STAYING ON TRACKThe Newsletter of the Lubbock Model Railroad Association
JANUARY 2003
Back to main pageVisit us on the Internet at http://www.railserve.com/lmra
E-mail me at DWL1944@cs.com
Our mailing address is PO Box 53674, Lubbock, TX 79453
Staying on Track is published monthly by the LMRA - David Lamberts, editor.
EDITOR SEEKING AN ARTICLE
I am looking for an article from Fine scale Railroader, August/September 1998 entitled "D&RGW Caboose Number 0524 Interior Detail." It is not an easy journal to find. Please let me know if you have a copy. I will pay for the reproduction of the article. Thanx. (the editor).MAGNETIC LEVITATION TRAIN DEBUT
From the Associated Press as printed in The Dallas Morning News, January 1, 2003, P. 28A.The sleek white train zipped noiselessly out of a futuristic station in Shanghai, carrying Chinese and German leaders - and hopes for a new era in railway technology.
The world's first commercial magnetic levitation train performed flawlessly on its maiden journey Tuesday, hitting 260 mph between Shanghai's gleaming financial district and the 3-year-old Pudong airport. A German-built high-tech marvel, the train can outrun a World War II fighter plane by riding above its track while suspended by powerful opposing magnets.
Its VIP passengers, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, said they hoped the 14-minute 19-mile journey would build confidence in the expensive technology. "The completion of the Shanghai magnetic levitation train test project . . . holds important meaning for the construction of a high-speed rail network in China," Mr. Zhu said in a speech after the ride.
The Shanghai train is being watched closely, as much for the speed and performance of its 21st century technology as for its $1.2 billion cost - partly covered by German subsidies.
High construction costs of "maglev" trains have prevented them from finding customers elsewhere in the world, including Germany, where a proposed Berlin-Hamburg link was scuttled two years ago because of costs.
Many in China fear Shanghai's high-speed airport shuttle will end up a white elephant, unable to recoup costs because airport users will shun its one-way ticket price of $6 - a hefty sum for most Chinese.
Such concerns were nowhere to be seen as Mr. Zhu and Mr. Schroeder boarded a maglev carriage - which looks like an aerodynamically curved subway train - after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at a newly completed station on the outskirts of Shanghai's gleaming Pudong financial district.
The train then shot silently away on a single, gray track raised several stories above ground.
Germany has poured decades of research and billions of dollars into the train. Maglev is the fastest rail system in the world, far out stripping conventional trains because it floats on air - held a fraction of an inch above its rail by powerful opposing magnets.
Germany was so keen to have a working version that it essentially offered the trains free if China would build the track. The maglev's German developers were also generous in handing over technology, which reportedly allowed them to beat out the only other maglev makers, the Japanese.
"These [German] companies are different from other competitors in China's market," Mr. Schroeder said after the ride. "They not only sell their products, but are more willing to share their knowledge and experience."
Although China is in the midst of a five-year $31 billion upgrade of its railway network, foreigners have had little success winning business. Mr. Zhu, whom Mr. Schroeder thanked for personally overseeing the Shanghai construction said he hoped maglev trains would be "quickly localized" - produced entirely in China.
But wait, there is more. This is the editor speaking. If you go to www.futurehorizons.net/grav.htm you will find step by step plans showing how to build your own maglev model train that can levitate over 1 inch above its track. Since it floats virtually friction free above the track, it can move very quickly and easily by just giving it a tiny push.
COOK COUNTY HERITAGE SOCIETY, INC.
I recently received a letter from Shana Powell which reads as follows:The Santa Fe Depot Museum celebrated its first year of operation in October. We would like to extend an invitation to you, your board of directors, and membership to visit our facility and enjoy the charm of Gainesville [TX].
The museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 - 2:00 and it is free admission. We are open for tours and the museum is available to be rented out for special occasion.
If you have a newsletter or any such publication, we would be interested in listing our location and hours of business. We will gladly send you any information you may need, just let us know.
Sincerely, Shana Powell, Curator.
The address is Cooke County Heritage Society, Inc., P.O. Box 150 Gainesville, Texas 76241-0150. Their number is (940) 668-8900.
MEETINGS
Plano, Texas18th Annual Dallas Area train ShowJanuary 18 and 19, 2003
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plano Center, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano Texas
Admission: $6.00 per person (Children 12 and under free)
Information: Robert Bray, 1820 Spruce Lane, Benbrook, TX 76126
Phone: 817 249-2965 (6-10 p.m.)
E-Mail: robert.l.bray@lmco.com
Longview Texas
Longview Model Train ShowSaturday, March 1, 2003 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, 2003 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fairground Exhibit Building, Longview Texas
Admission: $5.00 per person (Children under 12 free)
Information: Homer Fleisher, P.O. Box 6704 Longview TX 75608
Phone: 903 753-9512
RON KUTCH WRITES IN THE MARKER LAMP
BorgerTo date the Borger group is still getting ready to go for a club. Presently they have six persons interested.Abilene
Ken Rediker has a group, and there are four or five layouts available to visit.Amarillo
President Jerry Michaels is putting together a train show in Amarillo for May of 2003. Look for further details in the future.Lubbock
The club is busy preparing for the 2003 LSR convention and held a clinic on the new signals used by the BNSF.Odessa-Midland
The club is starting to change their meeting night from Monday to Tuesday at 7:00 p.m..You need to contact Tim Eckel 368-0971, Bud Bourland 520-2942, or Dan Stevens 697-4653
HARVEY HOUSE
I have in my possession a flyer from the Slaton Railroad Heritage Association discussing their restoration project. It reads:Founded in 1990 in a last ditch effort to save the Harvey House from destruction, the Slaton Railroad Heritage Association is a 501-(c)-(3) nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is the restoration of the Harvey House. The Association boasts more than 200 members who have contributed a minimum of $25, and has currently raised more than $1 million toward its goal of $1,500,000. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors elected from the membership. No salaries are paid to any member of the Association of Board. All monies go toward fund raising or restoration.
You can help preserve this important Slaton landmark and leave a permanent record of your donation or memorial. Before construction can begin [in 1998], the Slaton Railroad Heritage Association asks you to consider the following tax-deductible donations.
This is the editor. The brochure then goes on to describe the different levels of giving. I will bring some of the flyers with me to the January meeting.
JANUARY CLINIC
David Lamberts will show slides of the 2002 Warwick, R.I. National Narrow Gauge Meeting (again).