Phillipsburg Railroad Historians, Inc.
PO Box 5104, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
www.prrh.org

July 2004 NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIV NUMBER 7

      A hearty greeting to all this fine summer as we have much to be thankful for. Unlike the last two summer droughts, we have green lawns, showpiece flowers, and no restrictions on water use. The lakes and tributaries look up to healthy levels and the fish are probably happy.

MARCH & APRIL VOLUNTEER REPORT by John Ward.
      We just got back from a great June field trip that fed the appetites of those members interested in learning more about the history of this fine land. I was impressed by what I didn't know about coal mining. PRRH members and friends spent a cool and comfortable day traveling north to Scranton, partaking of a ride deep into the recesses of the Lackawanna Coat Mine, being lowered by cable buggy into a different, dark, mysterious world of passages and veins of coal. Two excellent tour guides explained the workings of those men and boys from years ago, as they struggled to earn a meager living in a dangerous and unhealthy environment, unfit for man nor beast. We had to duck our heads more than once as we worked our way deeper into this strange world, ever thankful to come out into a summer world of light and warmth. I think we all returned to the bus wiser for the lessons we learned. On we pressed to the Electric City Trolley Museum where PRRH members flooded the former PSTC Red Arrow car #76 to capacity, somewhat overwhelming: the six unrelated riders into silent submission. This ride the five miles or so out to Montage Mountain unarguably has to be one of the premier rides you can get for your money. We left the City of Scranton amid street crossings and factory alleys, clanging across the busy thoroughfares as we forsook the cityscape for the Crown Ave. Tunnel, a one-mile wonder, lit up for all to relish and appreciate. Former abandoned right of ways of the Laurel Line and Erie Railroad have come back to life as we smoothly and effortlessly glided through the woods. I could almost hear the trees whisper, telling of the years past that crowds like us rode the interurban as a conveyance to the amusement parks and city shopping they loved so much in their time. Reaching the temporary end of track at Montage, our conductor reversed the trolley pole; then, hearing the reassuring panting of the air compressor, we effortlessly rolled back to the City. Many of our members tell me that the trolley ride was worth the trip alone. After we exited the tunnel, we ran slowly over the Roaring Brook curved trestle as many gasped while looking down at the rapids. After our members visited the trolley museum, we were on to Steamtown where we split our groups for a few hours, taking in a steam train ride through the complex, a shop tour behind the scenes, interpretive displays, rail car walk throughs, movies, and a gift shop. As we boarded the bus, I had arranged a little surprise as we entered the government lot across the way to find a Delaware Lackawanna RR vintage lash up of Alco diesels available for our perusal and photography. Many thanks go out to DL President David Monte Verde, General Manager Craig King, and Master Mechanic Don Colangelo for going out of their way on this busy regional railroad to perform an act of kindness to add to our day. Bidding goodbye to the City, we started our trek home on the highway, exiting for a little back roads tour of Gouldsboro, passing the restored station there, then paralleling the tracks east to Tobyhanna, getting a glimpse of the sprawling Tobyhanna Army Depot. Upon arriving at our final destination at Tobyhanna, we received a lecture in the continuing art of ice harvesting, viewing the hardware utilized in retrieving the slabs during the January harvest, and epitomized by a peek into the board and batten shed still yielding January ice for July food cooling. After an informal but satisfying meal at the Brookside Inn, we arrived home to Phillipsburg, more the better by what we had learned this fine June day. I cannot say enough for our tour guide all day, fellow PRRH member Dominic Keating. A powerhouse of knowledge, Dom answered many questions and provided the finest itinerancy we could ever hope for in our hunger for history. I wish to extend to Dominic our grateful thanks for giving his day for our benefit. I also wish to thank PRRH member and Trans Bridge coach operator Jim Danner for his excellence in delivery. Our trips have been faithfully driven by Jim with his knowledge and humor providing all the entertainment we experience between stops. I wish finally to thank Meg for her dedication in putting together the necessary details to make the trips go smoothly.

      Events seem to be playing leapfrog as we enjoyed two Open Houses within three week of each other. Members of PRRH, Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS, and the North Jersey Electric Railroad Historical Society combined forces to meet the challenge of mobilizing twice, once on June 20 Phillipsburg Railfan Day, then again at our summer Open House on July 11. There were so many of you that gave of your time I can only give a partial listing of whom I compiled as I lost one of my lists. Many thanks go out to Keith Muldowney, Tom Sharpfe, Charlie Bowlby, Pete Blaess, Pete Terp, Frank Sattler, Evelyn and Bob Bennington, Anne and John Boner, Glenn Terminelli, Earle Brotzman, Rich Frantz, Steve Winter, Pat Graham, Dale Anderson, Lou Badolato, Jim Mack, Meg and Paul Carpenito, Bob and Rob Hooper, John Trooicka, Tony Hall, Derek Long, Bob Marinelli, and Ed Beers. We had visits from Frank Eichenlaub, Sr. and Jr, with their four-part vehicle display by the Military Transport Association along with Col. John Dwyer and his restored vehicle. My apologies if I missed anyone's name. Weather was again, and incredibly, beautiful on both occasions as we gave our visitors some sight into preservation and restoration. Gift shop sales have been quite good this season as we reap the benefits of Sunday hours of operation. Director John Boner has put together a very useful and colorful handout map which we distributed to families on July 11 at the Susquehanna Steam train boarding site. This item has been deemed as a useful tool in getting first-time visitors acquainted with the three rail attractions in Town. Our volunteers distributed them to families getting off the steam train on July 11. As always, the members of this organization have provided quality and personal service to the public. You are all set apart as a well-oiled machine.

CENTERVILLE & SOUTHWESTERN RR NEWS

• C&S train service will operate for Olde Towne Festival on Friday night July 23 from 6 to 9pm.
• I am very pleased to tell you that the boxcar and reefer car lettering project is complete. We rolled out the CNJ boxcar and DL&W refrigerator car out onto the turntable spur for all to see on July 11. I observed some folks taking roster shots of these two fresh-paint gems.
• The Centerville & Southwestern video production, long awaited and wanted by many fans of Becker Farms, is complete and will be shown as entertainment at our July 28 meeting. This work, by professional producer and admitted Becker fan Dan Espy, is the culmination of three years of work and research. Dan wishes to give us a preview as a forum to the item becoming available for purchase and museum viewing. Do not miss this hour-long documentary, sure to strike a note into the hearts of many C&S fans.
• Perhaps the beginning of great things to come, I have entered negotiations with New Jersey Transit, Friends, and the Town of Phillipsburg to extend the Centerville & Southwestern to more than double its present length. Some issues need to be worked out as we chart a course to a long awaited extension of our popular train ride.
• The biggest threat to C&S train operation had been our erosion issue caused by the slow collapse of the coal pocket walls. The earth decay had encroached to within two feet of the C&S mainline. The Town repaired the wall by replacing the embankment with nine foot pressure treated timbers and backfill. PRRH has taken the project one step further by increasing the height of the wall and ordering the installation of a four foot high cyclone fence to assure that intruders will stay away. The project is now complete, the fencing paid for by an anonymous donation.

      PRRH and the Centerville & Southwestern are mentioned in the newly established official Phillipsburg Town Website along with the other two rail attractions. You can find it at phillipsburgnj.org. We have joined the downtown association and will have an advertisement on the new Market St. sign to be constructed later this year.

      The temporary roof repair to the L&HR flanger is nearly complete with the plywood raised roof in place. The installation of rolled roofing paper will be done soon. Track work installation continues with Tuesday work session involved with the construction of a switch.

      PRRH thanks those who have devoted their time to staffing the building this season. We wish to thank Rich Frantz for bringing a mountain of crushed cans to the salvage center, realizing a $36.00 profit for the group. We received another $30.00 check as restitution for the caboose fire.

      Please plan to attend our third PRRH picnic to be held on Sunday August 29 starting at 11:00am at the small pavilion of Hugh Moore Canal Park. This event will be dedicated to the memory of our deceased brother, Ed Meyers. PRRH will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs along with the condiments, salads and cake. You can bring along your favorite non-alcoholic beverages. We are near the canal and the busy Norfolk Southern mainline.

      The PRRH membership meeting will be held on Wednesday night July 28 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Rocky Rockafellow and Glenn Terminelli. After the business portion of the meeting, entertainment will be provided by Dan Espy with his premier video production showing of the CENTERVILLE & SOUTHWESTERN RR.

      I look forward to seeing you at our meeting. This will be a good one. Don't miss it.

~ Paul M. Carpenito ~

PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD HISTORIANS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday night July 23 ------------------------- Olde Towne Fest / C&S train rides 6 to 9pm.
Wednesday July 28 ------------------------- Membership meeting 7:30pm.
Sunday August 29 --------------------------- Picnic at Hugh Moore Canal Park starts 11:00am
Sunday September 12 --------------------- PRRH Fall Open House.

PRRH MEMBERS AND GUESTS STOP FOR THEIR PORTRAIT AT THE STEAMTOWN PLATFORM AFTER AN EXHILARATING RIDE TO MONTAGE MOUNTAIN BY TROLLEY ON SUNDAY JUNE 13

PC/sdw

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