Santa Claus Train

The Santa Train

This is a great trip! Highly recommended.

This years trip will be held Saturday, December 9, 2006.

The Jersey Central Chapter, in conjunction with Santa and Mrs. Claus, operates a Santa Claus Special for the kids. This year the trip will run on Saturday, December 9, 2006. The train departs from Raritan at 8:30 AM and also from the eastbound platform (off South Avenue) of the Westfield Station in Westfield at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There is no afternoon departure from Raritan. The trip features Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus along with a few of Santa's helpers. There are sing-a-longs, candy canes and coloring books for the kids. In addition, each car on the train features a drawing for a trainset; that's ten train sets per trip!

The train operates west from Westfield to Highbridge, NJ and back, a two hour trip. Santa pays a visit to each car and is more than happy to pose for pictures with the kids.

This year, tickets are only $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under 12.

We have tickets available in the store. Cash or personal check made out to the Jersey Central Railroad Historical Society. Sorry, no credit cards for train tickets. Seating is Limited! Get your tickets now. Any available tickets will be sold at the Westfield Station the day of the trip, but there will be a $1.00 surcharge per ticket. No credit card purchases will be available the day of the trip, cash or check only.

Tickets also available at: www.santatrain.net (Be sure to use .net and not .com)

BNSF Recognized by GI Jobs Magazine

"BNSF was recognized by GI Jobs Magazine as one of America’s Top 25 Most Military Friendly Employers."

• In 2005 alone, BNSF Railway hired over 750 veterans.
• Year to date 2006, 20 percent of all hires - over 900 - are veterans with over 150 serving as members of the Guard and Reserve.
• If present trends continue, BNSF is on track to hire more than 1,000 veterans in 2006.

To find out more about what BNSF does to help our Military Families:

www.bnsf.com/careers/military/index.html

Atlas O Rolling Stock on Sale

We have the following Atlas O items on sale at 20% off list price. All are new, in original boxes.
Limited to items in this list. Subject to prior sale. Come in and get them before they are gone. Phone orders accepted.

8505-1 40'Steel Reefer "Bar Bee" $43.95
6972-3 89' Flat Car "Providence and Worchester" $55.95
6972-4 89' Flat Car "Providence and Worchester" $55.95
6955-9 45' Pines Trailer, Dallas "front runner $55.95
6955-3 45' Pines Trailer, "Memphis" front runner $55.95
6955-2 45' Pines Trailer, "Fort Worth" front runner $55.95
6955-1 45' Pines Trailer, "Chicago" front runner $55.95
6271-1 GSC Pulpwood Flatcar BN $39.95
6277-2 GSC Pulpwood Flatcar Atlantic Coast Line $39.95
6577-1 50' PS1 Boxcar Seaboard $39.95
6501-2 Evans 53' Double Plug Door Boxcar B&M $39.95
6514-1 Evans 53' Double Plug Door Boxcar Aloha Shake $39.95
8016-1 36' Woodside Reefer Cudahy Puritan $47.75
6309-2 3 bay Cylindrical Hopper, Sterling Salt SHPX $39.95
6355-2 GATX Airside Covered Hopper, Firestone $39.95
6385-2 PS 4427 Low Side Covered Hopper, Producers Grain $47.95
6674-1 International NE-6 Caboose, Penn Central $55.95
6477-1 USRA Single Sheathed Boxcar PRR Lines $39.95

Model Train Show

2006 Annual Light & Sound Show

The Model Railroad Club, Inc. in Union, NJ, is having their annual train show the following dates and times:

• Friday, Dec. 1 & 8 : 7pm - 10 pm
• Saturday, Dec. 2 & 9 : 10am - 8pm
• Sunday, Dec. 3 & 10 : 11am - 6pm

If you have never been or have not been for a few years, you really should see this show and check out the progress on the new section. We have flyers in the store with details on how to find the layout building. Or you could call 908-964-8808. Or you could check their web site at www.tmrci.org

Black Friday - Christmas Shopping at the Big Little Railroad Shop

Avoid the crowds at the malls by coming to the Big Little Railroad Shop in downtown Somerville on "Black Friday." We have all sorts of wonderful model railroad items from full sets to individual cars, locomotives, track, buildings, scenery supplies, etc. And if you don't know exactly what to get your modeler, we have gift certificates. We also carry books, videos, and calendars. We have items in all the popular scales: G, O, HO, N, and Z. And, if we don't have what you want in stock, we probably can order it for you.

For your holiday shopping convenience we are open the following hours through Christmas:

Tuesday – Wednesday 11 AM - 7 PM

Thursday - Friday 11 AM -8 PM

Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM

Sunday 12 noon - 4 PM

President of NYS&W Agrees to Fine

Following article from the AP about Walter Rich. Kind of reminds me of the 1800's when railroad tycoons bought influence with the politicians of the day.

Railroad Executive Agrees to $75,000 Fine in Lobbying Probe
Mon November 20, 2006 3:52 p.m. ET
By MARK JOHNSON the Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Railroad executive Walter Rich agreed to pay a $75,000 fine to settle an investigation into lavish Baseball Hall of Fame induction events he hosts annually for state officials, lobbyists and others at his Cooperstown mansion, his lawyer said Monday.

James Featherstonhaugh said Rich admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement with the state Lobbying Commission. The commission is slated to approve the settlement at its meeting Tuesday.

Lobbying commission Executive Director David Grandeau declined comment.
The commission was looking into whether Rich, president of the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway Corp., provided illegal gifts to state officials.

Included on the guest list for the past two Hall of Fame weekends were state assemblymen Peter Abbate and Steven Cymbrowitz; Gov. George Pataki’s senior policy adviser, Jeff Lovell; State University of New York Chancellor Robert King; state Transportation Commissioner Thomas Madison; and Steven Boggess, secretary of the state Senate, according to records obtained by the commission.

The railway spends about $100,000 each year providing lodging, lunches, dinners and tickets to baseball games to various politicians, lobbyists, state officials and others, according to a report from Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and the state Inspector General’s Office. That report spurred the lobbying commission to begin its investigation last year.New York’s laws prohibit a lobbyist or client from offering or giving gifts valued at more than $75 per year to any individual.
Rich’s lawyers had argued that the events associated with the Hall of Fame weekend are exempt from investigation by the commission because they were political and charitable fundraising events, not lobbying.

Events in recent years have raised funds for Republican politicians including Pataki, state Sen. James Seward and U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert as well as the Salvation Army, according to a ruling by Acting Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNamara, who earlier this year ordered Rich to testify before the commission.

Lionel trains for Christmas

Need a Christmas gift for someone with a Lionel train set? We have several different Christmas themed cars that could suit your needs. For example, we have an animated caboose with Santa waving from the rear platform. We have a Christmas present dump car. We have a number of other cars decorated for Christmas. We also have Lionel add-on sets with 3 cars plus additional track, both Christmas themed and regular train themed.

Don't have any Lionel equipment yet. We have complete sets of various sizes and themes, including a Thomas the Tank Engine set.

And, if we don't have what you are looking for, we can order it for you. We are an authorized Lionel dealer. But come in soon if you need it for Christmas.

50% off Shelf

Located in the back of the store are shelves with items that are 50% off list price. Stock changes continuously, so come in often to check out the bargins. While you are at it, check out the regular stock. You just might see something you want. And if you don't see it, ask. We can special order almost anything.

Black Friday - Christmas Shopping at the Big Little Railroad Shop

Avoid the crowds at the malls by coming to the Big Little Railroad Shop in downtown Somerville on "Black Friday." We have all sorts of wonderful model railroad items from full sets to individual cars, locomotives, track, buildings, scenery supplies, etc. And if you don't know exactly what to get your modeler, we have gift certificates. We also carry books, videos, and calendars. We have items in all the popular scales: G, O, HO, N, and Z. And, if we don't have what you want in stock, we probably can order it for you.

For your holiday shopping convenience we are open the following hours through Christmas:

Tuesday - Friday 11AM - 7PM

Saturday 11AM - 5PM

Sunday 12noon - 4PM

New product lines – Trains, Planes, Ships, Automobiles, Military Vehicles

In addition to a full line of model railroading “stuff,” The Big Little Railroad Shop is now carrying plastic model kits for airplanes, ships, automobiles, and military vehicles. We also have some RC (radio control) items. If we don’t have something you want, we can order it for you. Please stop in and check us out.

Canadian Pacific Changes in New Jersey

Sunday, September 17th, 2005 at 09:20 EDT
Effective Thursday, September 1st, 2005, Canadian Pacific closed their intermodal terminal at Oak Island Yard in Newark, NJ. The reason cited for closing the facility was that the business never developed enough to justify the costs. Additionally, the intermodal business never rebounded after the 1996 flood at Solomon's Gap, PA. During this period Canadian Pacific gave Conrail their intermodal traffic to move while the Lehigh Line was being rebuilt. Canadian Pacific subsequently lost most of this traffic to Conrail. Concurrent with this closing, Canadian Pacific entered into an agreement with Norfolk Southern to handle their remaining intermodal business at Dockside, NJ. Norfolk Southern will now move this traffic between Dockside, NJ and Allentown, PA as a block on their existing network. This agreement is similar to the reciprocal operation which the two carriers have in effect between Harrisburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA where Canadian Pacific handles an intermodal block for Norfolk Southern between these two points. As a result, Canadian Pacific train 166 (Norfolk Southern symbol 38T) now terminates at Bethlehem, PA, while Canadian Pacific train 167 (Norfolk Southern symbol 39T) now originates at Bethlehem, PA. Canadian Pacific will now concentrate on handling bulk freight and the Transload America demolition debris traffic to and from Oak Island Yard in Newark, NJ. This traffic will now move in the form of a road local, symbolled as Canadian Pacific train D18 from Allentown, PA to Oak Island, NJ and as train D17 from Oak Island, NJ to Allentown, PA. It is still unclear what symbol Norfolk Southern will assign to these trains. These locals will run as needed, although it is expected that they will initially run close to the old three day per week schedule in order to connect with trains 166/167 at Bethlehem, PA. It is anticipated that this traffic will eventually connect to and from Canadian Pacific trains 410 and 411 at Allentown, PA. It is currently projected that the frequency of trains D17 and D18 will ultimately increase to five or six days per week in order to handle the expected increase in the lucrative construction and demolition debris business.

Bizarre Accident on Conrail North Jersey Shared Assets

Saturday, September 17th, 2005 at 20:00 EDT
At approximately 03:40 this morning northbound CSXT train Q-418-16 operating from Pavonia Yard in Camden, NJ to Selkirk, NY was involved in a bizarre vehicular accident. Train Q-418-16 powered by CSXT 9023, CSXT 8667, and HLCX 8141 and consisting of two loads and fifty-five empties that totaled 2,320 tons was struck by a garbage truck that crashed through a guard rail and off an overpass down onto the train. The accident occurred at Paterson Plank Road in North Bergen, NJ located at milepost QRN 1 on the Northern Branch. The truck crashed into the 41st car in the car in the train, PLMX 35190, an empty haz-mat car containing residue liquefied petroleum gas. Luckily, the car did not leak and there was no explosion. Unfortunately, both the driver and passenger were fatalities. The mishap shut down all rail traffic through the area for several hours resulting in delays to many trains.

New Book Announced – Rails Across New England – Volume I

Railroad Explorer magazine has announced a new, all-color book to be published in November 2005. Rails Across New England – Volume I will cover the northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont during the period 1989 – 1999. Volume II, to be published at a future date, will cover the southern New England states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island during the same period.

This will be a 128-page, all-color, soft cover book in landscape (horizontal) format. Over 250 photos reproduced from original color slides by over thirty of New England’s best railroad photographers. Retail cover price is $39.95.

If you are interested in this book, please call, write, or stop in to reserve a copy.

Store Now Open in New Location

The Big Little Railroad Shop is now open in our new location in Somerville, NJ.
63 W. Main Street
Somerville, NJ 08876

Phone: 908-685-8892

Please stop in and check us out.

Great Tourist Train in middle of Pennsylvania

Press Release from the EAST BROAD TOP RAILROAD.

Ride the only narrow gauge steam railroad east of the Mississippi, and only a 3 hour day trip from Pittsburgh in Orbisonia, PA! The EAST BROAD TOP RAILROAD, named a National Historic Landmark in 1964, runs three steam excursions daily on Saturdays and Sundays with historic passenger cars and caboose, all original to the railroad. Just across the tracks visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum, Pennsylvania’s oldest operating trolley museum. Within a short drive from Orbisonia in the coal mining town of Robertsdale, visit the Friends of the East Broad Top Railroad museum in the Robertsdale train station and the Broad Top Area Coal Miners museum just up the street. This is a great day trip (3 hours from Pittsburgh), so take a picnic lunch and get off the train at Colgate Grove, and come back on the train two hours later!
www.ebtrr.com or call 814-447-3011 or 412-259-8020.

BNSF Railway: THIRTEENTH consecutive quarter of year-over-year volume increases

received the following via email

BNSF reports record quarterly revenue (7/27/2005)

BNSF has reported a 15% increase in freight revenue for the second quarter of 2005, at a record $3.04 billion, reflecting revenue increases in all four of the company’s business groups.

Record quarterly operating income at $710 million was up 40% year-on-year, while the quarterly operating ratio decreased four percentage points to 76.7% from 80.7% in the second quarter of the prior year.

Consumer Products revenues increased by $201 million (19%), partially as a result of double-digit volume increases in the international, truckload, automotive, and perishable sectors. Industrial Products revenues increased by $98 million (16%) to $718 million, reflecting strong demand in the building products, petroleum products, and construction products sectors.

Agricultural Products revenues were up $69 million (16%) to $493 million, which included strong corn, soybean and wheat export moves to the Pacific Rim countries. Coal revenues rose $38 million (7%) to $591 million, despite operational and maintenance disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions in the Powder River Basin.

“The second quarter of 2005 was our thirteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year volume increases and the company’s sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit freight revenue growth,” said chairman, president & CEO, Matthew Rose. “Also, we were able to continue lowering our operating ratio, compared to the same prior-year period, a trend we have been able to maintain for seven consecutive quarters.”

For the second quarter of 2005, BNSF reported a pre-tax income of $590 million and a net income of $366 million on total operating revenues of $3.14 billion (Q2 2004: $402m, 249m and $2.68bn respectively).

For the six-month period ending June 30, 2005, BNSF reported a pre-tax income of $1.11 billion on total operating revenues of $6.12 billion (H1 2004: $713m and $5.17bn respectively).

Author: Newsdesk / eyefortransport.com

ROCO Declares Bankruptcy

Received the following via email.

Roco, a large Austrian model railroad-manufacturing firm with products
in HO and N scales, has declared bankruptcy. For many years Roco's main
operations were in Salzburg, Austria, but it recently moved its
operations to a new factory in Hallein (in the Salzburg area, 370
employees). Roco also has facilities in Gloggnitz, Austria (200
employees), and in Slovakia (230 employees).

The European train market has been in a slump since the German economy
weakened, and several of Roco's competitors are now offering lower-cost
items made in China. The German train market has declined from sales of
204 million Euros in 2002 to 181 million in 2004. Germany is Roco's
largest market (approximately 65 percent of Roco's sales are in
Germany). The firm, which according to Austrian sources has debts of
approximately 24 million Euros and losses of approximately 5 million
Euros per year, will remain in operation under receivership. Leopold
Heher will serve as receiver. Employees have not been paid their wages
for June or their vacation pay as of today, July 15. Substantial layoffs are expected as the firm reorganizes.

Walthers buys Life-Like

from a Walthers press release:

"We're pleased to announce that Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. acquired the assets of the Toy and Hobby division of Life-Like Products, LLC. on Thursday, July 14, 2005 with the mission of elevating model railroading to a whole new level.

The synergies this alliance creates will allow for innovations in new model railroading product design that would have otherwise been impossible. If you thought 2005's massive new product offering was incredible, just wait until you see what we'll deliver in 2006!"

What's next? Hoizon Hobby bought Athearn and Roundhouse, and now Walthers buys Life-Like. Will we see more consolidation?

Please note that we carry all major brands of model railroad supplies and equipment, including Walthers and Life-Like, and a lot of minor brands too. Stop in and check us out.

Big Little Railroad Shop Moving Back to Somerville

We are in the process of moving the store back to Main Street in Somerville, NJ. Much of the stock in our current location has been packed in preparation for the move, but don't let that stop you from visiting us here in Hillsborough. If it hasn't been packed, we will be glad to sell it to you. And, as always, we are taking special orders. We expect to be open for business in the new location on Tuesday, August 2, 2005. (Maybe sooner. Check back here for the latest.)
Our new address will be 63 W. Main Street, Somerville, NJ. New phone number will be posted when we are there.

CN Train Collision Claims Four Crew Members

Received via email:

BENTONIA, Mississippi -- Two Canadian National freight trains collided and partially derailed early yesterday, killing four people and forcing residents to evacuate dozens of nearby homes, authorities said. The victims were all believed to be crew members from the trains. Rescue teams searched the wreckage, but no other injuries were reported. The collision happened northeast of Bentonia in west-central Mississippi. CN spokesman Karen Phillips said the cause is still under investigation, and it wasn't immediately clear why the trains were on the same track. One car leaked vegetable oil and caught fire, but the flames were extinguished, said Amy Carruth, a spokesman with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.