Hall to discuss OKC elevation at September 4 ORM meeting

Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Hall to discuss OKC elevation at September 4 ORM meeting ORM member Stan Hall will give a presentation about the Oklahoma City elevation at 7 pm during the regular monthly membership meeting at the Museum. The Oklahoma City elevation refers to the elevated area between the Oklahoma River and 6th Street in downtown Oklahoma City. Stan has the real history on this area and I think it will be an interesting program. We also will be talking about Day Out with Thomas 2007 - The Aboard Tour event that will be held September 28, 29 and 30 and October 6, 7 and 8. This event has averaged 16,000 passengers on 60 trains over the six-day stay. It has been a fun event and we need volunteers to sign up now for any or all of the six operational days. Truman Hefner is handling the car attendant scheduling again this year. If you are able to assist, contact Truman at 942-0777 or by e-mail at vjtdhef@sbcglobal.net. For others that will be avai!able to help, please contact Drake Rice at 478-3225 or by e-mail at drake.rice@cox.net. Orientation will be held for all Day Out with Thomas volunteers on Saturday, September 15 at 10 am; Thursday, September 20 at 7 pm and Saturday, September 22 at 10 am. Volunteers need to attend one session, Set up for the Thomas event will be on the weekends in September and as always, help is needed. During the last week of September, help will be needed on a daily basis as we make final preparations for Thomas. Inside this issue: Museum Update 2 Let Your Child Have 3 A Fun Filled Event At The Oklahoma Railway Museum! President's Column 4 Order Engraved Platform 7 Bricks 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, August 28 at 7 pm. (Far Left) Left to Right: ORM chefs Steve Davis, Jim Pasby and Larry Dodd serve hot dogs with all the condiments during the June 9 Annual Membership Picnic. Gary D. Githens Photo Surf The Web... The ORM Web site address Is: L o-k-la_h_o_m_a-ra_ll_w-ay_m_u_~ Telephone number Is 405/424-8222. um_._o_rg_. ~ lc:j The mission oform is to provide the opportunity for people to receive an education about rail transp ortation in the p ast and in the future, while providing the experience of preservation and restoration of rail artifacts and equipment..:.! 1. m Professional Aff.tliate Member of Association of Railway Museums!, "Advancing R ailway Heritage"

Museum Update... by Drake Rice, ORM secretary The Museum grounds are changing with the construction of the new maintenance shop. Work on the building continues with the foundation work and floor work already completed and the track installation scheduled for Thursday and Friday, August 23 and 24. The steel building is scheduled for erection beginning on Monday, August 27. So by the time you read this article, the building maybe up. Street before work can begin on the Adventure District Station. With the Thomas event, we will not start any work till after October 7. By then it is bel ieved the land issue will be resolved. We are also working to obtain appropriate signals for NE 36th Street that will allow operations north of the Museum. Currently, it takes a three member crew to flag that crossing. the cars, mowing grass at the Museum and along the rightsof -way and with all the rain, we need to do more tree limb removal. So if you can provide any assistance, please let Jim Murray know at 478-1176. This will allow year 'round work on equipment to proceed at the Museum and eliminate the weather delays and the time lost getting work equipment out and putting it up at the end of the day. The building will be a secure facility and will greatly enhance the restoration work at our Museum. We are awaiting the city and the land owner to finalize the land donation at NE 50th After September 1 operations day, the volunteers will turn their attention to the DOWT event, turning the Museum grounds into the Thomas event The new building will greatly enhance that activity. As always, we need volunteers not only for that event, but for all activities at the Museum. Work on the RS3 needs help, cleaning the Museum grounds, cleaning Oklahoma Railway Museum members take a moment to enjoy the train ride on August 11. Pictured left to right are Charles Price, Jim Pasby, George Brownlee and Drake Rice. Eric Berger Photo Day Out With Thomas 2008? If you have interest in being the Museum coordinator for the Thomas event in 2008, contact Harry Currie or Drake Rice. The Museum will be able to host the event in 2008, but we will need someone or a couple of people to head this active. If you have interest, now would be a good time to observe and participate. Harry can be reached at 427-5473 or Drake at 478-3225..................................................................................... : Museum trains run on first and third Saturdays The Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) offers excursion trains on the first and third Saturdays of each month for the general public : from 10 am until 2:30 pm. Trains leave the historic Oakwood Depot at 10 am, 11 am, Noon, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm. The Museum itself is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm and there is no admission charge to tour the grounds. : However, trains run only on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Because of preparations for the Thomas event, the trains will not be running on September 15.. Train rides are free for children under the age of 3, $5 for children 4 years to 12 years, and $8 for those 13 years and older. : In addition to the train ride, various railroad equipment, including motor cars, locomotives and passenger cars, are on display. : A display car contains permanent exhibits of railroad memorabilia. ORM is located in Oklahoma City at 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, just west of 1-35 and south of NE 36th Street. The phone number is 405/ 424-8222 or visit the Museum Website: www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org. The Museum is a not-for-profit 501 c organization. All donations are appreciated and are tax deductible......

The Birthday Party Package is available to the public the third Saturday ofthe month at the ORM Museum. The cost of the package, which includes 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 * 1 Guided tour through the Display Car * And, 1/ 2 hour ride on the Museum train for all birthday guests The 2007 Train Ride Party Schedule for the first and third Saturdays of the month at the Museum is as follows: Jim Murray, ORM's Director of Mechanical Operations, Is also the Museum's foremost authority on hot dog eating techniques. Gary D. Githens Photo Party 1 Party 3 9:00am- 9:15 am Set-upTime 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm Set-up Time 9:15am - 9:45am Party Time 1:00pm- 1:30pm Party Time 9:45am - 10:00 am Tour Display Car 1:30pm - 2:00pm Train Ride 10:00 am - 10:30 am Train Ride 2:00pm- 2:15pm Clean Up Time/ 10:30 am - 10:45 am Clean Up Time Tour Display Car Party 2 Party4 10:45 am - 11:00 am Set-up Time/ 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm Set-up Time/ Tour Display Car Tour Display Car 11:00 am - 11:30 am Train Ride 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Train Ride 11:30 am - Noon Party Time 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Party Time Noon - 12:15 pm Clean Up Time 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm Clean Up Time To engineer your child's party at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, call 405/424-8222, or mail your request to ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111-4417. Rail Happenings Oklahoma Centennial Sooner Rocket Schedule with the UP 844 Oklahoma Centennial Train - The Oklahoma Centennial Sooner Rocket with the Union Pacific Railroad's historic steam locomotive, No. 844, will be running September 3-24 from Cheyenne-North Platte-Marysville-Herington Wichita-Enid-EI Reno-Chickasha-Lone Star and return via the reverse route, again with the stopovers planned in current and past UP employee sites. The territory south of Herington is new to UP steam and hasn't seen a steam locomotive since 1949. See schedule on right. No. 844, also know as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," returned to service in 2005 after one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls in the U.S. since the 1950s. The work began in 2000 and affected its running gear, pumps. piping, valves and springs, along with replacement of its firebox and extensive boiler work. The cab interior also was refurbished. No. 844 was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad and was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger. When diesel-electric locomotives took over all passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service. No. 844 has run hundreds of thousands of miles for UP's Heritage program. SeptemberS September9 September 10 September 11 September 12 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 16 September 17 September 18 September 19 Wichita Wichita - Enid Enid Enid - El Reno EIReno El Reno - Duncan Duncan Duncan - Waurika Waurika - lonestar/ TXI-Waurika Waurika -Duncan Duncan - El Reno El Reno - Wichita Layover and Display 8am - 5pm 6 pm Depart Wichita Layover and Display 8am - 5pm 8 am Depart Enid Layover and Display 8am-5pm 5 pm Depart El Reno Layover and Display 8am-5pm 5 pm Depart Duncan 8 am Depart Waurika 5 pm Depart Duncan 5 pm Depart El Reno

ORM members take passenger train trip from Clinton to Okeene The Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) operated a special train from Clinton to Okeene on August 11. Farm rail provided the train for this special event. ORM appreciates Rodney Roof and Farm rail for their assistance in making this train trip a memorable experience for all. The train left Clinton from the Farmrail Shop area in the morning and stopped in Okeene for lunch. After lunch, passengers took the train back to Clinton and arrived in the late afternoon. (Far Left) End of the line: Passengers disembark at Farmrall's headquarters In Clinton on August 11. Several of their locomotives and a massive grain elevator can be seen In the background. (rop Left) St/11 wearing the black paint and white hood numbers that reveal Its Illinois Central origins Is Farmrall 8335, a former GP9 rebuilt to GPlO specifications at Illinois Central's Paducah shops. In the background, a former VIA coach stl111n Its Canadian livery awaits rebuilding. All of the coaches used on Farmrall got their start hauling passengers on VIA, Canada's version of Amtrak. (rop Right) Riders got to see a variety of Farmrall cars and equipment during the trip, Including the 3648, one of the few EMD GP9s not rebuilt to GPlO specifications. (Bottom Left) Oldahoma Railway Museum volunteers (Left to Right) Phillip Ford, John Ansell, Bob Cossairt, Jim Pasby, Charles Price, Drake Rice, Nancy Hall, and Steve Davis pose outside the train with Farmrall Director of Business Development Rodney Roof and engineer Brian Poisson. (Bottom Right) Farmra/1 gave passengers a taste of luxury travel by creating a parlor lounge section In the rear portion of one of the former VIA rail coach cars. Eric Berger Photos The President's Column byhanyeume, ormprestdent It seems just like yesterday that I wrote this article for the last Dispatcher because things are so busy at the Museum. Time is really flying by. As you can see by the picture, work on the new shop building is really happening and it's happening fast. By the time you receive this newsletter, the building will be up, but not finished. Our contractors have been very generous by coming to do their part when we needed them. That has really helped, especially since we need to have the building for the Day Out with Thomas event. Also with all the projects and the increase in prices of materials, we will need additional funds to cover the cost. We appreciate the donations and donors who have already given and we ask all members to help with this effort. The money raised on the Clinton-Okeene trip on August 11 is going toward the new shop building, which will also help. Our goal is to complete the building with no debt. Help us meet that goal. Be sure and come out and see the work that has been done. Concrete footing placement for the train shed started on August 14 at about 12:30 pm. Gaty D. Githens Photo Our train operations have been busy this summer with good attendance and our Depot Store continues to grow in sales and what is available. I also appreciate all of you, the members, who give of your time making our Museum a great family place. In addition, don't forget that Thomas is coming and sign-up to help and buy some tickets for your kids and/or grand kids. Have A Great Month!

ORM Annual Membership Picnic held June 9 Photos and article by Gary D. Githens June 9 was not only the annual membership picnic and train ride, but also was a milestone event day for ORM. The goal of so many Museum members of reaching 50th Street was accomplished. Than ks go to the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, Lee Allen Smith and the major donors for making this dream a reality. Also, thanks to the Bob Hussey Construction Company that did the grading and track work and the many ORM member volunteers. Children enjoy their picnic lunch on the Oakwood Oklahoma City Union Station to be destroyed Oklahoma City Union Station, opened in 1931, was built to move surface rail lines and two separate rail company depots out of downtown Oklahoma City. Rail traffic was so dense at the time that it was reportedly hard to get a fire truck across downtown. Grade separating the rail lines and streets was the critical issue for Oklahoma City business and downtown growth. The Rock Island and Frisco railroad companies consolidated their station operations at the new Union Station. The depot closed to the public in 1967 following the discontinuance of the last Frisco passengertrain serving Oklahoma City. In the 1980's the station was purchased by the city of Oklahoma City to become a multimodal transportation center. Plans changed, and the station physical plant is scheduled to be destroyed as a part of the 4.5-mile Interstate 40 relocation. Interstate 40, known locally as the Crosstown Expressway, currently runs on an elevated bridge through downtown Oklahoma City. A 12-track, six-block-long passenger rail yard existed until circa 2000 when a scrapper removed all but two main track rail routes, currently operated by the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads, from the property. The right of way and former passenger rail handling facilities are scheduled to be removed and replaced by the relocation of Interstate 40. See related article on page 6.

On track? Slow progress makes some doubt light rail's future by Ja'Rena Lunsford Business Writer, The Oklahoman August 18, 2007, page 18, 2007 The Olclahoma Publishing Co. Plans for a possible light rail system in Oklahoma City were packaged with the feel of forward progress when the Fixed Guideway Transit Study was revealed at a chamber meeting in December. But nearly 12 months later, the plans seem to have derailed. The unveiling of the 12-month study at a Greater Oklahoma City Chamber meeting spurred talk of funding optionssuch as a sales tax increase or city bonds- giving the perception that improving the mass transit system was a priority for city officials. But with very little public discussion on the matter, some wonder if Oklahoma City is giving up on the race for rail. "This is not the work of people who want a decent transit system; this is the work of people who would want to put it off," Tom Elmore said of city leaders. Elmore is the executive director of the North American Transportation Institute, an Oklahoma nonprofit organization. Elmore said the decision to remove most of the rail at Oklahoma City's Union Stationthe relocation of Interstate 40 will cause the removal of the tracks - is an example of how city and state leaders are allowing Oklahoma City to fall behind its peers when it comes to utilizing the rails. Roy Williams said improving the metro transit system is not a lost goal for leaders. "This is still a high priority with us, " said Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. "We are continuing down that path. We are continuing to have meetings with surrounding cities that would be part of the system." Williams said light rail is not the only option leaders are examining. Bus rapid transit, a street bus with its own right-ofway, is also an option under consideration. "It's up to the public, what they want to see," Williams said The decision is also up to the funds, which are necessary for either option. According to the Fixed Guideway Transit Study, a modern street car system would require $3.2 million in operating costs and $83.2 million in capital. A bus rapid transit system requires $35.7 million in operating costs and $40.2 million in capital, the study said. Other options considered Doug Rex, transportation planning director for the Association of Central Oklahoma Government, said a light rail system didn't seem viable for the Oklahoma City area, according to the Fixed Guideway Study. "It is simply the cost," Rex said. "The cost for light rail facilities have gone up exponentially." Many cities, such as Little Rock, Arkansas - which has a smaller population than Oklahoma City - have used federal funds to help build their light rail systems. Elmore said he believes if anything, city leaders will try to push for a bus rapid transit system. He said that particular system is no different than what the city currently has. "It's just a bus, he said. Rex said although bus rapid transit systems are gaining momentum in the industry, Oklahoma City has a lot of options. He said using a combination of bus rapid transit along with commuter rails is not out of the question. "There are a lot of things out there, and we're exploring all of them," Rex said." Williams said though a decision on how to fund an improved mass transit system has not been determined, a new system is still possible for Oklahoma City in the near future Slow progress In December, Tom Shelton, a senior tra nsportation planner for Carter & Burgess in Dallas, said Oklahoma City - with supporters and funding- could have a rapid transit system running downtown by 2013. Is that still possible? "I think it's possible if phenomenal momentum happens very quickly, Williams said. "A lot has to fall in line for that to happen." Michael Cope is hoping those things fall in line soon. Cope, now a Midwest City resident, lived in the Denver area for 10 years, using its light rail system almost daily. "I rode the light rail to work five days a week and used it at least once on the weekends, Cope said. Although Cope said he would love to see a light rail system in the metro area, he's not surprised it's taking so long to make that happen. "In this part of the country, it's just darn near impossible to get anyone out of their cars," he said. Cope said once people get out of their cars and into a light rail, they will enjoy its ease and convenience. Like Elmore, Cope said, the city should use its existing tracks to improve passenger transportation. "There's so much common sense involved," he said. Cope said he would be willing to accept a tax increase for a light rail system, and he doesn't think he's the only person with that mindset "I think the majority of people would be willing to pay a little more in taxes to eliminate the heavy traffic and pollution," Cope said. Williams said the next step in the transit process is getting the word out about the city's options in both funding and systems. Cope said he hopes city leaders are able to put a plan in motion sooner rather than later. "The longer you put it off, it's just going to get more expensive," he said.

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 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 first and third Saturdays of each month April through October. The store is also open for special events. 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 To avoid confusion, please complete the form in Capital Letters Purchaser's Name: ------------------ Phone Number: ( Text Une1 Une2 Une3 Une4 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 - $30.00 per year, Senior Member (Retired)- $25.00 per year, and Student Member (Full-Time Student) - $25.00 per year. National Railway Historical Society dues are $22.00 per year (Spouses are an additional $4.00). (Student memberships are $11 each.) For information on membership, contact the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111. 2007 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 $22.00 per year- To add Railway Historical Society (NRHS) Membership (add $4.00 for spouse) (Student Memberships: $11 per year) Send your application and dues to: Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 7311.1 Name Address City Phone ----------- Fax ---------E-Mail --------- Type of Membership: D Membership D Senior or Student Add NRHS toorm Membership 0 Membership TOTAL ENCLOSED ----------------. : 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 jmurray@cox.net.... 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, and mail it to: ORM ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111.

Any changes to the following information or articles for "the Dispatcher," should be directed to the Editor, Bruce Ackerman, (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) - Tuesday, September 4 - Stan Hall presentation on "Oklahoma City Elevation" - 7 pm, ORM ORM - Open Saturdays 9 am - 4 pm; Train Operations 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, ORM, Oklahoma City ORM Soard Meetings- Tuesdays, August 28 and September 25 at ORM, Oakwood Depot, Oklahoma City- 7 pm Upcoming ORM Meeting - Date and Program To Be Announced, ORM, Oklahoma City - 7 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. Call John Knuppel, 405/ 354-5079, for times and information. OUTOFTOWN Railroad Museum of Oklahoma - Tuesday thru Friday afternoons 1 pm to 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am to-1. pm, Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm, or by appointment, HO, N and Lionel layouts, Meets 3rd Tuesday at 7 pm at Old Santa Fe Freight Depot, 702 North Washington, Enid Waynoka StatlonjWaynoka Historical Society - 202 South Cleveland, Waynoka Call Sandie Olson, 580/ 824-1886. Enid Model Railroaders (HO & N) - Wednesday 7 pm to 9 pm, Saturday 9 am to Noon, Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm, 702 North Washington, Enid 580/ 233-3051. Memben~hlps are available at the following rates: Regular Membership is $30 per year, Senior Member (Retired) is $25 per year, and Student Member (Full-Time Student) is $25 per year. National Railway Historical Society Dues are $22 per year (spouses are an additional $4). (Student Membership: $11 per year) For information on membership, contact the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 731.1.1-4417. 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. Any articles in the Dispatcher may b-3 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 ' I. ~-- 1 ~\ r_ I