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KEY LOCK & LANTERN
NEWS
Jan/Feb 2015 I s s u e N o . 3 1
The Bi-Monthly Digital Supplement to Key Lock & Lantern Magazine
2015 Springfield Return to Utica for Fall Brookline
Railroad Hobby Show KL&L Convention Railroadiana Auction
Key, Lock & Lantern
KEY LOCK & LANTERN
A non-profit membership
corporation dedicated to the
preservation of transportation
NEWS history and railroad memorabilia
The mission of Key, Lock & Lantern is
to gather and publish information on the
history of the transportation industry,
The Bi-Monthly Digital Supplement to Key Lock & Lantern Magazine and to support the preservation of
railroad artifacts. KL&L members have
WWW.KLNL.ORG
an interest in all aspects of railroad &
Jan/Feb 2015 Issue #31 transportation history, from research and
preservation projects to the conservation
and restoration of all types of historical
From the President’s Desk ...........................................................3 memorabilia. Originally formed in 1966,
Key, Lock & Lantern, Inc. was officially
Railroad Event Calendar...............................................................3
incorporated in 1988 as a non-profit,
educational, membership corporation
Key Lock & Lantern 2015 Convention.........................................4
in the State of New Jersey, under the
Springfield Railroad Hobby Show ...............................................6 provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the
United States Internal Revenue Code.
CSX Transportation Supports Railroad Preservation................8 Membership is open to anyone with an
interest in transportation history and in
Fall Brookline Railroadiana Auction..........................................10
achieving the goals of the organization.
Railroad Preservation & Museum News....................................20
Officers & Trustees
Want Ads & Announcements......................................................23
Chairman of the Board
Membership Application ............................................................24 John Brainard
Index Of Advertisers [email protected]
President & Editor
Manifest Auctions.........................................................................7
David Hamilton
Jones Auction Service ................................................................9
[email protected]
Brookline Auction Gallery .........................................................11 VP- Membership / Treasurer
Marie Brainard
KL&L News Editor..............................David Hamilton
[email protected]
The Key, Lock & Lantern News is published bi-monthly as a digital supplement to the
quarterly Key, Lock & Lantern magazine. Recipients may repost or forward complete Secretary
and unmodified copies of this newsletter to other hobbyists and websites, but its content Marie Brainard (Acting)
may not otherwise be copied or distributed without the permission of the KL&L Board of
Trustees. Copyrights are held by the respective authors and photographers. Excerpts of Chaplain
news items may be published with the credit line “Key, Lock & Lantern News” Vacant
Annual membership dues for Key, Lock & Lantern are $30 for residents of the USA,
Counsel
and $40 for outside of the USA (by money order or electronic payment in US funds).
Members receive four issues of the quarterly KL&L magazine, delivered via first class Jeremy Tuke
mail. Memberships for additional family members are $5 each (only one magazine is sent
Historian
per family). Applications for membership & address changes should be forwarded to the
VP-Membership at the e-mail address listed at right. Online membership forms and dues Peter Gores
payment via Paypal are available at www.klnl.org.
Trustees at Large
Contributions of articles, photos, and news may be forwarded to the editor at the e-mail Cal Bulman, Lyman Gray, Patti
address listed at right. Hard copy articles should be written on 8 1/2 x 11” paper, and typed
Gray, Sam Lombardi, Joel Shaw,
or neatly printed. Photos should be sent with a caption card attached which includes the
Sam Ferrara, Mike Sullivan, Phil
contributor’s name, phone number, and description. Photocopies of advertising and supply
Simms, George Shammas, Leonard
catalogs are acceptable. The submission of material in digital format is preferred, with
Gordy, Bob Lipman, Randy Bushart
text files in DOC, TXT, or PDF format, and images in JPG, TIF, BMP or GIF format. Digital
files may be sent by e-mail or on a computer CD or flash drive. Please contact the editor www.klnl.org
regarding optimum file sizes and formats.
By submitting material to Key, Lock & Lantern, the contributor grants permission for use in For Current News
any edition of the KL&L magazine, digital newsletter, websites, and other publications. All “Like” KL&L on
material will be retained by KL&L for future use, unless the contributor specifically requests
that it be returned, and includes a suitable, self-addressed, stamped envelope. Current
deadlines are listed in the Key, Lock & Lantern Advertising Guide, which is available on the
KL&L website at www.klnl.org, or by contacting the editor.
KL&L News - Page 2
Mark Your Calendar for the 2015 Railroad Event Calendar
KL&L Convention in Utica, NY
While those of us in the northeast are still digging out
from record snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures, it is time
to start thinking ahead to the spring, and the annual KL&L
convention. Despite a small amount of upheaval associated
with our move to Utica, NY last year, those who attended
enjoyed the train ride, the return of the Saturday night
dinner, and the luxurious atmosphere of the hotel. With that
in mind, the convention committee decided to return to the
Hotel Utica for the 2015 event, to be held over the weekend
of June 5th through 7th.
Incorporating some of the most popular features of last
year’s convention, and of past conventions in Albany, we
have planned an expanded schedule of activities for 2015.
Upcoming historical society conventions, special
Friday night will be the traditional “room hopping” and
events, railroadiana shows & auctions. Listings
informal dinner, as has been a key part of the convention for
subject to change. Check show web sites before
decades. We have moved the train ride to Saturday, so things
traveling and visit www.klnl.org for updates. See
will be less hectic during check-in and unpacking.
submission guidelines at the end of the calendar.
The main event on Saturday, the railroad history exhibits
and railroadiana show & sale will once again be held in the
Feb 21-22 Allentown, PA - Spring Thaw Train Show.
Hotel Utica’s Saranac Room, with additional table space
Allentown Fairgrounds Ag Hall
added this year, in the adjacent mezzanine. We plan to once
Info: www.allentowntrainmeet.com.
again have sandwiches and snacks available for lunch, as
Feb 21 Houston, TX - Greater Houston Train Show.
was popular in recent years in Albany, so exhibitors won’t
Stafford Center.
have to leave their tables. The meeting and auction will be
Info: http://sanjac.leoslair.com.
held around noon, as usual.
Feb 21 Lone Jack, MO - Dirk Soulis Auctions. Dale
Our train ride this year will depart late Saturday afternoon,
Falk collection continues.
and will be a special trip over normally freight-only trackage.
Info: www.dirksoulisauctions.com.
Our chartered train will retrace last year’s route to Remsen,
Feb 22 Watertown, WI - Online Railroadiana Auction
and then continue over the former New York Central line to
Internet Bidding Closes.
the Black River Canal town of Boonville, NY. We will lay
Info: www.jonesauctionservice.com.
over there for an hour or two, allowing passengers to visit
Feb 28 Greenville, SC - Railroadiana Auction. Manifest
the town and dine in one of its several restaurants.
Auctions. Online bidding available.
Later in the evening, we will have a railroad slide & movie
Info: www.manifestauctions.com.
program, as had been held in recent years in Albany. We
Mar 7-8 Denver, CO - Rocky Mountain Train Show at
are planning additional activities for Sunday, which may
the Denver Mart.
include another train ride and/or museum visit. Additional
Info: http://rockymountaintrainshow.com/.
information will be announced when final details are worked
Mar 8 Old Greenwich, CT - Southern Connecticut
out. There will be something for everyone at this year’s
Model Train Show.
convention, from traditional events to new activities.
Info: www.ronsbooks.com.
The best aspect of the convention, though, is that it provides Mar 14 Steelton, PA - Harrisburg Railroad Show.. IW
an opportunity for railroad historians and collectors to get Abel Union Hall.
together in a relaxed atmosphere, and share our knowledge. Info: http://harrisburgnrhs.org.
While we often see each other at the big shows or auctions, Mar 15 Clark, NJ - Jersey Central NRHS Train Show.
our conversations are often cut short with “I better get going; Mother Seton High School.
I still have 100 lots to look through,” and so on. The KL&L Info: www.jcrhs.org.
convention offers an entire weekend of nothing but time to Mar 15 Stockton, CA - Winterail 2013. Scottish Rite
visit with fellow railroad buffs, and take a leisurely look at Masonic Center.
displays of railroadiana that don’t require walking through Info: www.winterail.com.
eight acres of buildings to see.
Continued on Page 26
Registration information will be posted on the website soon
and mailed to KL&L members in the next magazine. Mark
On the Front Cover:
your calendar for the 2015 Key Lock & Lantern Convention!
A CSX freight heads east on the Albany Division’s
Dave Hamilton
Selkirk Subdivision. See article on Page 8 about CSXT’s
KL&L President & Editor support of railroad preservation. Matthew Bushart photo.
KL&L News - Page 3
Railroad History Expo & Train to Boonville
Planned for 2015 KL&L Convention in Utica
Following the success of the 2014 Key, Lock
& Lantern Convention, which was held at a new
location for the first time in over 40 years, KL&L
will return to Utica, NY over the weekend of
June 5th through 7th for its 2015 convention. In
addition to the annual meeting of the organization,
scheduled activities will include a Railroad History
Exposition with displays of railroad memorabilia
and a railroadiana collectors market, slide & movie
programs, and excursions on local railroad lines.
As in the past, most events are open to all interested
railroad history buffs and collectors.
Unlike the big railroad hobby shows, the annual
Key, Lock & Lantern Convention is a smaller
gathering of serious railroad historians and
railroadiana collectors, with the exhibits focused
solely on railroad history and authentic railroad
memorabilia. KL&L members typically display
unusual artifacts from their collections, and offer a
variety of railroadiana for sale or trade. The annual
railroadiana fund raising auction at the convention
is always an entertaining event, with all proceeds
supporting the activities of Key, Lock & Lantern.
The historic 1912 Hotel Utica will once again be A specially chartered Adirondack Scenic Railroad train will take
convention headquarters, with most events taking convention attendees on a round trip excursion on the former New
place there. Activities begin on Friday, June 5th, York Central line to Boonville, NY for dinner on Saturday evening.
with check-in at the hotel, and an early railroadiana
trading session for Key, Lock & Lantern members in the a $7 registration fee collected at the door. As in the past,
evening. The annual meeting of the KL&L Board of Trustees members will have arranged a variety of railroad history
will also take place on Friday night. exhibits with original railroad artifacts on display. Collectors
of railroadiana will also find a variety of memorabilia for sale
On Saturday, June 6th, the Railroad History Exposition will
or trade, including lanterns, dining car china, and timetables.
open to KL&L members for setup in the Saranac Room at
All attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the “Best
8:00 am. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the exhibit hall is open
in Show” award to be presented to the member with the best
to all interested railroad history buffs and collectors, with
overall display.
There were a variety of exhibits at the 2014 convention,
including memorabilia from the New York, Ontario &
Western and Delaware & Hudson Railways, Railway Express
Agency artifacts, Brady’s patent lanterns, signals and signs
from the Utica area, lanterns from the Poughkeepsie Bridge
Route, and a large display of Lehigh Valley railroadiana.
Most members brought extra items from their collections
for sale or trade, with much memorabilia changing hands.
Attendees were among the first to see John Taibi’s new book
about the Delaware & Hudson Railway, with the author
selling signed copies at the show. Although there were many
excellent displays that were worth taking note of, the “Best
in Show” award went to Devan Lawton’s extensive exhibit
of railroadiana from the Erie and Delaware Lackawanna &
Western lines. Similar exhibits and memorabilia for sale are
expected at the 2015 convention.
The Railroad History Expo features displays of railroad
artifacts arranged by Key, Lock & Lantern members. Continued on Page 5
KL&L News - Page 4
2015 KL&L Convention
Continued from Page 4
During the morning, the annual membership
meeting of Key, Lock & Lantern and
fundraiser sale will be held (times to be
announced). The fundraiser, which is loosely
termed an “auction,” includes a variety of
railroad memorabilia donated by KL&L
members, which is sold to the highest bidder.
All proceeds benefit the activities of KL&L,
so “friendly” rivalry, excessively high bids,
and financial support for new collectors are
all strongly encouraged. An entertaining sale
always results, and plenty of railroadiana
goes to new homes.
The Railroad History Expo closes promptly
at 2:00 pm, in order to allow exhibitors to
take down their displays before the evening
activities. Once again this year, convention
attendees will have the opportunity to take a
ride on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, this
The KL&L excursion train will depart from Utica Union Station, located
time over trackage that is not covered by the
only a few blocks from convention headquarters at the Hotel Utica.
railroad’s regular excursions.
At 4:00 pm, a specially chartered Key, Lock & Lantern media to share with everyone. The hotel pub will be open,
excursion will depart from Utica Union Station, which is providing a place to visit with other convention attendees
conveniently located a few blocks from the hotel. The train and enjoy some late night refreshments. For those staying
overnight, there will also be the opportunity to make last
minute deals on railroad memorabilia.
Activities for Sunday are still in the planning stages, but the
convention committee is currently looking into an additional
train excursion and/or railroad museum visit in the region.
Final details will be announced when they are available.
The Hotel Utica was built in 1912, and still retains its
original atmosphere, but with modern amenities in its
renovated rooms. Convention attendees can enjoy the
experience of being turn of the century travelers in the
Continued on Page 18
In addition to displays, the Railroad History Expo includes
a railroadiana collectors market, with a variety of authentic
railroad memorabilia offered by members for sale or trade.
will retrace the route of last year’s trip to Remsen, and will
then continue up the freight-only former New York Central
line to the canal town of Boonville, NY. The train’s arrival
time of approximately 5:30 pm will allow passengers to dine
in one of the town’s historic inns. Following dinner, the train
will return to Utica, arriving by 9:00 pm.
Upon the group’s arrival back at the Hotel Utica, a railroad
slide & movie night will be held, similar to the Saturday night
program that took place in the past at the Albany convention.
Meeting fellow railroad historians and collectors, and
KL&L members are invited to bring slides, movies, or digital
sharing information is an important part of the convention.
KL&L News - Page 5
Railroad Fans Brave Winter Storm to Attend
2015 Railroad Hobby Show in Springfield
The Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show in
West Springfield, MA is probably the largest railroad show
in the nation, and is a “must attend” event for eastern railroad
hobbyists. Last year, over 21,000 people visited the show’s
500 exhibitors, spread over eight acres in four buildings at
the Eastern States Expo grounds. With a variety of model
railroad layouts, the show is popular with the general public
and railfans alike. How many fall into each category has
largely been a matter of speculation in the past, but at this
year’s show, it was obvious who the die-hard railroad buffs
were.
As the weekend of the show approached, a small weather
system that was expected to bring light snow to the region
combined with an area of low pressure to form a classic
nor’easter storm. By the morning of Saturday, January 24th,
Railroad museums from around the northeast introduced
themselves to potential visitors at the Springfield show.
watching shows by Maggie the Clown and the Polar Express
conductor. With this rebound on the second day, the total
attendance at the show (including exhibitors) reached just
over 18,000.
As always, national railroad hobby suppliers such as Lionel,
Walthers, and Kalmbach exhibited new and future products
at the show, with its combination of a trade show and flea
market atmosphere. Many vendors offered demonstrations
on the use of tools, kits, and scenery products, and a variety
of “hands on” model clinics were offered.
The Springfield show also serves as a showcase for many
railroad historical groups and tourist lines from around the
northeast (and even some from outside of the area). Friendly
Continued on Page 19
The New Haven Railroad Historical & Techincal Association
was one of many historical societies exhibiting at the show.
when the show opened, a foot of snow already covered the
parking lots. Those who braved the treacherous roads found
only a short line of cars at the entrance to the fairgrounds,
where there is usually a mile-long traffic jam. Despite the
storm, about 5000 of the most serious railroad fans made
their way through the snow to attend the show on Saturday.
While one of the main goals of the show is to introduce the
railroad hobby to new participants, this year demonstrated
that most vendor sales are made to this “hard core” group
of railfans. Those who visited on Saturday found plenty of
elbow room at the various tables, relatively short lines for
food, and some good deals on merchandise. Even with the
smaller crowd, most vendors reported strong sales on the
first day of the show.
On Sunday, the usual family crowd returned to the show, While most vendors offered model supplies, a number of
viewing the over two dozen huge model train layouts and railroadiana dealers set up tables at the Springfield show.
KL&L News - Page 6
February 28th Winter Auction Event
Featuring A Terrific Group Of
public auction
Railroadiana Items Including:
Railroad Advertising
Builder’s Plates
Railroad China
Wax Sealers
And More!
Register To Bid And View Our Online Catalog!
www.ManifestAuctions.com | 864.430.4020 | [email protected]
KL&L News - Page 7
Railroad Preservation & Museum News
CSX Transportation Supports
Railroad History Preservation
While the slogan of CSX Transportation is “How Tomorrow A $400 donation to Key, Lock & Lantern was made through
Moves,” the huge rail freight carrier has not forgotten about the company’s “Dollars for Doers” program, which is part of
its past, providing financial support for the preservation of its “Beyond Our Rails” community involvement initiative.
railroad history through donations to Key, Lock & Lantern In this program CSX makes donations in recognition of its
and related organizations. With the pioneer Baltimore & employees’ volunteer work for non-profit organizations, in
Ohio among its earliest predecessor lines, the railroads that this case, Key Lock & Lantern.
eventually made up CSX have been part of the colorful
“This donation by CSX will greatly assist KL&L in its
history of the railroad industry since its very beginning.
mission of supporting the preservation of transportation
CSX Corporation was formed in late 1980 as a holding history and railroad memorabilia,” said David Hamilton,
company that controlled the Chessie System and Seaboard president & editor of Key, Lock & Lantern. “On behalf of
Coast Line Railroads. Later, the Louisville & Nashville the members of our organization, I would like to thank CSX
and several affiliated shortlines were absorbed, before the Transportation for its generous support.”
various railroads were consolidated as CSX Transportation
KL&L members are reminded that many corporations have
in 1986. The acquisition of a large portion of former New
similar programs, and may also provide matching grants for
York Central territory during the split of Conrail in 1999
employee donations. Key, Lock & Lantern is a non-profit
brought CSX into the New York and New England markets.
educational organization, under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S.
Today, CSX Corporation employs over 30,000 people in Internal Revenue Code. Individual donations (other than
a multimodal transportation network that includes a 21,000 membership dues, merchandise purchases, advertising or
route-mile railroad system in 23 states and Canada. The six event registration fees) are also tax-deductible.
million annual carloads that are handled in 1350 daily trains
are a far cry from the 1830 trip of the B&O “Tom Thumb.”
With the company’s financial assistance, organizations
such as Key, Lock & Lantern will be able to continue their
mission of preserving significant artifacts from past chapters
in the history of railroading.
Projects supported by CSX include renovations to the
Robert W. Willaford Train Museum in Plant City, FL.
Representatives of CSX recently presented the museum with
$10,000 for safety improvements to update a sidewalk that
currently lines up with a railroad track. They presented the
check to City Commissioner Mike Sparkman and Robert
Willaford and his wife, Felice. Also in attendance were
volunteers and board members of the museum. In addition
to the sidewalk work, the funds will go to promote railroad
safety around the historic depot.
Both Photos by Matthew Bushart
KL&L News - Page 8
KL&L News - Page 9
Brookline Auction Gallery Continues Sale
of Several Large Railroadiana Collections
At its fall auction, the Brookline Auction Gallery continued
to sell lanterns from a large collection, supplemented by an
additional group of excellent examples from the Pennsylvania
Railroad. Other collections included switch keys and a huge
group of pre-1900 annual passes. Consignments of a variety
of railroadiana, including photos, books, timetables, and
dater dies rounded out the sale.
With internet bidding, the sale prices of railroadiana from
southern and western roads rivaled that of local memorabilia
from New England. While there were a few deals, most lots
brought relatively high bids. The sale of the lantern and pass
collections will continue in the next installment in April.
Photos, descriptions, and prices are courtesy of Brookline
Auction Gallery and do not include buyers premium.
A Louisville & Nashville Dressel short globe lantern with a
cast “L&N RR” amber globe sold for a high bid of $180
A $160 bid was needed to take home this nice Rio Grande
Western Railway 1892 annual pass with a tiny vignette.
This Pennsylvania RR brass top bellbottom lantern with a
clear cast MacBeth globe went to a new home for $350.
Continued on Page 12
KL&L News - Page 10