Not as many of us ride the rails these days, but a group of train lovers nevertheless preserves Pennsylvania’s rich railroad heritage, writes Asha Prihar for Spotlight PA, appearing in bctv.org.
Few realize how close they are to railroad history.
The Newtown Square Railroad Museum in our own backyard at 4140 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square is home to several historic railcars.
Local enthusiasts promote the museum through social media and co-host an annual festival, but the location is still relatively unknown, said museum president Fran Franchi.
Two local history buffs, Sam Coco and Jack Grant, wanted to fix up Newtown Square’s abandoned freight station building, and the Newtown Square Railroad Museum was born.
A small group of volunteers keeps it running.
Franchi has her own fondness for the former Reading Railroad, which she rode to and from Pottsville as a child, while her uncle, a conductor, looked after her.
“I like trains,” Franchi said. “I just think they’re cool. But it’s important to keep the history for the future, for the people that are here now, for their children. There’s so many families that come and visit, and the kids just love trains.”
Read more about railroad museums and train preservation efforts in Pennsylvania at bctv.org
