Derry Railroad Days fondly recalls town's heyday

Today, it's hard to imagine Derry as a bustling railroad hub, but that's how it got its start.

Created in 1852 to serve the Pennsylvania Railroad, and originally known as Derry Station, the borough provided the railway with access to water and an elevated location along its right-of-way.

Back in the late 1800s, Derry had four hotels, mostly catering to railroad workers, a roundhouse for locomotive maintenance and a massive railroad yard.

Today, trains just pass on through, but the town celebrates its heritage with the annual Derry Railroad Days.

This year's festival will start with a parade at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 and continue that day and the next with entertainment, a car show, food and craft vendors, information booths, a model train display, hay rides and Juvenile Junction for the younger set, featuring trackless train rides, petting zoo and more fun activities.

Drivers of classic and antique autos can park their rides along West Second Avenue near the fire hall after the parade, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry fee for the car cruise is $5, with proceeds going to the Derry Area High School marching band.

Drivers wishing to participate in the parade should line up at 9:30 a.m. outside of A.V. Germano Hall at 100 W. Second Ave.

Entertainment highlights, according to event organizer Russell McKlveen of Derry, include a performance by the Ole 97 Johnny Cash Tribute Band from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 17.

The Johnstown-area group has opened for country acts like Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Joe Diffie. The show includes covers, audience requests and original material like "Whole Lotta Cash" and "I's in the Middle of Sin."

Also on tap are other musical groups, a magician and jugglers.

McKlveen says Pappy D's Bar-B-Q, a favorite of Railroad Days visitors, will be among about a half-dozen food vendors.

Giggles the Clown will make balloon animals for visitors to the children's area from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 16.

In Derry Station Railroad Heritage Park, the Caboose Gift Shop will be open both days, offering commemorative T-shirts and other souvenir and gift items.

The model train display will be in the municipal building, where a permanent firemen's museum also will be open to visitors.

Hobo Picnic

Another long-standing local tradition, the Hobo Picnic, will herald Railroad Days, starting at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 in A.V. Germano Hall.

A $3 fee includes hobo stew, rolls, dessert and a drink. Dave & DJ will provide music.

Guest speaker at the picnic will be Joseph Szalanski Jr., author of "Boarding the Westbound," a history of the Depression, the effects of early 20th-century immigration on American society, the labor movement and the generation that followed. Joseph Szalanski is a spokesman for that generation. The book includes a diary written by his father as the elder Szalanski left East Vandergrift in 1932 with 48 cents in his pocket and a dream of riding the rails to all 48 states.

Szalanski also discusses his father's life and untimely death in the Mon Valley Works Irvin Plant in the YouTube video "15,000 Miles on 48 Cents."