This letter was sent to the Mirror by John W. Paffrath and the Board of Directors of The New York Philadelphia and Norfolk Rail Road Ressurection.
We are the New York Philadelphia and Norfolk Rail Road Ressurection trying hard to save the last bit of this lines legacy.
To most, the (Eastern Shore Railroad) was a boon to the farming and commercial fisheries of the Eastern Shore. But the story goes much deeper.
Alexander Cassatt the youngest upstart executive at the PRR had an idea no one would listen to. So he teamed up with William Scott to finance his vision. While employed at PRR he bought track rights from Jersey City to Salisbury in Mr. Scott’s name. Once they acquired the rights he took a sabbatical and together they extended the track to Cape Charles. Upon running his first train to Jersey City he was stopped at Salisbury by PRR officials until he presented them with the purchased track rights. Continuing on he parked his train and stepped down on the last tie and cursed Vanderbilt and Carnegie for their direct access into New York City from the north, he then vowed to build the first tunnel under water for the NYP&N Railroad into the to be New York Philadelphia and Norfolk railroad terminal.
Called back as President of The PRR he completed the tunnel and died halfway through the construction of the station. His replacement renamed it The Pennsylvania Railroad Station.
You would not drive through the CBBT if it was not for this Great Engineer.
Join us September 23 or 30th from 4-6 pm. for a Focus meeting at The Oyster Farm to have your input on the future of the Cape Charles rail yards the result of his great endeavor.
The Mirror asked a few questions to Secretary of the Board of Directors of NYP&N RR Resurrection Roger W. Malik.
What are your plans for the future?
* The Organization’s Plans include (not limited to) seeking citizen input, as to future use of the Cape Charles Rail Yard.
* Turning that input into a proposal to the Town Council and ANTDC, that include Rail Yard usage, in line with the needs, and desires of those business owners, and residents.
* Judging from the input we have heard to date, proposals will include maintaining at least some operational rail and train.
* The Notice of a Focus Group Meeting that Mr. Paffrath requested that you publish, is clearly part of the first objective of the Company – namely receiving citizen input.
Regarding, whether, Cape Charles Historic Society is providing assistance –
* CCHS has neither expressed nor demonstrated the desire to operate track or train.
* In other respects Ms. Waite Denny and I have communicated our support for each other’s organizations, and, discussed the need for a Memorandum of Understanding between CCHS and NYP&N, since maintenance of historical accuracy in the Rail Yards will remain essential to a healthy Tourist Response.
About the Author
Well now , again a GROUP is interested in the old NYP&N , I am one of very few in Northampton County that has tried to hold onto the NYP&N history with the holding of the Former Belle Haven Station which now sits in Exmore a on the line station of the NYP&N mile post 72 . I spent many years looking for items , photos , and paperwork of the time of a once great vein of the Eastern Shore . Not many seem to care much about it anymore , so good luck with your adventure . The C.C. Round house area was buried under the harbor dredge work many years ago and so much was lost of that great Railroad yard. And a bit of information for you Parksley holds some common ground items loaned to their museum by the railroad and after all this the tracks lay dormant. I was born here and will be here until I’m gone and I hope along with the railroad tracks that were outside my bedroom window in my parents house in 1955 .
2nd mtg 12 Dec 18:00 Cape Charles Civic Center. Please bring Dave and anyone else intrested.
2nd mtg 12 Dec 18:00 Cape Charles Civic Center. Please bring your neighbors and all others intrested.
We the NYPN RR Resurrection will be hosting another focus meeting September 30th at The Oysyer Fatm at 4-6,PM. We invite all town residents and Easyetn Shore community residents to come and share with the city your ideas about how you feel the Cape Charles Rail Yard should be utilized.
I would love to see a creative use of the space that both preserves history and enhances Cape Charles. There are many successful rails to trails and parks projects, and there are railroad cars that have been converted to lodging or small businesses. I am not sure that an operational train would be successful but West Va has a scenic train ride which will take passangers to a camp site where they unhook the caboose and leave folks to camp for a few days or a week. Maybe there could be a railroad themed destination hotel with a call back to some of the original Cape Charles hotels. I look forward to seeing what will happen with that area.
Please attend our first general public monthly meeting at the Cape Charles Civic Center 14 November 6pm
Like us on face book.
No Thank You.
All positive things to look forward to for this rail line.
Hopefully, Prayerfully, those that are passoinate, those that really care, about this railroad will prevail and the railroad will be rebuilt between Hallwood and Cape Charles, Va…..Here’s an idea…..How about a modern HOTEL & STATION midway between Hallwood and Cape Charles along the railroad tracks…..A large HOTEL and STATION open to the public with a modern Gift Shop and other attractions; with those using the railroad for passenger travel to be granted generous DISCOUNTS at the HOTEL and STATION…THINK ABOUT THIS!
Keep Dreaming
.
America is built on dreams.