Official Naugatuck Railroad thread (NAUG/RMNE)

[superwarp1]

When the shop is up and running will there be shop tours allowed? This is one thing I would like to see added at VRR. I think it's a great plus at steamtown and Strasburg.

[H.F.Malone]

Well, let's get the facility in service first, eh? It is not adjacent to the Thomaston station, and there are no plans or facilities for stopping the passenger train at the Shop, so any visitors would have to arrive by car. There are likely a number of insurance issues to deal with, too.

As a part of future Railfan Days/Railfan Weekends, the shop may be open for limited tours. We'll see what happens. But the building is not designed with a "viewing gallery" or anything similar, like at Scranton.

[Otto Vondrak]

Mr. Malone- I think it's great that TSB is stepping up with grants to help restore the Thomaston station. Is it a lack of dontations that is halting work on the interior?

[H.F.Malone]

Restoration of Thomaston station, both interior and exterior, is a major project (that means lots of bucks). A plan and budget are gradually being developed, so that funding may be sought. The Comfort Coach building (restroom facilities built in 2003) was a major step forward, in that the restored station will not be taken up by a ten-fixture restroom.

[Otto Vondrak]

A friend of mine was asking if the FL9's in the NAUG are operational? Are they owned by RMNE, or are they on loan from CDOT? Also, someone else wanted to know if RMNE was going to have a Railfan's Weekend anytime soon?

[superwarp1]

Also, someone else wanted to know if RMNE was going to have a Railfan's Weekend anytime soon?

Good question.

How's was attendance this year? Or should I say ridership. Up, down, the same.

[omar]

Want steam on the Naugy? How about B&M 3713 when it is restored in a few years(maybe). I don't see it getting used much at Steamtown. A trip north to run on New England rails would be a big draw.

Well! That would be nice, but the Naugy didn't have such large engines north of Waterbury. (South - damn, let me on the throttle or at least on the stoker!). The line is just not proper for the axle loading - not to say it would be nice.

However - there are a number of adequate steam locomotives available - 2 in the RMNE's collection (yes, the 103 would work for light duty - check the specs) and there are a number of other "orphans" available.

"All's you gotta do" is pay your dues - $200K and up depending on the size of your dream & how long you want to subsidize steam untill the General Public (remember them?) wants to also support the endeavour.

Omar is not negative, only realistic. Besides, Omar does dream of these things - sitting on the throne, in bed, running #529 (whoops!).

But! The thing is having people share the dream & goals of the Naugy & RMNE. Only 1 day a month is needed! More is good too. The core of the Naugy is eager to teach everyone who is willing to put up with finding the place everything we know to perpetuate the railroad. None of us has any "real" railroad background! We are self taught - with significant areas of instruction from professionals - and maintain our equipment and outlook to the highest standards.
We are always learning and are open to ideas. That is one of the greatest assets of the organization.

Also, to be told, we go to great pains to eliminate any cliques. This is not high school. Everybody is valued and if willing to work wherever, there is great satisfaction involved.

OK, if you are not looking for great satisfaction, maybe passing the NORAC Rules Class will demonstrate that the rarerified domain of railroaders is accessible to youse-all.

In any case - think of this:
How about a nice small steam locomotive, pukeing its guts out with about a 12 car freight train of single&double sheathed box cars going up Thomaston Dam (on its knees) with the throttle in your chin & the Johnson Bar horsed over to the front of the cab. All you have left is the skill of the fireman on your left to provide enough steam to get to the top of the grade - that's because the Yardmaster (who will remain nameless) decided that's how the 20xx Railfan Day on the Naugy will proceed!

[H.F.Malone]

A friend of mine was asking if the FL9's in the NAUG are operational? Are they owned by RMNE, or are they on loan from CDOT? Also, someone else wanted to know if RMNE was going to have a Railfan's Weekend anytime soon?

FL9s--- They are on long-term lease from CDOT. 2002 has an internal water leak of unknown origin, and needs batteries. 2019 needs a 92-day inspection and some minor brake valve work. One is kind of useless without the other. And, running two of them means two sets of inspections to do, two sets of brake components to maintain on a quarterly, annual and 3-year basis. Don't forget $3 per gallon diesel fuel times two units. They were "running" when they arrived, but both were kind of clapped-out and in need of serious TLC (including paint). They will be back in service at some point (especially once the shop is useable), but getting a few more road-switchers running is our main priority. The NAUG is a road-switcher railroad as far as operation goes-- but a pair of Fs look really sweet!!!

Railfan's Day/Weekend--- They will resume at some future time-- not 2007--- perhaps taking place on a Saturday in late May in a particular year, just before Memorial Day weekend. Previous RF Days were the second Sunday in Sept. As equipment moves over from Saybrook, the possibilities for a nice long photo freight become a reality. A few more restorations (NH NE-6 caboose, some B&M diesel locomotives, etc) will need to be completed so that there will be new stuff to roll out. Some new photo locations are possible, too. And, continuing Railfan events will be based in some part on the response to the next one. We had about 45 or so paid participants at the last Railfan Day in 2003-- not really a large number.

[H.F.Malone]

Also, someone else wanted to know if RMNE was going to have a Railfan's Weekend anytime soon?

Good question.

How's was attendance this year? Or should I say ridership. Up, down, the same.

Visitor count is up for this year, so far. Many groups and inquries for the fall season, too.

[shadyjay]

[quote="H.F.MaloneFL9s--- They are on long-term lease from CDOT. 2002 has an internal water leak of unknown origin, and needs batteries. 2019 needs a 92-day inspection and some minor brake valve work. One is kind of useless without the other.[/quote]


Are the other two CDOT Fs, #6690-6691 also still on the NAUG property? Out of curiosity, are they in running condition, or am I guessing correctly that they haven't turned a wheel in several years.

Also, was SW-1 #1109 (B&M) ever restored operationally, or just cosmetically? Safe to assume her and her sister #28 are still down in OSB?

Thx

-Jay

[omar]

CDOT Fs #6690-6691 are not operational at this time. They have some minor ills & obviously the batteries are kaput. They never ran on the property.

B&M #1109 was started up in 1992. The prime mover ran, but as the block heated up, the oil pressure started dropping to the point where the low pressure sensor would not let the prime mover run past idle - somewhere about 5psi.

There are at least 2 reasons for low oil pressure - bad/worn oil pump or worn (out of spec) bearings allowing for greater clearance & hence lowering the pressure.

Either way, more investigation is needed.

Also, before shutdown, the reverser was engaged & throttle opened - and - nothing! It didn't load electrically. Not suprising since it didn't run for over 6 years or so & any number of gremlins could have sneaked in.

But the point is moot since the oil problem is 1st priority in the grand scheme of things.

Another point - since the locomotive has the original EMC switcher trucks, not Blombergs, running that sucker for other than occasional purposes would result in undue stress on the track structure on both the VRR & Naugy. It is truly a museum piece, untouched from 1939.

[H.F.Malone]

RE: the F7s-- they had some parts removed before they arrived; also, one has a "internal engine water leak of unknown origin", and the other has a "bad lube oil cooler", both of these according to CDOT mechanical supervisors. They last ran in 1999 (6691) and early 2000 (6690). They came with no batteries or lube oil.

The B&M 1109 had leaking cylinder liner seals, resulting in water in the lube oil. "Making a milkshake" is what it's called, as that is what the lube oil looks like after the water/oil mix is emulsified by the lube oil pump. The first liner to leak was pulled and the seals and piston rings replaced. The old seals had the structural integrity of a rubber band left on a car dashboard for 2 years. The engine was cleaned internally, the oil was changed, the liner was reinstalled, and another one promptly leaked. At that point, it was realized that the other 5 liners would have to come out and be resealed. Then there is the low oil pressure situation, and the ride quality of the switcher trucks. Once 1109 moves to NAUG, it will eventually get some work done to enable it to operate for special days. It will not serve as a regular excursion train locomotive. Initially, it will be displayed at Thomaston station.

[superwarp1]

I'll be down Sat with my kids to ride the Naugy. Anyone here going to be there on Sat?

[H.F.Malone]

HFM should be lurking around the railroad someplace. Rumor has it that ZOG may be up in the north woods on the Northern Division engineer's assignment on Saturday. Omar could even show up, although his camel has been sent to warmer climes for the season. CVRA7 is usually around on Saturdays, too.

What train will you be on? 12 noon or 2 PM? Inquiring minds want to know... And you might even get a tour of the shop facility. Send a PM with some contact info, please.

[superwarp1]

PM sent,

What is the most likely motive power this weekend?