About the ARHS
Who We Are:
Our organization consists of over 1,800 authors, historians, railroad employees, photographers, model railroaders, and just plain rail fans who share our interest in the railroads that served the anthracite coal mining region of eastern Pennsylvania. These include:
- Central Railroad of New Jersey
- Delaware Lackawanna & Western Railroad
- Lehigh Valley Railroad
- Reading Company
- Lehigh and New England
- Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad
- Lackawanna Railroad
Publications:
Our periodical, Flags, Diamonds, and Statues, a magazine of which any professional publisher would be proud, is sent three times a year to all members. A typical issue can contain historical articles, maps, diagrams, and beautiful old photos. Back issues are available in print or digital form. We also publish the Anthracite Extra, a newsletter which informs members of Society activities and products as well as Society business.
Modeling:
We produce, and offer for sale, limited run railroad models applicable to the anthracite railroads which are otherwise unavailable through the regular model industry. The ARHS also has for sale many company plans and paint diagrams of equipment.
Restoration:
The ARHS owns several locomotives which include EMD F units, ALCO FA and RS3's as well as several other pieces of equipment. Our active restoration group spends summer and fall weedends at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and Winslow, New Jersey bringing our collection of historic railroad equipment back to beauty and life as a full size recreation of anthracite railroading. They welcome help from anyone interested in learning about and working on older locomotives and railway cars.
Meetings & Fellowship:
Our monthly meetings are held on the second Friday of each month at the Zwingli United Church of Christ, Wile and Walnut Streets, in Souderton, Pennsylvania, beginning ot 7:30 P.M. A brief business meeting is followed by a pleasant social session and, usually, and informative and entertaining program on some aspect of anthracite railroading, highlighted by films, slides or videos from members' collections. Our annual meeting is held at a different town within the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York and features modeling and prototype clinics and discussions, visual presentations and a business meeting. There is also the chance to chat with authorities in the field of railroad history and get firsthand, authentic insights into areas of mutual interest.
Membership:
Membership is $27.00 for one cycle (one year) which includes three issues of Flags, Diamonds, and Statues and all issues of the Anthracite Extra published during that same period. Please complete a membership application. Note: We do not charge dues for calendar year; international membership is $37.00.
In order to receive all ARHS publications and renewal notices, members are encouraged to keep their contact information current. If your mailing or email address should change, please contact the Membership Secretary at membership@anthraciterailroads.org.