Hello again Chapter Members. Well we start October on a sad note just as we did September! Former Member Jim Findley passed away earlier this month after a long illness. Jim was only 48 years young! In fact, I am 9 days older than Jim was. I met Jim in grade school at the 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs KY many years ago. We became friends when we learned through “round table discussion’s” at camp that we both liked trains. Jim and I were “in touch” off and on through the years. It is so sad that such a talented individual passed so young. In hind sight, Jim accomplished more than most will do in a long lifetime. Just as with Dennis’ passing, we never realize what we have in a friend until it is much too late!

Well, October has been a very good month otherwise. The Annual and much anticipated Picnic at Crofton KY was held on October 8th and it was a blast. I attended this year as it has been three years since my last visit to Crofton. As Steve Miller reports, attendance was low but the weather was perfect and CSX was very cooperative in sending trains our way.

Also in October, three members (Thomas, Wally & Myself) and one guest, Phil Randall aka Nortonville Phil, made a trip to Southern Illinois for some rail fanning. On Thursday October 13th, Phil and I left his house in Nortonville at 4:30 AM and headed West through Paducah and then to Ware Illinois. Wally and Thomas met up with us later in Gorham Illinois where we were greeted with overcast skies and damp surroundings. The objective of course was to see trains on the ex-Missouri Pacific line along the Mississippi River. The River Line as it is called. We were treated to about 15 trains total for a fun day of railroading that ended with sunny skies and a good breeze.

The October Meeting will see the first of two calls for nominations for Chapter Officers. The elections are to be held the following month. If you want to run for office, stand up and be heard. If you know of someone you would like to see in office, nominate them. This is YOUR CHAPTER, you can make a difference only if you take action!