<P>There is a standard gauge diesel on display at Edaville called Stewardstown #9. I think it was a tourist line in Pennsylvania Can anyone give me some history on it? Date Builder?<br>




ted_miles@NPS.gov

<P>Yes, the Stewartstown Railroad is a small independent PA shortline running between Stewartstown and New Freedom PA, where it connected with the former Northern Central/PRR.<p>The railroad is still, just barely, in operation as a tourist hauler, using a Coudersport and Port Allegheny GE 44 tonner. It is not running regularly scheduled excursions this year, but is running one or two specials.<p>I don't think the Stewartstown is long for this world at this point. It's a shame, becuase it's a fascinating line rambling up hill and down dale on very light rail. However, track maintenance and crew training have left something to be desired in recent years, so much so that the whole operation was only middlin' safe.<p>I will try to look up the history of that specific engine for you when I get home tonight.<br>




eledbetter@rypn.org

<P>Stewartstown No. 9 is a gasoline-powered 35-ton chain-drive Plymouth, model ML-8. It was built for the US Army in 1943 as Plymouth construction number 4490. It was purchased by the Stewartstown in 1960, and was still at Stewartstown at least as late as 1990.<br>




eledbetter@rypn.org

<P>I am a former volunteer brakeman on the Stewartstown RR (1996-1998), and I can fill you in on some facts of this interesting operation. First, the remains of Plymouth No. 6 were salvaged following the collapse of the second enginehouse in the early 1990's. Some of the parts may be found in the vicinity of the wye in Stewartstown. Second, Plymouth No. 9, the "Mighty Mo," is used very sparingly these days. Few parts are available to keep it running, and it is only used on special excursions when four-car trains are run for "pull-pull" service with the road's 44-tonner, No. 10. George Hart owns all four of the steel coaches--two are ex-Reading steel coaches, one is a Reading M.U. trailer and the fourth is an ex-CNJ steel coach; they originally came from his Rail Tours operation in Jim Thorpe in the 1980's. A privately owned PRR N8 steel caboose and a flat car converted from an ex-Reading tank car is used for MOW service. The STRT has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1885, and is still owned by some 130 shareholders. The principals in the operation are John Hope Anderson, now in his 80's and George Hart, who serves as V.P., Treasurer and General Manager. Since no freight is hauled, revenue from passenger excursions is minimal. Very little $ is available for maintenance or track work, but a dedicated group of volunteers led by Brad Haines do what they can with scant resources. 70 lb. rail is the norm with cinder or rock ballast, and operations are kept to 10 mph or slower. They only run to Tolna, about four miles from Stewartstown; from there to New Freedom is passable but in very bad shape and hidden by brush. At New Freedom, the Northern Central Railway operates dinner trains to York; the two operations are of no affiliation whatsoever. I've been active as a brakeman with four tourist lines in the last ten years and the STRT was the most fun I ever had working on a tourist railroad. The crews are very friendly and love the operation. A real gem is the 1870 iron bridge about a mile west of Stewartstown, built by the Keystone Bridge Company for the PRR's Tyrone & Clearfield branch. It was relocated to the Stewartstown RR in the 1910's era. I have not been over for a visit lately, but I have heard that on some recent Sundays the trains have not run, so it is best to call ahead before visiting. They have had a difficult time finding volunteers to keep the place going, so I suspect that is why they had to cancel on some weekends. Cash is very tight, and your comment that the STRT is "not long for this world" is a true statement. Every season seems like it is going to be the last, but they manage to reopen the following year! <br>




Kurtrbell@hotmail.com

<P>Kurt,<p>I believe the Plymouth locomotive "remains" taken from the collasped enginehouse was what was left of Stewartstown #8. Plymouth #6, the "Little Mo" was sold to the former Wolfboro RR. back around 1972 or so. For some reason the Wolfboro renumbered #6 to their #9 which leads to some confusion to which Stewartstown locomotive went to NH and is now apparently at the new Edaville RR (it's ex-Stewartstown #6). Plymouth #9, the "Mighty Mo", is of course still on the Stewartstown RR.<p>I agree 100% that the Stewartstown is truly a gem. One can not find a better example of a classic rural shortline railroad than the Stewartstown. It is like a page out of a Beebe book. It would be truly a shame to have it disappear.<p>Glad to see you posting here Kurt, I have always enjoyed your articles in the various magazines over the years.<p>Regards,<br>Jim Robinson <br>

<P>AH! Very enlightening. Strike my previous description then-- the engine I described was indeed Mighty Mo, which apparently is still in Stewartstown.<br>




eledbetter@rypn.org