the DISPATCHER

..the———— T R A '»' Watonga Chiefs5 T Tourist Railway Association INc.

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRAL OKLAHOMA RAILFAN CLUB LTD VOLUME XXIV SEPTEMBER 1994 NUMBER 9 President: WATONGA Fall, 1994 Schedule Tom Elmore Dinner $27.50, Ride Only $17.50, River $5.00 Vice-President: September 17 - Saturday October 9 - Sunday Drake Rice 2:00 pm River Train 4:00 pm Dinner Train Secretary: 3:00 pm River Train Nancy Dollar 5:00 pm Dinner Train October 22 - Saturday Treasurer: 2:00 pm River Train Debbie Neely September 18 - Sunday 3:00 pm River Train 4:00 pm Dinner Train 5:00 pm Dinner Train NRHS Director: Howard Thornton September 24 - Saturday October 23 - Sunday Membership Chairman: 2:00 pm River Train 4:00 pm Dinner Train Susan Baucom 3:00 pm River Train Members At Large: 5:00 pm Dinner Train November 5 - Saturday David Dollar 1:00 pm River Train Bob Hussey September 25 - Sunday 2:00 pm River Train Sam Neely 4:00 pm Dinner Train 4:00 pm Dinner Train Past President: Bob Cook Cheese Festival November 6 - Sunday Train Show Chairman: October 7 - Friday & 4:00 pm Dinner Train Ed Birch, Jr October 8 - Saturday 10:00 am River Train November 19 - Saturday Watonga Chief: John Ansell 11:00 am River Train 1:00 pm River Train Neal Baucom 12:00 pm River Train 2:00 pm River Train 1:00 pm River Train 4:00 pm Dinner Train Historian: 2:00 pm River Train 3:00 pm River Train November 20 - Sunday Editor: (4:00, 5:00 & 6:00 pm 4:00 pm Dinner Train Roy Thornton if needed)

Santa Fe Update CONTENTS Next Meeting Mulling Legal Action Deadline for articles vVatonga Chief Work Track, Train Being Checked submitted to this Session Nears on Amtrak Accident publication is the 5th of 1995 Okla MAPS Norfolk Southern Possibly Acquiring Feature Holbird An Conrail ..9 each month. Mail to The President's Column Volunteer Form .11 "Editor" Second MAPS Transportation Timetable .12 Mtg held Aug 11 Santa Fe Update at Next Meeting own equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, By Drake Rice tough shoes, brooms, sponges, Ajax, Windex, and lunch money. Limited supplies are available Mike Elkins, Assistant Superintendent for the at the depot or we can buy goods at one of Santa Fe in Oklahoma City will be our guest Watonga's local businesses when ours run out. speaker at the September 10 Club meeting. Mr. • Elkins has worked for the Santa Fe for 22 1995 Oklahoma MAPS Feature years. He will be talking about Santa Fe opera­ HolbirdArt tions in Oklahoma and the discussions on the By Roy Thornton proposed merger between Santa Fe and the Burlington Northern. Mr. Elkins will be bring­ CORC member John Holbird's artwork is ing some videos Santa Fe has released from the depicted on the cover of the 1995 Oklahoma corporate offices about the possible merger. Railroad Map. Holbird, a specialist in railroad paintings, shows Union Pacific's #8444 heading Our meeting will begin at 7:00 pm in the the yellow UP passenger train as it rounds a Goldman Room at the Kirkpatrick Center curve near Calvin, Oklahoma, in January 1985. located at 2100 N.E. 52nd Street. Bring a The train was returning through Oklahoma friend and learn more about the Santa Fe in from the New Orleans' World's Fair to it's Oklahoma and the future of this railroad that home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. helped develop our great state.B Watonga Chief Work Session The map also features a color photo of a loco­ motive from each of the sixteen Oklahoma Nears shortline railroads and four of the five class I railroads. The Union Pacific is represented by CORC members are needed to attend the Holbird's cover, showing the #8444. The photo preseason work session scheduled for Saturday, caption for the AT&L shortline reads "The August 27. For carpool to Watonga, two work Austin, Todd, & Ladd Railroad, along with parties will leave for Watonga at 7 am and at 8 moving wheat through both Blaine and Cana­ am from the Yukon Wal-Mart. Workers will dian Counties, runs an occasional week-end park their cars in the southeast corner of that passenger train in the spring and fall. The parking lot, during the work session. Weather Central Oklahoma Rail Club sponsors the trip permitting and with a fair turnout of workers, from its station in Watonga, Oklahoma." the session should end in time for a hearty late lunch afterwards. Max Carter, head of the railroad division of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Needed jobs will be to ride the lawn mower, expressed his appreciation for Holbird creating weed eat, clean interiors of passenger cars, the cover artwork at no charge to the State of vacuum, wash down, sweep, pick up trash, and Oklahoma. Mr. Carter thinks that when the if lucky, maybe pound nails or paint some 20,000 copies are distributed, Holbird's name wood. We don't plan to work in the hottest recognition will increase substantially outside part of the day, and we will enjoy each other's the rail community. Carter said that more maps company, while getting the Watonga Chief will be printed when ODOT runs out of this ready for its new Fall season. The first train will batch. Maps are updated every two to four be a charter of square dancers on September 1. years depending upon changes in Oklahoma's rail system. Call Train Director, Neal Baucom about this session or helping out on train days. He is at (See Holbird, Page 4) 376-2148 afternoons. Feel free to bring your

the DISPATCHER Page 2 September 1994 The President's Column

CORHS members can help support the club by renewing their 1995 memberships now. The Board of Directors and appointees have put a tremendous number of hours into planning and working on new pro­ grams and improving existing projects. Frankly, a lot of it has been incredibly frustrating and difficult, but good things are coming. Remember, however, that each one of these people is a volunteer. Two of the most arduous and time consuming positions are those of Treasurer and Membership Chairman. These positions are held, respectively, by Debbie Neely and Susan Baucom. You can help lighten their load by paying your dues now., .instead of the traditional "piling on" at the end of the year. (Thanks. Debbie and Susan.)

Drake Rice did a great job putting together the "CORC Vacation Trip" to Ft. Worth. In spite of wild July weather on the trip down, the day was calm and cool once we got into Ft. Worth...and absolutely ideal for the Tarantula Railroad steam excursion. (While we were quite impressed with their facilities and equipment, I believe the Watonga Chief offers a more interesting ride.) Drake has done super work in putting our monthly meetings together...but he really "outdid himself on this one. (Thanks. Drake)

Prospects look very good for the Watonga Chief this Fall. Co-managers Neal Baucom and John Ansell have done yeoman work ironing out the ever-present difficulties. (Thanks. Neal and John) and the AT&L has been very helpful, as usual, in helping us get another season rolling. (Special thanks to Steve Smola, President of the AT&L and all of the people of the AT&L!) The season gets under way September 17. This is one of our most exciting projects...and the one with which we are probably most consistently identified by the public. It would be a mistake to underestimate the power and potential of "a good train ride". (If you've not ridden or worked on the Chief in awhile, you don't know just how nifty it really is!) Support of as many club mem­ bers as possible is very important to the success of the train. Working in Watonga...especially on train days...is a very rewarding experience, even if you can only spare one or two days a year for it. Do "what you can". If you can't come out, encourage as many as you can to ride! Talk it up. Hand out brochures. All hands are certainly welcome.

Work is progressing toward establishing a permanent base for the club in Oklahoma City. We badly need a home for our collections, for our meetings, and for our work. This place should become a focal point for the surrounding community...allowing it to observe our work on a day-to-day basis. Such a place is critical if we are to grow. Restoring and preserving railroad equipment and materials is exciting work. Such a home will expose the community to the excitement...and give us the opportunity to get many others involved. Bob Hussey is spearheading this project. (Thanks. Bob.)

We are closely considering sponsoring one or more excursions in the Central Oklahoma area using Union Pacific's "Streamliner" on October 20 and 21. We have made preliminary contacts with the U.P., and with the OKC Metro Transit Authority for use of the train and of OKC Union Station on one or both of these days. While nothing is set in stone...and time is short...we may just be able to introduce the Oklahoma City area to the finest passenger trains in the nation...those of the Union Pacific's Corporate Fleet. We'll keep you posted.

I would be remiss not to mention that in recent days Sam and Debby Neely suffered the untimely loss of a son in a military base accident in Utah...and that Charles Henry Osborn's mother passed away unexpectedly. Our sincere sympathies to each of these folks and their families.

Hang with us, everyone. We're working hard to renew and revitalize the club...and we're succeeding!

- Tom Elmore

the DISPATCHER Page 3 September 1994 (Holbird, From Page 2) determine the best express bus route. The The maps were printed by the University of remaining alterna­ Oklahoma printing office at a cost of 53 cents tives were to use the MKT Railroad tracks, each. Anyone wanting a free map may get one develop the Medical Route (See Map, p 5), the by going to the ODOT building, third floor, at Capitol/N.E. 23rd Route, and the Capitol/Kelly the offices of the railroad division. Those, who Route. METRO Transit could also determine cannot go to pick it up personally, may get one the best express route. by sending a self addressed, business-sized envelope with 52 cents postage affixed to the A DOWNTOWN ALTERNATIVE was intro­ envelope. Send this to Max Carter (RR Map), duced to include a traffic around the Head of Railroad Division, ODOT Building, downtown area to connect intermodal services. 200 N.E. 21, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. • The NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE would consist of revising signalization, geometry, and Second MAPS Transportation routing of existing services. Meeting Held August 11 By Roy Thornton TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVES still being considered are Vintage Rail Trolley/Streetcar About 30 citizens attended the second of three (electric or alternative fuel), Rubber-tire Trol­ scoping meetings conducted by the manage­ ley (using alternative fuel), or Standard Transit ment of OKC's Metro Transit at Union Train Coaches. Station, SW 7 & Harvey at 7 pm, Thursday, August 11. The final public meeting will be held Eight suggestions from the July meeting were Monday, September 12, 7 pm at the same specifically dropped from future consideration. place. Results of the first meeting, held on July Alignment along the river would cost too much 24, were summarized in last months' DIS­ to build a street or track. Construction along I- PATCHER. 40 would cost more than the plan's $15 mil­ lions. Light/Heavy rail was eliminated due to The two corridor alternatives identified in the cost of $2 millions per vehicle. Heavy rail is July meeting as the Western Corridor and the designed for 60,000 passengers per hour and Northeast Corridor were discussed by the would be overkill. Airport connection costs too group. In July, the Western Corridor was to get much due to required freeway and river cross­ all of the $15 millions, and if any funds re­ ing and four miles of unproductive route at the mained, the Northeast would get the remainder. airport. The BN (Altus alignment) would not Further discussion on this point revealed that serve MAPS projects, hotels, or the fair­ OKC has already received a federal grant to grounds. Midwest City/Tinker AFB connec­ purchase the MKT track from Bricktown to tions were ruled out due to being outside study Remington Park about eight years ago. The area and defined corridor for the project. Water METRO Transit representatives said that the impoundment on the North Canadian River is federal government is growing impatient to see not a part of this project. Service to Capitol results of its investment in the purchase of this Hill is too far from the corridor to serve di­ track. METRO officials say that OKC must rectly, but a feeder route serving that area, return federal funds if no use is soon made of stockyards, and parks could be mutually the track. complementary.

Reviews after the July meeting produced these METRO Transit officials asked for five volun­ components of the two alternatives. The teers to serve on the technical committee. remaining WESTERN CORRIDOR alterna­ tives were to use the Union Pacific Railroad track, Reno Avenue, or to have METRO transit (See MAPS, Page 8)

the DISPATCHER PAGE 4 September 1994 ~^a^

the DISPATCHER PAGE 5 September 1994 the DISPATCHER PAGE 6 September 1994 the DISPATCHER PAGE 7 September 1994 (MAPS, From Page 4) In response, Downs said: "We need to be sure CORC will be well represented on this commit­ that this merger will not adversely affect the tee. Tom Elmore,Bob Hussey, Charles Osborn, performance of our trains on the Burlington and Roy Thornton were listed along with OKC Northern or on any other railroad that might be Chamber of Commerce executive and friend of adversely affected by the proposed merger." CORC, Dean Schirf were selected to serve.• The performance of Amtrak trains operating Amtrak Mulling Legal Action Over over the Burlington Northern's Freight Train Delays route is among the worst in the system, officials Reprinted from Prodigy/Dow Jones & Co said. •

Washington - Freight trains that delay Amtrak's Track, Train Being Checked for Cause passenger runs may find themselves facing of Amtrak Accident lawsuits. Reprinted from the Prodigy/Dow Jones & Co on 8/4/94 Amtrak's board has decided to ask the federal government to sue freight railroads that ignore BATAVIA, N.Y. Investigators are looking at the requirement that they give priority to the condition of the tracks and the possibility of passenger trains using their tracks. mechanical failure as they try to find out why a Chicago-bound Amtrak train derailed. Outside of the Amtrak-owned Washington-to- Boston Northeast Corridor, Amtrak trains About 110 of the 360 people on board were operate on rail lines owned and operated by injured when the Limited jumped private freight railroad companies. Amtrak is a the tacks yesterday morning just outside federal corporation set up to operate passenger Batavia, 30 miles east of Buffalo. Amtrak said rail service. seven people were seriously injured and a total of about 30 remained hospitalized. And while Amtrak officials say the law requires those operators to give preference to passenger National Transportation Safety Board investi­ trains, they blame the freight lines for many gators said they would inspect the wrecked delays. cars today.

In fiscal 1993, 36% of all delay time suffered by A cargo car apparently was jostled off the Amtrak trains was blamed on freight carriers. tracks at least three miles east of the site of the During the most recent quarter, this figure wreck, said the Safety Board's John Lauber. climbed to 45%, Amtrak officials said. The car's wheels sliced gouges into the wooden railroad ties, he said. The resolution specifically notes the , which operates over tracks The Amtrak crew underwent tests to determine owned and controlled by Conrail Inc. (CRR). if they had been drinking or using drugs, but For the quarter ending June 30, only 40% of the results were not immediately available. the Lake Shore Limited's trips were on time. Freight train interference on Conrad's portion The train derailed on a straightaway, going a of the line accounted for 24% of the total mile under the 79-mph speed limit, Lauber said. delays, according to Amtrak. "There's nothing that leaps out at this point to The board also told Amtrak President Thomas explain the derailment," Lauber said. M. Downs to "study intervention" in the proposed merger of Burlington Northern Inc. Conrail, which owns the tracks, said they (BNI) and Santa Fe Pacific Corp. (SFX) would be repaired and operating again by this afternoon. • the DISPATCHER PAGE 8 September 1994 Norfolk Southern Discussing and Jacksonville, Fla., to Buffalo, N.Y., and Possible Acquisition of Conrail Toledo, Ohio. It would give Norfolk South­ Reprinted from Prodigy/Dow Jones & ern access to New York and New Jersey ports, and the combined railroad would have Company, By Greg Steinmetz & Martha access to Mississippi River cities. The Irvine, Staff reporters of The Wall Street sprawling Eastern system would extend as Journal far west as Kansas City, Mo., with access to all Western rail systems. New York - Norfolk Southern Corp. is in discus­ sions to acquire Conrail Inc. in a deal that would Norfolk Southern had 1993 revenue of $3.7 create the second-largest railroad system in the billion, while Conrail had $3.3 billion. Based U.S., according to a person familiar with the on those revenues, the combined companies talks. would rank second-only slightly behind the proposed Burlington Northern Santa Fe A combination of the two companies would form Corp. merger. Each pair of companies would a 26,400 mile railroad system in the eastern half account for about a fourth of railroad- of the U.S.-second in revenue only to the recently industry operating revenues. proposed 33,000 mile Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. system in the West. Analysts said a Norfolk Southern-Conrad merger would be to the East what the Railroad industry mergers have accelerated this Burlington Northern Santa Fe merger would year, reflecting cost-cutting efforts as well as a be to the West. "There's always been a good push to get access to new markets. In late June, geographical fit between Conrail and Norfolk Burlington Northern Inc. agreed to acquire Santa Southern," said Mike Lloyd, an analyst with Fe Pacific Corp. for $2.7 billion in stock to create NatWest Securities Corp. "Norfolk South­ the nation's largest railroad, pending federal ern," he added, "already made a $1.9 billion approval. bid in 1984 to purchase Conrail from the government." A report of the talks between Norfolk Southern and Conrail, which appeared in the Journal of Commerce yesterday, sent Conrad's shares up The government created Conrail from the $2.25, or 4.1%, to close at $56.50, after trading Penn Central Railroad and five other bank­ as high as $58 in heavy New York Stock Ex­ rupt Eastern railroads in 1976. By the mid- change composite trading yesterday. Norfolk 1980's, the government put Conrail up for Southern shares closed at $63,625, down 12.5 bids. The Department of Transportation cents, after trading as high as $65.50 on the Big chose Norfolk Southern as the successful Board. The two companies declined to comment bidder. But Congress derailed the plan, and on the report. Conrail went public in 1987.

Analysts said Conrail shares rose in anticipation "Norfolk Southern has the best balance that Conrail shareholders would get a premium sheet, the Conrail has surplus cash flow," Mr. for their stock if the acquisition takes place. With Lloyd said. He said a merger also would 79.6 million shares outstanding, Conrad's current lessen Conrad's dependence on coal trans­ stock market value is about $4.5 billion. port, while giving Norfolk Southern coveted access to the Northeast. A merger would add Conrad's mostly east-west lines — from Chicago and East St. Louis, 111., to Boston and Montreal — to Norfolk Southern's (See Conrail, Page 10) north-south lines form such cities as New Orleans the DISPATCHER PAGE 9 September 1994 (CONRAIL, From Page 9) Southern never lost sight of the benefits of While Conrad's key Northeast market share merging with Conrail. Not only would a merger gives it considerable bargaining leverage with give Norfolk Southern direct access to the New any partner, "a Conrail and Norfolk Southern York market, the largest in the country, but it combination is the most obvious," said Scott would provide substantial opportunities to Flower, an analyst at Kidder, Peabody & Co. rationalize parallel rail lines between Buffalo and Chicago, and other parts of the Midwest, in Jim Ryan, an investment banker with Salomon addition to consolidating administrative and Brothers Inc., said he had no doubt that Nor­ headquarters staffs. folk would emerge as the stronger partner in a combination. "They're the stronger company Norfolk Southern enjoys a reputation for being financially," he said. among the best-managed and lowest-cost major railroads, with a sharp focus on disciplined Analysts said that the rail company most likely operation of its freight trains. On the other to be hurt by a Norfolk Southern-Conrail hand, Conrail stumbled badly last winter when merger would be CSX Corp., an Eastern its freight service in the Northeast had major railroad based in Richmond, VA. But, they delays and disruptions caused by severe snow added, federal antitrust approval of a merger is and cold, and by a failure to provide enough not a given, and CSX, which opposed Norfolk locomotives and train crews to handle a surge Southern's bid for Conrail in 1984, is likely to of business. H cry foul again. One point of contention, ana­ Norfolk Southern, CSX Unit in Pact for lysts said, may be Norfolk Southern's signifi­ New Northeast Service cant overlap with Conrail in such states as , Indiana and Ohio. Reprinted from Prodigy/Dow Jones & Company CSX, which declined to comment about the merger report, said it completed an agreement Hunt Valley, Md - CSX Intermodal, a unit of yesterday with Norfolk Southern and the New CSX Corp. (CSX), has entered into an agree­ York, Susquehanna, and Western Railroad to ment with Norfolk Southern Corp.'s (NSC) provide expedited intermodal service between Norfolk Southern Railroad and the New York, Chicago and New York. Susquehanna, & Western Railroad to provide new intermodal service between Chicago and "But that aid and cooperation from Norfolk the New York City metropolitan area. Southern would likely disappear" if a merger with Conrail materializes, said Mr. Lloyd, The service is effective immediately. adding that cooperation between Conrail and Norfolk Southern had been good in recent In a press release, CSX said the new service years. provides second morning availability from its Bedford Park (Chicago) terminal to its Little For example, Norfolk Southern and Conrail last Ferry, N.J., facility. It also allows sixth morning year agreed to jointly own Triple Crown deliveries into metropolitan New York City Services, an intermodal unit based in Fort from CSX's terminals in Southern California Wayne, Ind., that carries truck trailers through the Chicago gateway. between Chicago and New York, and Atlanta and New York. Each company, a Norfolk CSX said it has also expanded and expedited its Southern spokesman said, owns a 50% stake in service between Florida points and the North­ the unit. east terminals of Philadelphia and Kearny, N.J.

Some railroad executives believe that Norfolk

the DISPATCHER PAGE 10 September 1994 VOLUNTEER FORM

Our club needs volunteers. This means you.

The club needs warm bodies to help in Watonga on the Watonga Chief. The job is not difficult, you will not have to start or drive the train. You will not have to keep it on the tracks, or even stop it. We have professionals like John Ansell, Neal Baucom to do that. But we need you to take tickets (how difficult can that be?) Maybe talk with the passengers in one of the cars (how diffi­ cult can that be?) Maybe help passengers off the train (if the customer needs help, you can even ask someone to help you, we generally have two people helping customers off the train anyway - how difficult can that be?) We need people to vacuum up at the end of the day (how difficult can that be?) We even supply a professional to turn the engine off at the end of the day.

The club needs help with the Train Show. What a show, with thousands of customers and many vendors. You do not have the run the show (Ed Birch, Jr does that). You do not have to rent the building (Ed Birch, Jr does that too). You do not have to send out the many mailings to notify the vendors (Ed Birch, Jr and his group of helpers do that). You do not have to be in charge of security (Dean Carver and his group does that). You do not have to be in charge of the snack area (Carolyn Eads and her group does that). The train show only lasts two days in December, with another day to unload, so you do not have to obligate yourself for a long period of time. However, you could help unload the vendors (we use dollys so you do not have to carry things on your back). We do need help. You will not have to sweep that big building (the fairgrounds have people to do that). You do not have to empty all the many trashcans (the fairgrounds folks do that too). However, you may be asked to help someone find his booth, or help Eddie Birch, Jr, or maybe even bring some apples or cookies). Is that too much to do to support your club?

In regards to the calendars...you do not have to furnish the pictures for the calendars (even though we really appreciate the folks who have). You do not have to do the desktop publishing (we'll do that). You do not have to take them to the printer (we'll do that too.) But we could use your help selling them (we can't do everything). The calendars will be ready for sale at the first of October.

Our club has over 100 members, but only about fifteen do all the work. Which group do you fit into? We have jobs for young, strong arms and backs, we have jobs for arthritic arms and backs, we have jobs for women, men, and older young people. We can find something for everyone, but we can't do that if you don't volunteer.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY: STATE: ZIP:

PHONE NR( ) Best time to call Mail to: Roy Thornton 2921 Bella Vista Dr Midwest City, OK 73110 or call (405) 732-7245

the DISPATCHER PAGE 11 September 1994 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 - Sat, Sept 10, 7 pm, Goldman Room, Omniplex, 2100 NE 52, OKC CORC Board of Directors Mtg - August 25, 1994 7:30 pm, Piggy's Bar-B-Q, 303 E. Sheridan, OKC 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 Rail Enthusiasts (HO) -Wed 7:00-10:00 pm. For info call Bill Parks at (405) 672-5015 Oklahoma S.W. Division NMRA - 2nd Sat each month, 1 pm, Goldman Room, Kirkpatric Center, OKC. Jim Heidorn, President The Section Gang (HO) - For info call Gordon MacNiven, (405) 329-1262 Watonga Chief Tkt Agent - Tom Elmore, 794-9292 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. HO & N layouts. Meets 3rd Tue 7:00 pm at old Santa Fe Freight Depot, 702 N. Washington, Enid, OK 73701 (405)233-3051 Enid Model Railroaders (HO & N) - Thurs 7-9 pm, Sat 9 am to 12:00 noon. For info contact Jack Amos (405) 237-2320 EXTRA BOARD Toy Train Operating Society - Looking for volunteers to help operate large toy train at Kirkpatrick Center, OKC, (405) 528-1122, E. Swan

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 - $15.00 per year, Senior Member (Retired) - $10.00 per year and Student Mem­ ber (Full Time Student) - $10.00 per year. National Railway Historical Socity dues are $14.00 per year (wives, an additional $2.00). Dues for membership will be sent to Membership Chair­ man, 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 Address Correction Requested Okla. City, OK

Steamboat Deason 617 SW 44th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73109