December 2021
Roaring Run Station
By Paul Harvey
In 1956, the Peoples Natural Gas Company opened their
new Roaring Run Station to compress and transport natural gas.
Named for the bounding creek behind, it was considered “state of the
art” for its day. Note the small building behind, also built at
that time, that was used as the office. This is the story of how
Roaring Run came to Coolspring Power Museum.
But first, let’s take a step back in history to see the
earlier station. Yep, there’s the creek roaring along. Look all
those stacks! Wonder what was inside? Perhaps someday we
will discover the answer.
Now we will time travel to November of 2020. Ben
Steffy, our board member as well as a Peoples Gas employee, emailed me
that their Roaring Run station was going to be replaced with an
automated unit. They would be happy to donate the old structure to
CPM. Wow! Wonderful, but so many questions to be
answered and so much to consider. So, let’s first take a look.
I met Ben one mild November day at his home in
Smicksburg, Pennsylvania, and he took me for a tour. This road
went one way then the other and we were getting out in the middle of
nowhere! He assured me we were near Apollo, Pennsylvania.
Finally arriving and seeing, what a delightful surprise I found!
The structure was magnificent and looked like it was
just built. The engine was working well and the interior had all
the great aromas of a working station. An experience to be
remembered!
The nameplate for the building was still proudly
displayed on the side near the door. That meant the building was
all bolted together with no welding. In those days, buildings were
designed to be moved as the need arose. Hmm. So, it
could come to CPM and be re-erected. Our interest increases, as
does our dreams for future use.
The other side of the main station. A rolling
overhead door has been added as well as a partition to make the back
side a work area. Parts bins, workbench, air compressor, pipe
threader, and drill were located here. Good idea!
The office is a 12 by 14-foot structure in excellent
condition. The possibilities for future use are endless. Ben
and I sat down a bit to enjoy the cozy warmth and reflect on the
possibilities. Of course, the restroom was welcome. It’s
looking good!
The engine, that day happily working, is a massive
Cooper Bessemer model GMX, built in 1955 or 1956. It makes 400 HP
at 400 RPM. With 8 cylinders of 9¾-inch bore and 10½-inch
stroke, it is a monster! The power cylinders are in a “V”
configuration with 4 large compressor cylinders out of one side.
Although offered to us free of charge, we had to decline the donation of
the engine. It just was beyond our capabilities and did not fit
our goals.
CPM was impressed with the structure and donation offer,
and approved its acquisition formally at a Board of Directors meeting.
Now the long process of getting it here began!
I wrote a letter to Peoples Gas, gratefully accepting
both buildings and understanding that they would prepare them for
removal and transport them to the museum. They happily agreed.
First, they had to transfer operation to their new
station and disable the old faithful engine. Simple and done.
Their pumping never ceased. Next, they had to have an asbestos
abatement program done, and inspections completed to certify that it was
safe to donate to us. Sure glad we were not involved in that!
Then time dragged on well into 2021 and winter was
approaching. So, it would probably happen in 2022. OK,
that’s good. But in the first week of this November, Phil
Dobson, of Dobson Contracting, called to say two tractor trailer loads
would be arriving in two weeks. Excited, we chose an appropriate
storage area for the buildings to be unloaded. Progress! We
all knew Dobson Contracting as they have done many projects here.
An amazing feat, the Dobson crew unbolted the structures
by hand, causing no damage. They did not use any torch work. All
building sections were carefully numbered with the sequence for
reassembly, and pictures were taken. Wow, that’s excellent!
It was exciting as the first trailer load arrived that
sunny but cold day. All sections were stacked in order, and no
damage done to them. I was impressed!
Phil and crew did a fantastic job of unloading and
placing for us. I just sat on my Gator and watched.
Finally, all sections and parts were placed, and well
suited for the winter. Now, thoughts turn to its use. Hmmm.
A waterworks building? A machine shop? And where
will it be placed? Lotsa decisions and a long winter to
decide. The possibilities are endless, and it is awaiting our
decisions.
Part of the sections in winter storage. A big
project that turned out so well!
CPM would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all who
helped with this huge project. First to Peoples Gas Company for
believing in the museum enough to make it happen. Their efforts
were tremendous. Special thanks to Ben Steffy for coordinating so
much for us. And all our gratitude to Dobson Contracting for the
care that they gave to make re-erection easy and possible. Working
together, the impossible came true. My apologies to all who I have
missed.