This year’s 62nd Annual Citizen of the Year Gala features a new award in the category of “special recognition.” The recipient of this award may be an individual, civic group, non-profit organization or a combination of all three.
Being recognized this year for enhancing the Boyertown community is the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust and the many volunteers who are helping to make the Colebrookdale Line a success.
“In just a short time span, the Colebrookdale Railroad has captured the imagination, enthusiasm and loyalty of the Boyertown area as it advances Boyertown as a unique tourist destination,” said Charles Haddad, Building a Better Boyertown president.
Haddad said the award committee will recognize the three vital parts of the railroad operations that has made it a success in such a short period of time: the Board of Directors for its governance, the CEO, Nathaniel Guest, for his vision and guidance, and the volunteers who have and are making the vision a reality.
Stephen Hladio has worked for the railroad for a year-and-a-half and currently splits his time between rebuilding cars and organizing the railroad’s special events.
A history and railroad enthusiast, Hladio, 52, of Amity Township, thinks the railroad will be a boon to both the Pottstown and Boyertown communities, and already sees growth thanks to railroad tourism.
“Obviously, I think it’s great, not only for the railroad, but for Boyertown and Pottstown. I can see the railroad bringing Boyertown back to life. I see it as a boost to the community. I mean, we’ve already had people from Virginia, New Jersey and Maryland who have heard about us on the internet.”
Currently, there are five cars in operation on the line, and the trust is raising funds to move a train station located in Birdsboro to Pottstown’s Memorial Park. Additional funds will be sought to build a station at the Boyertown lot.
The official opening of the Colebrookdale Railroad is slated for October.
The Boyertown’s Citizen of Year Awards Gala will be held this Saturday, April 18, at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.
