Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
No business was conducted at this meeting. Members gathered for the holiday social and to hear Bob Davis, former B&O station agent/operator at Silver Spring share his recollections of over 25 years of service at the station.
Montgomery County Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:16 p.m. Attendance was 33.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the October meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing October expenses.
Rick Davidson reported that he hadn't received renewal notices from the national organization yet, but he has started on the chapter only renewals.
Bennett Lichtman reported that the nomination committee had received no additional nominations, so that the slate of norminees for officers and directors for the coming year was as reported by the committee:
Members passed a motion to accept the slate by acclamation.
The meeting adjourned at 8:38.
Members had an opportunity to view a sample from Maisto’s Enamelized – Graffiti Diecast Train Collection, which features graffiti art from actual artists. Along with the 1:131 scale replica was a trading card – one side depicting the train art, and on the other some information, if available, about the artist.
After the intermission, the program was three 16mm movies from the NRHS Film Library featuring N&W and B&O steam railroading
Montgomery County Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:07 p.m. Attendance was 33.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the September meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing September expenses.
Rick Davidson reported that he hadn't received renewal notices from the national organization yet.
The nominating committee consists of John Morris and Bennett Lichtman. Anyone interested in running for office should contact them.
After the intermission, the program was a members' night, including presentations with slides, digital photos, and video materials.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:12 p.m. Attendance was 43.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the August meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing August expenses.
Gordy reported that the annual banquet is scheduled for March 24, 2007.
John Morris gave an update on the plans for the excursion to the Baltimore Streetcar Museum October 9.
Alex Mayes informed the membership that the October program would a members' night. He invited members to bring slide, video, or digital programs of 10-15 minutes.
After the intermission, Ken Lehman presented a slide program on Railroads in Plains and Praries featuring mainline and shortline railroading in a wide area of the Upper Midwest.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker shortly after 8 p.m. Attendance was 40.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the July meeting.
Bob Cohen reminded members about the chapter picnic Sept. 23.
John Morris is organizing an excursion to the Baltimore Streetcar Museum October 9. Participants would ride the 8:45 a.m. MARC train to Baltimore Penn Station. They would have time to explore the light rail system before returning on the 3:30 p.m. train from Camden Station.
Jerry Hott reported on the national board meeting. The national organization is switching to a "new business model" in an attempt to cope with tight budgets and a shortage of volunteers.
The national organization awarded $34,000 to 14 recipients in the grant program. The national organization is planning "catch-up" issues of the magazine.
The NRHS convention in Ohio had over 450 registrants. The 2007 convention is scheduled for Aug. 21-25 in Chattanooga, TN.
After the intermission, Bob Parks presented a slide program featuring railroads in three states -- Louisiana, Utah, and Nevada.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 25.
Members voted to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting's minutes.
Stephen Sery reported on his experience at RailCamp on the Nevada Northern.
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
After the intermission, John Sery presented a program featuring railroad-related clips from notable Hollywood movies.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 31.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the May meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing May expenses.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Carl Franz reported that there will be only one steam engine operating at the national convention in July.
After the meeting, Alex Mayes presented a slide program covering current rail operations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:08 p.m. Attendance was 37.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the April meeting.
Gordy presented a 25-year pin to Paul Bergdolt and Bennett Lichtman.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing April expenses.
Jerry Hott reported on the national NRHS board meeting. The national organization may be looking for a new headquarters building. The current landlord wants to convert the building to other uses.
John Morris reminded members of his June 2 group trip to Perryville on MARC.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Jerry reported that hotels are nearly full for this year's convention in Ohio. The 2007 convention is scheduled for August 21-25 in Chattanooga, TN.
After the meeting, Jim Mixter presented a mixed program including his own slides and two DVDs produced by others.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:05 p.m. Attendance was 41.
Gordy presented a 25-year pin to Jim Mixter.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the March meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing March expenses.
Members approved a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $1200 for tuition and transportation to sponsor Stephen Sery’s attendance at RailCamp at the Nevada Northern Railway.
Jerry Hott announced that the annual picnic will be held Sept. 23 at Gaithersburg City Hall Park.
Members saw the winner of slide contest and voted on the grand prize winner.
After the meeting, Jim Kleeman presented two slide shows with musical accompaniment
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 36.
Bill read the minutes of the February meeting. Members approved the minutes as read.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report.
Members discussed the status of Ma & Pa Preservation Society's roadbed rehabilitation effort.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25.
John Morris is organizing a Perryville round trip for a Friday in April or May.
After the meeting, the chapter conducted its annual slide contest.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Marc Laborde shortly after 8 p.m. Attendance was 41.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the January meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report.
Alex Mayes made an appeal for more entries to the slide contest. He announced that he could continue to accept entries for the next two weeks.
Meeting adjourned at 8:09.
After the break, the membership reconvened. Members approved a motion to authorize the board to donate up to $5000 to the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society for roadbed rehabilitation, provided the board can get more information about the project.
John Sery reported that he expects the former eastbound B&O station at Silver Spring to be dismantled within 30 days.
After the meeting, Carl Franz presented a program of 16MM color movies he took in the local area in the early 1970s.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Marc Laborde shortly after 8 p.m. Attendance was 45.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the December meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the Treasurer’s report, detailing December expenses.
Rick Davidson announced that he had received renewal notices from the national organization and he was distributing them at the meeting. He urged members to make sure the notices were correct, particularly with regard to family members.
Jerry Hott reported that the West Virginia Railroad Museum had thanked him for the chapter's recent donation of $400.
Paul Bergdolt thanked the chapter for its $400 donation to support the movement of the heavyweight Pullman car, Meadow Lark, from Gettysburg, PA to Walkersville, MD. Paul said the move could occur the first weekend of February.
After the break, Jay presented a $400 donation to Dr. Frank Scheer for the Railway Mail Service Library housed in the N&W depot in Boyce, VA.
Members shared rail news.
After the meeting, Dr. Scheer presented a program featuring two movies about the U.S. Postal Services' railway mail operations.
