The Bay City Railway Historical Foundation of Hamilton recently donated some great items to the Museum.? The group, who also operates the H.O.M.E.S. club HO Scale model railway is moving to a new location, the size of which is quite a bit less than what they had.? Therefore, they had to downsize some of their items, including railway tools, and display cases.? The Museum gained 5 new display cases in various styles.? We also received a dwarf signal, hand crank track drill (which will be displayed with our hand crank bond wire drill) 3 brake wheels, some small pieces of rail, 2 manual car movers, and a semaphore (with blade, but missing the lenses)? The Niagara Railway Museum wishes to thank the BCRHF for offering us these items for display, and we wish them the best of luck in their new location.
December 11, 2007
November 7, 2007
Our Plymouth has arrived!!
The Niagara Railway Museum’s Plymouth MDT40t has arrived in Niagara.? The locomotive was loaded and moved on November 7th, and is currently sitting at Dain City (near Welland) where it will be stored until a home is found for the Museum.? We will work on the engine as time permits, and restore it back to operating condition.? Many thanks to?Babcock and Wilcox in Cambridge for donating the locomotive to the Museum, and to M.J. Jones Hauling and Rigging in Welland? for the safe haulage, unloading, and storage of the engine.? Now that the Plymouth is here, the?rebuilding can begin.
Pictures of the move can be seen here.
October 6, 2007
Recent Artifact Acquisitions
The Niagara Railway Museum has had some items recently donated, which are part of the history of the railways of Niagara.? Ex-CN Carman Larry McLeish donated his car repair manuals and test books to the NRM, which is great, as we didn’t have any of them in the collection before.? He also donated his blue carmans lantern, and 2 lights which came from the CNR Fort Erie Roundhouse, before the fire and subsequent demolition.? The lights will be restored and rewired, and will be hung in the display boxcar, and actually used for lighting.? My thanks go to Larry for this great donation.
Another recent acquisition is not an old one by any means.? When Trillium Railway Co. Ltd. took over the CN lines on the west side of the Welland Canal, from Forks Junction near Welland, to the north end of St. Catharines, they had the official opening in Thorold.? At the opening, a CN GP40-2LW was brought in, and along with one of Trilliums own S13’s had a rope and some signs strung between them.
The signs, which were 4 of the cities which Trillium was now operating through (Port Colborne/Wainfleet, Welland, Thorold & St. Catharines) were pushed together to signify the linking of the Region from Lake to Lake.? The signs have been at Trillium’s Feeder yard, and were close to going in the garbage.? I asked if we could have them, as I believe they are an important part of the current railway status in Niagara, and was told to take them before they get thrown out.? The signs are now in the collection, and will be part of the display once the Museum is up and running.
My thanks to Trillium Rail for allowing us to save these pieces.
July 7, 2007
Work Session ? July 7th, 2007
On Saturday July 7th 2007, members of the Niagara Railway Museum ventured north to the Private railway collection known as the Uptergrove Shortline Railroad. This trip, the first for 2007 served many purposes. It was originally a trip to help load our newly acquired Whiting 2TM Trackmobile, however, it turned into much more than that.
2 months ago, we spoke to a local businessman, who handles lift truck repairs, about moving the Trackmobile back to Niagara. Ted Lucas, owner of Lucas Liftruck Service in Thorold said he would gladly assist us with the move. The date was set, and we all arrived within 20 minutes of one another. The loading of the 2TM went well, and it was good to see that all 8 wheels rolled (4 road, 4 rail) despite the fact that 2 of the tires were flat. The transmission for this unit is currently being rebuilt by our own volunteers. While we were there, we also purchased a 400amp Miller welder, which Ted offered to load on his truck as well, and bring it down to his shop, along with the Trackmobile for storage.
The loading didn?t stop there. He also offered to take the air tank, steam dome, and coupler, on the truck, which saved us the trouble of trying to find out how to get it down here later. The members and board of the Museum would like thank Ted for assisting us with this move, and we are pleased that we are able to get more of our equipment down to Niagara for restoration.
Videos
Loading the Trackmobile (9.8 MB, Quicktime)
Moving HEPC 46 (20 MB, Quicktime)
We decided that while we were there, our resident welder and board member Steve Konig would weld some extra braces in the cab to help stabilize the cab for the eventual trip back to Niagara. Steve spent a few hours welding supports between the walls in the cab, along the coal bunker, and some spot welding on the floor and sides. At the end of the day, the cab was pretty solid, considering the amount of deterioration. We are hoping that the next trip north will be to load #46 and return her to Niagara.
The final item on the trip was to pick up another motorcar. Museum V.P. Aaron White decided that we needed a Sylvester Motorcar, a purely Canadian built car, in the collection. The Museum already owns 6 motorcars, and we felt that at this time, the acquisition of another car would not be possible. Aaron stepped up and said he would acquire the car and loan it to the Museum for display. The Sylvester, a model 21E, is in need of a total restoration, and will be another project on our list. The Museum cars are all Fairmonts, while 2 Fairmonts & a Woodings are on loan to the Museum. The new car will be the 3rd builder for display.
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July 2, 2007
New Equipment Acquisitions
Our Whiting 2TMA Trackmobile has arrived!!
On Saturday, July 7th, members of the NFRM journeyed up north to load up our recently acquired 2TMA Whiting Trackmobile.? When rebuilt, the unit will be very useful when it comes to moving equipment around the display site.? We have also acquired a 400amp Miller welder, which can also serve as a backup generator, and will be needed in the restoration of #46 when she is brought back to Niagara.? The NFRM thanks Ted Lucas from Lucas Lift Truck in Thorold for moving the Trackmobile, welder, and more parts for #46 (air tank, steam dome, coupler).? All these items will be put into storage until we are ready for them.? Meanwhile, we will continue to work on the Trackmobile.? A photo of the Trackmobile, and another project car, a Sylvester 21E motorcar (privately owned, and also picked up July 7th) are now in the equipment list on the collection page.? There is also an updated photo of #46, also taken on the 7th.
November 18, 2006
Work Session ? November 18th, 2006
On November 18, 2006, NFRM President Ken Jones Jr., V.P. Aaron White, and Secretary Guy Bingham journeyed north to the Uptergrove Shortline Railway (a private collection) a work session on NFRMs ex-HEPC steam locomotive #46. The main goal of this trip was to brace the cab (which has serious deterioration of the steel work) to prepare for the winter, and any snow accumulation which may occur. The main fear was that if snow got too heavy, it may collapse the cab, thus ruining the pattern for the new cab. While we were there, we managed to wrestle the drive rods, and one coupler out of the bush. They are now in Niagara Falls awaiting the arrival of #46.
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| Aaron White is nailing the upright roof support to the floor crossbeam in the cab of #46 | |
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| A view of the engineers side of #46, showing its original number on the side of the cab. |
The drive rods for #46 are loaded on the trailer and ready for the trip to Niagara Falls. |
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Partially restored gauge cluster from the cab.
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1 of the builders plates off HEPC #46.
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July 8, 2006
Work Session – July 8th and 9th, 2006
In the first work session of 2006, NFRM’s newly acquired locomotive, Hydro Electric Power Commission #46 receives some attention in preparation for her move back to Niagara Falls. All easily removable or damageable parts were removed.
November 19, 2005
Work Session ? November 19th, 2005
On November 19th, 2005, the Niagara Falls Railway Museum vacated the property where our cars were being stored. A small group of 7 people (2 who weren’t members, but still wanted to help) came out to get the cars packed and ready for movement. This involved packing our 4 Fairmont A4D motorcars, all the track lorries, the grinder, crane and stairs. All went smooth, and the cars were packed and off the property by 2pm. The 4 smaller motorcars were moved to private storage for continued maintenance and restoration. Thanks to all who helped out with the move.
Steve Konig eases one of the NFRM’s Fairmont A4d motorcars into the boxcar for storage. Thanks to Lucas Lift Truck in Thorold Ont. for loaning us the forklift for the day.
Moving ex-CPR 401258 to the south end of the siding for eventual movement to a new home.
Steve Konig mans the high hand brake as the final car, CP 401639 is shoved to the south end of the siding.
September 7, 2005
4 New Motorcars
In a recent donation by Bob & Rick Collier, the Museum gained 4 ex-CNR Fairmont A series gang cars. The cars are now at the museum site, and it is hoped to build 2 good cars out of the 4, with the other 2 being parts cars, and eventually passenger trailers for rides.
We would also like to thank Peninsula Towing & Recovery of Niagara Falls, for moving these cars from Strathroy to the site.
May 21, 2005
Work Session ? May 21st, 2005
Ryan Grimes runs the JCB Loadall from Pingue Construction, removing both the Woodings CBI Railcar, and the Fairmont M19 from winter storage in one of the boxcars.
NFRM members Ken Jones Sr. & Aaron White install the new shelving units in CP 401639. The new shelving will allow us to better organise the car we plan to use for displays.