Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 22 Zoom logins. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order at 8:11 p.m.
Jay Creswell gave a brief treasurer's report, listing the balances at Treasury Direct and Truist Bank.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth announced that the holiday social will be held 12:30 p.m. Saturday December 13 at the Silver Spring B&O station. No Zoom option is planned.
Bill will be handling this year's renewal process, taking over from Rick Davidson and Jay. Dues will be $7.50 for members and associates, plus $3.00 for family members. Bill plans to send a broadcast email with an online renewal option before Thanksgiving. He will follow up with a mailing of printed renewal notices in December.
Bill reported on the board's decision to act as the nominating committee for 2026. Nobody responded to the broadcast email seeking members willing to serve. Fortunately the six incumbents were willing to seek re-election.
Members approved a motion to elect this slate of candidates by acclamation. Chuck Greene is currently in the middle of a two-year term as Director at Large.
For the program Mike Yuhas showed four short multimedia presentations:
The meeting ended about 9:31 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 21 Zoom logins. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth announced that the November 18 meeting would be Zoom only. The holiday social will be held 12:30 p.m. Saturday December 13 at the Silver Spring B&O station. No Zoom option is planned.
Jay Creswell gave a brief treasurer's report.
No further business was conducted. Members discussed rail news.
For the program Tom Nemeth, editor of Railpace Magazine, showed images of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western’s Bloomsburg Branch during the early to mid-1970s. That branch saw the regular use of A-B-B-A Erie-Lackawanna F-units between Scranton and the Reading connection at Rupert
The program ended about 9:00 p.m. That was followed by a discussion.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 13 Zoom logins. Secretary Bill Holdsworth called the meeting to order about 8:10 p.m.
Bill announced that the September 16 meeting would be in-person at the Council Office Building Lecture Hall. Stephen Sery is exploring the possibility of providing a Zoom link.
Doug Scott reported on the national convention.
No further business was conducted. Members discussed rail news.
For the program Doug presented a multimedia program with a musical soundtrack covering his trip to the Southwest in October 2024. The program included BNSF in the Albuquerque, the recently restored former Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926, and the Grand Canyon Railway.
The meeting ended about 9:05 p.m.
Lecture Hall, Montgomery County Council Office Building
Vice President John Sery called the meeting to order about 8:10 p.m. In-person attendance was 10. Zoom participation peaked at 14 logins during the program.
No business was conducted. Members discussed rail news.
For the program Jim Kleeman showed images from his trips to California over the past four decades. He focused on Tehachapi Loop, Cajon Pass, and the Mojave Desert.
The meeting ended about 9:40 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 25 Zoom logins. President Gordy Bjoraker called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m.
Treasurer Jay Creswell gave a brief report. The chapter is in good financial shape. Without having to cover the cost of a newsletter, our dues and investment income seem to cover our costs.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth said that the July meeting would be in person, with a Zoom option, at the Council Office Building Lecture Hall in Rockville. He noted that June 2020 was the chapter's first meeting using Zoom. We have continuing using Zoom for the past five years.
Doug Scott reported that turnout looks strong for the upcoming NRHS convention in Michigan.
Members discussed rail news.
George Hamlin's program, Along the RF&P, from the 1960s to 2025, featured images from the historic main line that connects Richmond VA with Washington D.C..
The program ended about 9:10 p.m.
Lecture Hall, Montgomery County Council Office Building
Vice President John Sery called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m. In-person attendance was 15. Zoom participation peaked at 16 logins during the program.
President Gordy Bjoraker told members of the chapter's plans to make a donation to the effort to replace the roof on Harris Tower in Harrisburg.
Treasurer Jay Creswell gave a brief report. The chapter is in good financial shape.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth briefed the group on plans for upcoming meetings.
For the program Alex Mayes showed images from shortline and regional railroads across the country. Among the many lines covered will be Arkansas & Missouri, Iowa Traction, Western New York & Pennsylvania, and Delaware-Lackawanna.
The meeting ended about 9:30 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 18 Zoom logins. Secretary Bill Holdsworth called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m.
Bill said that the May meeting would be in person, with a Zoom option, at the Council Office Building Lecture Hall in Rockville. He reminded participants about for the retirement lunch for Clay Moritz April 19 at the National Capital Trolley Museum.
Doug Scott reported on plans for the upcoming NRHS convention in Michigan.
Members discussed rail news.
Bob Kaplan's program covered Fifty Years of Florida Railroading, begining with early Amtrak operations from the mid-1970s through 2025 action with Brightline.
The program ended about 9:35 and meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Lecture Hall, Montgomery County Council Office Building
Vice President John Sery called the meeting to order at 8:03 p.m. In-person attendance was 13. Zoom participation peaked at 18 during the program.
Secretary Bill Holdsworth urged people to register for the Clay Moritz retirement lunch April 19 at the National Capital Trolley Museum.
Treasurer Jay Creswell gave a brief report. He said membership renewals have been strong.
For the program Bill Kalkman showed images from highlights from his recent trip to Australia.
The meeting ended about 9:45 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 25 Zoom logins. Secretary Bill Holdsworth called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m.
Bill reported that the March meeting would held in person in the Lecture Hall of the Council Office Building in Rockville. There will be a Zoom option.President Gordy Bjoraker gave an update on chapter business. The board of directors is improve backup coverage and eliminate single points of failure. Bill is exploring a spring event to celebrate Clay Moritz's 35 years as newsletter editor.
Jay Creswell fielded questions about renewal notices. A few members sent their checks to the wrong address. Bill will update the website to relect the correct address.
John Sery is exploring options for reviving the newsletter.
After the business meeting Alex Koehler gave a program entitled A Diversely Decorated Decade of Eastern Railroad Photography.
The program ended about 9:35 p.m.
The chapter met using Zoom video conferencing software. Participation peaked at 29 Zoom logins. Secretary Bill Holdsworth called the meeting to order about 8:05 p.m.
Bill reported that the February meeting would held via Zoom and that Alex Koehler will provide the program.President Gordy Bjoraker gave an update on chapter business.
Jay Creswell said the renewal notices were mailed recently. He gave a brief treasurer's report. He said that the cash on hand was virtually unchanged from one year ago, but noted that we are liable for about a year's worth of unclaimed newsletter expense
Bill noted that four chapter members passed during 2024: Geoge Stant, Bill Hopkins, Rudy Volin and Ted Ackley.
For the program Jim Kleeman showed a series of images from his visits to the Missabe Iron Range over the last 25 years. He also included images taken by Rodney Peterson in 1957.
The meeting ended about 9:45 p.m.
