Erie Lackawanna
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From: Bnchmark63 bnchmark63 AT comcast DOT net
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2023 16:15:56 -0400
Subject: Salamanca Symposium
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For the first time in a very long time I was able to attend the ELHS Annual Meeting/Symposium, which concluded two weeks ago, held this year in Salamanca, NY in the old freight house adjacent to the spectacular Salamanca Rail Museum in the former BR&P passenger station.
Chris Costello did a super job pulling this together, with help from his brother Michael. Jay Held was there with his son Nick; Jim Dent assisted them as always. Eric Dervinis was there and gave a brief overview of his new position as fundraising coordinator for the Society.

Friday afternoon we were treated to short, very short, speeder rides courtesy of Chris. A couple hours of socializing and grilled burgers and hot dogs before a couple nice presentations by Doug Eisele and Devan Lawton that evening rounded out the day.

Saturday morning after a catered breakfast at the museum, nearly everyone carpoooled to the Kinzua Bridge State Park. Probably everyone is aware that in July 2003 the bridge was destroyed by a tornado; the remaining section that still stands was stabilized and is now a “Sky Walk”. It was as chilling as it is fascinating, and seeing the remains of this once proud “eighth wonder of the world” lying across the valley floor is an unforgettable sight.

After lunch back at the Symposium site the afternoons‘ presentations by David Monte Verde and Devan Lawton (those who were there won’t forget the “Dave and Devan Show” :-) were held and we all got our fill of Erie Lackawanna photos and anecdotes. A very nice catered dinner and then the capstone presentation by Bill Burt on the Dunkirk Branch. I learned way more than I ever knew about it and am grateful.

Sunday the new ELHS Archives building in Avoca, NY was open to visit, hosted by VP and Archivist Joe Schveder and his partner Jaime. I’m so glad I decided to make time to visit on my way back home. This former bank was a great score by Joe and is a secure and dry facility. Perfect for the needs of the voluminous amount of materials that have been collected over the years. And they’re still gathering materiel from various locations. If you really do care about the history of these railroads, send a contribution - it will go to good work. Well worth it.

So I had a lot of fun (I even crossed off a bucket list item on my way out, camping and cycling in the Pine Creek Gorge - the “Grand Canyon of PA” - on Thursday night. Absolutely spectacular). My grateful thanks to all involved and especially Chris Costello, for a heroic effort pulling it together. Well done, fellows, well done indeed!

Jim Harr
High Bridge, NJ




The freight station and some of the stored equipment.




Speeder rides!




The Kinzua Bridge State Park visitors center with a ranger/tour guide. Well worth the visit.




The remains of a once-proud engineering marvel.




The new ELHS archives building in Avoca.




The Avoca depot, very nicely restored and maintained.




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