Published: October 15, 2009 11:49 pm      

Singer/storyteller to revive rail days

PORTAGE — The rich history of the railroad in Cambria County will be played out in song and story Sunday at the Portage Area Historical Society.

Ed McDade, a singer and songwriter born in Philadelphia, will perform at the society’s headquarters on Lee Street beginning at 3 p.m.

“Singin’ on the Rails” is the title of his hour-long performance aimed at transporting the audience back to the days when the hard work and ingenuity of Irish immigrant and African-American work gangs made the railroad possible.

McDade’s performance, which is open to the public without admission charge, is made possible through the Pennsylvania Humanities Council as part of the Commonwealth Speakers program.

“They provide a quality of performing we could not afford in Portage,” said historical society member Irene Huschak. “Because Portage is a railroad town, this fits right into our history and our present.”

The Mainline of what is now Norfolk Southern Railroad bisects the town, as it does many Cambria County communities from Gallitzin to Johnstown.

“There will be times when we won’t be able to hear Ed because of the trains going through,” Huschak said.

McDade’s performance is described as breathing new life into old songs and tall tales.

The song selections will include “Wreck of Old 97,” “Cannonball Blues,” “John Henry” and “Railroad Bill.”

His stories will include “Casey Jones,” “Finnigan to Flannigan” and “O’Callahan’s Solution.”

The program will last about an hour and will be followed by a time for questions and answers, Huschak said.