CHRISTMAS TRAIN

Once again, it's time for the Christmas Train to come through!

With Santa on the front end, the Christmas Train rolls into town.

Parked on the siding, the train shows some newly added cars.

One new car is an old hopper for the Santa Claus Coal Express -with a full load of coal for the "naughty" folks' stockings! (How appropriate that this train is headed to Washington, D.C.!)

Another new car is the Military Tribute boxcar ahead of this gondola. While the Operation Lifesaver gon has been a long-time fixture in the train, this year, instead of Christmas trees, it is loaded with flattened cars -to emphasize the car's message about grade crossing safety!

One thing never changes; Santa meeting with the kids!

Brad and the engineer converse. The engine recently received the new AP&W logo on the front.

Santa's helpers wave from the caboose as the train rolls out. Just ahead of the caboose is the MIA/Freedom car, which is the final car new to the train. With a large number of veterans among its employees, the AP&W wanted to make sure that their sacrifices were appreciated; hence the military appreciation cars in the train.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

PASSING TRAINS PT8

An eastbound coal train rolls into town with a full load of coal.

Both locomotives sport the new "star" logo.

The long string of black stretches through the yard. Like most railroads, coal is a major source of revenue for the AP&W; with the recent closing of two major power plants in southwestern Pennsylvania this traffic will see a definite drop off.

 The engines come around the curve on the return trip later that day.

The silver string of now-empty coal gons follow behind.

The train rolls past Main Street as traffic rolls along Main Street. And if you look in the yard, you'll see the tail end of the Christmas train parked on one of the tracks!

TOWN LIFE PT6

A new business has opened up on Commerce Road! The empty brown building on the left is now occupied.

The newly opened Vic's Barber shop is now ready to help the men of Hillsdale keep their hair in check! The upstairs apartment is also rented out to Vic; imagine only having a 30-sec commute to work!

Leon rides his moped on a chilly fall day. At least it's not raining!

On a warmer day, a man takes advantage of a clearance sale on mowers to bring home a new riding mower. After loading it in the back of the truck, he's all set to go.

Tony's Garage is also busy, as many owners bring their cars in for pre-winter tune-ups. Fall is also a time for repairs -it's deer season!