Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
No business meeting was held. Instead members participated in the holiday social.
Attendees participated in a pub quiz after the social hour.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:12 p.m. Attendance was 26.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the October meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He said members donated $1,800 325 to support the restoration of steam engine Norfolk & Western #611. The chapter matched those donations. Jay reported that members have generous in the renewal process, donating $550 to either the chapter or national organization.
John Morris reported that the nomination committee had assembled a slate of norminees for the coming year, which was:
There were no nominations from the floor. Members passed a motion to elect the proposed slate by acclamation.
John reminded members to join him in riding MARC December 7, the first day of weekend service.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
After the intermission, Carl Franz presented a digital program with selections from comercially produced DVDs.
Paul Bergdolt reported that Walkersville Southern will begin running Santa trains on November 30.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 25.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the August meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He said members donated $325 to support the restoration of steam engine Pere Marquette #1225. The chapter will match those donations. Jay reminded members that the deadline has arrived for matching grant program for the restoration of steam engine N&W 611. He said that members had contributed over $1,000 so far.
John Morris and Bennett Lichtman agreed to serve on the nominating committee.
John urged members to join him in riding MARC December 7, the first day of weekend service.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
After the intermission, Alex Mayes presented a digital program with his photos from the second half of 2012.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
No business was conducted at the meeting, because a quorum was lacking.
For the program Jerry Hott showed a commercially produced DVD, Steam Shortlines – Southern Style.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m.
Members approved a motion to establish a matching grant program for the restoration of steam engine N&W 611. The chapter will match member contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $2,000. The deadline for member contributions will be October 15.
Members approved the following motion:
Persons who are not members of the National Railway Historical Society may become associates of the Potomac Chapter. Associates shall receive the newsletter. Associates shall have the right to participate in Chapter meetings and events. If associates choose to receive the newsletter electronically, they shall pay $20 a year. If associates choose to receive a printed copy of the newsletter, they shall pay $25 a year. Associates are not eligible to serve as a Chapter officer or become a member of the Board of Directors. Associates shall have no voting rights in Chapter elections or at membership meetings.
Bob Cohen reminded members about the chapter picnic scheduled for October 5.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
After the intermission, members enjoyed a commercially produced DVD, Steam in the Fifties.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 31.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He and Bill reminded members that July 31 is the deadline for the matching donation program to support the restoration of steam engine Pere Marquette #1225.
Rick Davidson reported on the summer meetings of the national Advisory Council and Boad of Directors. Rick said the board made no change to the dues increase approved at the spring meeting. Next year’s convention will be based out of Springdale, AK. Rick said he had a copy of President Greg Molloy's 55-page PowerPoint presentation concerning the current state of affairs in the NRHS. If anyone is interested in seeing a copy, they should contact Rick.
Rick will be unable to attend the November 7-10 meetings in Claymont, DE. If anyone else is interested in representing the chapter, they should contact the chapter Board of Directors.
Bill Holdsworth reported that the Potomac Chapter board sent a letter to the NRHS president outlining its concerns about the dues increase. Bill described the resistance he encountered in trying to get the letter distributed to NRHS leadership.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
After the intermission, Rudy Volin presented a slide program with highlights from his 60 years of railfanning.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:11 p.m. Attendance was 35.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the May meeting.
Jay Creswell summarized the recent board at which the national dues increase was discussed. National Directors Bob Bitzer and Joe Maloney attended to explain the motivation behind the increase. Potomac Chapter directors remain concerned about the potential ill effects of the increase and the spending habits of the national organization. Directors plan to send a letter to the national organization documenting their concerns. Gordy and Jay solicited comments and questions from the membership.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
After the intermission, local historian and author William Offutt presented a program on the Georgetown Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:06 p.m. Attendance was 31.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report.
Bill reminded members about the matching donation program to support the Steam Railroading Institute's campaign to return Pere Marquette #1225 to steam.
Directors solicited members' views on the recent increase in national dues. Members discussed the options available. At the conclusion of the discussion, Bill asked members to indicate which options they favored in a quick straw poll. The count for each option:
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
After the intermission, Charlie Plantholt presented a digital program covering a two-week trip to western Oregon and Washington, and four days on the White Pass & Yukon Railway.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:15 p.m. Attendance was 24.
Bill Holdsworth reported that the chapter banquet was a success. He thanked Clay Moritz, Alex Mayes, Jay Creswell and Phyllis Krochmal for their efforts.
Rick Davidson said that the national organization has approved an $11 dues increase for 2014.
Jerry Hott reminded members about the matching donation program to support the Steam Railroading Institute's campaign to return Pere Marquette #1225 to steam.
The meeting adjourned about 8:25 p.m.
After the intermission, members enjoyed a commercially produced DVD, Vintage New York Central Operations, three short films showcasing NYC steam locomotive operation and maintenance, signaling system, and freight yard operations.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:12 p.m. Attendance was 35.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the February meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He said he had been working with the financial review committee.
Jay reminded members about the chapter banquet scheduled for April 6.
The meeting adjourned about 8:30 p.m.
After the intermission, Alex Mayes presented a digital program featuring highlights from his travels during the first six months of 2012..
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:07 p.m. Attendance was 29.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the January meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He reminded members about the chapter banquet scheduled for April 6.
Members discussed the matching donation program to support the Steam Railroading Institute's campaign to return Pere Marquette #1225 to steam.
Jim Mixter reported that the financial review committee has started work.
The meeting adjourned about 8:20 p.m.
After the intermission, Jim Kleeman presented a digital program featuring trains powered by locomotives wearing a wide variety of historic paint schemes.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:14 p.m. Attendance was 31.
Treasurer Jay Creswell reminded members about the chapter banquet scheduled for April 6.
Members approved a motion to establish a matching donation program to support the Steam Railroading Institute's Capital Campaign to return Pere Marquette #1225 to steam. The Chapter will match dollar for dollar any member contributions up to a total of $1,000.
Bob Cohen reported that former member Norman Nelson died recently.
The meeting adjourned about 8:40 p.m.
Members dispensed with the reading of the minutes. There was no treasurer's report.
After the intermission, John Sery presented two commercially produced DVDs. The H&F Railway, produced by Carroll James, showcased Hagerstown & Frederick Railway operations until they ceased in 1954. The second video provided an in-depth look at steam operations on the Southern Railway, Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line, and RF&P. Footage for this video was shot by noted photographer August Thieme.
