"The Keystone Corridor"
Monthly Newsletter of Division 11, MCR
As of last Thursday the switch at MP 204 was put in place but not in service. The track gang ( Marta Constr. of W Va. ) is putting finishing touches to the the location. As stated in the past the switch is not an equalateral switch but instead is about a # 20 right hand switch. All the new street traffic overhead lights are now in place and the gang has picked up ties joint bars and all other material. I plan to get 35 mm photos of the first train to use this new location but that may be hard to do. All the track maintanence equipment is still in the area either at the MP or over in the Falls Creek yard on the old Falls creek and ridgway stub end track.
As of 1 pm today there were 7 power units sitting in the yard right at the Larkeytown yard office. Incidently the area just adjacent to the B & P tracks which are called the Bobby Cole installation will go at a sherrif's bankruptcy sale He had a trucking firm but over the last few years not much activity was seen. B & P # 45 one of the new switchers was also in the yard.
Now for the present: The power operated switch machine at MP 204 in completely installed. IT WILL NOT be placed in service until about the 2nd week of January. This is due to manpower Vacations holidays and hunting season. Last word is that the location will be called ( UGH ) CP BiLo ( UGH ).
The switch is now in place; it was put in last Thursday. It is spiked in place for straight thru movements at this time. The Track gang and the Signal gang are working on two main street crossings in DuBois. I was talking to the operator of the Track Tamper machine which checks level and dips. I found out that he was the son of an old friend I know. Bill Lines who was the B & O Railroad cop untill he retired off the B & P. He said they have him working up and down the whole railroad. I asked about the :arkeytown yard and he yes they did do trtacks in the yard. Incidently the switch put in at MP 204 IS NOT and equa;ateral switch it is a right hand about a # 20.
higreen Nov 13 2002
More later as things develop up at the paper plant in J Burg.
Concor Hoppers
When using the #5 Kadee coupler, the factory box can be used, but needs modification to the back wall of the box (away from opening). It seems that the Kadee flat brass spring ends drag on the back wall of the box. When the coupler is moved from the center position the spring ends bind up on the wall of the box allowing the coupler move around loosely and not stay centered. To eliminate this problem, use a Dremel with a milling bit grind the rear inside of the coupler box pocket making it thinner. This needs to be done in the corners only. Check your work by installing the Kadee flat brass spring and the coupler temporally and move the coupler to its extremes. The coupler should spring back to the center position and hold. If the coupler is loose and flops around then more material will have to be removed until the ends of the flat brass spring move freely. Be sure to remove any plastic shavings from the box before reassembly. The wheel sets may need the hole for truck mounting enlarged some if the trucks do not pivot freely.
Super's Report
for December '02 by Jack CampbellHappy Holidays one and all........ Hope you went easy on the turkey, our Annual Banquet is upon us. On the other hand, I guess it would depend on which turkey you were dealing with... and Gary Lasher will be the person to ask if you have last minute questions on "what to bring". If you have attended a meeting recently, you will notice we cover a large amount of info in a brief span of time. I would like to thank all those involved for making this possible. The members make it happen and I've had lots of good help from the division members serving on the various committees and look forward to a bright new year to come. Our April'03 Jamboree is right around the corner, approaching fast, and shaping-up nicely. We'll have a varied program planned for the attendees in Clarion, PA at our new jambo location.
Following each meeting, I watch the flurry of e-mails back and forth, friends talking electronically, members getting the latest info, sharing ideas, teasing banter, or just staying in contact. Our division has also moved forward into the electronic age with our own webpage. Fr. boB (not a misprint) finally made a meeting and presented a report on the webpage, some of the problems encountered, and ideas to improve what we show the "world".... you are invited to view the efforts and give Fr. boB your feedback, ideas, and comments. There are several ways to get to the website: thru the web address: www.clearnet.net/users/nmra thru the link on the NMRA home page at: www.nmra.org or the Mid-Central Region web page. Because there is always something going on somewhere, check it often for all the latest...
Like our regular meetings, I'll keep this short..... HAVE A SAFE and HAPPY HOLIDAYS...... Jack
"The Keystone Corridor" is produced for members of Division 11, Mid Central Region, NMRA and published twelve times a year. Editor is Bill Drummond, and web edit is by Bob McKay.