Making Tracks Newsletter Winter 2015

MAKING TRACKS !!!!!!!http://steamtrainride.com!!!!!!!The Newsletter of the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum

!Locomotive)#15)Steams)Again!!

After 11 long months of hard work, frustration, setbacks and victories, on October 15th the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) granted final approval on the locomotive boiler rebuild, putting us back in business. The rebuild is an FRA requirement that primarily involves removing the flue tubes from the boiler barrel, removing the firebrick from the firebox, inspecting the boiler, making repairs discovered by the inspection, and installing new flue tubes. Preparation for the rebuild work began last fall. Teardown began the first week of January. Bret Bryan and Harold Borovec were the project leaders. Harold and Bret spent almost every weekday for the past 9 months working on the project. Master mechanic Luke Johnson of the Toutle Valley Locomotive Works provided technical expertise, fabricated and rebuilt parts, and literally did much of the heavy lifting. Bill Thompson spent countless hours on the telephone searching for supplies, parts, technicians, inspectors, and resolving issues. He also provided the logistical support for the project. There were also many other volunteers who helped as they could, both on site and behind the scenes.

The association began the overhaul knowing that the timeline was tight and expecting many challenges. However, new regulations and inspection requirements created more challenges and took much more time than anticipated. We were also very short on labor since many of our volunteers were unable to help during the week. When it became obvious that the locomotive would not be ready for the summer operating season, the board of directors, after considering many options, made the painful decision to cancel regular season train operations. Through this project all of us have experienced joy, frustration, disappointment, and victory. We all learned a great deal about rebuilding a boiler!

This knowledge will undoubtedly make the future rebuild of locomotive #25 go much smoother.

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Many thanks to all of you who helped in any way on this project, and we offer a special thank you to our colleagues, partners, supporters, and patrons for your understanding, encouragement, advise, and financial support.

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From)the)President)

Time really flies by when you are having fun, doesn’t it. Here it is, time for The Polar Express TM once again. The locomotive is steaming, tickets are sold, seating is arranged, merchandise is displayed, crew schedule is out, etc. etc. etc. Oh yes, the North Pole has been built and decorated, and the depot and coaches sport glowing Christmas decorations too. We have enlarged the parking lot and can use some help to get the cars to park in an organized manner. I hope all of you are ready for the big event as well. This is our major fund-raiser for the year and it requires a lot of volunteers to make it work. If you haven’t offered to help, please get in touch with us. We need help with everything from making hot chocolate to leading singing and reading the story, cleaning coaches and restrooms, and almost anything else you can think of.

Thanks to Harold Borovec, Bret Bryan, and the rest of the crew who have volunteered for the past 11 months to work on locomotive #15’s boiler rebuild. This project turned out to take much more time than anticipated, but we have found the light at the end of the tunnel. Just think, we won’t have to do this again for 15 years! You young people take note – you will “get” to be in charge next time.

I hope each of you have a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.

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Bil l Thompson , Pres ident

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CCR&M Board of Directors Ray Beaber Harold Borovec Ron Burton Bill Deutscher Corilee Taylor Bob Prevallet Rick Brurchett CCR&M Officers Bill Thompson, President Mike Beehler, Vice-President Wanda Thompson, Secretary & Treasurer CCR&M Depot 1101 SW Slyvenus St. Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 748-9593 [email protected] Mailing Address: 1945 S. Market Blvd. Chehalis, WA 98532 CCR&M Association Meets 7 p.m. Second Wednesday of every Month Lewis County Fire District 6, Station 1 2123 Jackson Hwy. Chehalis, WA 9853

THANK YOU

A huge Thank-You goes out to the

Dirty Thumb Nursery

for once again supplying trees and support for the North Pole for the Polar

Express™ events.

It is very much appreciated!!

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Pumpkin Trains Powered by Steam

This year, as in the past, CCR&M operated Pumpkin Trains carrying ghosts, goblins, and trolls (or were they people in disguise?) for a festive ride and a pumpkin hunt. The decision to operate the rides was a last minute call made possible with the good news that our steam locomotive would be ready to roll on Halloween. Because of the limited amount of advertising time available and weather so wet that only a duck could enjoy, the number of passengers was much lower than in past years but considered good under the circumstances. The board of directors knew that ridership would be small, but felt it important to resume the regular operating schedule as soon as possible. The event also gave the locomotive rebuild staff their needed shakedown cruise to ensure that the locomotive would operate as it should. A few gremlins were discovered in the locomotive, but nothing that a magic spell and a big wrench couldn’t cure.

CCR&M Gets Operable Turntable

Last October, The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard donated an 85’ long functioning turntable to CCR&M. A turntable is a bridge like structure with wheels below and railway track on top that is used to turn railway equipment. You often see pictures of turntables in front of roundhouses. Work on getting the turntable to Chehalis began in 2009 when the association learned that the Navy was ready to surplus the turntable. The group enthusiastically voted to pursue the acquisition in order to save a historic item from potential scrapping and to provide an educational display and rail fan draw in Chehalis. For six years the association kept in contact with the shipyard staff waiting for the word to come and get it. This fall the word finally came and Bill Thompson wasted no time in arranging for cranes and trucks to bring the turntable to Chehalis. The turntable is now stored on a flatcar in the Chehalis yard where it will remain until a site plan is developed and money for installation becomes available.

*Polar'Express'book'and'characters'TM'&'©'1985'by'Chris'Van'Allsburg.''Polar'Express'film'TM'&'©'Warner'Bros.'Entertainment'Inc.'''

The Polar Express™* and Santa Steam Train Tickets Sold Out

In less than 36 hours after tickets went on sale October 1st, all 23 Polar Express trains were sold out! The Polar Express is the most popular of all our events, drawing people from Eastern Washington and Oregon as well as the Puget Sound region. The trains are not only popular with riders, but with on board volunteers as well. This year we are pleased to have groups of people such as families, youth groups, and business associates working together onboard the train serving as waiters, elves, song leaders, story readers, sound engineers, and general helpers. This event brings many members of the local community together and gives them an opportunity to share the joy of the season in a special way. CCR&M volunteers set up the buildings at the North Pole on October 24th. Decorating the buildings, lighting them, installing the electrical system and animated displays will continue until show time, and sometimes even beyond. If you are interested in helping, please call Wanda Thompson at 360 262 3843 or email her at [email protected]

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Boy Scouts Earn Merit Badge at CCR&M Rail-yard

Last May 15th and 16th, CCR&M welcomed over 100 scouts, scout leaders and parents from Washington and Oregon to Chehalis for a Railroad Merit Badge Clinic. Clinics help scouts earn merit badges that require activities, facilities, or trainers that are not readily available locally. At a clinic, boys are able to earn their merit badge in one day, rather than over the course of many months. Many scouts find that working on the merit badge in a real railroad environment makes the experience more fun and meaningful. Lead by Scoutmaster Scott Nelson of Rochester, boys from Scout Troops 310 and 141 organized and facilitated the activities. CCR&M provided the grounds, facilities, and rail equipment. CCR&M and Western Washington Railroad provided the train ride.

To help long distance travelers, CCR&M opened the grounds on Friday afternoon, allowing participants to camp out overnight rather than face a very early Saturday morning drive. CCR&M volunteers gave a special presentation on railroad track structure, maintenance equipment, and switches. Scouts were then allowed to try their hand at driving a spike and throwing a switch. Meanwhile boys from the sponsoring troops set up the needed items for each learning station.

After an intense morning of learning activities, scouts enjoyed a train ride. Since our steam locomotive was undergoing overhaul, Toby Van Altvorst of the Western Washington Railroad generously donated the use of a diesel locomotive and engineer for the trip. At the end of the day, the boys from the sponsoring troops returned the grounds to the original condition and with a genuine sense of satisfaction we all declared the event a great success. CCR&M members look forward to working with scouts and other groups in the future.

Motorcar Group Rides the Chehalis Rails

This September CCR&M and Western Washington Railroad (WWR) held an “open track” for members of the Motorcar Operators West club. Chehalis was one of the stops on the club’s western tour. A motorcar is a small self-propelled vehicle usually used to carry railroad personnel to and from a worksite or conduct track inspections. The club members enjoy rebuilding or building motorcars and operating them on 'shortline' or tourist railway tracks. Motorcar operators set their cars on at the WWR yard in Chehalis and took a morning cruise to the intertie with Union Pacific. After lunch the cars traveled west on CCR&M track to Ruth, then back to the depot to look at the displays and tour the facilities. Both the motorcar folks and the CCR&M members who accompanied the tour had a great time. In appreciation of our hospitality, the club gave us a generous donation for which we are very grateful.

New Crew Members Initiated

This fall three new crewmembers were welcomed aboard with an initiation ceremony lead by Rick Burchett.

Jeff Ritter, Tim Davey, and Marcus Brown were treated to a class on rules and procedures then honoured with a written test, which they all passed. Now the three can be assigned duties as student crewmembers. After sufficient on the job training and passing the performance exam, they can be assigned duties as qualified crewmembers. Welcome aboard, it will be great to have your help.

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Rail-yard Gets a Facelift Keeping our facilities attractive and well maintained is important to protect our assets and to give visitors a positive first impression of our operation. Since we were not running trains this summer, crews took advantage of the extra time to accomplish some needed yard maintenance. Bill Thompson and workgroup cleaned up the bone yard. They sorted and organized spare useful iron parts, disposed of unneeded material, removed old barrels, and transferred petroleum products into safer containers. Ron Burton mowed the grounds while others pulled weeds and cleaned area of debris that blew in. The decks were cleaned and stained, and the restroom skirt repainted. (Thanks to Jeff Galleher for chairing this project). The parking lot has been expanded to about double the original size and graveled. Now there should be enough room for all vehicles to park near the depot for winter events. New lights will be installed beside the parking lot. What a difference. Do come by and have a look and give Bill Thompson a big thank you for leading the yard maintenance projects.

Grants Help Pay the Bills

Like many non-profit organizations, CCR&M relies on grants and donations to help with maintaining equipment, improving railway structures, and promoting the railroad and local tourism. Thanks to Wanda Thompson’s hard work, with the help of the City of Chehalis staff, CCR&M received $50,000 from the Lewis County Economic Development Council to help fund the Federal Railroad Administration’s mandated rebuild of locomotive #15’s boiler. We will also be receiving $30,000 from the City of Chehalis and $5,000 from Lewis County from LTAC (hotel/motel tax) funds for advertising during our 2016 operating season. CCR&M is very grateful for the generosity of our government and private partners. Thank You.

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It Never Ends

Track maintenance that is. Winter 2015 floodwater washed ballast from under a section track around Mile Post 0, which is near the I-5 Bridge, leaving CCR&M and Western Washington Railroad track unsupported. This area is difficult to drain and has washed out before. CCR&M volunteers mustered to repair the damage. Bill Thompson loaded rock into the “Misfit” which delivered it to the washout area. After the rock was in place, crews replaced ties and spiked them down. Then Rick Burchett operated the tamper to pack ballast under and between the ties to give the needed support.

Preventing a washout in this and other areas of the line are almost impossible given that our track is in a flood zone.

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It never ends continued….

Track crews spent much time last summer and into this fall cutting brush along the right-of-way and assessing needed maintenance.

Trees and vandals were unkind to our trestles. We had logs wedged on and against the Stearns Creek Trestle that proved to be quite a challenge to remove. Fortunately some creative engineering and Bill Thompson’s tie crane were able to pull them free.

A large tree fell across the Newaukum trestle damaging the handrail. Vandals removed handrail boards from the trestle at Ruth. Our mid-November windstorms blew a large maple onto the Ruth trestle causing major damage to a large 30’ portion of handrail, decking, and ties.

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Damage!to!railing!

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Repairs!completed!

Upcoming major projects include replacing about 75 ties along the line, replacing 30 walkway planks on the Ruth trestle, repairing the tree damage to the handrail, decking, and ties on the Ruth trestle, cutting brush, and improving the drainage along the track. Ongoing projects include: vegetation management to improve sight distance and minimize the amount of material that can hit the train or fall on the track, blowing leaves off the track to increase tie life and allow a good inspection, and inspecting and tightening loose bolts.

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Loading!the!“Mis>Fit”!

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Volunteering – You Can Make a Difference

After reading about all the projects we do, you may be thinking, “oh, what a lot of work”. True, there is a lot of work that many folks find enjoyable, but make no mistake, we have fun too. Besides the camaraderie and the opportunity to learn and do new things, many volunteers experience much satisfaction knowing that they are helping to share some of the railroading history of the area with others and are providing our patrons with a very special experience. We need people with a wide variety of skills and abilities. There is a place for you. If you would to join us in our mission, simply become an association member by filling out a membership form and mailing it with your dues to the address printed on the form. Then come get acquainted at one of our association meetings held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, or join us at the Chehalis rail yard for a work party, usually on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Any association member will be glad to help you get started. See you soon.

Reminder: Your 2016 Membership Dues are due January 1st

Although our membership dues are due the first of the year, why wait until the last minute? Please help by paying your dues now. A membership form is attached to this newsletter. We ask everyone to please fill out a new form with current information. You can give your form and check to the treasurer anytime or you can mail your form and check to CCR&M, 1945 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA 98532. Make checks out to CCR&M.

Notice: CCR&M Annual Meeting Is Tabled

Due to the heavy workload of preparing for and operating the Polar Express and Santa Steam Trains, those attending the November meeting voted to table the December meeting with the traditional potluck dinner and elections until January. This will allow more members to participate at a less stressful time and allow the nominating committee a little extra time for careful considerations. Watch for a message with the date and time for the January meeting.

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2016 Membership Form ( ) New ( ) Renewal Current Membership No. __________

Name: ________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

City: ____________________ State: _________ Zip: ___________

Telephone: _________________ Email address: ________________________

Spouse: _____________________ #of Dependent Children: ________

( ) Family Season Pass – (Admits spouses and dependent children only) $60.00

( ) Voting Memberships requires volunteer time (Includes family pass)

( ) Individual Voting Membership ……………………………………… $25.00 _______

( ) Family Voting Membership (2 votes) …………………………… $35.00 _______

( ) Business (Non-Voting)

( ) Brakeman – 5 complimentary tickets …………………………. $50.00 ________

( ) Fireman – 10 complimentary tickets ………………………… $100.00 _______

( ) Engineer – 15 complimentary tickets ………………………… $250.00 _______

( ) Conductor – 50 complimentary tickets ………………………… $500.00 _______

( ) Additional donation …………………………………………………………………………… $ ________

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED………………………….….$__________

Mail to: Chehalis- Centralia Railroad & Museum, 1945 S. Market Blvd, Chehalis, WA 98532

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USPS Mailing cover

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Chehalis>Centralia!Railroad!and!Museum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1945!!!S.!Market!Blvd!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Chehalis,!Washington!!!98532!