CRHS News

The Model Railroad Club of York Conrail Day

Ed Kapuscinski — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:50:57 -0400

The Miniature Railroad Club of York will have its first annual Conrail Day on Sunday April 29th 2012 from 1-6pm.

The layout is HO Scale 30x90 and will feature Conrail rolling stock for the day.

In addition to having a table of info set up, CRHS members are encouraged to bring any HO Scale models to run or display on the layout. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ryan Thoman for info, policies and procedures.

This show will be open to the general public with the goal of raising money for both the CRHS and the MRCY by asking for a donation of $5 at the door.

2012 Ride the Rails for Cancer

Russ Swinnerton — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:51:00 -0400

The Conrail Historical Society has operated “Ride the Rails for Cancer” for the past 3 years. The event has operated on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad and benefits Vickie’s Angel Walk, a PA nonprofit group who helps families financially during cancer treatments. For the past 3 years, the CRHS has raised and donated over $10,000.00 to Vickie’s Angel Walk who gives 100% of donations to the families. The CRHS uses its’ restored bay window caboose # 21165 and another caboose provided by the M&H Railroad. The “Ride the Rails for Cancer” is a one of a kind event. It is just one example of the exciting events that the CRHS promotes and what sets the Conrail Historical Society apart from most other railroad historical societies.

Every year the Middletown Arts & Craft Fair is held in Hoffer park the same weekend. They have lots of crafters, vendors and delicious food all weekend. Enjoy the craft fair after you Ride the Rails for Cancer.

The weekend of the Ride the Rails for Cancer are very tiring, a lot of work before, during and after the event. But, it is all worth the effort. Knowing that 100% of the money that is raised for Vickie’s Angel Walk will go to help families fighting cancer, makes this CRHS sponsored event, a labor of Love.

“The bottom line is the real winners of all your hard work is the families that we help. In that 100% of the money we raise goes directly to our families. On top of that every one seems to love trains especially a caboose ride. In a addition to the many fans that came, we had many families who we are helping along with their children participating. It was great to see them with a big smile on their faces and having fun. Ride the Rails for Cancer has a little magic about it and the future really looks bright. I enjoy all to come out and support to Conrail Historical Society and all of its wonderful volunteers.”

Quote by Mickey Minnich, founder of VAW

Camp Car Work Days- March 3rd & 4th 2012

Russ Swinnerton — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:12:27 -0500

Volunteers requested for a work weekend March 3rd & 4th, 2012. On the agenda that weekend is working on the car's A/C and heating systems, installation of work lights and connection to outside electrical source, and re-installation of stringers in the floor of the car. If you have skills in these areas or would like to come out and learn, we'd welcome your help. We start Saturday at 11am until we decide to quit for dinner and will work Sunday as needed to attempt to complete the work. If you have questions, email Project Manager Kevin Yutz (Kevin.Yutz@TheCRHS.org) or President Russ Swinnerton (Russ.Swinnerton@TheCRHS.org)

See you in Topton!

The Susquehanna Limited: A Rail Excursion By The CRHS

Ed Kapuscinski — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:25:27 -0500

The CRHS is putting on another train trip! This one leaves from Washington Union Station, travels along the Port Road, through Harrisburg and back to DC.

For more information about the trip, visit The Susquehanna Limited's website.

CRHS Flatcar Acquisition Complete

Russ Swinnerton — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:44:16 -0500

Dec 10, 2011 Marysville, PA - (Photos will be added over the next couple of days)

The CRHS is proud to announce that the acquisition of our newest piece of equipment is complete. Today, we added Conrail 715788 to our collection. This car is an F41D class car and is a cast steel flat car built in the 1950s for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The car then became part of Penn Central and Conrail.

Video Courtesy of CRHS Member Ryan Thoman

(Our car in service, photos by Grant Lowry)

In 2001, the car was sold to the B&O Railroad Museum along with 4 others and converted into open passenger cars for use during their "Steam Days" and Day Out With Thomas" events.

Earlier this fall, CRHS Members Kevin Yutz, Sean McDonnell, Russ Swinnerton, Brock Kerchner, Ben Snyder, Ed Kapuscinski, Brian Alesin, Tristan Ashcroft, and Harry, Doreen and Donnie Lee removed the passenger hauling super-structure from the car. This was done in one day and completely filled a 30 yard dumpster.

(Brock surveys the roof removal)

(Ben Snyder and Harry Lee look on as Tristan Ashcroft saws lumber)

(The crew working to remove the roof.)

Once the car was ready to go, a plan was put in place to move the car. To save money, heavy duty auto wreckers were used in Baltimore. We used Ted's Towing, who sent out a pair of 60 ton trucks. These trucks are designed to clean up tractor-trailer accidents, but were able to lift the flat car up high enough to load onto a flatbed truck. The car was loaded on Friday, Dec 9th and is shown in the pictures below.

(Ted's wreckers backed into position and cabled up to the car)

(The wreckers lift the car as rigger Will Shortall and CRHS President Russ Swinnerton supervise)

(Our driver backs the special trailer under the flat car)

The trucking was accomplished by Daily Express of Carlisle, PA. Daily is the same company who helped us with the camp car move, and have proved to be a very respectable partner in the preservation of our equipment. On Saturday the 10th, the car moved out promptly at 7am from Baltimore and headed up Interstates 695 and 83 from Baltimore through York to Harrisburg and finally Middletown. Once there, a crane from Greiner Steel set up and proceeded to unload the car. This was completed just after lunch. With the car now on the rails, we coupled it up to the M&H's Western Maryland S6, number 151, and put air to it. Surprisingly, the air system worked perfectly, even though it hadn't had air in it for almost 6 years. The car was taken out to the M&H's interchange track and switched around along with the CR 21165 for the push back to Middletown Yard.

It's great to know that another piece of Conrail history has been saved by the CRHS and we now have something new to show for our continued efforts. We are not done, however. The car is currently painted black and needs deck work. The current deck is rough oak wood, but is rotting in several places. This will need to be replaced and while we're at it, the car should be painted back into it's Conrail paint scheme. This is going to require planning and organization, and the Board has selected Donnie Lee to be the project manager for this car. Donnie is one of the youngest active members and we feel that with some guidance, Donnie can be a bigger asset to us, and to the preservation community. We also believe that it's important to get the younger generation involved and active as so many teens these days spend all day infront of their computers or game consoles.

(Project Manager Donnie Lee surveys the now denuded deck of the car as former CR GG1 4876 looks silently on)

There are several people to thank who made the acquisition of this car possible. A big thanks goes to the Chief Curator of the B&O Museum for his work to ensure that this piece of Conrail History didn't become a scrap pile. Thanks also goes to our movers at Ted's Towing, Shortall Rigging, Daily Express, and Greiner Steel. Special thanks goes to those members who have given their time and money to make this acquisition happen. Without the support of out members, we would never be able to make sure things like the CR 715788 were preserved to tell the story of Conrail to future generations.

-Russ Swinnerton, CRHS President

Special election called for a seat on the Board of Directors

Ed Kapuscinski — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:07:12 -0500

Long time CRHS officer Ryan Emrick has decided to step down from his seat on the Board of Directors, effective January 21st 2012.

As per Article VI, Section III of the CRHS Bylaws, this vacancy will be filled by a special election.

Because of the short notice between Ryan's announcement and the subsequent membership meeting, the Board of Directors has decided to extend the nomination period until January 31st.

Nominations for the open board seat should be sent to CRHS Secretary, Ryan Kunkleby 11:59 PM Tuesday January 31st..

A secret ballot election will be held at the CRHS's next membership meeting, currently scheduled for our Spring Rail-B-Q in Newport PA on May 5th.

2012 CRHS Election Results

Ed Kapuscinski — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:34:47 -0500

The 2012 CRHS Election Results are in, and the directors for the 2012-2014 term will be Roger Durfee, Ryan Kunkle, and Sean McDonnell.

Congratulations to our new directors, thanks to everyone who ran, and a special thanks to everyone who voted.

Upcoming Conrail Models as of January 2012

Donnie Lee — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:41:45 -0500

Along with the new year are many more new model announcements and releases. From Alco C636's to GE C40-8W's, patched PC green boxcars to modern autoracks, there is something to suit both early and late Conrail modelers.

The release dates can and often will change. Additions and corrections are welcomed. CRHS members can post any comments or questions in the Conrail Modeling Forums.

HO Scale

Athearn:

74370 RTR Eastern 2-Window Caboose, CR #19063
^{MSRP: $27.98       Due January 2012}

74371 RTR Eastern 2-Window Caboose, CR #19084^{MSRP: $27.98       Due January 2012}

74372 RTR Eastern 2-Window Caboose, CR #19122 ^{MSRP: $27.98       Due January 2012}

95977 RTR ACF 2970 Covered Hopper, CR #876360
^{MSRP: $48.98       Due August 2012}

95978 RTR ACF 2970 Covered Hopper, CR #876325
^{MSRP: $48.98       Due August 2012}

95979 RTR ACF 2970 Covered Hopper, CR #876351
^{MSRP: $48.98       Due August 2012}

96715 RTR SW1500, CR #9503 (Quality)^{MSRP: $124.98        Due January 2012}
96716 RTR SW1500, CR #9528 (Quality)^{MSRP: $124.98        Due January 2012}96717 RTR SW1500, CR #9608 (Quality)^{MSRP: $124.98        Due January 2012}

98047 RTR SD45, CR #6083
^{MSRP: $159.98        Due June 2012}

98048 RTR SD45, CR #6133
^{MSRP: $159.98        Due June 2012}

98049 RTR SD45, CR #6201
^{MSRP: $159.98        Due June 2012}

Atlas:

6307-5 NE-6 Caboose, CR #23866 (PC Green)
^{MSRP: $28.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 955 GP40-2 (Silver), CR #3311
^{MSRP: $169.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 956 GP40-2 (Silver), CR #3327
^{MSRP: $169.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 957 GP40-2 (Silver), CR #3344
^{MSRP: $169.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 958 GP40-2 (Silver), CR #3365
^{MSRP: $169.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 979 GP40-2 (Gold DCC/Sound), CR #3311
^{MSRP: $259.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 980 GP40-2 (Gold DCC/Sound), CR #3327
^{MSRP: $259.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 981 GP40-2 (Gold DCC/Sound), CR #3344
^{MSRP: $259.95        Due January 2012}

10 000 982 GP40-2 (Gold DCC/Sound), CR #3365
^{MSRP: $259.95        Due January 2012}

10 001 210 Trainman GP38-2, CR #8189 (Quality)
^{MSRP: $102.95        Due TBA}

10 001 211 Trainman GP38-2, CR #8214 (Quality)
^{MSRP: $102.95        Due TBA}

10 001 231 Dash 8-40CW (Silver), CR #6059 (Quality)
^{MSRP: $159.95        Due June 2012}

10 001 232 Dash 8-40CW (Silver), CR #6060 (Quality)
^{MSRP: $159.95        Due June 2012}
10 001 251 Dash 8-40CW (Gold DCC/Sound), CR #6059 (Quality)
^{MSRP: $259.95        Due June 2012}

10 001 252 Dash 8-40CW (Gold DCC/Sound), CR #6060 (Quality)
^{MSRP: $259.95        Due June 2012}

Bowser:

23609 ALCo C636, CR #6783
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23610 ALCo C636, CR #6787
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23611 ALCo C636, CR #6792
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23612 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6783
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23613 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6787
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23614 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6792
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23627 ALCo C636, CR #6786 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23628 ALCo C636, CR #6790 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23629 ALCo C636, CR #6791 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23630 ALCo C636, CR #6794 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $199.95        Due Fall 2012}

23631 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6786 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23632 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6790 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23633 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6791 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23634 ALCo C636 (DCC/Sound), CR #6794 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23687 ALCo C630 w/Tri-Mount Trucks, CR #6767 (ex-PRR Patch)
^{MSRP: $189.95        Due Fall 2012}

23688 ALCo C630 w/Tri-Mount Trucks, CR #6777 (ex-PRR Patch)
^{MSRP: $189.95        Due Fall 2012}

23689 ALCo C630 w/Tri-Mount Trucks (DCC/Sound), CR #6767 (ex-PRR Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23690 ALCo C630 w/Tri-Mount Trucks (DCC/Sound), CR #6777 (ex-PRR Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23703 ALCo C630 w/Tri-Mount Trucks, CR #6758 (ex-RDG Patch)
^{MSRP: $189.95        Due Fall 2012}

23704 ALCo C630 w/Hi-Ad Trucks, CR #6762 (ex-RDG Patch)
^{MSRP: $189.95        Due Fall 2012}

23705 ALCo C630 w/Tri-Mount Trucks (DCC/Sound), CR #6758 (ex-RDG Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

23706 ALCo C630 w/Hi-Ad Trucks (DCC/Sound), CR #6762 (ex-RDG Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.95        Due Fall 2012}

Intermountain:

45254-01 Bi-Level Autorack, TTGX #157279 (CR Rack)
^{MSRP: $68.95        Due May 2012}

45254-02 Bi-Level Autorack, TTGX #253967 (CR Rack)
^{MSRP: $68.95        Due May 2012}

45254-03 Bi-Level Autorack, TTGX #254181 (CR Rack)
^{MSRP: $68.95        Due May 2012}

45254-04 Bi-Level Autorack, TTGX #961435 (CR Rack)
^{MSRP: $68.95        Due May 2012}

Walthers:

932-60651 Evans 50' Boxcar, CR #269879 (Blue, Large Logo)
^{MSRP: $19.98        Due January 2012}

932-60652 Evans 50' Boxcar, CR #269198 (US Savings Bonds)
^{MSRP: $19.98        Due January 2012}

932-60653 Evans 50' Boxcar, CR #269376 (Large Logo)
^{MSRP: $19.98        Due January 2012}

932-60654 Evans 50' Boxcar, CR #269850 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $19.98        Due January 2012}

WalthersMainline:

910-1554 40' Plug-Door Boxcar RTR, CR #356502 (ex PC, Green)
^{MSRP: 21.98        Due August 2012}

910-6703 Eastern 100 Ton 3-bay Hopper, CR #473980
^{MSRP: $19.98        Due April 2012}

910-6704 Eastern 100 Ton 3-bay Hopper, CR #473988
^{MSRP: $19.98        Due April 2012}

WalthersProto:

920-41611 EMD SD-9 (DCC/Sound), CR #6908 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.98        Due May 2012}

920-41612 EMD SD-9 (DCC/Sound), CR #6922 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $299.98        Due May 2012}

920-41652 GE U30B (DCC/Sound), CR #2856
^{MSRP: $299.98        Due June 2012}

920-41653 GE U30B (DCC/Sound), CR #2878
^{MSRP: $299.98        Due June 2012}

920-48611 EMD SD-9, CR #6911 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $199.98        Due May 2012}

920-48612 EMD SD-9, CR #6917 (ex-PC Patch)
^{MSRP: $199.98        Due May 2012}

920-48652 GE U30B (DCC/Sound), CR #2877
^{MSRP: $299.98        Due June 2012}

920-48653 GE U30B (DCC/Sound), CR #2882
^{MSRP: $299.98        Due June 2012}

N Scale

Athearn:

23361 ACF 2970 Covered Hopper, CR #876360
^{MSRP: $26.98        Due August 2012}

23362 ACF 2970 Covered Hopper, CR #876325
^{MSRP: $26.98        Due August 2012}

23363 ACF 2970 Covered Hopper, CR #876351
^{MSRP: $26.98        Due August 2012}

Atlas:

51936 Dash 8-40CW, CR #6052
^{MSRP: $144.95        Due TBA}

51937 Dash 8-40CW, CR #6087
^{MSRP: $144.95        Due TBA}

51938 Dash 8-40CW, CR #6094
^{MSRP: $144.95        Due TBA}

51973 Dash 8-40CW (DCC Equipped), CR #6052
^{MSRP: $184.95        Due TBA}

51974 Dash 8-40CW (DCC Equipped), CR #6087
^{MSRP: $184.95        Due TBA}

40 000 410 GP7 w/o Dynamics, CR #5601
^{MSRP: $TBA        Due TBA}

40 000 411 GP7 w/o Dynamics, CR #5605
^{MSRP: $TBA        Due TBA}

40 000 440 GP7 w/o Dynamics (DCC Equipped), CR #5601
^{MSRP: $TBA        Due TBA}

40 000 441 GP7 w/o Dynamics (DCC Equipped), CR #5605
^{MSRP: $TBA        Due TBA}

Bluford Shops:

86431 P-S 86' Auto Parts Boxcar, CR
^{MSRP: $29.85 Due Summer 2012}

86432 P-S 86' Auto Parts Boxcar, CR (2-Pack)
^{MSRP: $59.70 Due Summer 2012}

Mount Vernon Shops:

Conrail Control Point (CP) Sign Decals
N-CRS-H - Horizontal - $7.00
N-CRS-V - Vertical - $7.00

Trainworx Inc:

241001 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496059
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241002 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496121
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241003 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496297
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241004 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496350
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241005 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496433
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241006 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496546
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241007 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496685
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241008 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496762
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241009 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496814
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241010 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #496909
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241011 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #497073
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

241012 100-Ton 4-bay Hopper, CR #497127
^{MSRP: $23.95 Due December 2011}

O Scale

Atlas O:

8621 Berwick 60' Hi-Cube Boxcar, CR (3-Rail)
^{MSRP: $82.95 Due 1st Quarter 2012}
9621 Berwick 60' Hi-Cube Boxcar, CR (2-Rail)
^{MSRP: $88.95 Due 1st Quarter 2012}

58383 Master Gold Series B40-8, CR #5070 (2-Rail, Sound/DCC)
^{MSRP: $TBA Due TBA}

58384 Master Gold Series B40-8, CR #5075 (2-Rail, Sound/DCC)
^{MSRP: $TBA Due TBA}

68384 Master B40-8, CR #5070 (3-Rail, Sound/TMCC)
^{MSRP: $TBA Due TBA}

68385 Master B40-8, CR #5075 (3-Rail, Sound/TMCC)
^{MSRP: $TBA Due TBA}

78385 Master B40-8, CR #5078 (2-Rail, Unpowered)
^{MSRP: $TBA Due TBA}

MTH:

20-20168-1 Premier GE C40-8W, CR #6063, 6090, 6098 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
^{MSRP: $449.95 Due December 2011}

20-20168-2 Premier GE C40-8W, CR #6063, 6090, 6098 (Scale Wheels)
^{MSRP: $469.95 Due December 2011}

20-20168-3 Premier GE C40-8W, CR #6088 (Non-Powered)
^{MSRP: $199.95 Due December 2011}

20-20221-1 Premier GE U25B, CR #2510, 2513, 2517 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
^{MSRP: $449.95 Due April 2012}

20-20221-2 Premier GE U25B, CR #2510, 2513, 2517 (Scale Wheels)
^{MSRP: $469.95 Due April 2012}

20-20221-3 Premier GE U25B, CR #2532 (Non-Powered)
^{MSRP: $199.95 Due April 2012}

20-91370 Center Cupola Steel Caboose, CR #18720, 18748
^{MSRP: $59.95 Due March 2012}

1st Quarter 2012 Membership Meeting

Ed Kapuscinski — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:34:23 -0500

The CRHS will be having it's first Membership Meeting of 2012 at 2pm in the Basement of the Station Inn in Cresson PA.

In order to have the right amount of handouts and seating available, please RSVP using the form below if you are planning on attending.

Please Fill Out Our 2011 Survey

Ed Kapuscinski — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:33:46 -0500

The CRHS strives for Continuous Quality Improvement, but we can't do it without the feedback of our members and friends. Please take a moment and let us know how we did in 2011, so we can make 2012 even better. Just fill out the survey below.