The On-Line Clearboard

Model Railroad Club News.

July, 2000

Club News

Paul Mallery Dinner Date Set

Saturday, July 15 at 4:00 pm has been set for our Hail and Farewell Dinner honoring Paul Mallery, the Club’s founder, Master Model Railroader, often published author, and the Club’s guiding light for the past fifty years.  Paul has decided to move to California to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren.  The fine chefs at the Union Plaza Diner will handle catering.  Special surprise guests will be attending.  Fifteen dollars to Bob Nalbone will reserve your place at this festive feast.  All Members are invited.

Long-Time Club Member Relocates

Bob Salfi, long-time Club member is moving to California also.  In fact, he and Paul should be within half an hour of each other.  Bob is probably most responsible for keeping interest in the N-scale layout alive through several lean years.  In addition he served on the Club’s Board of Director’s for years, heading up both the N-scale department and the development department while on the Board.  On behalf of the club, the editors would like to extend their thanks to Bob for all the contributions he has made over the years.

 Bob and his wife Maggie have long been planning on retiring to California.  A new job offer for Maggie has hastened their moving plans. 

HO Department News

1970’s Operations Started
The rollover to the 1970s style of operation began this past month.  SD-40’s are once again making their appearances in Club operating sessions.  The Borden’s plant on the TN received its first set of 57-foot mechanical reefers in its new role as a fruit and produce warehouse.  Certain older freight cars have been placed in storage until the Era cycles back to the 1950s in several months. 

 According to some observers, the operations have indeed been reminiscent of eastern railroading in the 1970’s.  Acute motive power shortages have kept the operating personnel busy getting freights over the railroads.  Intractable union work-rules have been giving management fits. 

 The TN is lobbying the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for assistance in running its passenger trains, some of which are over fifty years old.  Fares alone do not cover the operating expenses to offer these services, and management predicts that declining freight revenues will soon place the Northeast’s last true interurban into the red.

 Leased motive power has been sighted on the HD&O as the motive power challenged crews struggle to get trains over the railroad.  Hurricane Agnes was not kind to the HD&O.  Work in Gilberton has commenced to repair damage from this storm.  The alignment from Gilberton to the upper yard is being re-worked to allow for trains to enter directly into the freight end of the yard during this repair process.  This has placed severe strains on the cash-strapped railroad and its trustees are seeking inclusion into the Consolidated Rail Corporation as part of the government bailout of Northeast railroads. 

 The Rahway River is experiencing on again-off again operations.  The Heller Holding Corporation is has gone into the car-leasing business to help augment dwindling revenues.  There has been talk of placing the New Jersey Railroad Museum on the Rahway Rivers rails. 

The return to the 1970’s gives each of us to a chance to model an interesting period of railroad history.  It was great from the railfan’s point of view: all sorts of interesting first generation diesels side by side with newer motive power.  Luckily, we are not constrained financially like the prototypes.

Jersey Shore & Western News
The N-Scale Report
By Jack Grasso

The helix is now being constructed. If tests for proper operating grades turn out positive, you are looking at the first section. Erie Railroad historian Bob Collins is noted for his photos and motion pictures of the famous reverse curve in Bergen County. Many call it Collins Curve. Claude Kelsoe is the driving force in the building of the helix. Maybe we should call it Claude's Curve or Kelsoe Curve. 

Two DCC locomotives have joined our operating roster. They are B&MGP40-2 #315 and EL U25B #2501. A NYC RDC may be joining the DCC operating fleet. 

A Post Office building and First National Bank branch have been acquired to replace borrowed structures in the Central Avenue --- East Orange shopping center. We are now looking for a movie house and a department store (Kresge-Newark East Orange Branch?). 

The Northeast N-Track Convention will take place Aug. 10th to the 13th. The JS&W has been listed as a tour stop. Time to put on a REALLY BIG SHOW. 

A new computer will be part of the JS&W scene. Several industries do business with the JS&W at Brill, Cleveland, Garrettville, and Port Newark. These firms will be listed in a future Jersey Shore & Western News. On a sad note our friend and fellow member, Al Leto, lost his brother. Our sympathy and our prayers go out to the Leto family. See you next month.

Back Issues
2000
March, 2000 February, 2000 January, 2000

1999
December, 1999 November, 1999 October, 1999 September, 1999

The One-Line Clearboard contains excerpts from the Model Railroad Club's membership newsletter The Clearboard.  All information published in The One-Line Clearboard is unofficial and is for reference and informal information.   No information contained within The One-Line Clearboard can be used without the express consent of The Model Railroad Club, Inc.