THE MEMPHIS BUFF
VOLUME 38, ISSUE 6
NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
June 2011
The Buff is Back Little Obie at Central Station Memorial Day Railfanning the Bluff City Way! by Jerry F. Michnewicz
Memphis Chapter Officers President – Walter Lang
walterhlang@yahoo.com
Vice President – Bruce Smedley Director – Bill Strong
williambstrong@bellsouth.net
Secretary/Treasurer – Thomas Doherty
TRDoherty@aol.com
Program Co-chairman – Carl Lancaster Program Co-chairman – Don Weis
DBWeis@aol.com
Yahoo Group Co-ordinater – Terry Redeker
tkredeker@hotmail.com
Newsletter Editor – Tom Parker
tscottparker@gmail.com
This Month's Meeting The program for the June meeting will be David Johnston's “Forty Year's of Amtrak in Memphis” slide show and a slide show about the GM&O. Future programs include a presentation by Alton Lanier in July and a program by Sam Peregoy in August on the “Book of Rules”. Upcoming Events* UP # 844 Union Pacific's “Great Excursion Adventure” Bald Knob, Arkansas June 6, 7, 8 Complete schedule HERE (Any Volunteers for a “Buff” article and/or pictures?) Visit our New Facebook Page
Join our New Yahoo! Group
Click on the Icons Previous issues of The Buff available at:http://issuu.com/memphisrails Cover Photo: The Canadian National's safety train “Little Obie” was featured at the National Train Day activities at Central Station sponsored by the Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum. Tom Parker Photo *Know of an upcoming railroad related event? Email info to tscottparker@gmail.com.
The “Buff” is Back by Tom Parker
Many many years ago I was a member of the local Sports Car Club of America chapter. For several years prior to my joining the club, the Mid South Region (as the local chapter was called), had sponsored a rally called the “Bluff”. I was elected Rally Chairman and we decided that we would revive the “Bluff” series. To advertise the event, several of us ralliests had special t-shirts printed with “The Bluff's Back” on the back . On our first opportunity to wear our shirts at an out of town rally, we were greeted by one notoriously obnoxious ralliest, Curt Rich, who glanced at the back of our shirts and remarked. “Who cares?” Well friends, The “Buffs” back. I was persuaded at a Board of Directors' meeting to again accept the job of editor of the “Buff”. If anybody is thinking “who cares”, kindly keep it to yourself. The purpose of a newsletter is to keep the membership informed. Reports from club officers, information on upcoming meetings and events, and reports on previous activities and meetings are all subjects typically covered in a newsletter.
Rally Chairman Tom Parker (rear) and Rally Master Charley Blum at the "Bluff" Divisional Rally, May 20, 1972. Photo:Tim Reginald
Historically the “Buff” has offered more than that. Current events as they relate to railroading, railfanning and trip reports from members and historical articles are some of the subjects found in our newsletter. A large number of people were involved in putting together and hosting the “Bluff” Divisional Rally. It could not have been done by a single person. Similarly, it takes more than yours truly to make the “Buff” interesting. I need articles. If you take a trip to a railroad museum, ride an excursion train, do some railfanning, have particular railroad interest, historic or otherwise, share it with us. The preferable way to submit an article is in digital format, Microsoft Word, etc. I use
Open Office Writer to put together the “Buff” and submissions can be most any of the more common file types; i.e: .txt, .rtf, .doc. Don't worry too much about format, I'll have to rearrange it to fit the page anyway. PDF documents are problematical because they are not easily edited as to content and for fitting on a page. If you find something on the internet you think might be good, you can just send me the link. Even most newspaper articles can be found in digital form on the web, and it sure cuts down on the typing. The source and author of any material that is not original should be included as permission must be obtained before it is included in the “Buff”. Printed material is OK, too. It just takes more work to publish. The better the quality, the better for me. Many times I can scan an article and don't have to re-type it. Remember, it takes input and participation to make a good newsletter.
Thank you Jerry Mitch for the great Memorial Day article!!!
LITTLE OBIE The miniature Canadian National locomotive along with accompanying flat car and caboose always draws attention and a crowd wherever appearing. Little Obie is the center of attention whether on display, in a parade or taking children for a ride. Trains are fun to look at. Trains are fun to ride. Trains can also be dangerous. The main purpose of Little Obie is to teach children and adults about railroad crossing safety. "Operation Lifesaver" is a nationwide program dedicated to safety around trains and especially at railroad
crossings. Every major railroad in North America participates and endorses this program. If just one life can be saved or injury prevented from a single appearance by Little Obie, the goal of "Operation Lifesaver" has been fulfilled. Mr. Paul Rose of Memphis, Tennessee, is the man responsible for creating Little Obie. Mr. Rose was a machinist with over 36 years of experience on the Illinois Central Railroad. His primary responsibility was to repair damage to locomotives that had been in collisions. Many times, these collisions were at a railroad crossing and involved a car or truck Sometimes there was a
serious injury or a death. Mr. Rose had the idea to create Little Obie in order to draw attention to the dangers of railroad crossings and to avoid injury or even getting killed at a crossing. With approval of Illinois
"Little Obie" creator, Mr. Paul Rose, poses with the original "Little Obie" at National Train Day , Central Station, Memphis, On May 7, 2011. The CN now has three of the trains, two of which are based in Canada. Tom Parker Photo
Central's top management, he designed and with the willing help of others, built the miniature locomotive. A trailer was customized to look like a flat car to carry a small group of passengers and also act as a carrier for the locomotive while being towed to its next event. After several appearances and parades, giving children and sometimes grown-up kids rides, it appeared something was missing. What would a train be without a caboose, a RED caboose? The caboose was added to the display and allowed for more passengers.
"Little Obie" now travels first class. Tom Parker Photo
Little Obie was named after Mr. Donald R. "Obie" Bryant, a former supervisor and the first Safety Director of IC's Johnston Yard in Memphis. Little Obie was given #1914 to honor the year (1914) Memphis Roundhouse was built. Mr. Bryant retired in 1996 after 44 years of service to the railroad and was always
recognized for his love of the railroad, children and his fellow employees.
For information and scheduling contact: Little Obie CN Railroad Attn: Bryan Willis 17550 S. Ashland Ave. Homewood, IL 60430 708-332-6606 BRYAN.WILLIS@cn.ca
"Little Obie" in its original paint with my grand kids, Central Station, 1999. Tom Parker Photo
The Little Obie display has gone to schools, churches and company functions. It has been in parades from Chicago to New Orleans. Litte Obie has been a big hit with children and adults alike. Wherever Little Obie and its crew go, the message is the same. Please be careful and safe around trains and railroad crossings, LOOK! LISTEN! and LIVE! Again, if one life can be saved or one injury can be prevented, then all the hard work of all those involved with: Little Obie, Operation Lifesaver, Canadian National, Illinois Central and others has been well worth the effort. Dimensions: Length - 44ft. Width - 6ft. 3in. Height - 6ft. 6in.
(Photo & text from CN “Little Obie” postcard handout.)
Original "Little Obie”, Matteson, IL, in original paint - Not my grand kids. Photos by Nanette Machay
Memorial Day Rail Fanning the Bluff City Way Story & Photos: Jerry R. (Mitch) Michnewicz
What a grand way to spend the late afternoon on Memorial Day watching trains with a lot of friends at Kentucky Street in Memphis, TN. Bluff City rail fans and model railroaders gathered for the 1st annual Bluff City Memorial Day event. About twenty-five fans came out, many bringing lawn chairs, folding tables and Kentucky Fried Chicken to the Kentucky Street picnic and some came with chilled wine and chocolate chip cookies. This was not just a guy thing as most train watching is but a family thing with wives and friends adding to the fun and food.
Kentucky Street has been “the� train watching spot for many many years. Old timers reminisced out loud as we all talked between trains about the good old days pointing out spots that no longer exist. New buildings replaced our favorite sights, signals have taken on a new look and the operators shack that protected the busy street crossing is gone. Thank goodness we still have memories.
Kentucky Street is a great place to watch trains. This is where west bound train traffic from more then two hundred miles north and south of Memphis gather to cross the Mighty Mississippi River. We watched eight trains in ninety minutes pass by at slow speed. Unit coal trains, an auto rack and two intermodal trains plus a couple of mixed freights with a lot of interesting graffiti passed slowly as the trains made the climb to the bridges. Two mainline rails feed the Harahan Bridge and one rail feeds the Frisco (Memphis/Arkansas) Bridge. The Kentucky Street spot is about 1 mile east of the river so, as trains approach from the east they sometime have to wait their turn or sometime wait for a north or south bound Canadian National move. The CN diamond crosses between the new signal bridges and within camera distance. Security and safety are very big issues for the railroads that use the bridges so, Jim Ammons, an avid rail fan and member of the National Railroad Historical Society, called and coordinated our Memorial Day event to insure no conflicts. The Bluff City Division maintains a good working relationship with the railroad police by making them a part of club activities. The above picture denotes security but was not a part of Jim Ammons effort. The armored personnel carriers were part of a train headed west over the river.
A frequent and most welcomed visitor to Memphis and the Bluff City Division of the NMRA is Steve Forest. Steve is a train dispatcher for the Norfolk Southern Railroad. He is a collector of railroad “stuff” and a railroad photographer. Steve is an annual speaker at the Bluff City Division’s January meeting. Pictured from left to right are Kenneth Young (with camera), Mike Fleming (looking), Steve Forest (explaining) and Frank Green (evaluating). Mike is accepting on behalf of the Central Station Museum project, UP and SP engine head lamps that will eventually be displayed in the Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum. Steve has donated many railroad items from his collection to the MRTM. Thank you Steve Forest! The Bluff City guys and gals look forward to the next Memorial Day rail fanning event. And, a special thanks to Mike Fleming for his enthusiasm in Memphis area model railroaders, the museum, the NMRA and the Boy Scout merit badge education program. Lastly, a special thanks to all who participate and promote the “Worlds Greatest Hobby” and to those who keep rail fanning a fun thing to do.
CABOOSE
Somehow you knew, didn't you? “Little Obie� caboose, Central Station , Memphis, May 7, 2011. Tom Parker Photo Meeting Schedule June 13, 2011 July 11, 2011 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
THE MEMPHIS BUFF welcomes contributions for publication. Contributions in digital form are preferred . If original documents and photos are submitted, enclose a SASE for the return of your materials. Include source and author of any non-original material. Copyrighted materials must contain the source. THE MEMPHIS BUFF is a not-for-profit publication for the Memphis Chapter of the NRHS. All credited photos herein are copyright by the photographer and may not be reused without permission