UNDER THE WIRE by Leonard E. Alwine

BUILT IN ALTOONA

Official Newsletter In this issue of “Under the Wire”, we will go of way-under-the-wire, actually underground, and the wire will be replaced by third rail power. While Altoona never had a “subway”, it did play a very important role in the development of the subway cars. National Railway Historical Society P. O. Box 1361 Back at the turn-of-the-century (1900), New Altoona, PA 16603-1361 York City was designing a subay system. The “Interborough ” (IRT) as it was www.trainweb.org/horseshoecurve- eventually known, was to build the subway nrhs throughout New York. It was to have cars that could maintain an average 40 mph SPRING 2012 schedule. The tunnels and right-of-ways would be owned by the city, but the CHAPTER OFFICERS equipment, rails, and power provider was to be the responsibility of the operator. Much President: Francix X. Givler Jr., 114 Scott information was gathered from the Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 [NOTE: All Manhattan Railway Company which operated time-sensitive correspondence should be sent to the elevated transit system at that time. this address. [email protected] An engineer, Mr. George Gibbs, from the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Vice-President: Joseph K. Harella, 3812 Company was retained by the subway th 5 Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 company to develop the new subway cars. Mr. [email protected] Gibbs felt that steel cars would be best, but at this time period, all car builders were using National Delegate: Joseph A. DeFrancesco, wood, and preferred not, or refused to build, 5069 Gensimore Ln., Tyrone, PA 16686 steel cars. As different parts of the subway [email protected] opened between 1902 and 1903, 500 “composit” cars manufactured by Wasson, Treasurer: Denny Walls, 123 Sandcastle Ln, Stephenson, St. Louis and Jewett car Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 [email protected] companies too to the rails. The biggest concern then was wrecks causing electrical Secretary: Karin Givler, 114 Scott Ave., fires underground in wood cars, trapping and Altoona, PA 16602 [email protected] killing riders and operators.

Chapter Historian/Editor: David W. Seidel, Mr. Gibbs, at this time, was also a consultant th 2011 14 St., Altoona, PA 16601-3020 and member of the commission to electrify [email protected] Grand Central Station in New York and also the Long Island RR. He also later designed an Webmaster: Christopher J. Behe, Severn, MD electric system for the PRR which, today, is still serving as ’s northeast corridor. Chapter meetings are always on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Railroader’s It was most likely his involvement in those th Memorial , 1300 9 Avenue, Altoona, projects that caught the attention of PA, beginning at 7:30 PM EXCEPT Alexander Cassatt, who, was then head of the DECEMBER unless announced otherwise. PRR. The PRR was involved in building tunnels under the Hudson River to reach New York and Mr. Cassatt was against using wood cars in those long tunnels. He felt that any research into steel cars could benefit his PRR In 1904-190, George Gibbs went searching, Company. which resulted in American Car and Foundry Company (ACF) building 300 of the re- It was then, that Mr. Gibbs design for a steel designed Gibbs Cars for the IRT. Car # 3350 car was sent to the “Altoona Pa. PRR shops” was the first, and was sort of an experimental in mid-1903. The result was the first “Gibbs car also. Numbers 3351-3649 were regular Steel Subway Car”, being delivered to the passenger cars used for many years to carry IRT in December of that year. It became # legions of commuters around the subway 3342 in the IRT fleet. The car was successful system. in everyway except one very important area. Weight ! It was heavier than the composite cars. Since it used the same motors, the most powerful available at that time, it was not able to keep on schedule. The heavier steel cars would have slowed trains down and jeopardized rush hour schedules. Critics also thought that if steel cars involved in wrecks touched the power source, they would conduct electric current and electrocute passengers. Mr. Gibbs countered that, if involved in wrecks the cars would short-circuit the power, actually shutting it off, therefore The Altoona-built car # 3342 and car # 3350, making steel cars safer than wood. served out most of their service-life as work- train and payroll cars as they were not exactly the same as the ACF cars.

The Gibbs cars operated on the IRT for a long time. They were all retired and scrapped in the early 1950’s except for car # 3352 which was sold to the Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, ME.

IRT # 3342, Altoona Built

Other subway cars of the period approaching the Brooklyn Bridge. It would have been nice if # 3342 could have IRT # 3342, Altoona Built been saved at a museum, especially one here George Gibbs revised his design to eliminate in Altoona. But, in the mid-1950’s no one the heavy steel under-frame, in favor of a from Altoona was interested in preserving truss style steel side girder, which was much anything from the PRR or even the Altoona & lighter. Also, aluminum was used for interior Logan Valley Electric Railway, both of which fittings which brought the weight down were going through drastic changes in significantly. The problem remained that equipment at that time. So, no one would have current car manufacturers still wanted to even thought about a subway car from New build wood cars. York City at that time, even it it were the first steel subway car built and it’s birth place was of Logan Valley and Amtran on Altoona. photographic items. Editors note: Just don’t keep the project a LOGAN VALLEY CALENDAR secret. by Leonard E. Alwine CHAPTER STORE ….And…speaking of calendars, anyone A new calendar for 2012 has been released wishing to purchase the 2012 all (and sold out) in December 2011. It is entitled Railroad calendar with stunning black and “Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway, white Pennsy images for each month, please Historic Trolleys”. The calendar was contact Denny Walls at: [email protected] , or produced by Amtran as a fund raiser. telephone 695-5299.

The calendar is very nicely done. It features WELCOME thirteen photos of Logan Valley Trolleys in …to Tom Murtaugh, who attended our Altoona and around Blair County. Six of the January and February meetings . photos are in full color and seven are in black- and-white. It is bound with a plastic CONGRATULATIONS covering on the front title page. Each of the photos are suitable for framing after that To Joe DeFrancesco, who has been appointed month is finished, or the whole calendar can as National Delegate for our Chapter, justs be saved as a historical item. The $15.00 replacing outgoing “Director” Dick cost was very reasonable for the product Charlesworth, who is retiring from that received. position. Position terminology is also changing due to the creation of “districts” as opposed to The project was designed and produced by “regions”. Thusly, the former positions of Susan McKelvey, Administrative Assistant at Regional Vice-Presidents are being abolished. Amtran. She wanted to do something “different” this year and the idea of putting Dick will devote is many talents to our some of her collection of trolley photos on a Chapter Trips, annual Santa Train, and calendar format seemed workable. Not only similar projects. He may also be counted on was it workable, bit it was very successful ! for a “few words” on occasion. We thank Dick She is thinking about possibly producing these for his leadership in the Directors post for calendars on an annual basis with different much of our Chapter’s history which is photos or themes each year. approaching the half-century mark in the Spring of 2018. The really nice thing I liked about this years effort, was that three of the photos were ones CAMBRIA & INDIANA RR which I didn’t have in my collection. I know RETROSPECTIVE that is hard to believe, but true. In the last issue, your editor’s list of recommended reading included the well-done paperback histories by Jack Hill on the Cambria & Indiana RR and also the history of Colver, PA, both part and parcel of the same story as they are inseparable in content.

The railroad and the town’s story stirred significant memories for your editor who made a return visit to Colver on a bright, sunshiny January 30, 2012. As described in the histories, the town is all there and local landmarks are easily discernable from the Congratulations Sue, on a job well done. May text, but with better understanding. The you have even more success with future author, Jack Hill, did an excellent job not only projects preserving the historic trolleys and conveying the facts of the town, but the humanness that surrounds it even to this day. The layout of mining town row homes is clear, as are the community facilities and churches that support the population. The new addition to the landscape is a Co-Gen electric plant.

The most remarkable part was the area at the bottom of the hill below town, where the principle shops of the Cambria & Indiana RR were once located adjacent to the mine portal of the Ebensburg Coal Company. The abandoned buildings remain, devoid of rail- Engine House, C&IRR, Circa 1973 beds although their outline is clear on the landscape. The land is now posted but easily visible from the . The lack of railroad activity and vacated landscape presents a ghost-like appearance of an (industrial) archeological site. One can only appreciate this if you had been there….before. Included are some before-and-after images for your consideration. Most photos by David Seidel

Abandoned C&IRR Shops 2012

C&IRR Engine Shops abandoned

Coal Processing plant viewed from mine portal. Note overhead electric wire for mine-car train motors.

Tour of the line via road-railer circa 1973 courtesy of Superintendent S.B. Dixon and Mine portal for Ebensburg Coal Co. adjacent to Ass’t Sup’t J. N. Young. C&IRR shops, Colver, PA.

C&IRR celebrating the 1776-1976 Bi- Miner’s Locker Room…chain hoist system centennial; Displayed at Ebensburg, PA. w/lock.

One of the final trains leaving BethEnergy Horseshoe Curve Chapter members: Paul Mine No. 33, Ebensburg, PA 1994. U.S.22 in Burrows, Paul Westbrook, Mary Jo Wahl, Tim foreground. Reese & Dave Seidel ca 1973. label railcar repair services as its predecessor companies.

While some anticipated the scrapping of Hollidaysburg Yard, a downturn in the economy created a need for private label railcar storage, notably RailBox and TTX. Hollidaysburg Yard became such a facility almost overnight and today is a sea of yellow paint on these temporarily surplus freight cars as well as rolling stock needing repair. Circa 1995-The last C&IRR units at Cresson, Hollidaysburg Yard switching and PA awaiting shipment east, never to return. management services are being supplied by WATCO Companies. HOLLIDAYSBURG CAR SHOP POST- SCRIPT Railcar movements in and out of Hollidaysburg became somewhat predictable A decade has passed since Hollidaysburg Car based on interchange traffic with the Everett Shop was closed by Norfolk Southern Railroad Company at Duncansville, and other Railroad and, much has changed in that time. local industries, particularly the ethanol shipments for the Canan Station (South Although a gradual process, the shops were Altoona) tank farms, and typical repair work stripped of internal components and for WATCO, in addition to the storage cars. ultimately auctioned for other uses. The vast Hollidaysburg and nearby Frankstown Fast-forward to February 9, 2012, when an 82 railroad yards were emptied of freight cars car Norfolk Southern coal hopper train stored there for decades, and presumably appeared on the lead tracks parallel to Broad scrapped until the 330 acre was empty St, Hollidaysburg, the approach to of any rolling stock, the rusty rail in stark Hollidaysburg Yard. In present tense, this contrast to the history that developed there train was out-of-place. A check with the crew over the prior 150 years. revealed that this unit set of coal hoppers (equipped with electric activated brakes) was The Hollidaysburg Car Shop property was coming to Hollidaysburg for repairs at the sold to the Blair County Development WATCO facilities. When one speculates on Corporation, a subsidiary of Altoona-Blair “what’s wrong with this picture” we cannot County Development Corp., in March of 2006 help but wonder about the now closed (for rail with D-Holdings Inc., an affiliate of the DeGol use) Hollidaysburg Car Shop, especially as the organization as principal tenant. hopper train glides past the facility. It is, of Modifications began on the former shop course, history repeating itself, and ironic at building and other tenants have leased space the same time. in the facility. The Hollidaysburg Car Shop sign came down and a new sign erected in its place heralding The DeGol Industrial Center, a blue-ribbon Blair County employer.

Rail and track was removed from the Frankstown end of the property, and scrapped and, it was assumed a similar fate awaited the principal yard at Hollidaysburg, but another chapter was about to unfold.

Millenium Rail Car Shops in Hollidaysburg (formerly known as Berwind-Railway, circa 1906) was sold to WATCO Companies, continuing to provide the same level of private Norfolk Southern expanded the scope of its heritage with its acquisition of a portion of . The heritage locomotives will represent most of the railroads that played significant roles in Norfolk Southern’s history. The first units will be delivered in March, and all units are expected to be riding the rails by June 1, Norfolk Southern’s 30 th anniversary date.

“The heritage locomotives reflect the pride we take in our long and colorful history,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “As they travel through our system, these state- NS hopper train backs east passing the former of-the-art units in vintage livery will serve as Hollidaysburg Car Shop February-9-2012 reminders to our customers, employees, and communities that the modern rail network that keeps America competitive today and into the future has deep roots in the nation’s past.”

Each paint scheme will be modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona, Pa., and Chattanooga, Tenn., will paint GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units will be painted at Progress Rail Services’ facility in Muncie, Ind. The We wonder what the next chapter will be, but heritage locomotives will be used to haul please note that our interest is historical only freight across Norfolk Southern’s 20,000-mile, and we are not intending to be critical of what 22-state network. are obviously business decisions; a Blair County employer is receiving this work The predecessor companies to be project, which provides significant local represented are listed below. In parentheses are the respective each became part of employment and disposable income for the (NW=Norfolk & Western, SR=Southern, area economy. dws CR=Conrail) and the make of locomotives to be painted. Images of the color schemes are NORFOLK SOUTHERN TO PAINT HERITAGE available on Norfolk Southern’s web site . LOCOMOTIVES · Central of Georgia Railway (SR, GE) was March 1, 2012 formed in 1833 to connect Macon, Ga., with Norfolk Southern celebrates colorful heritage Savannah, completing a rail link between with historic paint schemes Chattanooga and the port. It was famed for two passenger trains named after prize- NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern is honoring its predecessor railroads during winning race horses, the Nancy Hanks and 2012, its 30 th anniversary year, by painting 18 the Man O’ War. new locomotives in commemorative schemes that reflect the heritage of those predecessors. · Central Railroad of New Jersey (CR, EMD) was the first American railroad to have its Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, employees wear uniforms, and in 1892 one of and consolidated into what eventually its locomotives set a world speed record of became Norfolk Southern, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway and 105 mph. Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982. In 1999, ••• Conrail (GE) was created by the U.S. operated entirely within Virginia. It was government in 1976 from the bankrupt Penn acquired by Southern in 1961. Central, Lehigh & Hudson River, Erie Lackawanna, Central Railroad of New Jersey, ••• Lehigh Valley Railroad (CR, GE) was built to Lehigh Valley, Reading and Pennsylvania- haul coal, replacing water transport down the Reading Seashore Lines, becoming the Lehigh River, and was also known as the largest railroad at the time, with 34,000 route Route of the Black Diamond. miles. ••• New York Central Railroad (CR, EMD) was ••• Delaware, Lackawanna and Western (CR, organized from 10 roads paralleling the Erie EMD) was created in 1849 to connect the rich Canal between Albany and Buffalo, N.Y., and anthracite coalfields of the Lackawanna became known as the “Water Level Route.” Valley of Pennsylvania to northern New Today, the former NYC line between Jersey. A hurricane in 1955 knocked the Cleveland and Chicago is the busiest on the railroad out of operation for a month, with the NS system, with more than 100 freight trains resulting financial difficulties forcing it to daily. merge with the in 1960 to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. ••• New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (NW, GE) was commonly referred to as the ••• Erie Railroad (CR, EMD) was key to Nickel Plate Road, a moniker it acquired when economic development along the Southern the Norwalk (Ohio) Chronicle referred to it in Tier, which includes Binghamton and Elmira, 1881 as “the great New York and St. Louis N.Y. In 1851, Secretary of State Daniel double track, nickel plated railroad,” Webster was strapped to a rocking chair on supposedly indicative of its solid financial an open flatcar, wrapped in a blanket and backing. clutching a bottle of rum, so he could ride the just-completed railroad. ••• (SR, EMD) (not to be confused with today’s Norfolk Southern) ••• Illinois Terminal Railroad (NW, EMD) began was a line serving southeast Virginia and life as the Illinois Traction System in 1896 as northeast North Carolina, chartered in 1883 an electric railroad in central and and acquired by Southern Railway in 1974. southern Illinois. Hit by the Great Depression, it was reorganized as the Illinois Terminal in ••• Norfolk & Western Railway (GE) originated 1937 and attempted to survive as a passenger as City Point Railroad, a 9-mile road between railroad until relinquishing that business in Petersburg and City Point, Va., in 1836. 1956, when it was acquired by a consortium Following numerous mergers and of railroads. It was operated as a freight acquisitions, it became the Norfolk & Western railroad until acquired by NW in 1982. in 1881.

••• Interstate Railroad (SR, GE) was ••• (CR, GE), incorporated in 1896 to serve southwestern incorporated in 1846, billed itself as the Virginia coalfields. Despite its name, it “Standard Railroad of the World” and was for many years the largest American railroad by railroads, he created another railroad, the tonnage and revenues. PRR opened the Tidewater Railway, to reach Norfolk, Va., then Horseshoe Curve railroad engineering combined the two into the Virginian in 1907. It marvel; carried President Lincoln to his was acquired by N&W in 1959. inauguration; implemented the “line and staff” organizational structure used by ••• Wabash Railroad (NW, EMD) was formed in business today; built Pennsylvania Station in 1877 and served the mid-central U.S. It was Manhattan; and electrified the route between acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad in New York and Washington, among its many 1927 and leased to Norfolk & Western in 1960. achievements. In 1991, N&W, by then part of Norfolk Southern, purchased the Wabash outright. ••• (CR, EMD) was one of the Made famous by the 1904 song “Wabash first railroads built in America, and built its Cannonball,” there was in fact no such train fortune hauling coal. It featured the first iron by that name until 1949. railroad bridge in America.

••• Savannah & Atlanta Railway (SR, EMD), began life as the Brinson Railway in 1906, slowly expanding from Savannah toward the Northwest. It was consolidated with other small railroads to become the Savannah & Atlanta in 1917. Central of Georgia bought the S&A in 1951.

••• Southern Railway (GE) originated as the Conrail # 8098 is the first unit to be painted at South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Altoona, March 2012 . You may note that in 1827. It put into service the nation’s first missing from the list above was Penn Central regularly scheduled steam passenger service but that has since been revised for inclusion. on Christmas Day, 1830, with the locomotive “The Best Friend of Charleston.” The Southern was incorporated in 1894 from the reorganization and consolidation of numerous predecessors and absorbed another 68 railroad companies over the next Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the six years. nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in ••• Virginian Railway (NW, EMD) was the only 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves railroad created through the capital and credit every major container port in the eastern , and provides efficient of one man, oil magnate Henry Huttleston connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Rogers. After building a short line, the Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major Deepwater Railway, to haul coal out of West transporter of coal and industrial products. Virginia and then being blocked by the bigger HISTORY DATES

February 1 st : 44 years since PRR-NYC Merger

February 18 th : 65 years since the wreck of PRR’s Red Arrow west of Altoona, PA

May 11 th : 44 th anniversary of Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS

May 16, 1954 : The Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway Co. requested a hearing with the state Public Utility Regional V.P. John Sweigart Commission over abandonment of the last of its trolley lines in the city Many thanks to chapter members Dan (Altoona). and Cynthia Moringiello who hosted Mr. & Mrs. Sweigart with overnight CHARLES W. LONGER RAILROAD CLUB accommodations.

Congratulations to Chapter member CHAPTER MEMORIAL PLAQUE Nicholas W. Martino, age 12, for helping to form this railroad club at his school, As most chapter members know, the Charles W. Longer Elementary Horseshoe Curve Chapter has always School in Hollidaysburg. Nicholas had a Memorial plaque, containing the reports that 12 students signed up but names of all deceased members, on ten were present at the first meeting and display, in the former Memorial Hall of meets monthly. The club will tour Railroader’s Memorial Museum. Since Railroader’s Memorial Museum in May. that building is no longer accessible to This is a noteworthy accomplishment. By the public, President Givler removed the comparison, the initial nucleus of what plaque and will ask the museum for was to become Horseshoe Curve Chapter another location for display. However, NRHS began informally in 1966 as the we took this opportunity to review the Altoona Railway Museum Club with 6 records to be sure we have all names people, a mere 46 years ago. Everything listed that should be there. The Chapter has a beginning….. Historian reviewed the chronicle of obituary notices and additional names REGIONAL V.P. NRHS VISITS CHAPTER will now be added. Once this is completed we will arrange to update the We were honored to have Mr. John D. digitized version on the Chapter Sweigart (and wife, Peggy) visit our webpage, February meeting (28 th ) to bring us up to www.trainweb.org/horseshoecurve-nrhs date on changes coming in the national which, we hope, is reviewed by members by-laws. Of significant note will be the on a regular basis. re-structuring of the position of National Director officer positions in each chapter. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT For voting purposes, chapters will have “representatives” to the NRHS but Amtrak Conductor Dale Secker works on Regional national offers will have the the Pennsylvanian east-west through direct input. Watch for future news in Altoona and we encountered him NRHS publications. recently headed east:

Webmaster Chris Bhe asks: Did you know that Horseshoe Curve Chapter NRHS also has a Facebook page?

CHAPTER TRIP

Dick Charlesworth has formulated a new bus trip for the summer months which are a mere 3 months away. For Saturday, June 9 th , a bus will take us to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for one of their great train rides from Cumberland to Frostburg, Md; Dinner at Frostburg

Tyrone, PA Flagstop Feb 8 2012 Station; Ice Cream at Queen City Amtrak Conductor Dale Secker Creamery. Chapter Members: $78.00; Non-Members $84.00. Contact Dick at LEN ALWINE RECEIVES 25 YEAR PIN (814) 695-1428 after 6 PM daily.

WINCHESTER CHAPTER NRHS 50 TH ANNIVERSARY

CONGRATULATION TO WINCHESTER CHAPTER, NRHS as they celebrate their 45 th Anniversary on Saturday, March 10, 2012 with a banquet at the historic Strasburg, VA Hotel. The keynote speaker for the evening was Mr. Alan Maples of the Everett Railroad Company with whom Horseshoe Curve Chapter enjoys a great association. Mr. Maples presented a very informative history of The Everett Railroad Company and other enterprises which included a slide presentation. In recognition of both the event and the speaker, a delegate of Horseshoe Curve Chapter members [President and Secretary Frank & Karin Givler, outgoing Director Dick Charlesworth, Chapter Historian/Editor Dave Seidel] traveled to historic Strasburg, VA to participate in the

Leonard E. Alwine (right) receives his 25 festivities on Saturday, March 10, 2012. year pin from Chapter President Frank Givler at the monthly chapter meeting, Horseshoe Curve Chapter will celebrate th February 28, 2012. CONGRATULATIONS their 50 anniversary in May 2018. LEN ! M. RICHARD CHARLESWORTH elements Dick has brought to chapter. Dick by Joe DeFrancesco will continue to lead by example and stand firm on our chapter’s principle of preserving Founded both on the ideas of community and rail industry heritage for future generations. interest, the Horseshoe Curve Chapter has a proven track record on preserving the area’s RAILROADER’S MEMORIAL MUSEUM railroad heritage. Since the mid to late 1960’s ROUNDHOUSE PROJECT the chapter has grown into an organization of individuals with diverse talent and Work on the museum’s roundhouse capabilities. The chapter played a key role in project is steadily progressing, the creation of the Railroaders Memorial especially with the mild winter the Museum and continues to support the greater Altoona area has experienced museum by organizing much of the volunteer this year. At this writing, most of the workforce. Commonly in the warm seasons, sidewall panels are in place. chapter members can be seen at the museum Preparations are underway to prepare the working on various restoration projects. area for ground water management. Roof During the winter much attention is paid to sheeting is also in progress complete the chapter’s largest event, the Santa Trains. with smoke chimneys. Interior work The chapter has grown in time and continues remains to be done as well as windows, to grow with great stride each season. For doors, electrical and plumbing. most of the chapter’s existence Dick Charlesworth has been an officer. Reflecting THE SUSQUEHANNA LIMITED upon my own involvement, Dick has been a leading mentor in my development while I The Conrail Historical Society is pursue my interests in the preservation of sponsoring this day long scenic round railroad heritage. When I first arrived on the trip from Washington D.C. and Baltimore, scene in Summer of 2006 and started my MD to Harrisburg and return. Saturday volunteering at the Railroaders Memorial June 16, 2012. Train will be powered by Museum, much credit I give to Dick and other the famous Pennsylvania Railroad E-8 dear friends who together we tackled the locomotives. Coach and First Class turntable project. Since then chapter as gone seating available ($172.50 to $425.00). on to complete several notable museum Tickets include trip booklet, boxed lunch, restoration projects. As we look forward to access to two Amfleet Café cars the future it is worth noting the contributions w/snacks and drinks for purchase. Trip Dick Charleswoth has made to the chapter. shirts/ trip memorabilia available at extra Dick’s dedication to serving the chapter has cost. and continues to pay off. Since Dick decided to pass the reigns of national director over Learn More: this past year, I felt compelled to take on the www.crhstrips.com/susquehanna-limited task as I was asked to serve by several members. As a leader and team player of the MARCH MEETING chapter I am honored and blessed to be given the opportunity to serve. Reflecting upon The March meeting of Horseshoe Curve Dick’s service, it is important to note the Chapter will take place on Tuesday, individuals who have sought and continue to March 27, 2012, 6:00 PM is as a social seek the chapter’s advancement. Dick as a meeting at the Alto Model Train Museum team player has lead this organization to the in Altoona. This is an annual occurrence point of stability and as an individual holds for our Chapter to socialize, observe the the foresight to take initiative to make many model train operations. A short decisions that benefits the chapter’s outlook. business meeting will follow. Light Even though Dick is no longer an officer of refreshments will be available. SEE YOU the organization, he is still a key team THERE ! member. Dick will have more time to commit to our annual Santa Trains and to seasonal bus trips to increase the chapter’s revenue. Dedication, passion, and interest are the key