How about a Lehigh & New England Historical Society?

Lehigh<>George · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:25 pm **Posts:** 16

The Lehigh & New England Railroad is one of the least recognized fallen flags here in the northeast. There isn't much left like other railroads such as the Reading and the Central Railroad of New Jersey which survived up unitl the 1976 merger into Conrail. We as railfans have an obligation to save what is left of this wonderful railroad and preserve it for tomorrow's generations of railfans. There should be a Lehigh & New England Historical Society. There is still some pieces that survive from this railroad that I beleive should be preserved such as the L&NE S2 #611 and the existing line between Landsford and Tamaqua, PA. There are also tons of pictures out there that could be archived as well as all the history that goes behind it. This is a wonderful idea and I would like to aid in the formation of such a Historical Society, but how do we go about doing it? Are there enough people out there who are willing to join? Is this a bad idea? Thanks! Lehigh<>George LGSRy. Mascot

Ted Miles · **Posted:** Fri Jul 29, 2005 10:32 pm

Starting a 501c (3) historical Society is fairly simple. finding real property like an old station, rolling stock or other equipment starts getting into some serious money.If you start simple with a quarterly newsletter and work up from there, it would be a good thing.I believe the licks section of this site should be able to provide you with a list of railroad historical societies. There are sure a ot of them out there!Ted Miles

rev66vette · **Joined:** Mon Aug 30, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 362

I agree entirely that there are a lot of groups out there. The fact that there are so many, some of which literally feed off each other, has been discussed here on many occasions. As for the L&NE, the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society has done much in the past to cover the doings of this railroad, as have many other groups relative to the NJ/PA/NY area. If you are only looking to "assist", I feel you may be in for an extended wait. If you're willing to pick up the ball and run, with it, well, that's another story and I'm sure there are many here that will jump on board and join.

eldiner · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:39 am **Posts:** 534

The New Jersey Midland Railroad Historical Society "officially" covers the Lehigh & New England as part of its mission. There have been a number of very good articles on the L&NE in its publication, the Midlander Trainsheet, over the years.http://njmidland.railfan.net

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

https://www.facebook.com/lne611

steamtown observer · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:11 pm **Posts:** 371

While we are on the topic of the L&NE, does anyone know the current status of business car 100? It was removed a number of years ago from the restaurant in Strafford, PA and was supposedly going "somewhere" to be restored. Is it still in existence? Did any restoration happen?

The 611 and the 100 ending up in the same place would be nice.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

I don't have my list handy, but off the top of my head the LNE survivors include (but are not limited to):

S-2 #611 Emporia, IN - RYPN thread at http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31036
0-6-0 #207 Union, IL
Business car #100 Windber, PA
5 steel cabooses scattered around the northeast
At least 4 wood bobber cabooses
At least 6 wood cabooses in PA, MA and NH
Gondolas in Kempton, PA and Essex, CT
2 bay hopper Strasburg, PA
Covered hopper Thendara, NY
Boxcar body New Hope, PA
Tunnel car frame Strasburg, PA

I am likely forgetting a couple of bits and pieces.

Dont forget rumors of RS-2s in Mexico and Bikini Bottom. ;-)

Rob

steamfinder · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 6:06 am **Posts:** 24

The second LN&E gondola at Kempton was moved to the Allentown and Auburn near Kutztown. They plan on running it again.

fairmontdave · **Posted:** Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:05 am

I live just outside of Windber in Adams Township/Elton area, and I do not know of any LNE #100 business car there. Unless it is stored in the old Berwind-White car shop complex owned by Ed Metka. I've stopped by there a couple of times, but the place is always deserted. There was a Bethlehem Mines SW that sat down by the Thomas Feed Mill/Agway building, it was cut up the summer of 2013, I think along with a green hi-cube boxcar, by Metka, I've been told. Not much rail activity in Windber other than the occasional NS coal train to Rosebud Mine or PBS Coal. Even the Miner's Heritage Center closed up last year and gave all their stuff to the Quecreek Mine Disaster museum.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

fairmontdave wrote:

I live just outside of Windber in Adams Township/Elton area, and I do not know of any LNE #100 business car there. Unless it is stored in the old Berwind-White car shop complex owned by Ed Metka. I've stopped by there a couple of times, but the place is always deserted. There was a Bethlehem Mines SW that sat down by the Thomas Feed Mill/Agway building, it was cut up the summer of 2013, I think along with a green hi-cube boxcar, by Metka, I've been told. Not much rail activity in Windber other than the occasional NS coal train to Rosebud Mine or PBS Coal. Even the Miner's Heritage Center closed up last year and gave all their stuff to the Quecreek Mine Disaster museum.

#100 was added to Mr. Metka's collection many years ago.

fairmontdave · **Posted:** Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:57 pm

What is left in the old Berwind -White shop? Any of the original equipment?