February 2001 Newsletter

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Phillipsburg Railroad Historians, Inc.
292 Chambers Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

FEBRUARY 2001 NEWSLETTER VOL. XI #2

Entertainment this month features:
To be announced.

THE PANGS of WINTER are upon us as we struggle our way looking for some sign of spring. Out my window the bird feeder is working overtime as my little feathered residents fatten up to keep their bellies warm and full. Over at the museum site, things are quiet under a mantle of newly fallen snow. Well, the grass will be nice and green this year and the local officials won' t be telling us how many times we can flush. In the not too distant future, the men of PRRH will be back to work getting the property in shape.

The February meeting of PRRH will be held on Wednesday night, February 28 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Refreshments will be served and entertainment will be provided after the business portion of the meeting.

Volunteer report bv: Ed Beers

In November and December, PRRH members contributed 90 manhours on weatherproofing buildings and rolling stock, track work and graffiti removal. Hours were also donated to fund raising, and writing, printing, and mailing the newsletter. North Jersey members and Bill McKelvey contributed 77 hours for full size track work Total hours for both months were 167 hours. In summary for the year 2000, there were 475.5 hours expended on Centerville and Southwestern track work. In all, PRRH members contributed 1484 hours. Non PRRH personnel contributed 305 hours for a grand yearly total of 1789 volunteer hours. All of these faithful volunteers are to be commended for a job well done.

The directors have identified a list of projects that are realistic and possible to complete during the 2001 operating season. Rebuild switch for use on C&S passing siding behind museum, Build C&S passing track for future passenger service, Initiate training session for C&S roster of engineers and conductors. Letter two C&S boxcars for realistic local railroads. Repaint seaboxes and coat roofs, and Early opening in the spring.

We are planning for several interesting events that will be held at times similar to last year. We will be having our annual banquet at Ryan's on March 31, Saturday night. Tickets will be available at the February meeting. This event was a fine experience last year and was attended by many including the fine local officials that have supported our cause so well. The food and entertainment was very good and a good time was had by all. If you have not experienced this event, please treat yourself to a night out. The cost per person is $22.00. We are also working on our second annual spring fantrip, this time we will be visiting the Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and perhaps another little surprise. We will keep you posted as this develops.

PRRH will proudly display at the Mother Seton show set for Sunday March 4 from 9 to 3:30. This is the premier train show in the state. We will need some staffing of the table so the other volunteers can attend to their own needs. Please plan to visit and support this fine event.

We may be getting some publicity in the near future in the West Essex area, the former home of the Centerville and Southwestern. One of the local newspapers has contacted us regarding a possible story.

We gratefully acknowledge the donation of $100.00 by Walter Appel and the anonymous donation of $200.00 to our organization by a silent member. You know who you are and we thank you.

I hope to see all of you at the meeting.

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/ab/sdw