|
|
|
Phillipsburg, N.J. Railroad Festival! Celebrating 172 Years Since Rail Came to Town
Phillipsburg, N.J.— Platinum Star Cleaning will present the third annual Phillipsburg
N.J. Railroad Festival, celebrating 172 years of railroad with music, food, vendors, and
three walkable areas of railroad fun on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The first railroad to arrive in Phillipsburg was the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ),
which opened on July 2, 1852. Phillipsburg was once a major transportation hub, home
to five major railroads with roundhouses and turntables as well as the Morris Canal.
Presenter Aaron D. Coleman, owner of Platinum Star Cleaning and producer of the
event, stated, "He saw the importance of continuing the annual festival for the Town of
Phillipsburg and the surrounding community after the last two years of the festival,
which drew over 3000 attendees, and expects many more this year." Coleman said, “I
feel it's important for businesses to give back to the community. “ Mr. Coleman further
declared that the "All Aboard" sponsor for this year is McWane Ductile, Iron Strong
since 1871 in Phillipsburg.
Mayor Randy Piazza said, “It’s great to see The Phillipsburg Railroad Festival not only
come back for its 3rd year, but come back bigger and better than before.”
Coleman has built and fostered relationships and has been working on a plan he
created connecting over sixty acres of Walters Park to Delaware Park, first with Walter’s
Park to PU Tower & PU Station that will include trolley service, walking, and bike paths.
Space for an amphitheater, reconstruct a roundhouse within its existing footprint, and
reuse existing coal chute foundates for museum buildings to hold artifacts and displays.
Platform connection between PU Tower and PU Station with staircase access. Also
proposed is a transportation museum in a new parking garage with room for a
restaurant/event space and ground-floor retail. “It is the goal with this plan to provide
harmonious connectivity between all properties and non-profit railroad groups while
promoting sustainable tourism and economic development that benefits the community
for years to come,” Coleman remarked. He also spearheaded the restoration and
completion of the Phillipsburg Train Station, which is now a museum, and the first floor
has been ninety percent restored. Coleman praises the non-profit railroad groups,
elected officials, community, businesses, and many volunteers for this “all aboard”
movement in Phillipsburg. Coleman is trying to secure funding from the private sector
for the conceptual plan and present it to the town, railroad nonprofits, and NJ Transit
and Norfolk Southern.
The festival, which will have three walkable areas, kicks off at 11 a.m. in Area 1,
Shappell Park, and the surrounding area with over fifty vendors, including food, crafts,
businesses, sponsors, and exhibits with live music performed by Truth and Soul. The
Phillipsburg High School Band will kick off the festivities with Mayor Randy Piazza of
Phillipsburg, Council President Pete Marino, Council Vice President Meliss Paulus, and
Council Member Lee Clark, along with other elected officials, including NJ
Congressman Tom Kean and representatives from Seantor Douglas Steinhardt,
recognizing the non-profit groups along the railroad, followed by a ribbon cutting
celebrating 172 years of the rails coming to the Phillipsburg/Easton area.
Also nearby will be the Centerville and Southwestern Railroad (a.k.a. the Becker Farm
Railroad), a miniature free train ride operated by the Phillipsburg Railroad historians
with museum displays and equipment. The National Museum of Industrial History
(NMIH) in Bethlehem, PA, is bringing TUG, the museum's former Bethlehem Steel
rubber-tired rail car mover, to the Phillipsburg Railroad Festival. Phillipsburg Union
Station will also feature various train exhibitors and vendors. The park will feature a
well-known local band, Truth and Soul, and Tootsie the clown and face painter.
Area 2 is Phillipsburg Union Station, the former train station built in 1914, owned by The
Friends of the NJ Transportation Heritage Center. Currently the first floor has been
restored and is open for tours with newly built exhibits of various antique railroad
artifacts, Morris Canal, and bus transportation displays. On center display in the station
from Liberty Historic Railway are vintage railfan trips. The front facade of the historic
train station has been restored to its original condition, made possible by a grant
through the county.
A short walk away is the Phillipsburg Union Tower. The former CNJ railroad switch
tower in Phillipsburg has been undergoing a full restoration since 2007. PU Tower will
be open for tours with slideshows and films. Q & A with Bill Strassner, a former
employee of 52 years, signs up for one more shift.
Area 3 is the location of Delaware River Railroad Excursions, where you can purchase
tickets for a trip on the Warren County Winery Train, where you can enjoy a beautiful
journey along the scenic Delaware River. Visit one of New Jersey's most beautiful
wineries. You will journey along the Delaware River to the farthest end of our railroad,
debarking at the historic Riegelsville train station. The winery is just up the hill from the
train station, and the shuttle bus will take you up their driveway. Trains run every 2
hours; you may visit either of the local pubs and return on a later train.
For the kids, take a ride back to the Jurassic Period and discover the magic of DINO
DAYS! The Dinosaur Show with Field Paleontologists Mike and Roberta Straka will take
you on a scientific exploration highlighting the world of dinosaurs, fossils, and rocks and
minerals. Each summer, the team explores the Badlands of North and South Dakota,
excavating dinosaurs. This fun-filled wow-factor show will cover the formation of fossils
and herbivores vs. carnivores. Book your trip in advance for a beautiful ride on their
historic railroad passenger cars.
The festival will also feature “The Phillipsburg Self-Paced Audio Walking Tour” which
promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of the community's rich past.
Participants have the freedom to explore significant historical landmarks and learn
about the events, personalities, and milestones that have shaped the Town of
Phillipsburg.
Free trolley service will be available from 11-5.
Come and discover Phillipsburg’s rich railroad heritage and celebrate 172 years of
railroad history! All aboard on September 14th, 2024
N.J. Railroad Festival, celebrating 172 years of railroad with music, food, vendors, and
three walkable areas of railroad fun on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The first railroad to arrive in Phillipsburg was the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ),
which opened on July 2, 1852. Phillipsburg was once a major transportation hub, home
to five major railroads with roundhouses and turntables as well as the Morris Canal.
Presenter Aaron D. Coleman, owner of Platinum Star Cleaning and producer of the
event, stated, "He saw the importance of continuing the annual festival for the Town of
Phillipsburg and the surrounding community after the last two years of the festival,
which drew over 3000 attendees, and expects many more this year." Coleman said, “I
feel it's important for businesses to give back to the community. “ Mr. Coleman further
declared that the "All Aboard" sponsor for this year is McWane Ductile, Iron Strong
since 1871 in Phillipsburg.
Mayor Randy Piazza said, “It’s great to see The Phillipsburg Railroad Festival not only
come back for its 3rd year, but come back bigger and better than before.”
Coleman has built and fostered relationships and has been working on a plan he
created connecting over sixty acres of Walters Park to Delaware Park, first with Walter’s
Park to PU Tower & PU Station that will include trolley service, walking, and bike paths.
Space for an amphitheater, reconstruct a roundhouse within its existing footprint, and
reuse existing coal chute foundates for museum buildings to hold artifacts and displays.
Platform connection between PU Tower and PU Station with staircase access. Also
proposed is a transportation museum in a new parking garage with room for a
restaurant/event space and ground-floor retail. “It is the goal with this plan to provide
harmonious connectivity between all properties and non-profit railroad groups while
promoting sustainable tourism and economic development that benefits the community
for years to come,” Coleman remarked. He also spearheaded the restoration and
completion of the Phillipsburg Train Station, which is now a museum, and the first floor
has been ninety percent restored. Coleman praises the non-profit railroad groups,
elected officials, community, businesses, and many volunteers for this “all aboard”
movement in Phillipsburg. Coleman is trying to secure funding from the private sector
for the conceptual plan and present it to the town, railroad nonprofits, and NJ Transit
and Norfolk Southern.
The festival, which will have three walkable areas, kicks off at 11 a.m. in Area 1,
Shappell Park, and the surrounding area with over fifty vendors, including food, crafts,
businesses, sponsors, and exhibits with live music performed by Truth and Soul. The
Phillipsburg High School Band will kick off the festivities with Mayor Randy Piazza of
Phillipsburg, Council President Pete Marino, Council Vice President Meliss Paulus, and
Council Member Lee Clark, along with other elected officials, including NJ
Congressman Tom Kean and representatives from Seantor Douglas Steinhardt,
recognizing the non-profit groups along the railroad, followed by a ribbon cutting
celebrating 172 years of the rails coming to the Phillipsburg/Easton area.
Also nearby will be the Centerville and Southwestern Railroad (a.k.a. the Becker Farm
Railroad), a miniature free train ride operated by the Phillipsburg Railroad historians
with museum displays and equipment. The National Museum of Industrial History
(NMIH) in Bethlehem, PA, is bringing TUG, the museum's former Bethlehem Steel
rubber-tired rail car mover, to the Phillipsburg Railroad Festival. Phillipsburg Union
Station will also feature various train exhibitors and vendors. The park will feature a
well-known local band, Truth and Soul, and Tootsie the clown and face painter.
Area 2 is Phillipsburg Union Station, the former train station built in 1914, owned by The
Friends of the NJ Transportation Heritage Center. Currently the first floor has been
restored and is open for tours with newly built exhibits of various antique railroad
artifacts, Morris Canal, and bus transportation displays. On center display in the station
from Liberty Historic Railway are vintage railfan trips. The front facade of the historic
train station has been restored to its original condition, made possible by a grant
through the county.
A short walk away is the Phillipsburg Union Tower. The former CNJ railroad switch
tower in Phillipsburg has been undergoing a full restoration since 2007. PU Tower will
be open for tours with slideshows and films. Q & A with Bill Strassner, a former
employee of 52 years, signs up for one more shift.
Area 3 is the location of Delaware River Railroad Excursions, where you can purchase
tickets for a trip on the Warren County Winery Train, where you can enjoy a beautiful
journey along the scenic Delaware River. Visit one of New Jersey's most beautiful
wineries. You will journey along the Delaware River to the farthest end of our railroad,
debarking at the historic Riegelsville train station. The winery is just up the hill from the
train station, and the shuttle bus will take you up their driveway. Trains run every 2
hours; you may visit either of the local pubs and return on a later train.
For the kids, take a ride back to the Jurassic Period and discover the magic of DINO
DAYS! The Dinosaur Show with Field Paleontologists Mike and Roberta Straka will take
you on a scientific exploration highlighting the world of dinosaurs, fossils, and rocks and
minerals. Each summer, the team explores the Badlands of North and South Dakota,
excavating dinosaurs. This fun-filled wow-factor show will cover the formation of fossils
and herbivores vs. carnivores. Book your trip in advance for a beautiful ride on their
historic railroad passenger cars.
The festival will also feature “The Phillipsburg Self-Paced Audio Walking Tour” which
promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of the community's rich past.
Participants have the freedom to explore significant historical landmarks and learn
about the events, personalities, and milestones that have shaped the Town of
Phillipsburg.
Free trolley service will be available from 11-5.
Come and discover Phillipsburg’s rich railroad heritage and celebrate 172 years of
railroad history! All aboard on September 14th, 2024
