ROC News
2002 January - June

• January 19, 2002:

  Today was a light day on the RS&N. Ominous weather forecasts scared off many operators. While the weather started off lousy, it warmed up and was sunny in the afternoon. Two cars rode on Saturday:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Carey Boney, in an MT-19 under restoration
  Carey brought a nephew along for a ride. We also had a special guest, Pat Daniels from California. Pat had just bought a car in Summerville, SC. His car was not yet track ready, so he left it on the trailer and took turns riding with Hollis and Carey.

• February 2, 2002:

  Today was another light riding day at the RS&N. It was clear, cool, and crisp throughout the day. Two cars rode on Saturday:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Nanci and Andy Dingsor's open M-19
  We found milepost 233 hidden in the brush, and proceeded to prune saplings and vines around it. Photos.

• February 16, 2002:

  Today was a beautiful day for riding at the RS&N. The skies were crystal clear. Three cars rode on Saturday:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Carey Boney's enclosed M-19
  • Phil Gandy's enclosed M-9
  Ed Kimball from Tennessee also visited Red Springs today and rode with Phil Gandy.

• March 2-3, 2002:

  A large group of ROC members hauled their railcars to north Georgia for an excursion on the "Hook and Eye Loops" in Tennessee. This section of track is famous for an over-and-under loop. We rode 100 miles round trip on Saturday, going from Mineral Bluff, Georgia to Reliance, Tennessee and back. We repeated the ride on Sunday. The weather was cold and rainy on Saturday, and drier but colder on Sunday. It was a great treat to cross over and under other railcars on the high trestle. ROC participants included:

  • Karen and Danny Beck in their enclosed MT-19
  • Phil Gandy in his enclosed M-9, with Carey Boney
  • Jennifer Lang and Pete Wenk in Carey's enclosed MT-19
  • Tom Stallings in his posh A-6, with Phil Kennedy, Walt Rosenberger, and Andy Dingsor
  • Linda and Rick Tufts in their enclosed MT-19
  Click here for more than 100 photos.
  We thank excursion coordinator Bobby Moreman and his team at Atlanta Railcar Transportation for organizing the run. We also thank the host railroads Georgia Northeastern Railroad and CSX Transportation for permitting us to have the run.

• March 16-17, 2002:

  A few ROC members rode their cars this weekend at RS&N. Two cars rode on Saturday, a beautiful, warm spring day.

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Nanci and Andy Dingsor's open M-19
  Two other cars braved the weather on Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, on a gray overcast day.
  • John Cease's enclosed MT-19
  • Susan Cease's enclosed MT-19
  Joining them on their ride as guests were Jim & Janet Tweedy of Wilmington. They made two trips, encountering an occasional rain shower, but a fine time was had by all.

• April 6, 2002:

  A large group of ROC members rode five railcars this beautiful Saturday at RS&N. It turned out to be an exclusive pop car day, with all two-cycle Fairmonts.

  After the usual safety meeting, cars headed north from Red Springs into a stiff breeze. The track was clear, so no work was really required en route. After arriving in Parkton, the group enjoyed an all-you-can-eat lunch at the Methodist Church with salad, spaghetti, and home made deserts.

  Hugh Sterling has not been riding his enclosed M-19 much lately, so he sold it to Hollis Batchelor. Hollis is now the proud owner of two railcars. One is for good weather, and one is for bad.

  Today's cars:

  • Hollis Batchelor's new enclosed M-19, with Earl Barber
  • Carey Boney's open M-19
  • Phil Gandy's enclosed M-9, with Don Weimann
  • Tim Parnell's newly enclosed M-19, with his two daughters.
  • Rick Tufts' enclosed M-19, with Hugh Sterling.
  Thanks to Rick Tufts and Carey Boney for this report.

• April 21, 2002:

   This Sunday was "Debut Day" on the RS&N. John Cease brought his restored A-4 N&W Fairmont, a four cylinder Ford engine car. This was its first time out after a two year renovation. On board was wife Susan, Jim Tweedy,and Gus Tsinles. The car ran well all day long.

  The group met Tim Parnell in Parkton with the restored A-5, another four cylinder Ford. It was also the first time out for this car following an extended renovation. Tim's guest were Scott Cummings, Chief Pete Montiero and George Crumpler.

  Both "A" cars had difficulty trying to turn on the turntable. It was tough getting Tim's car back on the track. Both rode in reverse to Red Springs.

  Once there, Susan broke out a picnic lunch for the crew. They planned to make another run to Parkton later that afternoon.

  Cars on this clear and hot day:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • John Cease's restored A-4
  • Tim Parnell's restored A-5

  In community news, there was a fire in Parkton early Saturday morning. Three of the unoccupied store buildings across from the Parkton Depot were engulfed in flames, from the Corner Grocery towards the hardware store. It took eight volunteer fire departments to contain the flames to the three empty store fronts.

  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• April 27-28, 2002:

  This was the weekend of the annual "Rail Days" festival at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer. ROC members were invited to participate in the event. Several brought their railcars and placed them on static display. While there, members also got to tour the grounds and ride the trains.

  ROC member cars on display:

  • Bobby Jackson's open S-2
  • Robert Rhew's enclosed A-5
  • Rick Tufts' enclosed "Southern" MT-19
  Thanks to Rick Tufts for this report.

• May 4-5, 2002:

  A few cars ran on both days this weekend on the RS&N. On Saturday, two cars ran in a light rain. A covered car with curtains made the ride very nice. Earl Barber brought along a friend, Mr. Webb.

  • Hollis Batchelor's enclosed M-19
  • Earl Barber's enclosed M-19

  Sunday was a beautiful day for riding in three open cars. Phil Gandy brought along a friend, Don Weimann. The group arrived in Parkton just in time for the Volunteer Fire Department's annual fund raising dinner. Carey said it was a feast.

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Carey Boney's open M-19
  • Phil Gandy's open M-19
  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor and Carey Boney for this report.

• May 19, 2002:

  Four cars ran this Sunday in beautiful 70 degree weather. Carey brought his chainsaw and Hollis borrowed one from town, and they made work of clearing both trees. There was a large tree down across the track at the Mountaire chicken plant, and another one near Parkton just south of Church Street. Cars included:

  • Hollis Batchelor's enclosed M-19
  • Earl Barber's enclosed M-19

  Sunday was a beautiful day for riding in three open cars. Phil Gandy brought along a friend, Don Weimann. The group arrived in Parkton just in time for the Volunteer Fire Department's annual fund raising dinner. Carey said it was a feast.

  • Hollis Batchelor's enclosed M-19
  • Carey Boney's open M-19
  • Jennifer Lang and Pete Wenk in Carey's enclosed MT-19
  • Grace and Robert Rhew in their enclosed A-5
  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• June 1, 2002:

  Today was a light Saturday on the RS&N. Phil Gandy brought friend Bill Barrett from Florence, SC for a ride.

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Phil Gandy's open M-19

• June 15, 2002:

  Four cars ran this spectacular Saturday on the RS&N. Mild temperatures, low humidity, and a steady breeze made for great riding. Some cars even rode more than two laps. There were some breakdowns and a little towing action, but nothing out of the ordinary. The first car out stirred up a bunch of animals. A deer bolted across the tracks, a big owl lumbered down the tracks, and a bird with a nest in the ballast repeatedly feigned injury to distract us from the eggs. Andy Dingsor brought neighbor Ronnie Massengill from Durham, NC for a ride. Robert Rhew brought his daughter and son in law, Deb and Bob Lee from Lincoln County, NC. And Tim Parnell had a young friend out for a ride. In Parkton, we chatted with visitors from California; one of their relatives had been a railroad employee working in the Parkton Depot during its heyday. We hope to see them again.

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Andy Dingsor's open M-19
  • Tim Parnell's enclosed M-19
  • Robert Rhew's enclosed A-5

  Click here for some photos.