News-2018
News - 2018
Chapter Meeting - December 8, 2018
The Philadelphia Chapter meeting was well attended, seventy-seven (77) members and guests!
Doors opened at 10:30am with holiday vendors greeting members and guests. There were excellent buys to be had.
The Modelers Meeting kicked off at 11:00am with chapter member Ron Hoess presenting. Topics covered modeling derailers, scratch building railroad car - coil steel covers and constructing photo laminate buildings.
The Dining Car opened at noon with the usual eats and camaraderie.
The Business Meeting began at 1:00pm and included the standard meeting reports to the membership. As we do every December the meeting concluded with chapter elections. This one was special with the Board and Membership honoring outgoing (8 year) President Steve Staffieri with a special plaque, cake, Chapter life membership and personal messages of thanks and gratitude for Steve's on wavering dedication to the Philadelphia Chapter PRRT&HS!
On a related note, membership elected and welcomed long time chapter member Gus Minardi as the new Philadelphia Chapter PRRT&HS President!
Other elected board positions remain unchanged as follows:
Marketing Director: Mark Cole
Secretary: Frederick Monsimer
Treasurer: Thomas Lavin
Vice President: Russell Polo
Other elected board positions remain unchanged as follows:
Marketing Director: Mark Cole
Secretary: Frederick Monsimer
Treasurer: Thomas Lavin
Vice President: Russell Polo
The days feature presentation, "Passenger Service," was presented by chapter member Mitchell Dakelman. The presentation consisted a spectacular slide show covering Doodlebugs, Electric & Diesel Commuters plus a number of famous long distance trains. No show is complete without a special film! Great way to close the year, thank you Mitch!
Chapter Meeting - October 20, 2018
The Philadelphia Chapter met on Saturday October 20, 2018. The Modelers Meeting started the day with Modeling Chairman Paul Buckley taking attendees "west" to study Union Pacific GTELs! A few operating models were displayed and run (thank you Jim Boyle).
The modelers meeting was followed by another enjoyable hour in the dining car for lunch and camaraderie.
The business began at 1pm and included nominations for the 2019 slate of Philadelphia Chapter officers, elections in December.
The Feature Presentation "Inside Sunnyside," was presented by Chapter Member John Kilbride. A number of attendees traveled to the the October meeting with this presentation in mind. A great presentation on the first hundred years of Sunnyside Yard's operation, initiated with the construction, operational practices and present-day views. All beginning with a cab ride from Penn Station!
Chapter Meeting - September 8, 2018
The Philadelphia Chapter met on Saturday September 8, 2018. The Modelers Meeting kicked things off with "NY Central Trains in/out of Grand Central Terminal." Modelers Chairman Paul Buckley, discussed the unique infrastructure and features of Grand Central Terminal, including the "20th Century Limited."
The modelers meeting was followed by an enjoyable hour in the dining car, where a delicious lunch and camaraderie was enjoyed by all.
The Feature Presentation "Postcards of Old Stations," was presented by Larry Eastwood (NRHS Philadelphia Chapter). Larry shared his collection of station postcards, representing PRR and other north-east region stations. A very detailed and interesting presentation!
Paul Buckley - Modelers Meeting
Larry Eastwood - Feature Presentation
50TH ANNUAL MEETING - PRRT&HS
May 9-13, 2018
The Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society (PRRT&HS) conducted its 50th Annual Meeting on May 9-13, 2018 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Chapter was well represented.
The meeting events were very well attended by members from all corners of the United States and some from abroad. Trips to the Railroaders Memorial Museum, Horseshoe Curve and Everitt Railroad were held over the duration of the meeting. Not to mention a full slate of prototype and modeling forums, all held at the meeting site(Blair County Convention Center). The week concluded with a dinner banquet, headlined by keynote speaker Bennett Levin, who gave a historical retrospective on Altoona City, its residents and their combined roles in making the PRR the standard railroad of the world.
The meeting events were very well attended by members from all corners of the United States and some from abroad. Trips to the Railroaders Memorial Museum, Horseshoe Curve and Everitt Railroad were held over the duration of the meeting. Not to mention a full slate of prototype and modeling forums, all held at the meeting site(Blair County Convention Center). The week concluded with a dinner banquet, headlined by keynote speaker Bennett Levin, who gave a historical retrospective on Altoona City, its residents and their combined roles in making the PRR the standard railroad of the world.
Annual Meeting slideshow
Philadelphia Chapter Meeting
April 14, 2018 / Drexel Hill, PA
April 14, 2018 / Drexel Hill, PA
The Philadelphia Chapter PRRT&HS held a chapter meeting on April 14, 2018. Frank Tatnall, guest speaker and chapter member, presented "A Century of Catenary."
Adapted from Frank's article in the fall 2015 issue of “Classic Trains” magazine, "A Century of Catenary," commemorates the 100th anniversary of the start of electric operations on the Paoli Local, with the first revenue trip under catenary occurring September 11, 1915. The 20-miles to Paoli were the test bed for PRR’s early experiments with 11,000-volt AC operation, the success of which gave Pennsy the confidence to electrify much of its heavily-trafficked railroad east of Harrisburg, including the Northeast Corridor.
Philadelphia Chapter Meeting - February 10, 2018
Schanable cars on display
The February 10, 2018 Chapter meeting was one of the more heavily attended meetings with approximately 78 in attendance.
MODELERS PRESENTATION
"Christmas Tree Models and O Scale Schanable Cars"
Lionel Classic PRR and others from Hallmark Christmas Tree
Models and O Scale Schanable cars from Bill Spanarelli's
Collection!
MODELERS PRESENTATION
"Christmas Tree Models and O Scale Schanable Cars"
Lionel Classic PRR and others from Hallmark Christmas Tree
Models and O Scale Schanable cars from Bill Spanarelli's
Collection!
Duffy’s Cut stone cross and ledger at West Laurel Hill Cemetery (Bala Cynwyd).
FEATURE PRESENTATION
“Duffy’s Cut”
Presentation by Dr. William Watson
Dr. Watson (Immaculata University) showed his documentary film “The Cut: the journey of the men and women of Duffy’s Cut.”
Duffy’s Cut is where 57 Irish immigrant railroaders died in 1832, building mile 59 of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, near present-day Malvern.
Following the documentary viewing, Dr Watson took questions from the audience. The Philadelphia Chapter looks forward to hearing more about the project.
Follow progress at Duffy's Cut online.
Purchase "Duffy Cut DVD"
“Duffy’s Cut”
Presentation by Dr. William Watson
Dr. Watson (Immaculata University) showed his documentary film “The Cut: the journey of the men and women of Duffy’s Cut.”
Duffy’s Cut is where 57 Irish immigrant railroaders died in 1832, building mile 59 of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, near present-day Malvern.
Following the documentary viewing, Dr Watson took questions from the audience. The Philadelphia Chapter looks forward to hearing more about the project.
Follow progress at Duffy's Cut online.
Purchase "Duffy Cut DVD"