The Crusader - Reading Railroad Heritage Museum

The Crusader
“Preserving the Past for the Future”
February 2012
Foundry Building at the
RRHM is Being Demolished
US Congressman Visits
the RRHM
Removal of the foundry building has begun! The
contractor began to demolish the building on Monday,
February 27. The work is expected to be completed in 2 to 3
weeks. The foundry had deteriorated and become a target for
vandalism and unauthorized entry. The RCT&HS board found
that restoration costs of the building were more than we could
expect to finance. Removal of the building will permit
Museum expansion in new ways. A new structure that meets
our requirements and is easier to finance, secure, heat and
maintain may be more easily accomplished than rehabilitation
of the old building. Thank you to John Corbit for facilitating
and supervising this project.
On February 27, the Reading Railroad Heritage
Museum hosted the official presentation of a check. Officers
of the Federal Home Loan Bank presented the check to Deena
Kershner, director of Hamburg’s Our Town Foundation, to be
distributed to low and moderate income home owners for home
repairs. Congressman Charles Dent, PA Sen. David Argall,
development officers from 3 counties, and Hamburg officials
also attended the event held in the Museum exhibit room. This
was the first RRHM visit by U.S. Congressman Dent and
several others, and all expressed their amazement at the work
that RCT&HS volunteers have accomplished. The Museum’s
exposure was increased by hosting this prominent event which
was also featured on Channel 69 News.
Above: O’Brien Wrecking gets to work on the foundry
building on February 27th.
Above: Carol Adams, Charles Dent, David Argall, Deena
Kershner
Hamburg Museum Track Fund
Pay Down the Loan Program
Receipts
Receipts
Current Month: February, 2012 = $341.50
Total: Nov, 2010 thru February, 2012 = $15,856.22
Current Month: February, 2012 = $32.00
Total: May 2007 thru February, 2012 = $30,659.70
Payments
Payments
Current Month: February, 2012 = $500.00
Total: Nov, 2010 thru February, 2012 = $16,000.00
Outstanding Balance = $81,000.00
Current Month: February, 2012 = $0.00
Total: May 2007 thru February, 2012 = $23,196.15
Current Fund Balance = $7,463.55
RCT&HS
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FEBRUARY 28th GENERAL MEETING
TREASURER’S REPORT
Jim Adams 610-777-3764 [email protected]
President Duane Engle called the meeting to order at
7:35 p.m. there were 8 officers, 41 members, and 2 visitors in
attendance. Duane welcomed new member Mike Martin to the
meeting. A motion to accept the January 2012 minutes as
printed was made by Larry Mundell and seconded by Don
Crabtree. The motion passed.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Duane Engle 610-929-5661 [email protected]
The February 2012 meeting of the BOD was held at 7PM on
February 7th at the RRHM in Hamburg, PA. In addition, two
special meetings were conducted on January 24th and February
18th. Topics of discussion and motions carried are as follows:
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Financial – The board approved the purchase of a new
liability insurance policy with Scottsdale Insurance as our
current policy holder was not offering a renewal. Our
annual premium will be $7,848 down from $8000. We
will receive less coverage, have a lower deductible, and
are limited to train excursions of 10 miles one way.
Museum – Based on the recommendation from the
Building Committee, the board approved a contract with
O’Brien Wrecking Co. for the demolition of the foundry
building on the museum site. An asbestos survey will be
completed followed by the building being removed down
to the slab. Roof repairs will be made where the foundry
building and the occupied museum buildings meet. There
is no cost to the RCT&HS.
Policy Adoption – The following policies were adopted
by the board: Code of Ethics, Unlawful Harassment,
Nondiscrimination, and Conflict of Interest. A description
of the Compliance Officer was also approved and Jim
Blake was appointed as the first RCT&HS Compliance
Officer.
FP7 Locomotives – Based on discussions with the
MP&RE Committee, the board recommended that the
FP7’s, currently at Steamtown NHS, should be brought to
Hamburg.
Coach Request – The board approved that we enter into
negotiations with Eastern Gateway Railroad for the use of
two of our coaches for use on their Boyertown line.
Other – Schuylkill Haven property assessment, the web
site, and an electrical project update.
The next general meeting of the Executive Board will be held
at 7PM at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg,
PA on March 6th.
BUDGET & FINANCE
John Brown 717-426-2238 [email protected]
No report.
A motion to refer the Treasurer’s Report to the
Finance Committee for audit and vote was made by Tom
Brown, seconded by John Greene. The motion Passed.
RCT&HS
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SALES
CURATORS REPORT
Duane Engle 610-929-5661 [email protected] (for mail order
questions contact Dave Heffner at 717-290-1493
[email protected])
We had another very good month for sales in the
Museum gift shop. I want to thank everyone who has helped
with sales in the gift shop at the Museum.
We attended 3 shows in February. The first show
was the train meet at Timonium MD with the modular on Feb.
4 & 5 where we had $2065.69 in sales. Then we had a Greenberg Show at the Reading Expo Center with the modular Feb.
18 & 19 and did $2171.15 and finally the Spring Thaw train
meet at Allentown which is sales only, Feb. 25 & 26 and did
$2419.88. All total for the month we brought in over
$6600.00. Special thanks to Greg and Barb Goodridge who
staffed all three shows. Thanks also goes to the following who
also helped with shows this month: Gary and Linda Saggio,
Jim and Carol Adams, David Adams and his family, Lee
Schultz, Ron and Joan Wolfe, Jeff Smith, Dick Lush, Dick
Diehm, Eric Quimby, and Duane and Lynn Engle.
Our next show is at our train meet at Leesport April 1 st and
then at the Fairlane Village Mall, Pottsville April 18 to 22.
Anyone interested in helping, please contact me.
There are a number of new books and model items
on sale, A book flyer is enclosed with this newsletter.
Paul Troutman 610-926-4919 [email protected]
The volunteers are working on improving exhibits
and creating more interactive spots.
We have established a working relationship with the
Reading Society of Model Engineers. By working together
we can both become stronger. Look for more information
about this partnership in the near future.
JAMES HOLTON ART EXHIBIT – Original paintings and
drawings by Mr. James Holton, artist, author, photographer,
and railroad historian. THERE WILL BE OVER 40
ORIGINAL PAINTINGS NEVER BEFORE PUBLICLY
EXHIBITED. BENEATH MANY OF THE PAINTINGS
WILL BE ARTIFACTS FROM THE READING
RAILROAD. THESE WILL RELATE TO SOME ASPECT
OF THE PAINTING. In addition there will be a newly
created mini art studio that will feature several of the
paintings that were not completed prior to James Holton’s
death. This will provide insight into the techniques employed
in his paintings.
EDDIE WISWESSER MODEL EXHIBIT – Hand crafted
models made before the advent of kits. A HUGE collection of
models made by Mr. Wisswesser and several others will be on
display. Mr. Wisswesser also made detail drawings of
railroad equipment and is an author and historian. This
3-dimensional art form will explore the challenges
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
Jonathan Barket 570-366-1533 [email protected]
No report.
TWO SPECIAL EVENTS
MEMBERSHIP
Melanie Zimmerman 717-445-6301 [email protected]
No report.
Friday April 20, 2012 - We will sponsor a special
public reception from 7 to 9PM at the museum for the
opening of the James Holton art exhibit. Mrs. Holton plans to
attend. We will honor her in recognition of her cooperation in
creating the Jim Holton Art Exhibit. There will be some
surprises. Admission will be $10 (including RCT&HS
members). Cheese and punch will be served.
Friday June 15, 2012 – we will sponsor a special
public reception from 7 to 9 PM at the museum for a talk by
Eddie Wiswesser entitled “BUILDING MODELS BEFORE
KITS”. If you have any Wiswesser books he will be pleased
to autograph them for you. There will be some surprises.
Admission will be $10 (including RCT&HS members).
Refreshments will be served.
LONG RANGE PLANNING TASK FORCE
Carol Adams 610-777-3764 [email protected]
An application a grant to repair the Museum façade
has been submitted to Hamburg’s Elm Street Program. The
grant program supplies up to $3,000 and requires that an equal
amount be spent on the project by the property owner. Reply
is expected in about a month.
A special event was held at the Museum on February
27 for the presentation of Federal Home Loan Bank funds to
Hamburg’s Our Town Foundation. See article in this
newsletter. The event publicized the Museum to the
community, the county, the state, and federal officials.
Application for NEH funding of archives supplies is
being prepared.
Both of the above events will benefit artifact
conservation and storage.
SITE DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE
MUSEUM BUILDING COMMITTEE
Tom Brown (717) 279 - 6783 [email protected]
No report.
John Corbit 610-781-1939
We removed the tow motors and other scrap this
month. Demolition of the foundry building has begun.
MUSEUM OPERATIONS
Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 [email protected]
Thanks to the Goodridge’s we have racks in our gift
shop to display items of clothing. Our attendance at the museum has been averaging in the 30’s lately.
RCT&HS
TRACK & GROUNDS
Duane Engle 610-929-5661 [email protected]
Did not do much during the last month due to all of
the sales shows we attended. I hope to be able to do some
additional track work in the next month. We are also looking
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into more track to remove, some of this work will be done
during the week. Anyone that can help with any of this work,
please contact me.
and we could use help from anyone willing to help research
the responses to these inquiries.
 Publications
Computer problems this past month delayed work
on the Bee Line, but things are back on track now. We expect the next one to go to the printer soon. For new
RCT&HS members, please note that we have been behind
schedule in producing the Bee Line magazine for many
years. All members will receive the Bee Lines corresponding to the membership years they pay for, plus, as long as
you maintain your membership, you will receive any other
Bee Lines that are produced while your membership is active. We appreciate your patience, and promise that we’ll
eventually get caught up.
MOTIVE POWER AND ROLLING EQUIPMENT
John Stoudt R.E. 610-775-1197 /Tim Weidner M.P. 610-780-0497
We are working on getting the 5308 in service. The
103 is also being worked on.
PASSENGER OPERATIONS
Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 [email protected]
We have indicated which of our coaches would be
available to the Eastern Berks County Gateway Railroad for
periodic excursions on the former Reading Colebrookdale
Branch out of Boyertown, Pa. They would make the
arrangements for moving the coaches if possible. Stay tuned.
Reading FP7’s 902 and 903 will be leaving
Steamtown after preparation for movement. They will be
coming to Temple, Pa and eventually to Hamburg when the
Maiden Creek Bridge is repaired. It has been difficult for the
mechanical forces of the RCT&HS and Philadelphia NRHS to
get to Steamtown to do the required maintenance on the units.
The expense and time involved, a four-hour round trip, has
prevented necessary repairs along with the limited window of
time available to work on the units inside the park.
 Calendar
The Year 2012 calendar is completed. The theme is
“Steam and Diesel on the Reading Railroad.” Please contact
the Sales Committee to purchase a calendar.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Andew Dietz 914-886-3459 [email protected]
No report.
MAILING
Ken Riegel 610-777-4555 [email protected]
ACQUISITIONS
Steve Schwartz 610-434-1289 [email protected]
Friends at SEPTA are working on saving a Reading
Silverliner for us (#9001). It is currently in service. We are
also looking for acquisition of parts from the retired cars.
There has been Internet news that 2100 is collateral for a loan
which has been defaulted on. We are monitoring the
situation.
No report.
MODULAR
Jonathan Barket 570-366-1533 [email protected]
We have had a very successful February which
included 2 shows. First one was in Timonium MD and the
second one was at the Reading expo center. Between the
two shows we acquired close to $500 in donations! We had
a large amount of great compliments ranging from the layout
as a whole to specific scenes and details. I would like to
thank everyone who came out and helped with either
show. As far as our setup and tear down times, we are now
able to get the layout standing and operating within 2 1/2
hours and the same to be packed up with a good number of
members.
We continue to work every weekend at
Hamburg. We are currently working on the Belt interlocking
signal system which I hope to have working for our next
show. I also was able to get the signal bridge finished for the
East Penn / Capone / Locust interlocking. Several other
signals will be mounted and hopefully working by our next
show. We are also working on the new lift bridge module. This will be 1 of 5 that will complete our waterfront
scene. The module has been partially built and should be
ready for track and scenery by the end of the month. The
whole scene is taking shape nicely. Another rather large
project that we have going is the layout for the museum. Track work has been taking shape and we are now
working on beginning the land forms. This layout will be
very detail oriented for a museum quality look. It will also
feature several push buttons for visitor interaction. We are
still looking for monetary donations to help us continue
SAFETY
Duane Briscoe 610-777-4196
No report.
ARCHIVES / PUBLICATIONS / CALENDAR
Rick Bates 610-647-9359 [email protected]
 Archives
We received quite a few donations to the Archives in
the past month, plus we overlooked recognizing a few
received at the end of 2011, so thanks very much to all of
these donors for the following: a box of paperwork from
Ellen Allen; a vintage postcards from Eric Quimby and from
Jim Brazel; some employee papers from Bill Bubeck;
timetables, booklets and other paperwork from Ed Handler;
timetables, blank forms and paperwork from Donald
Rumbold; a 1939 RDG-CNJ pass from Richard Cogshell;
some older employee timetables and other booklets from
Richard Williams; a photo of an employee banquet from
Thomas Ogden; two cartons of various paperwork and photos
from Bob Gottschall; and finally some more railroad books
from Paul Kutta. Thanks to the following for Archives
sorting work in the past month – Rick Bates, Randy Mengel,
Bill Stafford and Rich Nagy. The Archives sorting has
reached the point where we are much more able to respond to
outside requests for information. However, this takes time,
RCT&HS
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WEBSITE
building and making improvements to this spectacular
museum layout. If anyone would be able to help with this
please let me know.
Our next show will be April 18th - 22nd at the
Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville. Setup will be on April
17th starting around 6:00 PM and I am hoping we can put the
layout up at Center court, but I will let you know. I am
hoping to be able to set up 112' this show.
I would like to wrap up this report by stating that we
are actively looking for new members within the
committee. We have so many plans however we are in need
of help. The more help we can get with shows, setup and
teardowns, upgrading, and of course, financially, the more
we can continue providing the layout to the general public
and advertising for the museum. Sometimes the best
feeling is to watch the kids faces light up as they look at the
layout.
The schedule for 2012 is listed. Any questions
please feel free to contact me or any committee member.
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CORRESPONDENCE
Norman O. Mueller 610-446-6651 [email protected]
Mike Sakal 610-777-3268 [email protected]
No report.
ENTERTAINMENT
Dale Woodland (215) 723-5848 [email protected]
Tonight’s programs are “Reading Steam in the
1930’s” and an 8mm silent movie "The Iron Mule" which
was produced in 1925, from Tom Poserina, March – “The
PNR” by Dale Woodland, April – “The Reading in the
1960’s and 1970’s” by Jim Herzog, May – open, June – Paul
Kutta “The NYO&W, July/August open, September – Paul
Kutta “ Cuban Railroads” , October – open, November –
“Train Accidents and the Nickle Plate Story” by Tom
Poserina, December – “Diesels Down Under” by Dale
Woodland.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
Timonium Md. Setup is 2/3 Show is 2/4 - 2/5
NEW BUSINESS
Greenburg at Reading Expo Center Setup is 2/17 @
12PM, Show is 2/18 - 2/19 10PM-4PM
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Pottsville Fairlane Village Mall Setup is 4/17 @ 6PM,
Show is 4/18 - 4/22 Mall Hours
Hazelton Laurel Mall Setup is 5/23 @ 6PM, Show is
5/24 - 5/27 Mall Hours
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Reading Railroad Days at Strasburg Setup is 7/2 at
10AM, Show is 7/3 - 7/8 Museum Hours
Danville THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED
DUE TO 2011 FLOODING
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Harrisburg PA Christmas and Craft show - Setup is
11/26 @ 9AM, Show is 11/28 - 12/2, show hours
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Pottsville Fairlane Village Mall Setup is 12/12 @
6PM, Show is 12/13 - 12-16, Mall hours
MODELING -John Greene 215-721-3006 [email protected]
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No report.
TRAIN MEET
Chuck Race 610-777-2053
The next RCT&HS train meet will be held on April
1st from 9 to 2 at the Leesport Farmers Market. Admission is
$4 and children 12 and under are FREE with a paying adult.
Tables sell for $20 if you register before the day of the meet
otherwise they are $25.
Lee Schultz announced a Farewell to the Silverliners trip
sponsored by the Philly NRHS Chapter on May 6th.
Information can be found at:
http://www.trainweb.org/phillynrhs/20120506.PHILA%
20CHAPNEWSRELEASE.pdf .
Tonight’s coal bucket contained $159.00 and 11
envelopes.
Steve Gilbert announced that he will lead a road trip to
tour the Bloomsburg Branch. If interested, please
contact Steve at [email protected] or 610-7812100.
Jeff Smith announced that NS will be painting 18 new
locomotives this spring into heritage road paint schemes.
The Reading will be represented as well as other local
roads of the past. You can view images of these units at
http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Media/images/
heritage_images.html
CLOSING
Larry Mundell made a motion to adjourn the
meeting and Bill Hodson seconded the motion. The motion
passed and President Duane Engle adjourned the meeting at
8:47 PM.
CONVENTION COMMITTEE
John Greene 215-721-3006 [email protected]
Our 7th annual convention will be held on April 21
at the Hamburg American Legion BINGO Hall at 650
Chestnut Street. Doors open at 8:30 AM and the programs
start at 9:00 AM. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for
students. Lunch is available by preorder only and costs $10.
Dealer tables are $20. See last month’s Crusader for details.
RCT&HS
John Funk read a script for the engine crew of the iron
horse rambles titled “Whistle, bell and smoke special
rules”. Rick Bates said that George Hart wrote the
scripts for the Rambles which were approved by the
Reading Company.
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Mark Your Calendars
 March 27: General Meeting of the RCT&HS at Trinity Bible Fellowship
Church, Rt. 73, Blandon, PA
 April 1: RCT&HS Train Meet in Leesport, PA
 April 18-22: Modular and Sales at the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, PA
 April 20: Holton Art Exhibit Reception at the RRHM in Hamburg, PA
 April 21: RCT&HS Convention in Hamburg, PA
 June 15: Eddie Wiswesser Talk at the RRHM in Hamburg, PA
Save your Redner’s Tapes
www.readingrailroad.org
Phone Number _______________________________________
RCT&HS Corporate Members
Russell & Julia Angstadt; Bethlehem Car Works, John Greene, CEO, Telford, PA (215) 721-3006;
Centralia Coal Sales Co. ,Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 822-4135; Municipal & Financial Services Group,
Annapolis, MD (410) 226-910; G&K Hobbies, Bill Krug CEO, Reading, PA (610) 374-8598; Health
Insurance Solutions, Inc., Tom and Nanette Poserina, Health Brokers (215) 721-2220; “It’s All the
Rage” Hair Designs, In memory of Charles W. Moyer, Jr., 1213 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA (610)
375-0816; Jonathan L. Shalter III, Conservationist-Naturalist-Historian, Temple, PA; Lancaster
Chapter, NRHS, Christiana, PA (610) 593-4968; Outer Station Project, Benjamin Bernhart, historian,
author, publisher; PENNVIA Private Railcars, Inc., Passenger Dome car charters in the US and Canada,
West Lawn, PA (610) 678-3604; R. Harris Russo, MD, Neurological Surgery, Kalamazoo, MI (269) 343
-3939; Rabenold, Koestel, and Scheidt, Attorneys at Law, Wyomissing, PA (610) 374-2103; Rack
Ability, Inc. 332 N Reading Rd, Ephrata, PA 17522 (717) 917-7403; Reading and Northern Railroad,
Co., Andy Muller Jr., CEO, Port Clinton, PA (610) 562-2100; Security First Inc., Security, access control,
surveillance systems, 107 W. Lancaster Ave., Shillington PA (610) 777-8890; Stackhouse Bensinger Inc.:
Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Land Planning Services, Traffic and Planning Engineering,
Storm Water Infiltration, Municipal Engineering, Surveying/GPS, and Recreation Planning & Design.
Sinking Spring, PA (610) 777-8000; Town & Country Newspaper, Pennsburg PA, (215) 679-5060