LIRR history, news, and information???

[RGlueck]

Just an observation that there appears to be a dearth of interesting information coming forth regarding our railroad.  OBRM occasionally post, as does Anthony, on behalf of RMLI, but otherwise, the rail hounds, locomotive chasers, historians, and paint scheme spotters, seem to be away.  Is it:
A)  there is nothing to report?
B)  nobody cares anymore?
C)  Nobody is involved due to season, personal schedule, or change in focus?

What can or should be done to remedy this?  Please report back!
I am as guilty as anyone in this problem.

[railfan365]

I'd like to speculate that it's some of each of the three things that you suggest - some of us don't have anything specific in mind to post, some have lost interest, and some, while we're still interested generally are specifically preoccupied with other interests. I, for one, am glad that some of us are trying to keep the forum on track.

[loveinsailin]

I have a Lirr 1920's bench seat for sale. Can you suggest the best place to post this?

[MADDOG]

Loveinsailin:
How about taking a few photos of this bench seat and please show where the LIRR marking is, and posting them. Maybe one of the Museums may be interested in it.
MADDOG

[Anthony RMLI]

Just an observation that there appears to be a dearth of interesting information coming forth regarding our railroad.  OBRM occasionally post, as does Anthony, on behalf of RMLI, but otherwise, the rail hounds, locomotive chasers, historians, and paint scheme spotters, seem to be away.  Is it:
A)  there is nothing to report?
B)  nobody cares anymore?
C)  Nobody is involved due to season, personal schedule, or change in focus?

What can or should be done to remedy this?  Please report back!
I am as guilty as anyone in this problem.

I would have to agree with all these 3. Honestly I don't post as much as I use to anymore either, just the museum updates. From somebody on the "inside" of the rail preservation community I can the attitude of a lot of the guys use to post on all forums in general can't be bothered anymore. There is just to much foaming and BS that just makes looking at these things angering and a waste of time. I know for me it bug the heck out of me when someone posts something stupid about the Nevada Northern Strasburg or what ever about stupid stuff like the way something is painted, what engine is running criticizing the operation. For me it is a waste of my time, and I know a lot of people that feel that way. If we got something important to say we e-mail or talk on the phone, or at least that is what we have done on the Nevada Northern. That and use facebook a lot haha!

Bottom line, we <rail presevertaion community> hate stupidity and can;t be bothered.

Anthony

[Ernie]

C) I was never involved, its always been just hobby of mine (though I did apply for a job there once)

B) I care. The day I don't have my head on a swivel when I pass any rails is the day they drive me to my grave.

a) If I see something I say something. I haven't seen nuthin lately.

[M1_9174]

Ok, since I don't regularly post here let me give you guys Twin Forks info here.  Anthony didn't show up at RMLI, so I will provide more info on that page, but here I have photos of the progress we did today with Twin Forks, and that is with Jordan Spreader W93.  Our President Rich Gorddard along with Art Christian, Mike Arnold, and myself got parts of the Jordan Spreader in operation today with help from a compressor we rented out for the day.  Yes work with the hoses need to be done, but we needed to see if the Spreader operated, and sure did, but more needs to be tested, vice versa.  Anyways, here are my photos, and a video of Rich at the controls of it for everyones information:













All in all, it turned out to be a very good day!

[RGlueck]

Nice update.  I am glad to see the spreader is in operable condition.  It was one of my father's favorite pieces of equipment.  The used it for ballast work as well as clearance and snow service.  I am not really certain why it was dropped from the MOW roster, other than age.

[M1_9174]

Richard, not sure on that, but LIRR has newer, and better equipment on their MOW roster, and I even think smaller which can handle it better with versatilitythan the Jordan Spreader.  Don't forget also that we don't get huge blizzards that other areas have. 

[RGlueck]

Richard, not sure on that, but LIRR has newer, and better equipment on their MOW roster, and I even think smaller which can handle it better with versatilitythan the Jordan Spreader.  Don't forget also that we don't get huge blizzards that other areas have. 

Oh, I beg to differ!  In the 23 years I lived on Long Island, I saw some of the worst snowfalls in the Northeast.  To this day, you guys often get worse snow that we get in Maine.  ANd try keeping a mish-mash like Jamaica open during a wet, heavy, slushy snow!  I'm not slamming you, but you made an extraordinary claim.

[ch00ch00]

You can't tell me any piece of MofW equipment that they use, now, will lay around for 50 years and then be used for the first time, and work.
Small is "nice". Big and uncomplicated is worth investing in. No maintenance tools, like spiking hammers that can always be used in emergency give as much bang for the buck. Electronics and sophistication is "nice", but someone has to maintain it.
I was on a Work train in 1954, that went east of Riverhead to cut the banks of the right of way through the farm lands where the wind and snow moved the farm land onto the tracks. The Jordan Spreader was the star actor. It was always operated by a senior Section Gangforman, usually from the gangs that reported to the Supervisor of track from Hicksville. I remember the people, just not the names.
I don't remember them using the Jordan Spreader for anything else, except snowplowing.

[NYandW]

At Watermill 02/78

[Nova55]

The spreader is fine, no hose work is needed.  A certain pair of employees really looked after this thing and rebuilt it with Hydraulic grade hoses and fittings once upon a time.  The chapter is not skimping on this resto, and it will be done to as delivered in black and silver.  Brand new wooden windows with frames, that work just like the originals that slide into the car body.  No more aluminum caboose windows.  A new headlight will be made from parts of the original.  The interior will be completly reworked, complete with a small coal stove in time.  This machine will be operated every few months from now on to keep it loose, as well as a new hydro stamp on the tank coming soon. 

Also, There are not any modern equivalents to the spreader, ask UP, who just sunk over a million dollars each into 4 new spreaders.  Spreaders are simple, especially the air ones.  Theres 4, 4 way air valves, a few cut outs and a big ass tank.  Thats it.