NORTH TEXAS ZEPHYR NEWSLETTER N O R T H T E X A S C H A P T E R, N A T I O N A L R A I L W A Y H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y

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1 V A L L I H O S K I, N O R T H T E X A S N E W S E D I T O R O P I N I O N S E X P R E S S E D H E R E I N M A Y N O T R E F L E C T T H E O F F I C I A L P O S I T I O N O F T H E N O R T H T E X A S C H A P T E R O R T H E N A T I O N A L R A I L W A Y H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y. A L L C O N T E N T R I G H T S R E T A I N E D B Y O R I G I N A L A U T H O R. E V E R Y A T T E M P T H A S B E E N M A D E T O C O M P L Y W I T H F A I R U S E A N D C O P Y R I G H T L A W. CHAPTER MEETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS... 1 SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 CHAPTER MEETING, FOUNDERS BUILDING, GRAPEVINE PM SPECIAL DINNER FOLLOWED BY THE SCHEDULED MEETING SPECIAL FEATURE 25 TH ANNIVERSARY OF DART VOTE... 1 DART VOTE JOURNEYED MANY ROUTES TO SUCCESS... 1 SPECIAL FEATURE DOING HISTORY WITH OUR KATY... 2 PRETTY KATY SEEN ALONG THE TOUR S TRACK... 2 SPECIAL FEATURE SPECIAL EVENT STATION K5T... 3 K5T CELEBRATED FELLOWSHIP OF RAIL HISTORY, AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE, & NRHS... 3 SPECIAL FEATURE RAIL ENTHUSIAST HAMCOM HAMCOM 2008 WELCOMES K5T, HAMS AND RAIL FANS... 3 NORTH TEXAS RAIL NEWS... 3 RAILROAD PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST - DEADLINE SEPT. 12, RAILFAN WEEKEND, TEMPLE, OCT , HALLOWEEN ON THE MCKINNEY AVE. STREETCAR, OCT. 30, MCKINNEY AVE. STREETCAR SEEKS ENTHUSIASTIC, SAFE DRIVERS.. 4 GENERAL RAIL NEWS... 4 OCEAN CITY TAKE AMTRAK TO THE SHORE!... 4 CHAPTER FEATURES & NEWS... 4 PROPOSED CHANGE TO CHAPTER BY-LAWS REGARDING REGISTERED AGENT... 4 CHAPTER PRESIDENT S CORNER RON S RAMBLINGS... 4 THE MOUSE S RAIL TALES... 5 CAPTAIN TRANSIT S RAILROAD SECRETS... 5 EDITOR S MARK-UP... 5 CHAPTER MEETING MINUTES, AUGUST 5, CHAPTER DIRECTORY...7 NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER OFFICERS... 7 NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER HISTORY... 7 NORTH TEXAS CALENDAR...8 Chapter Meeting & Announcements September 2, 2008 Chapter Meeting, Founders Building, Grapevine. 6pm Special Dinner Members are invited to a catered dinner before the meeting, in recognition of their support and assistance for Lone Star Rails Followed by the Scheduled Meeting. Program - Trains in White: Army Hospital Trains through a Century of Conflict. Speaker: Dr. Robert Gillespie, MD Additional program item - Chapter By-Laws Change. A proposed change to the By-Laws will be discussed and likely voted upon. See the proposed change in this issue s Chapter News section. It was also published in the August 2008 issue. Location: Founders Building, Grapevine. Where: Founders Building, 701 S. Main St., Grapevine. Driving? Go west on Hwy 114, exit Main St. for Grapevine. Drive just north of RR tracks, building is on the right. Special Feature 25 th Anniversary Of DART Vote DART Vote Journeyed Many Routes To Success When voters decided to create Dallas Area Rapid Transit on August 13, 1983, they put a program in motion that has transformed our region and prepared our communities for the next 25 years. Gasoline in Dallas hovered under $1.30 a gallon in August 1983 when 101,000 North Texans went to the polls and voted to tax themselves a penny on the dollar to create a modern public transit system, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). With gasoline prices shooting beyond $4 a gallon in 2008, about 400,000 people each weekday travel on DART's internationally recognized network of buses, trains and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. DART is marking the 25th anniversary of the August 13, 1983 election establishing the transit agency with a week long series of customer appreciation events at many of its transit centers and rail stations. Left: DART s 25 th anniversary symbol. (Art credit: DART) Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 1

2 NORTH TEXAS ZEPHYR NEWSLETTER NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER, NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 2008, VOLUME 13, ISSUE 7 Above: DART 25th anniversary theme. (Graphic credit: DART) DART leading regional renewal Unheard of locally 25 years ago, Mockingbird Station, the Cedars and Victory Park are some of the exciting new transit-oriented developments that are all the rage in urban communities globally. Thanks to DART Rail, more than $7 billion in private funds have been invested in existing, planned and projected transit-oriented development along the rail corridors as people seek out new ways and new places to live, work and play Next generation of transit under construction While DART celebrates its past, the opening of the next generation of light rail is just over one year away when the first phase of the $1.8 billion, 28-mile Green Line rail project opens as scheduled on September 14, A new Orange Line will branch from the Green Line at Bachman Station to serve Irving and Las Colinas in 2011 and DFW International Airport by Light rail service will be extended from Garland to Rowlett in DART's current expansion programs will lead to the doubling of the DART Rail System to 90 miles by Altogether, the rail extensions are expected to add 60,000 weekday passenger trips, essentially doubling ridership on the DART Rail System. The DART bus fleet will undergo a complete transformation starting in 2010 as the agency begins taking delivery of 537 new advanced technology buses. This is the latest step in its clean fuels program, which has led to a 68% reduction in transit fleet emissions. Source: 8/6/08, DART news release at Special Feature Doing History With Our KATY Pretty KATY Seen Along The Tour s Track By Jon Shea Here is one of the many sights we saw on the Lone Star Rails 2008 Historic Rail Tour of Downtown Dallas. The KATY Building was built in Above the first floor can be seen Missouri Kansas and Texas Railway Co. of Texas, the name of the railroad's Texas subsidiary as well as the KATY logo at the top of the brick pillars between the windows. Left: KATY building, detail. (Photo credit: Jon Shea) On the floor in the lobby is an inlaid KATY Logo. There are also pictures on the wall in the lobby. The area above the sixth floor windows is highly decorated also. On the back of the building can be faintly seen under the paint the huge sign advertising the Texas Special and Bluebonnet Passenger Trains. That sign can be clearly seen in old photographs. The KATY Building is now used as an office building. Right: KATY building. (Photo credit: Jon Shea) Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 2

3 Special Feature Special Event Station K5T K5T Celebrated Fellowship of Rail History, Amateur Radio Service, & NRHS By Harry Fasick K3EYL and Valli Hoski N8QVT K5T Special Event Station - Activity Report, Lone Star Rails Total contacts. K5T talked with ham radio operators in 40 US States, 4 countries. Within the U.S. had contacts in 80% of the 50 US states. Did not hear from AK, AZ, HI, ID, MT, ND, OK, SC, UT, WY. International talked with amateur radio operators in Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan),Cayman Islands, Ecuador, Mexico. Top Areas for K5T Contacts - Location, Total, % of total contacts (rounded). PA, 30, 9%. NY, 27, 8%. TX, 20, 6%. CA, 17, 5%. NJ, 17, 5%. VA, 16, 5%. NC, 15, 5%. Ontario, 15, 5%. Alab, 12, 4%. MA, 11, 3%. GA, 10, 3%. IL, 10, 3%. MD, 10, 3%. MI, 10. 3%. First Report During LSR 2008 K5T Celebrated Rail History and Fellowship of Amateur Service Coast to Coast, East and West, North and South Special event station K5T went on the air 7pm Central time, June 16, 2008 (July 17, 0000 UTC). Ham radio operators Harry Fasick K3EYL and Valli Hoski N8QVT made contacts with fellow US hams coast to coast and international contacts with hams in Canada and Ecuador. In its 1 st day of operation, K5T made contact with over 50 amateur radio operators in: Massachusetts (including the Berkshire foothills, home of the lovely Berk locomotive), New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, California, Oregon, Washington state, Texas and Louisiana. Canada contacts included Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Station K5T is celebrating the history and hobby of railroading, the international spirit of the amateur radio service, and the 2008 national convention of the National Railway History Society in Fort Worth, Texas, June 16-22, A commemorative confirmation card is available to anyone who contacts or confirms listening to station K5T on the air June 16-22, 2008 by sending a note or confirmation card to K3EYL. Submitted by Harry K3EYL, and Valli N8QVT, June 16, 2008, 11pm. Special Feature Rail Enthusiast HamCom 2008 HamCom 2008 Welcomes K5T, Hams and Rail Fans By Harry Fasick K3EYL and Valli Hoski N8QVT HamCom 2008 welcomed us back this year to give a program on how rail fans and hams work together for outreach and promotion of special events. The story of K5T was an integral part of the program. Hardy souls arose at the glimmer of summer dawn to be at the session, 8am on Saturday June 14, NTC members Harry Fasick (K3EYL) and Valli Hoski (N8QVT) gave the program on how rail history and excursions are a natural fit for outreach, publicity and collaboration with the amateur radio service. For more information about the Outreach on the Air Waves program or about the HamCom 2008, see North Texas Rail News Railroad Photography Contest - Deadline Sept. 12, 2008 The Railroad and Heritage Museum is sponsoring a Rail Photography Contest. Photographs must be railroad related and taken within the state of Texas. Photographs must be taken by individuals 21 and over. Contestants may submit a maximum of three photos through Friday, September 12. The entry fee is $4.00 per photo. All photos will be judged by an experienced panel of judges. Best of Show, First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention awards will be issued. All contestant entries will remain as a temporary Museum exhibit between October 3rd and November 15th. For additional information, please contact the Railroad and Heritage Museum by calling Complete contest rules and entry form are available at or at the Railroad and Heritage Museum in Temple, Tuesday through Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm. Source: 8/6/08, Railroad and Heritage Museum news release at Railfan Weekend, Temple, Oct , 2008 The Railfan Weekend is coming to Temple s Railroad and Heritage Museum. Register soon! Tentative events include: Friday, Oct. 10 Museum tour, dinner, keynote speaker Steve Grabman Saturday, Oct. 11 BNSF Yard tour, lunch, model train and train watching activities, carpool to double track project, other rail fan hot spots Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 3

4 Registration is $45, or get on-board with a special fare of $80 for both Museum membership and Railfan Weekend registration. For additional information, please contact the Railroad and Heritage Museum by calling Complete details are available at or at the Railroad and Heritage Museum in Temple, Tuesday through Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm. Source: 8/6/08, Railroad and Heritage Museum news flyer at Halloween On The McKinney Ave. Streetcar, Oct. 30, 2008 Think It's Too Early To Get Ready For A Halloween Treat? Maybe So But this is one DINE-A-ROUND you don't want to miss! You need to make your reservations early or you WON'T HAVE A GHOST OF A CHANCE TO GET IN!!!!! Seating is limited to 32. DATE: Thursday, October 30, TIME: 6:30 PM. (Streetcar leaves promptly at 6:45 PM) LOCATION: MEET & PARK ON CITYPLACE WEST BLVD. McKinney Ave. Streetcar Seeks Enthusiastic, Safe Drivers There are several ways you can help preserve an irreplaceable part of Dallas' heritage by supporting the McKinney Avenue Streetcar operations. Read the latest exciting action in the Trolley Stop newsletter, Winter Spring 2008 edition at Volunteer participation is welcome in all areas of operations: Streetcar operators, conductors, mechanics, electricians, administrators, public relations and more. Whatever your specialty, there is a place for you. Members are invited to special social General Rail News Ocean City Take Amtrak To The Shore! Amtrak & Bayrunner Provide Service from BWI to Eastern Shore Service Includes 14 Daily Departures Amtrak recently extended its Thruway bus service to Maryland's Eastern Shore through a partnership with BayRunner Shuttle of Salisbury, Md. The 14 daily departures are available from Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Rail Station Press time: 8/18/2008, 9pm. File: NTx Newsletter vb1.doc Chapter Features & News Proposed Change to Chapter By-Laws Regarding Registered Agent The following change (see text at right) to the Chapter By- Laws has been presented to the Chapter Board, and is planned to be voted upon at Chapter meeting in September. This change was posted in the August newsletter (again in Sept.) in accordance with the 30-day notice requirement. OR RIDE DART RAIL TO CITYPLACE STATION, exit to surface and walk 1/2 block to Streetcar waiting shelter. COST: $85.00 PER PERSON. (Includes food, 2 glasses of complimentary wine, tax and tip) DRESS: SMART CASUAL. RSVP: ON LINE AT ONLY Let a streetcar take you on an Epicurean adventure! Source: 8/6/08, MATA news flyer at functions, receive the quarterly newsletter and participate in streetcar events. MATA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. You can help ensure that the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority is still restoring streetcars, preserving Dallas history and teaching its future leaders for years to come. Source: 8/6/08, MATA news flyer at (BWI) to the communities of Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury, Ocean Pines and Ocean City, Md. [Editor s note: Ocean City is your editor s absolute favorite ocean shore town. Come enjoy the best of the Atlantic shore, Maryland s blue crab, and mid-atlantic hospitality! See you there in 2009!] Source: 8/4/08, Amtrak announcement at e_page&c=am2copy&cid= &ssid=180 Chapter President s Corner Ron s Ramblings By Ron Anderson, Chapter President Ah, the dog days of summer. Now that Lone Star Rails 2008 is over, our thoughts turn back to our normal lives. Or what we think of as normal lives. Except that we're a bunch wierdos as the man said introducing our speaker at the Convention Banquet. Even though we had a Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 4

5 NORTH TEXAS ZEPHYR NEWSLETTER NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER, NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 2008, VOLUME 13, ISSUE 7 whole week of trains, we still think about trains. Some of us may have taken other trips and had other train encounters. (See photos below elsewhere in this issue about my family and our trip to Disney World.) What have you seen lately? Were there other places that you have been and discovered new or old rail history? After all, that is what our chapter is about, seeing and sharing sights and stories of railroading everywhere. I encourage everyone to have the courage to speak up and let us know where you've been, what you seen and learned. You can stories and photos to our newsletter editor, Valli Hoski at ntx.valli@yahoo.com. Or just bring yourself and a friend to our Chapter meetings and tell us then, during our Rail News section of the meeting. Thanks for sharing. The Mouse s Rail Tales Left above: The Walter E. Disney, 1 of 4 steam engines used at Disney World. One of 4 narrow gauge steam engines discovered in a boneyard yard in Mexico by imagineer Roger Broggie. (Photo credit: Ron Anderson) During the NTC President and family s trip to the Mouse s House (Disney World), everyone had rail fun. Who ever would ve thought the Mouse s Rails could make rail enthusiasts of the whole family, just like dad? Right above: Future Engineer Sarah at the controls of the monorail at Disney World. (Photo credit: Ron Anderson) Captain Transit s Railroad Secrets By Steve Siegerist I was in the Collin County Clerk's office in McKinney. On the wall is a map showing the property divisions and the owners dated August 20, Also on this map is a wide "reservation" generally from the southwest to the northeast across the county labeled Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Ocean Railroad. This is either a fallen flag, or a flag that flew only in somebody's imagination and not on steel. Editor s Mark-Up By Valli Hoski, VP Publications In looking back to Lone Star Rails 2008 and looking forward to a Chicago life, I d like to share some of my earliest writing as a rail fan/enthusiast. You might say that the Chicago 1993 NRHS Convention and my Bluewater excursions prepared me for my job as NTZ editor. Last issue you got to read Harry s and my tale about car hosting on Matt Rose s road. This issue (and several earlier issues) tells the tale of the successful special event radio station K5T that was operated and managed by Harry (K3EYL). Well, there s even more to how amateur radio works well with rail fans / rail enthusiasts. How does an organization handle communications on a public rail excursion when the consist includes 25 rail cars with over 60 volunteers, many, many revenue passengers, and of course the paid locomotive engineer and his whole crew? The easy answer is - get the hams on board. Here is an abridged story of one such excursion the annual, highly anticipated Norfolk & Western J611 steam excursion from Detroit to Fort Wayne and back, sponsored each summer by the Bluewater Chapter. Each summer found me onboard for 2 days as a volunteer car host and a communications operator, to help ensure an enjoyable, comfortable and above all safe trip for the passengers, 60+ volunteers and support crew. What does a typical communication exchange sound like, if you happen to be monitoring the local frequency of the on-board amateur radio net? The hams serve as the conduit for all official communications between the operating crew, the volunteer chief and safety operations. Hams are trained for emergency service, standard and clear communications that need to reach along this foot train, throughout the day and into the night. That s a lot more than ordinary people and Motorola radios can do This is what the hams hear and do with the coordination of the net control operator Car hosts are authorized to open the car traps. Please advise when your passengers are loaded and the car host indicates the door is clear. Medical needed in car 7. Any operator knowing the location of Roger (medical) report immediately. He s needed for a cinder in eye of a child. Mechanical is needed in car 9. Need air conditioning assistance. Confirm when mechanical is located, please. Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 5

6 Attention all operators, stand by for priority message. Hold all other messages. Immediate announcement for all car hosts. Need to find passenger named Ima Person, repeat announce passenger Ima Person needed immediately. Confirm immediately if found. Fellow passenger reports he might be left at station. All stations stand by. [ 10 minutes later passenger was located and reported found. That would ve been a long trip back in Fort Wayne waiting for the next summer s excursion. ] Passenger found. Net is resuming normal operation. Thank you for standing by. Souvenir car is closing in 15 minutes. Please advise car host to inform passengers to get last minute snacks or souvenirs now. Attention, we are arriving in 30 minutes. Request car hosts to start packing up car, collect trash, check and secure supplies. All volunteers are requested to stay on duty 30 minutes after last passenger leaves. Hold all supply and restock messages until all passengers are safely off the train. This is net control, with final roll call for the night. When called by net control, all stations please report car status, final messages, and prepare to close operations for the night. Let start with Coach 1. Coach 1, N8QVT, report status please [and so on for cars, plus supplies, medical, etc. communicators.] This is net control, closing the net. Thanks for your help and support. Your service was greatly appreciated by the Chapter, by N&W steam program and Mr. Jensen, and by the public. Thank you for keeping this trip safe. See you tomorrow when we ll do it again. This is K3EYL, going clear. Chapter Meeting Minutes, August 5, 2008 NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER, NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MEETING MINUTES AND NOTES, DATE: August 5, Founders Building, Grapevine. President Ron Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:45pm at the Founders Building in Grapevine There were 22 members in attendance including new members Steve & Sarah Blackman. Ron introduced Wayne Smith as this year s Nominations Chairman. Anyone interested in running for next year s club office positions should contact Wayne. Positions up for election are President, all Vice President positions (Trips - Publications Programs) Secretary, Treasurer, National Director. VP Programs Jon Shea reported on upcoming programs Sept. Meeting will be at Grapevine with program Trains in White, the story of the Army hospital trains, by Dr. Robert Gillespie. Oct. Program to be determined. Nov Meeting at Grapevine with the annual chapter auction for the program Dec Chapter Christmas Banquet at a place to be determined. Jan 09 Meeting at Grapevine with Officer Elections on the program. VP Trips Skip Waters reported on upcoming events. Temple Railroad Heritage Museum Open House on October 10-11, On tap will be train watching, models, banquet, etc. Visit for more details. A Private Rail Car trip from Houston to Chicago will take place in August. The Patrick Henry will board in Houston at 6:15am on Aug 14, arrive in New Orleans at 4pm, stay overnight and depart for Chicago the next morning. Cost is $1000/person based on double occupancy plus tips. Travelers need to provide own transportation back from Chicago. A Rail Photo Event will be held in conjunction with the trip. See Skip for details. Skip also reported Jo Morello, a playwright, has written a play based on The Crash At Crush, an 1896 staged locomotive wreck in Crush, TX. Play will be held at 8:15pm on Aug and Sept 5-6 at the Dallas Hub Theatre, 2809 Canton St. Dallas, TX (Deep Ellum).Tickets are $25 each and are on sale now. Call toll-free for info or tickets. Claude Doane reported on a train show to be held in Garland on Sept 5-6. See him for more info. [Editor s note: See Sept. 6 Lone Star Region (NMRA) District 3 Model Train Show in Chapter calendar of events on last page of the newsletter.] VP Publications Valli Hoski reported the next newsletter deadline is Aug 15. She also reported on her contact with ex-chapter member Nancy Herring who is doing well in Arizona. Nancy and a local friend are hoping to start a shelter for abandoned cats. She will be moving soon and is getting around well on her scooter. National Director Dale Wilken reported he had submitted a written report for the newsletter and there was nothing new till the next board meeting. New Business With Treasurer Steve Siegerist s imminent departure, the board has recommended a change to the chapter By-laws to be voted on at the September meeting. The recommendation is to change the Registered Agent from a named individual to the position of Secretary so the Bylaws don t need changing every time the agent changes, just a routine notification to the TX Secretary of State office. Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 6

7 President Ron Anderson presented outgoing Charter Treasurer Steve Siegerist with a thank you gift for his 13 years of service since the chapter was founded. He received a locomotive piggy bank named Captain Transit. Skip Waters reported next month s meeting would be preceded by a convention volunteer appreciation dinner before the meeting. The catered dinner will be at 6:00pm followed by the regular meeting. Rail News Steve Siegerist reported the new DART SLRV cars are running on the Blue Line. Ron Anderson reported he went to Disneyworld and got a cab ride on the monorail train. Photos are forthcoming. [Editor s note: photos follow the President s column in this issue.] Clause Doane reported member Leroy King was not in attendance due to ill health and is in Presbyterian Hospital. Local train historian R.D. Crystal still in ill health. (Note: R.D. passed away Aug 11 and funeral was Thursday Aug 14) Skip reported the June 19 Quanah Tribune-Chief headlines read Indians to Attack Train with the June 26 edition reporting the Axe Man Attacks Coal Train and a 2 page spread inside paper on the convention train visit to Quanah. RailPace Newsmagazine current edition (Aug.) contains a full page of color photos and a write-up of the convention. Trains Magazine published Ken Fitzgerald s photo in a quick insert this month with a larger article expected next month. Railfan & Railroad magazine has a several page article and Managing Editor Steve Barry gave accolades for A Well Run Convention. Dan Page reported on some pictures he took on the Quanah trip. The NRHS Newsletter has a glowing report on the convention and the events that took place during it. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 with programs following. Member Harry Fasick gave a short program on the HAM Radio Special Event held during the convention. Special call sign K5T was assigned to the convention and Harry reported 323 QSL contacts logged in 38 states, 4 Canadian provinces, Mexico, Ecuador, and the Cayman Islands. Many contacts reported some member of their family either worked for a railroad or they had model trains. Members reviewed a DVD provided by John Morris of the two Six Flags steam engines photographed side by side at the park on the Monday of convention week. Skip Waters reported the seminars at the convention were videotaped and DVDs have been made. A 10-minute snip of the 610 seminar was viewed regarding the 610 s role in the American Freedom Train and its subsequent donation to the TX State Railroad. Jon Shea gave a presentation on the Grapevine night photo shoot and photos from the Dallas Historical Rail Tour. Ken Fitzgerald gave a PowerPoint presentation on convention photos. The final program was a sampling of a video DVD produced by Joe Harper as a commemorative video of the convention. They are on sale for $20 with the chapter receiving $5 from each sale. Chapter Directory North Texas Chapter Officers President, Ron Anderson, rra_nrhs@yahoo.com Vice President/Programs, Jon Shea, Vice President/Trips and Events, Skip Waters, Vice President/Publications, Valli Hoski, ntx.valli@yahoo.com Secretary, Dave Gramm, dgramm@sbcglobal.net Treasurer, Jim King, jgking@swbell.net. National Director, Dale Wilken, d-mwilken@sbcglobal.net. Chapter Business Address North Texas Chapter, NRHS, P.O. Box Dallas, Texas North Texas Chapter History Founded and chartered in 1996, the North Texas Chapter is one of the newest chapters of the National Railway Historical Society*. The chapter is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) educational organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Texas. Emphasis of the chapter is activity, history, and enjoyment of railroading past and present. Meetings are held 7:30-10:00 PM, first Tuesday of each month, usually (but not always) at the Grapevine Tourist & Visitor Information Center at Main St. and the FWWR railroad tracks. Visitors and newcomers are welcome. Effective August 2007, regular membership is $46 a year ($33 national dues + $13 chapter dues). Additional family members are $7 per individual. Regular membership includes: a) subscription to the NRHS Bulletin (5 issues/year) and our monthly chapter newsletter, the North Texas Zephyr. Chapter mailing address: North Texas Chapter NRHS, P.O. Box , Dallas, Texas *Reminder, effective Feb. 2008, NRHS has a new mailing address: National Railway Historical Society, 100 N 20th Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA Send news for next issue to: NTX.NEWS@YAHOO.COM, by September 15, 2008 Page 7

8 North Texas Calendar Tues. Sept. 2, 2008 North Texas Chapter meeting Founder s Building (by Cotton Belt depot), 701 S. Main St., Grapevine, Texas. 6:00 p.m. Thank-you dinner for Chapter members, provided by Lone Star Rails :30 p.m. Speaker: Dr. Robert Gillespie, MD. Program: Trains in White: Army Hospital Trains through a Century of Conflict - history, design and operation of hospital trains from their inception during the Civil War, to the last trains used in the Korean War. Sat. Sept. 6 Sun. LSR District 3 Model Train Show. Nicholson Memorial Library. Hosted by Lone Star Region, NMRA. For District Sept. 7, info., see home page at Fri. Oct. 3 Sat. Railroad and Heritage Photography Exhibit. Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, 315 West Avenue B, Nov. 15, 2008 Temple, TX More details see Tues. Oct. 7, 2008 North Texas Chapter meeting 7:30 p.m. Location: to be confirmed. Program: to be confirmed. Sat. Oct. 10 Sun. Railfan Weekend. Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, 315 West Avenue B, Temple, TX More details Oct. 12, 2008 see Tues. Nov. 4, 2008 North Texas Chapter meeting 7:30 p.m.. Founder s Building (by Cotton Belt depot), 701 S. Main St., Grapevine, Texas. Program: Program: Annual Chapter auction. Tues. Dec. 2, 2008 North Texas Chapter meeting 7:30 p.m. Location: to be confirmed. Program: Annual holiday dinner. Sat. Dec. 13 Sun. Fort Worth Train Show, Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston Street Ft. Worth, TX.. Sponsored by North Dec. 14, 2008 Texas Council of Railroad Clubs. Schedule, discount coupon, see Tues. Jan. 6, 2009 North Texas Chapter meeting 7:30 p.m. Location: to be confirmed. Program: Annual chapter election. Sat. Jan. 17 Sun. Dallas Area Train Show, Plano Centre, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX. Sponsored by North Texas Jan. 18, 2009 Council of Railroad Clubs. Schedule, discount coupon, see Tues. Feb. 6, 2009 North Texas Chapter meeting 7:30 p.m. Location: to be confirmed. Program: to be confirmed. Chapter mailing address: North Texas Chapter NRHS, P.O. Box , Dallas, Texas