Jan - Feb 2005

The
SETOFF
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN
RAILCAR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION (NARCOA)
January/February 2005 Volume 19 - No. 1
Photo taken on the Indiana and Northeastern run, August 23, 2004, by Charlene Morvay
CONTENTS
President’s Message ......................................................... 2
Board of Directors Nominations ...................................... 3
Letters to the Editor .......................................................... 4
From the Director’s Desk ................................................. 5
Safety Comments ............................................................. 9
Rule Book Changes Proposed ......................................... 10
NARCOA Insurance Update ......................................... 10
Custom Built Update ..................................................... 11
Days Gone By ................................................................ 12
October Run To Cheese Country .................................... 13
Shortline Railroad Operators ......................................... 22
An Unscientific Look At Miles Run .............................. 24
Wilderness Tours Acadian Adventure ........................... 25
Want Ads ....................................................................... 29
Excursions ..................................................................... 33
NARCOA And The Jake Award ..................................... 35
Roster ............................................................................. 36
Page 2
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The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
Please submit materials President’s Message
for the March/April issue of
The
SETOFF
by February 15
as follows:
Classified Ads
Excursion Announcements
Letters to the Editor
All other materials
Photos
Charlene Morvay
17825 Route 8
Union City, PA 16438
setoff@velocity.net
Kathy and I hope you all had a Happy Holiday season.
As you know the NARCOA Annual Meeting was held in early December at
the Wyndham Hotel near Chicago’s’ O’Hare Airport. A couple of you have
asked why we use that location. Basically, the central location and volume of
air service into Chicago provides the least expensive location for our meeting.
We have moved the dates forward to September 23 and 24, 2005. We will meet
again at The Wyndham – O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. All NARCOA members
are invited to attend this meeting.
This issue of The SETOFF will not carry the minutes of the meeting. The Board
does have the minutes in its possession for review, but due to holiday obligations of the entire board we cannot complete all approvals in time to meet this
deadline.
We made a change in the way future runs are reported and included in The
SETOFF and NARCOA website. I wish to thank Bill Coulson for a fine job in
working as a middle man during the past two to three years. How to submit
runs and ads for The SETOFF and www.narcoa.org are available in this issue
and on the web site.
In this issue a request for comments on possible rule book changes is presented by Jim McKeel. None are earth shattering; the Area Directors will
appreciate your comments regarding these proposed changes. Thirty days
after delivery of The SETOFF, the Area Directors will vote on the possible
changes. If you participate in the feedback to your Area Director, we will have
a better rule book.
Our current rule book certification cards are due to expire on January 31,
2005. The expiration date has been extended to January 31, 2006.
Excursion Coordinators please be aware that it is your responsibility to verify that all operators on your runs have
a current rule book, certification card, and current NARCOA liability insurance. Operators must be prepared to
show their cards at set-on. Operators may not run without these items in their possession. Coordinators also must
be aware of any changes in operators during a run. The alternate operator must have their current rule book and
insurance card in their possession as well. Points were assigned to two Excursion Coordinators for failure to
follow this procedure.
The Board did decide at the December meeting that the mentoring program is to be implemented as a requirement
beginning June 1, 2005. While not all affiliates have completed their processing of the program, the board felt that
the hurdles are surmountable and we look forward to all affiliates actively accepting this standardized mentoring
procedure. A couple of Excursion Coordinators have expressed concern about having to mentor new operators on
their runs. The program does not require every run to be a mentoring run. It does require all operators to be rule
book certified, carry NARCOA liability insurance, and be mentored to operate after June 1, 2005. Affiliates do need
to make mentoring sessions available for new operators where runs are appropriate and safe for the mentoring
activity.
Hank Brown – Chairperson of Operations Committee is working on recommended Safety Inspection forms to be
published on the website and in The SETOFF. Again these are not mandatory, but are available to Excursion
Coordinators if their affiliate does not have a standard form. A form is being created for both motorcars and hyrails.
An updated version of the rule book has been released; this is Version 5.2. A sticker will be issued to you via The
SETOFF and the new version is available on the web site at http://narcoa.org/docs/rules/
RULEBOOK_VERSION_5.2.pd.
Please keep an eye out for news of insurance in both the liability and property
damage areas. Tom Norman is working closely with United Shortline to facilitate
2005 coverage. We know we have lost Lloyds of London as a re-insurer. While not
the end, it does show how difficult coverage is to secure for our hobby and short line
railroads. We are hoping to have new policy details in place to allow runs after
February 1, 2005. At this time we are insured through January 31, 2005.
Last, please take a moment to read Bob Knight’s column about “Winterizing your
Motorcar”. With today’s fuels, our cars need a little extra care so they run well and
continually through the year.
Best regards and safe running,
C. Patrick (Pat) Coleman, President
The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
Board Of Directors Nominations Open
For Even-Number Area
Nominations for Board of Directors for even-number areas are open until
March 30, 2005. Incumbents are automatically nominated unless they decline to run for another term.
Area 2 Joel Williams
Area 4 Tom Falicon
Area 6 Pat Rock
Area 8 Ken Annett
Area 10 Tom Norman
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Page 3
Submitting Materials
for Publication
Materials received by the 15th of February, April, June, August, October or
December will appear in the following
two–month issue, subject to editing for
space. Include email address or phone
number.
2
Submit hard copy, photos or .jpeg
images, clearly labeled as to subject and photographer.
3
4
Electronic submissions are preferred
for text.
To be nominated, one must:
Be a member in good standing with NARCOA.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be from the same area as the person nominating you.
To nominate a member for the Board, first contact that person and verify
that he/she will be willing to serve. Then send a letter informing me of the
nomination. Also at that time, the nominee should send a write-up of 100
to 150 words or less about him/herself to be put on the ballot.
Voting will take place as in the past with all ballots received by July 31,
2005, being counted. Results will be announced in the September/October
SETOFF.
Carl L. Anderson, NARCOA
1330 Rosedale Lane
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
email: CA636@aol.com
We cannot reprint copyrighted material without authorization. Include permission to reprint with all copyrighted
materials.
5
6
Originals are archived, not returned.
Letters to the Editor must be signed
and include email address or phone
number for authentication. “Name
withheld upon request” may be substituted when the letter is published.
All such letters will be printed as discussed in the NARCOA policy book.
The
SETOFF
Volume 19 Number 1
To order these inspection tools,
contact:
Hank Brown
622 Oak Street
Cottage Grove WI 53527
Tel: (608) 839-4939
email:
wildernesstours@charter.net
INSPECTION TOOLS
Wheel profiles are $6.00 plus $4.25 for shipping; wheel calipers are $10.00
plus $5.65 for shipping. You can purchase both for $20.00 (includes
shipping).
The wheel profile is necessary to determine whether the wheel is flat. Often
the wheel is very thin in the flange area and the profile will show that. It
will show any wear that the wheel has between the flange and the flat
section of the wheel.
The gauge is necessary to determine whether there is enough thickness in
the flange area to give a safe ride. NARCOA rules say that you must have
at least 1/8" in throughout the wheel to have a safe wheel. However, this
does not guarantee that you will not “hunt” on the rails if you have a wheel
that is flat or has no profile.
Hank Brown
Editor
Charlene Morvay
17825 Route 8
Union City, PA 16438
setoff@velocity.net
Publisher
Ernie Jeschke
4106 N. Adrian Hwy.
Adrian, MI 49221
ejeske@tc3net.com
NARCOA
Joel Williams
Membership Box 802
Lock Haven, PA 17745
joel.williams@
earthlink.net
The SETOFF is the official publication of the North American Railcar
Operators Association (NARCOA)
and is published bimonthly to promote safe operation of railroad
motorcars, and to encourage fellowship and exchange of information
among motorcar enthusiasts. Membership in NARCOA, which includes
a subscription to The SETOFF, is $24
per year and is available from Membership Secretary Joel Williams at
the above address.
Visit NARCOA’s Website at:
http://www.narcoa.org
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The SETOFF
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Letters To
The Editor
January/February 2005
Glad to see a letters section added to the Setoff!
Quite an opener for the column, but I think the topic escaped. That would be the
rights of the operators vs the rights of the meet coordinator, or the rights the MC
has to override the rule book. Like it or not, no individual has the right to degrade a group below the standards set within the rule book. When this happens, it says that the person overriding the rule book doesn’t believe that the
operators can perform within the guidelines that granted a license. That will
never set well with anyone. How is it that a meet coordinator is given such
power? I’ve said it before, a safe operator is a respected operator.
Jerry Van Loo
Do you have a comment, suggestion, or complaint? Here’s
the place to air it.
Send your input to:
setoff@velocity.net
Please put LETTERS in the
subject line.
NOTE: Any views expressed
or implied in this column are
not those of the editor.
REMINDER: When submitting
photos and articles electronically, please reduce the size
(from megabytes to kilobytes).
My old country phone lines
will not handle big files.
ALTERNATIVE: Burn a CD
and snail-mail it to:
Charlene Morvay
17825 Route 8
Union City, PA 16438
K
Does any other area have as many meets or car miles recorded? It would be
interesting to log the car miles in each of the eleven areas and compare the
number of incidents over the years. Area 2 had meets on 16% of the railroads
mentioned in the March/April SETOFF.
It is said that meet attendance is down, but I have no data. Observation says that
it is. Maybe that is because we run the same trackage year after year. It is not for
lack of trying because with six affiliates running meets in Area 2, there is competition for access and for new railroads. There are always a few non-NARCOA
meets, usually held on short notice on short segments of track. Prices remain as
they have been at below $1 per RT mile generally.
There has been discussion on what to do about attendance, with gas prices
being quoted as one significant reason. My own feeling is that features need to
be added to attract people back for the fifth or sixth time. Catered lunches, plenty
of bathroom facilities, museum tours, shop tours, and other things come to
mind. Some affiliates are very good at arranging group rates at good hotels and
providing good maps and directions. Perhaps better “customer relations” would
improve attendance. One affiliate provides unpaid volunteer ground-based
flaggers so that the motorcars never have to flag themselves.
To add new trackage, I spent at least six months negotiating with a major railroad this year. The good news is that they did not charge us anything for use of
the trackage and the set-on point was one of the best I have ever seen. The bad
news is that we had to pay ten or twelve of their employees for the day. In
addition they wanted to inspect all cars a month ahead of time to ensure their
equipment standards were met. I was never able to obtain any copy of the regulations though. Oddly enough, they never discussed the insurance at all. I had
provided them with full information on all aspects of NARCOA, a copy of The
SETOFF with the list of 126 railroads toured, our rulebook, and a video that I put
together.
The plans were dropped because it would cost as much as $400 per car for a one
day tour of less than 100 RT miles with no other features. It has not come to this
yet! However if twenty operators can commit to this next year, the negotiations
could be re-opened.
Another “new trackage” meet is planned for spring. It will be a non-NARCOA
meet but all safety standards will be imposed. Yet another two-day meet on new
trackage is planned but I am not the EC on it.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Ray
Area 2 Member
The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
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Page 5
From The Director’s Desk
Area 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT)
by Warren Riccitelli
Happy New Year! It’s the beginning of a new year and I have to look at the past year and reflect a little.
The most inspiring thing has to be the safety record that has continued here in the Northeast. We have
been accident free since I have been in office and for years prior to that. My congratulations to all for
being part of this accident-free group. I guess that the safety meetings have been a good sounding
board for instilling safety in everyone (or is it that no one wants to hear AL?).
Last year we added a few more railroads to our list. And this coming year looks to be an even better
one for new railroads and more rides. The only problem I have seen is that with adding more runs, our
head count average has dropped. Most of these runs have been run at a deficit. If you want more
excursions, please support and participate in the ones that we are scheduling.
Another great moment for me this year was the presentation by NERCA of the annual contribution of
$350 to the Jake Safety Award. This award is sponsored by the NARCOA affiliates for the presentation
of pins to the railroads awarded the Jake Award annually. NERCA as well as eight other affiliates
contribute annually to make this program a success.
Area 2 (DE, MD, NJ, PA)
by Joel Williams
The annual board meeting took place on December 3rd & 4th in Chicago. Various reports were given
including the 2004 affiliate report. Six new affiliates were approved.
Area 2 affiliates are: Appalachian rail excursions, Central Pennsylvania Excursions, Northern Central
Railcar Association, Volunteer Railroaders Association.
The membership report shows 1736 total members with Area 2 at 198 voting members.
One of the topics we discussed is the gas tank rule (Page 6, #11). Members are confused about the
wording so I proposed that we should change the wording to make it clear, or drop the mention of RED
painted gas tank altogether. The board voted not to make any changes but a great hub-bub went out on
the web that we changed the rule so gas tanks would now have to be painted red. No changes to the gas
tank rule were voted in. The red color remains a recommendation, but not a requirement.
We voted for a new rule about reverse movements because some operators are unfamiliar with the
danger of running backwards without clearance. Of course, this should only be done with the meet
coordinator’s permission. It was felt that this rule needs to be in the rulebook to educate operators.
Who should be permitted to operate a motorcar? We discovered this is in need of clarification. Only
certified insured operators should be at the controls even though a certified and insured person is
aboard. This is what we represent to our insurance company and so must be followed.
What about operator’s certifications that expire soon? The board decided that they would all be extended another year since the rules have not changed except for some minor wording.
Our insurance for 2005 is not yet nailed down. I used to say that this was the only insurance policy for
railroad motorcars in the world, but I can’t say that anymore since the operators, down under, in
Australia have insurance. But it’s still tough and Tom Norman is working hard to complete the deal.
Insurance information will be sent as soon as we can.
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The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
Area 3 (IN, MI, OH)
by Bruce Carpenter
I survived my first Board Of Director’s meeting in Chicago! Having never been deeply involved with NARCOA’s
governing body, I definitely have a new appreciation for what it’s all about! I’ve never been one to speak negatively
about NARCOA or the B.O.D.’s actions or policies. I’ve supported them in the past and will continue to support
them in the future. Now however, by seeing what it takes to implement such policies and rules, I know how difficult
a very simple issue can become to deal with! Fortunately, we have a very strong Board, made up of highly motivated, railroad oriented members who share common goals of supplying our members with safe, well organized
excursions, yet protect and govern our fragile hobby at the same time.
I know, many complain about the quantity of rules and policies NARCOA has adopted over the years. Thank
goodness a good set of policies and rules exist, as some precedent-setting decisions were made at this year’s
meeting. Without going into a whole lot of detail, for the first time a member engaged in criminal trespassing with
a Hy-Rail vehicle, was arrested, fined and received a five year suspension of all NARCOA privileges. Judiciary
points dealt out this year involved regular members as well as a Board member. Although not perfect, the actions
taken by the B.O.D. shows the integrity and fairness of the system currently in place. I think it;s important that the
general membership learn two things about this years meeting: 1. bootlegging will not be tolerated, and 2. all
members, including Board members, are treated equally!
Local News: The 2004 season is over and we’ve had some great motorcar excursions. We rode at least three new
railroads in three states. This is a testament to the commitment made by our excursion coordinators to keep digging
up new lines to operate on. I only wish I could say we had a safety record to match the great excursion schedule. We
had a couple of avoidable accidents that involved some minor injuries as well as an insurance claim. Although
unfortunate, a lesson can be learned from both incidents! Do not become complacent with your motorcar. Be alert
of your surroundings and track conditions at ALL times!
Ohio Valley Railcars sent all current OVR members an early Christmas gift this year in the form of a safety vest.
They had custom vests made with the OVR logo embroidered on the back, and mailed them out around Thanksgiving. If you are an OVR member and did not receive a vest, let me know!
Please plan to attend the Great Lakes Railcars annual meeting at the Hoosier Valley RR Museum in North Judson,
Indiana on Jan. 8, 2005. After the meeting, there is a tentative motorcar excursion in the works. For further information, please contact Gary Greenwood.
Although not in our area, the new Appalachian Rail Excursions affiliate has concluded their first season and
although not all excursions were sold out, they had a great, safe, first year! Great job guys and good luck!
Last I would like to thank Stan Conyer for the years of dedicated service he has provided to the NARCOA B.O.D..
Remember SAFETY should be your primary concern on and off the rails. See you all in 2005. Have a great New
Year’s holiday.
NARCOA is taking orders for a dry erase marker boards, custom
decorated for NARCOA. They feature full color photos of member’s
motorcars and come with a solid oak frame. They are great for the
shop, office or home. Would make a terrific gift for a host railroad or
that special motorcar person in your life!
We need a minimum of 50 to place an order. We already have about
10 requests, so we’re 20% of the way there. The company
manufacturing the boards, can custom design a special board for
your individual affiliate. Ohio Valley Railcars has already purchased
50 boards to hand out to railroads and railroad contacts.
Specifications: Made in the USA and can withstand any dry erase
marker on the market. They are magnetic and have an area to write
down upcoming excursions, as well as a large area to write general notes. Size: 18" x 24" solid oak frame, with
hanging hardware included. Price is $27.50 ($20.00 for board, $7.50 for shipping). Send check made out to NARCOA
for $27.50 to:
Bruce Carpenter, 10241 Co. Rd 25A, Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895, email: bnsf89@bright.net
The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
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Page 7
Area 4 (KY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)
by Tom Falicon
Happy New Year Area 4! I’d like to wish that all of you out there in Area 4 land have the best year
you’ve ever had in your life!!
At the time I am writing this letter, I have just returned from Chicago, home of the 2004 NARCOA
Board meeting. NARCOA Board members, committees and volunteers all came together to make this
one of the most productive meetings I’ve ever attended. Many important issues were discussed and
worked through during two full days of sessions. Stan Conyer and Jim McKeel, our two departing
directors, were thanked for their hard work and our two new directors, Mark Springer and Bruce
Carpenter, were welcomed and put right to work! Mark has already been doing a tremendous amount
of work for us as the Judiciary Committee chair and as a former NARCOA Director-At-Large. Bruce fit
right into our group and by mid-day it was as if he’d been there for years of meetings. As the meeting
drew to a close, each of us felt that we had done our part in laying the foundation for a very positive
upcoming motorcar season.
Once again, it’s time for the even numbered NARCOA areas to hold elections for their directors. As I’ve
said to you guys in the past, I really enjoy doing this job for you and I hope to continue doing it for many
years to come. I’ve always made a good effort to keep you updated with Area 4 news in each issue of
The SETOFF, and whenever I meet any of you at various motorcar excursions, I enjoy informing you of
the latest NARCOA news. If you guys feel that someone else could do the job better, then let’s get that
person nominated and voted into the job. But if you like the job that I do for you, please vote for me and
show your support. Even if I am not running against an opponent, show your support by casting your
vote for me. Let’s send Carl Anderson a record number of Area 4 votes for the 2005 election!
Area 5 (AL, GA, FL, MS)
by Bobby Moreman
We in Area 5 are very proud of another successful and safe year. We had numerous motorcar excursions
in Florida and Georgia throughout the year. Thanks to Jim Garner, Jimmy Garner, Keith Mackey,
Charlie Pultz, and Dave Ferro for taking the time and effort to continue running their highly successful
excursions. I also want to also thank Bill Stringfellow, Kenneth Huffines, Jim Hughes, Lola Hughes,
Kathy Pultz, Brenda Moreman, and Sophie for their invaluable help in making my excursions so successful.
While we had a injury free year, we did have some problems that have gone to the judicial committee
and they have been adjudicated to my satisfaction.
I just returned from our annual Board of Directors meeting in Chicago. It was the longest meeting that
I have yet attended and probably the most successful. Unfortunately when I returned home to Chamblee,
there already was misinformation about the decisions made at the BOD meeting. I just don’t have an
answer to that. I would recommend to that small group that think the BOD is meeting in secret sessions
and making decisions that are a detriment to our NARCOA group to take up a collection, have a member come to the BOD meeting in Chicago and tape record the meetings. Yes I know that will not work
because another group will appear to say the first group is a fraud or something. BEST THING to do –
at the next BOD meeting in September 2005 in Chicago, all members that can possibly attend, please
come and make your voice heard. We listen.
I look forward to another successful year in 2005 and wish all our members to be safe, healthy, and
wise. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
Area 10 (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY)
by Tom Norman
As Area 10 director, I thought I would highlight some accomplishments of the excursion coordinators
and NARCOA affiliates in Area 10. Area 10 consists of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska
and Wyoming. Our area has 135 NARCOA members of which 72 are insured operators. The insured
operators consist of 48 in Washington State, 33 in Oregon, 8 in Idaho, 5 in Montana, and 1 in Wyoming.
Roughly 10% of NARCOA insured operators live in Area 10.
NARCOA affiliates that have set up excursions in Area 10 include Motorcar Operators West, Pacific
Railcar Operators, Southwest Railcar Ltd, Nehalem Bay Railway Speeders, and Wilderness Tours LLC.
Excursions were held on at least 18 railroads in 2004, including Port of Tillamook Bay, Cascade &
Columbia River, Willamette & Pacific, Lake County Railroad, Portland & Western, Tacoma Rail, Pend
Oreille Valley Railroad, Central Montana Rail, City of Astoria, White Pass & Yukon, BG & CM Railroad,
Central Oregon & Pacific, Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Great Northwest Railroad, Rarus Railway, Saint
Maries River Railroad, Puget Sound & Pacific, and the Alaska Railroad. In addition, our affiliates also
had excursions in British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon, part of Area 8.
This is quite an accomplishment, as most excursions take place during the summer season. We all need
to thank the excursion coordinators and affiliates for their hard work in organizing, scheduling and
coordinating these great events!
Area 11 (AZ, CA, HI, NM, NV, UT)
by Pat Coleman
Are you ready for the upcoming runs this late Winter and Spring? When I first entered this hobby I was
strongly counseled to drain fuel and oil over the winter or to make sure I ran the engine once a week
during periods of inactivity. While not perfect in following this counsel I do the best I can and my
motorcars respond in kind. I hear that in the West, we have a number of different fuel blends for local
EPA considerations in reducing pollution. Some of these fuels are chemically detrimental to float bowls,
fuel lines and other carburetion parts. If you don’t have the facilities to drain fuel at least add fuel
stabilizers to your fuel tanks.
Assuming we have insurance by mid-February it appears that we already have runs in planning if not
confirmed stage for February and March. Thank you to all the Area 11 coordinators that work far ahead
to insure runs are available for you on a variety of railroads.
November 2004 saw the sad, but necessary selling off of Chuck Harrison motorcars, parts and equipment. Chuck and Marie have contributed much to our hobby. Cards and letters can be sent to:
Chuck and Marie Harrison
c/o Jeanie Karadanis
1125 S. Canton Lane
Reno, NV 89521
This SETOFF issue has several possible rulebook changes that I will appreciate your comments on.
Email is patcoleman@astound.net and phone is 925-979-1030, fax is 925-979-1609.
Best regards and safe running.
The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
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Page 9
SAFETY COMMENTS - WINTER SHOP TIME
by Bob Knight, Chairman, NARCOA Safety Committee
Now that the helter-skelter of the holidays have passed and the motorcar season is at a slow ebb, we
can now focus on “Shop Time” for our motorcar(s). I’m sure many have thought about a change or two
you want to accomplish over this winter season. I have heard many speak of electrical and engine work,
paint jobs, wheel changes and frame maintenance, just to mention a few. With your “shop time” how
about adding to your “To Do List” some safety related items? Here are some for consideration:
1. Paint the brake control arm handle red or some part of it red for quick recognition in an emergency.
2. If you do not have a rear view mirror, consider installing one.
3. Consider installing a rear gas tank guard.
4. Check brake shoes for wear – replace if needed
5. Check your wheels for wear – use Rule #7 listed under motorcar mechanical standards as a guide.
6. If your car has a turntable, inspect it for loose parts and make sure the audible alarm is in good
working order.
7. While checking the turntable, be sure you have the correct clearance above track rail heads (at least
2-1/2" minimum).
8. For your OWN SAFETY, remember to use proper ventilation when you use certain solvents, cleaners,
paints, etc. Read the label
Please understand that the above items are only suggestions and are meant to make you aware of safety
thoughts while in your shop or garage. If you have more ideas please e-mail, write, or call the safety
committee so we can share you thoughts and ideas with all our members.
Have a great, safe winter season.
P.S.:
The final numbers are in now . . . and you veterans mentored 76 new and returning members.
Way to go!!!
Speeder In The Garage
Page 10
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The SETOFF
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January/February 2005
Rulebook Changes Proposed
by Jim McKeel
Rules Committee Chair
The NARCOA Board of Directors discussed possible additions and changes to the current NARCOA
rulebook at the 2004 annual Membership/Board of Directors meeting and proposed that two items be
added to the rulebook. It has been proposed that a rule be added that addresses the operation of motorcars at NARCOA insured excursions by persons who do not have a current Certificate of Examination card and/or current NARCOA insurance. This had been addressed in the insurance information
paperwork in the past, but had not been included in the rulebook. The proposed rule would be added
to Section II of the rulebook as Rule #20 and would read as follows:
“20. OPERATOR CERTIFICATION / INSURANCE
“All persons operating a motorcar or hy-rail vehicle on any NARCOA insured excursion must have
successfully completed the NARCOA rulebook examination and obtained a NARCOA Certificate of
Examination, and must have current NARCOA liability insurance coverage through the NARCOA insurance program. All persons operating a motorcar or hy-rail vehicle on any NARCOA insured excursion must have a current Certificate of Examination card and a current NARCOA insurance card in his/
her possession. (Exception: persons designated by the railroad on which the excursion is being run who
are in the performance of their duties as railroad liaison/escort.)”
It has also been proposed that a restriction on reverse movements be included in the rulebook. This is
already in place in the Operations Handbook in Section 4.1, E, 12; but it was felt that this was significant
enough that it should be included in the rulebook as well. A reverse movement during an excursion that
is made without adequate precautions in an area where there are visual obstructions could result in an
unnecessary collision. There is really no change in operations with the addition of this rule, but it does
make it more visible by placing it in the rulebook. The proposed rule would be added to Section II of the
rulebook as Rule #21 and would read as follows:
“21. REVERSE MOVEMENTS
“Reverse movements are not permitted except as authorized by the Excursion Coordinator or his designee.”
Please forward any comments you might have on the addition of the two rules noted above to your
Area Director within 30 days of the date of mailing of this newsletter. The Board of Directors will then
take a final vote on the addition of these rules at the conclusion of the 30 day period allowed for your
comments.
Thank you for your consideration of the need for our continued safe operations and the need
for continuing to present that image as we enjoy our excursions. This is necessary not only for each
participants safety and well being, but also to ensure that we maintain that positive image to our insurance carrier and our host railroads.
NARCOA Insurance Still Pending
by Tom Norman
NARCOA Insurance Administrator
As of 12/15/04, the cutoff date for input to this issue of “The SETOFF”, I have not received a renewal
proposal for the 2005 insurance program.
Our insurance will expire on 1/31/05. I have received a Notice of Nonrenewal of Insurance from Lloyd’s
London. The reason for nonrenewal is “discontinued program”. That means we must find another
insurance company with a satisfactory Railroad Liability Insurance program. Once I receive a renewal
proposal, I will make a special mailing to all NARCOA members, with insurance program details, and
application forms.
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CUSTOM-BUILT MOTORCAR COMMITTEE UPDATE
by Tom Falicon
During the 2004 NARCOA Board Meeting, the Custom-Built Motorcar Guidelines were adopted by the
Board as a reference item. Please make note that this text is only a set of guidelines for someone wishing
to build a car or someone wanting more information on custom-building or highly modifying motorcars. These guidelines ARE NOT a set of enforceable rules! They are for reference purposes only. The
guidelines will be posted on the NARCOA website. They will also be included in the NARCOA Operations Manual and if a member does not have internet access, the guidelines will be available from the
committee chairman, Tom Falicon, by contacting him by mail or phone.
The Custom-Built Motorcar Guidelines are an on-going piece of work, so if any of you ever come across
information that you feel would be beneficial to include in our text, please feel free to forward it to Tom
Falicon. Those of you that have previously requested the rough draft of our guidelines will have automatically been sent the revised final copy of the guidelines before you have read this column.
I would like to thank the many NARCOA members and the Custom-Built Committee who all supplied
me with their thoughts and information to get this text finalized. I would also like to thank Kenneth
Huffines who converts the guidelines to a PDF file every time I change my mind and want to improve
the text (and yes, those times are numerous!).
Unique Lawn
Ornament
Harry Riblett writes:
Thought your readers might like to see
my use for my replica Sheffield hand
car – a Christmas lawn ornament!
The hand car hasn’t gotten much use recently, since our local tourist railroad
(Wilmington and Western) is still recovering from hurricane damage.
Best Wishes,
Harry Riblett
416 Riblett Lane
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 994-0479
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Days Gone By
by Charles and Carl Anderson
Railroading has been in our family
a long time. Our grandfather, John
Anderson, worked as a laborer on a
section gang out of Colville, WA, for
the Great Northern Railway, which
led to our father working on the
track also out of Colville, until he
bid and got the section of Tonasket,
WA.
Charlie and I both graduated from
Tonasket High School and also
worked on the track as summer
help while in high school. The song
“Wreck of the B & A Speeder” was
written by a neighbor after our
grandfather and Bunge (the section
foreman at Colville) had a mishap
with the motor car. It jumped the
tracks!
Bunge had a reputation for running the motor car with the throttle wide open. Bunge is on the left, with the vest and
tie. The Boss (our grandfather) is not in the picture, but our uncle John is the third from the right. He went on to be
the section foreman in Anacortes, WA.
Note the motor car looks like a hand pump car with a gas engine installed with a box covering it. How about the
ride? Looks like 2” x 10” boards on each end which the men sat on. Hang on to those hats – that must have been a
real thrill!
Charles & Carl Anderson
WRECK OF THE B & A SPEEDER
(to the tune of “Casey Jones”)
Said Bunge to Anderson “I’m going to let her go,
I used to drive a speeder on the B & O,
Forty years in a section shack,
Never had a hand car leave the track.”
Said Bunge to Anderson, “You’re losing your nerve,
Just see how pretty she took that curve.
You bet your life she’s a damn fine car.
The Devil couldn’t wreck her with a tamping bar.”
(chorus)
(chorus)
Bunge and Anderson working on the Railroad,
Anderson and Bunge both a feeling fine,
Bunge and Anderson working on the Railroad,
Riding a speeder on the B & A line.
All at once she left the rails,
Picks and shovels and dinner pails.
Went so high that they never got back.
Two old jerries was laying on the track.
Said Anderson to Bunge, “You’d better take it slow,
The old speeder’s out of kilter and the gasoline is low.
If you don’t shut her down before you reach that switch,
The whole damn business will go in the ditch.”
(chorus)
(chorus)
Bunge shouted, “My God, are you dead?”
This was the only thing Anderson said:
“Take this message to that wife of mine,
She’ll have to get another Daddy for the B & A Line.”
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October Run to Cheese Country
by Steve Hauff
Pacific Railcar Operators organized an October 9th/10th, 2004 run on the Port of Tillamook Bay
Railroad (Oregon) from Buxton to the coast at Tillamook (and the renowned cheese factory). Running in October in the Pacific Northwest almost always guarantees exquisite scenery, highly changeable weather, and a trip that is more of an adventure than simply a motor car ride.
The Railroad
The line was originally built in the years 1902 to 1911. The construction took place under the
corporate name of Pacific Railway and Navigation Company – a Southern Pacific subsidiary. The
parent company took over the line in July, 1915 and operated it until 1990, when the railroad was
sold to the Port of Tillamook Bay. The line is currently operated by the Port, and boasts significant
freight traffic and an excursion train. The Port also has a quarry on the line which generates occasional rock trains. Six-axle EMD locomotives
are the mainstay motive power, generally
run in groups of at least four locomotives.
Our seton/setoff point, Buxton, is situated at
the western edge of Willamette Valley, at an
elevation of about 260 feet. To make it to the
coast, the railroad had to cross two summits,
one about 8½ miles west of Buxton at Tunnel 25 (about 1100 foot elevation) and the
major summit at Cochran – elevation 1824
feet.
It was mid-1924 when this photo
was taken at the now-extinct
station at Salmonberry. The 175
foot steel span had just been
finished, replacing one of the wood
Howe trusses that had been
installed when the line was built.
At the far right is the passenger
train to Tillamook – a pair of
coaches and two head-end cars,
most likely being pulled by a tenwheeler. Long-gone are steam
locos and scheduled passenger
runs, but the bridge is still extant
and still carries freight as well as
passengers on the line’s excursion
train. (Photo from the collection of
Tom Hampton)
continued . . .
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Wood was available, plentiful
and cheap during the
construction of the railroad.
Large ravines such as this one
near Reliance, gullies and
rivers were all spanned with
wood structures for both their
convenience and economy. By
the 1920s, however, the
structures had outlived their
usefulness and were rapidly
replaced. (Photo from the
collection of Tom Hampton.)
The average grade from Buxton to Tunnel 25 is about 1.9%. From Timber to Cochran the average
grade is 2.3%, with many areas significantly steeper – the belt drive cars were very aware of the
grade!
Surmounting the Coast Range was accomplished by building many large bridges and boring ten
tunnels, with an aggregate length of 4700 feet – the longest being Tunnel 25 at the first summit,
with a length of just over 1400 feet. The height of the bridges was often deceiving. The area was
logged primarily in the ‘20s and ‘30s and the intervening decades have allowed significant stands
of Douglas Fir and Hemlock to re-establish themselves along the line. It is only when you peer
downward when crossing a bridge that you become aware that the trees which are surrounding
you are rooted in the ravine more than 100 feet below.
After the summit at Cochran, the line follows the drainage of the Salmonberry River and then the
Nehalem River to Nehalem Bay and tidewater at the town of Wheeler. At Wheeler, the line turns
south, through Brighton, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway, Saltair, Garibaldi, and Miami (yes, there is
a Miami in Oregon), before arriving in Tillamook.
Although not evident today, the
area around Reliance was
clear-cut when this photo was
taken in 1924. The size of the
bridge is impressive, well over
100 feet tall and over 400 feet
in length. Today there is no
vantage point to see the ridge.
Tall conifers line both sides of
the bridge and you are only
mildly aware of the size of the
structure as you pass over it.
(Photo from the collection of
Tom Hampton)
continued . . .
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The Run
October in western Oregon can be damp. There are those that would argue that just about anytime
in western Oregon can be damp. Suffice it to say that as we drove from the Portland area toward
our seton point at Buxton, most of us experienced our share of raindrops. Seton was scheduled for
the unusually civilized hour of 8 AM, and as luck would have it, about 7:30 the clouds parted and
provided a dry period long enough to get the cars on the track.
Buxton is a far from ideal place to set on a large number of cars – its use was necessitated by freight
operations in the normal starting station at Banks. The seton points are minimal and parking for
vehicles is severely limited. It was interesting to note that virtually everyone recognized that the
process was going to be tough and pitched in to help smooth it out in any way possible. Getting the
entire herd of 27 cars, two trailers and a hi-railer on the track proved to be unexpectedly easy.
After the safety meeting, we headed west. There’s no warm-up for the grade, it starts immediately
from Buxton. Although the rails were wet – and slippery – the participants were dry, the result of
the unexpected hiatus from the showers. Not long into the run, however, the rain started again
and we watched the scenery roll by through the strokes of our windshield wipers. We quickly
found that the weather pattern for the day was going to be intermittent showers – but relatively
warm, for October.
The scenery quickly became beautiful. Mile after mile of mature conifer forest surrounded the
railroad - with enough maples and alders to provide color. In some areas, the fallen leaves covered
the ties with only the two ribbons of steel protruding through. In areas where the leaves were still
dry, the motor cars kicked-up a wave of debris that followed the speeders. Safety note: Squashed
leaves and rain on the railhead make for unbelievably slick rail. The cars just don’t stop. Long
following distances and flagging far in advance of stopped cars are an absolute necessity. (There is,
however, a strange feeling of power when a tired, old, underpowered, two-stroke car spins its
wheels in the middle of one of the upgrades.)
The seton/setoff at
Buxton was a challenge.
Parking was tight,
maneuvering room was
limited and places to
put the cars on totaled
two. Still, through great
cooperation and
coordination, the task
was completed safely
and quickly. (Photo by
Mary Hauff)
continued . . .
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January/February 2005
The run provided participants with about
4700 feet of underground running. The ten
tunnels varied greatly in length from under
200 feet to over a quarter mile. The tunnels
also provided a short course in construction methods, with sections of the tunnels
being unlined, wood-lined, concrete-lined
or gunited. A short pause to reverse into a
passing siding illustrated why two-cycle
cars should be kept moving in confined
spaces. The still air of the tunnel allowed
the blue pall of two-cycle exhaust to rapidly fill the bore. Despite the protestations
of the four-stroke contingent, the twobangers knew that they had performed the
valuable task of mosquito control in the
tunnel.
We made several stops on our way to
Enright and our planned meet with the excursion train. At each stop, the rain abated
long enough for us to complete our social
obligations (make it to the portable facility).
The stop at Enright was about an hour and
enabled us to grab our lunches and dine
with our fellow travelers – until the squall
hit. Then it was back to the cars, close the
doors – or pull the side curtains – and contemplate the fact that it occasionally rains – hard – in Oregon.
As luck would have it, when the excursion train approached, the weather cleared and we were
able to greet the passengers looking somewhat better than drowned rats. I rationalized to myself
that the excursionists in the dining car, nibbling on their prime rib, and washing it down with a
fine Oregon red, were envious of us in the speeders, standing there in our rain gear, munching on
granola bars. Oh well, it made me feel better at the time.
West of Salmonberry, the railroad
joins the Nehalem River. The valley is
bucolic, an occasional farm or stump
ranch nestled among the trees. By
October, the maple and alder were
starting to lose their leaves and a thin
blanket of fallen foliage covered the
ties. Many of the trees were starting
to sport yellow plumage and the low
sun cast deep shadows.
continued . . .
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Mildly unorthodox in its paint scheme –
though immediately recognizable – the
pink and black “Pink Phink” (aka “BarbieCar” or “Mary Kay”) provided an
alternative to the generally modest paint
schemes. The Fairmont C-7 (Canadian
M-14) is owned and often operated by
Samantha Hauff, who at 25 years of age,
has been with the hobby for 20 years.
The run down the Salmonberry and Nehalem Rivers to Wheeler was filled with more spectacular
scenery which we were able to enjoy without getting soaked. At Wheeler, we stopped at the
excursion train depot and descended, almost en masse, on the espresso stand across the street.
Wheeler, like most of the Oregon coastal towns is a tourist mecca during the summer (and fall)
months. Those of us who stayed with the cars fielded a barrage of questions from mystified tourists
wandering the trail that paralleled the railroad. The dialog generally went something like this:
“This is the only one that’s pink. Why is it pink?”
“It’s my daughter’s and she wanted a pink car. We’re a very color-liberal group.”
“Aren’t there trains on these tracks? Aren’t you afraid of being hit?”
“We have found that 5000 ton trains and 1500 pound speeders should not occupy the same
point in the space/time continuum. We stay out of their way.”
“If it’s raining, don’t you get wet?”
“Sometimes.”
“If it’s cold, don’t you get chilly?”
(Teeth chattering) “Sometimes.”
“Then, why do you do it?’
“Because it’s great fun, with wonderful people… and it’s one of the few times I can get away
with wearing ear plugs around my wife.”
(Wife interjecting) “Say that again.”
(Pointing to ear) “Sorry dear, can’t hear you.”
All 27 motor cars, two trailers and a hy-rail
truck bunched together for a photo on one of
the trestles. Several of the trestles were long
enough to accommodate the entire speeder
group. (Photo by Bill Coulson)
continued . . .
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January/February 2005
From high in the air, to under the ground in a
matter of a few feet. The roughness of the terrain through which the railroad was built is evidenced by the proximity of a tall trestle to a tunnel. Construction of the railroad was no easy task
and present day operations are a constant challenge to the train crews.
Sentinel to a bygone era, a steel water tank still
stands at Enright. The pull to the summit was
significant and in steam days, helper locos were
often found on the trains. Posed in front of the tank
is B.J. King’s Kalamazoo 56-ON, of Milwaukee Road
heritage. (Photo by B.J. King)
At every stop, the
“place to meet and
greet” was the line for
the portable facility.
The Tillamook line runs
through largely
uninhabited territory
so the portable
convenience became a
very popular place.
(Photo by Mary Hauff)
continued . . .
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From Wheeler south, the line runs through a succession of towns, with dozens of road crossings.
Puzzled residents and visitors waved at us from almost every corner as we moved in fits and starts
through the populated areas. The largest town between Wheeler and Tillamook is Garibaldi, where
we’d ultimately tie up for the night. By the time we reached Garibaldi, the rain had again started
and we made the last nine miles peering past our windshield wipers.
At Tillamook, we stopped at the back fence of the cheese factory and a contingent bailed off the
cars for the two block walk to the factory visitor’s center. Luck was again with us and we were
treated to a spectacular double rainbow and only slight precipitation. The break in the weather
allowed the cars to be turned on the portable turntable rapidly, safely, and most importantly –
without getting soaked.
After collecting the entire group we retraced our steps to Garibaldi and put the cars, and ourselves,
to bed for the night. Having a motel directly across the street from the rail line facilitated easy
parking of the speeders.
Sunday morning dawned with no rain, but the temperature had dropped and a thick coastal fog
blanketed Garibaldi. Despite the lack of precipitation, it was cold and wet. The minor discomfort
actually proved to be an asset, providing incentive to get loaded, have our safety meeting and get
underway. We found out that there was to be a freight extra run and we would have to move
briskly to make the pass at Enright. We were rolling with little delay.
Turning point for
the run was at the
cheese factory at
Tillamook. We had
a portable
turntable –
compliments of
the A-4 – and
used it to turn all
the cars. It is
amazing how
quickly 27 cars
can be turned.
(Photo by Mary
Hauff)
continued . . .
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January/February 2005
The ride from the
summit to Tillamook
was punctuated by
periods of rather heavy
precipitation. At
Tillamook, however, the
clouds parted long
enough to treat us to a
spectacular rainbow –
although doubters still
kept the raingear on.
(Photo by Mary Hauff)
Fog presents some interesting problems for speeders. We were fortunate that the fog was not thick
enough to cause major external visibility problems, but we quickly found that windshield defroster
systems on motor cars tend to be lacking. It was several miles before we were able to quit our
constant wiping of the windshield. Arguably more annoying was the fact that the aluminum roof
condenses the fog on the inside, so that at every rough track joint, the speeder rained inside. The
first occurrence of the internal precip was greeted with glances of “Where’d that come from?” A
quick look up revealed a lot more water waiting for its chance to rain on our parade. A preemptive
towel strike by the whole crew solved the problem. Moral to this story … If the car has been out
overnight in cool, damp weather, look up!
The run to Enright was made briskly and without incident. The scenery was even better than the
previous day, being highlighted by bright sunlight. After the meet with the freight train, we crested
the hill and drifted down to Timber where we were treated to a wigwag highway crossing signal
still in operation. These relics of 70 years ago are rapidly becoming extinct and are certainly worthy
of inspection.
The final miles to Buxton were almost anticlimactic. The weather and scenery were beautiful, the
cars were all running well and most of the mileage was a long drift downgrade – a relaxing finis to
the trip.
The setoff was unique. The parking difficulties at Buxton had jumbled the trailers and tow vehicles
– they were certainly not in the order of the speeders. Common sense again prevailed, and as a tow
rig was extracted from the parking lot, the speeders were shuffled back and forth across the crossing to get to the correct car. The setoff proceeded with little loss of time and no loss of temper –
thank heavens for a congenial group!
It was a wonderful trip.
Special thanks to B.J. King and Rory Moore, our meet coordinators for putting on a great run.
NOTE: The participants on this run should also be thanked for their gracious $275 donation to the
Jake Safety Fund.
continued . . .
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In the 1920s, the Magnetic Signal
Company was heavily marketing its
“Magnetic Wigwag Flagman” highway
crossing signal. By the late ‘20s, the
device had become the standard
crossing signal (for major highways) in
California and was being adopted by
several of the transcontinental
railroads. In addition to the swinging
light, a gong provided an audible
warning. In 1928 one could purchase all
the parts necessary for a single
crossing for the princely sum of $550.
Guy Howard’s Fairmont ST-2 poses with
one of the rare finds on the trip – a
working wigwag crossing signal. The
signal is located at Timber, Oregon, and
is the last one on the line. The ST-2
was one of four belt-drive cars that
braved the elements on the run. During
stops that occurred in the rain, there
was a lot of electric-starter envy
going on.
Page 22
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January/February 2005
Short Line Railroad Operators Recognize Value of
Organized Motorcar Clubs & Activities
by Larry Bowler
For owners and operators of short-line railroads, the decision of what to do with branches that are no longer used is
of concern. Simple abandonment of the tracks and rightof-way are frequently not an acceptable consideration.
Although the price of salvaged rails is increasing, there is
practical and emotional reluctance on the part of railroaders, who have lived railroading for years, to abandon a corridor.
Residential neighbors to the corridor frequently have a lovehate relationship to the tracks. There develops a sense of
ownership for “their” rails, a phenomena based in part upon
the mystique of rail travel. Airport management recognizes
this mystique with some of those who enjoy “hanging
around” around the airport environment. There is something that draws people to the mystique of travel, whether
by train or by airplane.
Most often neighbors to rail corridor’s do not want to see a
resumption of frequent railroad traffic with it’s noise and
whistles on corridors that have been inactive for extended
periods of time. They do, however, like the existence of the
rails. Rails seem to add to the ambience of their communities.
Short line railroad operators, who are concerned with neighborly relations, are frequently willing to make an effort to
satisfy their neighbors while protecting their rail resources.
This creates a dilemma that procrastination will not solve.
The Recreational Railroad Coalition Inc. (RRC) was created recently in California to present an option for short
line railroads facing this issue. Drawing from the community of recreational rail motorcar operators, RRC has organized to make opportunities for it’s adherents to put life
back onto otherwise dormant rails in the form of “speeder
cars.”
The Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad (ST&E) owns a
10-mile branch from its yard in Stockton to the agricultural
village of Linden, Calif. This Linden Branch has not seen
freight service for nearly 20 years. It had become a liability
to the railroad company and an eyesore to the community
of 74 neighbors along the right of way. RRC approached
ST&E and made an offer to lease the branch, cut the trees
which had grown in the center of the tracks and the weeds
alongside, clear and upgrade the crossings, ties and rails to
a standard which would facilitate the comparably light
weight of the privately owned rail motorcars and to put a
rolling presence on the tracks.
continued . . .
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The activities of operating motorcars established a security presence
for the company and has served to
discourage trespassing, dumping
and the myriad of violations to their
private property and right of way.
In addition to this service the presence of RRC has reestablished a life
form on these formerly dead tracks.
Residents and neighbors wave a
welcome to the colorful motorcars
as they pass by on “their” tracks.
The Linden Branch has been transformed from a public relations liability to a welcome recreational
railroad corridor.
Larry Bowler (foreground) cleaning up the right-of-way on
the Linden Branch.
The question of insurance is dealt with in the package offered by the North American Rail Car
Operators of America, a national association. NARCOA requires all members of legitimate regional
motorcar clubs, (there are four on the West Coast) to be licensed and insured under a commercial
general liability insurance program, designed to protect the NARCOA member and the railroad
company from liability. This insurance program provides a $10,000,000 per occurrence liability
limit with a $20,000,000 general aggregate.
RRC is not a motorcar club but a coalition of individual members of legitimate, certified clubs. Club
membership, licensing and insurance are a prerequisite to operating a rail motorcar on the Linden
Branch. To obtain a license an operator must take a written test and demonstrate practical proficiency and safe practices to the satisfaction of an assigned mentor.
Safety supercedes all other considerations while on the rails. Not only with the operation of the
railcar but with any personal movement in proximity to the rails. RRC works closely with the
railroad in exercising its maintenance of way responsibilities. Many motorcar operators are professional, fulltime, railroad employees.
In exchange for the security, public relations, light maintenance of way and rebirth of life to otherwise dead tracks, the ST&E railroad company grants access for recreational railroad use, a mutually satisfying trade-off and an option to the dilemma of what to do with unused and unsightly
tracks.
Larry Bowler, President
RRC
h
Page 24
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An Unscientific Look At
How Many Miles A Typical Operator Ran In 2003
by Kenneth Huffines
Some motorcar operators keep a logbook for their railroad miles. Typical entries contain the date,
railroad, mileposts for start and turn-around, and other notes important at the time. I thought it
would be interesting to gather everyone’s miles and compare the data. A “call for miles” was
published in The SETOFF and the speeders e-mail list in early 2004, asking for your 2003 data.
The number of responses was low. Of NARCOA’s 836 insured operators for 2003, only 34 responded with data. This is just 4%, hardly a scientific sample, nor representative of NARCOA in
whole. But it will have to do. (There were more than a few folks who replied they didn’t keep a log,
but thought it a good idea and would start.)
Responses ranged from 40 to 4,400 miles. Some were exact to the tenth of a mile, others were more
relaxed. Obviously there is no “typical” operator, as some folks go on many excursions while others do one or two a year. Responses were divided into 500 mile categories (0-500, 501-1000, etc). As
might be expected, there are more responses in the lower groupings, with 50% occurring in the first
three categories. The average of the 34 replies was 1,641 miles.
CATEGORY (miles)
0-500
501-1000
1001-1500
1501-2000
2001-2500
2501-3000
3001-3500
3501-4000
4001-4500
NUMBER
9
5
3
5
2
4
1
2
3
% OF OVERALL
26.5%
14.7%
8.8%
14.7%
5.9%
11.8%
2.9%
5.9%
8.8%
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Page 25
Wildness Tours Acadian Adventure – October 3-9, 2004
By Alan and Karen Wilber
Our adventure started out in Windsor, Nova Scotia, the pumpkin capital of the world. Windsor was having its
pumpkin festival. Some of us arrived early to join in on the festivities and tour the area. The following is a phototype tour of our trip.
Over the years, Hank and Carol Brown’s Wilderness Tours have coordinated many excellent excursions. Hank
and Carol are not planning on hosting any excursions for 2005. They are going to take the year off but do plan to
attend excursions put on by fellow participants of their excursions. They are working on some new and exciting
tours for 2006. Karen doesn’t want to wish a year away – but she’s looking forward to 2006 and another year of
Hank and Carol Brown’s Wilderness Tours.
At the fairgrounds they were having the pumpkin
weigh-off. Checking out the judging for the heaviest
pumpkin is Karen Wilber. The winner was a whopping 1101 pounds. A week later, they take these large
pumpkins, cut the tops off and make boats for their
pumpkin regatta.
John Kemmet and Sharon Smith at Long Pond where
the first recorded hockey game was played in 1800. I
think John said he was there when they played the first
game.
Hank and Fred along with the pilot from Windsor and
Hantsport Railroad giving our safety talk.
Our group stops at the Acadian Cross, the site where
6500 Acadians were deported to France in the fall of
1755. The 3000 acres of farm land in front of this monument are below sea level. They built dikes with sluices
with one way valves to drain the land with help from
the 35-45 foot tides.
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Our next stop was Hopewell Rocks that is near
Hillsborough, New Brunswick our next rail trip. Below
are the flower pots at Hopewell Rocks at mid tide. The
tides in this area are some of the highest in the world.
Set on at Salem & Hillsborough RR .
After setting on, we visited their maintenance shop.
Their tractor with steel wheels was set up for mowing
the right of way.
They also had a steam engine that needs rebuilding.
After our tour we were treated to breakfast in their dining car and were served by the mayor of Hillsborough,
Ms. Bennett.
After we left the station at Hillsborough we followed
the Petitcodiac River then we headed inland and cross
Hiram Creek wood trestle.
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
●
Page 27
At our stop at Salem Station we noticed we were riding
on rails that were rolled in 1903. We also saw 1935 date
nails. The rails were in good shape for being that old.
The track (after Salem) is not used for their standard
excursions. This area has not been maintained over the
years, and is overgrown with brush.
The next stop on our Acadia adventure takes us to
Antigonish Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton RR. Hank
& Fred and our pilot giving us our usual safety talk.
Also on this trip we had from Virginia, Al Freed with
his 1956 Pontiac Hy-Rail.
We travel along St. Georges Bay on welded rail. This
track is used by Canadian VIA Rail.
Crossing at Canso Causeway into Cape Breton.
We then cross over the Narrows at Barra Strait.
Page 28
●
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
At the end of the day, we arrived in Sydney. The next
day took us to the Miner’s Museum. A guided tour was
given by a retired coal miner who started working in
the mines when he was nine. Some of these mines go up
to seven miles under the ocean. Our guide demonstrates
drilling holes for blasting.
We sat around an underground garden used by the
miners to eat their lunches. They used these spots to
brighten up their days since they went to work and
returned home in the dark.
After the Miner’s Museum tour we moved on to Fortress Louisbourg for a tour of this reconstructed 1744 national
historic site. Mad dog filming our tour.
On our way back to Antigonish we passed by Bras d’Or
Lake.
At Orangedale, we watched a 24 year old girl load a
pulp wood train. We were told she had been doing this
for the past four years.
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
●
Page 29
Want Ads
The SETOFF is happy to print all ads received from members. There is no charge for placing an
ad. All ads will run for three issues; please notify if item is sold. No full page ads are accepted.
Send ads directly to Charlene Morvay, 17825 Route 8, Union City, PA 16438 or email:
setoff @velocity.net
For Sale
For Sale
For Sale
Fairmont MT-19 with Trailer – Car has
a fiberglass cab shell. Asking $1,500.
Contact Carlos Bast 2503 Pheasant
Ridge Trail apartment # 4 Madison,
WI 53713, or phone: (608) 274-9881
MA05
Fairbanks-Morse 40-B Railroad Motor Car, two cylinder aircooled engine,
friction drive. Car in running order and
all in original form as when retired
from the Winston-Salem Southbound
Railway. Also an original turntable
goes with car. Price is $2150.00 for
both items.
Two Fairmont - M19’s - The first is an
open car with spare cab. Price $1500
firm, and the second M19 is a closed
cab with sanders. Price $1900 firm.
Both cars ran last year. Contact Bill
Young, R4 Box 230 Bruceton Mills, WV
26525 Tel: (304) 379-7784 or email:
sharkman@mountain.net
JF05
MOTOR CAR PARTS ASSORTMENT- I
am closing out some of my last remaining motorcar parts: One, former
Canadian MT-19 fiberglass cab body
in good condition. Includes doors and
windows. Could be adapted to make
either an enclosed “M” or “MT” 19.
Price $250.00 FOB Norfolk, VA; One,
Fairmont M-19 frame, frame members
are straight and have good floor pans.
Has front and rear safety railings and
includes the motor box tunnel enclosure. Does not have axles or wheels.
No top panel. Could be converted into
a MT-19 or used to start a home-built
speeder. Price $500.00, FOB Norfolk,
VA; Two railroad shop built trailer-car
frames with axles and wheels. No
bodies on either. Price $750.00, FOB
Blue Ridge, Ga. I Have pictures of all
items for highly interested buyers.
Contact Hugh Cain, e-mail:
aitchcain@earthlink.net
MA05
Fairmont MT-19 – Retired Southern
Pacific car with good running engine.
40-psi oil pressure, Fairmont hydraulic turntable, new seats, brakes, engine cover, battery. Car is NARCOA
ready with excellent wheels (1/4"),
flashing stop light, headlight, horn, fire
extinguisher, electric fuel pump and
tow bar. Doors and frames are included, just needs paint and you’re
ready to go! Price $5500 Firm. Please
email for more info and photos. Contact Richard Pope Apple Valley, CA Tel:
(760)
240-3485
or
email:
popeman@verizon.net
MA05
Fairmont Railway Motorcar Master
M2 and a predecessor to S2 style. Belt
driven, 20 inch wheels, metal front
with 2 windows, metal running
boards, 8 HP, Type HP QBA, Group E,
Special 1, Mak HP 13, Engine #82573.
Car in running order and all in original form as when retired from the
High Point, Thomasville & Denton RR
Co. An original turntable goes with car.
One piece of turntable missing. Price
is $2150.00 for both items. Contact
Ray Hinkle, P.O. Box 1127, Welcome,
N.C. 27374 or Tele- 336-731-4231 or
email HINKLEHERE@AOL.COM.
MA05
Fairmont Sale – I have several M19
and M14 cars for sale at $5,000 each.
Also available are several cabs and
turntables. Cars are in the 254800 S/
N series and from the Union Pacific
Railroad. I also have one ST2AA4-2
car available. Contact Richard
Erickson, P.O. Box 220 Wallsburg,
Utah 84082. Tel: (435) 654-3570
MA05
Fairmont A-3 D-2 – This small gang
car is equipped with all required safety
equipment. It also comes equipped
with rotating beacons and a loud air
horn. It has a metal roof with front, rear
and side curtains. Out front is an extra
large running light for tunnels. Inside
there is ample overhead stowage,
safety belts for all seats, and wiring
for a radio. This car has been operated on over 20 runs with no
breakdowns. Asking $6,500. Contact
Keith Trouette at Fax: (707) 468-7484
or email: ktrouette@adelphia.net
JF05
OEM Fairmont brake shoes – for 16
inch wheels. These are original new
Fairmont brake shoes, shoes only, no
wood blocks with Fairmont part numbers. I have four different shoes,
M16397 for MT-14, MT-19, M-14, M-19,
M-19-W for icebreaker wheels,
M16411 with steel insert, and M16385
for A3, A4, and A5 cars. I have many
shoes in all four sizes. Price is $7.50
each for M16411, $10.00 each for
M16397 and M-19-W, and $15.00 each
for M16385, plus shipping. Contact
Dave Sigafoose P.O. Box 5328, North
Branch, NJ 08876-1303. Tel: (908)
625-6282
or
email:
davesigafoose@yahoo.com
JF05
Parts etc. – MT-14 parts car, SP motor car semaphore block signals (see
July/Aug 2003 SETOFF), MT-19 Canadian cab, new 20 HP Briggs and transmission, near new brake shoes for
MT-19, complete M-19, and US&S style
“B” semaphore parts. Call or write for
prices. Dave Myers 928-567-6285,
dmyers@verdeonline.com
JF05
Electric Winch – Superwinch model
S4500 rated at 4500lbs. This 12-volt
electric winch is capable of lowering
and raising your MT-14 or MT-19 or
any car or item up to 4,500 lbs. Winch
has power in and out. Located in the
San Fancisco Bay area. Asking price
$350.00. Contact Rich Corbell Tel
(650)
756-5435
or
email:
richardcorbell@worldnet.att.net
JF05
Page 30
●
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
For Sale
For Sale
For Sale
Four Fairmont motorcars – M-19
open “flat-top”, barn stored 10+ years.
Compression and spark tested. Price
$1200. CR-7, built 7-2-43. Open “flattop.” Engine rebuilt, car rebuilt. New
wire, brakes, sheet metal, lights, horn,
paint. 12-volt system. No seats. Nice
car with no problems. Price $1800.
Have front and roof for same, $200
each. M19AA built 7-1-81. As found
on the British Columbia Railroad,
Kootenay Division. Road Master’s car.
No curtains. One seat. Alternator missing. Needs work. Price $1400. M19AA
built 5-20-58. Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad. New gaskets/seals.
Ports cleaned. Honed out. New timing. Frame apart and sandblasted.
Front and top. No curtains. No seats.
Ready to put back together. Will be nice
$2000. All cars are located in Everett,
WA, 30-miles North of Seattle. Contact Bruce Ferguson (425) 277-5228.
JF05
Woodings CBL - Motorcar comes
complete with a Tecumseh 18HP engine, good profile wheels, all brake
riggings, wiper motors, running lights
and a complete dash cluster. This car
is all-original but does need lift bars
and slight fiberglass work. Photos are
available. Asking price is $1,600 US
or CDN equivalent. Car is located in
southern British Columbia, 3.5 hours
north of Spokane, Washington. Car is
“ sold as is where is”. Please do not
hesitate to contact me for further details. Contact: Terry Baumann Nelson,
BC Canada Tele: (250) 229-4474 or
e-mail greenacre@telus.net JF05
2001 Nomad Sport Wagon 5th Wheel
Travel Trailer - This is a 34 foot toy
box trailer manufactured by Skyline
Homes. The 9300 lb trailer has a
15000 GVWR rating that offers a spacious bedroom with a double bed and
closets. The center compartment provides a full accessory kitchen; four
seat dining area, and a couch. The
rear section is equipped with standard
and narrow gauge rails with an electric winch that can accommodate “A”
type motorcars. The Chuck Harrison
family wishes to sell the trailer for
$22000. However, the selling price is
negotiable. The trailer was used three
times and is located in Las Vegas,
Nevada. Interested persons can contact Jeanie Karadanis at (775) 8497741 or Cel (775)-250-6012 for
details.
JF05
Fairmont S-2 motorcar – Parted out,
the engine, frame, wheels and axles
are gone. I have the cab parts, rear
safety rail, control panel and brake
idler pulley parts etc. All parts reasonably priced and serviceable. Also available is a new S-2 blade pulley (M37071A) price $60.00 and a rear hitch
(48745) for $15.00. All items are FOB
Reno, Nevada. Contact Fred Lienhard
Tel: (775) 323-0928.
JF05
Fairbanks Morse 40B – This ex Norfolk and Western Railroad car has
new brakes, wheels, wheel bearings,
chain, friction wheel, spark arrestors,
carburetor and fork lift seats. The engine was overhauled and has new
rings, bearings, valve job and an overhauled magneto. This engine starts
easily and runs very well. Car includes
railroad added cab front and roof. . I’ve
operated this car on several excursions in California with no problems
at all. This car is ready to go and only
needs some bodywork and paint. The
asking price is $4000 for this most
interesting and unique car. The car is
located in central California. Marv.
Weber Tel: (831) 425-5467 or email
PatMarvW25@Hotmail.com
JF05
Canadian Fairmont MT-14L/trailer Railcar includes an Onan CCKB two
cylinder four-stroke engine, two-speed
transmission, a double chain drive
and a fiberglass cab with tinted glass
windows installed. This car will be
found with good profile wheels, new
double drive chain, fuel pump, strobe
light, new carburetor, new battery, new
brake riggings, USFS spark arrestor,
new bumpers, hitches, tow bar, aluminum lift bars, seats and seat belts
This excellent retired Canadian Pacific unit has completed thousands of
miles. Car has a PRO safety decal
and comes NARCOA ready with all
mandatory items installed. Car comes
with many spare parts and complete
Fairmont and CP histories. Serial and
engine numbers match. Also available
is a factory built 2003 12’ tilt single
axle trailer, 3,500 lbs axle, treated deck
with 12” sides, front mounted winch,
15” tires with white spoke wheels, two
inch coupler, front tongue jack, sevenway RV plug and two good tie straps.
The MT-14 is priced at $4,500 and the
trailer at $1,100. Take the whole setup home for $5,600 for a ready to roll
package deal. The installed two-way
radio and antenna are not included at
this price. Both items are “sold as is
where is” condition. All sales are in
US funds or CDN equivalent. Car is
located in southern British Columbia,
3 .5 hours north of Spokane, Washington. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further details and pictures. Contact: Terry Baumann Nelson
BC Tel: (250) 229-4474 or email
greenacre@telus.net
JF05
Fairmont MT14 L2 and Trailer – This
is a narrow gauge motorcar. Car is
painted red. It is in wonderful shape
and comes with lots of goodies. Included is a Les King turntable, new
wheels, LED lighting, wigwags, strobe
beacon, side curtains and a narrow
gauge trailer. Asking $10,500 for both
of them. I can deliver to the Wheeling
and Lake Erie area. Please call if you
are interested. Contact Jaime
Samuell Tel: (740) 427-4444 or email
Jaime@gambierandwestern.com
JF05
Fairmont MT19 B1 - Solid good running unrestored Canadian car with the
newest Onan engine. Car tracks great
and is completely NARCOA ready.
Comes with a one-car trailer. Asking
price $4500.00. Car is located in Iowa.
Contact Brian Freeman Tel:
(515)
287-3599
or
email
Motorcarm19@hotmail.com
JF05
Fairmont M9 G - Ten year old restoration on an ex IC car. Good solid ROC
motor that still runs the correct 6-volt
positive ground system. Complete
with new side curtains. A good solid
dependable car with a one-car
trailer. Asking price $3500.00. Car is
located in Iowa. Contact Brian Freeman Tel: (515) 287-3599 or email
Motorcarm19@hotmail.com
JF05
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
●
Page 31
For Sale
For Sale
For Sale
Fairmont MT14 with trailer - Motorcar
has the original aluminum closed cab
and has been painted professionally
bright yellow, custom sliding windows
have been added in the doors. This
car includes two seats with safety
belts, factory turntable, Hunter heater,
two bell Nathan horns, new brakes,
new chain, new tow bar, fire extinguisher and less than 1000 miles on
rebuilt Onan engine. Car is very clean
and meets all NARCOA regulations.
Included is a custom trailer equipped
with an electric winch and spare tire.
Priced at $8,000. Contact Richard
Teunis 2501 Bell Hill Road Kelseyville,
CA 95451. Tel: (707) 279-1914 Fax:
(707)
279-2663
or
email:
ndteunis@cwnet.com
JF05
Original Fairmont Motorcar Owners
Manuals
Fairmont MT-19B – With trailer. Retired D&RGW, car is rail ready. Car will
meet all NARCOA and local club
equipment requirements. Price
$4250.
Fairmont - MT14 – Will carry up to four
passengers. Car is equipped with factory turntable. Price $4000.00.
Aluminum Frame Push Car – Car
has16" wheels and has been converted to a passenger car. Has roof
and room enough for 4 adults. Price
$500.00
Set of new 16" Fairmont wheels.
Price $500
Gas heater - for newer Fairmont Motorcar $50.00
Contact: Gene Lott Blue Rapids, Kansas Tel: (785) 363-7953 after 6:00
p.m.
MA05
Semaphore, Car block and parts US&S Motor Car Block Indicators guaranteed to work but need to be
restored. Complete US&S train order
board semaphore also needs to be
restored. US&S style ‘’B’’ semaphore
parts. Call or write for prices. Contact
Dave Myers (928) 567-6285 or email
dmyers@verdeonline.com
MJ05
Available manuals and their copyright
dates:
MT-19AA October 1954
S2-F August 1941
S2-E May 1941
S2-E May 1941
S2-K September 1960
ST2-H December 1957
ST2-H February 1947
ST2-K-1 August 1960
M9-G September 1950
M9-G-2 September 1950
M9-G-2 July 1950
M9-G-2 September July 1950
M9-G-2 September 1950
M9-G-I-6 August 1946
M9-G-2 July 1950
M9-G-2 September 1950
M9-G July 1950
RO-C Engine July 1952
RO-C Engine September 1951
QBA Engine July 1947
QBC Engine September 1947
A3-D-2 December 1948 (Gang Car)
A3-D-2 December 1948
A5-C-3 October 1955
A5-C-3 September 1945
A5-C-3 September 1945
A3B-1-8 January 1937
(Includes Hercules Manuals)
M19-H-1 Sept 1959
(Covers G/H cars)
M14-H-1-1 May 1946
W83-B-1 Tie Nipper Feb 1957
MT-14M - January 1985
(Onan Engine) (8.5 x 11)
MT19A2-14 February 1981
(Onan Engine) (8.5 x 11)
MY19 Series A February 1981
(8.5 x 11)
All manuals are original and in
“good original” condition. $23.00 each
post paid. Contact Randy Rundle (785)
632-3450 or email fifthave@ozonline.net
MA 05
www.leskingmotorcars.com - Your source for parts and remanufactured motorcars
Box 164, N. Lawrence, Ohio 44666 - Toll Free (Orders Only) 888-833-7989
Tech Support & Info 330-833-2868 - Fax 330-830-5213
Fairmont M-9B – Car is restored, has
an aluminum front and new top and
upholstery. Price $3450.
Wooding CBI – Car comes with extra
transmission, rear axle and new
transmission and differential gears.
Price $1750.
Beaver BC-2M – Roadmaster re-engine by the factory with a large 23-HP
Kohler engine. Car has rebuilt hydraulics, new hoses, and extra set of new
air ride bags. Historically one of only
two cars known to exist Price is negotiable.
Also available are several CN style
MT-19A and MT-14L’s. Several
D&RGW MT-19 A’s and MT-19B’s. Pictures, prices and more information
upon request. Call between 5:00 p.m.
and 8:00 p.m. PST on weekdays or
anytime on weekends. Contact Sal
Jacobs 31 Boardwalk One, Larkspur,
California. 94939. Tel: (415) 9244701.
MA05
Fairmont A5 – Car has a wooden cab
and built by the Leigh Valley Railroad.
The Waukesha FC-206F engine and
transmission has been completely
rebuilt. Engine is bored to .020 over.
Electric system is 12-volt. Asking
$6,500 Contact Luke Anderson P.O.
Box 54 Dillonvale, Ohio 43917 or Tel:
(740) 769-2924.
MJ05
Fairmont S-2 - This car is NARCOA
compliant and ready to roll. Ran great
two years ago, but has not run since.
This car is located on Long Island. I
can help arrange delivery by me to
Northeast/Mid Atlantic area, but delivery is not included in the price. I am
asking $3,500. Contact Richard
Gorddard 18 Second Street
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 Tel:
(631)
588-1931
or
email:
rgorddard@aol.com
MJ05
Page 32
●
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
For Sale
For Sale
Wanted
Former D&RG MT-19 and tandem axle
trailer. The speeder comes with a
cover, gas tank cover, and uninstalled
seatbelts, extra gears, and a heater.
The trailer features a battery, winch, 2
spare tires and tiedowns. This
wonderful car is located in
Odessa, TX. $5,000 firm. Email
nicholsst@cableone.net or phone
432- 362- 5757. Ann Nichols MJ05
Five Fairmont S2 Cars – $5,000 for
all. Sides open; have tops and fronts.
Please contact Richard A. Hinds, 189
E Andrew Rd., Springfield, IL 62707.
Phone: (217) 487-7750.
MJ05
Back issues of The SETOFF as follows: Summer ’87, Winter ’88, Summer ’88, Spring ’90, Fall ’90, Fall ’91,
and Winter ’93. Copies are
acceptable. Please contact Roger J.
Hoffman Tel: (937) 429-3392 or email:
sooline@sbcglobal.net.
MJ05
Push Cart – This small aluminum cart
is in good condition and would make
an excellent port-a-potty wagon. Asking $250.00 USD. Contact Tony
Andrusevich RR #1 Hannon, Ontario,
Canada L0R 1P0. Tel: (950) 692-5949
Wanted
Differentials – A4 differentials from the
Canadian National Railway shops.
Looks like a reconditioned unit. Asking $700.00 USD. Also have an A4 differential marked “core” only. Asking
$350.00 USD. Contact Tony
Andrusevich RR #1 Hannon, Ontario,
Canada L0R 1P0. Tel: (905) 692- 5949
Fairmont MT19 – This retired CN inspection motorcar has an Onan CCKB
engine that runs good. Car is
equipped with a fiberglass cab. Asking $2,500 USD. Contact Tony
Andrusevich RR #1 Hannon, Ontario,
Canada L0R 1P0. Tel: (905) 692-5949
Hy-Rail Equipment – Available are both
hydraulic and manual equipment for
½-ton and 1-ton trucks. Also several
makes from $1,500 USD and up.
Fairmont brand manual set for a
Dodge Dakota $1,500 USD. Contact
Tony Andrusevich RR #1 Hannon,
Ontario L0R 1P0. Tel: (905) 692-5949
MJ05
Carburetors Parts and Service - Carburetors parts for C-5 and 8. Carburetor rebuilding offered. Head gaskets
for ROC, OD, ROB, QBA and RQ engines also available. Some complete
gasket sets or single gaskets. Engine
or complete car restoration work. Contact Carey Boney Wallace, NC
Tel: (910) 285-7489 or email
careyboney@earthlink.net
MJ05
Looking for any information about
“Sheffield” motorcars. Mr. Richard R.
Boulet PO Box 126 Marine on St. Croix,
MN. 55047. Tel: (651) 433-3982 or
Mobile (612) 433-3982.
JF05
FAIRMONT MT19A - New member
looking for MT19A located in the Pacific Northwest. I will pay premium
price for the right NARCOA ready car.
Trailer not needed. Contact Jerry
Bates Tel:(208) 858-2103 or e-mail:
jerrybates@sheepskinsnyarn.com
JF05
Fairmont A-6 or A-8 motorcar – Restorable, running or not. Must have
complete drive train and be suitable
for rebuilding. Contact Steve
Patterson 4019 Perry Street Denver,
CO 80212-2171. Tel: (303) 256-8494
or email: stevieb4019@comcast.net
JF05
Wheel-bearing retainer for a Velocipede Hand Car. Contact Danny
Dineen at (506) 6727384 or email:
dannydineen@rogers.com
MJ05
I am searching for a NARCOA ready
MT14 or MT19; preferred location is
Northeast/Mid Atlantic area. Will consider all areas however. Also willing
to trade a Fairmont S-2 for a running
NARCOA ready MT14 or MT19. Contact Richard Gorddard 18 Second
Street Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 tel:
(631)
588-1931
or
email
rgorddard@aol.com
MJ05
Fairmont MT19 - New to the hobby
looking for an MT19 that is NARCOA
legal and rail ready. I live in Washington State but I am willing to travel to
buy the right car. Trailer not needed
but would be a plus. Please contact
John Daniel 7602 E 468 PR Benton
City, WA. 99320. Tel: (509) 588-4704
or email: kamija@bentonrea.com
MJ05
Used 14" Fairmont wheels. Any that
had to be replaced at the NARCOA
wear limit are fine. Hubs and axles for
these wheels also possibly helpful.
Also interested in other wheels
smaller and lighter than the standard
16". Mark Milbourne email:
mark@doerivergorge.com. Phone/
Voicemail: 423 725 4010 ext 324
MJ05
Need any information on what I believe to be turntable rails. Need pictures of a complete set, drawings, or
literature. Email any information or
part availabilty to Albert Hawkins 72
Pine Valley Drive Byron, GA 31008.
Tel: (478) 956-1030 or email
hawkinaj@alltel.net.
MJ05
F
The SETOFF
Excursions
Members who have organized meets
are encouraged to advertise those
events here.
We will publish all notices received.
Include details of the trip such as time
schedule, total mileage, costs, restrictions and conditions for attending.
State whether or not NARCOA rules
will be in effect and whether insurance
is required.
●
January/February 2005
●
Page 33
Non-NARCOA Excursion:
Oregon & Fitchburg Railroad
Friday through Sunday – April 29,30, May 1, 2005
Green County Wisconsin is happy to sponsor “Depot Days” in Brooklyn, WI. over
the Oregon & Fitchburg Railroad Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 01, 2005.
Set on will be Friday night in Brooklyn, with an evening run from Brooklyn to
Oregon, WI leaving at 7:30 p.m. We will be giving rides to the general public on
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weather permitting. Car will be
leaving every hour. Lunch will be provided to those who help operate motorcars
and to those who help flag at crossing. This is not a NARCOA event and insurance is not required. For more information contact Al Lesko Tel:
(608) 897-4855.
Send meet notices to:
Charlene Morvay
17825 Route 8
Union City, PA 16438
or
email: setoff@velocity.net
PLEASE NOTE: Advertisement of a
meet in the SETOFF does not constitute responsibility by NARCOA and/or
its officers, or the SETOFF and/or its
editorial staff for meet conditions.
Meet attendees must exercise caution in the observance of safety conditions and rules and must accept full
responsibility for themselves, their
guests and their equipment when attending any meet.
Great Lakes Railcars
Algoma Central Railway
Tuesday – Friday, July 5 – 8, 2005
GLR is pleased to sponsor a four-day run over the Algoma Central Railway July
5-8, 2005. Participants will travel approximately 1180 round trip miles between
Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Canada to Hearst, Ontario and back. Inspections and
set-on will be Monday, July 4, 2005 at Sault Ste Marie with departure on Tuesday
July 5, 2005. We will spend two nights in Wawa, and one night in Hearst, Ontario.
Fee has yet to be determined, but will include fuel. Meals and hotels are extra.
Additional safety equipment needed: safety vest and seat belts. NARCOA and
Great Lakes Railcars rules will apply. Send trip deposit of $50.00 to Stan Conyer
9333 W. St. Road 46 Columbia, Indiana 47201. Email stanconyer@hotmail.com
Hobo and Winnipesakee Scenic Railroads
Friday-Sunday June 3-5, 2005
Hobo and Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroads is sponsoring the 17th annual
track car meet which includes an optional barbecue dinner on Friday evening,
travel round trip from Lincoln, NH to Weirs Beach, NH on Saturday, optional
dinner on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train Saturday evening, and travel round trip
from Tilton, NH to Weirs Beach, NH on Sunday. Swap meet for participants on
Friday evening, slide shows on Friday and Saturday evening. Trip fee is $70.00
prior to May 1, 2005 and includes one track car, operator, one crew member, two
(2) commorative coffee mugs, coffee and donuts Saturday morning. This is the
oldest track car meet in the nation. All participants must adhere to the State of
New Hampshire rules and regulations for the operation of track cars and the
Hobo Railroad operating rules and regulations as specified in the timetable.
Questions about equipment should be directed to the meet coordinator. For
additional information please check the Hobo Railroad website at http://
www.hoborr.com www.hoborr.com or mail a stamped self addressed envelope
to the meet coordinator, Paul G. Yorkis, 24 Kimberly Drive, Medway, MA 02053,
phone 508-533-4848 or email mail to: pgyorkis@aol.com
Rocky Mountain Division
Black Hills Central Railroad, Hill City, South Dakota
June 3-4-5, 2005
$35.00 per car. 25 car limit first trip (reservations required), no limit on the other
trips. Five minute rule will be in effect. NARCOA insurance not required, but
motorcars must pass a NARCOA inspection. Railroad has final say on all safety/
inspections/motorcar issues. Membership the RMD is required. See
www.rockymountaindivision for details. Contact: Gus Mocilac:
gus_mary@adelphia.net
Page 34
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The SETOFF
January/February 2005
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North Central Railcars
North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR) “Rail & Sail”
July 31, 2005 (Sunday)
NCR is pleased to announce a 1-day excursion over the North Shore Scenic
Railroad between Two Harbors, MN and Duluth, MN on the afternoon Sunday,
July 31, 2005. We will display our cars at the historic D.M. & I.R. station (adjacent
to the ore docks) in Two Harbors for several hours, then travel approximately 52
miles round-trip between Two Harbors & Duluth. During our 2.5 hour layover in
Duluth, participants can either tour the Canal Park area and have dinner on their
own, or take a 2-hour, narrated harbor tour, including a buffet pizza dinner. We
plan to return at dusk with some night operation. The excursion fee is $75 per
car, which includes 2 admissions to the NSSR museum. The cost of the harbor
tour (including pizza buffet) will be additional and is explained in the registration
materials. There is a 25 car limit. Complete details will be sent upon receipt of
the excursion fee. This is a NARCOA-insured excursion and all NARCOA rules
will apply. To register for the excursion or obtain more information, contact
Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter Court, Plainfield, Indiana 46168-8035. Tel:
(317) 839-9320 or email: mpford@iquest.net.
North Central Railcars
Wisconsin Northern Railroad Company
July 30, 2005 (Saturday)
NCR is pleased to sponsor a first time, one-day motor car excursion over a
portion of the Wisconsin Northern Railroad on Saturday, July 30, 2005. We will
run make two round-trips from Rice Lake, WI to Almena, WI (via Cameron, WI),
for a total of 72 miles. Excursion fee is $75 per car and includes all railroad fees
and related excursion costs. Complete details and registration materials will be
sent upon receipt of the excursion fee. There is a 25 car limit. This is a NARCOAinsured excursion and all NARCOA rules will apply. For further information, contact Michael P. Ford, 7712 Carpenter Court, Plainfield, Indiana 46168-8035. Tel:
(317) 839-9320 or email: mpford@iquest.net.
The following form is posted on the NARCOA website.
A copy of the filled out forms will be routed to the Editor for inclusion in The SETOFF.
EXCURSION SUBMISSION AND ADVERTISING FORM
(*) Required Fields for NARCOA Website. You may fill in all fields for “The SETOFF” publication.
*Railroad: ____________________________________________________
*Affiliate / Sponsor: _____________________________________________
*Date: _____________________
*From: _____________________
State: ______________
*To: _______________________
State: ______________
Set On Point:__________________________________________ _____
Set On Time: _________________
*Round Trip Miles: ____________
Total Number of Days: _________
*Cost: ________________
Car Limit: __________
Restrictions and Other Special Requirements: ______________________________________________________
Description of Railroad, Hotel Information, etc.: _____________________________________________________
NARCOA Rules and Insurance Required (circle one):
Yes
No
*Contact: ________________________________________________________
Contact’s Address: ________________________________________________
*E-Mail Address: ________________________________________________
*Phone Number: _______________________________
The SETOFF
●
January/February 2005
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Page 35
NARCOA and the Jake Award
by Dave Verzi, Tom Norman, Al McCracken
As many members know, NARCOA is a co-sponsor of the Jake Award. This award is the American Short Line and
Regional Railroad Association’s safety award given to injury free member railroads. The award was the creation
of Jake Jacobson of the Copper Basin Railroad.
NARCOA member Al McCracken was instrumental in our involvement with this program. From his own personal
funds he produced individual award pins that are distributed to each employee of award winning railroads in
addition to the prominent award plaque given to the railroad by ASLRRA. The pins feature a profile of Jake with an
enameled border stating “Jake Safety Award” additionally they are dated. The back of the round pins has NARCOA
written in a rectangle.
This public relations program has received enthusiastic support from member railroads and clearly benefits
NARCOA in expanding relationships with our Short Line Railroads.
The cost to NARCOA to fund this program is around $2,500 annually. Al has contributed funds to start the
program, and it has been sustained by contributions from various NARCOA Affiliate groups. All NARCOA
Affiliates are asked to make an annual contribution to sustain this fund. We need your help to keep pin production
in pace with the demand.
Donations should be made payable to NARCOA, noted Jake Fund, and sent to Tom Norman. He keeps a separate
line item in the Treasury for the fund and proceeds are directed to Al when the pins are produced.
NARCOA Affiliates contributing in 2004 were:
Northern Central Railcar Association $100, First Iowa Division $400, Great Lakes Railcars $200, Southeastern
Railcar Operators Inc $100, Motorcar Operators West $369, Pacific Railcar Operators $790 and $275, and North
East Railcar Association $350. Thank you (affiliates) for your participation.
Please contact Tom Norman, Al McCracken or Dave Verzi with questions.
NARCOA Member Decals for 2005 Available
R.W.G. is now offering official NARCOA decals for 2005. These
are high-quality, self-sticking printed vinyl decals that come in
two different logo versions, sizes, and colors. The decals are sold
in pairs.
Motorcar version is 3” x 3-1/2” at a price of $5.00 per pair.
Large NARCOA on-track version is 1-3/4” x 4” at a cost of $4.00
per pair.
Small NARCOA on-track version is 1-1/4” x 3” at a cost of $3.00
per pair.
Colors: Black on white OR red on white. When ordering, please
state both SIZE and COLOR.
PLEASE ADD .50 CENTS FOR POSTAGE AND HANDLING.
ALL PROFITS WILL BENEFIT NARCOA’s GENERAL FUND.
Send orders to: R.W.G.
c/o LARRY BREUER
P.O. BOX 21
GRANTVILLE, KANSAS 66429
Send inquiries to email: FLEXHAUL22@AOL.COM
North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA)
OFFICERS
President Pat Coleman
Vice President Ken Annett
Secretary Joel Williams
Treasurer Tom Norman
Area 1 Director
(ME, NH, VT, NY, MA, CT, RI)
Warren Riccitelli
39 Jacksonia Drive
North Providence RI 02911
Tel: (401) 231-5640
wriccitelli@ids.net
Area 9 Director
(AR, CO, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX)
Mark Springer
143 North Arcadia
Wichita KS 67212
Tel: (316) 721-4804
lospinos@cox.net
Area 2 Director
(NJ, PA, DE, MD)
Joel Williams
67 Julia Drive
Lock Haven PA 17745
Tel: (570) 893-1610
joel.williams@earthlink.net
Area 10 Director
(WA, OR, ID, MT, AK, WY)
Tom Norman
1047 Terrace View Drive
Alberton MT 59820
Tel: (406) 722-3012
alb4961@blackfoot.net
Area 3 Director
(IN, Lower MI, OH)
Bruce Carpenter
10241 Co. Rd. 35A
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Tel: (419) 738-5384
bnsf89@bright.net
Area 11 Director
(CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, HI)
Pat Coleman
1989 Robin Ridge Court
Walnut Creek CA 94597
Tel: (925) 979-1030
patcoleman@astound.net
Area 4 Director
(WV, VA, KY NC, SC, TN)
Tom Falicon
1227 Sawmill Creek Road
Bryson City NC 28713
Tel: (828) 488-8063
raildawg@gte.net
Director at Large (non–voting)
Mike Paul
1780 Maricopa Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904
Tel: (926) 235-2607
M19500RKB@prodigy.net
Area 5 Director
(MS, AL, GA, FL)
Bobby Moreman
3520 Cold Springs Lane
Chamblee GA 30341
Tel: (770) 457-6212
moreman@mindspring.com
Area 6 Director
(MN, WI, IL, Upper MI)
Pat Rock
6745 County Road A
Amherst WI 54406
Tel: (715) 824-6285
patrock@ieee.org
Area 7 Director
(ND, SD, NE, IA)
Carl Schneider
1302 – 6th Avenue S.E.
Altoona IA 50009
Tel: (515) 967-5181
motorcarl@netins.net
Area 8 Director
(Canada, Mexico, Australia)
Ken Annett
3483 Church Street
Windsor ONT, Canada N9E–1V6
Tel: (519) 969-8695
kannett@mnsi.net
Director at Large (non–voting)
Dave Verzi
10059 Aldridge Drive
Columbia Station OH 44028
Tel: (440) 236-3374
WM340@aol.com
The SETOFF
Charlene Morvay
17825 Route 8
Union City, PA 16438
Tel: (814) 438-7104
setoff@velocity.net
Nominations, Elections
Carl Anderson
1330 Rosedale Ln.
Hoffman Estates IL 60195
CarlAnderson@sd54.k12.il.us
Safety
Bob Knight
1212 Vale Street
Sandwich IL 60548
Tel: (815) 786-3096
lmk1212@indianvalley.com
Operations
Hank Brown
622 Oak Street
Cottage Grove WI 53527
Tel: (608) 839-4939
wildernesstours@charter.net
Rule Book CertificationTest
Al McCracken
2916 Taper Avenue
Santa Clara CA 95051
ALNETHIE@aol.com
NARCOA Web Master
Bill Stringfellow
204 Lake Court
Woodstock, GA 30188
(770) 751-1257
webmaster@narcoa.org
NARCOA Forum & Communications
Rich Stivers
1548 Fuchsia Dr.
San Jose CA 95125-4833
rich@stivers-bros.com
Rules
Jim McKeel
9742 Yosemite Ct.
Wichita KS 67215
Tel: (316) 721-4378
jdmckeel@prodigy.net
Committee Chairs
Affiliates ........................... Dave Verzi
Custom-Built Motorcars ...... Tom Falicon
Insurance ........................ Tom Norman
Judiciary ....................... Mark Springer
Rules ................................ Jim McKeel
Rail Preservation ........ Warren Riccitelli
Data and Computer
Compatibililty ............... Pat Coleman
FRA ................................ Ron Zammit
Legal Forms ................... Mark Springer
D
NARCOA Licensed Radio Call Sign
WPHT745 – 151.625 mHz