Arthur House
@arthurhouse.bsky.social
Military History, Railroad History
Pinned
The snow-making machines are at full blast at Liberty Mountain ski resort 10 miles southwest of Gettysburg. Let it snow (just not on the roads or our driveway, please)!
December 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The snow-making machines are at full blast at Liberty Mountain ski resort 10 miles southwest of Gettysburg. Let it snow (just not on the roads or our driveway, please)!
Where discretionary income goes to die.
December 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Where discretionary income goes to die.
Overheard on my Gettysburg battlefield walk today (by the “Slaughter Pen” rocks near Devil’s Den): “This is where your ancestors fought, Honey.” If so, “Honey” had kinfolk from Alabama or Georgia.
September 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Overheard on my Gettysburg battlefield walk today (by the “Slaughter Pen” rocks near Devil’s Den): “This is where your ancestors fought, Honey.” If so, “Honey” had kinfolk from Alabama or Georgia.
The first revenue run of Gettysburg Railway’s new excursion train crosses Mummasburg Road, heading north, on August 29th. The train consists of cars beautifully rebuilt for the service.
August 30, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The first revenue run of Gettysburg Railway’s new excursion train crosses Mummasburg Road, heading north, on August 29th. The train consists of cars beautifully rebuilt for the service.
A merciful break in the tropical heat, humidity, and monsoon-like storms allowed me a battlefield walk—my first in a while. My route, getting to be a predictable choice because of its shade and easy gradients, was around the Wheatfield and Stoney Hill on the southern end of the battlefield.
July 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A merciful break in the tropical heat, humidity, and monsoon-like storms allowed me a battlefield walk—my first in a while. My route, getting to be a predictable choice because of its shade and easy gradients, was around the Wheatfield and Stoney Hill on the southern end of the battlefield.
I prepare to board the 20th Century Limited at Grand Central Terminal sixty years ago this month. (July 1965). Destination: Chicago.
July 15, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I prepare to board the 20th Century Limited at Grand Central Terminal sixty years ago this month. (July 1965). Destination: Chicago.
In December 1970, it was snowing when I photographed a southbound Delaware and Hudson freight at Lanesboro, Pa., on the railroad's Pennsylvania Subdivision. In the background is the Erie Lackawanna’s towering Starrucca Viaduct, built in 1847.
July 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
In December 1970, it was snowing when I photographed a southbound Delaware and Hudson freight at Lanesboro, Pa., on the railroad's Pennsylvania Subdivision. In the background is the Erie Lackawanna’s towering Starrucca Viaduct, built in 1847.
It was 162 years ago today that troopers of two of cavalry brigades, commanded by Brig. Gen. John Buford, arrived in Gettysburg and fanned out in screens northwest and north of the town. The Federal cavalry carried swallow-tail guidons similar to the design shown here.
June 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
It was 162 years ago today that troopers of two of cavalry brigades, commanded by Brig. Gen. John Buford, arrived in Gettysburg and fanned out in screens northwest and north of the town. The Federal cavalry carried swallow-tail guidons similar to the design shown here.
I came away not unscathed.
June 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I came away not unscathed.
Last battlefield walk for a while, as an oppressive heatwave starts tomorrow. Heat indices are going to top 100 degrees well into next week.
June 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Last battlefield walk for a while, as an oppressive heatwave starts tomorrow. Heat indices are going to top 100 degrees well into next week.
Work continues on the former Reading Company depot on Washington Street in Gettysburg in anticipation of passenger train excursions due to begin in August. The station has just been repainted in blue and gray, the uniform colors of the Union and Confederate armies who fought here in July 1863.
June 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Work continues on the former Reading Company depot on Washington Street in Gettysburg in anticipation of passenger train excursions due to begin in August. The station has just been repainted in blue and gray, the uniform colors of the Union and Confederate armies who fought here in July 1863.
New fence rails are stacked, ready to renew a traditional worm fence east of the Sherfy peach orchard on the second day’s battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park.
May 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
New fence rails are stacked, ready to renew a traditional worm fence east of the Sherfy peach orchard on the second day’s battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park.
Hiked Little Round Top on Saturday afternoon. Eavesdropped on a tour by Ranger Matt Atkinson, among the most articulate and engaging of the rangers here. Shown: a view from the summit, framed within the doorway of the monument of the 44th New York Infantry. Down below is Devil’s Den.
May 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Hiked Little Round Top on Saturday afternoon. Eavesdropped on a tour by Ranger Matt Atkinson, among the most articulate and engaging of the rangers here. Shown: a view from the summit, framed within the doorway of the monument of the 44th New York Infantry. Down below is Devil’s Den.
Enjoyed a ramble around the Wheatfield Sunday afternoon, one of my favorite battlefield walks, as the grades are gentle, and much of the route is shaded. Have to get these hikes in before the heat and humidity make things too demanding for these aging bones…,
May 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Enjoyed a ramble around the Wheatfield Sunday afternoon, one of my favorite battlefield walks, as the grades are gentle, and much of the route is shaded. Have to get these hikes in before the heat and humidity make things too demanding for these aging bones…,
Prince of Peace Episcopal church hosted a recital this afternoon by Gettysburg College classical musicians Jack Chamblee (piano), and Tam Rezae (double bass). The program was one in a continuing series of cultural arts events sponsored by the parish, including musical performances and art shows.
April 28, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Prince of Peace Episcopal church hosted a recital this afternoon by Gettysburg College classical musicians Jack Chamblee (piano), and Tam Rezae (double bass). The program was one in a continuing series of cultural arts events sponsored by the parish, including musical performances and art shows.
Lunch, as served 113 years ago today. On board, only two more luncheons would be served. (I’d likely pass on the ox tongue and tail.)
April 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Lunch, as served 113 years ago today. On board, only two more luncheons would be served. (I’d likely pass on the ox tongue and tail.)
Breakfasted at the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg, where I first had a meal in July 1968, during a brief pass from ROTC training duty at Indiantown Gap. That day, I enjoyed watching a Western Maryland Railway freight. Successor CSX did not oblige; but the food is still good, ample and promptly served.
April 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Breakfasted at the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg, where I first had a meal in July 1968, during a brief pass from ROTC training duty at Indiantown Gap. That day, I enjoyed watching a Western Maryland Railway freight. Successor CSX did not oblige; but the food is still good, ample and promptly served.
Renovation work is well underway at Gettysburg’s (1884) former Reading Company station on Washington Street. A new room (for a gift shop) and a covered boarding canopy have been added to the west end of the building, and a new platform will soon be installed. Excursion trains start later this year.
March 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Renovation work is well underway at Gettysburg’s (1884) former Reading Company station on Washington Street. A new room (for a gift shop) and a covered boarding canopy have been added to the west end of the building, and a new platform will soon be installed. Excursion trains start later this year.
Labor Day weekend 1978 shows a westbound Conrail freight getting a shove up the grade at Horseshoe Curve, west of Altoona, Pa. A former Pennsylvania Railroad cabin car ((PRR-ese for "caboose") is tacked on behind the pusher engines. (My photo)
March 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Labor Day weekend 1978 shows a westbound Conrail freight getting a shove up the grade at Horseshoe Curve, west of Altoona, Pa. A former Pennsylvania Railroad cabin car ((PRR-ese for "caboose") is tacked on behind the pusher engines. (My photo)
It's an Autumn night in 1972 at Richmond's Broad Street Station. Amtrak train 85, the New York-Florida "Champion" has paused for servicing and passengers. The lead unit is decorated in Amtrak's early red, black and silver livery. Across Broad Street, the lights of the William Byrd Hotel beckon.
March 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
It's an Autumn night in 1972 at Richmond's Broad Street Station. Amtrak train 85, the New York-Florida "Champion" has paused for servicing and passengers. The lead unit is decorated in Amtrak's early red, black and silver livery. Across Broad Street, the lights of the William Byrd Hotel beckon.
Sunset in Gettysburg.
March 19, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Sunset in Gettysburg.
It was nearing sunset on a summer evening in 1970, and I was working as head brakeman on a northbound Delaware and Hudson freight, paused to pick up cars at Oneonta, N.Y. Waiting on the yard crew to furnish our pick-up, I used the downtime to take a few photos, including this one.
March 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
It was nearing sunset on a summer evening in 1970, and I was working as head brakeman on a northbound Delaware and Hudson freight, paused to pick up cars at Oneonta, N.Y. Waiting on the yard crew to furnish our pick-up, I used the downtime to take a few photos, including this one.
On the north edge of the Wheatfield stands the monument to Union Brig. General Samuel Zook, who sustained a fatal wound here. He was one of two Union brigade commanders killed in or near the Wheatfield about
5:30 pm on July 2, 1863.
5:30 pm on July 2, 1863.
March 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
On the north edge of the Wheatfield stands the monument to Union Brig. General Samuel Zook, who sustained a fatal wound here. He was one of two Union brigade commanders killed in or near the Wheatfield about
5:30 pm on July 2, 1863.
5:30 pm on July 2, 1863.
And so we say “adieu” to a portion of our disposable income…….
March 8, 2025 at 5:20 PM
And so we say “adieu” to a portion of our disposable income…….
Settling in to enjoy friend James Hessler’s presentation on Maj. Gen. Andrew Humphreys (a division commander here, and shortly thereafter chief of staff of the Army of the Potomac). The sponsor is The Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable.
February 28, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Settling in to enjoy friend James Hessler’s presentation on Maj. Gen. Andrew Humphreys (a division commander here, and shortly thereafter chief of staff of the Army of the Potomac). The sponsor is The Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable.