Grant Will Aid New Colebrookdale Railroad Plan

The Colebroodale Railroad's Secret Valley Line at its station in Boyertown.

The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust has received a $17,290 grant from the The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

According to Nathaniel Guest, executive director of the trust, the grant will be used to write a new strategic plan for the railroad.

"Our first strategic plan is now five years old and has been largely implemented. While the railroad has met or exceeded the expectations set forth in that first plan, we want to lay out how the success and future growth of the railroad could further advance the quality of life in our region," he wrote in response to a query from MediaNews Group.

The restored dining car on the Colebrookdale Railroad.

"The plan funded in part by this grant will do that," he said adding that he wanted to thank state representatives Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist.; Tim Hennessey, R-26th Dist.; Marcy Topel, R-147th Dist., David Maloney, R-158th Dist., and state Sen. Robert mensch, R-24th Dist., for their support and leadership.

"I don't know if the people of our region know how blessed they are to have these elected officials in place. I've been working at this for a while now, and I can say we need to be grateful for them. Good leadership is everything," Guest wrote.

The grant was announced by Ciresi, who said in a press release, “railroads have a rich history in Pennsylvania. As the Keystone State, transportation of goods has always been a hallmark of what we do."

He added, "I’m grateful that this money will be used to preserve this historical site. I was happy to fight for the allocation of these funds, and I’m even happier to see this money coming back to our community."

Cultural and Historical Support Grants are to provide general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agency operating support programs. An eligible museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission received 153 applications. All applicants were eligible.

Fifty-six official county historical societies applied for support grants and 12 qualified in the museum category.

The railroad also recently received a $7,500 "Green Region" grant from PECO that will provide part of the 20 percent match for a $200,000 grant being sought by the Colebrookdale Railroad to improve connections with the new "Steel River Station" it is building in Memorial Park.

The new Steel River station in Pottstown's Memorial Park was part of the previous strategic plan.

Groundbreaking Set for Pottstown Rail Station

An artist's rendering of the design for the Colebrookdale

Railroad station planned for Memorial Park.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrrokdale Railroad Preservation Trust.

The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust and its family of donors, sponsors, and friends, are pleased to announce the groundbreaking of the Pottstown Steel River Station in Memorial Park on March 16th at 10:15 am. 

The public is invited to join elected officials and Station sponsors at a ceremony in Memorial Park where the Colebrookdale Railroad tracks cross King Street in Pottstown. 

A special train departing Boyertown at 8:30 a.m. will arrive to the groundbreaking site in time for the ceremony.

The Colebrookdale's Multimodal Station in Memorial Park connects the railroad to Memorial Park, the Carousel at Pottstown, Manatawny Green Mini-Golf and Pottsgrove Manor, and includes a bus station served by Pottstown Area Rapid Transit. 

The Station will also eventually include a connection to the regional trail network and bike access facilities as well as restrooms for community events held in Memorial Park. 

Grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Multimodal Transportation Fund, the County of Montgomery, the County of Berks, and the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation match generous contributions from the Scott and Susan Bentley Fund, Carl and Sylvia Landis, and Peggy Whittaker in support of the Station project. 

Currently, the Colebrookdale Railroad uses a

temporary wooden platform in Memorial Park.

The Pottstown Rotary Club is sponsoring a historic brick paver promenade to connect the Station to King Street. Construction will begin in the spring and be completed by the fall of 2019. 

The building is designed in a chateauesque style and will provide a commanding view both to and from Memorial Park. 

Sponsorships are still sought for various aspects of the Station. Those interested in sponsoring part of the station should contact Nathaniel@colebrookdalerailroad.com

The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust is restoring and redeveloping the Colebrookdale Railroad's Secret Valley through a groundbreaking public-private community and economic development project. 

 The volunteer-powered, professionally led trust is bringing jobs and outside investment to the region by restoring the uniquely beautiful and historic treasures of Pennsylvania's past.

Enjoy the Joys (and Boys) of Summer With the Colebrookdale Railroad, No Labor Required

Colebrookdale Railroad will sponsor two vintage baseball games in Memorial Park on Sept. 9.

As Labor Day approaches, so too does the traditional end of summer.

But the Colebrookdale Railroad is offering you a chance to hold on to summer for just a little bit longer.

On Sunday and Monday, Sept. 3 and 4th, you can have your barbecue without having to cook. The railroad will do it for you.

"The sweet aroma of early fall will mix with the mouthwatering scent of hot dogs and hamburgers

The Colebrookdale will be grilling in the open car Sunday and Monday.

cooked on our open car's grill," the railroad wrote on its web site.."  Enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax with the family and let us take care of the grilling."

Both rides are at 1 p.m. and tickets range from $5 to $35 for most seats.

And if that ain't enough, consider watching a Vintage Baseball game on Saturday, Sept. 9. After all, they don't call them "the Boys of Summer" for nothing.

"It's a game like you’ll see in few places, played with rules from the 19th century. This is an experience for every baseball lover," according to a promotional email from the railroad.

Vintage players will ride with passengers on the train from Boyertown to Pottstown for the game in Memorial Park.

The Philadelphia Athletic BBC and the Harrisburg BBC will play  for two games of late 1800's vintage baseball.

Ticket Includes: One round-trip train ride, one baseball game ticket, a hot dog and an old-fashioned Reading Draft Company soda. Walk-up game tickets in Memorial Park are also available for $10.

The first game starts at noon, click here for tickets, which range from $5 to $70.

Grant to Improve Colebrookdale RR Station, Car

A volunteer prepares a historic brick for placement in the walksways being installed at the Colebrookdale Railroad's station in Boyertown.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrookdale Railroad

The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust announced it has received a $10, 750 grant to support its passenger car restoration and Boyertown Station area improvements.

The scenic railroad runs between downtown Boyertown and Memorial Park in Pottstown.

The grant comes from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation, in support of the Schuylkill Highlands Mini-Grant Program administered jointly by Natural Lands and the Schuylkill River Heritage Association.

The award will match other funding to continue work on the creation of an ADA-compatible railcar and to create walkways in the Boyertown rail yard using century-old paving brick.

Both projects will forward the Trust's mission of being one of the only recreational and tourist railroads in the nation to embrace, rather than merely accommodate, persons with disabilities. 

"The challenges inherent to making a century-and-a-half old railroad accessible to persons with mobility issues is technically challenging and financially overwhelming,” said Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the Trust. "The Mini-Grant’s support is an honor, a major help, and truly remarkable, as funding for ADA projects is sadly otherwise almost non-existent,” he said.

"The Mini-Grant program has helped dozens of projects in the Schuylkill Highlands region open up the beauty and culture of the region to a larger population, said Carol DeWolf of Natural Lands. 

"We are proud to lead partners like the Trust in making a real and measurable impact economically and in the quality of life of people in the Schuylkill Highlands and look forward to even better things to come in the future," said Tim Fenchel of the Schuylkill River Heritage Association.

The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust has a mission to develop the best tourist railroad of the 1900-1920 era and drive economic development in the Tri-County Area. Tickets for adventures into the railroad's Secret Valley can be found at www.colebrookdalerailroad.com.

Buttaro Tapped to Market Colebrookdale Railroad

Frank Buttaro

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust.

Nathaniel C Guest, Executive Director of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, has announced that Frank Buttaro, Jr., of Pottstown joined the staff of the Colebrookdale Railroad as Director of Marketing and Business Development on July 1.

Frank is well known in the Tri-County Area and brings a unique blend of for-profit and not-for- profit experience. He has served as Director of Business Development for BerksAmericana, National Sales Manager for Pro-Tool Industries, and worked for the American Heart Association among other affiliations. He brings more than 25 years of experience in sales and marketing to the Colebrookdale Railroad.

His community work spans local government and a variety of non-profit involvements. Frank serves on the Development Committee of the Bethany Children’s Home, Advisory Board of Olivet Boys and Girls Club (Pottstown location), and the Events Committee of the Reading Symphony.

“Frank brings a wealth of experience in sales and building relationships” according to Guest.

Frank’s appointment signals another milestone of the development for the railroad. Charged with developing new partnerships with area businesses and securing new ridership, Buttaro will interface with business and community groups to build continuing support for economic growth.

In the coming months, 118,000 paving bricks manufactured in the early 1900s, salvaged from a scrap pile in Western Pennsylvania, will be installed as walkways that will provide paths from Philadelphia Avenue into the railyard at third and Washington Street in Boyertown. 

In Pottstown, plans are progressing to build a station in Memorial Park where the railroad crosses King Street.

According to Building a Better Boyertown (BBB) more than 12 new businesses have located to Boyertown as a result of the railroad’s development.

Serving Montgomery and Berks County, the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust is a 503(c)(3) dedicated to restoring rail service to Eastern Berks County and developing the Civil War-era Colebrookdale Railroad into a tourist destination which will drive economic development in the Tri-County Area. 

Since carrying its first passengers in 2014, the railroad has carried over 50,000 passengers from 48 states and five foreign countries through the Secret Valley where iron helped forge a nation.

Colebrookdale Railroad Gets $10K from Mascaro, Offers Thanksgiving Message to Supporters

The Colebrookdale Railroad makes its way through the "Secret Valley."

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrookdale Railroad.

The Francesco A. Mascaro Charitable Trust recently presented the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust with a charitable contribution of $10,000 to support the non-profit’s work to revitalize local economies through the restoration of the Civil War-era Colebrookdale Railroad. 

The funds will be used as a challenge for the Trust’s end-of-year campaign for operational funding.

“We are pleased to be a faithful supporter of the Colebrookdale’s work,” said Lindsay Mascaro Ptaszenski, who oversees the distribution from the Mascaro Charitable Trust. 

The interior of the Storm King car.

 “Our support last year helped with the restoration of the Storm King parlor car, and we are proud to say it is one of the most beautiful railroad cars in the nation,” she said.

Mascaro’s funding is part of the organization’s long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. 

“Mascaro’s support has been critical to our growth and will be critical to our continued success. Their support of our end-of-year campaign means we can continue to employ staff whose work results in over $2 million of annual economic impact to Boyertown,” said Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the Colebrookdale. 

“As we know, jobs are critically needed and Mascaro is helping us make that happen,” he said.

Mascaro's support comes in time for the railroad's busiest season. Santa Claus rides the trains to the delight of young and old. See colebrookdalerailroad.com for tickets.

The donation also comes at a time that Guest issued a Thanksgiving statement to its supporters, thanking them for their support over the years:

The first train we ran in 2014 signaled the rebirth of a passenger railroad through the Secret Valley. While our vision was, and for that matter still is, simple, that task was daunting. Working with local governments, and a ground swell of popular support, we continue to be determined to develop a tourist railroad that that would drive economic development in the place we call home.

Before we could make that first run, we needed to raise funds to secure and restore equipment, obtain the necessary approvals to bring our railroad into service again, rebuild 9 miles of neglected track, and recruit volunteers.

Looking back, I am grateful to the hundreds of people who have contributed to this endeavor. Our volunteers have given thousands of hours rebuilding our cars, maintaining the track, and upgrading our facilities. Our conductors and engineers, brakemen, car hosts, and dining and parlor attendants—all volunteers—have undergone countless hours of training to transport our passengers back in time. Their effort has been rewarded. Trip Advisor made us the highest-rated tourist railroad anywhere in the East! Your contributions and their work have resulted in the miracle of the Colebrookdale’s rebirth and a remarkable upswing in community and economic activity in Boyertown and beyond.

We have come a long way: 

• We hosted 20,000 riders per year from every state in the nation and many foreign countries 

• There has been a $2 million economic impact to Boyertown and Pottstown since 2015 from direct spending by the Railroad for operations 

• $6 million economic impact from visitors since 2015 

• $13 million economic impact from Railroad capital investment during implementation phases 

• Created 15 new jobs directly and, ultimately, 270 new jobs in the community 

• 13 new businesses have opened in Boyertown and have attributed their locating here due to the Railroad 

• Encouraged re-investment in real estate adjacent to the station grounds 

• Fully restored a locomotive and two of the most beautiful railroad cars in the nation

Railroad operations have enhanced community events in both communities, which have chosen to locate here because of the presence of the train (ex: Boyertown’s Anniversary Celebration, Pickfest, Pottstown’s Brewfest, Santa’s arrival, etc.).

Since the railroad has been operating, we have received the following awards:

• Preserve America Steward Designation. Awarded by Michelle Obama in 2015. The highest federal recognition for a grassroots preservation project and one of only four ever designated in Pennsylvania (along with Independence Mall National Historical Park) 

• James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award 
  

• 2015 Planning Award by Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce 

• Boyertown Citizen of the Year Award 2015 

As I join my family on Thanksgiving, I want you to know how incredibly thankful I and other members of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust are for you and your support.

Thank you for riding, thank you for volunteering, thank you for advocating, and thank you for giving to ensure the success of the Colebrookdale Railroad – the Secret Valley Line.

Sincerely,
Nathaniel Guest

Executive Director

Marable St.? Fire Services? Residential Tax Breaks?

Photo by Evan Brandt

Photo of a Photo: Mercury Photographer Kevin Hoffman arranges borough council and staff for the photo that will be buried in the new time capsule to be opened in 50 years and buried about where the officials are standing.

Wednesday was a long one as borough council meetings go.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. with two conditional use hearings and now winding up until 9:30.

There were lots of things discussed, but the major ones in no particular order were:

• What to do about expiring fire services agreements; 
• Whether a cell tower should be allowed at the wastewater treatment plant; 
• Whether to re-name Cross Street for Newstell Marable;
• Whether to renew the lease with Fly-Elite to operate Pottstown airport;
• Whether to move forward with a new LERTA district;
• Whether to finance new emergency radios from the county and own them or allow fire companies to buy them from the borough;
• And a few others.

You can read all about them in the Tweets below and in upcoming stories in The Mercury, your local newspaper for more than 75 years.

Colebrookdale RR to Get New Car, Steam Engine

Once a Pullman sleeping car, the 'Lake Girard' will soon be plying the tracks of the Colebrookdale Railroad.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the good folks at the Colebrookdale Railroad.

The volunteers and donors of the Colebrookdale Railroad will welcome two additional piece of railroad history to Boyertown this Tuesday and Wednesday.

A new open car will arrive from Duncansville, PA, and unlike the Railroad’s other coaches, will arrive not on rail but rather by truck.

Huge rubber-tired dollies will take a 174,000-lb railroad car on a journey on Pennsylvania’s highways ending at the Colebrookdale’s railyard on Third Street. The funds to move the car were donated by Robert Hart, Sr.

“We are thrilled to welcome the car into the fleet,” said Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the Railroad. Guest estimates the work needed to fit out the car will cost about $25,000. 

“It’s not going to require as much work as the other cars, since it’s an open car, but all the same we’d welcome donations and sponsors so we can have it in service for our busy season at the end of the year,” he said.

(You can donate on the railroad's web site by clicking here.)

The new car was originally a Pullman sleeping car built in 1924. Later in life it became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad and was assigned as number8663 the "Lake Girard". 

Like our current heavyweight, this antique car is heavy. Records show standard Pullman sleeping cars weighing 174,000 pounds. With some minor restoration work, the new car will be ready for service.

This 1942 Porter 0-6-0 engine will require much restoration

before it can begin to run on the Colebrookdale.

Also arriving Wednesday, a new old steam engine making its return to its Pennsylvania birthplace.

Project 02, owners of the locomotive, will be restoring it to operation. 

A 1942 Porter 0-6-0 tank engine built by the Porter Locomotive Works in Pittsburgh, the locomotive is privately owned but will reside on the Colebrookdale Railroad. 

“We’re excited to bring it home,” said Preston McEvoy of Project 02. “It will not be operating for some time as most steam locomotive restorations take years,” McEvoy said.

A Ride on the Colebrookdale

Photos and video by Evan Brandt

The partially refurbished dining car is just one of the delights on the Colebrookdale Railroad's Secret Valley Line.

So I am pleased to report that a ride on the Colebrookdale Railroad, through the "Secret Valley" between Pottstown and Boyertown, was every bit as enjoyable as I have always hoped it would be.

We liked that the tickets were golden...

Although I have written quite a bit about the railroad and confess to being enthusiastic about its potential for the region, I had yet to ride it.

But, when the folks at the Colebrookdale Preservation Trust lowered the ticket price from $27.50 to $20 and offered rides starting in Pottstown instead of Boyertown -- all in honor of the mighty Pottstown Volleyball Rumble -- I could resist no longer.

Although the station that will ultimately erected in Memorial Park is not yet set-up, special arrangements were made to allow passengers to board in Pottstown, so riders could start and end in either location.

Other special rides are this coming weekend for the Independence Limited on Friday for the events in Memorial Park, and the special Star Spangled Express and Fireworks Express Saturday.

The Colebrookdale on its new siding in Pottstown.

Nathaniel Guest, the face and driving force behind bringing the Colebrookdale this far, said the rides that weekend were well-attended.

Its a shame that the Pottstown School Board does not have enough foresight and faith to support the effort by forgiving the taxes on the former Davis Brothers scrapyard the railroad has taken over and will use as its maintenance facility.

A non-profit organization, the group filed its paperwork too late with the Montgomery County Board of assessment to be automatically forgiven this year's tax bill and will not be tax-exempt until next year.

At least borough council had the vision to forgive those taxes, but the school board, which is constantly complaining that not enough is being done to increase the tax base and bring businesses to town, apparently does not recognize the value of an excursion railroad which will attract thousands once it is up and running.

All to save $30,000, which is just two year's worth of the contributions taxpayers will make to Business Manager Linda Adams's retirement account under the new three-year contract they unanimously approved Monday night.

Historic Glasgow Manor is among the sights along the way.

This despite the fact that the railroad is the linchpin in the new recreation and tourism district the borough is trying to create for the exact reason of satisfying the school district's stated desire for more economic development.

Anyway, let's not dwell on a vision-less school board.

Because as shown in the slide show below, created with great technical difficulty by our crackerjack technical staff here at The Digital Notebook, the visions that appear during a Colebrookdale Railroad ride are as superb and bucolic as they are surprising.

It is truly a well-kept secret -- until now.





Unfortunately, I am not so forward thinking myself that I was sure to charge my iPhone to its fullest before my wife Karen and I embarked on our journey.
So first, here is a small sample of video which drained my battery about the industrial history which occurred along the route of the "Secret Valley Line."




Once we got to Boyertown, the battery was very, very low, so I decided to focus the energy that remained on giving a sense of how things work at the Boyertown yard, and the ride back. Have a look.



Hopefully, this remarkable achievement will be preserved and developed to become the attraction it is capable of becoming and help promote both Pottstown and Boyertown as destination locations for everyone from volleyball players, to railroad enthusiasts, to carousel enthusiasts, to history-loving tourists to riders of the Schuylkill River Trail.

That's a future to which we can all look forward.

Rumble Brings Railroad Price Cut for Rambler Riders

Well, not only is the Pottstown Volleyball Rumble a hoot, lots of gun and the largest grass volleyball tournament in the universe, it also prompted a price cut on the Colebrookdale Railroad.

Friday afternoon, the folks at the Colebrookdale announced that the price for an adult ride on the specially named "Pottstown Rambler" will be :

• cut for an adult from $27.50 to $20; 
• for a child age 2 to 12, from $18 to $10;
• For seniors, 65 and older, from $25 to $15
• and for Toddlers younger than 2,m from $5 to $4.

Even better, you don't have to head up to Boyertown to ride the train. 

For the first time, trains will be department from Pottstown, at a tent set up on King Street near the railroad crossing and right blinking next door to that fabulous Volleyball Rumble.

Refreshments available on board will feature cookies and other baked treats, bottled water and old-timey beverages like Pennsylvania Dutch root beer, red birth beer, sarsaparilla and vanilla cream.

Trains leave Pottstown today at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

They leave Boyertown today at 11:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Sunday, the train leaves Pottstown at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

It leaves Boyertown at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Tickets are available online or at either the ticket tent in Pottstown, or the Gatehouse in Boyertown on Philadelphia Avenue at the Railroad crossing.

All Grads Ride Free on Colebrookdale This Weekend

Well, there's not much to add to that headline.

And sure, as you head out into the adult world, you want to guard against people
"taking you for a ride" -- except in this case.

In this case, the Colebrookdale Railroad wants to take you for a ride just because.

If you have graduated from high school or college any time in 2015, you can save your money for those college loans Saturday.

Just present your diploma, or other form of proof, and you get a free ride.

Even if you haven't graduated yet, if you have a letter from your school saying you have satisfied all graduation requirements, you get a free ride.

Saturday ride times are 1 and 4:15 p.m. and leave from the rail yard in Boyertown.

There are no rides on Sunday.

For more information about the railroad, click here.

Vets Ride Colebrookdale RR Free for Memorial Day

The Colebrookdale Railroad continues to make progress toward full operation as well as partnering with area organizations to make the most of what’s working now.

For example, all this weekend — Saturday, Sunday and Monday — veterans can ride for free on the Secret Valley Line excursion train from Boyertown to Pottstown and then back again.

“We deeply thank all of our vets for their service to this great nation. Please join us in memory of those we gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Nathaniel Guest, director of the Colebrookdale Preservation Trust, which operations the railroad.

The offer is for military personnel, both currently serving and retired, so long as proof of service is offered at the Gatehouse.

On Saturday, the railroad has partnered with the Boyertown Relay for Life, which will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, hoagies and other items to support Relay for Life’s fundraising efforts to fight cancer with the American Cancer Society.

And on Saturday and Sunday, the Other Farm Brewing Company will offer hard cider and freshly baked apple pie.

On Memorial Day, in addition to food and drink, a special flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Boyertown Railroad Yard at noon to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in their nation.

There will be a moment of silence during the playing of TAPS.

Built is 1869, the Colebrookdale Railroad was completed by soldiers home from the Civil War just four months after the Transcontinental Railroad united the East and West.

The Colebrookdale is an 8.6-mile long record of epic engineering and heroic human drama.



To make your reservations or to learn more about the Colebrookdale Railroad, go to www.colebrookdalerailroad.com.

Spurred to Action

Photo by Leonard F. Shaner Jr.

The Glasgow Iron Works railroad spur is open for the first time in 100 years. It will allow the Colebrookdale Railroad access to its maintenance shop on the grounds of the former Davis Brothers Scrap Yard.

The Colebrookdale Railroad will have a place in Pottstown to service and maintain their rail cars thanks to action by several players.

The non-profit Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust took possession of the former Davis Brothers Scrap Yard at the end of Old Glasgow Street last year.

The building, once the site of the Glasgow Iron Works, will maintain its industrial heritage by becoming the service shop for the non-profit railroad which will run tourist excursion rides between Pottstown and Boyertown, as well as freight into Berks County.

Recently, Pottstown Borough Council became the first agency to not only forgive future property taxes on the property, but also the partial taxes from the previous year.

Councilman Dan Weand was the only council member to vote against the request, saying he first wanted to know the vote of the school board, on which his wife Polly serves, because their share of the tax bill is much larger than the borough.

Colebrookdale volunteer Leonard F. Shaner Jr. wrote that the new Colebrookdale Railroad spur to the facility is being built with the help of a Pennsylvania State grant and Amtrak Railroad Contractors of Maryland, INC. 

The rail spur leads to the new railroad shop complex. 

The property was donated to the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust last year, by the Late John Davis who owned Davis Brother's Scrap Company.

Rail Ride Benefits Carousel at Pottstown

Photo by Evan Brandt

The Easter Bunny visits the Carousel at Pottstown Monday.

If you haven’t had a chance to take a ride on the Colebrookdale Railroad’s Easter train, you may be glad you waited — but now you have to hurry.

Saturday’s ride will be a special one.

Not only will Peter Cottontail be on hand to greet the riders and take photos with kids, there will be special prizes and gift certificates worth more than $250.

“Some lucky riders are going to find an extra special treat inside their eggs,” said Sue Kane, co-chair of the event.

This particular ride — called the Easter Egg Express — will benefit the Carousel at Pottstown.

But tickets are going fast.

As of Monday, enough tickets to fill one entire passenger car have already been sold.

You can get tickets online by going to CarouselatPottstown.org on the Web and clicking on the “Easter Egg Express” link, or by calling the Colebrookdale Railroad at 610-367-0200.

Prices range from $5 for toddlers younger than 2 to $150 to sit in the locomotive.

Every child will receive a free gift from the Bunny himself, who will also distribute the eggs.

A photographer will be taking photographs as well.

The train leaves from Boyertown and meanders its way through the “Secret Valley” along the Ironstone and Manatawny creeks to Pottstown, and then back again.

“It’s wonderful that the Carousel at Pottstown and the Colebrookdale Railroad are working together on this event that not only raises funds, but also introduces visitors to how much beauty, history and fun we have to offer in and around Pottstown,” said Gail Yoder.

Yoder is a member of the carousel board of directors and co-chairperson of the event.

“Pottstown is on its way to becoming the area’s premier destination for family-friendly tourism and the Carousel and the Colebrookdale Railroad are instrumental in making that happen,” Yoder said.

(Here's a video of an interview with the Easter Bunny Monday afternoon).


In fact both the carousel and the railroad are key elements for a “tourism district” at the borough’s western gateway, presented to council in October by Steve Bamford, executive director of Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc.

The joint undertaking as part of a “tourism and recreation district” includes: Pottsgrove Manor, the Carousel at Pottstown, the Colebrookdale Railroad, Manatawny Green miniature golf, Memorial Park with the splash park and Trilogy Park BMX track, Montgomery County Community College’s art gallery, the Schuylkill River Trail, Riverfront Park and the Schuylkill Heritage Area’s River of Revolutions interpretive center.

“The Carousel is close to its goal; there is so much excitement around the Colebrookdale Railroad and they are pushing to fund their Pottstown station, and the Heritage Area has just proposed an interpretive trail in Riverfront Park. We figured rather than let each of them live or die on its own, why not join together for their own good and for all of Pottstown?” Bamford told The Mercury.

Easter Bunny is Making Tracks

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrookdale Railroad.

Local history is not the only thing to enjoy along the Colebrookdale rails, whimsy and fantasy may also be found by the young at heart.

The Easter Bunny himself will be joining us in the Secret Valley on the Colebrookdale Railroad’s ‘Easter Bunny Express' on March 28 and 29, and on April 4 and 5.

Not only will young passengers be greeted by our furry friend, each child will receive a free gift for the very young (under 8), there will even be a special Easter Egg Hunt to enjoy.

With so much magic and memories to be made, you won’t want to miss a thing.

There will be photographers on-board to assist in capturing those special moments.

For more information about the railroad and to purchase tickets, click here.

$20K for Colebrookdale Railroad

Photos by Evan Brandt

The Colebrookdale Railroad's "open car" is more popular in warmer months.

The Colebrookdale Railroad was the biggest beneficiary of this year’s round of grants from the Boyertown Area Charitable program.

Part of the Berks County Community Foundation, the charitable program distributed $44,250 it was announced Friday and $20,000 of it went to the railroad for operations.

Berks Community Foundation spokesman Jason Brudereck said railroad is free to use the money however it sees fit.

Another $15,000 was awarded to Building a Better Boyertown to make pedestrian improvements to

handle the anticipated 20,000 to 30,000 annual visitors who will come to the borough as a result of the train.

Plans for this money include new parking and directional signs, information kiosks, a walking tour app and a part-time employee to address weeding, sweeping and general gardening maintenance of sidewalks, according to a release from the foundation.

The railroad is owned and operated by the non-profit Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust and this fall began offering rides on its historic Secret Valley nine-mile excursion line between Boyertown and Pottstown.

Built during the Civil War, the rail line served the iron industry until it fell into disuse.

In 2001, Berks County acquired the line, but it was abandoned in 2008.

Two years later, it was reactivated by the Berks County Redevelopment authority by the Eastern Berks Gateway Railroad, which was in turn purchased by the Colebrookdale Preservation Trust earlier this year.

In June, the railroad received a $676,029 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority toward the cost of moving an historic rail depot from Birdsboro to Memorial Park in Pottstown to serve as the station on the Pottstown end of the ride.

At the Boyertown end of the line, plans include the development of the Boyertown Railroad Yard, including construction of a platform, a station and landscaping.

The remaining grant money from the Boyertown Charitable Program was distributed as follows.

• $5,000 to the Foundation for Boyertown Education for a drug abuse prevention program in the Boyertown School District.

• $2,500 to Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue Company to buy fire and rescue equipment.

• $1,000 to the Save Our Boyertown Clock Foundation to repair and restore the town clock atop Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ on Philadelphia Avenue.

• $500 to the Greater Berks Food Bank to support a weekender backpack program in Boyertown School District. The program gives backpacks full of food to students in need.

• $250 to the Clay on Main art community and resource center to operate an art activity tent at the annual Boyertown Fun Days.

Last month, the Boyertown Area Community Fund and the Boyer Foundation Fund, both of which are administered by the Berks County Community Foundation, celebrated the distribution of more than $1 million to 65 organizations since 1997.

The millionth dollar awarded was part of $5,094 that the Boyer Foundation Fund gave to the Boyertown Lions Community Ambulance Service.

Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for the region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County.

Ride A Secret Haunted Rail Car for Hallowen

Photos courtesy of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust.

A Halloween ride on a haunted train car can be an exciting experience.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Colebrookdale Railroad.

The Colebrookdale Railroad will be offering a unique way to celebrate this Halloween -- a spooky

Or perhaps an open car hayride
is more to your liking

nighttime run to a bonfire at the old site of Colebrookdale village through the dark woods of the Secret Valley.

Passengers will be treated to s'mores and hot spiced cider around the fire.

Trains leave Boyertown at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 Friday evening and 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday evening for a 2-mile trek, leaving plenty of time to fit in trick-or-treating!

You can depart on any train and return on any later train, staying at the fire as long as you like.

Each child in costume will receive candy and small gift. 

Fare: Adults $18; Children (2-12) $10; Toddlers (under 2) $2.

Ride in the caboose, haunted coach, or hayride car.

Helpful conductors will ensure your ride is enjoyable.

The railroad will also be running leaf-peeping hayride trains each Saturday and Sunday through the fall.

Ride on the hayride car, the haunted coach, or the caboose.

The coach and caboose are heated in case the hayride car becomes chilly.

Tasty autumn treats available on board!

Tickets, full schedule and fares at www.colebrookdalerailroad.com for all trains.

Check back in November for dining trains and in December for Santa!

Colebrookdale Railroad's Bonfire Express Tomorrow

UPDATE: TICKET PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED FOR THIS RIDE:

For Friday, Oct. 24 – all ticket prices are reduced for Bonfire Express rides of 6 p.m. or later to:
Adults: $18
Children: $10
Toddlers: $2

The Colebrookdale Railroad's Secret Valley Line excursions have a special treat for Friday riders, a full-fledged fall bonfire.

"Join us for a short night-time trip from the Boyertown Rail Yard to the site of the lost iron-making village of Colebrookdale. Warm your hands by the crackling fire and enjoy some fall snacks. These Friday evening rides will offer Bonfire Express which includes a short jaunt up the line to a fire pit where visitors can enjoy s'mores, spiced hot apple cider and the most beautiful fall foliage available in the northeast," according to the release from the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust.

Mercury Photo by Tom Kelly

Madison Robb from Oley was on the first ride.

"Children in costume will be entered into our costume contest on-board.  Passengers are asked to bring a flashlight. Passengers are encouraged to bring a blanket and folding chairs if they desire. Weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers, dress warmly, and wear sturdy close-toed, flat shoes. Bathroom facilities located in the Boyertown Rail Yard only."

The railroad opened for its first public rides Saturday and drew big crowds.

Click here for The Mercury's coverage of the first ride.

"Visitors to the Colebrookdale in 2014-2015, its pre-opening season, will get a sneak peek at the world-class attraction in the making.  Expeditions depart from the future sites of the Boyertown and Pottstown train stations and (Boyertown only in 2014). Visitors can watch our progress as coaches are restored and stations are planned and constructed."

For October 2014, the Colebrookdale experience will be a hayride-on-rails, with our circa 1910 open car, 1941 caboose, 1927 coach, reported to be haunted!

The line’s towering trestles and steep rock cuts, lost in the deep woods of the Ironstone and

The caboose and primary engine of the Secret Valley Line

Manatawny valleys, are sheltered by ancient forests of the Secret Valley once held sacred by the native tribes who lived here.  Connecting the oldest ironworking sites in the new world, the Colebrookdale takes you through another place and time.

Rides occur Every Saturday and Sunday and selected Friday evenings.

Typical schedule has trains departing at 10:30, 1:00, 3:30; 6:00 PM Saturdays (but check www.colebrookdalerailroad.com for daily schedule and special events)

Tickets available on website and, on train days, at the gatehouse on Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, adjacent to the railroad tracks.

Working Together to Better Play Together

Photo by Evan Brandt

Tuesday night's council meeting, delayed one day by the Columbus Day holiday, had some interesting developments.

Not the least of these was a proposal to create a Tourism/Recreation District to encompass the attractions clustered around the borough's western gateway.

You can read the full Mercury story about that by clicking here.

Council also approved a new contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union that represents borough workers not covered under the police contract.

That story is not yet written, but the basics can be found in the Tweets below.

You'll Be Riding on the Railroad

The unofficial opening of the Secret Valley Line of the Colebrookdale Railroad begins next weekend when rides on the train will begin.

Called "Hayride on the Rails," the rides available, starting Oct. 18, will leave from Boyertown and be undertaken in the restored "1910-era open car;" the circa-1941 caboose and the circa 1927 coach.

"This is very exciting, a big moment for the Colebrookdale, and we want you to be part of it," said Colebrookdale Preservation Trust Executive Director Nathaniel Guest.

A typical schedule will see every Saturday and Sunday (and selected Friday evenings) and will depart at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., but would-be riders are advised to check www.colebrookdalerailroad.com for daily schedule and special events.

Mercury Photo by John Strickler

The cars in which rides will be offered are shown here.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults: $25 on-line, $27 walk-up;
• Children: $18 online or $24 walk-up;
• Under 2: $5 on-line or $10 for walk-up.

So obviously, the folks at the railroad want to encourage people to buy their tickets on-line.

For those who eschew electronic commerce, tickets can be purchased at the gatehouse on Philadelphia Avenue in Boyertown on ride days.

The three-hour rides along the nine-mile line, completed in 1868, will depart only from Boyertown this year, where a boarding platform is now being constructed and given that there is no station facility yet in Pottstown.

The Frank Furness train station in Birdsboro that

is to be moved to Memorial Park in Pottstown.

That station, a Frank Furness design now in Birdsboro, cannot be established in Pottstown without $250,000 being raised. a goal these ticket sales will help fund.

The money will be a match for the $676,000 grant the railroad has received from the state.

The start of that capital effort occurred recently at the State Theater in Boyertown where more than 200 people filled the seats for a special entertainment event, featuring an auction and the showing of a silent film.

But even without platforms, the trains will run because, as Guest put it, "the beauty of the Secret Valley, here along the Colebrookdale, needs no adornment and we've had many, many requests to see the line in its fall splendor and we don't want to disappoint."

The official opening of the rail line is still scheduled for next year.