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2007 News |
2007 News
October 21, 2007
Unloading and Loading
To get a head start on this fall's track project several steps were taken.
« First, 400 pounds of railroad spikes, made in Lebanon PA by Keystone Spike, were unloaded and added to inventory so we have enough for the tie project this fall.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Speaking of ties, the tie train then is loaded with new ones to be placed under the track.
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« Our trusty Bobcat loader makes the job an easy one and the ties are loaded in no time.
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October 20, 2007
When Pumpkins Invade!!!
It was a busy weekend at the museum as it held its third annual Pumpkin Patch Trolley Event. The pumpkin colored trolleys, York 163 and Johnstown 355, were the stars of the weekend.
« Before their journey, visitors were greeted by "Mr Pumpkin" at the Meadow Street platform.
Photo: Joel S
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« At the Patch those 12 and under could choose their favorite to take home.
Photo: Chuck K
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« Several times a day the East Broad Top steam train would greet visitors too.
Photo: Chuck K
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« With everyone back on board it is time to return.
Photo: Chuck K
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« Back at the pavilion, the pumpkins are taken inside where they could be customized with markers, stickers and glitter pens.
Photo: Joel S
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October 6, 2007
Fall?? Spectacular - It sure feels like summer!!
Unseasonable temperatures in the high 80's greeted railfans from across the globe as they descended on Rockhill Furnace for the biggest weekend of the year at the museum and neighboring East Broad Top Railroad. The barns were emptied both days as ten historic trolleys plus the M-25 Diesel, made multiple trips along the trolley line often packed with visitors.
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September 29, 2007
Readying For Fall Spectacular
Scranton Transit 107, having maintenance completed on its bearings in anticipation of its annual appearance at Fall Spectacular or in case it is needed to clear snow from the line, is taken out for a test run to make sure everything is in order.
« Sweeper 107 gets clearance from the dispatcher.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Bearing temperatures are checked on the trip with the infrared thermometer.
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« The end of the line is reached and everything checks out as Johnstown 355 moves to occupy the pocket track at Blacklog Narrows.
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August 18, 2007
Community Day 2007 brings model trolleys, and a trophy?
Each year the museum and the neighboring East Broad Top Railroad celebrate the annual Community Day as the finale to the towns' annual summer Homecoming Celebration. This year brought several surprises.
« Bob has long claimed to have scratch built several trolley models. When he finally brought them out for us to see, we were shocked at how perfect they are. Needless to say, we are pleased to have him working on the 1 to 1 scale projects in our shop.
Photos: Joel S.
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« The open car is No. 4 from the Carlisle and Mount Holly Street Railway. The sweeper is an excellent recreation of Harrisburg No. 7.
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« In this year's Homecoming Queen pageant, the museum was represented by Cortney from nearby Three Springs. At the pageant earlier in the week, she was crowned the queen and poses here with Johnstown 355 and her winner's trophy.
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« Doug, head of public operations, thanks Cortney for representing the museum and congratulates her on a job well done.
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August 17, 2007
Friday Night Lights
With trolley operations throughout the weekends, maintenance on the trolley overhead has to be squeezed in whenever possible. Tonight, volunteers assisted by the M-25 Diesel and the one of a kind Aerial Bucket Car, seize the opportunity and get fresh bulbs into the light clusters around the museum area.
Photos: Joel S.
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August 11, 2007
Get Stripping!!
Work continues on Chicago Aurora and Elgin 315 to remove 98 years worth of paint and prepare the surfaces for refinishing or repainting.
« For a brief moment, we have a car 31 in the collection as the blue exterior paint is removed.
Photos: Chuck K.
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« Meanwhile up on the roof, heavy duty tar placed as a part of a 1930's "modernization" is heated with a heat gun and carefully scraped away to reveal intricate woodwork and more stained glass not seen in about seven decades.
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« When the heat guns can't cut through it all, stripping agents are applied. Here is one of the 56 windows currently having the last layers of paint removed.
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August 10, 2007
Special Delivery!!!!
Two motors for PCC 2743 just overhauled by our friends at Huntingdon Electric Motor Service have returned to the museum for future reinstallation and are unloaded using out trusty Bobcat loader. The trolley's other too motors will follow the first pair soon.
Photo: Joel S.
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July 14, 2007
Flower Power
After necessary adjustments were made by the maintenance volunteers to the car's air system, Philadelphia Freight Motor 402, known affectionately to some as "The Beast", is posed next to the colorful flower beds and then proceeds out the line for several round trips.
Photos: Joel S.
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July 7, 2007
Gentlemen - Grab Your Ladders
Volunteers have resumed working on the exterior of Car 315, the museum's interurban from Illinois, to permit the reinstallation of the original arched stained glass windows.
Photos: Joel S.
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June 30, 2007
Meet Me in Saint Louis!!
Well not actually, but it has been a recently been a busy time at the Museum with trolleys built by the "quality shops" of the St. Louis Car Company.
« After a slumber of almost three years, PCC 2743 from Philadelphia, moves under its own power for the first time under the watchful eyes of museum volunteers.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Later, testing continued and the PCC is passed by Johnstown 355 which was built in the same factory in Missouri around 20 years earlier.
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« Locomotive 15 of the neighboring narrow gauge East Broad Top steam railroad passes 355 as it readies for another trip out the trolley line.
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June 11, 2007
Wire Time
Volunteers teamed up to continue the progress in improving the museum's overhead wire.
« The wire train pauses as a new back guy is installed near the furnace ruins.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Using the custom aerial bucket car a new bracket arm is installed.
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June 9, 2007
It's Dedication Day!!!!!
Members and guests gathered to celebrate the conclusion of the comprehensive restoration work that has turned Johnstown Traction Company 355 into a museum showpiece.
« JTC 355 poses with the antique cars that gathered for the special occasion.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Miss Pennsylvania, Emily Wills, breaks a ceremonial bottle of Champaign to mark the end of the three decade restoration and officially release the car into public service for the first time since June 11, 1960.
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« The crowds gather at the platform after the first trip returns.
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« Bullet Car 205, another favorite, rounds the curve with a full load bound for Blacklog Narrows.
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May 26, 2007
Working at the Car Wash
Volunteers of all ages make sure Johnstown 355 is all spic and span for its dedication in two weeks.
Photo: Chuck K
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May 25, 2007
Field Trip Day
In addition to learning about Pennsylvania's Trolley History, visiting students enjoyed an Operation Lifesaver presentation on railroad safety including time with the Sly Fox himself.
Photos: Doug W
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May 20, 2007
Celebrating a Centennial
To recognize 100 years of continuous service on the Philadelphia and Western Railroad, now appropriately Septa's Route 100, a charter was organized to capture photos of the route's current vehicles and operations. The museum has five vehicles in its collection that operated on this line, some for many years.
« Car 155, the chartered vehicle, ducks under the AMTRAK's Harrisburg line, the former PRR mainline.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Two cars pass at Bryn Mawr, near the center of the line.
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« Photographers prepare to capture their next shot.
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May 13, 2007
JTC 355 ROCKS!!!
In preparation for the upcoming dedication, Johnstown 355 has been making many trips on the trolley line as the final details are worked out. Here it pauses near the famous rock formation located along the 2001 track extension.
Photos: Joel S.
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April 20, 2007
Back To Track - Week Two
After a two week hiatus this spring's track project is complete.
« Stone ballast is added from the stone car.
Photos: Chuck K
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« An then then to finish the job, the stone is tamped around the ties using the air tampers.
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April 14, 2007
Hey! That's no Trolley
Museum volunteers visited our friends at the Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern RR in scenic Berks County to check out recent progress at their site and to bring back new ideas to the trolley museum.
Photos: Chuck K
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March 31, 2007
Back To The Track - Week One
This Spring's track project involved replacing switch timbers at 3 different locations to get some new lumber under the demonstration railway.
« The crew spikes down a switch machine onto the brand new and freshly creosoted switch timbers the old fashioned way.
Photo: Chuck K
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« Sometimes screw spikes are also used to secure switch machines and they are placed here using the impact wrench and lots of muscle.
Photo: Chuck K
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« C-64 again proves its worth as the tool car and provider of compressed air for the pneumatic tools that make this work much easier. Again the timbers are spiked down, the switch machine is secured and then .... the rains came. Stay tuned...
Photo: Joel S
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March 30, 2007
355 Flashback to 2005
With it coming to an end, it is fitting to look back at where this project was exactly two years ago.
Photo: Joel S
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March 25, 2007
Houston - We Have a Trolley
Johnstown Traction Company 355 receives final preparations and makes its first self propelled trip on the museum's trolley line since the 1970's.
« The trolley rope is attached,
Photo: Doug W
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« the spring tension is adjusted,
Photo: Chuck K
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« and finally the trolley is off to Blacklog for the first time. Here the volunteers gather for a group photo on the maiden voyage.
Photo: Chuck K
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« The car successfully arrived at Blacklog Narrows and is tested into the Pocket Track.
Photo: Chuck K
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« A Cult Favorite - Plow 10 made its first appearance of the year too.
Photo: Chuck K
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February 3, 2007
Continuing on the Right Track with 355
Various details continue to be worked on to get Johnstown Traction 355 back in service.
« Door gasket rubber continues to be installed. Here another piece is prepared.
Photos: Chuck K
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« Meanwhile in the pit, adjustments continue on the temperamental pneumatic door linkage system.
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January 8, 2007
So who cancelled winter???
To kick off 2007, volunteers found the weather to be downright pleasant in Rockhill Furnace for the first week in January.
« Without winter coats, volunteers discover some trolley treasures stored in a narrow gauge boxcar that is set for conversion into a passenger car on the East Broad Top excursion train.
Photos: Joel S
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« To keep the windows open in the summer, window latches are important. 355's brass latches have been meticulously upgraded with new springs and polished to a mirror shine by Bob. Here he installs one onto a frame in the car.
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« Meanwhile beneath the car, adjustments continue to be made to the air piping system.
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