News-2017
News - 2017
Philadelphia Chapter Meeting - December 9, 2017
Fred Monsimer - West Philadelphia Station
...more at GATSME
...more at GATSME
The December 9, 2017 Chapter meeting was threatened with snow fall but members braved the weather and made it to Drexel Hill for another great afternoon. Below summarizes days events
MODELERS PRESENTATION
Members were encouraged to bring pictures or models of current projects and/or acquisitions. The meeting was not moderated. Special thanks to members Bill Lane and Frederick Monsimer, who both brought models of recent projects.
MODELERS PRESENTATION
Members were encouraged to bring pictures or models of current projects and/or acquisitions. The meeting was not moderated. Special thanks to members Bill Lane and Frederick Monsimer, who both brought models of recent projects.
CHAPTER BUSINESS MEETING (1pm)
The meeting included chapter officer nominations and voting for 2018 elected positions. The results are as follow:
- President - Steve StaffieriThe meeting included chapter officer nominations and voting for 2018 elected positions. The results are as follow:
- Vice President - Russell Polo
- Treasurer - Thomas Lavin
- Secretary - Frederick Monsimer
- Marketing & Sales Coordinator - Mark Cole
FEATURE PRESENTATION (1:30pm)
”Action Along the New York & Long Branch”
Presentation by Mitch Dakelman
Mitch Dakelman, always anticipated as our December feature, presented the New York & Long Branch. The NY & LB was operated with both Pennsylvania Railroad and Central Railroad of New Jersey trains. Mitch narrated a variety of images covering these eras, including many newly discovered pictures from the late Richard Forest, who loved photographing the NY&LB.
Philadelphia Chapter Meeting - October 21, 2017
The October 21, 2017 Chapter meeting was well attended. Below summarizes days events.
MODELERS PRESENTATION
“Prototype Modeling: Lessons from the Stifftown and Chestnut Hill Branches” Presentation by Ron Hoess
FEATURE PRESENTATION
“The Broker Crew” Presentation by Gordon Bond (Author of “Man Failure: The Story of New Jersey’s Deadliest train Wreck”)
On the drizzly evening of February 6, 1951, the Pennsylvania Railroad express passenger train known as “The Broker” derailed in Woodbridge, New Jersey, kill-ing 85 and injuring hundreds in what remains the state’s deadliest train wreck.
MODELERS PRESENTATION
“Prototype Modeling: Lessons from the Stifftown and Chestnut Hill Branches” Presentation by Ron Hoess
FEATURE PRESENTATION
“The Broker Crew” Presentation by Gordon Bond (Author of “Man Failure: The Story of New Jersey’s Deadliest train Wreck”)
On the drizzly evening of February 6, 1951, the Pennsylvania Railroad express passenger train known as “The Broker” derailed in Woodbridge, New Jersey, kill-ing 85 and injuring hundreds in what remains the state’s deadliest train wreck.
Historian and author Gordon Bond has written a comprehensive book about this tragedy, “Man Failure: The Story of New Jersey’s Deadliest Train Wreck.” The title reflects how, ultimately, the wreck was a consequence of what we today would call “human error”—what they called “man failure” in 1951. But who were these men? What were their careers like?
PRRT&HS 50th Annual Meeting
The 2018 Annual Meeting will be a four day event with an “optional” train trip leaving from 30th Street Station Philadelphia to Altoona. The train will leave on Wednesday May 9, 2018, returning on Sunday May 13, 2018 and will include a trip around Horseshoe Curve.
This trip will be restricted to 250 passengers and will be available thanks to the generosity of Bennett Levin and his equipment. More information will be available soon.
Our annual meeting location is the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona PA. Due to the size of local hotels we have “blocked” rooms at four locations. There will be shuttle buses, courtesy of the PRRT&HS, running to all three outside hotel locations, to and from the convention center. All hotels have handicapped rooms available.
We would advise making reservations ASAP as this annual meeting will be a record breaker! Naturally, other rooms are available outside of our PRRT&HS “block” but the special price will not be offered.
This trip will be restricted to 250 passengers and will be available thanks to the generosity of Bennett Levin and his equipment. More information will be available soon.
Our annual meeting location is the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona PA. Due to the size of local hotels we have “blocked” rooms at four locations. There will be shuttle buses, courtesy of the PRRT&HS, running to all three outside hotel locations, to and from the convention center. All hotels have handicapped rooms available.
We would advise making reservations ASAP as this annual meeting will be a record breaker! Naturally, other rooms are available outside of our PRRT&HS “block” but the special price will not be offered.
(1) Courtyard Marriott Altoona (814) 312-1800
PRRT&HS block is SOLD OUT!!
HOWEVER there are still up to 30 rooms for EACH NIGHT left at this hotel that is connected directly to the convention center, BUT the standard room rate will apply. This rate increases as the hotel reaches capacity. If you want the convenience of being able to just walk over to the convention center, it may be worth the extra money. If not one of the other three blocked hotels are still available.
(2) Holiday Inn Express (814) 693-1004 $124.00 +tax
This hotel is less than a block away and is only one year old.
Comp buffet breakfast. There are 40 rooms blocked until 4/09/18
(3) Altoona Grand Hotel (814) 946-1631 $80.00 +tax
This hotel is half a mile away and is the best bargain!
There are 50 rooms blocked until 4/09/18
(4) Hampton Inn (814) 941-3500 $129.00 +tax
Less than one mile away. Cracker Barrel and sports bar on location.
There are 30 rooms blocked until 4/11/18
Philadelphia Chapter Meeting - April 29, 2017
Modelers Meeting: “Pennsy Steam Locomotives”
Discussion topic covered any steam locomotive classes in PRR service. Attendees displayed and spoke about their scale models.
Ed Kline (right) discusses his Pennsy steam model
PRR M1b #6732
Feature Presentation: “Creative Commissions”
Presenter Michael Froio (Michael Froio Photography), a professional photographer, and Associate Professor at Drexel University, shared his “Creative Commissions” work with the Chapter membership and guests. Michael discussed how his original works (“From the Mainline: A Contemporary Survey of the Pennsylvania Railroad”) lead to commissioned work for contemporary railroads undertaking major infrastructure improvement projects. Michael further discussed the technical challenges, equipment, and logistics of the location-based work. Through previously unreleased images, videos and plenty of behind the scenes views, the presentation illustrated what was required to accomplish a cohesive and creative documentation of classic large-scale railroad engineering projects.
Philadelphia Chapter Meeting - February 11, 2017
Modelers Meeting: “GG1’s - Paint & Colors”
Discussions on GG1’s in its many paint schemes and colors over the years in PRR service. O, S and HO scales were displayed.
GG1 maker light (modified into a lamp) and
GG1number board, discussed by Paul Buckley.
GG1number board, discussed by Paul Buckley.
GG1 HO and O scale operating models
Feature Presentation: “Over The Hill and Around The Curve!”
John Kilbride presented the Pennsylvania Railroad's effort to conquer the Allegheny Mountains. Beginning with the building of the Allegheny Portage Railroad through pre-Norfolk Southern operations. Presentation displayed the Horseshoe Curve, over decades, and its many changes.
Presenter - John Kilbride