Video / YouTube
The Philadelphia Chapter on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@PhiladelphiaChapterPRRTHS
Launch the complete Philadelphia Chapter YouTube page above or select/view specific videos below.
Additional videos (past/present) will be added in the coming weeks.
"The PRR in Lambertville, NJ" was presented on September 22, 2024. Jim Blair discussed PRR Lambertiville operations, located 16 miles north of Trenton, NJ on the Delaware River. Lambertville was an important location on PRR's Belvidere-Delaware Division, commonly called the"Bel-Del." The decade between 1935 -1945 was a period of significant change,with passenger and freight volumes during WWII providing this scenic route with surge of track side activity.
"Modeling the PRR in Lambertville, NJ" was presented on September 22, 2024. Jim Blair presented Lambertville, New Jersey’s rich transportation history, including river, canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad's Belvidere Division. Passenger and freight activities in Lambertville offer an interesting and diverse Pennsylvania Railroad modeling opportunity.
"Off The Beaten Track" was digitized from a 16mm film. The Philadelphia Chapter received this video from William Titus whom was given permission from the owner, William Thomas (Swathmore, PA), to distribute to any organization that he wishes. As, such the Philadelphia Chapter, having received permission to share the video, is now making this digitized film available to membership. Comments are encouraged to document locations and equipment.
"From the Main Line - Experiencing the Pennsylvania Railroad" - was presented on June 22, 2024 by Michael Froio. Michael's presentation was a fantastic update to his ongoing project, "From the Main Line", which examines the former PRR network and the landscape it traveled. The lecture expanded on ideas and methodologies of envisioning a railroad that has been gone for 55 years and how historical works have inspired his interpretation of the transportation corridor and surrounding landscape. Learn more at: michaelfroio.com
"Early PRR Welded Box & Automobile Cars" - was presented on June 22, 2024 by Ted Culotta. Ted reviewed the Pennsy's building of welded house cars in 1936 and continuing into the 1950s; also building several interesting proprietary designs before transitioning to more standard types in the mid-1950s. This presentation highlights these cars as well as how to model many in HO scale.
Learn more about Ted's projects: prototopics.blogspot.com/
"The Pennsy in Louisville 1964-1966" - was presented on June 24, 2023 by chapter member Frank Tatnall. Franks presentation thrills with dozens of personal slides and stories of PRR operations in the Louisville/Jeffersonville area. Frank's presentation also covers the Portland Ave freight office and a small yard at the south end of PRR’s massive Ohio River bridge. Kentucky Derby specials and lots of first accounts, direct from Frank Tatnall!
"A Holiday Miracle" - presented on June 24, 2023 by chapter member Don Wolf. Don displays and documents the history of a neglected PRR S-1 Lionel Turbine, which was pulled from the muddy soil of an abandoned house in December 1966, thoroughly cleaned and restored to running condition. Additional details on how an accompanying passenger consist was fabricated from materials in Don’s parent's house and some local hobby shops, while home on holiday leave from the U.S. Air Force!
"The Blue Juniata - a pictorial journey of the Juniata River and the fabled Middle Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad." This feature presentation was given by Michael Froio, on December 10, 2022 at the Philadelphia Chapter.
Michael Froio is a photographer and educator in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. For more information and to view Michael's works, please visit: michaelfroio.com
This feature presentation was given by Joe DeFrancesco, Executive Director of the Altoona "Railroaders Memorial Museum," on March 2, 2024 at the Philadelphia Chapter.
The presentation focused on the development of the K4 class using the Altoona Test Department’s scientific methods. Exploring the K4 design and 1361’s career. Discussion on the 1361 as a memorial to railroaders of Altoona and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Restoration plans, progress, and the tracks ahead.
This modelers presentation was given by chapter member Ed Seyerlein, on March 2, 2024 at the Philadelphia Chapter.
Ed Seyerlein presented restoration of a Gem Guild (DH-103) PRR M1a brass locomotive. Discussion expanded on how to make 50 year old brass engines operable on today's layouts. Lastly, Ed reviewed model accuracy, painting, variations and weathering techniques.
This feature presentation was given by Charles Chandler, on September 24, 2022 at the Philadelphia Chapter.
Charles hared numerous images and stories of constructing his 1950's era prototype layout of the PRR Terminal Division.
Please note this video is a recording of a projected presentation. As such, lighting, viewing angle and audio are not always ideal. However, the photos and accompanying narration should provide another interesting watch.
This feature presentation was given by Gus Minardi, on March 5, 2022 at the Philadelphia Chapter.
Chapter member Gus Minardi, presents a slide show of PRR Alco Diesel locomotives in operation.
Please note this presentation is a recording of a slide show. As such, lighting and viewing angle is not always ideal. However, the photos and accompanying narration should provide an interesting watch.
This presentation was given by Tim Garner, on March 5, 2022 at the Philadelphia Chapter "Modelers Meeting."
Chapter member Tim Garner, discusses why he scrapped his 22-year-old proto-freelanced PRR layout to start over modeling real places, his goals, the research, the compromises and lessons, and the next steps. Lots of photos & illustrations
This presentation was given by Ron Hoess, on December 9, 2023 at the Philadelphia Chapter "Modelers Meeting."
Chapter member Ron Hoess presented his ongoing modeling of early PRR catenary and infrastructure. Ron discussed PRR's success of the 1915 Paoli electrification and PRR's rapid move to electrify the
Chestnut Hill Branch. Further, in order to connect the Chestnut Hill Branch with the Broad Street
Station, catenary was also required from Mantua
Junction
to North Philadelphia. This stretch of the mainline, electrified in the 1915-18 time period, has some of the most unique catenary infrastructure found in PRR electrified territory. Modeling these structures will be discussed in detail, with many how to photos.
Many one of a kind cars to S scale.
1st train: Reading I-8 Camelback
2nd train: Reading P-7sb
3rd train: Reading I-10sa
PRSL Doodlebug 400
PRSL RDC1
PRR Alco FA/FB
Video by: Bill Lane /
lanestrains.com
Ore Extra, Saxonburg has just recently passed over the famous "Horseshoe Curve" and entered "Allegheny Tunnel" at Gallatin after battling 10 miles of 1.85% grades. Just west of Johnstown, "SG Interlocking" will divert the train onto the Conemaugh Line, which is a Pittsburgh bypass route for through freight trains. Ay "Kiski Junction" the train will travel for about 21 miles over the "Butler Branch" where it will be handed over to the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad for the last 10 miles
to the U.S. Steel plant in Saxonburg, PA. The four unit set of EMD's consist of super detailed Kato SD-40 # 6040, Kato SD-45 # 6185, Atlas SD-35 # 6025 and Kato GP-35 # 2342, all custom detailed, painted and weathered with Tsunami sound decoders in all 4 units. The 50 car ore train consists of 16 G38's (low sides), 17 G39's and 17 G39a's of which 4 have the foam insulation applied to them (all Stewart kits). The N5c cabin car is a custom painted brass Alco Models import.
Locomotives and Ore Hoppers: Gus Minardi
Location: Steve Moylan - “Oak Valley Railroad" (www.facebook.com/oakvalleyrailroad)