WINTER 2021 | VOL. 23, ISSUE 1 Official Magazine of the Employees and Customers of the Reading & Northern Railroad
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Official Magazine of the Employees and Customers of the Reading & Northern Railroad WINTER 2021 | VOL. 23, ISSUE 1 Letter to the Editor Dear Mr. Muller: 11/20/2020 425. We had our chance encounter with Larry as we got to my car. Larry had I have never heard anyone refer to you as anything but Andy but, as we have just finished checking the boiler and water, commented about the cold evening, KEEPING ON TRACK never met, it feels uncomfortable. and inquired about the temperature. In the ensuing two hours, Larry gave us BY: WAYNE A. MICHEL, PRESIDENT an education money can't buy... anything we wanted to know about the 425, First of all, as an occasional visitor to Port Clinton and Jim Thorpe, I want to thank the T-1, RBMN stories, old railroad stories, local history, geography... it was an you for the incredible access you allow railfans to the Reading and Northern as amazing experience. What struck me the most was the absolute pride Larry has well as for everything you do to preserve the important history of the area, the in working for your railroad. Larry talked of the RBMN as though you were all men and women, the railroads and the industrial heritage of the area. Every family and proudly shared wonderful stories. And yes, even stories about you visit to RBMN and every interaction with your employees has been amazing. out working on the railroad. Nobody talks about their boss like that anymore. As a US History teacher in New York City I can say, without a doubt, that I learn When the conversation turned to railfanning and I grumbled about evil Norfolk something new on each visit as well. To whatever extent I am able, I bring my Southern (guardians of far more history than yourself that they keep off limits experiences back to my students. Perhaps one day when the world returns and away from the public--shameful), Larry shared a funny story and the same to normal, we can arrange some type of field trip. In the past I've also been sentiment. He made us feel family. We came to Jim Thorpe to see a restored fortunate enough to have run a program in conjunction with the New York and steam engine... we met Larry and left with much, much more. Atlantic Railroad. I have also been up to ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad with my niece and nephew and I can't wait to bring a group up that way next At risk of getting long winded, I'll close here by saying, again, thank you for summer. the wonderful experiences RBMN has given me in the past as well as those adventures yet to come. You have amazing people working for you and clearly That being said, the reason for my letter is an interaction with one of your RBMN is an amazing company to be a part of. Not many companies can make employees, Larry, the fireman of the 425. Last weekend I traveled to Jim Thorpe those claims anymore and as a member of the public, its wonderful to see, hear for the opportunity to ride behind and experience the 425 steam locomotive. and be part of. Unfortunately, due to factors beyond my control, my companion and I were not able to make it in time for the final trip of the day (on the final steam weekend). Finally, I had an idea for a photo contest that would be great for you to use as What we received instead was an experience far beyond what a ride behind inexpensive marketing (and fill your yearly calendar). If interested, I'll happily 425 would have given me. Discouraged at having missed the train, we spent share more. the afternoon touring the park and the town. After dinner at Molly Maguire's All the best for a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving. and well after dark, we returned to my car which was parked across from the Gene Papetti February 4, 2021 marks the one year anniversary of the first train that ran over the newly constructed Nesquehoning Bridge. The first train was personally run Table of Contents by Andy Muller, Jr Keeping On Track ...........................................................................................................p. 3-4 RBMN Press Release: R&N Continues to Grow Even During the Pandemic ...........p. 4-5 Wow. 2020 was quite a year. While the world will clearly remember the Norfolk Southern, our principal connection and the Class 1 railroad that RBMN Press Release: R&N Establishes New Rail-Truck Transload Facility .............p. 5 Covid-19 pandemic, those of us at the Reading & Northern will remember serves our region was down 11.9%. RBMN Press Release: R&N Welcomes New Customer to Railroad ..........................p. 5 that the railroad had a very good year. Yearend Review 2020 ....................................................................................................p. 6 Why did RBMN do so well? There are a number of reasons for our success. Forest Products Year-in-Review ...................................................................................p. 6-7 The year had an amazing start with the completion of the Nesquehoning For starters, we remained laser-focused on taking care of our customers during 2020 Coal Business Recap .............................................................................................p. 7 Bridge. This massive $14 million project, made possible with assistance from the pandemic. Our customers each faced unique challenges. We made sure p. 8 2020 Transload Year in Review ....................................................................................p. 8 p. 32-33 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and $4 million of RBMN money, was delivery of the raw materials to our on-line manufacturers was one issue they Customer Service 2020 ..................................................................................................p. 9 completed on time and on budget. The first train moved over the Bridge on did not have to worry about. Not only did we again meet our goal of on-time Operations ......................................................................................................................p. 9 February 4, 2020 with Andy Muller at the engine. This project was a labor of delivery 99% of the time, we also took care of demands for extra switches and Safety ...............................................................................................................................p. 10 love for Andy and he willed it to completion over the course of 20+ years. The extra service. Basically, we decided as a company that we would do whatever Locomotive Shop ...........................................................................................................p. 10-11 Bridge has led to major improvements in our operation and will benefit the it took to keep our customers running smoothly. Signal Dept. .....................................................................................................................p. 12-15 railroad, our customers, and the region for decades to come. For our efforts in Car Shop ..........................................................................................................................p. 15 building this Bridge, RBMN was recognized for a record-breaking fourth time Part of that effort was reflected in our transload and warehouse business. As 2020 A Year for the Ages in Maintenance of Way. .....................................................p. 16-21 as Regional Railroad of the Year by Railway Age. Daren details in his article, see p. 8, the demand for storage of wood pulp R&N Real Estate & Police Year in Review ....................................................................p. 22 became so overwhelming that we could not keep up with it at our new Our plans to celebrate the completion of the Bridge with a ribbon-cutting p. 12-15 Pittston Flood Risk Response .......................................................................................p. 23 p. 35 Ransom warehouse. To make sure our customers had the storage they needed, ceremony were put on hold as the virus began to heavily impact the region Tom Cook Retirement ...................................................................................................p. 24 RBMN went ahead and leased our former warehouse space at Old Forge. and the nation in March. RBMN adjusted quickly to the virus. From the outset Passenger Department .................................................................................................p. 25 Thus, we had two warehouses running simultaneously with boxcars coming we knew as a freight railroad we would be an essential industry and exempt Congratulations on Your New Arrival! ........................................................................p. 26 in and going out and trucks as well. We also invested in making sure our West Fall Foliage Trip Cut Short but Still Quite Memorable ...............................................p. 27 from any local or state regulations. Nonetheless, we set out to be smart. We Hazleton transload facility was able to handle increased demand. For our Wellness Committee......................................................................................................p. 28-31 made sure anyone with symptoms stayed home and made sure they knew efforts in growing our transload and warehouse business we were recognized RBMN at Work ................................................................................................................p. 32-33 they would get paid. We made sure people social distanced as best they could. with the Shortline Marketing award by the American Shortline and Regional Anniversaries ..................................................................................................................p.