About 4 years ago, I stumbled upon the WW&F completely by accident, by way of my wife, who lovingly refers to the museum as "the little train". She is the granddaughter of Ken Chaney, of Golden Ridge (which, for those who are not local, is just across Rte. 218 from the museum.) Whenever we visit her family, we are able to hear the whistle from the living room when the windows are open. I try to stop in and ride when I can; my only regret is that my visits cannot be more regular.
I grew up in Western PA, and now live in Eastern PA, where I work in the semiconductor industry. I have been a railfan my whole life: the constant refrain of my early Christmases with Lionel trains under the tree was, "Someday play choo-choo train." I don't "play choo-choo trains" so much anymore, being in the throes of Toddler-dom with our first child and another on the way. Perhaps in a few more years I will hear the same hopeful lament from my own children.
I want to offer these words of encouragement: It is refreshing to see a group with both the skills and the humble dedication to make something like this "work"; who, when asked, "How is it that you have built something so excellent?" would answer, "We could not imagine it another way." To that end I have decided to become a Life member; it's the least I can do given the 400 miles that separate Easton and Alna. Perhaps someday I will make it for a Work Weekend and offer my two hands as well.
Best Regards,
Ben Richards
