Newsworthy items from Keith Bagus
Good News
Nonprofit to Take Over East Broad Top
A startup
nonprofit group signed an agreement to operate Pennsylvania’s
East Broad Top Railroad in May, a move that it hopes will create
a more stable living for the narrow gauge tourist line. The East
Broad Top Rail Preservation Association was to take over
operations before the start of this tourist season. It hopes
restore 2-8-2 No. 15 nearly identical to No. 14 which currently
pulls trains, to service. It also hopes to extend EBT’s
operations six miles to Mount Union pa. Behind the new
organization is Larry Salone, who’s served as director of the
Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pa. since 2007. Salone
takes over from the Kovalchick family, which has owned the
railroad since it gave up its common carrier duties in 1956
Walthers
has been named the sole distributor for LGB in North America.
They have hired
Ron Gibson as the LGB sales specialist within the company. In
his new role, Ron Gibson will concentrate on bringing the LGB
line back into distribution in North America. Working at
Walthers and in the field, to re-established the LGB authorized
retailer program, development of new products, educating staff
on the features and intricacies of the line, and most important,
establishing a repair department at the Walthers Milwaukee
facility.
Ron has been
known in large scale community as “Mr. LGB” for the last 20
years. Always willing to listen and answer questions, it is
great to have him back in the game.
In conjunction
with the re-birth of LGB, Silvergate Manufacturing has stated
making replacement parts for LGB engines, to help you keep your
engines running for future generations to come. Just E-mail your
parts inquiry to part@silvergatemanufacturing.com or you can fax
them at (858)444-8290.
New
Locomotive
On February 19,
2009, HRH Prince Charles christened the first new mainline steam
locomotive to be constructed from the ground up in Great Britain
in 48 years in York. After the ceremony the “Tornado” now
officially named was coupled to the Royal Train and hauled it to
Leeds where the Prince had a speaking engagement. The “Tornado”
is certified to operate at 75 mph. Later this summer the
“Tornado” will do its final certification to operate at 90 mph.
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