Lancaster, PA - July 22-24, 2016
Click here to view & download Final Event Schedule!
The year 2016 marks forty years since our beloved Conrail began operations. To celebrate, The Conrail Historical Society is throwing a weekend-long birthday party in the heart of Conrail country. Events will be held at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (to coincide with the museum’s annual “Conrail Days” weekend), the Landisville Railroad, and the Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center.
The Lancaster Host, conveniently located along Route 30 just five miles from the museum, has provided us a special CRHS rate of $115.00 per night for attendees on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. NOTE: This rate includes the Saturday night banquet – see below. Attendees will need to call the Lancaster Host directly to book their own rooms at 1-717-299-5500 - make sure you mention the event to receive this special rate!
While all of the Birthday Bash’s events at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open to the public and free with admission, the events at the Lancaster Host and the Landisville Railroad require extra registration fees.
Exhibits
at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17579
Saturday July 23rd 9AM-5PM and Sunday July 24th 12PM-5PM
Price: $7.00 museum admission for CRHS members, $10.00 for non-members
During the weekend, the museum will host several special CRHS presentations, including:
- Bob Wilt – Photographer - Conrail's Rainbow Years
- Ken Kobus - Photographer/Historian - Conrail Rebuilds at Juniata & Holidaysburg
- Olev Taremae – Photographer - Anthracite Railroad Locomotives in Conrail's Early Days
- Chip Syme - CR Engineer - Conrail Through the Eyes of an Employee
- Bill Sheppard - CR/USRA Administrator - The Creation of Conrail
Additionally, many special Conrail artifacts will be on display at the museum, including the famous Pier 122 sign (from the CRHS collection) and the bell that was used to ring in Conrail’s inception on April 1, 1976 (from the collection of the museum). Several historical societies representing Conrail's predecessor roads will have special displays set up at the museum, and some local modular groups will also be on hand with model railroad layouts.
Night Photo Shoot
at the Landisville Railroad
3901 Nolt Road, Landisville, PA 17538
Friday, July 22nd 6PM-11PM
Price: $20.00 per attendee
This event is first come, first serve for the first 40 registrants ONLY. Attendees will participate in a day and night photo shoot at the Landisville Railroad (just a half hour west of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania), featuring their operational former Conrail/Lehigh Valley SW900M #8651 and several other surprises! Shoot will include day and night shots (sunset is around 8:30PM), and equipment will be both moving and stationary for photos. Registered participants should bring tripods and remotes/cable releases for the shoot. Boots and jeans are preferred - please no sandals, sneakers, or flip flops! All lighting will be provided.
Banquet
at the Lancaster Host Resort
2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602
Saturday, July 23rd 6PM to 9PM
Price: $35.00 per attendee
NOTE: If you are staying at the Lancaster Host under the special CRHS rate, your room rate includes the price of the banquet – you do NOT need to pay separately for this event. The banquet will feature Norfolk Southern’s current Vice President of Industrial Products Mike McClellan as its keynote speaker. McClellan is a former Conrail administrator, and the son of Jim McClellan (who was integral in the assembly of the Final System Plan in 1975-76).
This is going to be a fantastic event, but hotel space at the Lancaster Host and space at both of the special events is extremely limited. Register now to reserve your space! You don’t want to miss out on Conrail’s 40th Birthday Bash!
Register for the Event
Click here to register online!
- Click here to download and mail a printed registration form!