Work then began on the remainder of the interior project and some mechanical items when it finally arrived in January, 2011. One Last Thought Since the mechanical projects support the operation, which raises money to support the mechanical doings (and much else), I routinely cover the operation here as well. As Polar Express brought to a close the 2010 season, the statement was made, “Look how far we’ve come” as we traversed the new in-service track section, though it was not meant solely as a reference to the mileage. So a quick review after our seventh season seems in order. We started May 1st, 2004 with 3-1/2 miles of track, push -pulling a forty-minute trip hourly on weekends and Turtle runs on Thursdays and Fridays. That was it. We ran a coach and a half (power car) train in DeFirst train to Pinchers Point! Photo by Martin DenBleyker public road. Still, it was that critical that we establish a temporary station for the bus transfer, even if only for a month or two. That meant clearing some trees and brush, a bit of grading and placing a wooden platform, such as we use at the Kilns for Easter and October trips, topped off with a small sign that reads “Springs” to denote the stop. Springtown is the nearby section of Pohatcong for which it was named. Turns out the second phase wasn’t done until October, reaching Pincher’s Point. That made it useless for the 2010 steam program except, we slipped down there the last two trips on the last day of the season, but it was available for Polar Express. We’re hoping to move a bit farther in the spring of 2011, so the wine transfer will be moved accordingly as that happens, keeping the station on the move toward Riegelsville. Comings and Goings The car that accompanied the bi-levels was a privately owned power car. That car has now been sold and a replacement was needed. The outgoing power car became NS 42. Look for it on their new steam program. As a replacement we purchased a power car, which became our THSX 33. I’m not sure how much is actually known about this car, but it started life as a baggage car and had evidence of a VIA paint job. There’s a 240 v generator in it. That works for the Long Island cars, but the bi-levels need 480 v and it’s not a good Santa office. Another car that left was the #1009 ex-CNJ coach that was trucked to Ringoes. That and later a caboose ended up routed to the Bel-Del instead of the Black River. The caboose is also expected to leave for Ringoes. Meantime, a private sleeper, diner and LIRR lounge car arrived. Add to this the arrival of the third bi -level and the M-1 and we have more cars coming in than going out. We want to put the lounge car and diner into service, but they will require various degrees of work to do so. Finally, speaking of M-1, it received the requisite brake work, but didn’t get a single-car test until November, which it failed the first time, but a week and a minor repair later, passed and was able to be shipped. 15 cember to visit with Santa, while running Santa on NJ Transit for the last time as well. In 2006 we extended to 5-1/2 miles and changed the schedule to every hour and a half (I’ve already noted the Winery Train that year). By this time we were running Bunny trains and the Polar Express. In 2007 we had the first corn maze and created what would later be named Mine Station as we opened the Ol’ Susquehanna Mine in 2008. It was doubled in size in 2009 and the mine “entry” added in 2010. In 2008 we also added just less than 1000 feet of track; however another section was rehabbed further down the line. In 2010 we connected to that section and then some, extending the ride to seven miles, double what we started with. Every year we sell out Polar earlier (turning more people away, I guess), carry more people for the bunny at Easter and picking pumpkins in October. While still push-pulling the steam, we are now at Pincher’s Point, only 1.6 miles from the goal of Riegelsville where we will run-around the train, and more activities are being considered at both spots to keep customers interested and returning. We feel only limited by our imaginations at this juncture. Each of the mechanical projects that make all this possible involves a variety of skills, from the simplest to the more complicated. We keep hoping that additional people get involved. Each project can use a godfather (or godmother) to look over it. If you want to get involved, or at least take a first-hand look at what’s involved, you can get information on how at Mechanical@nyswths.org.
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