July 1996

SpecialEdition•

TheS eIllaphoreNewsletter of the Rochester NY Chapter, National Railway Historical Society

The Rochester & GeneseeValley Railroad Museum

in cooperation with

The New York Museum ofTransportation

In the Celebration DEour z;th Anniver.sary DE the DePD~

present

"25 Years JfIgo 1/S. 'Today"

•

•

25 Years ago we had "A Dollarand a Dream" when we acqui.redour presen1 Depot at Industry for $1and began renting the land under itfor an annual stipend of $25.00.

Today we own the Depot and the landunder it and the land around it up anddown our right of way and along bothsides of the Mortimer line.

• In 1971 the Depot stood in a fieldof four foot high weeds, forlorn andbattered.

Today the Depot is attractively andauthentically restored and sets in themidst of extensive trackage holdingonly some of our substantial collec-tion. The rest has overflowed to addi-tional storage tracks away from theDepot.

25 years ago we had no collectionat all, either inside or outside of theDepot in our Museum-io-be.

Today we have a collection of fiveoperating diesel locomotives, six pas-senger cars at Industry in variousstages of restoration and use, plus sixmore at Sodus in our excursion train,a neet of five assorted freight cars. andfive different cabooses.

25 years ago we had no railroad •even any thoughts of one. No rightof way or rouie had been surveyed.No track materials or track toolswere in hand or on hand. Webarely knew where we were.

Today we and New'York Museum ofTransportation have constructed, op-erate and maintain two miles of stan-dard gage class I track. featuringgrades to 4% or more. curves to 30degrees or more, a route throughbeautiful scenery, and considerableyard trackage.

25 years ago we thought we werevery fortunate to own a railroaddepot. Our sights were ratherlimited in those days. The ErieRailroad outside our fronl door wasthe only operation for excitemenlseveral days a week.

Today. in conjunction with NYMTweare hauling 3000-4000 passengers ayear over our two-mile line, using trackcars and diesel powered trains, andanother 4000-5000 on our OntarioMidland excursion trains. We areoperating at least some kind of equIp-ment every month of the year, formembers and/or public. Tours andcharters are a big part of our business.

25 years ago we didn I have towony about mainlenance of mo-tive power, rolling stock. track.signals, structwes or utilities. Wewere closing in tile Depot to keepthe weather out.

Today we have a whole neet of trackmotor cars, inspection cars. trailers.crane car. crane tender. Jacksontamper, Kershaw snow broom, hlghrail utility and high rail boom dumptruck, and still more equipment isavailable from NYMT.

25 years ago we owned no tools ormaterials of any kind. When youcame to a work pany, you hadbetter remember to bring eve'Y-thing you needed or you were justplain out of luck.

Today we have a seventy five foot toolcar shop, stocked with all kinds ofhand and power tools, various kinds ofwork benches and work areas, and ahighly organized stock of all kinds ofparts. And now we're going to build atwo track 60 x 130 foot restorationbuilding with all the bells and whistles!

Photos of a model of this building areon page 3.

25 years ago we didn Ieven own ashovel. All work was done by handwith tools you brought with you ifyou had remembered everythingyou needed.

Today. we have at our disposal ahuge fleet of dozers, loaders, trucks,backhoes, excavators, cranes, com-pressors, generators, fork lifts, con-crete buggies,' boom truck, augertruck, gradall and more. We even havea support shop trailer, and a repairshop Is In the works!

25 years ago we had a few hardysouls who came out to work onspecific tasks when someonethought about getting up a workparty every couple months or so.

Today we've got people out workingor operating almost every day of theweek. They're all working on theirchosen projects for the betterment ofthe whole Museum. They came out oftheir own enthusiasm, interest anddetermination without being called.Some days, you can hardly find aparking space. Such a problem!

25 years ago we had the collectiveknowledge in a few people's headsand a ferveru dream in our hearts.Beyond thaI it was trial and errorand sweat equity.

Today we have a lot more people witha lot more knowledge and skills, anextensive collection of technical rail-road literature and a substantial libraryof railroad and railway textbooks. Allour Museum data Is organized Infunctional group files in 4-drawer' filecabinets.

• 25 years ago we had zero utilitiesand grea1 inconvenience.

Today we have a 200 amp electricselVice with an extensive system ofIndoor and outdoor power distribution,hot and cold running water In theDepot, working toilets, and indoor andoutdoor telephones. There's a com-puter, a copier, drafting board, mapand plan files, and survey equipment.A fax and a modem may be the nextthing coming to help us.

25 years ago we had very fewaItifacts and little memorabilia.We had a small library whichserved the general membership,operating out of a couple of glassfroru bookcases.

Today we have minor and majorartifacts representing all major rall-roads in the area - motive power,rolling stock, MOW equipment, sig-nals, structures - even a tumtable andsand tower. IV. one point our ChapterUbrary for the membership filled theDepot north waiting room. Now thatwouldn't be enough space and we arelooking for a new structure.

25 years ago our "plan' was toclose in the Depot to protect itfrom the elements and vandalism.After we got the trees chopped outof where they were growing upthrough the eves, we would worryabout hacking down the brush andmowing the weeds and grass.

Today we have continually evolvingdetail plans In all areas of endeavor,and many long time dreams are com-ing true. This 25th year we are startingour building, starting trolley overheadelectrification with NYMT,and startingto get into steam. We are planning toexpand further geographically, to thesouth and west, and to begin operat-Ing more closely with. LAf,L RR whonow operates the Mortimer track rightat our front door.

25 years ago we were totally un-known. just a few "nuts' on theMission Impossible. What werethose -crazies' up to anyhow?

Today we have pamphlets. fliers andbrochures. We are listed in the Steampassenger Directory, other touristguides and the Pocket Guide to Rail-road Officials. We belong to TRAINand ARM. We have an active site onInterNetIWorld Wide Web. We are Inthe phone book and other local direc-tories. We have radio, television andnewspaper coverage and get visibilityIn TRAINS, RAILFAN & RAILROAD,RAILPACE and RAILWAY PRESER-VATION. We are shown on local areamaps.

2

"25 years ago we were going itstrictly alone on our wits and guts.We had no resources and no net.work. We certatnly had no irue.r-faces.

Today we have active support fromarea and regional railroads and indus-tries. We Interface with and receivebenefits from several levels and areasof government. We send In annualreports to Albany. We have activeInterfaces with other RR museums,trade associations and consultants.We work with ailied groups in modelrailroads, live steam, local history,local museums and schools. We coop-erate and collaborate in visitor opera-tions. advertising and projects with theNew York Museum of Transportation,our sister museum now 20+ years old.

25 years ago we had no VISITOREXPERIENCE. We wouldnl havewarned a visitor to see what wehad. We had just saved a Depotthat had been abandoned, abused,neglected and vandalized for theprevious 14 years.

Today we have a lot of experience_wJth visitors and pr~vi<!,: ou~ _",isiteAwith quite an experience. The quail!9l'of our Inside and outside displays andexhibits continues to improve and ourtour hosts and train crews continue toprovide more interpretation and inter-action. To the besi of our collectiveand current knowledge, we providethe only visitor experience, anywhere,with a rail ride connecting two railtheme museums at each end.

•. 25 years ago we had "'A Dollar anda Dream .• Where we were headedwe really didn Iknow at the time.

Today the reality would certainly havefar exceeded our very wiidest dreamsback in 1971.

Hard work, fortunate circumstancesand location. strong community sup-port, and an ever-growing volunteerbase have brought us to where we are.

No one could predict where we will be25 years from today, but If the past Isany clue to the future, I sure hope !A.around to see it. •

TlttlHks to till for IHtlk/Hgtlte(lrzt 25 'IetJl'8 Ittll'I'eHI

fXo",J, '11'••••.••••

: f.! '• :Ii"

, .•..•......•'* -~•.••.~'~' •• ,

•

•

25th Erie Depot Anniversary & Ground Breaking CeremonyOur Depot was purchased July 19, 1971 from Attlca Branch, Buffalo Division, Erie-Lackawanna Railroad for a dollar. Exactlytwenty-five years later, we honored our purchase with this Ground Breaking Ceremony on Friday Momirg, July 19, 1996:

9:30 Continental breakfast at Depot Museum. 1..''' .".' ...9:50 Boarded train to ground breaking site.

10:00 Introduction of guest speakers by Mike Byrne:Rand Warner spoke on first 25 years.Dave Luca foresaw the next 25 years.Jerry Johnson. New York Stale Assemblyman presented a flag flown over the Stale Capitol.

Terri Schmill Town of Rush Supervisor. read a proclamation.

10:30 Ground Breaking Ceremony Speakers and others broke groundassisted by a vintage 1937 Bay City excavator. 1937 is historicallysignificant since this is the year of the Rochester Chapter'sformation.

10:35 Boarded return train to Depot.

Model of Restoration BuildingThe above ground breaking ceremony affirmed the start of construction of abuilding to allow the restoration and maintenance of our ever-growingcollection. These pictures show an HO-scale model, constructed by DonovanShilling, of the Restoration Building as planned .

- 50,000 (100%)

- 40,000 (80%)

- 30,000 (60%)

•. $21,050

Souvenirs available at New York Museum of Transportation's Gift Shop

•A limited number of commemorative T-shirts are available at $ 10 each. They arestriking: the Depot with a crossing gate,printed In red, green and black.

A limited number of 25th Anniversarygreen glass coffee mugs: $5.25. Print onone side is graphic of Depot, the other sidewords including "Collector Series".

The proceeds for the items on the left gotowards our Building Fund.

Also available is "Souvenir Guide", a de-scriptive and Illustrated booklet outliningthe collections in both museums. It hasreceived excellent reviews.

3

-10,000 (20%)

Rochester Chapter, NRHS

P.O. Box 664

Rochester, NY 14603

3

- J'Il'

,

I

•

•

•,

• TheSemaphore July 1996Volume 38Number 11

Newsletter of the Rochester NY Chapter, National Railway Historical Society

IIIf

.X;"i"." ..""."\rJ",:::~.t.'':__

Schedule of Events and Description of Commemorative Items appear on Page 2

Celebrating 25 Yearsat Our Chapter's Depot!

•

•

•

The Schedule...

25th Erie Depot Anniversary & GroundBreaking Ceremony

Our Depot was purchased July 19, 1971 from Attica Branch, Buffalo DMsion,Erie-Lackawanna Railroad for a dollar. .

25th Souvenirs Available (as pictured on Page I)

# I Commemorative green glass coffee 'mug'. Green glass was chosen torepresent the many, many insulators used on rallroad communications poles.The quantity Is limited so Chapter rnembers should purchase soon at $5.50each, tax included, before they are placed in the NYMTGift Shop.

#2 Commemorative T-shirts are $10.00 each. The design by Jim Dierks Isprinted in red, green and black. Very striking. Available at Chapter Store orNYMTGift Shop. Proceeds go to Bullding Fund.

Thursday Evening, July 18: 7.30 PM

This Is a regular third Thursday Chapter meetlng night, but dellnltely unlIke anyother held the past 59 years!On tbe program:

A trial run of the ceremonies to take place the next day.

'Spikes" in our chapter's History: 4 Feb. 1937 to 28 July 1996 by Don Shilling.

Rural ralls to Rochester; The Story of the Depot Museum by Don Shilling.

Presidents of the Rochester Chapter: 1971 to 1996.

A limited numiber of commemorative T-shIrts wlll be avallable at $10 each.They are strlklng: the Depot with a crossing gate printed in red, green andblack.

A limited numiber of 25th AnnIversary glass coffee mugs: $5.25. These weredistributed to recent Banquet attendees. If you didn't get one, or want another,here may be your last chance before they go on sale to the visiting public at theNYMTstore.

Friday Morning, July 19: •.

9:30 Contlnental breakfast at Depot Museum.

9:~0 Board train to ground breaking site.

10:00 Introduction of guest speakers by MIke Byrne:Rand Warner "ill speak on first 25 years.Da,e Luca "ill foresee the next 25 years.Jc~ Johnson. New York State Asscmbl}man "ill present a flagflown O\'erthe Stale Capitol.Terri Schmitt, Town of Rush Supervisor, will read a proclamation.

10:30 Ground Breaking Ceremony Speakers and others wlll break groundassisted by a vintage 1937 Bay OlY excavator. 1937 Is historicallysignificant since this Is the year of the Rochester Chapter'sformation.

10:3~ Board retum train to Depot.

Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21: 10:OOam- 5:00PM Open to the Public.

•

•Our sympathy to the famlly of FrankGoodrich who passed away on June12. Frank attended our Chaptermeetlngs and served as Car Host onthe Fall Foliage Trips. Those whoworked with Frank will rememberhim as a quiet man before the firstencounter, but thereafter he was theman with a jovial smile and wit.

Frank was also a member of theGenesee £, Ontario ModeJ-N-gineers,the local N-scale model rallroad club.

Frank Goodrich

Igor & Mar)' Lou Rosien.2 J Ironstone Dr.Rocbester, NY 14626429-7889

Membership CommitteeReport

Thomas A Way, Chairman

Change of Address:Duncan A. Richards97 Peohurst Rd.Rocbester. NY 14610586-9626

Add to AprU Roster:John R Gallagher, Jf.223 Bristol St.. Apt 120-CCanandaigua, NY 14424396-2701

Page 2

Dave & Sabrina Veltre •P.O. Box # 393Churchville. NY 14428889-9251

• New Memibers to be voted In.

Current Membership Tally:.Full, National at Rochester 204Elsewhere + Rochester 8FarnIly...........•.......................... 20TOTAL: 24 I

Night Photo Session: •Sat, July 20

Chris Hauf Is arranging a night photosession for Saturday evening. Setupwillstart around 8:30 PM.

July 1996The Semaphore

''25 Years JIlgo 1'8. 'Today"

.Rochester & GeneseeValley Railroad Museum. .by Rand Warner, Chairman, 425-8587

In the Celebration of our 25thAnniversaryof the Depot

The semaphore

25 Years ago we had "A Dollarand a Dream" when we acquiredour present Depot at Industry for$1 and began renting the landunder it for an annual stipend of$25.00.

Today we own the Depot and theland under It and the land around it upand down our right of way and alongboth sides of the Mortimer line.

In 1971 the Depot stood in a fieldof four foot high weeds, forlorn andbattered.

•odaY the Depot is attractively and

uthentically restored and sets in themidst of extensive trackage holdingonly some of our substantial coUec-tion. The rest has overflowed to addi-tional storage tracks away from theDepot.

25 yean; ago we had no collectionat all. either inside or outside of theDepot in our -'1useurn-l0.lJe.

Today we have a coUection of fiveoperating diesel locomotives. six pas-senger cars at Industry in variousstages of restoration and use, plus sixmore at Sodus in our excursion train,a fleet of fiveassorted freight cars, andfIVedifferent cabooses.

25 years ago we had no railroad,even any thoughts of one. No rightof way or route had been surveyed.No track materials or track toolswere in hand or on hand. Webarely knew where we were.

Today we and New York Museum of.ransportation have constructed, op-

erate and malntaln two miles of stan-dard gage class I track, featuringgrades to 4% or more, curves to 30

July 1996

degrees or more, a route throughbeautiful scenery, and considerableyard trackage,

25 yean; ago we thought we werevery fOTtUTliJ1eto own a railroaddepot. Our sights were ratherlimited in those days. The ErieRailroad outside our front door wasthe only operation for excitementseveral days a week,

Today, in conjunction with NYMTweare hauling 300Q-4000 passengers ayear over our two-mile line, using trackcars and diesel powered trains, andanother 4000-5000 on our' OntarioMidland excursion tralns.' We areoperating at least some kind of equip-ment every month of the year, formembers anellor pubUc. Tours andcharters are a big part of our business.

25 years ago we didn I have toworry about maintenance of mo-tive power, rolling stock, track,signals, structures or utilities. Wewere closing in the Depot to keepthe weather out.

Today we have a whole fleet of trackmotor cars. inspection cars, trailers,crane car, crane tender, Jacksontamper, Kershaw snow broom, highrail utility and high rail boom dumptruck. and still more equipment isavaJlablefrom NYMT.

25 years ago we owned no tools ormaterials of any kind. When youcame to a work party, you hadbetter remember to bring every-thing you needed or you were justplain out of luck.

Today we have a seventy five foot toolcar shop, stocked with aU kinds ofhand and power tools, various kinds of

Page 3

work benches and work areas, and ahighly organized stock of aU kinds ofparts, And now we're going to build atwo track 60 x 130 foot restorationbuilding with aUthe bells and whistles!

25 years ago we didn I even own ashovel. All work was done by handwith tools you brought with you ifyou had remembered everythingyou needed.

Today, we have at our disposal ahuge fleet of dozers, loaders, trucks,backhoes, excavators, cranes, com-pressors, generators, fork lifts, con-crete buggies, boom truck, augertruck, gradaUand more. We even havea support shop trailer, and a repairshop Is in the works!

25 years ago we had a few hardysouls who came out to work onspecific tasks when someonethought about getting up a workparty every couple months or so.

Today we've got people out workingor operating almost every day of theweek. They're aU working on theirchosen projects for the betterment ofthe whole Museum, They carne out oftheir own enthusiasm, interest anddetermination without being caUed.Some days, you can hardly find aparking space. Such a problem!

25 years ago we had the collectiveknowledge in a few people 5 headsand a fervent dream in our hearts.Beyond that it was trial and errorand sweat equity,

Today we have a lot more people witha lot more knowledge and skills, anextensive collection of technical rail-road literature and a substantial libraryof railroad and railway textbooks. AUour Museum data is organized infunctional group. files in 4-drawer filecabinets.

• 25 years ago we had zero utilitiesand great inconvenience.

Today we have a 200 amp electricservice with an extensive system ofindoor and outdoor power distribution,hot and cold running water in theDepot, working toilets, and indoor and

Contirwed on Page 4

The Semaphore July 1996 Page 4

A Review

TItIlIfk,8 to 11// for IffIlK/lfd tlteflrHt .25 '/((//'8 Itll'p'pelf/

~ 'IV"""",

Our Chapter's Souvenir Guide re-ceived an excellent revlew by RichardG. Prince In the Railway & l.Dcomo-live Historical Society 5 Bulletin#174.

We quote: .Such a guide, and thespirit of cooperation displayed therein.should serve as a model for others".

Your editor will attempt to get permis-sion to reprint the revlew. The Guide isavailabl,e at the Chapter's Store or at.NYMTs Gift Shop ..

•

Hard work, fortunate circumstancesand location. strong community sup- •port, and an ever -growing volunteerbase have brought us to where we are.

No one could predict where we will be25 years from today, but if the past isany clue to the future, I sure hope I'maround to see it

Your ZIP + 4 Needed

V.I.P. Agency to donateto Building Fund

As many of you might know, one ofour members, Tom TISCher, has beenassociated with V.I.P. Travel Servlce.144 Exchange Blvd., just south of theWar Memorial. In the Court ExchangeBuilding.

To help with the Chapter's BuildingFund. V.I.P. has offered to donatetheir commission on all AMTRAKandVIAtickets booked by Chapter mem-bers from now until February 1. 1997.

If you are travelling by rail. this is anexcellent way to help the Chapter andhave knowledgeable travel advlce. Justcall (716) 454-7100 and ask for Su-zanne, Eric. or Tom. Happy Rail Trav-elling.

Dan Cosgrove, the maintainer of theChapter's mailing lists, writes that thePost Office is pressing to have all mailaddressed using ZIP+4 addressing.

(ContiruJed to Page 5)

InterNet/World Wide Web. We are Inthe phone book and other local direc-tories. We have radio, television andnewspaper coverage and get visibilityIn TRAINS. RA/LFAN & RAILROAD,RAIU'ACE and RAILWAY PRESER-VATION. We are shown on local areamaps.

2.5 years ago we were going i1stTictly alone on our wits and guts.We had no resources and no net-work. We certainly had no inter-faces.

Today we have active support fromarea and regional railroads and indus-tries. We Interface with and receivebenefits from several levels and areasof government. We send In annualreports to Albany. We have activeinterfaces with other RR museums,trade associations and consultants.We work with allied groups In modelrailroads, live steam. local hlstory,local museums and schools. We coop-erate and collaborate In visitor opera-tions. advertising and projects with theNew York Museum of Transportation.our sister museum now 20+ years old.

2.5years ago we had no VISITOREXPERIENCE. We woulOOt haveUJdlI1eda visitor to see what wehad. We 'had just saved a Depotthat had been abandoned. abused,neglected and uandaIized for theprevious 14 years.

Today we have a lot of experiencewith visitors and provide our visitorswith quite an experience. The qualityof our inside and outside displays andexhibits continues to improve and ourtour hosts and train crews continue toprovlde more Interpretation and inter-action. To the best of our collectiveand current knowledge, we provldethe only visitor experience, anywhere,with a rail ride connecting two railtheme museums at each end.

2.5 years ago we had "A Dollar anda Dream. - Where we were headedwe really diOO t know at the time.

Today the reality would certainly havefar exceeded our very wildest dreamsback In 1971.

25 Year Ago (Cont l1from Page 3)

outdoor telephones. There's a com-puter, a' copier, drafting board, mapand plan files, and survey equipmentA fax and a modem may be the nextthlng coming to help us.

2.5 years ago we had very fewartifacts and little memorabilia. Wehad a small libraTY which seroedthe general membership, operatingout of a couple of glass frontbookcases.

Today we have minor and majorartifacts representing all major rail-roads in the area -- motive power,rolling stock, MOW equipment, sig-nals, structures -- even a turntable andsand tower. At one point our Chapter.Ubrary for the membershlp filled theDepot north waiting room. Now thatwouldn't be enough space and we arelooking for a new structure.

• 2.5 years ago our "plan" was toclose in the Depot to protect itfrom the elements and uandaIism.lifter we got the trees chopped out .of where they were growing upthrough the eves, we would worryaboul hacking down the brush andmowing the weeds and grass.

Today we have continually evoMngdetail plans In all areas of endeavor,and many long time dreams are com-Ing true. This 25th year we are startingour building. starting trolley overheadelectrification with NYMT,and startingto get Into steam. We are planning toexpand further geographically, to thesouth and west. and to begin operat-Ing more closely with L.A£,LRR whonow operates the Mortimer track rightat our front door.

2.5 years ago we were totally un-known. just a few "nuts" on theMission Impossible. What werethose "crazies - up to anyhow?

Today we have pamphlets. fliers andbrochures. We are listed In the Steampassenger Directory. other touristguides and the Pocket Guide to Rail-road Officials. We belong to 'TRAINand ARM. We have an active site on

The Semaphore

•ZIP (Continued {rom Page 4)

Thanks to hard work on the part ofCharley Peterson. I am now In posses-sion of your plus 4 ZIP numbers. I amIn the process of typing them In. andwill probably be a few weeks workIngon this when I can. If In the nextmonth or so, I do not have your +4number on the label, please feel freeto call me with this information. It willcertaInly lead to faster deliveJYof thenewsletter In the future. (Dan's phonenumber is: 352-6931.)

Niagara Frontier Chaptersponsors two trips

The Niagara Frontier Chapter, NRHSis sponsoring two trips

Saturday, July 27: Knox & KaneRR

A bus takes you to the Knox £, KaneRailroad in northern Pennsylvania,where you will ride over 64 miles of railbehind a 2.8-2 steam locomotive

~mong peaks and valleys of Allegheny~ationaJ For",,'t and over the legendary

Kinzua Bridge.

Cost: SJ9 Adult; S34 Child (3-12).Departs 7.30. returning about 9 PM.For information: Lewiston. 754-7629,or Lockport . 434.5665 (evenings).Mail orders to: Knox £, Rail Tour. 416Chicora Rd. Lewiston. NY 14092 bySaturda;. Jut) 20.

Saturday, August 24: SL Thomas.OnL

A t>ustnp to SI. Thomas. Ontario andthe 8gm County Railway Museum,plus ride 00 portion of former London(, Port Staniey Railway, an electricinterurban. The museum contains a19JJ MIchigan Central shop buildIngand yards, a 4--6-4 Hudson, 0-6-0switcher lunder restoration), early die-sel switcher, and other rolling stock.Also a train ride tour in yards.

Cost: S34 Adult: $30 SenIor (65+);S28 Child (2-12). Departs 7:30, retum-

~g about 9 PM. For Information:~kport 434--5665 (evenings). Mail

orders to: Railway Heritage Tour, 4Alabama Place, Lockport, NY 14094by Monday, August 12.

July 1996

Construction &.Equipment

by Joe Scanlon

So far this summer, heavy weekendraIns have succeeded to delayexcavat-Ing and gradIng projects for both theequipment display area and the pro-posed 25th Anniversary buildIng site.By the time you read this articleGeorge Knab and company shouid beup at the buildIng site with the Fordforklift, 0.7 buildozer and the lorainyard crane relocating stockpiled mate-rials and rough gradIng for the build-Ing pad.

One item especiaily useful around themuseum has been the Ford 4000forklift. However, the forklift hasn'tbeen used much over the past twoyears due to a faulty steering system.George Knab decided it was time toput the forklift back to work. He toreout the balky mechanical steeringsystem compietely from the rear axleall the way to the steering wheel. Withhelp from Charlie. Harshbarger, BobMader, Dave wca. Chuck Whalen andothers, George engineered, machinedand lnstaiIed a completely new hydrau-lic steering system from scratch, usingparts mostly from George's own per-sonal collection. George declared theforklift ready for active duty on Satur-day, June 22, 1996! Another machinefrom our lineup goes back to work!Many thanks to George Knab and hismerry men!

Charlie Harshbarger has tom out moredefective aging concrete south of thetool car. Joe Scanlon headed up theconcrete gang along with the help ofour usual stalwart volunteer crew whoproved their mettle by preventing adisaster to the just placed wet con-crete in the form of a huge floodIngthunderstorm. As usual, we were up tothe challenge. A special thank You toMr. Joe Salce, a journeyman masonfrom Cortland, NYwho volunteered toput the finish on the concrete for us.

A huge number of heavy equipmentacquisitions are being evaluated forappropriateness to the Chapter needsbased upon condition, usefulness,

Page 5

costs, etc. Owners of various historicalconstruction equipment have offeredto display interesting items at ourmuseum, which we hope to takeadvantage of on a space availablebasis. Stay tuned.

There are many exciting developmentsand achievements In the near futurefor the Rochester and Genesee VaileyRR Museum and Rochester Chapter ofthe National RailwayHistorical Society.Come on out and get into the action!

Edltors Corner

President Dave wca has been 'feed-Ing' your editor past copies of TheSemaphore for purpose of extractingitems of historical Interest for theupcoming 25th Anniversary.

There is no way that this editor couldcompete with the outstanding sum-mary that Rand Warner has describedin "25 Year Ago vs. Today" starting onPage 3.

Several interviews of Chapter workersare ready and will appear In forthcom-ing issues.

Note that- 50,000 (100%) our Ther-

b mometer' is

!not risingwith the

40,000 (80%) summer

fh eat.Maybe, itshould be

~_ 30,000 (60%) palced in

~the 'PineFalls' car!

.1; Or, comec: +$21,050 winter. the<~

outsidetempera-

_ 10,000 (10%) ture will in-duce a fireunder thebulb!

-------------:------c- ---- -- ------

The Semaphore , ,; July 1996, .

Page 6

The Semaphore Is published monthly by the Rochester, NY Chapter, National RaIlwayHIstorical Society. It Is mailed freeto all Chapter members. Non-member's subscriptions are $5.00 and run from January 1 to December 31. Chapter.meetings are held the third Thursday and the Board of Directors meets the first Thursday of each month.

.~.

Stillwell Coach Panel Installation Status:ThIs graphic of the Stillwell coach was extended to represent 22 panels (11pan'els per side). All panels have been subscribed. To date, eleven. or those onthe west side have been installed. . "

Contributions to The Semaphore are welcomed and encouraged from allreaders. They should be malled to: Gale E Smith, 299 Seneca Park Avenue,Rochester, NY 14617-2433. Phone: (716) 544-6221. ' Contributors using acomputer are asked to send their submissions on any MS-DOS diskette in ASCIIformat, as well as a printed copy. DeaclJi~~: The first of each month.

Panels to be Installed• Panels Installed

Rochester Chapter I'IRHS Officers:President: Dave LucaVice President: Jolm Weber::,'" . ':',.:'Treasurer: Ira CohenRecording Secretary: Jeremy TukeCorrespondence Sec.: Don ShillingNational Director: Bob Miner

Trustees: Nell Bellenger, Charlie Harsh-barger. Steve Dagley, John Redden,Joe Scanlon, Rand Warner,

The Semaphore Staff:Editor: Gale SmithPrinting: Dave Luca

InterNet (World Wide Web) ad-dress: http://www.rochester.ny.uslrall-museum.html

•The SemaphoreRochester Chapter

National Railway Historical Society

P.O. Box 664

Rochester, NY 14603

Non Profit Org,U.S. Postage

PAIDRochester, NY

Permit #826

Chapter Meeting [, Program:

25lh AnnlDersaIY Prep.

7:30 PM, June 20,1996

Industry Depot. Rush

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