Category: Rick Bivins

by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Hello again NRHS Members, August thus far has yet to follow up July’s heat record. For me that is a good thing. But none the less, August has been a good month for the Western Kentucky Chapter. Madisonville held the last Friday Night Live street fair for the 2012 season and it was a roaring success. Cool temps, clear skies and people combined for a great evening. Dr. Bill Thomas outdid himself again with the Mobil Garden Railroad. Bill stepped up to the plate with a three tier Gauge One layout! Yes, three levels of trains were running all night much to the delight of children and adults as well. Thomas the Tank Engine is instantly recognized by everyone, The Egg Liner was a curiosity and the “old steam train” as I heard more than once was a hit. I was surprised to hear a little boy about 8 years old tell a parent about the “old steam train” and how he liked it best. Perhaps our hobby has a future after all!

As for old business, the trip to Progress Rail in Mayfield KY. is on hold pending a set date. Rich Hane will have a full report this month. The trip to Paducah and the NRHS Chapter Museum will coincide with the Mayfield trip. I will have more information concerning a possible display at the Parkway Plaza Mall during the Christmas Season. Wallace Henderson will update us on changes and effects of change as pertains to the National Organization. A National dues increase is on the horizon. Argh! But, it takes money to run a business or charity or a special interest group.

Kudos to Thomas Bryan. Thomas presented a program follow up to his presentation from last year’s visit to Rail Camp. We were treated to several photos and interesting insight to a rail scene few will ever have the privilege to see. Thomas held the audience for the better part of an hour with his photos and commentary. Several members were able to chime in and give info about various equipment in the shop area photos. It is easy to imagine the sights and sounds Steam Town has to offer not to mention the glory years when the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad ran their steam power through those very shops.

Gary Ostland….do you remember Gary? GOO as he is known on the internet is planning to show slides as my guest in November of this year. The date is not set. I will open the City Airport to rail fans for a slide show Gary says will be vintage shots from the Pacific Northwest. If you recall, Gary gave us a grand show of Milwaukee Road from the 1960’s earlier this year.

OK Members, get up and out on meeting night and attend. Bring a guest.

by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

It is train time again everyone. The June 2012 meeting was one to remember. The business portion was short, the refreshments were tasty and a surprise was in store for all in attendance. As noted in the minutes, our very Thomas Bryan turned 19 on meeting night last month. He and everyone else were surprised with Cake and Ice Cream and the traditional Happy Birthday chorus. The cake and Ice cream was the best part though! As for the program, Steve Miller, whom also provided refreshments in addition to the unexpected birthday eats, provided the program. At first, Steve was to show the “Work’n on the Railroad” video, however, there were some protests to that so Steve decided to show a 60’s era video of trains in the mid-west area. Steve pre-staged the movie but when we tried to make a show of it, the movie went south and refused to play! So…Steve went back to work…on the railroad. The “Work’n on the Railroad” video was a good too as it turned out.

Friday Night Live, July 6th, 2012 was HOT, and I mean HOT. But, several members were on hand to man the event and all had a great time. Wally Watts and guests were entertaining fair goers from the start. Bill and Joe Thomas (Angela came by a bit latter), were hard at work on the Mobil Garden Railroad. Bill went above and beyond this time. The Two tier layout (one track ABOVE the other….bad pun), was a big, big hit with kids and adults. Oddly, the un-sceniced area of the layout was the kid’s favorite as it was under the top section. I guess kids like to look into the unknown. In this case the unknown was when will the train be back? We have one more night this year, August 10th. It would be great if many more members were to make the final call for Friday Night Live.

Wallace Henderson should have a presentation for us this month. Changes are ongoing in the National Organization. Most will not affect members but the officers will be changing how things are done in accordance with new rules and bylaws. Please take time to listen to what Wallace has to say. He has invested his time and money on our behalf. The very least we can do is “listen”!

Rich Hane will update us on the trip to Mayfield and Paducah. Thomas may have additional trips or information on the proposed trip to Evansville IN.

Is there something YOU, NRHS Member want to do? Make the arrangements and we will go!

As reported elsewhere herein, Keith Kittinger is recovering from surgery and is doing well. Jackie McCracken is recovering from her recent heart issue and is out and about. If you know of others in need of thoughts or prayer…let us know.

OK members, try to make the meeting. We need attendance numbers to rise.

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.

Hello fellow Western Kentucky Chapter, NRHS Members.

Here we are in the merry month of May. May, for our Chapter of course means we will be meeting in Hopkinsville KY. Our Hop’town friends and members annually host’s the Chapter’s monthly business meeting and always has a great meeting planned. This year is no different.

We will be gathering at the Former Hopkinsville KY Louisville & Nashville Railroad Passenger station in downtown Hopkinsville along Route 68/80.  Take exit #9, turn to the West and proceed to the traffic Islands, then make a right. The meeting place is just ahead about two blocks. The station will be on the left at the railroad crossing. Our program will be split into two parts. Everyone needs to be in attendance at the hour of 7:00 PM. We will promptly proceed across the street and track to the former L&N RR Freight House for a tour of the facility. So as to make the best use of day light we must be “on the advertised” of 7:00 PM. Then we will return to the Passenger Station for a short business meeting, refreshment and the second half of the program. This is sure to be a not to be missed event.

If you missed last month’s meeting, well, you missed a fine program from Tom Johnson on Illinois Central steam as well as the 1992 Steam trip over the ICRR KY. Division behind NKP #765. Several members were on hand and/or on the train that memorable day in September. Many of the Steam era scenes of ICRR action were readily recognized by members. After all, the Illinois Central is or was, a “Home Road”. Tom also brought the refreshments last month!

Bill Thomas wishes to revive the “for sale” portion of the newsletter. I feel this is a good idea. Check with Bill as he has the “rules” for posting any items you wish to sell or search out to purchase. Our program organizer, Thomas Bryan has come to me with “a plan” for trips etc. I have instructed Thomas to set dates, make plans and move forward. We cannot accommodate everyone when making plans so get with Thomas and put your “two cents worth” in on trip planning. Our proposed trip to Paducah and/or Mayfield hinges on the completion of the 68/80 bridge in Trigg County.

And that leads me to this! The first Friday Night Live is next month! We have made a commitment to the City of Madisonville to attend. We have plans for: Wally to set up his steam engines; to have a TV/DVD playing some sort of train video and to have a Gauge One train running on Bill Thomas’ trailer. Bill is stepping up (AGAIN) to the plate here people and putting forth a large effort. We need volunteers to help build, set up, run trains and converse with attendee’s at the three events. I humbly ask our members to “suck it up” and help out. No one has said “don’t do this” when the events were discussed at meeting time, so everyone should be a part of at least one of the events.

I will close with this: Have you presented a program or brought refreshments to a meeting? Would you?

Rick Bivins

Hello Railfan friends. Here we are at the April meeting. If you missed the March meeting, a great time was had by those in attendance. The business portion was short, the refreshments were good and the program was GREAT. Our guest program presenter, Gary Ostlund or GOO as he is known on the internet, had some absolutely fabulous photos of Milwaukee Road electrics that he took while residing in the Pacific North West. While not a long program, Gary showed us images of the locomotives and general area as he explained each scene in detail. I was totally absorbed by it. If you missed it, well shame on you!

There is not a lot to discuss this month; the officer will meet again prior to meeting night to iron out any details of the meeting. I will be purchasing the banner for our table at the upcoming Friday Night Live events which will be held in Down Town Madisonville. Bill Thomas plans to have an Out Door style layout built on his trailer to deliver at the event to go along with a TV/DVD playing train videos. These activities should make for a good time. Now, one point to make here. We need to have members present on the three nights. Our planned activities will be taxing for a couple of us to manage. Wally will have his steam engines going as well. So Members, please take time out for at least one of the event nights.

Bill needs material for the newsletter. He needs things such as photos, stories, historical notes and research etc. I am convinced our Chapter has an abundance of knowledge and history right on tap; one only has to let us know about. Remember, what seems to be a mundane story to you may be very interesting to the rest of us.

Looking ahead, we will have a very special program/tour of the Hopkinsville L&N RR Freight Depot for our May meeting. Make plans to attend.

Tom Johnson has refreshments and program this month. Tom plans to give us a choice of Illinois Central Steam Finale or Illinois Railway Museum DVD’s. Either will be very entertaining I am sure.

SO…Members, come on out Monday April 23^rd at 7:00 PM and join in the fun and camaraderie. After all, this is “Your” Chapter.

by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Well hello again fellow Chapter Members. As the last meeting drew to a close January 23rd, a lot of points concerning our Chapter had been made. Better than half of the thirteen members present were at one point or another, involved it what turned out to be a very constructive discussion. I am very aware that several members were not so entertained. Others said the meeting was positive. One member said it was long overdue. It is not easy to please everyone on every aspect of being a “club” of any type. We have a singular interest, as Bob Moffet pointed out when he said, “I like trains”.

Near the end of the meeting, Chuck Hinrichs made a very good point, one that I vividly recall having been made several years ago when a discussion ensued over lengthy business portions of our meeting night. Chuck said to the effect “…then let the Officers meet before the meeting to decide issues…that’s what we elect them to do”.

The Officers will meet on February 23rd at my house at 7:00PM! The results of the meeting and decisions made there in will be presented to the members present on the 27th and if a vote is needed so it will be done. All members are invited to attend this first pre-meeting meeting. CSX may provide some entertainment just across Railroad Street and I do have some trains running on my Lionel Layout in the upstairs bay.

I asked for a volunteer to take charge of programs and coordinate trips, events etc. and to bring new event ideas to the members for consideration. No one was willing to do so! After the business portion of the meeting was over I ask 7 members at random it they had read the newsletter. I was disappointed but not surprised to learn only two had done so….one of the members asked that had not is an officer!!!

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by Chapter President, Ricky Bivins

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  It is time for “out with the old and in with the….old?” Well that is not how the saying goes but as one would expect, I have a point to make. The November, 2011 meeting drew the year to a close with election of officers. There were no changes as a result of those elections. The month of December saw our annual Christmas Dinner at “The Station” or as many of us are still in the habit of saying, “The Center”. The food from Ballard Catering was very tasty and the visit with those in attendance was great.

The next twelve months can be a banner year for our Chapter if we are so inclined to make it so. One year ago I made the statement that I would be a more aggressive President then the Chapter was used too. Rich Hane and Bob McCracken were Gentlemen as they lead our group. I promised to be a bit more demanding. As time passed I realized just how difficult it could be too balance the Chapter as far as functions and events go. Chapter participation is paramount yet difficult to achieve. Everyone has a life to tend to; our “club” is a small portion of that life. I cannot expect everyone to take time out for every event we participate in etc.

But, it would be nice to achieve a higher rate of member participation. That having been said, I have a question. What would the chapter like to achieve in 2012? I am sure there can be and will be many different answers to that very question. I plan for the Chapter to participate the City of Madisonville’s Down Town Friday Night Live again this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach many people and have fun doing so. Last year we relied on Wally and his steam engines which was a good draw. But as Wally pointed out, we need something more to do with trains. If I knew I could count on some help, I would like to set up an outdoor railroad display using G-gauge or Gauge-one trains. This would require a bit of track, a few trains, a power supply and effort….a lot of effort.

We know we can count on our Hopkinsville KY members for the Crofton KY Picnic and the May meeting in Hopkinsville KY. The Clayton/Watts open house in November is a given as well. But what more can the Chapter do? We have access to the rearmost (South) room of the Station to store, sort and advance our achieve. A few members are in possession of Chapter owned items that could be place in this one location to be admired etc. We could build a portable model train layout there in to display at train shows, civic events or Friday Night Live. We could use the room to…… (Fill in the blank here)!

Now back to the question: What would the Chapter like to achieve in 2012? With that I need feedback. I need to hear from Chapter Members. I NEED TO BE TOLD WHAT THE CHAPTER IS GOING TO DO!

The Western Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society is a member only group of like-minded rail fans. We have a responsibility to the National Organization to promote and foster an interest in Railway History.

I ask you Chapter Members, are we upholding that Responsibility?

Rick Bivins

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Let us not forget what we are and should be thankful for as we go about our daily routine.  I know I have much to be thankful for as I am sure you do as well. Last month was a very good meeting. Several members were on hand for Chapter Nominations for Officers for the upcoming 2012 year. At the end of nominations last month, there were no nominations made other than current officers holding their respective office. This month I will once again call for nominations from the floor THREE times for each office. At that point I will ask for a vote for each office. Remember, if someone wants to be an officer…speak up, a member can nominate one’s self as well.

I think everyone enjoyed the DVD presented by Tim Moore as the October program. I for one greatly enjoy the old footage of any railroad. Even if the railroad is not a favorite, the scenes and equipment of the era is always fascinating. One thing I notice time and time again about railroads in the 1920’s through the 1950’s is the rights of way. Most if not every railroad right of way is vastly different than what we see today. For example: Seldom does one see ballast to the top of the ties. Nor is the ballast heaped up the sides of the ties. The rails are “closer to the ground” if you will think of it that way. And the foliage seldom seems to encroach the rights of way. These points stick out to me as I usually look for modeling ideas when viewing a video. I think it is wonderful to have these resources on hand and available to us, which is why I have pushed to establish our archive!

And to that end I would like to inform the Chapter of a new and recent development with our meeting place. I have talked to the City of Madisonville Administration about securing and using the rear most room of our beloved L&N RR Passenger Station. This room is eleven feet by 28 feet in length and is accessible via a locking door from inside the upstairs floor. We will have sole access to this room where in we can archive, research and study materials available to us. HEY…we could even build a model train layout if so inclined! (I ask that very question while meeting with the City Administrator, Mike Franklin.) As the Chapter might expect, I will somewhat spearhead and oversee the “room”. Even if the Chapter does not want to get involved or use the space, I plan to use it. But of course it will be available at any time for Chapter use as well. I will have more on this at the meeting.

I hope to see everyone at the November meeting on Monday November 28th. We will be at the former L&N RR Passenger Train Station on West Arch Street, right behind Madisonville City Hall. Be sure to bring an item for show and tell and a guest.