September 2001 Newsletter

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

SEPTEMBER 2001 NEWSLETTER VOL. XI #9

Entertainment this month features:
Video by Ed Beers

It's hard for me to believe that summer's reign is about to end. As fleet-footed as a deer in flight, the season we most look forward to passes ever so swiftly and is reduced to a few memories and photos. We have some great events to help you usher fall into your schedule.

On Saturday September 22, the FRIENDS of the NJ TRANSPORTATION HERITAGE CENTER is hosting a members, family and public open house with their river and canal day at Phillipsburg. With no fee to attend, the event will be held from 9am to 5pm and will be based out of the pump house north of Route 22 on North Main Street also known as River Road / Route 621. There will be displays of various artifacts and video histories. See the steam pumping engine, antique buses and other items of historical significance saved from extinction and bound for permanent display. This is an opportunity for you to get a sneek-peek at items that will someday grace the interpretive theatre at the State Museum.

PRRH's FALL OPEN HOUSE will be held on Sunday September 30 at our museum site from 1Oam to 4pm. The Centerville & Southwestern RR will operate a full schedule and you can ride all day if you please. We have been adding stock all year to the gift shop with some neat books and videos that you can take home. We are arranging for some great related displays and the PS trolley 2651 will be available to tour. Our own equipment will have informative signage and you can check on the progress we have made on the CNJ caboose. Refreshments will be served and we have been furnished with a toilet and sink on the premises. The main event will be the planting and dedication of a tree in memory of Phillipsburg's former Mayor, the late Tom Corcoran. Tom was a true champion to our cause and was most helpful as a friend to PRPH. The concept of a tree was introduced by member Charley Bowlby at our August meeting, and it will provide shade for many years to our C&S passengers waiting to ride the train. Also planned for September 30 is the popular handcar rides brought to you courtesy of the VOLUNTEER RAILROADERS ASSOCIATION. Bill Pensyl will add a little color to the event with his fall plant sale courtesy of the Glen Summit Nurseries. Please bring family and friends for a great day out by the tracks. If you have never been to the museum, we will have our banner out by the road with some balloons to catch your eye. We are across the street from Joe's Steak Shop and directly next door to the Noto-Wyncoop Funeral Home.

Please don't forget the regular monthly membership meeting to be held on Wednesday September 26 at 7:3Opm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Refreshments are served this month courtesy of Pete Terp and Bill Pensyl. After business is completed, entertainment will be video by Ed Beers.

I wish to take this time to apologize for an omission last month when I credited the photo collection in the care of our archive caretaker Rick Glosser. This rare and precious material was made possible by the generosity of member Norm Cole. Norm photographed scenes of bygone rail subjects along with material from Tony Gallagher and material from the Hutchinson collection. Credit is due these three men for keeping railroads past alive for all of us "youngsters" to see. Many thanks go out to Herb Fischer for a donation of $250.00 to our operating account. We have also been blessed with a huge donation of glass case equipment and lighting along with plywood which will provide a huge boost to our image. This gift has been given to us by Will Jirole, a local business owner and resident of the Phillipsburg area. The toilet that we are now renting has been made possible by Jack Quinn, John Boner, Jim Mack, Pete Blaess, Bob Kirkpatrick, Bill Pensyl, Bob and Evelyn Bennington, Tom Marzuoli, Matt and Steve Winter, Rick Glosser, Louie Badolato, and Meg and Paul Carpenito. The porta-potty will be with us until October 3 courtesy Of the above names. We will work on some strategy to possibly provide this amenity for a six month period next year if at all affordably possible.

JULY MANPOWER REPORT by Ed Beers
In June, we had 13 members donating 171.5 hours at the site. These were for rolling stock restoration, C&S track work, weed wacking, open museum, and operation of the C&S on June 1O. Clerical hours were 18. Grand total for June were 189.5 hours. July hours were as follows: 21 members donated 412 manhours at the site. These were for caboose restoration, C&S track work, and operation. Also hours were given for the July 27 Olde Towne Festival. Clerical hours were Paul, Alan, Meg, and Jim for newsletter and mailing equal to 12 hours. Grand Total for July 2001-424 manhours. Year to date totals 1352.5 hours.

Many thanks to all of you who have provided support to this organization as we grow together. The Open Houses prove that all the hard work expended pays off in dividends of fun to all.

We avidly look forward to seeing you and family and friends at club events. September is going to be exciting for us.

See you all soon.

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/ab/sdw