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Spring 2009 Vol. XXXVII, No. 1
Messages from President Ken Donnelly
I would like to welcome back the
membership from last year, as well as say “hello” to our new members as we take
our first steps together into the new Society year of 2009. It is my sincerest
hope that you’ve all been well throughout the holidays and the winter months,
not to mention these uncertain economic times we are all operating under. One
thing that is certain is that the GM&OHS will offer another strong year in terms
of publications, projects and events. Furthermore, the Society remains in a
very favorable financial state, with no foreseeable difficulties publishing the
NEWS on schedule, or with offering our HO/N Scale car projects, as well
as other Society items.
What we do need are individuals willing to take on some of the administrative
responsibilities within the Society’s Board of Directors for the following year,
2010. I have chosen not to run for reelection in 2010, or for any other office
or board seat within the Society. Likewise, I will pull back completely from
the Publications Committee and the preparation of the NEWS, the Society
Car projects, and the annual all-color calendar. I simply feel it is time to
allow other members to express their views through these mediums. I will help
them in any way I can to acclimate them to their new tasks, and will continue to
make my resources available to the Society, but in an unofficial capacity only.
Begin thinking about what you can offer in time and talents to your Society,
and contact Secretary Marc Liberta with your thoughts or questions about these
committee positions, at the Society’s P.O. Box in Marion, IL. I feel
the time to act is now, rather than later, so a smooth, seamless transition can
be achieved throughout this year.
37th Annual Meeting Announcement
Our 37th
Annual Meeting of the Society will be held once again at the Hampton
Inn and Conference Centre in
Union City,
Tennessee
over the weekend of
October 9-11,
2009.
The weekend will follow our now traditional format of a Friday night
Hospitality Suite, a Saturday morning Railroadiana Show, the Saturday Evening
Annual Meeting Banquet and for those of you interested in the operations of the
Society, a Sunday morning Board of Directors meeting. Last year’s meeting in
Union City was one of the finest that we have ever had. The hospitality
shown to the Society not only by the staff of the Hampton but also by the fine
folks in Union City made this an Annual Meeting to be remembered. Mark your
calendars now and plan on attending this event.
No
doubt, many of you have noticed the departure from our usual pattern of holding
the Annual Meeting in former Alton territory in odd-numbered years and below St.
Louis in even-numbered years. This was an executive council decision based on a
number of factors, the most important being that attendance at our shows in the
South has continued to grow, whereas our events in the North have seen a steady
decline since 2000. This is not to say that we will never hold a show in the
North again, but at this time Union City has the most advantageous location
being 445 miles north of Mobile and almost exactly the same mileage from
Chicago.
Publications Committee Report from Dave Wagner
Enclosed with this Switchlist is Issue 120 of the NEWS. Our
thanks to author David Bridges whose in-depth research led to his
authoring of the story “The Wreck at Cotton Plant” which appears in this
issue. April 13th marks the fiftieth anniversary of the incident, and
yes, this was planned by the Publications Committee so “all the planets would be
aligned.” Also appearing in this issue is the second part of the “The GM&O
in the Realm of Madmen”. This article was a staff effort and
thanks go out to all that participated.
Issue 121 of the NEWS is scheduled for mailing on or about the 30th
of June. Right now we are planning on having the story of the “Roodhouse”
cabooses, nos. 2960-2964, and a very special presentation of “Men who Shot
the GM&O” featuring none other than the esteemed Dick Wallin who will
in his own words give us a glimpse into what it was like chasing the GM&O (as
well as other fallen flag railroads), during the past five decades. This is
actually pretty tough since Dick is not a day over 39! Just ask him.
We have good news and we have bad news… It is the end of my term as Vice
President and Publications Committee Chairman this coming December 31st.
I am sure that some of you will look upon this as good news while others may
look upon it as bad news (perspective is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?).
Truthfully, for the first time in Society history as a Pub Com transition takes
place we have a surplus of articles for the future. Many members have stepped
forward and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), and we have articles
aplenty. Please don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. We always need
more stories to be written, as the NEWS gobbles features up at a rate of
five to seven per year.
The position of Publications Committee Chairman is usually filled by the Vice
President, though the Board of Directors can appoint anyone they see fit. Now
that everything is computerized, you can be PC Chairman from the luxury of your
home or office. Communications with our graphics people in Lee, IL and our
current printer in Pontiac, IL can all be done online.
We need a member
who has a sincere interest not only in the GM&O Railroad but also in the Society
and who wishes to help the membership by handling the duties of Chairman. During
the transition, starting in June of this year and through December we will work
with you to ensure a smooth transition into 2010 and beyond. Give me a call at
773-581-4809 (0900-2100 hrs. CDT), or at
dpwagner236@hotmail.com so we can discuss this fun and very rewarding
position.
Notes
from Secretary Marc Liberta
A very big "thank you"
to all the members that have renewed for 2009, in what promises to be another
exciting year for the GM&OHS! We appreciate your promptness, which saves us
from incurring additional mailing expenses. Special appreciation goes out to
individuals who have opted to provide additional support to the Society by being
Sustaining and Benefactor level members. It is with your support that we are
able to pursue our various projects throughout the coming year. Annual members
will find new membership cards included with this mailing. To complete your
card please write in your membership number (which can be found on your mailing
label) in the appropriate space on the pass.
Modeling Committee Report by the Staff
Announcing GM&OHS #34 in
both HO and N Scales
The Society is pleased
to announce its first regular dual scale car project with the release of GM&OHS
#34. The car is the green, 50 foot GAEX boxcar with an eight foot door. The
GM&O leased 150 of these cars from
General American
in 1960. They feature the arched “Gulf Mobile & Ohio” on the right side of the
car, with the diagonal “No Damage” logo on the left. The model chosen for the
HO version is the Athearn
50 ft. straight sill
boxcar. This car, believe it or not, most strongly represents the prototype.
The N Scale car chosen is the
InterMountain Railway’s
50 foot boxcar. This car is completely Ready-to-Run, so you don’t have to worry
about affixing all those tiny grabs and ladders. As always, the artwork was
created by Vicky Graphics
and the cars were painted and printed by
Double “R” Graphics,
so you know they will look great. Do not delay purchasing your set as only 50
two-car sets will be produced in HO, while only 20 three-car sets will be done
in N scale. Check
out the enclosed flyer for more details.
GM&O F-Units in N and O
Scales now Available
The N and O Scale
manufacturers have long neglected offering the GM&O modeler a great looking F3
for years, but that has all changed. Two new sets of F3’s have recently come to
market, and while there are a few gripes about each, they are small ones at
best. First we have the N scale versions from InterMountain Railway Co.
of Longmont, Co. They have released five separate numbers of GM&O F’s (three A
unit nos. and two B unit nos.). The model represented is the Phase II (GM&O
nos.807A-811A), painted in the 1960’s era colors. One problem that the modeler
can fix himself is the roof, which is painted maroon. It should be black,
coming to an arched point directly between the horns and outlined with a
dulux gold stripe. The side lettering, which is not quite correct, has
characters that are too compressed, leaving too large a space between the names.
The model does, however, feature wire grabs and handrails, appropriate tall
fans, and it lacks dynamic brakes, mimicking the prototype perfectly. The
catalog number for the A unit is 69120-03, while the B unit is no. 69820-01,
with MSRP prices of $89.95 and 84.95, respectively.
The other F3 offering is from Atlas O Models. It is an A-A set of Phase
II units from the 880A-882B series. The model is beautifully painted, driven by
two can motors, and features directional lighting, full sound, and Digital
Command Control (DCC). The only real complaint is that they are painted in the
1946 delivery scheme with script “The Alton Route” under the road name.
Unfortunately, this limits their operational accuracy to a few months between
December 1946 and mid-1948 when the GM&O began removing “The Alton Route”
slogan from the carbody sides. For those modelers wanting an all maroon,
mid-1960’s look, pick up an undecorated version and do it right. These models
listed for $479.00 for the powered unit (no.882) and $199.95 for the non-powered
unit (no. 882A). Reports indicate that both models are sold out so you may have
to search for one at a wholesaler or on EBay.
New Three-Pack of GM&O
Cars from Kadee
Following last year’s successful release of GM&O 50
foot PS-1 boxcar no. 59661, Kadee has just released a three-pack of GM&O
cars. Two of the cars are of the same green, 50 foot PS-1 variety with new nos.
59655 and 59665 to go with a black, offset side hopper, no. 32659. All three
models are exquisite, with the hopper also having a removable coal load. The
MSRP for the set (cat. no. 4315) is $103.95, and while this was a limited run,
some sets are still available. Once again (as with the Atlas F3’s), these Kadee
sets are turning up on EBay, so check there for a bargain.
If you do not have a local hobby shop to order
from, we recommend the Society’s model supplier, Al’s Hobbies, 121-23 Addison
Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126-0449, or call 630-832-4908, and ask for Ken
in Trains.
Gulf Transport Truck 2008 Convention Sets
We still have approximately five sets
available each in HO and N scales. Sets consist of two International R-190
tractors, one Fruehauf Aerovan trailer, one covered wagon trailer, and a single
axle box truck. The HO scale sets are $90.00 postpaid and the N scale sets are
$85.00 postpaid. These were extremely limited run sets available only through
the Society and can NOT be found in any hobby shop. Please see the Society
website for more details, a printable order form, or to use PayPal to acquire a
set of these excellent models.
In Memoriam
The Society wishes
to extend condolences to the family and friends of Jules E. Reese of
Mandeville, LA and also for Joseph Petric, Sr. of New Concord, KY (father
of former Society President Joe Petric). Both men had been members of the
Society for several years, and Mr. Petric was also a former employee of the
GM&O, having worked at the freight house in Joliet and the Stores Department at
South Joliet Yard prior to his retirement.
The Switchlist
is a quarterly publication of the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Historical Society,
Inc. and is provided as a benefit of membership. The Switchlist is
produced for the purpose of increasing communication between members and is
edited, except where noted, by Dave Wagner. Members with information suitable
for publication in the Switchlist should forward it to; GM&OHS
Switchlist, P.O. Box 1753, Marion, IL. 62959. |