Volume 46, Issue 6 June 2011 Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Oklahoma Railway Museum Ltd, NARCOA Affiliate Member Oklahoma City installs new fence at 16th street by Gary Githens ORM Bricktown display at the Red Dirt Emporium by Gary Githens Gary Githens ORM s Bob Hussey (l) and Rick Chapman with the City of Oklahoma City Parks & Grounds department discuss when Bob will remove the old pole gates and multiple gate locks. This spring the original post and cable fence at 16th Street was replaced with a new double rail steel fence. A City of Oklahoma City Parks & Grounds department crew built and installed the new fence and gates. Sam Mills The new fence is installed considerably furthur from the curbs then the previous pole and cable fence. Over the years the cable fence has been damaged numerous times. Moving the fence will also make mowing operations much eaiser. Thanks to Mr. Gary Roberts and the Parks & Grounds department crew for a job well done. Your Oklahoma Railway Museum now has a presense in Bricktown, Oklahoma City s entertainment district. This is possible because Steve Lackmeyer, president of Retro Metro Oklahoma City invited us to share some space in the Red Dirt Emporium with them. continued on page 4
Page 2 Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. Stan Hall It is mid-may and time to look forward to June. Run days have started and the trains seem to be running well. Chuck has had several birthday parties during the past month and has four scheduled for next Saturday. His work has helped fill the trains and the bank account. Do not forget the members picnic June 11. We may have guests from the Railway Depot Convention that is being held in Oklahoma City. Come on out and bring your family. Larry Dodd has a changed menu this year. We are having barbeque and a desert. A train ride for the family will also run as usual. Work continues on the Mistletoe II. Take a look at its progress when you are at the museum. Harry Currie has also finished installing a canopy over the museum entrance. It adds a nice touch to our grounds. We held a planning meeting May15 and set goals for the next year and five years. I will be sharing the results of the session next month. As usual we could use your help. Docents are always welcome. If you need training we can provide that. Board of Directors Stan Hall, President Larry Dodd, Vice President and Program Chair Drake Rice, Secretary Charles Price, Treasurer John Ansell, NRHS Director Bob Cossairt, Director of Buildings & Static Displays Bob Hussey, Director of Track Maintenance Jim Murray, Director of Mechanical Operations Harry Currie, Director at Large Greg Hall, Director of Museum Activities Larry Loomis, Director of Museum Displays Ed Birch Jr., Train Show Chair Gary Moore, Membership Chair Gary Githens, Dispatcher Editor The Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. is a 501-[C] 3 organization. Donations are tax deductable. If a donation is made for a specifi ed project, every dollar of that donation goes toward that project. Farmrail speeder run ORM Dues Occasionally members pay their dues multiple times. If you discover you have done so you need to contact Gary Moore at gkrim@swbell.net. Unless notifi ed otherwise overpayments will be considered a donation. Drake Rice The ORM sponsored speeder trips on Farmrail recently. The Saturday trip was from Clinton to Elk City and return, a distance of 126 miles. The Sunday trip was from Clinton to Snyder and return, a distance of 72 miles. If you have not submitted your 2011 dues yet please do so to help support your Oklahoma Railway Museum. A big thanks to Farmrail for hosting the event.
Work continues to move forward at the museum and Train Rides are underway, Birthday Parties and repair work on going on many projects. The rail yard is seeing a lot of activity with the arrival of the SP Baggage Car 6029. And with repairs made to the UP Flat Open Car. Thanks to the efforts of Larry Dodd, Bob Hussey, Greg Hall and Guy Lynn to mention a few, the car has now been moved back into the museum weekend train. A Friday switch crew was called and saw the Flat Car go back to the train, the CORX 1 moved to the school yard siding with the Conoco Box Car, allowing the SP 6029 to go to the rip track for cleaning work to get underway. Also, the ORM 1492 (diner) and ORM 115 (coach) were moved to the rip track with the SP 6029 and the CNW 7721 was placed on the weekend passenger train with ORM 113 and the ORM X-21 (caboose). Out in front of the shop, Terry continues to work away at the car mover. We have a target date of May 20th to get it moving under its own power. Great job goes out to all who have been helping on this project. In the shop, work continues on the ORM 2 (RS3) and the GN Coach. The ORM 2 is nearing completion, the shop crew continues to fi nd little items to adjust and repair. The Crane donated by OGE is now with fl at ORM 5053 on Owanda siding. With this equipment and the fl at cars, ORM can now assemble a short work train. That would make an interesting photo shoot. Harry Currie has provided a nice cover to the walk entering the museum grounds. It will provide a little shade as well as a shelter from rain. In addition, he continues to lead the effort on work at the old horse barn we are now able to use for storage. With all the facilities we now have, it s almost a full time Museum Update by Drake Rice job maintaining the buildings and grounds. And speaking of buildings, a special thanks to Alma Cossairt, she has made curtains for the museum board meeting room in the house at 3500 NE Grand. Everyone kept saying we needed curtains, and she stepped up and took care of the need. Page 3 Track work continues north of N.E. 36th Street. Bob Hussey and company are tamping and lining the track for future runs to the north. The museum could sure use some help with getting our two sets of signals in, one especially for NE 36th Street and the other for NE 16th Street, which would help with safety at the two crossings. Also the museum could sure use a ballast car to help with our track maintenance. It would be great to fi nd an old Frisco 34-foot bottom dump car that hauled sand and gravel out of my home town of Sand Springs. If anyone has a lead on one, let us know. Last month I mentioned about the donation to the Oklahoma Community Foundation in behalf of the museum. We are still need additional donations to hit the $1000 mark by July 1. For those who have donated, thank you and we hope other will help the museum reach the $1000 mark by July 1 and the $5000 mark by December 31, since the Foundation will match the donations a dollar for dollar after we get the fi rst $1000. Help your museum continue to grow, like we have during the last 12 years ORM membeship picnic June 11th Bring the family for barbecue and dessert Free train ride for member families Check out the new rail crane Check out the new baggage car See all the improvements at your ORM Please continue support of your Oklahoma Railway Museum by renewing your membership
Page 4 Bricktown display Text on the Bricktown ORM diorama information plaque EARLY OKLAHOMA CITY M-K-T PASSENGER DEPOT Located South Of Reno Ave. In Future Bricktown This diorama depicts the early 20th Century Passenger Depot operated by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway (M-K-T) in what is now Bricktown. The depot was located just south of Reno Avenue and served the Oklahoma City area from June 1904 through the end of 1957, and was torn down in 1959. The two-story structure described as Richardson Romanesque, with rusticated buff colored Oklahoma limestone. The style was named after Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who became famous for his Romanesque building designs. The railroad operated for 118 years from 1870 to 1988 providing continuous service to the central and southwestern United States. It was originally charted in 1885 as the southern branch of the Union Pacifi c Railway. The name was changed in 1870 to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. Even though the railroad ran continuously from the northern to the southern Oklahoma border, the name Oklahoma was omitted because at that time it was still Indian Territory. In 1880 it was operated as the Kansas & Texas Division of the Missouri Texas Railroad, and shortened to KT, or better known name of "Katy." The backbone of the system was the main corridor from Kansas to Houston Texas. After the Union Pacifi c takeover in 1988, the basic KATY system remained intact, even though several extensive track segments were sold or abandoned. In 1931 it reported earnings for the passenger division only of $1,722,000, and owned approximately 82 locomotives and 1,000 various railroad cars. Bricktown Display continued from page 1 The space is provided by Mr. Chad Huntington, proprietor of the Red Dirt Emporium. Thanks Chad for your support and generosity. When in Bricktown stop by and visit the displays. The Red Dirt Emporium is located at 115 E. California in the Miller Jackson Building, canal level. The red Dirt Emporium is a great place to shop for unusual and reasonably priced gifts. The display case and model was built by ORM member Sam Mills. The depot is lighted. The background design is from a period picture and depicts what was actually across the street from the depot. There is also a button that when pushed train sounds are played. The display case has lockable storage for a supply of ORM brochures. Sam made a tremendously successful effort which is greatly appreciated by all that have been aware of his efforts. Sam Mills poses with the display after we set it in place. Mr. Huntington advised we can put a poster about the museum on the brick wall to Sam s right. Sam is now working on the18 x24 poster. Stan Hall provided the train and painted it with the MKT heralds and lettering.
Page 5 Bricktown display Welder Donation End view of the display which would be looking east at the original station. Trains were backed into the station. Art Gustafson poses with the heavy duty welder he donated to the Oklahoma Railway Museum. Thanks Art, especially from the maintenance department. New mower End view of the display which would be looking west at the orginal station. The power line module of the diorama is not in place above. The ORM had to purchase a new mower recently. Maintenance costs on the old mowers was making them cost prohibitive. We have approximately 5 acres that need to be fi nish mowed. Parking Attendants Needed for Womens Softball World Series Model was transported in a special container Sam Mills constructed. This view with the front removed shows the model which was still anchored in the transport container. The container will be stored at the ORM. Parking at Adventure District Station has been a good fund raiser for the ORM. This year we need volunteers on Friday June 3rd, Saturday June 4th and Sunday June 5th. If you can help contact Stan Hall at 830-5190 for shift and date coordination.
Page 6 City of Oklahoma City replaces fences at 16th street Oklahoma City Parks & Grounds department employee Rick Chapman removing one of the old posts. New fence and access gate south side of 16th Street. Notice the walk through adjacent to the gate post Thanks City of Oklahoma City Parks & Grounds Department Oklahoma City Parks & Grounds department employee Chris Neely removes the old cable fence. New fence on the north side of 16th Street. Access gates were added at this side of the street. Oklahoma City Parks & Grounds department employee Todd Davis drills holes for new steel fence post. New swinging gates across the track on north side of 16th Street.
Page 7 ORM Depot Store The Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (ORM) has 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 projects. The Depot Store, located inside the Oakwood Depot on the Museum grounds, is open during regular Museum hours 9 am to 4 pm on the first and third Saturday operation days of each month April through September. The store is also open for special events. Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 Order Form Engraved Platform Bricks Cost is $50.00 per brick. Up to a maximum of 4 lines with 16 letters and spaces per line Purchaser s Name Phone No. ( ) Become an ORM Member 2011 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: $30.00 per year Individual Membership in the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (spouse included) $25.00 per year Individual Senior (age 65 and up) (spouse included) and Individual Student (full time student) Membership in ORM $36.00 per year To add National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) Membership (add $5.00 for spouse) (Student Memberships: $16 per year) NRHS can change dues without notice SEND NRHS DUES TO ORM ADDRESS BELOW, NOT DIRECTLY TO NRHS $500.00 - Oklahoma Railway Museum Lifetime Membership Engraved Platform Bricks More than one platform brick can be donated to the Museum and you can make copies of the attached form. Mail completed forms with checks or money orders to: Jim Murray, ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111. If you have any questions, you can e mail Murray at: jtmurray@cox.net. Send your application and dues to: Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111-4417 Name Address City State Zip Phone Fax Cell Phone E Mail Please continue support of your Oklahoma Railway Museum by renewing your membership 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 $42.50 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, mail to: ORM Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, 73111
Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73111-4417 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1323 Oklahoma City, OK Volunteers needed for Softball World Series parking, page 5 Membership picnic June 11th RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Page 8 A tremendous opportunity to support your Oklahoma Railway Museum ORM is a member of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation which is an endowment fund to provide a sustainable source of income annually to support the museum in the future. The museum fund balance was $35,478.03 on December 31, 2010. We received $1350.00 interest income in 2010. Over the years the Foundation has had fund drive promotions to help the museum. This year they are again issuing a challenge to organizations in the Foundation that have less than $50,000 in the fund. Beginning April 1, they will match donations dollar for dollar up to a matching grant of $5,000.00. This means if members and others donate $5,000 to the ORM Fund, they will provide a $5,000 match and the museum increases its fund by $10,000.00. This is a wonderful opportunity for the museum The expectations are as follows; 1. Funds must be received between April 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Contributions may be in cash, marketable securities or other assets which may be converted to cash. 2. Contribution can come from individuals, foundations or corporations or from the organization itself. The annual distribution made in October is eligible to count toward the match if it is reinvested. 3. A minimum of $1000 must be raised before a match will be made. 4. Matches that are completed by June 30, 2011 will be matched by that date with the total being included in the year-end fund balances. Matches completed after June 30 will be matched in January 2012 following the Challenge deadline. This is a wonderful way to help the museum in the long term to sustain itself many years into the future. I hope you will give consideration and get to this important program. Remember, all donations are tax deductable. If you have any questions, please visit with Stan Hall 830-5190, Drake Rice 340-5047, Harry Currie 427-5473 or Bob Hussey 670-3235.