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Signature Sponsor
April 23, 2024 - Train enthusiasts got a hand-on experience with the “Hand on the Throttle” event at the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train in Ashland, PA this weekend. The event raised money for restoration of the LVCC #119, a Narrow Gauge Locomotive, which will eventually run when it's restored at the Pioneer Tunnel. Train enthusiasts who eagerly registered for the event were granted a unique opportunity: the chance to step into the shoes of an engineer and take control of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company #123, formerly known as the "Henry Clay". Departing from the Frank Staudenmeier station, participants embarked on a trip out the railroad tracks, guiding the train along its familiar route and experiencing the thrill of locomotion firsthand.
Each excursion spanned approximately a half an hour. The event ran through the weekend with all appointments reserved by Friday morning. Originally constructed by Vulcan Ironworks and commissioned by Gilberton Coal, the LVCC #123 has witnessed the evolution of the coal industry and the railways that served it. Following a change in ownership, the locomotive found a new home at the colliery in Park Place near Mahanoy City, where it would later finds its way to a junkyard after being retired.
However, fate had other plans for the machine. Retired and relegated to obscurity, the LVCC #123 faced an uncertain future until it found sanctuary at the Pioneer Tunnel. Under the banner of preservation, the locomotive was christened the "Henry Clay", a name chosen through a community contest decades ago. Going forward, the train will go by its original name, the LVCC #123.
Additional event to support the restoration of the 119 are schedule for later this year including Ride the Rails for Restoration on June 22nd, 2024. The event will feature the 3/4 train ride to the end of the tracks where there will be live music by: The Dynamics Department, Catered Dinner by Groody's Catering, Dessert, Wine Sampling and more. Those interested in the event can learn more at the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1312018549478837
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