the DispatcherCentral Oklahoma Chapter

of the National Railway Historical SocietyOklahoma Railway Museum Ltd,

NARCOA Affiliate Member

Volume 50 Issue 8 August 2015

continued on page 5

Caboose at George Shirk’s on day of move March 10, 1981

2015 Membership picnic and train ride

CB&Q history update

Attendance at the 2015 membership picnic and train ride was approximately 100.

Our meal included hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings, potato salad, baked beans, cookies and chips.

A big thanks to father and son chef team Scott and Eric Dilbeck and to Terri Street for desserts and cookies. Also to the volunteers who setup tables and chairs for the event.

Thanks to Marc Montray for setting up for the train horn demonstration. This event is fun and loud.

Some of the ORM members and families enjoying lunch.

by Jack B. Austerman,

photo Jack Austerman

I was reading the Email version of the "Dis-patcher" and the article on the old Q waycar caught my eye. How great it looks, outside and inside! I am very pleased to see that it has been well preserved as I played a part in its acquistion and preservation. There is a good historical perspective along with the photo, however I have more specific historical data concerning the car. I do not know if anyone would have an interest in these details, but I will send it along, just in case.

Page 2 the DispatcherOklahoma Railway Museum,

Ltd.

Board of DirectorsStan Hall, President

Erick Dilbeck Vice President

and Program Chair

Drake Rice, Secretary

Charles Price, Treasurer

Greg Robertson, NRHS Director

Bob Cossairt, Director of

Buildings & Static Displays

Bob Hussey, Director of

Track Maintenance

Terry Birchett, Director of

Mechanical Operations

Harry Currie, Director at Large

Greg Hall, Director of

Museum Activities

Bob Cook, Director of

Museum Displays

Ed Birch Jr., Train Show Chair

Anne Murrary Chilton, Membership Chair

Gary Githens, Dispatcher Editor

Stan Hall

The Presidents Column

Oklahoma Railway Museum 405-424-8222

Photographs and stories by Gary Githens unless credited otherwise

Oakwood station reunion

photos Anne Murray Chilton

Projects have been going well this month. The Steam Locomotive clean-ing is going along with three or four people chipping paint or washing and brushing the old finish. We have moved the tank car into the shop and work is beginning on it. Repairs to the fences destroyed by the bad weather earlier in the year have started. The painted panels are ready and the first one has been reinstalled.

Train riders were abundant on our 4th of July Trains. We spent a little on advertising and are evaluating the results. The grounds and train were decorated for the holiday and it seemed to help visitors enjoy the trip.

Weather has been very hot on the weekends and that has slowed our work some. If you have a little time come on out and join the work force..

On June 20th Don Bevington and his son Joe visited. Don was the sta-tion agent at Oakwood Depot 1950-51. He was also a telegrapher. Don signed the wall in the baggage room near where other historic graffiti is lo-cated.

by Anne Murray Chilton

Page 3the DispatcherMuseum Update by Drake Rice

Thomas will be back September 25, 26, 27 October 2, 3, 4

We are having a record number of visitors and rid-ers this year at the museum. Anne Murray Chilton has worked with some different marketing efforts through Frontier Country and Groupon’s and the results are great. Our ridership is at 1609 through July compared to last year at 732. We hope the trend continues in August. In addition, our Thom-as ticket sales are running around 700 above last year and the marketing campaign has not started. So this could be a record year for the museum.

Work continues in the Murray Shop on three proj-ects. One is the ATSF steam engine clean up re-pairs prior to painting for display. Each weekend you can find a good group of volunteer working on various places on the engine as it is being returned to clean and restored looking engine. Volunteer’s power washed the engine to remove many years of bird droppings which greatly improved the looks and are currently sealing the engine for painting.

The Rock Island Caboose is nearing the completion of the interior restoration and final painting. The caboose looks like it is fresh out of construction shop back in the 1940's. The before and after pictures of the Rock Island caboose are really amazing since it shows that a lot of volunteer effort can return an eye sore of four years ago to a very beautiful piece of railroad history.

We now have one of the two oldest Conoco Tank car in the shop for restoration work. The old run-ning boards have been removed and the carpentry shop will work on getting some dimension lumber for new running boards on the unit. As reported last

month, the mechanical depart-ment has redone the brakes so they are operational while volun-teers are brushing off loose paint and rust in preparation for primer painting. The plan is to restore it to the original 1923 condition. Grass continues to grow well at the museum due to all the rain that has fallen this summer. It has kept volun-teers busy keeping up with all the growth. Tree trimming has also had to be done on the high line in the golf course to keep the limbs from rubbing on the cars and engines.

Harry Currie is getting the wooden panels that were on the fence that a storm took out in May are now going back up since they screen our shop back lot. We are still needing a down spout repaired on the Mur-ray Shop building and some roof repairs on the barn.

The beautiful MKT Engine #48 is now on the point for museum trains. It really looks great and a lot of folks have made positive comment on the fine work the museum has done on the unit. It has also been a promotional item to help attract new volun-teer to get involved. We are always needing new members that will come out and work on the many projects we have that need hands on attention.

With all the needs, we can always use additional members to work on the various projects. We hope you will consider donating some time and help support your museum. We hope to see you at your museum.

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members at the food table.

Eric Dilbeck with horn from the Santa Fe 643 Marc Montray’s Nathan P3 airhorn

Two air tanks were set up connected in series to our compres-sor to provide the tremendous amount of air needed for pro-longed air horn blasts.

2015 Membership picnic and train ride

chef’s Eric and Scott Dllbeck

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Caboose being lowered onto trailer for move to Kirkpatrick Center.

Leaving Shirk property headed for Kirkpatrick Center.

1.Built by Wells and French in 7-1878 as Burlington and Missouri River #10. 28 feet in length.2. Re-numbered in 1904 as CB&Q #14107. Class NE-13. Steel under frame added in the 1920's.4. After BN merger in 1968, re-numbered to BN #11021.5. Sold for scrap by BN in 12-1972 to Marfax Rail Sal-vage in Chicago.6. Purchased from Marfax in late 1973 by "Finders-Keepers" of OKC for re-sale, along with 9 other simi-lar waycars.7. Sold to George Shirk of OKC in 12-1973. Moved on a flat car by ATSF from Chicago to OKC. Placed on Shirk's historic "Wine Cellar" property in NE OKC.8.George Shirk dies in 1980. His sister, Lucyl Shirk, inherits his estate.9. In 1981, then President of CORC, Jack Austerman, convinces Lucyl Shirk to donate the 14107 to Kirk-patrick Center for display of rail cars, CORC as cus-todian.10. 14107 moved in 3-1981 by Jackson Rig Co. to the Kirkpatrick Center.

11. In 1984, Kirkpatrick Center decides to enlarge the building. In order to do so, the rail car display must be moved out.12. The 2 cabooses and 2 locomotives are moved to the OKC Schools Service Center, at NE 30th and Grand Blvd.13. In 2000, the rail cars were moved up the tracks to the new location of the Oklahoma Railway Museum. This is more history as I know it, for anyone who mght be interested. As a side bar, in 9-1973 I purchased Q #14386 and placed it behind my Dental office building on the NW Expressway. We restored it and used it as a "recreation center" for the tenants of the offices. So as you see, I had a specific interest in the old Q wood waycars. Classics, to say the least. I have a series of B/W photos that I took of the move from Shirk's property to Kirkpatrick Center that I will donate to the ORM.

CB&Q history updateby Jack B. Austerman,

Join us on Facebook. Become a friend of the Oklahoma Railway Museum.

photo Jack Austermanphoto Jack Austerman

More pictures page 6

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Unloading display track at the Kirkpatrick Center

Lands’ End and ORM logoYou can now order apparel with an embroidered ORM logo from Lands End at the website below. Once you select the item you want, you will then be able to select the logo and where you want it placed.

We will send out emails when Lands End runs a special. Anything on sale in the regular catalog will be on sale on this site as well.

ces.landsend.com/Oklahoma_Railway_Museum

photo Jack Austerman photo Jack Austerman

Lowering the caboose on the trucks at the Kirkpatrick Center

by Jack B. Austerman DDSCB&Q history update

Visit the Oklahoma Railway Museum on YouTube

2015 ORM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:

New Membership Renewal Membership (begin Jan 1st) Date __________________ $36.00 per year – Individual Membership in the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (spouse included) Pro-rated dues $3.00 per month

$30.00 per year – Individual Senior (age 65 and up) (spouse included) and Individual Student (full–time student) Membership in ORM Pro-rated dues $2.50 per month $500.00 - Lifetime Membership

Send your application and dues to: Oklahoma Railway Museum , Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________ State _______ Zip Code _______________________

Phone ________________________ Fax ______________________ Cell Phone_____________________

E–Mail __________________________________________________________________________________

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Order Form – Engraved Platform BricksCost is $50.00 per brick.

Up to a maximum of 4 lines with 16 letters and spaces per line

Purchaser’s Name ________________________________ Phone No. (______) ________________

Engraved Platform BricksMore than one platform

brick can be donated to the Mu-seum and you can make cop-ies of the attached form. Mail completed forms with checks or money orders to: ORM, 3400 NE Grand Boulevard, Okla-homa City, Oklahoma 73111. If you have any questions call 405-424-8222 Thursday or Fridays.

The Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. (ORM) has items available for both chil-dren and adults at the Depot Store. These include baseball caps, polo shirts, t–shirts, lapel pins, and coasters. Funds raised by donations for these items support the Museum projects.

The Depot Store, located inside the Oakwood Depot on the Museum grounds, is open during regular Museum hours – 9 am to 4 pm on the first and third Saturday opera-tion days of each month April through August. The store is also open for special events.

Crosstie Donations Friends and families of ORM continue to make dona-tions for crossties, equipment and facilities on the Museum property and on the leased track.

If you want to make a do-nation to purchase a crosstie, a donation of $50.00 will help purchase a new crosstie. You can donate a crosstie in recog-nition or in memory of someone. All donations should be made out to the Oklahoma Railway Museum Ltd.

Please note on the check what the donation is for, mail to: ORM Ltd., 3400 NE Grand Bou-levard, Oklahoma City, 73111

Become an ORM Member

ORM Depot Store

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Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd.3400 NE Grand BoulevardOklahoma City, OK 73111-4417

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

TIMETABLE Any changes to the following information or articles for “the Dispatcher,” should be directed to the Editor, Gary Githens,(e–mail: githens@cox.net). For information on upcoming programs, contact Larry Dodd email: dodd@airosurf.com).

Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM) – Open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 A:M: until 5:00 P:M. except on major holidays ORM Train Rides - First and third Saturdays April through August at 9:15 A.M, 11:15 A.M, 1:15 P.M. and 3:15 P.M. ORM Board Meetings – Last Thursday each month at ORM, Oklahoma City – 7 pm.

Oklahoma “N” Rail – For information, call Rick Inselman, 405/412–1552.

Central Oklahoma Garden Railroad Society [COGRS] Contact information: Steve Lemcke (405) 703-0209 e-mail steve.lemcke@att.net or Marshall Douglas (405) 290-8989 or Steve Kamm (405) 685-3755 e-mail skamm@college.occc.edu

Passenger Rail Oklahoma – A grassroots advocacy organization. Meets every Saturday and Sunday morning an hour prior to the arrival of the Heartland Flyer in Norman. The depot opens at 7:50 am. Contact Evan Stair at sfrr@aol.com, www.passengerrailok.org, 405/366–8957, or 517 Claremont, Norman, OK 73069–5020. Depot volunteer opportunities are available.

Oklahoma S.W. Division NMRA – 2nd Saturday each month, 1 pm, Goldman Room, Kirkpatrick Center, Jim Heidon, President Yukon’s Best Railroad Museum – Thursday/Saturday/Sunday and by appointment. Located 1 block north of Main and UP tracks in Yukon. Call John Knuppel, 405/354–5079, for times and information.

OUT OF TOWNWaynoka Station/Waynoka Historical Society – 202 South Cleveland, Waynoka Call Sandie Olson, 580/824–1886. Notice: They need help with their model railroad layout. If you could help some call Sandie.

the Dispatcher

Birthday Party package options and membership information next page

Oklahoma Railway Museum, Ltd. 3400 NE Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 Museum Information Contact us-Thursday and Friday. We have someone to answer your questions 405-424-8222. Our museum is open every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm. Admission to the museum is free. The Museum is an outdoor museum and MAY BE CLOSED for inclement weather or when the temperature is below 40°F.

Find us From I-35 North take the NE 36th St. exit, at the stoplight on NE 36th turn left and go west about 1/2 mile. At the stoplight for Grand Blvd turn left for about two blocks, we are on the left at NE 34th St. Regular Trains Train Rides are scheduled the First and Third Saturdays of the month from April through August. The trains leave the Station at 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM and 3:15 PM. Ticket Price is $12 for Riders 13 years old and up, $5 for Riders from 3 to 12 years old, Children under 3 are free when carried on adult lap. Special Trains Thomas the Tank Engine will be here on September 25, 26, 27 and October 2, 3, 4, 2015. We rec-ommend that tickets be purchased in advance. All Tickets are $16 on the Friday Trains. These leave the Station every 50 minutes starting at 9:50am All Tickets are $18 on Saturday and Sunday Trains. These leave the Station every 50 minutes starting at 9:00am Halloween Train October 31, 2015 Tickets $12, $5.00 children from 3 to 12 years old. Children under three are free on lap of parent The trains leave the Station at 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM and 3:15 PM. Smiley O’Riley the Clown will be here. This is for Children, no scary stuff. Christmas Train December 19 and 20, 2015 Tickets $15 Children under three are free on lap of parent The trains leave the Station at 9:00, 10:30, noon, 1:30 and 3:00 on Saturday. and 1:30 and 3:00 on Sunday. Santa Claus will be here, hot choc-olate, candy canes, songs and more fun. Birthday Parties We offer you two unique venues to host a birthday party. You supply the cake, presents and the guests while we supply tables and chairs. Also included are paper engineer hats and a rail safety activity book. We have a 1921 wooden caboose which can accommodate up to 25 people and a 1921 Party coach which can accommodate up to 60 people Time and date must be held with a 50% depos-it. The balance is due day of the party.

Package One includes one hour and fourty five minutes for the party and an approximate 40 minute train ride for 20 guests on historic railroad passenger cars. Additional train tickets can be purchased for $5.00 each. The train rides are available on the schedule for regular trains above. The costs are: Birthday Caboose: $250.00 (includes $50.00 refundable security deposit) Party Coach: $300.00 (includes $50.00 refundable security deposit)

Package Two is one hour and fourty five minutes for the party without a train ride. This package is available throughout the year on most non-operating Saturdays. The costs are: Birthday Caboose: $150.00 Party Coach: $200.00 (includes $50.00 refundable security deposit) Bookings and date/time availability are available on our website -www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org -and can also be made with our party coordinator Chuck Shinn. He can be reached at 405-850-0597 or by email -chuck@oklahomarailwaymusem.org Membership -Membership benefits include: Two free train rides on regular run days (Does not apply to Day Out with Thomas, Halloween and Christmas trains) Emailed copy of the ORM newsletter The Dispatcher Member Picnic and train ride Memberships are available at the following rates: Regular Membership – $36 per year (spouse included) Senior Member (age 65 and up) – $30 per year (spouse included) Student Member (Full-Time Student) – $30 per year [these are prorated if you join during the year]. Lifetime Member – $500. If you wish to join the National Railway Historical Society, dues are an additional $50.00 per year. This organization’s due are not prorated.

Note: Events, dates, times and charges subject to change without notice.

Birthday Party package options