The following information is taken from a report by late member John Brinckmann on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Chapter in 1997:
When a handful of dedicated men gathered in Public Service car 2616 at Roseville Carhouse yard that July 27, 1937 they commenced one of the pioneer railfan organizations in the state. There were seven charter members: Fred E. Barber, Edward T. Francis, Edward Gardner, Howard E. Johnston, Grover S. Mettler, Willbur E. Wycoff and Rudolph (Rudy) S. Wendeling. All were interested in electric railways but there was sufficient commitment to steam that North Jersey Chapter could appeal to wider interests.
Mr. Johnston and Mr. Wycoff had participated in an earlier organization called the Interstate Trolley Club formed in Trenton in 1933. (see www.nrhs.com for complete story)
North Jersey meetings occurred the second Thursday of each month at Roseville Carhouse with the ritual of congregating at the street end of the yard aboard a 3200 series car (cross seats) and Wilbur Wycoff operating it to the privacy of the inner yard. Johnston became the first president and served for many years while Wycoff kept meticulous secretarial records.
Prior to the official Chapter commencement Johnston was instrumental in chartering the great PS "circle tour" of June 6, 1937 (ed: see picture above) between Newark-Paterson-Edgewater-Jersey City and Newark aboard venerable ex-Fast Line car 3532 in the name of the NRHS. The car was then assigned to the Hudson River Line because of its interurban characteristics and was picked up by Howard and Wilbur in Edgewater prior to moving deadhead to Newark. Fifty-five persons came from all over to enjoy a soon to be broken circuit - reason being demise of the Paterson Line the following July 18.
The Chapter sponsored other trolley tours in 1937 and 1938, but it was the final rerun of a one-car passenger train on the Raritan River Railroad on May 28, 1938 that established a kindred interest in steam railroading.
The Chapter published a series of fine trolley company histories between 1942 and 1957 under the title "The Marker". This name was revised to "Marker Lamp" when we commenced early publication of a monthly Chapter newsletter in September, 1953.
DRESSEL MARKER LAMP - 3 ASPECT. OBTAINED
FROM PUBLIC SERVICE RAILWAY IN 1938.
THIS TYPE OF LAMP WAS USED ON THE
HUDSON RIVER LINE AND OCCASIONALLY ON
THE WHITE LINE. IT WAS ALSO USED ON LINE CARS
FROM THE COLLECTION OF GEORGE W. WALRATH
