For Those of You that Were Thinking of heading to BERA This weekend...

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IN ITS ENTIRETY:

 

-A large number of guest operators are already registered for Saturday. Therefore, if you were planning to go, go on Sunday 9/6, not on Saturday. If you go on Saturday there is a very real possibility there may not be time for you to operate a car.

 

-The cost to operate is $50. You must pay this as soon as you get there. Bring cash or credit card, IOU's are not an acceptable form of payment.

 

-Get there early. There is a limited amount of time and guest operator spots available during the day. If you go late you may not get to operate a car.

 

Rules

 

-Operating a Train: Be aware of surroundings and listen to your instructors at all costs. Remember that you are responsible for the lives of your passengers while you operate, even though you're "doing it for fun." When you take the controls you should be scared s***less of screwing up. NEVER get caught showing off for your friends. You will get the cord pulled on you if you are operating cavalier or dangerously

 

-Operating a BERA train is not like operating an NYCT Train: They aren't making any museum trains anymore. NYCT trains are run for efficiency and frequently maintained. Museum trains are run to minimize wear on the equipment and track, and are inspected periodically for safety. When they need to be serviced, it takes a long time, so keep the wear and tear to a minimum.

 

-BERA Track is NOT NYCT Track. It is museum track and it must be handled more gently. Listen to your instructors and go at the proper speed. Just because you've seen a subway train go a certain speed around a certain type of curve does not mean that is an acceptable speed at BERA.

 

-Listen to your instructors

 

-No Foam. The equipment at BERA is literally priceless and cannot be replaced. If you are going to change the signs fine but do not do that the whole day, and be gentle as you do it. Additionally, do NOT go into the operator's cabs when you are not operating the train, and DO NOT touch ANY of the switches in the cab or on/under the train as odds are you have no idea what they do and should not be playing with it. Leave that sort of thing to the operating crew. Stay off the roadbed, and out of the cabs (except when operating). Additionally stay out of the back of the yard and the shops as there is maintenance going on and you can be injured if you do not know what you are doing.

 

-Be polite to the crew. Thank them and stay out of their hair between runs. Not all of them are TA employees so do not bombard them with questions about where the latest R160s are going or what the latest car assignments will be.

 

So in Summary:

-Go on Sunday since there are still spots available (probably about 6-7).

-Listen to your instructors.

-Remember that you are at a museum, not in the subway. Treat the equipment with respect and operate respectfully of the line.

-Listen to your instructors.

-Remember that you are responsible for the lives of your passengers the second you get in that cab.

-Listen to your instructors.

-The only time you should be in the cab is when you are operating.

-You should never be on the tracks at any time except at designated crossings.

-Listen to your instructors, and be courteous to them.

-No foam, no bull***

 

Got it?

 

Please do NOT PM me with questions about this post. If you want to go we will see you there on Sunday but coordinate among yourselves like I said probably only about 7 people can operate.

 

And of course donations to the museum are always welcome as well...

[Far Rock Depot 1,289]

im sorry to ask, but what is BERA?

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

im sorry to ask, but what is BERA?

 

BERA = "Branford" = "Shore Line Trolley Museum"

[LRG 216]

Thanks for the tips SubwayGuy!

[Dave160 24]

Crap and i'm going this Saturday too. Eh well i'll find other things to do at BERA.

[Y2Julio 206]

Remember, the only way to get to BERA from the train is by car. There is no bus.

[Amtrak7 427]

Remember, the only way to get to BERA from the train is by car. There is no bus.

 

Then what is this?

 

http://www.bera.org/directions.html#pubtran

 

Also, doesn't BERA track have catenary? Then how do they run the old third-rail equipped subway fleet?

[Y2Julio 206]

Then what is this?

 

http://www.bera.org/directions.html#pubtran

I've never seen any bus around when I go.

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

Then what is this?

 

http://www.bera.org/directions.html#pubtran

 

LOL if you want to do that walk fine be my guest but it's a long walk from the bus and it's two buses and theres a lot of waiting involved.

 

The only efficient way is to take a cab from the train station. The bus will take a long time and those of you that are busfans will be reminded of the walk through Floyd Bennett Field to get to the Roadeo when you get off and have to walk all the way down to the musem...

[mark1447 685]

I got a question, even tho i wont be attendin.

 

To drive the R17, do you have to pay or sumin? If so how much and is there any requirments or sumin, like age? Just in case i ever head in future.

 

Thanks! =)

 

and gd rules Drew!

[Y2Julio 206]

I got a question, even tho i wont be attendin.

 

To drive the R17, do you have to pay or sumin? If so how much and is there any requirments or sumin, like age? Just in case i ever head in future.

 

Thanks! =)

 

and gd rules Drew!

Re-read Drew's post.

[mark1447 685]

Re-read Drew's post.

 

sry re-read. but wheres the age restrictions?

[LRG 216]

Yeah, I don't see anything on age restrictions either. I'm 17...what if I were to go there by myself? Would I be able to operate the equipment?

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

It's a grey area. My advice: Go with someone who is of age and behave yourselves and as long as your age is within reason (you are not extremely little) you will be fine...

[KNIGHTRIDER3:16 197]

Anything special going on for members ?

:cool: so how many peeps are goin anyway ?

Did you guys put that motor in ?

You guys have a great set up at BERA but one thing is left out for those who don't have a car , Shuttle van from the train station cuz as you said it's a walk .

[SevenEleven 2,399]

sry re-read. but wheres the age restrictions?

 

Yeah, I don't see anything on age restrictions either. I'm 17...what if I were to go there by myself? Would I be able to operate the equipment?

 

I emailed the coordinator back in June and he gave me this response:

 

The answers to your questions are as follows:

 

1. In order to become a Regular Member you must be 18 years old. In order to take the training class to become a qualified operator you must turn 18 during the year you take the training. Example: Training classes are held in March. If your 18th birthday were to fall in July you could take the class, but you would not be able to operate until your 18th birthday.

 

2. You can operate the subway cars or trolley cars at any age under the supervision of one of our qualified operators. That is part of the Guest Operator Program.

 

I hope I have answered your questions.

 

George T. Boucher

General Manager

Shore Line Trolley Museum

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

Exactly Seven Eleven. That's more or less what I posted...however it's a case by case "reasonable" thing. For example, if you are 8 years old and show up by yourself you will probably get told no...

 

It's a good bet to go with someone over 18 if you want to operate equipment. If you are close to 18 that won't be necessary.

 

The cost is $50 for the guest operator program, as I posted previously.

 

Hopefully that clears it up for anyone thinking of going on Sunday.

 

For KnightRider:

 

-We are still putting the power assembly together for the jacks for the arnine but have made a good deal of progress. We are hoping to get the car indoors soon and do the swap before the cold weather but we will see...depends on how many can help out and a bunch of other things.

-Nothing special going on for members, but members operate at reduced price while they are active members because in order to operate they no longer have to buy their membership again so it's $30 not $50 but your membership must be active (membership is good for the CALENDAR year, you will have to re-up in 2010).

-As for how many are going I have no idea, so far lrg said he's going Sunday and R160 Maniac said he's going on Saturday but not to operate (seriously there are a full slate of operators on Saturday so go on Sunday if you want to run cars)...that's all up to you guys, I'm not taking a part in that, just keep the number to about 7 or so and you should all get a chance to operate...just remember the rules in my first post and you will do fine and gain a new appreciation for what goes into moving a train.

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

On 2nd thought...please reply in this thread if you think you are going so that others can see if you're planning to go. Keep it to Seven or fewer...thanks...

Edited September 3, 2009 by SubwayGuy

[LRG 216]

On 2nd thought...please reply in this thread if you think you are going so that others can see if you're planning to go. Keep it to Seven or fewer...thanks...

 

So far:

lrg5784

 

Actually SubwayGuy, take me off the list...cuz I have school this weekend! :mad:

Aren't any events held on weekdays though?

[SubwayGuy 2,314]

Actually SubwayGuy, take me off the list...cuz I have school this weekend! :mad:

Aren't any events held on weekdays though?

 

Only with trolley cars and only during the summertime. Rapid transit cars only run on select weekends, or on other weekends but only by special appointment and for a nominal fee over and above the regular $50 cost.

Edited September 3, 2009 by SubwayGuy

[LRG 216]

Only with trolley cars and only during the summertime. Rapid transit cars only run on select weekends, or on other weekends but only by special appointment.

 

Okay thanks for the info, maybe next summer....

[KNIGHTRIDER3:16 197]

Thanks subway guy for the reply you guys at BERA are doing a great job over there with limited resources and just like to say thanks for keeping us up to date . Hopefully the R9 will be functioning soon .<R>

[INDman 412]

Thanks subway guy for the reply you guys at BERA are doing a great job over there with limited resources and just like to say thanks for keeping us up to date . Hopefully the R9 will be functioning soon .<R>

 

The R9 should be ready to roll by the start of next season. As Subwayguy said, the electrical work for the jacks is just about done and if we can get the motor work done before December, that would be great. Otherwise we have to wait until the spring, but baring any major disaster, she will roll again.

[Forest Glen 4]

I wish I knew about this in advance. Oh well, there's always next year. I can't wait to operate a train.