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"Hot Off The Wire" - WRHS News

2024 Annual Meeting - updated January 21, 2024 by David Ackerman

All Roads Lead to Mexico! (Missouri)

 
WRHS will be holding its annual meeting in lovely Mexico Missouri September 27-29, 2024. The town is still home to some interesting railroad operations, since it's an important interchange point between NS (former Wabash of course) and CP (inheritors of part of the storied Alton route.) And the model raildoading community there is quite active. Keep your eyes on the Meetings page for an update with registration materials that should be out in March

Publications Update - posted January 21, 2024 by David Ackerman

Banner 83, Modeler 11, and the 2024 calendar were all mailed in 2023 to dues paying members, and they are all now available through the company store
 



 

 

2023 Annual Meeting - updated January 17, 2024 by David Ackerman


The 2023 meeting took place in Monticello, home of the Monticello Railway Museum, and their impressive Wabash collection. The weekend also featured MRM's own event, Railroad Days, so there was plenty of action.Other attractions included tours of Bement and Decatur and presentations by Bill Kenedy and George Rodecap on different aspects of Wabash preservation









Publications Update- posted May 9, 2023 by David Ackerman

Banner 82, and the 2022 calendar were both mailed in 2022 and dues paying members should be enjoying a lovely portrait of Fairbanks-Morse Train Master No. 593 from the James Holzmeier collection.
 

                       

2022 Annual Meeting - posted January 6, 2022 by David Ackerman



Members of the WRHS met in New Haven, Indiana over the weekend of August 19th to enjoy the attractions of the 5th District. On Friday we heard from Craig Berndt, who gave a presentation on the Eel River Railroad at the local library. Saturday we toured the 5th District visiting many interesting sites from New Haven to Defiance. At the banquet DJ DePanicis shared the story of the Ft. Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s restoration of Wabash Caboose no. 2543. Sunday morning we visited the FWRHS Facility where we took a short but very pleasant trip on their trackage riding that Wabash caboose. To finish the weekend we traveled to the Maumee Valley Steam and Gas Engine Show where we enjoyed the Ft. Wayne Flying Circuits flying model planes, antique tractors, tractor pulls, a steam operated sawmill, a working blacksmith shop, a flea market, great Amish food, and much more. Be sure to join us in 2023 in Monticello!



Publications Update - posted January 6, 2022 by David Ackerman

Wabash Modeler 9, and the 2022 calendar were both mailed in 2021 and dues paying members should be enjoying Ed Stoll's lovely color photograph of the Truesdale - Warrenton depot.





Publications Update - posted December 29, 2020 by James Holzmeier














Banner No. 80

for

2020

(at the printer; to be mailed early 2021)








The passing of another Wabasher - post updated July 20, 2020 by James Holzmeier 



2018 photo of Lloyd taken at his beloved Moberly REA Museum, posing by the CTC machine he operated for many years as well as the awesome collection of photos, passes & timetables he collected, arranged and displayed at the museum.

Lloyd E Deierling, 87, of Moberly, MO died Wednesday July 15, 2020. He was born February 1, 1933 in Queen City, MO, the son of Boyd and Lula Grace (Jackson) Deierling.
On September 5, 1953 he married Dana J. Meyer in Brunswick, MO. She preceded him in death on December 10, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister and brother in law Marguerite and David Bates. 
Survivors include a God child Christina Danae Green, of Marceline, MO, nephew Larry Bates and his wife Lynda, of Des Moines, IA, great nephew Eric Bates, and a great niece Kayla Bates of Des Moines, IA, other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including a special friend, Gladys Moore of Moberly, MO.
Mr. Deierling had 38 years of service as Agent-Telegrapher and Divisional Train Dispatcher with the Wabash, N&W and N&S Railroads at Moberly. He served in the United States Army from 1953-1955. After military service he was a resident of Brunswick from 1955 until moving to Moberly in 1966.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He was a member of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Moberly Unit 165. He was a supporter of “The Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society.”
He was deeply interested in history and was a member of the Randolph County Historical Society, the Chariton County Historical Society, Life Member of the State Historical Society of Missouri, and a Life Member of the Society of Paper Money Collectors.
He was a numismatist and specialized in researching the history of Missouri National Banks and their notes of issue from 1863 to 1935. He was a contributing Editor to “National Bank Notes” by Don E. Kelly. For many years he gave presentations to area High Schools, Civic Clubs, Historical Societies as well as bank displays regarding America’s financial history.  
Memorials are suggested to the Brunswick United Methodist Church, Brunswick Christian Church, or the Elliott Grove Cemetery, Brunswick, MO.
Livestreaming of the service will be provided by Misty Hamilton Edmundson on Facebook.
Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at the visitation Tuesday July 21, 2020, 11 am to 1 pm at the Brunswick Christian Church. Services honoring Lloyd’s life will follow at 1 pm. Committal prayer and burial will take place in the Elliott Grove Cemetery, Brunswick, MO.

SMILE! - posted December 17, 2019 by James Holzmeier 

The WRHS is now a proud member of AmazonSmile. But to ensure donations flow to the WRHS, you must sign up. Here's how to do so: follow the link to the Smile program, sign into Amazon then click on "Account and Lists" on the top toolbar, by your username.  Click on the "Your Account" category and click on "Amazon Smile", then search for the Wabash Railroad Historical Society in the list of non-profit charities. Make it your chosen charity, then SHOP! A portion of every purchase you make will help support our preservation, archival, and publication efforts. Smile for the WRHS!





2020 Annual Meeting: posted April 18, 2020 by James Holzmeier

O'Fallon depot, ca. 1910. O'Fallon is the hub of our 2020 meeting

Link to the Meeting Information and Registration Form (print, fill-in and mail to the address indicated on the form)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WW_s7vlqV_R52QkMQRWKqN2h8FV8bg9m


O'Fallon depot (ca. '97) moved to the west, as the city's Parks Dept.


Ready to mail - posted December 17, 2019 by James Holzmeier    

Banner No. 79 and the 2020 calendar are at the printer and have been for awhile now. The printer we use just asked me for our current mailing list...which typically means that they're ready (or very close to being ready) to be stuffed into their mailing envelope for USPS delivery. With the holiday rush, it might be a bit before you receive them, but I feel as though they will be worth the wait! Our General Storekeeper, Gary Roe, has a supply of 2020 calendars and he can fulfill advance orders for those. Please see the Publications Price Sheet for ordering information; a PDF of it is accessed through the "About WRHS" tab on the home page, then scroll down to the description of our publications.

I just realized I forgot to put into the previous post a preview of Data File No. 11, which is included in Banner No. 79. So here is its face page:


The other side has the official Wabash Railroad P-1 Erecting diagram on it. You could probably get a really good start on building your own Hudson from it. I'd love to see a Materials List for the P-1, so if you have one, please get ahold of me. But anyhow, if you receive No. 79 as a 2019 WRHS member, Data File No. 11 is included. Not to worry...if you just want to purchase Data File No. 11 alone, we had extras printed so you can buy one from our General Storekeeper or at one of the Traveling Stores at a train show, RPM, railroadiana show, etc.



Publications Update - posted Nov. 28, 2019 by James Holzmeier




2020 Annual Calendar







Banner No. 79

for

2020










2019 Annual Meeting: posted June 27, 2018 by James Holzmeier



2019 Registration form

2019 event schedule




Publications Update - posted June 13, 2019 by James Holzmeier    




TWM No. 7 has been printed and mailed to all 2019 Society members. Subjects are the Wabash VO-1000 switch engines, with both prototype and modeling articles written by Gary Roe. "A Closer Look" provides details regarding Gary's scratchbuilding of the brackets holding rerail frogs on both sides of the VO's front truck (you can see the frog in the cover photo). Next is a full-color centerfold of Gary's HO and N-scale models of the VO-1000. An extensive "Proto Photos" section, with both color and B&W photos follows. It includes builder's as well as in-service photos of all four of the Wabash's VO-1000 fleet. John Bordner then forays into article authorship by using his keen eye for detail to write up Part 1 of "Monkey Motion". This 3-part series (we could only fit the first part in this issue) has to do with how the Wabash creatively recycled old, worn-out rail for other purposes. Part 1 deals with a retaining wall and barricade at Quincy, Illinois. Profusely illustrated and written in John's trademark witty style, this column is sure to become a fan favorite. Parts 2 and 3 will be fit into TWM No. 8 if at all possible. Rounding out the issue is a "Postscript" which hopefully identifies the location of a Wabash scale house that was featured in TWM No. 6. Included are some new photos of the scale house and its proximity to the structures of other railroads nearby...helping to solve the mystery location.

This issue also contains Data File No. 10 as an insert. Not only is a diagram of the VO-1000 featured, but the file also contains painting & lettering diagrams for ALL the Wabash switch engines, including photos of some of the switch engines and their compliance, as well as their non-compliance, with the Wabash Standard Plan for Safety Appliances.

If you are not a Society member for 2019, the issue can be purchased from either the WRHS General Store (fixed location) or from one of our Traveling Stores set up at a train/railroadiana show in the "Heart of America". The Traveling Store will also be set up at our Annual Meeting in the Chicagoland area in September 2019. 


WRHS Christmas cards now for sale posted Nov. 22, 2018 by James Holzmeier    

Are you in the Christmas spirit, and have some extra cha-ching burning a hole in your pocket? Sounds like you need to pick up some WRHS Christmas cards!! The flier below tells you all you need to know...and the proceeds go to a good cause (namely, our Preservation Fund)!!





Wabash Modeler No. 6 has been mailed posted Nov. 22, 2018 by James Holzmeier



To all 2018 members of the Society. Extra copies are available from both the General and Traveling Storekeepers.


Wabash Modeler No. 6 is at the printer posted Oct. 24, 2018 by James Holzmeier






Check out the Publications Index page for a detailed description of what's published in our inaugural ALL-COLOR issue. We anticipate the issue being mailed during the week of October 29-November 2, and it will be sent to all 2018 WRHS members.






Banner No. 78 is now being mailed posted Oct. 6, 2018 by James Holzmeier



Yep, you read that right. No need to clean your glasses or adjust your monitor. But you may need to clean your monitor. 




Update on Banner No. 78 posted Sept. 21, 2018 by James Holzmeier



Our printing service, Goodfellow Printing of Iowa City, has completed the print run of the newest Banner, and "Lord willin' and the creek don't rise" it should be mailed out to all 2018 Society members sometime within the next few weeks. Attendees at our Annual Meeting in Ottumwa got a 'sneak peek' of the issue, and the current members attending the meeting were given their copies after the dinner on Saturday evening. 

 

See? It pays to attend the annual meeting!


When you receive your copy of No. 78, please take the time to let me know what you think! I can be reached at wabashry AT gmail DOT com.  



P.S. Oh, by the way...Issue No. 6 of the Wabash Modeler is coming right along, and it should be issued in Fall 2018. Check the Publications List page on this site for a list of the subjects in each of our publications.



Banner No. 78 is at the printer posted Sept. 8, 2018 by James Holzmeier




This is a 48-page issue for 2018 Society members. It contains both B&W and color images.

Sneak peeks:



It is anticipated that the issue will be printed in time for it to be sold at the WRHS Annual Meeting  but it will not be mailed until after that. If you just can't wait (yeah, right!), then come to Ottumwa!


Here is a DRAFT cover of the 2019 Banner. Its main subject is scheduled to be a comprehensive look at the Wabash's landmark P-1 Hudson locomotives:






A sneak peek at one of the images we've amassed...never before seen by a lot of us Wabashers:



"Sorry, kid...you have to be at least this high to ride the engine"

This will be one issue you won't want to miss, folks.




2018 Annual Meeting: posted June 27, 2018 by James Holzmeier



The Annual Meeting for 2018 will be held in the Wabash town of Ottumwa, Iowa on September 14, 15 and 16. Meeting Headquarters will be located at the historic Hotel Ottumwa, located just north of the Amtrak station. Meeting details can be viewed by opening the link below. Make sure to block out the dates on your calendar, and we hope to see you there!!

Link to registration sheet (PDF)












Finally! posted June 27, 2018 by James Holzmeier



We can finally announce that the oft-postponed release of our Moberly DVD project is finished, and the full-length DVD is now available for sale!


Here are some facts about the DVD, and information about how to order:


“MOBERLY, MISSOURI – THE MAGIC CITY AND HER RAILROADS”

Is a definitive work on the Wabash and Katy Railroads and their predecessors in the Moberly area of north central Missouri. This work of art was compiled completely by members of the Wabash Railroad Historical Society (WRHS).

As if by magic, Moberly quickly became a prominent railroad hub and an important commercial center on the central Missouri frontier after being founded by the North Missouri Railroad in 1866, and the arrival of the Katy Railroad in 1872. As a rail center, Moberly has been under-reported, until now.

This production started as a one-hour presentation given at the 2016 WRHS annual meeting in Moberly, but thanks to the volume of material contributed by many sources, the presentation has now expanded in length to just shy of 2 hours. Our DVD includes 219 images, many of which have never been viewed by the general railroad public, and 261 railroad track plans and Sanborn maps which are imposed on the Google Earth satellite imagery platform to show iterative versions of track plans and structures. Numerous anecdotes and several Wabash-inspired musical selections accompany the subject matter. The last several minutes of our program is a grouping of 69 additional ‘still’ images we received after completing the narrated portion of the program.  Many of the additional images are fully-captioned.

The DVD is nearly 2 hrs. in length. It seems to play well on computers as well as newer-type DVD players*.  All proceeds from the sale of this rail-focused history lesson go to the WRHS Restoration Fund, to be earmarked for worthy projects which support the goals of our historical society. The WRHS thanks you for supporting our vision.

This video is a ‘must-have’ for Wabash and Katy railroad buffs, as well as historians interested in following the transportation evolution of north central Missouri from the days when river transportation ruled, up to current times where the quickest way to transport automobiles and their components between Detroit and Kansas City was through “The Magic City”: Moberly, Missouri.

PRICING INFORMATION:

Individual Disc pricing for non-WRHS members: $30.00 USD each; shipping included within the U.S.              

WRHS members-only and for multi-disc purchases: $27.00 USD each; shipping included within the U.S.

Shipping & Handling: Add $8.00 USD to the figures above for S&H outside the US (includes Canada).

PAYMENT INFORMATION:

By mail: ONLY checks or money orders accepted, made payable to the Wabash Railroad Historical Society. No sales via PayPal or credit card are offered yet.

For more information or to order, please contact either of the individuals listed below or visit our website: www.wabashrhs.org.

James Holzmeier                                                       Mr. Larry VanHouten
1010 Kings Road Apt. C                                           1242 Rivercity Crossing Dr. 
Kirksville, MO  63501-2663                                     O’Fallon, MO  63366-4464
wabashry@gmail.com                                               wabash700@gmail.com


Watch a short preview of the DVD at our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/2hwmWdb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Facebook blog: - posted June 6, 2018 by James Holzmeier


Korry Shepard of the Chicagoland area has started up a Facebook site detailing not only the history, but also the current state of railroading affairs in the Gary, Indiana area. Gary was, and still is, the locale of numerous freight & passenger railroads, including our beloved Wabash. The Wabash line through Gary was officially referred to as the 4th District of the Montpelier Division, and as such provided an entrance into the Chicagoland area from the east, directly from the Division point at Montpelier, Ohio. The 4th was host in its day to not only long freights, but also the famous Wabash-Pennsy "Red Bird" passenger trains linking Detroit and Chicago. Additionally, the 4th District allowed the Wabash entry into the important freight & passenger city of South Bend, Indiana (Go Fighting Irish!).

If you're on Facebook, give Korry's blog a visit. You won't be disappointed!

Gary RailBlog



Attention HO Scale modelers:posted May 6, 2018 by James Holzmeier

"Union Terminal Imports (UTI) is importing the Wabash "City of Kansas City" built by Se Ho Jang of Boo-Rim Precision Company, of Seoul, South Korea. The models are hand-built of brass by the craftsmen at Boo-Rim. Seven car sets will be produced in Wabash Blue and aluminum with Railroad Roman lettering, skirts and full width diaphragms. Seven car sets will be produced in Banner Blue and aluminum with Gothic lettering, skirts and narrow diaphragms. Single cars will be produced in Banner Blue lettered for Norfolk and Western and detailed to match the prototypes in the N&W era. Reservations can be made through any of the dealers listed on the Union Terminal Imports website. Model quantities are built only to reservations."

Ed. note: The model is to be made in HO scale.





Commemorative postcard of the City of Kansas City train set, issued by the Wabash Railroad Company












2018 Annual Meeting update: - posted March 11, 2018 by James Holzmeier

The Annual Meeting for 2018 will be held in the Wabash town of Ottumwa, Iowa on September 14, 15 and 16. Meeting Headquarters will be located at the historic Hotel Ottumwa, located just north of the Amtrak station. The weekend may see a rare-mileage train trip on Wabash (err...Appanoose County Railroad) tracks, so make sure to block out the dates on your calendar! More details will be forthcoming.


Yet another "yay" for us... posted February 16, 2018 by James Holzmeier


WRHS strives to maintain a significant presence on social media, and as such we can be found on Facebook, Yahoo! Groups, Twitter and YouTube. Our latest venture onto the social media platform is the establishment of our own official Instagram account! We'll post photos of Annual Meetings and whatnot, so check it out. Make sure to follow us (https://www.instagram.com/wabashrhs/) and check back often to see what we're up to!

Former Director passes away posted February 10, 2018 by James Holzmeier


Sadly, it's come to our attention that former WRHS Director and expert modeler Tom Forst passed away on May 14, 2017 after suffering a series of strokes at his home in La Grange Park, Illinois. His brother was with him and ensured that Tom was taken to a local hospital. Unfortunately, a few days later he was gone.


We last saw Tom at our BOD meeting in Monticello, Illinois in April, 2017. He passed away just over a month later.

Let's all take a moment and remember Tom for the gentleman he was: very dedicated to assuring accurate reproduction of Wabash freight cars by the scale-model manufacturers. Tom ensured the model makers had correct data & details about the cars prior to them being offered for sale. Wabash modelers owe Tom a debt of great magnitude for his dedication.

The photo of Tom (above) was taken in May, 2015 during our board meeting in Monticello. Along with other board members, Tom posed for his picture at the nose of F-7 No. 1189 while it was in the shop at the MRM.

Tom's willingness to serve as a Director over the years, and his cheerful presence at Annual Meeting locations far from his home in the Chicagoland area (Montpelier, St. Louis and Ottumwa are just a few that spring to mind) speak volumes about his affinity for the Wabash as well as his dedication to the Society. He will be greatly missed by both family and friends. 


DVD almost ready to ship: - posted January 5, 2018 by James Holzmeier


The final version of our oft-delayed Moberly DVD (see post, below) has been sent to the WRHS Publications Committee for final proofing. Once given the thumbs-up, we'll start burning the presentation to DVD. Everything else is done: labels are printed, sleeves are ready and mailing envelopes have been purchased. 

Some have asked about how much the DVD will cost. The asking price is still TBD, because it is  dependent on our ability to fit the entire presentation onto a single DVD, or whether we'll need to use two discs. Whatever the price, we think you'll get your money's worth because there is a lot of content in the presentation...in addition to the images within the presentation itself, also included are over sixty bonus images of Wabash subjects in & around Moberly, as well as Wabash advertising memorabilia. Many of the bonus images have never before been seen publicly. We'll let you know via this blog, as well as our other social media sites (Twitter, Yahoo! Group, Facebook) when it's ready for mailing. So, get your checkbooks ready!!


Litchfield museum is seeking photos: posted Jan. 5, 2018 by James Holzmeier





Wabash DVD is nearing completion: posted Nov. 21, 2017 by James Holzmeier


Our ambitious project detailing the railroad facilities of Moberly, Missouri is just about complete. The main presentation is finished, with only the addition of bonus images left to go. The running time will be 2 hrs. (give or take) and included will be numerous rare, never-before-seen color and B&W images related to Moberly's railroading history! 


For those who haven't heard about this project, a brief is in order. The sale of this DVD is a fundraiser and all profits from the sale of the DVD will be placed in the WRHS's Restoration Fund. It exists solely to help fund worthy Wabash-related existing structures & equipment (the Rogers replica at the Illinois Railway Museum is just one example).

We're planning for the DVD to be offered for sale so that people can gift it for Christmas. Keep checking this page, as well as our other social media (Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!) for release & ordering details. 


Pictured below is the DVD label, as well as a "teaser" image of the kind you'll see on the DVD.








Wabash RR presentation in Indiana: posted October 26, 2017 by James Holzmeier


Jeff Bossaer is a veritable walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the Wabash RR around the Attica, Indiana area (including the mining ops used to funnel rock up to the main line at Attica). If you're in the area, please consider attending these presentations. Plus, we're working with these nice folks to see if they'll videotape the event, so we can post it on our YouTube channel...stay tuned!





We're now caught up with our Banners: posted October 10, 2017 by James Holzmeier




Many, many thanks go out to our editor, Rob Adams, for providing us with not only one, but TWO Banners in one mailing! Banners for 2016 and 2017 are in the mail as this is being typed. This catches us up on our Banner commitments. Even better news is that the next Wabash Modeler is close to being finished, and the annual calendar for 2018 (part of the 2017 membership package) is also completed and ready to mail in the 4th Quarter of 2017. 


Banner No. 76, for the 2016 publication year, is a 32-page issue. Banner No. 77, for the 2017 membership year, clocks in at a whopping 48 pages!

If you're not a WRHS member and wish to purchase any of our publications, please follow this link to order.



                             2016 Banner                         2017 Banner



Annual Meeting information: posted August 18, 2017 by James Holzmeier



Poster by Victor Baird

Click on the link below for more details 
about our Ohio meeting 
(Word document)



2017 Annual Meeting registration documents



Annual Meeting date & location: posted June 28, 2017 by James Holzmeier


Set your calendars for the weekend of September 8-10, 2017, as the WRHS will be having our Annual Meeting in the historic railroad town of Bellevue, Ohio. Those of you familiar with Bellevue know that not only is it an important hub for Norfolk Southern (and the Nickel Plate RR before it), but it is also home to the Mad River & Nickel Plate museum. They, of course, are the owners of Wabash F7A #671. This locomotive has recently been repainted and it is a beauty!


We'll have our "dinner in the diner" this year, an extra-special treat. Layout tours, a program on the Wabash's 5th District and some good-ole Wabashing will be sure to take place that weekend. 


Get your reservations into our Secretary now!


Attention HO Scale modelers: posted March 17, 2017 by James Holzmeier


David Blodgett notified us about the availability of these ART reefers, in HO Scale, from the Amarillo Railroad Museum. This car project was a joint effort from our friends at the MoPac Society, InterMountain and the ARM. Thanks much for letting us know, David!


                                                      Screenshot of the ARM web page


ARM web page dedicated to these models




Former WRHS Treasurer passes away posted February 24, 2017 by James Holzmeier




It is with sadness that the WRHS reports the passing of "the last fireman" of the 573 steam locomotive and longtime Treasurer for the Society, the Rev. (ret.) W.V. "Van" McCullough. He passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at Memorial Medical Ctr. in Springfield, Illinois.

Van will be greatly missed by the Wabash community. His stories of firing the last of the Wabash steamers are legendary in the railfan community, and some of his memories are recorded for posterity within the pages of our Banner.

Obituary

The picture above comes to us courtesy of Bob McNeill, and depicts Van at the site where his beloved Bluffs-Keokuk branch left the 10th Dist. mainline, on the northwest side of Bluffs Yard. The photo was taken during the 2013 WRHS meeting, at which he gave a tour and reminisced about firing the old Moguls on the branch.


Newly-elected Director passes away posted February 20, 2017 by James Holzmeier




Sadly, we've learned of the recent passing of recently-elected Board member Dennis W. "Red" Wall. 
He passed away December 10, 2016 at his home in Indiana.

While we never really got an opportunity to know him, Dennis was a longtime member of the WRHS, and when the call went out for Director nominations last year, he graciously allowed himself to be considered for service to the Society.

Obituary

Due to his passing, the WRHS Board is investigating the options for replacing Dennis on the WRHS Board. Stay tuned.



Yay for us... posted January 8, 2017 by James Holzmeier


Because we are now on Twitter! Make sure to follow us (@WabashRHS) in order to get publication updates, information about our Store items as well as important reminders about our Annual Meetings!


Annual Meeting reminder! posted July 25, 2016 by James Holzmeier




Banner #75 & TWM #5 are on their way! posted June 23, 2016 by James Holzmeier



Both these publications, owed as part of the 2015 membership package, are in the mail as we speak (I just got mine yesterday). It is our hope that you'll find these publications very informative, and we are proud of the quality products we are producing for the Wabash fans out there. We all owe a great debt of thanks to all the contributors to both The Banner and The Wabash Modeler!






And as always, if you are not a WRHS member, you can either pick up copies from our General Storekeeper (Order Form link) or from our Traveling Stores!




Please note that the watermarks are NOT on the original publications.




Publications announcement posted June 6, 2016 by James Holzmeier


Our Publications Director, Rob Adams, emails the following good news:

"Banner #75 and The Wabash Modeler #5 have been printed and are being mailed together. They will be finding their way to (the 2015) members in the coming days/weeks."

The Publications Index on this website will be updated with cover thumbnails and a descriptive list of the publication subjects when they become available to the webmasters.

And as always, copies of both publications can be found for sale at our Traveling Stores!



WRHS Annual Meeting 2016 details -  updated  May 11, 2016 by James Holzmeier





MOBERLY, MISSOURI

SEPT. 16, 17, 18

WRHS TRAIN SHOW INFORMATION






   

  






Longtime WRHS Director passes away -  updated  Dec. 6, 2015 by James Holzmeier





(Bob Finan image)


In memoriam
 Stan Rydarowicz 1951-2015





Stanley Rydarowicz, 64, of the city's west side, passed away unexpectedly late Thursday morning, Dec. 4, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, after suffering a heart attack while working in the kitchen at St. Stanislaus Church.
Stanley was born Sept. 6, 1951, in Youngstown, a son of the late Joseph and Catherine Sudor Rydarowicz, and was a lifelong area resident.
Stan was a 1969 Chaney High School graduate and earned a masters degree in business management from Youngstown State University. He worked as a driver for 46 years for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, retiring in 2013. After retirement, he worked as a driver for O’Reilly Auto Parts.
He was a member of St. Brendan Church in Youngstown. He loved cars and was a car collector. He enjoyed model trains, NASCAR racing, and was an avid gardener.
Stan leaves his goddaughter, Diane Rydarowicz of Hubbard, and several cousins.
Family and friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, at St. Brendan Church, 2800 Oakwood Ave., Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2 p.m.




2016 calendar update posted December 6, 2015 by James Holzmeier


Our Publications Editor Rob Adams reports via email that the 2016 WRHS calendar is now at the print shop, and it is anticipated the calendar will be mailed to the 2015 membership (as part of the 2015 membership package) as early as next week. 

As info, the 2016 calendar is dedicated to those "Wabashers" & Wabash photographers we've lost in 2015. Their photos are included in the calendar. A "sneak peek" at what images are included can be found in the Publications Index, on this website. A preview image of the cover can always be found on the calendars' entry on the  Index page, too. 

If you are not a WRHS member, you can order a calendar from our General Storekeeper, Gary Roe. Ordering information is on the Index page. If you happen upon a train show where the WRHS is represented, you can pick one up from our Traveling Store. Enjoy the calendar!



Mid-August caboose work session -  posted July 28, 2015 by James Holzmeier



Original Wabash RR Painting Diagram for the R/W/B cabooses


Our next work session to be held August 10-16, 2015 at the Monticello Ry. Museum. Focuses for this session will be: A) re-installation/masking of body side windows, including window tracks & weatherstrip (prior to exterior painting); B) interior woodwork priming/painting; C) interior woodwork finishing; D) installation of interior woodwork hardware; E) cleaning of interior; F) re-installation of conductors seat; and G) anything else needing to be done.

As can be seen in previous photos, the body work appears to be completed on the caboose, but we will attempt to discover if more needs to be done; as well as whatever else needs to be finished prior to the exterior paint being applied. Keep in mind that MRM/WRHS volunteers have only 72 hours to complete the painting process once it's started. This goes from the very first application of Wabash Blue (lettering & flag) up through and including the two different Reds, Wabash White, Aluminum and the protective Clear Coat applied over everything.

The primary activity will take place 8-14 (Friday) thru 8-16 (Sunday), but someone will be there all week long, if you can help out. The more we can get finished, the better!!

Please contact either James Holzmeier (wabashry) or Larry Van Houten (wabash700) if you can assist. NOTE: both are gmail e-dresses.


Another week, another work session... -  posted July 20, 2015 by James Holzmeier

Sealing washers have been affixed to the machine screws holding the aluminum window tracks, on the top & side (angled) tracks on the sliding cupola windows. Hopefully these washers will help keep moisture from corroding the machine screws, and make future removal of the sliding windows easier. These of course will be painted over with another coat of primer, then the bright red paint.

On the bottoms of all the window tracks we're using square nuts. These look good in appearance and do not interfere with the back & forth movement of the sliding windows.


Since the 4 PVC extension strips attached to the vertical PVC (won't rot in the presence of moisture) sill work in the cupola ended up being somewhat damaged during the sandblasting process, we'll remove them (they are nailed in), cut new ones and re-apply. Any suggestions on what type of fastener to use? Don't want to use regular steel screws for reasons of rust...aluminum screws, perhaps? 

Combined with the use of PVC for the sill work framing, judicious amounts of caulking as well as the newly-made rubber/aluminum end seals on the sliding window frames themselves, it is hoped that these extension strips will be the "fourth leg of the chair" in helping to keep moisture from coming sideways into the cupola...a prevalent problem in the past on 2824 and what seems to be a problem encountered in most other Wabash cabooses.



Larry Van Houten fitting his new, "modular" pantry into the caboose. He made this at home in his spare time, folks...a testament to his wood working skills. Thanks, Larry! He had earlier made the coal bunker, which is attached to the pantry itself. Both are made to Wabash specs, thanks to Fred Stevens of the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan. Next project for him: making the dish cabinet mounted on the end wall above the short bunk. Can't wait to see it!




Fitting of the pantry/coal bunker combo. It's coming together, folks! Prior to the conclusion of the work session, the coal bunker was primed for painting, identically to the attached pantry. We're going to attach an aluminum "heat shield" (probably with an attached backer board) to the side of the coal bunker next to the coal stove, so the MRM can actually use the stove and not heat up the wood on the coal bunker.





Prior to his trip back to Chicago, Mark Vaughan took the time to construct all-new sill work surrounding each body side window. Bereft of knots, this wood will look good painted and also be quite weather-resistant. He also measured and cut quarter-round for the interior of the caboose. Great job, Mark!






Some of the epoxy body filler we used to "level out" and fill in holes around the caboose; this is on the roof. The copper-colored body filler is supposedly better than regular body filler, but when mixed (being epoxy) it sure gets hot...smoke was actually coming from the mixing pail and it is said that if it's mixed wrongly, the contents of the mixing pot can actually catch on fire. This didn't happen to us, thanks to "master mixer" Randy Rippy!

The sandblasting process did reveal some "pinhole rust" alongside the cupola and roof line...areas which were patched using this type of body filler.

Paul Nelson of the MRM has graciously volunteered his time and expertise in sanding on the epoxy body filler and getting the caboose ready for re-priming and painting. Thank you for all your hard work, Paul! This is him using a circular sander on the body filler.






One more shot of the coal bunker/pantry, after it was installed but before it was primed. You can also see Mark Vaughan's quarter-round at the base. The interior wood work, combined with the prototype Wabash RR cold-water tank made by Hechler Hardware in Troy, MO, the original Wabash caboose stove & end marker lanterns furnished by Gary Roe, and Bob McNeill's fruitful hunt for original-type interior hardware (hinges, knobs, etc.), should make Wabash fans happy, happy, happy!





We will in all probability have one or two more work sessions in August, maybe early September before the annual meeting. We will keep y'all informed of these dates via this blog and our other social media sites. Please consider donating your personal time and $$ to help this project along to its finality! 



Website updates -  posted July 20, 2015 by James Holzmeier


Over the past several months, we've been trying to update the site, pursuant to recommendations made by WRHS board members. New links to the Outside Resources category include Sanborn Maps of Missouri & Illinois; historic aerial photos of those same states; Jerry LaBoda's passenger car website; the personal website of Erin Jorgenson, the designer of this site; and links to photos of the Wabash cabooses in Orrick and Stanberry, Missouri. A page dedicated to the WRHS Constitution/By-Laws has been added into the About WRHS section, and updated information regarding Existing Employee Records has been moved to the bottom of the Contact page. Three brand-new product ordering forms (indicative of newly-published material) have been developed and uploaded; as far as our publications go, the new Banners and 2015 calendar have been added into the mix, and the descriptions of Banner subjects themselves have been updated. An updated WRHS Member Application Form has been uploaded (thanks Larry Van Houten!). Our web designer Erin has added color button links which will take you directly to our social media sites; these buttons are found on the bottom of each page. In addition, things have been "cleaned up" a bit by alphabetizing the subdirectories under the top navigation panel. It is our hope the updates will allow visitors to more efficiently peruse the website!


Annual Meeting clarification -  posted July 19, 2015 by James Holzmeier


At this time there will be NO model railroad layout tours during the Annual Meeting. Nor will there be an official WRHS-chartered excursion over at the Monticello Railway Museum. However, at this time we still plan on re-dedicating our 2824 caboose on Saturday, and you are more than welcome to attend that function, as well as attending the MRMs "Railroad Days" festival that very same weekend. 


Caboose 2824 pics -  posted July 5, 2015 by James Holzmeier


Looking like a model, caboose 2824 reposes inside the engine house at the Monticello Ry. Museum. The caboose has one coat of primer on it, and will receive another after the epoxy body putty (the copper-colored splotches) are sanded down. Once the second coat of primer is applied, then comes the finish coats! (pics taken 7-4-15 by James Holzmeier)







2015 Annual Meeting details! -  posted July 3, 2015 by James Holzmeier 


The Annual Meeting for 2015 will be held in Decatur, Illinois, on September 18, 19 and 20. This is a straight link directly to the meeting flyer; it has all the information you'll need! There are lots of key events at this particular meeting, but primary (on Friday) is the tour of the remaining Wabash facilities at Decatur. One of Saturday's highlights will be the re-dedication of our caboose #2824 at the Monticello (IL) Wabash depot during the Monticello Railway Museum's "Railroad Days" festival. This is without a doubt a DON"T MISS annual meeting - so get your reservations in early!!



2015 Annual Meeting flier -  posted June 26, 2015 by James Holzmeier


The following announcement is from WRHS Secretary Bob McNeill:




Banner #74 is about to be mailed posted June 19, 2015 by James Holzmeier


The following is a communique to the members from our Publications Editor, Rob Adams: 


WRHS Members;



I'm delighted to announce that Banner 74 is off the presses and will be finding its way to you via the US Postal Service over the next couple of weeks.  It is the largest Banner produced to date, 52 pages in length, with 8 pages in color, and contains the following features:
  • "Speeding your Shipments" - An advertising campaign from 1929-30 promoting Wabash RedBall Fast Freight Service.  Catchy artwork and interesting captions about various employee trades on the Wabash that contributed to "Speeding your Shipment"
  • The Wabash Class I-2 Consolidation - Secondary Line Steam Power - These engines were prominent in many places including the Omaha line, and filled out their careers on the Ottumwa and Streator Branches in later years.  The article includes a wealth of prototype information, many photographs, and features HO and O Scale drawings of engines 2155 and 2160 created by member Ed Spanknoble.  Also included are reproductions of 15 scale drawings of key Wabash steam locomotive components like trucks, pilot, air pump mount, power reverse installation, etc.   All of this is relevant to the I-2/C-1 engines, but many of the components are also applicable to other Wabash steam power. They represent a treasure trove of information for the Wabash steam enthusiast or modeler!
  • The Wabash Class C-1 0-8-0 switchers - The road had two of these engines, rebuilt from Class I-2 in 1917.  They seem to have been variously assigned in Indiana and out of Decatur, IL.  The article presents the available prototype information and photos.
Please note:  Banner 74 is considered a double publication from 2014 and is being sent to all members paid for 2014 or currently paid (as of today) for 2015.  With its completion, we are now caught up on publications from previous years, and our members can look forward to steady activity from here on out.

Issue #5 of The Wabash Modeler is well underway and should go to print next month (July 2015).  

TWM Number 5
Content will include the following features: 
  • Product announcements
  • HO modeling of Wabash 2600-series wood caboose stand-ins from a Walthers model by Pierre Oliver
  • HO modeling of ex-N&W hoppers by Stan Rydarowicz
  • Modeling the Buffalo, NY mobile Piggy-back facility office trailer in HO scale, by Larry VanHouten
  • Modeling Wabash 950-974 series Express Refrigerator Cars in HO and O Scale by Rob Adams
  • Member modeling photos
  • Wabash Standards - Switch Stands
By Fall 2015, Banner 75 will also be available and the 2016 WRHS Calendar will round out our 2015 publications during October/November.  

In future years, we will publish at minimum one issue of TWM during the first half of the calendar year, and an issue of The Banner during the second half of the year, with the following year's calendar printed for distribution during October/November.

I share your interest and passion for the Wabash, appreciate your support of the WRHS and encourage you to consider joining or renewing your membership if you aren't currently a member.  While the publications are an important piece of our mission, they are just part of what makes the WRHS a great organization.  Less formal sharing of information, fellowship and community are also a big part of our identity. 

Finally, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the 2015 WRHS Annual Meet, which is scheduled for this coming Sept 18-20 in Decatur, IL and has a great slate of activities shaping up.  We'd love to see you there!  

That's all for this installment.  Thanks again for your support.

Kind regards, 

Rob Adams
WRHS Publications Editor

Wabash 6 repainted into Wabash colors posted June 5, 2015 by James Holzmeier


From a post at the Monticello Railway Museum's Facebook page:

Over the past couple of weeks, a dedicated crew of museum volunteers got Wabash Railroad Office Car No. 6 repainted into Wabash blue, as evidenced by this photo from museum president John Sciutto. The museum always needs those proficient in painting, welding, wood work and other specialties to restore and repair its growing fleet of cars.
















3 images courtesy of Kent McClure, MRM











Caboose 2824 Restoration Work Project dates are set posted March 4, 2015 by James Holzmeier


A
s indicated in previous posts, a concerted effort is being made to finish both the interior and exterior restoration of our Wabash caboose #2824 at the Monticello Ry. Museum. It is our plan to have both finished in time for our Annual Meeting in Decatur this year. If all goes according to plan, the caboose will be ready for re-dedication during our anticipated charter ride on either Saturday or Sunday of the Annual Meeting weekend.


It has been decided to make an all-out push on the exterior restoration, which has been languishing for awhile now. To that end, we are announcing a marathon, week-long work session in May of this year. The session will begin on Friday, May 8th and extend into Sunday, May 17th. These dates are firm and will be held, rain or shine.

The work schedule for the caboose-athon has been finalized, with input from the MRM. The schedule can be found & downloaded by clicking HERE. It is an Adobe PDF document.

From inspecting the work schedule, you can see that it is aggressive and the week will be FULL, working days with evenings free (unless we get behind schedule due to weather or other concerns). Saturday, May 9th will be an especially long day! We desperately need volunteers of every stripe, whether WRHS members or not, including those who possess carpentry skills (we will also use that week to rebuild several of the components missing from the interior of 2824, including the icebox, coal bunker, pantry and wall-mounted dish cabinet). Also needing rebuilding are the cupola seats and several locker doors. Those who are well-versed in metalworking can concentrate their time on re-creating the toilet hopper, for its enclosure (it doesn't have to work, it just has to look good!). The metalsmiths and carpenters can coordinate working together on the coal bunker, since it's lined with galvanized sheet metal and angle-iron. If you're good at auto body work, this is your opportunity to show off your prowess, since there are places on 2824 which will need filled with epoxy filler, then sanded. If you possess any of these capabilities, PLEASE consider volunteering your time to the Society by helping us complete this project!

As can be seen on the schedule, volunteers doing the blasting, priming, body work & painting will be keeping very busy both outside and in the museum's Engine House. If you want to assist in the actual blasting, priming & painting of the caboose (rather than coralling the blasting media/primer/paint), you shouldn't be afraid of heights, since at some point you'll probably be on the roof of the caboose, or at least on a scaffold next to it. Volunteers doing carpentry work can spend their time working inside the Car, Machine & Locomotive Shops during the week. The MRM has a large table saw, chop saw, band saw, drill presses, grinders and a CNC machine. The museum is well-equipped with a large air compressor, and we have a portable air compressor if needed. If any other specialty tools are needed, please bring along what you think you'll need, for whatever project on which you wish to work. I presume that the MRM will want you to sign a liability waiver, to work in and around the shops.

Be advised that the Monticello Ry. Museum has a bunkhouse available for volunteers. Four bunks are available at any given time, although it is on a first-come, first-served basis. In the basement of the bunkhouse are large tables put together, on which you can sleep if you bring along an air mattress. Put your air mattress on the floor, if you want! If you desire, you can even bed down on the bunks in our cabooses! Monticello has 2 hotels, eating establishments are plentiful, and if you want to bring your own food, the bunkhouse has its own sink, refrigerator and microwave. A shower is available in the bunkhouse, as well as bathrooms. And Monticello has a couple coin laundromats, if needed. Be prepared to get dirty!

Won't you please consider donating your time & expertise to this worthy cause? Please get ahold of me by email (wabashry *AT* gmail *DOT* com) or by phone/text message at 660-341-oneonenineseven if you can assist, or have any questions. We'll put together a list of volunteers, their expertise and skill level(s), then make up a worksheet for the week. 

Hope to see you there!

- Link to this page also posted at the WRHS Yahoo! GroupWRHS Facebook Page and the Wabash/Ann Arbor Caboose Owner's Facebook Group


                                           Please come help restore me to my original grandeur!


2015 Annual Meeting dates are set posted February 25, 2015 by James Holzmeier




The Annual Meeting for 2015 will be held in Decatur, Illinois, on September 18, 19 and 20. Meeting location(s) and other details are still being worked out, although we traditionally charter an "extra" excursion (using ex-Wabash equipment, including F7A #1189) at the Monticello Ry. Museum, which is around 20 miles east of Decatur on Interstate 72. That same weekend is the MRM's annual Railroad Days. Also taking place in Decatur that weekend is the 2-day Decatur Model Railroad Club show/sale at the civic center downtown.


Keep checking back for details as they are added!


Longtime WRHS officer passes away posted February 2, 2015 by James Holzmeier




Vance C. Lischer, Jr.
September 3, 1933 – January 17, 2015

Vance C. Lischer, Jr. died on January 17, 2015 at 81 years of age. Beloved husband of Dorothy S. Beaman; father of Susanne Lischer, Reinhard Lischer, Stefanie (Fred) Lischer Liers; step-father of Joshua Paul Beaman-Kogan; grandfather of Olin Henry Liers; brother of Nancy (Bob) Graf; brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle and cousin. Please consider a donation for Parkinson's research to: APDA, 1415 Elbridge Payne Rd. Suite 150, Chesterfield, MO 63017, or to a charity of your choice. 


IN MEMORIAM


Vance grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri with his younger sister Nancy. He and his lifelong friend, Don Horton, had many adventures playing and exploring the hills in their neighborhood.

He graduated from Washington University in 1955 with a degree in Civil Engineering. This training would come out when he made presentations to railroad organizations. One of his best known talks was about railroad bridges, but his wealth of knowledge about all facets of railroading was eagerly shared with anyone that would listen, and was enthusiastically absorbed by his audiences. His technical knowledge of railroading subject matter was incredible.

Vance was musically inclined, and would play the piano in the evenings when he wasn’t working on his fantastic basement model railroad. All three of his children became involved in this project by making trees and other scenery.

His love of trains began in his youth when he travelled on a train to Seattle with his Grandparents. While he loved railroading in general, he was particularly fond of the Wabash. His Grandparents both worked for the Wabash, his Grandfather being Station Agent at the Litchfield, Illinois depot. Vance spoke with pride about visiting that station as a child.

Vance was actively involved in numerous clubs, including the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis, the National Railway Historical Society, the National Model Railroad Association, the Rail Enthusiasts, and was a charter member of ARCHES, the American Railway Caboose Historical Education Society. He was also a long time member of the Wabash Railroad Historical Society. He served as Secretary of the organization, and held the position of Director on the Board of Directors until December 31, 2014.

One of Vance’s labors of love was his Wabash caboose #2847. The complete restoration of the caboose took over 4 years to complete, due to his attention to detail and wanting to “get it right”. He wrote about the process of this restoration, and the articles were printed in the WRHS publication “The Banner”, issues number 21 and 50. His caboose was donated to the St. Louis County Museum of Transportation, and is currently open to museum goers where it can be fully experienced and appreciated. It is in immaculate condition, and well worth the trip to the museum.

Vance was a quiet and respectful gentleman. We in the Wabash Railroad Historical Society will miss him, and are poorer for his passing; but will fondly remember him whenever we see a Wabash caboose.


2015 calendar is in the mail! posted January 21, 2015 by Allen Rueter


Just received an email from Publications Editor Rob Adams, who reports that our 2015 calendars were completed yesterday, and will be mailed this week to the 2014 membership. A preview image of the cover can be found on the Publications Index page. If you are not a WRHS member, you can order a calendar from our General Storekeeper, Gary Roe. Please visit the Publications Index page for ordering info. If you happen upon a train show where the WRHS is represented, you can pick one up from our Traveling Store.


2014 WRHS bridge data project posted December 22, 2014 by James Holzmeier


With the recent unearthing of Wabash Railroad documents regarding the railroad's bridges, held in the personal collections of WRHS members, it was decided that because such information is incredibly valuable to Wabash researchers, modelers and bridge fans, that we (WRHS) should commit to saving the bridge data via electronic means (don't worry, hard copies have been retained) in order to enable people to access it via the internet. To that end, the Bridgehunter website was chosen to be the repository of our bridge data. A concerted effort has been made during the late fall to enter as much Wabash bridge information as possible into the website, and the project is ongoing. Via our social media sites, readers have been asked to send in any pictures they have of Wabash bridges, so they too can be uploaded into the applicable database entry (with proper photo credit being given, of course!). Here are a couple examples of bridge photos, along with their pertinent data:

Wabash Railroad Bridge #57A
Overview
Lost deck plate girder bridge over Taussig Rd. on Wabash, later N&W, later NS Railway
Location
Status
Replaced by a new bridge
History
Built 1931; replaced by new bridge in 2002
Builder
American Bridge Co. of New York
Design
Deck plate girder w/ballasted deck and concrete abutments
Dimensions
Length of largest span: 46.7 ft.
Total length: 47.8 ft.
Deck width: 13.0 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude
38°46'36" N, 90°25'49" W   




Wabash Railroad Bridge #1097
Overview
Lost Through truss bridge over Nodaway River on Wabash Railroad
Location
Nodaway CountyMissouri
Status
Replaced by a new bridge
History
Built 1898; replaced with 126' steel stringer bridge 1939; removed 1985 account of line abandonment
Design
Howe through truss
Dimensions
Span length: 130.0 ft.
Total length: 130.0 ft.
Deck width: 13.5 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 29.0 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude
+40.45100-95.08714

As you can see, both these bridges are physically long-lost, but in essence they still remain with us today, thanks to the wonderful folks behind the Bridgehunter website!

It might surprise you to know that some pre-Wabash bridges, from our predecessor roads, are still with us. Check these out:

Wabash Railroad Bridge #1918
Overview
Brick arch bridge with stone facing, over a tributary of Hoover Creek on Wabash, later N&W, later NS Railway
Location
Randolph County, Missouri
Status
Intact but closed to all traffic account of line abandonment ca. 1996
History
Built 1858 by the North Missouri Railroad Co.
Design
Brick arch
Dimensions
Total length: 61.0 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude
+39.59783, -92.47165



Wabash Railroad Bridge #152
Overview
Stone arch bridge over Branch of Clear Creek on Wabash, later N&W, now NS Railway
Location
LanesvilleSangamon CountyIllinois
Status
Open to traffic
History
Built 1876
Design
Stone arch
Dimensions
Total length: 35.0 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude
+39.85292-89.34520 


It might interest you to know that an original, ca. 1885 Wabash through-truss span, originally used on the Grand River crossing west of Brunswick, Missouri, was moved to the old Ottumwa Branch in the year 1916. And the bridge is still there, even though the Ottumwa Branch was abandoned in the mid-1980s! A website contributor recently took detail photos of Bridge #2216 and posted them on the site. An original Wabash line drawing of the bridge is included in the database entry. 


As part of the project, most (if not all) entries include an embedded Google Map to help properly locate the bridge. If possible, a Google Street View of the bridge is also included. And if aerial views from state GIS services are available, they are linked within the bridge entry. When the project was started earlier this year, there were just over 100 bridges linked with the Wabash Railroad. Now there are almost 400!


Members with information, data and photos of Wabash Railroad bridges, whether extant or not, are urged to apply for a free editorship at the Bridgehunter website. For consistency, please label all new bridge entries as "Wabash Railroad Bridge #_____". But if you don't know the bridge number, just get ahold of me (Email) and I'll look it up for you. As info, bridges are entered into the website by county, so you might have to do some research on that front to make sure the bridge is entered properly. And please ensure that "Wabash Railroad" is entered into the Category field.

Let's get going...Wabash modelers and bridge fanatics will thank you for it!


WRHS at KC Union Station celebration - posted  November 3, 2014 by James Holzmeier



Larry Van Houten sent along these photos of the WRHS table at the KC Union Station Centennial Celebration this past weekend.  Both he and his brother Aubrey (L) were dressed in authentic Wabash conductor's uniforms, and displayed some of their Wabash memorabilia along with items from the WRHS Traveling Store. Larry reports that "several thousand people came through the show (and) we had good sales." Thank you, Van Houtens, for so ably representing the Society!



Photo donation - posted November 2, 2014 by James Holzmeier


Randolph County Historical Society (Moberly, Missouri) member Lloyd Deierling kindly emailed us a photo of the Wabash turntable at Stanberry, Missouri.  The photo was taken in 1891.  For those of you who don't know Lloyd, he was a longtime Wabash employee, working out of several depots in Missouri & Iowa. His dad was also a Wabash employee in the Maintenance of Way Dept., and he worked on the old and new bridges at St. Charles.  Lloyd spends his retirement being active in the RCHS and is a frequent volunteer at the Moberly REA Museum, enlightening visitors about our favorite railroad! 

Thanks for your contribution, Lloyd!

If anyone has Wabash photos they would like to see posted on the website, please send them to either me or Allen Rueter.

Update: Forgot to add that the donated photo has been posted in the Historical Photos section, under "Turntable photos". Sorry about that!

Caboose #2824 Update; September-October 2014 - posted October 6, 2014 by James Holzmeier


While it was hoped that the caboose could at least be sandblasted & primered by this time, alas, time marches on and we are essentially out of time for the year. However, what this means is that Spring 2015 will be a busy time for the active participants in the caboose restoration project. We have 3 more volunteers for the project in Matt Weaver, Bill Lygiros & Doug Capuder (Students from Champaign-Urbana as well as MRM volunteers). We helped them with their restoration of the museum's Fairmont motor car, and in return they graciously offered their services in assisting us with the #2824 project. Thanks, guys (the motor car looks great!!). 

From its supplier in Wisconsin, the MRM has ordered & received all the primer, paint & clearcoat sealer in order to finish the caboose project. The MRM gets its sandblasting media from a place in Champaign, so quick access to that probably won't be an issue.

So, the #2824 will likely end up being moved out of the Shop and back into its normal spot inside the Car Barn for the winter. Another piece of equipment will take its place in the Shop over the winter.

As of today (10-6-2014), I am over here at MRM and because the outside is pretty much ready to paint (there is still one more rusted-through area on the exterior skin that we just did find, and we're awaiting the MRM's welder to come in and put some new metal in there for us), the concentration for the next couple days will be to work on the interior woodwork. The conductor's table is finished and just needs to be mounted in-place. The conductor's seat is so far gone due to wood rot, that it requires total rebuilding.  I will take this back home with me and drop it off at Marshall Custom Woodworks in LaPlata, MO to get the seat rebuilt. For the sill work around the caboose windows that might be exposed to the elements, we will use PVC (so we'll never have to worry about wood rot again!). 

Call for volunteers:

The sandblasting & painting process is labor-intensive. At a minimum, 3-4 volunteers will be needed to operate the sandblasting machine: one to actually blast and the others to either keep the hopper filled with blasting media or to take over for the Master Blaster. As such, we will be needing volunteers to assist in this project. The WRHS commonly holds its Spring board meeting & caboose work session in late April of every year. Due to past experience (one late April, it was actually snowing!), we might be persuaded to put this off for a couple or three weeks, in order to sandblast/paint in nicer weather, in May 2015. Low humidity levels and clear skies are required, so we will wait until closer to that time to make a firm decision on dates. In all probability, we will announce Primary and Secondary work sessions, lasting 4-5 days each (the secondary date will be a rain date). Keep your eyes on this page as well as our Facebook and Yahoo groups to keep track of when our work session(s) are scheduled for next year!

Please let me know via Email if you would be willing to help next year with the sandblasting & painting of #2824. A volunteer "email tree" will be prepared, which will help in notifying you when the "gettin' dirty" time arrives! 

We are still anticipating that the caboose will be ready in time to re-dedicate it, at our 2015 Annual Meeting.


Updated the Annual Meeting page - posted October 6, 2014 by James Holzmeier


The locations for the 2015 and 2016 Annual Meetings have been posted.  Dates and details for both are TBA.  Also posted the locations of past Annual Meetings dating back to the 1970's.


New items for Caboose #2824 project - posted September 29, 2014 by James Holzmeier

Thanks to Aubrey Van Houten at the Annual Meeting, we now have a calendar to put on the wall in #2824:


We also picked up a really nice Wabash-marked 5 gal. bucket, which we will also put on display in the caboose.  Thanks, Ben Colley!


Page update - posted September 16, 2012 by James Holzmeier


Added some new links to the Outside Resources page



Reservations taken for new F-7 models  - posted September 8, 2014 by James Holzmeier

I was asked by Gary Roe to post the following information, for our O-gauge model railroaders















WRHS Publications News - posted August 31, 2014 by James Holzmeier


Banner No. 72, on Derailments & Wrecks on the Wabash, has been mailed to the members for the 2012 membership year. The Wabash Modeler No. 4, for the 2011 membership year, and 2014 calendar were mailed in early 2014. 

At this time, members are still owed Wabash Modelers for 2012-2014 and Banners for 2013 and 2014 (all are in development). Also in development is the annual calendar for 2015, which, as part of the 2014 membership package, will be mailed at the end of this year. Please be patient as we play "catch-up" with our publications.
.

Future Banner issues or articles in development (not in publication order):

  • Grain issue
  • Ottumwa Branch
  • Wabash 16th District - Moulton to Des Moines
  • Detroit Zones
  • Wabash Depots (update of the original 1984 Banner article, with new photos and information)
  • The Wabash Decatur Shops
  • Delmar Station history
  • The Hannibal Bridge
  • The Wabash at the 1904 World's Fair
  • The conversion of the Ann Arbor Railroad No. 6 car ferry into the Arthur K. Atkinson

If any readers would like to share any information and/or photos about the potential articles listed above, please get ahold of us!



Brother, can you spare a dime...  - posted August 31, 2014 by James Holzmeier


for the restoration of "The Rogers" replica locomotive? 

This historic replica was built by Wabash employees in the Decatur Shops, for the Chicago Railroad Fair of 1948. The replica was originally painted Wabash blue, but the paint scheme was switched to a light green color, with red & gold accents, at a later date. The unit made appearances in parades at many Midwestern town centennial celebrations during the 1950's, being transported to the locales on a flatcar! The Rogers replica was prominently displayed in the Wabash Railroad's publicity film, "Once Upon the Wabash", as well.

Despite the best efforts of the crack staff on our Ferro-equine Archeology Research Team to discover what happened to the replica over the years, their labors went unfulfilled until the development of something called the "Internet". A search of same turned up evidence that The Rogers had not yet passed into the Great Beyond; no, it was discovered sitting forlornly under an open-sided shed in north Illinois, owned by the Illinois Railway Museum.

In furtherance of the Society's preservation efforts, the Board of Directors has committed to assisting the IRM in the restoration of this vintage piece of Wabash equipment. To that end, we are soliciting contributions to the cause. The primary goal of the Society is to fund the purchase of new rubber tires for the unit; the ones on the replica are well over a half-century old and for some reason just don't seem up to the task of retaining air. The intrepid Bob McNeill has done some sleuthing, and has found a set of suitable tires in Ohio. We'll continue to keep you informed as to the progress of their acquisition, as well as the overall restoration efforts.

Please get ahold of the Treasurer if you would like to assist the WRHS in this endeavor. Remember that we are an IRS-approved 501c3 organization.

The Rogers at the 1948 Chicago RR Fair, in blue paint. Photographer unknown

This.Is.Cool. 
The Rogers replica in 2013. 
3 photos courtesy Bob McNeill

Tender, side view

Tender, end view. Note the graffiti. 


Caboose Restoration Update: January -August 2014 - posted August 31, 2014 by James Holzmeier


A concentrated effort to restore WRHS caboose #2824, residing at the Monticello Ry. Museum, has finally gotten underway. Throughout the year numerous work sessions involving Society volunteers, working in conjunction with MRM shop forces, have resulted in the caboose being very close to externally restored! The R/W/B paint scheme on the caboose had faded badly over the years, and the general condition of the caboose had deteriorated because of its constant exposure to the elements. The caboose will be sandblasted and repainted into the R/W/B paint scheme, hopefully in Fall 2014 when the weather gets cooler and less humid. We will then start finishing the interior renovation. Our goal at this time is to have the entire project completed by September 2015, so we can re-dedicate the caboose at the MRM's Railroad Days celebration.

Our intention is to restore the #2824 as close as possible to its appearance in the early 1960's, in pursuit of our goal that the caboose serve as an interpretive, yet operational, display piece for the museum. So, extreme late-era Wabash and/or N&W additions (refrigerator-type icebox, cabin heater, heating oil tank, fixed seat cushions, large water  tank, aluminum mesh "rock guard" window covers, etc.) have all been removed. Six new window frames made of water-resistant woods (4 Mahogany; 2 Spanish Cedar) have been constructed, with new safety glass replacing the fogged-over Lexan sheets the N&W had added. The conductor's table has been totally rebuilt due to wood rot along its back edge, and the conductor's bench seat has to be completely rebuilt on account of same. Numerous lengths of bead-board interior paneling have been replaced due to wood rot. Old, stiff rubber weatherstripping around all the cupola windows has been replaced with brand-new product, which will solve the water-ingress issues there. The exterior rust holes were cut out and new metal welded in. An original Wabash caboose stove has been installed. Woodwork that has to be re-created to Wabash specs include the dish cabinet on the "A" end wall, coal bunker/cabinet next to the stove, and the icebox on the "B" end. We're still discussing whether or not to rebuild the folding dinner table over the double bunks on the "A" end.

As far as interior lighting goes, the WRHS has available four Wabash-marked Adlake wall lanterns, as well as an Aladdin Mod. 23C lamp & mount for the conductor's desk. Our own Gary Roe funded the acquisition of two original Wabash end marker lanterns; we'll use these lanterns during Society train excursions at the MRM. Thanks, Gary!

The following are some "pre-restoration" photos:


WRHS Caboose #2824 in 2009. Note the degeneration of the red 
paint into what one wag called "Pepto-Bismol Pink." 
All photos by James Holzmeier 

 "An enhanced state of corrosive disintegration through & through 
the surface of the exterior iron alloy body material". Since this 
photo was taken in 2009, this situation has been rectified.

 Note the advanced state of wood rot on the toilet bunk window's 
frame. During heavy rains, water would literally pour through 
these side windows and saturate the interior woodwork.

 Anachronistic fuel oil tank, cabin heater, water tank, seat 
cushions and refuse container, before removal. The 
tea kettle will remain, in case you wondered.

Wood rot underneath a body side window. All of this interior siding
has been replaced since this photo was taken in 2010.

#2824 in the MRM Car Shop, July 2014. View shows plywood sheeting 
we made to cover all the windows. This was done to keep the 
sandblasting media out of the caboose.

When the exterior is complete, the caboose will have been painted to original Wabash specifications: Insignia (bright) White and OSHA Safety (bright) Red, with an Aluminum roof. DuPont Imron paints will be used for all 3 colors. The base coat, before final painting, will be 2 coats of epoxy primer over bare metal. For the lettering and the Wabash flag, Naz-Dar Blue (a dark, fade-resistant ink) will be used. The caboose numerals themselves will either be painted on, or possibly vinyl lettering will be used. Handrails will be yellow and the end steps & trucks will be painted oxide red; again, as per Wabash specs. A clear-coat will also be applied, which hopefully will assure a long life for the paint job. No expense will be spared on the paint job; we want it to last as long or longer than the paint job on WRHS caboose #2834 (which is going on 20 years, in 2015. Holy Cow!).

This is what the interior will look like when we're done. A brand-new 
steel caboose just out of the Decatur Shops. Note the original water 
tank (mounted on the wall above the sink), caboose stove and coal 
bunker/cabinet.  Photographer unknown (does anyone know?)

This is what the exterior will look like when we're doneCaboose 
#2854 in Georgia. Photo courtesy WRHS member Don R. 
Williams, the owner. Nice job, Don!

A short article about the restoration project and its progression is scheduled to appear in a future edition of the MRM newsletter (link). Many more images of what's been done so far have been posted to our Facebook page, and video updates have been and will continue to be uploaded to our YouTube channel. Check 'em out!

For years, we have actively solicited funds for replenishment of yearly expenditures which go to keep our cabooses #2824 and #2834 maintained. They are now owned by MRM, donations can be made to MRM, or thru Wabash R H S Thanks!


Summer 2014 Activities: - posted August 31, 2014 by James Holzmeier


Members of the Society have been kept busy this year, either representing the WRHS by their  presence and/or manning the WRHS Store at several train shows & historical events in both Missouri & Illinois. These events included the Natl. Train Day celebration at St. Louis Union Station in May, at which Larry Van Houten, Bob McNeill, Allen Rueter, Ron Ackerman and I manned the WRHS table; the Moberly Wabash Days in June (Larry, Bob, Gary Roe, Ben Colley and myself); the CMRRA Meet in Warrenton, MO on Aug. 2 (both Bob & Larry were interviewed for the Let's Talk Trains Online Radio podcast, and no less than SIX members of the WRHS either represented the Society or had their own tables at the event!); and the Railroad Prototype Modeler's Meet in Belleville, IL on Aug. 8-9 (Gary Roe, Rob Adams & Pierre Oliver). Larry, Bob, Allen and I also showed the Wabash flag at the St. Louis Museum of Transport Model Train Show on Aug. 24. 

Bob McNeill, Larry Van Houten and their WRHS Store at Natl. 
Train Day. Larry also displayed some of his fantastic HO 
models at this event. Photo courtesy Bob McNeill

The WRHS Store will also be set up at the following events in late summer/fall: the Boeing Employees Railroad Club Swap Meet at Queeny Park in St. Louis on Saturday, Sept. 6; the WRHS Annual Meeting in Excelsior Springs on Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday the 20th; the Go By Train event at the St. Louis Museum of Transport on Saturday, Sept. 27; and the Kansas City Union Station Centennial Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 1. If you are in any of those areas during those times, stop by and talk Wabash with us! Back issues of our publications, maps, Wabash advertising paper, photographs of Wabash equipment, and the Andy Fletcher Wabash magnets are all offered for sale wherever the Store goes. We also have some cool photo postcards to give away! 

We are in need of member-volunteer(s) to represent the Society at shows in the Chicago area, as well as the East (Indiana/Ohio/Michigan) side of the system (as indicated, we pretty much have the West side covered). Contact "Traveling Storekeeper" Larry Van Houten (email: wabash700 *AT* gmail *DOT* com) if you are interested.

Spring 2014 Activities: - posted August 31, 2014 by James Holzmeier


Thanks to Allen Rueter, we finally have our own YouTube channel! Videos uploaded so far pertain to the ongoing Caboose #2824 Restoration Project at the Monticello Ry. Museum. Videos to be posted in the future will include highlights from past annual meetings and footage from some of our rare-mileage train rides, as well as additional updates from the caboose project.

A dream come true for a lot of Wabashers...Wabash E8 #1009 (the 10,000th diesel locomotive built by Electro-Motive Division of GM), which had been on display at the Virginia Museum of Transport in Roanoke since the late 1960's, was externally restored by Norfolk Southern, just in time for it to attend the "Streamliners in Spencer" gala at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in late May. Thank you Wick Moorman (NS) and Bev Fitzpatrick (VMT)! The WRHS manned a table at the Spencer event, along with our friends from the Monticello Ry. Museum. The MRM contingent was kept busy all week, looking after their Wabash F7 #1189, which was used as power on tourist excursions from the event site.

The WRHS was represented at Spencer by Randy Rippy and myself, with my family in tow. The #1009 certainly seemed to be a popular photo subject throughout the week. It was noted that the unit's original commemorative plaques and builder's plates had been replaced with full-color decals, which we've been informed is the way things are done nowadays.

As info: as part of an ongoing Society project, Randy had been communicating for many years with the locomotive's stakeholders about its future (which, quite frankly, looked extremely bleak). And my maternal grandfather, Wm. O. Wilson of Moberly, Missouri was one of the engineers on this locomotive during its assignment as power on the City of St. Louis and City of Kansas City trains.

Thank you Randy, for sticking with this project over the years! And thank you for bringing the extra flags to place on the locomotive!


The #1009 at Spencer. Randy Rippy photo

Taking photos of the commemorative plaque decal and builder's 
plate. James Holzmeier photo

The WRHS' white extra flags are flying! Photo courtesy of Bob 
Lipka (thanks Bob!)

Matt & Riley Holzmeier at the WRHS table. James Holzmeier photo

 #1009 at the night photo shoot. Randy Rippy photo


#1009 at the Moberly station ca. 1959.  Note the plaque 
commemorating the locomotive's historic status. Engr. 
W.O. Wilson and Fireman Chris Rickertsen are 
pictured.  Holzmeier Family collection.


OLDER ENTRIES:



Dec 10th, 2013


A new Wabash book by long-time WRHS member Victor Baird, "Railroading on the Wabash Fourth District", is available from Erstwhile Publications.


Mar 19, 2013

The Transport Museum Association is planning 
a "Thank You" presentation recognizing Vance 
and Dorothy Lischer, Jr., for the WABASH 
Caboose 2847 donation, to be held on Tuesday, 
September 3.  The WRHS is invited to visit 
the Transport Museum that day for the outdoor 
ceremony.  September 3 is Vance's next
birthday.

2013 Annual Meeting


The WRHS annual meeting for 2013 was held in Jacksonville, IL.


August 1, 2012


Board member Robert "Bob" McNeill got the social-media ball rolling for us by establishing the official WRHS Facebook page. Thank you, sir! Current co-administrators for the FB page are Bob and James Holzmeier.


Other publications with Wabash material


The TRRA of St. Louis Historical & Technical Society has published Issue 70, which covers Union Starch, a significant Wabash customer, and Wabash photos by Irvin Schankman (24 pages).