Photo courtesy of Todd Hunter.

Feature from the President
We have been busy!

Over the past month or so, many railroads have been up against severe weather related issues. The heavy rains and massive storms we experienced in Central PA, meant that we were no exception. I am very proud of our crews for mobilizing on demand to do everything needed to effectively serve our customers in a timely manner. Our Maintenance of Way crews cut and removed fallen trees, and they repaired washouts - working long, arduous hours in order to expedite repairs and restore service to our shippers. Further, our train crews operated extra hours and extra days in order to deliver railcars that had been delayed by weather related issues while the shipments were enroute to us. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “I am proud to represent such a fine group of professionals.”

In addition to the exceptional efforts mentioned above, we have all been very busy this past quarter - busy: achieving maintenance milestones, celebrating safety accomplishments, enjoying awards for volunteering and service, connecting with our communities and chambers, promoting rail safety, supporting our regional rail associations, and simply running our company. The remainder of this publication will highlight some of these efforts and accomplishments.

To all of our employees: I couldn’t be more proud of you, and I’m grateful for all of your hard work and dedication!

Notes from Maintenance of Way
Upgrading the NBER Main

On August 17th, our Maintenance of Way (MoW) team finished a rail upgrade project on the Nittany & Bald Eagle Main. The crews installed 42-78’ 136RE head hardened rails, performed four Orgo Welds, installed 56 ties, tamped the newly installed ties, regulated the track, and (the longest part of this job) removed and reinstalled all of the anchors. We also partnered with One Rail Group to perform 42 flash-butt welds.

The guys did a phenomenal job on this project; they kept up with their normal maintenance duties and battled the extreme heat to complete the largest rail change out our MoW Department has performed in our company’s history. I am very proud of their work!

We would also like to give a big THANK YOU to Warrior Run Area Fire Department, which graciously helped our Maintenance of Way team at the Route 44 Crossing in the late hours of the night on September 28th. They assisted with lighting and by pumping water on the crossing to help expedite the cooling of the freshly installed asphalt.

Zac Mahaffey Director of Maintenance of Way

Safety Milestones for JVRR and NBER

On a beautiful day in August, we gathered by the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society train station in Bellefonte, PA, for a luncheon in celebration of the Juniata Valley Railroad (surpassing its four year milestone) and the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (surpassing its three year milestone) having no FRA reportable injuries.

Congratulations, guys - Keep up the good work!

Notes from Marketing
Service Matters

Our Marketing Team is always busy! One way they are serving our customers is in board and committee representation for many industrial and economic development organizations - as well as regional leadership programs. Being responsible civic partners in this way is important to the overall health of our communities, industries, customers, and employees - something that is an integral part of the philosophy at North Shore.

Often, such services and roles go unnoticed and underappreciated by the general public. However, this year, Joe Kantz was named the Leadership Susquehanna Valley (LSV) Guy Temple Distiguished Alumni Award recipient. When honored with this award, here is what Joe had to say:

Thank you. First of all, I want to thank the LSV Board for this award. Everyone who knows me, knows that I don’t really feel comfortable accepting any award, but it is an honor for me to be recognized by LSV. I have had the privilege to serve on countless boards over the past twenty years, and being chosen by the 2008 LSV class to serve on the board was a true blessing. I had the privilege to work on the board with people who I really liked and some people that I really did not like, at first. In fact, I’d say that my two terms on the LSV Board helped me to grow even more than my one year in the LSV class. You see, we all have different opinions, likes, dislikes; and yet, in the world in which we live today, we seem to be force fed this idea that if someone doesn’t believe the same thing we believe, we should not associate with them- or even worse, we should castigate them. I believe true leaders can find ways to work together despite their differences, and I applaud any leader of a company, an organization, a government or of a family who can put aside their differences and focus on what joins us together, not that which divides us.

As I look back on my LSV Board service, I am so thankful for the lessons I learned that I believe made me a better leader. I was thinking back to one of our breakfast events. I was sitting next to Guy Temple and we were talking about what drove him and others to start the Leadership Susquehanna Valley program. He talked about the need for a program that would give area business people the opportunity to interact on a deeper level. LSV creates a sense of purpose but also a sense of belonging to something larger than one’s self. I’m very thankful for the opportunities I had to chat with Guy about LSV. For those who don’t know, Guy was an educator with Co-operative Extension.

I want to thank God for blessing me with an incredible family. My wife Amber and daughter Nia are so supportive of all the many interests and careers I enjoy; but at the end of the day, I do what I do for them, and their future, and the future of our entire region.

I love this region, and I would not want to live anywhere else on earth. I also want to thank my staff at the Snyder County Commissioner’s Office. I’ve always said, as a boss, you’re only as good as your worst employee, and I’m fortunate to have great employees. Besides my public sector duties, I am so thankful to enjoy a career in the private sector as well. The family atmosphere at North Shore Railroad is refreshing to find in today’s workplace, and I love working for one of the best short line railroad companies in America. Our region is truly fortunate to have North Shore Railroad as an incredible community partner.

In closing, I just want to encourage all of us to strive to be better leaders. To this year’s new class, The Susquehanna Valley needs men and women of character, like you, to learn together, grow together, share ideas together and work together. When we work together, nothing can tear us apart. Thank you again to the Board for this award. I humbly accept and will strive to continue to support the legacy of Guy Temple.

Congratulations, Joe!

The talent of our Marking Department spans beyond awards and accolades. They work hard for our customers. If you would like to see how you can work with Todd, Joe, and the rest of the team at North Shore, give us a call!

In the Community

Around the Valley - WGRC

We had some very special guests at our Northumberland office - Dave & Stephanie of WGRC Contemporary Christian Radio Station!

On July 1st, their video of our visit premiered, as a part of their Around the Valley Series. We were glad to have them stop by. Our Superintendent, Shane Smith, gave them a little bit of insight to how a locomotive works, and our PR & Media Manager, Loni Martz Briner, gave some company background and was sure to pass along the message of rail safety.

Catch this great feature on YouTube: S1E7 North Shore Railroad - YouTube

Please note: Railroad representatives were present at all times.

We Value Chamber Partnerships

Rail Safety Promotion

Supporting Rail Associations

Employees in the Community

This past August, Todd Hunter joined the Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven to talk about our short line railroads and our role in serving many industries - specifically the Lycoming Valley Railroad and the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad.

Company Store Update

We have new Lycoming Valley Railroad thermals available in our company store - just in time for fall! You can purchase your comfy thermal at our booth at the Sunbury Station (Antique Mall), located at 100 North 3rd Street, Sunbury, PA, or online at www.NorthShoreWarehouse.com.

Also available at the Sunbury Station are used railroad spikes for crafting or upcycling. (Dirt and rust included - at no additional charge! #character)

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Tartaglia Railroad Services’ Tie Gang Works on the Horseshoe Curve

September 20, 2021