LIRR Hicksville

On October 8, the Hicksville Historical Society presented a program celebrating the 190th anniversary of Long Island Rail Road and the 69th anniversary of Operation Changeover in 1955.

The presentation took place at the Hicksville Public Library, David Morrison served as the Master of Ceremonies and welcomed all in attendance. Participating in the event were the President of Railroad Museum of Long Island Don Fisher and the President of Oyster Bay Railroad Museum John Specce. The Library’s community room was decorated with historical paintings and pictures by the Railroad Historian David Morrison and was filled with excitement.

The President of the Hicksville Historical Society, Richard Althaus, thanked David Morrison for his great efforts to preserve the history of Long Island Rail Road and Hicksville community, and wished to all attending the event to enjoy the program.

The guest speakers who attended included Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free, Fred Ruff, a former Boy Scout at 1955 ‘Operation Changeover’, and James Pavone creator of Hicksville’s John Bull locomotive.

Included in the special events was an unveiling of the portrait of Valentine Hicks, who was the founder of Hicksville and the second President of Long Island Rail Road. The Master of Ceremonies David Morrison invited Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker and Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free to join in this portion of the ceremony. According to the writings of the Hicksville historian, Richard Evers, Valentine Hicks had three little locomotives, the Plowboy, Ariel and Hicksville. More details are available in his article titled: “50th Anniversary of the End of Steam Trains.”

The Master of Ceremonies David Morrison invited Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Hicksville Historical Society President Richard Althaus to unveil the Operation Changeover plaque designed by David Morrison and implemented by Winsor Fireform Company, a company specialized in porcelain enamel, graphics, and imaging. The plaque has, printed on it two trains: Steam Locomotive #35 and Steam Locomotive #39. These trains, according to the text printed on the plaque, “met on a rainy day at Hicksville Station, on October 8, 1955” with the purpose of marking “the end of steam locomotives on the Long Island Rail Road”. The Steam Locomotive #35 and Steam locomotive #39 were the official “retirees” on that day. This plaque, funded by the Hicksville Historical Society, will eventually be placed at the south end of Hicksville’s Kennedy Park, to landmark the area where the End of Steam happened. This plaque will be in the same area where the John Bull Steam Locomotive replica is standing.

Another special moment during the event recognized a long time Hicksville resident Fred Ruff, who is the former Boy Scout participated at 1955 ‘Operation Changeover’. Richard Evers, in his article describing the ceremony which took place on October 8, 1955, writes: “Highlight of the ceremony was the presence of Fred Ruff, a Boy Scout who, in 1955’s ceremony, rang the Engine 35’s Bell for the last time, in symbolic salute to the then passing of the great “L.I.R.R. Age of Steam Trains.” With the assistance of David Morrison, Fred Ruff stood in front of the attendees in the community room of the Hicksville Public Library, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 11:30 AM, and he rang the Steam Engine Bell, making all his friends happy and excited.

During the meeting, informative journals with the title “The John Bull Steam locomotive Replica” were graciously provided to each attendee by the past President of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce James Pavone. This journal was printed in 2008 by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce. The Journal Editors were David Morrison and Val Pakaluk. The journal was used on May 17, 2008 at the dedication ceremony of the John Bull steam locomotive replica. James Pavone is the creator of the John Bull steam locomotive replica, which now it stands on permanent display in Kennedy Memorial Park downtown Hicksville, across the Empire Diner.

In the audience, among others, were: Jeffrey Pravato – Receiver of Taxes of Town of Oyster Bay, Brian Nevin – Public Information Officer of Town of Oyster Bay, Hector Garcia – Chief of Staff of Long Island Rail Road, Roseann Acosta – Acting Director of Hicksville Public Library, Chris Economou – President Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Hicksville, Janet Bergholtz – Treasurer of the Hicksville Historical Society, Susan Caron – Photographer/Editor at the News 12 Long Island, Rick Kopstein – from the Newsday, and others.

At the end the Master of Ceremonies David Morrison thanked the Nassau County and Town Oyster Bay officials, the Long Island Rail Road representatives, the other honored guests, the photo reporters covering the ceremony, and all the attendees. The attendees expressed their appreciation for the well-organized event and the opportunity to learn more details of the history of their community.

Article courtesy: Mid-Island Times - Saturday, October 19, 2024

Hicksville
Soap Works, Hicksville 1878 Photo: George Bradford Brainerd (1845-1887) Archive: Brooklyn Museum	Hicksville Station newly opened c.11/1909 - View NW Note: The signal/switch linkage in the lower left corner operated by "DIVIDE" tower ("HX" Tower at the time of the photo). Archive: Richard Eikov	Station 1910 view NE from south side platform