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P.O. Box 242, West Newton, Pennsylvania, 15089 United States
The Liszewski Family (Caz and Terry pictured)
Railcar Relocation and Renovation History
Caz was a founding father of the WYTC. Terry worked for over 20 years as the Trail Monitor Coordinator.
Read about the historic relocation and renovation.
Read the article written by Jim and Terry Liszewski; edited by Anna Liszewski DeRose
West Newton Station
The Rail Car today. On Earth Day 1998, the railcar was moved from Buddtown near Banning #4 mine (between West Newton and Cedar Creek Park) to its current site in West Newton, a 2-acre site adjacent to the Yough River Trail. Two 60-ton cranes and a flatbed truck were used to make the move. Caz Liszewski, a founding member of the WYTC Over the Hill Gang, contributed his own engineering time and services to spearhead the relocation effort. Once it arrived at its destination, the railcar was placed on 33-foot-long track panels atop a three-foot bed of ballast. CSX Corp. donated the rails and ballast for the project.
STEAM LOCOMOTIVE BELL DONATED BY THE LISZEWSKI'S
This is a 100- pound bell, made of iron and other alloys. It has a seventeen-inch diameter (base of bell) which was generally the largest bell made for steam locomotives. There is a number on the bell that looks like it was changed at one time. This was the number of the steam engine. Another number is on the base and this was a mold number.
Two WYTC volunteers, Tim Aaron and Keith Frid, worked on restoring and burnishing the bell.
The Liszewski family; Caz and Terry Liszewski; Middle: Wendy and Paul Liszewski; Alyson (paul's daughter);Lynda and Jim Liszewski; Shane,Alyson proud
2020-10 steam locomotive bell donated by the liszewski's
This is a 100- pound bell, made of iron and other alloys. It has a seventeen-inch diameter (base of bell) which was generally the largest bell made for steam locomotives. There is a number on the bell that looks like it was changed at one time. This was the number of the steam engine. Another number is on the base and this was a mold number.
Google provides this description: “Bells were standard equipment on steam locomotives in North America from around 1840 onward. Their purpose was to make noise, alerting people and animals of an oncoming train. Steam locomotive bells were usually made of cast bronze or brass. When the bell swings the clapper hits the bell causing it to ring.”
The bell was found on Terry and Cazmier Liszewski’s property in Smithton, PA. They are lifetime WYTC members and members of the Original Over The Hill Gang, who helped to transform the abandoned rail beds (GAP) into a readily accessible trail for biking and walking in the early 1990’s.
According to Terry, “many the properties in Smithton had a similar bell which was used to call farmers and workers to dinner. Donating the bell to the WYTC and its location in the railcar has special significance as Caz spearheaded the project to relocate the railcar from Buddtown to its current location in 1998. The railcar underwent its initial restoration from 1998-2012.”
Two WYTC volunteers, Tim Aaron and Keith Frid, worked on restoring and burnishing the bell. Tim Aaron cleaned and burnished the bell, by using a paste of vinegar, flour, and salt and lots of elbow grease. Keith scrubbed the iron parts of the bell with a stiff wire brush and coarse steel wool, and rubbed oil over them, applied two coats of a satin finish black paint.
Sam and Sandra Cover, WYTC volunteers, are responsible for the Rail Car and its historical contents.
The WYTC wishes to thank the Liszewski family for this important historical contribution to the Rail Car, situated near the GAP-West Newton Station. Special thanks to Jim and Paul Liszewski and Anna Liszewski DeRosa and families for their contributions.
1999 Rail Car Photo courtesy of Terry Liszewski
2020-10 sam and sandy cover, WYTC railcar volunteers
2001-04-07 Groundbreaking Ceremony, REgional Trail Corporation, Yough River Environmental Ctr. (located across from the Visitor's center, by river)
2019-06-02 rail car visits during trail appreciation day
Inside the Rail Car near the Visitor's Center - West Newton
Over 100 people visited the rail car during the course of Trail Appreciation Day. Not only did we enjoy that large variety of visitors, but we also received several gifts for our displays from John Brunony, Scott Schuller, John Warhold and Susan Forney.
Pictured L-R: Sandy Cover and Susan Forbes