There will be steam powered Santa Claus train trips in Minersville, PA November 29 and December 14, 2014. The trips will be 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 ages 3 to 12. Under age 3 is free. For each adult ticket purchased, one child's ticket is complementary. To order tickets, send a self addressed stamped envelope to Railway Restoration Project 113, 113 East Sunbury Street, Minersville, PA 17954. State the date, time, and specify the number and type of tickets. Checks should be made payable to Project 113.

Steam and Santa always go good together. I just bought some tickets and asked the 113 guys to give them to local families who otherwise couldn't afford to go.

This is a real grass roots effort and Bob Kimmel and his band of merry warriors deserve a lot of credit for seeing it through these many years of working in the worst conditions.

I'd ask that everyone who can send them a donation to help them finish ( boiler jacket, finish paint job,etc.) the job.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

You can make a donation to the #113 project via the Reading & Northern website:

http://www.rbmnrr.com/steam

Buying and donating tickets is a great way to handle that. We've had times where it looked as if an excursion were full, but several people had bought tickets to make a donation, not intending to ride. Handing the tickets over for use by people who would have had to make a real sacrifice to get aboard is a win-win if I ever saw one.

I notice the 113 crew has a suggested donation for photography without riding, as well.

just reading the "history" on the site, very impressive, many of the shortlines out there getting success where the major haulers give up...duh

What steam will be running?

4 1/4

The following is a copy of a thank-you letter we sent to Ross:

Dear Ross,

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your very generous donation of money for tickets for those people who cannot afford them. This represents your very upbeat attitude which started so many years ago with your many projects which the public has enjoyed and appreciated.

Very few people understand the amount of time and expense of these projects entail. I can say that I can with our restoration of CNJ 113 and the struggle to keep it running on all fronts. You are one of those who also know what we are constantly going through.

Because of your generosity, more kids will be able to enjoy the Santa trips. There will be many more smiles on our Santa trip days.

Thankfully,

Bob