Record Crowd at Pumpkin Patch 10-19-2013

Greetings to all,
 
Great day at the ole Pumpkin Patch. Just a bit on the cool side for riding in the

open air car, but many people did with many blankets wrapped around them.

Packed passenger car, with overflow to the Erie C345 bay window caboose.

Over 430 people rode the trains, with what I think about 300 pumpkins were

sold. One of the best turnouts in a long time.

 

First train was sort of late getting to platform to load passengers. Doug was

training a couple of conductor trainees, an it resulted in lots of people on the

platform cold and lots of figgety kiddos. But once loaded, everyone got settled

down for pumpkins.

 

Fred was in the shop working on the IC caboose cupola, found some more

rust that needed to be taken care of. Worked on the caboose till called to be

engineer for the final run of the day. 

 

Steve Newland worked on Grasselli tower windows, in between helping Richard

with the pumpkins at the SR 10 pumpkin patch.

 

The back hoe tractor transmission has been reinstalled, an Richard spent some

time this past week tightening up bolts, so its almost ready to run, put in oil and

some other things need to be done.

Bob an Loretta manned the gift shop, John LaOrange was engineer for two runs,

Fred for the final run of the day, an Doug was conductor. Everyone who was there

kept busy all day. Joe was in the passenger car, Randall an Matt on the open air

car, and myself in the Erie C345. The local VFW provided lunch for many hungry

folks.

 

Thats about it for this week, getting light later each day, dark earlier each night,

weather next week wil be cold and possible snow flakes. Too early for that

new. Drive safe everyone

 

Tom

Rain In The Pumpkin Patch 10-5-2013

Greetings to all in this wild month of October weather wise. Tropical storm situation
in Pensacola FL, just where I'n headed Wednesday for 5 days, snow 3 foot deep
in the Dakota's, extreme fire conditions still in CA, massive amounts of rain in
the NW US. Where is it going to stop, and what will the winter be like around here.
 
Well any indication, it was wet in North Judson today for the Pumpkin Trains
to SR 10 park. This morning started out on the muggy side, train crew had
the entire train out in front of the depot for possible large crowds. I helped
Loretta punch tickets as she worked the cash/credit card machine, many were
prepaid, so made it easy on her. Lots of extra pumpkins tickets were sold at
the ticket window. Richard was busy trying to get freon into the Long Island coach
before departure at 10am. The coach cooled somewhat, but got a full charge
when the car returned from the first run. The wind seemed to pick up on the
way back to North Judson from English Lake, so rain was imminent soon.
 
Getting a sandwich at the American Legion tent before the next train run, gave every
one a break for a few minutes. The second run went fine except for the arrival back at
North Judson depot, it started to pour buckets, lots of people braved the rain and
got wet running to their cars, but some riders stayed on the train for an extra 10 minutes and it pretty much quit raining. Next train went off fine, cept for arrival at
the park, it poured buckets again, most of the pumpkins were snatched up by parents
in record time and reboarding the train quickly. A lot of riders opted to ride the coach
back to the depot to get out of the rain on the open air car. A bag of small wash
clothes were provided by Mark for folks to dry off with. At least some of the kids
were dry again. I counted almost 6 babies, 6 months or younger today on the train,
one itty bitty one was only 8 weeks old, maybe a new record for new railfans some
day. A total ridership today was 243 for 3 runs, not all that bad for a rainy day.
 
Steve Hendrichs and Steve Newland worked on Grasselli tower, Steve H using the
manlift to get some more painting done under the eaves, Steve N doing wood work
inside the upper level of the tower.
 
Fred Boyer was working on the IC caboose today, did not even get a chance to
see what has been accomplished in the last 2 weeks.
 
Not much else going on around the museum work wise.
 
Lots of conductor trainees on the job today and a good size crew too. Nobody told
Randall that the train time had changed today, so no bull horn narration on the first
run, as he missed the train departure. But darn the bad luck he caught up with the train at the park, only to discover his batterys in the bullhorn were dead, but Randall being Randall, he got Matt to run him down to buy more batterys, so for the 2nd an 3rd run
full narration of every twig and colored leaf was done. All in jest Randall, I had
even thought to hide his bullhorn when he went for batterys, but decided not to,
fearing he might return bigger an louder for the Halloween train.
 
In all, things went well, no  major problems.
 
Next Saturday at 8am is HVRM board meeting most likely in the depot.
Please attend to hear good news.
 
October 19th is the next 3 trips for the Pumpkin Patch train. I will not be at
HVRM on the 12th or 26th of October.
 
Have a safe week, drive safe, its getting dark earlier every evening now, watch out
for goblins out playing in the leaves.
 
Tom

September out like a lamb (?) at HVRM 9-28-2013

Hello!

 

Beautiful day at Hoosier Valley today.  Made it into the low 80's by the afternoon, but a nice breeze kept it comfortable.

 

This will be a short report as I was asked to work in the depot today by Loretta Kosloske.  Fortunately, Bob Barcus did show up due to a schedule

change, so I only had to sell tickets.  I didn't screw too many things up, but then it's hard to teach an old dog (like me) new tricks!  My apologies

for my derelictions of duty!  Because I spent most of the day in the depot, I didn't get around to see much of what else was happening, thus the

meager report.

 

Diane Bennett was working with Bob in the museum gift shop.  Margrett Cook hosted lunch in the old NKP camp car, which is now our dining car.

 

I did manage to get the signals turned on in the morning, and they performed flawlessly all day, including both of the Erie semaphores.

 

The morning run to English Lake had the best patronage, but there were passengers on all of the trains.  Also had a guest engineer between the first
and second passenger runs of the day; a gentleman from Oak Park, Illinois.  He and his wife also later rode the 1:30 p.m. train to English Lake.

There were a lot of members on the passenger trains today.  I think that perhaps they were getting re-certified. 

 

Steve Newland continued working on repairs on the second story floor of Grasselli Tower.

 

Cory Bennett had the welder out and was working on the repair of parts for the back hoe.

 

Bing Risley was cutting grass around the refrigerator car building and track storage yard.

 

Heard a report today that said that both ex-Chessie SD-18 #7311 that used to work on the JK Line and the ex-L&HR C-420 that was long stored at

Hoosier Valley, both were seen heading east this week at Milford Junction on a CSX freight.

 

As I said, a short report.   Here comes October, and autumn!  Have a great week everyone!

 

 

Les

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

Fall Is In The Air Today, Tomorrow Will Be Fall

Greetings to Everyone,
 
What a glorious day it was a North Judson IN today. Signs of fall are everywhere.
Leaves are changing color, corn is turning to brown, beans are turning, a crisp
wind from the north made it an excellent day to be a part of HVRM.
 
Membership meeting was at 8am sharp. A quorum present for a meeting today.
Discussion of turning the Metra car into a eating facility was discussed. Some
different ideas were presented to the membership. After some clarification of
exactly what the car function would be, tables, chairs only, no food prepartion in
the car itself, me an Les proceeded after the meeting to set up a table an chair
to show everyone that the overhang would not interfer with bumping your head.
Some other ideas were brought up. Making a small table for 4 persons on each side
of the aisle. Tables lining the entire lenght of the level floor. I think it will work,
moving out of the cramped kitchen car dining facility. The problem of how to heat
the car in winter, to keeping it cool in summer were talked about. Use electric baseboard
heat in winter, opening upper level window with screens put in, window fan sucking
out hot air and pulling in fresh air from the center doors. I believe that it can be done,
the car being insulated and having tinted windows. No word of the outcome.
 
Board meeting was held after the membership meeting an adjourned about 10am.
The 25th Anniversary went off very well, over 300 rode the train, many more ate the
lunch, and everyone enjoyed the live entertainment around the museum.
 
After adjourning, the train was readied with Alco 310 for today engine, MKT open air
car, LIRR coach and EJ&E handicap car was added to consist to check out the
brake issue from last week that was corrected. B&LE 1989 caboose was at the
west end of the train. Well over 100 people rode the train today.
 
A large group working on the backhoe tractors transmission to take it out for
service. Cory, Sparky, Ben, John, proceeded to get it out in record time. After lunch
it was lowered on to a wood pallet and taken over to Richard Warners building for
pickup next week to be repair. What exactly the problem is unknown at this time.
Fluid did smell burnt and had metal shavings in the pail.
 
After that was accomplished, Mark, John, Cory, Sparky, Ben all went down with the
air compressor to tamp 25 ties put in last week. Mark during the week spiked all
the ties by himself. Until the tractor is fixed, no track work to be done!
 
Les worked on the passenger car painting loose ends to complete the car in green.
 
Bjarne fixed a few spots on the Troop car with paint.
 
Steve Hendrics used the man-lift to prime paint the eaves on Grasseli tower. Joe
Baker worked inside the upstair tower area. Steve Newland showed up later to
work on window frames.
 
Diane Bennett fixed lunch for the crews today, Margret was at home with David today,
resting from some blood pressure issues. Lunch went quick today, as many people
stepped up to eat. Good soup today.
 
I stuck around till almost time for the train to return, but headed out on the road
beside the C&I and caught it where the road crosses over, for a couple of next
photos. On the way up I say a flock of wild turkeys, must of been 20 or more all
on the rail row. Big looking bird. Hunting season is around the corner too.
 
Took the back way home thru Wellsboro. The elevator is getting very close to being
open again with new machinery everywhere. The fertilizer building is getting closer
each day for loading. I saw Chessie 7311 on the lead track to CSX. Diesel 850
and C&I IC engine were on a siding near the elevator.
 
Fred was working on the yellow caboose roof today. It gets closer all the time for
paint inside an out.  Primer inside should happen soon. Bjarne has not hear from
the ICHS, Les said he would get in touch with his inside contacts to see what the
problem is with getting the lettering prints.
 
Concrete is still on the adjenda, having only to find the time to pour it in between
track work  and fixing tractors.
 
Have a good week, drive safe, hopefully the U.S. goverment will not shut down on
Oct 1st due to budget problems.
 
Tom Travis

A Quiet Saturday 14 September 2013

Greetings to all,
 
Quiet Saturday at HVRM compared to last weeks 25th Anniversary party. Beautiful
weather, 42 degrees going down this morning with lots of fog south of US30 at the
gravel pits, but once by there, clear blue sky.
 
Arrived in time today for the board meeting, was cancelled prior due to Cory being
on the road, Doug gone for the day. Well it didn't work that way, Doug did show up,
Bob Barcus only one did not show up, but forged ahead with the days activities.
Board meeting is now scheduled for 8am, 21 Sept. Doug had train conductors
to train for the day, 3 were there for work. Doug was conductor, Fred, engineer.
 
I drove to Fingerhut for a quick breakfast, met up with the local amateur radio
operators and talked for 20 minutes or so. Busy place this morning, all tables
were filled and more people just kept coming in. Finally got a corner table,
had already ordered, and got my food fast. On the way down, John was on the
payloader getting a stack of 25 ties for the Erie line. By time I arrived, changed clothes, maybe 5 ties were installed. Mark, John, myself and new guy Sparky,
Dave backhoe operator. Tie replacement went well up till a little before noon,
when backhoe tractor hydralic system started to act up, system was very slow
responsing. Went for lunch, back again, tractor would not go backwards, checked
oil level, seemed normal. Dave went an got more fluid to top off system, but
slownest  persisted and the last 5 tie removal an inserting new ties extremely
slow. By then tractor would not back up in reverse, so Dave just came up to
tie at an angle and proceeded to work with difficulty. Finally finished and Dave took
off with the tractor to the shop area, he had to leave early anyway, so the problem
will have to be looked at next week. Some ideas on problem, bad pump in hydralic
system, but why would pump affect backing up tractor? Went forward just fine.
 
Finished up an back to depot for rest. 2:45pm train departed, arrived back at
little after 5pm. Oh the EJ&E car had been set out before first run due to car
would not pass brake test. Will be looked at next week. Train put away on
siding, Alco ran down to diesel 850, hooked up and moved it out on C&I mainline
for pickup later next week.
 
A couple of guys from MRM stopped after the 2:45 train left, said they knew
Dennis Sloane. Next weekend is the big blowout train weekend down in Montecello
IL. Steam engine 401 will be operating, along with an assortment of other diesel,
freight, passenger trains. Some new items for the show will be on display.
 
Ross Robinson, member from Ottawa ONT Canada, had knee replacement on
his left knee Friday morning, I will have a get well card in kitchen car for signing.
We hope all is going well for Ross. He will be in ortho rehab for 2 weeks, then
back home. He hopes to have the right knee replaced in January of next year,
in time for summer traveling in his small camping trailer.
 
That it for now, enjoy the beautiful weather, drive safe and see you all next
Saturday at North Judson....
 
Regards
 
Tom   
 
 

HVRM 25TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE 9-7-2013

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum 25th Anniversary will be a day to remember for everyone
who attended. It was a very comfortable day temp wise, only a few sprinkles in late afternoon,
but otherwise perfect for a good time.
 
The activity started Thursday with tent set-up and parking signs and getting the grounds
to look good. A long day for everyone who participated. Big tent for the food tent, good size
tent for the Bluegrass music tent and lots of little shelters for various things. The grounds
were mowed to perfection, trash picked up and cleanups everywhere. Cory, Mark, John,
Tom, Les, Diane, Bing, Dave were all on hand for this work. Mostly everything was all
ready up when I arrived, due to driving school bus, I got some help putting up a small
10X20 shelter. I helped put up some tent also. Les worked on painting the east end of
the passenger car. He finished just as I went down to see him and we went down to
Fingerhut for coffee and donut break. Levi Mayes was already there having lunch, so we
sat with him for about an hour. Levi grew up near the Virginian Railway, remembering the
yard, steam engines, lots of very interesting early years living conditions in the mountains
of West Virginia. I had to leave by 12:30pm to get back for the afternoon bus route. Les
continued working on the flower bed, weeding, and planting a few native species from
the railway right of way, that grow wild in the summer. Mark painted a couple of switch
throws. John, Mark and Les picked up all the burnt wood that was at the west end of the
tool car down to a pile of dead trees near the wye area. Bob Jacqim brought down some
traffic horse for the parking lot.
 
Things on Saturday started early. Lots of things needed to be done getting set up for the
days activities. Visitors started to come in early for a look at our museum depot and shop
areas.
 
8AM was the Flag Ceremony by the American Legion Post #92 at the flag pole area. A very nice
ceremony was held with at least 12 legion members present with the colors, trumpet player,
and flag raisers. Peggy Bohac photographed most of the day events that went on all over
the museum grounds. She did an excellent shoot of the flag ceremony with a group photo of
legion members and HVRM members. Many thanks to Peggy for her efforts.
 
9AM with the magic show for kids, along with face painting & temporary tattoos, which was
very popular with the kids, everyone had something. The Fair Oaks Mobile Dairy trailers showed
up for display and was a popular exhibit.
 
11AM was the first train of the day to English lake. The train had a full consist of cabooses,
LIRR air conditioned coach car, 2 open air flat cars and the EJ&E transfer caboose for wheel
chairs recently repainted an lettered for the anniversary. Alco Erie 310 S1 was the engine for the day, with GE #11 Interlaken Steel, was on standby duty. C&O 2789 2-8-4 was pulled out of the
shop for display. Shop buildings were open to the pulblic and lots of folks visited our work areas. The Illinois Central caboose was still in the shop being restored along with the Whitcomb
diesel. Grasselli tower was open for display both down and upstairs areas. Signals were
on displaying colors and working semaphores. The Union Pacific motor car was on duty
for rides out on the Erie line to the east. It was on the caboose track and went out thru the
switch and on to the mainline. The total ridership for the day was over 300 riders, good turnout.
 
12 Noon the train returned and the hog roast lunch was in full operation with a long line
of hungry people waiting clear up to the wood platform at the depot.  The guest engineer project
also had one person run the Alco out on the Erie line for about an hour. The pork was excellent
and plenty to go around. The Peter Nye Bluegrass band was playing and had a good group
listening to the music. The band rode the 2:45 train to La Crosse, going to in the LIRR coach
and coming back in the the Katy open air car. While in La Crosse, they brought the instruments
to the grounds and started playing again for 30 minutes or so till train loading. A large group
formed around them listening. A retirement ceremony was going on inside the library and when
it ended everyone came outside to listen also.
 
2:30PM train return from English Lake the Culver Pipe & Drums were playing music on the depot
platform. Wonderful to hear bagpipes coming into the station. The group was excellent and music
wonderful. A very large crowd was on the platform was waiting to board the 2:45pm train to La
Crosse. The crew pulled the consist down to the runaround track, switched the engine to the
west end of the train in record time, recoupled. air pumped up and pulled up to the platform an
departed almost right on time. I rode the NKP bay window caboose along with conductor John
DeGan and 2 conductor trainees. The 1:30 train ride to La Crosse, my wife Maureen and daughter
Brianne rode with me.
 
Returning from La Crosse at 5pm, the events were winding down, tents had already been taken down, things being put away. By 6PM everything was back to normal, tent stakes pulled out of
the ground by Bing and his little skid loader bucket, tables and chairs put away. The train was
switched on various tracks, locked up, 2789 pushed back into the shop and #310 put away.
Some time was spent in the depot after all way done to cool down and reflect on the days
activities.
 
Joe Kingsbury had his steam engine 4-4-0 on display all day in the parking lot. Amazing piece
of machinery that was totally machined and put together by Joe.
 
Maybe in 5 years, another anniversary open house will be put together bigger an better than
the 25th's. Amazing what has been done in the last 20 some years in North Judson from
nothing to a tourist operation. Train rides continue to the end of September. The museum will
be open every Saturday from 8am to 4pm. Come out an visit. The next 6 months will be
getting ready for next year. Restoration of rail cars, tie replacement track work on the main line
is needed badly.
 
Some old members showed up Saturday that have earned respect from all HVRM members.
Dan Siple, Bob McKown, Chuck Ness, Elmer Mannen, Bruce Emmons. Good to see everyone
out visiting. Watch for the next newsletter giving a full wrap up on all activities for the day.
 
Again many thanks to all the volunteers who made this event happen. Come on down next
weekend, any beats pork sandwiches for lunch?
 
Tom Travis, Restoration Grunt 
 

Rain, rain, go away.....No! Stay! at HVRM 8/31/13

 

Greetings one and all!

 

August 31st, and Labor Day weekend.  Traditionally, the end of summer.  Had some hot, hot weather this past week.  Storms through last night and then a lot of rain came in today.

 

Doug Kosloske was working with future conductors in a training session in the NKP kitchen car.

 

I arrived right during some heavy rain this morning.  Bob Barcus, conductor for the passenger trains today was soaked from getting the passenger train ready to go.  I tried to turn on

the signals, but was raining too hard to make it to the electrical signal box, so turned on the light on the train order signal at the depot.  Finally made it over and turned on the signals

hoping that the top blade on the double semaphore (signal 948-1) would go to green.  Turned out that the single semaphore (signal 921-1) wasn't working at all, so became a "red"

signal meaning that the top blade on signal 948-1 only had to go up to yellow when the block cleared.  Whew!  Had a big group of Mennonite folks on the 11:00 train and fortunately,

the rain let up just before departure.  Not sure what the total passenger count was.  Train consisted of the EL Alco #310, LIRR passenger car #2937, MKT flat car (open car) #13833

and B&LE caboose #1989.  EJ&E transfer caboose #184, which has our wheel chair lift on it, was again, not on the train due to flat wheels.  The 11:00 train departed on time with

John DeGan at the throttle.  Joe Kingsbury and Randall Downs were car hosts, with Steve Henrichs, conductor trainee, riding along.

 

The rain is sorely needed here as it has been a particularly dry August, so although heavy, it was very welcome.

 

Meanwhile, another crew (with John LaOrange as engineer) and using GE 95-ton diesel #11, had been out east of Main Street with EJ&E #184, grinding down the above mentioned

flat spots on the wheels using a set of  abrasive/grinding brake shoes and running the 11 and 184 up and down the track.  The operation was a success and after the 11:00 train departure,

the GE put the 184 back into the Shop and then took number 11 back east and set it on the long storage track before breaking for lunch.  After lunch, the crew took number 11 and did

some switching.  There was more heavy rain, lightning and thunder before the 1:30 p.m. train departure and the open car was closed to riders.  After the 1:30 train left, the switching

crew brought the Alco C-420 over west and parked it next to the Shop in preparation for a possible eventual move from the museum.

 

Light work crew today because of the holiday, but Bob Albert continued with interior work on the IC yellow display caboose.

 

I managed to finally get a pattern made for the grab iron that has to go onto the TTX flat car.  I also managed to give Dave Cook and Cory Bennett a hand with brake shoe replacement

on EJ&E #184, after the abrasive/grinding shoes were removed.

 

Steve Newland continued work on the interior floor of Grasselli Tower around the chimney area where the floor had deteriorated and the floor boards need replacing.

 

Sun finally broke through around 4:00 promising a muggy Sunday, before more rain is supposed to move in and cooler temps arrive next week.

 

Have a great holiday weekend everyone.  Enjoy this "last gasp" of summer.  

 

 

Les

 

P.S. Remember next Saturday is the open house for HVRM. Many activities

are planned for everyone, kids to adults. Bring your appetite, a hog roast

is planned for lunch. Many tents are planned on being put up Thursday

morning.

 

Come on out an enjoy the fast approaching FALL weather, see all the

newly painted cars from over the summer. The gift shop is stocked with

everything from train pictures to T shirts.

 

Stop by Grasselli Tower and see all the work accomplished over the summer.

The lower level is accessable now around the boiler.

 

Be looking for you at the HVRM's OPEN HOUSE 7 September 2013!!!

 

Tom Travis