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