DCNRHS is proud to announce that we have been
awarded a $10,000 matching grant from the John Emery
Rail Heritage Trust. The grant is in response to a
proposal developed by the Mechanical Committee to
augment the Dover Harbor’s historic icebox with
modern cooling, which we are calling the “Auxiliary
Cooling System” project. The project design will
preserve the integrity and look of the icebox and
maintain our ability to continue operating in “icebox
mode” when necessary.
Although the original Pullman icebox is recognized as a
unique, historical feature of our 1923 Pullman, its use
has become more difficult operationally in recent times.
Originally, the icebox was cooled by block ice delivered
through an overhead hatch to an ice bunker running
alongside the icebox. Today, block ice is rarely used, as
it has become more difficult to find and overhead
electrical lines in Washington Union Station prevent safe
access to the hatch. Instead, the icebox is cooled by
multiple bags of cubed ice obtained from the Amtrak
commissaries. Obtaining the 100 to 150 pounds of ice
needed daily from Amtrak is becoming increasingly
difficult and less reliable. Therefore, DCNRHS has
considered adding auxiliary cooling for some time, and
this grant makes that vision possible. The mission of the Emery Trust is to “re-create and
preserve…the rail passenger travel experience...from the
‘Golden Age’ of the U.S. rail passenger service…with
an emphasis on organizations that offer the general
public an opportunity to ride historically significant
equipment over historic rail lines.” President Wirt
commented, “DCNRHS is honored to have been selected
for this grant, which embodies the spirit of both
DCNRHS’ and the Trust’s missions. And we are proud
of our sterling reputation as operators of historic rail
cars.”
The terms of the matching grant are straight-forward:
DCNRHS will receive up to $10,000 based on our
ability to raise matching funds on a 1:1 basis. We have
until March 31, 2017, to raise these funds, and we
appreciate any contribution you can make toward this
goal. Donations to this project may be made directly on
our website (www.dcnrhs.org) or mailed to DCNRHS,
P.O. Box 230, Savage, MD 20763 (please note “Emery
Grant Match” on the check). Questions regarding the
details of the project may be directed to the Mechanical
Crew Chief, Jim Lilly, at 443-253-2956 or
jwlilly@dcnrhs.org. |
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