In 1911, the Tyrone Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad formed the Tyrone PRR Shop Band, under the direction of J. A. Beamer, master mechanic. Other divisions of the railroad had their bands also, and competitions were held often.
Members of the band were required to be railroad employees, but it is said that professional musicians were recruited from various parts of the country. They were given nominal employment at the shops or yards under the guise of welder, pipefitter, mechanic, etc. The amount of time spent at the “job description” is debatable. Their real job was to play in the band.
It was expected the band would provide a weekly concert in Tyrone and to represent the P.R.R. at various affairs. Large audiences gathered to enjoy the music for which they paid ten cents admission. There are fifty musicians in the photo postcard.
The Tyrone Division merged into the P.R.R. Middle Division in 1916.
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