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A Website on the Kishacoquillas Valley Railroad
Authored by: Jerry Hartzler

The Kishacoquillas Valley Railroad was a charming backwoods railroad that ran in the heart of Pennsylvania. The KV was known as "the short line with a long name," and it's no wonder that local residents cooked up their own nicknames - the "Lofty Vanderbilt," the "Hair Line" or the "Ol' Hook & Eye" - reflecting its character and country mystique.

Favorite Author: "Bernard R. Carman"
Favorite Book: "Tommy Varner's Red Rooster by George N. Pierson"

From the auhor...

I was raised in Belleville, terminus for the KVRR, and my first recollection of the "Ol' Hook & Eye" was of taking Sunday walks with my family along the deserted right-of-way when I was only five years old. You see, I was born about 20 years after the railroad went out of existence. During my college years I became interested in model railroading, and it soon became obvious that the KV would be the perfect short line to model. I began to do extensive research for that project, and before I knew it, I wrote a book.

-Jerry Hartzler

With maps, roll call of officers, directors, and employees, to the locomotive roster with photos and descriptions of each, we are taken to another destination in time and the world that Jerry shares with us is not to be missed. When things seem much too complicated, it is calming to find a read such as "The Ol' Hook & Eye". Jerry Hartzler gives to us the history of "The Ol' Hook & Eye" with complete detail from its birth to the whys and where's clear up to its demise and when it is sold for scrap. He keeps us 'hooked' with entertaining facts along the way and does this with spurts of humor and wonderful photos and maps. I found myself very caught up in the writings here, learning more and more about the Kishacoquillas Valley with their railroad company named for them and what it meant for its surrounding communities. Jerry gives to us his words, and takes us to an era in time that may not otherwise be available to us and perhaps even forgotten, in the form of a story that without him may never be told. This piece will be with me now forever.... Still the morn, no KV whistle; Still the morn, no KV bell; And with sorrow I remember And with sorrow I recall That its useful life is over, That its life of toil is done, Wrapped within the days gone by. -Lee Victor Alexander The Ol' Hook & Eye; A History of the Kishacoquillas Valley Railroad By John G. (Jerry) Hartzler may not be available any longer to the public, but Jerry serves the public well in keeping the details and his research for all to view within the pages of his site. Jerry has given us a small taste on what was in his book and we can look forward to seeing more information and photographs in his upcoming 2nd edition of The Ol' Hook & Eye. A Personal Message of Commendation Sent... Dear Jerry, You and your site "The Ol' Hook & Eye" are examples for us all. You are sharing something that is both history and inspiring. It has been an honor to review your site and I am proud to include you on the winners list for the Giving Words Award. There is absolutely something to be gained by visiting your wonderful website. You give your words in detail, with elegance and careful design, providing a path to an era in time that could otherwise be forgotten and a story that may never be told.

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