Hello everyone!
July has been a busy month on the RS&N even though it seems like it rained almost every day of the month! I'm going to try and touch briefly on things and if I forget something, will someone please chime in and tell me!
It actually started mid June with our participating in the grand opening of the Red Springs Farmers Market, we provided free train rides during the first day of the market and then just one dollar per ride all other times, its been a light turnout at the market but we are hoping in time it will catch on.
We then threw a surprise party for one of our members, Ginny Lucas at her and Miltons beautiful home! Thanks again Milton for letting us help you celebrate Ginny's 49th birthday. We continue our look back with Tim Parnell, Jimmy Cobb and Neil McKenzie keeping the weeds in check between rainstorms and the right of way looks great, thanks guys!
In no particular order, we ran a work train to clear the line of many trees that were down due to all of the storms, thank you to everyone who helped! Jimmy Cobb had our dual axle road trailer serviced and had the wood deck replaced, this will come in handy for moving motorcars, trailer cars and light track equipment. John Cease and I spent many hours on the line dealing with the various encroachments that have been uncovered and I'm happy to report thanks to Tim Parnell who found this one as well as John and Susan Cease for doing the legwork, we have received a check for $18,000 from Centurylink Communications for a new bore under our right of way and track. John also spoke with Murphy Farms about Clearwater Road and because of that, they had the road scraped and resurfaced with gravel as well as installing drain pipes on either side of our track, thank you Murphy Farms, we are working on rebuilding that crossing in the near future. John and myself also met with Mountaire Farms concerning 2 new crossings at their plant in Lumber Bridge to be installed by the end of this year.
Probably the biggest news to report is that after months of negotiations, we have sold the Fairbanks-Morse locomotive in Parkton to Piedmont Leasing, a NC company owned by a rail enthusiast for $20,000. His plans are to get the loco back into running condition and use it as a switcher at his reload facility here in NC. It was a bittersweet decision but we feel it was the best move for all parties as we didn't have the means to operate it and its no good to let it sit without being used. We know many parties grew accustomed to seeing her sit in front of the depot in Parkton and its entirely possible that it could be brought back for special occasions. The loco is going to a good place and will be less than 20 miles from the RS&N and we have been told that we are welcome to visit her anytime we wish. Phil Gandy is working on an updated handout that can be used anywhere including museums, other groups as well as our own events, thank you Phil for taking that on!
One more thing, thanks to John Green for donating a radio to be put in our A-4 motorcar and thanks also to Tom Stallings, Doug Bedenbaugh and Tommy Tutherow for helping John install the radio! I think I covered everything that I wanted to and if I left someone out, I really do apologize! We are gearing up for a busy end of summer and fall this year with work days planned as well as train rides, we sure would like to see more of our members getting involved and having fun! Our next board meeting will be on August 17th at 10 AM in Parkton at the Parkton Grill, come on out and join us, won't you? We are moving into the future at a snail's pace but I'm still holdin' on with my 2 hands!
Be safe and have fun!
Chris