Additionally,
a number of members volunteer their time to keep the organization
operating. NARCOA maintains a Motorcar Resource Library, which
includes Motorcar manuals, Advertisements and Company Literature.
There are over 1800 NARCOA members. NARCOA has the following
committees: Insurance - Judiciary - Safety and Rules - FRA and
Railroad Liaison - Nominations (Elections) Operations - legal
forms - Operator Certification Testing - Communications.
To
obtain membership information, visit the"How to join NARCOA"
page on this web site where you can download a membership form.
REQUIREMENT'S
FOR MEMBERSHIP - NONE. NARCOA welcomes everyone regardless
of race, religion, nationality, age or gender. Maintenance of
membership is subject to the standards of conduct found in the
rulebook. Motorcar operators must meet eligibility standards
as outlined in the by-laws. Unofficial: willingness to adhere
to safety rules, some mechanical ability to restore and maintain
your motorcar, and some knowledge of railroad operations.
SAFETY
RULES - NARCOA publishes a rulebook with motorcar requirements
and other common sense rules. A rulebook is sent to all new
members,
OPERATOR
CERTIFICATION - NARCOA has an operator certification test
which must be passed in order to be eligible to buy excursion
insurance. The test consists of questions about the rules found
in the rulebook. It is an open-book test designed to ensure
that members read and understand the rules. A certification
card is issued to members who pass the test. Instructions on
obtaining a certification card are sent to all new members.
INSURANCE PROGRAMS FOR NARCOA MEMBERS
- NARCOA has a 10 million-dollar excursion insurance policy
available for members. Current annual cost of the policy is
announced annually in the NOV/DEC issue of THE SETOFF.
There are two separate insurance programs available for NARCOA members. The first program is our Railroad Liability Insurance Program, and is required by NARCOA for a member to operate at a NARCOA insured excursion. The liability policy year is February 1, 2008 to February 1, 2009. Insurance applications are usually inserted in the November/December issue of The Setoff each year. Applications are normally accepted only through March 31st of each year for existing members. We make an attempt to allow new members to purchase insurance coverage after that date. Check with Tom Norman, the NARCOA Insurance Administrator. Application forms and information on the insurance program can be downloaded from the NARCOA website by clicking HERE.
Many NARCOA members participate in our second program and buy insurance to provide physical damage coverage for their motorcars. This program is entirely optional, and is up to the member to determine if it is appropriate for them. The insurance covers loss or damage to our railroad rolling stock (motorcars) and also covers hyrail vehicles with one exception. Hyrail coverage is in effect only while the vehicle is being operated on railroad tracks. Motorcars are not usually covered under the member’s homeowners or automobile insurance. It requires a special type of insurance coverage referred to as Commercial Inland Marine Insurance. This insurance has been provided by United Shortline Insurance Services. They will continue to offer this insurance directly to NARCOA members.
The policy year is March 31 through March 31. Insurance applications are usually inserted in the March/April issue of The Setoff each year. Click HERE for an application.
United Shortline has provided a list of Frequently Asked Questions received in the past about the inland marine coverage:
1. Can a member insure a car for more than $20,000? Values exceeding member limits of $20,000 may be submitted for underwriter and NARCOA approval.
2. Can a member insure a Hi-rail vehicle? Coverage for Hi-rail vehicles is offered again this year but it is only in effect while the vehicle is being operated on railroad tracks.
3. Is this “24 hour” coverage? Coverage is in effect while being hauled, stored or used in an event.
4. Are trailers covered? Trailers are not covered since they are licensed for roadway use and should be listed on an automobile liability policy.
5. Can a member insure their motorcar for less than it is actually valued? You must be sure to insure your motorcar to its correct value or the company may discount any claim settlement due to a value discrepancy.
6. Are communication devices covered? Your communication items are covered if they are permanently installed.
7. Why don’t members receive an actual policy? Mr. Tom Norman, your insurance administrator, holds the master policy for your organization. Our office sends the member a certificate of insurance only as a way to keep your costs down.
STATE
LAWS - In general, motor vehicle laws exempt rail vehicles,
such as motorcars. It is legal to operate in city streets (with
rails) without vehicle registration or state license. Some states
have adopted the NARCOA rulebook for excursions on state-owned
railroads.
RAILROAD
CROSSINGS - NARCOA rules require that MOTORCARS YIELD TO
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. It is foolish to think that automobiles will
stop for a motorcar horn when they sometimes don't stop for
trains.
EXCURSION
NOTIFICATION - There are three ways to find out about excursions.
Our bimonthly publication, THE SETOFF, Flyers sent by mail to
members and The NARCOA web site. http://www.narcoa.org
FEES
FOR MOTORCAR EXCURSIONS - The amount can vary according
to the cost of putting on an excursion. Some railroads charge
a fixed fee for each car, and some require railroad employees
to act as pilots etc., whose salaries have to be paid. Cost
can be s$10.00 to $150.00 per run or more. The length of runs
can be as little as 10 miles to 800 miles (one way)
RIDING
ON CARS - Motorcar excursions are for owners to operate
their cars. (Paid riders are not allowed especially on tourist
lines, which don't expect to lose revenue to us.) Motorcar operators,
at their option, sometimes let friends or others ride along.
BREAKDOWNS
AT EXCURSIONS - If a motorcar stops running during a meet
the "five minute rule" may be invoked. The operator has five
minutes to get his car running before being towed. Where we
are scheduled to meet a train, a car may be towed immediately.
Those attending the excursion are notified of the rules in effect
at the pre-run safety meeting.
GETTING
MOTORCARS TO EXCURSIONS - Trailers are the most popular
way to move a motorcar. Snowmobile trailers. Utility trailers,
and boat trailers can be adapted. Trailers have been homemade
and several members sell purpose built motorcar trailers.
WHERE
AND HOW TO BUY MOTORCARS - The pages of THE SETOFF have
a large list of motorcars for sale. The NARCOA web page also
has a for-sale section. My advice: Buy the most complete car
you can in the best mechanical condition. The parts from Fairmont
are very expensive. Parts for other makes of motorcars are mostly
nonexistent and usually have to be fabricated. In the end you
will spend a lot more money on an incomplete motorcar.
WHAT
TO PAY FOR A MOTORCAR - The price depends on condition and
desirability. As the demand increases, due to NARCOA providing
opportunities for their use, motorcar prices are steadily rising.
The range for a decent car is from $2,500 to $10,000.
PARTS
FOR MOTORCARS - Fairmont supplies parts for their cars but
lately have been discontinuing a lot of parts for less popular
applications (the profit motive). Fairmont has a minimum order
amount of $50.00. Some members make after-market parts. Other
members have bought out railroad stocks of repair parts and
have them available.
HANDCARS
- NARCOA members have interests in Velocipedes, rail bikes,
and hand pump cars. Special meets for these vehicles are held.
Since handcars are rare, expensive, and hard to find, a number
of members have constructed their own. Plans are available.
THE
ATMOSPHERE AT EXCURSIONS - You will meet people from all
walks of life. You will see families. There will be friends
who met through this hobby greeting each other. You won't see
alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs. Their possession will
get you booted off the railroad and out of NARCOA.
MOTORCAR
INSPECTIONS - The motorcar owner is responsible for meeting
standards outlined in the rules and proper maintenance of the
motorcar. Equipment inspections take place at many meets. Serious
safety defects are extremely rare because of frequent inspections
and owner vigilance.
BEHAVIOR
AT EXCURSIONS - Maintaining a good safety record is necessary
to continue operating on railroads. This not only includes operation
of motorcars, but behavior around operating trains, trestles
and structures. Good behavior extends to not stealing railroad
property and not throwing trash on the right-of-way or private
property. We operate because of the trust that railroad management
has in us. This trust has come through professional behavior
and goodwill developed over many years
THE
SETOFF - (the official publication of NARCOA) The Setoff
is published six times per year. It has club news, technical
articles, safety tips, trip reports, want ads, and upcoming
excursions. Back issues of THE SETOFF are available at $2 ea.
Send for a list. NARCOA. P.O. Box 802, Lock Haven, PA 17745
MOTORCAR
BUILDERS AND TYPES - 5 main companies and several dozen
smaller companies manufactured motorcars.
Fairbanks
Morse: F-M bought Sheffield in the 1920's and manufactured motorcars
at Three Rivers, Michigan until selling their motorcar interests
to Fairmont in 1955. Fairmont supplied F-M replacement parts
for a short time. F-M is now a part of Colt Industries.
Buda:
Built motorcars in Harvey, Illinois until the late 1940's. They
then concentrated on truck and tractor engines.
Northwestern
Motors: Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin stopped production
of motorcars in the late 1950's and sold their parts stock to
Fairmont who supplied them for several more years.
Kalamazoo
of Kalamazoo, Michigan sold their motorcar business to Tamper
in the 1960's. Tamper produced an unsuccessful line of motorcars
for a short time. Tamper is now part
of Harsco Industries of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Fairmont
Railway Motors of Fairmont, Minnesota was the largest and most
successful motorcar manufacturer. Motorcars are now a minor
part of the business. They still supply parts. The company is
owned by Harsco Industries and has been merged with Tarnper.
There were three different types of cars built.
INSPECTION
CARS for light maintenance weighed from 600 to 1,000 pounds
and could transport 2 to 4 people. 1 or 2 cylinder engines powered
them.
SECTION
CARS transported 6 man section crews and weigh 800 to 1,000
pounds. Same engines as inspection cars.
GANG
CARS were used for transporting work gangs of up to 100 men.
They could pull trailer cars loaded with tools and men. They
weigh from 1,500 to 5,000 lbs. and are powered by 4. 6, or 8
cylinder engines.
