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Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) held their Annual Meeting Thursday night, and were briefed on further developments to market the area as the Birthplace of the American Railroad.
After hearing a plan to bring luxury passenger trains to Honesdale, a presentation was made about another project, to build a working, full scale model of the Stourbridge Lion, which will run by steam and take passengers.
Steve Motichka and Stan Pratt shared how the idea was forged in a conversation held at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce awards dinner held in September. Pratt knew of a steam locomotive expert, Peter Bouley, who used his skills to bring the Silsby steam fire engine back to life by manufacturing a vintage part that had broken.
Bouley quickly embraced the Lion project and has volunteered his time and expertise as project manager. He also donated the necessary boiler, and offered to provide certified welding certification to vo-tech students who are willing to help assemble the machine.
Pratt said that the new replica would not distract from the replica at the Wayne County Historical Society museum. Rather, people attracted to Honesdale to see the working model on the tracks, will want to learn more and visit the museum.
The steam powered model will move like the original Lion-with its grasshopper-like legs going up and down as the wheels are turned.
He noted that the community has not in many years, worked together to market the area as the birthplace of the America Railroad. The committee planning the project hopes to have a meeting with community leaders.
“This will bring people from all over the world,” said Motichka, “to see the [working model of] first steam engine.”
Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) held their Annual Meeting Thursday night, and were briefed on further developments to market the area as the Birthplace of the American Railroad.
After hearing a plan to bring luxury passenger trains to Honesdale, a presentation was made about another project, to build a working, full scale model of the Stourbridge Lion, which will run by steam and take passengers.
Steve Motichka and Stan Pratt shared how the idea was forged in a conversation held at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce awards dinner held in September. Pratt knew of a steam locomotive expert, Peter Bouley, who used his skills to bring the Silsby steam fire engine back to life by manufacturing a vintage part that had broken.
Bouley quickly embraced the Lion project and has volunteered his time and expertise as project manager. He also donated the necessary boiler, and offered to provide certified welding certification to vo-tech students who are willing to help assemble the machine.
Pratt said that the new replica would not distract from the replica at the Wayne County Historical Society museum. Rather, people attracted to Honesdale to see the working model on the tracks, will want to learn more and visit the museum.
The steam powered model will move like the original Lion-with its grasshopper-like legs going up and down as the wheels are turned.
He noted that the community has not in many years, worked together to market the area as the birthplace of the America Railroad. The committee planning the project hopes to have a meeting with community leaders.
“This will bring people from all over the world,” said Motichka, “to see the [working model of] first steam engine.”
