By Cathy Miller

All aboard, railroad buffs!

The heart of Phillipsburg houses a railway museum devoted to local rail history, featuring an impressive range of exhibits and restored locomotives. Tucked behind Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home on South Main Street sits the gem known as the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum.

Sitting on about four acres of property leased from the Town of Phillipsburg, the site has a large parking area, a shady picnic grove, a carshop for equipment, restorations and repairs, a museum and gift shop, and a miniature railroad. An active railroad regularly rumbles by, close enough to wave to the engineer and get a blow of the whistle in return.

PRRH, located at 10 Pine Alley, is a non-profit, all-volunteer group of rail-interested folks whose mission is to preserve the rich railroad history of the Phillipsburg area.

They maintain a collection of full-sized railroad artifacts significant to local railroad industry. Their most recent restoration was Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad caboose #18, which took three members nine years to complete. L&HR #105, a wood-bodied flanger car built in the 1870’s, is their current restoration project – and believed to be the oldest piece of railroad rolling stock in New Jersey.

They operate the historic Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad, a 2” scale railroad originally created on the Becker Dairy Farm in Roseland, NJ in 1938. The trains are conducted with full hand signals and rules designed after prototype railroad practice. With seven small open-air cars, an engine, and a caboose, it’s referred to as Phillipsburg’s authentic “mainline in miniature,” and is great fun to ride for both children and adults.

After nearly two years of pandemic disruption, the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians are excitedly anticipating a full season of special events. (All are weather dependent.)

The PRRH’s first full Open House of the season took place on Saturday, May 14. Despite some early morning drizzle and overall gray skies, there was a big turnout.

Of the Open House, Paul Carpenito, President, PRRH, said, “The Phillipsburg Railroad Historians have leaped out of the Covid seclusion with renewed zeal and determination to get the railroad rolling again. Twenty-two volunteers showed up to man their positions and make our 2022 Spring Open House a resounding success. We have an ambitious schedule planned for this year. Please come visit and get a close-up look at railroading the way we offer it.”

A few more Open Houses are on tap for 2022. The carshop, as well as the museum and gift shop, will be open, and the Centerville and Southwestern miniature train will run. Volunteers will enthusiastically answer any and all questions. Other PRRH events run concurrently with Phillipsburg’s town-wide festivities.

Friday, June 17 (6 pm – 9 pm): EVENING TRAIN RIDE and NIGHT PHOTO SHOOT
Experience a rare night-time ride on the Centerville & Southwestern Railroad during the waning hours of sunset! A photo session will follow at 8 pm, with the C&S train posed at various locations around the property, lighting provided.

Saturday, July 2 (10 am – 4 pm): SUMMER OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, September 10 (10 am – 4 pm): PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD FESTIVAL (phillipsburgrailroadfest.com)
Celebrate 170 years of rail history in Phillipsburg at the first Phillipsburg Railroad Festival. Phillipsburg Railroad Historians will operate a full Open House.

Saturday, October 8 (12 pm – 6 pm): PORK ROLL PALOOZA (porkrollpalooza.org)
Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum will be open and C&S train will operate.

Saturday, October 29 (2 pm – 6 pm): PHILLIPSBURG FALL FESTIVAL & OLE TOWNE FESTIVAL (oletownefestival.com)
Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum will be open and C&S train will operate.

Saturday, December 3 (1 pm – 3 pm): SANTA TRAIN
Wrapping up Phillipsburg Railroad Historian’s operating season, Santa will arrive in Caboose #18 and hold court on the museum platform, posing for pictures and accepting wish lists from the little ones. Free hot cocoa, coffee and snacks will be available along with gift bags for children.

PRRH events are free for all to attend. Donations are gladly accepted!

Please consider joining Phillipsburg Railroad Historians as a volunteer, whatever your age, skill level, or experience.

For more information about Phillipsburg Railroad Historians, visit www.prrh.org.