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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRAL RAIL CLUB LTD VOLUME XXVIX January 1999 NUMBER 1 President: Tom Elmore Vice-President: ilappL) lew Year, 1999 David Carter Secretary: Drake Rice Next Club Meeting Treasurer: The next club meeting will be held on Debbie Neely Saturday, January 23rd, at Hometown Buffet, NRHS Director: NW 63rd and NW Highway. As you may know, Bob Hussey CORC has one family meeting where we eat, Membership Chairman: visit, and take care of business. Eating begins at 6:30 pm. Program begins at 7:00 Members At Large: Eddie Birch, Jr. pm. The food at Hometown is great. You can Ed Kitchell always find something you want to eat. Past President: Lloyd Stagner will be guest speaker at the Bob Cook meeting. Stagner has authored many books and Train Show Chairman: articles about railroads of the midwest. He Ed Birch, Jr. will be happy to sign any book that is Roadmaster: brought to the meeting. Weather will affect Jim Murray Stagner's appearance if roads are slick from Program Chairman David Carter his home in Newton, Kansas. Editor: Come and enjoy a great time with others Roy Thornton who have the same interest... eating! (and Directors Emeritus: trains). • Ed Birch, Sr. Howard Thornton TABLE OF CONTENTS

The President's Column 2 Deadline for Right-Of-Way Clean-up Begins 5 articles submitted Norman Depot Won't Be Ready 6 to this publica­ Preservationists Hope to Save Guthrie Depot 7 Letter to Willis Bottger from Sen. Don Nickles 9 tion is the 5th of Executive Service Corps 10 each month. Membership Form 11 Mail to "Editor " Timetable 12 THE PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

The 1998 Train Show and So Forth...

After looking forward to the 1998 Train Show all year, it's hard to believe it's already "been and gone". Seems like I was just writing about how great the '97 show was. As good as it was, I think the '98 show was even better. Saturday was a "perfect day" weatherwise, and, instead of hurting attendance, the great weather seemed to bring folks flocking to the show. I haven't seen official numbers, but someone remarked that Saturday set an all-time one day attendance record. The weather turned downright nasty on Sunday, which seemed to keep more people home, but, even so, every one seemed pleased.

We introduced the world to our rendering of the Oklahoma Railway Museum at the Train Show. It created a lot of positive talk and excitement. While it's true the rendering is "just a painting', it's also true that giving people "a look at the dream" seemed to stir deep feelings. The question most often asked was, "where ya gonna build it?". As many times as I answered that question, I don't recall being met with skepticism from anyone. "Looks like a lot of work" was often heard which, of course, is absolutely true. Very important in all of this is the "yes" vote we received from the board of the Central Oklahoma Transit and Parking Authority (COTPA) leasing the old MKT line to the club. Beginning in the spring, we plan to begin rehabilitation of that line, working in segments. Big job? You bet - and a great opportunity to show Oklahoma City what we're made of.

Before I leave the subject of the '98 Train Show, thanks are in order. Thanks to all the club members who came out to work. Thanks to the NARVRE members who also helped. Special thanks to Drake Rice, Neal Baucom and John Ansell, who, as usual, set things up and organized the work, and spoke effectively to visitors not only about general club projects, but also about Operation Lifesaver. Thanks, also, to Debbie Neely and David Carter for the important work they did in setting up and overseeing the club's auction. Thanks to Mike McCarville and Jeff Gullett at KTOK Radio for helping us promote the show. Most of all, thanks to Eddie Birch and his "train show crew" who ramrodded the whole affair and have made vendor space at the OKC Train Show some of the most coveted in the nation.

As we move into 1999, even a superficial look at the challenges before us will reveal that this is a "make or break" year. Unfortunately, over the last few years "the work" has become more and more concentrated on the backs of a few. Some say, "well, that's just inevitable in a volunteer group"; maybe so, folks, but unless we can depend on the general willingness of the membership of this club to put its shoulder to the wheel, we will fail.

Supporting the Work

One way you can help is by opening up your pocketbook. CORC is a 501 (C)3 non­ profit corporation. In maintaining this status, we've done all we can legally do to make January 1999 Page 2 the Dispatcher donations "attractive". You get a "tax deduction" for the money you give - but, of course, if you don't feel the work you would be supporting is worthy, that's probably not much of a motivation. So now comes the question - do you - or don't you - support the museum project? Look at it like this you probably spend $10 a month on things you would never miss. $10 a month over twelve months adds up to $120. This amount from 300 club members works out to $36,000 at the end of a year -$180,000 at the end of five years. Do you care enough about the club's work to faithfully give a measly $10 a month? If you don't, why do you bother?

Understand that the $25 a year we ask for "membership" doesn't even cover the cost of sending you the DISPATCHER each month. $25 a year isn't much of a committment. My challenge to you - an "imperative" if the club is to achieve any of its goals - is: plan - right now - to send at least $10 a month as your tax-deductible support for these projects. Send more if it's comfortable. If the club's work isn't worthy of this relatively small amount of support, you need to tell us "why". We must be wasting a lot of time and effort, and we obviously need your advice on what we should be doing differently. I'd also say, "pick a project". "Earmark" your contribution by specifying where it should be spent. You might even want to become "project manager" for that specific job, whether it's restoration of a given car, a section of track, or any other element which is particularly interesting to you.

The Challenge ofBricktown Development and the 1-40 Crosstown Relocation

While we're talking about "responsibility", I hope you've been paying attention to the developments in Bricktown and with the 1-40 Crosstown relocation project. A group of responsible folks have taken up the challenge of saving the Walnut Street bridge in Bricktown from the wreckers ball. They're also concerned with saving the old Rock Island freight yard from "transformation" into a parking lot. They attended a meeting of the OKC Planning Commission earlier this month and got a reprieve for the old bridge - although Bricktown "developers" and city engineering staff testified to the contrary. The preservation group has a better plan - a plan to save what's left of the historical integrity of the Bricktown area, to renovate the Walnut Street bridge, making it a focal point and gateway to the area. It's a plan which will be less expensive than the alternative, and which, unlike the alternative, will maintain the bridge as a "grade separated railway crossing".

There's a fundamental difference in the approach of the "preservers" and that of the "developers". While the latter evidently want to increase automobile traffic and parking accommodations in Bricktown (the "McDonalds drive up" philosophy) - the former believe the only thing Bricktown has to offer that isn't generally available elsewhere is its "turn of the century feel". The critical element in saving this resource (the "feel" of the place) is to limit automobile access and make Bricktown more "pedestrian friendly". Instead of tearing up more historic buildings and areas to make way for more "parking", why not re-establish trolley access to Bricktown from existing downtown parking garages? With trolleys coming by every five minutes, everyone would have quick access back to the parking garages and to other Bricktown attractions - or they could January 1999 Page 3 the Dispatcher choose to walk - without dodging increased numbers of speeding automobiles. The "feel" of Bricktown would be much more appealing. The difference in these philosophies could not be more starkly illustrated than by the "punch in the face" you get turning east onto Sheridan from "Mickey Mantle Drive" (formerly known as Walnut Street). There, an incredibly out-of-place, monolitic, prefab concrete "parking garage" rises six stories above the appealing, turn-of-the-century feel "Bricktown Ballpark". The parking garage had to be "OK'd" by the city planning office. Does it "enhance" the "Bricktown experience"? Was it even necessary considering the huge city-owned Santa Fe parking garage just blocks away stands mostly empty, even on weekdays? Shouldn't rational assessments of the "cost" of the rejected MAPS trolley system have included the "parking garages" that wouldn't have been needed and the authentic brick buildings that could have been saved for taxpaying retail space? (Ironic, isn't it, that MAPS was funded with sales tax- and yet buildings which could add to the sales tax base as retail space are being sacrificed for PARKING!) By the way - if "Congressman Istook's rubber tired trolleys" are so great, if they're really an acceptable substitute for REAL trolleys, why isn't anyone depending on them to access existing parking for Bricktown use?

Then, of course, there's the wretched 1-40 Crosstown "D" option, which those of us who have followed this project always knew would be "ODOT's choice". Why? Because it follows the "path of least resistance" - a railroad right of way. Never mind that it completely destroys railway that could be nearly instantly transformed into rail transit access to Will Rogers Airport and Mustang, to the Fairgrounds, l-40/Meridian district, Yukon and El Reno, to the Zoo/Omniplex/Remington Park Area (including Bricktown, along the way), and to Midwest City and Tinker AFB. Never mind that it makes Union Station nearly useless as an "intermodal hub". Never mind that it will destroy the historic Robinson and Walker Street underpasses while ripping the guts out of another redeveloping minority neighborhood. Never mind that the only reason we really need it is to allow trans-continental semi-trucks to speed through the heart of our capitol city, and that thus accommodating and further enabling the depredations of the trucking industry will end up costing around one-half billion dollars (before "maintenance" begins). Never mind that this money is being thrown at this unneeded project instead of helping to take care of the state's current $11 billion highway maintenance deficit.

If there was ever an ill-conceived project, a project that needed to be stopped dead in its tracks this is it. Who do you thank for it? Start at the mighty trucking lobby, which "didn't want its trucks bothered dodging orange barrels for the next 10 years" - although the unrepaid damage they do to public roads is the overwhelming source of that $11 billion maintenance deficit. A better answer? Keep the existing crosstown. Deny its use to heavy trucks. Send them around I-240, I-44 and the Kilpatrick Turnpike. Manage the Crosstown for commuter and light truck use only and make a state of the art intermodal mail, express and passenger facility out of Union Station and its existing rail infrastructure.

These are responsible, informed arguments that need to be relentlessly posed to our leaders as well as to our fellow taxpayers. In my opinion, many elements of these projects are direct challenges to the club's trust as a chapter of the National Railway January 1999 Page 4 the Dispatcher Historical Society. Is it legitimate for us to "educate" our fellow citizens about the value of the historic structures which will be lost if these projects proceed? You bet it is.

December a Rough Month for Historic Preservation

December was not a very good month for historic buildings in the Oklahoma City area. Demolition is now well underway on the historic Belle Isle power plant - built by the Oklahoma Railway system just after the turn of the century to power its streetcars. Also scheduled for demolition is the pre-turn-of-the-century Rock Island freight house at Division and Perkins streets in Guthrie (to make way for a drive-in restaurant).

I believe we should take very seriously our charge to stand for preservation and intelligent use of historic railway buildings and infrastructure. If we don't want every place in Oklahoma to look just like "the McDonalds down the street", we have to make our case known. Make no mistake bringing the Oklahoma Railway Museum into existence will raise our credibility immeasurably. It can be a powerful tool by which we can help make Oklahoma a better place to live.

Karen, Erin, Glenn and I wish you all a happy 1999. I hope you plan to enter the new year "with your hammer in your hand". See you at the CORC banquet in January.

- Tom Elmore

Right of Way Cleanup Begins Time Tables, and moved south By Drake Rice around the passing track and the school yard spur about 600 CORC club members met at the feet. Weeds were mowed, trees Oklahoma City Public School yard cut and branches trimmed and on Saturday, November 28, to be­ cedars removed. Tony and Neal gin cleaning the leased MKT right mowing with the bush hog then of way. Club members Bob Hussey, went north from 3 0th street John Ansell, Neal Baucom, Bob along the siding up to and on Cook, Bob Linn, and Drake Rice north a little ways past Grand signed up for the extra board and Ave. Bob Hussey then moved in did a great deal of work. Neal with the back hoe and removed Baucom recruited some donated all cedars in the right of way brush hog time from Tony Slover, and pushed up a second pile of and Bob Hussey brought along a small trees with the cedars. backhoe and a two wheel bush cut­ While this work was going on, ter. For four and a half hours, Bob Cook was using the two members worked at removing a num­ wheel weed cutter along the ber of years of growth and made a right of way while John Ansell great showing. and Drake Rice were using a Work began at NE 3 0th Street, bow saw and chain saw on Owanda Station according to M-K-T straight trees and low (See Cleanup, page 6) January 1999 Page 5 the Dispatcher (Cleanup, from page 5) Norman Depot Won't Be branches. But as mentioned, Ready we've just begun and we will Reprinted from the Daily Oklahoman need to continue on and can use a little time from anyone who NORMAN - The first can help. train is still scheduled to run While this work was going from Oklahoma City to Fort on, Bob Linn was busy continu­ Worth, Texas, on May 15, but ing to work on the speeder renovations to the Norman Depot cover. As we get further from Probably won't be finished by the street access, transporta­ that time. tion of equipment and manpower Plans for the renovations will require additional me­ have been submitted to the chanical assistance and the Oklahoma Department of Trans­ need for a speeder use will be portation, but have not yet important. been approved, said Pat The next work sessions are Copeland, who is overseeing the scheduled for Saturday, January project for the city. 9 and January 23, Work session The train will run from on January 9 will be as long as Oklahoma City to Fort Worth in time and weather will permit. the Morning and return in the Work will concentrate on the th evening. It will run on a area north of NE 30 Street schedule so that passengers can across Grand toward NE 36th rd reach Fort Worth in time to Street. January 23 work ses­ catch other trains going east sion will be from 8:00 am till or west. Noon due to the club banquet In addition to stopping in that evening. So join in and Norman, train stops are sched­ report for the extra board op­ uled in Purcell, Pauls Valley, erations. Come by Braum's at NE th Ardmore and Gainesville, Texas. 50 and 1-35 for breakfast at Copeland said the Norman Depot 7:00 am and then to the work needs less renovation than session on either or both days, buildings at the other proposed or meet at Owanda Station (NE stops. 30th Street and School yard) at "Volunteers and the city 8:00 am or any time you can have done a pretty good job in donate either date. • preserving the building. It's in a lot better shape than most of the other depots," Copeland DON'T FORGET THE said. BANQUET, JANUARY 23, He said the city submitted a 6:30 PM., HOMETOWN two-phase plan to renovate the depot to accommodate the new BUFFET. passenger train service. The (See Depot, page 7)

January 1999 Page 6 rhe Dispatcher (Depot, from page 6) of the building, which once first phase would cost about housed the baggage handling $400,000, and the city is re­ area, will be used by Amtrak questing 100 percent funding from train passengers, g the transportation department. That phase includes a brick-paved Preservationists Hope to platform, a fence to keep people Save Guthrie Depot From off the tracks and other improve­ Demolition ments to the site. The second Reprinted from the Daily Oklahoman phase is designed as an 80/20 match, meaning the state would GUTHRIE - Resident Anne pay 80 percent of the costs and Watters Pearson knows one way the city would pay 20 percent. to save the historic Rock Is­ Copeland said the city's esti­ land depot from the wrecking mated share for the project is ball. $30,000. Included in the project "There is always a human are a parking lot and lighting chain," she said. improvements. Pearson was one of nearly "Given how fast they're want­ 100 people who gathered in the ing to do all this, we were hop­ restored Rock Island Depot on ing they would give it (design Tuesday afternoon to discuss approval and funding) to us by the fate of the depot, also November," Copeland said, "We called the Eaton Building, at obviously won't have all the im­ 410 S Division. provements in place. We'll be The depot has been vacant under construction when that and boarded up for two de­ first train runs." cades. Joe Sutton, who owns He said Amtrak officials are the local Sonic restaurant working with representatives from franchise offered to buy the Burlington-Northern, which owns property, which is in the the tracks and much of the right- city's Historic Preservation of-way. The railroad officials District. He plans to build a have to agree on the plans before Sonic on the site after the any construction can begin. depot is demolished. Copeland said state transpor­ The building's future has tation officials have tentatively become a rallying point for approved the renovation plans but Guthrie's historic preserva­ are waiting on final approval. He tionists . said the city owns the Norman Suggestions included talk­ Depot Building and about one- ing to the depot's owner, third of the land on which the Barry Gangwer, to see if he building stands. would delay the sale to allow He said the north end of the others to come up with money depot will still be available for to purchase the building; community events. The South third (See Guthrie, page 8)

January 1999 Page 7 the Dispatcher (Guthrie, from page 7) to protect their historic refiling an injunction to stop buildings, but the city council the, demolition; and appealing interpreted the ordinances dif­ to Sonic headquarters to become ferently and issued the demoli­ involved. tion permit. Lloyd "Lud" Lentz, a member Former Mayor Speedy Weems of the city's Historic Preser­ filed a request for an injunc­ vation Commission, said that tion in Logan County District any structure built there must court to stay the demolition, conform to historic preserva­ but the injunction was thrown tion guidelines. out because of improper notifi­ "I wonder what a 1900-vin- cation. tage Sonic would look like," he Former Councilman Claude said. Thomas said he asked the city Former Guthrie resident Todd council to reconsider its deci­ Rasmussen and his friend Z Pelt sion, but the council refused. said they have been boycotting Joe Coffin, who moderated Sonic and will continue to do Tuesday's meeting, said the so. council's act "sets a very bad Speaking in support of pre­ precedent." serving the depot were Eva Resident Charlie Harjo said, Osborne of the state Historic "Our council doesn't have Preservation Office, Robert enough teeth!" Erwin of Preservation Oklahoma, Councilman Marshall "Buck" Jeff Tully of the National Dollarhide objected to that Trust for Historic Preservation comment and said the council Society and Susan Guthrie, a was acting in the best inter­ former resident and a trustee ests of residents and for eco­ of the National Trust. nomic development. Osborne said corporate Sonic "We don't have the right to leaders support preservation efforts and helped restore Au­ tell a person what he can do tomobile alley in Oklahoma with his property," he said. City. It was former Guthrie resi­ About 80 percent of those at dent Rasmussen who may have hit the meeting expressed concern the best idea to quickly raise that the city council had is­ $150,000 to buy the property. sued a demolition permit for "If 1,000 people each donate the 95-year old red brick $150, that will be the $150,000 building. Many depot supporters the owner wants for the prop­ have restored Guthrie buildings erty, " he said. themselves and put their own Coffin said anyone wanting money into the efforts. to donate may call him at 282- Guthrie residents said they 8923. thought there were ordinances

January 1999 Page 8 the Disoatcher Club member, Willis Bottger, shared his letter from Senator Nickles. Thank you Willis. Mr. and Mrs. Willis P. Bottger

Dear Willis:

Thank you for your letter in which you expressed your support for the return of Amtrak service to Oklahoma. I appreciate knowing of your interest in this matter, and would like to update you on the situation.

As you may be aware, I have been actively working to reinstate Amtrak service to Oklahoma. These efforts have included discussions with Amtrak's new President, Thomas Downs, individual meetings with Amtrak board members, and legislative language supporting passenger rail in Oklahoma.

As a result of my efforts, Amtrak has committed to providing the required equipment for Oklahoma service along the former route from Oklahoma City to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, stopping in Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, and Gainsville along the way. The state of Oklahoma has been accumulating funds for the venture.

Recently, Amtrak conducted a track inspection of the proposed route. They found that the track between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth was in excellent condition. Station stops along the way were in very good condition as well. This is good news, and means that we are one step closer to being connected to Amtrak's national service.

There is still much work to be done, but Amtrak has set a tentative startup date as early as may 1999 for the new service. If the route from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth proves popular, Amtrak may consider expanding the service to Tulsa, or beyond, to Kansas City.

Again, thank you for writing. I appreciate your interest and support. Please be assured that I will continue to work with Amtrak and the state of Oklahoma to make this service a reality.

Sincerely,

Don Nickles U.S. Senator

January 1999 Page 9 the Dispatcher THE EXECUTIVE SERVICE CORPS OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA P.O. Box 18403 Oklahoma City, OK 73154-0403

Telephone 405-232-2724 Fax 405-232-2754

NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Central Oklahoma Rail Club November 20, 1998 Contact: Bill Phillips MEMORABILIA AND PHOTOS OF EARLY DAY RAILROADING SOUGHT BY UNION STATION

Oklahoma City Metro Transit officials who office at Union Station, once the hub for the Frisco and Rock Island Railways, want to show visitors what the grand old building looked like in its heyday. Metro Transit, the transportation arm of the Central Oklahoma Transporta­ tion and Parking Authority (COTPA), purchased Union Station in 1989 from appliance dealer Thurman Magbee. Construction on the station was begun in 193 0 with passenger rail service commencing 1931. Since Metro Transit moved into the station, there has been little in the way of pictures to show customers and visitors what went on there in the early days. "People will come in and say they haven't been in this building since they went off to World War II in 1942 or returned from the war in 1945," said Juan Gonzalez, COTPA financial manager. "And unfortunately we haven't had any pictures or memorabilia to show the station back then and particularly pic­ tures of the huge crowds which came in and out of here regularly more than 5 0 years ago." Gonzalez hopes to change all that by decorating what is now the home of Metro Transit with pictures and memorabilia of early day passenger rail­ roading in Oklahoma City with particular emphasis on Union Station. Metro Transit officials are being assisted in their endeavor by the Ex­ ecutive Service Corps of Central Oklahoma (ESCCO), an organization of retired business people who volunteer their time and talents to assist nonprofit, government and educational agencies with business problems and program startups. Local historian and ESCCO volunteer consultant Pendleton Woods has been leading the picture search. Through the archives of the Oklahoma Publishing Company, the Oklahoma Historical Society and other agencies, Woods has unearthed considerable mate­ rial involving early day passenger railroading but he and the other organiz­ ers want more. Members of the Central Oklahoma Rail Club who have artifacts or pic­ tures which may be helpful to the cause, especially crowd pictures taken at Union Station in the 1940s, are encouraged to contact Metro Transit's Juan Gonzalez at 297-2052 or Bill Phillips, president and director of the Execu­ tive Service Corps of Central Oklahoma, at 232-2724. •

January 1999 Page 10 the Dispatcher CENTRAL OKLAHOMA CHAPTER NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY POBOX 6620 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73153-0620 (405)794-7163 FAX: (405)799-2641

* ctiil» A Profile of the Central Oklahoma Rail Club

Historian Albro Martin argues that railways were "the most fundamental innovation in American material life". Railroads were America's first major industry...an industry which made possible or promoted the growth of all others, as well as hastening and assuring the settlement of the nation as it expanded its borders. Railroads continue to carry the standard for private enterprise in the transportation industry, breaking new ground, offering increasingly effective, increasingly efficient find safe transportation for the products of American industry and commerce. The CORC works to accurately present the history of Oklahoma's railroads in the belief that understanding the past will help us improve the future.

General Club Meetings are usually held at 7 pm the first Saturday of each month at Oklahoma Station Barbecue, 4333 NW 50th in Oklahoma City (NW 50th at Meridian). Guest speakers cover a wide variety of railroad related subjects. Members, also, make presentations regarding their own interests and projects.

CORC is a principal sponsor of The Oklahoma City Train Show, held the first weekend of each December at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. This is one of the top shows in the nation, attracting vendors of model railroad gear and railroad memorabilia and materials of every description. The show highlights many fabulous model railroad layouts operated by several different modeling groups.

The Dispatcher is our monthly newsletter. Club membership is also a subscription to the paper. Club members are encouraged to submit articles and photography for publication.

The famous CORC Photo Calendar is produced by the club each year and contains reproductions of Oklahoma Rail history photographs either shot or collected by club members.

The club promotes community education regarding railway history and news of the modern rail industry. Club members support and participate in railroad safety programs. We preserve and restore historic Oklahoma railway equipment and artifacts while also recording the stories and accounts of railroad life told by Oklahoma railroaders. A primary aim is development of THE OKLAHOMA RAILWAY MUSEUM in the Oklahoma City area.

For other club information, call (405)794-7163, (405)478-3225 or (405)787-0199. The Central Oklahoma Rail Club is a 501-C- 3 non-profit educational organization. Donations are welcome and are tax-deductible.

MEMBERSHIP:

• $25.00 per year - Family Membership in CORC only • $20.00 per year - Senior (age 65 "plus") and Student (full time students) membership to CORC only • $17.00 per year-To add National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) membership (add $2.00 for spouse)

Send your application and dues to: Central Oklahoma Rail Club PO Box 6620 Oklahoma City, OK 73153-0620

Name

Address

City State Zip_

Phone Fax E Mail

Type of Membership: • Family: CORC only • Senior or Student: CORC only • add NRHS membership January 1999 Page 11 the Dispatcher TIMETABLE Listings in this column are handled as follows: - REGULAR SCHEDULED - runs until a change is submitted - EXTRA BOARD - runs until date expires or canceled. METRO AREA Central Oklahoma Railfan Club - January 23rd.- Annual CORC Dinner, Hometown Buffet, NW 63rd and NW Highway. Eat at 6:30, program at 7:00 pm. Lloyd Stagner has program. CORC Board of Director's Mtg - Tuesday, Jan 5, 7:00 pm, Bob Hussey's Business. CORC Worksessions - Saturday Jan 9, and January 23. Need workers. Oklahoma "N" Rail - For information call Richard Setzer (405) 751 -2765 Oklahoma Passenger Rail Assoc - Rail Consumer Advocate Organization. Meets bi-monthly. For information write or call Roger Carter, 1120 S. 21st, Chickasha, OK. 73018, (405) 224-7423 Oklahoma S. W. Division NMRA - 2nd Sat each mo, 1 pm, Goldman Rm, Kirkpatric Center, Jim Heidorn, Pres. Yukon's Best Railroad Museum - Thu/Sat/Sun and by appt. Located 1 blk N of Main and UP tracks in Yukon, OK. Call John Knuppel (405) 354-5079 for times and info OUT OF TOWN Railroad Museum of Oklahoma - Tues thru Fri afternoons, Sat mornings till 1 pm. Sun 2 to 5 pm, HO & N, and Lionel layouts. Meets 3rd Tue 7:00 pm at old Santa Fe Freight Depot, 702 N. Washington, Enid, OK 73701 (850) 233-3051 Enid Model Railroaders (HO & N) - Wed 7-9 pm. Sat 9 am to 12:00 noon. Sun 2 to 5 pm.702 N Washington, Enid, OK 73701 (850)233-3051

The DISPATCHER is the official monthly publication of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Socity. Memberships are available at the following rates: Regular Membership - $25.00 per year, Senior Member (Retired) - $20.00 per year and Student Member (Full Time Student) - $20.00 per year. Na­ tional Railway Historical Society dues are $17.00 per year (wives, an additional $2.00). Dues for membership will be sent to Membership Chairman, Susan Baucom, 431 E. Mohr Lane, Mustang, OK 73064. Any other correspondence should be mailed to Editor, (Roy Thornton) 2921 Bella Vista Dr., Midwest City, OK 73110.

Central Oklahoma Chapt - NRHS Non Profit Org. 2936 Bella Vista Drive U.S. Postage Midwest City, OK 73110 Paid Permit No. 1323 Return Service Requested Okla. City, OK

Steamboat Deason A17 SW 44th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73109-3519