Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (BSRM) Thread

[DutchRailnut]

Collin Peace will anounce that FRA can no longer use HRRC rails for their travel

[Otto Vondrak]

I am extremely pleased to report this evening that the Housatonic Railroad was once again NOT awarded a TIGER IV Grant by USDOT.

http://www.dot.gov/tiger/fy2012tiger.pdf

It's a step in the right directions... Let's see, Massachusetts turned them down, Connecticut turned them down, the Fed turned them down... Now where will they take their dog and pony show?

[JRG]

We are proud to announce that the BSRM is the recipient of a Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Partnership Grant for the restoration of seats in Coach 4301. Our Pullman Company built passenger cars were fitted with whicker seats. This material is rarely used today in restorations due to high cost and intensive labor. WIth help from this grant, BSRM is able to restore 4301's seats to their original condition.

BSRM would like to thank DCR, State Rep. Wm. "Smitty" Pignatelli and State Sen. Ben Downing for their support on this project.

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/2012/6-19PRb.pdf

[steamer69]

CONGRATS!!!!!


Now this is AWSOME!!!!! HHRC gets the big old bird, and BSRM gets a grant. Shows you how everyone feels about them. Glad to see that things are moving along the way they should be.

[CannaScrews]

Just a quick question -

Is whicker the same as rattan? You know, the type that were seats on the IRT lo-v's?

[jwhite07]

Wicker can be made from rattan, but other materials are common, too, including cane, willow, bamboo... and of course nowadays plastic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicker

[shadyjay]

We are proud to announce that the BSRM is the recipient of a Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Partnership Grant for the restoration of seats in Coach 4301. Our Pullman Company built passenger cars were fitted with whicker seats. This material is rarely used today in restorations due to high cost and intensive labor. WIth help from this grant, BSRM is able to restore 4301's seats to their original condition.

BSRM would like to thank DCR, State Rep. Wm. "Smitty" Pignatelli and State Sen. Ben Downing for their support on this project.

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/2012/6-19PRb.pdf

4301's seats were looking pretty "haggard" back in '93 when it was on the Valley RR (leased from 1991-early 94). IIRC, 3224, which we didn't use that much, had really nice seats. 3204 we used as a dining car between 1992-1993. Great to hear the seats are being restored, though, and hopefully there'll be a place to run your trains with those cars in the not-to-distant future.

[Otto Vondrak]

"Meet the newest addition to the BSRM collection: New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad #3884, a Class 3800-3946 wooden baggage car. NH 3884 was built by the NH's New Haven, CT shops in May 1896 as horse car #1553. Cars of its class were used to transport wealthy Gilded Age visitors’ horses to Lenox Station for vacations at their “cottages” and it is possible this very car operated on the Berkshire Line. It was rebuilt at NH's Readville, MA shops in March 1929 for standard baggage service with a steel under-frame, but retained the original composite trucks. Removed from regular service in 1958, it served its final years on the New Haven as Maintenance of Way W-298. It is one of the oldest surviving pieces of New Haven Railroad Passenger equipment. Length: 64 feet, 2 inches. NH 3884 was generously donated to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum by The Railroad Museum of New England, July 2012. A grant from the Amherst Railway Society helped fund the transport of NH 3884 to Lenox."

[Otto Vondrak]

BSRM 67 has received new paint and lettering, thanks to volunteers! The colors and lettering style is similar to the New Haven, but this locomotive doesn't represent any locomotive the New Haven operated... Just a nod to history and a tribute to the former New Haven tracks that run past Lenox depot!

http://www.berkshirescenicrailroad.org/ ... bsrm67.php

[JRG]

In addition to all the work we've been doing around the yard this summer, BSRM is featured in an episode of Tracks Ahead, airing across the country on PBS stations and internationally on affiliate stations. Check your local listings for air times. BSRM is featured in episode #803. http://www.mptv.org/localshows/tracks_ahead/

BSRM is taking full advantage of the train ride "hiatus" this season and accomplishing many projects.

[JRG]

BERKSHIRE SCENIC RAILWAY MUSEUM LEASES HISTORIC STOCKBRIDGE RAILROAD STATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 4, 2013

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum is proud to announce that it is taking formal control of the historic Stockbridge Railroad Station through a lease agreement with the property’s current owner, the High Meadow Foundation. The non-profit railroad museum will now be responsible for the 5 acres of property. “We are humbled that the Fitzpatrick family and High Meadow Foundation is entrusting this important piece of Stockbridge history to the Berkshire Scenic. We will cherish it,” stated Rick Selva, President of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum.

For nine seasons from Memorial Day to the end of October, the historic Stockbridge Railroad Station was alive again as the southern terminus of BSRM’s popular scenic train rides and for three seasons it was known as the “North Pole” for BSRM’s sold out Polar Express Trains where hot chocolate, cookies and Santa Claus could be found. Even though BSRM cannot bring its trains to Stockbridge, it intends to install historic, educational exhibits and continue to use the property for occasional special events. BSRM also plans to market the beautiful building and grounds for weddings, business functions and other gatherings. “Our goal is to bring our tourist trains back here because Senator Fitzpatrick enjoyed seeing a Berkshire Scenic train and our passengers at the station,” commented Jay R. Green, Government Affairs Director for the BSRM, referencing State Senator Jack Fitzpatrick’s long standing tradition to often meet Berkshire Scenic trains as they arrived at the station. It was through the efforts of Senator Fitzpatrick that Berkshire Scenic resumed train rides in 2003 after being sidetracked in 1989 due to poor track condition.

The historic Stockbridge Railroad Station was built in 1893, replacing the original wooden structure, with funds partially furnished by the Laurel Hill Association, the nation’s first village improvement society. The association played an important role in the development of Stockbridge and helped create the town’s reputation as an attractive community. The association’s work to beautify the town encouraged the growth of tourism, including attracting wealthy cottagers who summered in Stockbridge and they received a handsome train station to greet them upon their arrival. Built with beautiful blue dolomite stone, it was designed by Architect Frank Waller in the English Gothic Revival style and used by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad until 1963. Over the years, it was used for several commercial ventures including the “Chemin de Fer” nightclub and was almost destroyed by a kitchen fire on July 22, 1965. It was purchased by Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick’s High Meadow Foundation in 1997 and subsequently restored as a railroad station.

[JRG]

Link to coverage by the Berkshire Eagle on the acquisition of Stockbridge Station by BSRM:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_223442 ... ge-station

Link to coverage by iberkshires:

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/42954/ ... ation.html

[Otto Vondrak]

More good news for BSRM:

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Passenger rail may still be years away, but short line scenic rail could be making a return — and soon. The city has been working with several partners, including the town of Adams, the state Department of Transportation and Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum to develop tourist rail in the North County. A press conference announcing the partnership and its goals is set for Friday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m. at City Hall.

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/43031/ ... rship.html

BSRM EXPANDING TO NORTHERN BERKSHIRE COUNTY: Just a week after the non-profit organization announced it had acquired the historic Stockbridge Station, the City of North Adams and Town of Adams have now announced that they are entering into a partnership with BSRM and MassDOT to bring BSRM's tourist trains to the communities. A press conference is scheduled for Friday, January 18th at 1PM at North Adams City Hall, 10 Main Street where more details will be announced.

https://www.facebook.com/berkshirescenicrailway

-otto-
BSRM Volunteer

[jaymac]

Can't wait for the HRRC reaction...

[Red Wing]

That is nice to here. It is unfortunate though that the rail is gone through Cheshire. I think going across the reservoir would have had some great scenery. Oh well, this is still great news! Also isn't this line owned by Pan AM?