At 1:20 PM, I walked out towards the Exhibition of Amtrak History.
A morning view of where the event would be held.
The Exhibition of Amtrak History is sponsored by the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation. At present, the exhibition is housed only in former Amtrak material handling car 1429.
Representing Amtrak at this event was Anne McGinnis, Area Sales and Marketing Associate. Since I was part of this ceremony, I could not take pictures so passed my 35 mm camera to Tony Escarcega, my friend from Mexicali and the Sony FD Mavica to Dutch Myers, a friend from Pennsylvania.
Me looking out at the growing crowd.
Tom Marshall, owner of the Depot Inn & Suites and the Silver Rails Resort, was the Master of Ceremonies and introduced the guest speakers then welcomed everyone to the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History and told about how it came together thanks to the Amtrak Historical Society and Trainweb.com.
Myself, Anne and Larry Herron, Mayor of La Plata.
Steve Grande and Ray Burns of Trainweb.com.
Tom continued his speech.
A presentation from rail photographer Bob Cox, in the form of collage of historic Amtrak locomotive photographs, taken by his father and himself, was next given to the Exhibition of Amtrak History.
The presentation of the picture.
Larry Herron, Mayor of La Plata, then spoke next.
I stood enjoying the opening ceremony.
Larry Herron speaking to the group, picture by the author.
There was a good sized crowd in attendance.
Tom Marshall about to introduce Anne McGinnis to the gathering.
Anne McGinnis, Amtrak Area Sales and Marketing Associate, addressed the gathering.
After Anne, it was my turn.
I then discussed the exhibition and recognized Tom Marshall's major contribution to La Plata.
I was now relaxing after my talk.
Next it was ribbon-cutting time, with Anne and I cutting the ribbon.
Everyone had to move into position.
Anne and I ready to cut the ribbon officially opening the Exhibition of Amtrak History to the public.
Everyone was ready!
The ribbon being cut.
Me saluting that event with the raising of the scissors into the air to let everyone know that the Exhibition of Amtrak History was now officially open.
Tom and Kelly Marshall looking at a presentation from the City of Kirksville, Missouri, just north of La Plata.
Tom and Ray Burns held up that presentation.
More guests at the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History.
People lined up to see the Exhibition of Amtrak History. I returned to the Depot Inn & Suites and I worked more on the first part of this story then Dutch offered to drive me over to the Grand Opening of the Silver Rails Event Center so at 3:15 PM, Dutch, his wife and I did just that.
Grand Opening of the Silver Rails Event Center 2/23/2008
Ray Burns, Steve Grande and Barbara Cepinko awaiting the grand opening.
Tom Marshall and Larry Herron both spoke.
Steve and Barbara then cut the ribbon opening the Silver Rail Event Center to the public. We all then went inside for cookies.
The public having their first look at the Silver Rails Event Center which had been completely transformed from the Chevrolet dealership that had last inhabited the building. After a couple of cookies, it was time for me to return to the Depot Inn & Suites.
