Over the years, I have kept in eye on the PRR Juniata Narrows and PRR Harbor Springs after being sold by a gentleman in Phillipsburg PA to the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. I suspect if my memory is close to accurate the cars were moved from the area around Phillipsburg to Altoona about 10-15 plus years ago. The cars are 1938 era classics that ran on the PRR Fleet of Modernism. The Juniata Narrows I believe operated for some time in private ownership as the Reveler ( I believer by Butterworth Tours ) before being officially retired.
The cars have languished for many years before arriving in Altoona ( again about 10-15 plus years ago ) ..however from their appearance, virtually no effort has been put forth to restore or perhaps preserve them. Both cars suffer from side sheet rust, broken windows, and all the typical problems caused by neglect and prolonged exposure.
It would seem as though these cars are unique and do illustrate the 1938 improvements brought together by Raymond Lowey and the PRR however these cars continue to languish with ( from what I can see ) no long term preservation or restoration plans.
It is obvious that at the present, those in the Altoona Museum don't have the facility to perform such an extensive restoration, and for that matter, likely don't have the funds to do a project of this magnitude. However, without an indoor display building ( or for that matter even a storage building ) and with the past and most recent problems that circle the museum, is the only hold out for these cars being the "someday promise" of being stored in a proposed roundhouse on site ?. If that is the case, wouldn't it be better suited to remove cars such as these, that are really poor displays and not ready for the public to view, to a secure indoor location, until long term preservation is in order ?
And if that isn't enough to think about, then you complicate the story, by the museum acquiring the Mountain View, when what is on site already has seen little efforts to restore or simply preserve.
So.. in short, does anyone know if dedicate funding sources are in place for unique cars such as this ?... or... will they remain outdoors and suffer another 10 years of neglect ?
Its not intended to be critical of those in Altoona, more of a simple question about the short term, and long term needs of unique cars in immediate need of attention.
thank you
Dean Levin
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