Vol. 15
August, 2008
No. 8
NRHS president Greg Molloy is the Blue Ridge Chapter’s very special guest at our August meeting. Greg
comes to us in celebration of our fifty years as a Chapter and has a great show in store for us. It
will be a great evening and you will want to be there! Wednesday, August 13. 6:00 p.m. at
Charley’s Restaurant, 707 Graves Mill Rd. in Lynchburg.
The three-foot gauge White Pass & Yukon Railroad today operates through 67 miles of
spectacular scenery from Skagway, Alaska to Carcross, Yukon. In terms of revenue and
passengers carried, it is by far the largest tourist railroad operation in North America. My
program is compiled from three visits to the WP&Y, starting with a 1979 ride on the mixed train
that once ran from Skagway all the way to Whitehorse. I later returned to experience the line as a
day-tripping cruise ship passenger. My most recent visit in 2007 included steam locomotive
operations and the opportunity to do lineside photography in inaccessible locations.
On June 14, 2007, White Pass & Yukon GE diesels No. 91, 92 & 93 approach the Alaska-British
Columbia border at White Pass Summit. The three 900-horsepower locomotives have pulled a
12-car train from sea level to 2885 feet elevation in less than 20 miles. This was only the fourth
of seven eastbound trains to go through the pass in a one-hour window.
Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway Historical Society
Minutes of Meeting on July 9, 2008
Vice-President Charlie Long called the meeting to order at Charley’s Restaurant at 7:30 p.m. and
welcomed 17 members and 4 guests. Guests were John Gardner, who has become a new member,
Frank Dwyer (with John Gardner), Roy Evans and George Riley, a friend of the Chapter. Gene
Campbell moved that the minutes of the June meeting be approved as distributed. Seconded and
passed. Norris Deyerle asked that the May minutes be corrected to show that the name of the Roanoke
Chapter’s publication is “Turntable Times.” There were no objections. Treasurer John Tanner gave
reports for both June 11th and July 9th.
It was announced that Cameron Mays, 17-year-old son of Denise Mays, friend of Rick Johnson, was
killed tragically in an automobile accident in the wee hours of July 6th. A delegation from the Chapter
attended the visitation at the funeral home in Brookneal, and flowers were sent to the family to express
the sympathy and condolences of the Chapter. In other announcements, it was reported that Ed Fielding
is in the hospital with an intestinal blockage. Webmaster John Siegle was unable to attend the meeting,
but sent a detailed Webmaster’s report showing that overall usage of the web site has greatly increased
in recent years and that the number of this year’s “hits” exceeded that of last year.
The main item of business was planning for Lynchburg Rail Day 2008, to be held at the Boonsboro
Ruritan Club on August 9. John Tanner said that this year’s sale of tables is close to that of last year.
George Riley passed out posters and flyers he made. Members were encouraged to distribute as many
as possible in the coming weeks before Lynchburg Rail Day 2008. Fred Mayer spoke about the
modeling exhibition and said he has contacted the Scoutmaster of Troop 7 to encourage Boy Scouts
working on their railroad merit badges to attend. Editor Garland Harper said he would make an effort to
send out the August issue of the “Blue Ridge Dispatcher” before Lynchburg Rail Day 2008 for additional
advertising. Norris Deyerle passed out sign-up sheets. All members are needed to help on Friday
between noon and 8:00 p.m. for setting up under the supervision of Gary Quale, and/or on Saturday
between 7:30 a.m. and about 5:30 p.m. A special plea was made for a clean up crew at the close of
Lynchburg Rail Day 2008.
The business meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Charlie Long ran the 50/50, which was won by a
restaurant employee.
Brad Dobbins presented the program, composed primarily of slides he took in the mid 1970’s. He
covered the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia and railroad activity in the greater Roanoke area. He
concluded with a close look at rapid transit in metropolitan Cleveland.
.
Lloyd Lipscomb
Acting Secretary
Sightings
07-18-08: Union Pacific #7921 with “Flags”, WB, Kinney Yard, Peggy Deyerle
07-24-08: Norfolk Southern Office Car Special passenger train NS #955 headed up by A-B-B-A F-Unit
set traveling NB from Altoona, PA to Charlotte, NC. Hurt, Va. Norris Deyerle
08-02-08: Amtrak #19, Locos #177 & #176, deadheading to New Orleans for hurricane season 5 State
of Conn. SPV {Self-Propelled Vehicle} 2000 cars, CTDOT #1621, CTDOT #1623, CTDOT #1671,
CTDOT #1673 and CTDOT #1001. SB, Kemper Street Station, Garland Harper, Lee Hawkins and Norris
Deyerle. Note: I was told that 4 more State of Conn. SPV’s were on Amtrak #19 on August 1, 2008.
08-02-08: Union Pacific #8645 with “Flags” in fresh paint, Train #203. SB at Kemper Street Station,
Garland Harper, Lee Hawkins and Norris Deyerle
National Director’s Page
By Norris Deyerle
Lynchburg Rail Day 2008 is here! Editor Garland Harper and I wanted to get this issue of the “Blue
Ridge Dispatcher” in your hands a week early to help promote our model train show. Saturday August 9,
2008 is the date of our model train show. I’m happy to say that the show is sold out unless we can get a
building stretcher! “Rail Day” Founder Jim Revell and his lovely wife Sherry are going to be there. From
noon till 1:00 pm Jim and Sherry will be available to discuss the early days of “Rail Day”, the name that
Jim gave it thirty years ago. I changed the name to “Lynchburg Rail Day” a couple of years ago after one
of the BRC members suggested it. We wanted to associate the location with our model train show. Our
BRC members have always showed up to help out, whether Jim was sponsoring the show or if was our
own. I have very few members signed up this year. If you haven’t signed up at one of our BRC
meetings, please call me at my work, 434-455-7421, or email me at railcow@msn.com and let me know
you’re going to help us make your BRC fundraiser a big success. We’re going to be at the Boonsboro
Ruritan Club on Coffee Rd. from 7:00 am Saturday till after 5:00 pm. After the show ends at 4:00 pm the
hall will need to have the tables put up and then be cleaned.
On August 13, 2008, our Chapter will be celebrating the “50th. Anniversary of the Blue Ridge
Chapter” during our regular monthly meeting. Greg Molloy, National President, NRHS and Carl Jensen,
Vice President, Appalachian Region, NRHS will join us for our celebration. Greg will present the BRC
with a special NRHS Fifty Year award. After the award, Greg will present a special slide show on the
three-foot gauge White Pass & Yukon Railroad. A “fifty year celebration” will only come around once.
We will dine at 6:00 pm and the business meeting will start at 7:30 pm. Please come out and show your
support. Seating may be limited.
“Dispatcher” Editor Garland Harper still needs your BRC recollections of the Chapter’s last fifty
years to include in our special expanded edition of the September 2008 “Blue Ridge Dispatcher”. Please
get those into Garland soon. Your submission may be of historical or humorous nature. How did
“Pothole” Griffin get his name? Maybe someone will tell you in the September issue!
I’m happy to report that BRC members Ed Fielding and John Siegle are well and will be at LRD
2008. My infant granddaughter Grace is also recovering well.
I would like to give my sincere thanks to those of you that have helped me with Lynchburg Rail
Day 2008. If you are a BRC, NRHS member, please let the LRD 2008 admission folks know when you
enter the front door. We want to keep an accurate head count for future promotional purposes. You and
your spouse’s LRD 2008 admittance is free even if either of you don’t sign up as a worker. If you bring
a guest over the age of fifteen they must pay admission. Admission is $5.00 until 3:30 pm. After 3:30 pm
the admission cost will be reduced to $2.50. Admission will be charged until 4.00 pm. Folks that are
manning LRD 2008 show layouts, offering “Home Layout Tours” or presenting clinics will be admitted at
no charge. Their names will provided to the admission folks. Coffee will be provided to BRC members
and their guests that are working the show at no charge. If you don’t drink coffee then you may have a
limited number of bottled waters or soft drinks at no charge. Free “Lunch Deals” will be also provided to
any LRD 2008 workers, clinic presenters and either show or home layout participants. Vendors are not
eligible for free lunches but will be given free coffee throughout the day.
Till then,
Mooooooo
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Lynchburg Rail Day 2008 Modeling and Photography exposition
In the past we have had modeling and photography contests, but these days there aren’t as many
model builders, probably because there are so many quality models available. With DCC and excellent
running equipment, emphasis is more on operation rather than building. Consequently, for this reason I
have emphasized a modeling exposition rather than a contest, and have encouraged entries that may
have only repainted or weathered a car as well as those who have scratch-built a model. We will
recognize the craftsmen and award prizes for their skills, too, since a major objective of Lynchburg Rail
Day 2008 is to show the public what we as model railroaders and collectors do!
We always have plenty of photography entries, probably due to the greater availability of quality
equipment to more people who excel in this area.
I am encouraging you and others to bring their modeling efforts or collectibles to make a good
exposition of what model railroading and collecting are all about.
As I said, enhanced, ready-to-run or scratch-built, as well as old toy trains, or mechanical (windup) trains can make an interesting show.
SO… get the word out and let’s make this great show of interest to the public as well as
modelers.
The categories are: Photography, Freight and Passenger Cars, Steam and Diesel locomotives,
Structures, Dioramas, and Favorite Train.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.
Fred Mayer,
LRD 2008 Modeling Chairman.
434-384-2773
Press Release, Watauga Valley Chapter, NRHS - July 15, 2008
All aboard for two exciting and fun-filled train excursions from Spencer and Greensboro, NC to
Charlottesville, Va. and back each day, Saturday, Nov. 1st and Sunday Nov. 2nd, 2008.
The Virginia Autumn Train, presented by the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway
Historical Society and the North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation, offers rare daylight trips
through the rolling hills of the Carolinas and the Western part of Central Virginia, using Amtrak and
vintage rail equipment.
The excursion departs at 7 a.m. from the N.C Transportation Museum in Spencer and arrives at 8
a.m. at the newly restored Greensboro Amtrak Station at 236 East Washington Street. Passengers can
board at either location before traveling a railroad line that crests the legendary white Oak Mountain, past
the Dan, Roanoke, and James Rivers arriving in Charlottesville, Va. at 12:00p.m.
Home of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is full of history, and a short walk to the historic
downtown mall offers unique shopping and dining opportunities. The train will depart Charlottesville at
2:45 p.m. returning to Greensboro at 6:30 p.m. and returning to Spencer at 8 p.m.
We are pleased to offer two types of First Class service beside regular coach service, Dome and
Premium. First Class fare includes continental breakfast and newspapers on the way to Charlottesville,
along with dinner on the return trip served in vintage dining and lounge cars. The Dome service will be
seated on the second level of the rail car. Glass windows will offer a panoramic view of the entire ride
Dome tickets are $250 per person. The Premium service will sit on the first level of a rail car and receive
the same luxury and service as passengers with dome seating. Premium tickets are $225 per person.
Coach seating will feature wide windows adjustable seats and convenient access to the commissary car,
the tickets are available for $135.00. All cars feature air conditioning, heat and rest rooms. Parking is free
at both the
N C Transportation Museum in Spencer and at the Greensboro Amtrak Station. For reservations and
information, call 704-636-2889 ext. 232, visit our web site at www.nctrans.org.
These trips are expected to sell out fast, please make your reservation early.
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A bit more Lynchburg C&O heritage disappears – Many fans and train watchers have noticed the
signal upgrade activity that has been going on along the CSX (ex-C&O) through downtown Lynchburg
and Reusens over the past year. New signal masts and signal bridges have been installed, and
bungalows mounted on flood-proof platforms some 15 feet in the air are in place (November 5, 1985, did
not go unnoticed!). This upgrade activity has been ongoing on the James River Line downstream from
us for several years now and has arrived here. New signals were cut in between Gladstone and the east
end of Lynchburg at “Tyree” just last year. One is clearly visible in the sweeping curve that parallels US
460 east of town. It is named, appropriately enough, “Moore’s Store”, although many of us wished it had
been labeled “Hotdog”.
While all this activity will serve to improve reliability and better handling of trains for CSX thorough
town, it does mean the end of a few photographic backdrops that made train picture-taking special
around here. The cantilevered signal for westbound traffic located at the Concord Turnpike crossing at
the Sandy Hook Yard office pictured below is an example. How many pictures of trains framed by this
structure have been taken over the years? The new, tubular cantilevered signal taking its place, also
pictured, just doesn’t have the charm the old one did. The dismantling of it and other C&O-styled signal
structures in the affected area began Monday morning, August 4. Cranemasters wasted little time in
taking down all the old signals. From Tyree at the east end of Lynchburg to GW Cabin a little west of
Reusens, they are all gone.
The horizontal arm of the cantilever at Sandy Hook Yard is taken down Aug. 4, 2008.
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(G. Harper)
The new Sandy Hook signal and flood-proof bungalow located just west of the grade crossing at Sandy Hook Yard.
(G. Harper)
2008 BRC, NRHS Calendar Of Events Anniversary Of The Blue Ridge Chapter”
By Norris Deyerle
“50th
AUGUST
08-09-08: Lynchburg Rail Day 2008 30th Anniversary Train Show! Jim Revell, Founder of Rail Day and
the original owner of Train’s Unlimited will be our guest of honor! For train show information or table
rental please contact Norris Deyerle, LRD 2008 Train Show Coordinator at 434-237-4912 or at
railcow@msn.com. Saturday 9:00 am till 4:00 pm., Boonsboro Ruritan Club, Lynchburg, Va. Additional
info and a map to the model train show available at www.blueridgenrhs.org. Open the “Rail Day” link.
08-13-08: BRC Regular Monthly Meeting, Guests Greg Molloy, National President, NRHS and Carl
Jensen, Appalachian Region Vice President, NRHS join us to celebrate the 50th. Anniversary of the
BRC, NRHS. Special 50th. Anniversary presentation will be made to the BRC, NRHS by Greg Molloy.
Slide show presented by Greg Molloy on the three-foot gauge White Pass & Yukon Railroad.
08-28-08: O. Winston Link Museum “Sustainability Lecture Series, Exploring Green Initiatives In
Railroading”, Speaker: Frank Brown, Norfolk Southern Corp. Info:www.blueridgenrhs.org and
www.linkmuseum.org
SEPTEMBER
09-10-08: BRC Regular Monthly Meeting, Fred Mayer, slides?
09-13-14-08: Great Train Expo, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm each day, Admission: $7.00, kids under 12 free.
Info: 630-279-4048 or at www.greatttrainexpo.com., Expo Center, North Carolina 1State Fairgrounds,
Raleigh, NC.
09-20-21-08: Tidewater Division Model Railroaders 2008 Model Train Show & Sale, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm,
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Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St., Va. Beach, Va. Info: Call 757-426-2811 email:
nawneycreek@msn.com
09-21-08: BRC Annual Summer Picnic, English Park, Former name was Staunton Riverfront Park,
Altavista, Va., 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.
09-24-08: BRC “Fun Meeting”, Steve Hutchison, Winston-Salem Chapter, NRHS President will present
the slide show that he showed the public at Lynchburg Rail Day 2008. Please come out and show Steve
your support! He’s driving up from Winston-Salem, N.C. just to give those of us that were working at the
Lynchburg Rail Day 2008 train show an opportunity to view his show.
09-25-08: O. Winston Link Museum “Sustainability Lecture Series, Exploring Green Initiatives In
Railroading”, Speaker: Tom Hoover, General Electric, Info: www.blueridgenrhs.org and
www.linkmuseum.org
OCTOBER
10-08-08: BRC Regular Monthly Meeting, Rick-2 Johnson, slides
10-12-08: Marklin Enthusiasts Of America Fall Train Meet, Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel,
Bethlehem, PA. Info: Steve Seyer, 610-398-3021 or at scsbahn@msn.com.
10-11-12-08: The Great Scale Model Train Show, Timonium, Md., Info: www.gsmts.com
10-16-18-08: Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association {TCA} Fall Train Meet, York
Fairgrounds, York, Pa.
10-30-08: O. Winston Link Museum “Sustainability Lecture Series, Exploring Green Initiatives In
Railroading”, Speaker: Leslie Hyde, Koppers, Inc.,
Info: www.blueridgenrhs.org and
www.linkmuseum.org
NOVEMBER
11-02-08: 31st Gaithersburg Railroadiana Show, Sunday, Montgomery County Fairgrounds,
Gaithersburg, Md., Info: www.gserr.com
11-12-08: BRC Regular Monthly Meeting, Kurt Reisweber, slides
11-26-08: BRC “Fun Meeting”
11-30-08: The Southeastern Division Of The Train Collectors Association {TCA} Train Show, 10:00 am,
Kerr Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC, Info: www.se-tca.org. Charles Alford,
Secretary, 252-756-7842
DECEMBER
12-06-08: BRC Annual Christmas Banquet, 6:00 pm, former Southern Railway Depot, Altavista, Va.
Buffet includes dessert and refreshments. Reservations and paid admission for this annual event are
required to attend the banquet or the “50th Anniversary Of The Blue Ridge Chapter” slide show”.
Reservations are $18.00 per person for BRC members and their guests. Guests are always welcome. I
would like to have a slide show highlighting the 50 Years of the Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS. In
recognition of Rick Johnson’s many years of service to our chapter I asked Rick to present this special
slide show. Rick agreed to present this special slide show with your help. After you let our Webmaster
John Siegle copy your slides for the “50th Anniversary Of The Blue Ridge Chapter” section on our BRC
website, Rick would like to borrow them from you to insert into the slide show. Please include as much
information about the slide or slides as possible.
12-10-08: BRC Regular Monthly Meeting, Rick Johnson, slides
12-20-08: BRC “Christmas Gathering”, 9:00 pm till Amtrak Train 19 arrival? Kemper Street Station,
Lynchburg, Va. Please bring your favorite holiday treat, snacks, sweets or non-alcoholic beverages to
share with your friends as well as the Amtrak passengers.
N&WHS Calendar of Events: For N&W and Virginian Railway Related Events log onto
www.nwhs.org/events.html
ATTENTION N.R.H.S. EXCHANGE NEWSLETTER EDITORS AND TRAIN SHOW EVENT CONTACT
PERSONS:
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE INFORMATION FROM THIS CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO PROMOTE
UPCOMING EVENTS. PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR UPCOMING EVENTS AT RAILCOW@MSN.COM
SO I CAN INCLUDE THEM IN FUTURE 2008 BRC, NRHS CALENDAR OF EVENTS LISTINGS. VIEW
THEM ANYTIME ONLINE AT WWW.BLUERIDGENRHS.ORG
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CHAPTER OFFICERS AND STAFF
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
National Director
Editor
Historian
Webmaster
Rick Johnson, 104 Mowry Ln. Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-239-6159
rick@ccappc.com
Charlie Long, 106 Pacos St., Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-239-3521
cwlongjr@mindspring.com
Tom Ledford, 18 W. Princeton Cir. #18, Lynchburg, VA 24503
434-847-4025
tmus@verizon.net
John Tanner, 209 Pocahontas Dr., Forest, VA 24551-1235
434-525-1318
flytrains@ verizon.net
E. Norris Deyerle, Jr. 744 Chinook Pl., Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-237-4912
railcow@verizon.net
Garland R. Harper, 3920 Harbor St. Lynchburg, VA 24503
434-384-7210
GRHarper@aol.com
Rick Johnson, 104 Mowry Ln. Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-239-6159
rick@ccappc.com
John Siegle 1225 Krise Cir. Lynchburg, VA 24503
434-384-6951
jas65@comcast.net
The BLUE RIDGE DISPATCHER is published by the Blue Ridge Chapter, National Railway
Historical Society. Opinions expressed are those of the editor and contributors and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the Blue Ridge Chapter or the National Railway Historical Society
unless otherwise stated.
Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS
P. O. Box 11731
Lynchburg, VA 24506-1731
www.blueridgenrhs.org
blueridgenrhs@yahoo.com
DON’T FORGET! JOIN IN THE FUN! LYNCHBURG RAIL DAY 2008 IS HERE!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9.
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
BOONSBORO RURITAN CLUB on COFFEE ROAD.
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