Rules Class for Train Service Volunteers

Our first Rules Class will be on May 1. As in years past this will include Rule Book and Air Brake/Train Handling classes - To attend both classes, they will be from 9:00AM until 5:00PM. If you are only interested in the Rule Book, then plan on about half that time.

We're always looking for new volunteers to help in all aspects of train service! If you've ever dreamed of working on a real railroad, here's your chance! We will teach you everything you need to know to perform your duties safely.

I would ask for a RSVP so that we can schedule the best location for the class dependent on it's size.   I apologize for the late notice, and we will work to offer several more classes in the coming month if May 1 does not work for you. 

—David Scheiderich, Museum President

April membership meeting - 4.21.2011

The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum/Rochester Chapter NRHS are pleased to announce that they will hold their general membership meeting on Thursday, April 21st at the 40&8 Club. The meeting will feature museum member Tom Brewer on the "Charlotte Coal Docks & More".  Tom grew up and still lives in the Charlotte, NY area and has documented the history of the coal docks with color slides and movies as well. He will also have some images of the BR&P car ferry operation. This is a program not to be missed.

Visitors are welcome! You do not need to be a member to attend. The meeting starts at 7PM with some time to socialize and peruse the Museum's book store. You can also check out our new larger railroad library co-located at the 40&8 Club. The library will be open at 6:30PM. A short business meeting will take place between 7:30PM and 8PM with the show starting around 8:15PM. The meeting is held at the 40&8 Club which is located at 933 University Avenue(Across from the Gleason Works between Culver Road and Goodman Street) in the City of Rochester. More information is available on our website, http://www.rgvrrm.org/.

We hope those in the greater Rochester area will come out to see this great program. Everyone is always welcome! You do not need to be a member.

Progress around the shop...

With an above freezing sunny day, it was nice to be able to see the ground again as all of the snow has gone.

The stone base for the next phase of the Empire State Express cars' siding west of the LA&L sees the light finally with the snow all gone.   Pretty soon we will be able to get back to extending the siding.

It was also nice to throw the doors open on the shop and get to work readying equipment for the spring.   The R&GVRRM owns three ex-US Military Chevy trucks (two pickups and one ambulance).   Earlier in the winter, we replaced the starter flywheel on truck #3 and put it back into service.  Next up was truck #1 that needed a broken starter bolt removed and the starter installed.   Here the truck sits after successful surgery and is again on the operational board.

 

Also in the shop, our Bobcat 610 skid steer has received a new rear rim to replace the original rim whose mounting holes had become egg-shaped from use.    We are still looking for a smaller bucket for this unit since the bucket it has is just too big for stone work.    Please let us know if you might have something.   

With truck #1 out of the shop, our Trojan loader was the next piece to come in to receive work in the form of new brakes all around and some cosmetic improvements.

With it sitting on the concrete portion of the shop floor, it was quick to jack it up, remove the rear wheels, and start the process of disassembling the hubs to see what we are up against.

 

Meanwhile in another portion of the shop, our new to us Schramm compressors were getting prepped to have a new valve installed.   The goal is to make one usable compressor out of the two, and hopefully we will see completion soon; giving us another good size portable compressor for track work and more.   To augment the Schramm, the R&GVRRM could still use a good towable jackhammer compressor.   Any leads, please contact us.

All in all, a very good day!   We are looking forward to even more progress as the weather continues to improve.   Please stop out soon to see what we are up to.