For those too far away to visit Pemberton, here's a website with pictures of the rail equipment. Scroll about a third of the way down to get to the first one.

http://www.thewhistlepost.com/forums/tr ... on-nj.html

It was called to my attention by one of the volunteers that on a local newspaper web site, there was an article with a link to new entity, The Pemberton Township Historic Society. Yet when you click on the link, it goes to the township website. It explains briefly that the "Society" is going to take over the station and they might donate their own artifacts for display. I find it really strange that the link to the society is gone and it goes to the township web site.

Later!
Mr. Ed

thud..


technicalities

write a new agreement and yer good.

This is definitely an example of a simple solution to a complex problem.

At the December 5, 2011 meeting of the PTHT a 22 page agreement proposed by the Township was described by Mike Tamm as unworkable. I don't remember any details being described. A counter proposal, based on a 5 page agreement that the Township used with the County Library System to allow a library branch to operate in a Township building, was read out to the membership. I thought the counter proposal was a reasonable starting position for a negotiation.

On December 7, my wife and I attended the Township Council meeting. My wife's interest in railway preservation and the Trust extends only as far as I make it interesting. That said, the hypocrisy of the Mayor, Township Manager, Township Solicitor and some of the Council was such that she had to leave the meeting and go sit in the lobby. She was so angry at what they were saying, she would have created a disturbance if she stayed.

I think that the Township's "negotiation" of a new license agreement consisted of "take it or leave it."

The creation of a "Pemberton Township Historic Society" fulfills the grant requirement that the station upgrades benefit a non-profit operated museum. I believe the idea is, if the Trust is gone and there is no other non-profit operator, the grant money would have to be repaid.

There is a lot of "I think" and "I believe" in this post, but I am not a leader on either side, so I don't "know".

-Mark

And was this meeting recorded?

The meeting was recorded by the Township. It is worth remembering that audio recordings do not record facial expressions. A knowing smile can transform the literal meaning of the recorded words.

A short article on the latest developments:

http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2012 ... 950540.txt

According to this, a partial settlement has been reached in which two pieces of railroad equipment can stay at Pemberton, and the rest are to be moved elsewhere in two months, possibly to nearby Mt. Holly.

Hopefully this is true. Any comments from Trust members?

Les

I learned about this Trentonian article through the West Jersey Chapter NRHS informal mailing list.

I think allowing two pieces of rolling-stock is all about the Mayor demonstrating his authority.

There is an open meeting of the PTHT at the Browns Mills, NJ, Public Library tonight, January 30, at 7 p.m. I expect that the regular members will be told what's going on then. Anyone reading this would be welcome to attend.

I'm trying to imagine where in Mount Holly they could put the rolling stock. This link to Google Maps shows the boundaries of Mt Holly. I really don't know what is vacant and and available. Anything away from the remaining track could be awkward to get to with large trucks. Mount Holly is very old and developed. Brown fields would be the only option.

The ConRail branch ends just short of Madison Ave. That would be a logical place, if we were allowed to use it. There are some former and active industrial sites west of there that might be used. There is only about a half mile of track before you get into Hainesport. There are sites along the track in Hainesport, including the Hainesport Industrial Park that still has an active rail connection.

There are some industrial sites along the former right-of-way east of Pine St. I think the streets there are all narrow.

There is some industrial land north of Rt 537 and south of the Rancocas Creek, on the west side of town.

I will post more after the meeting. Hopefully there will be concrete details.

-Mark

a more detailed newspaper article on the proposed deal:

http://www.courierpostonline.com/articl ... RONTPAGE|s

So, what does become of the pieces moved off site? Still part of the museum or to be slowly sold off? Seems they will be out of the public display at the station.