FROM THE PRESIDENT
Several things have been happening within the museum during the past several months and all members of the museum should be aware of what they are. As you perhaps already know, the Santa Fe notified us in December of last year that our three freight cars had to be removed from their property. In March, they notified the museum that the track lease for the car 576 would be increased to $300 a year. Immediately a search for other storage was begun.
Our answer came from the U.S. Navy. They agreed to lease us an unused spur on the Miramar Naval Station for the storage or our equipment including the two locomotives. As of this date the three cars have been moved to Miramar and the coach 576 was moved after the air date was renewed at a cost of $125. A half-rate request has been submitted to the railroad for movement of the locos and the coach, which, if accepted will be about $530.
The Navy Department has also been good to PSRMA by replying favorably to our request for the donation of two 1902 truss-rod flat cars at Port Hueneme. We will have to arrange a lease, about $25 a year to store the cars there until they can be moved to San Diego. Due to the out of date equipment on the cars they will have to be shipped on another flatcar or by truck.
The museum also received a steam heating boiler from an old parachute factory at Gillespie Field and it has been moved to Bob DiGiorgio's home.The steel stand that originally supported the stand was also obtained along with various related valves, pipe and fittings. The boiler may be used in the future as a shop boiler.
A formal contract was made with the Carrizo Gorge Scenic Railway, Inc. Their intent is to operate a tourist type operation through the Carrizo Gorge. A trackage rights hearing before the PUC is scheduled in the near future. The museum feels that should we acquire land in the Jacumba area, at the door of the gorge, it would tend to enhance the Carrizo Gorge enterprise and vice-versa.
Our museum is moving at an ever increasing pace and soon we may find ourselves with our own land to begin building one of the finest railway museums in the country. With the developments happening as fast as they have been, we need the help of every member. Won't you take an active part in our museum?
CALENDAR
APRIL
11 - Line Truck work party, 10am, Bob DiGiorgio's 10158 Buena Vista Ave., Santee
12 - Open House at Locos, Dick Pennick - host
18 - Traction Committee, 7:30 pm, George Geyer's 2928 Fir St.
19 - Open House at Locos, George Geyer - host
19 - General Membership Meeting, 7:30pm, AT&SF Depot
25 - Traction Work Party, OETM, 10 am
MAY
5 - Board Meeting.,7:30pm, San Diego Trust A Savings
16 - Puerto Penasco Excursion
FLYNG SCOTSMAN TRIP TO SAN DIEGO CANCELLED
PSRMA members and San Diego railfans will be disappointed to learn that the Flying Scotsman, scheduled to be in San Diego on the 24th of April, has been delayed and may not come through here at all.
The Southern Pacific Railroad turned down the Scotsman's request to operate on its lines. The Public Relations Department told the REPORT editor that the request was refused because "between the coaches, the couplers are not standard American couplers and should the train break in half, there would be no way to move the train onto a siding."
The new schedule for the Scotsman calls for it to leave its winter quarters in Slaton, Texas, and head north through Dallas, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas City, Saint Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and onto Green Bay. There is a slim chance that the Scotsman may end its tour in San Diego, but at this time those plans are indefinite.
TRACTION REPORT
TRACTION COMMITTEE PLANS BUSY MONTH FOR APRIL
The traction committee plans a busy month for April. Starting on the 11th, is a work party scheduled for the line truck. The work party will begin at 10am at Bob DiGiorgio's house in Santee. Highlight of each party is ride around the fields on the 1923 White truck.
On the 18th, George Geyer will host a meeting at his house at 2928 Fir Street beginning at 7:30 pm. Featured will be slides of trolley action around the country.
Rounding out the month will be a work party scheduled for the 25th at OETM to work on PCC Car 508 formerly of the San Diego Electric Railway.
Persons interested in traction are urged to become active in this group. Contact Tom Matson at 273-8951.
EXCURSIONS
APRIL
26 - Pacific Locomotive Association trip from San Francisco to Truckee via Southern Pacific's "Overland Route" using rare U-233C diesels
MAY
3 - Golden West Tours, Los Angeles to Bakersfield, "Springtime in the Tehachapis" Fare $13.75 Write Golden West Tours, 2210 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90064, phone MU4-0162
30 - Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursion with UP 8444 steam engine, Denver to Laramie via Sherman Hill, Fare $27, RMRRC, PO Box 2391, Denver, Colorado 80207
