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

AUGUST 2001 NEWSLETTER VOL. XI #8

As we sip a cool iced tea, we contemplate a summer that is flying by. It seems that we look so much forward to this great time of the year, yet it passes in a glance and a wink. We hope all of you are realizing your plans and keeping cool. We wish to remind you of our forthcoming membership meeting to be held on Wednesday night, August 22 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Refreshments will be served and entertainment will follow the business portion of the meeting. A video will be presented by Pete Blaess and Rick Glosser on Pennsylvania mainline steam in the twenty first century. You won't want to miss this one. The August goodies to eat are the courtesy of Rocky Rockafellow and Glenn Terminelli.

As I had mentioned in July's newsletter, the Open House of July 15 was a success to this organization. The Centerville & Southwestern handled 82 riders on its all day shuttle service to our enginehouse where an informative tour of Public Service trolley 2651 was given by Bob and Rob Hooper from the North Jersey Electric Railroaders. Complementary to this fine attraction was the operation of double-headed motor cars on standard gauge track by Frank Eichenlaub and Charles Smith of the Volunteer Railroaders Association. These kind men operated free rides to anyone whose curiosity beckoned them to peek into a motor car. They have indicated a willingness to participate again in September. Beautiful antique trucks were brought in for display by Bob Daumer and family from the Lehigh Valley Antique Truck Association who provided a beautiful Mack C style tractor and trailer and carrying a Mack 1938 fire pumper from Northampton Pa. Also attending was Bob Reimer of Reimer Brothers Fuel in Bangor Pa. Bob was kind to bring his well-kept International tractor cab and flat bed trailer. Our gift shop brought in record sales for the event and a great time was had by all. The weather made for an excellent day at the museum. To cap off a great July, the museum was open on the night of July 27, Friday, for Olde Town Festival. To everyone's utter astonishment, 130 riders bought tickets to ride the C&S. These two events could not be possible without the tremendous cooperation of those members who have given selflessly to the good of this club. Thanks go out to Jim Anderson, Louie Badolato, Ed Beers, Bob and Evelyn Bennington, Pete Blaess, John Boner, Charley Bowlby, Earle Brotzman, Paul and Meg Carpenito, Rick Glosser, Jim Mack, Bob Mantoni, Tom Marzuoli, Ed Meyers, Jim Murphy, Bill Pensyl, Jack Quinn, Budd Sauselein, Glenn Terminelli, Pete Terp, Steve, Matt and Becky Winter. We all certainly realize that public events that we hold could not be held without the cooperation of those who work them and also of the frequent volunteer hours put in as sweat labor to make our museum a pleasure to view. Our September 30 final Open House of the year promises to be a success as many previous participants have indicated a willingness to return.

Please also mark your calendar for the Second Annual PRRH Picnic to be held (or eaten, if you will) on Sunday September 9 at Hugh Moore Canal Park in South Easton starting at 11:00am. You know, you can eat, nap, chat, fish, watch trains, read a book, or play games in the shade and all you have to do is bring something. Meg has a list of stuff you might like to bring to make this picnic a fine one. You can see her at the August meeting or you could call her at 610-826-2580 and indicate what you will bring. We had a great time last year and saw lots of trains. NOTE: if you will be bringing soda or providing us with a cooler which we most appreciably need, you must get them to us by the August meeting Please plan to attend and make this club function a success.

Our curator of photos, Rick Glosser, has compiled a fine scrapbook of vintage photos from the Hutchinson and Gallagher collections which he would like you to see. The scrapbook is at the gift shop where you can gasp at the great bygone scenes of yesteryear. And speaking of gift shop; We are stocking new books of local historical significance along with photos, patches and PRRH clothing. Of particular interest, we have now three new videos made by members and available only at our location. Ed Beers offers a NORTHEAST RAILROAD SURVIVORS, a fine contemporary work of what you might find today to hallow the ghosts of the past that continue to exist. Ed' sharp lens skills are evident in this fine work. Also, you might want your own copy of NORFOLK SOUTHERN SNOW SCENES and TWILIGHT ON THE RAILS, a superb rendition of two mens' interpretation of railroading in winter weather and also what you might see while you're waiting for that elusive train movement. Pete Blaess and Rick Glosser really drive the point home on this incredible work. In RAILFANNING BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jim Mack went to British Columbia and will make you faint at the breathtaking views he captured while on vacation. With production assistance from Pete Blaess, you will learn of the original Canadian Pacific and its evolvement into today's modern CP Rail. Honestly, these three videos are as good as what I've seen in commercial production and are available at a fraction of what you might expect to pay elsewhere. Your purchase helps the club and is truly for a good cause.

We have a generous donation of a weedwacker from Jim Hudock, who has become a familiar face at our Open Houses, where his children have glued themselves to the C&S train ride. Thank you, Jim, for your support and kindness to our cause. The Winter family has donated a set of two way radios to the club for communication at Open Houses. Thank you, gentlemen. We now have efficient means of contacting any strategic operating person on the property.

Work progresses on the caboose and the Centerville & Southwestern passing siding. Work will soon commence on building a better track structure along the C&S, adjacent to the enginehouse. Plans are being finalized for the extension of full size track into the enginehouse. Work parties are held on Tuesday afternoons if you have some time to help out.

We regret to inform you of the passing of former Phillipsburg mayor, Tom Corcoran. PRRH has lost a great champion to our cause. Mr. Corcoran was most cooperative during his term in office and continued to support us afterward. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tom's family.

I hope to see you all at the meeting. Stay well and enjoy your summer.

See you all soon.

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/ab/sdw

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