Reading Company

Admission:  Adults $7, Seniors (65+) $6, Children (5 - 12) $3, Children 4 and under FREE. RCT&HS members FREE. Groups of 10 or more $5 each- must be arranged at least two weeks in advance.

For more information about visiting us, click here.

Bridges of the Reading Railroad

Pictures of some of the 2200 bridges built by the Reading in a wide variety of styles are featured. Artifacts from Reading's swinging bridge at the Outer Station are displayed. Come to learn why the Reading Railroad is connected to the Golden Gate bridge and Poughkeepsie bridge, see a turntable bridge in action, enjoy the 8-foot Shepp's Bridge model, and build a bridge of your own design and test its strength.

 

IT'S MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME

It is time to renew your membership in the RCT&HS. You should have received a letter and renewal form in an individual mailing in late November, 2015. Approximately 300 of you have already renewed as of the writing of this reminder. Please send your renewal as soon as you are able. A membership renewal form is available here and at the museum store in Hamburg. You can also renew via PayPal. Or, just send a check (or credit card info) for the dues amount for your category of membership and we will take care of processing it. Make checks payable to RCT&HS and mail to PO Box 15143, Reading, PA 19612-5143. The dues for 2016 remain unchanged: Student = $15, Individual = $40, Family = $48, Contributing = $60, Sustaining = $100, and Corporate = $150. Any additional amount that you are able to include as a donation is greatly appreciated. Your continuing support is vital to the on-going operation of your Historical Society. Reminder: Your renewal must be received by March 1st in order for you to be eligible to vote in the 2016 election for officers and directors.

Some highlighs tourts—
• Over 2200 guests have visited the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum so far this year. Visitors included our first bu group, the Reading Company retired employees group, and several school classes.
• The hand-powered rail cars of the Munchkin Railroad were very popular with our younger visitors.
• The summer exhibit, "Building the Reading", told the stories of the people who built the Reading, the tools they used, and the timeline of the work. Visitors were invited to become track builders using small-scale ties, tie plates, rails, and fasteners.
• "Rails Go Bragh" was presented in June by the Museum Operations and RAiL committees. The event celebrated the Irish workers who helped to build the Reading. Irish music, food, dancing, and stories were featured.
• The Archives department received the donation and set-up of an engineering scanner and copier for making copies of large format drawings.
• The number of active restoration volunteers doubled in 2015. Their
accomplishments include: repainting Locomotive #621, repainting the "tour" sides of the LEMTU and MU car #9123. Rewiring of locomotive #103 is nearing completion. • Dining car #1189 was moved by rail from Strasburg to Temple, the culmination of more than 2 years effort.
• Electrical service in the buildings at the southern end of the museum property was restored.
• The large roof-top sign was lettered with the Museum name.
• Hamburg's Our Town Foundation contributed grant funding for 50% of the cost of painting the buildings at the south end of the property (the "Quonset huts"), the former finishing building, the north end of the Museum building, and the front fence.
• Donations to the Pay-Down-the Loan fund have resulted in the site development mortgage being reduced to $47,000, down from $98,000 in 2010.
• At least 80 volunteers gave thousands of hours to preserve equipment, write publications, guide visitors, raise funds, serve food, maintain buildings, keep records, salvage track, and so much more.
We look forward to your renewal this year. And perhaps you would like to add a gift of membership for a friend or family member this holiday season. Thank you for responding as quickly as you are able. We appreciate your continuing support of the RCT&HS and its project, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. The RCT&HS Executive Board

One Tank Trip: Reading Railroad Heritage Museum ("Munchkin Railway) from WFMZ-TV

Do you have great memories of the 5513?

Then here is your chance to see it shine again. 

Brian's Model Trains is donating all proceeds of the a Peter Lerro print that he has commissioned will be used for that purpose.

Use the attached order form to pre-order your copy for mid-August delivery.

GP-30 Order Form

RCT&HS Year 2016 Railroad Calendar

 
The RCT&HS Year 2016 railroad calendar is now available featuring the photographs of Dale W. Woodland. Dale began taking black-and- white photos with a Kodak Brownie Holiday Camera in 1952 starting at Abrams Yard near Bridgeport, PA where trains stopped to set out and pick up cars as his camera was unable to photograph moving trains. A move to Lansdale after marriage allowed frequent photography of trains on the Bethlehem Branch. Once the Reading became part of Conrail in 1976, Dale continued photographing of railroads on former Reading Company tracks. The operation of the remaining FP7's and T1's have helped to keep his interest alive. Dale has been fortunate to add the Reading collections of Bob Wanner, Ed Weller, and Wilmer Hendricks to his collection.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER.