Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, portrayed by reenactor Chris Boswell, addressed troops and their well wishers before they boarded the troop train on Saturday, Sept. 28.
More than 15 reenactors dressed in World War II uniforms, waved farewell to those gathered at the train station of the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown.
Reenactor Chris Boswell, portraying Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, addresses the troops and their well wishers before they board the troop train at the Colebrookdale Railroad Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)Reenactors Russ and Aldona Jones of Spring City listen to Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, portrayed by Chris Boswell, address the troops waiting to board the troop train at the Colebrookdale Railroad Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
This scene from a 1940s train station was part of a World War II troop train send-off ceremony presented by the Colebrookdale Railroad, General Spaatz USAAF Museum and Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.
Reenactors guided visitors through the troop train, which included a hospital operating theater car and a World War II military display car. Vintage military vehicles were parked nearby.
U.S. Navy nurse uniform was on display as part of the hospital operating theater train car at the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown on Saturday, Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
Part of a WWII troop train send-off event at the Colebrookdale Railroad Sept. 28, reenactor Zach Law shows a silenced M3 .45 caliber submachine gun to Sam Costa of Boyertown. Also known as the ‘Grease Gun,’ it was the primary U.S. submachine gun used during World War II. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
WWII artifacts were on display on a Colebrookdale Railroad train car during a troop send-off event on Saturday, Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
Bryan and Burnell Forry check out a vintage military vehicle display at the 1940s troop train send-off event at the Colebrookdale Railroad on Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
The WWII troop train send-off event included a display of military vehicles at the Colebrookdale Railroad on Saturday, Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
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U.S. Navy nurse uniform was on display as part of the hospital operating theater train car at the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown on Saturday, Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
The train departed the station while the reenactors waved from the train windows, many with smiles on their faces. About 35 members of the public opted to purchase train tickets to ride along.
Museum volunteer Thomas Rokita, 15, was part of a WWII troop train send-off ceremony presented by the Colebrookdale Railroad, General Spaatz USAAF Museum and Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
“Before and during the war, thousands of men and women left their hometowns and boarded trains that would take them to their first military assignments. They were full of anticipation and excitement, laughter and tears. For most it was their first trip away from family and friends; many would not return,” tSpaatz Museum officials said in their announcement of the event.
WWII reenactor Russ Jones of Spring City boards the troop train during a send-off ceremony at the Colebrookdale Railroad Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
The public was encouraged to come into town early to visit its museums before going to the train yard.
Col. Keith Seiwell USMC, retired, aboard the Colebrookdale Railroad Troop Train on Saturday, Sept. 28. (Jesi Yost/For MediaNews Group)
While in town, visitors could stop at the new Peppermint Stick vintage ice cream parlor and candy store, which evokes the same era. It is located at 26 E. Philadelphia Ave. Visit peppermintstickcandystore.com/.
The railroad and museums plan to host another 1940s troop train send-off event in May.
