Cook to discuss Thomas event at August 7 meeting Bob Cook, ORM Past President, will discuss plans for the "Day Out With Thomas" event at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) meeting on Saturday, August 7. Since it is likely to be HOT, HOT, Hot, we have moved the meeting to Johnnies at #33 West 33rd Street in Edmond. We will meet at 6 pm for dinner and fellowship and Bob will start his presentation at 7 pm. The "Day Out With Thomas" is coming to the Museum on October 1-2-3 and 8-9-10. As the coordinator of this event, Bob will discuss the various activities that have been scheduled for Thomas. "Day Out With Thomas" is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their grownups the unique opportunity to ride with storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine rm 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. Larry D. Dodd Vice President and Program Chair Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. P.S. The ORM Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday, August 31 at 7 pm at the Oakwood Depot. Inside this issue: Museum Update 2 let Your Child Have A Fun Filled 3 Event At The Oklahoma Railroad Museum! President's Column 4 'Thomas The Tank Engine' 5 ORM Surf The Web: The ORM Web site address is: oklahomarailwaymuseum.org. Telephone number is 405/424 8222. (Left to Right) ORM members Chuck Shinn, Membership Chair; Steve Davis; Guy Lynn; and Jim Pasby synchronize their watches for the next departure of the Territorial Train during the Operations Day on July 17. Mike Morgan Photo arm Professional Afliliate Member of Association of Railway Museums "Advancing Railway Hen'tage"
'~s always, volunteers are welcome to enjoy the activities of making tbe Museum a showplace and point of interest for displaying Oklahoma railroads and railways llisto1j!." The Territorial Train leaves the Oakwood Depot during the Operations Day held July 17. Mike Morgan Photo Museum Update... by Drake Rice, ORM secretary During the last month, work has continued at a good pace at the Museum. The platform is now finished and was in full use at the Saturday, July 17 Operations Day. The Frisco Car has been painted Pullman Green on one side and the second side is being prepared. The roof on the Rock Island Combine railcar has been painted and all windows are now installed and have handles on them. The ceiling work on the car is finished, and the floor concrete has arrived and will be poured before August 1. In the UP Caboose, the seats have been cleaned and,----------,...--,---.--,...--------, one is out for repair. The paint for the interior of the caboose is ready to be applied. The windows should be back by the end of July and will be installed. The caboose should be ready by then to enter the operational group of cars by the end ~=~ of August. The mechanical department has been busy. New pads have been installed on the diner, brake valves have been taken off and being sent in, brake system is back together on the GN Chair car and pads are being replaced. The blue car brake system has been checked, retainers, bleed off valves replaced, and the F-9 brake valve is being sent in for service. The brake valve is back for the Rl Combine railcar and the blue car and will be reinstalled. Once installed, the Rl Combine car will have a check on the journal pads with new oil added and the car will be tested for the mechanical work. Guy Lynn and friends have got the springs and leafs back in place on the one truck that had some things out-of-pocket, thanks to the guidance of former Rl employees, who were car knockers. The loading dock platform is 2/3's finished and should be completed by September. In addition, a load of ties has arrived and will be installed along the track. Bob Hussey Construction will be finishing up the track work during August, which will include tampering and regulating the track so it will be in good shape for the "Day Out With Thomas" event in October. Charles Price and the mowing brigade will be going full speed in trying to get caught up on the mowing along the right-ofway. Gary Githens and friends are keeping the grounds mowed and with the help of Howdy, our official de-weeder, for flower beds and walks. Inside the depot, things are being hung and new window shades have been ordered. The ORM Depot Store has been very active every Saturday as visitors drop by to visit and enjoy railroad equipment and displays. As always, volunteers are welcome to enjoy the activities of making the Museum a showplace and point of interest for displaying Oklahoma railroads and railways history. Membership changesfor2005 At the June ORM Board of Directors meeting, Board members reviewed the dues structure in accordance with the By-Laws and adopted the following changes for 2005. Regular membership will be $30.00 and Seniors (age 65+) and Students (up to 18 years of age) will be $25.00. With membership dues, members receive a 10 percent discount on items purchased at the ORM Depot Store and two passes on regular Museum trains during the operations season from April to October. Operations set for 2005 Season The ORM Board of Directors established the 2005 operations season to be April through October with Territorial Train Days on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. Trains will operate beginning at 10:00 am and last train at 2:00 pm. In addition, there will special events at the Museum during the year with the Territorial Christmas Express n December and a special event in either April or May, a World War II re-enactment. The ORM Special Events Committee also will be working on some additional activities during the year. In addition, the Birthday Parties will continue to be scheduled on Operation Days at the Museum. The Museum is always looking for members to assist in the planning and working with these projects. For additional information, contact Pam Be ll or Chuck Shinn at ORM.
Boy Scouts offers railroading merit badge by Gary D. Githens Many ORM members have been involved with the Boy Scouts of America. Several have expressed interest in assisting scouts with acquiring the railroading merit badge. Scouts visited the Museum this past spring from the Tulsa area. Guy Linn, Neal Baucom and myself answered questions and offered explanations to assist the scouts with completing their requirements for the railroading merit badge. Oklahoma Passenger Rail Fund Running low Oklahoma's passenger rail fund is stored in a state DOT reserve called the Oklahoma Tourism and Passenger Rail Revolving fund. Passenger Rail Oklahoma (PRO) has learned approximately how much money will have been available for the Heartland Flyer service between 1999 and mid-2005 when the fund is expected to run dry. The state has already expended $33 million. PRO estimates that ODOT will have had available $34.8 million dollars, excluding Amtrak rebates for overcharging during the Amtrak CEO George Warrington era. This rebate information is unavailable and is why the train will still be in service in 2005. Here are some additional details: $23 million from Federal Tax Rebate secured by U.S. Senator Don Nickles. $8 million from 1993 HB 1078 (state House Bill allocating a small percentage of overall gasoline tax collections). $3.8 million from Ticket Revenues/Cafe Car Revenues FY 1999 to FY 2001 (first contract). State expenditures for the service total approximately $33 million. Simply put, the Heartland Flyer is in deep trouble. -"The Flyer," Passenger Rail Oklahoma newsletter, July 2004 With the "Day Out With Thomas" event nearing, strong efforts to promote ORM to scouting have been minimal. I did pass out information sheets to scout leaders at a Last Frontier Council event this spring. I have discussed having a scouting day at the ORM next year with Last Frontier Council officials. Based on attendance at Redhawk's baseball overnighters and special days at Frontier City, we could anticipate 900 to 4,000 tickets being sold. The ticket prices would most likely be discounted for this special event, but the exposure could be beneficial to ORM. There would be many parents attending with various skills that might want to join with us. Benefits of being involved with scouting can be reciprocal. Search and Rescue Explorer Post 181 has voted to provide first aid services for "Day Out With Thomas." Post 181 is sponsored by the Baptist Medical Center. Additionally, a law enforcement explorer post sponsored by the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Department has agreed to be present to assist with parking and crowd control. I would like to create a display of each of the major model railroad scales for display at the Museum and for use in the railroading merit badge program. My thought is a boxcar of each scale setting on one section of track. Anyone willing to donate a piece of equipment and track for this purpose or with suggestions, please contact me by email at flagman@cox.net, 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 l':::=:::::~::::::;;.j/ 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 10 am -10:15 am 10:15 am- 10:45 am 10:45 am- 11 am 11 am - 11:30 pm Party 2 Noon- 12:15 am 12:15 pm- 12:45 pm 12:45 pm - 1 pm 1 pm-1:30 pm Set-upTime Party Time Museum Display Visit Train Ride Set-up Time Party Time Museum Display Visit Train Ride Party3 2 pm-2:15 pm 2:15 pm- 2:45 pm 2:45 pm-3 pm 3 pm-3:30 pm Party 4 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm 3:45 pm-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 To 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.
A/I Aboard! July 2004 Greetings To All! N ~~ ORM President " o summer slump or slow down around the Oklahoma Railway Museum this summer. Everyone and everything is focused on having the Museum grounds prepared, rolling stock shinning and rolling, and our railroad track smooth and ready for our "Day Out. With Thomas," the first two weekends in October Uust 60 days away). I think with our work efforts and the Lords' grace it will happen. It would be a big plus if you could come by and help with yard work, clean and paint equipment or visit with our visitors that come by on Saturdays and show them around. Just drop by Saturday morning or better yet call and advise us that you're coming so that we can have supplies ready for your use. My home phone number is 771-4584; if I am not there, leave a message. Last March I had a great experience. Joan and I went with my daughter Tracy and son-in-law Kevin and our grandchildren Heather, Krista, Caleb and Cassady and visited Disney World in Orlando, Florida- the premier of family entertainment, masters of landscaping and detail facilities to perfection. They have 4 7 square miles of grounds they keep up and 55,000 employees to do it with; and they operate the park and they do it right with very few exceptions. If you have not been there, you owe it to yourself to go and take some youngsters with you, for there is entertainment for all ages. They have four major theme parks and it takes most of a day to scan just one. There's a need for a revisit the next day. The first Florida theme park, Magic Kingdom, was opened about 1971. Walt Disney himself was a real train buff, for he had built 1/8th gauge railroad at his California home in the 1950's with a real custom built steam engine on the head end, to provide entertainment for his kids and visitors at his home. When Walt Disney was a teenager about 1915 growing up around Kansas City, Missouri, he hung around train depots a lot. He and his brother became train vendors. This was before trains had diners. The vendors would buy snacks in town and resell them to the passengers on the train going to the next town. He wasn't too successful at this adventure for the difference between the buying price and the selling price was real slim. He was too charitable and usually had given away too much merchandise to a needy soul, but he loved the trains. Being that did not work out too well, he tried his hand at what he loved and did best and that was drawing cartoon characters. He kept doing this, barely making ends meet. In the early 1930's he moved to California because his brother Roy had moved there as a banker. Walt started a cartoon drawing studio for the movie industries, drawing cartoon characters. Business wise he was doing pretty good; but he had joined with a greedy business partner. On a trip to New York City, he found that he had not copyrighted any of his cartoon characters. His partner stole them from him, along with all his staff; due to a contract the partner had them sign. They were unaware that he was leaving Walt Disney out. What a huge disappointment this was to Mr. Disney. Walt had to start over from scratch with new characters and ideas. On his way back to California from New York City, he came up with drawing a mouse character and his wife named it Mickey Mouse. All Walt Disney's good fortune started with a mouse. So it can be said that the Mickey Mouse whom we have all enjoyed through the years was born on a train. This is another example that all through life you've got to keep a positive attitude, regardless of how bleak things may look. Things were now going real well for Walt. He was again coming back from New York to California on the train. He decided to build an amusement park- a life long ambition. He wanted to make it with entertainment for all ages, little kids to grandpa and grandma. So when he got back to California, he planned it all and bought land and built Disney Land. To his regret, he soon found he had not bought enough land for it was land locked with no room for expansion. In the 1960s, he started planning for the construction of a larger theme park and this one was going to be built in Florida. So Disney World was created because of his love for Main Street Midwest USA. It had to have a railroad and due to his previous experience with trains, it had to be a real one to haul passengers. Due to the space he bought, he was able to build a narrow gauge railroad that went all the way around the theme park and he named the park Magic Kingdom. On entering the park, the first thing you see is the train depot and train. The reason for this is due to Walt Disney's growing up years. When you came into a new town in the Midwest, the first thing and the most important building would be the train depot. It is real interesting to review the history of cities and towns of the USA and how the railroad was such an influence on the location, the layout of streets and the longevity of the cities and towns. Have a Great Month! Harry Currie
BSNF donates two railcars to help complete historical display "BNSFToday," June 13,2004 Two railcars- a boxcar and a flatbed -were donated by BNSF to the City of Keller, Texas, and recently put into place as part of a static display. The city is refurbishing the new additions, which will join Keller's 1954 locomotive already on display. "The flatbed will be used as a bandstand or display." says Woody Mitchell, Keller economic development director. "There already is electrical and water service around the engine. It would be easy to run a wire over to the flatbed. Ultimately, the boxcar itself could be used as a display, because it can be locked up." BNSF periodically donates outof-service train cars to BNSF-served communities, says Joe Faust, regional director, Public Affairs, Fort Worth. Typically, such donations are used as meeting places and chamber of commerce offices, or in historical preservation areas honoring a community's historical interests. "We like to donate them to museums or municipalities for these types of purposes," says Faust. "The idea is that we can preserve some of this heritage, and it does have a good use in these cities." Traditionally, railroads have played a critical part in communities, spurring population, growth and commerce. In many towns, railroads are still a primary employer. Having a vintage railroad engine or freight cars on display helps preserve some of that heritage, says Faust. Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania celebrates 150th anniversary Dan Cupper- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Here's a quick summary of the Independence Day Horseshoe Curve 150th anniversary celebration: The HSC light train was drawn, fore and aft, by freshly painted Norfolk Southern GE Dash 9's, 9822 and 9828, each with HSC commemorative 150th anniversary magnetic logos affixed to the sides of their noses. The train consisted of 10 brandnew, never-used-in-revenue-service DTTX three-pack container well cars, spliced by a commemorative boxcar bearing the logos of all four owners of HSC - PRR, PC, CR. and NS. The well cars held generators, strobe lights, detail lights, and spotlights, the latter of which were synchronized and choreographed for the light show with multiple spotlights placed at parking-lot level and in the trackside park. The downpour was predicted and most of the approximately 3,000 patrons were well prepared with ponchos, rain hats, umbrellas, etc. The Vice-President did appear at the Altoona Curve minor-league baseball game in the evening, but the rain was relentless (the game against the Harrisburg Senators was called after eight innings) and his appearance at the HSC 150th event was canceled. (Secret Service agents had been checking out Altoona and HSC for six weeks). As dusk arrived, the westbound Amtrak 41 (Three Rivers) was about the last, if not the last. regular train to pass through the Curve before rail traffic was stopped for the festivities. NS Chairman David Goode and guests arrived aboard the NS business train on No. 1 track and disembarked, after which the business train moved out of sight.... Rail Happenings... Territorial Train Day- The next Territorial Train Day at the Oklahoma : Railway Museum in Oklahoma City is scheduled for Saturday, August 21. 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. It was powered by two new SD70Ms. The rain cleared about a halfhour before the light show began. The light train was held just out of range until the program began, when the train moved westward on No. 2 track at about 5 mph to the accompaniment of live i.iusic. The train stopped with the boxcar at the apex of the Curve. The engines and boxcar had their own individual side lighting, and the nose of the 9822 was also illuminated with lamps that changed brilliant colors. The light show, which lit up the mountainsides in all directions, continued for several minutes until a 30-minute fireworks show began. At the conclusion of the fireworks, the NS business train returned to gather its passengers, and the light train began to return down the mountain to Altoona. ORM Train Ride Report for July 17, 2004 TRIP 11am 12 pm 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm TOTAL Order An ORM Shirt- The Official ORM Shirt is available in sizes Ride Donations : of Medium to X-X-Large! The cost is $30 per shirt and they can be ordered Donations : by contacting Larry Dodd. For those who attend the 'Run Days,' we ask Merchandise that you have a shirt in order to Identify you as a member, so the public Soda : will know who to seek out with questions. Get Yours Today!! 1! TOTAL. FREE 11 4 3 2 2 _1._ 23 YOUTH ADULT 20 76 15 37 8 26 9 23 14 32 _5...13._ 71 207 TOTAL 107 56 37 34 48 _19 291 $2,077.00 15.00 368.01 47.00 $2,507.01 --------------------------------------------
Volunteers needed to help with "Day Out with Thomas" by Robert Cook, Past President, Coordinator of :4 Day Out IVI'th 17wmas' "Thomas the Tank Engine" will be here at the Oklahoma Railway Museum October 1 through October 3 and October 8 through October 10 for a "Day Out With Thomas" event. There will be train rides with Thomas, storytelling and videos, Thomas train play sets, along with Thomas coloring sheets, and rubber stamps and arts and crafts for the children to do. There also will be a hay bale maze and an inflatable moonwalk. Live entertainment also will be part of this event. In addition, there will be a large merchandise tent selling all kinds of Thomas merchandise. We need all Museum members to help with this event, so please let Bob Cook know what days and times you can help or fill out the form below and mail it to him. His phone number is 943-8055 and his e-mail is bcookorm@cox.net. The next "Day Out With Thomas" planning meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 8 at 2 pm at the Museum. Yes, I am Interested In helping with 'Thomas The Tank Engine' event. Name Address ------------------------------------- City------- State Zip Code -------Phone No. ( 1 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): [JJ Thursday, September 30 morning noontime afternoon Sir Topham Hat! Thomas and Friends rm 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. Since "Thomas the Tank Engine" left the depot more than 50 years ago, this Really Useful Engine and his Island of Soder friends have chugged their way into the hearts of preschoolers and grownups worldwide. Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared with his son, "Thomas & Friends" rm is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching the life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation. Through "Day Out with Thomas," parents, grandparents and siblings will join preschoolers on this journey. The experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to railroading. Passengers board the Territorial Train at the Oakwood Depot during the Operations Day held on July 17. Mike Morgan Photo
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 ORM Member For those interested in becoming members of the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., ~~~~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 73111 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 Crosstie Donations Friends and families of ORM continue to make dom~t i ons 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: D Membership toorm D TOTAL ENCLOSED --------- Senior or Student Membership D Add NRHS Membership
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: Larry.Dodd@bnsf.com). ORM telephone number: 405/ 424-8222. Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) - Saturday, August 7- Bob Cook, ORM Past President, "Day Out With Thomas" event- Johnnies, #33 West 33rd Street, Edmond - 6 pm ORM Board Meetings- Tuesdays, July 27 and August 31-7 pm- ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City Upcoming ORM Meeting- Saturday, September 11-Speaker and program to be announced - ORM, Oklahoma City- 6 pm ORM Operations, Territorial Train Day-Saturday, August 21- Train rides 11 am- 4 pm every hour- ORM, Oklahoma City Thomas & Friends Meeting - Sunday, August 8 - 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, 405/224-7423 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. Call John Knuppel, 405/354-5079, for times and information. OUTOFTOWN Railroad Museum of Oklahoma - Tuesday thru Friday afternoons, Saturdays till 1 pm, Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm, HO, N and 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. Memberahl.- 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 inform ation on membership, contact the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73UJ..--4<U.7. 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. Any articles in the Dispatcher may be reprinted in other newsletters, providing credit is given to the Dispatcher. 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