The Dispatcher May 2020

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U pcoming Events

We have reopened to visitors but, all June events have been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 Crisis. We plan on resuming train runs in July and are currently working on re-opening protocols to keep our volunteers and visitors safe. We will keep you updated on our schedule.

2020 Upcoming Events

Member's Picnic: CANCELLED

Member's Business meeting June 13th, 2020: Virtual meeting online, details below:

Fourth of July Train Run: July 4th, 2020

Regular Train Run: July 18th, 2020

If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Amanda, at amanda@oklahomarailwaymuseum.org

Volunteer News The Oklahoma Railway Museum opened to visitors on June 4th. Birthday

parties, tours, and train rides will not be happening in June. We are working

on modifying the layout of the gift shop, ticket office and train cars for social

distancing. We hope to start our regular train ride season on July 4th, 2020.

The Member’s Picnic on June 13th will be changed to a virtual member’s

meeting on the same date. Details above.

When we reopen, we will have a number of new health and safety measures

in place to protect our visitors, staff, and volunteers to help everyone feel

more comfortable returning to a communal public setting. We are requiring all

volunteers to wear face masks while interacting with visitors or when working

close proximity of other volunteers. We are going to be very measured in our

process, and are working on special ways to protect senior citizens and other

vulnerable visitors. Our reopening will occur slowly, as we welcome guests

back to our grounds and our facilities

Museum Update by Drake Rice

. The museum is now open for visitors and we are looking

forward to resuming train operations on the first Saturday

in July. Everyone is maintaining social distancing and all

volunteers are wearing masks. Bill Wright has been doing

some sorely needed business at the museum store. This

and visitor donations are the only income the museum has

at the present time.

The museum has cut expenses, stopped many projects, and is using some savings to keep the bills paid. This

year is going to be a year to remember, and we are working hard to keep costs down, looking forward to

resuming train operations, and some of our fundraising activities.

On a Sunday afternoon, Eric Dilbeck, Charles Price and Drake Rice made track repairs on the mainline just

north of the golf course. They used Drake’s Fairmont Motor car to push a work trailer over a mile from our

ballast pile at Owanda to the wash out. It took six loads to fix the damage and the crew replaced one bad tie.

Eric also corrected the drainage that had caused the wash out. There were some interesting photographs

taken of the crew trying to spike in the new tie. Word has it, that the spikes were only hit about 50% of the

time, but it was completed.

During our spring weed spraying on the tracks, MKT engine 48, that was being used to move cars, has had

some issues and the the Frisco 814 had to go rescue it on the golf course. This means Adventure Station

did not get sprayed for weeds. Dave Townsend, Eric Dilbeck, Bob Nantois, Charles Price, Drake Rice, and

David Eads all helped with the car movements to allow the spraying on the Owanda Siding, the School

Yard lead, the museum RIP Track, and the Main line from Eckroat to 50th Street. Bob Hussey and

company worked with DBI Services for the donation of the spraying while ORM purchased the material. As

for Engine 48, Guy Lynn has ordered new engine oil filters. The work was originally scheduled for right after

the Polar Express, but due to the virus it has not been completed. He was assisted by Justin Riehm.

A crew of Bob Cossiart, Charles Price, Darryl Owens, Justin Riehm and Drake Rice cleaned the flange

ways on the NE 36th St Crossing. They were packed with rocks and sand from the April and May rains,

which were causing some signal problems. Following that project, Charles Price, Eric Dilbeck, Jerry Gore

and Drake Rice trimmed trees, so they did not drag on the passenger cars on the new siding. During this

time Bob Nantois mowed the museum grounds. It takes a lot of effort to stay ahead of the grass. During the

week, Bob Cossiart, Charles Price and Jerry Gore mowed the 50th Street station grounds. And Bob

Cossiart and Charles Price continue to mow the right of way between the Museum and Ekroat.

Volunteer Steve Kamm repainted the signs in the front of the museum. He is also working on a new

informational bulletin board for the museum entrance.

Museum Staff continues work on the social distancing plan at the museum in preparation for the July 4th

Train. As mentioned earlier, we are planning for a big turnout for the first train ride since the Polar Express

Trains in December. Please spread the word and encourage people to come out to the museum on July the

4th. As always, we can use volunteers, if you would like to help, please call the museum office at 424-8222

and we hope to see you at your museum

Board of Trustees' Report

-The Trustees continue to meet monthly by Zoom.

-Board reviewed the monthly expenditures and Budget. Looking for ways to trim

expenditures. Most expenditures have been for wash out repairs to track. All future

expenditures will need prior approval by board.

-Voted to Resume Train Operations on July 4th and allow visitors at the museum beginning

June 1.

-Reviewed the status of track repairs on damage caused by the April and May rains.

- Approved a recommendation on the By Laws regarding holding meeting due to the Covid-19

Virus to the membership.

-Received a Grant from the State Rail Planning to assist with installation of Yield signs at all

ORM crossing to comply with FRA Rules.

Treasurer's Report

Income $3,195.00 Income is down due to no train operations and no fund raising activities.

Expenditures $20,961.21

Checking Account Balance $8,715.38

Regent Bank Balance $221,532.56

D onation Box

Because of closings and cancellations, we are in

need of donations more than ever before! Brick

purchases and donations will make a real

difference during this difficult time.

The museum is also in need on a box blade for

our tractor. The one we have is worn out and

beyond repair. If anyone has one to donate or

funds toward a new one, it would be greatly

appreciated.

Please visit our w ebsite if you are able to give!

Around the Museum Volunteers Drake Rice, Charles Price, and Eric Dilbeck repairing a track washout just south of Roserock. They

also replaced a tie using a motorcar.

Five Bucket-List Train Trips Amanda Resnick

While we’re all stuck inside, we might as well use our time daydreaming about future train travel. Here are five

bucket-list train trips ranging from affordable to outrageously expensive, to get you through the quarantine.

1. The Pacific Surfliner

Courtesy of Amtrak.com

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner hugs the pacific coast from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. The route spans 350

miles and lasts 6 hours. Tickets start at $62.00 and the train has space for your surfboard!

2. The Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is the most beautiful way to cross the Alps. It is the highest railway across the Alps, it

climbs up the glistening glaciers before descending to the palms of Italy far below. The route starts in Chur,

Switzerland and ends in Tirano, Italy. Tickets start at $70 on the Rhaetian Railway.

3. The Jacobite Steam Train

Courtesy of Visitscotland.com

The Hogwarts Express! Ok, not really, but still an incredible trip. This 84 mile round trip takes you past both the

tallest mountain and the deepest fresh water lake in Britain. Tickets start at $82 on the West Coast Railway.

4. The Rocky Mountaineer, First Passage to the West

Courtesy of rockymountaineer.com

This gorgeous route over the Rockies, starts in Vancouver, BC and ends in Banff, AB. The trip is 8 days and 7 nights of amazing

views and fun excursions. Tickets start at $3,000 on the Rocky Mountaineer.

5. The Venice Simplon Orient Express

Courtesy of luxurytrainclub.com

The most luxurious train trip in the world! The Modern Orient Express stretches from London, England to Istanbul, Turkey. Tickets

start at $2000, but the traditional Paris to Istanbul route costs $18,500!

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