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Quarterly Newsletter
A Benefit of Membership in the R&LHS
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society publishes its Quarterly Newsletter (called just Newsletter before spring 2009), as a benefit for members. It covers topics of current interest about R&LHS. You may use the Trading Post for personal use to buy, sell, or ask questions. Send your item to the editor, John Gruber.
In Memorium: John Fike, Former Editor of the Quarterly, December 1, 1937-May 26, 2016
John Lee Fike, Jr., age 78, telecommunications professor and avid rail historian, died May 26, 2016, at Boulder Community Health hospital, Boulder, Colorado. He was born December 1, 1937, to John Lee Fike, Sr., and Mary LaRue Huggans Fike in Muskogee, OK.
John graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1955, received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering (Computer Science), in 1961 and 1962, respectively, from Oklahoma State University. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta, Oklahoma Beta Chapter. Upon graduation he worked at Cape Canaveral during the Cuban missile crisis in down-range missile tracking, then worked on the project that designed of the original Mission Control at the Johnson Spacecraft Center in Houston.
John was a member of numerous rail historical organizations including the R&LHS, NRHS, NARP, ColoRail, and The Lexington Group. He was especially knowledgeable about the railroads of northeastern Oklahoma, particularly the Katy, the Midland Valley, and the KO&G, giving programs about their history and development to a variety of organizations. He was a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and Mensa. He was proud of never having missed a reunion of his high school Class of '55.
These excerpts are from his obituary published in The Eagle in Bryan / College Station, TX where he and his wife Linda lived for many years.
Two others were published, one in his hometown newspaper, The Muskogee Phoenix, and a shorter one in The Denver Post. They can be found online by googling, "John Fike obituary" plus the name of the newspaper.
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Fall 2016, Vol. 36, No. 3
Historic Photos in Public Domain: “No permission required, no hoops to jump through: just go forth and reuse,” the New York Public Library said when it announced that out-of-copyright materials in its digital collections are available as high-resolution downloads. Examples from three institutions are in this issue: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Public Library, and Oakland Museum of California. Pages 10-13.
Members Tour North Idaho: White Pine Rails, the 2016 convention and annual meeting of
the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS), featured
railroads of northern Idaho. It was held jointly with the Washington,
Idaho & Montana Railway History Preservation Group.
(WI&MRyHPG) at the University Inn, Moscow, Idaho, from May
25 to 29. Tom Burg
USA 396, 99 Years and Still Going, Everett Lueck
D&RGW #223 Restoration Report, Lee Witten
Railroadiana: The Categories, Seth Bramson
Membership Development, Ron Goldfeder
From the Dispatcher's Office, Alden H. Dreyer
Cover photo: Members Visit Bennett Lumber Products. Thomas Hillebrant
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Summer 2016, Vol. 36, No. 2
“I was fortunate enough in my career
to work alongside many people in different companies. During this tenure of mine at
Conrail—what I joined back in 1998 and what is here today—I am very proud to stand
alongside all of the people because they have done an excellent job in transforming it
from a standalone profit entity to a high performance service driven joint facility
operation for CSX and Norfolk Southern." Ronald L. Batory, president, Conrail
"However, the hard copy of Railroad History will not go away any time soon. Having a copy in hand at train shows and meetings is the best way to attract interest in the R&LHS. It is our signature product and it is packaged in an attractive and easily distributed format." President Robert Holzweiss
Members Meeting in North Idaho
Treasurer's Report to Membership for 2015, Paul Gibson
Membership Development, Ron Goldfeder
An 1860s Switching Railroad, John H. White, Jr.
From the Dispatcher's Office, Alden H. Dreyer
Cover photo: Conrail's Rouge River Bridge in Detroit. John Gruber
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Spring 2016, Vol. 36, No. 1
“Despite slicing through the narrowest part of the State of Idaho,
the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific held a remarkably
strong presence in the area. Lines of The Milwaukee Road in Idaho
fall neatly into just a few segments. All are located in Idaho’s “panhandle”
in the timbered section of North Idaho—the locals describe
it as though it were a separate state from southern Idaho." Tom Burg, the Milwaukee Road in Idaho
Itinerary, May 24-29, for the joint convention of the Railway &
Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS) and Washington, Idaho &
Montana Railway History Preservation Group (WI&MRyHPG) with
registration form. Please complete and detach
and mail the form with full payment. A current membership in the
R&LHS or the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway History
Preservation Group is required to attend.
R&LHS Makes Prestigious Annual Awards
What Is Rail and Trolleyana?, Seth Bramson
Membership Development, Ron Goldfeder
Letters to the Editor
From the Dispatcher's Office, Alden H. Dreyer
Cover photo: St. Maries River Railroad by Scott Lothes
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Winter 2015, Vol. 35, No. 4
“People back in the dark days of the library thought that railroad
archives should be deep-sixed, and really they are some of our most
important collections. Having them out on the Internet for people
to use is pretty important. Three archivists from the Newberry Library, Chicago, summarized
a recently completed project, CB&Q: Building an Empire.
They went back to the beginning with all the Chicago, Burlington
and Quincy Railroad material the library had acquired over the last
half a century, arranged and described everything to today’s archival
standards, and made a finding aid available on the Internet."
"On November 19 the R&LHS marked a digital milestone when
JSTOR (an acronym for Journal Storage, see http://www.jstor.org/)
released a searchable digital archive of The Railway and Locomotive
Historical Society Bulletin (1921-1972) and Railroad History (1972-
2009)."--Robert Holzweiss, President
North Idaho Members Meeting, May 25-29, 2016
Friends Campaign, Golden Spike Chapter: D&RGW Locomotive 223 Project
Membership Development, Ron Goldfeder
From the Dispatcher's Office, Alden H. Dreyer
Cover photo: "Grasshopper Migration Map,” Newberry Library
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Fall 2015, Vol. 35, No. 3
Now, I was not alive in 1994 but I know one thing: I want to remember today.
Southern Railway #4501 sure does not look quite as green as it did
twenty years ago, but we’re not here to record the past. The sound of
that Southern 3 chime reverberating through the Tennessee Valley
once more is enough to wipe away any doubt of that engine’s triumphant
return. I never planned on any of these excursions happening
in my lifetime, and I will appreciate every moment I can get. --Peyton Gupton, freshman at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
On behalf of the R&LHS officers, directors and members, I
want to thank Mark Entrop for his many years of service as chairman of
the Awards Committee. --Robert Holzweiss, President
Unfinished Business of Railroad History, an interview wth Maury Klein, John Gruber
Early Railroading in Michigan
and Wisconsin, introduction by Charles Stats
North Idaho Members Meeting, May 25-29, 2016
Friends Campaign, Mid-South Chapter Historic Signs Project
Railroadiana: "The Survey Course," Seth Bramson
Membership Development, Ron Goldfeder
From the Dispatcher's Office, Alden H. Dreyer
Cover photo: R&LHS members tour East Broad Top, by John Gruber
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Summer 2015, Vol. 35, No. 2
My goals for this issue and future issues of the Quarterly are
to continue coverage of R&LHS, stressing its stature as the oldest
railroad history organization in North America, and to open a conversation
about the importance of railroad history in American life,
now and in the future. R&LHS has for 93 years promoted and educated
the public about railroad history through its journal, awards
program, archives, and other activities. Together with everyone else
associated with the organization, I want to encourage young and old
to embrace railroad history as an active, vibrant concept. --Message from the Editor, John Gruber
Altoona Shops were among the largest and best
known railroad repair facilities in the country. It was
created by the Pennsylvania Railroad for this specific
purpose on an empty site laid out in 1849. --John H. White Jr., in Introduction to Historic Images of Altoona
Altoona Rails, June 4-6, 2015
Fellowships Deadine: June 30
The Train Runs by Itself, Tommy Meehan
Membership Development, Ron Goldfeder
From the Dispatcher's Office, Alden H. Dreyer
Cover photo: Everett Railroad by Keith Burkey.
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Spring 2015, Vol. 35, No. 1
What kind of leader can focus so many talented, passionate and eager people? Leaders must have contagious enthusiasm with a broad a deep knowledge of the subject that commands the respect of their peers. They must also be unassuming and yet be recognized experts in their field. They must also be modest but also have a history of personal achievement. Finally, they must be leaders yet always share credit with others. Add to those traits the patience and perseverance required to complete a long-term project, for example the creation of a major museum and archival repository, and you have Denny Anspach, the subject of this issue of the Quarterly Newsletter and the recipient of the 2014 Gerald M. Best Senior Achievement Award. --President Robert Holzwiss
Treasurer's Report for 2014: Operating revenue ended the year significantly ahead of operating expenses. Notes and full financial statement are in the newsletter.
Parker Lamb receives ASME award for locomotive books
Fellowships Deadine: June 30
Altoona Rails, June 4-6, 2015
Membership Gifts and Development
From the Dispatcher's Office
Cover photo: Denny Anspach at awards ceremony.
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Winter 2014, Vol. 34, No. 4
It’s been exciting year for railroad history and preservation, the beginning of ever expanding recognitions of the importance of railroading in American life. Big locomotives seem to get the headlines, but much is happening across the country, including a railroad-themed attraction planned for Galesburg, Illinois, and photography exhibit in Chicago.--pages 8-9
Message from the President: Digital Initiatives
Altoona Rails, June 4-6, 2015
2014 Railroad History Awards
Membership Development
Moscow, Idaho, 2016 Annual Meeting
MTC (Mechanical Temperature Control)
Guess the Station (Akron)
From the Dispatcher's Office
Cover photo: Tom Gildersleeve, photography award winner.
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Fall 2014, Vol. 34, No. 3
More than 112 years ago, the railroad industry wrestled
with the same big problems they wrestle with today including the
need to rely on human judgment to operate safely. Today’s solution
is Positive Train Control.--page 10, courtesy of Richard Palmer.
Message from the President: Now Departing
Board Meeting Summary
Annual Membership Meeting Summary
Membership Promotion: Additional Tips
2015 Annual Meeting, Altoona, Pennsylvania
2014 Friends Campaign
Moscow, Idaho, 2016 Annual Meeting Premier
Honor Engines, Order of the Red Spot
Danbury Railway Museum
Cover photo: Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Libraies
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Summer 2014, Vol. 34, No. 2
ASDE? What’s that? Well, way back in the Jurassic age, it was
a great way to learn the railroad, especially locomotive and train
operations. For many years the Santa Fe had locomotive troubleshooters
who were supervisors and who rode some of the trains,
mainly ATSF’s great fleet of passenger trains--page 6 by Forrest Becht.
Message from the President: Dues Increase
Promoting the R&LHS: Membership Development
World's Greatest Story, Circus or Railroad?
Assistant Supervisor Diesel Engines, Santa Fe
Trading Post
Guess the Station, from Lou Marre's Collection
Back Issues Store
Cover photo: Sylvania Central #103, 1953. Photo by Gordon S. Crowell
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Spring 2014, Vol. 34, No. 1
Railroads have played an enormous role in American history, particularly in the saga of the settlement of the American West in the nineteenth century. Railroads have also played a major part in military operations and civilian supply activities during wartime. David Pfeiffer, page 6
R&LHS Accounts Financial Statement
Membership Development
From the Dispatcher's Office
Researching at the National Archives
Research Fellowships
Lou Marre's Favorite Photos
Back Issues Store
Cover photo: N&W’s Jawn Henry at Clare, Ohio, October 10, 1954. Lou Marre Collection
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Winter 2013, Vol. 33, No. 4
Visit the Nevada Northern Railway, an authentic early 20th century steam railroad and relive the days of the Great Railroad Race to Tonopah and Goldfield.
President's Message: R&LHS Financial Update
Executive Meeting Summary: Kansas City
Silver State Rails, June 5-8, Ely, Nevada
Amtraking to Ely, June 2014
Membership Development
2015 Friends Campaign
Trading Post
Back Issues Store
Cover photo: Nevada Northern 90 and 40 at Ely, Nevada
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Fall 2013, Vol. 33, No. 3
Katy Steam at Staley (Oklahoma) Tower by Jim Hurt, whose first assignment as a Katy extra board telegrapher was two weeks on first trick at Staley in June 1953. "I was instructed to report to Staley a few days early, to become familiar with the plant and the daily happenings there. The teaching staff at Staley was superb," he writes.
Editor's Thoughts
Harold Vollrath Receives Stindt Award
Equipment Corner
2014 Members Meeting June 5-8 at Ely, Nevada
Announcing Deadline of June 15 for 2014 Research Grants
Trading Post
Back Issues Store
Cover photo by MKT engineering department, courtesy of Ray George
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Late Summer 2013, Vol. 33, No. 2
President's Message by Robert Holzweiss begins: "The recent publication 'Still Controversial: The Pacific Railroad at 150" (RRH #208, Spring-Summer 2013) generated more than the usual feedback from our membership. Most responses applauded the publiation of the transcript and expressed appreciation for the gathering of four eminent scholars … "
Southern California Capter Concludes Agreement with Union Pacific
Madison Meeting of the R&LHS
2014 Members Meeting at Ely, Nevada
Hiner and Brouws Receive 2013 Research Grants
Trading Post
Back Issues Store
Cover photo of weary Penn Central E8 4274 by Ken Fitzgerald
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Spring 2013, Vol. 33, No. 1
Members Meeting: Madison, location of the R&LHS 2013 meetings for members, is proud of its history including preservation of its two major railroad stations.
Editor's Thoughts
Badger Rails Information
2012 Financial Report
Announcing 2013 Research Grants
From the Membership Desk
Trading Post
Back Issues Store
Cover photo of Milwaukee Road evening passenger train in 1964 by John Gruber
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