News Letter Index

The WF&P publishes and mails a newsletter three times a year to its members. The Whiffenpoof newsletter is produced by member David Neubauer.

Jim Strain, club president, gives a weekly report of happenings at the railroad.

 

The crew for Wednesday included Errante, Kiesel & Voelpel in the machine shop making new expansion links for the 4-8-2. Jim Scott finished the last of the trucks for the new gondolas and Welch with Lorance cleaned the 2nd floor area next to the dispatchers office to install new flooring. Final touches were put on the 180 for the Train Show by Brophy and Tabernacki got the new Kohler motor running in the 13. Thanks to Bob T. for the report.

The Sunday crew consisted of Welch, Mosbacher, Greenway, Marx and Fritschle. They installed 41 ties on the new main at the wye and added 4 more rail lengths. Next they moved 22 lengths of 20ft long 12lb rail near the ballast track for the move to the wye.

The "World's Greatest Hobby Show" was the big event for the weekend. Many thanks to Jim Greathouse, Chris Brophy and Steve Haack for putting this together and getting the 180 ready, loading it up and hauling it downtown & back. A photo of the WF&P booth is attached with Jim, Chris & Tabernacki in the photo. The 180 was a big hit with the kids. All day Saturday from 10am until 8pm and again on Sunday from 10 til 5 there was a line of children waiting to take a turn at being the engineer of the 180. It was a fun time for them as well as the "Instructors". It was easily the best show I had been to representing the
WF&P. Sunday we put out a donation jar on the 180's tender. We picked up donations of $172 for the day from the parents.

Souvenir sales for the weekend totaled over $700. We received many thanks & compliments from parents who have brought their families to ride the WF&P over the seasons. Jim Greathouse, Chris Brophy, Bob Tabernacki and Fred Kiesel worked at the booth both days and many other members helped out also. Those include Devin Lawson, Jim Scott, Greg Wapelhorst, Don Miller, Mike Lorance, Steve Haack, Malachi Owens, Dave Neubauer & myself. Over 1200 brochures were handed out during the two days. Ali and Wayne Burling were there with the Missippi Valley N Scalers. Steve Britton and Robert were across the isle with Grand Scales Signals. Ken Davis and Aaron Chamberlin also stopped by for a visit.

The next show is in Collinsville the third weekend in February. Again this is a Saturday / Sunday event and if you can help out please contact Jim Greathouse.

Jim Strain