As our company greets the new year, it’s requisite to be occupied by thoughts of the future, goals, resolutions, and commitments. However, it’s also a great opportunity to slow down and review the past year, with all of the challenges overcome, successes, and triumphs.

As I reflect, I’m overwhelmed by a sense of pride in the team of managers and employees whom I am privileged to lead. The sheer amount of energy this team spent on improving the infrastructure, processes, and equipment is an article in and of itself. Compound that with their consistent efforts to safely perform all aspects of their responsibilities, and you have a winning combination that truly proved itself this year.

Consistency in high level service, as well as going over and beyond on behalf of customers, leads to a compelling story for our marketing team to tell prospective customers - the fruits of which manifested themselves in a major way, this year.

And our entire company’s commitment to our communities and US Military Veterans bore amazing results, this year.

You’ll read about the details of these various topics throughout this quarter’s newsletter.

Thank you to our entire team and our various partners for an outstanding 2024. Here’s to an even brighter 2025!

2024 Terry Webster Safety Award Winner

Mike Haines

Join us in congratulating our Maintenance of Way Supervisor, Mike Haines, for being this year’s safety award winner!

Past Winners

2023 | Randy Jeffrey
2022 | Mark Wertman
2021 | Jim Boyer
2020 | Ray O’Brien
2019 | Caleb Hoover
2018 | Pat McGaw
2017 | Mark Yost
2016 | Roy Toner
2015 | Dean Weirick
2014 | Chris Girio
2013 | Steve Beach
2012 | Tom McCann
2011 | Jeff Jeffrey
2010 | Randy Ulrich
2009 | Jim Miller
2008 | Terry Webster

The Terry Webster Safety Award is named after the late Terry Webster. Terry worked on the railroad his whole life, and he never had a single railroad injury in his entire railroad career.

The average employee tenure in the US, for 2024, was 4.6 years. Our average employee tenure is 13 years. We really do love our employees!

2024 has been an exceptionally busy and productive year across all aspects of our operations. From freight operations to passenger excursions, we navigated a year full of growth and exciting new projects.

One of the highlights of the year was the preparation for the Veterans Benefit Voyage train, which involved extensive work on our newly acquired passenger equipment. In addition, our freight operations and passenger excursions continued to run smoothly, providing reliable services to our customers and communities.

In terms of leadership, we made key changes to our Operations Department management team, welcoming:

• James Mackey as NBER General Manager

• Adam Pearson as LVRR General Manager

• Randy Jeffrey as JVRR General Manager

• Roy Toner as Safety and Reporting Officer

Each of these individuals has brought valuable expertise and leadership to their respective roles, and their efforts have contributed to the smooth operation and ongoing success of our company.

Looking ahead, with the continued dedication of our team and the experience gained in 2024, we are excited for the opportunities and challenges that 2025 will bring.

It’s hard to believe we are at the end of 2024. Most of the time, when a project is complete, we move on to the next project and never truly take a moment to appreciate the work that was completed. For this article I’d like to reflect on the work that was completed in 2024.

Numerous capital improvement projects and maintenance projects were completed this year. These projects benefit the entire system we traverse on.

On the maintenance side, our team replaced 8,754 ties, 148 switch timbers, unloaded 11,120 tons of ballast, surfaced 91,774 feet, and replaced four grade crossings. There are many other maintenance projects that were completed as well, but these are the highlights.

On the capital side, there were multiple partnerships to complete an array of projects across our system. With the help of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, PennDOT Bureau of Rail Freight, and PennDOT District III, we were able to complete nine total crossing replacements on our Shamokin Valley Railroad, upgrade six turnouts in Bellefonte and Milesburg on the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad, and have five bridges rehabilitated (three on NBER and two on NSHR). One last capital project that was started in 2024, but will be complete in 2025, is the construction of two sidings on the West Shore in New Columbia on the Union County Industrial Railroad. The grading work is complete, and it is ready to start the construction of the track in the spring.

As you can see, with all of the work completed across our system, it is easy to always look forward and never back. With the holidays quickly approaching and fleeing, I thought it would be the perfect time to reflect on all the hard work completed in 2024 and say THANK YOU to everyone involved. Without our partners and employees, none of these projects could be possible.

I hope everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season and 2025!

More on Country View Family Farms

In the last issue of On Track, we featured the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of our newest customer, Country View Family Farms (CVFF). Immediately after the event, CVFF successfully unloaded their first ten (test) railcars.

With everything in place, on October 13th, CVFF recieved their first unit train into their facility. This momentous delivery marked the first unit train ever to travel on this rail line. The good partnership with CVFF, Norfolk Southern, and our UCIR personnel has proven to be extremely effective.

More Improvements for Our Customers

Just this past week, PennDOT announced the next round of Rail Freight Grants. Included in this list was funding for bridges on our JVRR and NBER to the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (necessary for safely serving industries on these lines), funding for track replacement on our NSHR line (needed to upgrade the antiquated rail that is there now - in order to serve NSHR customers), and funding for projects of three of our customers!

You read in Zac’s article just how much we (like other railroads) put into our rail lines each year. Taking heavy loads off our roadways leads to expensive maintenance bills. These grants are imperative to rail infrastructure longevity and keeping Pennsylvania’s industries competitive and safely-served.

“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development. These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”
- Mike Carroll, PennDOT Secretary

Here is the full list of PennDOT Rail Grants that will directly benefit our area businesses:

• SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority: $2 million to rehabilitate seven bridges and one culvert on the Juniata Valley Railroad and Nittany Bald Eagle Railroad.

• Shale Rail, LLC: $749,000 to replace ties, rail, ballast, and surface 2,000 feet of track at Shale Rail’s Wysox facility.

• Standard Steel, LLC: $490,000 to replace six turnouts, rehabilitate and construct 300 feet of track at the SPC facility.

• North Shore Railroad: $1.8 million to rehabilitate and replace rail on North Shore’s mainline.

• Clark’s Feed Mills, Inc.: $2.5 million to expand rail car storage and construct supporting unloading equipment.

Congratulations to our customers who applied for and received these funds. Thank you very much to PennDOT for their continued dedication to Pennsylvania’s rail network and freight needs.

More than Just Marketing

This past year, when Todd and Joe were not busy following leads and assisting customers, they were a part of the team working on our newly acquired passenger equipment. That article is featured - next!

After unveiling the LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit), in May of this year, we opened up an application process for organizations who support Veterans to submit a request - with plans to run passenger train rides as fundraisers.

It has been the our goal to use the Military units to not only bring awareness and reminders of the sacrifice of the United States Military members (in the viewing of the units in regular freight service) but to also be used to raise money for nonprofit organizations that support and help Veterans.

After receiving the first round of applications, we could not wait to get the fundraiser off the ground. So, we went live with ticket sales and quickly rallied to get our new (to us) passenger equipment ready for trips.

The most significant interior work needed to be done on NSHR 285 (The Ned Marrow). The seats disintegrated underneath you when you sat on them… The roof was leaking… It was bad. Working with local companies and many, many, many employee work hours, this car was completely transformed!

When we began advertising ticket sales, we didn’t even have all of our pieces of (new to us) equipment received. In faith, we hoped NSHR 300 (the Open Air car) would be here. When it got here, we went to work on this one as well.

It was windy and cold, but sunny and beautiful on the day of the Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage - held at Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg, PA.

The park was the perfect location for this event - thank you to Lewisburg Borough (and their volunteers who helped with the event)!

We had amazing crew members spend their entire day at the fundraiser. They did an amazing job!

When you learn about the two organizations we were raising money for, it is easy to see why they struck a chord with us.

Expedition Orange uses horse and rider to raise national awareness and bring support to Vietnam Veterans and their families suffering from Agent Orange exposure. They conduct an annual benefit ride (in a different state each year), with the purpose, to raise money for Vietnam Veterans living in state Veterans’ homes.

Lycoming County Hometown Heroes, Inc. recognizes the contributions of our Veterans who have served or are serving and provides assistance to Veterans and their families in need. They provide financial assistance to Lycoming County Veterans and their families who have experienced a sudden loss of income or have an unexpected expense.

Both of these organizations allocate 100% of their donations to Veterans.

We had no idea what the totals from this fundraiser would look like, being our first year and so chaotic just getting rideable equipment to the event. When it was all said and done, we were proud to present both Veteran organizations with checks in the amount of $9,845 - each! We were honored to be able to do this for two very worthy groups.

Here are all of the links to our Military Unit and Veterans Benefit

Press Release: Railroad Pays Honor to Members of America’s Armed Forces

Press Release: Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage

Press Release: Locomotives Used to Raise Money for Veterans

Webpage dedicated to the Military Units

Clinton County Economic Partnership

On October 9th, we were proud to be one of the sponsors for Clinton County Economic Partnership’s Annual Dinner. It was a bitter-sweet event... We were missing and honoring the late Mike Flanagan, but we were blessed to hear a phenomenal speech from the keynote speaker, Cael Sanderson of Penn State Nittany Lion Wrestling. Before coaching Lions Wrestling, Cael won an Olympic gold medal and achieved a record of going undefeated in his four years of college wrestling at Iowa State.

Rail Safety | School Presentation

On October 23rd, Loni Martz Briner gave a school presentation about the rail industry and rail safety to the Special Education Classroom (grades 3-5) at the Watsontown Children’s Center.

Sunbury YMCA 2024 Coat Drive

This year, employees and friends came together and donated new coats, hats, and gloves to the Sunbury YMCA coat drive. This helped keep kids (and adults) warm this winter - at no expense to them or their families.

Thank you for organizing this drive each year, Sunbury Y!

21st Annual Toys for Tots Drive

On Saturday, November 23rd, we hosted the 21st annual Toys for Tots ride (with NARCOA drivers & riders) on our NSHR line - from Northumberland, PA, to Berwick, PA, and return.

Before the send-off, Todd Hunter announced that this ride will henceforth be called the “Larry Maynard Toys for Tots Event”. Larry is the man who started this fundraiser more than 20 years ago. Each year since, he has poured his heart and time into it, making it the success it is.

The next day (Sunday, November 24th) , the group also ran its 6th annual Toys for Tots run on our UCIR line - from New Columbia, PA, to Allenwood, PA, Lewisburg, PA, and return.

Over the past five years, this group has collected nearly 7,000 toys and more than $18,500 for the Marine Corps Susquehanna Valley Toys for Tots.

We are astounded at the generosity of the people who came out and donated. This would not have been possible without each of you and the NARCOA drivers who helped collect. THANK YOU, ALL!

The Roundhouse Podcast

On October 31st, Nick Ozorak aired his podcast (recorded with Loni Martz Briner) about our history - celebrating our 40th Anniversary. Nick did an awesome job on this project. Thank you for the opportunity and feature, Roundhouse!

Click here to hear the full production.

2025 Calendar

If you have not yet gotten your hands on one, our 2025 calendars are available for sale at the Sunbury Station or online at www.northshorewarehouse.com. Get yours today!

New Military Merchandise

We also have new merchandise, featuring our military units, for sale out of the North Shore Warehouse. Additional pieces are also available out of the Sunbury Station. Stop by the Warehouse booth to see what all is offered.

Celebrity Calendar Signing

This past month, we had a celebrity visit our home office in Northumberland - Ranger the Rail Lab! Ranger’s first North Shore railfanning trip was captured by his manager (and owner), Ethan Brodie, and is featured on the back cover of our 2025 calendar. Ranger agreed to sign a few calendars while he was visiting. It was pretty awesome, and Ranger is welcome back anytime!

This year, Tartaglia welcomed:

Wes Westenhoefer
Director of Operations

Wes joins our team with a 27 year background in the rail industry:

• Railroad Track (Maintenance, Planning, and Building)

• Track Inspector

• Equipment Operator

Wes has been involved in railroading since he was a teenager. For 13 years, he was the VP of MoW for a 400 mile short line railroad. For six years, he ran a track building/maintenance company. Wes is excited to be a part of the Tartaglia family since joining the team in September 2024, and we are already impressed with the work ethic and vision Wes brings to the team.

Contact Tartaglia today to see how they can help you with your next rail (construction, rehabilitation, or servicing) project or hi-rail equipment project (from our state-of-the-art shop).

Tartaglia Railroad Services
5867 East Molloy Road, Syracuse, NY 13211
315.455.0100

www.TartagliaRail.com