EXTERNAL: Virginian Crazies 2019 edition

Mon Oct 21 13:28:46 EDT 2019

For all you VGN Crazies who might be interested in what the portal of the Clark’s Gap tunnel might look like.  Can you imagine shoehorning opposing AE’s through this tunnel in the pre-electrification days?  Can you imagine being the crew of the 2nd AE helper following an AD through this tunnel, the other end of which was at the crest of a 14 mile long 2% uncompensated adverse grade (and with the rails in the tunnel always wet from condensation), at 7mph?  And, no, the tunnel was not vented.

Iron men, indeed.

From: NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org> On Behalf Of NW Modeling List
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2019 21:51
To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>; NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: EXTERNAL: Virginian Crazies 2019 edition

We just had another successful Virginian Crazies weekend in Mullens (Twin Falls).  As usual the lodge was very accommodating.  We had about 15 attendees; we had some new faces, and some regulars were unable to make it this year.  We went to Polk Gap tunnel (I think I got that right), and visited Tom Marshall’s grave in Matheny.  Family plot: he’s buried with his parents.

Friday evening was the usual business meeting (less than 30 minutes)where we had some photos, books, and kits for exchange (thank you again Bob Liljestrand/Bob’s Photos; more Virginian photos every year).  We also showed the group the plaque we had made for the Virginian Crazies, with names for our deceased members*, with, sadly, room for more in the future.  We have been going on for approximately 13 years now, and we have six names on the plaque already.  The plaque was turned over to the local guys for a decision as to where to hang it.

As promised, we also discussed time and place for next year.  It is not settled, meaning we are open to suggestions, comments, complaints, concerns, but so far it’s looking like we will be back at Twin Falls, again the second weekend in October of 2020.  I’m sure you all understand that any weekend is bad or impossible for someone.

Also everyone was invited to attend the Norfolk & Western/Virginian Railway Historical Society convention in Cleveland next June.  There was some concern because it was put out that the convention next year will be emphasizing the post 1964 N&W; it was made clear that the Virginian Interest Group will have it’s annual meeting at that convention.

This seems like a good time/excuse to put out some clarification.  There are three Virginian Railway “groups”.  There is this Yahoo group, which at last count has over 1000 members, and is one of the more active and long lived of the single railroad Yahoo groups.  The group was started, as far as I know, by Mark Fisher about 15 years ago.  As noted, it will be migrated to groups io in the near future…we hope.

There is the Virginian Interest Group, which is a bunch that meets at every NWHS convention.  The group consists of whoever comes to the convention that is interested in attending the meeting.  We have updates on upcoming or at least proposed Virginian models, and a vigorous exchange of information and presentations.  When Rick Stone started the new NWHS in 1984 he promised to “take care of” the Virginian; NWHS has made good on that promise.

Finally there is the Virginian Crazies.  That’s the group of us that meet every Fall, and it sort of coalesced around the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the railroad coming to Mullens.

We’re doing well, I would say, for those of us who follow/model a railroad that has been gone for a longer period than it existed.

*The six deceased whose names are on the plaque:

Mark Fisher: the founder of the Yahoo Virginian Group.  Because he was taking care of an elderly mother, he made it to one meeting after she passed, and he died before the next year’s meeting.  One heck of a nice guy.

Jack Feller: one of the predominant historians of Mullens, who wrote a 5(?)volume history of Mullens, and willingly provided a lot of information to us who came from out of town.

Sarge McGhee: WWII Marine.  Had worked for the railroad.  Best known to us as the man who is responsible for all the railroad murals around the city.

Lloyd Lewis:  retired from the railroad industry.  He wrote or edited approximately four books on the Virginian.  When he was able to make it to Crazies he was simply priceless as a tour guide and walking historian.

David Helmer: also retired from the railroad industry.  Was involved with VMT and may have been helpful in getting the ELC there.  Broadened our horizons one year by presenting a seminar on the railroads of……Vietnam.

Tom Marshall.  Noted Virginian historian.  Great friend and tour guide.  Until his death essentially hosted the Virginian Crazies weekends in cooperation with the lodge.  Incredible source of information, including stacks of photos, paperwork, and information from his father who had worked on the railroad.

Frank Bongiovanni

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