In the December 2013
Issue of Trains Magazine, the article
“Keeping Up with Pullmans” shines a national spotlight and recognition on
DCNRHS and highlights what we have long known: our equipment and operations
program is truly a unique and successful operation and an educational asset and treasure. Since 1982 we have owned and operated vintage rail equipment on mainline excursions, including our rare operating example of our heavyweight Pullman Dover Harbor as we as the Franklin Inn since 2011. Our volunteers have worked extremely hard over the years to keep costs down and to keep our equipment Amtrak certified and on the road and provide a unique educational experience. Our revenues cover the costs of operations but can come now where close to providing the necessary funding for major capital projects. The time has come and circumstances now dictate that we must establish a long-term approach to sustaining our equipment program. As the equipment ages and Amtrak qualification requirements ever increase, our past reliance on ad hoc donations for individual projects is no longer sufficient. Our Board of Directors has developed a long-term plan for our equipment program. From that plan we provide below a key list of projects. The items in bold represent critical needs that we must resolve in the next year or otherwise we may be forced to sideline our program. First among these projects is repainting the Dover Harbor and completing the major mechanical assessment and repairs necessary to return the Collinsville Inn to service.
We hope you will give generously in support of the campaign. We need your help to continue our success. The Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Railway Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, not-for-profit organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please send donations to: DCNRHS Equipment Fund, c/o Dean Edmonds, 360 Club View Dr., Great Falls, VA 22206. You may also give on-line here.. Privacy Statement: We will not sell or share your information with other organizations. DCNRHS CAPITAL PROJECTS November 2013
These projects represent the immediate and longer-term preservation and restoration needs of the three historic railcars owned by the DCNRHS. Our 2014 priorities are represented in bold. We welcome your questions or input on any of these projects!
DOVER HARBOR Ultrasonic Wheelset Testing $ 5,000 Body Work/Exterior Repainting $50,000 Replace worn wheelsets $14,000 Air Conditioning System Overhaul $10,000 Refrigeration for Icebox/ and/or Ice Machine $ 5,000 Interior Lounge Repainting $10,000 Mattresses replacement (custom sizes) $ 7,500 Coupler Replacement $ 6,000 Larger water tank and new valve system $15,000
COLLINSVILLE INN Initial Assessment – Trucks & Major Systems $ 8,500 Major Mechanical Repairs/Amtrak PC2A $36,000 Ultrasonic Wheelset testing $ 6,000 Water/Sewer Installation $40,000 Restroom Construction $25,000
FRANKLIN INN Ultrasonic Wheelset testing $ 4,000 Replace seat reclining levers $ 7,500 Seat Reupholstry $20,000 |
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