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Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History and Silver Rail Event Center 2/23/2008



by Chris Guenzler



At 1:20 PM I walked out towards the Exhibition of Amtrak History.





A morning view of where the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History would be held.





The Exhibition of Amtrak History is sponsored by the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation. At present the exhibition is housed only in Car 1429.





Representing Amtrak at this event is Anne McGinnis. Since I was part of this Grand Opening Ceremony, I could not be taking pictures like I would have liked to, I passed off my 35 MM Camera to Tony, my friend from Mexicali and the Sony FD Mavica to Dutch a friend from Pennsylvania.





Me looking out at the growing crowd.





Tom Marshall welcomed everyone to the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History and told about how it came together thanks to the Amtrak Historical Society and Trainweb.com.





Myself, Anne and Larry Herron, Mayor of La Plata.





Steve Grande and Ray Burns.





Tom continues his speech.





A presentation from Bob Cox, a rail photographer, was next given to the Exhibition of Amtrak History.





Here is the giving of the picture to the Exhibition.





Larry Herron, Mayor of La Plata, then spoke next.





I stood enjoying the opening ceremony.





Larry Herron speaking to the group taken by me.





There was a good size crowd in attendance at the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History.





Tom about to introduce Anne McGinnis of Amtrak to the gathering.





Anne McGinnis, of Amtrak, addresses the gathering.





Another view of Anne McGinnis talking to the first time visitors to the Exhibition of Amtrak History.





After Anne, it was my turn to address the crowd.





I then addressed the gathering at the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History.





I was now relaxing after my talk.





Next it would be ribbon cutting time with Anne and I cutting the ribbon together.





Everyone had to move into position.





Anne and I ready to cut the ribbon officially opening the Exhibition of Amtrak History to the public.





Everyone was ready!





The ribbon being cut.





Me saluting that event with the raising of the scissors into the air letting everyone know that the Exhibition of Amtrak History was now officially open for business.





Tom and Kelly Marshall look at a presentation from the City of Kirksville, Missouri just to the north of La Plata.





Tom and Ray Burns held up that presentation.





More guests at the Grand Opening of the Exhibition of Amtrak History.





People lined up to see the Exhibition of Amtrak History. I returned to the Depot Inn & Suites and I worked more on the first part of this story when it dawned on me I needed a couple more pictures for my story so I had to return to the exhibit.





There I took a pair of pictures of the public enjoying the Exhibition of Amtrak History plus others of what I needed. Dutch offered to drive me over to the Grand Opening of the Silver Rails Event Center. So at 3:15 PM Dutch, his wife and me drove to the Silver Rail Event Center.

Grand Opening of the Silver Rail Event Center 2/23/2008



Ray Burns, Steve Grande and Barbara waiting for the Grand Opening of the Silver Rail Event Center in La Plata, Missouri.





Tom and Larry made more speeches about this Grand Opening.





Steve and Barbara then cut the ribbon opening the Silver Rail Event Center to the public. We all then went inside for cookies.





The public getting their first look at the Silver Rail Event Center. After a couple of cookies, it was time for me to head back to the Depot Inn & Suites.



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