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

NOVEMBER 2004 NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIV NUMBER 11

      Again, we reach that time of the year when our thoughts turn to the ensuing cold months. We prepare our cars, our homes, and start thinking about our Christmas plans. We put away the air conditioner and seal up the windows. With the rising cost of fuel biting away at us, we may have to think about cutting back on our travel plans next year. If you've been a part of the PRRH supporters this year, you already know that you can have some fun close to home. This past year has been one of great emotion to the group, with much accomplished, and the hopes of a great year ahead. One of the things that keeps this group up and alive is the never ending chain of news of railroading and of the accomplishments the Town of Phillipsburg. This year was a time of accomplishment for all of us that have worked so hard to make this community on the Delaware known to tourists as a place steeped in railroad history. We look with great hopes to the year ahead.

      The November membership meeting will be held on Wednesday November 17 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Please keep in mind that this meeting is one week earlier than usual on account of the Thanksgiving holiday week. Refreshments will come to you courtesy of Earle Brotzman and Meg and Paul Carpenito. After the business portion of the meeting, quality entertainment will be featured.

      Speaking of business at hand, election nominations for 2005 Officer positions began with the October Directors and membership meetings. The nominations will continue during the November meeting where your choices will be heard. Your presence at the meeting is mandatory in order for you to nominate. The positions and their nominees are as follows.

President		Paul Carpenito
Vice President		Jim Mack
Secretary		Steve Winter
Treasurer		Meg Carpenito

One Directors position is renewable for 2005. The nominees are John Boner and Patrick Graham. After the nominations are complete for November, the election process will be conducted at the December meeting.

CENTERVILLE & SOUTHWESTERN

      The Phillipsburg Pumpkin Fest was held on Saturday October 30. We established our usual participation in this event by operating the Centerville & Southwestern during the afternoon. We smashed all previous ridership records to the tune of 308 passengers carried. The train operation was conducted by Earle Brotzman, Lou Badolato, Glenn Terminelli, Bob Marinelli, Steve Winter and John Boner.

      We have received six original color slides of C&S train operations at Roseland depicting scenes at the terminal and out along the line. They were given to us by Stan Price from the Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers. They are from the original collection of the late Arthur Angst. On the same subject, the Black Diamond Society will be conducting their 38th annual Open House on the weekends of November 26, December 4, and January 8. Saturday and Sunday hours will be 2 to 5pm. For more info, call 610-867-2591 or 610-282-3802.They are located at 900 East Macada Road in Bethlehem.

      The Centerville & Southwestern has again been placed into work train service with the backfill project located along the coal pocket right of way. The ballast hopper is being used to transport the fill material donated to us by Baer Aggregates as it was dumped courtesy of Glenn Terminelli and his tractor trailer. This ongoing project will be accomplished over the winter, weather permitting.

NEWS SHORTS

•     The Tuesday equipment restoration crew have completed the re-roofing of the Lehigh and Hudson River flanger.


•     A Chambers Street firehouse tour was conducted recently as neighbor Bob Bartholemew brought in a tour group of active firefighters to show our leased historic property and lecture a history of events that related to life at the Reliance Fire Co. in the days gone by. Director John Boner participated in the event and monitored the evening.


•     In September, there were 188 hours on-site and 36 hours off-site for a total of 224 hours. Year-to-date total hours are 1976.


•     We are very pleased with the response to membership renewals for 2005 and thank the many members who have responded to our request by advancing their dues.


•     We received a check from the Warren County Courts for restitution toward the caboose fire. For the period April through October 2004, we've received $192.00.


•     John Ward has provided, on loan, five historic railroad encyclopedias that will become a part of our future library.


•     PRRH wishes to thank member Tom Scharpf who donated $100.00 in addition to his member dues.

PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD HISTORIANS CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
Wednesday November 17 .................. Membership meeting at 7:30pm.
Sunday December 12......................... Christmas Train on the Centerville & Southwestern 1 to 4pm.
Wednesday December 15 ................. Membership meeting at 7:30pm.

      I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with friends and families. It is my wish that you experience health and happiness and the realization that your organization is a bond of friendship that will never be erased.

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/sdw

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