(Satellite Location: Corry) Corry RAILS: History to Present-Day
Corry RAILS: History to Present-Day
It is important to have an understanding of the historical timeline before we delve into the formation a few years ago of Corry RAILS, a non-profit 501(c)(3). We will start with some early history of the area and then follow one company and it's brand through three reformations, which led to locomotives being built in Corry and shipped around the world by Climax Manufacturing Co.
Then we will discuss Corry RAILS beginnings in 2017 and its first project of Rescuing the only nearly complete Climax "A" Locomotive known to exist, at that time disassembled in Alaska, and bringing it home to restore it to operational condition. The history of this small and primitive locomotive and where she worked is equally as interesting and includes the story of an entrepreneur, Charles D Lane and his Wild Goose Railroad and its four Climax "A" locomotives on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush. From there we will discuss the current restoration efforts and the plans for A-313 after restoration is complete.
Location: Corry Higher Education Council-- 221 North Center St. Corry, PA 16407.
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 13 at 6 p.m.
Admission: FREE, pre-registration is required for guaranteed seating.
Parking: lot next to and behind building
Tom VanTassel was a founding member of Corry RAILS and is current Chairman of the Board. He was raised on the family farm here in Corry, where he learned-by-doing everything mechanical around the farm. Following High School, he joined the Army and made a tour in Vietnam. Since then, and until retirement, he has been active in the remodeling portion of the Construction Industry and then in Industrial Sales. Over the years, he has been highly active in volunteering for many organizations in the Corry area. He was involved in the Cass, WV restoration efforts of Climax “C” No. 1551 before becoming a part Corry RAILS and the Rescue and Restoration efforts of Climax “A” No. 313.
Carl Wassink, A.E., is a “learn-by-doing historian”. Having grown up in Corry, he was exposed to the local history by his grandfather, Carlton Smith, from an early age. Carl has an associate degree in engineering… and another year or so in architectural studies before joining the Navy Seabees for a couple of tours in Vietnam. Later, he was involved in several diverse businesses in California over a 40-year span. Moving back to Corry a dozen years ago, he became involved with the restoration in Cass, WV of the Class “C” Climax No. 1551, one of only 3 Class “C” Climax’s remaining.
