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