With all the negative changes going on in the RR world, I thought it would be interesting to focus on expansion and positive changes. So I pose these questions:

What are you or a group near you doing as far as expanding or improving? What does the timeline look like? What are the expected benefits? What can someone do to donate their time / money? The more indepth the response, the better!

For example:

Strasburg - backdating the station area and building a roundhouse

Western Railway Museum - adding track to the main line, the new station and layout changes

Niles Canyon / PLA - restoring Robert Dollar #3, building the live rail connection to the UP at Hearst, expanding rails towards Vasco Road

etc etc

Thanks!
Ben Quirk

benquirkc@yahoo.com

Ben;

Well, in recent years we have operated our 50 ton Industrial Brownhoist coal fired, steam operated auxilliary (also known as a steam crane).

I think this is the only operatable coal fired one in North America, despite what the NNRY and the Trains grant say.

In the province of Ontario, we have new boiler regs, as (my opinion) fallout to the Ohio traction engine problems. We have had to had the shell and sheets checked - hopefully today Mr. Ultrasound will come in and start the work. The ultrasound is on 4" grids, which gives it a decidedly "Man Ray" look. If I can get my pics of the finished work from last Thursday uploaded I'll post them.

This is a lot of work and expense; fortunately the Bytown Railway Society has John Bryant who has spearheaded the operation (and now inspection) of this crane in recent years, and there is a consistent (in all meanings of the word) band of volunteers who come out rain or shine.

"our" Shay (owned and maintained by the Canadian Government) also has just finished it's ultrasound and is on track for steaming again this summer.

We run a short train, as shown in photos in the link page; the business car and caboose belong to the Bytown Railway Society.

Not quite a "Cass" or "Roaring Camp" operation, but it is fun nonetheless.

John Stewart
Ottawa, Canada.

> What are you or a group near you doing as
> far as expanding or improving? What does the
> timeline look like? What are the expected
> benefits? What can someone do to donate
> their time / money? The more indepth the
> response, the better!

>

Ottawa CMST Shay
freewrl-1@rogers.com

> What are you or a group near you doing as
> far as expanding or improving? What does the
> timeline look like? What are the expected
> benefits? What can someone do to donate
> their time / money? The more indepth the
> response, the better!

The WW&F Railway Museum, located in Alna, Maine, has the major/long term focus of track extension, and restoring its #9 steam engine to operation. Our track is currently 1.25 miles long, on original roadbed. In the next five years we hope to lay another mile or more. The #9 first ran on the SR&RL railroad (as #6), and came to the WW&F in 1933. It returned in 1995 and is undergoing fundraising for restoration. #9 is the oldest of the Maine two-footer engines, and is a classic example of Victorian-era engineering.

Short-term goals are the return of our #10 to operation after a strip-to-frame overhaul, the extension of the platform at our Sheepscot station, and the building of a replica watertank in the Sheepscot yard.

#10's overhaul began in January, and while it seems like it's taking forever we expect it back in service around August, after having undergone considerable cosmetic and operational changes. New stack, straight drive rods, new cab will be the most visible changes.

The platform extension is utilitarian, the current platform barely allows for a two-car train.

The water tank replica is also utilitarian (we fill our steam engine with a fire hose hooked up to a neighbor's well).



WW&F Railway Museum

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, PA) is celebrating forty years of public operation this year in grand fashion. We are now regularly operating our new 1/2 mile trolley line extension and are finishing a trolley turning loop at the end of that extension. This allows our visitors to take a four mile round trip. We recently opened a new photo exhibit "On The Car Line: Pittsburgh and Points South" which is covers the interurban trolley lines that ran from Pittsburgh to Washington and Charleroi. The outer ends of these lines were abandonned 50 years ago and the Allegheny County sections are still run by the Port Authority. Last but not least, construction has begun on a new 28,000 square foot Trolley Display Building and Maintenance Annex. This building will display 30 trolley cars, allowing our entire 45 car collection to be inside and out of the weather. Learn more by going to our website! We are looking for more members and volunteers, you can download our membership form from our website.


Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
ptm@pa-trolley.org

National Capital Trolley Museum is in the midst of construction of a new 16,000 sq ft display barn and a 2500 ft extension to our main line to reach this new building. The contractor expects to finish the building in December 2003.

Railway Technical Services, Guilford, CT, is backdating/restoring DC Transit 766 (Kuhlman 1918) to its ca. early 1930s appearance as Capital Traction 27. There is no date set for completion of this project.

In 2002 we published Capital Transit: Washington Streetcars: The Final Era, a 300+ pp book writen by member Peter Kohler.

Wesley



National Capital Trolley Museum

Friends of the East Broad Top is forging ahead with a number of projects this year.

In Rockhill Furnace we are coming off a successful year of restoration work and well into one that proves to be even more so. After rebuilding fifteen windows on the Car Shop last year we are tackling eleven more there, plus several on the Electrical Shop and as many as we can on the Machine Shop. Last year we made numerous repairs to the north Car Shop doors making them fully operational again. We are finishing this work this year and painting that side of the building. Also we are making repairs to the Boiler House wall and roof and have already rebuilt the generator room roof from scratch. We will be addressing wvere leakage in the roof between the Locomotive Shop and Car Shop. We have assisted in rebuilding rotted sections of flooring in the shops, cleaned up all the trash along the excursion track and repaired damaged roofing on the Locomotive Shop. Having restored the dilapidated Section Car Shed in the yard last year, we are already well on the way to rebuilding its larger companion, the Rockhill Section House. Last year we assisted in repairing a switch, this year we are taking on rebuilding Track 3 in the yard to allow trains to pass each other for the first time in many years.

In Robertsdale, we have completed exterior work on the the Old Post Office and are nearing the start of the second phase of restoration. This will involve permanent wiring, plumbing, plaster and wainscoting and other finishing items. The Robertsdale EBT Station will be receiving a new reproduction tin roof and additional work.

Our restoration of Combine #16 will continue with the professional assembly of our reproduction trucks and the acquisition of two pair of wheel sets for them. Combine #18 and Baggage #29 acquired last summer should find their home for restoration yet this year and be professionally evaluated to develop a plan for the work to come on this historic cars.

There are more activities as well, such as representing the EBT and FEBT at various shows, assisting with EBT and FEBT Events and more.

As you can see, we are really busy and can use all the volunteers and donations we can get this year. We are currently having a Fund Drive to assist in our restoration work. You will receive a free art print of John Coker's EBT watercolor for donations of $50 or more. Read more about it at http://www.febt.org/funddrv.html . Donations can be sent to:

Friends of the East Broad Top
Restoration Fund Treasurer
513 Shady Avenue, No. 12, Pittsburgh PA 15206

We also have more than enough restoration work ahead of us to keep any number of volunteers busy, especially in Rockhill Furnace. Sessions for the rest of the year in Rockhill are as follows:

* June 28-29
* July 19-20
* August 9-10 (EBT Community Appreciation Day)
* August 30-31-September 1 (Labor Day weekend)
* September 27-28
* November 1-2

If you are interested in attending you can visit http://www.febt.org/Restore/ or contact our restoration crew coordinator:

FEBT Restoration Crew Coordinator
R. Lee Rainey
1730 Bristol Avenue, Apt. 305
State College PA 16801
(814) 867-7878 (evenings)
E-mail: leerainey@aol.com

The East Broad Top at Rockhill Furnace is absolutely unique and the benchmark that is used on other historic railroad sites. Still it remains endangered and you can assist in returning Old Easty to her glory days. Will you answer the call?

Friends of the East Broad Top

webmaster@febt.org

Last summer the Friends of the East Broad Top began restoration work on the one-of-a-kind shop buildings at the East Broad Top. Work will continue this year. Our #15 is being overhauled to comply with the new FRA regs. Runk Road Bridge was just redecked with new timbers this week. The EBT employees are busy with all sorts of projects including trackwork, locomotive, and rolling stock repair to get ready for June 7!

Only 8 days to go. See you there.



East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company

webmaster@ebtrr.com

Ben,

Further on the Western railway Museum; after getting a couple of projects like a visitor Center; we now have the plans for a new Car Barn at the architects office. It will be a 30,000 square foot building with a sprinckler system installed.

This will protect the major parts of the collection inside as well as make a place to Interpret groups of cars such as an Interurban train, a steam passenger train etc.

we are all very excited!

ted_miles@nps.gov

two pics taken last week:

1) Crane boiler shell with abraided patches for ultrasound:

http://members.rogers.com/windermere.630/crane1.jpg

2) Shay boiler, in a similar situation:

http://members.rogers.com/windermere.630/Shay.jpg

John Stewart
Ottawa, Canada.

Ottawa CMST Shay
freewrl-1@rogers.com

FEBT is doing some amazing stuff--keep up the good work folks! The EBT survives thanks to your efforts.

K.R. Bell

> Friends of the East Broad Top is forging
> ahead with a number of projects this year.

> In Rockhill Furnace we are coming off a
> successful year of restoration work and well
> into one that proves to be even more so.
> After rebuilding fifteen windows on the Car
> Shop last year we are tackling eleven more
> there, plus several on the Electrical Shop
> and as many as we can on the Machine Shop.
> Last year we made numerous repairs to the
> north Car Shop doors making them fully
> operational again. We are finishing this
> work this year and painting that side of the
> building. Also we are making repairs to the
> Boiler House wall and roof and have already
> rebuilt the generator room roof from
> scratch. We will be addressing wvere leakage
> in the roof between the Locomotive Shop and
> Car Shop. We have assisted in rebuilding
> rotted sections of flooring in the shops,
> cleaned up all the trash along the excursion
> track and repaired damaged roofing on the
> Locomotive Shop. Having restored the
> dilapidated Section Car Shed in the yard
> last year, we are already well on the way to
> rebuilding its larger companion, the
> Rockhill Section House. Last year we
> assisted in repairing a switch, this year we
> are taking on rebuilding Track 3 in the yard
> to allow trains to pass each other for the
> first time in many years.

> In Robertsdale, we have completed exterior
> work on the the Old Post Office and are
> nearing the start of the second phase of
> restoration. This will involve permanent
> wiring, plumbing, plaster and wainscoting
> and other finishing items. The Robertsdale
> EBT Station will be receiving a new
> reproduction tin roof and additional work.

> Our restoration of Combine #16 will continue
> with the professional assembly of our
> reproduction trucks and the acquisition of
> two pair of wheel sets for them. Combine #18
> and Baggage #29 acquired last summer should
> find their home for restoration yet this
> year and be professionally evaluated to
> develop a plan for the work to come on this
> historic cars.

> There are more activities as well, such as
> representing the EBT and FEBT at various
> shows, assisting with EBT and FEBT Events
> and more.

> As you can see, we are really busy and can
> use all the volunteers and donations we can
> get this year. We are currently having a
> Fund Drive to assist in our restoration
> work. You will receive a free art print of
> John Coker's EBT watercolor for donations of
> $50 or more. Read more about it at
> http://www.febt.org/funddrv.html . Donations
> can be sent to:

> Friends of the East Broad Top
> Restoration Fund Treasurer
> 513 Shady Avenue, No. 12, Pittsburgh PA
> 15206

> We also have more than enough restoration
> work ahead of us to keep any number of
> volunteers busy, especially in Rockhill
> Furnace. Sessions for the rest of the year
> in Rockhill are as follows:

> * June 28-29
> * July 19-20
> * August 9-10 (EBT Community Appreciation
> Day)
> * August 30-31-September 1 (Labor Day
> weekend)
> * September 27-28
> * November 1-2

> If you are interested in attending you can
> visit http://www.febt.org/Restore/ or
> contact our restoration crew coordinator:

> FEBT Restoration Crew Coordinator
> R. Lee Rainey
> 1730 Bristol Avenue, Apt. 305
> State College PA 16801
> (814) 867-7878 (evenings)
> E-mail: leerainey@aol.com

> The East Broad Top at Rockhill Furnace is
> absolutely unique and the benchmark that is
> used on other historic railroad sites. Still
> it remains endangered and you can assist in
> returning Old Easty to her glory days. Will
> you answer the call?

SVRy will open the new Sumpter Depot soon (tba). Engineering effort continues for the 4.5 mile extension to Union Creek Campground.

http://www.svry.com
svry@pacifier.com

> With all the negative changes going on in
> the RR world, I thought it would be
> interesting to focus on expansion and
> positive changes. So I pose these questions:

> What are you or a group near you doing as
> far as expanding or improving? What does the
> timeline look like? What are the expected
> benefits? What can someone do to donate
> their time / money? The more indepth the
> response, the better!

The South Carolina Railroad Museum is in the process of spending a $200K TEA21 grant plus a grant of about $30K from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The work includes rebuilding the track between Greenbrier (MP 3.25) and the west end of Rion (MP 5), including the reconstruction of the burned-out Rion Crushed Stone office building which we intend to use as our Rion Depot. I've been planning to write something up for the Briefs when we actually get started.

The track from approximately MP 3.75 to 5 has already gotten new timber and rail work. However, the section through the Greenbrier Cut was skipped. This grant will include a 100% tie replacement through the cut, as well as the replacement of the worn and corroded 85# rail with some 100# relay rail we acquired from a local power plant. The entire length of the work area will be ballasted and surfaced. In addition, we hope to have eough money left over to relocate one switch at the east end of the Rion Yard, add a second, and reconstruct the southernmost track of the yard to create a passing siding that will be nearly a half-mile long. This siding will itself have a siding in it, probably about 6-10 cars long.

The building we're rebuilding originally served as the offices of Rion Crushed Stone, a subsidiary of the Winnsboro Grante Company. It burned down shortly after we acquired the property in 1984, leaving only the granite walls and concrete slab floor. Because Winnsboro Granite was notorius for skimping when they mixed mortar, we're afraid to trust the stone walls for structural support. So, what amounts to a new conventionally-framed building is going to be built inside the granite facade. The rebuilt structure will have a waiting room, ticket office, and two restrooms. We also plan to eventually restore the scales -- which are mostly intact -- to operation as an exhibit.

Funding for the building is coming from both the Archives & History grant and the TEA-21 grant. The trackwork is funded entirely by TEA-21.

Once the actual work finally starts, the total project should be completed in only a few months. We're projecting being able to run trains all the way to Rion for the 2004 season.

On the purely volunteer, shoestring-funding front, yours truly is gradually trying to shift the focus of the main restoration work at the Museum from track to equipment. There's still a LOT of track work the volunteer crews have to do, particularly getting the west end of the railroad to a point where we can run a motor car to the end and back without derailing at least twice. However, we're starting to get some new people who are more interested in painting and so forth, so I'm readying projects for them. Immediate goals are to get the entire static display train at Rockton painted -- not necessarily WELL painted, just painted. SW8 #2028 got a coat of gloss black last weekend. Our excursion train also needs paint badly. Once these "must-do" projects are complete, I plan to start work on the freight car collection so we can assemble a decent photo freight train. We've got some really nifty freight cars.

As for help... the simplest thing you can do is just come ride! This Saturday will be Opening Day, and will also be the Museum's 30th Anniversary celebration. Check our website (link below) for directions and other info. There's also a printable membership form if you'd like to help even more. We'll take anybody with a pulse! If you can't or don't want to do track or equipment work, we've got plenty of opportunities for docents, ticket agents, gift shop workers, etc. See the website or email me off-list.

The South Carolina Railroad Museum
mconrad@compuzone.net

The Crestline Roundhouse Preservation Society, in Crestline, Ohio, is fairly new. We just celebrated our first anniversary in March with an Open House which was a great success that included slide shows and reminesences by former roundhouse employees and many items on display.

Our short term goals are to submit an IRS 501(c)(3) application within the next month or so (we are incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Ohio) and to stablize the roundhouse, the only extant PRR roundhouse of the Lines West "Type A" design, built in 1918-20 in Crestline, Ohio. Currently, the roundhouse is suffering from the effects of neglect and time, but it is still standing and has structural integrity. Since we are not yet non-profit by Federal standards, we cannot apply for grants. But we are doing some simple fund raising projects by offering an extermely limited number of the book "Pennsylvania Railroad Steam Locomotive Diagram Book" based on the drawings of Fredrick Goodrich, 1941, and we are taking orders for polo shirts and hats with the CRPS logo stiched on.

Our ultimate goal is to restore the roundhouse and establish a museum. As you all know, this will be several years down the road, but with the optimisim and determination of those involved, I am confident that we will succeed. We currently have about 30 members, not only in the Crestline area, but as far away as California and The Netherlands. If you have visited the roundhouse or have seen photos of it, you can see what a daunting task lies ahead of us!

You can get more info about the roundhouse and the preservation efforts by going to the article archive here on RyPN and read the article "The Crestline PRR Engine House" and visit the web site linked below.

Bill Ayers
Board of Directors, The Crestline Roundhouse Preservation Society

> What are you or a group near you doing as
> far as expanding or improving? What does the
> timeline look like? What are the expected
> benefits? What can someone do to donate
> their time / money? The more indepth the
> response, the better!
> Thanks!
> Ben Quirk


http://crestline.pennsyrr.com
prrq2@prairieinet.net

At Tweetsie we are currently operating engine #12 through the middle of June, then the #190 will be fired up. Currently in the shop we are going through final assembly of a 4-6-0 from Orlando, Fl. We have been working on it since last September.

tssmith@boone.net