Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.LaFrance to show slides at ORM meeting on July 10 Terry LaFrance, ORM Member, will show railroad slides from his many travels during the Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) meeting on Saturday, July 10 at the Museum, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, in Oklahoma City. His presentation will start at 7 pm. Dinner on the diner will be served at 6 pm. The menu will be hot dogs with all the fixings and the cost is $5 per person. The meeting is moved from July 4 weekend to accommodate Independence Day celebrations. Don't forget to thank a veteran for your Independence! We had a good turnout for the Annual ORM Membership Picnic on June 5 and I appreciate Larry Unnerstall, Superintendent of Business Car Dining, cooking the hot dogs. A surprise baby shower was held Steve and Mary Davis during the picnic. Congratulations to Steve and Mary! Plans are being made to have Dino Lalli, Director, Oklahoma Film and Music Commission, be the guest speaker for the Saturday, August 7 ORM meeting. Details of the August meeting will be in the July "Dispatcher." Just a reminder- 'Thomas The Tank Engine' is coming to ORM on October 1-2-3 and 8-9-10. There are many opportunities to take part in this great adventure. A sign-up form is on page 6 and I would encourage everyone to help with Thomas. Inside this issue: Museum Update 2 Larry D. Dodd Vice President and Program Chair Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. P.S. The next ORM Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday, July 27 at 7 pm at the Oakwood Depot. Let Your Child Have A Fun Riled 3 Event At The Oklahoma Railroad Museum! President's Column 4 'Thomas The Tank Engine' 5 Is Coming To ORM A Surf The Web.. 'The ORM Web site address Is: oklahomarallwaymuseum.org. Telephone number is 405/424-8222. Steve Davis, ORM Member, and his wife Mary enjoy a surprise baby shower held during the ORM Membership Picnic on june 5. a!'m Professional Affiliate Member of Association of Railway Museums "Advandng Railway Heritage"
"The paint is beginning to flow at ORM. Workers are busy scraping, grinding and then priming many pieces of equipment throughout the week and on the weekends at tlw Museum." ( ) Museum Update... by Drake Rice, ORM secretary The paint is beginning to flow at ORM. Workers are busy scraping, grinding and then priming many pieces of equipment throughout the week and on the weekends at the Museum. The roof on the Rock Island Combine car has been painted and work has started on the sides. The car will be repainted back to the Golden State color back in the 1930's when the car was in use on that route. The Frisco display car has the roof painted and work is proceeding on the sides, as the primer goes on over the prepared surfaces. Some of the Pullman Green has been applied on the end and work will begin on the sides. Steve Davis and company has touched up on the Blue Chair car and painting of the interior of the UP Caboose will begin in the near future. So, if you would like to help paint, there are a lot of opportunities, please contact Harry Currie. The mechanical department has been busy on brake work. New pads for the diner have been purchased and the cylinders have been cleaned and lubricated on both the diner and the chair car. The brake valve on the Rl Combine and Blue Car has been sent in for a rebuild and the board has authorized the same with the Diner and Chair Car. The interior of the UP Caboose is being cleaned and the bad seat is being repaired. New windows also are being built for those that had to be replaced. Mechanically the car is in good shape, since it received attention prior to the move from Sand Springs. Since ORM has a license from UP to display their logo, the Caboose will remain in UP lettering and colors. Ground crews have been busy keeping the grounds in great shape while Bob Hussey and Wally have been busy moving gravel and ballast. The parking lot is in good shape and the grounds. Track work continues on a few projects and the Museum is awaiting a load of ties to make final repairs prior to the 'Day Out With Thomas' event. Charles Price and Harry Currie have kept the tractors mowing along the right-of-ways and in his spare time, Harry has continued to finish the platform, which is down to the last few feet. In the Museum's Depot Store, Pam Bell has been busy getting items for visitors and members alike. It you need a gift, stop by and take a look. Meanwhile, the work on artifacts is continuing as the items are logged in on the Museum soft ware that was purchased last year. We are very pleased with work being done in this area. If you have some time you could donate, contact Chuck Shinn or Pam Bell. Volunteers work on the Rock Island combine car aeftj and a wooden deck (right) next to the Oakwood Depot at the Museum during a work session at the end of Mily. The deck was completed in time for the ORM Membership Picnic on june 5. Pam Bell Photos
Heartland Flyer: The passenger train that could still can by Steve Lackmeyer, Staff Writer, '7he Oklahoman," June 15, 2004, pg. 18 FORT WORTH, Texas - Railroad enthusiasts gathered along all stops Monday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Amtrak's Heartland Flyer - and to hope they'll celebrate another five years. Oklahoma is one of five state subsidizing passenger train service. Oklahoma's Heartland Flyer last year topped passenger satisfaction surveys for all routes across the country, and revenues and passenger counts are up by 20 percent over the past year. But amidst the celebrations supporters were quick to admit the train's future is in doubt. The $23 million in federal funding obtained for the operation five years ago will be depleted by September 2005, and the state is earmarking $850,000 a year for the route, far less than its $3.6 million cost. At the same time, state transportation officials are being lobbied to extend the service to Guthrie, Perry and Ponca City. "The pressure has been there since the very beginning," said Paul Adams, deputy director of the state Transportation Department. "A lot of folks don't realize we have a train. And a lot of legislators don't know about the train running through their districts and the economic impact it has." Amtrak reports almost 300,000 have riden the Heartland Flyer since passenger service to Oklahoma City was restored on June 14, 1999, ending a 20-year absence. The train on June 14 wasn't just on time - it arrived in Fort Worth, Texas, 10 minutes ahead of schedule. The train carried 85 people on June 14 with large crowds of American flag-waving school kids and train enthusiasts greeting the Heartland Flyer in Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore. Welcoming parties also greeted the train in Gainesville, Texas and Fort Worth. Ardmore resident Bobbi Schramm said the renovated depot and daily Amtrak stops have helped revitalize Ardmore's downtown. Another Ardmore resident, Larry Harris, said the train depot has become a focal point for the town - and they don't want to see the route discontinued. "It would really hurt our community," Harris said. "And there area lot of kids who have or want to ride." Passenger Debbi Stacy, traveling to Fort Worth to visit friends, said she switched to taking the train three years ago after discovering it was cheaper and easier than flying. "When you consider how long it takes to get in and out of D/FW (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport}, it's pretty much the same," Stacy said. "And it's not as much of a hassle." For now, Adams and state transportation officials are trying to negotiate a contract extension with Amtrak while hoping state legislators can provide a permanent, stable funding source to keep the train running. Rail advocates probably won't be able to count on U.S. Rep. Ernest lstook, R-Warr Acres, to solve the funding gap. "The question is whether taxpayers want to continue spending over $3 million annually to subsidize about 50,000 riders a year," lstook said. "Is this the best use of taxpayers' money when we have severe road and bridge problems? It's about 137 riders a day compared to over 100,000 vehicles each day on Interstate 40." Happy 5th Anniversary! Let your child have a fun filled event at the Oklahoma Railway Museum! The following information is about having a Birthday Party at the ORM Museum inside the Birthday Caboose. The Birthday Party F::=:::::::::::;;;j f Package is available to the public the third Saturday of the month at the ORM Museum. The cost of the package, which includes a train ride, is $175. The 11/2 hour Birthday Party Package includes: * 1 hour use of the Frisco Party Caboose * Engineer paper party hats * Coloring books * Party host or hostess * Guided tour through the Display Car * And, 1/2 hour ride on the Museum train for all birthday guests The Train Ride Party Schedule for the third Saturday of the month at the Museum is as follows: Party 1 Party 3 10 am- 10:15 am Set-up Time 2 pm- 2:15 pm 10:15 am - 10:45 am Party Time 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm 10:45 am - 11 am Museum Display Visit 2:45 pm - 3 pm 11 am - 11:30 pm Train Ride 3 pm - 3:30 pm Party 2 Noon - 12:15 am 12:15 pm- 12:45 pm 12:45 pm - 1 pm 1 pm -1:30pm Set-up Time Party Time Museum Display Visit Train Ride Party 4 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm 3:45pm -4 pm 4 pm-4:30 pm 4:30 pm-5 pm Set-upTime Party Time Museum Display Visit Train Ride Set-upTime Museum Display Visit Train Ride Party Time T? engineer your child's party at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, contact 424-8222, or mall request to ORM 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111-4417.
At/Aboard! June 2004 Greetings To All! Harry Currie ORM President The first day of summer has come and gone. As usual, it means the dafs daylight will be less and less until December. I sure enjoy these long, nice summer evenings to be able to work on my home beautification projects. By the way, Joan and I moved back into our house in January from the May tornado. Looking at my calendar, we are down to just a little over 90 days before 'Day Out with Thomas' will be here; or 14 Saturdays (our work days) away. Now that is getting down to the short rows. And we still have a lot of rolling stock, track and grounds improvements to do at the Museum. But I am pleased to report that a lot of projects have been completed or are in progress to where it may be possible all could be ready by October 1st, the Lord willing and the creek doesn't rise too high. With Bob Cook keeping everyone's energy focused on having everything ready, we should be successful. But, like all projects, it takes a lot of planning, hard labor and unselfish cooperation to reach our goal. There have been many hours of hard work on the combine rail car and with many more to go by Bob Corsant, Bob Cook, Charles Price and others that drop by. Steve Davis and company are concluding getting the commuter car ready- it is really looking good. Drake Rice and others are working on our newly acquired UP Caboose. Bob Hussey, Walley Davis and company are hauling more ballast and working on our track. Bob Linn is working on our office building. In addition, Gary Githens, Charles Price, Lawrence Kelly and Howdy Borrows are doing landscaping and keeping our lawn and right-of-ways mowed. Guy Lynn, Jim Murray, Larry Dodd and Greg Hall are working on our rolling stock brakes and air. Neal Baucon is getting our train crews ready. Pam Bell and Chuck Shinn are keeping our displays in order and the list could go on and on. There are several folks that stop by for a couple of hours when they can and that is appreciated. Trying to build a museum, operate a museum and build a railroad and keep a railroad running is a large undertaking by any measure, especially on a shoe string (very limited) budget is not easy. It takes a lot of effort by many to make it all work. June has been very busy at the Museum with the membership picnic on Saturday the 5th and train day on Saturday the 19th during the rain. Our turnout was down some, but we had 170 plus riders. Along with being hard pressed to get projects done for the Thomas event, it is exciting times. Have a Great Month! Harry Currie Railroad Trivia (Answers on page 7.) (1) What does the slang word "rat sometimes refer to? ------------------------ (2) What is considered the world's largest locomotive ever built in the Northern Hemisphere? ----------- (3) Where is the locomotive "General" displayed? --------------------------
Board meeting held June 24 The ORM Board of Directors met for their regular monthly business meeting on June 24 at the Oakwood Depot. Board took action on various items, including authorizing repairs on the brake valves for the passenger equipment and the F-9. In addition, Bob Cook gave an update on the 'Day Out With Thomas' activities that are moving in the high gear. The Board also took action in accordance with the by-laws to set the membership dues for 2005 at $30.00 for regular members and $25.00 for Senior and students 18 years and younger. With the membership, members will receive a 1 0 percent discount at the Museum's Depot Store and two passes for the regular Museum train during the year. 'Thomas The Tank Engine' is coming to OHM by Robert Cook, Past President, Coordinator of ;4 Day Out WI"th Thomas' 'Thomas The Tank Engine' is coming to the Oklahoma Railway Museum for a 'Day Out With Thomas' event October 1 through October 3 and October 8 through 10,2004. day, for the days of the event. Also we will need help with security. The merchandise tent will go up three days before the event and Thomas will arrive two days before the event, and the merchandise tent will come down two days after the event. We will have to have 24-hour a- day security during this time. The Museum had a request to host a World War II re-enactment event in late April or May. The Board agreed to host such an event and recommended that the Special Events Committee headed by Pam Bell handle the request. The Board authorized the expenditure of $3,650.00 for marketing activities as presented by Pam Bell. This will help market the Museum for the 2005 calendar year. The Board also is considering additional operation dates for the 2005 season. The next Board meeting is set for Tuesday, July 27 at 7 pm at the Oakwood Depot. 'A Day Out With Thomas' event not only gives people a ride with Thomas, but also other entertainment activities like Thomas storytelling and videos, live entertainment, and other fun activities for the kids to do. There will also be a large tent full of Thomas merchandise for sale. To put this on will take a lot of volunteer help, more than 75 per If you can help with any of this contact Bob Cook. His home phone is 943-8055, cell phone is 326-8879, or e-mail him at bcookorm@cox.net. See sign-up form to volunteer on next page. The July Thomas meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 18 at 2 pm at ORM. Volunteers at the Museum lay track (top) and refurbish a locomotive (botrom) during a work session at the end of May. Pam Bell Photos Rail Happenings Territorial Train Day- The next Territorial Train Day at the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City is scheduled for Saturday, July 17. : Trains leave the Oakwood Depot on the hour beginning at 10 am through 4 pm. The train ride fees are: 3 years old and younger- free, 4-14 years : old - $5.00 and 15 years old and older - $8.00. Docent led tours will be : given of the historical railcars and locomotives. If you are interested : in being a docent at the Museum, contact Pam Bell or Chuck Shinn. Order An ORM Shirt- The Official ORM Shirt is available in sizes of Medium to X-X-Large! The cost is $30 per shirt and they can be ordered : by contacting Larry Dodd. For those who attend the 'Run Days,' we ask : that you have a shirt in order to Identify you as a member, so the public : will know who to seek out with questions. Get Yours Today!!!! Mail Bag- Marlow Barnes from Columbia, Maryland writes, "Glad to hear things are coming along at the Museum. I've been hearing sad : news about the museums in Wichita Falls and Tulsa. I can't wait to visit : one again when I come out in September. Keep up the good work!!"
ORM Membership Picnic- June 5 - Members go through the serving line to pick-up hot dogs, chips, watermelon and cookies (top left). After going through the line, members and their guests enjoy their meal (top right). The train leaves the Oakwood Depot before the picnic (bottom left). Mary Davis, 1vife of ORM Member Steve Davis, opens gilts that she received as part of a surprise baby shower (bottom middle). Larry UnnerstaU, Superintendent of Business Car Dining, (far right) takes a well deserved break!tom cooking the hot dogs for everyone at the picnic (bottom right). Railroad boasts of aiding state One of the state's largest railroads said on May 24 its economic development efforts in Oklahoma had contributed to 165 jobs during the last year. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Co. said several companies expanded or located in the state with its help. The projects had a total economic effect of more than $140 million. The company helped with a rail spur to the Quad/ Graphics printing plant in Oklahoma City. 2004 National Railway Historical Society National Convention June 29- July 4, 2004 Minneapolis Saint Paul, Minnesota Host.ed by Northstar Chapter Convention Web Site: www.northstar2004.org Ralls To The Northstar Yes, I am Interested In helping with 'Thomas The Tank Engine' event. Name Address ------------------------------------------------------------------- City------------- State Zip Code ------------- Phone No. ( I understand that there are four-hour shifts. The times and duties of each shift will be determined later. I am Interested in volunteering on the following dates and times (check dates, circle times): Thursday, September 30 morning noontime afternoon Friday, October 1 morning noontime afternoon Saturday, October 2 morning noontime afternoon Sunday, October 3 morning noontime afternoon Thursday, October 7 morning noontime afternoon Friday, October 8 morning noontime afternoon Saturday, October 9 morning noontime afternoon Sunday, October 10 morning noontime afternoon Please detach this form and mail it to: Bob Cook, ORM,.3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73111-4417. Sen.HoUingsproposesraUsecuri(ybUI A rail security bill, Rail Transportation Security Act (S. 2216), introduced by Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC) on March 12 proposes $1.2 billion for rail security/ safety programs. On April 8, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved S. 2273, which incorporates the provisions of S. 2216 along with a number of other measures that have been raised since the Committee held a hearing on rail security on March 23. Sen. Hollings worked with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to craft the legislation.
ORM Depot Store - Featured Item of the Month The Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (ORM) has other items available for both children and adults at the Depot Store. These include baseball caps, polo shirts, t-shirts, lapel pins, and coasters. Funds raised by donations for these items support the Museum project. The Depot Store, located inside the Oakwood Depot on the Museum grounds, is open during regular Museum hours- 10 am to 4 pm on the third Saturday of each month from April through October. This year on October 1-2-3 and 9-10-11 ORM will be hosting 'A Day Out With Thomas' and special items related to Thomas will be available for sale. Pam Bell Photo Now is the time to become an OHM Member For those interested in becoming members of the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., f'" Central Oklahoma Chapter of the NRHS, memberships are available at the following rates: Regular Membership- $25.00 per year, Senior Member (Retired)- $20.00 per year, and Student Member (Full-Time Student)- $20.00 per year. National Railway Historical Society dues are $20.00 per year (Wives are an additional $3.00). (Student memberships are $10 each.) For information on membership, contact the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: $25.00 per year- Membership to the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. $20.00 per year- Senior (age 65 "plus") and Student (full-time student) Membership in Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. $20.00 per year- To add Railway Historical Society (NRHS) Membership (add $3.00 for spouse) (Student Memberships: $10 per year) Send your application and dues to: Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73U1 Name ------------------------------------------------------------------ Address --------------------------------------------------------------- ORM License Plate Ride in style and announce the Museum with an ORM logo front license plate. Use it on trucks, commercial vehicles and cars, or better yet, put it on your wife's car! Available at the ORM Depot Store. $10.00 each.... : Answers to Railroad Trivia 1. A freight train 2. UP "Big Boy" 4-8-8-4 3. Big Shanty Museum in Kennesaw, Georgia Crosstie Donations Friends and families of ORM continue to make donations for crossties, equipment and facilities on the Museum property and on the leased track. If you want to make a donation to purchase a crosstie, a donation of $25 will help purchase a new crosstie. You can donate a crosstie in recognition or in memory of someone. All donations should be made out to the Oklahoma Railway Museum Ltd. Please note on the check what the donation is for, and mail it to: ORM Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111. City ------------------------------------------------------------------- Phone ------------------- Fax -----------E-Mail --------------- Type of Membership: 0 Membership 0 toorm TOTAL ENCLOSED ----------------- Senior or Student Membership D Add NRHS Membership
7, - -.-".. '' - --- ;the Dispatcher ' ' '... _.._.._._,.1_...,,"-"' 4. - -,...,., ""' -._..,...,.._,.,iol>.l.. a'"o""',.._,..,...,,..._...-..... _,,_._...,....t:- TIMETABLE Any changes to the following information or articles for "the Dispatcher, should be directed to the Editor, Bruce Ackerman, 1408 NW 183rd Terrace, Edmond, Oklahoma 73003-4066, (e-mail: backerman@ompa.com). For information on upcoming programs, contact Larry Dodd, (e-mail: Larrv.Dodd@bnsf.com). ORM telephone number: 405/424-8222. Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) - Saturday, July 10- Terry LaFrance, Railroad slide presentation, ORM, Oklahoma City - 6 pm ORM Board Meetlnp- Tuesdays, July 27 and August 31-7 pm - ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City Upcoming ORM Meeting - Saturday, August 7 - Speaker and program to be announced- ORM, Oklahoma City - 6 pm ORM Operations, Territorial Train Day- Saturday, July 17- Train rides 11 am- 4 pm every hour- ORM, Oklahoma City Thomas & Friends Meeting - Sunday, July 18- ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City - 2 pm Oklahoma "N" Rail -For information, call Mary Hanson, 405/478-2302 Oklahoma Passenger Rail Association- -Rail Consumer Advocate Organization. Meets bimonthly. For information, write or call Roger Carter, 1120 South 21st Street, Chickasha, Oklahoma 73018, 405/224-7 423 Passenger Rail Oklahoma -A grassroots advocacy organization. Meets every Saturday and Sunday morning an hour prior to the arrival of the Heartland Flyer in Norman. The depot opens at 7:50am. Contact Evan Stair at sfrr@aol.com, www.passengerrailok.org, 405/366-8957, or 517 Claremont, Norman, OK 73069-5020. Depot volunteer opportunities are available. Oklahoma S.W. Division NMRA- 2nd Saturday each month, 1 pm, Goldman Room, Kirkpatrick Center, Jim Heidon, President Yukon's Best Railroad Museum - Thursday/Saturday/Sunday and by appointment. Located 1 block north of Main and UP tracks in Yukon. Gall John Knuppel, 405/354-5079, for times and information. OUfOFTOWN Railroad Museum of Oklahoma- Tuesday thru Friday afternoons, Saturdays till 1 pm, Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm, HO, Nand Lionel layouts Meets 3rd Tuesday at 7 pm at Old Santa Fe Freight Depot, 702 North Washington, Enid Enid Model Railroaders (HO & N) - Wednesday 7 pm to 9 pm, 9 am to Noon, Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm, 702 North Washington, Enid 580/323-3051. Memberships are available at the following rates: Regular Membership is $25 per year, Senior member (Retired) is $20 per year, and Student Member (Full-Time Student) is $20 per year. National Railway Historical Society Dues are $20 per year (wives are an additional $3). (Student Membership: $10 per year) For information on membership, contact the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111-4417. The Dispatcher is the official monthly publication of the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Opinions expressed by individual writers are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Editor, Central Oklahoma Rail Club, or the National Railway Historical Society, Inc. However, the Editor reserves the right to reject any or all contributions or hold items for a future issue. Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111-4417 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1323 Oklahoma City, OK