Monday, March 2, 2015

Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad, Kempton

YOUR VIEW

 

 

 

 

Railroad overcomes embezzlement, keeps on chugging

Volunteers at the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad had an unbelievably difficult operating season in 2014. 

We had to overcome the effects of a massive embezzlement that left the 3 1/2-mile tourist attraction between Kempton in Berks County and Wanamaker (Lynn Township, Lehigh County) reeling from the crippling effects.

When news of the desperate financial condition that haunted the railroad broke in the spring of 2014, many of us felt it was the end of the line for the WK&S. For most businesses it would have been the end. (James D. Krause of Schnecksvile, the former general manager and treasurer, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to Berks County Prison in December 2014 and is required to make restitution.)  

Operating funds were gone, and savings were down to a few thousand dollars.

The newly elected board of directors and officers had to face enormous past due accounts in seemingly every direction. They discovered overdue bills from vendors and unpaid state sales and income taxes and local real estate taxes. The company negotiated a line of credit from a bank to pay off some of the debts quickly and provide operating funds.  

Railroad officials — all volunteers — determined early on that in defiance of the odds the trains would run all summer on a regular schedule. All scheduled special events would run as planned.

And that is exactly what happened. The train did not miss a day through the season, including the first week in December when, to continue a tradition, a whole weekend full of Santa Claus specials ran on time, with fully reserved trains.  

Railroad President Oliver Blatt told a recent shareholders meeting that the volunteer team running the railroad line intends to return the business to its original prosperity and continue a full schedule with its all-volunteer operation this year and beyond. The railroad website announces an ambitious complete schedule for 2015 trains.  

The railroad is no stranger to adversity. Starting with its founding on Memorial Day 1963, the railroad grew exponentially for a short time, then ran into financial difficulties. In 1970 the line closed in preparation for a sale of assets. Two Allentown businessmen, Harry Schaller of Mack Trucks and Albert Moffa, owner of the Americus Hotel, stepped forward, lent cash and negotiated a lifesaving reorganization for the company. 

With Moffa as the new president, Schaller became the railroad treasurer and acting CEO and reopened the railroad, shepherding it back to health. Schaller made peace with the volunteers, retaining most of them who were dedicated to keeping the trains rolling. Ten years later, when all the debts and loans of the company were paid off and with enough money in the bank to make the line totally solvent, Schaller retired, turning the railroad over to a new generation of volunteers.  

Over the 50-plus years in existence, the railroad struggled through national economic turndowns and seasons of rain and heat, which kept travelers from riding the train.  

Yet, enough out-of-area visitors and local families continued to ride this little railroad; they marveled at its cleanliness and the attitude of its volunteers. WK&S provides a pleasant railroad experience many children will never forget. The train trip with vintage coaches and engines is priced reasonably and the volunteers consider customer comfort and enjoyment as their top priority.  

Kempton railroad volunteers have bounced back from the ultimate challenge, keeping the WK&S rolling. Come and see us for a ride in our 52nd year after reopening in May. 

Wally Ely, who lives in Allentown, has been a volunteer for the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern Railroad since it was founded in 1963. His email address is WallyEly1@aol.com