The Crusader “Preserving the Past for the Future”

December 2011

The Crusader RCT&HS 1

Car 2060 Arrives in

Hamburg

On Saturday December 3, our Grill-Coach #2060,

a.k.a. the former Fountain diner, was unloaded and placed on

wood cribbing at our Hamburg museum. The unloading work

was arranged for and supervised by Frank Yanosky of Kreitz

Construction Services, and carried out by 3 other men from

Kreitz Construction, plus 6 apprentices from the Iron Workers

Union, Reading Local #420, all of whom donated their time

and equipment usage. RCT&HS owes these men and Kreitz

Construction Services a great deal of gratitude and thanks for

their hard work. Also we thank Rick Bates, Don Crabtree,

Randy Mengel, and Paul Troutman for helping out that day.

This completes the move of the 2060 to our museum, a project

that began about 9 years ago. Tim Weidner and the MP&RE

Committee have already begun an initial clean-up of the

carbody and assessment of the restoration work required.

Someday it should look just like it did when it was part of the

“Schuylkill” and “Crusader” passenger trains. Your continued

donations in support of this project will be greatly appreciated.

-Article and photo by Rick Bates

Members Represent RCT&HS

in Southampton, PA

Saturday, December 10, 2011, marked the 2nd Annual

Southampton Railroad Station Society Holiday Railfest held at

the Northampton and Southampton Reformed Church in

Churchville, PA. Proceeds will benefit the restoration and

revitalization of the Station. The Reading Company Technical

and Historical Society was represented by Greg and Barb

Goodridge, and Charlie and Karen Confer. The Society’s table

Car 1189 Fund Continues

To Grow

Recently the ballasting of the north end of our yard

was completed, so we now have space for car 1189. However,

we need to raise approximately $16,000 to move the car from

Strasburg to Hamburg. So far the donations have totaled about

$7,200. Four members have joined the "1189 Club" by

donating $1,189. Please help bring this unique car to our

museum by joining the "1189 Club" or by donating whatever

you can. Mark "car 1189" on your checks and send to the

Society address, PO Box 15143, Reading, PA 19612-5143.

Thanks for your continuing support of the Society's

preservation projects.

included the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum display, some

sales items, and an “N” gauge train layout owned and operated

by the Confers.

Built in 1892 by the Reading Railroad, the historic

wooden Southampton Station is one of three remaining

passenger stations on the Newtown Branch. The SRRSS’ goal

is to restore the station’s appearance to then be used as a

museum “highlighting the significance of the Newtown Branch

and focal point for community events in Upper Southampton.”

Currently, the station hosted a summer “Village Market” with

hand-crafted goods and locally grown produce and now awaits

the restoration of electricity to the station and premises.

The Railfest featured exhibits and displays by local

and various railroad related groups and historical societies, an

opportunity to meet Miss Phoebe Snow, and a replica of the

Bryn Athyn Train Wreck which was recently commemorated

its 90th anniversary. Also included were vendors selling

books, model trains, and artwork featuring local Bucks County

subjects.

Below: Charlie Confer operates his layout for visitors

- Article and Photo by Karen Confer

The Crusader RCT&HS 2

DECEMBER 20th GENERAL MEETING President Duane Engle called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

there were 5 officers and 30 members in attendance. A motion

to accept the November 2011 minutes as printed was made by

Larry Mundell and seconded by Carol Adams. The motion

passed.

EXECUTIVE BOARD Duane Engle 610-929-5661 rcths.dengle@juno.com The December meeting of the BOD was held at 7PM

on December 6th at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in

Hamburg, PA. Topics of discussion and motions carried are as

follows:

Financial – Fees associated with car 15 and a proposed

2012 budget were reviewed. A motion was passed to pay

$3200 to Kreitz Construction Services for the transport of

car 2060 from Good Springs to Hamburg. A motion to

spend up to $1800 to replace a garage door adjacent to the

archives room in order to increase security and cut down

on heating expenses.

Museum – The board discussed security plans for the

museum site.

RCT&HS Policies and Mission Statement - The board

reviewed proposed policies as follows: Code of Ethics,

Code of Ethics for the Board of Directors, Conflict

of Interest, Antidiscrimination, Antiharassment,

Whistleblower, Supervision of Children, Youth, or

Vulnerable Adults, and Records Retention.

Adoption of these policies is planned for the next

board meeting. Our current mission statement was

reviewed.

Scrap Money Legal Dispute – The board passed a motion

to pursuit legal action against Bill Williams for money and

supporting paperwork we feel he owes us from scrap metal

removed under contract from the museum site.

Other – Lifetime membership proposal, Schuylkill Haven

property, restoration of caboose 94074, and the 1189

project.

The next general meeting of the Executive Board will

be held at 7PM at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in

Hamburg, PA on January 3, 2012. BUDGET & FINANCE

John Brown 717-426-2238 JWBROWN929@AOL.COM

Thank you to everyone who has financially supported

the Society the past year. Your support is greatly appreciated

and has enabled the continuing growth of our museum.

TREASURER’S REPORT Jim Adams 610-777-3764 adamsjimca@comcast.net

A motion to refer the Treasurer’s Report to the

Finance Committee for audit and vote was made by John

Green eand seconded by Larry Mundell. The motion Passed.

The Crusader RCT&HS 3

SALES Duane Engle 610-929-5661 rcths.dengle@juno.com (for mail order questions contact Dave Heffner at 717-290-1493 daverj1@verizon.net) We were at the PA Christmas Show and did approx.

$3500 in sales. The following helped with this show: Gary

and Linda Saggio, Greg and Barb Goodridge, Ken Riegel, Lee

Schultz and Duane Engle. We also had a small sales table and

display at South Hampton, Greg and Barb Goodridge and

Charlie and Karen Confer staffed this show. I want to thank

everyone who has helped with sales in the gift shop at the

Museum this month also.

We do not have any shows scheduled for January

however there are 3 show scheduled for February. Next show

is the train meet at Timonium MD with the modular Feb. 4 &

5 then a Greenberg Show at the Reading Expo Center with the

modular Feb. 18 & 19 and finally the Spring Thaw Train Meet

at Allentown sales only Feb. 25 & 26.

FUND RAISING COMMITTEE Jonathan Barket 570-366-1533 jono1920@aol.com No report.

MEMBERSHIP

Melanie Zimmerman 717-445-6301 rcths.membership@juno.com As of December 20 we have 16 new members and 279

renewals for a total of 295 members for 2012. The break-

down of members is 203 Individual, 27 Family, 39

Contributing, 20 Sustaining, 5 Corporate and 1 Student. Last

year we had 84 members at this time because the October

Crusader went out late.

The total membership for 2011 is currently 977, with

30 less members than 2010. The breakdown is 715

Individual, 97 Family, 114 Contributing, 54 Sustaining, 10

Student, and 17 Corporate members.

Thank you to all who include donations with their

membership renewals. Your generosity is appreciated.

Membership dues are $35.00 for Individual ($45.00

outside the U.S.), $43.00 for Family ($53.00 for outside the

U.S.), $55.00 for Contributing, $100.00 for Sustaining,

$15.00 for Student and $150.00 for Corporate. Remit your

dues to: RCT&HS Membership Committee, PO Box 15143,

Reading, PA 19612-5143.

LONG RANGE PLANNING TASK FORCE Carol Adams 610-777-3764 adamsjimca@comcast.net The grant application to NEH for federal funding of

archive storage supplies was denied. A new application for

artifact storage supplies was prepared and submitted to NEH.

The Heritage Towns and Trails project of the Schuylkill River

Heritage Area is moving ahead. Directional signs for the

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum and other Hamburg sites

will be placed in spring. SITE DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE Tom Brown (717) 279 - 6783 mjtsbrown@comcast.net The Site Development Task Force held a kick-off

meeting on December 10, 2011. Our next meeting will be held

on January 21, 2012.

MUSEUM OPERATIONS

Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 dwwrdg@verizon.net We decided to call the museum parties on the 10th

and 17th of December “Arctic Express Parties” as copyright

concerns were expressed about using the name Polar Express.

Paul Troutman asked that we create a concise mission

statement for the RCT&HS/RRHM. This is our

recommendation to the RCT&HS Board of Directors: The

mission of the Reading Company Technical & Historical

Society is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret

equipment, artifacts, and archives related to the Reading

Railroad, its predecessors and successors, for the education,

safety, awareness, and enjoyment of its members and the

public. We reviewed policies dealing with conflict of interest,

discrimination, and harassment. Tim Weidner provided copies

of the policies currently used by the MP&RE Committee.

MOB members are to review these for discussion at our

January 2012 meeting. We will need help with the accession

of items into our collection. Dale will contact local colleges

for assistance from interns. We discussed guidelines for what

to accept that isn’t going into the permanent collection. It was

agreed that our curator can use his discretion. We also will

give a photo copy of the signed donation form to the donor so

they have a record of what we are permitted do with said

items – ie: sale, disposal, etc. We are concerned with the

overall security of the museum property including, the Bus

Barn, Yellow Room, and access to the foundry building. We

don’t want to be liable for trespassers injuries. Schedule for

exhibits and events: The O Gauge layout will remain up until

January 29, 2012. Our current temporary Antique Toy Exhibit

will run until March 11, 2012. The Holton Painting Exhibit

will follow and there will be a fund raiser with Mrs. Holton

April 20, 2012 followed by a public grand opening the next

day. The Ed Wiswesser model collection will be debuted on

Friday evening June 15, 2011. This exhibit will run

concurrent with the Holton Exhibit with both ending October

14, 2012. A Railroad Safety Exhibit will begin November 10,

2012 and that will be followed by a Railroad Measuring &

Testing Exhibit. We want to be scheduled far enough in ad-

vance to have exhibits appear on our annual calendar. Dale

will be meeting with a professor from Albright College to

hopefully establish an oral history project involving former

Reading Railroad employees. Karol Keene should be at the

top of the list. Museum Holiday hours: closed December 24-

25, January 1 and open December 31. The R2D2 video

cabinet built by Randy Mengel, will be used to show DVD’s

each time the museum is open. Docents should include this in

their opening routine – it will be modified to only play DVD’s

making operation easier. During the time the O Gauge layout

is in place the sound will be muted. Docents are asked to

place any notes left on the gift shop counter into the money

bag at the end of the day, in this way these items will not fall

through the cracks so to speak. Jim can then notify the best

person to follow up as is done with messages left on our

answering machine. We reviewed our rack card and made

some changes to reflect the changes of the past year. We ask

docents to take care of these housekeeping items when on

duty: dust the outside of the front door for accumulated

cobwebs, litter and dirt, when opening. This would only take a

minute, but would make a better first impression for someone

coming in the door for the first time. Our next meeting will be

at the museum Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 7PM.

CURATORS REPORT

Paul Troutman 610-926-4919 ptrout@epix.net Our holiday exhibits are in full swing. Please come

and see the LARGE O-Gauge layout with three trains and

push buttons for guests of all ages to operate the accessories

In the changeable exhibit hall we are featuring an exhibit of

“TOYS OF THE READING RAILROAD ERA”. This

features a variety of toys on loan from a number of our

members. Naturally, there are trains. There are also doll

houses, and toys for little girls. These toys date from the

1800’s to 1976, the era of the Reading. Make sure not to

miss the bear that crosses the ceiling on a unicycle on a wire.

Spread the word. These exhibits are for children of ALL

ages. The O-scale layout will close on January 29th.

Our volunteers have been quite busy. In addition to

putting finishing touches to our present exhibits they have

installed over $2000 of new lighting. This LED lighting will

be great for the future exhibits. It operates at 12 volts (a real

electric savings for the museum) and does not produce heat

and UV light like other bulbs. It has really made a difference.

Come and judge for yourself.

I would like to take this opportunity to express the

thanks of the RCT&HS for all of the generous donations of

time, materials, financial support, and shared ideas during the

year. Our plans for future development of the museum should

produce some exciting improvements during 2012. If you

have any suggestions for museum improvements or exhibits

your comments are always welcome. All ideas will be shared

with the Museum Operations Board for consideration in our

plans.

TIP OF THE MONTH (This could save your life)

BEWARE OF CARBON MONOXIDE. USE A DETECTOR

WHEN USING A GENERATOR.

During the recent early snowstorm that caused many of us to

lose electricity, like many others, I used a generator. It was

running outside on my back porch. The cords were entering

the house through a kitchen door that was ALMOST shut and

stuffed with a blanket. Our Carbon Monoxide detector started

to beep. It indicated that the level of CO was rising rapidly.

This is odorless and colorless and can be fatal within minutes.

If you own or plan to purchase a generator you should con-

sider buying and installing a detector. Make sure you have

one that has battery backup when your electric is off. Better

yet, buy one that ONLY uses battery with no electrical plug.

Be safe. MUSEUM BUILDING COMMITTEE

John Corbit 610-781-1939

No report. TRACK & GROUNDS Duane Engle 610-929-5661 rcths.dengle@juno.com

Barwis, our grading contractor, has returned and

completed the grading and ballast work. We now have ballast

spread in the areas that were graded where we will be

constructing additional track. We also did some grading and

The Crusader RCT&HS 4

cleanup of our own. I want to thank everyone that helped this

month. I hope to be able to do some additional track work in

the next few months as well as find more track to remove.

We also need more volunteers to help with snow removal.

Anyone that can help with any of this work, please contact

me.

MOTIVE POWER AND ROLLING EQUIPMENT

John Stoudt R.E. 610-775-1197 /Tim Weidner M.P. 610-780-0497 No report.

PASSENGER OPERATIONS Dale Woodland 215-723-5848 dwwrdg@verizon.net We are in the process of renewing our permit for the

FP7’s at Steamtown. Nothing new on the Colebrookdale

Branch proposed excursion operation. ACQUISITIONS Steve Schwartz 610-434-1289 schwartzsj@juno.com No report. SAFETY Duane Briscoe 610-777-4196 No report. ARCHIVES / PUBLICATIONS / CALENDAR Rick Bates 610-647-9359 rbates@voicenet.com

Archives

Thanks to the following for recent donations to the

Archives: a carton of assorted paperwork and photos from

Bob Gottschall; some photos from Chuck Yrigoyens; 4

vintage P&R and RDG mileage statements documents from

Richard Genszler; some magazines and tapes from John

Nevin; and some tapes and an oil can from Paul Kutta.

Sorting work continues in the Archives, the current focus

being on rolling stock blueprints being kept flat in the map

cases.

Publications

Work continues on the backlogged Bee Line issues.

Should have the next one going to the printer soon.

Calendar

The Year 2012 calendar is completed. The theme is

“Steam and Diesel on the Reading Railroad.” Please contact

the Sales Committee to purchase a calendar.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Andew Dietz 914-886-3459 Andrew.dietz11@albright.edu

No report. MAILING

Ken Riegel 610-777-4555 RCTHS214@comcast.net

No report.

MODULAR Jonathan Barket 570-366-1533 jono1920@aol.com

We continue working on several modules that are in

the works. Schuylkill Haven is taking shape nicely and now

has more scenery finished and the Schuylkill river is

complete. Saucon had quite a bit of trackwork completed and

was resceniced and worked flawlessly this past show. At

Harrisburg, we all had a wonderful time and we were able to

acquire just over $500 in donations! I want to thank

everyone who helped make 2011 a very productive and a fun

filled year.

We plan on continuing all our efforts in 2012

starting off with a modular meeting in Hamburg at 2pm on

January 15th. As far as shows, we will be making our list at

the meeting but we will be having 2 shows in February. First

one will be in Timonium Md. with setup on Feb 3 and the

show will be Feb 4-5 weather depending. Second show will

be setup on feb 17 and the show feb 18-19 at the reading

fairgrounds expo center. Again, weather depending. If the

weather becomes threatening, please feel free to call to make

sure the show is still on.

Also progress has started on the new museum lay-

out. New tables have been built and final plans will be made

at the meeting. MODELING -John Greene 215-721-3006 greene@netcarrier.com

The HO scale, 16th street junction tower kits have

arrived. To place an order, please see the flyer enclosed in

the November 2011 newsletter.

TRAIN MEET Chuck Race 610-777-2053 No report.

CONVENTION COMMITTEE

John Greene 215-721-3006 jgreene@netcarrier.com

Programs are being lined up. The 2012 convention will be held on April 21st.

WEBSITE AND CORRESPONDENCE

Norman O. Mueller 610-446-6651 rcths.questions@verizon.net Mike Sakal 610-777-3268 msakal@comcast.net No report.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Lee Schultz 610-845-2414 and Rick Bates Nominations are open for President, 2nd VP,

Secretary and two directors. Please call Lee at 610-845-2414

if you would like to make a nomination.

Currently, Duane Engle (Pres), John Greene

(2nd VP), Jeff Smith (Sec), Jim Blake (Dir), and Tim

Weidner (Dir) currently hold these positions.

Dale Woodland nominated Greg Goodridge as director and

it was seconded by Pete Urbaitis. John Greene nominated

Duane Engle for President and it was seconded by Jim

Adams. Carol Adams nominated Jeff Smith for Secretary

and it was seconded by John Brown.

Lee Schultz reported that he has been receiving other

nominations.

The Crusader RCT&HS 5

ENTERTAINMENT

Dale Woodland (215) 723-5848 dwwrdg@verizon.net Tonight’s program is “Vintage Minority

Locomotive Builders Advertising” by Dale Woodland.

Tentative entertainment schedule for 2012: January -

“SEPTA Diesels” by John Almeida, February – “Reading

Steam in the 1930’s” by Tom Poserina, March – “The D&H

1970-1990” by Dale Woodland, April – “The Reading in the

1960’s and 1970’s” by Jim Herzog, June – October yet to be

scheduled, November – “Train Accidents and the Nickle

Plate Story” by Tom Poserina, December – “Diesels Down

Under” by Dale Woodland.

OLD BUSINESS

Steve Gilbert asked if the books closed on moving the

wooden cars and the 2060. Jim Adams replied that all

allocated money for the project has been paid.

Steve Gilbert asked what the current plans are for expanding

the security at the museum. Jim Adams reported that we are

working on adding security cameras. Duane Engel added

that we will be working on blocking the openings in the foundry to prevent trespassers from entering.

Greg Goodridge reported that sales at the Dec 10th South-

ampton, PA show took in about $200.

O-gauge train layout report: Be sure to see this display soon

as it will be taken down the week after January 29, 2012. I

want to thank Wendell Brown for continuing to tweak the

layout by adding more detail. Thanks also to our layout

operators Sam Bolton, Wendell Brown, Paul Skvarla,

Spencer Watts, and Tom Brown. We are looking for

additional volunteers to help with layout teardown on

February 7 and 9. Interested members should contact Tom

Brown (717-279-6783).

NEW BUSINESS

Dale Woodland reported that rail service has begun on the

Boyertown line.

Steamtown will be lettering T-1 2124 shortly. There is

debate over which scheme to paint the engine.

The coal bucket contained $119.00 plus 8 pay-down-the-loan

envelopes.

CLOSING

A motion to adjourn was made by Pete Urbaitis and

seconded by Larry Mundell. President Duane Engle

adjourned that meeting at 8:29PM.

Hamburg Museum Track Fund

Receipts Current Month: December, 2011 = $1306.00

Total: May 2007 thru December, 2011 = $30,452.70

Payments Current Month: December, 2011 = $369.00

Total: May 2007 thru December, 2011 = $22,783.65

Current Fund Balance = $7,669.05

Pay Down the Loan Program

Receipts Current Month: December, 2011 = $2054.00

Total: Nov, 2010 thru December, 2011 = $14,864.72

Payments Current Month: December, 2011 = $1900.88

Total: Nov, 2010 thru December, 2011 = $14,800.00

Outstanding Balance = $82,200.00

RCT&HS Corporate Members

Russell & Julia Angstadt; Bethlehem Car Works, John Greene, CEO, Telford, PA (215)721-3006;

Centralia Coal Sales Co. ,Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 822-4135; Municipal & Financial Services Group,

Annapolis, MD (410) 226-910; G&K Hobbies, Bill Krug CEO, Reading, PA (610) 374-8598; Health

Insurance Solutions, Inc., Tom and Nanette Poserina, Health Brokers (215) 721-2220; “It’s All the

Rage” Hair Designs, In memory of Charles W. Moyer, Jr., 1213 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA (610)375-

0816; Jonathan L. Shalter III, Conservationist-Naturalist-Historian, Temple, PA; Lancaster Chapter,

NRHS, Christiana, PA (610) 593-4968; Outer Station Project, Benjamin Bernhart, historian, author,

publisher; PENNVIA Private Railcars, Inc., Passenger Dome car charters in the US and Canada, West

Lawn, PA (610) 678-3604; R. Harris Russo, MD, Neurological Surgery, Kalamazoo, MI (269) 343-

3939; Rabenold, Koestel, and Scheidt, Attorneys at Law, Wyomissing, PA (610)374-2103; Reading and

Northern Railroad, Co., Andy Muller Jr., CEO, Port Clinton, PA (610) 562-2100; Security First Inc.,

Security, access control, surveillance systems, 107 W. Lancaster Ave., Shillington PA (610) 777-8890;

Stackhouse Bensinger Inc.: Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Land Planning Services, Traffic

and Planning Engineering, Storm Water Infiltration, Municipal Engineering, Surveying/GPS, and

Recreation Planning & Design. Sinking Spring, PA (610) 777-8000; Town & Country Newspaper,

Pennsburg PA, (215) 679-5060

www.readingrailroad.org

Mark Your Calendars

January 24: General Meeting of the RCT&HS at Trinity Bible Fellowship Church,

Rt. 73, Blandon, PA

February 4-5: Modular and Sales at the Great Scale Train Show in Timonium, MD

February 17-18: Modular and Sales at the Greenberg Train and Toy Show at the

Reading Expo Center in Reading, PA

February 25-26: Sales at the Spring Thaw Train Meet in Allentown, PA

April 21: RCT&HS Convention in Hamburg, PA

Save your Redner’s Tapes

Featuring the Reading's first

generation diesels. It is a 320 page

hard cover book with black & white

photographs and

illustrations.