Jeff:
Didn't check the link, (probably should have) but my guess would be, in 6 months it probably won't be a good link, but the text will fill in our readers. Came across the text from the Yahoo BL list.
Good news all around though!
Brooks
Railroad Forums
Save the Mill Hall, PA Freight Station
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Moderator: bwparker1
From the October 2 edition of the Lock Haven Express:
Razing the Roof: Work on moving train station begins
By WENDY STIVER — [email protected]
Stocum’s Construction is removing the hip roof from the historic train station at Mill Hall in preparation for its move to a site in Lock Haven. Contractor Marc Stocum is seen on the ground, and the crew members on the roof are, from left, Andrew Fera, Zak Pittinger and Eric Clausen. Absent from the photo is Jeff Lapp.
WENDY STIVER/THE EXPRESS
MILL HALL — The historic, 113-year-old train station in Mill Hall will make a trip to its new home in Lock Haven “topless.”
Stocum’s Construction started removing the hip roof Monday.
Contractor Marc Stocum said the original rafters are in such bad shape they cannot be saved for reconstruction.
One rafter was actually charred, he said, apparently from a fire sometime over the building’s long history.
The top part of the roof is coming off fast, he said Monday, but when the decorative roof supports are removed, the workers will take great care to preserve them.
The building will be secured for weather during the project, Stocum said.
“It will look a whole lot different by the end of this week, weather permitting,” he said.
The City of Lock Haven is organizing the move and donating a vacant lot behind City Hall on Bald Eagle Street for the historic structure’s new home, a triangular patch of lawn at the railroad tracks.
Donations from individuals, clubs and businesses are helping finance the move, as are grant dollars from Clinton County’s environmental fund. No city tax dollars are committed to the project, which could cost $60,100.
City Council approved the original contracts on Sept. 24 and OK’d additional contracts this week.
One is with Bryce Saylor & Sons Inc. of Altoona for $5,000 to remove and reset four highway signs on Route 220.
Even without its roof, the station will be too tall to pass under the signs.
The other contract is with Hanna Electric of Lock Haven for $500 to disconnect and reconnect those signs to their electrical source.
Hanna Electric deducted at least $200 from the cost as a donation, and Jim and Carol Hanna have pledged $2,000 toward getting the train station to its new home.
The station must move because owner Bob Rightnour wants to expand Rightnour Manufacturing Co. and needs the space behind his building on Pennsylvania Avenue.
He has reportedly extended the deadline for moving the station at least twice, in the interests of preserving its rich history, and is donating the building to the city.
With the roof work going well one day into it and no inclement weather in the forecast, the next step, according to City Manager Rich Marcinkevage, is to line up a date with the moving contractor, Earl Miller & Sons of Everett.
Also, a schedule needs to be finalized with PennDOT, the utilities companies that have to raise or remove lines and the railroad crew that has to remove warning signals at the Mill Hall crossing to let the train station pass.
The station should arrive in the city by moving down Route 220 in the wrong direction.
Elisabeth Lynch, who works for the county planning office and is a volunteer on the Mill Hall Planning Commission, presented the idea to save the building to City Council in August.
Council and the community reacted with funding and donations — a desire to preserve the type of building that is disappearing from the landscape of American history.
Once the train station pulls in to its new site, it will need a foundation and a roof.
Remodeling of the structure can be accomplished at a more leisurely pace, city officials said.
Section: News Posted: 10/2/2007
Razing the Roof: Work on moving train station begins
By WENDY STIVER — [email protected]
Stocum’s Construction is removing the hip roof from the historic train station at Mill Hall in preparation for its move to a site in Lock Haven. Contractor Marc Stocum is seen on the ground, and the crew members on the roof are, from left, Andrew Fera, Zak Pittinger and Eric Clausen. Absent from the photo is Jeff Lapp.
WENDY STIVER/THE EXPRESS
MILL HALL — The historic, 113-year-old train station in Mill Hall will make a trip to its new home in Lock Haven “topless.”
Stocum’s Construction started removing the hip roof Monday.
Contractor Marc Stocum said the original rafters are in such bad shape they cannot be saved for reconstruction.
One rafter was actually charred, he said, apparently from a fire sometime over the building’s long history.
The top part of the roof is coming off fast, he said Monday, but when the decorative roof supports are removed, the workers will take great care to preserve them.
The building will be secured for weather during the project, Stocum said.
“It will look a whole lot different by the end of this week, weather permitting,” he said.
The City of Lock Haven is organizing the move and donating a vacant lot behind City Hall on Bald Eagle Street for the historic structure’s new home, a triangular patch of lawn at the railroad tracks.
Donations from individuals, clubs and businesses are helping finance the move, as are grant dollars from Clinton County’s environmental fund. No city tax dollars are committed to the project, which could cost $60,100.
City Council approved the original contracts on Sept. 24 and OK’d additional contracts this week.
One is with Bryce Saylor & Sons Inc. of Altoona for $5,000 to remove and reset four highway signs on Route 220.
Even without its roof, the station will be too tall to pass under the signs.
The other contract is with Hanna Electric of Lock Haven for $500 to disconnect and reconnect those signs to their electrical source.
Hanna Electric deducted at least $200 from the cost as a donation, and Jim and Carol Hanna have pledged $2,000 toward getting the train station to its new home.
The station must move because owner Bob Rightnour wants to expand Rightnour Manufacturing Co. and needs the space behind his building on Pennsylvania Avenue.
He has reportedly extended the deadline for moving the station at least twice, in the interests of preserving its rich history, and is donating the building to the city.
With the roof work going well one day into it and no inclement weather in the forecast, the next step, according to City Manager Rich Marcinkevage, is to line up a date with the moving contractor, Earl Miller & Sons of Everett.
Also, a schedule needs to be finalized with PennDOT, the utilities companies that have to raise or remove lines and the railroad crew that has to remove warning signals at the Mill Hall crossing to let the train station pass.
The station should arrive in the city by moving down Route 220 in the wrong direction.
Elisabeth Lynch, who works for the county planning office and is a volunteer on the Mill Hall Planning Commission, presented the idea to save the building to City Council in August.
Council and the community reacted with funding and donations — a desire to preserve the type of building that is disappearing from the landscape of American history.
Once the train station pulls in to its new site, it will need a foundation and a roof.
Remodeling of the structure can be accomplished at a more leisurely pace, city officials said.
Section: News Posted: 10/2/2007
From the BuffaloLine Yahoo Group:
For all of you photo hounds. The Mill Hall Station is to be moved on
Tuesday the 30th at 10:00 AM. The planned route is 150 to the ramp
across from WalMart. Then following the southbound lane of 220 to to
the Jay St. ramp. Then taking the exit to Walnut St. Then I belive
Liberty St. to it's new home. Southbound 220 will be closed from Lock
Haven to Mill Hall till the move is completed. Good Luck! Paul Karichner
Today (Oct. 30) is the move day. Just got an e-mail this morning that all systems are go for the move, the bulk of which is to take place between 9 a.m. and noon, if all goes to plan.
From yesterday's (10/31/07) Lock Haven Express:
Slow but Steady: Train station moved safely
By LINDSAY DAVIS — [email protected]
Earl Miller and Sons, of Everett, carefully maneuver the historic train station onto Pennsylvania Avenue in Mill Hall for its move to the new site in Lock Haven.
BILL CROWELL/THE EXPRESS
MILL HALL — Children and adults lined the sidewalks and stood on porches along Pennsylvania Avenue in Mill Hall and Liberty Street in Lock Haven, much as if a parade were about to pass by.
Pennsylvania State Police escorts and lots of people with cameras might have indicated a celebrity or important political official was in town.
Neither a parade nor a VIP visit were the reason for all the commotion yesterday, though.
The excitement came from the moving of an historic train station from its former home along the tracks in Mill Hall, on Caboose Lane just off of Pennsylvania Avenue, to its new home, also along the tracks, in Lock Haven, on a corner lot at Liberty and East Bald Eagle streets and just behind City Hall.
Mimi Cooper of Mill Hall brought her 2-year-old son Adam out to see “his” train station move.
“He’s a train fanatic,” Cooper said. “We used to drive by when the old caboose stood out front, so we had to bring him back for this.”
Adam’s five-year-old sister, Sacha, and grandmother, Lana Weaver, also came along to see the sight.
“We’re very happy to see something that’s been in Mill Hall for so long not being torn down. Plus, you don’t often get to see a great big building moving,” Weaver said.
Others came to Mill Hall to reminisce. Lew Straub of Mill Hall recalled playing in and around the train station when steam engines still frequented it.
“That was quite an era,” Straub said.
Clarence Walker remembered paying his taxes in the station in the 1950’s, when the station master was also the tax collector.
The move took well over two hours, with no major snags along the way. The 50-ton train station was scheduled to roll out of Mill Hall at 11 a.m., but didn’t leave until close to noon because of delays with pulling signs and wires out of the way of the large load.
Nittany-Bald Eagle Railroad workers pulled up most of the power lines, but Norfolk-Southern employees came out to hold up the last set of wires, along the tracks near the station’s new home.
Beyond the two railroad companies’ assistance, the move brought a lot of government and community forces together. State police blocked roads and escorted the station while in transit to ensure its safe arrival in Lock Haven and the safety of other motorists traveling near it. Lock Haven City Council donated the land on which the station now sits, but a grant from Rep. Mike Hanna and donations from several community members and organizations made the move financially possible.
City planner Leonora Hannagan said the city will still need to secure more funding to renovate the 123-year-old structure, to the tune of approximately $90,000. She is working with Elisabeth Lynch in the Clinton County planning office to write applications for several state grants to cover most or all of the renovation costs.
“We’re going to have to gut the entire inside. There’s a lot of work yet to be done, though I’m very relieved to have it here and in one piece and in good shape,” Hannagan said.
Other work yet to be done includes putting the station on a foundation. Earl Miller & Sons Moving and Excavating, of Everett, did the heavy lifting and transportation in the move and put the building on stilts at the empty lot. Condra Miller said the family business’ next move will be to build temporary cribbing under the station to help support its weight while a foundation is being poured.
Jason Dershem, city engineer, said the city hopes to have the foundation installed by the end of the year. Once the foundation is in place, Earl Miller & Sons will return to slide the station onto it.
Section: Posted: 10/31/2007
Slow but Steady: Train station moved safely
By LINDSAY DAVIS — [email protected]
Earl Miller and Sons, of Everett, carefully maneuver the historic train station onto Pennsylvania Avenue in Mill Hall for its move to the new site in Lock Haven.
BILL CROWELL/THE EXPRESS
MILL HALL — Children and adults lined the sidewalks and stood on porches along Pennsylvania Avenue in Mill Hall and Liberty Street in Lock Haven, much as if a parade were about to pass by.
Pennsylvania State Police escorts and lots of people with cameras might have indicated a celebrity or important political official was in town.
Neither a parade nor a VIP visit were the reason for all the commotion yesterday, though.
The excitement came from the moving of an historic train station from its former home along the tracks in Mill Hall, on Caboose Lane just off of Pennsylvania Avenue, to its new home, also along the tracks, in Lock Haven, on a corner lot at Liberty and East Bald Eagle streets and just behind City Hall.
Mimi Cooper of Mill Hall brought her 2-year-old son Adam out to see “his” train station move.
“He’s a train fanatic,” Cooper said. “We used to drive by when the old caboose stood out front, so we had to bring him back for this.”
Adam’s five-year-old sister, Sacha, and grandmother, Lana Weaver, also came along to see the sight.
“We’re very happy to see something that’s been in Mill Hall for so long not being torn down. Plus, you don’t often get to see a great big building moving,” Weaver said.
Others came to Mill Hall to reminisce. Lew Straub of Mill Hall recalled playing in and around the train station when steam engines still frequented it.
“That was quite an era,” Straub said.
Clarence Walker remembered paying his taxes in the station in the 1950’s, when the station master was also the tax collector.
The move took well over two hours, with no major snags along the way. The 50-ton train station was scheduled to roll out of Mill Hall at 11 a.m., but didn’t leave until close to noon because of delays with pulling signs and wires out of the way of the large load.
Nittany-Bald Eagle Railroad workers pulled up most of the power lines, but Norfolk-Southern employees came out to hold up the last set of wires, along the tracks near the station’s new home.
Beyond the two railroad companies’ assistance, the move brought a lot of government and community forces together. State police blocked roads and escorted the station while in transit to ensure its safe arrival in Lock Haven and the safety of other motorists traveling near it. Lock Haven City Council donated the land on which the station now sits, but a grant from Rep. Mike Hanna and donations from several community members and organizations made the move financially possible.
City planner Leonora Hannagan said the city will still need to secure more funding to renovate the 123-year-old structure, to the tune of approximately $90,000. She is working with Elisabeth Lynch in the Clinton County planning office to write applications for several state grants to cover most or all of the renovation costs.
“We’re going to have to gut the entire inside. There’s a lot of work yet to be done, though I’m very relieved to have it here and in one piece and in good shape,” Hannagan said.
Other work yet to be done includes putting the station on a foundation. Earl Miller & Sons Moving and Excavating, of Everett, did the heavy lifting and transportation in the move and put the building on stilts at the empty lot. Condra Miller said the family business’ next move will be to build temporary cribbing under the station to help support its weight while a foundation is being poured.
Jason Dershem, city engineer, said the city hopes to have the foundation installed by the end of the year. Once the foundation is in place, Earl Miller & Sons will return to slide the station onto it.
Section: Posted: 10/31/2007
Anonymous donor supports train station
By WENDY STIVER — wstiver@...
LOCK HAVEN — The city's 1884 railroad station should be fully sealed
up by winter, thanks to a new commitment of $10,000.
Council voted to hire Workman Masonry of Bald Eagle Mountain Road,
Mill Hall, to build a crawl space and partial foundation for a
mechanical room so the station can be permanently situated at its new
home.
The partial foundation is the medium of three options the city asked
for bids on. Randy Workman was the only bidder and received the
contract for $23,018.
Relying on the commitment of $12,400 from the Clinton County
commissioners toward preserving the historic building, the project
still came up about $10,000 short in donations to fund the work.
However, an anonymous donor has come forward since last week's
council meeting and offered to cover the difference, City Manager
Rich Marcinkevage reported.
The railroad station was moved last month from its original home in
Mill Hall, where it sat for 113 years, to save it from demolition.
Owner Bob Rightnour supported the move, delaying his manufacturing
company's expansion and giving the station to the city.
Area clubs, organizations and individuals also have made donations,
with Drs. Stan and Betty Wisniewski leading the way with a $15,000
commitment.
The station successfully lumbered into Lock Haven a month ago, thanks
to Earl Miller & Sons Moving and Excavating, and stands on stilts at
the vacant triangular lot behind City Hall, at Liberty and Bald Eagle
streets.
Once the foundation is built on that same lot, the movers will return
to finish the job and position the station permanently, next to
active Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks.
The station requires a new roof and the interior will have to be
gutted, according to the city.
Grant funds are being pursued to give the building the make-over it
needs to become a museum, tourist information center, art gallery or
combination thereof.
The station also could have a vital role in making the exciting dream
of passenger train excursions a reality in the city's near future.
By WENDY STIVER — wstiver@...
LOCK HAVEN — The city's 1884 railroad station should be fully sealed
up by winter, thanks to a new commitment of $10,000.
Council voted to hire Workman Masonry of Bald Eagle Mountain Road,
Mill Hall, to build a crawl space and partial foundation for a
mechanical room so the station can be permanently situated at its new
home.
The partial foundation is the medium of three options the city asked
for bids on. Randy Workman was the only bidder and received the
contract for $23,018.
Relying on the commitment of $12,400 from the Clinton County
commissioners toward preserving the historic building, the project
still came up about $10,000 short in donations to fund the work.
However, an anonymous donor has come forward since last week's
council meeting and offered to cover the difference, City Manager
Rich Marcinkevage reported.
The railroad station was moved last month from its original home in
Mill Hall, where it sat for 113 years, to save it from demolition.
Owner Bob Rightnour supported the move, delaying his manufacturing
company's expansion and giving the station to the city.
Area clubs, organizations and individuals also have made donations,
with Drs. Stan and Betty Wisniewski leading the way with a $15,000
commitment.
The station successfully lumbered into Lock Haven a month ago, thanks
to Earl Miller & Sons Moving and Excavating, and stands on stilts at
the vacant triangular lot behind City Hall, at Liberty and Bald Eagle
streets.
Once the foundation is built on that same lot, the movers will return
to finish the job and position the station permanently, next to
active Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks.
The station requires a new roof and the interior will have to be
gutted, according to the city.
Grant funds are being pursued to give the building the make-over it
needs to become a museum, tourist information center, art gallery or
combination thereof.
The station also could have a vital role in making the exciting dream
of passenger train excursions a reality in the city's near future.