Author Archives: stewartstownfriends

2024 Stewartstown Railroad Work Weekend Schedule Released for January – June

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We are sending out the following list of proposed trackwork weekend dates for the first-half of 2024 so that you can get them in your calendar and plan to help out! Keep a watch on our website for any changes.

We will be continuing with the maintenance and upgrading of the Class I track from station to picnic grove planning to install approximately 250 ties, plus continuing with tamping and ballasting. We will continue working towards Five Forks Crossing. There are about 150 ties left to install to get to there. Or less if we get a bunch done in December!! Conditions improve once we get past Five Forks and we should move faster from there to Bridge Five.

Work Weekend Dates for the first Half of 2024:
January 20 and 21
February 17 and 18
March 23 and 24
April 5, 6, 7
May 17, 18, 19
June 7, 8, 9

Coach work on coach 1158 and 1341 will be on- going, contact Dave Watson to help out with the coach work. The goal is to have 1158 looking good, complete and serviceable for Easter Bunny Trains.

Work in Locomotive #12 is ongoing and we want to have it serviceable by mid -2024. To help with the locomotives, contact Mark Koppenhaver. We have winter maintenance tasks to do on both #9 and #10.

We will be working on caboose 782 and the new flatcar to get them in service next year, contact Dave Williamson to help with these projects. We are also looking for a crew or individuals to help with the Erie Railbus #300, and to get the red motorcar and trailers back in service for some motorcar excursions next year. Contact Dave Williamson to help with these projects.

We will be posting work weekends at least six months out so that hopefully we can avoid schedule conflicts and get some good work crews out. We are looking forward to a good year in 2024 with many trains, events and improvements coming down the line!

Regards,
David Williamson
fairmontdave@gmail.com

Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad, Inc. receive a $10,000 grant from The Powdermill Foundation of York County

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We are pleased to announce that The Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad have received a very generous $10,000 grant from the Powder Mill Foundation of York County. These funds will be used to finish the external painting and complete the inside restoration of coach 1158. We sincerely thank the Powder Mill foundation for their generous gift to help push 1158’s restoration across the finish line. When complete, coach 1158 will be added as a second passenger coach, more than doubling the amount of passengers that can take a nostalgic train ride from the turn-of-the-century on the Stewartstown Railroad.

Important Announcements

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Happy Memorial Day

From all of us at the Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad, Inc., we would like to wish all of our loyal members, supporters, and donors, a safe and Happy Memorial Day.

Seeking Candidates for FSR Board Member Positions

With our annual meeting and upcoming election cycle, we are now seeking candidates for several positions. These include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and 5 director-at-large positions. We have been without a secretary for several months. Our current treasurer, to whom we owe a great deal of gracious gratitude to, has informed us of their intention to retire at the end of her term. She stepped in to help keep our finances afloat after Ray became very ill and unfortunately passed away. If you or someone you know may be interested in helping us fill these two critically important roles, please let us know. To run for a board position, you only need be a member in good standing. Membership applications are available on our website.

Spring 2023 Newsletter to Hit the Mail Soon

Joe, our newsletter editor has been hard at work putting the spring 2023 newsletter together. Keep a watch on your mailbox for the latest edition of 7.4.

Help Needed for Coach Restorations

We are off to a good start for the Summer 2023 equipment restoration season. Currently, two coaches are undergoing restoration work simultaneously, increasing the need for more helpers. Coach 1341 is receiving a roof-edge restoration, which includes volunteers removing rivet heads so a contract welder can weld in new patches. Coach 1158 is currently having the rest of the floor subfloor welded in.  We are in need of painters, woodworkers, welding and sheet metal work workers. If you are interested in coming to our workdays, please give us a shout. We’d love to add you to our mailing list and see you come on out to help. No previous experience is necessary – we will train. The next Coach Workday is Sunday, June 4 at 9AM in the Stewartstown yard.

Coach 1341 Workday Saturday, August 6

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Please considering volunteering your time on Saturday, Aug 6 to assist with on-going restoration work to coach 1341. We will be working on new wiring installation, bathroom upgrades, and painting. These improvements will help increase the overall comfort of our passengers. No special skills are necessary, only a willingness to help. We look forward to seeing you there!

2022 Annual Meeting Announcement

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Our 2022 Annual Meeting for members is being held at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The purpose of this meeting is to elect a new board of directors, review yearly results, and transact any other business that may duly come before the group. The annual report, ballot, and newsletter will be mailed to all members soon.
We look forward to seeing your there. Please be sure to return your ballot by Saturday, June 5, following the instructions on the form, to allow us to tally all votes. Thank you for your continued support, membership, and donations.