Volume 44, Issue 10 October 2009 Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Oklahoma Railway Museum Ltd, Sold Sign Represents Must Take Big Step for ORM Story and Photograph by Gary Githens During the busiest day at One Day Out with Thomas approximately 620 cars had to be parked. Approximately 265 on the property north of 34th. St., 70 on property east of the main line and 285 along Grand Blvd. and Owanda Siding. Beginning last year the property to the north of the ORM was no longer available for parking. If for any reason the property to the east was not available, adequate parking would not be available for the ORM to conduct it s major fund raising event, Day Out with Thomas. To assure parking and space for future expansion the Board voted to purchase the 3 plus acres north of 34th street. Continued on page 2 BNSF Donation Another Milestone Toward ORM Goals Story and Photographs by Gary Githens Recently Bob Hussey and crew had the opportunity to assist BNSF crews with removal of crossing signals which were donated to the ORM. Inside This Issue Presidents column Pg 2 Big step for ORM Pg 2 Museum update Pg 3 RS-3 Specialist Pg 4 Pelco Products Pg 4 BNSF Signal Donation Pg 5 2010 Board Election Pg 5 Motor Car Run Pg 6 Orderform for engraved brick Pg 7 Membership form Pg 7 BNSF s donation was a major step toward eliminating a bottle neck the ORM has to deal with. Plans are underway to install the signals at 36th Street. Continued on page 5 ORM s Young RS-3 Specialist Story by John Schumann Photograph by John Schumann Michael Schumann waiting for a start her up instruction. Continued on page 6
Page 2 Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. I just returned from signing the purchase documents for our acquisition of the three and a half acres to our North. We had been saving for several years to buy some adjoining property to increase the size of the museum. Although I believe we have been frugal with our funds, we still had to borrow $40,000 and pretty well depleted our reserve funds. It was a big step for our future and will give us expansion room for many years. Due to the cost of this acquisition, some of our present projects will be delayed until we can fund them. Thomas is almost here. Many members have volunteered but we can always use more. We are currently cleaning the grounds and setting up the tents and other things for a successful time. If all goes well, we will pay off our loan and have a small reserve to carry us through the end of the year. Must Take Big Step for ORM Continued from page 1 Photograph by Charles Price September 15, 2009, ORM President Stan Hall signs property purchase documents Stan Hall With ORM ownership about 350 cars can be parked on the property. Planning will begin soon to determine the best utilization of the property. An evaluation will be made of the existing structures condition and possible use. An effort will be made to have 34th street vacated. Final planning will determine a location for the 100 foot turntable, roundhouse and additional display tracks. Board of Directors Stan Hall, President Jim Pasby, Vice President and Program Chair Drake Rice, Secretary Charles Price, Treasurer John Ansell, NRHS Director Bob Cossairt, Director of Museum Grounds & Facilities Bob Hussey, Director of Track Maintenance Jim Murray, Director of Mechanical Operations Harry Currie, Director at Large Greg Hall, Director of Museum Activities Kenneth Kozak, Director of Museum Displays Ed Birch Jr., Train Show Chair Gary Moore, Membership Chair Gary Githens, Dispatcher Editor Ed Birch Sr., Director Emeritis Articles and/or photos are due by the 15th of each month. Email to Editor at: ormnews@cox.net Surf the Web... The ORM Website address oklahomarailwaymuseum.org ORM telephone number: 405/424 8222 ORM FAX number 405/424-0504 October Train Operation Date 17th
Page 3 Museum Update by Drake Rice By the time you read this, the DOWT Event for 2009 will be half over if not totally over. This event is one of the major fund raising activities of our museum. The others being OKC Train Show, and the Christmas Train. As a result, it takes a lot of volunteer work to make it happen. A lot of volunteers have been cutting grass, setting up tents, inventorying merchandise, driving fence post, trimming trees, working on passenger cars, checking the engines, moving things around to make room for the event, etc. and on and on it goes. Events like the DOWT don t just happen over night it requires the support of many. Again this year, we appreciate the help from the members of the local Modeler Clubs, student at CHA High School, LOCO and ORM. Each plays an important part in making the event be a wonderful experience for the many children that will visit the museum along with their parent and grand parents. For all who are helping, we appreciate your efforts. With the purchase of the land on the north side of 34th Street, the museum parking concerns have eased. Now we hope it does not rain and cause issues for those who will be visiting our museum. The additional 3 acres will provide future expansion for the museum. Engine 814 will get the call for the DOWT trains and engine 2034 will stand by for back up power, with the 301 on display. Our passenger car fleet is ready to roll with cars 113 and 115, the Rock Island Combine, the ORM caboose, UP Flat (Open Car) the CN 7732 (Blue car) and the 1492, Diner. Seating capacity will be 360 per train. In other areas, ORM continues to work with the city public works on the drainage issues caused by the Katy Trail. Bob Hussey will be working with the city and engineer on work to re-work the problems areas. At the August Board meeting the board authorized the expenditure of funds to make repairs to the 16th Street Crossing. The work will be a partner ship between the museum and city. Work is currently scheduled to start on October 5th, the Monday after DOWT. The street will be closed for a week. This winter, work will get underway to install the signals on NE 36th Street and there is some drainage work to address between NE 36th Street and the Adventure Station at NE 50th. The museum also has some rail and tie work that needs to be done on the last 1800 feet of track going to NE 10th and M.L. King. As always, we hope to see you at DOWT. Also, don t forget to mark your calendars for the OKC Train Show at the State Fair Grounds on December 5th and 6th. 2009 Oklahoma City Train Show 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2009 Travel & Transportation Building Oklahoma State Fairgrounds If you can volunteer to help at the train show contact: Robert Cook: 705-943-8055 e-mail Bcookorm@cox.net Recently install chain link safety fence north side of 23rd street bridge.
Page 4 ORM s Young RS-3 Specialist doing it, but is still talking about how awesome it was to get so dirty. Michael stands on the Chickasaw Nation waiting for instructions As background, we live in Tulsa, so between the time and expense required to make a trip to ORM, we are not out there nearly as often as I would like. I ve been a member of ORM since 2006. Very few at ORM know who we are, since we come irregularly, and are always in the engine shop. I Photograph by John Schumann was originally recruited to help with restoration of RS3 #2, since I worked on Alco s in the past. My son Michael first came to help in 2008, when he was only 6. He spent 2 of the trips in the locomotive s crankcase, helping scoop out sludge. He also cleaned the oil filter housing. He destroyed two sets of clothes This year, Michael has been working as our semi-official Mechanic s Helper. He runs tools and parts for Terry Birchett and me; has repaired fuel and water lines with us, and greased the fuel rack control rods all by himself. Michael is not even a rail fan, per se. He is more of a gear-head, who likes big machines. Working of locomotives fits that bill, and gives him some measure of bragging rights with the other neighborhood kids-except that none of them believe that a kid their age could be doing this kind of work. Pelco Products Provides Finishing Touch for Adventure Station with Decorative Light Fixture Donation Story and Photographs by Gary Githens A big thank you to Phil Parduhn and Pelco Products of Edmond Oklahoma who recently provided the finishing touch for Adventure Station. The company donated three (2 shown below) fantastic light fixtures. Pelco Products, Inc. is an Edmond, Oklahoma based, family-owned business specializing in the design and manufacture of traffic signal hardware, utility products and decorative outdoor lighting. Celebrating 25 years of success in 2009, Pelco Products, Inc. has become a world leader in their industry by providing high quality, custom designed products and outstanding customer service. Pelco Products, Inc. is the largest traffic signal hardware manufacturer in the nation, selling products in all 50 states and multiple international markets.
Page 5 Heavy traffic volume, vehicle speeds and poor visibility are reasons additional portable signage and two flaggers are used on the west side of BNSF Donation Another Milestone Toward ORM Goals the 36th street crossing. Plans were to have the foundations in place before DOWT. Because of the purchase of must have property the expense of the crossing installation has been delayed. Continued from page 1 Crossing equipment should be in place prior to next train operation season. Thanks to John Dougherty at ODOT for his assistance with this project. Board Positions Open for Nominations President Current position holder: Stan Hall Treasurer Current position holder: Charles Price Director of Museum Grounds & Facilities Current position holder: Bob Cossairt Director at Large Current position holder: Harry Currie Director of Museum Activities Current position holder: Greg Hall 2010 Board of Director Elections The Oklahoma Railway Museum by-laws require elections for the positions listed at left in 2010. The position term is for 2 years. Nominees Qualifications ORM member for 6 months prior to Nov. 19th, 2009 Nominations must be received on or before 14 November 2009. Nominees will be published in the December and January issues of. Elections will be during the annual membership meeting January 9, 2010 beginning at 5:30 P.M. at the Hometown Buffet. More information next month. Send nominations to: Gary Moore, Membership Chairman Mail: 1112 Providence Ct. Edmond, OK 73003-6155 e-mail: gkrim@swbell.net
Page 6 ORM Sponsored Motorcar Run Photographs by Bob Cossairt Stop at Lone Wolf The ORM sponsored a motorcar run on August 22nd and 23rd. The first day s run was from Clinton to Okeene and return. The second day s run was on historic Kansas City, Mexico and Orient track from Sentinel to Altus and return. Thanks to Farmrail for hosting this event. Special thank you to Mr. G.W. Holderhouse for escorting the tour. Learn more about motorcars at: www.narcoa.org Charles Price and Alisha Lynn visit during a stretch stop. View looking toward the cut at base of King Mountain The cut at base of King Mountain Bridge across North Fork of the Red River
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 October. The store is also open for special events. Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 2010 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 Railway Historical Society (NRHS) Membership (add $5.00 for spouse) (Student Memberships: $16 per year) $500.00 - Lifetime Membership Send your application and dues to: Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 Name Address City Phone Fax Cell Phone E Mail 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 Nominations for Board of Director positions are due by November 14th, 2009. Refer page 5 of this issue. 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. 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 2009 Oklahoma City Train Show Dec 5th & 6th NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1323 Oklahoma City, OK December 19th RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Page 8 TIMETABLE Any changes to the following information or articles for, should be directed to the Editor, Gary Githens, (e mail: ORMnews@cox.net). For information on upcoming programs, contact Jim Pasby, email: jimpasby@att.net). Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) Open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 A:M: until 5:00 P:M. except on major holidays ORM Train Rides - First and third Saturdays April through October at 10:00 A.M, 11:00 A.M. Noon, 1:30 P.M. and 2:30 P.M. ORM Board Meetings Last Thursday each month at ORM, Oklahoma City 7 pm. Oklahoma N Rail For information, call Rick Inselman, 405/412 1552. 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 7:50 am. 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. OUT OF TOWN 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 Station/Waynoka Historical Society 202 South Cleveland, Waynoka Call Sandie Olson, 580/824 1886. Curtis Hill Rendezvous - May 15-17, 2009 Major Oklahoma rail fan event. Contact Duane Koss at dak507@plateautel.net Website: curtishill.com