Greetings,
Today was the Lionel Train Collectors Convention from INDY came up
this morning for a train ride to La Crosse. They arrived at 9:30am, all positions
were manned for tours, but long lines inside the depot for the restroom went
right up to 10am, the train loaded an departed almost on time. A very nice day,
in the mid 80's provided a nice ride. The group ate box lunches at the La Crosse
pavillion provided by a deli from INDY. Approx 60 people rode the train and
the depot gift shop did very well in sales. Lots of very friendly folks talking about
their train collections. I was carhost on the EJ&E transfer caboose with a wheel
chair. So a special stop at street crossing was made, so the lift was on solid
ground and they were able to get to the pavillion. Wyeing of the engine went
okay and soon coupled back up to the LIRR passenger car and back to load
passengers. Loaded up we headed back to HVRM. Time was allowed to visit
Grasselli tower, shop area, troop car exhibit and the C&O 2789 steam engine.
After the train was put on the caboose track, some switching occurred. The
Whitcomb engine was pulled outside, other cars pulled out an put on the
museum main line. The tool car was put inside the building. Cory and Richard
started the UP tie tamper and moved it inside the shop area for some routine
maintenance. Easier to work on machines inside, than out in the open right
of way.
I broke for lunch and came back to work on the payloader garage. The picture
above was taken on Saturday. I took off one of the bottom boards, which just
crumpled into dust. Nailed a new board on and went around the the northside
in the shade. Took off the board that was broke by the payloaders forks some
time ago. I took it off carefully to use in other areas that need replacement.
I was attempting to pull out a nail, an broke the handle on my hammer. That
was it for the day. Will return with a bigger hammer tomorrow.
By 3pm everyone had left the museum for the day. Mark Knebel was at the
museum early to continue painting the HVRM depot. He got a lot done and
now only has the white trim to paint along the outer wall. Rain down spouts on
west and east side of the depot will be moved to run along the bottom of
the depot to the drains. It will make the building look better.
Lots of volunteers showed up to help out. Engineer was John LaOrange,
Conductor, Bob Albert. Doug Kosloske ran the operations portion. Car hosts
were, Randall Downs on open air car, Les Beckman on the Bessemer, Tom
Travis on the EJ&E, Joe Kingsbury on the LIRR coach. Loretta Kosloske
and Louise Kingsbury manned the depot an gift shop. Bob Jacqim was
crossing guard, Joe Baker, Matt Lasayko manned Grasselli tower an worked
on cleaning & lubing interlocking rockers and levers. Thanks Matt. Harold Russell
helped on the open air car.
Friday the 25th will be another train ride for kids from North Judson and La Crosse.
Come on out an help out.
So it will be a busy week for everyone. Lots of things for everyone to work on,
just helping out in the depot, being a car host on the train, doing some painting.
Tom Travis
Today was the Lionel Train Collectors Convention from INDY came up
this morning for a train ride to La Crosse. They arrived at 9:30am, all positions
were manned for tours, but long lines inside the depot for the restroom went
right up to 10am, the train loaded an departed almost on time. A very nice day,
in the mid 80's provided a nice ride. The group ate box lunches at the La Crosse
pavillion provided by a deli from INDY. Approx 60 people rode the train and
the depot gift shop did very well in sales. Lots of very friendly folks talking about
their train collections. I was carhost on the EJ&E transfer caboose with a wheel
chair. So a special stop at street crossing was made, so the lift was on solid
ground and they were able to get to the pavillion. Wyeing of the engine went
okay and soon coupled back up to the LIRR passenger car and back to load
passengers. Loaded up we headed back to HVRM. Time was allowed to visit
Grasselli tower, shop area, troop car exhibit and the C&O 2789 steam engine.
After the train was put on the caboose track, some switching occurred. The
Whitcomb engine was pulled outside, other cars pulled out an put on the
museum main line. The tool car was put inside the building. Cory and Richard
started the UP tie tamper and moved it inside the shop area for some routine
maintenance. Easier to work on machines inside, than out in the open right
of way.
I broke for lunch and came back to work on the payloader garage. The picture
above was taken on Saturday. I took off one of the bottom boards, which just
crumpled into dust. Nailed a new board on and went around the the northside
in the shade. Took off the board that was broke by the payloaders forks some
time ago. I took it off carefully to use in other areas that need replacement.
I was attempting to pull out a nail, an broke the handle on my hammer. That
was it for the day. Will return with a bigger hammer tomorrow.
By 3pm everyone had left the museum for the day. Mark Knebel was at the
museum early to continue painting the HVRM depot. He got a lot done and
now only has the white trim to paint along the outer wall. Rain down spouts on
west and east side of the depot will be moved to run along the bottom of
the depot to the drains. It will make the building look better.
Lots of volunteers showed up to help out. Engineer was John LaOrange,
Conductor, Bob Albert. Doug Kosloske ran the operations portion. Car hosts
were, Randall Downs on open air car, Les Beckman on the Bessemer, Tom
Travis on the EJ&E, Joe Kingsbury on the LIRR coach. Loretta Kosloske
and Louise Kingsbury manned the depot an gift shop. Bob Jacqim was
crossing guard, Joe Baker, Matt Lasayko manned Grasselli tower an worked
on cleaning & lubing interlocking rockers and levers. Thanks Matt. Harold Russell
helped on the open air car.
Friday the 25th will be another train ride for kids from North Judson and La Crosse.
Come on out an help out.
So it will be a busy week for everyone. Lots of things for everyone to work on,
just helping out in the depot, being a car host on the train, doing some painting.
Tom Travis
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