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Weekly News October 1, 2018Description
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Professional Railroaders on the Wilmington & Western: Tom Gears, a long-time volunteer, editor, and present board member of Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc. (owner of the Wilmington & Western tourist railroad), has asked me to recall the professional railroad men who helped start the W&W in the 1960s. My initial reply was, “Most of them tried to prevent a bunch of rail buffs from leasing the Landenberg Branch of the B & O, rather than help us get started.” While this was true, even from top B&O management, many full-time railroaders helped us immeasurably to get the operation started in the spring of 1966 and for the years that followed.
There was only one precedent for volunteers to operate trains on a Class One railroad, regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission. W. Nelson Blount, owner of Ocean Spray Cranberry Company, with his dream of a future Steamtown, had convinced the Boston & Maine Railroad. to lease him the use of a branch line from Keene, New Hampshire, about 6 miles northwest toward Bellows Falls, Vermont, for operation of a steam train run by volunteers. My father and I rode on this train in 1962, with Blount himself as the engineer. B&O management had not heard of this operation, but we brought it to their attention. The local railroad unions were not impressed, however, and they vigorously fought our idea on a B&O branch. Despite these many obstacles, we pulled it off and operated W&W trains on this branch line of the B&O (and its successors) until 1982, when Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc. bought the line.
Here are my recollections of those who helped in the early years:
Regular Job Job on W&W
B&O Railroad
Bill Lakel Trainmaster at Wilsmere Yard Construction of Greenbank complex, constant advice
Johnny Forrest Diesel mechanic at Wilsmere kept diesel locomotives running Inspected our steam locomotive on all W&W operating days
Paul Fortin Brakeman working from Wilsmere Early supporter, helped W&W trainmen & brakemen, active volunteer on train
Dan Deery B&O engineer. Qualified on all nearby B&O lines, had experience with steam locomotives Steam engineer & instructor
Douglas Turnbull B&O Vice President, friend of Delaware Governor Elbert Carvel Got wheels turning to lease the Landenberg Branch to HRCV
R.L. Minser Bill Lakel’s boss from Baltimore Frequently inspected W&W operation and was always very complimentary
Lawrence Lorenzoni Retired track superintendent Built track into Snuff Mill building for storage and repair of locomotive 92
B & O man in Baltimore (name forgotten) Negotiated railroad union contracts Worked out contract for W&W operation in 1965
Pennsylvania Railroad
George W. Bailey Mainline passenger conductor Offered to help train crews
Jack Paradee Conductor and local union leader Tried to sell the local railroad unions on allowing volunteers to operate train on Class
One ICC-regulated railroad
John Evans Eastburn Passenger Engineer Active engineer who helped train volunteers of W&W
Weldin V. Stumpf Boilermaker at Wilmington Shops Headed rebuilding of Loco. #92 for ICC service. Engineer and shop foreman who signed monthly mechanical reports.
Harrison Tweddle Foreman at Wilmington Shops Worked on miniature Auburn Valley Railroad for HRCV in 1960s
Danny Pantaleone Track superintendent Supervised building of tracks at engine house. Lived in a tiny trailer as caretaker.
Reading Railroad
Paul C. Moser Worked in Reading (PA) shops Worked in shop and engine house on locomotives & cars
Jim Cooper Retired manager of Beech Street engine house, Wilmington Checked steam locomotive monthly and signed boiler papers
New York, New Haven & Hartford R.R.
Earle C. Paine Train service at Woods Hole, MA Long-time conductor
In addition to the above, several W&W volunteers went on to make railroading a career. These include Dave Watterson, Alan Tweddle, John Darling, Tom Smith, and possibly Evan Stauffer, Bruce Lind, and Woody Messara.
I know there are more, but these are the ones I remember.
Work Report: The Tuesday, Sept. 25, work session was attended by: Steve Bryce, Ted Kaman, Dave Leon, Brent McDougall, Neal Sobocinski, Larry Tennity, John Ryan, and Stan Lakey supervising.
• The sign posts and tables were moved to the museum attic.
• Carpet installation was completed on the Rauch & Lang.
• 9” spring spacers were cut for use in the motor installation on the Model 740.
• Removed insulation and cleaned the steam case cover for the 740.
• Insulated and attached the copper steam case cover to the new motor.
• Leaks were sealed, and the oil pump was tested; it took and held pressure to 600 psi.
On Wednesday September 26, in attendance were: Steve Bryce, Larry Tennity, Stan Lakey, John Schubel, John Ryan, Mike Ciosek, Mike Todd and Bill Schwoebel as supervisor.
• Model 735 Stanley was pushed out of the museum and fired up to check the new positioning of the water automatic. The car was driven on the road to test further; it steamed well but the water automatic did not preform well, it had to be bypassed to pump more water into the boiler. The automatic appears to be the correct height but needs to have more pitch down toward the lower end.
• The Model 725 Stanley’s leaking super heater pipe was measured for length, it is about 9’ long.
• A new piece of seamless 1/2” stainless steel pipe at least 9 feet long will need to be purchased to make a new super heater for this car.
• The model railroad’s 400E locomotive was taken home for testing and repair by a member of the group.
• Checking the Model K Stanley’s oil pump, tubing, check valve, etc. was started but not much was accomplished because of other work going on during the session.
