RED MARKERS. NEXT MEETING... DIVISION BUS TRIP TO STEAMTOWN & LACKAWANNA COAL MINE Sunday May 3, 2009; 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM OUR HOSTS!

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.. DIVISION BUS TRIP TO STEAMTOWN & LACKAWANNA COAL MINE Sunday May 3, 2009; 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM Steamtown hosted visiting steam locomotives during the Grand Opening in 1995.

Instead of visiting a local layout we take a bus trip to Scranton, PA to visit Steamtown National Historic Site and the Lackawanna Coal Mine: 1) HO SCALE LAYOUT: There is a very nice non-operating HO

1 RED MARKERS Newsletter of the Central New York Division of the Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association, Inc. SERVING MODEL RAILROADERS IN AND AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE NEXT MEETING... DIVISION BUS TRIP TO STEAMTOWN & LACKAWANNA COAL MINE Sunday May 3, 2009; 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM Steamtown hosted visiting steam locomotives during the Grand Opening in NPS Photo, Ken Ganz At this Meeting and in this Issue... We have another first for our Division at this meeting. Instead of visiting a local layout we take a bus trip to Scranton, PA to visit Steamtown National Historic Site and the Lackawanna Coal Mine: 1) HO SCALE LAYOUT: There is a very nice non-operating HO scale layout/diorama of the DL&W yards in Scranton that you will see in the Steamtown museum on the second floor. 2) CLINIC: The clinic for this meeting is one that you come up with yourself. With everything to see in the shops, museum and the yard there is something to interest everyone. 3) STEAMTOWN:... see sidebar 4) LACKAWANNA COAL MINE:... see sidebar 5) RAFFLE: I m sure you have figured out that because of the nature of this meeting there will be no raffle. Look for it to return at our June meeting. OUR HOSTS! Steamtown NHS The Steamtown National Historic Site was created in 1986 by an act of Congress to interpret the story of main line steam railroading between 1850 and The park occupies the former Scranton, PA yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, and includes historic railroading buildings, some dating from It is not a museum of DL&W equipment but rather a museum that is part of a national network of museums presenting the history of American railroads. They have a vast amount of equipment from railroads around the northeast on display in the yard and in the museum buildings. Lackawanna Coal Mine Explore 300 feet beneath the earth through an anthracite coal mine originally opened in We will accompany a miner in the winding underground gangways and rock tunnel past three different veins of hard coal, past the mule boy and the nipper, past the monkey vein and the dead chute. Listen as the miner explains the fascinating methods used, and the heroic efforts involved, in deep mining s history. There is a gift shop above ground for those who would rather stay in the sun. PAGE 1

The Brass Hats Central New York Division - ELECTED - Superintendent Brian Curry 3594 Chamberlain Road Weedsport, NY 13166 (315) 689-1303 banddcurry@peoplepc.com Asst.

com Paymaster Ralph Hodson 3259 Bella Vista Drive LaFayette, NY 13084-9623 (315) 492-0704 rhodson@twcny.rr.

2 The Brass Hats Central New York Division - ELECTED - Superintendent Brian Curry 3594 Chamberlain Road Weedsport, NY (315) banddcurry@peoplepc.com Asst. Superintendent Dave Martini 6943 Shannon Way Liverpool, NY (315) kmartin1@twcny.rr.com Chief Clerk John Roland 1981 Shepard Road Marcellus, NY (315) JRoland855@aol.com Paymaster Ralph Hodson 3259 Bella Vista Drive LaFayette, NY (315) rhodson@twcny.rr.com - APPOINTED - NMRA Achievement Program Representative Dave Martini 6943 Shannon Way Liverpool, NY (315) kmartin1@twcny.rr.com NMRA Member Aid Chairman Jim Heidt, P.O. Box 25 Clockville, NY (315) jimheidt@hotmail.com Division Clinic Coordinator Lenn Amrhein, 6306 Meadow Drive Rome, NY (315) LAMRHEIN@twcny.rr.com Train Show Coordinator & Past Superinttendent George Scooter Youst 691 State Fair Blvd. Syracuse, NY (315) gyoust@mac.com Division Storekeeper Ed Olszewski (315) eolszew1@twcny.rr.com Red Markers Co-Editors Ed Olszewski and Ed O Rourke 122 Blackstone Way Syracuse, NY (315) eolszew1@twcny.rr.com eorourke@twcny.rr.com Distributed through our web site at domestic US Mail Delivery available, 2009 CNY Division, NMRA, All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA. Loose Spikes (Notes from the Ashpit ) Don t Get Left at the Station... Oh, oh! If the box shown above in your issue has a red X in it, it s notice that this issue will be your last.unless. To stay onboard, you need to come to this meeting. If you absolutely can t attend and want to remain on the mailing list, send $3.00 to Ralph Hodson (see left), make the check payable to CNY Division, NER. But money is a poor substitute. Come to the meeting because your check book won t have half the fun you will!! We continue to grow and plan exciting things.. So don t miss out!! Thanks PAYMASTERS REPORT BALANCE - 1 January, $3, RECEIPTS: MEETING... $ DONATION NER... $ RAFFLES... $ TOTAL RECEIPTS... $ EXPENDITURES: DONATION, CNY NRHS LIBRARY... $ FAST TRACK TURNOUT TOOLS... $ SYRACUSE MODEL RR CLUB... $ TOTAL EXPENDITURES... $ BALANCE, 31 March, $3, Respectfully Submitted: Ralph Hodson, Paymaster Division Name Badges are available from Jim Heidt for $7.00. Price includes postage to mail your badge to you by First Class Mail. No more of this holding onto them or giving them to buddies to pass on. The $7.00 covers all costs. REMEMBER - Contact John Roland, our Chief Clerk, if you ever have trouble receiving your Red Markers. Also, if you need to change your address or post office address drop John a line. John s contact information is listed in The Brass Hats sidebar to the left. Here are the Red Markers submission deadlines for the rest of Please have your articles and any items for Loose Spikes to us by these dates. Remember, EARLIER IS ALWAYS BETTER! Thanks for your support, Ed & Ed. 5/24/09, 8/8/09, 9/13/09, 10/11/09 and 11/20/09 (Continued on page 4 - LOOSE SPIKES) OFFICERS of the NORTHEASTERN REGION, NMRA NER President NER NYS Director NMRA Trustee from the NER Kenneth H. May Mike Evans Paul Allard 71 Buff Cap Road 838 Mason Street 53 Rollin Irish Road Tolland, CT Morrisonville, NY Milton, VT (860) (518) (802) kenneth.may@comcast.net EvansM@co.clinton.ny.us NERT@HQ.NMRA.ORG PAGE 2

From The Freight Shed It s time to go to Steamtown. Ed Olszewski has been working a lot of overtime over the last year or so putting this trip together for the division membership.

I for one know the amount of time and work that Ed has put into this project. He has planned a great day for us all.

3 From The Freight Shed It s time to go to Steamtown. Ed Olszewski has been working a lot of overtime over the last year or so putting this trip together for the division membership. Not only has he put together a great trip to Steamtown, but has included a side trip to the Lackawanna Coal Mine. What more could you ask for in a one day trip. I for one know the amount of time and work that Ed has put into this project. He has planned a great day for us all. Please take a couple minutes of your time during the trip to say Thank You to Ed, Job well done. We will be having a Board meeting soon to start planning next year s schedule. If you, the membership have any thoughts or ideas for new places to hold meetings, please let any of the Brass Hats know by , phone, or snail mail. We need new clinic ideas also, so let us know. The list of Brass Hats is on page 2 of each issue of the Red Markers. We are hoping that later this year we will be doing the tour of the Hanson Queries. This will most likely happen on a week day as blasting is not allowed on weekends. What s the use of going to a Query if you can't watch them blow something up? Keep watching the Red Markers for more info on this. Brian Curry MMR Superintendent CNY Division From The Dispatchers Desk Ed and I have been put in the hole this month by other responsibilities. Look for our return next issue. See you on the bus trip to Steamtown and the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour. Ed and Ed If you are on the Steamtown tour you will be able to get up close and personal with the largest Steam locomotive to roam American Rails, a Union Pacific Big Boy. Legend has it that the Big Boy got it s nick name when a factory worker at the Alco factory in Schenectady, NY scrawled the words Big Boy across the smoke box of the first locomotive built. NPS Photo, Ken Ganz PAGE 3

(LOOSE SPIKES - Continued from page 2) A note from Ed Post, Editor of the Green Block CNY Chapter NRHS: The Utica and Mohawk Valley Chapter NRHS is planning a trip on the Lake Shore Limited to

4 (LOOSE SPIKES - Continued from page 2) A note from Ed Post, Editor of the Green Block CNY Chapter NRHS: The Utica and Mohawk Valley Chapter NRHS is planning a trip on the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, May 15 and are inviting CNY Chapter members to participate. Tours of the Museum and Train Stations on Saturday, May 16 will be conducted by Mike Bosek, President of the Utica Landmarks Society. All travel arrangements must be made by individual participants. See the announcement at right. Garage Sale Season Is Here Gordon Davis, Editor of the CNY Large-Scale Society Newsletter, has a reminder of which we can all take note. Garage sale season is upon us. While it is very seldom that one will find trains other than a broken up train set at garage sales, other items can be found that are often quite useful, particularly for those in larger scales. Old toys and vehicles can often be used, particularly as background items, if repainted into more realistic colors. I ve also found used electrical items and tools as well. Sometimes this can be a profitable way to spend a Saturday morning. Seeing Beyond The Package Along these same lines are words of wisdom from Former Superintendent and noted detail hound Don Andrews: Why isn't onion spelled ung-yin? Because our eyes have been trained to interpret the text with the sound associated with the image - and even tears come to mind. We can re-train our eyes to see things beyond how we've been taught. That is to say, look beneath the surface of a label on a packaged product and you might see a shape that you can paint to emulate an item you can detail and model for a car or structure on your layout. Our Division's eminent Clinic Coordinator, Lenny Amrhein, has shown many times how things like aspirin bottles can be turned into an interesting part of a building's roof detail for FREE! Although it may take a little time to teach yourself to see shapes as a scale silhouette, nearly identical to an actual 1:1 size object, it will also depend on the relative difference to the scale you model. Besides, no matter what you collect by new eyes, even if it isn't in your scale, you can always do the model anyway and either trade with Division friends who DO model in that scale OR add the model to the Division Raffle. CNY Large-Scale Railway Society Events Here is some more from Gordon about Family Train Day. Once again the Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society hosted what has become a regular activity, our Family Train Day. Imagine three hours given to entertaining youngster, their parents and grandparents with our layout filled with trains operating on every track, Thomas being among them. Also there were loops of track on the floor with a wide variety of trains operating, plus a Brio wooden train layout. This is a hands-on event so our guests may operate these trains. Our next FTD is scheduled for October, however in the interim is a full schedule of garden railway open houses, a record number this year. Information about the CNY Large-Scale Railway Societies 2009 Garden Railroad tour schedule can be found on page 7. PAGE 4

May 3rd Bus Trip Ready To Roll With all but two seats sold at press time the Division bus trip to Steamtown is ready to go!

Here is the Itinerary for our trip on Sunday, May3rd: 7:30 AM, Arrive at The Home Depot in Camillus (corner of Milton Ave and Hinsdale Rd.

2:00 PM, Depart for Lackawanna Coal Mine 2:30 PM, Arrive Lackawanna Coal Mine, Bald Mountain Road, McDade Park, Scranton, PA 4:15 PM, Depart Lackawanna Coal Mine 5:15 PM,

times are approximate and subject to change, consult www.cnynmra.org for the latest information) A Brief History of Steamtown (From www.steamlocomotive.

In 1963 (the Locomotive & Railway Preservation article says 1964) Nelson Blount moved his Steamtown U.S.A.

This latest location was a the former site of a proposed Rutland yard in Riverside, near Bellows Falls, VT.

Tragedy struck in 1967 when Nelson Blount was killed when his private plane crashed into a tree in Marlborough, NH. Nelson was only 49.

5 May 3rd Bus Trip Ready To Roll With all but two seats sold at press time the Division bus trip to Steamtown is ready to go! You have heard some of the details about this trip over the past six months, now we bring you the rest of the story. Here is the Itinerary for our trip on Sunday, May3rd: 7:30 AM, Arrive at The Home Depot in Camillus (corner of Milton Ave and Hinsdale Rd.) 7:45 AM, Depart Camillus from the Home Depot 8:50 AM, Depart Binghamton after we pick-up folks at Cracker Barrel Restaurant, 876 Front St 9:45 AM, Arrive at Steamtown NHS 2:00 PM, Depart for Lackawanna Coal Mine 2:30 PM, Arrive Lackawanna Coal Mine, Bald Mountain Road, McDade Park, Scranton, PA 4:15 PM, Depart Lackawanna Coal Mine 5:15 PM, Arrive at Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Binghamton (dinner is on your own) 6:30 PM, Depart Binghamton 7:30 PM, Arrive at the Home Depot in Camillus NPS Photo, Ken Ganz (All times are approximate and subject to change, consult for the latest information) A Brief History of Steamtown (From Nelson Blount was a collector of steam locomotive equipment. He bought a railroad so he could be an engineer. In 1963 (the Locomotive & Railway Preservation article says 1964) Nelson Blount moved his Steamtown U.S.A. steam locomotive collection to a new site (Steamtown was moved several times before). This latest location was a the former site of a proposed Rutland yard in Riverside, near Bellows Falls, VT. Tracks fanning out from a turntable provided an excellent place to display his collection of steam. Regular excursions were run between Riverside and Chester. Tragedy struck in 1967 when Nelson Blount was killed when his private plane crashed into a tree in Marlborough, NH. Nelson was only 49. This event took a lot of steam out of Steamtown. Most of the operational steam locomotives were either sold or fell into Overview of Steamtown when it was located in Bellows Falls, VT. Robert E. Rathke photo, VT, disrepair. Then, in 1970, Vermont passed air quality regulations which prohibited steam operations. Diesel locomotives were then used on Steamtown excursions, however, ridership fell dramatically. Despite the air quality regulations, the Steamtown Foundation again began operating with a steam locomotive. By 1983, Steamtown again had many (six) operating steam locomotives. PAGE 5

Despite the resurrection of steam locomotives, Steamtown was in financial trouble. It was determined that the main problem was its location -- isolated from any major population center.

6 Despite the resurrection of steam locomotives, Steamtown was in financial trouble. It was determined that the main problem was its location -- isolated from any major population center. In 1984, Steamtown was moved to Scranton, PA. Still losing money, the Steamtown Foundation went bankrupt in Congress created the Steamtown National Historic Site and the National Park Service acquired the collection. The grand opening of the Steamtown NHS was in If you want, there is a 30 minute steam train ride available. Visit the ticket booth at the park when we arrive for more information and to buy tickets. For more information on the Steamtown National Historic Site go to The Lackawanna Coal Mine PAGE 6 After arriving at the mine and a brief introductory movie we descend slowly into the earth in a mine car as we enter the old Slope #190 mine originally opened in Watch the sky slowly disappear behind us as we move deeper into the history of anthracite coal deep mining in the great coal fields of central Pennsylvania. After a short 3 to 4 minute ride we ve reached the foot. Make sure to bring a sweater with you because it can get a little cool below ground during the coal mine tour. The temperature in the mine is 53 year round. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. A light jacket can be borrowed for anyone who has not brought their own. Some additional information about the tour. They usually carry 28 people to a car so half of our group will have to wait a few extra minutes before their tour starts. The walking portion of the tour is approximately a 1/2 mile and lasts one hour. While waiting for your tour you can watch the introductory video about mining in the theater that is located in the interpretive center where the tickets for the tour are sold. The mine is handicapped accessible with some restrictions. A handout has been prepared for the hearing impaired who are not accompanied by an interpreter. Please call or for specific limitations on accessibility, or contact@lackawannacounty.org If you would like additional information on the Lackawanna Mine Tour go to

7 Part 1 of the 2009 Garden Layout Tour schedule for CNY garden railroads. Part 2 will be published next issue. Go to for more information on the CNY Large Scale Railway Society. PAGE 7

8 Area Model Railroad Groups: The Central New York Model Railroad Club: Fri., 8 to 10p at the Hartlot NY railroad station, just south of Elbridge, NY. Operation 1st Fri./month, visitors welcome anytime. Info: Russ Schiller at The Syracuse Model Railroad Club: Wed. 7p at the layout in the Eastwood American Legion, James St., Syracuse. One business meeting monthly, others are work sessions. Info: Jim Beach at Salt City N-Trak, Ltd.: Meeting schedule / location t/b/a as the club is no longer located at the Eastwood American Legion. Operating 14' x 42' N-Trak modular layout which often tours. Info: Rich Petitto at FUNTRAK: The Frankfort United N-Trak Model Railroad Club, Inc. meets at members homes, meetings are scheduled and posted in FUNTRAK's newsletter each month about two months ahead of the actual meeting date. Info: Brian King at or Clayt Farrall at Cayuga Valley Model Railroaders: Thur. 7:00p and on most Saturdays at 9:00a at the club at 7 East Genesee Street, Auburn, over Speno Music Store. Info: Call Bernard Watkins Oswego Valley Railroad Association: Sun., 7:30p at the New Haven American Legion, NY Rte. 104, New Haven (east of Oswego). Dispatcher/waybill/etc. operation on the HO scale club layout happens Sun. afternoons except during show dates. Business meeting 2nd Sun/month. Info: Bill Nickolas at Central New York Modelers: The CNYMOD group has moved to new quarters in the Museum of Science & Technology (The MOST) in Downtown Syracuse. Info: at or by calling President Bill Brown at Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society: Meets at Driver s Village (the former Penn Can Mall), with a major layout under construction, Info: Gordon H. Davis at or , gdavis4@twcny.rr.com. The Bullthistle Model Railroad Society: Third Wed. of the month, 7:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 33 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY, and open Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and on special events... all in creating visual and operable multi-scale displays of historic railroading in Chenango County. Info: Elton and Anethma Ireland at (607) or club President, Philip Fairchild at (607) , lpfair@frontiernet.net CNY NRHS Modular Group This group maintains O gauge and HO Scale modular layouts. Currently meeting 7 PM Tuesday evenings in Shopping Town Mall. NRHS membership is optional. Info: Phil Edwards at paedward@twcny.rr.com European Train Enthusiasts, Central New York Chapter Round robin meetings. 'N' scale modular layout, Info: Gordon H. Davis at or , gdavis4@twcny.rr.com 2009 CNY Division Schedule January 11 (2-4 PM) - CNY NRHS, Shoppingtown Mall. View the different layouts the NRHS has setup in their store front and learn some vehicle modeling tips from Mike Fuller. February 22 (2-4 PM) - Syracuse Model Railraod Club, Eastwood Legion. This is our annual visit to the SMRRC to their February show and open house. Bill Brown will reprise his clinic at EJ 08 about insuring our home and collection. March 29 (10 AM-5 PM) - Mini Layout Tour, CNY Large Scale, Driver s Village. Visit layouts from map book section A and see the large scale layout built by the members of the CNY Large Scale Railway Society. Clinic: Modeling the DL&W Syracuse & Utica branch. May 3 - Bus Trip To Scranton, PA. Visit Steamtown and the Lackawanna Coal Mine. June 7 - (10 AM-5 PM) - Mini Layout Tour, Mike Shanahan. Visit layouts from map book section C and see Mike s beautiful PRR layout August 22 & 23 - MWTM & Division Picnic, Bill & Judy Brown. MWTM on Saturday & our annual picnic on Sunday. September 27 (2-4 PM) - Dick Martini, Solvay. See the changes Dick has made to his layout since we last visited. October 25 (10 AM-5 PM) - Mini Layout Tour, Tom Kehoskie. Visit layouts from map book section B and see Tom s free lanced layout with lots of operating potential. December 5 (10 AM 2 PM) - Division Auction, Location is TBD. PAGE 8

Scranton Bus Trip Pick-up Locations The Home Depot 3756 Milton Avenue, Camillus, NY 13031

Stay RIGHT onto NY-5 west toward AUBURN Take Hinsdale Road exit Turn LEFT onto Hinsdale Rd

Park at the edge of the parking lot facing the Fast Tracks Gas Station.

9 Scranton Bus Trip Pick-up Locations The Home Depot 3756 Milton Avenue, Camillus, NY DIRECTIONS*: From Route I-690 east or west Take the RT-695 exit, EXIT 6, toward Rt5/AUBURN Stay RIGHT onto NY-5 west toward AUBURN Take Hinsdale Road exit Turn LEFT onto Hinsdale Rd then LEFT into HOME DEPOT parking lot. Park at the edge of the parking lot facing the Fast Tracks Gas Station. Cracker Barrel Restaurant Binghamton, NY Park in the lot nearest the movie theaters. * As always, don t take our word for it. Verify these directions for yourself. PAGE 9

10 events calendar May 20 CNY NRHS Chapter Meeting, NYS Fairgrounds Art & Home Center. "Rocky Mountain Adventure" will be presented by Tom Hancock. This 50 minute presentation will cover his trip through the Rocky Mountains; and Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Kamloops BC; the Columbian Ice Fields, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary ALB, For more info go to If you haven t registered for the Hartford National Convention yet you had better hurry. Three trips have already sold out and more are sure to follow. Register today so you don t miss out. Visit for the latest information. June 7 Layout 7 tours from Map book Section C end- ing at Mike Shanahans house and his beautiful PRR layout Central New York Division, NMRA Red Markers News Letter 122 Blackstone Way Syracuse, NY PAGE 10

CNY Division Model Railroad Auction

CNY Division Model Railroad Auction RED MARKERS Newsletter of the Central New York Division of the Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association, Inc. SERVING MODEL RAILROADERS IN AND AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE NEXT MEETING...