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

DECEMBER 2004 NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIV NUMBER 12

      It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us so swiftly again. It seems like it was only yesterday that the trees were in bloom and the August night locusts sang us a tune before we fell asleep. The hustle and bustle of our busy lives makes us seemingly oblivious to the movement of the calendar. Here's hoping the winter passes quickly and without event, with apologies to all you skiers and snowmobilers.

      The December membership meeting of the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians will be held on Wednesday night December 15 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Donations you put in the coffee can will pay for the spread of food and drink tended to by member Tom Scharpf. After the business portion of the meeting, Paul Carpenito will put on our annual events roundup in color slides taken during the course of 2004 with a few added vintage treats. Please keep in mind that this meeting is one week earlier than usual on account of the Christmas holiday week.

      I am very sad to inform you of the death of PRRH member Ralph Amendt, who passed away on November 24 at Warren Hospital. Ralph was 82 years young and resided in Stewartsville NJ. Meg and I had the pleasure of Ralph's acquaintance from the first time he set foot in the doorway of our Alpha Church meeting place. Ralph had a particular talent for weaving hook and latch rugs which he would cheerfully give us. We raffled off several of them to lucky members that now have a lasting memory of his handiwork. Although he would occasionally suffer setbacks, he had an unquenchable spirit for attending our meetings and made a point to tag along on field trips whenever his health would allow. Ralph loved conversation and I can attest to the fact that he always wanted to give us items of interest to the club. Ralph’s father, Peter Amendt, worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a mechanic. I'll never really know how much he knew about trains, but I detected that he loved to be around people. He made sure of that because he had already paid his dues for 2005. As we knew him, a man, modest and humble, we will truly miss him. Our sincere condolences go out to his family.

SEPTEMBER WORK HOURS REPORT by John Ward.

      September yielded another busy month for PRRH, highlighted by the September 12 Open House. Other work included museum maintenance, a Sept 27 PU Tower meeting, and work on grounds, track, painting, engine house cleaning, wood pile, flanger roof, and planning counting up to 188 on-site hours. 44 off-site hours for administrative and paper work added to a total of 232 September work hours and a yearly compilation of 1984 hours for this year, thus far.

OCTOBER

      In October, our warm weather started to leave us, as we recorded just 100 on-site hours in the following areas: the October 30 Pumpkin Fest train ride and other C&S and full size track work, including filling by the wall, firehouse cleaning, painting and flanger care. Monthly administrative and paper work added 36 off-site hours, for an October total of 136 work hours. Our 2004 accumulation of hours is 2120, to date.

      The November meeting closed the nominations for 2005 Director and Officer positions. The only position requiring an election ballot is one Director position for two years, 2005 and 2006. The two candidates are John Boner and Patrick Graham. All dues paying members should have received a separate mailing with instructions and a ballot with the two candidates. You were instructed to indicate your choice and return the ballot before the December meeting. All returned ballots will be counted at that time. The final mailbox sweep will be done at 6:45pm on the 15th.

NEWS SHORTS

• Steve's Cafe was the setting for a Veterans Day meeting of some retired area railroaders, many of whom worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The close proximity of the PRR yard to the Cafe was a factor in their making the establishment a frequent stop in their travels. Thus paved the way for owner Maryann Ignatz to invite them to return for a day of reminiscence about the railroads. Steve Winter and Pete Blaess attended the get-together and reported that a good time was had by all. Another meeting is planned for December 15 at 1:00pm.


• The Nazareth Area Society of Model Engineers has donated to us a vintage DL&W baggage wagon believed to be formerly used at the Portland PA Freight and passenger station. PRRH gratefully acknowledges NASME for this fine gift to our growing collection of railroad hardware.


• PRRH happily thanks member Herb Fischer for his recent $1000.00 donation and member Davis Palmer for kindly including an extra $100.00 with his membership renewal. We are extremely grateful to all of you who have given your confidence to us and opened up your purses to support our efforts. These gifts will become very apparent in the year ahead.


• Our C&S SANTA TRAIN will operate on Sunday December 12 from 1 to 4pm. Bring the kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and mothers-in-Iaw to ride the festive train. The little ones will receive hot cocoa and a gift while they last.

PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD HISTORIANS CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 12 ............................. CENTERVILLE & SOUTHWESTERN SANTA TRAIN 1 TO 4PM.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15 .................... MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7:30PM.

      The officers and Directors would like to wish all of you and your loved ones peace and joy this holiday season and health, happiness, and long life for 2005 and beyond.

Best Wishes for the
Holidays and for Health and Happiness
Throughout the Year

~ Paul Carpenito ~

PC/sdw

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