Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 20 Zoom logins. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order about 8:10 p.m.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth said the minutes of previous meetings were available on the website. He reported that the June meeting will be hybrid, in-person at the Council Office Building Lecture Hall with a Zoom option. Mason Cooper will handle the program. He reported that 2026 renewals were healthy, 55 total resulting in 64 active members.
Jay Creswell gave a brief treasurer's report.
National Representative Doug Scott reported that the national NRHS convention is scheduled for September 21-25 in Ohio. More details will be announced soon at the Board of Directors' quarterly conference in Salt Lake City. Valli Hoski said that Heritage Grants will be announced at the same conference.
Members discussed rail news before the program, particularly the upcoming Midwest/East Coast tour by Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014.
For the program John King showed images from his trips to Western states in the 1980s. He photographed iconic railroads before they disappeared in the mergers that followed deregulation. Milwaukee Road, Western Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande Western, and Southern Pacific were among those making appearances.
The program ended at 9:46 p.m. Discussion continued until 10 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m.
No official business was conducted.
Alex Koehler's program featured a variety of shortlines and regional railroads he visited between 2016 and 2025.
Discussion followed the program. The meeting ended about 9:30 p.m.
Lecture Hall, Montgomery County Council Office Building
Vice President John Sery called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m. In-person attendance was 14. Zoom participation peaked at 16 during the program.
Treasurer Jay Creswell gave a brief report.
Jim Kleeman's program, Forty Years on the Road to Sand Patch, focused on CSX main lines around Cumberland, MD.
The meeting ended about 9:40 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 20 Zoom logins. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth said the minutes of previous meetings were available on the website. He reported that the March meeting will be hybrid, in-person at the Council Office Building Lecture Hall with a Zoom option. Jim Kleeman will handle the program.
Gordy reported that the board of directors discussed the status of the Bob Flack slide collection at their recent meeting. Marc Laborde has cataloged most of the 7,000-slide collection. He has scanned a fraction of the slides. The board and Marc discussed options for scanning the balance of the collection.
Bill said the membership renewals for 2026 are progressing well. So far we have received 51 renewals. Bill plans to send reminder emails in February. The deadline is February 28.
National Representative Doug Scott invited members to attend the national Board of Directors' quarterly conference in Salt Lake City in late May. He reported that arrangements haven't been finalized for the national NRHS convention. Organizers are considering an Ohio location at the end of September.
Members discussed rail news before the program.
Bob Kaplan's program featured three regional railroads:
Discussion followed the program. The meeting ended at 9:31 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 16 Zoom logins. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order about 8:10 p.m.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth said the minutes of previous meetings were available on the website. He reported that the February meeting would held via Zoom and that the March meeting will be hybrid, in-person with a Zoom option. Alex Mayes said Bob Kaplan will do the February program and Jim Kleeman will handle the March program.
Bill said the membership renewals for 2026 are progressing well. So far we have received 47 renewals. Bill plans to send reminder emails in February. The deadline is February 28.
Treasurer Jay Creswell reported on the chapter's finances. He said our assets increased by $3,500 during 2025.
National Representative Doug Scott reported that arrangements haven't been finalized for the national NRHS convention. Rumors suggest the convention will be held in Ohio at the end of September.
Members discussed rail news before the program.
For the program Doug showed three multimedia programs covering:
Discussion followed the program. The meeting ended about 9:30 p.m.
