HOT AT HANNA IN, HVRM Report 7-30-2011

Greetings,
 
Today was Hanna IN festival day. HVRM was asked to come back to give train rides to the
public. Started early for the train crew in North Judson and the consist was expected to
leave at 7am. Train was made up Erie bay window caboose, LIRR coach, Katy open air
car, EJ&E handicap car, and B&LE cupola caboose. Erie 310 did the honors for power.
I arrived at Hanna about 8:30am, no one had arrived yet. Bob Albert and Joe ? were walking
around town, soon after Loretta showed up with the tent and some items for sales. After
getting the poles out for the canopy and matching colors bands, we got the canopy
up and tarp bungeed down. Setup of tables and it was 9:45am, the train had just crossed
the NS diamond and was headed into town. The 10 am trip was light, but later trips were
well patronized. The LIRR coach a/c had been worked on during the week by Joe K and Doug K.
It was cool inside as long as the doors were kept closed. The open air car was the 2nd favorite
car to ride in. The caboose cars were not utilized this year. After the 2pm train returned to
Hanna, things were wrapped up quickly an the consist departed for North Judson. I rode back
on the train on the EJ&E veranda, getting a nice breeze watching the scenery pass by. Got
stabbed at Thomaston trying to get across NS. Finally after 30 minutes, Donny was able
to get the NS dispatcher on cell phone and we were authorized to cross. The trip to North
Judson went quickly and nice to ride some rare mileage track.
 
Arrival at NJ, with a quick stop at the depot to unload the coolers of beverages left
over from Hanna and a quick drop of the consist on the caboose track, the Erie 310
was put away in the shop building.
 
A long day for everyone, big thanks to all who helped with the train operations today.
 
Have a good week everyone, watch yourself in the heat, keep cool.
 
Tom
 
 

Saturday 7-23-2011 Hot and Horrid Saturday at HVRM

Greetings,
 
It has been one HOT week for the entire Midwest, close to upper 90's temp wise, but
heat index 110 or so. I know some of you have been hotter, I just hope everyone
survived. Starting out NKP 765 made it out of North Judson, thru La Crosse and up
to Thomaston without mishaps. I heard they took a roundabout way to get to Train
Festival, but did arrive safely and on time. It certainly make the grounds look
bare, no tool car, tank car, passenger cars etc. I'm sure the operational people will
do a lot of switching shortly. Last Saturday on the 16th, Dean Levin had told Les that
his NYC dinner, along with 4 other private varnish were on the Capitol Limited to
Washington DC. Sure enough after crossing over from main to main, it was going
slow for lots of pictures. Weather was clear and bright, so made good pictures.
Then on Thursday morning this past week, the cars returned on #29 westbound
Capitol Limited again with a medium clear, I was able to get lots of good pictures.
I still have not got over film cameras, yes its still available, I just have not got into
the SLR digital camera yet. I do have a hand me down very slow digital camera from
my daughter, who is into the bigger and better cameras, along with IPOD's, ITunes,
and whatever else starts with I. But on with the news, Les and myself headed up to
Coldwater MI for the Little River RR steam festival on Friday 15 July. We arrived with
20 minutes to spare for the first train to Quincy. So got the tickets and got on the
first train out of Coldwater. Upon arrival at Quincy, it was photo time. Lots of people
milling about, but after some subtle comments, they did move out of the picture.
Next was the LRRR 110 to Hillsdale, a sold out train. We stayed on to ride the 3rd train out
and back to Coldwater. Lots of good pictures back at the depot of all the engines either
taking on water or just waiting on the siding. The 2 afternoon trains some problems arose,
Lehigh Valley 126 could not get full pressure of steam, poor draft thru the firepan box.
Francis Parker, waited all day to ride the first time 126 pulled  passengers and was struck
out on both counts, once the subbed engine arrived at Quincy it was determined that
it had warm bearings, so the next train, little engine #1 LRRR pulled the entire consist
back to Coldwater. About 4pm, a birthday party of all 5 engines were lined up for LRRR 110
100 year birthday. Cake was presented to all the crews. BTW LV 126 steamed fine the
next day, John and Barney Gramling took care of the low pressure problem that evening
back at the shop area. Flagg 75 is a real brute of a switcher, a real proven steamer. Viscose
#6 did an excellent job also out of New York state. Everyone was just great, Terry and Jerri
Bloom are to be commended for the excellent program for the weekend. I did not attend
the Sundays 5 engine lashup, but imagine it was spectacular.
 
Now on to more mundane news. Today was just hot and humid. Started out with
track work at La Crosse at 6am. Mark K, John L, Dave C all toiled in the sun to put in
8 ties and tamp. This makes a total of 218 installed, 25 ties were in place for more
work later. The final stretch is in sight. By 10am, they stopped.
 
Back at the museum, a good crowd for the 11am train to English lake. The 1:30 train
has all of 3 riders. I did not stay for the La Crosse train, which most likely was annulled.
 
No work going on in the shop. Bob Jachim was busy digging in the main flower bed,
clearing out weeds, some of the plants that have taken over and just some clean up.
 
The freight train was still down on the interchange track, maybe it got moved if the
LC train was annulled. The NKP bay window is scheduled to go into the shop for a
repaint. The MDT 13... is supposed to go on the caboose track near the kitchen car
for scrubbing. LIRR coach A/C is on the fritz. Been recharged twice and did not cool
down at all today. Diesel was shut down and car closed up, too hot. Fred Boyer showed
a group of kids in the upper area of Grasseli tower. They asked some very interesting
questions about the levers, track plan, radiators, sink, and were just very inquisitive.
Smart bunch of kids.
 
Train crew, Elmer M, Doug k, Bob A, conductor, Bill D and Randall, Joe B,car hosts. Loretta K,
Judy B, Bob B were in the depot. Fred B was working in Grasseli Tower. Steve N, Joe K
were working also.
 
Have a good week, stay out of the heat. Les was down in Gatlinburg TN for the week,
maybe he will have some stories to tell next week.
 
Tom 

Saturday 7-9-11 Back to Normal Operations

It finally summer down at North Judson. HOT HOT HOT. Even need some more rain
on the corn, but lots of fields down this way were just planted with beans, up about
an inch. Fields too wet to get into for weeks. I did see wheat being combined yesterday,
getting in before it gets wet again. I saw from the train last couple of weeks, that
some wind had knocked down some wheat in looked like little tornados. Also in a
wheat field, one farmer was drilling beans for a quick crop. They are fast growing beans
and usually don't give a high yeild bushel, it does provide 2 crops in one year off the
same field. Lots of fields gone to vegetables, tomotoes, green beans, all going to
big canneries down state. Late in the summer, on curves, tomatoes are dumped from
semi loads, making a big gooie red mess. Got to keep those packets of ketchup coming
for all that fast food. BTW, in Germany, ketchup packets are not free, but you have to buy
them separately, to prevent waste in garbage, trash cans and tossed out the windows
of cars. I know of a German lady in La Porte, whose parents still live in northern Germany
who recycle to the MAX, nothing, cept for a small bag at garbage pickup, is on the curb.
Maybe we should follow their ideas of recycling. Enough of my soap box.
 
Board meeting started at 8am in the HVRM depot. Need more volunteers to help put
in railroad ties up near La Crosse and work around the North Judson area. Painters
can help also, lots of painting to do. The MDT 13358 got turned in the photo freight
last week, so the south side is now in the sunny side, ready to be washed with TSP.
15 more ties were put in on the 4th of July in La Crosse. DT&I caboose was discussed
and Jerry Wendt is coming down to talk to Joe Kingsbury some time in the future for
possible donation of his caboose to the museum. FRA issues need to get resolved
soon, as nothing heard on the GE diesel, and some other equipment is out of service
due to 50 year rule. NKP 765 group, entire passenger car set will be leaving on 19 July
for Rock Island IL Train Festival 21-24 July 11. Huge container donated by CP will be
delievered soon for storage items. NKP baggage/rpo will not be moved to HVRM. Additonal
funds are needed due to its size and distance to travel, fuel prices, etc.
 
Normal operations prevailed Saturday, switching by Erie 310 crew to get the tourist
train together, delayed the departure by 16 minutes. Many switching moves. Photo
freight train still on interchange track, but may of been moved an returned to yard
tracks after I left for the day.
 
Some local tie/rail work with a guage bar installed on track 2 into the shop area. Minor
mishap last Sunday evening. Some NKP 765 people were doing some work on 765
prior to its departure.
 
Drop by an help out some Saturday, your always welcome.
 
Tom

Sunday Throttle Time

 

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From Doug to the Flaggers and Crew support

I want to thank you for your support on Sunday.  Working a holiday weekend is not one of my favorite things.  With your support the Trottle Time sessions were highly successful.  I believe we had a lot a happy customers.

 

Doug

Thank you -- Please share with your teams...

Jason -   I received this note from Rob Davis, one of the folks who was on the Vintage Photo Freight that HVRM and the FtWRHS operated on Friday, July 1st.   Nice to hear the good reaction to the efforts of both groups to put on a "good show".   Les   Kelly and Les, Please share this note with your respective orgainizations. My son and I had a wonderful time on the July 1st photo charter. Under challenging conditions, the FWRHS and HVRM teams kept spirits up and produced a day that was much better than the weather would suggest. You have our thanks for that. I also have a handful of thoughts I wanted to share with you (in no particular order): * It was our first visit to the HVRM. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with your rolling stock collection. You have the makings of one of the finest, if not the finest, vintage frieght consist in North America. Great job! * The combination of your groups produced something we would gladly return for. When the next #765 charter is planned on the HVRM, just send me the invoice. We will be there! * Everyone was very gracious to my son... and so many of riders and crew offered encouragement and advice to him. That is priceless. He loves trains. The only question is will he find ways to nurture that interest and become one of the next generation's "young guns?" Days like Friday will go a long way towards that. The irony? I was working with him to make sure he didn't get in anyone's shots. Then guess who manages to put his butt in front of someone's camera? Yep, yours truly. * Every aspect of the trip was worth the time and money. Finally, I want your teams to know we appreciate the true effort behind events like these. The time commitment alone is heroic. Hopefully our digital images will last a lifetime... but we know the memories will. All the best, Rob Davis

Cabooses

First of all, the SCIH is the new name for the Chicago Short Line (South Chicago & Indiana Harbor).    Secondly, did you happen to see the very first caboose photo that this guy has on his flickr account?  It shows someone painting a caboose at Hoosier Valley?  The caboose is obviously the IC display caboose, but who is the painter?  Do you recognize him?   Finally, there is a yellow bodied cupola caboose with blue trucks (!) in one of the photos.  Taken at a garden center in Chatham, Ontario, Canada.  I am 99% certain that this is an old Erie caboose.  At least it was well cared for in the photo, even though the colors are a bit unusual.

Rain day July 1, 2011

I am going to try to send a couple of photos that a guy posted on the internet from the 7-1-11 HVRM photo freight day:   http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=367569&nseq=1   http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=367598&nseq=0   One of the photos of the 765 shows a lightning bolt in the background and was taken at La Crosse before departure and before the days rains started.  The other photo shows the Berk and the first part of the vintage freight car string heading westbound into a setting sun with the La Crosse elevator in the distance.  This was probably the only sun the group saw all day!

Weather 765 photo run

I got into La Crosse about 7:30 headed for the museum.  Saw smoke so headed over to the railroad south of town.  Guess what?  They turned the Berk on the wye overnight!   And guess what else?  They also turned the entire freight at the same time.  You're right!  The MDT 13385 undone side ended up facing to the west!  So much for doing the good side for the photographers!  This gripes me.  Why couldn't they tell us they were going to do that and then we could have worked on the other car side!  Not of course that it mattered much in the end; thunder, lightning and rain all day!  Barcus was conductor in the morning and was soaked!  Joe and Louise were sitting in their pickup waiting for that first photo run.  Finally happened and then I headed toward the museum.  For the record, 8 freight cars.  NKP boxcars 15797 and 15979 at each end.  Both MDT 13385 and 14070.  The N&W hopper car.  The N&W gon.  Wabash 49014.   And the N&W boxcar.  Oh yes, the NKP bay window 471 caboose behind the freight cars and the Mohave at the very end. No one was at the museum when I got there after 8 o'clock.  So I unlocked the depot.  About 15minutes later, an older couple showed up.  He told me that he was waiting for the old cars.  Then about 10 minutes later, Don Nickle and another guy showed up coming down Sycamore with 3 vintage automobiles.  The owner was driving a 1949 Hudson pulling a 2 wheel trailer and towing a 1948 Studebaker on it.  Nickel was driving a `46 Packard.  The cars were for photo shoots with the photo freight.  After unloading, and getting a call from the train as to where they were at, the two of them, along with the older gentleman and his wife, drove off to English Lake.   Bob Jachim showed up and we talked a bit.  Commented that the phones didn't seem to be working.  Then a BIG bolt of lightning hit what sounded like it was right outside the depot!  We both jumped!  Then went out to see what we could see.  We went all the way to the back of the depot and saw nothing.  As we headed back in, a lady pulled up, rolled down her window and said to Bob that his wife Kay needed him home immediately as their TV had been hit by lightning.  A coincidence I am sure, but kind of ironic.   Visitors all day.  Joe and Louise showed up.  When the 765 finally pulled in heading eastbound with the photo freight about 11:00, and after Barcus was done with switching, he came in and fixed the phones.  Lots of sitting around.  The Berk had shoved the Mohave and the caboose into track 2 of the shop.  The eight freight cars were left outside snaking back toward the turntable switch.  Then the 765 sat on the east side of Mulberry Street.   Some of the train participants headed over to the depot at times.  More waiting.  Andy Cornwall showed up and told me that there were about 8 people watching the 2-8-4 and its train slowly work its way around the way the previous night.  He had gotten soaked during that operation.   Lunch was from Subway for the train participants.  But didn't arrive until after 1:30 p.m.  Lots more waiting around.  In the meantime, the steamer had gone back to La Crosse to be turned on the wye.  Train not taken so the MDT 13385 will be on the "wrong side" now.   After the 765 returned, they used the 310 to switch so that the cars were on the museum main line and then the 310 pulled the caboose and then the Mohave out of the Shop and placed them on the rear end.  When I left some time after 3:30, the photo freight had not departed west yet.  Barcus's car was still at La Crosse with no way to get back there unless he took the photo freight again (Andy Hershman was the conductor for the afternoon run).  He didn't want to waste all that time, so I just took him back there and then continued on home.  Rain didn't stop until I was almost back in Crown Point.

Nickel Plate engineer on 7-2-11

Hope you had a good day at HVRM today.  And that you have a good one "flagging" tomorrow.  As for me, I left about 1:30 and stopped at 2100 South to watch the second of the photo runbys with the 765.  Were you on the ground there, or did you stay on the train?  There was a "white shirted" guy at the throttle of the Berk when it left North Judson.   One of the Ft. Wayne guys said that he was a former NKP engineeer and he was 87 years old.  One of the last of the engineers still left that ran the Berks in regular service!  I guess that would probably be right considering that they stopped running them in 1958.  That was 53 years ago now!  He would have been about 32 years old at the time the 2-8-4's were withdrawn.  Pretty young for an engineer at that time.  My guess is that he hadn't been promoted from a fireman too long before the end of steam came.  Well, glad that at his age, he was able to still pull the throttle and send the Berk on its way.   I zonked out once I got home.  Didn't do much actual "work" today, but just being in that heat takes a lot out of me these days.  I checked the thermometer at the museum before I left and it read 96.  Probably close to accurate, as that was the same temp on my thermometer when I checked it when I got home.   Sold out 10:00 train and pretty close on the 1:00.  There were still a lot of space on the 4:00 train when I left, but maybe they did okay on that one too.  A good day revenue wise for sure!  Now just the "throttle time" tomorrow and we can kiss the 765 goodbye!   Les

NKP 765 Throttle Time at HVRM 7-3-11

Great day at HVRM for the NKP 765 throttle time (TT). After yesterdays hot, humid, explosive
weather, today was much calmer, dry, typical July weather.
 
Yesterday, going to 4:30am today, was a movie/actor/train shoot, an added bonus to
the 765 operations and HVRM. Old cars and period dressed actors worked on different
scenes till almost day light. I heard it went quite well, even a volunteer HVRM member
played a conductor, whom it was is unknown. Everything and everybody was gone by
6:30 am when I arrived for crossing guard duty.
 
4:30am came early to get ready for today. I wanted a donut from Fingerhut,
but were still closed when I came into deserted North Judson. The NKP 765 was being
serviced down by the east shop, wheels greased, and other little adjustments done.
 
The 7am time came and went, the 765 was not ready, both TT participants were
at the museum. Finally the 765 moved, to couple up to the work car and water canteen
to be pulled up to the east shop. Dropped an left at the east shop door, 765 backed
down to the main line, coupled on to Erie bay window and Bessemer & Lake Erie
cupola caboose and did its air tests. The work car had all the wet containers of
NKP merchandise, taken out and dried during the day out in the sun. The water canteen
was cleaned of remaining rust, getting it ready for the trip to Train Festival.
The water canteen will be filled with water to provide ample supply water on the long
trip to Rock Island IL. Remaining coal will be loaded in the tender when 765 is steamed
up again for the trip.
 
The 765, with both drivers in the engine, cabooses coupled up and ready to go around
8am. It was decided that once on the C&I main, the engine an cabooses would stop
at HVRM switch and change TT people at the west shop area for the rest of the day,
avoiding the switch and backing to the depot. It was no problem, as most of the crew
members were already at the west shop and it worked very well all day. It gave better
photography as the day went on. It was sunny all day and still many showed up to
chase and photograph the short train.
 
Myself and Don? were flaggers till 1pm, we alternated between Toto Road and the other
two crossings and had an hour to come back for eating or refreshments. I made a run
to eat breakfast at 10 am, so I had plenty of time before the 11am departure.
 
When I left about 3pm, things were still going well, everything running cool, and
the water canteen and NKP work car moved by Erie 310 to the depot area to be filled
with water from the fire hydrant after its cleaning or rust.
 
For Saturday, it was hot, humid and down right nasty weather wise. The last run of
the days photo run by went well, no one got wet, but rain was on the way. North Judson
received hail, wind and lots of rain. Water was everywhere when we got back after
the last run. Cept for the wet rain, lightning & thunder on Fridays for the photogs special,
it went off okay. Everyone was soaked, engine crew, photogs and any one else associated
with helping out was just about beat.
 
Due to some problems with equipment, the WCHX tank car, C&NW boxcar and PRR
flat car did not participate in the freight train.
 
Next week, regular HVRM tourist trains will be back running normal schedules.
 
Little River Rail Road in Coldwater MI will be having its steam festival (5) operating
engines over a 4 day period, starting 14 thru 17 July, multiple steam excursions running.
Checkout LRRR web site for more details.
 
July 21 thru 24 is the Train Festival up at the Quad city area in IL. Lots of steam, diesel
and other activities will take place.
 
Many thanks to the NKP 765 crew for the tireless work performed over the last month
to make steam possible. Mid America out of INDY provided passenger cars that were
a riding pleasure to all the visitors over the period. Thanks to all the HVRM members
who volunteered to help out with the excursions.
 
Keep checking the HVRM web for upcoming train activities for the rest of the summer.
 
Tom