Mini-Rail Corporation
MINI-RAIL CORPORATION was formed on 13 May 1986 in Los Angeles, California by Lewis J Soibelman. Seymour F. Johnson served as the corporation's secretary.
History
From Chaski.org, posted by Dave Sclavi, 16 Oct 2004
- Back in the early eighties there was an origination called Mini Rails. I was a part of that and supported it as well. This movement was headed by none other then Seymour F. Johnson. We could not get it off the ground because the standards for wheels and track equipment and other related issues. No one could agree. No one wanted to change to the new STD so it fell through. Just think we would have had a real BLS or IBLS and an Insurance that could cover our railroads and our locomotives and in general a safer hobby for all.
From Gas Engine Magazine, Gerry Lestz, Editor, July/August 1986
- How are your safety regulations, and how is your liability insurance? With increasing numbers of people attending your shows and other special events, this is the time to tighten up and make sure everything is in order.
- Even the tightest safety precautions may prove vain if someone has a mind to claim damage or injury, because we are in a time when more and more suits are being brought and large verdicts are commonplace.
- You may want to know about the joint coverage obtained by the miniature railroad operating clubs of the U.S. They formed the Mini-Rail Corporation. Through it, they take out one policy for all clubs and each club in the plan is given a certificate of participation.
- The idea has enabled all clubs to (1) obtain insurance and (2) receive premiums which reduce costs by as much as ten times.
- We're getting in touch with the carrier of their policy and hope to report more about this in future issues.
- Many travelers are staying on the North American continent this summer, because of two main factors cheap gasoline here and terrorism abroad. Tell them about your attractions, and they'll want to see what you do!
Posted on Chaski.org by Steve Zuiderveen:
- Mini-Rail folded due to the vehement opposition of independent live steamers that they did not want any organization telling them what to do. This was shortly after Mini-Rail went for accreditation of standards under ANSI. Insurrance was one of the stated goals of Mini-Rail, however.
Standards
Wheel, Track and Coupler
ANSI Boiler Testing Procedure
In 1991 the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published a two-page document submitted by Mini-Rail Corporation entitled "Mini-rail Boiler Testing Procedure". ANSI was contacted on 24 April 2013 to request a copy of the document, but unfortunately they no longer provide the document.
The standard was adopted by the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers in 1998.
John Riba, NEOLS Secretary, graciously sent a copy of the Mini-Rail Boiler Testing Procedure.
Bibliography
- "Mini-Rail Notes - Wheel & Coupler Standards", Lewis Soibelman, Live Steam Magazine, Feb 1991
- "Mini-rail Boiler Testing Procedure", American National Standards Institute, 1991, 2 pages