(Volume 26, No. 12)
Presidents Soapbox
After an afternoon of getting ready for the holiday season by putting up strings of lights, thoughts migrate to the question; hat can ERRHSI do to contribute to the season? I had an idea last month when we were discussing the scheduling of Open House events and came up with the possibility of donating some pieces of railroad related or Modeling equipment to some lucky visitor. That said, there is no firm date for such an event scheduled and we do not have the necessary items on hand to be donated. The uncertainties of these matters can be easily remedied, however, if the right minds met together and agreed upon a plan. I have in mind something like the Brio train sets that are so popular with the younger age group or possibly a more advanced set depending on the amount of funds we choose to allocate. It would seem fitting to promote our hobby to the younger age and preteen group and instill a long lasting interest in their minds.
We now have almost as many active Junior members attending as
we do adults on a regular basis. I sense that a conflict may be rising wherein
the adults now stand around in conversation rather than get involved in the
operation. My suggestion is that we informally divide the operating time and
allow the Juniors access for the early part of the session, 6:30 PM to 7:30 and
the adults operate the last portion of our regular meeting. These operating
sessions will probably continue to be informal and very open until the rest of
the layout is completed. We will be working on a new construction plan so the
remaining extension can be completed. Every member should consider this issue
and be prepared to discuss the matter at our December meeting.
With these items on the agenda, it becomes even more important for all members
to be attendance this week so that regular business can be conducted.
We wish everyone a very Merry Holiday Season.
Leo Harker
Timetable
December 5 Business Meeting
December 12 Work Night
December 19 Work Night
December 26 Run Christmas Trains
January 2, 2003 Business Meeting
Payette Valley Railroad
The Payette Valley Railroad was incorporated in Utah on
February 3, 1906 and in Idaho on April 3, 1906 to build a line from Payette to
New Plymouth, a distance of 10.83 miles. It was intended to connect the town of
New Plymouth with the OSL at Payette. Directors of the line were C.W. Nibley,
and F.S. Murphy of Salt Lake City; H.E. Dunn, and A.B. Moss of Payette; and B.T.
Dunn of Oakland, California. The company headquarters were in Payette. C.W.
Nibley of Payette was the president of the company, and the railroad’s
headquarters were in Payette. Construction started on April 27, 1906, and was
completed on August of the same year. Backed by the Oregon Short Line, it ran
from August 30, 1906 through July 1, 1914, when it was leased to the Oregon
Short Line Railroad Company. The railroad had its own locomotives, both of them
older 4-4-0's obtained from the Salt Lake & Ogden Railroad, as well as a few
railroad cars.
The Payette Valley also operated the Payette Valley Extension
Railroad when it was completed in 1910. The Payette Valley Railroad was
officially sold to the OSL on August 5, 1914, at the same time the Payette
Valley Extension Railroad was sold to the OSL. The articles of incorporation
were forfeited in Idaho on December 1, 1915.
The line was sold to the Idaho Northern & Pacific in 1993 and is currently
operated by them.
Payette Valley Extension Railroad Company
The Payette Valley Extension Railroad Company was
incorporated in Utah on May 25, 1910 and in Idaho on July 19, 1910. The line was
to build an 18 mile extension of the Payette Valley Railroad from New Plymouth
to Emmett. C.W Nibley was the president.
Construction of the line began on April 1, 1910, and ended on October 10, 1910.
It was operated by the Payette Valley Railroad until July 1, 1914, when it was
leased to the Oregon Short Line. On August 5, 1914 the line was sold to the
Oregon Short Line for $87,800, the same date the Payette Valley Railroad was
sold to the Oregon Short Line. On the first Monday of April, 1915, the charter
was forfeited in Utah, and on December 1, 1915 the articles of incorporation
were forfeited in Idaho.
In 1993 the line between Emmett and Payette was sold to the Idaho Northern &
Pacific, and it is currently operated by them.
Missing Cars
Recently I collected some of my cars from the layout - but there were some that were missing. In particular, missing cars include a couple of special cars, not obtainable any longer. If anyone knows where these cars are, I would appreciate having them back.
One of the cars is an Okanagan Fruit Express ice refrigerator. The reporting mark is OKFE, and there is no number. There is a drawing of Ogopogo (who looks something like the Loch Ness monster, only more friendly) on the side. This car was the convention car for the PNR in 1982, and is no longer available.
The other car is an open hopper lettered for the Oregon Short Line. The reporting mark for this car is OSL 31025. It is one of a set of 3 purchased from Owyhee Rail Works in 1994. Again, they were special production items.
If you accidentally took one or both of these cars home, please return them to the club so I can take them home and check them for operation. We are currently trying to work out a system so that each owner's name is on his cars, and we can tell the owner just by looking at the car. If you have any ideas along this line, let one of the board members know so we can bring it up.
Several cars were placed on the workbench or along the track with no indication of what problem was associated with them. If you take a car out of service for any reason, please fill out the form indicating the problem. If it is a simple problem, such as a missing coupler spring, fix it right away. If it is more complicated, such as tracking problems, let the owner fix it. Here knowing the perceived problem helps the owner know what to look for.
Doug Herrmann
Merry Christmas and
a Railroad New Year
We'll see you all in 2003!