Volume 37 Number 5 May 2006

Trips I Have Taken Oh So Long Ago - To Kansas City For Ball Games — By H. Martin Swan

Inside this issue Pacific’s Missouri River Eagle at Kansas City. Photo-Courtesy H. Martin Swan Officer Contact List P.2 Membership Information P.2 Meeting Notice The May meeting of the Northstar Chapter will be at 7pm May 20 The President’s Page P.2 at the St. Paul Fire Department Training Center, 1695 Energy Park Trips I Have Taken Oh So Long Ago- P.3 Drive, St. Paul (Snelling and Energy Park Drive just east of Midway Kansas City Stadium). Mike Mackner will show a program on Civil War railroading. Interchange Track P.4 What’s In A Name? P.5 Rail Camp Manager Terminated P.7 April Meeting Minutes P.7 Page Northstar Chapter Officers Board of Directors President H. Martin Swan Email: [email protected] Phone: 612-961-1684 Vice President Mark Braun Email: [email protected] Phone: 320-587-2279 Past President Bill Herzog Email [email protected] Phone: 952-470-4021 National Director Doug Johnson Email: [email protected] Phone: 612-825-6458 Treasurer Joe Fishbein Email: [email protected] Phone: 651-457-1610 Secretary Dave Norman Email:[email protected] Phone: 612-729-2428 Trustee Dennis Louden Email: [email protected] Phone: 651-698-8559 Staff Program Chairman John Goodman Email: good6012@.com Newsletter Editor Russ Isbrandt Email: [email protected] Phone: 651-426-1156 Webmaster Dan Meyer Website: www.northstar-nrhs.org Note: Consult the website for any announcements regarding Chapter activities including cancellation of meeting for any reason including weather.

Membership Information Dues are $34 (this includes $22 National dues and $12 Northstar Chapter dues). Family memberships are $4 additional. The student rate is $17 ($11 to the National). If you want to join, an application is available at http://www.northstar-nrhs.org/. Print out the application and send it with a check made out to Northstar Chapter, NRHS to Treasurer, Northstar Chapter NRHS, 1092 Humboldt Ave, West Saint Paul, MN 55118. The President’s Page

Well it is time for some fun stuff and then some not so fun director for the Chapter after Doug was required to leave in stuff. order to come back to Twin Cities) will present the details of the BOD to the membership. But while I was there, a very How to tell if you are getting old: I have a watch with a little good friend of mine and I went to a very nice and very expen- BN freight train running around and around on the face of the sive restaurant for our evening meal. watch. It had stopped and I decided that I might want to wear it one of these days again. So I took the watch to one of those My friend loves battery places to have them install a new battery. I handed prime rib and the watch to the guy behind the counter. He opened it up, the restaurant looked at it, closed it and then wound it up and handed it offered just one back to me. Uh, it works just fine now that it has been wound size of prime up again. Too bad somebody wasn’t there with a camera to rib- 32oz bone take the picture of my jaw falling to the floor and the beauti- in! He ordered ful color of red my face became. it, and man, I have never seen I, along with Doug Johnson and Dan Meyer, just returned from such a hunk of Indianapolis to attend the Spring BOD. I will give a trip write meat. I would up later on, and both Doug and Dan (who was the alternate say he ate 28 oz of it. Being somewhat saner, I opted for the 15oz rack of Page 2 lamb hmmmmm. I’ve included a picture of that prime rib One year I talked my Grandfather into taking the Missouri meal. It has nothing to do with railroading but I think it worth- River Eagle down. This did cost Grandfather a little bit of while seeing. money since he had a CB&Q pass where he could ride free, whereas he had to pay 50% on the MoPac’s Missouri River The hotel we stayed at in Indy was the Crowne Plaza, which Eagle. uses the head house of the old Indianapolis Union Station. The railroad/bus terminal is in a small corner in what was the I was thrilled with the chance to ride the Eagle because (1) it basement of the Union Station. There is NO direct connection was on a railroad I had never been on, (2) they used Alco PA’s between them nor could anybody at the railroad/bus terminal and (3) the Eagle had a Planetarium dome. tell us how to get to the hotel. So at 4:00 am Doug Johnson, two other NRHS members who came by train, and I were So it was that on July 16, 1960, Grandfather and I went over wandering around the streets of Indy with all of our luggage, to 33rd & O Street to flag down the bus that ran from Lincoln trying to get to the hotel. We finally got there, but you know, to Union where we would intersect the MoPac’s Omaha/ while the lobby has railroad pictures and plaster figures of Kansas City main line. Clearly after all these years I don’t conductor’s etc. standing around, once you get to your room, really remember too much about the trip. I recall that there it is just like the hotel rooms of a million other hotels. The were a handful of passengers in the bus and when we got to only view from our room was looking down on the railroad Union there was already a gaggle of passengers waiting for cars that had been converted into suites for guests with lots the train. The train came in—headed by a E-7 not an Alco PA, of money. further there was no dome this day. Oh well, getting on that blue and cream train was a thrill. About all I can remember Now for the not so fun stuff: I had to send to a little over 20 about the ride was that the Missouri River was nowhere to be of our members a letter in lieu of this newsletter, advising seen. them that their membership was terminated. Dues were due by March 31st. Yes, while the National was late getting the Lunch was also a bit of a disappointment; I had a choice of a dues notices out, they still came out in January. and our choice of a beef or pork sandwich or a chef’s salad. members have had 2+ months to pay their dues, plus an ad- ditional month that I allowed in April. It is my fervent hope that these members will send in their dues so that they can participate in our activities, and for that matter the National’s activities including the Annual Convention, once again. Not to terminate these memberships would not be fair to those of us who have paid our dues.

All of you who have paid will be reading this and I hope to see you at our May meeting.

Marty Trips I Have Taken Oh So Long Ago To Kansas City For Ball Games By H. Martin Swan The Silver Streak at St. Joseph, MO. Note the 9932B When I was young, my Grandfather and I would several times has the then new red nose stripes. Photo by H. Martin Swan a year go down to Sherman Field to watch the Class A West- ern League Lincoln Chiefs play baseball. We were in the Pitts- After the game it was time to return on train #21. This train burgh Pirate organization and we had a great many players used to be the Silver Streak Zephyr which operated as a sin- that later became stars for the Pirates play for Lincoln. gle train from Kansas City to Lincoln. The CB&Q decided to cut the train back to a Kansas City/Omaha train with “cross About once a year Grandfather and I would go to Kansas City the platform” connections with trains to/from Lincoln. For to watch the Kansas City Athletics play. This was before some reason they also removed the train’s name, and as Charlie Finley. At that time the KC A’s were considered a joke such it only carried the number. It was a full service day train and a de facto New York Yankee farm team, since every time with streamlined and heavyweight coaches and a dining par- they would get a good player, they would trade him to the lor car. I had been on this route before and it was, shall we Yankees, for example Bob Cerv. say, uninteresting—at least for a 19 year old. Years later as a 29 year old I found the route quite interesting. At least this We would check the schedule for a Saturday or Sunday after- dining car had “food”, halibut steak, Plantation shortcake and noon game and head down on the Silver Streak Zephyr for boiled brisket of fresh beef. the game. I believe that this was the last of our Kansas City trips. I was (Continued on page 5) Page 3 Interchange Track Items from Exchange Newsletters

Fort Wayne Historical Society’s Nickel Plate Berkshire 765 86 were headed to April 2nd, and 9370, 71,and 72 performed break-in runs March 25-26 on the Chicago Fort were in Chicago’s Cicero Yard April 4th. 9381 and 87 were Wayne and Eastern from Fort Wayne to Van Wert, OH. This is on CN train 395 in Michigan April 6th. The 30 unit order the former Chicago—Pittsburgh Pennsy mainline. The engine, should be complete by the end of April. tool car and a diesel towed with dynamic brakes on to simu- late a train made four trips. The first day trips were restricted CP/ Soo Line/Indiana Railroad: The Indiana Railroad will be to 25 mph with frequent stops to check the bearings. Check taking over former trackage in southern out www.765.org for photos Indiana. It appears that they will lease 11 ex-Soo Line SD-60s in the 6000 series. Some of these units are reportedly stored BNSF News: The railroad began taking delivery of new SD-70 in the Twin Cities. Aces in early April. Units 9373, 9378 and 9885 came west These items from —North Western Limited Published by the on a CN freight at the end of March, and 9374,76,82,83 and North Western Chapter

From The Mixed Train published by the Camerail Club, Omaha CB&Q passenger train consists out of Chicago IL, thanks to Bill Schultz: CB&Q No. 17, California Zephyr, departing Chicago Wednesday October 18, 1966 motors (E8A-E7A-E7A) 9975-9934A-9927B (Editor’s Note: CB&Q referred to their diesels as “motors”.) 72 ft. baggage Q Silver Bear 48-seat chair car Q Silver Maple CZ-30 46-seat vista-dome chair car DRGW Silver Colt CZ-21 46-seat vista-dome chair car vista-dome DRGW Silver Bronco CZ-20 "Cable Car" buffet-lounge dormitory Q Silver Lounge 48-place dining car Q Silver Restaurant 6-compartment/5-double bedroom WP Silver Swallow CZ-19 10-roomette/6-double bedroom sleeping car DRGW Silver Pass CZ-18 10-roomette/6-double bedroom sleeping car Q Silver Shore CZ-16 10-roomette/6-double bedroom sleeping car SP 9023 CZ-15 10-roomette/6-double bedroom Pullman Q Silver Slope* CZ-14 Built for the American Royal Zephyr 10-roomette/6-double bedroom sleeping car SP9115 CZ-12 10-roomette/6-double bedroom sleeping car SP 9048 CZ-11 11-double bedroom sleeping car UP Sun Ridge CZ-9 -drawing room/3-compartment vista-dome buffet-lounge-observation Q Silver Horizon CZ-10

CB&Q No. 31, combined / Afternoon Zephyr, Chicago-St. Paul, Friday October 7, 1966 motors (E8A-E8A-E7A-E7A) 9945B-9943A-9927A-9922A St. Paul 73 ft. baggage GN 270 Seattle baggage-dormitory GN 1201 Seattle 46-seat Great Dome coach GN 1324 Seattle "The Ranch" coffee shop-counter-lounge GN 1240 Crossley Lake Seattle 46-seat Great Dome coach GN 1330 Portland 4-section/7-duplex roomette/3-double bedroom/1-compartment Pullman GN 1267 SkagitRiver Portland 6-roomette/5-double bedroom/2-compartment Pullman GN1373 Santiam Pass Portland 36-seat dining car GN 1252 Lake Ellen Wilson Seattle Great Dome lounge GN 1393 Lake View Seattle 7-duplex roomette/6-double bedroom/1-compartment Pullman GN 1263 Milk River Seattle 16-duplex roomette/4-double bedroom Pullman GN 1173 Hanging Glacier Seattle 4-section/ 7-duplex roomette/3-double bedroom/1-compartment Pullman GN 1265 Chumstick River Seattle 16-duplex roomette/4-double bedroom Pullman GN 1183 Hudson Glacier Seattle 4-section/ 7-duplex roomette/3-double bedroom/1-compartment Pullman CB&Q 1273 Pend Oreille River Seattle 54-seat vista-dome chair car CB&Q Silver Island Minneapolis 50-seat vista-dome chair car CB&Q Silver Glade Minneapolis 48-place dining-refreshment car CB&Q Silver Manor* Minneapolis vista-dome drawing-room parlor observation CB&Q Silver Terrace* Minneapolis * Indicates the car was built for the .

(Continued on page 5) Page 4 (Continued from page 3) eve of World War I. starting school at the U of N, I was the student manager of the (almost) winless Cornhusker basketball team, had a sum- Of course, a major function of the name applied to a car is to mer job, and besides shortly thereafter, Charlie Finley showed provide a sense of individuality to it. However, until after up and moved the Athletics to Oakland. World War I, there were only limited attempts to use names to differentiate one car type from another. One suspects that Still I miss those trips with my Grandfather. this was partly due to the growing size of the Pullman fleet, but additionally there was the introduction of a greater variety (Continued from page 4) of car types. The California Zephyr consist compliments Marty’s CZ article in the March issue. Despite the passage of seven years, the Therefore, the 1920s saw the assignment of series names to train gives a deceptively healthy appearance. many of the cars built for Pullman. The earlier common car

"styles," such as the 16-section and 12-section+compart- The Empire Builder was shown for those of you who were ment+drawing room types, were discontinued; while post­war watching trains in the Twin Cities back in 1966 blissfully un- examples of the favored 12-section+drawing room cars often aware of what was about to happen to your beloved passen- were now assigned names in series to aid employees in their ger trains. identification.

What’s In a Name? Taking the "12+1" cars as an example, whole series of names were assigned in the East: Green, Mc-, Orange, Red By El Simon and Saint series (even as other cars were delivered, right up to the end of standard weight construction) with individual The author is a well know passenger train expert whose arti- names of on-line towns. cles appeared in Passenger Train Journal among others. Your editor thanks the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance’s Informa- tion Exchange newsletter editor Stan Brandt for his kind per- mission to reprint Mr. Simon’s article.

Part of the mystique and glamour associated with deluxe rail travel has been the assignment of names, rather than mere numbers, to such equipment. Much as a fine hotel or res­ taurant is made more memorable by the use of a distinctive name, rather than a mere street address, names made de- luxe rail cars something out of the ordinary.

Early in railroad history, it was locomotives that received dis- tinctive names, often for railroad officials, on-line locations or descriptive names like Pioneer. But, as fleets of locomotives increased in size, the practice disappeared, except in cases where a railroad employee was honored for exceptional ser- vice. Privately owned Capitol Heights at the 1966 Kentucky Derby. The final flowering of this practice came with Burlington's E5 Also in the same movement were Night Star ,Wabash Valley, locomotives of 1939-40, which bore names like the Zephyr Night Trail and Travel Club, all heavyweights. Additional cars they pulled. This was a continuation of the practice Bur- photos appear in the electronic version of this newsletter. lington had originated with the earlier Zephyr power units. Photo by Russ Isbrandt To be fair, it should be noted that the Boston & Maine and the RF&P named a series of steam locomotives, and there were Pennsy specified topical names for cars assigned to the Lib- & Ohio's famous President series Pacifics. Much erty Limited between Washington and Chicago. Thus, you later, Maine Central named a series of General Electric road- found names like Ambassador, Lawmaker, Chevy Chase and switchers as part of their bicentennial observations. so on. Pullman and Wagner were early believers in the value of naming their cars. The selections often invoked ladies' Later, a number of cars were renamed for assignment to spe- names, foreign words and cities, deities and the like. Sleep- cific trains. Certain cars were named for types of roses for a ing, parlor and dining cars were so honored. Read the works train to Portland, Oregon, the "Rose City." Chesapeake & Ohio by Ralph Barger for an authoritative treatment of this subject. requested the renaming of a whole fleet of cars in patriotic The acquisition of Wagner's assets by Pullman required an themes for its newly refurbished George Washington of 1932. extensive program to rename cars of one or the other fleet to Additional cars were renamed in 1938 for L&N service. avoid a conflict of names. Likewise, names were required when Pullman acquired the New Haven's fleet of cars on the As you see, series names could be based either on the prefix or the suffix of a car's name. For example, the Lake series of Page 5 10-section+2-compartment+drawing room cars all included the same prefix (Lake), while the remainder of the name var- , but went further on the 1937 and 1941 trains ied as it identified a specific lake (e. g., Lake Bennett). for Los Angeles and San Francisco service. On these trains, names were also applied to most of the other cars in the con- However, a few similar cars reversed this arrangement and sist. Typically, these were names associated with the western were named for other lakes in this format (Bowman Lake). terminal cities of these trains. Here, all of the cars in this series displayed a different first name while retaining the same last name. And, to com­ The Rock Island and the Burlington also named most of the plicate matters, a small group of cars in B&O service were cars built for their Rockets and Zephyrs, and this practice given the names of Scottish lochs. extended into the postwar era. Santa Fe applied Indian- dialect names to sleepers and some diners and lounge cars This brings up the matter of the Glen series of 6- of the early streamlined era. (Baggage/lounges were compartment+3 drawing room sleepers. For many years, given names of Spanish saints). these cars represented the most deluxe cars found on the best trains. Actually, the first cars of this type were in a differ- New York Central chose the names of New York governors for ent series, although not one so obvious, since they bore all of the cars of its Empire State Express of 1941. Mean- names of artists, composers and the like. Some of these cars while, Pullman had applied standardized names to sleepers would serve to the end of standard car service in 1967. And built for the PRR and NYC in 1938 that would set the pattern again, some variety was introduced by a series of cars named for future orders. for Squares and assigned to Pennsy service. Well, there were still some variances: New York Central A number of historical names were reused more than once, tended to have more whimsical names (Imperial Majesty, especially on the Southern's Crescent Limited. This required Cascade Elf), while Pennsy tended to embrace more sober the assignment of new names to the older cars, which were choices (Imperial Crest, Cascade Echo). Also, the Central's to be retained in service. sleeper/lounges were named for specific locations (Chittenango Falls), while Pennsy's cars were given names of Another example of a series of names that were not so obvi- trees (Cedar Falls). ous was the assignment of names of industrialists and inven- tors to 14-section cars. Thus, you had Elbert H. Gary and Eli A large group of sleepers delivered in early 1942 received Whitney as examples. Rock Island received new cars named names in the American series, many invoking patriotic in both the Rock and Island series. thoughts (American Liberty). Similar cars for the Santa Fe were named for valleys, and for rivers for the Missouri Pacific, The re-equipping of the Empire Builder at the end of the while the received cars with names evoca- 1920s saw a group of cars named for individuals involved in tive of its territory (Banana Road). the Great Northern's history. The competing Northern Pacific opted for cars named for famous Indian chiefs instead. In the postwar era, a few railroads elected to name more As the standard era wound down, more descriptive and spe- than just sleepers and parlor cars. Those that quickly come to cific names were assigned to cars. The Club series of 8- mind include the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Bangor & section lounge cars were often named for specific clubs, such Aroostock, Boston & Maine, Maine Central, Baltimore & Ohio as Baltusrol Club. And the New Haven opted for the names of (the Cincinnatian and Columbian consists), Louisville & Nash- specific Clipper ships for its new Yankee Clipper. ville, the ACL and its partners, Illinois Central, Great Northern, Rio Grande and Western Pacific. During this period, a number of railroads named their own equipment. Often, these were diners, as when the Great With the sale of the to the Buying Group, Northern chose states; the Seaboard, lakes; the Coast Line, the railroads purchased their own new sleepers and largely on-line cities; the RF&P, rivers; and the Florida East Coast, chose series names for them. Most names were "reserved" resort hotels. B&O chose colonial figures. several years in advance, as construction of new sleepers was delayed by the boom in postwar production. Pennsy did not name its diners, but did break new ground by naming horse cars for race tracks and racing stables, while When researching an all-time roster of Pennsy steel passen- naming (theatrical) scenery cars for famous actors, authors ger cars, I ran across some correspondence on the naming of and plays. postwar-PRR cars.

In 1930, Pullman embarked on a program of rebuilding older First, the railroad had not received a decision on the naming cars into more contemporary styles, often including the new plans of its southern partners, so they reserved names in double-bedrooms. Virtually all such cars received new series their own series. Thus, they reserved the names Aberdeen Inn names, beginning with the Villa series in 1930. and Elkton Inn for two all-roomette cars on order for ACL pool service. When the Coast Line opted to name their cars after The same practice was applied to the pre­war streamlined islands, the Pennsy chose the names Governors Island and sleepers, but there were some twists. The Union Pacific opted Staten Island to conform. (Florida East Coast went its own for on-line names for sleepers on most of its early City way, naming its two roomette cars Salvador and Uruguay.)

Page 6 In 1949, Pullman assigned four-digit car-code numbers to all cars then on the roster, and added numbers as additional was terminating his involvement with the RailCamp program, ef- cars were delivered. This simplified the accounting process fective immediately. considerably. A few cars were renamed to accommodate new cars for which their names were desired. This was true of par- The Society took this step reluctantly. Mr. Eastwood has managed the RailCamp program at the Steamtown National Historical Site since the program’s inception in 1998, and it was our intention that he would continue to manage the Steamtown program in 2006. Unfortunately, recent actions by Mr. Eastwood have con- vinced us that his continued involvement with the program would present an unacceptable risk to both RailCamp and the NRHS.

In making this decision, we had to take into account Mr. East- wood’s growing lack of cooperation with NRHS management in the administration of the RailCamp program. Mr. Eastwood has continued to make statements advocating policies that are in conflict with those of the NRHS, and in some cases are also not in compliance with the law. In addition, Mr. Eastwood has continued to engage in personal attacks on other NRHS volunteers, and these have only escalated since his termination.

In a separate development following Mr. Eastwood’s termination, Mr. Bruce Hodges, Assistant Director of the program at Steam- town, has submitted his resignation from that position. Mr. Pullman Norfolk County at Cinncinnati Union Terminal June Hodges’ departure was for personal reasons and was neither re- 4, 1967. Photo by Russ Isbrandt quested nor desired by NRHS management. lor cars built for the new Congressionals and Senators in 1951- The National Railway Historical Society continues to regard Rail- 52. The older cars mostly received names of cars recently re- Camp as one of our most important activities. We are committed moved from lease for use in dormitory service. to the continuation of the program at Steamtown, the expansion to an additional venue at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Sleeping cars rebuilt to all-bedroom styles often received new and the improvement of RailCamp as an educational and enjoy- names (but Elberton and Santa Fe's Indian-series cars did not). able experience for our next generation of rail enthusiasts. The Mergers also brought the occasional renaming of cars, such as NRHS is already reallocating our resources to assure we will con- former SAL Mountain-series sleeper/ lounges to the Beach se- duct quality programs this summer despite these staffing ries, and Sun lounge cars from the Beach to the Sun series. changes. Specific changes will be the subject of a separate an- nouncement in the near future. Amtrak, for its part, generally retained the names already ap- plied to its cars, although the names did not al- Gregory P. Molloy ways survive a visit to the shops. A few cars were renamed to honor specific people (much as Pennsy had done in 1956 for the Minutes of the April 8, 2006 Membership Meeting Pittsburgher). Amtrak assigned new names from the route of the Broadway Limited to a group of former Rock Island sleepers, and The meeting was called to order in the St. Paul Fire Department assigned names to former Southern Pacific cars (which, of Training Center by chapter president Marty Swan at 7:00 pm with 24 course, had numbers only). members present. Marty asked if there were any guests present. There were none. A motion was made, seconded, and carried to More recently, Amtrak applied the names of states to its Super- approve the minutes of the March 18, 2006 membership meeting, liner II sleepers, Palm series to most of its Deluxe sleepers, View as published in the April 2006 issue of Northstar News. names to , and Club series names to II lounge Cheer Report -- Marty said that he had sent a sympathy card to Ron cars rebuilt with a (now unused) enclosed smoking room. Linebarger on the death of his father. There was a moment of si- lence in memory of Ron's father. This has been a quick overview of the practice of naming Ameri- can passenger cars. It is not meant to be a comprehensive treat- Treasurer Joe Fishbein reported that the chapter had $6,435 in the ment of the subject — for that, I recommend the works of Dave checking account, as of March 1, 2006. Income during March was Randall and Bob Wayner. I have them somewhere in my home, $1 in checking account interest and $372 in dues and donations, for and I may even find them again some day! total income during March of $373. Expenses during the period were $74 in newsletter expenses, $231 in dues payments to the NRHS national office, and $1,407 for digital projection equipment, Railcamp Manager Terminated for total expenses during March of $1,712. Cash in checking ac- count, as of March 31, 2006, was $5,096, of which $3,356 was in Date: May 3, 2006 the General Fund and $1,740 was in the GTW 8327 Restoration From: Gregory P. Molloy, President Fund. As of March 31, 2006, the chapter had $31,000 in CDs and National Railway Historical Society, Inc. investments. The chapter currently has 91 members, of whom 66 have renewed for 2006. Joe noted that about 20 members have not On May 1, 2006, I informed Mr. R. L. Eastwood, Jr. that the NRHS yet renewed their membership for 2006. They will not be getting the May issue of Northstar News. Instead, they will get a reminder to renew their membership. Page 7 National Director Doug Johnson noted that many of those joining the Webmaster Dan Meyer reported that he had added a few items to NRHS these days are joining "at large" instead of as members of the chapter's website, such as photos of past chapter events, e-mail chapters. The next NRHS Board of Directors meeting will be in Indi- addresses, etc. He said that traffic is looking pretty good. There is a anapolis in April. The 2007 national convention will be in Chatta- membership application on the website. nooga. Help is needed for a project to transfer heritage films to DVD. Russ Isbrandt has done some as a trial of the project. The Program Chair John Goodman said that he is always looking for NRHS 2004 Activities Annual recently came out. It has a story and programs. He has Mike Mackner lined up for May and John Hotvet many photos by Dawn Holmberg on the 2004 NRHS national con- will present the program this month. John said that he hopes to get vention, which the Northstar Chapter hosted. A suggestion was rail historian Don Hofsommer for some future month. Five mem- made that copies of this issue of the annual be given to the Minne- bers, including several of the officers, will not be here on the regular sota Historical Society and the Minneapolis and St. Paul public li- meeting night in June, as they will be attending a meeting to plan braries. Marty Swan said that he would contact the NRHS national this year's NRHS national convention. John said that at this time, he office about getting extra copies. does not have a program lined up for the June meeting, but he will come up with something. Trip Director John Goodman said that he had put a survey in North- star News, but only a few people returned the forms. The current Old Business -- The proposal to hold the chapter's summer picnic at plan is to join the baseball excursion to Chicago in late August. John Prescott, WI was brought up. There was a show of hands as to how noted that Illinois Railway Museum will be having a Thomas the many want to go back there again this year. The picnic would be on Tank Engine event that weekend, so things will be very crowded the 3rd Saturday in August. There seemed to be a consensus that there. John reported that he had gotten a quote from the Friends of this was favored by those at the meeting. The slide presentation the 261 for the use of the passenger cars. John asked if we want to the chapter had presented at events like model railroad flea mar- join the planned trip to Chicago with the group going to the baseball kets to recruit new members was brought up. We still have the rear game. There was a discussion of the possibilities. John suggested projection screen which was used with a carousel projector. We had that we make a final decision on whatever we are going to do next a program, but that needs to be updated. month. We could take the Coon Rapids down to Chicago alone, but there New Business -- John Goodman moved that the June membership probably wouldn't be enough people willing to pay the price to make meeting be moved from Saturday, June 17th to Saturday, June 10th. that work. John also said that he is still talking to the Iowa Chapter Dennis Louden seconded the motion. Five key members of the of NRHS about joining their trip on the Iowa Traction in October. chapter will be attending a national convention planning meeting on Cheap rooms ($41 a night) are available at Marquette University in the weekend of our regular meeting night. The motion carried. Milwaukee. There are also cheap rooms in Evanston, which is easily Announcements -- Upcoming model railroad shows at Menominee, accessable from downtown Chicago by either CTA rapid transit or WI and Woodbury, MN were mentioned. Metra commuter train. A motion at adjourn the meeting was moved, seconded, and carried Editor Russ Isbrandt said that he had some articles "in the can," but at 7:37 pm. needs more materials from people other than Marty Swan. He also After a break, the program took place. There was a short video on encouraged people to sign up to receive their Northstar News elec- Santa Clause Town, an attraction near Anoka which featured a tronically. Not only will this save the chapter money, but there often miniature train. The main part of the program was a slide program is extra material in the electronic version. by John Hotvet on local railroads. Northstar News Northstar Chapter NRHS 4036 Birch Knoll Drive White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Address Correction Requested

Page 8 Dining car menus from Marty’s trip to Kansas City. Left-Missouri Pacific’s Missouri River Eagle arriving at Union, Nebraska. Scans courtesy H. Marty Swan.

Lower Left: Southern Railway/ Pullman observation cars Royal Canal and Royal Street at the 1966 Kentucky Derby.

Below: Privately owned Pullmans, Night Trail and Travel Club at the 1966 Kentucky Derby. By this time many retired heavyweight Pullmans had been acquired as pri- vate cars. This was to be the last fling for Derby Specials populated by non railroad officials. Subsequent Derbys had passenger extras, but they were essentially business trains whose passengers were there by invitation only. Photos by Russ Isbrandt

Page 9 Above June 17, 1967 the same group of heavyweight Pullmans that ap- peared at the Kentucky Derby the previous year, are on a Southern steam trip to Knoxville. Here the train is at Lexington, KY.

This is NOT the 1947 Royal Palm headed to Florida. It is June 1967 at Burgin, Kentucky, south of Lexington and Southern 4501 is making good time with her passenger extra. With veteran engineer Walter Dove at the throttle, the conductor is going out in glory. Word had it that he bid on this job for his last run. Photos by Russ Isbrandt

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