@ Kingston Station
@ Monday May 9th
@ 730pm, museum room
RIDOT and Friends met with SK Town Reps on Tower Move. May 6th. ( update )
Bernadette has plans for O Neil bike path garden.. landscaping.
Jack will report items from Omaha Summit with OL state coordinators.
Status if grants.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
April Board Meeting / Friends of Kingston Station Inc.
@ 730pm
@ April 11th [ the second monday of the month ]
@ Kingston Station, RIRR museum room
@ Dr. Frank Heppner, Chair invites all members to attend
@ April 11th [ the second monday of the month ]
@ Kingston Station, RIRR museum room
@ Dr. Frank Heppner, Chair invites all members to attend
Saturday, February 19, 2005
March 2005 NOTICE
@ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Pedestrian Overpass at Kingston Station
@ 11:00am
@ March 21st, 2005
@ Kingston Station Museum room opening / ribbon cutting at pedestrian gate
Speakers: Amtrak, RIDOT, and Friends
Annual Meeting:
@ Friends Annual Meeting
@ 7 to 9 pm
@ University Club Upper College Rd Kingston RI
@ March 22nd, 2005
@ 11:00am
@ March 21st, 2005
@ Kingston Station Museum room opening / ribbon cutting at pedestrian gate
Speakers: Amtrak, RIDOT, and Friends
Annual Meeting:
@ Friends Annual Meeting
@ 7 to 9 pm
@ University Club Upper College Rd Kingston RI
@ March 22nd, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Overpass Open Jan 12th Printed from projo.com
Printed from projo.com
Pedestrian bridge opens at train station
01:00 AM EST on Thursday, January 13, 2005
By KATIE MULVANEY
Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The pedestrian bridge at Kingston Station officially opened yesterday, easing the daily grind just a bit for some commuters.
"It's a lot faster than the shuttle," said John Bushoven, who commutes daily from Boston to do research at the University of Rhode Island.
Since the high-speed Acelas began running about four years ago, travelers had to take a shuttle bus from one side of the tracks to the other. Some commuters scrambled through the weeds, up a hill and across Route 138 when they cut their schedule close.
Now, they can dash up the stairs, over the footbridge and down another flight to catch a departing train.
"It's definitely a good thing," Bushoven said.
The Carlin Construction Co. began work the $4-million footbridge two years ago. Amtrak received approval for the two handicap elevators set in the bridge structure, clearing the way for the yesterday's opening, said Tracy Connell, Amtrak spokeswoman.
The "up and over" bridge opened briefly at Thanksgiving.
The walkway was designed in cooperation with the Friends of Kingston Station to complement the Victorian wood-frame station. It offers views of the tracks extending in both directions. The Carlin Co. built a similar bridge in Old Saybrook, Conn., but the Kingston bridge will be the first of its kind in Rhode Island.
The Friends of Kingston Station will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the coming months.
Katie Mulvaney can be reached by e-mail at kmulvaneXXXXXprojo.com or by phone at 277-7417.
Online at: http://www.projo.com/southcounty/content/projo_20050113_train13.1aa075.html
Pedestrian bridge opens at train station
01:00 AM EST on Thursday, January 13, 2005
By KATIE MULVANEY
Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The pedestrian bridge at Kingston Station officially opened yesterday, easing the daily grind just a bit for some commuters.
"It's a lot faster than the shuttle," said John Bushoven, who commutes daily from Boston to do research at the University of Rhode Island.
Since the high-speed Acelas began running about four years ago, travelers had to take a shuttle bus from one side of the tracks to the other. Some commuters scrambled through the weeds, up a hill and across Route 138 when they cut their schedule close.
Now, they can dash up the stairs, over the footbridge and down another flight to catch a departing train.
"It's definitely a good thing," Bushoven said.
The Carlin Construction Co. began work the $4-million footbridge two years ago. Amtrak received approval for the two handicap elevators set in the bridge structure, clearing the way for the yesterday's opening, said Tracy Connell, Amtrak spokeswoman.
The "up and over" bridge opened briefly at Thanksgiving.
The walkway was designed in cooperation with the Friends of Kingston Station to complement the Victorian wood-frame station. It offers views of the tracks extending in both directions. The Carlin Co. built a similar bridge in Old Saybrook, Conn., but the Kingston bridge will be the first of its kind in Rhode Island.
The Friends of Kingston Station will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the coming months.
Katie Mulvaney can be reached by e-mail at kmulvaneXXXXXprojo.com or by phone at 277-7417.
Online at: http://www.projo.com/southcounty/content/projo_20050113_train13.1aa075.html
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Printed from projo.com
Printed from projo.com
Kingston Station overpass is almost ready
01:00 AM EST on Thursday, January 6, 2005
By KATIE MULVANEY
Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The new footbridge at the Kingston Train Station trembles as the Acela streaks underfoot. At three stories up, the walkway offers a bird's eye view of the high-speed train as it approaches and retreats like a silver bullet.
It's a sight all will soon be able to catch. Work is nearly complete on the $4-million pedestrian bridge, signalling yet another milestone for the storied station that dates to 1875 and sees 90,000 passengers a year.
"We look at it as a tremendous investment in Kingston," said Frank Heppner, chairman of the board of the Friends of Kingston Station. "We're moving into the era of major passenger traffic."
The "up-and-over" bridge was opened briefly to travelers at Thanksgiving. Amtrak is now awaiting final inspections and expects to permanently open the overpass by the month's end, according to Amtrak spokesperson Tracy Connell.
Previously, passengers simply walked across the tracks to catch a westbound train. Acelas, at 130 mph, made that practice too dangerous.
"They're just too fast, too quiet. It's too easy to have an accident," Heppner said.
A shuttle bus has taken passengers from one side of the tracks to the other since the high-speed trains began running about four years ago.
Carlin Construction Co. began work on the walkway for Amtrak two years ago. A high water table in the Kingston area forced the company to build a footbridge above the high voltage catenary lines instead of a tunnel, said David French, a flag conductor with Amtrak.
The company built a similar bridge in Old Saybrook, Conn., and another is under way in Guilford. But, it will be the only one of its kind in Rhode Island, French said.
The walkway was designed in cooperation with the Friends of Kingston Station to complement the Victorian wood-frame station. Windows lining the bridge offer views of the tracks heading east and west. Two towers, containing the stairwells, connect the crossover.
Late last month, workers put the finishing touches on the bridge as they awaited approval for two handicapped-accessible elevators.
"Kids will like it in the summertime," French said.
Inside Kingston Station, passengers were ready for the bridge to open.
"It gets you the other side without taking a bus. It works for me," said Bette Erickson, of Kingston, who was headed to Boston.
The Friends of Kingston Station plan to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the footbridge in the coming weeks.
Online at: http://www.projo.com/southcounty/content/projo_20050106_sktrain6.fb7c8.html
Kingston Station overpass is almost ready
01:00 AM EST on Thursday, January 6, 2005
By KATIE MULVANEY
Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The new footbridge at the Kingston Train Station trembles as the Acela streaks underfoot. At three stories up, the walkway offers a bird's eye view of the high-speed train as it approaches and retreats like a silver bullet.
It's a sight all will soon be able to catch. Work is nearly complete on the $4-million pedestrian bridge, signalling yet another milestone for the storied station that dates to 1875 and sees 90,000 passengers a year.
"We look at it as a tremendous investment in Kingston," said Frank Heppner, chairman of the board of the Friends of Kingston Station. "We're moving into the era of major passenger traffic."
The "up-and-over" bridge was opened briefly to travelers at Thanksgiving. Amtrak is now awaiting final inspections and expects to permanently open the overpass by the month's end, according to Amtrak spokesperson Tracy Connell.
Previously, passengers simply walked across the tracks to catch a westbound train. Acelas, at 130 mph, made that practice too dangerous.
"They're just too fast, too quiet. It's too easy to have an accident," Heppner said.
A shuttle bus has taken passengers from one side of the tracks to the other since the high-speed trains began running about four years ago.
Carlin Construction Co. began work on the walkway for Amtrak two years ago. A high water table in the Kingston area forced the company to build a footbridge above the high voltage catenary lines instead of a tunnel, said David French, a flag conductor with Amtrak.
The company built a similar bridge in Old Saybrook, Conn., and another is under way in Guilford. But, it will be the only one of its kind in Rhode Island, French said.
The walkway was designed in cooperation with the Friends of Kingston Station to complement the Victorian wood-frame station. Windows lining the bridge offer views of the tracks heading east and west. Two towers, containing the stairwells, connect the crossover.
Late last month, workers put the finishing touches on the bridge as they awaited approval for two handicapped-accessible elevators.
"Kids will like it in the summertime," French said.
Inside Kingston Station, passengers were ready for the bridge to open.
"It gets you the other side without taking a bus. It works for me," said Bette Erickson, of Kingston, who was headed to Boston.
The Friends of Kingston Station plan to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the footbridge in the coming weeks.
Online at: http://www.projo.com/southcounty/content/projo_20050106_sktrain6.fb7c8.html
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
TGVweb - Acela Express Model
TGVweb - Acela Express Model
Fun for a rainy day project.. keep kids of all ages busy cutting out Acela paper model.
Fun for a rainy day project.. keep kids of all ages busy cutting out Acela paper model.
January 2005 Notice
First meeting of 2005
Friends Board
@ 715pm
@ Monday the 10th
@ RIRR Museum
@ Kingston Station
Mr. Everett Stuart will preside at this meeting.
Dr. Heppner is out of the country this week.
Members may attend in audience of the meeting.
Friends Board
@ 715pm
@ Monday the 10th
@ RIRR Museum
@ Kingston Station
Mr. Everett Stuart will preside at this meeting.
Dr. Heppner is out of the country this week.
Members may attend in audience of the meeting.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Dec, 13 2004
FOKS Friends of Kingston Station Minutes for 12.13.04
Attending: Frank Heppner ( President of FOKS ), Bernadette DeAcentis ( FOKS board ), Veronica Trudeau ( FOKS board), Richard Neff ( FOKS board ), Jack McCabe ( FOKS rec/sec board ),Warren Hagist ( Past Treasurer FOKS ), David D. Whelan (Past President of FOKS), Everett Stuart ( Past President of FOKS).
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, Museum Room.
Minutes of November were accepted and approved.
Frank reviewed the requirements for two grant proposals offered.
( details on request )
Overpass and Ribbon Cutting:
At this point we are likely going to have a winter opening. Jack suggested we hold the event "inside the museum" and progress out to the overpass as part of the celebration, perhaps at train time? Kodak moments? Timing should be late morning and weekday.
Media to be contacted in a timely fashion.
( more details on request )
Boy Scout Project Proposal:
John McCabe's project was approved and the use of materials, wood, and poster frames approved. Frank has located the plans for the type of cabinet that would be best to construct for the museum needs. John will now contact Frank to learn what the best plans are to phase in the project and plans.
Bob Newman offered to plane the wood stock.
RIDOT TEA21 calls for Projects
Proposal due by Feb 4th, 2004
Frank and Jack attended the RIDOT workshop at Holiday Inn.
Frank reviewed a prior listing drawn up at our previous request for the RIRR museum enhancement projects.
The amount we are requesting was discussed.
The board agreed to the line items and added suggestions. Frank asked the board to offer additional component suggestions for consideration.
Rich Neff offered the idea of the station clock once again, as it was previously "tabled" for lack of a fund raising chair. Also the idea of a "toy train set" for the younger museum visitors was discussed.
RIOL
Jack provided a picture copy for each board member of some highlights from the Thanksgiving passenger reception at the station. Rich Neff gave the report on the same to provide some background and details on the success of the event. The photos are also linked to the public on our RIOL website.
Meeting ended at 9pm
Next meeting on the second Monday of January.
@ January 10th, 2005
Attending: Frank Heppner ( President of FOKS ), Bernadette DeAcentis ( FOKS board ), Veronica Trudeau ( FOKS board), Richard Neff ( FOKS board ), Jack McCabe ( FOKS rec/sec board ),Warren Hagist ( Past Treasurer FOKS ), David D. Whelan (Past President of FOKS), Everett Stuart ( Past President of FOKS).
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, Museum Room.
Minutes of November were accepted and approved.
Frank reviewed the requirements for two grant proposals offered.
( details on request )
Overpass and Ribbon Cutting:
At this point we are likely going to have a winter opening. Jack suggested we hold the event "inside the museum" and progress out to the overpass as part of the celebration, perhaps at train time? Kodak moments? Timing should be late morning and weekday.
Media to be contacted in a timely fashion.
( more details on request )
Boy Scout Project Proposal:
John McCabe's project was approved and the use of materials, wood, and poster frames approved. Frank has located the plans for the type of cabinet that would be best to construct for the museum needs. John will now contact Frank to learn what the best plans are to phase in the project and plans.
Bob Newman offered to plane the wood stock.
RIDOT TEA21 calls for Projects
Proposal due by Feb 4th, 2004
Frank and Jack attended the RIDOT workshop at Holiday Inn.
Frank reviewed a prior listing drawn up at our previous request for the RIRR museum enhancement projects.
The amount we are requesting was discussed.
The board agreed to the line items and added suggestions. Frank asked the board to offer additional component suggestions for consideration.
Rich Neff offered the idea of the station clock once again, as it was previously "tabled" for lack of a fund raising chair. Also the idea of a "toy train set" for the younger museum visitors was discussed.
RIOL
Jack provided a picture copy for each board member of some highlights from the Thanksgiving passenger reception at the station. Rich Neff gave the report on the same to provide some background and details on the success of the event. The photos are also linked to the public on our RIOL website.
Meeting ended at 9pm
Next meeting on the second Monday of January.
@ January 10th, 2005
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Nov, 08 2004
FOKS Friends of Kingston Station Minutes for 11.08.04
Attending: Frank Heppner ( President of FOKS ), Bernadette DeAcentis ( FOKS board ), Veronica Trudeau ( FOKS board), Richard Neff ( FOKS board ), Jack McCabe ( FOKS rec/sec board ), Cedric W Cushing ( Visiting Member ), Johnny McCabe ( Visiting Boy Scout ).
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, Museum Room.
Frank called for approval of the October 2004 minutes. ( approved )
Frank called for treasurers report: Everett had a conflict and could not make the meeting. He instructed Jack to issue his report to the board in hard copy to review the accounts. If you do not have a copy, one will be provided to you on request by email.
Frank called for the RIOL report:
Jack asked Rich Neff to give the report so he could take the notes more efficiently for the board.
Preparations are being made for ThanksGiving Week again this year. Rich contacted Stop and Shop for snack donations again this year. Richard made a motion that the FOKS board allow a donation of up to $100.00 if needed. The motion was seconded and approved by all.
Richard asked if Bernadette might once again handle our shopping needs for the event. Bernadette agreed to do so.
Jack will contact the membership by list serve for additional help.
The last Safety Familiarization trip was with Reggie Gaudets' senior group we officially titled, The West Warwick Senior Citizens for Railroad Safety Support Group. RIOL presenter Mike Leckie took this happy bunch to New London as per usual on Amtrak trains 173 and 174. See:
http://trainweb.org/kin/OL/09.20.04_ww_seniors/index.html
Other business old and new is availabe on request of members or board.
FKS Inc. P O Box 191, West Kingston, RI 02892
Attending: Frank Heppner ( President of FOKS ), Bernadette DeAcentis ( FOKS board ), Veronica Trudeau ( FOKS board), Richard Neff ( FOKS board ), Jack McCabe ( FOKS rec/sec board ), Cedric W Cushing ( Visiting Member ), Johnny McCabe ( Visiting Boy Scout ).
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, Museum Room.
Frank called for approval of the October 2004 minutes. ( approved )
Frank called for treasurers report: Everett had a conflict and could not make the meeting. He instructed Jack to issue his report to the board in hard copy to review the accounts. If you do not have a copy, one will be provided to you on request by email.
Frank called for the RIOL report:
Jack asked Rich Neff to give the report so he could take the notes more efficiently for the board.
Preparations are being made for ThanksGiving Week again this year. Rich contacted Stop and Shop for snack donations again this year. Richard made a motion that the FOKS board allow a donation of up to $100.00 if needed. The motion was seconded and approved by all.
Richard asked if Bernadette might once again handle our shopping needs for the event. Bernadette agreed to do so.
Jack will contact the membership by list serve for additional help.
The last Safety Familiarization trip was with Reggie Gaudets' senior group we officially titled, The West Warwick Senior Citizens for Railroad Safety Support Group. RIOL presenter Mike Leckie took this happy bunch to New London as per usual on Amtrak trains 173 and 174. See:
http://trainweb.org/kin/OL/09.20.04_ww_seniors/index.html
Other business old and new is availabe on request of members or board.
FKS Inc. P O Box 191, West Kingston, RI 02892
Friday, October 22, 2004
Oct., 2004 Friends of Kingston Station
Attending:, Jack McCabe (RIOL Coord), Rich Neff (RIOL presenter), Warren Hagist (Past Treasurer ), Ev Stuart (Past Pres of FOKS Inc.), David D. Whelan (Past Pres. of FOKS Inc.), & John Webster (Past Pres. of WKCA)
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Outstanding projects:
We need to start ramping up for whatever event is going to take place to celebrate the overpass completion.
Jack got the job of getting the pamphlets done. We have 2000 pieces. They are now available in the museum, the station waiting room, and Mr. Webster will take a handful to the Kingston Library. Please consider taking some of these into your respective organizations and schools.
Ev reports that the metal braces for the signs were prepared and we need to simply get them up on the building at this point. Frank volunteered to contact Veronica at the last meeting to see what is holding this project up.
Bob Newman had volunteered to install the signs on the station.
Rich Neff has strong contacts with the Little Rhody group which he thinks could be called on to set up something of a train model that we can afford, ( at least until such time that we can make a full scale dream board). No motions were made as of yet. Visiting families expect to see some kind of display in the museum room. Modeling is done to reflect the historic features of the station and location.
Meeting ended at 900 pm.
Next meeting will be on November 8th, 2004.
NOTE:
Full version of the minutes available to the members on request.
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Outstanding projects:
We need to start ramping up for whatever event is going to take place to celebrate the overpass completion.
Jack got the job of getting the pamphlets done. We have 2000 pieces. They are now available in the museum, the station waiting room, and Mr. Webster will take a handful to the Kingston Library. Please consider taking some of these into your respective organizations and schools.
Ev reports that the metal braces for the signs were prepared and we need to simply get them up on the building at this point. Frank volunteered to contact Veronica at the last meeting to see what is holding this project up.
Bob Newman had volunteered to install the signs on the station.
Rich Neff has strong contacts with the Little Rhody group which he thinks could be called on to set up something of a train model that we can afford, ( at least until such time that we can make a full scale dream board). No motions were made as of yet. Visiting families expect to see some kind of display in the museum room. Modeling is done to reflect the historic features of the station and location.
Meeting ended at 900 pm.
Next meeting will be on November 8th, 2004.
NOTE:
Full version of the minutes available to the members on request.
Sept.,2004 Minutes of Friends meeting
FOKS Friend of Kingston Station Minutes for 9.13.04
Attending: Frank Heppner, Jack McCabe, Rich Neff, Warren Hagist, Bernadette DeAscentis, Ev Stuart.
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Everett Stuart gave the treasurers report.
Jack was asked to give the RIOL Report.
We gave one Safety & History class in July for the URI Transportation Camp kids. Jack took the history section and Everett took the safety portion on this class. We ran another class camp again in August. The presenter was Pat Corcoran (FRA Region 1 and RIOL trainer) for safety and Jack McCabe covered some brief station history.
Rich Neff reported on our emergency responder presentation plans. This was covered in our recent members newsletter to some extent. Our fire district and others in the state are requesting more training in the “electrified territory” should an emergency occur.
Dr. Frank Heppner
Spoke with Amtrak General Mgr., Michael DeCataldo. He was upbeat about our plan to organize a ribbon cutting or some such ceremony for the overpass. The exact date of completion is was still not determined. He suggested that we do the planning for this event and suggested we would have his support. Ev suggested we prepare a news release based on interviews from various persons within Amtrak. Jack suggested we invite Bob Newman and his popcorn machine. This even looks like it might take place on a Saturday at the end of Oct or the beginning of Nov.
NOTE:
Full minutes are available to members on request.
As of this fall the Friends of Kingston Station board has moved the monthly meeting to the second
Monday (rather than the first) of each month.
Attending: Frank Heppner, Jack McCabe, Rich Neff, Warren Hagist, Bernadette DeAscentis, Ev Stuart.
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Everett Stuart gave the treasurers report.
Jack was asked to give the RIOL Report.
We gave one Safety & History class in July for the URI Transportation Camp kids. Jack took the history section and Everett took the safety portion on this class. We ran another class camp again in August. The presenter was Pat Corcoran (FRA Region 1 and RIOL trainer) for safety and Jack McCabe covered some brief station history.
Rich Neff reported on our emergency responder presentation plans. This was covered in our recent members newsletter to some extent. Our fire district and others in the state are requesting more training in the “electrified territory” should an emergency occur.
Dr. Frank Heppner
Spoke with Amtrak General Mgr., Michael DeCataldo. He was upbeat about our plan to organize a ribbon cutting or some such ceremony for the overpass. The exact date of completion is was still not determined. He suggested that we do the planning for this event and suggested we would have his support. Ev suggested we prepare a news release based on interviews from various persons within Amtrak. Jack suggested we invite Bob Newman and his popcorn machine. This even looks like it might take place on a Saturday at the end of Oct or the beginning of Nov.
NOTE:
Full minutes are available to members on request.
As of this fall the Friends of Kingston Station board has moved the monthly meeting to the second
Monday (rather than the first) of each month.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
August: abbreviated minutes / Next meeting 13 Sept
FOKS Friend of Kingston Station Minutes for 8.02.04
Attending: Frank Heppner, Jack McCabe, Rich Neff, Norma Hagist, Veronica Trudeau.
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Frank Read the treasurers report for Everett Stuart who has taken over the accounts. Copies will be sent as attachments to the board members.
Jack was asked to give the RIOL Report.
We gave one Safety & History class in July for the URI Transportation Camp kids. Jack took the history section and Everett took the safety portion on this class.
Rich Neff gave a report on his trip to San Antonio to represent Rhode Island in place of Jack McCabe. He reports that National OL is working on creating a Emergency Responders program, which we are very excited about including as part of RIOL.
OL has hired a company to assess the states programs with the idea of determining how to improve policies and programs in the future. We will do what we can to assist them.
Rich produced his envelope of receipts for the expenses associated with the trip.
Frank gave report on the NARF grant.
Categories: Safety / Education / History / Technology
Grants are supported by Rail Labor Unions.
This was reported in the June minutes. Although we seem to be within the scope of what this organization approves, we didnt get much satisfaction.
The unfortunate response was that we were turned down.
Our appeal to the Washington Trust Bank for assistance with the clock project was also turned down in a letter from the board, (signed by Rep. Dennis Algeres), of Westerly.
Tower: Frank recently advised RIDOT of our position in regards to the idea of splitting the tower in order to move it less expensively and hopefully sooner. We have photos of another similar project that was successfully moved to a new location. RIDOT will take our advice under advisement. RIDOT cannot provide a timetable for the project.
Trees:
Jack gave a report. The replacement beech tree is showing signs of stress. The bark is split and some leaves are dry. We have photos of the recent ditch digging there should we need to make a case for the tree in the future. We have been soaking it overnight. Two new replacement ash trees were installed in the circle in the unseemly month of July. We have also been soaking those trees with water on alternate nights.
Wood: Jack gave a report. 600 board feet of the mother tree was finally delivered and is stacked in the basement. The board went to see the lumber after the meeting. Frank took some samples to try working with it at home. Credit was given to David Whelan for doggedly tracking this one down for us.
Signs: Veronica has some iron parts to use but they need to be cut to fit. Frank offered to do this in his home shop. Frank and Veronica met after the meeting to view the component parts and make some determinations on the placement.
Frank: A review of some of the project ideas and future actionable activities was made. Frank will make calls to Amtrak persons in the Boston Division to investigate a possible ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Overpass to track one.
This should generate some excitement for the upcoming election season and allow for some celebration moments for our members and new friends.
Jack & Rich will start researching ideas on a Safety Fair with professionals in the MBTA. They have an annual event of some kind to demonstrate a mock crash or other emergency response disaster training event for Emergency Responders.
Rich Neff: Proposed that the station could really use a train status board. An electronic display of some kind was discussed. This might replace the clock idea for the 30th anniversary gift. Jack will ask the station clerks what they think of the idea before we proceed to go into it. There was no vote taken as this is under discussion only.
Meeting ended at 845 pm.
Next meeting will be on the 13th of September due to Labor Day.
Attending: Frank Heppner, Jack McCabe, Rich Neff, Norma Hagist, Veronica Trudeau.
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Frank Read the treasurers report for Everett Stuart who has taken over the accounts. Copies will be sent as attachments to the board members.
Jack was asked to give the RIOL Report.
We gave one Safety & History class in July for the URI Transportation Camp kids. Jack took the history section and Everett took the safety portion on this class.
Rich Neff gave a report on his trip to San Antonio to represent Rhode Island in place of Jack McCabe. He reports that National OL is working on creating a Emergency Responders program, which we are very excited about including as part of RIOL.
OL has hired a company to assess the states programs with the idea of determining how to improve policies and programs in the future. We will do what we can to assist them.
Rich produced his envelope of receipts for the expenses associated with the trip.
Frank gave report on the NARF grant.
Categories: Safety / Education / History / Technology
Grants are supported by Rail Labor Unions.
This was reported in the June minutes. Although we seem to be within the scope of what this organization approves, we didnt get much satisfaction.
The unfortunate response was that we were turned down.
Our appeal to the Washington Trust Bank for assistance with the clock project was also turned down in a letter from the board, (signed by Rep. Dennis Algeres), of Westerly.
Tower: Frank recently advised RIDOT of our position in regards to the idea of splitting the tower in order to move it less expensively and hopefully sooner. We have photos of another similar project that was successfully moved to a new location. RIDOT will take our advice under advisement. RIDOT cannot provide a timetable for the project.
Trees:
Jack gave a report. The replacement beech tree is showing signs of stress. The bark is split and some leaves are dry. We have photos of the recent ditch digging there should we need to make a case for the tree in the future. We have been soaking it overnight. Two new replacement ash trees were installed in the circle in the unseemly month of July. We have also been soaking those trees with water on alternate nights.
Wood: Jack gave a report. 600 board feet of the mother tree was finally delivered and is stacked in the basement. The board went to see the lumber after the meeting. Frank took some samples to try working with it at home. Credit was given to David Whelan for doggedly tracking this one down for us.
Signs: Veronica has some iron parts to use but they need to be cut to fit. Frank offered to do this in his home shop. Frank and Veronica met after the meeting to view the component parts and make some determinations on the placement.
Frank: A review of some of the project ideas and future actionable activities was made. Frank will make calls to Amtrak persons in the Boston Division to investigate a possible ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Overpass to track one.
This should generate some excitement for the upcoming election season and allow for some celebration moments for our members and new friends.
Jack & Rich will start researching ideas on a Safety Fair with professionals in the MBTA. They have an annual event of some kind to demonstrate a mock crash or other emergency response disaster training event for Emergency Responders.
Rich Neff: Proposed that the station could really use a train status board. An electronic display of some kind was discussed. This might replace the clock idea for the 30th anniversary gift. Jack will ask the station clerks what they think of the idea before we proceed to go into it. There was no vote taken as this is under discussion only.
Meeting ended at 845 pm.
Next meeting will be on the 13th of September due to Labor Day.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
July Meeting of Board
Per Chairman Dr. Frank Heppner
There will be no meeting on July 5th
due to the holiday weekend celebrations.
The next meeting will be:
@August 2nd, 2004
@Kingston Station, museum room
@715pm
There will be no meeting on July 5th
due to the holiday weekend celebrations.
The next meeting will be:
@August 2nd, 2004
@Kingston Station, museum room
@715pm
Sunday, June 27, 2004
New blog posting area
Welcome to the new Friends of Kingston Station blog posting area.
We think that kingstonstation.blogspot.com is nicer than the old FOKS,
and we also hope it is easier for everyone to remember.
Please bookmark this for updates and information, notices for meetings.
Thanks
Frank Heppner, Chairman
Jack McCabe rec/sec for the Friends of KS Board
___________________________________
"About Me" continued from Profiles
Previous Projects ( cont.)
In recent years, Operation Lifesaver activities occupy many of our members on a regular basis. We sponsored a community Old Fashioned Railroad Family Picnic Days in 2002 to mark the opening of the museum, which drew over 1,500 people. We have traveling historic and safety displays that we bring to model railroad shows. We regularly have educational presentations at the station for school groups on field trips. We have had railroad history displays at the South County Historical Museum.
The late Senator John Chafee (RI) once said, Without the Friends of the Kingston Station, there would be no Kingston Station today. Without our efforts, the $3.5 million station restoration would not have been done, and we campaigned equally vigorously for the construction of the pedestrian overpass (currently under construction) that will cost approximately $2.5 million. Both of these major projects were union/Davis-Bacon projects, and our organization is familiar with, and accepts the Davis-Bacon concept of union equivalency if union labor is not available.
Proposed Project
Goals
We started our museum in 2002 with a fairly extensive collection of local railroad artifacts, including old photographs, postcards, timetables, books, locomotive bells, etc., that had been donated by members over the years. Our ìthemeî was largely shaped by the objects in our collection, the primary focus being railroading in southern Rhode Island. One problem we immediately faced was that we did not have a fraction of the secure display cases we needed to be able to display our items without a docent present, and as we are a small organization, our opening hours were very limited. This is a severe handicap, as over 90,000 passengers use Kingston station every year, and every passenger is a potential museum visitor. This kind of visitor potential is presented by very few small railroad museums.
We also early realized that cases full of old track spikes might be of great interest to someone already interested in railroad history, but our displays lacked the kind of cohesion and punch that would demonstrate to non railroad buffs why trains were interesting in the past, and are interesting (and worthy of support) today.
Our proposal is thus twofold:
Goal 1. We would like to have enough secure display and storage space so that the museum could be open to the public essentially unattended by any of our members. This is important for two reasons: A) the museum could thus be open 16 hours a day, rather than a few hours every weekend, and B) our displays could be properly preserved and curated, as is important for any museum collection.
This portion of the request would largely be composed of the purchase of 4 wall-type, and 3 jewelry-display lockable illuminated cases for the physical objects in our collection, and cabinets for the safe storage of materials not currently on display.
Goal 2. We would like to be able to present more cohesive stories to our visitors, through use of attractive, modern types of displays, prepared to professional standards. These might include interactive computer displays, but might simply be professionally prepared poster displays, with modern graphics.
We have already prepared some displays we are very proud of. We have a diorama, showing Kingston Station today, and as it might eventually look with a standalone railroad museum (Figure 1). We have an outstanding screen display showing the geographic development of railroads in Rhode Island (Figure 2). We also have a screen display showing the development of passenger train safety appliances (Figure 3).
On the other hand, we have a collection of beautiful HO models of Kingston Station and its surrounding buildings, but no way of securely displaying them in a historical context. Over the years, we have developed a number of conceptual displays that would be both cohesive and educational, but have lacked the time, resources or personnel to bring them about. These have included:
Intermodal Transportation: It Started in Rhode Island
The American Passenger Train: 175 Years of Progress
American Railroad Unions
How Railroads Shaped New England
The American Passenger Train: A Cavalcade of Trains (computer operated model railroad)
The Railroads of Rhode Island.
Railroads and Modern Communications
Railroads: One of the First Computer Industries
As the museum space available is small (900 sq ft), rotation of displays is both necessary and beneficial. Fortunately, we have the use of the basement of the station for storage of rotating displays.
We have a large supply of computers available to us, which we now use for Operation Lifesaver presentations, that could be used to supplement the computer kiosks we are requesting.
Some of these displays would be screen displays, requiring only graphic arts services and materials. Others might be Power Point displays, requiring writing, illustration, and setting up the program.
As we have found, movement is irresistible to children, and we have found that the crude, temporary model railroads we have set up from time to time have been guaranteed attention getters, rivaling the existing Operation Lifesaver computer displays. We would like to have at least one model railroad that would be built in the opposite way such displays are usually built for museums. Instead of having a group of model railroaders design a model railroad to display their favorite locomotives, locale, craftsmanship, etc., and then figure out what the public was supposed to learn by viewing the railroad, we would determine what information about railroads we wanted the public to have, and design the model to best illustrate it. We come to this approach naturally, because many of our members are interested in history, and are teachers.
We would expect to work closely with the NARF in the selection of which topics to give priority.
Targeted Beneficiaries
As our museum is located in an active railroad station, if we were able to keep the museum open during all of the station hours, we would have a potential 90,000 visitors a year. This would be one of the largest museum attendances in the state of Rhode Island, and would be far larger than most small railroad museums. Our Operation Lifesaver presentations typically reach over 3,000 people a year, distributed around the entire southern Rhode Island area.
Budget
Display cases
We think that kingstonstation.blogspot.com is nicer than the old FOKS,
and we also hope it is easier for everyone to remember.
Please bookmark this for updates and information, notices for meetings.
Thanks
Frank Heppner, Chairman
Jack McCabe rec/sec for the Friends of KS Board
___________________________________
"About Me" continued from Profiles
Previous Projects ( cont.)
In recent years, Operation Lifesaver activities occupy many of our members on a regular basis. We sponsored a community Old Fashioned Railroad Family Picnic Days in 2002 to mark the opening of the museum, which drew over 1,500 people. We have traveling historic and safety displays that we bring to model railroad shows. We regularly have educational presentations at the station for school groups on field trips. We have had railroad history displays at the South County Historical Museum.
The late Senator John Chafee (RI) once said, Without the Friends of the Kingston Station, there would be no Kingston Station today. Without our efforts, the $3.5 million station restoration would not have been done, and we campaigned equally vigorously for the construction of the pedestrian overpass (currently under construction) that will cost approximately $2.5 million. Both of these major projects were union/Davis-Bacon projects, and our organization is familiar with, and accepts the Davis-Bacon concept of union equivalency if union labor is not available.
Proposed Project
Goals
We started our museum in 2002 with a fairly extensive collection of local railroad artifacts, including old photographs, postcards, timetables, books, locomotive bells, etc., that had been donated by members over the years. Our ìthemeî was largely shaped by the objects in our collection, the primary focus being railroading in southern Rhode Island. One problem we immediately faced was that we did not have a fraction of the secure display cases we needed to be able to display our items without a docent present, and as we are a small organization, our opening hours were very limited. This is a severe handicap, as over 90,000 passengers use Kingston station every year, and every passenger is a potential museum visitor. This kind of visitor potential is presented by very few small railroad museums.
We also early realized that cases full of old track spikes might be of great interest to someone already interested in railroad history, but our displays lacked the kind of cohesion and punch that would demonstrate to non railroad buffs why trains were interesting in the past, and are interesting (and worthy of support) today.
Our proposal is thus twofold:
Goal 1. We would like to have enough secure display and storage space so that the museum could be open to the public essentially unattended by any of our members. This is important for two reasons: A) the museum could thus be open 16 hours a day, rather than a few hours every weekend, and B) our displays could be properly preserved and curated, as is important for any museum collection.
This portion of the request would largely be composed of the purchase of 4 wall-type, and 3 jewelry-display lockable illuminated cases for the physical objects in our collection, and cabinets for the safe storage of materials not currently on display.
Goal 2. We would like to be able to present more cohesive stories to our visitors, through use of attractive, modern types of displays, prepared to professional standards. These might include interactive computer displays, but might simply be professionally prepared poster displays, with modern graphics.
We have already prepared some displays we are very proud of. We have a diorama, showing Kingston Station today, and as it might eventually look with a standalone railroad museum (Figure 1). We have an outstanding screen display showing the geographic development of railroads in Rhode Island (Figure 2). We also have a screen display showing the development of passenger train safety appliances (Figure 3).
On the other hand, we have a collection of beautiful HO models of Kingston Station and its surrounding buildings, but no way of securely displaying them in a historical context. Over the years, we have developed a number of conceptual displays that would be both cohesive and educational, but have lacked the time, resources or personnel to bring them about. These have included:
Intermodal Transportation: It Started in Rhode Island
The American Passenger Train: 175 Years of Progress
American Railroad Unions
How Railroads Shaped New England
The American Passenger Train: A Cavalcade of Trains (computer operated model railroad)
The Railroads of Rhode Island.
Railroads and Modern Communications
Railroads: One of the First Computer Industries
As the museum space available is small (900 sq ft), rotation of displays is both necessary and beneficial. Fortunately, we have the use of the basement of the station for storage of rotating displays.
We have a large supply of computers available to us, which we now use for Operation Lifesaver presentations, that could be used to supplement the computer kiosks we are requesting.
Some of these displays would be screen displays, requiring only graphic arts services and materials. Others might be Power Point displays, requiring writing, illustration, and setting up the program.
As we have found, movement is irresistible to children, and we have found that the crude, temporary model railroads we have set up from time to time have been guaranteed attention getters, rivaling the existing Operation Lifesaver computer displays. We would like to have at least one model railroad that would be built in the opposite way such displays are usually built for museums. Instead of having a group of model railroaders design a model railroad to display their favorite locomotives, locale, craftsmanship, etc., and then figure out what the public was supposed to learn by viewing the railroad, we would determine what information about railroads we wanted the public to have, and design the model to best illustrate it. We come to this approach naturally, because many of our members are interested in history, and are teachers.
We would expect to work closely with the NARF in the selection of which topics to give priority.
Targeted Beneficiaries
As our museum is located in an active railroad station, if we were able to keep the museum open during all of the station hours, we would have a potential 90,000 visitors a year. This would be one of the largest museum attendances in the state of Rhode Island, and would be far larger than most small railroad museums. Our Operation Lifesaver presentations typically reach over 3,000 people a year, distributed around the entire southern Rhode Island area.
Budget
Display cases
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