January 2007 Newsletter

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January 2003 Newsletter
July 2003 Newsletter
November 2003 Newsletter
January 2004 Newsletter
April 2004 Newsletter
November 2004 Newsletter
February 2006 Newsletter

A New Year’s greeting to all! We hope everyone has survived 2006 and the holiday season and also hope this Newsletter will bring you up to date with where things are here.

Gordon D. Cannon

In Memoriam

      While it has not been commonly known, our #200 windows line might not have gotten off the ground at all in 1986 had it not been for the enthusiastic participation of Gordon D. Cannon, founder of Cannon & Company. Having fought cancer for nearly a year, and convinced us all that he had beaten it, Gordon passed away on 11 October 2006 from pneumonia that his immune system, weakened by the effects of chemotherapy, simply could not handle. I had spoken with Gordon for almost an hour only the week before and was so pleased at how good he sounded and how much his enthusiasm was rebounding. Three days later an e-mail came advising that he had gone to the hospital for a check-up, had been admitted, but seemed stable. Further e-mails kept me posted. Though they were not alarming, suddenly he was gone. Life can be so fleeting. I was as unprepared for his loss as those whom he was with on a daily basis. Gordon not only worked with me on the design of our windows and many other parts but has been chiefly responsible for molding all of them except our #250 A/C duct. Like anyone who knew Gordon, I will really miss him. In particular I miss our many upbeat telephone conversations and frequent exchange of political humor. Gordon may be gone, but his spirit lives on with many of us.

Carrying On

     Arrangements have been made for Dave Hussey to take over and continue the Cannon & Company line. Dave and I have spoken about outside work and we both remain hopeful that he will be able to continue the molding work that Gordon had done for us. While most parts are in stock at this time, we are out of some and expect it will take a few months for Dave to get up to speed with everything. As those of you who know me can attest, I am reluctant to change the way something has been done unnecessarily. Thus I feel it is only fair to give Dave a chance rather than simply change to another source for our molding work at this time. Please bear with us as we try to rebuild the inventory of those few parts that are out of stock.  While Dave may be able to continue the molding that Gordy provided for us, we both realize that he will not be able to do any tool work for some time. Thus an effort is being made to find a new toolmaker closer to home. Gordy was ready to begin a replacement mold for our #211 5 ft. 6 in. Baggage Doors when his tumor was discovered. Our intent was to follow a new #211 mold up with an additional mold for two 4 ft. baggage doors in an 8 ft. opening as was common on many northeastern roads for both wood and steel cars. Plans were also in place for additional windows molds duplicating those of the #200 - #202 style for the Rivarossi cars but matching the newer Branchline and Walthers cars. These are sorely needed at this time, as we are well aware. 

Changes

     As it can be for most of us, my life can be effected by family decisions. Two and one half years ago my wife decided she needed to return to college to realize her full potential, a decision I fully supported. Little did I realize the full extent of the changes this would bring. For the last two and one half years I have been home largely only on weekends, trying to keep up with lawn care and other such regular chores and keeping orders filled, while working near my wife’s university. We have been living in graduate student housing during this period. Last year we realized it was just too much, especially with the time lost running back and forth. Thus we have sold my home of nearly twenty-five years and placed everything in storage….a lot of storage! We have a new mailing address, P.O. Box #5422, Essex Jct., VT 04543, which can be used for written orders and correspondence for which you might prefer mail rather than the internet. While we have also changes ISPs you can still reach us via e-mail to info@newenglandrail.com.

     Even with this major change, we are still in a state of flux. My wife should have her doctorate in May 2008 but has two four-month terms of clinical education commencing next September, at locations that have yet to be determined, beforehand. These locations can be almost anywhere in the U.S. Obviously things will have to be worked out to handle orders under circumstances that might not be the best during this time. Thus we are trying to learn at as early a date as possible where she will be for clinical education so that plans can be made for your orders to be filled in a timely manner. We will keep everyone posted as things develop. 

New Projects

     While work continues on several new projects here it has been learned from bitter experience over the past two to three years that every time a careful assessment is offered as to what will be completed and when I end up with egg on my face! Thus, in spite of several calls pleading for information, I am learning not to say anything. It is not that I wish to be uncooperative but, rather, that I am tired of doing the best to present accurate estimates and assessments only to be tripped up by things over which there is little control. I’m sorry but this is just the way things are. So we will hold off on any real “news” until things are in hand and ready to be shipped. Hopefully, there will be fewer disappointments for all of us this way. 

North American Milk Train Association

     Wholly aside from New England Rail, but perhaps of interest to some of you whose primary focus is passenger trains, I also am responsible for the North American Milk Train Association. This group was begun some two years ago as an outgrowth of The Pfaudlers display of milk train related items at the Amherst Railway Society’s largest in the U.S. train show at West Springfield, Mass. at the end of January or beginning of February each year. This year’s show is on 27 & 28 January and both the Pfaudlers and NAMTA will have some milk train related items on display. Owing to some issues with the earlier milk train group of Yahoo Groups on the Internet, our own group was begun last summer under NAMTA@Yahoogroups.com. It is quite small, but growing, and is targeted to those with a serious interest in historical research and an exchange of information on the subject rather than those who might rather just gossip. Over the past two years the group has held two annual Milktrain Meets. The first was a one-day event with displays, clinics, and a banquet in May of 2005. Last year we had a two-day meet that provided even more of the same and included a two and one-half hour tour of Vermont’s famous Cabot Co-operative Creamery. This was kindly arranged by Robert Davis, the retired president of the Cabot Co-op, who was also present as an invited guest and banquet speaker at our first meet. Last year’s meet also provided nearly 100 pages of handout material on highly sought after milk car and milk train material that is not readily available except to attendees or registrants. This year more of the same is planned for the weekend of 28 & 29 April in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. So if you have any interest in milk cars or milk trains in conjunction with your passenger train interest you made find NAMTA of interest as well. Should you have any questions about the group I would be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

This will update all for now. Happy New Year and happy model railroading for 2007!

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