AUGUST 2015
VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2
TRAIN ORDERS by Morris Gould, Executive Director
Morris Gould piloting the mini-train along the parade route.
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE The Museum celebrated Independence Day with a Fourth of July-themed mini-train that was a part of the Marine Corp League 4th of July Parade. Our members have the opportunity to participate in the parade every year and we were filled with enthusiastic kids ready to please the crazy crowds. Again this year I drove the train and our staff and members had a blast being the center of attention throughout the parade, throwing beads. With an extended st route this year (41 Street to 9th Street along Seawall Boulevard), the parade lasted 2.5 hours. We made sure to stock up on enough beads (480 dozen) to satisfy the crowd and proved to have been amongst the favorite floats of the parade once again.
Marketing Director Lauren Llanes at the front of the open mini train car.
Preparing a former tree site for paving.
Obviously everyone had a good time during the parade. PARKING LOT REPAIRS The Museumʼs car park west of the West Ticket Office was badly in need of repair. Hurricane Ikeʼs floodwaters killed all the trees in the lot, and the lotʼs surface was cracked and eroded. In July, a contract was let to address the repairs. The other items to be addressed were: 1) the areas where the trees used to be that were bare dirt areas and were not useable as parking spaces, and 2) for whatever reason, the south west end of the parking lot was never paved. Once that is completed, we will patch, reseal twice, and stripe the parking lot. I believe we will pick up an additional 15 parking spaces. The parking lot is deteriorating rapidly and if the repairs are not made now it will cost more in the future. The additional spaces will pay for themselves with the special event parking we do. Putnam Services L.L.C. (Lyle Nifong) basically did the work for his costs as a favor to the Museum. These folks are basically doing the work at 50% costs. Jason Hayes has taken the ball and run with this project and received a minimum of three bids. All of these folks have really helped us out and the staff and board members thank everyone who has done such a good job for the Museum.
Ready for paving.
Digging up a water line.
NEW SEMAPHORE TREE Preparing the southwest end of the parking lot.
The salty floodwaters of Hurricane Ike in 2008 killed 20 trees on the Museum property. 19 were cut down, but one outside the West Ticket Office was saved and repurposed, as shown in the series of photos that follow. The Museum had some spare semaphore blades in its inventory and used them to create a “display.�
Southwest end leveled. Calvin installing the semaphore arms
Almost finished.
The new tree semaphore.
AUDIO TOURS IN THE WORKS As was reported in the previous newsletter, the Museum is in the process of creating an audio guided tour to enhance visitorsĘź experiences while at the Museum. Purchase of the equipment and hiring Museum Works to make the recordings was made possible by funding from the Bromberg Foundation, administrated by Trey Dibrell. Curator Ellen Rider recovered the 30-year old 8-mm audio tapes from the Ghosts of Travelers Past in the PeopleĘźs Gallery, and she found a company in Canada that will digitize the old recordings. They will be incorporated into the audio tour. The photos below were made on 14 July 2015 during the audio tour recording sessions. In the photos below are individuals who contributed to the recordings. First is Frank Incaprera, long-time Galvestonian, who traveled to and from Galveston by train from the depot.
Wally Valdez talked about his father and grandfather who were Maintenance of Way workers on the Santa Fe; the Museum has a detailed exhibit of the various tools they used, from his father and grandfather.
Wally Valdez being recorded. Ellen Rider spoke about various exhibit stations in the Museum, including the Glen Fee, the #21158 flat car, the GC&SF Depot, and the WBT&S #1.
Frank Incaprera being recorded. Vandy Anderson, whose father and grandfather worked for the Santa Fe Railway in Galveston talked about his experience at the depot. Vandy was also a past Chairman of the Board.
Vandy Anderson being recorded.
Ellen Rider being recorded. Executive Director Morris Gould talked about the various locomotives, railcars, and the first time the #555 was fired up and operated under its own power.
Morris Gould being recorded.
The recording session with Museum Works required almost 9 hours with just a few breaks. In addition, several Museum board members also recorded information on various rail cars and sent it to Mrs. Rider for incorporation in the tour. “CIGAR BAND” LOGOS th
As one drives north on 26 Street toward the Museum, the 2-6-2 Waco, Beaumont, Trinity and Sabine Railroad Engine #1 can easily be seen up on its simulated turntable. But the walls framing the engine have always been rather bland. No more!! Cathy Blume of C. Blume Signs, Inc, a business in Galveston, recently painted two “cigar band” Museum logos on the walls on either side of the plaza in which the engine sits. The logo is based on the classic Santa Fe Railroad emblem.
The completed logos framing WBTS #1.
THE GOOD NEWS DEPARTMENT by Don Harper, Board Member SOUTHERN PACIFIC WAY CAR 347 RESTORATION The Union Pacific Foundation awarded the Museum a $5,000 grant to assist in the restoration of the SP 347 (see below). Calvin Wehrle, the Museumʼs go-to man for rail car restoration, tackled the project beginning in late May. He began work on the roof. He replaced the four end windows and jambs on the cupola. He stabilized the metal on roof and installed 22 ½” x ½”, 16-gauge sheet metal that lapped 1 ½” over bottom edge of entire roof. He applied Red Hand Bondo and epoxy with fiberglass cloth to the upper edge of new steel to waterproof seams, then applied epoxy paint finish to top of car. He then tackled the sides of the car. There was rotten metal along the side sills so he had to cut six inches from the bottom edge of car walls on approximately 75% of car. He also cut out and patched various other areas when rust had eaten through the metal. 16-gauge steel was attached behind cut outs and secured with text screws and Red Hand Bondo. Fiberglass cloth and epoxy was applied over the patches. Finally, 2 coats of paint were applied to the walls. During the restoration, Calvin uncovered the original paint. He had paint chips duplicated by Sherwin Williams, so the car colors are as the railroad painted it, including the safety orange ends. Museum staff determined that Southern Pacific painted the undercarriage of this class of car black, so that is the color that was applied. A few items still need to be done before the exterior is completed. Chief among these is replacing the roof walk and the doors. Plans are already being made to begin the renovation of the interior. Once completed, this SP caboose, once derelict, will nicely complement the collection of railcars at the Museum.
Calvin Wehrle standing on the A-end (front) porch of the SP way car.
Right side of the SP way car
GRANTS ACTIVITIES
MEMBERSHIPS AND VISITORS
UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION AWARDS THE MUSEUM A $5,000 GRANT
In 2014, the Museum had a total of 95 members, 31 of them new members. A reminder that the membership forms for 2015 went out in the last newsletter. We look forward to seeing all our members this year. Also in 2014, a total of 40,000+ persons, young and young at heart, visited the Museum. As usual, the majority of our visitors came from Texas and nearby states, but we had our share of folks from around the U.S. and from other countries. Having cruise ships docked almost across from the Museum certainly doesnʼt hurt attendance. Marketing Director Lauren Llanes has advertised the Museum and its activities (Pullman Parties, birthday parties, weddings/ receptions venue, Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge venue, etc.) far and wide and the effort is paying off.
On 27 May, Rachel Espinoza, representing the Union Pacific Foundation, brought a $5,000 check to the Museum and presented it to Executive Director Morris Gould. The grant is specifically targeted at the exterior restoration of the 1942 Southern Pacific caboose. Calvin Wehrle has already begun work on the car. This grant is the third that the UP Foundation has awarded the Museum since 2009.
WELCOME ABOARD New members of the Railroad Museum since the last newsletter was published.
Lauren Llanes, Marketing Director, Morris Gould, Executive Director and Rachel Espinoza, UP Foundation, pose on the observation deck of the Anacapa during the presentation ceremony. GRANT PROPOSAL TO THE BNSF FOUNDATION An on-line grant application to the BNSF Foundation requesting $10,000 to assist in the restoration of the CB&Q wooden caboose has been completed and has been submitted.
Michael & Cindy Angelo John Barber Sonia Bazhanov Keldan Blame Carol Espitia Pamela Floyd Douglas Hesbol Seth Jones Chris and Elizabeth McCain Karl and Jennifer Nesselrode Julie OʼShaughnessy Semere Paulos Sheena Pender Jonathan Shea Glenn & Janet Shephard Jon Strain Mark Tansey Pateince Wieland & David Jarvis
DID YOU KNOW??? Gandy Dancers
North American Time Zones
That railroad workers were once called Gandy Dancers? Why you ask? Well, the origin may be lost in the mists of time. One story is that because many of the tools used on the railroads were manufactured by the Gandy Tool Company. And, walking on the ties resulted in a peculiar, not-full-stride gait. But there is some doubt the Gandy Tool Company ever existed. Another possible origin for the term is the
That the 4 time zones in the United States were established by and for the railroads? Why? Because for years, before railroads, at every location, the time was dictated by the sunʼs position. When railroads came along, this made if very difficult to establish train timetables, and in fact, collisions occurred because two opposing trains were running on different times. So the railroads were prevailed upon to adopt the time zones in the late 1880s, much to the dismay of many smaller towns and even some larger cities. The 4 time zones made scheduling easier, and on 18 November 1883, precisely at noon, the first day of railroad standard time in North America, the Allegheny
"dancing" movements of the workers using a specially manufactured 5-foot "lining" bar used as a lever to move the tracks into alignment.
Observatory in Pittsburgh, PA, transmitted a signal on telegraph lines operated by railroads in Canada and the United States. The signal marked noon, Eastern Standard Time, and railroads across the continent synchronized their schedules based on this signal. Of course not everyone was happy having the railroads
dictate the time in their town, so in some cases for many years, the official town clock showed true solar time while the clock at the railroad station showed “railroad time.” The time zones were incorporated into Federal law in 1918.
VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME The lifeblood of any non-profit organization is the volunteers who give their time and money simply because they love what the organization stands for. There are many great volunteer positions available for YOU at the Galveston Railroad. Check out the types of jobs listed below and see which ones interest you! Archives Volunteer: Assist Ellen Rider with cataloguing and care of materials located in the Museumʼs archives. Create new displays for artifacts. Some prior experience helpful. Times needed: weekdays and weekends. Docent: Assist Eric Bowen to conduct guided tours of the Museum grounds and watch over Museum displays. A oneday training session to familiarize the docent with railroad history and the Museum equipment and grounds is required prior to beginning tours. Times needed: weekdays and weekends. Education Volunteer: Assist in presenting educational material to merit badge classes, Pullman Parties, and school groups. Should enjoy interacting with children ages 4 through 17. A one-day training session to familiarize the volunteer with railroad history and the Museum grounds and equipment is required. Availability year around is a plus. Grounds Volunteer: Assist the groundskeeper with cutting grass, and planting, watering and weeding flowers, and picking up trash and leaves. On the job training is available if needed. Times needed: flexible to fit your schedule. Publicity Volunteer: Generate publicity notices for local newspapers and provide copy to same. Assist in keeping the Museumʼs mailing list for special events and newsletter mailings up to date. Assist in preparing and mailing newsletters. Times needed: flexible to fit your schedule. Model Railroad Volunteer: Assist Stephen Duncan and Stephen Barkley to keep the model railroad display in Theater 4 running by cleaning tracks, engine and railcar wheels, replacing worn out parts, and keeping structures on the layout clean. Also act as a docent and answer questions from visitors while working on the layout. Times needed: flexible to fit your schedule. Rolling Stock Maintenance Volunteer: Assist in restoration, conservation and maintenance of rail cars and engines. Includes painting, woodworking, and upholstering, as well as metal, mechanical, and electrical work. Should have suitable work clothes and work shoes. Safety equipment can be provided. Times needed: weekends and weekdays. Way and Track Volunteer: Assist Scott LaPointe in railway track maintenance and in keeping the Museum yard and right of way clear of weeds and grass. Should enjoy heavy work. Should have suitable work clothes and work boots. Safety equipment can be provided. Times needed: weekends and weekdays. Conductor. Assist Bruce & Glenda Hehemann with passenger control during rides on Saturdays. Must be able to repeatedly climb on and off the engine or caboose. Special Events Volunteer: Assist the Museum staff during events such as the annual train show,, the Santa Train, Mardi Gras, and other such events.
Board of Directors Steve Barkley Dr. John Bertini, Chairman Tommy Blackburn Dr. Stephen Duncan Dr. Don Harper, Secretary
Patrick Henry Vic Pierson Doug Poole, Vice Chair Kenneth Zimmern, Treasurer
Advisory Board Joe Adams Al Dykes Pete Messina Bobby Theriot Toby Thoresen
Sandi Cobb Villeneuve Jon von Briesen George Williamson Dr. John Worsham
Galveston Island Railroad Museum & Terminal 2602 Santa Fe Place Galveston, TX 77550
Bulk mailing permit
409-765-5700 galvrrmuseum@sbcglobal.net www.galvestonrrmuseum.com
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