Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
Because of the holiday social, no business was conducted at the meeting. President Gordy Bjoraker announced that the January 20 meeting was cancelled, because of the likely traffic and other transportation loads associated with the Inauguration.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:06 p.m. Attendance was 32.
Bill read the minutes of the October meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing October expenses.
Rick Davidson offered members the opportunity to pay their dues in person at the December membership meeting.
Nick Bass reminded members about the upcoming afternoon of train watching December 6 at St. Denis from noon to 3 p.m.
John Morris discussed MARC's proposed service, which scuttled the outing to Perryville planned for November 11.
Lee Rogers, leeh.rogers@verizon.net, described the memorial arragements for Frank Tosh, a well-known figure in the local railfan community.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 32.
Bill read the minutes of the September meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing September expenses.
Rick Davidson reported that the national organization has mailed the dues notices.
John Morris briefed members on how MARC's proposed service cuts could affect the planned trip to Perryville November 11.
John reported that the nomination committee had assembled a slate of norminees for the coming year, which was:
There were no nominations from the floor. Members passed a motion to accept the slate by acclamation.
The meeting adjourned about 8:25 p.m.
The activity committee is planning an afternoon of train watching December 6 at St. Denis from noon to 3 p.m.
Carl Franz presented a slide program on the Wolsztyn Experience, where railfans run high-speed passenger trains in Poland.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 42.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the August meeting.
Gordy reminded members about the chapter picnic September 27.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing August expenses.
John Morris reviewed details of the planned trip to Perryville October 13 on MARC.
Jay reported that the Reading and Northern still had tickets available for its October 18 steam excursion. Chapters members are planning to dine at the Blue Mountain Inn afterwards.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
A member made an announcement about a fundraising effort for restoration of the Duffields WV station. A group is trying to raise $2500 in order to obtain an $8500 matching grant.
Bill Kalkman presented a slide program, featuring a nationwide variety of subjects from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.
Montgomery County Executive 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 July meeting.
Members discussed the evening of train watching at Gaithersburg held July 17. Gordy reminded members about the chapter picnic September 27.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing July expenses.
John Morris announced that the activity committee is planning a trip to Perryville October 13 on MARC.
Gordy appointed John Morris and Bennett Lichtman to the nominating committee.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
Carl Franz suggested that the chapter print business cards, which could be distributed to publicize the chapter.
Members discussed the Ohio Central sale.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 38.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the May meeting. He reported on the committee which is dealing with chapter operations and growth.
Bill reminded members about the evening of train watching at Gaithersburg scheduled for July 17.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing May and June expenses. Jay reported that 10 people signed up for the October 17 steam excursion on the Reading and Northern.
Rick Davidson presented John Sery with his 25-year pin from the NRHS.
Rick reported on the national board meeting. The 2009 convention has been shifted from Orlando to Duluth. The 2010 convention will be held in Scranton. He read the list of grant awards by the national organization.
The meeting adjourned about 8:40 p.m.
Members reported that the former B&O Hancock tower was recently demolished.
After the intermission, members enjoyed Jim Kleeman's digital photo program, Oh Canada, including Canadian National and Canadian Pacific in Western Canada, plus VIA Rail, GO Transit and CN cab units.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was lightly attended, because of the national convention being held in Fort Worth. Since a quorum was lacking, no business was conducted. Members enjoyed Silver Streak, a 1934 Hollywood film featuring the original Burlington Zephyr
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 36.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the April meeting.
Marc Laborde discussed the formation of two committees to develop ideas for the long-term future of the chapter. The operations committee will examine options to make chapter operations more effective and efficient. The growth committee will explore opportunities to expand the chapter and develop revenue sources. The chapter needs volunteers for the committes, which are expected to make recommendations to the board of directors by October.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing April expenses and describing the overall financial health of the chapter.
Jay discussed the possiblity of organizing a chapter trip to ride an October steam excursion on the Reading and Northern. The chapter would make a group purchase of tickets. Transportation would involve carpooling or chartering a bus. Jay asked how many would be interested in participating. About 10 people raised their hands.
The meeting adjourned about 8:30 p.m.
John Sery sold DVD copies of the documentary, Next Stop Silver Spring, for sale at wholesale prices.
Members discussed National Train Day events at Union Station May 17.
After the intermission, members enjoyed Alex Mayes' slide program, 2007 in Review.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:11 p.m. Attendance was 37.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the March meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing March expenses. Jay reported that he recently wrote a $1,000 check to the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Preservation Society. The chapter raised this money in 2005 to support the society's efforts to acquire and restore former Ma & Pa tool car #11.
Rick Davidson reported on the recent National Board meeting. The 2009 convention will be held July 20-25 at Orlando. The 2010 convention will be held June 22-26 in Scranton. About 600 people have registered for this year's convention at Fort Worth.
Rick reported that the chapter's membership renewal rate was about 90%, despite the national dues increase.
John Sery reported WETA-TV received a good response to its screening of the documentary, Next Stop Silver Spring.
The meeting adjourned about 8:30 p.m.
After the intermission members, voted for the grand prize in the annual slide contest.
Members enjoyed a film featuring the all-Alco Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, Alcos in the Ozarks.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:08 p.m. Attendance was 41.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the February meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing February expenses.
Gordy noted the recent screening of the documentary about the Silver Spring B&O station, Next Stop Silver Spring, on WETA-TV. He asked how many members would be interested in buying a copy. About 12-15 members raised their hands.
The meeting adjourned about 8:30 p.m.
Members discussed rail news.
After the intermission, they participated in the annual slide contest.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker shortly after 8 p.m. Attendance was 52.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the January meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing January expenses.
Rick Davidson reported on the recent national board meeting. The 2009 convention will be held at Orlando. The 2010 convention is scheduled for Scranton. The national organization has vacated its former offices. The film collection has been shipped to Easton, PA and the book library has been shipped to Connecticut.
Alex Mayes said that he had eight entrants for the March slide contest so far.
Gordy reminded members about the March 29 banquet.
John Sery reported on the premier of the documentary about the Silver Spring B&O station, Next Stop Silver Spring. The film is scheduled to show on WETA-TV March 9 at 8 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
After the intermission, members enjoyed films from the chapter's Bob Flack collection.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:04 p.m. Attendance was 39.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing December expenses. He reported that the chapter ran a deficit of $4,500 for 2007.
Alex Mayes reminded members about the March slide contest and urged them to submit their entries by the February membership meeting.
Members approved a motion to sponsor Nick Bass’ tuition at Railcamp.
Members recognized two officers for their long service to the chapter. Jay Creswell has completed his 20th year as treasurer. Jerry Hott is stepping down as national director after twenty-plus years in the job.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
The Passenger Train Historical Society is planning a symposium to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sleeping car. The event is scheduled for 2009 in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago.
After the intermission, members enjoyed Jim Kleeman's three digital, multi-media programs, featuring Conrail, CSX in the 70s, and 2007 Montana activity.
