Number 112                                                                                        February 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

Ø      2010 MEMBESHIP RENEWAL

Ø      WINTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Ø      NEW RRMPA DIRECTOR CHARLES FOX TALKS TO THE BOARD

Ø      2010 ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

Ø      SOCIETY PAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

Ø      THE 460 PROJECT

Ø      VOLUNTEER POSITION FILLED

Ø      ART EXHIBIT IN COLUMBIA, PA

Ø      SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

Ø      CHAPTER MEETINGS

2010 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

As of February 16, 2010, the PRR T&HS membership for 2010 is as follows:

Regular             1,774

Sustaining            270

Contributing           53

International           23

Keystone             115

Total                 2,235

Non-renewals: 703, Renewal Rate 2,191/2,894=75.7%

Keystone mailings include 13 gratis copies (museums, libraries, etc.)

The number of new members for 2010 is 44.

If you have not renewed by this time you’re late and may not receive the Spring 2010 Keystone on time.

WINTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

     The Board met on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at Chuck Blardone’s house in Lancaster, PA from 10:19 am to 12:31 p.m. The following directors were present: Chuck Blardone, Bob Brubaker (via phone), Al Buchan, Jack Consoli, Ivan Frantz, and Ed Swain (via phone). Officers Rich Ader, Andy Hart, and Jim Trope were absent.

1. Finances

a.       2010 year end financial projections estimate the General Account to be at $309,332, following a $147,800 net loss during the year. The S&A Account is projected to be at $ 303,785, following a $3,600 net loss during the year. Keep in mind that during the year the Society has an obligation of up to $50,000 to the RRMPA for the 460 project and will also have an over $22,000 expense for a new station roof, we are also looking to begin the Lewistown Station Climate Control project,  see below.

2. Annual Meetings

·         2010 Camp Hill, PA, April 29 – May 1, host New England Chapter – see below for additional details.

·         2011 Columbus, OH, May 11 – 14, host LW Buckeye Chapter

·         2012 Camp Hill, PA, May 17 – 20, host Northern Central Chapter

·         2013 Location yet unknown. Possibilities include Altoona, and Bethel Park, PA.

·         2014 will be booked for Camp Hill.

3. Station & Archives

• The Archiving Project - An onsite archiving session was held from November 9^th to 12^th, 2009 at the Lewistown station.  Volunteers attending were: Charlie Horan, Larry Kline, Ed Kline, John Roland, Chuck Bender, Greg Stone, and Charlie Woodward.  A total of 163 hrs were worked, during which time 3,787 drawings were processed and entered into the research database.  Thus far a total of 14,605 drawings have been processed and filed for use.

• Glass Plate Negative Project -           On November 21^st, 2009 John Eles and Tim Lassan made a partial delivery of items on this project to Bob Johnson at Lewistown Station. Included were 508 of the 8 by 10 glass plate negatives housed in archival envelopes in archival boxes and 2,200 4 by 5 copy negatives John and Tim made from glass plates.  The copy negatives are housed in archival Mylar sleeves in archival envelopes in archival boxes.  All of these boxes have been placed on shelves in the archival storage area.

• Roofing Project - Kish Valley Roofing will begin in May or June weather permitting.

• Climate Control Project - The Board approved engaging Dan Mattern, PE to perform preliminary engineering design of a climate control system for the Society’s Archives at Lewistown.  The preliminary work should include making estimates of the installed cost and annual operating cost of the system as specified by the Station & Archives Committee.

4. Current Book Publishing Schedule

·         PRR locomotives 1848-1874 all B&W probably now in April 2010.

·         The Zega-Lied book, on how the PRR presented its image in advertising, is tentatively scheduled for September/October 2010.  This will be a high-end expensive 12 x12 format book, with about 260 images plus about 200 additional ones on an enclosed CD.

·         Prophet II - unknown

·         Gondolas GA - G44 tentative for December 2010.

·         Columbus - tentative for annual meeting 2011

The next BoD meeting will be held on April 29, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in Camp Hill, PA.

NEW RRMPA DIRECTOR CHARLES FOX TALKS TO THE BOARD

     During the Winter Board of Directors meeting Charlie dropped by to talk with the Directors. He gave an enlightened 45-minute presentation about the museum and his vision for future operations. He discussed the state budget and staffing problems, design and installation of the HVAC system for the rolling stock hall, the situation with the collections and his plans on how to temporarily stabilize some to of the major pieces stored outside to reduce their deterioration until the roundhouse can be built.  He also discussed the importance of the museum to the local and regional economy.

     Charles is scheduled to make a presentation (twice) during the 2010 annual meeting. I urge all of you to make an effort to attend this session and get from my point of view a very refreshing and enlightened perspective on the museum today and in the future.

2010 ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

     The New England Chapter web site now has additional information about the 2010 Annual Meeting at:   http://prrths-ne.org/   There is also a link to this from the National’s website. Program flyers will be mailed to all 2009 members and new 2010 members on or about February 25^th.

SOCIETY’S PAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

After about six years of preliminary work conducted by the paint committee during the annual meeting sessions, a final report has been drafted, which is in the process of being reviewed and will most likely get approval during the 2010 annual meeting. An abstract from that report follows.

“Manufacturers of locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, structures and equipment as well as suppliers of paints for model railroaders often provide incorrect colors for PRR models.  Restorers of PRR equipment have similar problems.  The Paint Committee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society was formed to investigate ways to correct these errors.  Instituted on April 30, 2004, the committee met yearly.  During these meetings, correct PRR color names were identified and correct colors were discussed.  At the April 30, 2009 meeting, twenty six painted samples of PRR colors were chosen as candidates for testing.  These candidate samples were assigned Munsell notations.  This report describes the details of the investigation.”

THE 460 PROJECT

    Each month we are presenting a barometer of where the FRM is with the number of and amount of contributions received. During January-February 178 contributions were made totaling $11,301, representing an average contribution of over $63. As of February 17, 2010, a total of 509 contributions have been received by the FRM amounting to $47,056, representing an average donation of a little over $92 each. When matched by the PRRT&HS it results in $94,112 being available to the RRMP. If you want to maximize the Society’s $50,000 donation, $2,944 still needs to be donated by you.

VOLUNTEER POSITION FILLED

     The Society’s call for a volunteer to help with centerfold mailing resulted in five members responding. Thank you all for your interest. We selected George and Peg Stanley to fulfill this need. Both are very familiar with doing this work and live relatively close to Lewistown, where the centerfolds are stored.

ART EXHIBIT IN COLUMBIA, PA

     Bill Lewis wrote us to call our attention to an upcoming art exhibit in Columbia, PA. One of the exhibitors, Chuck Long, will have many railroad - related pen and ink drawings on display! In particular, he has several very significant portrayals of Pennsylvania Railroad subjects, including K-4s no. 1361, the crossing diamonds of the PRR and the M&P trackage of the two railroads near "YORK" tower here in York, and a spectacular early 1900's depiction of York's nearby Pennsylvania Railroad passenger station (from a North George St. vantage point). His artistic talents have annually brought home blue ribbon after blue ribbon from various exhibits, including the great York Fair, and I am proud to say many of his drawings and photographic works are displayed in our own home's railroad art collection. If Chuck Long's artwork is indicative of the capabilities of the other four exhibitors, then this exhibit is something that you all will not want to miss! The exhibit is at Jonal Galleries, 653 Locust St., Columbia, PA from February 13^th through March 14^th.

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

     The purpose of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society is to bring together persons interested in the history and modeling of the Pennsylvania Railroad, its subsidiaries and its predecessor companies. Our goals are to promote the preservation and recording of all information regarding the organization, operation, facilities and equipment of the PRR.

     The Society’s quarterly illustrated journal, The Keystone, has been published continuously since 1968. Each issue of 80 or more pages contains illustrated original authoritative articles, about locomotives, cars, other equipment, facilities and operating practices of the PRR. The Society also publishes its own thoroughly researched books and other materials concerning Pennsy history. The Keystone Modeler is also a quarterly special 30-plus page online publication of the Society.

     The Society meets annually, usually during the first weekend in May, providing an opportunity for its members to get together and learn more about the PRR. Local chapters around the country also provide members and guests with regular meetings that feature PRR related programs. The 2010 Annual Meeting will take place between April 29^th and May 2^nd at the Radisson Penn-Harris Conference Center in Camp Hill, PA.

     Information about our Society may be found on our website http://www.prrths.com. To join the Society send $35.00 to: PRRT&HS, PO Box 54, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-0054. All memberships are for a calendar year, back issues for the current year are sent upon joining. Overseas membership has added postage fees.

CHAPTER MEETINGS

Support your local chapter - become a member.

ARIZONA CHAPTER

Contact: Sec/Treas. Phil Anderson 480-756-8722 ma393@aol.com

MEETINGS

Sunday, February 28, 2010, at 1:00 pm at the Arizona Railway Museum, 330 East Ryan Road in Chandler. Take Highway 101 to Highway 202 East, then take the off-ramp southbound to Arizona Avenue and continue south past Germann to Ryan, which is at 2488 South Arizona Avenue. The museum is on the left after crossing the UP. All are welcome.

 LINES WEST – BUCKEYE REGION CHAPTER

Contact: Al Doddroe at: adoddroe@earthlink.net

MEETINGS

TBA

CAMDEN & AMBOY CHAPTER

Contact John Kilbride JKTRR@msn.com

MEETINGS

March 5

June 4

CHICAGO TERMINAL CHAPTER

Contact:  President Marv Cadwell at: ld_mlc43@comcast.net

MEETINGS

TBA

GRAND RAPIDS & INDIANA

Contact Jim Winslow at: G5s472@aol.com

MEETINGS

TBA

MIDDLE DIVISION

Contact Peg Stanley at: prrths@embarqmail.com

MEETINGS

TBA

NEW ENGLAND

Contact, Tim Garner at: t.a.garner@verizon.net or write to New England Chapter PRRT&HS, c/o Tim Garner, Secretary, PO Box 624, Marlborough, MA  01752-0624

MEETINGS

Saturday, March 13, 2010 – Spring Chapter Meeting

SPRING TRAINing Clinics and Model Railroad Show – Holiday Inn, Peabody, Mass.

This annual event sponsored by the Hub Division of the NMRA features clinics from fundamental to advanced, dealer tables, and operating layouts. Andy Sperandeo, Executive Editor of Model Railroader, is the featured clinician. Our own Tim Garner is scheduled to present on "Altoona and Horseshoe Curve from 1975 to 2009". It runs 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for 12 and up. For more information about the show, visit www.hubdiv.org.

NORTHERN CENTRAL CHAPTER

Contact Treasurer Ivan Frantz 1126 Hanover Road York, PA 17404-6218

MEETINGS

TBA

PENN-TEXAS CHAPTER

Contact Secretary Dominic Mazoch at: domemt@juno.com

MEETINGS

TBA

PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER  

Contact: President Carl Corsi at: caminac1@aol.com

MEETINGS

Saturdays at the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church, 600 Burmont Road, Drexel Hill unless otherwise specified.

April 10, 2010

In June (4-6) we may participate again in Pennsy Days at RRMP.

PITTSBURGH CHAPTER

Contact: Newsletter Editor Don Coulter 412-372-4221  donald.coulter3@verizon.net

MEETINGS

Usually the third Saturday of February, March, April, September, October and November.

February 20, 2010:  Cancelled because of the weather.

March 20, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall at 1:00 p.m. Noted author and one time Montour Railroad employee, Gene P. Schaeffer, will present an all color slide program on the Montour Railroad. Gene has authored three well received railroad books “The Montour Railroad” (1997), “The Montour Railroad” (2008) and “Norfolk & Western Railway - Connellsville District” (2009). His two most recent books will be available for purchase at the meeting.

April 10, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall at 1:00 p.m. Don Coulter will be presenting a program on the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Pitcairn Yard. At one time, Pitcairn Yard was the largest freight yard on the Pennsy. NOTE THIS IS A WEEK EARLIER THAN OUR REGULAR MEETING