Region proves a draw for West Chester railroad historian, author
Monday Spotlight
Railroad historian Beth Anne Keates gives a presentation on the evolution of rails at the Elkins Park Train Station. Courtesy photo
Brian and Beth Anne Keates stand in front of the Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive on June 15 at Steam Town National Park. Courtesy photo
Kenneth C. Springirth and Beth Anne Keates hold two of their books at the Cresson railroad tracks. Courtesy photo
Beth Anne Keates stands in front of the Pennsylvania Railroad Type GP 9 Diesel locomotive 7048 on July 9 at the Horseshoe Curve. Courtesy photo
Railroad historian Beth Anne Keates gives a presentation on the evolution of rails at the Elkins Park Train Station. Courtesy photo
Brian and Beth Anne Keates stand in front of the Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive on June 15 at Steam Town National Park. Courtesy photo
Kenneth C. Springirth and Beth Anne Keates hold two of their books at the Cresson railroad tracks. Courtesy photo
Beth Anne Keates stands in front of the Pennsylvania Railroad Type GP 9 Diesel locomotive 7048 on July 9 at the Horseshoe Curve. Courtesy photo
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West Chester resident Beth Anne Keates remembers watching CSX train cars with her brothers in the backseat of her family's car during vacations from Lansdowne to Ocean City.
"We would have fun counting the number of boxcars," she said, mentioning the railroad's significant evolution during the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition to her family's combined interest in trains and history, Keates was on track to becoming a railroad historian and writer herself, documenting the country's train history in six books so far.
She also gives presentations and volunteers at railroad museums in the commonwealth, including the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, where her books are available for purchase.
Still buzzing about the Union Pacific's Big Boy steam locomotive tour, Keates said the massive turnout at the Rose Yard and the Horseshoe Curve reflects the area's strong railroad culture.
"To see it running on tracks it never ran on before ... was an incredible opportunity we didn't want to miss," she said.
Growing up in Lansdowne, Keates frequently took the trolley to Media Providence Friends School, something that also inspired her appreciation for railroad transportation.
She met her future husband, Brian, in high school. They graduated in 1986 and were wed that December.
While Brian's commitment to the Air Force resulted in their relocation to Turkey, Keates completed her associate's degree in Middle Eastern studies and certification in Turkish Studies at the University of Maryland's European division.
From there, Keates completed her junior year at the University of Maine when they moved up north. When they finally returned to Pennsylvania, she completed her bachelor's degree in history and business at Penn State University at Brandywine.
The couple lived in Darby for about 10 years in a home only about a mile from their hometown. Keates recalled the familiar sound of CSX trains traveling past their previous residence.
"We could see it (the train) from the back window," she said.
Also a railfan, Brian remembered how neat it was to hear the trains traveling throughout the night along the Baltimore to Philadelphia route.
"When we first bought the house, we were like, 'What did we do?'" he said with a laugh, although they quickly acclimated to the noise over time.
Working in the business insurance claims department for State Farm, Keates said their interest in railroads ignited once again after she and Brian moved to West Chester in the early 2000s and gave birth to their two sons, Jacob and Andrew.
Turning interests into careers
Andrew remembers traveling to local railroads and museums during his youth, which contributed to his current interest in trains today, running Steel and Steam Productions on YouTube.
Jacob currently works for J.C. McHugh Locomotives, blending his love for trains with his work.
"It was always fun for me and my brother to do, and it was a big part of my childhood," Andrew said.
As a family, they also traveled to Altoona to observe the trains and their history. Meanwhile, Keates, who frequently participates in train shows, donated lost artifacts from the Pennsylvania railroad system to the Railroader's Memorial Museum.
Eventually becoming a volunteer at the museum and the Horseshoe Curve, she said she's happy to return some parts of history to the museum.
Keates kept her ties to her community as well, being a member of the Daughters of the Revolution, Lansdowne chapter, and a volunteer at the West Chester Railroad Heritage Association.
She started writing about trains only 10 years ago.
Keates remembers meeting Erie resident Kenneth C. Springirth at a train show, who would later become the co-author of all six of her books.
"We've been friends ever since," Springirth said. "It's a natural thing when you have people with the same interests."
Distance didn't keep the writers from collaborating in person, frequently meeting halfway to swap manuscripts in Altoona, Gallitzin or Cresson.
And train watch, of course.
Because Keates' family is made up of railfans, they usually embark on journeys to both Cambria and Blair counties, staying at the Gallitzin Tunnel Inn.
Brian, who also takes photos featured in Keates' books, said they have a great time staying at the bed and breakfast, mentioning that it's relaxing to watch trains.
Keates and Springirth eventually published their first book, "Union Pacific Railroad Heritage," in November 2022, about chasing the Big Boy steam locomotive for 50 miles from Nebraska to Utah.
Since then, the railfan duo has co-written five more books, with many featuring Altoona's railroad history. Her books are currently available at the Railroader's Memorial Museum.
Their next book, "Reading & Northern Railroad Heritage," is available for preorder at https://www.through-time.com/collections/beth-anne-keates/products/reading-northern
Big history
Keates spent a huge part of her summer chasing the Union Pacific Big Boy 4010 steam locomotive throughout Pennsylvania, snagging interviews with engineer Ed Dickens.
Considering the locomotive resides in Wyoming, she never expected it to travel this far east. So when news broke that the train was coming to Pennsylvania, her family made plans so they wouldn't miss it.
When the train rolled through Blair County, she volunteered at the Railroader's Memorial Museum and the Horseshoe Curve that week.
"The atmosphere of the railfans was so exuberant," she said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some folks."
She also mentioned that Altoona must re-embrace its railroad culture, using the turnout from the Big Boy event as a perfect example.
"Altoona hasn't seen that many people at once in a long time; the incredible impression an engine this size leaves with everyone that sees it," she said.
And the Big Boy steam locomotive is only part of the area's extensive train history, something Keates wished more people took the time to understand.
The average person doesn't realize how much work went into creating the railroad systems, she said. Her books can teach people about the unknown history.
With a long career in railroad history ahead, her family members and supporters expressed their faith in Keates' mission.
"She understands how to put a book together," Springirth said, adding that Keates' family supports her in her train endeavors.
"She's doing great work," Brian said. "She's got a bright future ahead of her."
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.
The Keates file
Name: Beth Anne Keates
Age: 59
Hometown: Lansdowne
Education: Media Providence Friends School (1986) and a bachelor's degree in history and business from Penn State Brandywine (1990)
Family: Husband, Brian; sons, Jacob, 25, and Andrew, 23
Hobbies: Railfan, gardening
Pets: Liberty, 13, Siberian Husky