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The Chester County
Historical Society and the West Chester
Railroad are teaming up to mark the 150th anniversary of the
"Media Branch to West Chester" -- the rail line that ends on E.
Market Street near Rubenstein's, and which serves as the basis
for weekly rail excursions to Delaware County. The original
tracks were constructed in the 1850s and the first train rolled
into West Chester on November 11, 1858 (pulled by a 4-4-0
Atlantic-type locomotive, for you aficionados of steam
locomotives). Since then, the line operated without interruption
under a number of company names -- West Chester & Philadelphia;
Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore; Pennsylvania; Penn Central;
and SEPTA -- until 1986. For the next ten years, only an
occasional work train disturbed the right-of-way until 1997 when
the new West Chester Railroad began to operate. [NOTE: The
original West Chester railroad began as a horse-drawn line that
operated to the north side of town between 1832 and 1864 when it
was acquired by the owners of the Media line.]
To observe the anniversary, the Historical Society is
mounting an exhibition called "The Railroad: West Chester's
Gateway to the World" featuring rare items from its archives plus
objects loaned by local collectors. The exhibit will be
installed by Friday, September 27, and officially open in October
at the same time as an exhibit on open space preservation in
Chester County. Then, on Saturday November 15, volunteers from
the West Chester Railroad have organized a day-long program. In
the morning, three presenters from the Railroad Museum of
Pennsylvania, the West Chester Railroad and West Chester
University will offer a program at the Historical Society on the
past, present and future of railroading in West Chester.
Afterwards, participants will have time to view the Society's
exhibits, take a guided tour of Borough's historic railroad sites
and eat lunch. Finally, everyone will convene at the Market
Street station for a train ride to Glen Mills with commentary by
local railroad historians.
Souvenir envelope and commemorative postage stamp
Tickets for the event cost $30 ($20 for young people 12 and
under), and are available at the Market Street station (234 E.
Market St.) on Sundays between 11:30am and 12:30pm, at the
Historical Society Museum Shop (225 N. High Sy.) during regular
and Saturday business hours, or by calling 610-430-2233. Besides
admission to the presentations, exhibits and train ride, each
ticket holder will receive a souvenir envelope featuring a
reproduction of the 1858 photograph of the first train plus a
commemorative postage stamp created specifically for the 2008
event.
For more information about the anniversary event, email WCJIM. To learn more about the WCRR's trains,
route and schedule, visit their web site.
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