Ex-LIRR Alco RS-3 #1556
Back in 2000 just prior to the Twin Forks Chapter owning any of their own equipment, we approached the Railroad Museum of Long Island about a project. That project was the cosmetic restoration of ex-LIRR Alco RS-3 #1556. The chapter has been busy stripping and repainting the locomotive and continues to work on this project today.
This locomotive is the same #1556 that participated in the end of steam ceremony in October 1955 with sister RS-3 #1555 and G-5 steamers #35 and #39.
Work has not been easy, but that is not to say that it has not been extremely rewarding. The membership has worked on this locomotive in each of the four seasons braving the brutal Long Island summers and harsh Long Island winters. Yet through it all we have enjoyed this project thoroughly. The chapter wishes to acknowledge the following members who have worked on this project diligently and with pride!
Rich Gorddard
Phil Salice
John Thompson
Don Bender
Tom Bodowski
The next time you are out in Riverhead be sure to stop by and take a look at the work that we have done. Our members are proud of their work and we know that RMLI is extrememly satisfied with our efforts.
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| Twin Forks members pose after a job well done! |
Greenport Turntable
One of our earlier projects was the painting and beautification of the former Long Island Rail Road turntable located at the eastern terminus of the main line in Greenport.
The membership approached the Village of Greenport with the idea of beautifying the turntable area. At that time, the turntable was full of graffiti, uncared for, and an eyesore to the area. The members, with blessings from the village, scrapped off the old paint, applied new paint, relettered the turntable, and were even able to get the turntable to spin!
If you visit the Village of Greenport today and stop by the Railroad Museum of Long Islands' Greenport site, you will be able to visit this turntable, which is located just south of the former LIRR freight station and see the work we have done. The chapter wishes to thank the following members:
Rich Gorrdard
Frank Mastandrea
Tom Bodowski
Phil Salice
Gordon Prenner
Scott Eadie
And a special thank you to Bob Hauschild. Bob is one of our dedicated members who came all the way from his home in New London, Ct. and did the excellent job of lettering the turntable. Bob's extraordinary artistic talents ended up being the crown jewel of the entire project. Although every member worked extremely hard on the turntable, it was Bob's artistry that truly enabled the word "perfection" to be used in conjuntion with this project.
© 2010 Twin Forks Chapter National Railway Historical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
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