Editorial Comments by Bill Thomas

I’m not sure exactly when I told Chuck Hinrichs I would try my hand at producing and editing our chapter’s fine newsletter, The PennyRail.  I was following a long line of astute volunteer railroad walking encyclopedias like Chuck and our missed-friend Dennis Carnal.  Talk about tough acts to follow – needless to say I felt inadequate for the job.  But with encouragement from both and many chapter members I set out to simply maintain the integrity and level of quality we’d all come to expect.

With my recent shift in career paths from professional minister to realtor, I need to reorganize my civic work load in order to assure financial stability for my family.  So, beginning this January, 2014, our own Ricky Bivins will take the bull by the horns and begin the task of assembling and producing our newsletter.  I hope you will join me in welcoming him to the post and encourage him by contributing publishing material on a regular basis.  No information or stories are too small or insignificant for publication.  Remember, this is a local chapter, not the Chicago Board of Trade.  Personal stories and local photographs are necessary.  Keep those cameras and smart phones handy.  You never know when a once-in-a-lifetime shot will come along.

I want to say “thanks” to the chapter for your support and many contributions to the PennyRail over the last several years as I attempted to bring you a publication of which you are proud.  I’m looking forward to being a contributor in the future!