Events and News
Regularly-scheduled Events
Cinema
Railroad-related videos are now being shown at 2:15 pm in these locations:
The videos for 2023 February will continue the series titled Great American Railroad Journeys with Michael Portillo.
The video for February 2 (Ashcroft) and for February 9 (Bradford) will be Montreal, Quebec to Ottawa, Ontario.
Train Room
The Train Room is currently open to all Shannondell residents and accompanied guests. It is generally open all weekday mornings and often in the afternoons. You are welcome to stop in anytime the lights are on, or call x8900 (not regularly monitored) to set up a specific time to visit. See Welcome for more detail.
Regular Club Meetings
Regular Club meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month in the Ashcroft Movie Theater. All Shannondell Model Railroad Club Members and Friends are invited and encouraged to attend.
February 2023 meeting will be held Thursday, February 16 at 2 pm.
March 2023 meeting will be held Thursday, March 16 at 2 pm.
April 2023 meeting will be held Thursday, April 20 at 2 pm.
Special Events
Cinema
Railroad-related videos are now being shown at 2:15 pm in these locations:
- First Thursday of the month in Ashcroft Movie Theater
- Second Thursday of the month in Bradford Movie Theater
The videos for 2023 February will continue the series titled Great American Railroad Journeys with Michael Portillo.
The video for February 2 (Ashcroft) and for February 9 (Bradford) will be Montreal, Quebec to Ottawa, Ontario.
Train Room
The Train Room is currently open to all Shannondell residents and accompanied guests. It is generally open all weekday mornings and often in the afternoons. You are welcome to stop in anytime the lights are on, or call x8900 (not regularly monitored) to set up a specific time to visit. See Welcome for more detail.
Regular Club Meetings
Regular Club meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month in the Ashcroft Movie Theater. All Shannondell Model Railroad Club Members and Friends are invited and encouraged to attend.
February 2023 meeting will be held Thursday, February 16 at 2 pm.
March 2023 meeting will be held Thursday, March 16 at 2 pm.
April 2023 meeting will be held Thursday, April 20 at 2 pm.
Special Events
Rail Excursions
Reading and Northern Railroad offers rail excursions between Reading and Jim Thorpe, PA most Saturdays and Sundays. Go to www.RBMNRR-PASSENGER.com or phone 610-562-2102 for details and tickets.
Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions offers rail excursions between Boyertown and either Pine Forge or Pottstown, PA. Check their Web site for details.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, operated by Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, makes a 70-minute round trip along the Lehigh River from Jim Thorpe, PA. See details here.
Wilmington and Western Railroad offers excursions from Greenbank to Hockessen. Check out their Web site for schedules and prices.
The West Chester Railroad operates 90 minute round trips between Market Street in West Chester and the village of Glen Mills, PA. Check their Web site for schedules.
Reading and Northern Railroad offers rail excursions between Reading and Jim Thorpe, PA most Saturdays and Sundays. Go to www.RBMNRR-PASSENGER.com or phone 610-562-2102 for details and tickets.
Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions offers rail excursions between Boyertown and either Pine Forge or Pottstown, PA. Check their Web site for details.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, operated by Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, makes a 70-minute round trip along the Lehigh River from Jim Thorpe, PA. See details here.
Wilmington and Western Railroad offers excursions from Greenbank to Hockessen. Check out their Web site for schedules and prices.
The West Chester Railroad operates 90 minute round trips between Market Street in West Chester and the village of Glen Mills, PA. Check their Web site for schedules.
News
Officers Elected for 2023
At the SMRC 2022 December 15 meeting, the following officers were elected for 2023:
President Bruce Wintersteen
Vice President Rich Keckley
Treasurer Paul Tartar
Secretary Bob Watson
At the SMRC 2023 January 19 meeting, Mike Studner was elected Treasurer to fill the position upon the death of Paul Tartar. Thus, the officers for 2023 are:
President Bruce Wintersteen 7286
Vice President Rich Keckley 5224
Treasurer Mike Studner 2052
Secretary Bob Watson 6456
One Executive Board Member at Large remains open on the death of Virginia Trosino.
At the SMRC 2022 December 15 meeting, the following officers were elected for 2023:
President Bruce Wintersteen
Vice President Rich Keckley
Treasurer Paul Tartar
Secretary Bob Watson
At the SMRC 2023 January 19 meeting, Mike Studner was elected Treasurer to fill the position upon the death of Paul Tartar. Thus, the officers for 2023 are:
President Bruce Wintersteen 7286
Vice President Rich Keckley 5224
Treasurer Mike Studner 2052
Secretary Bob Watson 6456
One Executive Board Member at Large remains open on the death of Virginia Trosino.
Budgets Approved
The following budgets for 2023 were approved at the 2023 January SMRC meeting:
The following budgets for 2023 were approved at the 2023 January SMRC meeting:
One Major Task item was approved, namely purchase of a humidifier to reduce electrical problems and maintain a humidity near 30% rather than the exceptionally dry conditions that occur during the heating season.
Additional Major Task items to consider include:
• Add an Electronic Filter to Ventilation System to reduce dust
• Expand Track Signal System to Low Grade
• Build Expanded Diesel Engine Facility (where to place)
• Procure additional Track Cleaning Cars
• Replace PRR Alco FA-2s with new Rapido Alco FA-1s
• Other Items?
Additional Major Task items to consider include:
• Add an Electronic Filter to Ventilation System to reduce dust
• Expand Track Signal System to Low Grade
• Build Expanded Diesel Engine Facility (where to place)
• Procure additional Track Cleaning Cars
• Replace PRR Alco FA-2s with new Rapido Alco FA-1s
• Other Items?
Open House Attendance 2022
Here are the attendance records for SMRC Open House events in 2022:
Friday, November 25 57
Saturday, November 26 30
Saturday, December 10 67
Saturday, December 17 96
Sunday, December 19 88
Monday, December 26 94
Friday, December 30 110
Total attendance: 542
Layout Changes
Several changes have been made to the Shannondell Model Railroad layout during 2022. Click here for details.
Bruce Wintersteen's presentations on Railroad Signal Systems are now available on this website.
Web Site Update
This year (2023) the Shannondell Model Railroad website, https://www.shannondell modelrailroad.org, is undergoing continued improvement. While many changes have been made on the site, this work will continue.