February 2003 Newsletter

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Phillipsburg Railroad Historians, Inc.
PO Box 5104, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

FEBRUARY 2003 NEWSLETTER VOL. XIII #2

Entertainment this month features: To Be Announced

As I sit here writing to you, my fellow members, I cannot help but daydream about what the weather used to be like with warm sunshine and chirping birds. Remembering the long days of early summer, I can recall our enjoyable seasonal Open Houses at the museum grounds with lots of conversation and the aroma of food across the park, wafting through the air. We can only hope for a quick return to those good old days, But I can, at least tell you that the Directors are looking forward to another year filled with progress and the promise of some good times.

My only source of consternation has been the inability of our state government to effectively move on the legislation to create the long awaited (and needed) transportation heritage center. It is discouraging to note that so much significant railroad and vehicular items are either put away in a safe and out of reach place or rotting away on a siding, unavailable as teaching tools to educate the millions of transportation aficionados willing, even, to pay to see them. We need to continue to write our lawmakers and tell them of our disappointment over the lack of concern they exhibit each time they delay the project. We have a list of people you can write to and can provide you with this list if you attend the meeting or by contacting us at our street address or email site.

One item of good news: The Town of Phillipsburg's revitalization plan received a boost recently from the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority when Commissioner Susan Bass Levin visited to announce a $400,000 award from DCA and a $210,000 award from NJRA for the redevelopment of the South Main Street area. The monies will go toward parking and streetscape improvements and the acquisition of the former CNJ and DL&W station building. The Town is also the recipient of a $26,000 grant from the Urban Enterprise Zone.

As we sail off into the year 2003, our projects will focus on three areas of work that we aim to significantly improve on:

1. CNJ caboose. To finish work on the end-sills, restore rails, grab-irons, etc. and make the roof and sides watertight. The north side paneling must be completed. Several holes in the roof need to be re-sealed and the cupola painted.

2. Full-size track work. To be able to continue meaningful preservation of PRRH's equipment, we must be able to access the beautiful engine house we built to shelter our equipment and provide respite to our dedicated volunteers. Track work will resume with the target of getting both tracks connected to the building before years end. As a side note, our L&HR flanger is the oldest and most significant piece of surviving equipment in NJ, and must be brought in out of the weather for evaluation.

3. Continuation of the museum building cleanout to facilitate its rebuilding and expansion of display area.

This is not to suggest that other needed items would go untouched. In the course of an operating year, we have accomplished much, as documented in last month's report. If you wish to volunteer some time to any of the above projects, or start one of your own, we would be delighted to hear from you. No offers reasonable will be refused.

The engine house electric project has progressed thanks to Earle Brotzman and Pete Terp with the initial work of panel box positioning completed.

Thanks go out to Jim Andersen for salvaging a mountain of collected cans for conversion to cash.

We would like to thank Walter Appel for a donation along with his renewal and also the Lehigh Valley Chapter for their continued monetary support to us.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER work hours report by John Ward.
November on-site work hours totaled 22.5, including the ARHS tour, refrigerator delivery and water and boiler system drainage at the firehouse. Off-site hours were 26.5, consisting of administrative and book work, giving a monthly total of 49 hours. In December, running the Santa Train, retrieval and repair of the baggage wagon wheel and firehouse light repair totaled 30.25 hours. The administrative and paperwork done off-site this month, including preparation of the annual report, added up to 34 hours, giving us an overall December count of 64.5 hours. TOTAL HOURS FOR 2003== 2792.75.

I would like to invite all PRRH members to participate in the annual banquet at Ryan's Parkside Restaurant on Saturday night, April 5 beginning at 6:30pm. We have continually enjoyed fine food and enjoyable conversation along with good human-interest entertainment. I cannot stress enough the good will that comes out of a relaxing gathering such as this. My only wish would be that more members would come and mingle. A good time is always had by those who attend. A form is enclosed with the newsletter for your dinner order.

Meg has been working on two fine field trips planned for this year. We will do a repeat of the Hudson Valley Flyer trip on Sunday May 18. As you may recall, this trip sold out immediately with two busloads, unprecedented in our history. We will first offer the ride to the long waiting list of those who were turned away last year by the rush of ticket sales. The second trip will be a blockbuster visit to the EAST BROAD TOP Railroad for a ride behind NARROW GAUGE STEAM and the afternoon spent with a trolley parade and ride at the ROCKHILL TROLLEY MUSEUM. We will announce full details on this Sunday June 15 Fathers Day trip in next month's newsletter. PRRH members will get first crack on this trip, so don't hesitate to order as these yearly field trips are selling well.

PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD HISTORIANS BULETIN BOARD
Our monthly membership meeting will be held on Wednesday February 26 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Food is being provided by John Boner and Lou Badolato. Entertainment will follow the business portion of the meeting. If inclement weather, call 908-859-1277 or 610-826-2580.

MOTHER SETON TRAIN SHOW, Clark NJ Sunday March 2. One of the finest train meets in the east. Buy, sell, swap all kinds of train material. PRRH needs one or two table volunteers. Opens 9:00am.

EASTRAIL 2003 on Saturday April 12, 2003 at Warren Hills Regional High School. Eastrail is an annual railroad slide, sound, and video production with presentations by some of the finest railroad historians. First show at 10:00am.

PRRH Spring Open House Sunday May 2. Details to follow.

We would like to welcome the following new members to our organization:

Louis Weinberg of Yonkers NY

John and Grace Millspaugh of Summit NJ

Frank Sattler of Bethlehem PA Also a member of Lehigh Valley Chapter.

MaryAnn Ignatz of Phillipsburg, owner of Steve's Cafe and member of local historical society.

Your 2003 dues are now overdue if you have not renewed. Your newsletter will stop coming to your mailbox if dues are not received by end of February.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/sdw