by Chapter President, Ricky Bivins
Hello again NRHS Member, Welcome aboard the June, 2012 edition of our newsletter. I have several items of interest this month so let us get started.
WOW, what a fun and informative meeting we had in May. We all met in Hopkinsville KY. on May 21st for our regular meeting which was one week earlier than normal to accommodate the Memorial Day Holiday the following Monday. Our Hop’town friends set up a great program for us. We first met at the restored Louisville & Nashville Railroad Passenger Station in downtown Hopkinsville. Then we were treated to a guided tour of the L&N RR Freight Station across the street and across the track from the Passenger Station. Much of this building downstairs has been or is being renovated as living accommodations. While most if not all of the upstairs portion remains unscathed and intact. Moving around the various rooms and stairs, viewing the high ceilings and built in functions of the structure for me was great. I know I grinned a lot as I tried to imagine what it would have been like 75 year ago, working in this building. Many thanks go out to those responsible for our visit and for “saving” the structure. There are a lot of Restored or saved Passenger Stations in our world of Railroading, very few secondary structures such as this remain intact or in use. Great job Hop’town. After the business meeting we had some delightful snacks and then a “one on one” session with William Turner, Hopkinsville’s noted Historian. William gave us an update on the future release of the History of the Cadiz Railroad in a book format. A book that has grown and grown is size and scope. Kudos to William and his co-authors.
Our first Friday Night Live for 2012 in Downtown Madisonville KY went well, very well. We had several members present, Wally Watts was “under steam”, Bill, Liam, and Joe Thomas were a BIG hit with their (Bill’s) Mobil Garden Railroad, not to mention the TV/DVD combo from Bill (First Baptist Church). I stayed on the move, talking to event goers, talking on a WKTG/WFMW radio spot and meeting with Luke Short of SurfKY not to mention taking time out to hear and see my Nephew play drums (actually a trash can!) in the Grace Warehouse Stomp Team concert. I had a hoot people; I would like to see more members next month, which is the only improvement I can think of to make to the event.
The KY 68/80 Highway Bridge in back in service across KY and Barkley Lake’s. This means Rich Hane and Thomas Bryan will be looking into setting a date for our trip to Mayfield and Paducah. Be sure to tell them your thoughts and ideas for this or any trip. Or better yet, arrange a trip!
Wallace Henderson should have the latest news from National.
We have a few openings for program and refreshments available. Step up and take the helm folks.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting so let’s High Ball to Madisonville, Monday June 25th.