Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
No official business was conducted during the holiday social.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Vice President John Sery at 8:07 p.m. Attendance was 17.
Bill read the minutes of the October meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing the current position.
Jay reported the auditorium of the Executive Office Building is unavailable for the April 21 membership meeting. He proposed the EOB cafeteria, the Kensington Library, and the Chevy Chase Library as alternative locations.
Members approved a motion to hold the April membership meeting at the EOB cafeteria.
John Morris reported for the nominating committee. All incumbents have agreed to serve again. The proposed slate:
There were no nominations from the floor. Members passed a motion to elect the proposed slate by acclamation. Directors Carl Franz and Gordon Piscacek will continue on the board, serving the second year of their two-year terms in 2020.
Regarding the chapter banquet, Carl Franz reported the he had checked out various meetings rooms at the Gaithersburg Doubletree and found them suitable. John Sery explained the chapter will shift the banquet to the afternoon this year.
Rick Davidson reported that the national organization wants to reduce the size of the board of directors from 25 to nine. The new board would consist of the President, Vice President, and seven directors elected at large.
Rick said that the 2020 convention would be held at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
After the intermission John Sery showed three film about the Rio Grande Railroad from the 1950s and 1960s.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Vice President John Sery at 8:06 p.m. Attendance was 14.
Bill read the minutes of the August meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing recent expenses.
John Morris reported that the nominating committee hadn't contacted all of the potential candidates for the upcoming election. The committee will give its report at the November meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
After the intermission John Sery showed excerpts from DVDs about the restoration of Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive #4014 and CSX predecessor railroads.
No official business was conducted at the September meeting.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 25.
Bill read the minutes of the July meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing recent expenses.
Alex Mayes reported that attendee enjoyed the August 17 picnic at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. Rick reported that he presented the chapter's $500 donation to the musuem.
John Sery led a discussion of next year's chapter banquet. In a straw poll of members, 10 expressed a preference for a daytime event while eight preferred an evening event.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
After the intermission Ira Silverman presented a program featuring images from his recent trip to Norway and Sweden.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Vice President John Sery at 8:05 p.m. Attendance was 16.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing recent expenses.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the June meeting.
Members approved a motion to donate $100 to RailCamp in memory of Ara Mesrobian.
Bill reminded members about the upcoming joint picnic with the Baltimore Chapter August 17 at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. Bob Cohen reported on the status of repairs at the museum.
After the intermission John showed a commercial video about the Susquehanna Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
There were 15 members or associates and one guest present.
The business meeting consisted of:
Old Business: Nothing arose.
New Business:
Treasurer Jay Creswell introduced a motion to accept the non-members' donations for the WM1309 restoration. It was seconded.
Jay argued that our purpose of making the grant was to help in the restoration of the engine, and matching the non-members' donations furthered that goal. He noted that WM1309 had been a troubled project, but currently seemed to be near reaching the goal. Moreover it had been at least 5 years since the Chapter had made any substantial donation to steam restorations. We should avail ourselves of the opportunity to take advantage of the non-member's generosity; without the match they might not have donated as much.
Vice President John Sery argued against the matching the donation of non-member's since they were taking advantage of our generosity and that would create a bad precedent for future matches. He also noted the WM1309's restoration troubles.
The membership voted 10-5 to support the added funding.
The business meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Program:
Andrew Nelson, a well known rail photographer with many rail fest programs and published photos, presented a photo history Wisconsin rails, with particular attention on the Green Bay and Western. Many a sentimental memory came to mind as he showed how the GB&W, Soo Line, Wisconsin Central, Fox River, CNW, and others were gobbled up by the rail giants, CN, BNSF, and UP.
The meeting ended about 9:45 p.m.
Minutes were prepared by Jay Creswell.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:12 p.m. Attendance was 16.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the March meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing April expenses.
Jay reported that about $1,600 had been donated to support the restoration of former C&O 2-6-6-2 steam engine #1309. That amount included one donation of $1,309. The chapter will match member donations dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Gordy reported that Big Boy locomotive No. 4014 will pull a special fundraising excursion benefitting the Union Pacific Museum July 15 from Omaha to Boone, IA.
After the intermission Jim Mixter presented a selection of short video programs that were shown at Summerail 2018, including:
No official business was conducted at the April meeting.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:12 p.m. Attendance was 22.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the February meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing February expenses.
Rick Davidson reported that chapter renewals are in good shape.
Jay reminded members about the upcoming March 23 banquet.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
After the intermission Jonathan Eau Claire presented a selection of his videos of steam locomotives around the region.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:16 p.m. Attendance was 18.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the January meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, summarizing January expenses. Jay reminded members about the March 23 banquet.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
After the intermission Bob Flack presented a slide show featuring the Santa Fe Railway.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 20.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the November meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, which included a summary of annual expenses. Jay reminded members about the March 23 banquet. Bill reported that members could make their reservations via the chapter website.
Members approved a matching grant program to support the restoration of former C&O 2-6-6-2 steam engine #1309. The chapter will match member donations dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500. The deadline is May 31.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
After the intermission Carl Franz showed excerpts from films taken in the 1970s.
