January 2002 Newsletter

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

JANUARY 2002 NEWSLETTER VOL. XII #1

Entertainment this month features:
To Be Announced

SUMMARY REPORT FOR YEAR 2001 TO
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

The year 2001 was a bittersweet period of time for the citizens of our great country. The nightmare of the final four months will live in our minds and in our future history books for generations to see and study. The knowledge of current event news will always visualize the day the world seemed to end. To say that good emanates from bad is illustrated in the new and renewed family values we are experiencing and in the new spiral towards religious conscienceless. Although it is sometimes difficult to lift the pall from what occurred on September 11, we begin our new year with a sense that we live in the greatest country in the world, founded and protected by the men and women who died for our freedom.

To my fellow members, the enthusiasm at PRRH has reached a new high. A dedicated band of volunteers brings our modest grounds to life time and again. Although we have curtailed our activities for the winter, we reflect back on a year past; filled with surprises and spilling with visitors that wanted to forget the bad and enjoy a train ride in the sun and fresh air. Some wanted to tell of long gone relatives who toiled on the railroad and earned the respect of their descendants. Six times this year, my friends, they had a chance to do just that. And they came in numbers unknown to our staff previously. Our modest advertising plan brought people to see what we are doing out back by the tracks.

So, what have we been doing out back by the tracks? Our museum building has been enhanced by a series of full vertical glass casing, donated by a kind local merchant. We now display tools and memorabilia of a past era, materials that would otherwise have been buried in some storage bin or, worse yet, sent to the dump. Certainly we have a long way to go. But consider how far we've come with this whole concept. I can't begin to tell you the material that lies in waiting for want of a place to properly show. Our gift shop now has a selection of respectable merchandise to sell, aimed at the family who wants to know more about local railroading. We now have open accounts with several large sources that offer current titles that blend in with our specific interests in local railroads. We are planning more hands-on experiences for the little visitors that want to push a train and play engineer.

Full-scale trackwork has moved along. Although slow and tedious work, we have managed to construct about eighty feet of track in the enginehouse, thanks in a big way to the North Jersey Electric Railroaders. We have leveled, ballasted, and tamped our north display track near the building along with properly aligning the track inside the building. This is difficult and time-consuming work, but we have the materials and resources to get the project done. PRRH will eventually create a double-track to single track junction outside the enginehouse and set up the concrete phone stall and color signal to properly enhance the location. We will be looking at getting concrete work done inside and provide electricity and lights. The generosity of our benefactors will play the greatest part in accomplishing these goals.

The Centerville and Southwestern Railroad was also the target of trackwork and maintenance, and we added a passing track just short of connecting it for lack of a working switch. We have since acquired a load of new switch ties and our goals of a working passing siding will be realized in 2002. The train can now be easily housed in the enginehouse as track was extended in and through the building.

Our restoration committee has been working on our CNJ wood caboose, replacing years of wear and weather woes. This year 2002 will be its centennial mark, and we hope to proudly display it in honor of its role in the shaping of rail transportation in this country. NJER has been carefully restoring its Public Service trolley 2651 in the enginehouse. They dutifully man the car during our Open Houses. We have jointly approved a deal this fall with the Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS to accept and house their rare and meticulously restored Chestnut Ridge Railroad Mack railbus. This gem will be maintained by them and eventually be available to run as a side attraction to our events.

In speaking of events, we began the practice of tri-yearly Open Houses. These events have caught on quite well for a first-time idea. We have managed to inject the addition of finely restored antique rubber-tired vehicles. The dedication and patience of some well meaning local owners has allowed the museum visitor a well-rounded look at ground

transportation and made new friends as well. We continue to look forward to their participation in the future. The Volunteer Railroaders Association has continually supported us with the arrival of railroad motor cars. These track speeders delight our visitors young and old, providing continuous free rides back and forth. They have even given us their donations in support of PRRH. Bill Pensyl and the cooperation and generosity of Glen Summit Nurseries have permitted two plant sales on our grounds and a portion of the receipts has been donated to the club. We also planted two ceremonial trees, one in May to celebrate our opening to the public and the dedication of PRRH's members. The other tree was dedicated to long time friend Tom Corcoran, who passed away during the year. Formerly the mayor of Phillipsburg, Tom was fond of our projects and always supported and helped us any way he could. A tree was dedicated to him during the fall Open House with his family in attendance. Glen Summit and Bill Pensyl were again instrumental in getting these trees to us. With the gift shop in operation and the snack counter as well, we are succeeding in getting the public's eye. I took a step back to watch the proceedings during one Open House. I was amazed at all the operation going on at one time. With the C&S ticket office in full swing and the crossing flashers ringing, I watched the dozens of guests at any given time milling about the property. Motor cars clanked back and forth and Norfolk Southern trains shook the ground and our lungs. Glancing down the track at the C&S disappearing into the enginehouse for a tour of the trolley and watching Earle Brotzman's circus trains whizzing by on the tables made me realize that the life of PRRH is its people, all great at what they do and my sense of thankfulness that these people can make it all happen.

We did shows for Olde Towne Festival, Pumpkin Festival Saturday, and an impromptu Santa Claus train. We scored incredibly well with local patronage. This my fellow members, is an indication that the museum with the little train is here to stay.
We did a fantrip to Strasburg in May and a picnic in September. We are working on more of the same with plans under way for a very exciting field trip this year. Hope you can come.

Rick Glosser completed a photo scrapbook from the donated works of the Hutchinson/ Gallagher and Norm Cole collections, made possible by the kindness of Norm Cole.

And finally, this organization has received GOS for fiscal year 2001-2002 from the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission. They recognized our efforts with a $1386 grant for future General Operating Support. This will assist us in paying our bills and enable us to have toilet facilities for our members and guests.

And our future is strong. Ed Beers reports to us that 2136 hours were expended for volunteer labor. This "sweat equity" indicates that we, as a group, are alive and well. We received high praises at our annual banquet in early spring. And I listen to what our guests say to me. At our Christmas Santa train day, I had at least three families say to me that they were entirely surprised at the fact that our museum exists at this location. Some of those people were grandparents. They assured me that they would return.

We will someday upgrade and improve the museum. We are working to expand the right of way to lengthen the train ride. We will construct a viewing platform to observe train movements. The enginehouse will be heated and lit and the tracks completed. And we will certainly support efforts to save and rebuild PU Tower. PRRH is also firmly committed to support the efforts of FRIENDS, the URHS, and the movement towards the establishment of the NEW JERSEY STATE TRANSPORTATION AND HERITAGE MUSEUM.

Monthly News:

The January membership meeting of PRRH will be held at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night January 23 at 7:30pm. Refreshments will be provided by Jacqueline and Walter Mock. Entertainment will be announced.

During the December meeting, the membership vote was tabulated and our new elected director is Rocky Rockafellow, who takes on a two-year term. Congratulations, Rocky!

I am pleased to tell you we have given the church a Christmas offering of $300. Their kindness in allowing us to meet in a clean warm place is greatly appreciated by all.

I ask that you please consider paying your dues if you have not already done so.

I would like to acknowledge a generous donation to the restoration fund by member Davis Palmer.

We welcome new member Roger DiVittorio of Phillipsburg and Michael Beck, son of Dave Beck, from Mt. Bethel.

We regret to inform you of the loss of Walter Mock on December 31. Walter was a long-time railfan, very knowledgeable in eastern railroading. Walter and his wife Jacqueline had just joined PRRH last month and they were particularly fond of the saving of the Centerville & Southwestern.

I look forward to seeing some of you at the meeting. Happy and healthy New Year.

See you soon,

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/ab/sdw