Emerald Coast Garden Railway Club

www.ecgrc.com - 1 - September - October 2013

September - October 2013 www.ECGRC.com Vol 2013-4

Autumn 2013

Finally, at least hopefully, the humid heat of Summer is now behind us. The cool nights of Autumn have descended upon us. Less air conditioners are running and more windows are opened. This is a great and

wonderful time of year. A terrific respite after the oppressive Summer heat. Whew!

Page Contents

1 Autumn 2013

2 President’s Message, Swap Meet

5 P&S RR Meet, Art Museum, Dothan

7 Crossing Sign, Express Train to Hell

8 Charleston Best Friend

9 Baldwin County Fair

10 Mobile Train Show, Atmore Williams Station Day

11 Matthew Party

12 Lionel Christmas

13 Lionel 113, Wall Street Steam, Fall Back, Aristo-Craft Derailed

14 Signal Lights, Health & Welfare

15 Events, Birthdays & Anniversaries

16 Kerry RR Trip

17 Museum Renovations

This Autumn time brings lots of things. The leaves of the trees turn to brilliant colors. The Dothan train show was held in late September. Baldwin County Fair ran again at the end of September. Tropical Storm Karen came to visit us as the first tropical event of the hurricane season. Mobile SWARM and NMRA/SER/Gulf division folks held their first early October train show. The Fall Tailgate Swap Meet brought sellers and buyers together for model train bargains. Atmore had its Williams Station Day and train show at the end of October. Thanksgiving comes in late November with bountiful family dinners. The RR Museum is having its Lionel Christmas in December. Art Museum will have trains in December. Santa brings all of us good cheer towards late December with magical Christmas trees, wondrous light displays in infinite shapes and themes. And then the new 2014 year comes marching in full of fresh promise and mystery.

So Happy Fall greetings to all.

Emerald Coast Garden Railway Club

Emerald Coast Garden Railway Club WFRM


President's Message

Well, Fall has finally arrived. We have been lucky this summer with the weather. I know we did get a lot of rain for a while, but at least it wasn't accompanied with hurricane force winds. As to the temperatures, I'd call this a mild summer. The heat waves stayed north of us. I measured a few 98s in June at my house north of Pace, but in July and August the temps never went higher than 95. That's pretty nice for around here-practically the Arctic.

Over the past few months Bob Fasnacht, Jerry Stewart and George Provan, and perhaps others, have done a good amount of track work. Trains are running more smoothly than back in the spring. Also, thanks to those who continually pruned the layout foliage. As the growing season is pretty much over, maybe we can look at cutting back some of the larger growth along the fence.

I wasn't able to attend Dothan, but I hear there was a good amount of G gauge for sale. Perhaps it's just as well.

Remember that Lionel Christmas is coming up. Check the museum calendar for the dates. Tell someone about it!

Jack

Swap Meet

Another great Old Fashioned Tailgate Swap Meet was held Saturday, 19 Oct 2013. The early morning started out with lots of rain threatening to soak us to the bone. Even a little light rain at

times during the early morning. But the heavy rains held off. Weather turned out to be even sunny. Great weather for an

outdoor tailgate swap meet.

Swap Meet sellers

A total of 26 sellers filled the Depot Courtyard, Loading Dock, Baggage Room, Freight House and outside under the Depot eaves. Some of the sellers brought their own tents which turned out to be prudent given the cloudy and sometimes wet weather. That 26 includes three last minute and "unregistered" sellers which caused some scrambling to fit them in. Two other sellers did cancel but we still had a good mix of sellers with a diverse assortment of trains and related material. Jon Graydon, from Panama City, had a 100 pound resin model of a nice RR depot. Dick Rogers had N scale plus examples of his model ships in wooden display cases. Mack Maginnis and Harold Ivey came over from New Orleans and Biloxi with lots of G scale trains and plastic model kits. And on and on. Too much to list it all here.



All 16 parking spots in the Depot Courtyard were filled. And almost every table that the Museum and I had were used. It was a busy place with lots of activity.

The Ice House field across Henry Street was busy with lots of buyers parking plus the 9 year old boy's birthday party. Thanks for the Museum volunteers for parking across the street and helping in that way. And the two handicap spots out front did get used by REAL handicap vehicles. A big surprise.

Jack Grill at his usual Loading Dock spot

Andy Sloan up on the Loading Dock with Jim

Gaul looking for things

Andy Sloan was selling his MTH Challenger locomotive plus many other G scale trains. Thanks for bringing your own tables, Andy.

Louise Gaul watching the trains while it was

lightly raining

George Provan showing his three-truck DCC

sound shay to Orlando Gomez

George Provan was selling his three-truck Shay. When he got it, he found out it was a DCC equipped decoder with sound. It worked great when a Digitrax system was hooked up to it. Lots of different sounds.



Bob Fasnacht usual Baggage Cart with a few

things left before he sold out

Keith Rapley was a last-minute seller tucked in

a Baggage Room corner

Paul Karczewski showing off his Pennsylvania

& Southern RR material

Some sellers started packing up a little after Noon. Most were gone by 1 PM. A couple held around a little while longer. All of the sellers seemed pleased and had a good time. Not all of the sellers sold out of everything they brought, like Bob Fasnacht the lucky dog, but most did sell something.

Thanks to Frank Paine, Ian Sinclair and others for keeping operations going over at the Jordan Lot. The birthday kids were more than a handful this time. Thanks guys.

MOST IMPORTANT, the Freight House Cafe made enough to cover the donuts this time. Yippee. And much thanks to Barb Sinclair for helping keep tabs on the Cafe coffee and stuff. Thanks to Art for setting up the coffee pot ready to go for us.

Likely the next Tailgate Swap Meet will be the third Saturday in April 2014. I might be rested by then?

You put a box of model trains into your car and immediately triple the vehicle's value.

You think a train party is a big model railroad meet.

Your eyes glaze over when you hear words like SD70MAC or DASH 8-40C.

You describe colors as Daylight Orange, Brunswick Green, Glacier Blue, Harbormist

Gray, and Boxcar Red.


www.ecgrc.com ‐ 5 ‐ September ‐ October 2013

P&S RR Meet

Paul Karczewski and many friends have been

working long and hard to build his 7‐1/2" railroad

through the woods of his new 9 acre homestead.

Now Paul is having his first official Fall Meet for the

Pennsylvania & Southern Railroad. The meet is

Saturday & Sunday, Nov 9‐10.

Loco and Caboose built by Paul K. and painted by

Orlando Gomez

Paul states that the P&S is the largest 1.5 scale

railroad in the Panhandle of Florida. So far there is

over 4,000' of track laid.

P&S RR trackage

There is a flyer around the Club with directions and

info. Expect lots and lots of folks there. Likely there

will be a live steamer or two plus a herd of other

iron horses.

Pot luck dinner will ensure plenty of good food.

Paul’s phone is 850‐978‐1718.

ART MUSEUM

The RR Museum is getting busy, busy, busy.

Speaking engagements at various groups in the local

area. The Pensacola Art Museum has asked us to

participate with their Christmas Winterfest activity

this coming December. They want to provide a

Polar Express theme of activity at the Art Museum

in support of the Pensacola Winterfest event.

To that end, we are setting up a small G scale

railroad in Gallery 2 of the Pensacola Art Museum.

The Pensacola Model Railroad Club (PMRC) will also

have a modular layout there in another gallery.

Keith Rapley is the Engineer In Charge for this

event. Keith is planning the G railroad to fit within

the Gallery 2 space along with many of his town

buildings and the elevated track. It will be an

interesting exhibit and will get lots of attention

from kids and parents. One evening is planned by

the Art Museum to have the kids in pajamas like on

the Polar Express. Might even have Santa show up.

Early planning has set up starting on Friday, 6 Dec.

The opening event is Saturday afternoon, 7 Dec.

Keith will need help with set up and with staffing

the layout over the succeeding weekends. So get

with Keith to participate.

Dothan Train Show

Another annual Dothan Train Show hosted by the

Wiregrass Model Railroad Club at the Peanut

Festival Fairgrounds on 21‐22 Sept 2013. It was a

very good train show. More G scale vendors than in

years past. And lots of great bargains.



ECGRC G railroad of seven tracks - pic by

Keith Rapley

This year a different look was achieved thanks to

Keith Rapley. He got the 10' diameter elevated oval

up and operational. It encircled his town buildings.

The different look got lots of good comments from

the public train show folks. Quite a few

photographers made a point of getting pictures

looking down Main Street of Rapleyville.

Main Street, Rapleyville - pic by Keith Rapley

A total of 452' of track was put down on the floor

with seven operational tracks. It was a busy railroad

during the whole train show. Set up started Friday

morning at about 8:30 AM and continued all day.

Lots of folks watching for lingering periods

of time

The Favorite Train voting

collected 28 votes from the

show attendees. The favorite

train was Paul Weston's

Cartoon Train. This is also

known as the Pointing Train.

The Favorite Train Voting

seems to be catching hold

with growing participation by

the train show visitors and

increased desire for the voting

results by the train engineers.

Paul Weston found out that the train show had 900

paying attendees. The Wiregrass folks were happy

with the train show. And the vendors seemed to be

happy, also, with lots of sales. A bunch of our own

folks secured some great bargains with lots of G

scale trains and related items.



Crossing Sign

John Gilbert donated a railroad crossing sign. It has

been mounted on the door of the Train Shed at the

Jordan Lot. Right by the Riding Train tracks.

New RR Crossing Sign from John Gilbert

John donated it at the end of the Dothan train show

this past 22, Sept.

Express Train to Hell

A New Jersey Ghost Story Retold by S.E. Schlosser

For days, a ragged old man had hung around the Newark Central Station. The stationmaster kept running him off, but night after night he would return. He kept accosting people, shouting: "It's coming for me! It's coming!" Whenever anyone asked him what was coming for him, he would just clutch his head and cry: "I done wrong! I killed a man that cheated me at cards, and now I'm going to pay!"

The stationmaster finally took the man aside and threatened to call the police if he did not cease and desist. The old man rolled his eyes and replied: "The Express Train for Hell is coming for my soul! You've got to help me." He broke away from the stationmaster and ran for the door. The time was two minutes to midnight. At that moment, new sound introduced itself. A long whistle blew, once, twice. The

stationmaster was startled. The next train wasn't due until 12:05.

The old tramp started screaming when he heard the whistle. The stationmaster could hear the roar and chug of a steam train, approaching fast. Approaching too fast to stop at the station. The old man was standing at the edge of the platform, staring down the tracks in frozen terror. The stationmaster ran forward and grabbed hold of the old tramp to pull him out of harm's way.

The train whistle sounded again. A warm rush of air blew against everyone near the platform and the stationmaster heard the roar of an invisible train passing directly in front of him. He heard the hiss of the steam and the screech of flanges against iron rails; he felt the wind whipping our hair and faces, but he saw nothing.

Beneath his grip, the old tramp gave a terrible wail. Then he vanished, leaving the stationmaster empty-handed. The roar of the invisible train faded into the distance and then ceased. The stationmaster glanced at the station clock. It was midnight.

The stationmaster stared blankly at the tracks. Around him, the waiting passengers and other bystanders were gasping and murmuring in fright. "Good lord, he was right," the stationmaster murmured to himself. "It did come for him." He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his sweating, bald head with it.



A trembling man standing nearby approached the stationmaster: "Sir, what was that?" he asked. "Son, I believe that was the Express Train to Hell," said the stationmaster. He shook his head and that seemed to bring him to his senses. "Why don't you go back into the station and pour yourself a drink?" he suggested to the trembling man.

He pushed the man through the station door and then turned to address the dazed and frightened passengers. "Nothing to worry about folks," he said. "It was just an express train passing through. The next train will be here in five minutes." The stationmaster's reassuring manner calmed everyone. People turned away from the empty tracks and settled back into their seats, whispering to each other about the strange events that had just taken place.

Then the stationmaster went into his office, closed the door, and poured himself a stiff drink to calm his nerves. "Well, that's one for the books," he muttered aloud. "I wonder if I should put it on the schedule; 12 am-Express Train to Hell."

Shaking his head, he fortified himself with one more brandy and then went back to work.

Charleston Best Friend

The city of Charleston SC recently had a renovated train return back to the city. It was known as the Best Friend of Charleston. The renovated train is 85 years old. The original steam‐powered Best Friend of Charleston train was the very first train in the Nation to offer regular passenger service. It ran along a six‐mile stretch of track on the northwest side of Charleston back in 1830. The train started its commercial service on Christmas Day in 1830.

Best Friend of Charleston on a low-boy trailer

(What, no tracks?)

This news item was reported via the Houston Chronicle newspaper by Bruce Smith of Associated Press. That news item showed the Best Friend of Charleston being toted into Charleston strapped down to a low‐boy trailer the weekend of 2 Nov 2013. How humiliating! Not even on a railroad flatcar! It deserves to be riding the rails again. Need to start a national petition for some sort of federal action to remedy that dilemma.

The replica of the engine, tender and two passenger cars will be on display in an old 1800‐dated train shed as part of the Visitor Center for Charleston. No reports of resuming passenger service. Wonder if you would have to wear 1830‐period attire?



Baldwin County Fair

Immediately after the Dothan train show, the

Baldwin County Fair was setting up for its 63rd year.

The fair ran 24‐28 Sept 2013. The opening night on

Tuesday started at 3 PM but wrapped up at 8 PM

due to rain. And that rain resulted in kids with lots

of unspent energy cooped up inside the coliseum.

The rest of the week the weather was great for the

fair run.

A total of six tracks were set up with a total of 563'

of track. George Provan helped Ed set up for a few

hours on Tuesday, which enabled another oval track

to be set up. Thanks, George. Set up on Monday

and Tuesday was hectic and rapid. Not the normal

set up window with ample time. The Dothan train

show took the weekend before and left only

Monday and Tuesday morning for set up.

Baldwin County Fair

Despite the abbreviated set up time window, lots

got done. Green carpets covered the floor area to

protect the floor from the lampblack. An elevated

track got constructed and running. Along with a

back‐n‐forth track for some eggliners and the New

Haven RDC. And the cloverleaf was set up. Thomas

the Tank engine ran and was a kid favorite. Lots of

buildings were placed. Even the elusive Gnomes

managed to sneak in and set up their own

Gnomeville without losing any of the little ones.

The Favorite Train voting collected 315 votes from

the fair visitors. The favorite train was the M&M's

train with an impressive 70 votes. The Bumble

Bee/Monarch Butterfly eggliners and coal hopper

train tied for second place. The fair was well

attended and the fair organizers were very happy

with the attendance numbers.

Favorite train: M&M's

Per expectations, more than one kid was pulled

away screaming as they left the train exhibit area.

That's a win for the train layout!

Fair visitors admiring the G railroad, and

pointing, too!



The Baldwin County Coliseum is a fantastic facility.

Very roomy with very high ceilings, and impressively

clean. No cupcake vendor at the inside cafe this

year. BBQ vendor but still rather pricey.

MOBILE TRAIN SHOW

The SouthWest Alabama Railroad Modelers

(SWARM) hosted a new train show in Mobile,

Alabama on 5 Oct 2013. This was scheduled to be a

two‐day train show at the Via Fitness Center in

downtown Mobile. However, Tropical Storm Karen

caused trepidation with its ominous forecasts for

the Mobile area. Thus, the fitness center decided to

cancel the second day and not bring in their staff

during a strong tropical storm.

The show did go on despite the soggy forecast. Set

up started on Friday and resumed Saturday morning

when the fitness center staff arrived to open the

building. It was a beehive of activity Saturday with

set up and then show open time. There were

several operating layouts, including Norman Koenig

with his small two‐loop G railroad. And there were

several vendors including Trains By Johnson and

Terry Tucker Train Supply. The RR Museum info

board with pictures and information was set up.

RR Museum info board and set up

Ed came prepared to give an electrical clinic. Four

other clinics were also given.

In-hall clinic area with Buddy Black after his

clinic

While this was a small train show, for a first time

event it was well organized and all went well. The

SWARM folks have good talent having hosted the

Fairhope train show for many years. Even had a

small food vendor set up inside the hall area so we

did not have to go out into the downtown area for

lunch.

Atmore Williams Station Day

Atmore, Alabama has had their annual community

event, Williams Station Day, for many years now.

For a number of years in the past they also had a

nice train show in the old YMCA gym. However, that

train show dwindled down to nothing for many

reasons. Well, the Atmore Chamber of Commerce

and volunteers Donna and Ron Vile have been

working to bring the train show back. This was the

second year for the train show in the YMCA Gym.

Ed set up another G scale railroad in front of the

stage area of the gym. Ron set up his newly built HO

modular layout. Donna set up some information

tables, including Operation Lifesaver. Ron also set

up a slide show with his rail fan pictures. Plus, three

sellers were set up. I think they all came from the

Milton swap meet and all said they were happy with

the train show.



Mary Poppins had her bag. Ed has his van. Never bet that he can’t fit it all back inside.

Atmore G scale railroad with the sneaky

Gnomes, again

Ed got six tracks put down for a total of 261' of

track. Two outer loops, back‐n‐forth, cloverleaf and

two small circles. Ed did this solo with no problems.

Turned out the lights and closed up the gym

Saturday evening around 7:30 PM.

Ed's van loaded up to the tip-top.

Paul Karczewski was also there with his 1/8 scale

loco and caboose. Paul was set up outside and had

to contend with the very chilly Saturday morning.

Paul talked up and explained his P&S RR. His exhibit

got lots of attention outside and helped draw folks

into the train show inside the gym.

Train show visitors admiring the large scale

trains and pointing, too.

The Favorite Train Voting only collected 19 votes.

The favorite train was the Hershey train running on

the cloverleaf and one of the small 4' diameter

circles. Thomas and Percy both got lots of attention

from the kids.

This Atmore train show was a good train show.

Matthew Party Saturday, 26 October, was a nice party for Matthew Wertz. It was for his birthday and his family brought out lots of pizza to the Jordan Lot for Matthew's "train buddies." Cupcakes arrived also. Beth Sloan provided some cookies and more cupcakes. We had lots of goodies.

Matthew Wertz and family

This party was a big surprise to Matthew at the Jordan Lot. Thanks to all of the Club members from the entire Wertz family for supporting Matthew.



Lionel Christmas

December brings Lionel Christmas to the RR

Museum. Of course, Mike Moore will set up his

Lionel O gauge trains in the Freight House. Plus, lots

of Christmas decorations all over the Depot campus,

especially the Jordan Lot.

Mike Moore manning the O scale railroad - pic

by George Wilson

Lionel Christmas will be during

the normal RR Museum hours

(10am‐3pm), Friday‐Saturday

of 6‐7, 13‐14, and 20‐21 Dec

2013. With one evening

session on Saturday, 14 Dec.

Dining Car with Christmas decorations - pic

by George Wilson

Something different this year is how Saturday, 14

Dec will work. Art Tuttle will be providing lunch for

the Museum workers, including the Jordan Lot staff.

In turn, between 3‐5 PM, the Club will have our

annual Christmas dinner which will also include the

Lionel Christmas workers, like Mike and friends on

the O gauge trains. After dinner, then the Jordan

Lot will get the lighted passenger trains running in

the evening darkness.

Orlando Gomez's lighted Pennsylvania RR

passenger train - pic by George Wilson

Lots of helpful eyes are needed during the evening

session to watch for rocks on the tracks and the

kids' mischief. Plenty of eyes will keep problems at

bay and allow smooth operations through the

evening.

There will be lots and lots of Riding Train trips all

three weekends. Lots of train running opportunities



and lots of help is needed. Come on out and join the

fun. And we do have a very good time.

Merry

Christmas and

Peace to All

Lionel 113 Years

A recent news article authored by CNN Money

reports on Lionel Trains still going after 113 years of

operations. Lionel Trains has passed through several

owners over the years and a recent bankruptcy, to

boot. But still going and planning big things.

Now in the 21st Century, Lionel Trains is planning to

go digital with an app that runs Lionel trains via an

iPad.

Many of us may remember the 4‐6‐4 Steam Loco

Hudson. It was one of many metal locomotives that

stood up to harsh treatment by us junior engineers.

The three rail power was easy for us to handle and

work with. The small transformer packs did not like

being left on for hours and hours, but they sure did

make thin wire glow and melt across the rails as it

shorted out. And those lead icicles off the Christmas

tree went up in smoke very quickly, too.

Speed, speed, speed. No matter how fast we ran,

the Lionel trains stayed on the rails.

Oh the hours upon hours we ran those trains.

Wall Street Steam

On 14 October 2013, the Wall Street Journal did a very nice article on live steam trains running on 7‐1/2" gauge track somewhere in upstate New York. The railroad operators, Adirondack Live Steamers, Inc., did not allow identifying where the railroad was located hidden away in the woods. Casual non‐members not wanted nor allowed. One of the restrictions by the benefactor of the land.

The live steam club has about 120 members all actively running their locomotives. Many of the 400+ pound locomotives travel in on pickup trucks or trailers.

The article did a nice job of explaining the mystic that enthralls the live steam engineers. Not the type of article you expect to see in the Wall Street Journal. Slow news day?

Fall Back In Time Hopefully everyone remembered to fall back in time with their numerous clocks all around the house and in your vehicles.

Dang! I forgot the still‐working clock at the Jordan Lot. It will be looking into the future for a while, guys.

Good thing is you got an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, 3 Nov.

But, it is still hurricane season until the end of November.

And so, time marches on. Then next Spring 2014 we will all spring forward in time.

Aristo-Craft Derailed

Most of you know, with a heavy heart, that Aristo‐Craft is closing its doors as of the end of December. Polk Hobbies has been going strong for 80 years, but unfortunately they could not keep it going in the current depressed economy.

They did separate the train electronics Crest line of products. That includes the Revolution radio‐control systems. The new group is Crest Electronics and can be reached online via http://www.crest‐electronics.net/. The next shipment of Revolution product items is planned for early January with the newly redesigned Revolution Base Stations following later in January.

The new boss man is Navin Shievdayal, Product Manager, Crest Electronics.

We are all looking for a long run of Crest Electronics products, especially the Revolution units.



Signal Lights

Tom Perry came upon some railroad signal lights

recently. He got them for the Jordan Lot.

Fortunately, he came upon them before he got

super‐busy with Toys For Tots campaign way down

in South Florida.

RR crossing signal lights found by Tom Perry

Now to get them fixed up and installed. Where to

find some crossing gates? Thanks, Tom.

Health & Welfare Tucker – Terry had his first granddaughter – Charley Rose Tucker born 21 Aug 2013. Charley the Granddaughter is doing great. Terry & April are doing good also.

Frank Paine – Summer plants giving Frank fits and a half with allergies. Get better, Frank. Otherwise, nothing

note‐worthy. Frank retired from the county library system on the 27th of Sept.

Bobbie Dorner – wanting new car to replace her old steed. “No car yet, waiting for my shows at St Simon's on the Sound 2 Nov weekend, and Pine Forest next weekend to be finished then shop, shop, shop. Shots...nah....nuttin'......but the back can now wait for the spring....good possibility of doing one hip then. Hobble, hobble, hobble.....later...B” Carrington – “We had a great vacation this year. At Gatlinburg the weather was nice and the fall colors were 60% when we arrived. A week later the colors were 85% and temps in the low 40s. On to Kentucky. WOW. Colors at 100% all week. Temps in low 50s to mid 30s. I had to put on long pants. Visited with Stef's sister. Had a really good time. Made it home safely on Friday. Stef still has her shingles but almost gone. Bill”

Paul Karczewski – 31 Aug meet of 7‐1/2” trains on his newly built railroad. Lots of folks. Lots of fun. Included a live steamer, too. And Paul was at the Swap Meet on 19 Oct and at Atmore on 26 Oct. Now working to get ready for 9‐10 Nov weekend meet.

Jack Grill – Nothing to report.

Pat Stevens – Had a stroke and is recovering from that. “I am doing much better. Still working on regaining my strength and stamina. Hope to be back to full strength after the first of the year.”

Dee Miller – became a great‐grandmother again, 17 Sept 2013

Ian Sinclair – Right eye surgery mid‐Oct at Navy Hospital Pensacola, and the eye (right) is doing fine, and it was cataract surgery. I go in for follow up on Friday Nov. 8th, and will get my eyes examined for new glasses at that time.

Jim Neidmeyer – “Hello all engineers. Parkinson is still continuing to progress though slowly. My youngest son and his wife are expecting in May. (Their first). Enjoy newsletter, keep it coming. Bless you all. Jim Niedermayer”

Margaret Bryant – “It is getting close to the time that I will head south again. My birthday is January 11th, and if like last year, we will celebrate with the members that weekend. Keep chugging................. Margaret.”

Mike Stokes ‐ Now has legal title and physical possession of Bob Fasnacht's Big Boy steam locomotive as of 2 Nov 2013. The official change of command took



place at the Jordan Lot after a detailed briefing on operations and other related matters.

Andy Sloan ‐ Now has a Thomas The Tank train with a neat Ram‐Track calliope sound system that also triggers via the on‐board Revolution decoder all placed inside the Clarabell passenger car. Catch it on the Jordan Lot Garden Railroad track.

Orlando Gomez ‐ Our perpetual working machine has been busy at Paul Karczewski's home building a new shed for the P&S RR. Busy getting it done for the 9‐10 Nov meet.

Events 20 Sept – National Tradesmen Day

21‐22 Sept – Dothan Train Show

See Ed Dice to participate.

24‐28 Sept – Baldwin County Fair

See Ed Dice to participate.

5‐6 Oct – Mobile Model Train Show, SWARM, 1717

Dauphin St., Mobile AL

12‐13 Oct – Munson Heritage Festival

19 Oct – Old Fashioned Tailgate Swap Meet

See Ed Dice to participate

19 Oct – Museum Board meeting at 9:30 AM

19 Oct – Club meeting at Noon or bit later.

26 Oct – Atmore AL, Williams Station Day train

show

16 Nov – Museum Board meeting at 9:30 AM

16 Nov – Club meeting at Noon or bit later.

6‐7 Dec – Lionel Christmas

7‐8 Dec – St. Anne’s Christmas Market See Ed Dice to participate

7 Dec – Pensacola Art Museum – Winterfest – Polar Express – G scale train exhibit See Keith Rapley to participate


14 Dec – ECGRC Christmas dinner late afternoon (3‐

5PM)

14 Dec – Lionel Christmas evening trains until 8 PM

14 Dec ‐ Pensacola Art Museum – Winterfest – Polar Express – G scale train exhibit See Keith Rapley to participate

19‐21 Dec ‐ Pensacola Art Museum – Winterfest – Polar Express – G scale train exhibit See Keith Rapley to participate


Birthdays & Anniversaries

24 Sept – April Tucker birthday

10 Oct – Kathy Perry birthday

26 Oct – Matthew Wertz birthday

29 Oct – Andy & Beth Sloan anniversary

26 Nov – Jim & Carolyn Rush anniversary

6 Dec – Susan Cope birthday

7 Dec – Jack Grill birthday

10 Dec – Jerry Stewart birthday

14 Dec – Ed Couturie birthday

21 Dec – Ed & Ethel Couturie anniversary

21 Dec – Bob & Lorene Fasnacht anniversary

22 Dec – Tom & Kathy Perry anniversary

23 Dec – Ted & Nancy Batchman anniversary

5 Jan – John Kashynski birthday

11 Jan – Margaret Bryant birthday

11 Jan – T.J. & Paula Takahashi anniversary



Kerry RR Trip Kerry Sullivan is a former member of the RR Museum and the HO club in the Bridge Tender's Building. Kerry was a helicopter pilot and was working the off-shore drilling platforms until he retired from flying a little while ago. Terry's report on a recent trip follows:

Had a railroad experience I thought you guys would like to hear about. Last Tuesday, July 23, my wife, my two grandchildren, and I visited the Blue Ridge Summit Railroad.

It is an amazing mountain railroad empire in 7.5" gauge. It was started by Bill Koster and Bob Fink in 1998 and is owned and maintained today by Klaus and Debbie Boehmke. It has about 3,000 feet of mainline track that drops fifty feet at a 4% grade. The railroad has five passing sidings, yards, trestles, a tunnel, a girder bridge, and three station houses. I cannot tell you how exciting it was for my family to ride this train! Klaus and Debbie bought the house and railroad ten years ago as a summer home. They plan to sell it soon, if you are interested.

This is the girder bridge!

This is the station and restroom midway on

the journey up and down.

This is part of the yard and engine shop

showing our train as it completes the loop for a downhill run.

Klaus and Debbie standing in the "yard" in

front of their summer home.



This is the station at Whistlestop at the

bottom of the run. A loop is made around the station for the uphill run.

I have more pix if you like but they don't seem to do the RR justice. There is a website at http://www.wilkes.net/~ratfink/brsr.htm but it is a little out of date. Klaus and Debbie like to share their railroad with other railfans (not open to the public). They spend their winter months in Tallahassee where Klaus plans to build another railroad empire. The BRSR is off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone, NC. If you would like to visit the BRSR contact Klaus and Debbie via email: [email protected]

Kerry

Museum Renovations Many of you know about the recent renovations at

the RR Museum. The Baggage Room got new lights and new signage. Same in the Waiting Room. And the Ticket Office got cleaned up and organized a lot. Art Tuttle and George Wilson and many others have been busy.

New sign in Waiting Room about Women on

the L&N

More changes are still in the mill. A Fallen Flags exhibit will be placed in the Baggage Room to explain all of the various railroads that preceded or made up the L&N and Frisco railroads. And there were a lot of them. It should be an interesting exhibit.

New Telegraph Key exhibit in Phone Booth of

Freight House; built by George Wilson

While you stand in the Baggage Room, you can hear the telegraph key working in the Ticket Office. George Wilson got things working and has a pre‐recorded tape that actually runs the telegraph key.

Other things in planning on down the tracks: new windows in the Business Car so they are like the Dining Car; Frisco Caboose remodeled to hold a new Frisco RR exhibit; painting cars all over; replace rotted tie platform in front of the Section Shed. Many things need fixing and many hands are needed with all of the work.

Emerald Coast Garden Railway Club

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