Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker about 9 p.m. after the holiday social. Attendance was 40.
Rick Davidson reported that dues renewal notices haven't been mailed yet.
After the meeting, the Carl Franz presented a slide program featuring highlights from his steam freight specials over the past 31 years.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
Meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by President Gordy Bjoraker. Attendance was 37.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth was absent.
Treasurer Jay Creswell gave the October 2005 Treasurer's report showing a surplus for the month of $789.
Bennett Lichtman and John Morris from the nomination committee reported that there were no additional nominations received prior to the adjournment of the October meeting, so that the slate of norminees for officers and directors for the coming year was as reported by the committee:
A motion was made by Rudy Volin and seconded to accept the slate by acclamation. Motion passed unanimously.
Jerry Hott offered the National Director's report.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Ray Saunders' mother who died recently.
Members shared rail news.
The business meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m., and following a break member Doug Koontz presented a program entitled: "On the Bell, The Human Side of Railroading," featuring photos of various railroaders at work.
(Minutes prepared by Jay Creswell, Treasurer)
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:08 p.m. Attendance was 30.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing September expenses.
John Morris gave the nominating committee report. The committee presented a slate of Gordy Bjoraker for president, Marc Laborde for vice president, Jay Creswell for treasurer, Bill Holdsworth for secretary, Jerry Hott for national director, and John Sery and Rick Davidson for directors at large.
Gabe Gerber described the Chesapeake Railway Association’s and Walkersville Southern’s efforts to acquire the Meadow Lark, a heavyweight Pullman car used on Southern Pacific’s Lark.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
An announcement was made concerning the death of Bill Hopkins’ brother.
After the meeting, the program featured a DVD, Union Pacific Big Boys, showcasing the legendary fleet of 4-8-8-4 steam locomotives
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:13 p.m. Attendance was 30.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing August expenses. Jay reported that he is waiting to disburse the grant funds for the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society until the society informs him that they need the money for the transfer of the work car.
John Morris reported on the progress of the nominating committee.
Rick Davidson reported that he expects that renewal notices will be delayed because of changes at the national level.
Alex Mayes said that the program committee is considering changes to the slide contest to try to increase participation. Members are encouraged submit suggestions to the committee.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
An announcement was made about the death of Jim Bistline.
After the meeting, John Sery showed a selection of films from the chapter's Flack collection.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
Vice President Marc Laborde presided at the meeting.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:11 p.m. Attendance was 41.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes from the June meeting.
Jay Creswell announced that the chapter picnic will be held at 3 p.m. August 27 at Gaithersburg City Hall Park. The chapter needs a volunteer to do the grocery shopping for the picnic.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Members were reminded about the matching grant program for the Ma & Pa Preservation Society.
After the meeting, Rudy Volin and Gordy Bjoraker presented a slide program, Railroads Across the U.S., including NS's Shenandoah Sub, and BNSF's Abo Canyon and Raton Pass.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:20 p.m. Attendance was 42.
Gordy congratulated Clay Moritz, who received an honorary lifetime membership for his outstanding contributions to the chapter.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes from the May meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Members observed a moment of silence in memory of Martin O'Rourke, the late Washington chapter president.
Members were reminded about the matching grant program for the Ma & Pa Preservation Society.
After the meeting, Bill Arnold of the O. Winston Link museum presented a slide program of the photographer's work.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 29.
Jay Creswell read the minutes from the April meeting. Members approved the minutes as read.
Jay gave the Treasurer’s report detailing April expenses.
Members approved a motion to authorize a matching grant program of $500 for the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society's efforts to acquire and restore former Ma & Pa tool car #11. The chapter would match member donations dollar-for-dollar. After approval of the motion, directors suggested that the deadline would be the July membership meeting.
Members voted to confer an honorary lifetime membership upon Clay Moritz for his outstanding contributions to the objectives of the Chapter.
Bill told members that they could pick up a copy of the newly published membership roster.
Jerry Hott reported on the proposed changes to the national by-laws.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Bill Holdsworth reported that the slide contest winners had been posted on the web site.
Members discussed the Amtrak funding debate.
After the meeting, Doug Koontz presented a slide program on Montana railroading.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 39.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report detailing March expenses.
Members approved a motion to authorize up to $2,250 for the acquisition of a digital video projector and the required accessory sound system.
Members voted for the grand prize winner in the slide contest.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25.
Members discussed the memorial arrangements for John Kouyeas
After the meeting, members enjoyed a program of Mel Patrick DVDs.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:06 p.m. Attendance was 34.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting. The minutes were approved as read.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report detailing February expenses.
Bill announced invited attendees to review the data he is assembling for publication of a chapter membership directory.
Clay Moritz announced that 21 people have signed up for the chapter banquet April 2.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25.
Members observe a moment of silence in honor of Liz Abernethy, who passed away March 10.
After the meeting, the chapter held its annual slide contest.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:04 p.m. Attendance was 39.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Bill announced that he is collecting data for a membership directory. He invited attendees to review the list and make corrections.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report detailing January expenses.
Alex Mayes reminded members about the upcoming slide contest.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25.
The chapter is declaring its inkjet printer surplus. Rick Davidson offered the printer to any member that was interested.
Francis Mohr made an announcement about the banquet speaker April 2.
The program featured two 16 MM movies from the NRHS Harry Dodge Memorial Film Library, Ballad of the Iron Horse and Battle for the Blue Ridge
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order at 8:08 p.m.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report detailing December expenses.
Members approved a motion to authorize expenditure of up to $1750 for the April 2 banquet at Amphora restaurant in Herndon, with a price of $35 per person and costs expected to be covered by the proceeds. Members rejected an amendment which would have lowered the price to $33 and donated $50 to the Herndon museum out of the discretionary grant fund.
Rick reminded members that he is collecting the annual dues.
Alex reminded members about the upcoming slide contest.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29.
After the break, the nominating committee announced that Bob Cohen and Bill Hopkins had been elected to the two vacancies on the board of directors.
Expenditures for the month of December included discretionary grants of $500 to the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley chapter for restoration of Boston and Maine locomotive 3713 and $500 to the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society.
After the meeting, Stan Short presented a slide program on Western Coal Lines, featuring two major lines, Powder River and Crawford Hill.
