The Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society (BHRS) was chartered in 1984 with the intent of offering excursion service on the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER). At that time, the NBER was a newly-formed shortline. At about the same time, the BHRS acquired its first major piece of rolling stock in the form of RDC1 #9167. This car was retired by SEPTA after a long career that began on the New Haven in 1953 as their #40.
In 1992, the BHRS acquired their second RDC, MBTA's #9153. This car was built in 1962 for the Reading Railroad. The balance of the BHRS fleet is made up of two track cars, a snowplow, and a caboose. The caboose and snowplow are former Bellefonte Central pieces that reside as static displays adjacent to the Bellefonte station. One of the two track cars is a large, ex-Bellefonte Central car currently in maintenance-of-way service. The other is a former PRR Fairmont M-9 that is used for special occasions.
Over the years, the NBER grew to a system comprising approximately 70 miles with lines stretching from Tyrone to Lock Haven and from Milesburg to Dale Summit (State College) and Pleasant Gap via Bellefonte. The BHRS currently has operating rights on the entire NBER.
The only trackage owned by the BHRS is a 1/2 mile leading into the village of Lemont outside of State College.
Major changes came to the NBER and the BHRS in 1996. Conrail began operating coal trains on trackage rights via the NBER mainline between Tyrone and Lock Haven. This brought a track upgrade, increased traffic, and Conrail dispatching.
Since Norfolk Southern's arrival in the Bald Eagle Valley, run-through traffic has increased again due to additional coal trains and merchandise freights operating between Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Another track upgrade, started in the fall of 1999, has brought welded rail to the NBER main.
The BHRS is thought to be the only volunteer operation in the country that runs in conjunction with a Class I railroad. Although we are proud of this status, heavy freight traffic has hampered our ability to operate scheduled excursion service between Tyrone and Lock Haven.
The main operating season for the BHRS typically runs from May to September. However, holiday specials and excursions with meal service operate year round. Private charters can also be arranged anywhere on the NBER.
The fall/winter schedule is rather unstable due to major track work and heavy freight traffic. Persons interested in excursions can contact the BHRS at 814-355-2917 for the very latest information.