LIN-WOOD SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS AT THE HOBO RR

Thankfully the weather held and the day just a little cloudy with mild temperature as Mike Goodin (Hobo RR Engineer/Conductor) along with Steve Taylor and Dick Hamilton of the Flying Yankee, and Lou Barker of the Rail Planning Div., NH-DOT greeted 29 Social Studies Students of Lin-Wood School, Teacher's Aide Bobbi Donahue, and their Social Studies Teacher,  Shaun Hagan.

 Mike Goodin began with the students in one of the Hobo passenger cars providing copies of rail maps of New Hampshire and general rail information for the Lincoln White Mountain area.

From there they walked down along the parked passenger cars to one of the many engines at the Hobo RR  as Mike explained various aspects of the workings and mechanics of trains and train maintenance.  Lou Barker and Mike  answered the many questions that the students had.  Lou also provided  Mr. Hagan with a copy of the 1890 Railroad Commissioner's Map to compare with current New Hampshire State Rail Map. 

 The class finished out the tour aboard the Flying Yankee with Steve Taylor, Richard Hamilton, and Lou Barker.  Each student was provided a folder with more local information and Flying  Yankee history, and a CD with Fritz Wetherbee aboard the Yankee.  Steve was able to go over some of the specifics of the unit but time was short and they had to get back to their other classes. 

It was obvious that the group was extremely interested, asked many questions of their own and some provided by Mr. Hagan, and took notes.  We were all impressed with this class, their demeanor, as well as their knowledge.   At some point the class will be writing an essay and the winning essay will be published in this newsletter.

LIN-WOOD SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS ATTENDANCE

Arpin-Meagher, Skyla;  Bourassa, Carter; Caulder, Sydney; Chase, Brianna; Danley, Kamryn; DeMeo, Sydney; Dovholuk, Oliver; Duncan, Connor; Erceg, Avion; Ford, Sara; Govoni, Hunter; Grawey, Angelica; Harris, Ryan; Hayes, Brooke; Marek, Kiley; Marion, Laney; McDermott, Michael; McDonald, Christa; O'Connor, Daniel; Partridge, Samel; Peck, Kaitlyn; Santos, Cassidy; Savoy, Natalee; Sawyer, Abbie; Shamberger, Samantha; Strangman, Nathankel; Vignart, Tyran; Wolowski, Michael.  Teacher, Shaun Hagan and Teacher's Aide Bobbi Donahue. 

 Marium Foster's Boston and Maine Railroad 1917-1958

For those who lived them, it's a treasury of memories.  For those who never experienced them, it's a virtual railroad experience.  It's the mid-20th century Boston and Maine Railroad years in southwest New Hampshire and surrounding areas presented through the black-and-white photography of Marium Foster, with supporting period photography of others.

B&M assistant ticket agent, freight cashier, and Fitchburg Division correspondent for the road's employee magazine, Foster became widely known all over the division.  Her photography, which supported her contributions to the magazine, transport us back to the way the railroad looked and operated in the mid-1900s, showing once familiar scenes along the railroad and everyday railroaders at work.  Her images chronicle a time when railroads honeycombed the New England landscape, the "railroad family" was a close-knit organization that made the trains run, and a railroad culture prevailed across the land.

More than just a book of train images, author Brad Blodget's captions provide insights into railroad history, B&M history and New England history.  Blodget also tells a fascinating story of Foster's life:  her early struggles growing up in West Swanzey, New Hampshire, struggles to hold her job with the railroad through the Depression years, and in later years as the railroad was besieged by fierce competition from trucks, automobiles, airlines, and the interstate highway system.  Her 41 year career with the B&M spanned an era of dramatic changes on the road.

While Foster photographed railroad scenes, it was rail employees that most captivated her.  The story of her life and the railroad she worked for, illustrated by over 250 great images, taken mostly by her, make this a truly unique railroad book.  Marium Foster's Boston and Maine Railroad is a must have students of New Hampshire and New England railroad history.

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For further information and/or to order this book contact:

Historical Society of Cheshire County, Kelley J. Manson

POBox 803, Keene, NH 03431

Tele:  603-352-1895    Fax:  603-352-9226

email:  dirop@hsccnh.org     www.hsccnh.org

Cost:  $24.95 + P&H

 STEAM ENGINES IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS 

  Steam Trains at Fabyans, New Hampshire

 Junction of White Mountains and Mount Washington

When I was a child, my Grandfather was a friend to the owner of Edaville Railroad, Carver, MA.  I was allowed to crawl all over the trains that were there.  I can not remember the mans name but he took me on the Flying Yankee and showed her to me.  She was locked at that time and no one was allowed to go into her.  This was at the beginning of my life as I think I was around five years old.  I am now going on 56, am disabled, and coming to the twilight years of my life.  When I moved here 8 years ago from CT I heard the Flying Yankee and it sparked an interest in me.  Since the Yankee was brought here, I have driven down to the end of the yard and peered into the tent like a small child looking at the circus at least once a month, winter, fall, and the other season (winter again) and looked at her.  The Flying Yankee has been a part of my life a long time, I only hope I live long enough to take a ride on her to close the full circle.  Thank you for what you are doing as you are making an old disabled Firefighter/EMT happy

NOTE:  Thank you Mr Ferland.  Please be assured we will be in touch with you again soon and provide a full and personal tour of the the Flying Yankee at your convenience this Spring if not sooner.  Please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email with any questions, stories,etc.  email:  flyingyankee@usa.net    Tele:  603-661-3317