Thom Horvath caught some amazing pictures of our hi-rail pilot during a NARCOA rides this past month - on NSHR and SVRR. Check out the calendar on our website to learn when/where more NARCOA rides are happening on our system.

We saw so much interesting activity this past quarter. It has really been awesome.

On May 19th, we hauled a transformer for Buckingham Heavy Transport with NSHR 2238 (America’s Semiquincentennial locomotive) - making for a memorable scene on the rails. We invited the artist (Pedro Reyes) and folks from Buckingham to ride along with us in the caboose for this historic hand-off…

This shipment traveled on our Shamokin Valley Railroad where we interchanged it with Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (RBMN). RBMN brought their 40th anniversary locomotive, their Semiquincentennial locomotive (RBMN 1776), and their Semiquincentennial caboose for this epic meet-up.

Needless to say, we took lots of pictures of this interchange. You can see more of them on our website and on Facebook.

In June, we worked with Buckingham again for another transformer shipment - this time for unloading in Muncy on our Lycoming Valley Railroad.

Handling high and wide loads is something our team has really excelled at over the years. Using rail for these massive shipments is a win for our highways and bridges too!

Also in June… Zac Mahaffey and I attended the Norfolk Southern Short Line Conference in Atlanta. We were pleasantly surprised to receive the Alan Lambert Short Line Industrial Development Award. We had no idea this was coming, so being able to bring this award home to our team in Pennsylvania was really awesome.

Fun note: The award was shaped like a wine bottle on a plexiglass railcar, and TSA flagged me at the airport when we were going through security in order to fly home. Zac enjoyed taking a picture of TSA and me at the airport. However, I am NOT including that picture in this newsletter.

Todd would also like to thank the New York Susquehanna & Western (NYSW) for their well-attended “Retirement Train” they ran from Binghamton, NY, to Callicoon, NY, and back on June 5th - to honor three longtime employees- including retiring President, Nathan Fenno. The invitees on the train were a “who’s who” of the railroad industry from all over the northeast. NYSW provided some excellent networking opportunities.

Each quarter, when we reflect upon what to write for On Track, I am amazed at how much happens in three, short months.

How can we help you with your transportation needs in this third quarter? Contact us today!

The second quarter of the year is my favorite time of the year. Days keep getting longer, warm weather finally arrives, and summer starts!

Quarter two for the Maintenance of Way (MoW) Department typically starts our production season, and our team has been very busy. We have been aggressively attacking ties, switch timbers, welding, and replacing needed crossing surfaces. This work was planned early, because our team will be inundated with providing on-track protection for various contractors, who will be performing capital upgrades across our system, starting in July.

I catch myself always saying “I don’t know how we are going to get through it, but we always do”. The employees in our department are always willing to go the extra mile to make sure all projects get done in a timely manner, while never sacrificing quality. This is a major kudos to them, because they understand the pressures we are up against.

With summer upon us, we will be fighting extreme heat and the inevitable thunder storms that summer brings. I know these guys will be up to the ever changing tasks thrown their way- all while keeping every capital project on schedule.

North Shore is very lucky to have a team like this, and I’m very appreciative to be a small part of it.

Bring on summer and all the challenges that arise, because I know our team will overcome anything thrown their way.

Since the unveiling of NSHR 2238 (America’s Semiquincentennial Locomotive), we have been excited to share her as much as possible. We have been holding photo opportunities (where we blue flag/protect the track outside of our office) in order to allow the public to get close and take pictures of this beautiful piece of art and of history.

One of the coolest parts of these events has been the staff at Emmanuel Home Personal Care, who made trips with their golf cart to bring some of the residents down to see the locomotive. We have also seen so many kids - most of whom love history and can name the components of the mural.

The best part of these days is spending them with Pedro Reyes - the artist who lived in our engine house for two months - making this beauty possible.

Pedro also joined us for this past weekend’s train rides in Lewisburg, where fans got to meet the artist and have him sign their hats and baseball cards.

That’s right! Last week, our newest pack of baseball cards were completed (adding to our 40th anniversary set). The 40th anniversary set were designed in 1984 Topps-style, and the America set is inspired by the 1976 baseball cards.

This new set includes NSHR 2238 (America’s Semiquincentennial Locomotive) and our Military Units - LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit).

We also have new apparel that will be available at some of our various train rides this year. After our September rides, remaining merchandise will become available out of the North Shore Warehouse (company store).

Needless to say… Pedro has been just as busy (if not busier) than we… We have had so many people doubt that 2238 was hand painted (claiming it has to be a wrap - uh, no - it’s not a wrap). Thankfully, we can simply point everyone to the mini-documentary that Pedro produced, which beautifully captures this project.

He did awesome job blending history and humor- so much so, that when you get to the end of the video, it is hard to believe it was it was 40 minutes long.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH PEDRO’S DOCUMENTARY.

PLEASE take time to watch this. It is really a terrific video!

Pedro’s hard work and talent doesn’t stop there….

We have been asked by so many people to sell 2238 in model form. So, we searched the globe for all remaining, undecorated SW1500 model locomotives - finding and purchasing four HO-scale models.

Without Pedro, there was no way that we were willing to take on this process. His painting is what makes the “real” 2238 the beauty she is, so we knew that he needed to be in integral part of the models.

First, Pedro worked with custom decal groups to see about (tiny) wrapping the models, but it was a cumbersome process that took away details in the locomotives that we did not want to lose, so Pedro does what he excels at - he painted.

The 2238 HO model locomotives were hand-painted by Pedro Reyes with the same paint (out of the same buckets) used on the actual NSHR 2238. Pedro had to cut hairs from a brush to make a point small enough for some of the tiniest details. Each one of the four models are similar and beautiful, but they are each truly one-of-a-kind.

We are privately holding/gifting three of them, but is making the fourth model available to the public. If you are interested in purchasing the fourth locomotive (which will come with a signed certificate of authenticity), please visit:

www.nshr.com/2238-ho

2026 Passenger Excursion Schedule

We have a tentative schedule for public passenger excursions on our lines for 2026. This schedule is not yet set in stone, but watch our social media. As trips become definite, we will post more information and links to ticket sales.

• Saturday, July 18 (10am & 1pm) - Berwick - Veterans Benefit Voyage, Berwick WWII Weekend (featuring the Military Units)

• August 22 (10am, Noon, 2pm, 4pm) - Williamsport - America’s 250th Celebration Train Rides - Little League World Series Weekend (featuring NSHR 2238)

• Saturday, September 12 (10am, Noon, 2pm, 4pm) - Danville - America 250PA Fall Festival (featuring NSHR 2238)

• Saturday, October 17 (10am, Noon, 2pm ) - Bloomsburg - Fall Foliage Trips, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc.

• Saturday, November 28 (10am, Noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm) - Bloomsburg - Christmas Trips, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc.

• Sunday, November 29 (Noon, 2pm, 4pm) - Bloomsburg - Christmas Trips, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc.

• Saturday, December 5 (Noon, 2pm, 4pm) - Sunbury - Christmas Trips, Fort Discovery, Inc.

• Sunday, December 6 (Noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm) - Sunbury - Christmas Trips, Fort Discovery, Inc.

• Saturday, December 12 (10am, 11:45am, 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm) - Williamsport - Christmas Trips, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce

• Sunday, December 13 (10am, 11:45am, 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm) - Williamsport - Christmas Trips, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce

• Saturday, December 19 (10am, 11:45am, 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm) - Williamsport - Christmas Trips, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce

• Sunday, December 20 (10am, 11:45am, 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm) - Williamsport - Christmas Trips, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce
  

Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society (BHRS)

The BHRS has a number of 2026 speeder trips available to the public this year. The price is $5.00 per rider (walkup only - no preorders).

• Saturday, Oct 3 (2pm-7pm) - Makers Faire

• Sunday, Oct 4 (2pm-7pm) - Makers Faire

• Saturday, Oct 31 (11am-4pm) - Tallyrand Fall Festival

They also have a passenger schedule for rides this year.

• Sunday, July 12 – Revolutionary War Days (RDC’s only)

• Sunday, July 12 – Bingo on the Bald Eagle (RDC’s only)

• Saturday, October 17 – Apple Festival Special (RDC’s only)

• Saturday, October 17 – Mountain's End (RDC’s only)

• Saturday, October 24 – Halloween (RDC’s only)

• Saturday, December 12 - Bellefonte Victorian Christmas (RDC’s only)

• Sunday, December 13 – Candy Cane Express

• Saturday, December 19 - Candy Cane Express

• Sunday, December 20 – Candy Cane Express

Follow BHRS on social media and purchase your train tickets at bellefontetrain.org/train.

Liberty & Independence

You may have noticed our (retired) Metro passenger cars are looking a little different these days… Thank you to Curry Designs who took these two from Barney to beautiful!

When you looked at the red, white, and blue interiors of these two railcars, and considered our pride for our great Nation, as well as our desire to recognize those who have served in the US Armed Forces, it was natural to proceed with our patriotic theme. So, we looked at Pennsylvania’s own motto for inspiration: “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.”

What will we add next to represent virtue?

Sitting by our home office in Northumberland is NSHR 104 - undergoing restoration efforts. However, this one is not going to be named, “Virtue”… We have a very special name and assignment for this one, but you will have to wait and see this one - due to be completed in 3Q.

Read all about our passenger fleet on our website, here: www.nshr.com/passenger-equipment.

Rail Day in PA 2026

We celebrated Cinco de Mayo a little differently this year. Jeb and Loni joined two dozen other rail champions to talk to about 50 Pennsylvania elected officials and their staff - for Rail Day in PA. It is important to make sure our industry is represented in Harrisburg, so that law-makers can make informed decisions that will help and not hurt PA’s rail freight system.

Railroad Careers and Rail Safety

On May 6th, Loni Martz Briner joined representatives from other area businesses (including LVRR customer - Advanced Drainage Systems) for a career day event at Priestley Elementary School. Loni presented information about the MANY jobs available in the rail industry and, of course, educated the students on the importance of rail safety.

Showing in Steamtown

On June 16th, Loni was happy to join fellow KSRRA Board/Executive Committee members and a handful of representatives of other KSRRA members to meet the famous Big Boy locomotive, and its crew, in Scranton, PA. It was a gorgeous day for train watching.

Union County Veterans’ 4th of July Parade

This past weekend, hundreds of people braved the weather (at times pouring-down rain) for the 30th Annual Union County Veterans’ 4th of July Parade and the train rides that followed.

We ran two trips out of Hufnagle Park (one at 1:30pm and one at 3:30pm) for 30 minute rides toward Winfield and 30 minute returns. It was amazing to be able to make this a memorable event for so many families - even if the weather didn’t cooperate!

Steamtown was a pretty big deal this past month, as somewhere around 50,000 people came to Scranton, PA, to see the Big Boy - a historic event. What most of these folks didn’t realize was that this event could not have been possible without the skillful construction of the very tracks they were walking over… tracks laid by the talented crews of Tartaglia Railroad Services.

The Big Boy (No. 4014) is one of 25 “Big Boys” that were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad - delivered in 1941. These massive locomotives (measuring 33 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds) were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort. They normally operate in Utah and Wyoming.

No. 4014 was retired in Dec. 1961 after traveling more than one million miles. In 2013, Union Pacific reacquired it and restored it by 2019 - for the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion.

There are only seven other remaining Big Boys are on public display - one of which is located at Steamtown - No. 4012.

4014's visit to Pennsylvania is part of its historic, first-ever, coast‑to‑coast tour. It started at Milepost 0 in downtown Sacramento, where construction of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad began in 1863. Reaching the east coast, and setting this milestone, is a part of a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Because of how specialized the Big Boy locomotives are, this feat is only achievable with a facility like Steamtown National Park. That is where Tartaglia comes in.

When you are looking at (or walking over) the tracks at Steamtown, you are very likely looking at track touched or built by Tartaglia. There are only a couple spots in the facility, at this point, that have not been one of our crews.

We built the track used to park the Big Boy - when it was stationed in Scranton.

Another project was the depot, runaround track that we built with new 136RE rail and put in a pedestrian crossing.

We also re-railed the two shoot tracks under the museum’s boardwalk.

Steamtown is just one example of how track companies make an impact on tourism, travel, freight, manufacturing, and beyond - laying the ground work for railroads to help turn the wheels that keep the American dream alive.

I am proud to be a member of a talented team like Tartaglia’s. Our crews on the ground and in the shop do great work, and probably don’t realize (like the people in line for Steamtown) how important they are to this Nation’s lifeblood. But, I do, and I want to thank them for being safe and skilled each day.

Is there a track project Tartaglia can help you with? Reach out today!