March 2020 CSME Newsleer Volume: 21 Edion: 3 Editor:Allison Maox-King hp://www.csme-eprr.info PRESIDENT”S MESSAGE: We at the Eagle Point Railroad and the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers were very shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden and unexpected passing of Marti New- lon and our hearts go out to her husband Ron and family. Below is an excerptfrom her obitu- ary: Martha Lodge Newlon (Marti), at the age of 69, passed-away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 just before noon in the emergency room at Huntsville General Hospital. She was engaged in her regular routine of aerobic exercise in the pool at the Huntsville Well- ness Center when she suffered a cramp in her tongue followed by paralysis of her hands. She was sent by ambulance to the emergency room at Huntsville General Hospital. Exten- sive tests were taken but a Pulmonary Embo- lism, caused most likely by a blood clot that broke loose, was determined as the cause of death. This magnificent woman was born on August 8th, 1950 in Rochester, New York. She grew up as a Tom-Boy interested in climbing trees, playing Tarzan, running electric trains, swimming in high school meets and skiing the slopes in Aspen, Colorado. She attended Washington State University as an archaeol- ogy major where she met her future husband Ronald Oliver Newlon. They were married on August 30, 1969 and took up residence in Los Angeles, California where Ron worked for Hughes Aircraft Company and she took nurs- ing courses at LA City College. Marti became a full-time mother for Kenneth Edward Newlon and Janice Ann Newlon. Marti is the oldest of five children of Dr. James P. Lodge and Nancy Lodge that include Judith, Susan, Eric, and Betsy. She was very proud of seven grand chil- dren. Three of her favorite hobbies included cowboy action shooting, scuba diving and run- ning one-eighth scale steam locomotives. Ron and Marti were inseparable as each other’s best friend. She was a North Alabama Master Gardener who enjoyed working with disabled adults helping them cope with their illness by focusing their effort on growing plants. She will be remembered as a fabulous wife, marvel- ous mother and a person with a warm disposi- tion. Marti’s was afamiliar face at the Eagle Point Railroad, and she was equally at home preparing her delicious food in the depot kitchen, speaking up at club meetings, running a locomotive, or spreading ballast out on the track. She will be greatly missed. I have been working with Ron and Ms. Jean Lake of the Horticultural Society in Ala- bama to prepare a memorial for Marti that will be placed in the gardens where she worked with the disabled adults. Ms. Lake told me that Marti has worked with our Horticulture Therapy group for many years. The disabled clients really loved her. They would talk to her, follow her around, feel her hair and she was so gentle and kind with them.” The memorial will consist of a railroad “crossbuck” sign mounted on a steel rail post with a memorial. ~ Dan Watson
The Radio Dispatching Trial meet, from March 26th through the 29th, needs your submission of a completed RSVP form. No one will be turned away without having sent one, but a completed form is still needed. Additionally, completed RSVP forms received by March 20th with be entered into a draw-ing.
The RSVP is needed for planning. For example, some folks have indicated that they’d like to bring equipment. That’s great! There’s a spot for that on the RSVP form. If you’re bringing cars for folks to set-out and pick-up, then it would be a huge help to know in advance the car types and their reporting marks. That way, I can get the waybill paperwork done sooner. I imagine a good bit of chaos the day before as folks arrive, unload, and begin to set up. If I have simultaneously a fellow needing help to unload and another with cars to bill, I’m going to help the fellow unload--especially if he has sent in a completed RSVP form. Sending in a completed RSVP form will speed up the administration, set-up, and logistics so that we can all get to running trains with less delay.
While I don’t expect we’ll fill up all the RV-camper spots, I’d hate to have to tell someone who has just driven in from out-of-state that “no, I’m sorry, all the spots are taken.” If I can see that the spots have filled up, via incoming RSVP forms, I can send an E-mail to tell folks it is no longer an option. Anoth-er example in this category is the meal at the Cagle Mountain Trading Post. We cannot show up with sixteen people to eat there without advanced warn-ing. (Folks at the Cagle Mountain Trading Post have confirmed this number with me.) So far, everyone who has sent in an RSVP has said he will join us for this meal. There is also a spot on the form for the waiver, either “enclosed” or “already-on-file”. The RSVP form organizes all of these details in one place.
All completed RSVP forms received by March 20th will be eligible for a drawing. The winner will have his Friday-night meal at the Cagle Mountain Trading
Post paid for (by me, Jeff), up to twenty five dollars. The drawing will occur at the restaurant on Friday night (the 27th, after folks have ordered).
Editor’s Note:
Please find the Radio Dipatching Meet RSVP and the CSME/EPRR Waiver forms at the end of this newsletter. Feel free to make copies as needed. If you have recently paid your membership dues, please make sure you have a completed membership form on file with CSME. Thank you,Allison Mattox-KingCSME Membership CoordinatorEagle Dispatch Newsletter Editor
Please visit www.csme-eprr.com for all current calendar and schedule updates. We are also looking for any current photos taken at any of the past events, and/or work days to update our photo gallery. Please send them to [email protected] and we will get them posted on the webpage shortly.
Upcoming Events:
March 7 - Business Meeting/Work DayMarch 26 - 29 Radio Dipatch Trial MeetApril 4th - Business Meeting/Work Day
April 17-19 Spring Card OrderApril 24-26 Spring Meet
USE YOUR CAMERA AT THE RADIO DISPATCHING TRIAL MEET!
We’re looking for photographs taken at the Radio Dispatching Trial meet, from March 26th through the 29th, to illustrate an article or two. Well-composed shots of at least 10 megapixels
are most welcome. If a photo of yours is used in an article, you will get credit for it in the article.
In a story posted February 11, 2020 on ihoneida.com the Oneida Independent Herald reported that the branch line from Oneida, TN to Devonia (An-derson County), TN was slated to be abandoned by R.J. Corman (a major short line holding/operating company). I have been wanting to track down an Alco RS-3 and 2 coaches that were practically aban-doned, running in place, before they disappeared. It also happened that my stepdad, Charlie Patton, worked as a forester in that same area in the 80’s and remembered some of the geography and sights to see. We mounted up on February 17 to find the lost train of Fork Mountain, TN.
The trip would take us through remote and extreme-ly rural parts of Tennessee that I had never explored. Knowing this, we stopped for lunch at literally the last place to eat for 40 (curvy, windy, twisty, gravel) miles at the Brushy Mountain Market. The food at this eclectic small town gas station/grocery/
restaurant was good and reasonably priced.
After 15 minutes and about a dozen 10 mph switchbacks, we hap-pened upon one of our two main objectives for photography: A former Reading Railroad (painted in Southern Green) ALCO RS-3 and coaches. The bodies of all 3 pieces of equipment were in remark-ably good shape, considering they had been left to the elements for 12 years. Vandals have stripped almost every ounce of copper wiring though, mak-ing the locomotive’s value plummet significantly.
After almost another hour of driving, our second goal was realized: finding the old water tank used during the days of steam. With Charlie’s recollec-tions from his time in the area during the 80’s, we drove right upon it. The water tank was found to be
in remarkably good shape as well, having only one sign of ‘artwork’ (graffiti). All beams and posts ap-peared to still be solid as well. The old adage comes to mind… “They just don’t build them like they used to.” Also at this location, were the geographical tale-tales that a wye once stood here also. Charlie did remember the wye being in place in the 80’s (see photo’s).
For several more hours we continued along the New River photograph-ing a few more bridges. We ran out of daylight, so were unable to see the last 10-20 miles or so, but still had a great day in Northern TN.
For the full Oneida Inde-pendent Herald article, click here: http://www.ihoneida.com/2020/02/11/railroad-company-to-file-for-abandon-ment-of-former-tennessee-railroad-line/
Yummy BBQ sandwich and de-licious, homemade Onion Rings
at Brushy Mountain Market. February 2020.
Above: Original wood water tower (top left of photo) showing mainline/base leg of a wye. Bridge shown be-low the tower crosses the Beech Fork River confluence with the New River.
Above: Charlie Patton’s photo of the same locale. Taken sometime during the early 1980’s. Note the North wye
leg still in place at the right of the photo.
Closer shot of same water tower.
Note the lack of graffiti.
Early 1980’s. Same water tower and bridge crossing the Beech Fork River.
Plate Girder Bridge crossing Nick’s Creek near a cabin homestead, somewhere
west of Norma, TN.
The only bridge of this type along the line that was found, quite liter-
5 years ago: Eagle Point Yard PowerInDecember2014,themuchneededpowertowerwithadditionalfloodlightswascom-pleted.ThisbarspansalleightoftheEaglePointyardtracks. 1o years ago: Roundhouse Blowing Off SteamWorkoninstallingtheventingsystem,whichallowsforsteamingupinsideoftheroundhouse,wascompletedinearlyFebruary,makingthestructurefullyfunctionalforthosestoringsteamers.
15 yrs ago: Car-Barn Gets A LiftArainyTuesdayfinallybroughtahalttotracklayingsoLarryandRickturnedtheirattentiontothecar-barn,buildingthefirstofthreeupperlevelstoragetracksthatmorning.RentalspacewasmaxedoutinJanuaryandtheadditionalspacewasneeded.
20 yrs ago: Eagle Point RR Getting CloseInearlyFebruary,theshopfloorslabwasalmostreadyforpouring.
2020 Spring Card Order InvitationNick Porter
It’s that time of year again! Time to get out and play! While we pray for dry weather for the weekend, I invite you to come out and Card Order April 17-19. Remember to bring your FRS (Family Radio Service) portable radios, and a flashlight if you dare to run card order at night!
What is Card Order? Simply put its operating the railroad with a purpose, not just chasing a caboose. It’s a systematic operation of moving freight cars to one of the 60+ industries on the railroad. There are also scheduled pas-senger trains with track authority (NEW/updated schedules!), MofW trains, and through freights. No matter what your taste for railroading is, we have a position for you! Engineer, Conductor, Brakeman, yard engineer, passenger conductor, etc.
Don’t own your own locomotive? No problem! We can pair you with an engineer who needs a crew!
Lunch will be on your own, however for dinner we will have a hot dog and s’mores cookout Saturday, April 18th at the Cumberland fire-pit. Bring your drinks and chairs! Donations will be accepted for the railroad’s operating fund.
Have you ever tried running Card Order after dark? We usually have a few crews try their hand at it after the cookout!
The weekend is always fun and enjoyable. Come out and enjoy a great railroad. Please RSVP to me at [email protected] if you plan on attending! See you at the railroad.
WAIVER This form must be completed, signed and returned prior to riding on any train.
Participants under the age of 18 years must have the signed approval of a parent or legal guardian to ride a train.
Be it known that the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers, Inc., its members and guests, including any Operators and Owners of trains at the Eagle Point Railroad, in conjunction with the property owners of the Eagle Point Railroad are engaged in the non-professional pursuit of the hobby of large scale model railroading, and as amateurs have built and maintain the equipment upon which you are about to ride. This equipment has not been inspected nor certified as safe by any governmental or official agency, nor is it represented to be safe by the Owners/Operators, Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers, Inc., nor the property owners of the Eagle Point Railroad. Ride at your own risk.
RELEASE, WAIVER AND INDEMNIFICATION
The undersigned participant and his/her parent or legal guardian (if under the age of 18 years), with full knowledge of the above, does hereby execute this RELEASE, WAIVER AND INDEMNIFICATION for him/her self and his/her heirs, successors, representatives and assigns, and hereby agrees and represents as follows: To release the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers, Inc. its members, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, other organizations affiliated with, Owners/Operators of trains operated at the Eagle Point Railroad, and the property owners of the Eagle Point Railroad from any and all liability, loss, damage, costs, claims and/or causes of action, including but not limited to all bodily injuries and property damage arising out of participation with and/or riding on trains. The undersigned further agrees to indemnify the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers, Inc., its employees, members, agents, representatives, volunteers and other organizations affiliated with the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers, Inc., as well as Owners/Operators of trains, and the property owners of the Eagle Point Railroad and hold them harmless for any liability, loss, damage, cost, claim, judgment or settlement which may be brought or entered against them as a result of the undersigned's participation in said program. This indemnification shall include attorney's fees incurred in defending against any claim or judgment and incurred in negotiating any settlement. It is understood and agreed that the undersigned shall have the opportunity to consent to any such settlement, provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. I/WE CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE AND RIDE THE TRAIN AT MY/OUR OWN RISK. Full Name (please print): -------------------------------------------- Date: --------------------------- Signature of Participant: ------------------------------------------------------------- Signature of Parent/Guardian:----------------------------------------------- Date: ---------
(Required only if the participant is under the age of 18 years.)
Full Name (please print): -------------------------------------------- Date: --------------------------- Signature of Participant: ------------------------------------------------------------- Signature of Parent/Guardian:----------------------------------------------- Date: --------- (Required only if the participant is under the age of 18 years.)
Full Name (please print): -------------------------------------------- Date: --------------------------- Signature of Participant: ------------------------------------------------------------- Signature of Parent/Guardian:----------------------------------------------- Date: --------- (Required only if the participant is under the age of 18 years.)
Full Name (please print): -------------------------------------------- Date: --------------------------- Signature of Participant: ------------------------------------------------------------- Signature of Parent/Guardian:----------------------------------------------- Date: --------- (Required only if the participant is under the age of 18 years.)
RRSSVVPP
March 26 through March 29th, 2020.
Eagle Point Railroad Radio Dispatching
______ Yes, I will attend. Arrival Date: ______________________________ am pm (circle one)
Departure Date: ______________________________ am pm ( circle one)
______ Yes, I will be the Cowan Communications Operator (for one day).
______ Yes, I'd like to be the Dispatcher (for one day).
______ Yes, I will run regular trains. (circle one or both): 1st Class 2nd Class
