Whistles in the Woods
________________________________________________________________________
Published by Adirondack Live Steamers
OPERATING 6500 FEET OF TRACK IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE ADIRONDACKS
7 ¼” GAUGE 1 ½” SCALE
OPERATING GAUGE 1 TRACKAGE FOR STEAM AND ELECTRIC
SAFETY FIRST
JUNE 2012
SPRING MEET
The first of our two annual meets is
coming up fast. Spring Meet will be
held from Thursday to Sunday, June 710. Help is needed from all members. If
you would be willing to help for one or
two hours during the weekend, please
contact one or more of the following
persons.
Chairman – Ray Dwyer 518-692-7001
Registration Booth –
Help in greeting visitors, having them
sign a waiver, and giving them a
nametag. Chuck Curry 518-346-0067.
Food –
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner from
Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Rich Dean (Breakfast) 518-656-9091
Pete Petrillose (Friday Dinner) 518-399-4868.
Ray Dwyer (Saturday Dinner) 518-682-7001
Emporium – Penny Landgraf 518-4567614.
In addition to the above, we will also
need help with the Lift (unloading and
loading visitor’s equipment), Gauge
One, Clubhouse Cleanup, Trash
Pickup, and Safety.
The above listed people are the
chairpersons. They cannot do the whole
job themselves. Please call someone and
offer your help for one or two hours,
then enjoy the rest of the Meet knowing
that you have done your share as a
member. We need the help of everyone
in order to have a successful Meet.
Please call now, while you think of it.
Pick YOUR time to help make this club
event work.
***
*****
Next Meeting: Thursday, June 7, 7:30 PM
Clubhouse
Organizational Meeting for Spring Meet
Deadline for July Whistles in the Woods: Saturday, June 16
Send ALL information to Ben Maggi
(See article on page 5)
Other Important Dates: See Last Page
Page 2
We had a pretty good May Meeting. Attendance was 17 members. If you were not
there we missed you! As you all know, our monthly meetings are the second Saturday of
the month. If you care about our train club, you will attend.
At the May meeting, we passed the amendment having to do with absentee votes
being counted from members in good standing.
Several members came to the club the week before the meeting and raked the grounds
and cleaned up the steaming bays. They did a great job. Thank you gentlemen for a job
well done.
The new tunnel has been approved. This tunnel will be made of concrete. We have to
build a road to get to the tunnel. Anyone interested in helping with the tunnel project
please let me know.
The Spring Meet is coming up on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th of June. We need as much
help as we can get. Some areas that need help are registration, unloading and loading
trains, parking, and don’t forget, helping in the kitchen.
Let’s keep the momentum going, all pitch in, and have a very successful Spring Meet.
See you at the track.
Ray Dwyer
President
*****
Dues for the 2012 season continue to come in. Three more members renewed their
memberships, bringing our current total to 116. Anyone who knows of someone who
might be interested in joining our club should have them contact me. See page 3 for
contact information.
Members who desire their membership cards will find them on the chalk rack in the
Clubhouse.
See you at the track,
Rich Dean
Membership Secretary
Page 3
NEWSLETTER OF THE
ADIRONDACK LIVE STEAMERS
CLUB TELEPHONE
(518) 583-2580
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Ray Dwyer
Phone: (518) 692-7001
E-Mail: ray@adirondacklivesteamers.org
Vice President: Mark Landgraf
Phone: (518) 456-7614
E-Mail: mark_landgraf@yahoo.com
Recording Secretary: Karl Pickles
Phone: (518) 587-5702
E-Mail: karl@adirondacklivesteamers.org
Treasurer: Ben Maggi
Phone: (585) 506-2680
E-Mail: ben#@adirondacklivesteamers.org
Membership Secretary: Richard Dean
Phone: (518) 656-9091
E-Mail: rich@adirondacklivesteamers.org
A FEW ADDITIONS
Ken Nelson
Last month, thanks to Don Buesing,
we ran our annual list of events at other
clubs. Somehow we missed at least two
of them, so if you wish, you may add
these to last month’s list.
August 24-26 Waushakum Live Steamers Annual Meet
October 5-7 –
New Jersey Live Steamers Fall Meet
If you hear of other Meets and such by
other Live Steam Groups that we have
missed, let us know.
***
Director 2012: Ted Wilming
Phone: (518) 654-7108
E-Mail: ted@adirondacklivesteamers.org
Director 2013: Mike Petrillose
Phone: (518) 399-5441
E-Mail: mike@adirondacklivesteamers.org
*****
Past President: Skip Densing
Phone: (518) 663-5507
E-Mail: skip@adirondacklivesteamers.org
NEWSLETTER
Whistles in the Woods
STAFF
Editor: Ken Nelson
Phone: (518) 377-7176
E-Mail: pocovalley@msn.com
Publisher: Pete Petrillose
Columnists: Ray Dwyer and Rich Dean
SUBMISSIONS: Whistles in the Woods welcomes
articles, news items, classifieds, digital photos,
and other contributions. Please contact any of
the staff.
WEB PAGE
Webmaster: Bill Eckert
Phone: (802) 226-7618
E-Mail: bill@adirondacklivesteamers.org
Website: adirondacklivesteamers.org
MEMBERSHIP
Anyone interested in joining the ADIRONDACK LIVE
STEAMERS should contact Membership Secretary Rich
Dean.
Phone: (518) 656-9091
E-Mail: deanelect@roadrunner.com
MEMBERSHIP DAY
Ted Wilming and Ken Nelson
On Saturday, May 19, we had a quiet,
but somewhat productive Membership
Day. The weather cooperated, potential
new members were shown around, and
some work got done.
Three visitors appeared and were
given rides by Dick Hosmer.
We
showed them the property and hope that
they decide to join us.
Meanwhile, John Camerota and
several other members worked at tie
replacement, primarily on the main line
in front of the clubhouse.
Mike
Petrillose and family worked at painting
the engine house, which has needed it
for a while. It is starting to look good
again. Ted Wilming gave a Rules Class
for those present who are due this year to
take their engineer’s test.
We thank all of you who were able to
be here and help.
***
Page 4
Brief Summary of the Highlights of the May Meeting
Following the Pledge to the Flag, President Ray Dwyer called the meeting to order.
Recording Secretary Karl Pickles read the minutes of the April Meeting. The minutes
were accepted.
Treasurer Ben Maggi gave his treasurer’s report. It was accepted as corrected.
Membership Secretary Rich Dean reported that three more members submitted their dues,
which brings our membership total currently to 116.
Committee Reports:
 Good and Welfare – William Seim has badly injured himself and is at an assisted
living center. ALS has sent a card.
 Track – John Camerota is currently changing ties on the main line outside the
station, reusing good ties in yards and secondary tracks.
 Signals – No report.
 Grounds – Five members cleaned up the club grounds and did a very good job.
 Club House – No report.
Old Business:
 A discussion was had regarding when members who had not paid their dues were
entitled to vote. Members are urged to refer to the ALS Bylaws, Section 1E.
 Constitution and Bylaws – After a vote was taken, both questions on the ballot
were passed. Four absentee ballots were cast.
 Burglary – Two weeks ago, our club was burglarized. Several locks were cut and
forced open. Missing is a chain saw, several locks, a gas can, and five gallons of
gasoline. Penny Landgraf and others discussed the merits of installing security
cameras on the property.
 Club Work Car Trucks – Ben Maggi and Don Buesing were authorized to
purchase a set of Tom Bee heavy-duty freight car trucks for the club flat cars.
New Business:
 Spring Meet – Ray Dwyer will be the Meet Director.
Advertisement - New advertisements will appear in Live Steam, Discovery (“Live
Steam’s” on line web site), Steam in the Garden magazine, and Train Mountain’s
on line web site.
Gate – Chuck Curry is in charge of the Registration Booth.
Emporium – Penny Landgraf reported that the Emporium is well stocked.
Food – Pete Petrillose will cook Friday night’s dinner and Ray Dwyer will cook
Saturday night’s dinner. Rich Dean will cook breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
mornings.
Help is needed from all members. (See article on page 1.)
(Continued on page 5) See Minutes
Page 5
Minutes (Continued from page 4)
Treasurer Ben Maggi will work with buyers to ensure that everyone is paid. Taxexempt forms are available at the clubhouse.
A discussion was held regarding the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, the
possibility of a slide show on Friday and/or Saturday nights, and the possibility of
having a speaker.
 New Tunnel – Two proposals were discussed regarding the construction of the
new Busse Tunnel. (1) Concrete contractor would pour at site or (2) steel
fabrications would be brought and set in place. A lengthy discussion was held
regarding the merits of both proposals. The membership agreed to go along with
the concrete tunnel 80 feet long at a price of $12,000, not including the cost of
preparing the road on which to bring in the concrete truck. Further details are
available from Don Buesing and/or John Camerota.
The meeting was adjourned.
*****
EDITOR CHANGE FOR JULY ISSUE
Ken Nelson
Since I will be away for a few weeks,
Ben Maggi will be the Guest Editor for
Whistles in the Woods for the July issue.
If you have any articles, classifieds,
columns, or any other items you wish to
have appear in the July issue, please get
them to Ben Maggi. He can be reached
by telephone at 585-506-2680. You may
also
e-mail
him
at
BENMAGGI@hotmail.com. Anything
sent to me will be “lost in the mail”
since I will not see it in time for the July
issue.
Please notice the deadline for the July
issue is Saturday, June 16. This is the
week after Spring Meet, and gives Ben
very little time to get the issue out on
time. Please get him any information as
early as possible, and give him time to
get things organized.
***
*****
THESE WEB SITES MAY INTEREST YOU
Ken Nelson
As most railfans know, Schenectady
was for many years the home of the
American Locomotive Company, or as
most of us called it, ALCO. Best known
as the manufacturer of both steam and
diesel locomotives, ALCO also helped
during World War II by building tanks.
Several books have been written
about ALCO, and some of you may own
one or more.
We now have an ALCO Museum in
the city on Maxon Road. For more
information try this web page:
www.ahts.org
If you would like more information on
the American Locomotive Company and
its history, try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_L
ocomotive_Company
***
Page 6
Ted Wilming and Ken Nelson
The art of railroading is full of signals of various kinds. Among them, we have hand
signals, which we talked about last month, fixed signals along the right-of-way that warn
us of the condition of the track in front of us, and horn and whistle signals that tell those
around us what we are going to do with our train. This month, let’s review the use of
some of these audible horn and whistle signals.
_____ = long;
0 = short
Signal
_____ _____ 0 _____
Meaning
_____ _____
The train is about to proceed in a forward direction. This warns
everyone in the vicinity that they should get out of your way. It
also lets any passengers on your train, know that you are about to
move. (Note: Your conductor should also give you this signal
with his whistle to let you know that all of your passengers are
seated and ready to proceed.)
0 0 0
The train is about to move in a reverse direction or back up.
Your conductor should let you know by a hand signal or his
whistle that a back-up move is safe.
_____
The brakes are set, and it is safe for your passengers to get up to
leave the train. Your conductor may also use this signal to
indicate that there is a problem such as a derailment or someone
on the train moving about in an unsafe manner. In such case, the
engineer should stop immediately.
_____ 0
Entering a tunnel. We currently have two tunnels on our
railroad. You may use this signal or the Grade Crossing
signal above. Deer and other animals have been seen in
our tunnels more than once.
Grade crossing. We have several on our railroad. The one at
Tanglefoot, the one on the road from the Club House to the Car
Barn, and the one at the entrance next to the crossing shanty are
all busy. Please let us know you are coming. In each case, the
crossing has a post with a “W” on it. These are not there for
decoration. Please blow!
Page 7
Classified
Please remember that if you are looking for something in particular in the live steam
field, or have something for sale, that all members are eligible to list such items in this
newsletter at no charge.
Diesel Locomotive
Rail Systems Alco C-420
Lettered Lehigh and Hudson River #27
7¼” Gauge
16 HP Twin Hydrostatic Drive
Rider Car NOT included
Asking $8300
Diesel Engine with Flat Car
“Flexmotive” Diesel Engine
Flat Car with Cargo
(Serves as Riding Car)
$2600
8-Wheel Caboose
$700
3 Truck Goose
24volt; Needs batteries and
some rewiring
7¼” Gauge
Asking $1500
All three as a package
$2,950
Call 518-796-7724
Erie Burro Crane
Includes Crane, Idler Car, and
Battery Box/Rider Caboose
Crane has 12-volt motor for locomotion
only (We never use it for motion.)
Boom has manual control
Well-detailed idler car
Asking $1200
Center Cab Diesel
Riding Car, Caboose
Battery Charger
$6500 takes all
($9500 new)
Contact Marcel Zucchino
518-584-0225
mzucchi2@nycap.com
Email photos are available
Contact Joyce Sternitzke
845-527-9969
MsLocoLady@aol.com
*****
TWO BIG DAYS COMING
Please keep in mind that during the
month of July, there will be two big days
for ALS. As you plan ahead, circle
Sunday, July 15. This will be the first of
our two Family Days for 2012. We’ll
have more about this in the July issue,
but plan now to join us for a fun day of
just running trains, eating, and meeting
friends both old and new.
On Saturday, July 21, we will have
our first of two Prototype Operation
Days. This is when we get to use our
railroad in a very realistic fashion.
These days have become more and more
popular within the last year or so. If you
haven’t tried it, come on out and give it a
try. We’ll have more information in the
July issue.
***
Adirondack Live Steamers
c/o Peter Petrillose
41 Goode Street
Burnt Hills, NY 12027
First Class
NOTE PAD
June 2 – Clean Up Day for Spring Meet
June 7 – Meeting 7:30 PM
June 7-10 – Spring Meet
July 14 – Membership Meeting 10 AM
July 15 – Family Day I
July 21 – Prototype Operation Day I
Spring Meet
Please
Help