Upcoming ARHS Events

The Anthracite Railroads Historical Society, Inc. (ARHS) is hosting its semi-annual book and railroad merchandise sale at our picturesque Lehigh Gap property on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Our sizable inventory of top-quality used books, magazines and “railroad items” has been refreshed via the gracious donations of our members and friends; so be sure to come out and shop what is “new”. In addition to “our core railroads” [LV, CNJ, RDG, DL&W. L&NE & L&HR], other books cover many U.S. and Canadian railroads; industries; and some international titles. We have hundreds of Morning Sun books, along with a collection of “classic” books, which are being offered for significantly less than current market prices e.g., Archer’s “Lehigh Valley Railroad”.

All ARHS in-stock current books, HO-scale models, back issues of our flagship magazine Flags, Diamonds, & Statues, and our extensive inventory of CDs featuring presentations from past ARHS conventions will be available. Current ARHS books include “Maintenance of Way Standard Plans of the Reading Company”, “Jersey Centrals Pennsylvania Division Scrapbook”, and Rich Jahn’s newly released "Lehigh Valley Diesel Paint Schemes, in Color”.

Purchasing merchandise at the Gap sale will save you the normal shipping charges. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted. Open to all; bring a friend/neighbor/fellow railfan

We are located at the intersection of PA-873 and PA-248 at Lehigh Gap. The driveway is located on the southeast side of PA-873 just after the end of the Bridge.

The RT 873 bridge is being renovated, with only a northbound lane open. YOU MUST approach our property from the Slatington side. Cross the Bridge & turn right into the driveway. You cannot enter the site from Rt 248. See the Map.

GPS coordinates for the driveway are: 40.78361, -75.60587

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This is a partial listing of the books, magazines, and HO-scale models we have for sale. Our inventory is full, so please come out and take advantage of these opportunities.

• Hundreds of donated books in excellent condition. We have many Anthracite Road titles, as well as numerous roads from throughout the US and Canada, including the Morning Sun “In Color” and “Trackside Around” series. Most of these hardcovers are priced at $25 ea. (or $20 @ for quantities five and above).

• ARHS assembled Reading, Lehigh Valley and DL&W “bundles” of our Flags, Diamonds & Statues publications. Each bundle consists of ten “focused” issues of FD&S, e.g, ten issue each including an article on an aspect of Reading Operations. Priced at $20 per bundle ($2 per issue)

• Back issues of historical society magazines available at $3 @. Including: PRRT&HS “Keystone”, RCT&HS “Beeline”, Gulf, Mobile and Ohio “News”, Tri-State “Block Line” and B&M “Bulletin”, East Broad Top “Timber Transfer” [complete set 1983 to current], B&O Sentinel, New York Central Headlights. We’ve numerous back issues of “Diesel Era” Magazines @ $4 ea.

• Trains, Railpace, and Classis Trains abound. Any magazine is 15 cents, or 10 @ $1. We will give you a special rate on an entire box [say 100], so please ask.

• ARHS EXCLUSIVE Lehigh & New England 70-ton covered hopper. We collaborated with Bowser to produce this HO scale kit of this car built by Bethlehem Steel. We’ve six different road numbers. Each L&NE car kit is $22 ea.

• ARHS EXCLUSIVE HO-scale, Rapido Trains, Lehigh Valley “Make Safety a Habit” Northeastern style caboose, only #905013 is available: $95 ea. There is no shipping which saves you 10-20% on the cost of acquisition.

• Tangent Models, HO-scale. Lehigh Valley modern Covered Hopper available in all 12 road numbers for $57 ea. with no shipping charges.

PLEASE COME OUT. Proceeds from this sale are reinvested in the on-going archival, modeling, and restoration work that has made the ARHS a premiere organization.

The Anthracite Railroads Historical Society, Inc. is a 503(c) non-profit corporation.

We thank you for your support.

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An ancillary activity will be a bike ride on the nearby Delaware & Lehigh trail that comprises portions of the ex-Lehigh Valley mainline.  We'll meet at the parking lot on Paint Mill Road directly across the Lehigh River from the Gap House at 9:30. We'll roll west towards Jim Thorpe at 10. At Thorpe we'll grab a bite to eat.  All that are interested RSVP Steve Olear at: gronku2@yahoo.com . REMEMBER: YOU MUST DRIVE UP FROM SLATINGTON ON 873 TO GET TO PAINT MILL RD.

Bill Elwell will present on Jersey Shore - railroads and their effects

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Nestled halfway between two of America's most important cities, the Jersey Shore seems perfectly positioned to be a vacation destination. What was once desolate beachfront did not become a vacationing mecca overnight. Railroads were the defining factor in creating and shaping the development of the Shore as a center for everything from day trips to whole summer vacations. As the winds of technology changed, the passenger-centric Jersey Shore railroads were able to turn into the breeze and refocus to commuters, redefining themselves and the Jersey Shore as a whole. This work explores railroads and their effects on Jersey Shore, especially vacationing and commuting, focusing through the lens of railroad-publications like timetables and advertisements.

Bill Elwell is an adjunct professor of history at Monmouth University and a lifelong Jersey Shore resident. Much of that life has been spent exploring all different aspects of railroads, especially local ones, through history, modeling, and railfanning. Additionally, Bill is on the Board of the Ocean County Historical Society, a member of the Anthracite Roads Historical Society and West Jersey Chapter NRHS. He formerly worked in historical outreach for Monmouth County, and is proud to help share our common story.

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Elections for the ARHS Board of Directors will be held in June 2025. Members may vote electronically via our Webpage or by paper ballot that will be distributed with the May 2025 Anthracite Extra. Details will be provided here and in the Extra. Additionally, elections will be discussed at the May 14th Members' meeting.

Doug Lilly's part 3 of his Lehigh New England presentation

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Dale Woodland will present The Reading in Philadelphia

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Rich Chapin will present "Lehigh Valley Piggy-Back Operations: 1954 to 1976"

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The LV was one of the first roads to join "the piggy-back revolution" in the early 1950's. Rich Chapin will present a historical perspective on the Lehigh Valley's version of what we now call "intermodal transportation", including equipment, operations and advertising.

More Information to come.

This is a three day event - September 19-21

More Information to come.

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Jeremy Plant will present on the Central Railroad of New Jersey

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Jeremy will share about 100 pictures showing basically CNJ but with a few shots of L&HR and PRR/PC as they relate to shared locations.

More Information to come.

This is a two-day event - November 8th & 9th

Richard Jahn will be presenting a program about George Leilich’s career on the LV illustrated with photos he took in the 1930’s and 1940’s

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Mark Charleswill present TBD

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