Flying Yankee Restoration Group, Inc.
1935 A CHALLENGE WELL MET  -  2010 A CHALLENGE WE'LL MEET
 
Heard the other day.  Money is going to be appropriated to build "high speed" rail from St. Louis, MO. to Chicago, IL.  How great is this?  Did someone, somewhere, somehow forget that in 1935, and up to the time they were removed from service, the Flying Yankee and its counterparts had been "clocked" at 110 + MPH on track that was already there? 
 
NH State Seal As you all have heard by now, the State of New Hampshire Governor's Council has issued TE monies toward the weatherization of the Flying Yankee located at the P&L - Hobo Railroad, Lincoln, NH.  A very nice "treat" for Halloween.  Ben Clark of the P&L is the prime contractor and will be begin work this October, 2010.  Ben is working toward a weatherization completion date for this Spring at which time the tent covering will be removed permanently.  A couple of the Flying Yankee Board of Directors have been fortunate to be included in the discussions regarding this work, what needs to be done, proposed schedules, etc.  The Flying Yankee Board of Directors thanks all at DOT and Ben Clark for including us and we look forward to reporting to you throughout the Winter what is happening as the work progresses. 

The Flying Yankee Restoration Group would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers and volunteers from Lincoln Green, Plymouth Regional Senior Center, and RSVP & The Volunteer Center that attended the meeting held by Dick Towle in order to organize a volunteer "Conductor" group for public tours of the train.  Due to an extended work schedule for Dick Towle and other circumstances, the program got off to a shaky start.  Willis Merrill picked up quite a bit of the time and we are extremely grateful not only for his assistance but everyone else that has been a part of this operation.

 

As you all are aware, there will be extensive work going on this Winter with the hope of removing the covering early this Spring.  Ben Clark and his crew are working toward this end.  To all of you that will be participating in the Conductor program for 2011, and those of you who will be visiting the Flying Yankee and the Hobo Railroad in 2011, there will be a viable program in place.   

   HAVE A STORY TELL - HAVE A SPECIAL MEMORY - PLEASE TELL US               

WATCH THE NEWSLETTERS FOR MORE MEMORIES AND STORIES TO FOLLOW       

ONE COULD BE YOURS OR A FRIENDS                                          

 Pam W. writes the following memory - this is what she saw.

"My only memory of the Flying Yankee was seeing it mouldering in the train yard at Edaville in Carver, Mass., when I was a little girl.  It was kind of scary-looking, with its funny shape and windows - it seemed ghost-like and I remember feeling sorry for it.  Any train left to rot is sad to me so I was thrilled to see that someone had rescued the FY and it is now being restored.  Thank you for that!"

Thank you Pam from all of us for sending us your personal memory.




 The "other end" of the story received from Peter S.

"When I was seven or eight years old, my grandfather would take me by the hand and walk me about a mile from Woodfords corner station, in Portland, ME., to Union Station.  There we would watch the steam engines, with their consists, come and go.  We were there to see the Flying Yankee pull into the station, coming from Boston.  While we waited, I remember vividly, standing next to a northbound passenger train.  Steam Engine.  Feeling the heat radiating from the boiler.  The engineer asked me where I lived.  I told him that I was staying with my Grandparents, across from the Woodfords Corner Station and he asked if I would like a ride in the cab?

Now disappointment #1. My Grandfather, being a very conservative man, said no and that we were waiting for the Flying Yankee to come in.  We waited a short time longer.  Disappointment #2.  The Flying Yankee came "backing in", having turned on the wye for the return trip to Boston.  I never got to see the entire train.  I never got to see the entire Flying Yankee until many years later when it was returned to New Hampshire to undergo its restoration.  I am now 72 years old and still looking forward to the day when I can ride the most beautiful train I have ever seen."

Thank you also Peter for a great story.  It was a pleasure meeting you at the open house last weekend and we will make your wish come true.  Most of our crew is 72+ with the same goal.

 
 Flying Yankee Railfest 6/10.  Start of the Friday evening photo shoot and BBQ at the recently restored Ashland Railroad Station in Ashland, NH.  Ben Clark of the Plymouth & Lincoln - Hobo Railroad provided a special locomotive for this purpose and George Kenson (Engineer) donated his time to "drive" the engine up from their Meredith, NH Depot.  Jane Sawyer produced a wonderful spread for the BBQ and graciously escorted patrons through their beautifully restored  station.  Thank you Jane for all your hard but wonderful work.
 Saturday was spent at the Hobo with tours of the Flying Yankee, a beautiful lunch on the Hobo train along the "Pemi".  Lunch on the Hobo is individually ordered that day, called in to, and picked up at the Lafayette Dinner Train on the way out.  The trip through the woods and along the "Pemi" is quiet, reflective, and very enjoyable.  Upon return, we prepared for and boarded the Lafayette Dinner Train to enjoy a night time view along the "Pemi".  Here everyone was graciously treated to a five course, european style dinner that is the highlight ending to any day of playing "trains".   But, that was not quite the end.  Most went back to the Hobo for a night shoot with the Roger Williams, Suites Me Pullman, and of course the Flying Yankee.
 Sunday was a full day at Clark's Trading Post inspecting their equipment, a ride on their train only to be accosted by Wolfman, and back to the station.  Here you can roam around, go through many reconstructed old country style stores set in a "town square" atmosphere.  You can watch the trained bears or visit their museum.

Many thanks to all of you that have visited, toured, and donated to the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, Inc. in 2010.  Your visits, and emails as well as your donations mean alot to us as a group.  As we all trudge through this blighted economy, your interest feeds our interest and desire to forge onward for the glorious end result - the Flying Yankee again riding the rails of New England and/or the rest of the country as requested.

 

Two special tours were requested and made in September.  One was a group of GE Retirees wishing to view the "experimental" train that GE had a large part in producing.  Some had seen the Yankee when it was running and others had ridden it as well.  This was a fun tour and the Flying Yankee looks forward to fullfilling their dreams of it back on the rails.

 

A second group was through "Sugar Tours" that guide tours all over New England for people from all over the country.  Most of this group was aware of the Flying Yankee, some had seen her running, and others had also ridden her or had heard stories from friends/relatives that had.  Again, another very fun group, great stories, and we all learned alot.

 

If you have a group that would like a special tour or if you would like us to come to your meeting place, please give the office a call and we can arrange something.  The number at the office is:  603-661-3317.  The email address is: flyingyankee@usa.net.
Patricia Taylor
Flying Yankee Restoration Group, Inc.
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