Latest News

 

John Henry comes to Hamburg: Tracklaying Underway at the RRHM!

For the past several weeks, Reading Railroad Heritage Museum volunteers have been carrying rail and driving spikes to help construct a third display track in the Museum display yard. This additional track will allow us to move more of our equipment onto Museum property for display and restoration. While it's definitely hard work, the Society is very fortunate to have the expertise within its membership to lay our own track without the use of professional contractors. Over the summer of 2009, additional equipment will be moved on-site, so visit the Museum to check out our new arrivals!

 

 

 

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum is Getting a Facelift!

The workmanlike brick facade of the main Reading Railroad Heritage Museum will soon be getting a facelift, thanks to Albright College student Alanna Garrett. Later this year, Alanna will begin work on a large mural depicting scenes from Reading Railroad history that will cover a portion of the exterior wall along South Third Street. Below is a concept illustration showing what the final mural may look like. Be sure to visit the Museum frequently to watch this work of art take shape!

 

 

Second Annual "Bee Line Festival" Held

On Saturday, May 9, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum held its second annual "Bee Line Festival." This year's festival included several unique events and presentations, including Charlie Adams' suspenseful tales of train wrecks and ghost stories in the theater, an Operation Lifesaver presentation sponsored by Norfolk Southern, the railroad songs and stories of Matt Dodd, and TRAIN RIDES! Yes, you read that right! Reading Alco C630 #5308 and EMD NW2 #103 returned to "revenue service" hauling several hundred passengers between South Hamburg and Shoemakersville during the Festival. For those of you who weren't able to attend the event, we've posted some photos below. We hope to see you at next year's BEE LINE FESTIVAL!

 

Above: Passengers board the Bee Line Festival excursion train. Bill Hodson photo. Below left: Our restored A5a "parade locomotive" #1176 poses in front of the Museum. Dale Woodland photo. Below right: "Singing Brakeman" Matt Dodd entertains visitors with songs and tales of the rails. Andrew Dietz photo.

 

 

Railroading Merit Badge Instruction to be offered by RRHM

Attention Scouts and Scouters! Beginning this fall, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum will offer instruction in the Railroading Merit Badge. If you are a Scout interested in earning this merit badge, or a Scout leader interested in scheduling a program for your troop, click here for more information. In addition to merit badge instruction, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum invites Scouts to inquire about volunteer opportunites that could be used to fulfill service project requirements for advancement. If you are interested in volunteering at the Museum, click here for information about available opportunities, then contact us. We look forward to working with you to help you achieve your Scouting goals!