MEMBERS
AND FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM:
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We receive no funding from the State of Connecticut or any other government
agency, and rely on four sources for funding: direct admission and/or
event ticket sales, merchandise sales in the Gift Shop, grants, and
donations. It is in the latter area where we need your help. Below
are some projects currently underway at the Museum that need additional
funding:
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NH RDC #32
Our ex-New Haven RDC #32 was built in 1953. It is powered with two 275
hp engines with torque converters. This car is our major operating unit
for our Santa and Easter Bunny Trains. Its age is showing as the Detroit
Diesel #1 engine will soon need to be rebuilt at an estimated cost of
$29,000. We have raised $6,600 through your donations but need more
to complete the job.
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TONAWANDA VALLEY
Thanks to your previous donations, restoration work on this 1928 ex-New
York Central observation-lounge car has begun. We have raised $5,000
from donations and a small grant but we have a long way to go to reach
the estimated total of $35,000. The car will be restored to its former
grandeur and will be an educational tool that will allow us to show
what travel was like in the Golden Age of railroading. |
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TURNTABLE
Our 1916 operating turntable is an integral part of our Rail Yard Local
train ride. Its age is showing as we have estimated that it will take
$53,500 to do a complete restoration including replacing decking, repairing
the concrete walls, replace ties on the ring rail, rebuild the pilot
house and, in the future, restore electric motor operation.
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DRM MODEL 30 BURRO CRANE CB3004
The objective for the crane's
restoration is to restore our 1947 CB3004 Burro Model 30 rail crane
to operating condition so it may be used in track repair, restoration
projects, structure construction, and as a display piece when not
in service. Work started by removing the main gear shaft, cables,
and transmission from the engine. A lot of fabrication work will have
to be done to make missing parts and panels that were scrapped or
corroded from weathering. In addition to monetary donations, if you
have any information on Model 30 Burro rail cranes, printed or otherwise,
please contact the project manager, Michael Madyda at: drmnewslettereditor@yahoo.com.
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