Hello again National Railway Historical Society, Western Kentucky Chapter members, and welcome to November. Cool (cold) weather is here!
We will have many things to discuss this month relating to upcoming events. The Christmas Show cancellation, Breakfast with Santa and the upcoming Christmas dinner. Also, we will make our second and final call for nominees for officers as our election will be held this month. Your attendance to these meetings and events is paramount. We need everyone’s collective energy to make things work.
As for elections, we had our first call for nominees last month, remember, everyone is eligible to hold an office. We have the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chapter Representative. If you would like to hold an office, nominate yourself and don’t be bashful. I do not plan to run for president. I wish to pass the torch so to speak. So, speak up, be heard. YOU can be President!!!
Blair’s October UP 4014 program was a hit. Thanks Blair. The final photo contest has wrapped up. Jim will fill us in on same. Bill Farrell will have the final jacket order in hand, now we can all look sharp! I know Keith has been working on Breakfast with Santa, thanks Keith. Rich Hane suffered a fall this week. Not too serious I understand. We want to wish him a speedy recovery.
There will be more so be sure to attend. And again, step up and lead our Chapter in 2020!
Greetings fellow rail fans. And welcome to spring! I’m sure everyone is ready for warm weather, rail fan events, mosquitoes, sunburn and grass to mow! Yes I am being sarcastic. I always say I enjoy winter much more than summer. I actually enjoy the cold and the luxury of the above mentioned events not cutting into rail fan time, train room time along with the many Holy Train Nights throughout winter. But summer is upon us and that means other things to do. However, we will continue with our monthly meetings and scheduled events many of which will be mentioned in the meeting Monday the 15th. Hats off the Cooper Smith for presenting a fine program in March.
The Tennessee Central is an interesting railroad. Cooper brought much research and information to the table last month. If you have been keeping up with rail fan news, Union Pacific Big Boy number 4014 will be on the rails very soon to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Utah. I am sure the Big Boy under steam will be a sight to behold. Nashville Steam is making progress returning NC&St.L 576 to to life. These are only a few events. Many more are in the works. Being track side right here in our Western Kentucky backyard can yield quite a show of trains. I have seen many foreign road units lately. Not to mention watching for rolling stock from fallen flag roads. Our meeting agenda this month has a few items of importance but the business portion should go quickly.
Our program and refreshments should be spot on for spring. Get out and see some trains. Make the meeting and bring a guest. Stay track side on public property and stay safe. I hope to see you Monday.
Greetings fellow NRHS Western Kentucky Chapter members. And welcome to January, 2019. My oh my what are year 2018 was. Looking back we had the Christmas show at the mall, breakfast with Santa, an excellent Christmas dinner at the Miller residence, a picnic and rail fan day at Crofton, a railfan day in Hopkinsville, a meeting in Hopkinsville, a track side day in Morton’s Gap not to mention numerous meetings, impromptu get-togethers and programs a plenty. I feel 2019 will be even better. As you are aware, we did not have a business meeting in December however, we did have the aforementioned dinner at the Miller residence, a very successful breakfast with Santa and a successful Christmas show at the mall. Bill Farrell will have a report on the earnings from those events. Not to mention the raffle which netted us additional monies as the winner did not take the train set. We did however have a meeting in November. Which also brought about elections of officers for 2019. There were no changes in officers as all were voted in by a single vote of acclamation. To which I say thank you. Hopefully I can serve as President as need be. 2018 also brought on a few new members. It is nice to think that we can continue to grow in this age of electronics and instant gratification. As for growing in 2019, I have always said, if a member has an idea bring it forward. We will entertain all thoughts of growth and events as well. If there is something you would like for the Chapter to do, sponsor it. And it will be done! As is customary in January, the president which is I, will have the program and refreshments. My program will be a 1984 VHS video of Chesapeake and Ohio 4-8-4 number is 614 pulling coal trains in the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. Along with the video we will have a guest speaker. If you recall a few years ago my oldest stepson Brian Davis who works for CSX as a conductor gave us a talk. Brian is on call meeting night and if he is not on the railroad he will be at the meeting to give us a follow-up to that program. That is tentative provided he is available at the time. They extended forecast for meeting night is clear and cold. Keep in mind should we have inclement weather I will cancel the meeting. No need for anyone to get out slip and fall or worse. Otherwise I hope to see you Monday, January 21, 2019. Bring a friend as all are welcome. – Ricky Bivins, Chapter President
Greetings fellow National Railway Historical Society, Western Kentucky Chapter members and welcome to November! It would seem winter came on without a fall. As did summer without a spring. Personally, I like the cooler weather. I have more time for things other than mowing, work etc.!
As you know, November brings about election time. Not on a national level mind you, but rather on our Chapter level! The November meeting will showcase the election process for the 2019 officers of our Chapter. No new nominations were made in October, however, we will call for nominations from the floor during the November meeting. If you know of someone whom you would like as an officer, nominate them. One can even nominate them self if so desired. So show up and be heard, and be counted.
Last month’s meeting was quite informative as one can see from the minutes. Refreshments were spot on and Bill Farrell’s program was excellent. I enjoy when a member presents a program of personal interest and with a personal touch. I especially enjoyed the model of the train station that still stands in Matawan, New Jersey. Ironically, I was searching the web a few days after the program for more information on the station when I ran across photographs of the model itself while still in the hands of the builder before being sent to Bill! A great program indeed Bill.
Don’t forget the Christmas party on December 1 which is a Saturday and will be held at Steve Miller’s house in Hopkinsville. Meet time is 3 PM, eat time is 4 PM with trains in the basement following. Also, the Christmas show officially begins the day after on the second as a set up and trial run day. Bill Farrell will have more information and remind us of the schedule. And let’s not forget breakfast with Santa! Again Bill will have more information meeting night.
A little FYI for the members, I now have an official Innovation Station badge! Meaning, I can open the building without having to have the locks programmed by the administration. Of course this is not something we will abuse. Any events at Innovation Station other than our monthly meetings will have to be cleared with management team prior to scheduling. With this knowledge, be advised, we will have to enter through the basement door. The upstairs doors will not remain unlocked during our meeting. Likewise, should any unforeseen event prevent me from arriving on meeting night, we will not have access to the building! Hopefully this will not happen.
Once again meeting night will also be election night. Make this your Chapter by casting a vote. Bring a friend and come prepared to be amazed! Well, at least entertained with like-minded individuals. See you there. Ricky
Hello again National Railway Historical Society, Western Kentucky Chapter members, and welcome to October! The first week of October feels more like August. But rest assured, we will make up for it! Cool weather is on the way.
We will have many things to discuss this month relating to upcoming events. Our annual Christmas Show, Breakfast with Santa and of course our own Christmas dinner will be some of those topics. Also, we will make our first call for nominees for officers as our election will be held in November. Your attendance to these meetings and events is paramount. We need everyone’s collective energy to make things work.
As for elections and first call for nominees, everyone is eligible to hold an office. We have the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chapter Representative. If you would like to hold an office, nominate yourself and don’t be bashful.
Our annual fall picnic in Crofton was a good one. Several members enjoyed camaraderie and the passage of several trains. Bill Farrell along with Mrs. Farrell and others contributed to the food and much fun was had by those in attendance. This is one of our signature events and one enjoyed by many.
Jim Pearson should have a report on the recent photo contest. Hopefully Jim had more to choose from then everyone shot of the Union Pacific locomotive at Crofton!
Steve’s program last month was a DVD from his collection featuring passenger trains of the 60s. A lot of good shots and action of an era long gone. Big thanks to Steve.
So members, if you can make it to the meeting, rest a sure that you will be entertained. With new members coming on and cool weather, we always seem to enjoy our interests even more this time of year. I hope to see you there.
This car was in service with P&LE as a commuter train out of Pittsburgh PA to College PA. That service ended in 1984.
This car also saw service on the Central City Limited in 1992 behind Nickel Plate #765. Several members of the Chapter rode the train.
The car is currently preserved at the LM&M Railroad in the Milwaukee Road colors.
The following is from the LM&M website. The 3200 at Cincinnati Union Terminal bringing up the markers on The Humming Bird
The 3200 was built be the American Car and Foundry Company (ACF) for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The L&N used the car on its Humming Bird passenger train between Cincinnati, OH and New Orleans, LA.
After retirement from the L&N in the 1960s the car was sold to the Pittsburgh and Lake Eire Railroad. The P&LE purchased the coach for commuter train service in the Pittsburgh area.
After its brief stint in commuter service, the 3200 was sold to the Ft Wayne Railroad Historical Society for excursion service. The car would later be owned by the Friends of the 261, Lake Central Rail Tours, and the Cincinnati Dinner Train before coming to Lebanon for use on the LM&M Railroad.
The 3200 is currently painted to honor the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul, and Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road. The car is named the Montgomery to honor both the L&N and the CL&N. The L&N stopped in Montgomery, AL. The CL&N stopped in Montgomery.
The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM&M Railroad) offers historic train rides in Warren County Ohio departing from downtown Lebanon. This is your chance to ride in vintage passenger cars hauled behind a historic diesel locomotive. The LM&M Railroad offers the only family friendly train ride experiences in southwest Ohio. We offer themed events year-round for passengers of all ages. The LM&M Railroad is operated by Cincinnati Scenic Railway, a nonprofit organization.
Nortonville KY looking west along the Illinois Central Railroad. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad crosses at grade just beyond the station.
Walnut Street crossing, Mortons Gap KY is no more! June 2018.
June 2011 flashback. Friday Night Live, down town Madisonville.
N scale CSX unit coal train gets a roll-by inspection by chapter members Keith Kittinger and Steve Miller on “Holy Train” night June 12, at Steve’s home and layout.
Greetings my fellow Western Kentucky NRHS Chapter members, welcome to a wet and cold April! My hasn’t the weather been strange? Of course, strange and unusual is what we expect in Kentucky this time of year!
There certainly was nothing strange about our meeting last month, March 19, 2018. We had an excellent time, Blair Terri presented a fabulous program on his travels out west. Bill Farrell made a return after his medical scare. With pizza for refreshments, along with homemade cookies, how could that possibly be strange? Indeed a large time was had by all.
If one takes the time to review the minutes provided by Bill Farrell of the March meeting, they would notice we have several events coming up. Please, check the newsletter and stay informed.
Do not forget the Chapter calendars are available for purchase online. The photos within that calendar were taken by club members during the periodic photo contest. Jim Pearson has done a great job putting that calendar together so please, consider purchasing one. Jim will give us a quick rundown of the upcoming photo contest and time periods. Jim will also conduct the judging contest for the previous photo period.
Once again we will be meeting at Innovation Station, which of course is the renovated L&N train station on Arch Street in Madisonville, Kentucky. Meeting time will be 7 PM. Refreshments by Will Kling and a program by Jim Pearson will follow a brief business meeting. I hope to see you there and bring a friend.
Greetings Western Kentucky Chapter Members! The February meeting was a success. Ray Hagerman presented a detailed overview of Innovation Station its uses and goals. I believe our beloved train station is in good hands with a secure future. Jim Pearson was able to “connect” to the wifi/media center giving us an outlet for power point/DVD/VHS etc. for our programs. And speaking of programs, Blair Terry will be presenting a program covering his rail related travels while Bill Farrell provides refreshments. A big nod goes to Alicia Terry for taking minutes during the February meeting in Bill Farrall’s absence.
I received an email from the National organization regarding National Membership renewal delays. As stated last month National is between 600 and 800 membership renewals behind. If you have not received a renewal notice from National, you can go online via National webpage and renew without the dues notice. As we have discussed numerous times, we do not collect National dues nor will the Chapter “police” the National dues. It is an honor system and we shall leave it at that! If you have not paid the Chapter dues for 2018, please do so at the next opportunity.
The recent National online publications and mailings do contain a plethora of information as well as discounts to museums, gift shops etc. The photography in these publications is splendid as are the stories. It is well worth ones time to visit the National Web Page. And while on the subject of Web Pages, Our own website guru Jim Pearson has kept the Chapter sight fresh and inviting…visit often.
I request of the Chapter that all Chapter email notices etc. be sent to VP Steve Miller and he to distribute same to the membership via the Chapter email provider. This will help maintain control of the newsletter, information and financial data. Two former members has asked to be removed from the list, there are names on the list that need updating and a few past members that are no longer living! This action will streamline our newsletter mailings and the work Steve is faced with on the Chapters behalf.
As I type this, the March photo contest is wrapping up. Please participate in the next contest. These photos are judged by the membership and will be presented in our next Chapter Calendar. It takes very little time or effort to snap a photo on a camera or phone. A simple and fun way to be involved with the Chapter. And remember, calendars can be purchased from the Chapter Website.
In closing, try to make the meeting Monday, we will have an excellent time I’m sure. And bring a guest…let’s grow our membership base.
Greetings fellow members. And welcome to February 2018. I am happy to report after talking with Bill Farrell, that he is doing well following open heart surgery where in he had five bypasses performed. He is following his doctors orders, his medical and exercise regime and of course Mrs. Farrell is keeping him at bay! We certainly hope to see Bill at the February meeting.
As you are well aware, inclement weather forced me to cancel the January meeting. I felt it was best for all parties involved. As a result, I will be hosting the February meeting as opposed to traditionally the January meeting.
Speaking of the Chapter meeting, we will meet at the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation headquarters. Which happens to be the former L&N Railroad station in downtown Madisonville. Located on W. Arch St., Madisonville, this building has been repurposed by the City of Madisonville and is now called Innovation Station.
My guest for the evening will be Ray Hagerman, President of Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation. Ray will enlighten us as to the events developing Innovation Station The trials and frustrations and the ultimate success of the building not to mention the function of the building. This will be an interesting night. I plan to depart from our normal meeting criteria and give Ray the floor at 7 o’clock. Then we will have our business meeting and I will follow with a short video program entitled C&O 614, March to Hinton. This 30 minute video pits Ross Rowlands 614 against the Diesel Locomotive in the hills of Virginia and West Virginia. It is very entertaining.
Jim Pearson will have the results of our first 2018 Photo Contest. The next contest is March 1-15 with March 22 as the entry deadline. Make an effort to enter this Chapter event, even if only with a cell phone photo. Keep in mind, The Chapter Calendar showcases the photos from these yearly contests.
Be sure to check the recent NRHS News and NRHS Telegraph publications available online from the NRHS Website. There are several interesting articles therein with excellent photos. And while on the web sight, check out the other tabs available. A lot of work goes into the National Newsletter and is very well done.
The only old business I have is a reminder to pay dues. National as well as Chapter dues are…well..DUE! One can pay National Dues online with a credit card or via check. Chapter dues are to be paid to Bill Farrell by check or cash. In one of the National publications there was a note stating in the future National dues can be paid through the Chapter. That option is not yet available.
New Business will address our meeting space, Program idea’s, Chapter trips etc. Etc. being anything the membership wishes to bring before the Chapter. Bill Farrell has suggested we drop the raffle as a fundraiser. Once he has presented the results of the Breakfast with Santa, Photos with the Polar Express Characters and the raffle, we will discuss this option.
As always, Members can step up with programs, ideas and suggestions. Trips trackside or to a museum etc. This is train enthusiast group…let us make 2018 another banner year.
Greetings fellow Western Kentucky Chapter, National Railway Historical Society members. And here we find ourselves in 2018. I keep searching for an app on my phone that says “slow down time”! I have yet to find it, if you do please, let me know!
On a sad note, we lost friend and model train aficionado Jim Bengert last month. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. The January 2018 meeting will be held in the former train station in downtown Madisonville. We have been away from there for at least two years during a building renovation. Innovation Station as the structure is now called has been completely rebuilt and re-purposed. Madisonville Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation President Ray Hagerman will be my guest speaker. Ray will enlighten us to the changes, needs and future of our favorite train station.
Keep in mind our new officers will take office this month as well with the only change being Bill Farrell assuming the role of treasurer and secretary.
As I am sure you are aware by now, I took measures to cancel the Christmas show last month. Bill Farrell had a serious medical scare and I did not want to place any undue stress on him. Being as Bill is truly 90 percent of the Christmas show, I felt it to be a necessary move.
The breakfast with Santa event was held December 16, 2017 and was well received. Bill will have a full report on same as well as the raffle.
The only old business I have is a reminder to pay dues. National as well as Chapter dues are…well..DUE! One can pay National Dues online with a credit card or via check. Chapter dues are to be paid to Bill Farrell by check or cash. In one of the National publications there was a note stating in the future National dues can be paid through the Chapter. That option is not yet available.
New Business will address our meeting space, Program idea’s, Chapter trips etc. Etc. being anything the membership wishes to bring before the Chapter. Bill Farrell has suggested we drop the raffle as a fundraiser. Once he has presented the results of the Breakfast with Santa, Photos with the Polar Express Characters and the raffle, we will discuss this option.
As always, Members can step up with programs, ideas and suggestions. Trips trackside or to a museum etc. This is train enthusiast group…let us make 2018 another banner year.
Greetings fellow Western Kentucky Chapter, NRHS members. And here we find ourselves in November 2017, a busy month for many people especially us! The October meeting was one for the books. The business portion went well, the refreshments were spot on and the program was GREAT. If you missed the meeting…you missed a good one! Bill Ferrall will have a full report on the Breakfast with Santa event coming up, I’m sure you all reviewed the circular Bill printed up.
Let’s make this a banner event for our Chapter. Bill will also have a report on the modular layout portion of the Christmas show.
November always brings elections for the forthcoming year. Jim Kemp was nominated as president, I will stand as a nominee as well.
However, if Jim does not declined the nomination this month I will withdraw. I feel change is always good and Jim will do a great job.
Wally has stated he would like to take a break from the secretary position and as a result Bill Ferrall was nominated along with treasure. The national bylaws allows the secretary and treasurer position to be held by the same member. I believe this will work out very well and will give Wally a much earned break.
The annul Christmas dinner will be held December 2nd, at the residence of Steve & Marilyn Miller. Steve will have details and a report on “what to bring” to the dinner. Steve and Marilyn are excellent hosts and Steve promises to have trains running in the basement. This will be a most enjoyable evening.
I will have a report on the meeting space in the former L&N RR Depot which may be available to us as soon as January. The building has undergone an extensive remodeling….albeit having lost some of its Railroad Character, the station is finally well preserved.
Please plan to attend the meeting, November 20, 2017. We will meet at the Hopkins County Government Center on North Main Street, Madisonville KY, at 7:00PM.
Greetings fellow NRHS members, and here we find ourselves at the beginning of October! September was a good month for our group, we had an excellent September meeting at Bill and Angela Thomas’ home with hotdogs on the grill, Gauge One trains in the garden and a good time had by all. September also saw our annual outing to Crofton Kentucky trackside at the Veterans Park with a good day of train watching, food on the grill thanks to Bill Ferrall, fellowship and more trains. What could be better?
As I commented a month prior, October is our annual call for officers. In November we will hold elections for the upcoming 2018 calendar year. If you have an officer candidate in mind or if you would like to hold an office yourself, speak up at this meeting and get your name on the “official ballot”!
I look forward to a report from our Christmas show committee this meeting. We need to get the ball rolling on this. Last year we had an enjoyable time at the Parkway Plaza Mall with the modular layout as well as the other events we had. As I understand Bill and his gang have a bang up event planned for the 2017 Christmas season!
It has been discussed at several previous meetings that our group go on some sort of outing. Fall is a great time for this although a busy time for many. If you have a trip in mind be it long distance, short distance or what ever, by all means speak up. We need to become more vocal about this.
We should have several other items of business this month that we will touch on quickly in the business meeting. If you have other thoughts or ideas bring them forward, we will discuss them of course. Meanwhile, make plans to be at the meeting on Monday, October 16, 2017 and bring a guest, bring a show-n-tell item and bring a raffle item. I hope to see you there.
Greetings fellow NRHS members. My what a busy summer. I’m sure yours has been as busy as mine. If you have one blade of grass there’s another million and all of them need to be cut!
Our meeting last month at the Hopkins County Government Center was very productive. We had visitors from Nashville Steam on hand with an excellent program and “questions and answers” session. After which we reconvene and voted to donate $500 to their effort from the Chapter treasury. An additional $200 was donated from members. I look forward to seeing and hearing the Yellow Jacket in operation.
National has a full set of articles covering the convention in Nashville Tennessee. There was a lot of enjoyable trip’s and everything was well patronized. In those articles lies some information pertaining to the National organization. You can go to the NRHS national website and access them via the administrative tab on the lower area of the homepage for the National Organization. Along with those articles are serval additional subjects and many photographs. All very good reading and very good quality.
Our August meeting I’m sure we’ll have a few stories of the upcoming eclipse which would have been over a few hours by meeting time. Additionally, we will review the program Bill Ferrall was going to present two months ago. Due to technical difficulties we were unable to view his program at that time.
We will also confirm the date and time for the annual Chapter picnic at the veterans grounds in Crofton Kentucky. This is always an enjoyable event.
Additionally, we will be discussing the Christmas dinner at the home of Steve and Marilyn Miller a top Billy Goat Hill Road in Hopkinsville Kentucky. This was the most enjoyable venue last year for those that attended. And speaking of Christmas, Bill Ferrall and Jim Kemp will have a precursor to our Christmas show this year. The show last year was very well received and this year promises to have even more impact.
We will touch base with Jim Pearson on the upcoming photo contest and ideas for the Chapter calendar as well.
Please make an effort to attend the meeting on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Hopkins County Justice Center on North Main St., Madisonville, KY.. Bring a friend, a show and tell item and a raffle item as well. I hope to see you there.
My oh my how time flies. Here it is time for the June NRHS Western Kentucky Chapter meeting and it seems only a few days ago we were in Hopkinsville KY for the May meeting! And speaking of the May meeting, it was a grand time. With the venue being the former L&N RR Passenger Station in historic downtown Hopkinsville, Bill Farrell grilling burgers and dogs, CSX (and BNSF) providing trains and Wallace Henderson giving a detailed talk with photos and newspapers clippings covering train derailments in and around Hopkinsville…. WHEW…we did all of that in one evening. THANK YOU HOPKINSVILLE MEMBERS.
A SB loaded coal train makes its way past members of the West Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society before the May 2017 meeting at the depot in Hopkinsville, KY on CSX’s Henderson Subdivision. – Photo by Jim Pearson
If you have taken time to go track side in our area, I am sure you have noticed a lot of trains are running. CSX and P&L both provide ample opportunities for viewing. On CSX, I have seen locomotives from many class 1 railroads and short lines too. There have been several Chicago Metra F40 rebuilds making their way up and down the line. The new paint scheme is bright and colorful. I spotted one locomotive from the Kiamichi Railway on April 15 of this year! CSX is home to EMD’s only MP-15-T locomotives which make their way by on occasion. And train patterns seem to be changing with the change of power in Jacksonville as well. The modern railroad is interesting to say the least. I still enjoy seeing rail cars from “fallen flag” railroads. It is surprising how many fallen flag railroads are represented in a train! So go out and watch trains. Have a good time and stay off the right-of-way.
The NRHS National Convention is being held in Nashville TN this month. I plan to go Friday the 23rd and represent the Chapter at the business meeting pending my work schedule does not intervene. Having talked with several members I feel the Chapter as a whole has little or no interest in the event. This is fine, not everyone is “on board” with the business aspect of our organization. If I do indeed make it to the meeting, I will have a full report in July.
We need to revisit our display at Parkway Plaza Mall, we have discussed this and taken no action.
We need to (my opinion) have a few more Chapter related functions. Track side days are always well attended and enjoyed. All one needs to do is pony up and sponsor one. Pick a day and location that suits you and we will get the word out. That being said, it is not too early to talk about the Annual Chapter Pic-Nic in Crofton KY. We need to discuss a date.
The Christmas Show Committee will be start planning for this years event. Be thinking of joining in the effort. Last year was a fun time with the kids and adults alike enjoying the show. Bring new ideas to the table for 2017. This should be our signature event with the public.
The meeting will be held Monday evening, June 19th at the Hopkins County Government Centre on North Main Street, Madisonville KY. We will meet at 7:00 PM with Rich Hane providing refreshments and Bill Farrell providing the program. Join in and bring a guest.
