ROC News
2004 January - June

• January 3, 2004:

  Happy new year. We couldn't have asked for a better day to ride than today. A large group of ROC members came out. It was a crystal clear day to ride and do a little work too. We made Parkton around lunchtime. Some had snacks, some hand lunch at V's restaurant, and we all got to see CSX freight Q-405 blister through Parkton. It was a great day for riding. Some of us cut back low pine limbs and trimmed back brush and vines. Whew, we worked up a good sweat. It looks like MP 23-25 are the worst areas that I've seen on the Parkton side of Shannon. I hope everyone that came today had as good a time as I did.

  • Carey Boney' open M-19 with Bill Shepherd
  • Tom Stallings' MT-19 with Alton Riley
  • Rick Tufts' Southern M-19
  • Jim Tweedy's M-19 and wife Janet and Margaret Ruhge
  • John Cease's MT-19 and Forrest Ruhge, Kimberly Ruhge
  • Phil Gandy's M-9 with Bucky Elks
  • Ernest Haddocks' M-19 with Gerald Mitchum
  
  Thanks to Rick Tufts and Carey Boney for this report.

• February 21, 2004:

  Saturday, February 21, 2004, was a perfect day to run motorcars on the RS&N RR. Participants setting on at Red Springs were Hollis Batchelor in open M19, Ernest Haddock in cabbed M9, and Phil Gandy in open M19. Carey Boney set his open M19 on at Lumber Bridge. The RS&N A4 with gang trailer were stored on the siding at the aluminum extrusion plant. Jimmy and Barbara Hill from Cheraw came and rode with Ernest and Phil. Tim Parnell operated the A4.  

  Jimmy Cobb and others prepared a delicious BBQ lunch for the Lumber Bridge community at the old fire department building near the track. NC Dept of Commerce folks were on hand to present plans to return the RS&N RR back to usefullness for the area. Memberships in the RS&N Foundation were encouraged, with many new supporters signing up. I believe all RO-C members present made donations and became 2004 members of the RS&N Foundation.

  After the meal and presentation were done motorcar rides were offerred to those interested. The A4 and trailer were loaded and off they went to Parkton, with Carey close behind. Hollis headed back home soon after lunch. About the time the other two motorcars were about to leave, a TV news van drove up, the driver/reporter showing interest in our activities. She had intended to be there earlier in the day, but asked for and was granted interviews from RO-C and NC Commerce representatives. She set-up for a run-by video of the motorcars, and that was aired on the 11 0'clock news from Channel 13, Florence, SC. I'll bet Kingstree folks are wondering who the nice looking lady (Barbara Hill) is who was riding with Ernest!  

  We all enjoyed the day, and wish more of our RO-C friends could have come to enjoy with us.

  Click here for some photos by Jimmy Hill.

  Thanks to Phil Gandy for this report.

• March 6-7, 2004:

  Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7, 2004, were perfect days for the RS&N RR.

  On Saturday, Rick Tufts met with Carey Boney and Ernest Haddock at Lumber Bridge around 10:00am. They set on and Carey and Rick headed towards Parkton to do a little work, while Ernest and a guest headed to Red Springs. Carey followed Rick as they headed out. They ran in to a few larger limbs down along the line. They hacked and cut various limbs. Carey got ambushed by a reclusive and very aggressive briar bush! They motored on down to the long curve just about one mile out of Parkton to find a huge pine had fallen across the tracks. They cut and finally cleared the way. Then over to the big rail....just after that long curve crossing. They cut back many pine trees, undergrowth and bushes. Then the rain came. So, Carey headed back to Lumber Bridge, and Rick went on over to Parkton to grab a snack. He sat there for a while, and a little later Ernest came up just in time to catch a CSX freight blister through town. The sun came back out, so Rick spent more time cutting from the Hwy-71 crossing where the fire tower is, all the way to where Carey and Rick stopped...... where the big rail is. It looks pretty dog gone good, although there are a few spots which need more work. We had a great day. We got a lot done too.

  On Sunday, Hollis Batchelor, Jim Tweedy and John Cease rode and did some work on the RS&N. They cut a lot of pine and overhangings from just below Weldon Plant north and a couple further south that were "face slappers". The line looks pretty good now.

  Several people have requested we schedule a focused work day sometime in the near future, perhaps with each of us picking a specific section and really hitting it.  Sunday is best for some of the guys. Think about it.

  Thanks to Rick Tufts and John Cease for these reports.

• June 5, 2004:

  Four motorcars ran yesterday at RS&N:  Hollis' open M19, Carey's open M19, Ernest's M9, and Phil's open M19.  Buckey and Alana rode with Carey and Phil, respectively. Gerald Mitchum rode with Ernest.  All motorcars performed nicely.   A good time was enjoyed by all.  

   The morning was pleasant, partly cloudy, giving way to full sun the remainder of the day.  We had a nice run to Parkton, stopping occasionally to trim back small branches growing out over the rails.  Our previous work doing heaving cutting and trimming has proven most effective in making the track a joy to run on.  I think it is better now than it has ever been during  growing season since we began riding there.  We only made one lap to Parkton, dining trackside at mid-day, as  three CSX trains passed on the main line. 

  At the safety briefing prior to leaving Red Springs our EC, Carey Boney, emphasized the NARCOA requirement that all participants  must read, understand, and sign the NARCOA Agreement each and every time they come to RS&N.  Further,  in order that NARCOA Insurance apply during our activities, all motorcar operators must be NARCOA-certified, must have current NARCOA Insurance, and must be affiliated with Railcar Operators of the Carolinas (a NARCOA Affiliate). RO-C dues are $50 annually, or $20 per ride day.  We have a good relationship with property-owner Advancement Corporation, who expects RO-C, by contract, to protect them from all liability arising from our use of their track.  They are fully protected only if  we see to it all insurance requirements are met every day we ride.  Any motorcar operator who does not adhere to the above requirements will be considered a "bootlegger" and trespasser.  A Kentucky resident (NARCOA member) caught bootlegging twice on Georgia railroads has been convicted and has had his NARCOA riding privileges revoked for 5 years! 

  During recent road resurfacing projects in Robeson County, two grade crossings we use have had flangeways mostly filled with asphalt.  They are at NC 21, Lumber Bridge, and McNatt's Road, nearer Parkton.  Proceed through these crossings very carefully when you ride again.  

  Thanks to Phil Gandy for this report.