August 2011 Memphis Buff

THE MEMPHIS BUFF

VOLUME 38, ISSUE 8

NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

August 2011

The Wanderings of Santa Fe 59L Arthur L. Herr, Jr. Taking Your Wife to a Train Convention

112

2

Memphis Chapter Officers President – Walter Lang

walterhlang@yahoo.com

Vice President – Bruce Smedley Director – Bill Strong Secretary/Treasurer – Thomas Doherty Program Co-chairman – Carl Lancaster Program Co-chairman – Don Weis Yahoo Group Co-ordinater – Terry Redeker Newsletter Editor – Tom Parker

williambstrong@bellsouth.net TRDoherty@aol.com DBWeis@aol.com tkredeker@hotmail.com tscottparker@gmail.co

Last Month's Meeting The chapter had a 50% turn out for July's meeting. We are happy to report the AC at the library is working well. The chapter has had two new members join in the past two months. Tell you friends about our group, keep us growing.

The following is the chapter's outing to Jackson, TN on August 6 th: We will meet at 9 am on the parking lot of CostCo near Wolfchase Mall on N Germantown Parkway. After arranging ride sharing - if desired - we will leave for Jackson, TN. Our first stop will be the NC&StL museum. There will be an opportunity to attend a time keepers meet which is from 10 am to 12 am. After visiting the NC &StL museum (admission free) we will head to the Casey Jones Village for lunch followed by a visit to the Casey Jones museum (admission $6.50 adults, $5.50 seniors).

Afterwards there is a choice to return to Memphis or move towards the WTNN shops to check out what kind of motive power is there and possibly get permission for a night photo shoot.

Please RSVP to Walter Lang or Terry Redeker to get an approximate head count.

Should we be able to get together 20 or more people we would qualify for a group rate for admission to the Casey Jones Museum, which would be considerably cheaper.

Also spread the word to anyone who might be interested in joining us on our outing.

Alton Lanier presented a slide show of early railroading about the country. The earliest photo dated to 1962/63. There are early Memphis Street Railway photos available at the U of M archieves.

Next Month's Meeting Next months meeting is Monday 8/8/11 at the White Station Library. The speaker will be Sam Peregoy with a presentation on the “Book of Rules”.

Cover Photo: ATSF 51L. (source:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3966270629_caabb92df7_b.jpg) Photographer unknown (Possible ATSF photo)

3

Postcard of #59 & #60 {Colonie, NY; December 1967 - Just before being painted by the Deleware& Hudson

The Wanderings of ATSF 59L

by Tom Parker (suggested by Bill Strong)

The Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, TX recently became the home of former ATSF 59L. Built in 1948 by Alco, the 59L was one of 28 PA1 locomotives purchased by the ATSF as power for its passenger trains. The Santa Fe also purchased 16 “B� units (PB1).

ATSF 59L was one of the last four PA1's owned by the Santa Fe. The four were sold to the Delaware and Hudson Railroad in 1967-68. These four units, renumbered D&H 16 through 19 by the Delaware and Hudson, were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen

in 1974 and were redesignated PA4s by MK. As part of the rebuild, the unreliable ALCO 244 V16 engines were replaced with ALCO 251 engines.

The D&H later sold all four units to the National Railroad of Mexico. Two of the engines, #17 and #19, are now at the National Museum of Mexican Railroads. At least one of these units is operational and is used as power on one of their excursion trains.

The remaining two units, #16 (59L) and #18 have returned to the United States. #18 is privately owned by Doyle McCormack, who restring it to operating condition and being repainted as NKP 190, an engine that

Doyle McCormack rode in with his father, who was an NKP engineer. Coincidentally, Doyle McCormack is president of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation and helped restore SP 4449 in 1974. (See July Buff) Mr. McCormack, himself a retired Union Pacific engineer, in conjunction with the Smithsonian, was instrumental in bring both PA1's back to the United States in 2000.

The Smithsonian originally planned on a cosmetic restoration of #16 for display at the Museum. The plan never

D&H 17 & 19 at National Museum of Mexican Railroad.

Photographer unknown.

From:viladroza.tripod.com/ndema lcomlwempalmebombardier/id11.h tml

4

NKP 190, nee NdeM 18, D&H 18, ATSF 58L, under restoration at Brooklyn Roundhouse, Portland, OR, Photo © Chris Guenzler and used with permission (trainweb.org/chris/chris.html)

came to fruition, however, and the engine languished in Oregon for some 10 years.

With their own plans in limbo, the Smithsonian searched for another organization that could take on the job of restoring ATSF 59L. After several years of discussion and through the efforts of William Withuhn, Curator Emeritus, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, and Doyle McCormack, the title to the locomotive was transferred to the Museum of the American Railroad in July of last year.

ATSF 59L sustained extensive damage in an accident in Mexico in 1981. The first step in restoration will be stabilization of the engine to prevent

further deterioration.

Next will be repair and replacement of damaged structural trusses, fabrication and replacement of new stainless steel sides and other external panels and finally application of the Santa Fe “Warbonnet” paint scheme.

While the initial restoration is mostly cosmetic, mechanical restoration at a future date is a possibility. The Museum restored a F-7A in a similar fashion in 2007 and the F-7 is now fully operational.

ATSF 59L in the Willamette & Pacific's yard, Albany, OR, 05/01/2000, just after it's arrival from Mexico. Extensive damage from the derailment is apparent. Photo © John Mosbarger & used with permission (http://shastaroute.railfan.net/PA.html)

Fast Forward 11 years: 4/24/11, Wichita Falls, TX, enroute to Frisco. © Bob Smith & used with permission. Bob's photos at: http://bulletbob53.rrpicturearchives.net/

5 ARTHUR L. HERR Jr. Arthur L. Herr, Jr., 79, of Bartlett, TN passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.

Mr. Herr was preceded in death by his wife Maryjon Hardin Herr, a son Matthew, and step-grandson Fletcher Armstrong. He leaves his sons Mark Herr (Debra) of Bartlett; Andrew (Alicia) of Slidell, LA; daughter Martha (Mike) of Royal Oak MI; Barbara O'Neal of Royal Oak (mother of Mark, Andrew, Martha, and Matthew); four step-sons (sons of Maryjon) Wayne (Linda) of Chugiak Alaska; Alan (Pam) of Horn Lake, MS; Barry of Chicago, Il; Tyler (Connie) of Olive Branch, MS; sister Mimi Dearolf (Mike); 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Mr. Herr had a rewarding career as a Naval Aviator and educator. He earned his wings as a graduate of the "NAVCAD" program in Pensacola, FL. He went on to serve 22 years in the US Navy, flying ski-equipped LC130 aircraft to the South Pole and all over the continent of Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation and the United States Antarctic Research Program with squadron VXE-6.

In recognition of his service in Antarctica he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, had a mountain named after him (Mt. Herr), and became a member of the Explorers Club. He was a member of the expedition featured in National Geographic Magazine that made the first non-stop flight across the Antarctic continent from South Africa to New Zealand via the South Pole. In his Navy years he served in many other locations worldwide.

After his Navy service ended, he completed his Master's degree in education and served for several years at Memphis State University - finally as

Arthur L. Herr on the City of New Orleans, December 18, 2007 Assistant to the Director for the Center for Nuclear Studies. He then became a teacher at Germantown High School, where he was awarded "Teacher of the Year" teaching AP Physics.

One of the joys of his life was his wife

Maryjon, and the time (several months a year for several years) that he spent with her as she painted portraits on Jackson Square in New Orleans.

He has been a member of the Railroad Historical Society, the Audubon Society, Germantown Kiwanis Club, O.A.E. (Old Antarctic Explorers Society), and The Wolf River Conservancy.

The family will receive friends from 47 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Saturday, July 2. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 3, also at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar. Interment in Memphis Memory Gardens follows the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Online condolences may be made at www. memphisfuneralhome.net (The Commercial Appeal on June 30, 2011)

Arthur Herr, second from left, on a NRHS visit to the McComb Railroad Museum , McComb, MS, December 17, 2007

66

6

Taking Your Wife to a Train Convention

by Tom Doherty Like many of us I belong to both the NRHS and the NMRA. A fun part of belonging to a national organization is the national convention. The NRHS convention does a good job of covering rail history and rail fanning in the area where the convention is held. The NMRA also does this plus the various aspects of modeling railroads. So for me, I tend to venture toward the NMRA convention instead of the NRHS. Since I can’t do both this method covers more of the full spectrum that joint membership offers.

This year the NMRA convention was held in Sacramento, CA; an area rich in train history and active railroading. I’d missed the past two conventions and originally wasn’t planning on going to Sacramento however after seeing the list of their planned activities I decided to go. Due to recent health issues my wife was worried about my traveling alone and decided to go with me. This would be her very first convention. While she would have accompanied me on various train rides she really isn’t into trains! I was concerned that she would be bored but she insisted that she would take some books and not to worry. With that settled it was time to book and plan our travel. Looking over everything there was to do (past conventions I’d be going till the last clinic, etc was over each night) it was time to map out each days activities. Remember my wife isn’t into trains. One of her first comments was “Will we be able to eat together each night or will you be going to clinics and I’ll have to dine by myself”. I realized this was a time to compromise and figured I could skip the late evening events.

We hit our first challenge when I discovered I couldn’t get a room at either convention hotel for the entire week at the convention rate, they were booked. Looking for other hotels in the downtown area my wife found a listing for a small boutique hotel (Sterling Hotel) in a Victorian Manor only two blocks from the convention center. When I checked they had a room available so I booked it. This proved to be a very wise decision and we really enjoyed the hotel. That issue solved it was time to move on.

I saw where they had the Sacramento Dinner Train on Sunday night; opening night of the convention. What a great way to ease into a week of trains than a little train ride, dinner, and some nice scenery. What could go wrong on a dinner train? So this was one of the first convention activities I reserved. Next problem could I get a flight from Memphis to Sacramento that would get us there with enough time to make it on the trip. So we booked a flight for Saturday, checked with the hotel and everything was

Sterling Hotel falling into place.

Looking over the rest of the week I was looking for things that would please both of us and put together a pretty good itinerary. Monday we would do the Western Pacific Museum. While the museum would interest my railroad interests the three hour bus ride through the Sierra Nevada Mountains would provide scenic interests for both of us.

Tuesday would be a trip to San Francisco and a trolley tour.

Wednesday I’d do a clinic in the morning and we’d do a layout tour in the afternoon. Thursday would be the California RR Museum and she could do a non-rail tour to an outlet mall if she wanted to. Friday would be the train show and that evening we’d do the Napa Valley Wine Train. We’ve ridden this before and enjoyed it. This would be the perfect way to end our convention and head home on Saturday.

The plan was in place giving my wife some down time from trains; a good way to introduce her to train conventions.

She kept telling me not to worry she’d be fine and could vegge out and read; have a good time. The trip from Memphis to Sacramento went fine and we were in our hotel by four in the afternoon. Just to make us feel welcomed, we were greeted by record high temperatures in Sacramento. That evening we picked up our registration packet. Sunday morning we did the tourist thing and went to Old Town Sacramento, which is down by the river and the original settlement that eventually became Sacramento. We had a good time; the convention trip was off to a good start. That evening we went to the transportation point in plenty of time.

Here we had an unexpected choice. There were two buses for this trip and the second one was going to be 45 minutes late; we could ride the first bus or wait for the second. We took the first one since I figured we could walk around the yard and explore the equipment. All was well until we ar-

7

Sacramento River Dinner Train rived and discovered they had given the bus driver the wrong address. The nice folks where we showed up seemed surprised to have a 50 passenger bus in their front yard.

Luckily a call to the convention committee quickly resolved this and we headed to the Dinner Train. This still seemed a good way to start the convention, what could go wrong with a dinner train? While it is called the Sacramento Dinner Train the train runs from Woodland (about 20 miles outside of Sacramento) to just outside of West Sacramento.

Old Town table to eat, sweat, and drink a little beer.

The conductor kept saying it would be cooler once we get to the river. Also at the end of the line we would do a run around and head back. We finally got to the river but it didn’t seem any cooler (did I mention it was 102 degrees out?). After being in the industrial area the scenery did improve. We kept mopping our brows with napkins which When we pulled into the yard they didn’t want us to get off proceeded to fall apart from the sweat, but the company was good; after-all what could go wrong on a dinner train? the bus till they were ready to load the train. Finally they relented and we had the opportunity to explore. After roam- While we hadn’t reached the end of the line the train came to a halt and the conductor came through to position himself ing around we worked our way to the train and boarded. in the rear vestibule. It seems since the electricity went out The consist was a switcher three open cars and three the train didn’t have any marker lights so the RR decided to coaches. It was to be a buffet meal and the coaches had skip the run around and push back to the yard as they tables, the open cars were bench seats. I should mention that at this time it was 102 degrees outside. Yes, it was a dry weren’t allowed to operate at night without lights. Going to the end of the line and doing a run around would take too heat, but it’s still hot! The coaches were air conditioned; truly a welcome relief. This was to be a chartered train for long and would have them operating at night. The advantage to those of us in the rear car, we now had a forced air the convention and there were 120 conventioneers on the flow from the open rear door. trip. When we boarded we learned that the RR also sold about 20 seats to others. We made our way to the last coach We did survive and made it back to our hotel having lost a and joined a table with a lovely couple from Newberg, NY. few pounds from our impromptu sauna. Not a good start The train finally started by backing out of the yard onto the for an introduction to train conventions. main. Initially the track age is through industrial areas.

About a mile or two down the main line the lights in our car We had an early get up on Monday for the long bus trip to went out and shortly thereafter the conductor was announ- the WP museum. There were two buses, one would travel to cing that the generator had gone out and there would not be Portola via the Feather River Canyon and the other would travel via I-80 over Donner Pass. The return route would be any lights or AC for the rest of the trip and the buffet was ready. If we liked we could move to the outside cars. Did I reversed so everyone got to see both routes. This was one of mention it was sunny and 102 degrees? The prospect of bal- the best organized tours I’ve been on either at a convention ancing a plate of food on our laps (barbecue no less), sitting or a cruise ship. Rather then pick someone to be the bus on a bench in the sun (did I mention it was 102 degrees out- captain the convention assigned a guide to each bus. We were on the Feather River bus and our guide subject matter side) really didn’t appeal so we elected to stay put. One was the canyon itself and the WP. He gave us a running thing that really helped is this was set up as a beer tasting commentary the entire trip to Portola on the history and trip from local breweries; at least the beer was cold and WP’s construction and operation through the canyon. most people were happy. What Californians’ think of as barbecue would just be called beef with barbecue sauce on it There were numerous stops for photo ops and exploring.

Unfortunately due to traffic we couldn’t stop at the famed in Memphis. We all loaded our plates and returned to our

8 Keddie wye. Once we got to the museum we had about three hours to explore and ride the short train ride they provided. The consist was made up of a switcher and several different cabooses. This whole tour proved to be a wise selection and my wife was really enjoying it. A good recovery from the dinner train. She even rode the train several times; each time trying out a different caboose. The trip back for us was via Donner Pass and the other bus would do the Feather River Canyon. In Portola we switched tour guides and our new guide’s expertise was the SP and Donner Pass. As with the morning trip we had a running dialog about the route.

So far two days at the convention one not so good trip and WP Right of Way, Feather River Canyon one really good trip; my wife also seemed be getting into this train thing. fers. An all-day pass cost $14 and allows unlimited rides.

You can also buy multiday passes. For the tourist in San Tuesday was another early day; we went from Sacramento to Richmond, CA via Amtrak then BART to downtown San Fran the pass is the only way to go.

Francisco. By the Ferry Building we had a talk at the trolley museum about the restoration and operation of the PCC cars on the Market Street line. These are the cars that are painted in their original livery. There are a total of 40 cars twenty of which operate each day. The older cars (similar to Memphis’ trolleys) are primarily painted for Milan, Italy as that is where they came from. Part of the fun is to try and ride, and/or take pictures, of as many different liveries as possible. After the presentation at the museum we had an all day pass to ride the MUNI system, including the cable cars.

For some reason the California Street line isn’t as busy as the Powell Street lines. After lunch we walked the two blocks from Union Square to Market Street to get a PCC car back to the waterfront. The Powell Street line ends at Market Street and the line waiting to ride the cable car went around the block. A suggestion ride the California Street car to Powell then board the Powell Street car in the middle of it’s run. It didn’t seem like we had long to wait this way.

Back at the museum area it was time to position ourselves for some picture taking of the various liveries. We did venture into the Ferry Building (this building survived the 1906 So it was off to the cable car. We rode. We rode the Califor- quake) and had some coffee before we headed for BART to nia Street line first from end to end. This line goes by the retrace our steps back to Sacramento. It had been a long Chinatown area of San Francisco. At the far end we rode day. back to Powell Street where we got on the Powell Street line.

The cars on each of these lines are a slightly different design. Wednesday my wife got a little break. In the morning I took We got off the Powell Street line at Union Square and headed for lunch. The cable cars cost $6 each way and there are no transfers. Buses and trolleys are $2 and have trans-

Louisville PCC

California Street Cable Car

9 a clinic on building turnouts so she got to have a leisurely breakfast and relax. We met up around noon for an afternoon layout tour. This tour had six layouts to be seen.

Three were outstanding, one was very good, one provided comic relief a the California Street line first from end to end.

This line goes by the Chinatown area of San Francisco. At the far end we rode back to Powell Street where we got on the Powell Street line. The cars on each of these lines are a slightly different design. We got off the Powell Street line at Union Square and headed for lunch. The cable cars cost $6 each way and there are no transfers. Buses and trolleys are $2 and have transfers. An all-day pass cost $14 and allows unlimited rides. You can also buy multiday passes. For the tourist in San Fran the pass is the only way to go.

For some reason the California Street line isn’t as busy as the Powell Street lines. After lunch we walked the two blocks from Union Square to Market Street to get a PCC car back to the waterfront. The Powell Street line ends at Market Street and the line waiting to ride the cable car went around the block. A suggestion ride the California Street car to Powell then board the Powell Street car in the middle of it’s run. It didn’t seem like we had long to wait this way.

Detailed Layout Three were outstanding, one was very good, one provided comic relief and the last one was more of what the plan for it was than what it was. It was on this tour I started to notice a change in how my wife was viewing this hobby. As an art major she was quick to pick up the many finer points these modelers had built into their layouts to make them more realistic. I began to hear, “this backdrop is not right,” or “I like this effect.” These statements quickly led to, “we can do this or that” and it was here that I realized my railroad had acquired a new managing director. My wife was into this modeling thing. I need to explain the comic relief, we approached the house and there was a sign on the door; “come in trains running.” When you enter there is a G-scale railroad running all over the house. My wife looked and said, “Don’t get any ideas.” It turned out he was a widower and lived alone.

Crowded Powell Street Cable Car Back at the museum area it was time to position ourselves for some picture taking of the various liveries. We did venture into the Ferry Building (this building survived the 1906 quake) and had some coffee before we headed for BART to retrace our steps back to Sacramento. It had been a long day.

Wednesday my wife got a little break. In the morning I took a clinic on building turnouts so she got to have a leisurely breakfast and relax. We met up around noon for an afternoon layout tour. This tour had six layouts to be seen.

SP E-Unit CSRM

10 My wife kept commenting on how fast the week was going by and how much there was to do. I thought Thursday she’d head out on the outlet mall tour, I planned on spending the day at the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM). I’d heard a lot about this museum and wanted to give myself plenty of time to see it. She said she’d rather see the museum. We did spend the day and after scheduled closing 5 p.m. there was a convention day and after hour’s activities for us including another train ride at CSRM. I’ll write more about this museum in a later issue of The Buff; but you do need a day to fully cover it.

We met up and continued around. I stopped at one booth and got busy looking at things, when I was done I couldn’t find her and figured we’d either bump into each other or she’d call. We wanted to finish up around 1:00 so we could head to Fed Ex to ship home all the treasures we’d purchased. We did bump into each other around 11 a.m. and she told me she’d been watching a demonstration and how interesting it was. I can no longer say my wife isn’t into model railroading.

One of our last stops was Bragdon Enterprises to get a rock mold. She began to point out others that would complement the one I had gotten. The new managing director was planning how this layout would look.

That evening we did the Wine Train in Napa; I’ve written about this train before in The Buff and all I can add is to make this a planned stop on any visit to Northern California.

Well this was my adventure on taking my wife to her first train convention. So what was the down side of this; there really wasn’t any. We can both enjoy this hobby together and I get a really good artist to help with my layout. If your wife isn’t into trains try taking her to a convention, you may be surprised.

Only Surviving Cab Forward We’re down to Friday our last full day. The plan was simple hit the train show (with shopping list in hand) and go on the Napa Valley Wine Train this evening. The train show opened at 9 a.m. for conventioneers and to the general public starting at noon. After breakfast I headed over to the convention center and she said she’d catch up with me in a little while. Somewhere around 9:30 my phone rang, she was there but didn’t realize how big it was (134000 sq ft).

Restored WP E-Unit, Portola, CA Addendum from “The Wife”: It also helps to bribe her with nice restaurants, shopping trips and jewelry. Seriously it was a nice trip, I’d recommend it! I took six books thinking I’d be bored but I only finished ½ of a book. Try it ladies, you may like it.

CABOOSE

ICG 199620, Atoka, TN Photo by Tom Parker Meeting Schedule August 8, 2011 September 12, 2011 October 10, 2011 November 14, 2011 December 12, 2011 Meetings are the 2nd Monday of each month in the White Station Branch Library from 7-9 pm.

5094 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN (in front of Clark Tower)

Contact the Editor Tom Parker 3012 Wood Thrush Drive Memphis, TN 38134 tscottparker@gmail.com