, steam engines were gone from the Naugatuck Valley, replaced by modern diesel locomotives on the New Haven Railroad out of Waterbury. Regular steam operations ended on the New Haven system in 1952, ending an important era in modern industrial history.

Flagg Coal Co. #75 is a 40 ton coal-fired steam locomotive built in 1930. It worked in Pennsylvania coal mines and New York rock quarries until it was retired in 1953. Placed in deep storage until 1991, it was purchased by father and son team John and Barney Gramling from Indiana. The Gramlings moved #75 to their farm and fully restored it to operating condition, completing it October 2001. Since then, #75 has since traveled as far as Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina as a living, breathing ambassador of American steam railroading.

Order Your Tickets Today!

February Order Board

2010-02-06T15:58:00.002-05:00

Next General Membership Meeting - 13 March, 6:30pm, Thomaston Town Hall

RMNE Annual Dinner - 10 April, details to be announced

NORAC Book of Rules Classes will be held in March and April, dates to be announced

AMHERST RAILWAY SOCIETY RAILROAD HOBBY SHOW

MANY THANKS – President Ralph Harris would like to thank all members who helped to set, staff, and take down our display at the Amherst Ry. Society Show. We had an impressive display. Ralph also would like to thank Tony Pratt who successfully made a mighty and successful effort to get the 2010 brochure designed, produced, and printed on short notice in time for the show. Also special thanks go to Howard Pincus for his photos, Al Galanty for logistics, and Joan Jackson, Barb Walcott, and Jan Harris for handling the retail area. Barbara Walcott also sends her thanks for the help the retail department received moving their stock to and from out tables.

The 2010 Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show is now history, and it was very successful, especially considering that were still mired in the Great Recession. The cold but dry weather no doubt helped to build the attendance to 21,458 visitors over the 2 day event, which included a number of new exhibitors as the show expanded deeper into building 4 then last year.

The RMNE crew began of this year’s event shortly after the end of the 2009 edition, as the ARS’s show promotion begins over a year in advance. Al Galanty has been handling our reservations there for more years than some members have been alive, back into the 1980s when the show only occupied one building, not the four it uses now. Kevin Meehan has been very active in organizing the transport and setup of our displays over the past several years but could not attend this year’s – so he worked with Ralph Harris, who took over most of Kevin’s planning activities. Ralph also takes his portable HO model layout, which in the past has displayed Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. This year Ralph updated the rolling stock to reflect our planned visit by Flagg Coal Company 75, a 0-4-0 saddle tank engine, in May. And among many of Ralph’s show efforts this year, one literally stood out from all the others: our two new fold-out display panel stands, one a floor-standing model and the other a table-top variant, both brand new and very impressive. These display units replace the cumbersome folding stands used for many years, which had to be transported in a unwieldy carrying case not so affectionately know as “the coffin” – an item that required a large wagon or van for transport. Our new stands are pretty much state-of-the-art: a carpeted surface that hangs from a pantograph-like framework, all of which fits into small carrying cases that could even by transported in a Mini if need be. Ralph intently watched over this new investment like a parent would a child, making sure that it was treated with care and respect as we hope to get many years of use out of these panels. And what would the panels be without something to display? Once again, Howard Pincus came through with another up-to-date edition of “The RMNE At Work,” showing various photographs that recorded our activities and progress through the past year, plus a selected few favorites of years gone by. Retail activities mainly dealt with clearing out some of our Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise, and this activity was managed by Joan Jackson, Jan Harris, and Barb Walcott.

Overall, there were a number of changes to the show. We were amongst the exhibitors that were moved, going about “4 blocks north” of our previous and long time location. Our new block neighbor was Sylvan Scale Models from Ontario, a company that specializes in HO scale vehicles and freight car models. The ARS made these moves either by request of the exhibitor or to improve space utilization. The 4th building, the Mallary Complex, now is about 75% occupied by the show exhibitors, and in this building you could witness unit coal trains and large locomotive passing the Thomaston Station in HO scale, courtesy of the Torrington Area Model Railroaders layout. Many other new exhibitors and those with “broken service” (returning after taking a year or two off) also occupied the Mallary, which is primarily used for farm animal exhibitions during the fair season.

MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT REPORT

Pam and Kent Larson have announced that they have completed the 2009 RMNE membership revisions, dropping around 100 members for non-payment of dues. The dropped members (who have not yet paid for 2009) will receive one final newsletter mailing, with the label marked with a red dot. Most of the dropped members were inactive and had joined the RMNE as part of the Engineer for an Hour program. 2010 dues billings are being sent out in January. We have kept the same rates. How about helping your museum with a membership upgrade?

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

Bob Harrington reports that Gene Pfeiffer has reached a milestone and successfully overcame many obstacles such as finding rare spare parts to get the entire rubber-tired fleet into operation. Next project will be work on the boom truck to get it ready for over the road use for trips to Saybrook Yard.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

No details received, but locomotive, car, and building improvement work continues inside the cheery and warm confines of the Thomaston Shop. Stop by, check it out, and lend a hand!

—Bill Sample, Editor

January Order Board

2010-01-18T09:10:00.002-05:00

A BIG THANK –YOU FROM THE CREW DISPATCHER

Even before your editor sent out his usual requests for The Order Board info he received a call from Crew Dispatcher Barb Walcott thanking all who volunteered through the year 2009. Our ability to run the Naugatuck Railroad on a volunteer staff basis has certainly carried us through the many years that have passed since 1995!

And we’d also like to thank all those extra staffers who came in to staff the station, parking lot, TSY displays, who kept the ticketing system functioning, set up the advertising, who decorated the train, who kept the train and comfort coach clean, and last but not least the shop crew that kept 529 and the coaches rolling along, bringing us good will and good revenue!

NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS REVIEW

RMNE President Ralph Harris also sends his thank you out to all who supported and staffed our revamped Christmas offerings. Preliminary reports for the Christmas operations were very encouraging, especially since the Northern Lights Express part of it was only put together since last October.

MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT REPORT

Pam and Kent Larson have announced that they have completed the 2009 RMNE membership revisions, dropping around 100 members for non-payment of dues. The dropped members (who have not yet paid for 2009) will receive one final newsletter mailing, with the label marked with a red dot. Most of the dropped members were inactive and had joined the RMNE as part of the Engineer for an Hour program. 2010 dues billings are being sent out in January. We have kept the same rates. How about helping your museum with a membership upgrade?

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

Bob Harrington reports that Gene Pfeiffer has pretty much completed the rebuilding of the IHC diesel engine off-site, at no expense to the RMNE. It was reinstalled in the front-end loader on Jan. 2. The MVD has done an exemplary job of snow removal throughout our December operations, saving the substantial costs of hiring in a snow removal contractor. All other MVD equipment is either serviceable or stored serviceable.

AMHERST RAILWAY SOCIETY RAILROAD HOBBY SHOW

The big Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA, only weeks away! Kevin Meehan sends his regrets that he won’t be able to participate this year, so we will have some big shoes to fill. The schedule will be similar to past years – set up after 1:00pm Friday, January 29, with the actual show running on Saturday, January 30 from 9:00am-5:00pm, Sunday, January 31, from 10:00am-5:00pm. Staffers should report 1 hour prior to show opening to get decent parking and prepare exhibit. This year we will be in a different location – about 4 “blocks” due north of where we’ve been, closest to Door 1. Our new block neighbors will be Sylvan Models of Ontario, makers of high-end vehicle and rolling stock kits.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT

Not much news to report – but I believe NH 529 successfully concluded the season. NAUG 2203 is back in the shop getting some additional work. CDOT 2002 has been returned to Chase Yard and replaced at TSY with the B&M 1732. The 1732’s engine remains at the south end of the shop, pretty much totally stripped down.

CAR DEPARTMENT

January 9 and 16 will be Christmas decoration takedown days for the train, inside and out, at the TSY. The Items will be placed in storage containers and marked for the car or location that they were used. Once this is done, the containers will be sorted in a secure location and work can resume on coach 5805. The task list remains on the exterior east side of the car.

THOMASTON STATION

Ralph Harris has been working on the removal of decorations from the station, which will also be stored in marked containers at a secure location. Careful storage certainly pays off with relatively trouble free set up the following season!

THOMASTON SHOP

The permanent heat is on and now being enjoyed by those working in the shop. The first weekend of 2010 saw a lot of rearrangement taking place in the shop, with various cabinets, bins, desks being relocated into the building, other items removed for storage or disposal. The air compressor will be relocated to the south end at a later date.

That’s all the news that fits for now. Thanks to all those who helped with this issue including Barb Walcott, Bob Harrington, Ralph Harris, Pam & Kent Larson, Celeste Echlin, Sam Walker, Howard Pincus, David Manning and Sue Sample.

—Bill Sample, Editor

New Photos Uploaded to Flickr

2009-12-21T15:53:00.002-05:00

New photos have been uploaded to our Flickr account, with many winter scenes and exciting photos from our popular Northern Lights Express!

Visit our Flickr site to see all of our photos. Keep checking back as we add more photos to share with you. Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

December Order Board

2009-12-15T15:48:00.004-05:00

Train and Station Crews Still URGENTLY Needed

We’re down to the final few weeks of the 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed to fill in the final gaps in the crew dispatcher’s assignment book. Our 2009 season wraps up with our previously scheduled Santa Express day service (“1st Trick” as railroad shifts are called) which covers the 12 noon and 2:00pm Saturdays and Sundays, and 2nd trick covers our new Northern Lights night service which departs Thomaston at 4:30pm and 7:00pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For report times consult the crew dispatcher.

As of Thursday 3 December the following jobs are open:

Engineer: 26, 27 (2nd )

Car Hosts: 13, 26, 27 (both)

Parking: 13 (2nd), 20, 26, 27 (both)

Model RR Operator: 12 (both); 18 (2nd), 20, 27 (both)

Also additional personnel are needed to assist the parking lot director, staff the station and the parking lot.

Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 for operating crew positions, and Jan Harris for other positions at 860.482.3240 so that they won’t have to spend all their time tracking down the necessary staff. Day operations station staff generally report by 9:30pm; train & engine crews as advised by crew dispatcher.

ANNUAL FALL ALL-MEMBER WORK WEEKEND

The 2009 Fall Work Weekend was held on November 7-8. We ended up installing 100 ties on the main line, from just north of the Whyco Crossing toward Reynolds Bridge, and tamping the area vastly improving the ride. For those who have not yet paid their Spike-a-thon pledges, 252 spikes were driven – more would have been done if darkness hadn’t fallen making the task unsafe. The ties were extremely hard, setting up a challenge even for Louis “the Hammer” Edmonds, who reported this batch was much tougher to pound into than the previous batch. At least we have the satisfaction of knowing these ties will last for many, many years.

“THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS” OFF AND RUNNING

Following an intense effort to design, build, and install, the RMNE shop forces under the direction of Sam Walker put together 12 plywood display panels for use on the sides of coaches. The panel installation included the design and manufacture of an under-car mounting system that was both secure and non-damaging to the cars’ sides. Once the panels were built and painted, commercially available light displays were mounted on all twelve. Also, additional “non-invasive” exterior decorations in the form of tubular lighting was mounted along the car sides, attached by aircraft control cable anchored to grabirons. The result is a very visible image, easily seen from a great distance. See photos here.

From on board, the exterior lighting shines brightly away from the trainside, lighting up the area beside the train more than would be expected. And although most of us would not want a lot of snow to deal with, this exterior lighting would be even more impressive with a full snow cover. Sam and Celeste added a few new displays at the shop yard and station, and ideas are being considered for the expansion of lighting displays for next year. As of December 7, we’ve carried 336 on the day trains and 454 on the Northern Lights service, and we have now advance-sold over 2000 tickets! Tell your friends to take a ride this season!

Thomaston Station Halloween Party

The Fund-Raiser Halloween Party at the Thomaston Station on the 31st of October was a nice success, with over $500.00 being collected from the station contribution box following the event. A tip of the hat to Celeste for bringing in a bunch of her friends to supplement some of the RMNE regulars.

Train Shows Past and Future

Kevin Meehan, Lisa Drazen, and Bill & Sue Sample worked the 2009 Fall Cheshire High School train show. We heavily promoted our expanded Christmas operations. The next show will be the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show at West Springfield, MA on Jan. 30-31, with set-up on the 29th. Kevin sends his regrets that he will not be able to attend, so we’ll be needing some extra help to cover the work he’s done in the past. For starters, we’ll be needing a van and perhaps a wagon or two to transport our displays.

2010 Brochure

The SEComm has been hard at work planning the next brochure, with Tony Pratt completing the layout.

Car Department

On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Contact Sam Walker to help or for other Car Dept. info. Best to talk with him at the shop – he’s there on most Saturdays – easier to describe tasks in person and on site!

NAUG 4980, 4992, 5046 – the in-service coaches, need attention to keep them tidy During the Christmas operations. Please remember that revenue generated by a successful December will support other projects through the winter.

Coach 5805 has been quiet as once again Sam was appropriated to manage the train lighting and other holiday related work around the railroad. Work will resume in January once the decorations are put away until next November.

NH 603, ex Parlor “Forest Hills” had its roof work completed in November except for vent and drip rail installation. Dan DiTullio and Jon Chase have completed the restoration of the vent assemblies and they will be installed as weather permits. That roof sure looks nice!

Locomotive Department

NH 529 has been the regular locomotive on the Christmas services. Thanks to the talents of the RMNE shop forces this 59 year old locomotive continues to perform well.

NH (CDOT) 2019 has been drained and stored serviceable at the TSY. Despite a few problems in early October, the locomotive finished its service in a reliable manner.

NAUG 1732 – the new 567 engine continues to see a thorough cleaning by Scott Lent. Gene Pfeiffer is bringing various internal components to the off-site auto repair shop where he is rebuilding the IHC loader engine. It is hoped that we will be able to salvage the power assembly parts that had been damaged by moisture and freezing. Gene’s volunteer efforts have the potential of saving thousands of dollars by eliminating the need to purchase new replacement parts.

NAUG 2203 continues to receive attention inside the shop under the direction of Scott Paribello. Batteries have been installed and a newly discovered water leak was repaired. A lube oil change is scheduled and it is hoped that it will return to service by late December.

Bridges and Buildings Department

Jack Tarter continues the complicated process of assembling our electrical system, readying various components for installation to power the heating and permanent lighting in the shop.

Thanks to all those who helped with this issue including Bob Harrington, Kevin Meehan, Win Bissell, and Sue Sample —Bill Sample, Editor

All aboard the Northern Lights Express!

2009-11-24T09:51:00.001-05:00

If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, consider taking a ride on Naugatuck Railroad's "Northern Lights Express to Santa's Train Workshop." The volunteers at RMNE/NAUG have created a very festive and exciting holiday train ride that the whole family can enjoy.

Relax in our vintage coaches, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and be on the look out for a visit from Santa Claus himself! The first Northern Lights Express departs this Saturday, 11/28, and then weekends through the December. Two departures at 4:30 and 7:00 each day, advanced reservations are suggested.

Please visit RMNE's web site for more information:

http://rmne.org/trainrides/northernlightsexpress/

November Order Board

2009-10-26T16:07:00.004-04:00

Train and Station Crews URGENTLY Needed
We’re winding up our 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 so that she doesn’t have to spend all her time tracking down the necessary staff.

ANNUAL FALL ALL MEMBER WORK WEEKEND
The 2009 Fall Work Weekend is scheduled for November 7-8 and most effort will be dedicated to track maintenance work. This year work will be done primarily on the main line, from just north of the Whyco Crossing toward Reynolds Bridge. Anyone who has been aboard a locomotive through this area can feel the need for attention. Food will be provided at either the work site or shop, so far lunch will be hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and Butterworth Beans.

Preliminary Work Also Needed
To properly prepare for the main event and the Spike-a-Thon, much preparation work must be done to ready ties for replacement. Besides loading ties for distribution, we will also need to re-gauge the trackage this work began the weekend of October 24-25 and will continue the following weekend. We will need a good turnout to support this effort so that we can insure a successful main event. Hal Reiser is in charge of this project and will appreciate any help you can provide. We hope to ready 100 ties for replacement – that’s 100 ties with 4 spikes each for our Spike-A-Thon goal of 400 hundred spikes driven. Please dress appropriately and bring safety equipment such as hardhats and work gloves. Other details may appear in a special mailing.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER DATE CHANGED
Our 2009 Annual Membership Meeting has been rescheduled to November 21 to avoid interference with Holiday operations. It will be preceded by the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner starting at 5pm, with the meeting at 7pm. Dinner reservations are required – please contact Barbara Walcott by phone (see above) or at wwalcott at snet.net by 14Nov.

ANNOUNCING “THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS”
With the gradual erosion of the revenue generated by the Day Out With Thomas event, your Board of Directors -working with the Special Events Committee - has decided to upgrade the Naugatuck Railroad’s holiday season offerings in 2009. This upgrade includes after-dark services with an upgrade of the festive lighting both inside and outside of the train. The tentative evening schedule will begin on Thanksgiving Saturday, 28Nov which will be in part a press run, replacing our former Light-Up-the-Town service - then Sunday 29Nov, and into December on 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, and conclude with 26 and 27 of December. We’ll need and good turnout of train, engine, onboard and station volunteers. This operation has the potential of being a greater income producer than DOWT, as we will be running the event in its entirety and won’t have to share revenues with any management company. Income can go right back into the railroad and its preservation activities.

Thomaston Station Halloween Party Details
The RMNE will be hosting a Thomaston Station Fund-Raiser Halloween Party at the Thomaston Station on the 31st of October. RMNE members and friends are invited. This will be a costume party for adults only and will begin at 7:00pm and run until “the witching hour.” Dance music and party snacks will be provided, BYOB and BYO Food if your appetite dictates. A $10.00 per person donation is suggested – remember, the surplus is going to replenish the Thomaston Station Fund, which has been depleted by recent station improvements. Please help support this project and don’t forget to tell your friends! Please RSVP to Celeste Echlin, email cechlin at earthlink.net or tel. 860.283.7245.

Sidewalk Sale of Day Out With Thomas Merchandise
The RMNE will be hosting a Day Out With Thomas Merchandise clearance “Sidewalk Sale” 24-25 October. As sales were a bit off this summer, we’d like to take another opportunity to turn leftover items into income for the RMNE. This will be held at Thomaston.

Weekday Work Opportunities
Gene Pfeiffer continues to spend a lot of time on weekdays on the railroad, usually at the Thomaston Shop. There are a number of projects, primarily Motor Vehicle Department work, which Gene is working on and he could use some help. Another project that Gene has started is digging away the embankment at the end of the shop track leads so that they may be extended a few car lengths southward. He is also continuing work on the parking area at the main gate and the access road. Contact Gene on his cell phone 860.605.0454

Car Department
Reminder - On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Contact Sam Walker at sbwalker6 at earthlink.net to help or for other Car Department info. Best to talk with him at the shop – he’s there on most Saturdays – easier to describe tasks in person and on site!

4980, 4992, 5046 – the in-service coaches, need attention to ready them for the Christmas operation. Please remember that revenue generated by a successful December will support other projects through the winter. Work continues of coach 5805 inside and out.

NH 603, ex Parlor “Forest Hills” currently remains in the shop, undergoing a general cleaning and roof refurbishing that has been spearheaded by Jon Chase. Some holes remain to get patched, and some final wire wheeling under the “J-patch” areas is needed.

Locomotive Department
NH 529 is scheduled for more testing, including some runs during over the October 24 weekend. Former CDOT 2019 has been the mainstay of our autumn operations, running in a push-pull operation. NAUG 2203 continues to receive attention inside the shop and it is hoped that it will return to service by December.

Maintenance of Way Department
Highland Rail Service has completed rail replacement on the Huntingdon Ave siding at Waterville. A number of ties remain to be replaced later this fall. The use of NH 2019 in a push-pull operation has kept the siding clear for uninterrupted work.

Gene Pfeiffer, new member Jason Hartmann, and others have completed the rebuild of a push car to assist with upcoming MoW projects. Quite a bit of grading has been done south of the shop to allow access and future track expansion.

Bridges and Buildings Department
Gas service has been connected, electrical connections have been made and our heaters will be ready for service shortly after vents are installed at the north and south ends of the building.

Loretta “Pie Car Mama” Seibert
Word has reached me from Henry Moncrief that his Mother, Loretta Seibert, passed away on September 27 from the effects of prolonged dementia at a nursing home in Westmoreland, NH, the area where she has resided for a number of years. Loretta and her husband the late Jim Seibert were fixtures during the early CVRA years at the Valley Railroad, running the Pie Car (ex NH W-153 “Springfield” diner) feeding the volunteers on most Saturday nights. (“Pie Car” was a term for the dining cars on circus trains.) Her last appearance at a RMNE function was the dedication of locomotive NH 529 to the memory of her husband Jim, held at the Saybrook Yard about 15 years ago.

—Bill Sample, Editor

RMNE Spike-A-Thon

2009-10-16T08:31:00.001-04:00

This is an exciting time for the Railroad Museum of New England. We continue to move forward on many restoration projects to expand the collection and keep your railroad running. To do this, we need your help. Our Treasurer, Louis Edmonds is challenging everyone to sponsor him in a Spike-A-Thon on November 7, 2009. We know he can do 300 spikes... but can he do 400??

All proceeds go directly to the Railroad Museum of New England, a non-profit corporation, and contributions are tax-deductible. To make a pledge, either e-mail us or send your pledge form to:

We appreciate any and all contributions that you're able to make. Talk to your family and friends as well and ask them to support our museum as we work for the future!

Order Board for October 2009

2009-10-14T11:54:00.003-04:00

Train and Station Crews URGENTLY Needed
We’re well into our 2009 operating season and volunteer train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at (203) 525.5290 or (860) 283.5790 so that she doesn’t have to spend all her time tracking down the necessary staff.

ANNOUNCING “THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS”
The tentative evening schedule will begin on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 29 and then will run on December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, and conclude on the 26th and 27th. We’ll need and good turnout of train, engine, onboard and station volunteers. This operation has the potential of being a greater income producer than DOWT, as we will be running the event in its entirety and won’t have to share revenues with any licensing management company. Income can go right back into the railroad and its preservation activities.

Weekday Work Opportunities
Gene Pfeiffer is often around the shop on weekdays, working on various projects, and could use some assistance. Contact Gene on his cell phone (860) 605.0454 for details.

Car Department
Reminder - On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Like other departments, the Car Department has been pressed into DOWT service over the past few weekends but now car work is resuming. Contact Sam Walker to help or for other car dept. info. Best to talk with him at the shop – he’s there on most Saturdays – easier to describe tasks in person and on site!

Coaches 4980, 4992, 5046 – the in-service coaches, will be needing attention to ready them for the Christmas operation. Please remember that revenue generated by a successful December will support other projects through the winter. 4980 and 4992 also need ongoing window repair – Sam, Stan Bogacz and Kurt Wiener recently have been on that.

Coach 5805 Summary: Interior work underway includes north end floor repairs and the ongoing ceiling repair and painting work. Next up: 1. Building and fitting insulation panels, lower wall areas beneath windowsills. 2. Steel window frame fabrication – final prep of window openings, cutting and welding in the metal channel pieces in the openings (possible training opportunity here – contact Sam) 3. Hal Reiser will be taking a lead on the rehab of seat frames, which will involve moving them into the shop from the BAR potato car on the DA track in Waterville, then removing any of the electric heating units (dating from service in an electric MU car) from the frames, including a partial disassembly, then “media” blasting the frames to remove all paint. Exterior work remaining includes finishing rivet installation on northwest, southeast, and southwest end panels, and finish body patch grinding and welding on west side.

NH Coach 603, ex-Pullman Parlor “Forest Hills” – space this car is occupying is needed for other projects we’d like to get this car properly prepared to return to the great outdoors. Basically the roof is getting a comprehensive overhaul to keep it tight to successfully battle the elements. Project mgr. Jon Chase has prepared a detailed list of the remaining tasks and will be happy to share it; some of the tasks are listed on the side of the car in the shop. Please remember to tie off ladders so they won’t slide on the shop floor. As of October 11, it sounds like the roof stripping has been largely completed and most work that remains outside of painting concerns the sealing of screw holes and vent openings, and some minor patching. Details are available from Jon Chase.

Locomotive Department
NH Alco RS-3 529 - Hal Reiser completed battery box overhaul. Batteries were re-installed, a new high-pressure fuel pump was installed by Howard Pincus, and the locomotive was started up Oct 4th only to find continuing charging problems. Some progress has been made to rectify this but more work is needed.

NH (ex-CDOT) EMD FL9 2019 - This locomotive continues as the regular service locomotive until the 2203’s work is completed. It is the last remaining FL9 in NH colors still operating on anything close to a regular basis in Connecticut... or anywhere else!

NAUG GE U-23B 2203 - This locomotive is currently undergoing another oil cooler replacement, and is awaiting other work on the pit. Batteries have been removed and Hal Reiser has begun repair work on the boxes, which had been heavily infested by the tin worm (much rust and rot to remove and repair).

ex-CDOT EMD F7m's 6690 & 6691 - These units were built for Southern Pacific; then renuilt and sent to the Wellsville, Addison & Galeton; then Pittsburgh's PATrain, then CDOT's Shore Line East startup! These two units have been formally transferred to RMNE ownership by donation from CDOT. They remain for now at the head end of the Thomaston Display Track.

Motor Vehicle Department
Gene Pfeiffer reports that the overhaul of the IHC engine is progressing. Other equipment is getting the usual maintenance, plus some brake work on the TC 40. Excavation continues for the shop track extensions at Thomaston Shop and Yard (TSY).

Bridges and Buildings Department
Jack Tarter has continued to build the intricate web of electrical service for the shop, with his talents saving the RMNE untold thousands of dollars. He recently has been working on additional heavy-duty outlets for welding machine use, and is well along with a large circuit box that will control the heating system’s control circuits. Howard Pincus recently activated the north end vent fan, helping to control the dust kicked up by the roof project on the NH 603.

There has been progress in the Thomaston Station this fall as a preliminary waiting room ceiling and semi-permanent lighting has been installed. Ralph Harris is managing this project and reminds us that the station is our oldest major item on display. Not only will the appearance be improved, but heating expenses should be reduced.

Maintenance of Way Department
Our 2009 Fall Work Weekend, featuring a major track project, has been scheduled for 7-8 November. This will include another edition of the Louis Edmonds Spike-a-Thon. As treasurer, Louis has plenty of incentive to drive as many spikes as possible to help bolster our treasury!

Discussion has begun on the location of the outside yard tracks at the south end of the TSY site. Earlier this month Howard Pincus led a rail replacement crew near the Thomaston Station, and work continued on the Waterville passing siding.

—Bill Sample, Editor

Just another day on the Naugatuck Railroad...

2009-10-02T12:04:00.004-04:00

Who says you can't turn back time? These photos are from a September 20, 2009 visit to the Naugatuck Railroad. These scenes await visitors every weekend. Come visit our railroad and create your own timeless images! You can support our restoration efforts by purchasing a souvenir ticket or picking up a few "must have" items in our gift shop. Photos by RMNE volunteer Otto M. Vondrak.

Time for ice cream at the WhyCo crossing south of Thomaston

Crossing Chase Bridge near Waterville, CT

Arriving at Thomaston, looking right at home

Our train is dwarfed by the massive fill of Thomaston Dam

Ducking under historic Reynolds Bridge

Work Continues on New Haven Parlor Coach 603

2009-09-24T11:33:00.006-04:00

Photo at Thomaston Shop by Dana Laird

NH 603, ex-Parlor “Forest Hills” currently remains in the shop, undergoing a general cleaning and roof refurbishing that has been spearheaded by Jon Chase. The plan is to make the roof weather-tight by removing all coatings down to the galvanized bare metal, patching and caulking where necessary, and priming and painting to finish. It was decided as part of this process to remove rain gutters and ventilators as these are likely places for corrosion damage to begin. To date, most of the lower roof including the air conditioning duct cover, and the clerestory side has been stripped, with part of one side needing some finishing touches. The ventilators will be refurbished and stored pending reinstallation during the actual restoration, when new rain gutters will be installed.

Work remaining includes continuing the cleanup of the interior and vestibules, including the toilet area. The upper roof needs to be stripped. The ends also need stripping, access by using scissors lift. There are a few small rusted areas that need cutting out and patching. Jon has written up a more detailed list of work for this car that we hope to have posted in the shop.

A specific fund-raising effort has begun to finance the above work and improvements – please remit to RMNE, attn Treasurer, P O Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 and note that the donation is for NH 603.

Order Board - September 2009

2009-09-14T09:35:00.001-04:00

TRAIN AND STATION CREWS URGENTLY NEEDED
We’re well into our 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 so that she doesn’t have to spend all her time tracking down the necessary staff.

ANNOUNCING “THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS”
With the gradual erosion of the revenue generated by the Day Out With Thomas event, your Board of Directors -working with the Special Events Committee - has decided to upgrade the Naugatuck Railroad’s holiday season offerings in 2009. This upgrade includes after-dark services with an increase of the festive lighting both inside and outside of the train. The tentative evening schedule will begin on Thanksgiving Sunday 29Nov then will run on 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, and conclude with 26 and 27 of December. We’ll need and good turnout of train, engine, onboard and station volunteers. This operation has the potential of being a greater income producer than DOWT, as we will be running the event in its entirety and won’t have to share revenues with any management company. Income can go right back into the railroad and its preservation activities.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DATE CHANGED
Our 2009 Annual Membership Meeting has been rescheduled to November 14 to avoid interference with Holiday operations. Time and location to be announced.

WEEKDAY WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Gene Pfeiffer rcontinues to spend a lot of time on weekdays on the railroad, usually at the Thomaston Shop. There are a number of projects, primarily Motor Vehicle Department work, which Gene is working on and he could use some help. Another project that Gene has started is digging away the embankment at the end of the shop track leads so that they may be extended a few car lengths southward. He is also continuing work on the parking area at the main gate and the access road. Contact Gene on his cell phone 860.605.0454

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT
Bob Harrington reports that all of the vehicular fleet is in service except for the IHC front end loader. Gene Pfeiffer and Bob have been busy – as usual – helping in other areas, including site improvements (parking area and shop track extension areas) and with railroad telephone pole removals near East Litchfield.

CAR DEPARTMENT
Reminder - On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Like other departments, the Car Department has been pressed into DOWT service over the past few weekends but now car work is resuming. Contact Sam Walker to help or for other car dept. info.

NH 603, ex-Parlor “Forest Hills” currently remains in the shop, undergoing a general cleaning and roof refurbishing that has been spearheaded by Jon Chase. The plan is to make the roof weather-tight by removing all coatings down to the galvanized bare metal, patching and caulking where necessary, and priming and painting to finish. It was decided as part of this process to remove rain gutters and ventilators as these are likely places for corrosion damage to begin. To date, most of the lower roof including the air conditioning duct cover, and the clerestory side has been stripped, with part of one side needing some finishing touches. The ventilators will be refurbished and stored pending reinstallation during the actual restoration, when new rain gutters will be installed.

Work remaining includes continuing the cleanup of the interior and vestibules, including the toilet area. The upper roof needs to be stripped – be sure to tie off the ladder bottoms to prevent sliding on the shop’s concrete floor before using them to get to the roof! The ends also need stripping, access by using scissors lift. There are a few small rusted areas that need cutting out and patching. Jon has written up a more detailed list of work for this car that we hope to have posted in the shop.

A specific fund-raising effort has begun to finance the above work and improvements – please remit to RMNE, attn Treasurer, P O Box 400, Thomaston, CT 06787-0400 and note that the donation is for NH 603.

NH W-221 (ex 2789 former RPO/baggage/express) – work on this car will resume when it can be switched to a more accessible location as it is currently two tracks away from power and air access. As was stated earlier, this car – with the 603 and NH 529 – could form a historically accurate Naugy train of 1950 someday – what a good exhibit that would be. Few other “heritage railways” could match this type of display.

C4989, the “C” standing for “condemned,” is currently parked on the middle outside track at TSY awaiting more salvage work. See the list taped to the 5805. Some windows were recently salvaged for re-use in other cars by Stan Bogacz and Win Bissell. Other tasks are listed on the east side of coach 5805. 4992 received schedule air brake service; unfortunately this had to be done outside because all three available inside bays were filled with other active projects. Al Pomeroy was assisted by Jon Chase and Chris Sampson. 5805 had inside and outside work ongoing. Inside work continued on the lower deck ceiling area, concentrating on where the batten strips will be installed between the panels. A panel that will be used for these strips was set up in the bending jig. Stan Bogacz, Win Bissell, Kurt Weiner were seen working on this, while outside Sam Walker kept busy fitting new corner posts to the north vestibule, a job much more difficult than one would think due various dimensional changes wrought by over 80 years hard service life.

Hopefully Claremont & Concord #50 (the narrow monitor caboose) will still be getting a trip to the shop for dry-out storage prior to some weatherproofing.

LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT
NH 529 (Alco RS3) was parked outside the shop on the pit track where Hal Reiser continued the cleaning and paint preparation of the battery boxes and steam generator compartment. Engine and auxiliary generator work remain as future projects on the locomotive. The replacement of the wheels is also a future project, as is a specific fund-raising effort to cover the locomotive’s rehabilitation expenses.

Our former CDOT EMD FL9 2019 is now the regular service locomotive until the 2203’s work is completed. NAUG 2203 is currently undergoing another oil cooler replacement, and is awaiting other work on the pit. We hope to have additional information in the next issue.

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
Vintage Express operations are tentatively scheduled for October 4 and November 8. Additional V/E operations will be considered over the Christmas Season, possibly as part of a revamped Holiday Season program.

BRIDGES AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
Jack Tarter has continued to build the intricate web of electrical service for the shop, with his talents saving the RMNE untold thousands of dollars. He recently has been working on additional heavy-duty outlets for welding machine use, and is well along with a large circuit box that will control the heating system’s control circuits.

There will be progress this fall in the Thomaston Passenger Station this fall as a preliminary waiting room ceiling and lighting will be installed. Ralph Harris is managing this project and reminds us that the station is our oldest major item on display. Not only will the appearance be improved but heating expenses should be reduced.

COMMUNICATION & SIGNALS DEPARTMENT
Steve Butterworth will continue the crossing signal repainting program later in the fall. Steve says “it’s clean work with no heavy lifting!” Contact Steve at his email bworth5@comcast.net for details on how to help.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY DEPARTMENT
Our 2009 Fall Work Weekend, featuring a major track project, has been tentatively scheduled for 7-8 November.

Discussion has begun on the location of the outside yard tracks at the south end of the TSY site. Earlier this month Howard Pincus led a rail replacement crew near the Thomaston Station, and work continued on the Waterville passing siding.

That’s all the news that fits for now – thanks to all those who helped with this issue!

—Bill Sample, Editor

FL9's Live on the Naugy

2009-09-01T19:56:00.004-04:00

With FL9s gone from the main line after more than half a century of service, it is reassuring to see at least one of these units still running a regular schedule on former New Haven Railroad trackage. Railroad Museum of New England's former CDOT 2019 (built as NH 2049 in 1960) currently is the regular motive power on Naugatuck Railroad's weekend and Tuesday trains. The unit faces south, and is seen in this view approaching the Connecticut Route 262 grade crossing in Watertown, CT, on August 30. Visiting fans should buy a ticket to help keep this historic locomotive in service. Come ride with us this weekend!

August 2009

2009-08-30T12:33:00.003-04:00

Day Out with Thomas 2009 has now come and gone and overall things ran smoothly. Business was off a bit from past years; due to the reduced family spending caused by the Great Recession, and to some extent the weather (especially the first Friday). DOWT remains far and away the RMNE’s largest fundraiser.

Following the 2009 visit, crews worked hard to put the Naugatuck Railroad back to its normal configuration. Decorations were removed, fencing taken down, and merchandise tent equipment was returned to storage. A fresh train and engine crew boarded, returned CDOT 2019 to the Thomaston Shop Yard for a well-earned rest after having powered all DOWT trains without any problems. There the 2203 was “fired up” to complete the final switching moves, which returned coach 4990, the BAR caboose and Thomas to the Chase Yard, and brought the 5046, 4980, 4992 and the B&M 472 back to the TSY. Then the 2203 was deadheaded back to Chase to be ready for the following morning, when Thomas would be loaded and sent home to Strasburg, PA.

Weekday Work Opportunities

Gene Pfeiffer continues to spend a lot of time on weekdays on the railroad, usually at the Thomaston Shop. There are a number of projects, primarily Motor Vehicle Department work, which Gene is working on and he could use some help. Another project that Gene has started is digging away the embankment at the end of the shop track leads so that they may be extended a few car lengths southward. He is also continuing work on the parking area at the main gate and the access road. Contact Gene on his cell phone 860.605.0454

Motor Vehicle Department

Hydraulic system repairs have returned both the Dyna-hoe and the tie inserter to service. Gene Pfeiffer has been busy working on an upper parking area as well as continuing to excavate the area south of the two shop tracks to prepare for their extension. Volunteers who normally are associated with the MVD are heavily involved with grounds keeping around the Thomaston Station and Shop Yard area, tending to mowing and planting of flowers. A number of flowering shrubs have appeared near the road gate to the TSY and I’ll bet the rose bushes are descendents of those planted by the New Haven Railroad over 70 years ago! I’m sure Bob Harrington can fill you in on this.

Car Department

On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Like other departments, the Car Department has been pressed into DOWT service over the past few weekends but now car work is resuming. Contact Sam Walker to help or for other Car Department info.

NH 603, ex Parlor “Forest Hills” is currently in the shop, spending its first days under cover in probably over a half-century. It recently received a quick protective paint job below the letter board, but now awaits some attention to the roof. Using the portable platform lift, the roof will have the loose paint and roof coating removed so that a thorough inspection can be made. We believe the roof is in pretty good shape so hopefully only some priming and coating will be necessary to adequately protect the coach over the next few years. Two styles of New Haven lettering appear on the letter board – this will be traced for future duplication and then the letter board and any other exterior panels will be repainted in the “McGinnis” black and vermillion for now. The car also needs a good interior and vestibule cleaning. Your editor made a first pass on the north vestibule, carting away much rust, dirt, and broken glass. This car’s appearance at the TSY has generated a good amount of interest in placing it in our “restoration queue” as a future project. It would be a nice historic addition to our fleet. NH 610, the former parlor “Philinda,” a stepsister to the 603, also was brought to TSY for a quick graffiti-cover up session. This car’s sides are in poor shape although the roof is good. The car was moved to Chase Yard for storage.

NH W-221 former RPO/baggage/express recently had its underbody power-washed, removing decades of “crud” to allow visual inspection. This car, as the 30 foot Railway Post Office / baggage / express car NH 2789, once was regularly assigned to Winsted-New York (GCT) service and various ideas for refurbishing have been discussed amongst the active members. One proposal has the car refurbished on the exterior to an early 1950s appearance but with the interior set up as an “activity car” suitable for charter or stationary use. It also could see service as a wheelchair accessible car, with gated doorways and the RPO area windows restored.

C4989, the “C” standing for “condemned,” is currently parked on the middle outside track at TSY awaiting more salvage work. See the list taped to the 5805. 5046’s new windows certainly passed the test of DOWT. As the window set was several frames short of what was needed on this car – the windows had been ordered for a different car - the replacement job isn’t quite done yet. Following the completion of the 5805 this car will enjoy a heavy overhaul as it is in need of exterior and some interior work.

Claremont & Concord 50 narrow monitor Caboose will reportedly be getting a trip to the shop for dry-out storage prior to some weatherproofing following DOWT.

Locomotive Department

Alco RS-3 NH 529 until recently was on the pit, a convenient location for a number of tasks taking place on her. With the batteries removed a thorough overhaul of the battery boxes has started, with the engineer’s side box now ready for paint. The fireman’s side is in far better shape so it should be ready for paint following a day’s surface prep and cleaning. The steam generator room under the short hood also enjoyed about an hour’s work of chipping and vacuuming but could use more work to get into the remaining “nooks and crannies.” See Howard Pincus for details.

CDOT 2002 recently received a power wash, getting rid of the “green” appearance caused by facing north in a shadowy environment over a couple of very wet years. CDOT 2019 continues as the standby locomotive when 2203 is out of service for maintenance.

The NAUG 1732 (ex B&M GP9) replacement engine overhaul has taken a few weeks off due to DOWT activities.

NAUG 2203 is currently waiting some attention to repair internal oil leaks on the pit track in the shop.

Special Events Committee

Kevin Meehan reported that DOWT ’09 merchandise department operations went well, and thanked all who helped make this possible, with special thanks to John King, Bruce Hollis, and Mike Bruscino for their preparation work.

A new “Sandwich Board” has been obtained for use at the beginning of the Station Approach road in Thomaston thanks to Tony Pratt.

Vintage Express operations are tentatively scheduled for October 4 and November 8. Additional V/E operations will be considered over the Christmas Season, possibly as part of a revamped Holiday Season program.

Communication & Signal Department

Steve Butterworth will continue the crossing signal repainting program later in the summer after DOWT. Steve says “it’s clean work with no heavy lifting!” Contact Steve for details on how to join his signal appearance upgrade detail.

Maintenance of Way Department

Our 2009 Fall Work Weekend, featuring a major track project, has been tentatively scheduled for 7-8 November. Discussion has begun on the location of the outside yard tracks at the south end of the TSY site.

Membership Meeting

NEXT MEETING The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 12 September 2009, at 6:30pm, at the Senior Center, Thomaston Town Hall, on Main Street.

Thanks to the following for their help with this edition: Bob Harrington, Gene Pfeiffer, Barb Walcott, Kevin Meehan, Steve Butterworth, Chad Boutet, and Sue Sample.

—Bill Sample, editor

Cab units in Connecticut

2009-07-27T12:40:00.003-04:00

While Metro-North and CDOT officially retired the former New Haven FL9's this past winter from commuter train service, the classic cab units continue to serve Connecticut! On Sunday, July 26, former CDOT 2019 (former NH 2049) was on the southbound lead of the regular Naugatuck Railroad trains, with NAUG 2203 as trailing unit. The FL9s STILL handle revenue passenger trains in Connecticut! Photos provided by Howard Pincus.

Extra July Order Board Update

2009-07-21T15:17:00.003-04:00

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2009 - VOLUNTEER STAFF NEEDED

President Ralph Harris has most of the arrangements completed for this year’s visit by Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, which remains the largest fund raiser for the Railroad Museum of New England. Nancy Pratt again will be using her organizational skills as the DOWT Crew Dispatcher and is now taking requests for positions. The event will be running 31 July, 1-2 then 7-8-9 August, the usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule. Please contact her as soon as possible at her new e-mail address or 203.578.5930. Thanks!

Train and Station Crews URGENTLY Needed

We’re well into our 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 so that she doesn’t have to spend all her time tracking down the necessary staff.

Locomotives and Rolling Stock

NH (ex-CDOT) 2019 is now back in service and will primarily be a back up engine when the 2203 is down for maintenance. The loco will likely see service on the DOWT runs this year. It will be the only FL9 in operation in Connecticut this summer now that the remaining CDOT –owned locomotives are now stored and no longer used by Metro-North.

Coach 5046’s window replacement project continues with most new windows installed as of mid July. Contact Sam Walker to help or for other Car Department information.

Recently coaches NH 603 and 610 (named “Forest Hills” and “Philinda” from their parlor car days) recently were brought up to Thomaston Shop for some cosmetic work before being placed inside the Chase Yard for long term storage. The surprisingly good condition of the 603’s interior was noted by many, and having it moved up in the restoration queue is a possibility should there be commitment and support.

Claremont & Concord 50 narrow monitor caboose will reportedly be getting a trip to the shop for dry-out storage prior to some weatherproofing following DOWT.

Car Department Job Sheets Posted

On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Here are some of the items listed: 5805 – complete welding along west side of carbody, body filler to finish seam for priming. Fill hex-head bolts, finish other bolt installation. Complete installation of step hanger brackets. Complete riveting of n/w end sheet, diaphragm mounting area and corner post.

C4989 – remove salvageable windows; remove lift hardware from scrap window frames. Remove northwest trap and any remaining trap hardware.

Locomotive Department Work Needed

NH 529 – batteries have been removed so this is a good chance to vacuum battery boxes, prep and repaint so the next set of batteries will have a good home. Contact Howard Pincus for more information about this project.

Freezer Donated

Kevin Meehan reports that we have received the donation of a large chest-type freezer from Dick “Foreman Yes” Lathrop. A big thank you from all of us that will be enjoying the refreshment made possible by the new freezer.

—Bill Sample, Editor

Tales of the Yellow Fleet: The Boom Truck Goes BOOM!

2009-07-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Yellow Fleet was the name given to a group of fourteen ships trapped in the Suez Canal (in the Great Bitter Lake section) from 1967 to 1975 as a result of the Six-Day War. The name derived from their yellow appearance as they were increasingly covered in desert sand swept onboard. WAIT! Stop right there!! Not that yellow fleet...

The "Yellow Fleet" is the informal name given to the collection of support equipment, both rubber tired and not, that enables the Railroad Museum of New England to support the goals of preservation and interpretation along with the operation of the railroad. Included are rubber tired motor vehicles, "hi-rail" equipment (can operate on road or rail), construction machinery and track equipment. Most happen to be painted... guess what color?

The most senior member of this diverse group is an item known locally as the "boom truck." A 1973 Ford C-700 heavy duty truck chassis with a hydraulic crane mounted behind the cab and a length of stake body. This truck was donated by the local electric utility many, many moons ago. Those of us with enough whiskers can recall that this truck figured prominently in the RMNE’s first major track project, which was the construction of Saybrook Yard. To this day, the truck has a high degree of usefulness and can be quickly set up for many types of lifting projects. Back in the day, it was even known to leave home territory and travel over the road for various resource recovery efforts.

By the way, we don’t recall who christened it the "boom truck." However, a boom is a part of a crane, the part of that actually positions the hoist over the load to be picked. The passage of time, along with the continual expansion of the yellow fleet, has created some difficulties when comes to maintaining all this stuff. Not enough time, not enough money. On the upside, there happens to be a dedicated maintenance crew consisting of Gene Pfeiffer and Bob Harrington. Two men with two lifetimes’ worth of experience dealing with this type of stuff. Not only that, but they have commercial drivers licenses (CDL) and can legally drive the heavier items on public roads. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?

It can be argued that a piece of machinery has a personality of its own. The boom truck, suffice to say, is sorta loud, but she tends to go about her business without too much fanfare. Never been much of a hangar queen. Well, a few Saturdays past, folks were working in about the shop, puttering away on various things and all of a sudden, a loud BOOM was heard. We were outside, rummaging inside a boxcar and quicky ran into the shop to investigate. Nothing seems to be amiss-so we circled around and went back to what we doing and then we saw it. There was Gene, cigartte butt dangling out of his mouth, pointing down at the ground at some pieces of black plastic.

I don’t recall exactly, but his words were something like, "The $#%! battery blew up." Moving closer for a look, there were the remains of the battery sitting under the cab. The rest of the battery was scattered about on the ground. The boom truck went BOOM! As no one was hurt, we turned to the hows and whys of the situation. In very detailed fashion, Gene detailed the events of the day. Long and the short of it was that she had been misbehavin’ all day, and choose to punctuate the end of her day with an explosion. A more technical explanation: the truck had been overcharging for quite a while, boiled all of the water out of the sealed battery and then the battery exploded.

The next Monday, Gene returned to the scene of the crime, with a fresh battery in tow. One twist of the key later, the truck returned to life with the usual roar. Easy enough, right? Not so fast. Now, it was time to get down to brass tacks and examine the defective battery charging system. Out comes the voltmeter, touch test probes here, touch probes there. Yes-No-YESSS! Appears to be the voltage regulator. Back to the "office" to locate the part.

The office (actually Gene’s kitchen) is where much of the hard stuff takes place. That is, locating the needed part at a price that the group is able to pay. Endless numbers of cell phone calls (many of them dead ends), note taking, looking through repair manuals and parts books. All done during business hours, during the day. Navigating the long trail, in search of the solution.

In this case, the trail is going to lead to Cheshire Ford because parts for heavy duty vehicles such as the boom truck aren’t carried at the local auto parts store. Gene made the 40 mile journey down to Chesire Ford. As Gene is apt to do, he chatted up the parts guy, who turned out to be well schooled in these vehicles. Gene learned that there were three variations of this truck chassis. One was equipped with an auger to drill holes for utility poles, one had a grapple to set the poles and the third (our old ‘gal) was used to lift and mount the transformers on the pole. Unknown to anybody but Clem, the boom truck was equipped with a high-output alternator used to power lights (removed before we obtained the truck) located on the boom. A knowlegable parts guy always helps things along, along with selecting the correct part the first time out.

After some money changed hands, a voltage regulator (stocked in Florida) and a priming switch (stocked in Pennsylvania) were ordered. Forty miles back to Genes’ place and on to other matters. A few days later, another forty miles to Chesire to pick the stuff up-and still another forty miles back.

The following Saturday, Gene and Bob got set up to make the old gal healthy again. The new voltage regulator was nothing but a simple swap. The priming switch turned out to be a bit of a challenge, but was eventually doped out and installed. After working the priming switch, the truck started easily, as it should have. Not only that, but the charging ammeter settled down to the middle position, instead of showing maximum charge. That problem was solved. For now, the boom truck is good to go. Not that she is perfect. There is a clutch slave cylinder to be changed, and leaks to be addressed in certain hydraulic cylinders. In due time, Gene will take care of those problems, too, no doubt about it!

Hot rivet action at Thomaston Shop

2009-07-15T10:35:00.004-04:00

Restoration work continues on our ex-Canadian National heavyweight coaches. These pictures show museum volunteers Jon Chase and Dan Ditullio installing rivets in new end sheets on coach 5805. The process involves heating the rivets, driving and bucking them (with two rivet guns), inserting the red-hot rivet with rivet tongs and getting the air-powered rivet gun onto the head and driving the rivet. These photos were provided by Howard Pincus.

Elsewhere inside Thomaston Shop, we find FL9 2019 (former New Haven 2049) and RS-3 529 are stablemates awaiting service. Looks like a scene from the 1960s!

Naugatuck Raiload 1884

2009-07-05T12:49:00.002-04:00

This 1884 timetable documents Naugatuck Railroad service between Bridgeport and Winsted, about twenty years before control was assumed by the New Haven. Notice that both freight and passenger trains are shown in the schedule, as well as the "Watertown Division," showing service between Watertown and Waterbury. Today's Naugatuck Railroad operates from just north of Waterbury Station to the current end of the line in Torrington. Frequent commuter service is offered between Waterbury and Bridgeport by MTA Metro-North Railroad.

July Order Board

2009-07-01T22:48:00.002-04:00

NEXT MEETING

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, 12 September 2009, at 6:30pm, at the Senior Center, Thomaston Town Hall, on Main Street.

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROJECTS

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2009 - VOLUNTEER STAFF NEEDED: President Ralph Harris has most of the arrangements completed for this year’s visit by Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, which remains the largest by far RMNE fund raiser. Nancy Pratt again will be using her organizational skills as the DOWT Crew Dispatcher and is now taking requests for positions. The event will be running July 31, August 1-2, and August 7-9, our usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule. Please contact her as soon as possible at her new e-mail address or 203.578.5930 – Thanks!

FINAL RULES CLASS FOR 2009: The final NORAC Book of Rules Class will be given on Saturday 11 July. For details such as time and location as well as to register, please contact Kevin Meehan tel 860.965.2938. Kevin is also requesting the donation of a large chest-type freezer or ice machine for use in the DOWT trailer. Having cold water and ice on those hot summer DOWT days is nice!

Train and Station Crews URGENTLY Needed: We’ve begun our 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 so that she doesn’t have to spend all her time tracking down the necessary staff.

Weekday Work Opportunities: Gene Pfeiffer continues to spend a lot of time on weekdays on the railroad, usually at the Thomaston Shop. There are a number of projects that Gene is working on and he could use some help, you can contact him at 860.605.0454. Gene has been the go-to guy for getting a number of different tasks done on the property and he can be even more efficient with a helper or two.

Car Department Job Sheets Posted: On the east side of coach 5805 Sam Walker has posted job sheets describing car department tasks for the next few months for a number of different coaches. Here are some of the items listed: 5805 – complete welding along west side of carbody, body filler to finish seam for priming. Fill hex-head bolts, finish other bolt installation. Complete installation of step hanger brackets. Complete riveting of n/w end sheet, diaphragm mounting area and corner post. 5046 – Complete hardware installation on new windows, install window latches on new guides, install in coach, removing old windows for re-use or disposal. 4990- Remove traps on west side north and south, prep and fit replacements. Vestibule outer doors – scrape, repair latches and windows, and repaint. C4989 – remove salvageable windows; remove lift hardware from scrap window frames. Remove n/w trap and any remaining trap hardware.

Locomotive Department Work Needed: NH 529 – batteries have been removed so this is a good chance to vacuum battery boxes, prep and repaint so the next set of batteries will have a good home. See Howard for details

Communication & Signal Department: Steve Butterworth will continue the crossing signal repainting program later in the summer. He thanks Chad Boutet, Hal Reiser, and Dana Hunt for their assistance. Steve says “it’s clean work with no heavy lifting!” Contact Steve at his email for details on how to join his signal appearance upgrade detail.

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

Gene Pfeiffer and Bob Harrington report that the boom truck’s electrical illness has been cured, and Gene has found that many hard-to-get parts can be obtained at Dowling Ford. The boom truck is ex-UI and has a number of non-stock heavy-duty components. Good detective work, Gene!

LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK

Naugatuck 103 – The RMNE’s other steam locomotive now resides on the Naugy after completing an over-the-road move from its long time home on the Valley Railroad at Essex, CT. A mighty tip of the hat goes to RMNE member and rigger extraordinaire Bob Eberheim, who planned the move with Howard Pincus, then made it all happen. Two Link-Belt quad axle mobile cranes did the locomotive lift, placing it on a low bed operated by J A Miara Riggers and Heavy Haulers. The locomotive was set onto home rails by 9:15pm on 25 June. A cosmetic restoration is planned prior to a public display at the Thomaston Station.

NAUG 1732’s future 567C model diesel engine has now had all 16 heads removed from the block and next come the cylinder liners, with 3 removed by the end of June. A rig to do this had been designed by RMNE locomotive staff and RMNE friend Bob Carlson. An initial air pressure test has indicated that the “top deck” of the engine was not damaged by freezing but a more definitive test is needed to confirm this. We’re keeping our fingers crossed!

NAUG 2203 carries on, and is currently “running like a champ” – your editor can speak from hands-on experience! Scott P, Dave K, Dave M, Matt A, and others have kept it that way. Some routine maintenance is scheduled in early July to keep the 2203 “shipshape” – after all it is a “U-Boat” - and up to date on its paperwork.

NH 529 will be taking an extended vacation. The “new” auxiliary generator that had recently been installed has been trouble prone and has been removed for rework or replacement. A fairly serious water leak has been discovered which will require the removal of one of the cylinder heads, and a high pressure fuel pump will need work. The locomotive’s wheels, which have been reprofiled at least twice and there’s no “meat,” are in need of an expensive replacement and we will be turning up the heat on fundraising to make this possible.

CDOT FL9m 2019 is again moving under its own power and continues to receive attention to get it into standby status. Triennial brake work is next to get its paperwork up to date. Get your barring-the-engine-over muscles ready folks! The loco will likely see service on the DOWT runs this year. An historical note for those who haven’t heard: Metro-North has finally retired their 6 remaining FL9s, being the second batch of CDOT-owned locomotives appropriately attired in NH colors. Thus, the final former NH locomotives are retired from main line service, returned their ancestral home at New Haven to await their fate.

Coach 5046’s window replacement project continues with 8 new windows installed as of late June. The project will continue into July. Contact Sam to help or for other car dept. info.

Coach 5805 has now felt the pounding of hot rivet installation on its northwest end sheet. Al Pomeroy worked the gun while the “usual suspects” heated, passed, inserted and “bucked” the rivets. Al’s experience at this ancient art made the work look easy. Inside the coach, Stan Bogacz and company continue to work on the lower deck ceiling, and Tony Pratt has continued his patch fitting.

NH Shop Car W-221 has had its first truck-frame painted and it sure looks good! Thanks, Chris and Dawn.

Claremont & Concord 50 narrow monitor Caboose is in desperate need of roof protection. Hopefully it is not too late to save the historic car. A shrink-wrap candidate?

Thanks to the following for their help with this edition: Dave Manning, Barb Walcott, Howard Pincus, Steve Butterworth, Bob Harrington, Gene Pfeiffer, Sam Walker, Kevin Meehan and Sue Sample.

—Bill Sample, Editor

Steam Engine #103 Leaves Essex for a New Home

2009-06-29T10:19:00.005-04:00

After spending the last 38 years at the Valley Railroad in Essex, Connecticut, steam locomotive #103 moved to its new home on Thursday June 25. At 9:15 pm that evening, 103 touched down on the rails of the Naugatuck Railroad in Waterville, Connecticut. The “Naugy” is the operating heritage railroad of the Railroad Museum of New England (RMNE).

Steam locomotive No. 103 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in November 1925, for the Sumter & Choctaw Railroad, a small logging railway in northern Alabama. It has a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement. The engine worked there for over 30 years, and was sold in 1962 to the Empire State Railway Museum of Middletown, NY. 103 operated at Middletown until late 1966, and was moved to the new Valley Railroad at Essex in early 1971. As the crews worked to get ready for the Valley’s opening day in the summer of 1971, 103 was readied for her role as the first steam locomotive of the new railroad. After a midnight test run (the first operation of 103 at VRR), 103 triumphantly pulled the first 3-car VRR train into the Essex depot on the morning of July 29, 1971-- 100 years to the day of the first run on that very line.

In 1972 and early 73, 103 had to work harder to move the 4 and then 5 car trains needed to carry the growing passenger load, and work commenced on a larger steam locomotive at Essex, 2-8-0 #97. First steamed up in March 1973, 97 entered regular service that summer and quickly replaced little 103. 103 last operated in 1975, and had been on display at Essex ever since.

Ownership of 103 was transferred in 1986 by Empire State to the Railroad Museum of New England. RMNE started operation of the Naugatuck Railroad in 1996 and has been transferring RMNE locomotives and cars from VRR to the Naugy. For the last 8 or 9 years, an RMNE crew has gone to Essex annually, to oil and grease 103’s moving parts.

The move of 103 was done under the supervision of Bob Eberheim, an RMNE member who has decades of professional rigging and heavy hauling experience. Bob coordinated the cranes and the heavy-haul tractor-trailers that loaded, moved and unloaded 103. Starting the loading process in the Essex station parking lot at 3 pm, 103 and tender were loaded and ready to go at 4:30 pm, and they rolled out of Essex for the last time.

Going faster than it ever had on rails, 103 moved along at 50-55 mph until a fan belt broke on the truck hauling the little locomotive. After a two-hour delay for repairs (at $349, it was a very expensive fan belt for that trucker!), 103 arrived at RMNE’s Chase Yard in Waterville. The tender had already been unloaded and pulled out of the way, and the two cranes were ready to set up and lift 103 off the trailer.

Back on rails at 9:15 pm, tender connected again at 9:40 pm, and safely tucked away on Track 5 in Chase Yard at 10:10 pm, 103 was ready for the next chapter in its 84-year career. And a tired, happy crew closed the gate and went to eat a late dinner. Except for the fan belt trick, the move was without incident, which is just how the RMNE crew likes these things!

Locomotive 103 weighs about 45 tons in working order (steamed up with fire and water in the boiler). It is considered a small steam locomotive, suitable for speeds up to about 20 mph, and easily operated in either direction, as befits a short-line locomotive. The engine and tender together are 50 feet long. The tender carries 3000 gallons of water and 5 tons of coal.

RMNE plans to spruce up 103 and paint it; replace the missing cab windows and make sure the engine is secure against the weather. Locomotive 103 will be displayed at the 1881 Thomaston station once she is ready.

Preparing the 103 for transport from the Valley Railroad

Getting ready to lift onto the trailer

Locomotive 103 is now secure on the trailer

The tender was much easier to coax onto its trailer

Comparing profiles between 103 in the foreground and Valley Railroad #40 in the distance

Engine 103 begins its journey to RMNE, passing through the front gates at Valley Railroad

Heading down the highway, probably the fastest 103 has traveled in a long time!

Arriving at Chase Yard in Waterville, with RMNE volunteers waiting

Unloading begins

Engine 103 is safely returned to the rails once more

Rebuilding a diesel engine from the ground up...

2009-06-24T11:18:00.009-04:00

EMD 16-567 Engine Update

Several years ago, EMD GP-9 1732 suffered engine damage while in service... Further examination revealed that the crankshaft had broken-effectively sidelining the locomotive. At that time, the required scope of repairs was in excess of available resources required to perform that work, so the 1732 was set aside for future attention. In order to understand the eventual and future scope of repair, some background information is in order.

A failed crankshaft on a railroad diesel engine entails a complete teardown inspection in order to ascertain the degree of damage to the engine block, or in EMD parlance, the crankcase. First, the engine needs to be removed from the locomotive-not an insignificant task for a small railroad operation lacking in-house heavy lifting capability. Then, all of the power assemblies (heads, pistons, rods, and liners) must be removed, along with all the accessory items that are bolted to either end of the engine. Only then, can the crankcase be separated from the oil pan, rotated 180 degrees along its long axis in preparation for removal of the main bearing caps and then… the crankshaft. By now, it should be obvious that the scope of the tear-down labor component is rather excessive, considering that the minimum labor outlay will effectively be doubled in order to re-assemble and re-install the engine. Additionally, we haven’t even considered scope of repairs on the crankcase or acquisition of required material, i.e, crankshaft, engine gasket set and a whole host of other items-at a minimum.

With this entire in mind, it can be safely stated that this path is not a viable option, given the limited use the locomotive will see and the ongoing competition for scarce resources with other projects. Some might even view this option as a veritable "bottomless pit" or "black hole."

The next option would be the acquisition of another diesel engine. Once again, a new or completely "rebuilt" engine would fall way outside the budget. Another choice would be the purchase of an "RTO" or "running take out" engine. In other words, an engine that is operable, and has been or will be removed from an operable locomotive. While this option can be less costly than those discussed previously, this course of action is not without attendant pitfalls.

The EMD GP-9, equipped with the 16-567C engine is one of the most, if not the most, popular locomotives ever to ply the rails. Long ago banished from Class 1 railroad service, this design still enjoys considerable popularity in regional, short line and industrial railroad applications. It is estimated that approximately half of the 4,000 plus units, constructed over forty years ago, are still in service. Many of these GP-9’s have undergone considerable mechanical and electrical upgrades in order to suit modern operating conditions and maintenance practices. Accordingly, pricing for complete locomotives has historically kept up with inflation-so much so that several examples of the GP-9 have been re-sold in excess of their original delivery price!!! In turn, this state-of-affairs maintains ongoing pressure on the supply of spares found in the second-hand market. At any given time, the supply of RTO engines can be limited.

Yet another issue pertains to the type of warranty (if any) offered by the seller-not to mention shipping and ultimately off-loading at Thomaston Shop. If this sounds like a case of the "moon and stars being in correct alignment" to conclude a successful deal, I wouldn’t argue the point.

A closing thought: Roy D Chapin, Jr., the automotive scion who purchased the Jeep brand for American Motors once said, “Be ready when opportunity comes… Luck is the time where preparation and opportunity meet.”

—Submitted by RMNE Locomotive Staff

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of posts about the RMNE's ongoing process to rebuild its EMD 567-C engine block in order to return our GP9 1732 back to service. —DRM

Order Board for June 2009

2009-06-08T23:47:00.003-04:00

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2009 - VOLUNTEER STAFF NEEDED

RMNE President Ralph Harris has most of the arrangements completed for this year’s visit by Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, which remains the largest by far RMNE fund raiser. Nancy Pratt again will be using her organizational skills as the DOWT Crew Dispatcher and is now taking requests for positions. The event will be running 31 July, 1-2 then August 7-9, the usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule. Please contact her as soon as possible at her new e-mail address or tel. 203.579.5930 – Thanks!

Communication & Signal Department

Steve Butterworth has begun a summer project to repaint signals and signal cabinets in the historic New Haven Railroad appearance of white with black trim. With the help of Chad Boutet and Hal Reiser the Seidel Crossing in Waterville was completed. Chase Commons Rd will be next. Steve suggested a 2 or 3 person crew, equipped with a wire wheel grinder and sander for surface prep, and a portable generator to provide power where it couldn’t be tapped from the signal cabinet. Contact Steve if you can help with this project.

Weekday Work Opportunities

Gene Pfeiffer is spending a lot of weekdays on the railroad, usually at the Thomaston Shop. He could use some help, especially now since his usual assistant is on light duty due to recent surgery.

Train and Station Crews URGENTLY Needed

We’ve begun our 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 so that she doesn’t have to spend all her time tracking down the necessary staff. If you'd like to get involved, but don't know where to start, get in touch with us and we'll get you started.

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

Bob Harrington reports that the current project is repairing the electric brakes on the tie inserter. The IHC loader remains out of service for now, and hydraulic repairs will be needed on the Dyna-Hoe.

LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK

NAUG 1732’s future diesel engine has now had all 16 heads removed from the block by “The Two Daves” and others. Hopes remain high that we won’t find any freeze damage inside the block.

NAUG 2203 is currently our only operating locomotive, covering our regular service runs and any switching moves needed.

NH 529 has received attention from the two Daves plus Matt Andel and perhaps others. The installation of the new auxiliary generator is about complete. Water and fuel leaks are being attended to – the maintenance history of this loco back in the Amtrak ownership era (1980s) showed these were common problems.

NH (CDOT) 2019 continues to receive attention to get it into standby status. Scott Paribello and others have been working on it.

Coach 4989 (“The Cadaver”) has been brought to the TSY for stripping of usable parts.

Coach 4990 (“The Beater”) has recently received a roof re-glopping by Steve Butterworth and Hal Reiser. The car will also be receiving some well-needed window work and other repairs to prepare it for DOWT.

Coach 5046 will be getting its windows replaced over the next several Saturdays – 13 June maybe but 20 and 27 June for sure. Project chair Sam Walker has already begun to manufacture the wood guides that will be installed in the window openings. The replacement will be complete with the serviceable old windows going to other coaches. There will be opportunities for painting and fitting – help will be needed to get this necessary job done. Contact Sam if you can help with this project.

Coach 5805 continues to receive the installation of exterior patching led by Jon Chase and Dan DiTullio. Sam has been working in the welding needs as time permits. Inside the coach, Stan Bogacz and company continue to work on the lower deck ceiling. Tony Pratt has been fitting metal patches (that will later be welded in) to repair rust outs near the window post bases. Work to come – interior fitting out including lighting, baggage racks and seat assemblies, including re-upholstery.

NH W-221 has been spotted on track 10 near the south end of the shop so that needle scaling and an interior cleanout can begin. Chris and Dawn have already been hard at work needle-gunning one of its trucks.

Caboose (Van) CV 4014 has had it’s basic roof installation completed, reports owner Al. Work included stripping off the layers of tarps, old roof walks, and roofing material then wood repairs, surface preparation, then the installation of a rubber membrane type covering that replaces the former covering. Al is pleased with the success of this project and thanks all who assisted him. He feels that the success came from thorough planning. A more detailed account will appear in the Spring 2009 Along the Line.

BRIDGES AND BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

Thomaston Station - As Walt Hermann continues his recovery fro heart surgery on light duty, he has traded his chain saw for garden tool sand has been quite busy gardening around the Thomaston Station.

Thomaston Shop - Electrical installation work continues.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY

The Huntington Ave (Waterville) passing track rail replacement project continues. On June 6 Pete LaBouliere, Howard Pincus, Timothy Reed, and Matt Lawson worked the project with 25-ton crane PTM 198, moving in new rail and removing the old. Only about 8 rail lengths remain to reach the south switch, which will complete the project.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Celeste is looking for some assistance passing out brochures at the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Connecticut. This is part of the “One Tank Travel Expo” on 14 June – many local attractions will be there. Contact Celeste if you can help out this day.

A special train was run up to Torrington on May 30 to carry actors portraying President Abraham Lincoln and his entourage into town. Of course, RMNE brochures were handed out to some of the 500 or so that met the train.

– Bill Sample, Editor.

May Order Board

2009-05-10T22:34:00.003-04:00

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROJECTS

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2008 - VOLUNTEER STAFF NEEDED
President Ralph Harris has most of the arrangements completed for this year’s visit by Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, which remains by far the largest RMNE fund raiser. Nancy Pratt again will be using her organizational skills as the DOWT Crew Dispatcher and is now taking requests for positions. The event will be running 31 July, 1-2 then 7-8-9 August, the usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule. Please contact her as soon as possible at her new e-mail address or tel. 203.579.5930 – Thanks!

Communication & Signal Department

Steve Butterworth has proposed a summer project for upgrading the line’s appearance by painting the various signal cabinets in the historic New Haven Railroad appearance of white with black trim. Steve suggested a 2 or 3 person crew, equipped with a wire wheel grinder and sander for surface prep, and a portable generator to provide power where it couldn’t be tapped from the signal cabinet. Hopefully we can find – if it exists at a reasonable cost – some type of topcoat that is somewhat graffiti-resistant. (Maybe this project could be extended to include repainting signs and switch stands and covering existing graffiti. – Ed.)

Train and Station Crews Needed

We’re almost at the start of our 2009 operating season and train and station crews are needed! Please call Barb Walcott at 203.525.5290 or 860.283.5790 as soon as possible after her return from vacation around 15 May.

The RMNE Spring Track Weekend

Our second annual Spring Track Weekend was held on the 18 and 19th of April. The weather was cooperative and we accomplished much of what we had planned, which included 3 separate track projects running over the weekend – the extension of the three outside yard tracks (the CORRECT numbers are 6-8-10 if the normal system is used) at the Thomaston Shop Yard, surfacing most of the TSY lead track (jacking and tamping), and finishing up tie replacement at the Plume private crossing in Thomaston that had started a year or two ago.

The first two projects went fine, with the 66-foot extension of each yard track being completed by noon on Sunday. The lead track surfacing went even better, with that job being done by the end of the day Saturday. But trouble struck at the Plume project – when the crossing was removed, it was discovered that around 50 years of trapped moisture had eroded the rail bases almost everywhere the rail had been spiked. Ultimately we ended up replacing about 4 rail lengths of 115 lb rail as well as all the ties under and adjacent to the crossing on the two tracks, and this project was extended for an additional two weekends.

We had about 30 members and friends involved that weekend, including several who helped to feed the volunteers. A more detailed report will follow in an upcoming Along the Line.

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

The MVD will be working on the tie handler and tie inserter over the next few weeks, then work will resume on the IHC front-end loader.

LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK

NAUG 1732’s future prime mover has been seeing much attention and there is progress to report. Two heads and one power assembly have now been removed and so far there has been no sign of freeze damage. Some new tooling has been acquired and this will allow for additional progress. NAUG 2203 recently spent some time in the shop getting a number of small procedures done. New Haven 529 is being evaluated for a possible truck swap with another one of our locomotives.

Coach 5805 has seen considerable progress on its north vestibule, with most of the new metalwork now being completed. In early May the new patches along the lower rail were being fitted and welded. The rust removal from the outer window frames has been completed. Lower ceiling panel batten fabrication and installation continues. Also, we have recently received a number of photos of car interiors taken from the 1920s to 1940s, showing the original configuration and decoration of the cars, from the Canadian Museum of Science and Industry collection.

Central Vermont caboose ("van") 4014, remains inside the shop where a comprehensive roof overhaul began. A rubber-membrane type covering is being installed, with the cupola being completed as of this writing. Other repair or replacement work included a couple of siding boards, fascia boards, plus some trim on the cupola. A rebuilt chimney assembly also awaits installation. Al is interested in getting some help with this project. The CV 4014 saw much use on the Naugy over the years.

BRIDGES AND BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

Thomaston Station - A ditch cleaning and tree cutting program has taken place up near the Plume switch, improving drainage and reducing the chances of dead trees falling onto the line. Walt Hermann spent the better part of a recent Saturday running his chain saw there.

Thomaston Shop - Pre-assembled conduit sections continue to be manufactured by our electricians at ground level. The sections will later be installed in a number of the steel roof support channels to provide needed power for lighting and the heating units. Jack Tarter, Richard Edling and Stewart Fritts.

--Bill Sample, Editor

April 2009 Track Blitz

2009-04-21T12:18:00.008-04:00

Our 2009 Spring Track Blitz weekend was a huge success. These photos show the work at Thomaston Shop Yard (TSY), where three yard tracks were extended by 66 feet each at add more storage space for rolling stock inside the yard. That project started on Saturday morning and was finished on Sunday morning.

Other photos are the work done at the north "PLUME" passing track switch in Thomaston, where a 50-year old private crossing was removed so that the ties could be replaced. Lots of hand shoveling was necessary there, to break up hard-packed areas so that the old ties could be extracted. Four lengths of 115-lb rail were found to have excessive corrosion damage (from being buried in the crossing for 50 years), and they will have to be replaced. We also replaced 14 track ties and 15 long switch ties. The crossing will be replaced also, using timber rail guards and crushed stone fillers.

Not shown in this group of pictures is the work done by a third crew on Saturday the 18th, this crew surfaced the 700-foot long shop lead track, using track jacks, shovels and a large on-track tamper.

A few other groups were working inside the shop, on projects such as engine work on the EMD 16-cylinder diesel engine, the Central Vermont caboose roof replacement and the on-going restoration of coach 5805.

A lot of work by a lot of dedicated volunteers, and more improvement to the Naugatuck Railroad! Thanks to all who made this happen! Want to be a part of the railroad preservation movement? Consider coming out some weekend to lend a hand and see what we do. Just contact one of our volunteers for more information. Photos by Howard Pincus and Scott Hartley.

Working at PLUME siding...

Reconditioning our EMD 16-cylinder prime mover inside Thomaston Shop.

Working on the Central Vermont caboose inside Thomaston Shop.

Just some of the crew working on PLUME siding.

Grilling lunch outside Thomaston Shop.

Quite the spread for hungry railroaders! Who ordered extra hydraulic oil for their sandwich?

The extended yard tracks at Thomaston Shop were already being put to good use by the end of the weekend.
Extending the yard tracks will increase our storage capacity and bring our restoration projects closer to the shop environment.