The Pine Creek NJ 3-footer had its railroaders days this weekend, and I took my son on Saturday.

No steam yet, but three dismals were running, and the homebrewed Porter 2-6-0 is coming along. The new-build tender is a masterpiece. Kudos!

I was a little dissapointed in that some of the interpretive talks were less than spot-on regarding provenance of equipment, and a truck-molunted calliope was making me nutz, but over all it was a good family event.

One stroke of genius was heard by all.

7 whistles of various shapes and sizes were set up on an air line. For a dollar, one could blow all seven (with proper ear protection provided for multiple blowers). It was a GREAT idea. Can't tell you how much money they made, but damn what a good idea.

The operation at Pine Creek is legendary, and while the Shay and Prairie are OOS, it is important to remember the legacy. From the original Pine Creekers grew many common carrier railroaders, inculding the Vermont Railway founders and some of the men on CR/NS. From Maine down to PA, Pine Creekers have made contributions to the preservation community.

Rob

We have be sounding whistles for years now at Horseshoe Curve, Altoona, PA. On air, as well as diesel airhorns.

Our next get together will be in November.

Ed K.

Ed,

Yes, whistle fests use air all the time. What made this unique was using whistles from the museum, including the one planned for the Porter, and letting the public have a blow to raise funds for restoration.

Cool ideas, and one I had not encountered before.

Rob

How about out in Michigan, and Chama, New Mexico as well? I have pictures of myself in the cab of 0-4-0 #3 at the original location on Rt. 9, age 8. Also, Andy Morrison worked at the Cumbres & Toltec it's first year of operation.

Pine Creek has had the biggest influence for me personally. I have been a member for almost 6 years now. I have learner so much about railroading there and the friends I have made doing it are irreplaceable. We are going through some rough times right now and we don't have the operating equipment we once did but we are still chugging along. I hope one day we can see a little piece of what Pine Creek used to be but we will never again see the Railroader's Days of yore. Now that we are under NJDOT many pieces of our equipment will never aging pull a passenger. The Lady Edith and train, our original bobber and open car, our 8 ton Plymouth, ect. They do not have a train braking system and can not be set up for it so NJDOT says no way. The Shay will have to be modified for train brakes when ever it is she is put back in service. I was not present at this past Railroader's Weekend as I had to work. However I am glade I wasn't because it almost brings a tear to my eye (along with many other members) to see what has become of RRW. Many of us can remember the RRD with three running steam locomotives and the parade of trains being seven trains long. I was not a member in those days but I was a passenger and I remember it well. Well I guess its true. Nothing lasts forever.

-Eric

I wish I lived closer. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to actually work on running equipment rather than chipping paint on dead stock.

Later!
Mr. Ed

I can think of several members who went on to careers with Conrail and the M&E Railway. Seems to me also that Ross Rowland was a key member at one time. Other members have taken what they learned at PCRR and became welders, machinists, or industry leaders of one form or another. However, the idea that PCRR serves as a breeding ground for future railroaders is both a blessing and a curse. My only wish is that more of those who left for more fertile ground (with pay!) had stayed.around. A lot of good talent moved on, leaving a void over the years. But with that in mind, the place usually bounces back.

As a point of clarification to Eric's posting, he mentions the NJDOT coming in and not allowing the use of certain equipment. The DOT aspect is not new. By law, the operation falls under NJDOT per the Carnival Act of the mid 1970s. In addition, the NJ boiler codes put in place in 2001, in response to the boiler incident in Ohio, are what halted ongoing work on the Lady Edith and the Shay, and eventually forced the 26 out of service.

As mentioned above, the place usually bounces back. At some point the Mogul will get done and steam will return to PCRR rails.