The once familiar sounds of steam engines rolling over tracks as they made their way across America’s railroads will soon be heard again as Tyrone Area Historical Society is recipient of a record containing an audio ‘Documentary To Steam’ which was produced for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The First Collectors Series was the work of Ralbar Record Co. of Pottstown, PA. Sounds of the Iron Horse were first dated July 5 – 6 in 1949, both around the Horseshoe Curve, followed by recordings of trains from 1952 through 1963.
Moving into a new apartment recently, Tyrone resident, Melvin Rhine ran across the record album which had been his late father’s, George Rhine, who at one time worked on the railroad. Realizing the sentiment many folks still have of those long ago train memories, Melvin decided to give his album to the local historical society where possibly others could hear once again those old familiar sounds.
A delighted Burley Zerbe quickly accepted the gift on behalf of the historical society. Burley, as well as president, Nancy Smith, are ever so grateful to receive such a “prize” gift. First thing, Burley took the album home and made a cassette of the record, and next, Cary Simpson of the local radio station WTRN, made a CD so the sounds of the trains can be heard once again at the society’s site at the southern end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
As spring approaches and house cleaning begins, the Tyrone Area Historical Society hopes folks will keep them in mind when finding treasures they are willing to part with, knowing they will always be treasured.
The following is some of the train story taken from the album.
“The Age of Steam on America’s railroads ended with dramatic suddenness as the ‘Iron Horse,’ which had played such a heroic role in the expansion and building of the nation, gave way to technological change and progress.
“Today the railroads of the United States are a mighty machine–intricate, highly coordinated, making the most of scientific and technological advance–still the backbone of the transportation system serving the nation’s economy. With modernization of their methods and techniques, they are taking on new life, new usefulness, new growth. This is as it should be, for if the United States is to meet the challenges that lie ahead–to sustain our own economic expansion and to stimulate the progress of the Free World–we will continue to require the best in transportation. Today’s diesel and electric locomotives have before them as important a future as faced the Iron Horse a hundred years ago.
“It would be an exercise in senti-
