I got lucky when I came to SUNY New Paltz University last year because the CSX River Line is only a stone’s throw away. I’ve already made numerouse railfan trips to it and even got two of my suitmets into it. That gave me the idea to try and start a club here on campus. Good idea or not? If there are any New Paltz students on this forum, please try and contact me.
The CSX track next to I-95 in Philly is 100 feet from Widener Universitys main campus. Usually when a train roars by and I dash for a window and start saying “Look, Look” , other people throw things towards me cuz they don’t seem to find the beauty in the sound of five SDs notchin out at 5 in the morning on a cold day…
Adrianspeeder
Please let us know how many rail fans there actually is at your University. Tks [:)]
More than a few colleges have very active model railroad clubs - some are legendary. I’m sure the numbers of railfans are similar. It can never hurt to cast about for others who love the rails. A group also means that you can take some fanning trips that wouldn’t have been possible by yourself. Five bucks won’t get you much past across the street these days. $20 will at least get you across town…
You might also increase the number of people who have an interest in railroads, and might be able to do some work with OLS.
I and Stan Barriger III started the MIT Railroad Club in 1950-1951. There was already a Tech Model Railroad Club, and both are still active. Post notices on the bulletin board, for a first meeting and you or someone should show some intersting slides or Videos. (Rent one if you have to!) and you might include a picture on the notice on the bulletin board. Be sure to list all the activities you plan.
In conjunction with the NRHS, we actually organized and ran a trolley fan trip, taking on a late-model PCC on lines where only old cars ran and on lots of non-revenue service trackage still in place in those days.
How busy is the River Line these days? I rode it when it was double track and had passenger service. I went from Weehawken to Kingston and then on the Ulster and Delaware branch to Fleishmans and returned the same way. Pacifics, Hudsons, and Mowhawks were power on the River Line, and 2-6-0’s on the U&D. I was 15 years old and it was Spring 1947. The rest of the famiily went by bus. But I wasn’t going to let that spoil my fun. I even enjoyed the ferry rides to and from Manhattan.
I thought about doing the same thing here at WWCC but i think that there wont be anyone else except one of the professors who might join up. Wish I had the time to organize somthing like that, It might be fun!
Never say never - Give it a try. Might be a few more closet railfans than you think.
The River Line is decently busy, with about 15 - 20 trains per day with a 50/50 mix of intermodals and manifests. They run early in the morning and in the early evening. I have photos posted on my web site and will gladly give driving directions for all those who are interetsed.