THE TWO FOOTERS

“We’re Rolling”

Enclosed is a photo of my Golf-Cart that has been running on my rails since the fall of 2001.  Nick D’Amore helped me put it on the rails.  I got the idea for the Golf-Cart from an article submitted some time ago by a fellow two-footer.  I have named it “Chitty-Bang II”, as my Plymouth Loco, is Number I.  The Cart is an old 10 H.P. Gas Cushman.  The steering wheel is disconnected, but serves as a handhold.  I do not have the proper driver clutch, but the speed is adequate with a modified unit.

I pull a one-ton restored coalmine car with pressure treated lumber and the wheels have been moved out so the one-ton of grandchildren won’t tip it.  I wish I had more track, as 475 feet is way too short.  But the fun is there.  I have started a caboose (a-4 wheel bobber) with time out for grass cutting…

Here are some pictures of one of our log cars.  They are styled after the Shay cars that Ephiram Shay used at Harbor Springs, MI.  The frames are made of 6x6 oak.  They are 17 feet long, 5 foot bunks.  The wheels are 13 inches and they have roller bearings.  We are going to load this one up with logs and try it before we assemble the other ones.

Not much has happened since my last report other than a short increase in the length of laid track and a slight change of name from NGR to LR, until early this year when the decision was made to do a total re-design of the permanent way.  A short cutting has been constructed to allow a point to be laid off to the proposed new engine shed and preparations were being made to lay the track and pour a concrete base when it was found out just how much this was going to cost. I had reckoned about £600 for the 20ft x 24ft concrete base but quotes came out at over £3000! This was on top of the pre-cast concrete building and fitting out costs - budget blown back to the drawing board.

The reason for a new engine shed was the fact that the Hunslet was 1 inch too tall to go in the current shed/garage which had been fine for the line's first loco, a Lister Rail Truck. However, on going back to the drawing board, it was found that if the up-and-over door was changed to two side hung doors, then there would be plenty of headroom. It was also discovered that if a second set of doors were added in the rear wall of the garage, then through running would be achieved to the front of the house with access to load and unload.  This would allow me to remove the 1in12 grade that ran outside the garage.

Together with the point in the drive and short headshunt that was only big enough for the Lister anyway.

Figure 1 shows the current state of track removal, yet to go is the track that the wagons are sitting on together with the station platform, which will be relocated. The 25 ft length of rail lying in the foreground is the location of the new track to the shed for loading and unloading purposes.  This will be all of the railway that will be visible from the front of the house.    It’s not that I don't want to share my hobby, but as it is its too accessible to errant children who have no fear of playing with the wagons when I'm out!

Figure 1

Figure 2 shows the Hunslet being loaded for its trip to Sheffield for an engineering firm to do a thorough overhaul of the engine and gearbox, things I cannot do on my own.

Figure 2

The first half of this year has been a busy one on my Tuscarawas Valley Railroad.  We have just finished replacing a rather troublesome sharp turnout that leads into the diesel side of the engine house.  The old switch is a #8 and much easier on the wheels.

On April 27^th, I was able to bring our new Brookville home from Kempton, PA.  This was the same Brookville that Nick DaMore had reported on that was for sale on E-Bay back in February of 2000.  At that time, I was told it sold for $12,000 to an 11-year-old kid, who had no funds.  Finally the first of December 2001, I received word that it had finally been reduced to a more favorable price.  Brookville #6002 was constructed in July of 1974 for the Atlas Power Co. of Tamaqua, PA.

After many scheduling problems, we decided to drive out and check on her condition.  It just so happened that the only weekend we could meet was our wedding anniversary.  So you might say it was our wedding anniversary present.  On December 20^th, with the temperature at 15 degrees, we where able to get her to start with a Ford truck battery and a Ford Mustang battery.

In the Machine Shop:  Everyone that was on 1999 Two Foot bus trip to Michigan will no doubt remember the rather sharp #2 Baldwin steam locomotive at the Huckelberry Railroad near Flint, Michigan.  I had the good fortune of making two new pistons for #2 back at Easter time.  I came to find out that the lathe I used to machine them with was two years older than #2  Only seems right.

Tom Diehl’s railroad party will be October 5^th and 6^th.

The NJ Museum of Transportation/Pine Creek Railroad over in Allaire, NJ, has at least three 2 foot gauge locomotives for sale. 

#8,  Plymouth 1968, DL, 24" gauge, 10 tons, ex-U.S. Metals, Secaucus NJ

This is hydraulic and has a V-8 Cummins shoehorned into an extended frame.  With

twin stacks, its a real hot rod locomotive.   $2,000

#13, Plymouth 1948, DL, 24" gauge, 12 tons.  This is beautiful, with a nice cat under the

hood.  Also Hydraulic.  $2,000

Brookville 1980, BCA-12P, 24" gauge, 12 tons, ex-U.S. Metals.   This has a cat also I believe and is hydraulic.  $4,000

For additional information, visit their website at www.njmt.org or contact JR May at jrmay@njmt.org

Plans are underway for the 2003 Two Footers Convention.  We are exploring railroads in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.  Arrangements include coach bus transportation, lodging, and places of interest.  The dates for the 2003 convention are Aug 21 – August 24.  We will need to hear from you indicating your interest in the trip and the possible number attending.  More details will follow in future newsletters.  If any one has ideas for railroad visits in this region, please lets us know as soon as possible.  Date Change:  In October 2002, the convention dates were rescheduled to July 31 – Aug 3, 2003.

By now half of the work season is over and we hope everyone has accomplished a lot of work on their railroad. The classified ads have taken off somewhat and we hope that it will continue. There is still some two-foot gauge equipment out there, but it is getting harder to find. The equipment that is still there appears to be larger than most are looking for. Keep up the good work and we look forward to hearing from you!

Submit comments and articles to:

The Two Footers

534 Armory Road

St. Marys, PA  15857

tpbauer@alltel.net

or

tom@thetwofooters.com

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