10/10/06 - Big Digger!
The R&GVRRM was lucky enough to obtain the loan of a Caterpillar 627B scraper to help with its excavation work around its restoration building. With museum volunteer, John McDonald, at the controls, the 627B passes along side of the building to dump another load of dirt.

10/10/06 - Cats in the dirt...
To dig more effectively, the Cat 627B scraper is pushed by the museum's Cat D7E dozer.

10/10/06 - Up close...
The front portion of the 627B scraper is seen on the fill area south of the restoration building. With over six foot tall tires, the 627B was a force to behold.

10/10/06 - From scraper to dozer...
With the fill area quickly being covered in new earth at around 25 cubic yards per pass of the 627B, John McDonald changes machines to the museum's D7E dozer to level off the fill area.

10/10/06 - Another blade full...
The D7E has a full blade at this shot looking north across the fill area at the south end of the R&GVRRM's restoration building. Eventually this fill area will carry railroad tracks coming south out of the building's two railroad equipment bays giving the museum addition equipment storage and work areas.

10/10/06 - Back to the cut...
The 627B starts another pass at the cut area with the museum's FM H12-44 #1843 locomotive parked in the back. Also shown in the museum's Cat D8 tractor pan. While serviceable, the D8 pan simply can not match the performance of the newer 627B scraper although the museum has used the D8 tractor pan extensively to move A LOT of dirt! It won't be long before it sees service again.

10/10/06 - Off to the fill...
The 627B heads past the north end of the restoration building to dump another load of earth at the south end of the building.

10/10/06 - Prepping for the next pass...
Museum volunteer, Scott Gleason, has the controls of the Cat D7E as he works the cut area after the 627B makes a pass. To make the scraper work most effectively, it needs a level cut area. The dozer has its work cut out to make that happen before the scraper returns.

10/10/06 - Lining up...
John McDonald has the 627B lining up for another pass. The cutting blade for the scraper can be seen under the machine.

10/10/06 - Making a pass...
Working alone, the 627B digs its way through the cut area. The 627B is equipped with two engines. One up front that pulls and another at the rear wheels that pushes.

10/10/06 - Cats at work...
With the 627B finishing a pass, the R&GVRRM's Cat 12 grader backs to make a pass at the cut to level it off for the 627B's next pass. The Cat 12 was recently turned to operational condition by the museum's volunteers.

10/10/06 - In the dirt...
The Cat 12 strains its way through the cut area with museum volunteer, Joe Scanlon, at the controls.

10/10/06 - Up close...
A close-up view of the Cat 12 at work with a full blade of dirt.

10/10/06 - Turning around...
The Cat 627B makes a turn at the north end of the cut area. The 627B is remarkably nimble and able to turn very sharply in a very small area for its massive size.

10/10/06 - Not much left...
After two days of digging with the 627B, there is not much dirt left to move. It would be all gone by the end of this work day. Thanks to the R&GVRRM's excavation crew to another job well done! Soon this area will hold tracks leading to the museum's restoration building.

10/14/06 - Panoramic progress...
After the latest R&GVRRM "Big Dig", the view north out of the museum's restoration building looks more level with more of the dirt removed from the right side of the image. This shot is a panoramic view taken out of the eastern railroad equipment door on the restoration building on a rainy Saturday.

10/7/2006 - Installed...
Our Plymouth BL took a big step with the installation of its custom-built radiator which was recently assembled and leak tested. This is the last major piece of the mechanical restoration required before the Buda engine can be started.

10/7/2006 - Installed...
A little wider angle showing the Buda 4 cylinder gas engine with the radiator behind it.

10/7/2006 - Another job completed...
The BL's transmission has also been completed. The drive wheel mechanism is shown here. The wheel takes power from the flywheel of the engine and directs it to the chain drive. The direction of the locomotive is determined by which side this wheel is placed in contact with the flywheel. Torque and speed are then adjusted by moving the drive wheel across the flywheel. The BL casting mark can be seen in the spoke of the drive wheel.

10/7/2006 - Time to work a little on steam...
Showing its coal bunker, ex-Brooklyn Navy Yard Vulcan #12 was receiving some cosmetic restoration work in the museum's restoration building. The museum's Motive Power Department works on steam projects on the first Saturday of each month. Interested in helping us bring steam back to Rochester? Learn how you can volunteer.

10/7/2006 - Ready for excavation...
With one of the rainiest Septembers on record, the north end of the restoration building awaits a few dry days so more excavation work can be done to remove more dirt which from the right side of the image.

10/7/2006 - The Pennsy lives...
Two former Pennsylvania Railroad pieces await their turn at restoration. The R&GVRRM's PRR B70nb Railway Post Office Car and PRR N-5C caboose 477822 sit north of the museum's restoration building. The museum plans to restore both of these pieces to their PRR livery.

9/12/2006 - GVT Donates Hyrail Truck
Thanks GVT! Genesee Valley Transportation made a very generous donation to the R&GVRRM in the form of a 1984 Utilimaster/GMC Hyrail truck in operating condition. The truck will be used in MOW service for the museum. It has already received an engine tune-up and will soon receive some repairs and additions to its bed prior to entering service. Thanks again to GVT for their generous donation!

9/12/2006 - A radiator kit...
Since it is hard, no...impossible to find off-the-shelf components for our Plymouth Model BL gas-mechanical locomotive, many parts have had to be fabricated. The radiator is no exception. Here we see four of the five pieces of the radiator including the custom built core which was put together by project manager, Kevin Klees. The sides and radiator bottom are also shown here. One of the sides is also a reproduction, a weldment also made by Kevin to replace one that was heavily damaged. The radiator will soon be re-assembled into the engine. This last step will allow the Buda engine to finally be started and tuned.

9/11/06 - Remembering the World Trade Center
The World Trade Center is clearly visible from the cab of a former Southern E-8 during Hobokenfest in 1988. Chris Hauf photo.

8/17/06 - Out of the Barn...
A night photo session was held at the New York Museum of Transportation as part of the events for the Rochester Chapter NRHS's August general membership meeting. Nearly two dozen photographers took part in the shoot which featured two different setups. Here we see the NYMT's fully operation ex-Philadelphia & Western "Strafford" car #168 poking out of the NYMT's new car barn. Photo by Christopher R. Hauf. Flashbulb lighting by Christopher Hauf & Paul Monte.

8/17/06 - Waiting for passengers...
The second setup of the night was with Car #168 posed next to the NYMT's Rochester & Eastern trolley waiting room. Here are two different views. Photo by Christopher R. Hauf. Flashbulb lighting by Christopher Hauf, Paul Monte & Jim Dierks.

8/16/06 - Ready for Diesel Days
The R&GVRRM is ready to host its special Diesel Days event this coming weekend, August 19 and 20. The museums will highlight the diesel locomotive during this two-day celebration. With six operating diesels from a small 45 ton switcher to a large 1000 & 1200 horsepower road-switchers, the museums plan to have several of the engines running. Locomotive and caboose rides are planned. Come on out, see, hear and take a ride on these historic locomotives. For more pictures of Diesel Days, please visit our Media Center.

8/04/06 - Trolley Rides and Night Photo Shoot at Chapter Meeting
The chapter meeting on August 17th will include trolley rides at the NYMT. Trains will leave Industry Depot starting at 6:00pm for the transfer point platform. From there, track cars will take you to the NYMT for a ride on the trolley. Return train service will be provided until 8:00pm. For photographers, there will be a trolley night photo shoot at the NYMT beginning around 8:30pm. Please plan to drive to the NYMT for this opportunity as there will be no train service after 8:00pm.

7/20/06 - Setting up for the July meeting...
In June, July, and August, the Rochester Chapter NRHS holds general membership meetings at its Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Less of a meeting and more of an operating session and open house, the R&GVRRM operates many of its pieces of equipment for the enjoyment of the meeting's participants. Guests are always welcome to come out to see what we are all about. For July, operations included the R&GVRRM's two former U.S. Military locomotives, R&GVRRM #1654 (GE 80-tonner) and U.S. Army #1843 (Fairbanks-Morse H12-44). More diesel operations are planned for the August meeting.

7/20/06 - Coupling up...
The R&GVRRM's F-M #1843 couples up to the museum's restored Erie caboose #C254 which is stored on siding #6. The museum's restoration building can been seen in the background. By later in 2006, the R&GVRRM hopes to have the building tracks built and connected into siding #6.

7/20/06 - Ready to go...
#1843 is ready to depart north out of siding #6. The track on the right is the museum's mainline heading to the R&GVRRM's Industry yard.

7/20/06 - Southbound...
Shoving south, #1843 and Erie C254 head to Industry yard to start the evening's ride operations.

7/20/06 - Up the line...
Stopped to allow passengers to swap consists, #1654 with Penn Central transfer caboose #18526 and #1843/Erie C254 wait to head south back to the R&GVRRM.

7/20/06 - A little business...
Usually kept to under ten minutes, Rochester Chapter NRHS President, Jeremy Tuke, holds a brief meeting in front of the former Erie Railroad Industry depot for a few announcements including the R&GVRRM's upcoming special events like Diesel Days.

7/19/06 - More track to the restoration building
Dale Hartnett directs crane operator Joe Scanlon to place another panel on track 7, extending it northward from the restoration building towards future switch 7. When completed, this track will finally connect the restoration building to the rest of the railroad.

7/14/06 - Trolley Weekend Members' Preview Open House
As a prelude to open to the public Trolley Weekend, the New York Museum of Transportation held a Members' Preview Open House on Friday, July 14, 2006. Here we have former Philadelphia & Western "Strafford" Car #168 operating under wire for the members of the NYMT and the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.
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6/24/2006 - Back to life...
The R&GV Railroad Museum's Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 #1843 roars back to life after its winter slumber. The F-M had been pre-lubed and had some replacement batteries installed prior to its 2006 startup.

6/24/2006 - Transmission nears completion...
The friction drive transmission on the museum's Plymouth Model BL is nearly complete. This image shows the complete transmission along with the brake lever (red handle) and engine throttle.

6/24/2006 - A closer look...
A closer look at the friction drive transmission. The flyweel on the right is directly connected to the Buda engine while the spoked wheel runs off of the flywheel via friction; transferring power via chains to the wheels. The position of the spoked wheel to either side of the flywheel determines the direction of travel for the engine.

6/24/2006 - The engineer's view...
Shot from the back of the BL looking forward, here we see the transmission as it will be seen by the engineer. In this view, the drive chains can be seen. The spoked drive wheel is hidden in the center of the photo under the red guard. The small spoked wheel in the center of the image is used to move the larger spoked wheel left and right which adjusts the engine's direction and speed.

6/18/2006 - Caboose Day briefing...
Before the engines were started and Caboose Day at the R&GVRRM got underway, a job briefing was held with all train and museum volunteers to get everyone on the same page. These briefings insure a safe and efficient operation.

6/18/2006 - Heading out...
The museum's GE 80-tonner #1654 passes the B&O position light at switch #6 as it heads north to the passenger transfer point to start Caboose Day 2006. If you missed Caboose Day, you will have another chance at Diesel Days in August.

6/18/2006 - 60 years young...
Behind R&GVRR #1654 is Erie caboose #C254. Built in May 1946, Erie C254 just turned 60 years old and continues in revenue service for the R&GVRR Museum.

6/18/2006 - Second section...
Two trains were operated for Caboose Day. Here we see Eastman Kodak Company GE 80-tonner #6 passing the former Erie Railroad signal on the R&GVRRM's demonstration railroad as it heads toward the Caboose Day passenger transfer point.

6/18/2006 - Back to Industry with passengers...
Erie C254 enters Industry yard with its first load of passengers during Caboose Day.

6/18/2006 - Unloading passengers...
Museum volunteer, Dave Peet, helps some of the passengers off of Erie C254 so they can start their tour of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.

6/17/2006 - French drain complete...
With good weather and the right equipment, the R&GVRRM was able to complete the installation of a 300 foot french drain that will aid in the removal of surface water after the track is installed to the museum's restoration building. This view is looking north with the building behind the photographer with the drain shown on the left in the image.

6/17/2006 - Looking back...
Looking south toward the restoration building, the french drain can be seen paralleling siding #6.

6/17/2006 - Almost at grade...
With the drain complete, finish grading was started and nearly finished. From this stake, only about 10 inches needs to removed from this position to reach finish grade at which point sub-ballast and track can be installed.

6/10/2006 - Boxing out...
Taking advantage of a nice day, the museum's excavating crews got back to work boxing out the area where the lead switch to the museum's restoration building lead tracks will go off of siding #6. With a good size hump in the ground, a fair amount of dirt had to be removed. The museum's Cat D7E is making quick work of the job with the museum's Erie caboose and mainline shown in the back.

6/10/2006 - A blade full!
The big Cat has a blade full of dirt as it works the area of the switch install.

6/10/2006 - In capable hands...
Museum volunteer, Joe Scanlon, has the controls of the D7. With things working well, this is what volunteering at the R&GVRRM is all about and Joe's smile shows it!

6/10/2006 - A good size pile...
It did not take long for a good size pile of dirt to accumulate. The museum's Trojan front loader is working on loading up one of the museum's dump trucks for use as fill on the south end of the restoration building.

6/10/2006 - Time to grade...
With the rough work done with the bulldozer, it was time to switch machines to a road grader to finish and fine tune the job. Joe Scanlon has the controls of the Huber-Warco grader and is making quick work of finishing the job.

6/10/2006 - Up the hill...
The road grader comes to an end of a pass as it climbs the hill of dirt made by the Cat bulldozer.

6/10/2006 - Loading out...
The front loader continues to work loading out the dirt which was all gone by the end of the day.

6/10/2006 - And heading off...
One of the museum's former military 5-ton dump trucks heads off to dump another load of dirt.

5/16/06 - Track Car Operator Schedule (PDF)
There are many track car operator slots available for the upcoming season. If you are a qualified track car operator, please download the schedule and volunteer for an available date or contact Harold Russelll for more information.

5/9/2006 - Prepping for Track Installation
The R&GVRR Museum is working hard to prepare the area north of the museum's Restoration Building for track installation this spring/summer. With initial grading done for one of the building tracks, the museum's Trojan front loader handles the removal of material the grader was not able to get to.

5/9/2006 - Big Cat...Little Bobcat
The museum's Cat D-7E dozer handles a little additional earth moving near the northeast corner of the building with the museum's new Bobcat skid steer loader following along doing a little clean-up.

5/9/2006 - Cleaning Up
The museum's new Bobcat is getting good use cleaning up some of the spoil left from the larger pieces of construction equipment. The museum is currently looking for either the donation or to purchase a Bobcat digging bucket to replace the snow bucket that came with the unit. This will make it even more effective when working in the dirt.

5/9/2006 - Coming Together
Getting even closer to completion, the museum's Plymouth BL gas mechanical locomotive now has its Buda prime mover installed and its transmission hooked up. Final transmission work is underway along with fuel and cooling system work. Some of the cosmetic restoration can also be seen with the cab frame remounted.

5/9/2006 - Welding up an Oil Pan
With connected track planned for this summer, the R&GVRR Museum hopes to be able to move its restored Burro Model 40 crane out of the restoration building for use on the museum's demonstration railroad. One of the final steps to get this unit running is to complete some welding on the transmission oil pan. Art Mummery has that welding work well underway.

5/9/2006 - Eagle Scout Project Adds New Signs
New lineside signs including this new Yard Limit sign have been installed on the museum's demonstration railroad as part of an Eagle Scout project undertaken by Scout, Jason Marks, son of one of the museum's volunteers. Jason did a great job leading a team that designed, engineered, installed posts and hung all of the signs made by the museum. The signs included station signs, yard limit signs and new mile marker signs.

4/29/06 - Chapter Receives Bobcat Donation
Jeremy Tuke checks out Bobcat 610 skid-steer loader recently donated to the Chapter by Copper and Brass Sales. This type of machine has been on the Chapter's "wish list" for over 25 years, and will be a major asset with many of our ongoing and future projects.

4/1/06 - Switching the NYMT Loop
On this day, the job is to move all of the freight cars and the NYMT's G&W caboose from storage on the east leg of the NYMT loop and move them over for storage on the west leg of the NYMT loop. The R&GV Railroad Museum's two GE 80-tonners, R&GVRR #1654 and EK#6, prepare to pick up cars from the east leg of the loop.
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2/25/06 - Bench Lids Installed in BRP 280 Caboose
The installation of all of the new lower bench lids on one end of Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh caboose #280 was completed with new hinges and trim pieces added.

2/25/06 - Starting the Cat 12
As Ryan Johnson looks on from the operator's cab, Master Mechanic, Art Mummery, checks on the forward hydraulic system on the Cat 12 grader after its successful startup.

2/25/06 - Starting the Cat 12
After two months of hard work, our Construction Department successfully brought our Cat 12 grader's diesel engine back to life today. Shown here are the startup team of (L to R) Scott Gleason, Art Mummery, Ryan Johnson, and Joe Scanlon. Many other hands helped in the project as well. Thanks to everyone for a job well done! After startup, the grader was given a thorough greasing and checkout of the hydraulic systems. There is still some tinkering to be done to get the transmission in top shape, but that will take place in the coming weeks. This grader will be putting a lot of work in this summer preparing the museum's Restoration Building site for track.

2/11/06 - Back to Work
Work on our Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway caboose #280 has restarted. Here we see one of the new replica bench lids that has been built and is waiting final installation trimming and the installation of its hinges. New lids had to be built for all three benches in the caboose. After the benches are complete, construction of replica upper bunks will start. At this end of the caboose, there were benches and upper bunks on each side.

2/11/06 - Plymouth BL Thrust Bearing
A shot of the new thrust bearings that have been machined up for our Plymouth Model BL. The bearings had to be made so they could come apart to be placed around the axles since there are no plans to remove the wheels from the axles. The pins sticking out from the bearing will hold it together and the Zerk grease fitting will provide grease for the bearing. The purpose of these bearings are to prevent the axle from moving from side to side and go between the wheels and the axle bearing boxes.

2/11/06 - Plymouth BL Thrust Bearing
Here we see the bearing separated into its two halves so it can be installed.

2/4/06 - The DW-15's Pony Motor
Joe Scanlon, Dan Waterstraat and Ryan Johnson work on a Caterpillar pony motor taken from the Chapter's Caterpillar DW-15 scraper.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Vulcan
The R&GVRRM rosters two 0-4-0 steam locomotives. The museum is currently working on both engines. The fireless Heisler is being restored both mechanically and cosmetically for service. Our Vulcan is currently undergoing a cosmetic restoration while the museum raises the funds to repair or build a new boiler for the engine. Here we see the pilot beam of the Vulcan, Brooklyn Navy Yard #12, being disassembled so the wood can be replaced.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Vulcan
The #12's pilot beam is a sandwich of steel plates and large wood beams. Here we see the large wood beams exposed. There are two beams that make up the pilot, and they are badly rotted. The beams are approximately 9.5" square and stacked one on the top of the other. Currently, the R&GVRRM is planning to replace these large wooden beams with railroad switch timbers. We will need to use three timbers to replace the current two timbers.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
Our Plymouth BL gas mechanical locomotive continues to receive new thrust bearings on its axles. Here the material is being cut on our horizontal bandsaw for the bearings for the front axle.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
Here is one of the bearings after the surfaces have been machined flat. Since we will not be removing the wheels, this bearing with be cut in half and set screws installed so the bearing can be split in half, placed around the axle and held back together with the set screws.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
The bearings have already been installed on the engine's rear axle as seen here looking down on the top of the wheel. These bearings help to prevent the axles from shifting from side to side.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
More progress on the Plymouth can also be seen with the installation of the first of several drive chains. The original chains were frozen solid with rust so new roller chain had to be purchased.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
In order to service each axle, the front of the BL has been jacked up and the axle dropped out. New pedestal liners have been installed.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
Looking from the inside, it is possible to see the new pedestal liners again. The axle bearings have also been rebuilt.

1/28/06 - Workin' on the Plymouth
Along with all of the running gear work, the rack that is used to move the friction drive wheel has been completely rebuilt. This work included machining a brand new main shaft with all of the keyways machined into the shaft so the gears would work properly.

1/28/06 - Restoring Track Car 7
The R&GVRRM rosters several different track cars including this little Fairmont MT-19. It has recently had a new engine installed and has been completely rewired. Once the better weather returns to Industry, the car will be given a complete cosmetic restoration and place into service on the R&GVRRM's demonstration railroad.

1/17/06 - Track Car Training Schedule Announced
Training for train enthusiasts who wish to be Track Car Operators at the local railroad museums will commence in March 25 and continue through May 20, 2006.