ROC News
2002 July - December

• July 4, 2002:

  Four cars took part in today's Independence Day celebration in Parkton. This was the 41st year celebrating in Parkton. It was like a homecoming for the locals. Sally Cobb and friends had a table set up to register interested riders and solicit donations for the depot restoration. Railcars rode about one mile on the siding from downtown to where it joins CSX, then back. Heavy clouds came up about time the parade got started, but there was not much rain with them. Cars included:

  • Earl Barber's open S-2
  • Hollis Batchelor's covered M-19
  • Bobby Jackson's open S-2, with Scott Cummings
  • Tim Parnell's enclosed A-5
  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• July 20, 2002:

  Today was a light day at RS&N, with three cars and six riders. It got hot early, so after chainsawing one tree and digging out several dirt crossings we packed up after just one lap. Guests Sally and Jimmy Cobb from Parkton rode with Hollis and Andy, and Lee Beiersdorfer from Mooresville rode with Robert. Cars included:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Andy Dingsor's open M-19
  • Robert Rhew's enclosed A-5
  Click here for some photos.

• July 27, 2002:

  Today was a work day at RS&N. There was a great turnout, with seven cars and ten workers on this hot summer day. We spent all morning working on the line just north of Red Springs, clearing trees, saplings, and vines which were steadily encroaching on the track. Folks used a variety of tools, including weedwhackers with saw blades, chain saws and hedge clippers on poles, bush axes, and loppers. We then headed to Parkton, stopping wherever necessary to clear a fallen tree or limbs dangling close to the track. After a late lunch in Parkton, the group headed back to Red Springs to load up.

  During the safety meeting, Earl presented the new ROC Safety Plan to the group. It includes rules and regulations, maps of the railroad with crossing road names, lists of EMS units in each town, and several forms. Copies will be distributed to ROC members shortly.

  Cars included:

  • Earl Barber's open S-2
  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Carey Boney, in an MT-19 under restoration
  • Hugh Cain's enclosed MT-19, with Tommy Finch
  • Tim Parnell's enclosed M-19
  • Tom Stallings' A-6, with Julius Wooten and Andy Dingsor
  • Rick Tufts' enclosed MT-19
  Click here for some photos.

• August 3, 2002:

  Today was a light day at RS&N, with two cars and four riders. We rode two laps, doing light pruning along the way. It was a beautiful day, with crystal clear skies and moderate temperatures. Thomas Ashworth, from Jasper GA, came up to get his M-19, which had been restored by Carey. Carey rode with Thomas, explaining how to operate the car. Cars included:

  • Thomas Ashworth's enclosed M-19, with Carey Boney
  • Nanci and Andy Dingsor's open M-19
  Click here for some photos.

• August 10, 2002:

  Several ROC members hauled their railcars to West Virginia this weekend to ride on the South Branch Valley Railroad. This ride is famous for its five-mile run through a gorge along the south branch of the Potomac River. We saw several bald eagles in their nests and swooping through the gorge. The excursion started at the southern end of the railroad, in Petersburg, WV, and went 50 miles north to Green Springs, WV, where we turned for the ride south. On both legs of the trip, we enjoyed a "meet" with the Potomac Eagle excursion train at its station in Romney. This was the 14th year for the original railcar excursion on this railroad. The weather was perfect, the scenery was spectacular, and the track was smooth as silk. ROC participants included:

  • Susan and John Cease in their open A car under restoration
  • Nanci and Andy Dingsor in their open M-19
  • Jennifer Lang and Pete Wenk in their enclosed MT-19
  Click here for a large set of photos.
  We thank excursion coordinator John Gonder, the Ohio Valley Railcars team, and Wray Dudley for organizing the run. We also thank the South Branch Valley Railroad for permitting us to have the run on their railroad.

• September 1, 2002:

  CSX temporarily parked a string of empty freight cars on the RS&N last week. Hollis snapped a few photographs of the cars near Parkton. Click here for a few photos.
  

  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• September 7, 2002:

  Today was a perfect day for riding motorcars. It was yet another pop car day on the RS&N. Carey Boney's friend Charles Hilton from Granitesville, SC brought his newly refurbished M-19 for its first run. Cars included:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19 with guest Alton Riley from Ramseur, NC
  • Phil Gandy's open M-19 with guests Terry and Monica Hutchins from McColl, SC
  • Ernest Haddock's enclosed M-19 with guest Gerald Mitchum
  • Tim Parnell's enclosed M-19 with son Scott
  • Charles Hilton's enclosed M-19 with Carey Boney
  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• September 21-22, 2002:

  This was a light weekend on the RS&N. On Saturday, Carey Boney dug out crossings and removed a few trees. Gary and Dianne Poague from Columbus, NC rode with Carey. They learned about the hobby from Tom Falicon at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and came to Red Springs to learn more about the hobby. On Sunday, Tim Parnell combined business with pleasure by riding his car from Parkton to a board meeting at the school in Red Springs.
  

  Thanks to Carey Boney and Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• October 05, 2002:

  This was another light day on the RS&N. Earl Barber, with his S-2, and Hollis Batchelor, with his M-19, enjoyed a slow trip to Parkton and back. ROC's friend Don Weimann came along for a ride too. The day was perfect for railroading, without a cloud in the sky.
  

  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• October 19, 2002:

  Today was a beautiful day on the RS&N. Robert Rhew, with his A-5, and Carey Boney, with his M-19, enjoyed a leisurely day on the RS&N. Carey spent the day at the north end cutting limbs and trees way back. We should be able to do a lot more cutting with cooler weather approaching.
  

  Thanks to Carey Boney for this report.

• November 3, 2002:

  This was a great weekend to ride on the RS&N, with crisp and sunny weather. The Saturday crew enjoyed a good seafood dinner at Gore's afterwards. Saturday's cars:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • Phil Gandy's open M-19
  • Ernest Haddock's enclosed M-9 with guest Gerald Mitchum
  Sunday's car:
  • Rick Tufts' enclosed MT-19
  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor and Rick Tufts for this report.

• November 24, 2002:

  Today was a perfect day to ride on the RS&N. John Cease has been restoring an A4D4 car for several months. He brought it to RS&N again today. It is running better each time he brings it. Saturday's cars on two laps to Parkton and back:

  • Hollis Batchelor's open M-19
  • John Ceases' A4, with Jennifer Cease and Jim Tweedy.
  Thanks to Hollis Batchelor for this report.

• December 7-8, 2002:

  The RS&N Foundation held a fund-raiser this weekend by hosting passenger rides for the public. Several ROC member participated, there was a good turnout of riders, and a significant amount of money was raised. We plan to offer rides again next weekend, leaving from Red Springs on both days.
  

  Thanks to Rick Tufts for this report.