Once upon a time, Penn State students didn’t have to nag their parents for a ride, or carpool with a classmate they hardly knew, who vaguely lived in their area, to be delivered home for break. Instead, they shared a train ride with their classroom acquaintance thanks to the Bellefonte Central Railroad, established in 1892.

Before buses and automobiles became prominent, the BFC carried hundreds of Penn State students off campus for semester breaks or other events. The station, located near the eyesore that is the Hammond Building, would connect students to the Bellefonte rail system via a 19-mile, 85-minute train ride.

After their sedate ride, students would board a Pennsylvania Railroad train to complete their trip home.

During one trip to Bellefonte, beloved conductor George “Ross” Parker tested his luck by steering the BFC through a deeply flooded section of the route. His luck ran out, as did the engine, leaving passengers stranded for several hours in ankle-deep water.

Students dubbed the train “Parker’s Boat” due to his mishap, as well as the seasickness the windy tracks gave passengers

“Parker’s boat” discontinued their regular passenger trains in 1917, though it still made infrequent passenger trips until 1945.

About the Author

Sean Regenye

Sean is a fourth-year broadcast journalism major at Penn State University, also studying for a minor in sports studies and kinesiology. He serves as associate editor for Onward State and as a die-hard Philly sports fan on X/Twitter @seanregenye. You can direct your hate (or love, if you got it) to [email protected]

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