Saturday 5/15/2011

Greetings to all,
 
What a past week it has been. Over 90 degrees for 2 days then a drop in temp of over
50 degrees to low 40's. Rain, hail, wind seem to be the order of the day. But signs
of spring is in the landscape. Corn fields have planted, with some of the early corn
sprouted already. Looks good seeing those corn rows . Tree leaves are almost
all out and the lilacs are in full bloom. Grass is growing faster than I can mow the lawn.
Back of the house is over 8 inches tall since last mowing. I can't keep up. With gas prices,
I'm going to bring the horses to munch on it, get some good stinky fertilizer also. But a
general climb in temps this week will make it bearable again.
 
I arrived at HVRM to cars in the parking lot and then some. The cancer walk from the museum
to IN10 and back started early and with a train ride at the end. A very good turnout
and good workout for the LIRR 2937 coach. Everyone was quite happy to be inside the
coach. The new MKT open air car, was not in service, due to a brake test needing to
be done later in the day. The B&LE caboose had issues with brakes also and was not
used on the tourist train. It was a crowded first train, but everyone got a seat and
even the Erie caboose was filled.
 
I had arrived just prior to lunch in the kitchen car. Margret had sandwiches, sausages,
good meat/stock soup, fruit salad, an cake. Good turnout for lunch.
 
The GE locomotive was fired up for switching of freight equipment. Mark Staneks
JJ caboose needed to be pulled out for impending departure, it has been sold.
Boxcars were switched inside the shop area for later mechanical work for the NKP 765
photo freight later in the season.
 
Board director Andy has resigned and Steve Newland was appointed to fill the remaining
term. Steve will be in charge of buildings at HVRM.
 
West shop door had Cory, John, Richard and Dave pouring concrete for a barrier to keep
critters out and inside dry. Space was left for later rail laying and a slight angle for water to
shed to the outside. Will keep the wicked west wind down to a minimum in the shop.
Over 1.5 cubic yards was poured, by mixing 80 pound bags, one at a time in the mixer,
and pouring into the form. Over 50 bags were used. Leftover concrete was stored
in the east shop for Grasseli tower stair landing, to be poured soon. The pad needs to
be poured prior to installation of the ladder step leading up to the 2nd story. Les installed
eave troughs about the upstairs door to Grasseli to keep water off the platform.
Steve was on the manlift fixing corner boards on the SW corner.
 
Much activity in the shop in the afternoon, with Todd, Kyle, Jason, Mitch and a couple of
others working on mechanical issues on the Wabash, NKP, C&NW boxcars.
 
Les was working in D&RGW 899 passenger car counting frames needed for replacement of
broken windows and inspecting frames that are just rotted out.
 
Matt the signalman was working on signals, doing some updating.
 
Last week on the tourist train run, boys were noted throwing rocks at the train outside
of town. Authorities were notified and they were apprehended. Details unknown.
The vandals that broke windows an damaged equipment, has been turned over to
Starke county prosecutors for replacement money. No word on what the status of
that is yet either. No idea why the vandalism has just started this year, HVRM was
been unscathed for prior years.
 
Check out the HVRM website for updates on NKP 765, schedules, etc. Members days
with 765 is May 27th departing at 4pm, with dinner after. Come on out with a guest
an enjoy 765. You need to be a member of HVRM to participate. Three truck loads of
coal have arrived at the museum. Richard's elevator is also on site and some items
repaired. So those who like shoveling, now is the time to get dirty. Remember those
eye goggles. I heard 5 passenger cars are to arrive soon.
 
I will not be at HVRM next saturday. Going to Dayton OH for the biggest Hamvention
in the US. Not that I have any money to spend, I enjoy the looking at all the junk in
the parking lot and new radios inside the building.
This  is my year to win a prize.
 
Everyone have a good week, drive safe, watch out for the school busses loading and
unloading school children, its getting close to end of the year and more kids are
outside playing and not watching traffic.
 
Tom