Elections for the ARHS Board of Directors are being held in June 2025. Members may vote electronically via the link below or by paper ballot that will be distributed with the May 2025 Anthracite Extra. Details how to vote via paper ballot will be provided in the Extra.
Location of Residence: Basking Ridge New Jersey
Autobiography
I was born in Far Rockaway New York and raised in Bellmore, NY, which is on the south shore of Long Island, roughly 5 miles north of the Atlantic Ocean. I attended the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry at Syracuse, NY, where I earned a B.S in Forest Engineering (1974) and an M.S. in Water Resources Engineering (1976). I’ve resided in New Jersey since college, where Anita and I (married 45 years) raised two sons and twin daughters. Our grandsons are now 4 1/2 and 2years old. They both loves to play with “pop=pop & his trains”.
I am a Licensed Professional Engineering [NJ and NY]and a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer (specialty Hazardous Waste Management). Over my 45-year career I worked for small and large consulting firms, as well as running my own company for 14 years. I’ve managed projects ranging from several thousand dollars to over $10 million. These lasted from several months to over 7 years. I was responsible for defining and executing the technical scope (including certifying design documents as the Licensed Engineer in Responsible Charge), staff (hiring, assignments reviews, terminations), financial management of budgets, and accountability for performance to the company and the client. In addition to testimonies as a fact witness, I was an expert witness Federal District Court in Newark, NJ. In a nutshell, I cleaned up the major messes created by others. I am now retired.
Commuter operations of the LIRR introduced me to trains. This meant, almost exclusively, dark grey and orange nosed MUs. Fortunately, Canadian National boxcars of lumber would periodically appear overnight on Bellmore’s team track, so I knew there were freight operations on the LIRR, even if I never saw them. Happily, yearly visits to family in Williamsport PA allowed me to see “real” trains, i.e., freights. Seeing Reading trains moving into and out of Newberry Yard and operations at the PRR’s Walnut Street Yard were key to making me the train fan I am.
I have been an ARHS member since 1992. For the past 6+ years I have been on working sales tables at the various shows where we vend our wares, assisting with the book sale and organizing activities for our Gap House storage. In addition, I am currently a contributor to the Extra and and provide assistance on FD&S as requested. Previously, I have provided a program on Lehigh Valley Piggy-Back operations at a ARHS convention.
What skills/ contribution will I bring to the ARHS Board of Directors?
I have extensive technical and financial experience for both small and large, and short term and long term, projects. I work well with people in both small and large groups. I am eager and willing to work for the Society to meet its goals and objectives. I will bring the experience of a well-seasoned professional. I have served as the ARHS President for the past two years.
My vision for ARHS in the future
We continue our on-going efforts, which have many great accomplishments. The Gap House is one of our major resources. We establish a long-term plan for the entire property to expand its current use. We need to find the means and methods to make our collections “permanent” so they will
continue into the future, i.e., a “succession plan” for our archives, including housing it and long-term funding.
Location of Residence: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Autobiography
I joined the ARHS soon after its formation in 1975, and have relied on Flags, Diamonds and Statues to learn about the history and full extent of the LV and other anthracite railroads.
I relaunched the Anthracite Extra in 2019, and have edited 37issues to date. I presented programs at member meetings and will do more in the future. I joined the Board in 2023, and became Secretary in 2024. I also chair the ARHS Archives Committee.
I’ve been delighted to meet other people who are fascinated by the history of railroads in anthracite country and beyond. And I’ve been tremendously impressed by the careful consideration and hard work of board members and other volunteers who make up the ARHS.
What skills/ contribution will I bring to the ARHS Board of Directors?
I will work to keep the membership informed and engaged in our activities. I will continue to document roles of various committees and staff members. I will continue our migration to the digital world of the 21st century.
I have connections in fields that may prove useful, for example, shared organizational infospaces, training of nonprofit boards, and recruiting and retaining volunteers.
I will bring energy, enthusiasm, and information to the board as we face future challenges.
My vision for ARHS in the future:
Our founders, and those who have carried the ARHS so far, showed incredible awareness, creativity and flexibility in responding to change. They recognized and seized new opportunities for publishing, archiving and restoration. We must continue this as we move forward. I’m excited for a chance to be part of our collaborative effort.
Location of Residence: Poughkeepsie, New York and Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Autobiography
I was born in Alexandria, VA as the first of three sons to my parents John and Mille Gabriel. During my youth we grew up in Lansdale, PA where the Reading Company was my local railroad and to this day is my favorite of the Anthracite carriers. With relatives located in the Lehigh and Wyoming valleys, I became acquainted with the other Anthracite carriers such as the Lehigh Valley, Jersey Central, Lehigh & New England, Delaware & Hudson, and the Lackawanna/Erie/Erie-Lackawanna. I attended Drexel University (Philadelphia), graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and was hired by IBM in the Hudson Valley (NY). At IBM I had a 40-year career with positions in Product Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Corporate Communications, Finance, and for the last 20 years, as Corporate Manager for Supply Chain Social Responsibility covering 12,000 suppliers in 90 countries. Presently, I am an independent consultant specializing in risk mitigation and compliance of global supply chains. During my professional career, I attended night school and graduated with an MBA from Union College (Schenectady) and traveled on business to over 20 countries. I founded and served as President of the Responsible Business Alliance for seven years, a 250-company industry group dedicated to social responsibility. Throughout the decades, I have grown my knowledge of the Anthracite railroads focusing on photography, modeling, and publications. Living in the Hudson Valley provided an opportunity to study other Anthracite roads such as the Susquehanna, O&W, L&HR, and the Delaware & Hudson, along with connecting railroads such as the New Haven and New York Central. I have been a member of ARHS since my college years and have followed my father’s legacy of serving the ARHS Board since 2019. In addition to Anthracite railroads, I have an avid interest in the Reading & Northern, THE Pennsylvania RR, Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, gourmet cooking, craft wines/beers, hard rock music, smooth jazz, and assisting aging family members and railroaders.
What skills/ contribution will I bring to the ARHS Board of Directors?
I ask for your vote to continue as a member of the Board of Directors. I will bring my deep experience gained from four decades of technical and business positions in global industry, leading diverse teams of people, and collaboration with other groups to help ARHS in its strategic and operational objectives. I will contribute my organizational skills to lead ARHS in the direction of operational excellence. As the current serving Sales Chairman, continue to provide rapid fulfilment of all web store, mail, and field order of ARHS merchandise, which generate over $30,000/year in retail and train show sales. In addition, I am Acting Membership Services Chair responsible for annually processing nearly 1,000 electronic and mail initial and renewal of memberships.
My vision for ARHS in the future
My vision for ARHS is to continue to drive the evolution of the organization into one of the premiere railroad historical groups in North America. ARHS has five established areas of interest: Archival Preservation; Publications/Internet; Equipment Restoration; Modeling; Sales/Outreach. During the next five years I envision ARHS will establish permanent and centralized physical housing of its archives (photographic and materials); grow its publication of Anthracite related materials; complete restoration of its fleet of motive power and rolling stock; build partnerships with the leading model manufacturers to leverage our archival resources; sustain membership at 1,000 plus; attract younger and diversified new members; and create a larger and geographically dispersed team of volunteers representing all age groups and interests.
Location of Residence: Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Autobiography
BS degree in Geology
Experience working in printing industry
Trained in electrical drafting
Experience with desktop publishing
Experience in railroad mechanics
Retired after 37-year career working at Philadelphia Refinery
What skills / contribution will I bring to the ARHS Board of Directors?
Graphic arts and computer skills, magazine production, railroad restoration, painting, problem solving
My vision for ARHS in the future
Sustainability, preserving history '
Location of Residence: Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Autobiography
Retired Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army
Retired Senior Computer Scientist and Project Manager, Computer Sciences Corporation and Lockheed Martin
Founding Owner, Jenkintown Train & Hobby
I grew up in Wyncote, Pennsylvania at the busy Reading Jenkintown station. After high school I attended the University of Pittsburgh on a two-year Army scholarship earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a commission as an Infantry officer in the United States Army. I served twenty-five and one-half years in a combination of active and active reserve status covering the Vietnam and Gulf War periods.
After active duty in Europe and the 101st Airborne Division, I did graduate study in Computer Science and then spent nineteen years in the computer industry on both commercial and military projects. I also became a Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor.
I left the computer industry to become one of the founders of a local hobby shop in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Although the business was ultimately unsuccessful, I gained valuable experience and contacts in the retail hobby industry; especially in the model railroad segment.
In retirement I earned a second Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, with distinction, from the Pennsylvania State University. This has given me knowledge of current computer design and manufacturing techniques including 3D printing and CNC machining.
I have been a member of the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society intermittently since the 1980s and continuously for the last ten years.
I am married with two adult children and one grandchild.
What skills / contribution will I bring to the ARHS Board of Directors?
My vision for ARHS in the future
To have the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society become the premiere railroad historical society. With almost 1,000 members in the United States and internationally the society needs to continue its outreach efforts to include as many members as possible in society activities such as the current monthly Zoom meetings. Additionally, the ARHS should seek to maximize the use of its equipment at Steamtown, as soon as conditions permit, to achieve maximum member visibility and enjoyment. The society should seek to maximize use of the Gap House for archival and research activities. I would also seek to increase the frequency of introducing Anthracite railroad specific models to the members and public at large.
Location of Residence: Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
Brief Autobiography
I have always lived in close proximity to a railroad (active or not), Growing up in Bayonne and Metuchen, NJ, I spent many hours trackside watching trains with my dad. If we weren't doing that, we were running all over the northeast going to train shows, with a group called Railroad Specialties.
Over the years I have competed in and won several modeling contests, everything from si-fi, structures, cars, figures, aircraft, and of course model trains (my main modeling passion). I have authored several articles published in magazines and online forms; all railroad related. Over the years belonging to several railroad modeling groups.
I studied audio engineering at Jersey City state college, and later at the New School for Social Reasearch in Manhattan. I worked for many years as an Audio engineer(sound man) touring with bands and running sound systems, backline, stage managing, monitors, event planning/ coordination. Later I took an apprenticeship with the IBEW becoming a journeyman communications electrician doing a variety of tasks too numerous to list here.
After relocating to Pennsylvania, I joined the ARHS where I am involved with the restoration and operation of our 1:1 scale equipment. In this capacity I help with the Rebuilding, Maintenace, safety, and running of the F3's and FA-2 at Steamtown in Scranton. This involves a lot of care and respect for the safety of yourself, the equipment, other crew members, and the general public. With this involves NORAC training, a certification used by most railroads in the northeast. I have also been part of some modeling projects for the ARHS most notably the LV station build/ presentation with Mark Charles. Alonge with helping out at train shows when I can and some work at the Gap house. I am also an avid cyclist organizing the ARHS group bike rides on the D&L trail. My railroad addiction does not stop there, I am also a railroad photographer, I only wish I had more time to devote to that..
I am a father of three and a husband to a very understanding wife that somehow puts up with my crazy hobby escapades.
The skills / contribution will I bring to the ARHS Board of Directors and my vision for ARHS in the future
I feel that I bring a wide range of skills to the organization that I am always hoping to expand on, In the future I would like to bring more younger members to our group to continue its legacy. We need to face it, none of us are getting any younger. It would be an absolute shame to see all the hard work of our founding members be forgotten. I intend to do this with activities like our group ride and hope to expand this into other areas.
