|
|
|
 |
|
A DREAM REALIZED
The Flying Yankee recently received the following story from Mr. David Wallace, prompted by a planned guided tour for him and his family of the "Yankee". Thank you Mr. Wallace for all the kind words! Although some of the story is not 100% related to The Flying Yankee, we have decided to print it in its entirety as it nicely describes some of the surrounding attractions that our readers from "away" may not have been able to enjoy first hand, or be familiar with. For those of you that have not been able to visit us, the scenery here in The White Mountains is always beautiful, but in the Fall, it is particularly breathtaking when the foliage changes into its colorful wardrobe. Make plans to visit us, tour the "Yankee", ride the Hobo Railroad, and enjoy for yourself.
|
|
GETTING STARTED
We did it. After 73 years I saw the Flying Yankee again, along with 12 other Wallace family members who were seeing it for the first time. It was an outcome I would never have dreamed of as a 10 year old boy watching the Silver Streak whiz by as I stood by the railroad crossing in Plaistow, NH during several summers around 1938. (See story and pictures written by Dave Wallace in the March/April Flying Yankee Newsletter)
On August 12th, 2011 we gathered at the Franconia Inn, Franconia, NH for a three day weekend that was part of a vacation for the Honolulu Wallaces (son Gordon Wallace, wife Heidi Kuehnle and their sons Nathan and Jacob), and a mini-vacation for the rest of us (son Andrew, his wife Margaret, and their offspring Gillian, Leeanne, and Ian), our nephew David J. Wallace and wife Vickie, and my wife June and myself. The group had an age spread from 11 to 82 years old. The other Wallace related family (Susan Wallace Giuliano and Dave Giuliano and their two kids, Rachel and Tucker) living in Princeville, Kauii, HI, were not present, but our hope is they will have time to see the Flying Yankee when they are here sometime around the third week of September 2011. The first visit was so successful that perhaps some of those on the August visit will want to see it again at that time.
The Franconia Inn is about 25 minutes north of Lincoln and the Hobo Railroad where the Flying Yankee restoration is being carried out. Franconia is in the heart of the White Mountains on the western edge of the Presidential Range. The foothills and the mountains are nearly all forested with only swaths carved out for winter skiing. The numerous notches, flumes, and other features are well marked and mostly supervised by the NH Park Service. It is a huge tourist attraction throughout the seasons.
We arrived in three separate vehicles. June and I rode in Andrew's car with Heidi and Andy. Gordon drove his rented, sleek Chrysler Town and Country loaded with the cousins: Gillian; Leeanne; Nathan; Ian; and Jacob - a grouping planned for them to start getting to know one another once again. Dave and Vickie drove up from RI. They were the first to arrive. Margaret had to be at home Friday night but was to get an early start Saturday morning and planned to meet us at the train in Lincoln at 10:30. Gillian was leaving after seeing the train to attend a "concert" that night in Mansfield, MA. Everything else seemed stabile.
The Inn turned out to be the perfect place to stay. There was a "Cottage" that was separate from the main Inn that had a 5 person mini-apartment on the first floor and a 4 person mini-apartment on the 2nd floor that were just right for Andy's and Gordon's families respectively. Dave and Vickie, and June and I had smallish rooms in the Inn because the arrangements were made so late. The Inn had already served dinner but graciously provided us all with a marvelous banquet before we retired for the evening. Good food and drink was the right way to start the weekend. After a night's sleep in our quarters, we started Saturday with hearty breakfasts of our choice. Well nourished, we were able to leave for Lincoln at 10 and arrived at 10:30 to meet Margaret. Meeting the Flying Yankee for the first time, or for me - once again, was intended to be the highlight of our journey and we were not disappointed.
|
|
 THE FLYING YANKEE
The Hobo Railroad turned out to be a big deal tourist attraction. There was a very appealing collection of 20th Century rolling railroad equipment - a variety of passenger cars, caboose units, engines, a good replica of a station with covered platforms, and offering several rail rides of differing types and travel distances. We Wallaces assembled in the large parking area and then began to straggle toward the left covered station platform. We were met by Patricia Taylor, my friend whom I was meeting in person for the first time (with her was George Kenson, Railroad Engineer preparing to take out one of the Hobo excursion trains). Ours is a friendship developed over four months of correspondence about the Flying Yankee, my past association with it (FY March/April newsletter), and the on going restoration work. Patricia was very gracious as I introduced myself and then the collection of Wallaces, one after another, as they came onto the platform. We were all wondering where our train was. "Oh, it is over there" she said pointing beyond the Hobo trains, cabooses, and the end of the tracks. En mass we followed her.
There it was, a nose I would recognize anywhere. The front end of the Flying Yankee, just as I remembered it, peeking out from under a long tent-like covering, a cocoon, that extended the full length of the train's three articulated cars. I couldn't keep my hands from knocking on the stainless steel of the front and side as I passed them. The covering has been erected to protect the train and those doing the work for the period of the restoration. There was just four +/- feet clearance between the train and cover and seemed tight for the heavy equipment that was needed to do the work. Perhaps the sides could be opened up when needed although I didn't notice how that was or could be done.
This is when we first met Steve Taylor who became our wonderful guide for the next two hours. Steve is Vice Chairman for the Flying Yankee Restoration Group's Board of Directors. Patricia is his partner and has the title of Coordinator (although it seems to me she is a Communicator and Secretary to the whole effort as well). Both are volunteers spending most of their waking hours devoted to the FYRG it appeared to me. Combined they had a wealth of knowledge and we were overflowing with information when our tour ended. They were superb hosts to us Wallaces for our day at the train. |
Steve led us to the wooden ramp rising to the train floor level at a door toward the back of the first car. Suddenly, we were inside the Flying Yankee. This part of the car had passenger seating and was fully restored in the original rather austere art deco theme. What an improvement it must have been to passengers who knew only the coaches of the coal or wood burning trains that preceded it. The detail was notable particularly in the passenger seats. While not adjustable, they were at a comfortable incline and upholstered in a fashion of theater seating of the times. The arms were heavily padded with a thick black foam plastic kind of material. Nice for an armrest and, perhaps, even for a standing person to sit on from the aisle side while talking to someone seated. It was notable how a food tray could attach to the arm when delivered to a passenger's seat. There were also curious leftover details from earlier trains as in the luggage racks mounted high above the seating. However the over all impression was clean, lively, and very up to date for the times.
There was a passage way between small utility closets that led to the middle car which was also completely restored. The decor was the same as the seating area of the first car. We then moved on to the last car, the observation car which, fortunately did not yet have the finished surfaces installed. Thus the inside of the trains skin and the support structure could all be seen. It was built of light sections of stainless steel, all spot welded for a firm train body. The Yankee is ready for the installation and interior finish surfaces to be added. Once the HVAC, electrical wiring, and plumbing are completed ("under car" work), the Flying Yankee will be mounted on its wheels and on be put back on the track. The window detail throughout the train is an innovation that could only be realized with air conditioning. They are "streamline" sleek on the outside to reduce air flow resistance and on the inside were set smoothly and neatly into the wall. Window in the rear car are continuous toward and at the curved back end allowing a panoramic view from the lounge chairs located there. They must have been a structural feat to design and to build at the time.
The first car has even more work still to accomplish. The Diesel/Electric engine is yet to be installed a long with the various systems that will serve it. Steve told us how few conveniences were provided the train's engineer and how the quarters were cramped and the seat dreadfully hot in summer and miserably cold in the winter. One wonders how this came to be. In addition to the engineers space and the power system there will also be passengers, cabin seats, and finishes to be reinstalled.
 Steve and Patricia were with the thirteen of us as we roamed the three articulated cars explaining the way it was and the whole process of the continued restoration. There were videos running on monitors in each car donated by the FRA as well as many side conversations. The Wallaces were given a royal tour and it was greatly appreciated by all regardless of age. We thanked them and everyone involved in the effort. Over all, there were no disappointments for me. I have finally seen, after 73 years, how the interior was finished. It confirmed what an ingenious advance this train really was for 1935 and during the Great Depression. The first modern train in the world. There is still much work to be done and to do it, more donations and funding is needed. What is done is inspiring and that can go a long way in helping raise the cash.
|
|
THE REST OF THE DAY
We still felt the glow of the Flying Yankee as we walked away and toward the Hobo Railroad Station. The feeling was enhanced while walking by the passenger cars and engines on the multiple tracks paralleling the platforms. We were soon next to our cars in the parking lot saying goodbye to Gillian and hello to Leeanne since she had decided to stay with us now that Gillian had a friend to accompany her to the nights concert in Mansfield, MA.  There were conversations about what we were doing next. We needed a decision and finally it was made. We wanted more trains and this time it was the Cog Railraod to the top of Mt. Washington. Our route there took well over an hour through State Park Forest area. At 2:30 PM we had a late lunch in a restaurant at the foot of the mountain. Then onward to the Cog Railway and to the top of the Northeast's highest mountain.
We arrived at the Marshfield Base Station in time to board the 3:30PM train. We all gathered at the train entrance point and studied the cogs and the track to figure how it worked and waited for the train to clunk down the mountain. Once underway it took nearly an hour to reach the mountain top. There were things pointed out for us to watch as we ascended. Things like: a large water tank no longer used originally intended to supply water for steam engines; a sidetrack and switch system so that upward and downward trains can pass on the single track line; and lots of White Mountain views. Then we arrived. We had risen from 2700 feet to 6,288 feet above sea level. Wait, we  are not quite there. With Ian's help, Grandma and Grandpa struggled up the top of the big pile of stones that was the tippy top so Ian could take the photo for our 2011 Christmas Card - "The Old Man and The Old Lady of the Mountain". After poking around we all met at the "depot" to get the 5:30 train to the bottom. The distant mountains seemed higher and grander descending because of the downward slope of the car we were riding in.
Back at the Base Station there was some shopping to be done before we piled into the autos and headed for the Mt. Washington Hotel, formerly the historic Bretton Woods Hotel. Reported to have had a $60,000,000 renovation it looked slick at first glance. At second glance it looked as if another $20,000,000 might have finished the job properly. However, it had the trappings of elegance and its site would be hard to beat. We did a family pic on the garden roof of the restaurant. This is where Jacob found the artificial rose petals that had been strewn about during a wedding performed there earlier. It was a curiosity to him.
When asked which hotel they liked the best, the grandchildren gave the Franconia Inn a unanimous vote. My guess is the adults would have agreed if they had been canvassed. However, it was fun looking around and settling in the spacious lounge, enjoying the view, ordering snacks  and drinks, and just enjoying the ambiance as they say. They had a surprise for us, A FULL MOON RISING OVER THE MOUNTAIN. And there was a further surprise. A piano and cello concert right behind us in the lounge to send us on our way. Very pleasant indeed. With that, we headed back to our Franconia Inn tuckered out after a most memorable day. |
|
ANOTHER GOOD DAY
Sunday morning was as it should be. There were a few early birds eating breakfast at a week day hour and a larger number arising later and some later still. Inn breakfasts are really fine. The menu included: fresh fruit; cereals; omelets; pancakes; waffles; eggs benedict (you get the idea) - all served with choices of cooked, crispy, juicy, salty meats. Later some of us roamed the grounds, the stables, the pool, the gardens, the fields, and even the small airport with the gliders for hire (no takers).
Gradually the adults collected on the large screened porch with its wicker furniture. We had it to ourselves (the kids had movies back in the Cottage for their entertainment). It was a too rare family scene and great fun for all of us. Dave had brought an album of photos from his recent China visit. There was talk of the trip its purpose and lots of other family talk of the older kids (Andrew, Katie, Gillian were not present) of Sue and Dave and their anticipated coming east in September and so on. Best of all, the conversation went to next year's family gathering and dreaming of Scotland as the place to be. Memories of the Wallace/Feuer 1969 venture remained with many of us. Lots of fun.
The kids then joined us and it was decided it was time to get on with the day. The plan was that Gordon, Heidi, Nathan, and Jacob would stay at Franconia Inn another night. They and Andy et all would spend the afternoon going to the Flume. Andrew and Margaret, leeanne, and Ian would head home after that. June and I were riding home with Dave and Vickie. We were off then to Franconia Village to get food and be on our separate ways.
The end to a perfect and wonderful weekend.
|
|
Written by David Wallace for the Wallace Clan and their Family Reunion at the Flying Yankee at the Hobo Railroad, Lincoln, NH and the White Mountains in NH in August 2011. Thank you David for sharing this wonderful story and your memories. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
