(Volume 25, No. 9)
President's Soapbox
Here we are at the end of summer vacation, with school ready to start for some, and maybe some of us can stay home for a while. Actually, I will be going to Canada again for ten days beginning September 6. The plan is for non railroad related activity but I can't help myself from noticing all things railroad related while traveling around. Case in point - I was in British Columbia in July and visiting the owner of a fruit stand (coincidently named Harker, no known direct relation), We were discussing my digital camera when I mentioned that it is more often used for railroad related subjects. He suggested that I should go take a picture of the covered bridge just a couple of miles east of the town, Keremeos, BC. Scott, my son, was sympathetic to my interest and we departed in search of the bridge. It turns out that the Great Northern RR had a branch line north out of Wenatchee through Oroville, Washington into British Columbia and the bridge was on the BC section of the line over the Similkameen River. The unique thing is that usually one considers a covered bridge to be in the form of a barn with open ends for through passage. This bridge was made of wood, truss suspension type and the trusses were sheathed with wood for protection from weathering with the top left open - truly unique. The portion of the line north of Oroville was abandoned in the 80's but the grade is still visible; at least two major bridges are still standing, the covered bridge is now in use as a single lane roadway. Service to Oroville has been continued by a short line operator out of Wenatchee who hauls wood chip, logs and occasionally fresh fruit.
This was not intended to be a travelogue but to serve as case in point that there many interesting things railroad, which can be observed and shared while traveling about the country. One object of opportunity for me are the new super elevators now under construction in Montana and Canada. These represent the changing face of railroading today. Most of the old small capacity single car track side operations only attract people like me and pigeons and will soon be removed.
In our own backyard there are four grain loading sidings located on the Rexburg Bench between Ririe and Newdale. When I toured the line about seven years ago, I only found one that appeared to have any recent activity. The problem, of course, is that rates for a single car spotting and pickup are unaffordable; in contrast, the grain and produce facility in Newdale owns their own Trackmobile to move loads and empties around the yard which makes rail transportation competitive through multi-car ladings.
OK, I admit that due to my new found freedom, I have been traveling around so much this summer that I have missed more meetings than I have attended. Thanks to the stalwarts, the railroad is still there and operating, at least it was when I was there last. Now we have less than six weeks left before the Railshow. Thanks to past experience, most of the activity agenda could be followed through and implemented without any new strategy being developed. Some issues always rear their head such as;
Will our signs last another year?
Do we have anything new on the layout this year?
Do we have enough members to staff the desired program?
What new challenges do we face this year?
What changes need to be made?
Thanks to all for your support of the club and the work performed on the railroad this summer.
Leo Harker
Keremeos Bridge from the camera of Leo Harker
Timetable
September 6 Business Meeting
September 13 Work Night
September 20 Work Night
September 27 Work Night - Meet Preps
October 4 Business Meeting
October 11 Meet Preparations
October 13 Fall Meet
CSXT Announces Revolutionary New Locomotive Operating System
New 'Auxiliary Power Unit' Designed to Save Fuel, Meet Emission Compliance Standards
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) announced today the development of a revolutionary newlocomotive operating system designed to reduce fuel consumption and meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tier 0 limits required beginning Jan. 1, 2002. CSXT estimates annual fuel savings of 25-30 million gallons once its fleet of 3,600 locomotives is equipped with the new system.
The new operating system incorporates an auxiliary power unit that automatically shuts down the main locomotive engine idle, while maintaining all vital main engine systems at greatly reduced fuel consumption. In addition, the new system will cut locomotive nitrous oxide (NOX) emissions by 92 percent while idling. The United States EPA recently approved the new system as a certified engine emission reduction kit, and there are several patents pending. As a stand-alone unit, the auxiliary power unit is the only EPA-certified engine idle reduction system available to the industry.
CSXT and International Road and Rail, based in London, Ontario, Canada, have formed a joint venture to manufacture and sell the new system. The joint venture company, EcoTrans Technologies, will be based in Jacksonville.
"We believe that other railroads will be very interested in purchasing this technology,'' said David P. Miller, president of EcoTrans Technologies. "The basic system platform helps to meet the new federal emissions standards for locomotive engines overhauled after Jan. 1, 2002, and helps to overcome the fuel penalty associated with EPA emission compliance,'' he said. He added that the fuel savings alone -- estimated at approximately 8,000 gallons per locomotive per year -- are a compelling story that may interest some railroads in equipping portions of their fleets ahead of any scheduled engine overhauls.
The basic platform of the new system can be expanded to include additional safety, performance and diagnostic features that can be customized to specific railroad requirements. The auxiliary power unit provides 110/220 house current, which opens up the possibility for lower cost, low maintenance options, such as locomotive cab heating and air conditioning, as well as other enhancements. In cold weather climates, the auxiliary power unit will maintain engine fluids at the proper temperature, eliminating the need to idle locomotives for long periods of time to prevent engine freeze-ups.
For more information about the new auxiliary power unit, contact EcoTrans Technologies at (904) 359-4978.
CSXT and its 35,000 employees provide rail transportation and distribution services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSXT is a business unit of CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX - news), headquartered in Richmond, Va.
Sent by Alan Udy
Nevada & Oregon RR 1882 Report
This is the report to the Secretary of State of Nevada for the year of 1882. It is a remarkable document and it needs to be read line by line to get the full impact.
THE N. & O. RAILROAD February 5, 1883
To the Honorable Secretary of State of the State of Nevada: In conformity of the statutes of the State of Nevada, I herewith summit the following report of the operations of the Nevada & Oregon Railroad during the year 1882:
| Capital stock | $6,000,000 |
| Amount of full paid stock issued to January 1 1883 | $629,000 |
It is impossible for the present officers to give the amount of full paid stock issued to January 1, 1883, for the reason that in consequence of the various difficulties that this company have been laboring under since its organization. The books of the company have been scattered, its vouchers lost, and the data from which these statistics would be derived are not to be obtained by its present officers.
No cash has been expended for land by the present company.
No engines, cars or buildings are owned by the corporation.
Of the amount and nature of the indebtedness of the company it is impossible to speak with any accuracy, in consequence of the books, vouchers and accounts being stolen, lost and mislaid by the former officers of the company, beyond the bonded debt of the company.
| Amount of mortgage | $3,000,000 |
| Bonds issued | 600,000 |
| Bonds negotiated | 310,000 |
| Bonds in treasury | 290,000 |
| Floating debt, including all claims and demands against the company of whatever nature | 250,000 |
Nothing is due the company as far as known.
| Amount received for transportation from October 2 to December 31, 1882 inclusive: | |
| For passengers | $700 |
| For freight | $1,288 |
| For mails and express | $185 |
| Total | $2,173 |
Amount of freight transported, 400 tons.
No classification has been made. In consequence of the chronic impecuniosity of the corporation it has not had enough funds to comply with the laws of the State in relation to the keeping of account books, as required by law, as the officers have received no compensation since they were connected with the company, but have been compelled to find for themselves and work for nothing.
No dividend has ever been declared by this accursed corporation, and it is safe to bet that none ever will be.
The corporation owns no cars or engines, houses or shops of any kind in this State. The company owns no cars or engines; those on the road are owned by private parties.
The net profits of the road have been nothing, as the corporation was conceived in iniquity and born in fraud. Every honest friend of the enterprise has been swindled and robbed, and disaster has overtaken all persons who have been connected with it in any capacity.
(Signed): D. W. BALCH
President Nevada and Oregon Railroad.
Carson, Nev., Feb. 1 1883.
I, D. W. BALCH President of the Nevada and Oregon Railroad Company, do solemnly swear that the forgoing report is full, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(Signed): D. W. BALCH
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this day of February, 1883 James G. CHESLEY,
[seal] Notary Public.
Contributed by Bill Herrmann