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Weekly News April 23, 2018Description
Barbara Bush (1925-2018): I wrote a full Weekly News story on the Northern Pacific Railway, but due to my inabilities with computer technology, it got erased somehow. Time has run out to redo that story for this week.
I had a conversation with the late Barbara Bush. It was in 1980 on the Market Street Mall in Wilmington. George was running for vice-president, and some Republican operatives had the Bushes under their wings in Delaware for a few hours.
Not directly related to the Bush couple’s visit, a special event was being held on the Mall, and I had been asked to have one of my Stanleys on display in front of the Grand Opera House, just recently restored. No vehicular traffic was allowed on the Mall in 1980. I stood near the car for most of the time, usually answering questions.
George and Barbara Bush, accompanied by four or five others, came from the vicinity of the Grand Opera House and crossed the mall to the west side, disappearing into one of the buildings. In about five minutes, they retraced their steps at a leisurely pace. George nodded and said, “Nice car,” but Barbara stopped and talked to me briefly, admiring our 1912 Model 87 that had a fairly new restoration. Then they were escorted on their way and out of sight.
Just as she was the first First Lady to have had a son become President of the United States since Abigail Adams (who died exactly 200 years ago), she also holds the distinction of being the only First Lady to speak to me. Thank you, Barbara.
Work Report: On Tuesday, April 17, the following 12 volunteers were on hand: Ted Kamen (in charge), John Bacino, Anne Cleary, Mike Ciosek, Bob Koury, Dave Leon, Dennis Tiley, Bob Jordan, Mark Bodenstab, Stan Lakey, Neal Sobocinski, and Jay Williams.
The tracks for the Lionel electric trains were cleaned. On the Rauch & Lang electric, the fabric that had been removed was replaced.
The damaged gas pump was brought from the back building to the upper garage for dismantling and repair. It is heavy and required a lot of elbow grease and Dave Leon's truck for the move.
On Wednesday, April 18, four members were on hand: Jerry Lucas (in charge, substituting for Bill Schwoebel), Tom Marshall, Stan Lakey, and John Smoyer. John was a volunteer in the early years of the Steam Team, and we are glad to have him back.
The top works and Plexiglas cylinder were removed from the gas pump and carefully stored nearby. The new wheels for the Cretors popper were cleaned with a recommended solvent in preparation for painting. Work was started to improve the hands-on engine-and-boiler display by adding a superheater, a steam loop, and an oil line.
On Thursday, April 19, six volunteers turned out: Mark Bodenstab (in charge), Steve Bryce, Bob Jordan, Ted Kamen, Dave Leon, and Kelly Williams.
On the Cretors popper, the tires were taped off for spray painting. On the Model 735, the nozzles and the fuel filter were cleaned. The maintenance manuals were studied further on the Packards. Disassembly of the gas pump continued with removal of the top side panel and the pump itself.
On Friday, April 20, Bill Rule and Steve Bryce got the gas pump apart by removing at least two frozen fittings. It appears we can restore the pump ourselves, but the heavy sheet that which is seriously bent will require outside help or replacement.
AVRR Report: Volunteers: John Bacino, Mike Ciosek, Anne Cleary, Bob Koury, Dave Leon, Dennis Tiley
Accomplishments: (1) Repaired track that was damaged by dump truck; (2) Tested the newly installed track with diesel and red cars.
