Official Naugatuck Railroad thread (NAUG/RMNE)

[CannaScrews]

Lotsa stuff going on nowdays.....

Then again, walking down the right-of-way on any railroad, rr-museum, trolley line is NOT a good idea. You just never know when something is-a-comin'-round-the-bend.

[Otto Vondrak]

Jonny- Anyone can photograph the NAUG from any public area they choose. It would be great if you joined RMNE and lent your support where you could. Your support helps to keep trains moving. Even as a member, you have to follow the same safety rules everyone else does, it does not give you free acess to anything and everything.

Visit www.rmne.org for more information!

-otto-

[JonnyRay]

I agree that its important to photograph safely. As a member if you wanted to photgraph a piece of equipment in the yard or shop, can you check in with someone to do so? What about if you wanted to take a shot during a run-around, if you showed your pass to the conductor, would he/she let you off the train for the shot?

[H.F.Malone]

JR: PM me about this.

[NaugMOW]

There is an excellent article on Railway Preservation News about the Thomaston Shop project on the Naugatuck Railroad.

Click here for the article.

If any of this interests you, manpower is one of the most valuable things we can get. Some of us even trek down from Boston or New Hampshire!!


CB

[thebigham]

Thanks!!

Very impressive!!!

[Otto Vondrak]

See also: http://rmne.org/thomastonshop.htm

[MEC407]

Awesome!

[Otto Vondrak]

What's new at RMNE? A new shop at Thomaston Yard, that's pretty exciting. Any projects ongoing through spring leading up to the start of regular operations? Any more equipment brought down from Old Saybrook?

[Zog]

Shop Projects
Currently one of our NH 50' cast frame flat cars is undergoing a cosmetic restoration and redecking. The body has been needle scaled and is presently wearing a primer coat. Application of black paint will commence when the weather warms up as the shop is not yet heated and the car is a bit on the cold side for painting. Once painted the car will receive a new creosoted deck and then will have the replacement engine block for the NH U25B #2525 loaded on board along with a spare parts 567 block. At that time the replacement 567 block for the B&M GP-9 #1732 will be moved to the shop for its rebuilding and the start up of the restoration project to bring the 1732 back into service.
Track Dept.
Presently the 3rd Thomaston Shop yard switch is about 1/3 complete and work on completing it will start up again shortly in order to proceed with building of the first yard storage track which will be needed to receive the impending rail move of 9 pieces of equipment coming from Old Saybrook.

If you're so inclined stop by an lend a hand. New volunteers are always welcome. Best time to drop by is either Saturday or Sunday.

Hal R.

[ATK]

I think I'll throw in my $0.02:

Lots o’stuff going on this spring. First of all – the shop. If you’ve seen the pictures at Springfield, then you know that we finally have a building to work! There is still much work to do inside the building to make the facility “fully functional” including installation of the overhead lights, gas fired heaters, overhead crane as well as setup of additional shelving, work benches, machine tooling, etc. We have a small crew working almost exclusively on setting up the shop.

Equipment: Work continues on CN coach 5805. Heavy restoration work being done on the inside, spot replacement of rotten steel on the outside. Progress has been steadily moving forward since this car is now inside the shop. Car needs a full set of windows installed and finished off with a standard Naugy paint job. U23B 2203 is getting some light maintenance, repair work and maybe an upgrade or two as time permits.

Operations: NORAC classes will be held this spring for re-qualifying members as well as new members. Easter Bunny train will run the Saturday before Easter.

Regarding membership – we are always open to receiving new members and volunteers! When we talk about progress, the rate in which we progress forward is directly proportional to the number of people who unselfishly give of their time working on projects at the RMNE. You have read about us on this site and seen the pictures in the magazines. Why not come out and visit us and find out about what we’re all about. There’s no obligation, and you may even discover that spending a weekend afternoon with us is well worth your time. And if you do decide to join our ranks, we only have two requirements: that you are willing to get your hands dirty and have some fun in the process! I guarantee that an afternoon on the Naugy is far more rewarding than spending the day taking that ump-teenth picture of that CSX/Amtrak/Metro-North/P&W whatever….

[NaugMOW]

I'm anxious for the nice spring weather for track building. Haven't been able to get down much over the winter but there is certainly plenty going on. I'm sure H will weigh in with more if/when he comes across this thread.

[H.F.Malone]

ATK, Zog had a rough day; go easy on him.

Let's see, what's going on and what's planned....

Mainline track work this spring, including tearing out about 100 feet of mainline at "The Pine Trees" and rebuiling that stretch from the subgrade up. The 100-ft tall pines are now gone, so that track project can proceed. More new ties into the mainline, of course.

Plans are to have some equipment moved from Saybrook by opening weekend, and a couple of pieces from SBK will be on display at Thomaston station this season.

There's a Railfan Day scheduled for early September, which will have the Thomaston Shop in "Open House" mode. This RF Day will be a bit different from past, "Railfan Photography Day"-oriented events at NAUG.

Finish the NH cast-frame flatcar, possibly prep and paint another coach in addition to 5805 now in the shop, get started on B&M GP9 1732, also. And are those whispers of a possible NRC steel reefer restoration? The new shop is a dream come true, a real marvel.

Probably another transformer to move, possibly another movie shoot....

Always lots to do, always visible progess to be seen, always lots of satisfaction and pride among the people doing and creating all this, always lots of fun to be had, always a great group of people to work with, and always plenty to eat at lunchtime!

C'mon over and give it a try yourself; you might really enjoy it.

HFM

MP6
NAUG

[Noel Weaver]

This is your chance to engage in "real railroading" rather than just toys
and models that you can buy anywhere. Great people and a great line
make it a winner.
Your membership dollars and volunteer hours here count for something,
not just running a toy train around a board.
If anybody here is thinking about hiring out on a railroad whether it be a
freight railroad or a passenger railroad, here is a great oppportunity to
actually learn something useful before you apply.
I strongly encourage anybody and everybody to get involved in something
like this.
Noel Weaver

[Otto Vondrak]

...not to mention that the new Thomaston Shop is comfy-cozy with its brandy-new concrete floor and REAL inspection pit. Put in a day's work and you will get fed and go home with the sense of real accomplishment

Zog, ZTK, HFM, keep the updates coming.

-otto-
RMNE Member #1971