Clinician: Jim Hertzog – Philly Express

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CLINIC: Exploring Reading's Shamokin Division
DAY: Saturday	TIME: 1:00-2:00p	ROOM: Berwyn
DESCRIPTION: In this clinic we will look at the Reading Railroad operations in the anthracite region of eastern Pennsylvania during the steam to diesel transition era. The presentation will briefly look at the prototype and then tour the Reading as modeled on my basement layout. The 30 x 40 foot DCC layout recently underwent a transition from Lenz to NCE wireless radio DCC and hosts monthly op sessions with a crew of 18. Highlighted will be the sixteen mines and coal loaders, mountain grades with helper operations, and the motive power and trains of the mid-1950s.

About the Clinician...

Jim has always been fascinated of all types of trains and railroad his entire life, but has a special interest in coal railroads. Having a grandfather who worked for the Reading as a locomotive engineer, an uncle was an electrician with the CNJ and LV for many years, and a father who worked part time for the Reading as a relief dispatcher cemented an interest in railroads around the Allentown area. Traveling back and forth through the anthracite region as a college student during the early mid 1970's ignited an interest in anthracite mining and the railroads that serviced the region.

Jim lives in Mertztown, PA with his wife Gerri and they have two adult children. When not working as a sales engineer for Electro-Space Fabricators, he and his wife enjoy riding their bicycles on rail trails, visiting antique shops, and enjoying their three year old granddaughter.