B&M Operators

Christine and I departed for Horseshoe curve last Monday. We arrived at South Station and were able to bump up to Acella for a grand total of $5.00 each. The total trip to Philadelphia was $10.00. The train was on time and fun. We stayed in Philly over night and ate at a Italian restaurant called “Ralph’s”. This is a very famous, and said to be the oldest Italian restaurant in Philly. It was great. The next day we were able to bump up to business class on the Pennsylvanian for a grand total of “free”. This train was great, the food was good and we arrived in Johnstown on time. As it happened I knew the conductor and he offered me a ride around the Shoe in the engine. I declined but we rode the rear vestibule. It was fantastic.

The next day we rented a car and headed for the shoe. The weather was perfect and we spent two wonderful days on the hill between Altoona and Casandra. N.S. is running about sixty trains a day on this line including general freight, coal, autos, double stacks, and T.O.F.C. Helpers (snappers) are abundant! We even saw an abreviated N.S. business train, alas, pulled by an SD 40-2, not the Fs. The access road at Allegany Tunnel that leads down to the east portal is now open to the public and we rode down and watched trains exiting to start down the long grade. It’s dirt but really not to bad.

The historical site at the curve has some issues. The first day the incline was not working but we still had to pay. The second day the incline was not working and the gift shop was closed due to a broken pipe, admission was free. There are 193 steps to the top! On our return trip we noticed from the train that the whole place was locked up at 9:45 AM on a Saturday! With the gate locked there is no way to get to the top. This seemed unacceptable to us.

Our third day was spent in and around Johnstown. We visited the flood museum, rode the incline, a must, had lunch at the restaurant at the top and watch the trains, four while we ate. They look like N scale from that height. The Holiday Inn in Johnstown is slightly up-scale, it’s the only show in town, and has a great restaurant, although a bit pricy with a great wine cellar.

The next morning we went back to Philly on the train, again on time and fun. We spent that night in Philly and came home Sunday on a regional, number 88, which was packed but we were able to bump up to business. We had tried to get an Acella but it was sold out! Amtrak needs to run more service on Sundays.

After riding and watching the real thing I’m more then ever determined to operate the Shoals as accurately as possible.

Best to all Carl.

Did you ever have one of those model railroad evenings when seemingly everything works well? At the New England Northern last night I experienced one of those times.

I drew East Deerfield yard as my assignment and the entire session was smooth as could be. I would estimate the performance of the uncoupling magnets and couplers at better than 95%. Any time there wasn’t a magnet available, the ever-popular uncoupling stick worked like a charm. Except for about four minor derailments, I don’t believe I had to put my fingers on a car for the whole night.

From the vantage point of both the East Deerfield yard office and the cab of the switcher, New England Northern purred like the proverbial cat in cream.

Bravo Zulu to the management of the NEN. (Bravo Zulu is Navyspeak for “Well Done”)

Don

Today, September 6, I started to lay track for the Middlebury College power plant spur. After putting down the ties and letting the glue dry, I began laying the rail. I use Micro Engineering small spikes and as I was putting them in, it seemed they were very difficult to set. These were part of a package of 1000 that I recently picked up at Modeler’s Junction going out of business sale. After I tried half a dozen spike, I knew something was not right. Upon examination, I found the spikes had no points. No wonder they were hard to drive in.

Of course, after I bought them, I opened the package and dumped them into the small tin box I use for spikes. Soooooo, after about 30 minutes or so, I finally separated the pointless spikes from the good ones. It didn’t look like the entire 1000, but certainly half at least.

What a great hobby!

Don

A sad day. A B&M member and assistant designer to the Atlantic Shoals has passed away.

Many have enjoyed the company of Bailey during meetings, annual cookouts, RailRuns and various other occasions. She will be missed.