August 1, 2009

Just as soon as the excitement of moving the transformers for North East Utilities died down THOMAS the TANK ENGINE™ arrived! All in all we had a very good Thomas event with total paid attendance actually up from last year. Given the down economy we were pleased with the numbers. Thomas is a great event for us because it brings the youngest generation to North Conway to see our operation and perhaps to ride on a real train for the very first time. We had many positive passenger comments on the event this year. A big THANK YOU goes out to all of our employees, volunteers, business partners and especially to members of the North Conway Model Railroad Club, Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club and the Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum, all of whom worked together so well to make this year’s event a very successful one.

B23-7 #23 was returned to its original Conrail number (1943) by applying four new number boards and placing new numbers on the cab sides. On Saturday, July 25 in Multiple Unit with #4266 the 1943 ran the Valley Train from North Conway to Conway and from North Conway to Bartlett. During these trips it became apparent that the engine had some electrical issues particularly with the dynamic brake switch and with the reverser. Both of these items were removed from the locomotive and replaced with parts acquired from another B23-7. At this writing we are still working the bugs out of the locomotive but we are hopeful that it will be out and about on our lines more and more in the coming weeks.

Work on our new dining car the “Hattie Evans” slowed to a crawl while the Thomas event was going on and we have pretty well resigned ourselves to the fact that the car won’t be ready for the Fall Season as we had hoped. It looks like it will be 2010 before the car is placed in service. We are disappointed by this but it really is a huge job and we want to get it right the first time.

Work on #7470’s dynamo is complete, the bearings have been changed and the armature and commutator have had attention. Work is ongoing on the inspirator and safety valve. We are planning on having 7470 under steam for Railfans’ Weekend, September 19 & 20 and daily thereafter through mid-October.

The INTERVALE station sign, located at the original site of the jointly used MEC / B&M Intervale Station was stolen some time in late June or early July. I would appreciate receiving tips from folks who might know the whereabouts of this sign or if you happen to see it for sale online or at an auction. The sign is a reproduction and as such is not as valuable as an original, however, reproduction or not it belongs at Intervale and we want it back! It is a typical B&M, MEC sign, with white letters on a blue background.

As always, thank you for your interest in and support of Conway Scenic Railroad. ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN!

Paul Hallett