Rock River Valley Section

Would you or your company like to be a part of the ceromony??  We are looking for sponors to help us with some of the costs.  Below are some FAQ's 

Who is organizing the event:?
What is the Landmark About?
What is a gas-electric rail motorcar?
What is the Landmark Ceremony About?
Where is the Landmark Located?
Why are we soliciting  for support?
How many contributors do we have at the present time?
What do they get for their sponsorship?

Q: Who is organizing the event?
A:  ASME International – a professional association of mechanical engineers from around the world.

The Members of ASME sections (Chicago, Fox Valley, and Rock River Valley), ASME Region VI, ASME Rail Transportation Division, and the Mid-Continent Railway Museum made the initial identification and will host the dedication ceremony.

Q: What is the Landmark About?
A:   Mechanical Engineering Landmark status is granted to carefully selected engineered works that are significant to both society and to the mechanical engineering profession.  Nominations for Landmark status are reviewed and approved by an international committee of mechanical engineers.  Landmark status is not easily achieved.

The Great Northern 2313 – Montana Western 31 Gas-Electric Rail (MW31, for short) has been designated a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. MW 31 represents

·        A vital step in applying emerging on-board power generation and electric motor technology of the 1920s to the development of railcars and later diesel-electric locomotives

·        The first major use of the Dr Hermann Lemp control system – a single lever control system which allow steam locomotive engineers to easily adapt to the new technology

The oldest surviving equipment from the Electro-Motive Company, which as the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors, continues as one of the “big two” locomotive builders

Q: What is a gas-electric rail motorcar?
A: A self-propelled vehicle containing a “locomotive” portion, a baggage area, and a passenger area. The railcar was used in branchline service to economically replace the crew and equipment of a steam locomotive and a 1 or 2-car train. The engine drives a generator whose electrical output powers motors connected by gears to the axles

Q: What is the Landmark Ceremony About?
A: This ceremony introduces the Landmark and its significance to the General Public and the local media and presents the owners of the landmark with a plaque noting the designation.

The ASME International History and Heritage (H&H) committee has already accepted and approved the MW31 nomination for Landmark Status. The Plaque award ceremony is the final step completing the designation. A multi-page brochure, describing the landmark and its significance, is distributed at the plaque award ceremony and is also posted on the ASME H&H website.

Q: Where is the Landmark Located?
A: The GN 2313 – MW31 is located at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, located near North Freedom, WI. North Freedom is located about 45 miles NW of Madison, WI in the Baraboo-Wisconsin Dells tourist area.

Q: Why are we soliciting  for support?
A: The cost of hosting a public ceremony, such as the Landmark Plaque award presentation, includes costs for bringing honored guests (persons with direct experience working with the landmark) and providing for public comfort and convenience.

 All involved ASME units and the museum are contributing to the cost of the ceremony. However, the total expenses are beyond the resources of this no-profit entity because we wish to take this opportunity to provide additional information to the museum as well as receive information from them. We wish to make the ceremony educational. Although we are not funding the restoration of the MW31, we feel the research and information we provide will be beneficial to the cars’ restoration. Therefore, we are actively pursuing guest speakers with ensuing costs. The logistics of the outdoor display and tents to protect against weather conditions entail additional costs.  Additionally, we expect to provide meals to a number of honored guests, several of whom will be coming from locations throughout the United States, museum officials, ASME International officers, and the media.

Q: How many contributors do we have at the present time?
A: At the present time, in addition to the ASME units and the Mid-Continent Railway museum, two corporate sponsors have made contributions in support of the Plaque Award ceremony.

Q: What do they get for their sponsorship?
A: Their company logo, if provided for our publisher, will appear in the program for the Plaque Award ceremony.  Sponsors also have the option for the program to include a line of describing the sponsor’s business. If provided by the Company, a  sign will be displayed at the event. The program is expected to be scanned and stored on the ASME website.

 

Questions/comments please contact;
Tom Peterson  at petersona3@asme.org
Page Last updated: 03/11/2009