In 2021, National Capital Trolley Museum re-opened and successfully introduced online timed ticketing for visiting. In October, we introduced Kiddie Conductor Time, a program of stories and crafts for toddlers. Finally, we completed an update of our strategic plan with assistance from a consultant.

In 2022, we look forward to completing overhaul of our ex-Shaker trucks for TTC 4603 and the start of a similar project for the trucks under DCTS 1470. Also in the planning is the acquisition of ex-SEPTA W-61 from Baltimore Streetcar Museum.

Wesley

While I cannot speak for the railroad's Mechanical and Operations teams, the Signaling team for the Weiser Railroad at Greenfield Village, Dearborn Michigan, has a good start on a two-year "Signaling" re-work project.

The project was initiated because of a request to "simplify" the aspects/indications, along with the increasing difficulty in repairing 20+ year old solid-state signaling equipment. The project expanded to include standardization on US&S relays and other components wherever possible, relocation of an interlocking to reduce stops on grades, and other changes intended to optimize train operations.

The all-volunteer Signaling team's 2021 accomplishments, with occasional assistance from the Mechanical/Operational department staff, included:

• Definition of a signal plan which simplifies the indications from 11 indications displayed via a total of 24 aspects to a system with 9 indications displayed via a total of 11 different aspects. The plan removes one interlocking and adds two interlockings. Execution to this plan began in February 2021, and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022.
• Re-worked the relay logic at two ABS intermediate signal locations, and replaced the signal mast at one intermediate location to suit the new signal system plan.
• Rejuvinated an instrument case via cleanup/paint, installed backboard and suitable shelves, spring-shelves, relays and other appurtanances; wired; installed and placed in-service at site of one new interlocking.
• Removal of an existing interlocking, with its functionality replaced by the newly-added interlocking noted above.
• Removal of several instrument cases which were made redundant in the new plan.
• Cleaned, repainted, and installed several dwarf signals to support indications which suit the new signal plan.
• Cleaned and repainted several tall masts and searchlight bodies and mechanisms for placement in 2022.
• Rejuvinated a signal bungalow via cleanup/paint, installation of suitable shelves, "ratways", spring-shelves, and terminal board. Began wiring.
• Re-wired of one control point to suit the new signal plan.
• Dug for and placed concrete footings for the bungalow.
• Dug 1100+ feet of trench, placed cables, and backfilled.
• Acquired 125+ US&S plug-coupled relays for the project. Began cleaning same.
• Disposed of excess signaling equpiment and moved signaling materials to a new-to-the-signal-team storage area.

2022 brings the following plans for the signaling crew:

• Placement of the rejuvinated signal bungalow at the location of the second new interlocking, and completion of its wiring.
• Placement of searchlight heads on tall masts at the site of the second new interlocking and its bungalow.
• Installation of chickenheads, bootlegs, bond wires, and a few new insulated joints. Wiring a switch circuit controller and several signals.
• Removal, renovation/modification, and re-install of a crossing-protection instrument case.
• Removal of a failing semaphore mechanism, replacement of same with searchlight, and re-work of relay logic to suit.
• Crew training on the new operating rules and signal aspects.
• Bring-up of the remaining parts of the new signaling system.
• Signal system inspection and testing, as required.

And, most importantly, the Signaling team will ride the train, watch the signals do their thing, and occasionally consume some of Greenfield Village's custard. That is officially part of this year's Signaling team plan, just like it was last year!

Bob Milhaupt

And you folks have an excellent signal guy in Mike B.

The Northern Ohio Railway Museum had a good 2021. We didn't have what could be a headline or bell ringing moment, but steady progress was made on several fronts. Here is a list of them.

Interior lighting improvements were made at the Museum.
The Museum store, housed in a former PRR boxcar had its interior repaint completed.
The off road fuel tanks rehab was completed and the tanks put into service.
Benches installed for visitor use. This was an Eagle Scout project.
The Shaker Rapid Car 12 repaint was completed.
RTA Rapid Transit car parts were acquired with help from B&B Wrecking and RTA.
A much newer skid steer was acquired replacing a 30 plus year old machine.
The Museum stake truck repairs were completed and it is back in service again.
We reopened to the public following Covid protocols as required.
Restoration work has continued on cars 303 and 109 by their respective teams.
Additional overhead wire was installed and placed into service in our yard and Carhouse.

As you can see, our volunteers have been busy.

In 2022 plans are to electrify the last track in the Bennett Carhouse and yard track 4. Trolley boards for this project are on hand and layout work was completed just before the new year. The survey work has been completed for the main loop project. Plans are to install culverts on this ROW where needed and get it graded. Then get all the line side poles for the overhead planted where needed. The poles for this project were just delivered in December. Restoration work will continue on on cars 109 and 303. Other work will proceed as funds and volunteer hours are available. Hoping for a good 2022 with less impact from Covid in our activities.

Great to read each contributor's 2021 accomplishments and 2022 plans. Thanks, Wesley, for getting this topic started.

Baltimore Streetcar Museum had a productive 2021 and is optimistic for 2022.

Here are some highlights from 2021, in no particular order:
- Like many other organizations, BSM successfully reopened to the public in August in accordance with Federal, state, and local COVID protocols. Ridership for Santa's Streetcar was particularly strong.
- Expanded outreach in pursuit of more grant opportunities. Successfully received another NRHS Railway Heritage Grant and a large donation from our local NRHS Chapter.
- Hosted a fundraiser for the future restoration of UR&E #3828 and started exploring new opportunities to accelerate the capital restoration of this vehicle.
- Created a Beautification Committee, led by an ambitious teenager, which has led to a general property cleanup in several areas, completion of the cable car wheel display, and started a fundraising project for a mural on the side of the substation building.
- Conducted the largest training class for new Transportation Department volunteers in a number of years.
- Made substantial progress on the restoration of UR&E open car #1164 and returned the car to operable condition.
- Made substantial progress on the restoration of PSCT (Newark, NJ) PCC Car #26 both at the off-site contractor facility as well as truck work at the museum.
- Made substantial progress on Restoration Phase II (details and interior work) of Philadelphia snow sweeper C-145.
- Replaced all doors on SEPTA #2168 thanks to the cooperative support of The Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys.
- Re-started the restoration of Car #1050.
- Completed assembly of the trucks for UR&E Crane #3715.
- Resolved the compressor issues with BTC #6119 and returned the car to operable condition.
- Replaced the failed traction motor in BTC #7407 and returned the car to operable condition.
- Made substantial progress on the conversion of a former El Paso PCC Car to a replica of BTC #7303.
- Made progress on returning BTC Line Truck #501 to operable condition.
- Made substantial restoration progress on BTC Bus #1962.
- Completion of a new security fence at the south end of the museum as added protection against vandalism.

Looking ahead, some goals for 2022:
- Complete the restoration of UR&E #1164.
- Complete the restoration of PSCT #26.
- Complete Phase II restoration work on Philadelphia C-145.
- Support our friends at NCTM with the retrucking of flatcar W-61 and transfer to its new home.
- Complete the overhaul of two traction motors for BTC #7407.
- Continue to expand outreach in support of new areas of financial support.
- Complete the substation mural.

Thanks to every volunteer, donor, friend, and collaborator who helped make 2021 a successful year and gives us optimism for 2022.

Sincerely,
Matt Nawn

On project that I completed in 2021 was publishing the book Delta Heritage Trail - History Through the Miles.

This book covers the history of the Wynne Subdivision of Missouri Pacific, now being used as a trail route by the Delta Heritage Trail State Park in Arkansas.

The staff had little knowledge about the railroad’s history, but was trying to prepare displays about the route’s history and features along the line. Since I was once the manager of track maintenance on the line, I had many of the records and lots of information. Using documents in the hands of the state park and elsewhere, I wrote a guide book for the park with the history of the railroad and the communities and shippers along the route. The park is adding more information about the railroad history and is adding a number of railroad displays.

The trail is nearing completion along its 85-mile route, especially with a $20 million donation from the Walton Foundation, and a matching DOT grant.

Bart Jennings

The Conrail Historical Society had a pretty good 2022.

The biggest news was the painting of our future museum/boxcar, 243880.

https://www.thecrhs.org/243880



It's awaiting final placement, but things are getting close. It should be in place and the build-out should begin in 2022.

With the up and down roller coaster of closures and such here in Ontario, Most of the Railway Museums did manage some sort of a season in 2021. The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. opened on July 24th for our shortened season. Being open only Saturdays until October, and including our Annual RailDays event in September, which was our biggest event ever in 2021. It was a very productive year. Work has been continuing on our 1935 ex-Canadian National Railway Flanger #56323. One of our newer members has made all the difference with this project, taking it on and doing amazing work on the outer wood body. It went from about 40% complete at the start of the year to about 95% finished now. When you have the skills and the knowledge of wood, it makes things go much easier. Earlier in the year one of our members acquired/saved 2, 2ft gauge, 6ton Vulcan locomotives from a scrap yard in nearby Port Colborne. Built in 1937 & 1945, INCo 8 & 6 are on display at the shop with 8 undergoing restoration to operation, and is close to completion. These locomotives are in amazing condition considering they have sat in a field for almost 40yrs. Elsewhere around the shop was just general maintenance of the equipment, and upkeep of artifact displays. Outside in our yard we had 1 new #7 turnout installed, and our #8 finally got it's points after being a sort of impromptu stub switch for 10yrs. That's the abbreviated version of 2021.
Now, what's up for 2022? Well, the Province is back into heavy restrictions as of Jan 5th for 3 weeks. See what happens after that. Right now, we are optimistically hopeful that things will improve and we'll be able to start our season as scheduled in May. 2022 marks our 25th Anniversary, and that event is planned for July 15-17, in addition to the rest of our scheduled events. Work is continuing on the Flanger to get that finished, painted and lettered. Work is also ongoing on INCo 8, and our 25ton GE diesel is scheduled to get some repairs done to a few leaks on the Cummins engine. Once the work on the Flanger is done, we'll be moving onto Toronto Hamilton & Buffalo X-759, a wood boarding car built in 1913. The list of work is never ending for our small band of volunteers. Our members do great work with what little we have, and it's great to see such amazing progress year by year.

Although there was a number of different projects worked on at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum this past year by a number of different members, here is rundown of major events, in a rough chronological order:

1. Work continued on the restoration of Notre Dame & Western Porter model DE65.
2. Receipt of new, authentic, wood siding for Grasselli Tower.
3. Arrival of Monon transfer caboose 81551 (eventually to be restored to operation).
4. Completion of the removal of donated PRR siding (rail, joint bars, tie plates, etc.) from
Schererville, Indiana and move of said materials to the museum (see photo 1).
5. Arrival of damaged Monon EMD SW1 diesel locomotive # DS-50 (eventually to be
restored to operation).
6. Completion of the exterior repaint of Nickel Plate Road caboose # 471.
7. Completion of the exterior repaint of Illinois Central "#9914"; our display caboose.
8. Arrival of Saratoga & North Creek (ex-Bangor & Aroostook) EMD BL-2's # 52 and # 56
(eventually to be restored to operation).
9. Completion of the exterior repainting of Bessemer & Lake Erie caboose back to its
original paint scheme as Elgin, Joliet & Eastern # 510.
10. Installation of donated (by local REMC) telephone poles.
11. Arrival of Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) boxcar # 1220.
12. Arrival of GATX welded tank car # 87877 (to be used for water storage).
13. Arrival and test runs of Bock Lumber Company 0-4-4RT Forney # 1.
14. Painting of south wall of original donated Shop building (see photo 2).
15. Donation and delivery of well over 900 used ties in excellent condition (see photo 3).
16. Arrival of Pennsylvania Railroad 3 bay open top coal hopper.
17. Arrival of Chesapeake & Indiana (ex-EJ&E; ex-Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range) SD-9M
number 818.

Although the museum had to cancel their springtime Easter Egg trains due to the pandemic, regular passenger train operations were started up in May. In addition, special trains were run in conjunction with North Judson's Mint Festival in June, pumpkin trains in the fall and Santa trains leading up to the Christmas holiday. Although all of these passenger operations were run with limited seating to reflect social distancing, most trains were run at capacity. The new pumpkin train operating configuration especially worked out well.

For 2022, the museum is investigating plans to begin steam passenger operations using the Forney while continuing to operate normal diesel-powered trains. This will necessitate additional operating and maintenance personnel. Repair of the leaking radiator on BL2 #52 so that the engine can be added to the operational fleet. ND&W # 5332 (the Porter diesel) is also close to being operational. Adding one or both of these locomotives, will aid our diesel fleet, which currently consists of only our Alco S1 and GE 95-ton, units. Other equipment restorations are in the works. And our signal department is close to putting back up the semaphore train order signal at the museum's depot building. And in addition to needing replacement siding, the stairway on Grasselli tower needs to be upgraded either with new wood or a substitute metal structure.

Lots to do in 2022!

Les

Congratulations to all the organizations that were not only able to survive, but thrive in 2021.

At the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, we completed or made significant progress on several projects.

1. Restoration of Lehigh Valley caboose 95100 (with just a few interior items left):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51398769981

2. Painting and lettering of PRR H21g hopper 747803, plus repair to air brake system:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51526067073

3. Made repairs to body exterior and interior of Erie caboose C254, including sandblasting and painting the roof to replace an earlier finish that did not last. This caboose was first restored by volunteers in 1994, and sees heavy use on our museum railroad:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/al ... 5088737791

4. Secured $28,000 in grants to pay contractors for asbestos remediation in Erie Stillwell Coach 2328. The next step will be assessing frame and vestibule repairs:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51716966808

5: Poured additional sections of concrete floor on the west side of our shop:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51050360281

6. Worked with a contractor to replace 100 ties in our mile-long main line to help us make up for "lost time" in 2020:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51131983347/

7. Expanded our "Railfan Overlook" and added another exhibit car for visitors to explore:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51218177247

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51238114224

8. Thanks to a generous donor, we repaired and refinished the floors inside the South Waiting Room and Agent's Office of Industry Depot:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51238396935

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51238396725

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51236625897

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51237555008

9. Replaced a section of concrete platform that had been damaged 30 years ago and only got worse over the years...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51353811269

10. Completed a 150' extension to Track 9 South behind the Restoration Shop to give us additional active storage space:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51658136283

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51782467870

11. Built a new stairway and platform entrance to our baggage car exhibit, replacing one my college friends built 20 years ago! Wait, did I go to college 20 years ago?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51172274109

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51098343980

12: Carried about 1,000 more visitors in 2021 than we did in 2019:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51615932552

13. Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the purchase of Industry Depot from Erie Lackawanna in 1971, officially transforming our group into a non-profit museum.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/al ... 0031221251

14: Installed 1910-ish "period correct" station signs on Industry Depot:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51616708486

15: Applied fresh paint and a repaired safety cage to Kodak tank car 52:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51538173609

16: Worked with a local furniture restoration expert to repair and rebuild and refinish our station bench (gifted to us from the Avon Historical Society and came from the Erie depot in Avon, NY). It required the fabrication of a new end, many new armrests, and a number of other small repairs. Paid for in part by generous donations.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51458287791

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51525929441

17: Sold our Burro Crane to the Salamanca Rail Museum:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51459207300

18: Installed a new vinyl floor and wainscot enhancements in the Gift Shop (North Waiting Room):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51353944884

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51370110512

19: Fabricated a new set of "bug eye" number boards for the north end of Lehigh Valley 211:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51354044514

20: Got some professional help with landscaping and expanding our lawn at the depot:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/51500722299

This and many more glamorous and mundane tasks kept our museum going this year. Looking forward to more fun and progress in 2022.

-otto-

The R.R. Signaling team at the Greenfield Village Railroad is pleased to report that it has completed the previously-reported work plan and successfully placed its revised, simplified signaling system in-service - just in time for the Village's "Member's Day" (yesterday).

The R.R. Signaling team's tasks for the remainder of the operating season will likely focus on regular maintenance of the railroad's signaling infrastructure.

Bob Milhaupt