Thanks to my new job, I am going to be spending most of the next two and a half months in Erie, PA for training. Anyone know what's out that way as far as railroad preservation sites? Unfortunately, Erie is on the opposite end of PA from The RR Museum of PA, and Strasburg, or I'd be spending time there.

Twelve or so miles to the northeast is North East, Pa. (which, of course, isn't in northeast Pa.), home to the Lake Shore Railway Museum and group of preservationists, with a station museum and substantial junk--er, rolling stock collection. It's the best you have in the area.

Erie has/had a nice NYC rail station, which formerly had a brewpub inside, and may still have a restaurant of some sort inside (Hoppers was the last name I had on record.....).

The guys operating the Western NY & Penna. RR operation probably qualify as pseudo- or de facto preservationists, possessing among other things a former Canadian Alco/MLW FA diesel and some passenger cars......

Conneaut, Ohio has a NKP Bershire on static display, #755.

The Lake Shore group isn't exactly preservationists in the same sense as those who participate on this board -- more like a group of railfans who just happen to run a railroad museum. They have a few notable pieces, a NYC U25B #2500, a Chicago South Shore Little Joe electric, a restored Great Northern diner and a couple others. The former LS&MS depot is very nice and contains a lot of old GE pictures and memorabilia. The group seems to be suffering from old age and apathy. They haven't done a whole heck of alot in several years now, although the GN diner did get painted rather recently.

The WNY&PA is strictly a freight operation. Prior to that, the New York & Lake Erie was operating the line (ex-Erie, EL main) between Corry and Meadville. The FPA4's went back to Gowanda when the NY&LE ceased operating there.

Erie brewpub is nice, they have pretty good beer there! Check it out.

If your looking to get involved, best bet is to go west into Ohio, or south deeper into PA.

In addition to the North East museum (which, by the way, I've found to worth visiting, with some nice displays), there are the following that are relatively nearby:

There is a small display at the Dunkirk (NY) fairgrounds, which is a little less than an hour up (East) on Rte 90. They have a Brooks 0-6-0, wooden boxcar, and NYC caboose, which were well cared-for at my last visit. When you get off of the Interstate, just ask for directions at the toll booth; it's a very short drive from the exit.

The WNY & Pa is based in Falconer, NY (eastern suburb of Jamestown). About an hour, or a little less, East on Rte 86. They are railfan-friendly, as long as you check in with them first. All Alco power, and usually has some action on weekdays.

A bit farther East on 86 is the Salamanca RR Museum - a fairly small collection of rolling stock, and a nicely restored BR&P depot with displays inside. Last I knew, the hours were "spotty" in the winter months, so you might want to check on that before visiting.

John Redden

If you are interested in traction, drive about 140 miles south on I-79 to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. It will reopen for the season on March 25. However, there are work crews there most Saturdays (except during or after a heavy snow storm) during the winter, and I am sure someone will be happy to show you around. For more information, call 724-228-9256.

There is a lot to see, but most of it is inside secure buildings, so make advance arrangements.

Forgot about a couple of logging engines that are fairly close, as well.

Corry, Pennsylvania is where they manufactured Climax locomotives. I haven't been there myself, but I've heard that the town has a nice museum, with a Climax on display, inside. Corry is about 20 or 25 miles East of Erie, on U.S. Rte 6.

Continue down Rte 6 another 50 or 60 miles beyond Corry, and we find the Pennsylvania Lumberman's Museum at Galeton. They have a Shay, several log rack cars, and a Barnhardt Loader. This is in addition to a recreation of a lumber mill and associated buildings. This is well worth a visit, in my opinion, if the logging industry and logging railroads are of interest to you. . .

John Redden

Thanks to everyone who gave me a little info on the area. I'm there now, and if the snow ever stops, I'll get out and check it all out.