Tioga Transportation Society

When I was very young my father, who was a model railroader, took me to the tracks at Beacon, NY to watch the end of steam and beginning of diesel engines on the “New York Central.” Following his death my stepfather, who was a New York Central, Penn Central, Amtrak and Conrail engineer, kept my railroading interest alive.

While in high school, I used to ride my bike to the New York, New Haven and Hartford freight station at Hopewell Junction, NY and spent countless hours listening to the then station agent, Mr. Harry Cooper, who was 90 years old. He had story after story to tell of his railroad service.

After college I didn’t go into railroading as my stepfather wanted. Instead I became a police officer in New York State, retiring in 1986 and currently make Milton, PA my home.

In 2003 my cousin and I visited the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon area and discovered Tioga Central Railroad where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the train after touring the area. Some time later I read a newspaper article that mentioned the railroad was looking for volunteers and I joined the Tioga Transportation Society.

I was welcomed and found myself surrounded by a marvelous team of people working together to operate Tioga Central. Today I serve as a Conductor on the Saturday trains.  I was recently elected as president of the TTS.

 - Herb

Conductor