Niagara Falls Railway Museum

The NFRM Work Sessions

September 20th, 2008

On Saturday September 20th, 2008, a small gang of volunteers from the Niagara Railway Museum travelled to Aylmer, Ontario to remove a 300ft long unused siding at a feed mill. The track was donated to the NRM by Elgin Feeds, and arrangements were made to get the track out of the ground and ready for movement back to Niagara. The NRM crew consisted of President Ken Jones Jr., V.P. Aaron White, Ryan Grimes, Ken Jones Sr., and Jeff Smith.

It was a perfect day weather wise, and despite a 1/2 hr delay while the rented skid steer wouldn't start at the rental shop (something that would haunt us thoughout the day), things went fairly well. We did our best to save as much of the other track materials as we could, but many of the bolts ended up being chopped off. The rail is a mix of 80lb & 100lb, with much of it being more than 70yrs old. Some pieces of the 80lb rail have some damage to their heads, but since we aren't planning on using it for running rail, it will not pose a problem.

Looking east down the siding prior to removal. Ken Jones Sr, Aaron White, & Ryan Grimes are working on removing the track bolts to allow us to separate the rail.

This was the view looking east at the end of Saturday. The rail is stacked to the right and the track materials are ready to be stored off site. Jeff Smith is using the chop saw to cut off some of the old bolts in the 80lb rail that was buried in the ground.

The skid steer is crucial when moving around track materials due to the fact that a stick of 80lb rail can weigh upwards of 800lbs. It is needed to drag the rail over to the pile, and stack it neatly.

With this donation, we will have enough track length to store all of our current equipment. This will greatly aid us when we are ready to set up the museum site. We will still need to acquire ties and bolts.

The majority of Saturday was spent removing, sorting and stockpiling the track materials. Sunday morning was spent spreading and leveling the recycled asphalt we used to level the parking area where the track was. The skidsteer was used to backfill the low spots and fill in the ruts in the driveway.

The Niagara Railway Museum wishes to thank Wilf Saarloos, Owner of Elgin Feeds for donating the track to the Museum.

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)

The truck is loaded and ready with our Whiting Trackmobile, welder, and steam locomotive parts on Saturday July 7th, 2007.

Our 1970 built Whiting 2TMA Trackmobile.

NFRM Board Member & welder Steve Konig welds a couple cross braces in the cab of our ALCo 0-4-0ST #46. Our new 400amp Miller welder, mounted on a pretty hefty trailer, will come in very handy.

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 “new” Sylvester 21E, which will be restored to operating condition. Hydro Electric Power Commission #46 at the end of our first work session of 2007 on July 7th.

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.

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.

Aaron White is nailing the upright roof support to the floor crossbeam in the cab of #46

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.

Partially restored gauge cluster from the cab. 1 of the builders plates off HEPC #46.

July 8-9, 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 19th, 2005

On November 19th, 2006, 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.

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.