News-2019
News - 2019
Chapter Meeting - December 7, 2019
FEATURE PRESENTATION:  "Off The Beaten Track with John Bowman"
John Bowman, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was a world traveler, documenting railroad and trolley systems throughout his lifetime. His collection of photographs is in the thousands. During the 1930’s he documented the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Off the Beaten Track trips, running over track that did not have regularly scheduled passenger service. At this time, power utilized          

were steam locomotives; the consists were P70 coaches, diners and baggage cars. John also photographed steam, diesel and electric operations on the Pennsy. He was proud to have these published in the various PRR related journals and books. John also was a familiar face at the Strasburg Railway where he was employed as an engineer. He passed away in December 2004 at age 88.

In 2004, with the help of Kurt Bell of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, John’s negatives and detailed notebooks were donated to the National Railway Historical Society, which held an office in Philadelphia. When the NRHS office was closed, the collection was placed in storage. Then recently, it joined the rest of the NRHS photo and film archives, housed at the Union Station in Philipsburg, NJ. It is now getting the attention it deserves.

Mitch Dakelman, who is curator of the NRHS photo and film archives has been digitizing Mr. Bowman’s pictures, shared these with the members and guests at the December 7, 2019 membership meeting. These pictures were simply amazing, and had never been never projected on the big screen!  Mitch also displayed photos of his travels to other railroads and trolley systems.
Lackawaxen River Limited - October 5, 2019
The Philadelphia Chapter took to the road on October 5, 2019, via commercial coach, arriving at Honesdale PA at 11am.  Participants toured the Wayne County Canal Museum, home of the Stourbridge Lion (replica).

The Lackawaxen River Limited departed Honesdale at 12pm sharp, with FP7 #9880 as lead unit and BL2 #54 on the rear of the train.  Boxed lunches were served en-route as riders enjoyed the view, educational narration and camaraderie.

Following return to Honesdale, participants soon departed for a side-trip to Lackawaxen and the Roebling Viaduct.

Very special thanks to trip director John Kilbride.  Without his efforts this trip would not have taken place.  Your efforts are deeply appreciated by all.  Thank you!
Chapter Meeting - September 21, 2019
In 1838, the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad completed the first rail line between its namesake cities, a landmark feat that would eventually link Boston and New York to the nation’s capital. The fol-lowing year, the railroad’s board commemorated the effort with a 15-foot marble obelisk at the western foot of its bridge at Grays Ferry. Inscribed on this Newkirk Monument were the names of the four railroads that merged to form the PW&B, and 51 of their executives, engineers, and contractors. For years, the Monument held a place of honor along the Pennsylvania Railroad’s line to Washing-ton, D.C. But by the 21st century, the obelisk was eroding and largely for-gotten, until a remarkable coalition of government and private groups came together to save it.
Below links provide additional information related to topics discussed in Brad's September 21, 2019 presentation.

Schuylkill Banks (accessing the Newkirk Monument):
https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/landmarks/newkirk-monument

The Monument Men (July 2014): Who are the 51 railroad executives and builders named on the Monument?
https://hiddencityphila.org/2014/07/the-monument-men/

A Moving Monument (December 2016): How the Monument got moved.
https://hiddencityphila.org/2016/12/a-moving-monument/

170 Years In The Making: Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor In West Philly (September 2015): a short Brad Peniston video, explaining the tangle of lines around the Monument.
https://hiddencityphila.org/2015/09/170-years-in-the-making-amtraks-northeast-corridor/
CONQUEST I - by David Messer
CONQUEST I





David Messer is at it again!  Be sure to get this fantastic book while its available.

Click and download order form (left).
Also available for order at PRRTHS
PRRT&HS Annual Meeting
The Philadelphia Chapter PRRT&HS is excited to host the 51st Annual Meeting (May 15-19, 2019). 

The Lancaster, PA location offers presentations and accommodations at the newly renovated Wyndham Lancaster Resort & Convention Center, events at The Strasburg Railroad, The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (home of one of a kind Pennsy engines, motors, locomotives and a trove of PRR history!

If you don't regularly attend the annual meeting, this is NOT the one to miss!

Expanded information is available here...

2019 PRRT&HS ANNUAL MEETING
Chapter Meeting - March 30, 2019
The Philadelphia Chapter's March 30, 2019 meeting was very well attended, even with spring weather and sunny skies!  

The feature presentation, presented by chapter president Gus Minardi, inclduded 200 color slides of Altoona taken in the mid-1950's.  The slides were  taken by Philadelphia Chapter member (deceased) James Kelly and were made available by chapter fellow Phialadelphia Chapter member Ken Rideout. 
Modelers Meeting
Modeling Chairman Paul Buckley present "Trolley's"
Feature Presentation
Chapter President Gus Minardi presents
 "Altoona Slides of Jim Kelly"
Passing of Alan Buchan

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Philadelphia Chapter member, Alan Buchan.  

Al was a beloved friend and colleague to many chapter and national members of the PRRT&HS.  Having also served as president of the national PRRT&HS, Al will always be remembered for his significant contributions, steadfast leadership and love of railroading.  Al and his family will forever be in our hearts.

Detailed information pertaining to services and tributes is available at Bradley & Stow online...

June 4, 2019
The High Line / 2018 Edition
The High Line 2018

2/24/2019:  

The 2018 High Line has shipped to all Chapter Members! This High Line issue features a “History of the Steam Locomotive” article written for a major railroad industry periodical by one of our former Chapter members and PRR employee, Tom Harley; a detailed description of the railroads in the industrially busy North Philadelphia area, some additional information on the last issue’s Fort Washington Branch article, the complete report of Pennsy’s testing of EMC’s first diesel, and a number of photographs taken by Richard Short in the “Pennsy Pictorial” section.
Chapter Meeting - February 9, 2019
Philadelphia Chapter PRRT&HS February 2019 Meeting


The Philadelphia Chapter February 9, 2019 meeting was well attended.  Another day of modeling, dining and camaraderie!  


Surprise guests, the Long Island Chapter PRRT&HS were in attendance, including their chapter store and discussion of ongoing restoration efforts of G5s locomotives #35 & #39. 
Alfred Thomas Myles presents at Philadelphia Chapter PRRT&HS

Special guest speaker, Alfred Thomas  Myles,  presented "Starting a Railroad Twice."  Mr. Myles is a  4th generation Railroader,  who  began his railroad career in 1963 on the PRR, subsequently the Penn  Central,  Conrail  and  CSX.    Purchased  the  WCOR  in 2008 and the DL&S in 2014, while spending his career in Operations and Marketing. The discussion covered his startup of the Wellsboro & Corning Railroad; the Delaware & Lackawaxen & Stourbridge Railroad and how to expand the business.
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