By Rick Bivins, Chapter President
Hello everyone, it is already July and I must say it, “Christmas is less than six months away”! Did you really need to know that? June has come and gone and in so doing, our Chapter has been busy. Our first Friday Night Live was a good one with cooler temperatures compared to the last few years. Our booth was well patronized; kids and adults alike seemed to enjoy the trains and Wally’s steam engines. The new business cards which were much easier to hand out were well received. Everyone involved had a good time. The next one is July 12th, the Friday before our regular meeting. It would be nice if more members were in attendance. A report will be given on meeting night.
On Thursday June 27th several members attended Bill Thomas’ evening with friends at the Thomas home. Bill had a few gauge one trains going in the back yard on his nicely landscaped out door railroad. Bob McCracken ran a really neat Astor live steam two truck Shay. Yes, a live steam, gauge one Shay, what a hoot that was. We visited, talked and nibbled on snacks until after ten o’clock that evening. A fun time was had by all in attendance. A very special thanks goes out to Bill and Angela for having our motley group over for the evening.
On July 2nd I drove to Princeton Indiana for some rail fanning with my ole pal Phil Randall. After watching a CSX MP15 switcher shove a cut of cars across Hi-way 41 on Evansville’s north side (while eating a burger at Hardee’s) I headed further north to meet up with Phil. We drove around Princeton tracing the old traction line roadbed which was really neat. We took in some sights at the Princeton depot which is nicely restored as well as at the CSX/NS diamond. Our first train was a southbound NS empty auto-rack train with a single BNSF unit for power. A good time was had and I enjoyed seeing our old friend Phil.
Our meeting Monday July 15th will feature one Tom Johnson’s video’s “Santa Fe 3751 the Restoration”. Tom reviewed this video in a previous newsletter. I am sure it will be a treat. Donnie and Betty Knight are providing refreshments which will be a treat as well. Please make it a point to attend and bring a “show n tell” and a guest.