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New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society
Date: 08/08/09 August
Subject: Restoration of 2926
Subject: General Meeting
Call to Order: 9:00 AM
OLD BUSINESS:
Call to Order: President Hike Hartshorne called the August General Membership meeting to order at 9:00 AM Aug 8, 2009 at the restoration site. Mike indicated that the July minutes can be viewed on the website.
Treasurer’s Report: Ernie Robart had previously e-mailed the August Treasurer’s Report to the Board. Ernie reported that for August the checking account had a beginning balance on July 11, 2009 of $11,911.73 and the ending balance on August 8, 2009 of $28,418.60. Deposits for the period totaled $21,724.36 . Expenses were $5217.49. John Taylor moved and Ed Strebe seconded a motion to accept the report, which was approved by voice vote.
Safety Officer’s Report: Jon Spargo reported that since the July meeting four new members have taken the safety orientation: Glenn Powers, Nathan Gordon, John Sheffield and Robert Sheffield are now authorized worker. Jon thanked Frank Gerstle and crew for all their efforts in working out the load limits for the pit hoists. It turns out to be 400 lbs. and that number has been posted on the arm of the hoist. One remaining item is that new stops must be fashioned to prevent the hoist trolley from running off the end of the arm. The current stops are not adequate and the trolley will jump over them.
Jon reported that the cable on top of the locomotive that is used to tie off to when working on top of the locomotive needs immediate attention. Jon said that in its current condition it is unsafe and should not be used. Anyone needing to work on top will have to tie off to one of the two cables on Big Bird. The locomotive cable is not guyed at either end and needs gusset plates welded to the posts to strengthen them. Rick Kirby has fabricated the gussets but hasn’t had a chance to install them. A very high priority should be the repair of this system including the end guy wires.
Jon also noted that there is apparently a bad GFCI device in the outlet box for the circuit that is under the canopy on the south side of the Machine Shop container. The device needs to be replaced by our electrician as it keeps popping. Until it is replaced we should not use any of those outlets on that circuit.
Jon said that while troubleshooting that problem he discovered that the list of labeled breakers in the Machine Shop breaker box has disappeared. This breaker list needs to be restored ASAP and we need also to check our other breaker boxes to make sure they are up to date. Finally, Jon said that he had a report of a problem with the pit ladder. It seems a rather large individual tried to climb down it last Saturday and felt the ladder begin to buckle inwards toward the wall. He quickly stepped off and didn’t try again. I would like to have someone check it out. Perhaps an additional set of brackets to fasten to the wall is needed. John Taylor moved and Ed Strebe seconded a motion to accept the report, which was approved by voice vote.
Chief Mechanical Officer’s Report: Dave Traudt reported for Bob DeGroft who was out of town. He summarized recent activity reporting that Rick Kirby has nearly completed the flue/tube ends with only about six remaining to be done. Larry Lukash has completed lapping the Feed Water heater hot water pump seats. Jim Hills is still working on the firing deck, which about ready for a re-install. Mike Swanson is continues working on the oilers while Randy McEntire has drilled all of the rigid staybolts from the outside, a few remain to be drilled from inside the firebox. Pete Adair has put down his needle-scaler for now, and along with Lawrence Harmon and Clem Harris is lapping the engine air brake cylinders. Ken Dusenberry and Andy Rutkiewic have replaced the engineer's side steam cylinder drainpipe, and have started on the fireman's side pipe. Finally, last but certainly not least Ralph Johnson continues to work his magic in the machine shop. John Taylor moved and Ed Strebe seconded a motion to accept the report, which was approved by voice vote.
Election: Mike reported that after the annual election for the new Board of Directors a BoD meeting had been held earlier in the morning at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) to address several issues. The first was the need to elect corporation/BoD officers for the next twelve months. He reported that he had been elected to serve another year as president; Steve Bradford was elected for another year as Secretary, and Ernie for another year as Treasurer. Dave Traudt had been elected to serve as Vice President.
By-Laws Committee: Chairman Clem Harris reported that the BoD had instructed the By-Laws Committee to consider the utility of adding two additional officer positions: Chief Outreach and Funding Officer (COFO) and Chief Rail Operations Officer (CROO). In addition the BoD had discussed the need to ensure that, in the future, candidates for election to the BoD should have to meet some kind of “time served” criteria. It was felt some kind of threshold is necessary to prevent folks from joining the Society, getting themselves elected to the BoD without having invested heavily of their time and taking over the Society from those members who have invested thousands of hours of “sweat equity”. To prevent this kind of “hostile takeover” the By Laws Committee had recommended establishing a minimum prerequisite of 1000 hours service before a person can become eligible to stand for election to the BoD. They had also recommended that the BoD reserve to itself the right to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances and to “grandfather” current members. The BoD adopted both of these recommendation and they will be in the revised By Laws.
Fundraising Committee: Chairman Ed Strebe reported that the grant application that Andy Rukiewic submitted to the NM Department of Tourism for $1,000 for production of 45,000 rack cards was approved. Work was now underway to develop the cards. They will be distributed to visitor’s bureaus, the C&TS, Santa Fe Southern, etc to raise visibility and to encourage tourists to visit the site. Ed also explained that the committee had decided to develop ten “interpretive” posters to be placed around the site during the Open House. Jon Spargo has developed draft wording for the posters that will be printed in a 13 X 19 inch format and laminated so as to better withstand the elements. The BoD had authorized Ed a budget of $400 to pay for these posters.
Open House 26 Sep 09: Mike reported that Los Radiators and Holy Water & Whiskey would provide entertainment again this year at the Open House. The Territorial Brass Band may also appear but plans have not yet been finalized. Mike reminded everyone that a large turnout of “yellow-hatted” members would be necessary to ensure success. Members are needed to help with the cooking, to help parking cars, to function as docents, etc. Most of all they are needed to help clean, set up and reconfigure the site prior to the 26th and then to put everything away and clean up after the Open House. Mike also pointed out that the Wheels Museum is having their annual fund-raiser on the evening of the 26th down at the rail yards. In the past, Society members have always been a very visible presence at these events. However, this year it may be difficult to work the Open House all day, clean up the site and then run over to the Wheels Fund-Raiser.
NEW BUSINESS: Mike asked if anyone knew where the BNSF Safety Rug had come from and John Taylor explained that he had received it from a former ATSF employee and that he was donating it to the Society. John suggested that perhaps it could be used to raise money, perhaps auctioned on Ebay.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
Next Meeting: The next Membership Meeting will be held at 9:00 AM on September 12, 2009.
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society
Date: 08/08/09 August
Subject: Restoration of 2926
Subject: General Meeting
Call to Order: 9:00 AM
OLD BUSINESS:
Call to Order: President Hike Hartshorne called the August General Membership meeting to order at 9:00 AM Aug 8, 2009 at the restoration site. Mike indicated that the July minutes can be viewed on the website.
Treasurer’s Report: Ernie Robart had previously e-mailed the August Treasurer’s Report to the Board. Ernie reported that for August the checking account had a beginning balance on July 11, 2009 of $11,911.73 and the ending balance on August 8, 2009 of $28,418.60. Deposits for the period totaled $21,724.36 . Expenses were $5217.49. John Taylor moved and Ed Strebe seconded a motion to accept the report, which was approved by voice vote.
Safety Officer’s Report: Jon Spargo reported that since the July meeting four new members have taken the safety orientation: Glenn Powers, Nathan Gordon, John Sheffield and Robert Sheffield are now authorized worker. Jon thanked Frank Gerstle and crew for all their efforts in working out the load limits for the pit hoists. It turns out to be 400 lbs. and that number has been posted on the arm of the hoist. One remaining item is that new stops must be fashioned to prevent the hoist trolley from running off the end of the arm. The current stops are not adequate and the trolley will jump over them.
Jon reported that the cable on top of the locomotive that is used to tie off to when working on top of the locomotive needs immediate attention. Jon said that in its current condition it is unsafe and should not be used. Anyone needing to work on top will have to tie off to one of the two cables on Big Bird. The locomotive cable is not guyed at either end and needs gusset plates welded to the posts to strengthen them. Rick Kirby has fabricated the gussets but hasn’t had a chance to install them. A very high priority should be the repair of this system including the end guy wires.
Jon also noted that there is apparently a bad GFCI device in the outlet box for the circuit that is under the canopy on the south side of the Machine Shop container. The device needs to be replaced by our electrician as it keeps popping. Until it is replaced we should not use any of those outlets on that circuit.
Jon said that while troubleshooting that problem he discovered that the list of labeled breakers in the Machine Shop breaker box has disappeared. This breaker list needs to be restored ASAP and we need also to check our other breaker boxes to make sure they are up to date. Finally, Jon said that he had a report of a problem with the pit ladder. It seems a rather large individual tried to climb down it last Saturday and felt the ladder begin to buckle inwards toward the wall. He quickly stepped off and didn’t try again. I would like to have someone check it out. Perhaps an additional set of brackets to fasten to the wall is needed. John Taylor moved and Ed Strebe seconded a motion to accept the report, which was approved by voice vote.
Chief Mechanical Officer’s Report: Dave Traudt reported for Bob DeGroft who was out of town. He summarized recent activity reporting that Rick Kirby has nearly completed the flue/tube ends with only about six remaining to be done. Larry Lukash has completed lapping the Feed Water heater hot water pump seats. Jim Hills is still working on the firing deck, which about ready for a re-install. Mike Swanson is continues working on the oilers while Randy McEntire has drilled all of the rigid staybolts from the outside, a few remain to be drilled from inside the firebox. Pete Adair has put down his needle-scaler for now, and along with Lawrence Harmon and Clem Harris is lapping the engine air brake cylinders. Ken Dusenberry and Andy Rutkiewic have replaced the engineer's side steam cylinder drainpipe, and have started on the fireman's side pipe. Finally, last but certainly not least Ralph Johnson continues to work his magic in the machine shop. John Taylor moved and Ed Strebe seconded a motion to accept the report, which was approved by voice vote.
Election: Mike reported that after the annual election for the new Board of Directors a BoD meeting had been held earlier in the morning at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) to address several issues. The first was the need to elect corporation/BoD officers for the next twelve months. He reported that he had been elected to serve another year as president; Steve Bradford was elected for another year as Secretary, and Ernie for another year as Treasurer. Dave Traudt had been elected to serve as Vice President.
By-Laws Committee: Chairman Clem Harris reported that the BoD had instructed the By-Laws Committee to consider the utility of adding two additional officer positions: Chief Outreach and Funding Officer (COFO) and Chief Rail Operations Officer (CROO). In addition the BoD had discussed the need to ensure that, in the future, candidates for election to the BoD should have to meet some kind of “time served” criteria. It was felt some kind of threshold is necessary to prevent folks from joining the Society, getting themselves elected to the BoD without having invested heavily of their time and taking over the Society from those members who have invested thousands of hours of “sweat equity”. To prevent this kind of “hostile takeover” the By Laws Committee had recommended establishing a minimum prerequisite of 1000 hours service before a person can become eligible to stand for election to the BoD. They had also recommended that the BoD reserve to itself the right to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances and to “grandfather” current members. The BoD adopted both of these recommendation and they will be in the revised By Laws.
Fundraising Committee: Chairman Ed Strebe reported that the grant application that Andy Rukiewic submitted to the NM Department of Tourism for $1,000 for production of 45,000 rack cards was approved. Work was now underway to develop the cards. They will be distributed to visitor’s bureaus, the C&TS, Santa Fe Southern, etc to raise visibility and to encourage tourists to visit the site. Ed also explained that the committee had decided to develop ten “interpretive” posters to be placed around the site during the Open House. Jon Spargo has developed draft wording for the posters that will be printed in a 13 X 19 inch format and laminated so as to better withstand the elements. The BoD had authorized Ed a budget of $400 to pay for these posters.
Open House 26 Sep 09: Mike reported that Los Radiators and Holy Water & Whiskey would provide entertainment again this year at the Open House. The Territorial Brass Band may also appear but plans have not yet been finalized. Mike reminded everyone that a large turnout of “yellow-hatted” members would be necessary to ensure success. Members are needed to help with the cooking, to help parking cars, to function as docents, etc. Most of all they are needed to help clean, set up and reconfigure the site prior to the 26th and then to put everything away and clean up after the Open House. Mike also pointed out that the Wheels Museum is having their annual fund-raiser on the evening of the 26th down at the rail yards. In the past, Society members have always been a very visible presence at these events. However, this year it may be difficult to work the Open House all day, clean up the site and then run over to the Wheels Fund-Raiser.
NEW BUSINESS: Mike asked if anyone knew where the BNSF Safety Rug had come from and John Taylor explained that he had received it from a former ATSF employee and that he was donating it to the Society. John suggested that perhaps it could be used to raise money, perhaps auctioned on Ebay.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
Next Meeting: The next Membership Meeting will be held at 9:00 AM on September 12, 2009.
Our project in the NM Travel Guide