The Chesapeake Dispatcher

Bi-Annual Newsletter of the Friends of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum

Volume 35, Issue 2, Number 69 November 2016

Calvert County Re-Aligns Management of the Railway Museum by Mike Sweeney, President of the Friends

During their June 24th regular meeting, the Calvert County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a plan submitted by Mr. Wilson Freeland, Director of Gener- al Services, to re-align the management of the Railway Museum. This plan was created due to the retirement of Harriet Stout, which

gave the County the opportunity to re-think We welcome the new Curator of the Chesapeake Beach the organization of the Museum. Railway Museum, Mr. Carey Crane Message from the Curator The Board of Commissioners decided to cre- by Carey Crane, Railway Museum Curator ate a new model by pulling from the resourc- es of the Calvert Marine Museum to support I am delighted to join the Chesapeake Beach the Railway Museum. They appointed Mr. Railway Museum (CBRM) as your new Carey Crane, the Curator of Exhibits at the curator. Marine Museum, to a new part-time Curator position at the Railway Museum. My first experience at the museum was as a visitor. Harriet Stout met me at the door Mr. Crane will split his time between the that afternoon. We spent the next couple of two to provide oversight and supervision hours talking about the stories that you all to the Railway Museum staff, work with the know so well; the common origins of Ches- Friends Board of Directors, and the Board of apeake Beach and the railway, steamboats, County Commissioners. boardwalks, carousels; and the fashionable beachwear of a century ago.

We stepped aboard the Dolores as Harriet spoke of the passenger car’s past and possi- ble futures. I left that afternoon a little over- whelmed by the richness of Chesapeake Beach’s history and truly impressed by Har- riet’s passion for and commitment to the museum. I find those same qualities in the staff and supporters of the CBRM. The Scenic Railway: Please keep your hands inside the car! Read about it on page 5. (continued on page 2) 1 Message from the Curator (continued) My immediate goal and desire is to get to Message from the President (continued) by Carey Crane, Railway Museum Curator know you and to learn about the community by Mike Sweeney, President of the Friends Change is afoot with the reorganization of and the legacy that this museum represents. As we move forward, we can be comforted the museum and the expansion of our neigh- Do not hesitate to tell me what is on your in knowing that we are an important part bors at The Rod and Reel. As CBRM Curator, mind. I want to share in your passion for and of not only the local community, but the en- I aim to take this opportunity to work with commitment to the Chesapeake Beach Rail- tire county as well. We look forward to pro- you to build upon the success of Harriet, way Museum. grams continuing, relationships with other museum staff, our Friends of CBRM board entities coming closer, making new friends and members, and dedicated volunteers. and a general improvement of service to the public. I bring 35 years of practice in exhibit fabri- cation and 25 years of museum administra- Now, we need to do our part. We need vol- Karen Moreland (left), Friends President, Mike Sweeney and Toni tion. I learned the fundamentals of museum unteers desperately to assist with children’s Hopkins (right) services at the Florida Museum of Natural programs, outreach programs, and staffing History in Gainesville, and at an exhibits fab- and maintaining the Museum. We have 350+ A Day in the Life of a Docent rication company that served museums and members of the Friends, so I am asking for by Toni Hopkins nature and interpretive centers nationwide. all of you to think about where you can help On September 20, 2016, two women, Joy and At The North Carolina Museum of History, I and step forward to donate some time to keep Donna from Delaware, visited the Museum. gained invaluable experience in museum ad- The historic Las Cruces railroad depot in New Mexico houses the us healthy. Please call the Museum and just We had such a good time talking and tour- the Las Cruces Railroad Museum. Curator Crane was Curator of ministration and multi-discipline best prac- Exhibits for this and other Museums in the City of Las Cruces, ask….we will be thrilled to hear from you! ing the Museum and discussing the exhibits. tices. New Mexico. (photo credit: city-data.com) At some point we discussed aging and Joy Regards, Mike and Donna revealed their ages at 83 and 61 My career journey has included experience respectively. They inquired about mine, and operating a sole proprietorship, working at Message from the President as it happened, I was going to be 59 the next the North Carolina Zoological Park, Nation- by Mike Sweeney, President of the Friends day. Both hugged me and then sang Happy al Museum of Health and Medicine, and the Birthday. The next day, there was a birthday “The more things change, the more things News Note New Mexico Museum of Space History. In present hanging on the door of the Museum stay the same”. The dust has settled nicely the six years prior to moving to Southern The Calvert County Board of Commission- for me! from Harriet Stout retiring and the welcom- Maryland, I was the Curator of Exhibits for ers new plan for the Museum also included ing of our new curator, Mr. J. Carey Crane, the City of Las Cruces Museum System: The a change to staff member Correine Moore’s A Day in the Life of a Docent who shares our enthusiasm to do what we Museum of Nature and Science, Branigan position, and the establishment of two part- by Karen Moreland have been doing for years, while seeing the Cultural Center, the Museum of Art where time Interpreter positions. Working as a docent at the Railway Mu- need to make some changes to enhance our I was also manager, and the Railroad Mu- seum is always an interesting experience. service. Before the transition, I had the oppor- seum located in the historic Las Cruces rail- These positions were filled right before this Each day I never know who the visitors will tunity to talk to many Friends members who road depot. publication went to print and the CBRM be or where they will come from. They of- were rightly apprehensive about the future. would like to congratulate our two new Ex- ten have stories about their experiences at I heard every prediction from the Museum At the CBRM, I will be mindful of the big hibit Interpreters, Toni Hopkins and Karen the Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park, being shut down, to being incorporated to picture - focusing on long range planning, Moreland. family members who were railroad work- another museum who is in the immediate vi- cooperating with the Friends board on fund- ers and their love of trains. cinity. When the plan was announced at the raising, building coalitions and partnerships Toni and Karen started out as volunteers Board of County Commissioners meeting on with other institutions, and to fostering part- with our Museum before becoming em- I was working one day when a couple came June 24th, I gave a sigh of relief and pleasure. nerships within the community. I will co- ployees. Their enthusiasm and willingness in as soon as the Museum opened for the The County had come up with a masterful ordinate support from our Calvert County to contribute to the operations, events and day. They said they had something to show plan to secure our future, retain our identi- museum partners to the south – the Calvert programs of the Museum, while presenting me that they thought I would be interest- ty, improve our service, and at the same time Marine Museum where I serve as Curator of tours and representing the historical site as a ed in seeing. The man, Mr. William Smith, save the County some money. The details of Exhibits. Together we will be attentive to our Visitor’s Center, will enhance our trademark went outside and came back in with a pack- the re-alignment are addressed on the front important contributions to Calvert County’s of excellence to the public. age. This had my interest piqued! page of this newsletter. heritage tourism program. (continued on page 3) (continued on page 4) 2 3 Message from the Curator (continued) My immediate goal and desire is to get to Message from the President (continued) by Carey Crane, Railway Museum Curator know you and to learn about the community by Mike Sweeney, President of the Friends Change is afoot with the reorganization of and the legacy that this museum represents. As we move forward, we can be comforted the museum and the expansion of our neigh- Do not hesitate to tell me what is on your in knowing that we are an important part bors at The Rod and Reel. As CBRM Curator, mind. I want to share in your passion for and of not only the local community, but the en- I aim to take this opportunity to work with commitment to the Chesapeake Beach Rail- tire county as well. We look forward to pro- you to build upon the success of Harriet, way Museum. grams continuing, relationships with other museum staff, our Friends of CBRM board entities coming closer, making new friends and members, and dedicated volunteers. and a general improvement of service to the public. I bring 35 years of practice in exhibit fabri- cation and 25 years of museum administra- Now, we need to do our part. We need vol- Karen Moreland (left), Friends President, Mike Sweeney and Toni tion. I learned the fundamentals of museum unteers desperately to assist with children’s Hopkins (right) services at the Florida Museum of Natural programs, outreach programs, and staffing History in Gainesville, and at an exhibits fab- and maintaining the Museum. We have 350+ A Day in the Life of a Docent rication company that served museums and members of the Friends, so I am asking for by Toni Hopkins nature and interpretive centers nationwide. all of you to think about where you can help On September 20, 2016, two women, Joy and At The North Carolina Museum of History, I and step forward to donate some time to keep Donna from Delaware, visited the Museum. gained invaluable experience in museum ad- The historic Las Cruces railroad depot in New Mexico houses the us healthy. Please call the Museum and just We had such a good time talking and tour- the Las Cruces Railroad Museum. Curator Crane was Curator of ministration and multi-discipline best prac- Exhibits for this and other Museums in the City of Las Cruces, ask….we will be thrilled to hear from you! ing the Museum and discussing the exhibits. tices. New Mexico. (photo credit: city-data.com) At some point we discussed aging and Joy Regards, Mike and Donna revealed their ages at 83 and 61 My career journey has included experience respectively. They inquired about mine, and operating a sole proprietorship, working at Message from the President as it happened, I was going to be 59 the next the North Carolina Zoological Park, Nation- by Mike Sweeney, President of the Friends day. Both hugged me and then sang Happy al Museum of Health and Medicine, and the Birthday. The next day, there was a birthday “The more things change, the more things News Note New Mexico Museum of Space History. In present hanging on the door of the Museum stay the same”. The dust has settled nicely the six years prior to moving to Southern The Calvert County Board of Commission- for me! from Harriet Stout retiring and the welcom- Maryland, I was the Curator of Exhibits for ers new plan for the Museum also included ing of our new curator, Mr. J. Carey Crane, the City of Las Cruces Museum System: The a change to staff member Correine Moore’s A Day in the Life of a Docent who shares our enthusiasm to do what we Museum of Nature and Science, Branigan position, and the establishment of two part- by Karen Moreland have been doing for years, while seeing the Cultural Center, the Museum of Art where time Interpreter positions. Working as a docent at the Railway Mu- need to make some changes to enhance our I was also manager, and the Railroad Mu- seum is always an interesting experience. service. Before the transition, I had the oppor- seum located in the historic Las Cruces rail- These positions were filled right before this Each day I never know who the visitors will tunity to talk to many Friends members who road depot. publication went to print and the CBRM be or where they will come from. They of- were rightly apprehensive about the future. would like to congratulate our two new Ex- ten have stories about their experiences at I heard every prediction from the Museum At the CBRM, I will be mindful of the big hibit Interpreters, Toni Hopkins and Karen the Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park, being shut down, to being incorporated to picture - focusing on long range planning, Moreland. family members who were railroad work- another museum who is in the immediate vi- cooperating with the Friends board on fund- ers and their love of trains. cinity. When the plan was announced at the raising, building coalitions and partnerships Toni and Karen started out as volunteers Board of County Commissioners meeting on with other institutions, and to fostering part- with our Museum before becoming em- I was working one day when a couple came June 24th, I gave a sigh of relief and pleasure. nerships within the community. I will co- ployees. Their enthusiasm and willingness in as soon as the Museum opened for the The County had come up with a masterful ordinate support from our Calvert County to contribute to the operations, events and day. They said they had something to show plan to secure our future, retain our identi- museum partners to the south – the Calvert programs of the Museum, while presenting me that they thought I would be interest- ty, improve our service, and at the same time Marine Museum where I serve as Curator of tours and representing the historical site as a ed in seeing. The man, Mr. William Smith, save the County some money. The details of Exhibits. Together we will be attentive to our Visitor’s Center, will enhance our trademark went outside and came back in with a pack- the re-alignment are addressed on the front important contributions to Calvert County’s of excellence to the public. age. This had my interest piqued! page of this newsletter. heritage tourism program. (continued on page 3) (continued on page 4) 2 3 A Day in the Life of a Docent (continued) Horror at the Beach!! wow, there were some details I was surprised by Karen Moreland by Kris DeGrace, Collections Manager to read in a 1908 article! This particular story was about a man at the park with his wife The couple opened the package and ex- and three of his daughters. They were rid- plained that it contained the original con- ing the Scenic Railway, and the father sim- struction records of the Chesapeake Beach ply leaned over to say “hi” to a friend on a Railway Company. They explained how it passing car when his head struck a support came into their possession more than forty beam. That is where I’ll leave the details, but years ago when Mr. Smith was in the mili- the man later died. He left behind a wife and tary and was stationed in the Washington, Recent donation from William C. Smith: six children. On a side note, I found an ar- DC area. One day, while he was exploring Logbook: original records of the Chesapeake ticle about the lawsuit his wife filed against an abandoned and vandalized train depot, Beach Railway Company the Chesapeake Beach Railway and Chesa- he found and rescued them from certain Images of idyllic Chesapeake Beach in its peake Beach Hotel Company… she won. destruction. The couple had been traveling heyday fill my head. Lovely ladies in their with the military for many years and was long dresses, carrying parasols, men in their I found other little tidbits, here and there now back in our area. Mr. Smith felt that the suits and straw hats, and the children all also. A broken leg from falling off the carou- records belonged at the museum and was gussied up in their dresses or knickers, stroll- sel animal. A lightning strike while strolling donating them. What an amazing donation ing up and down the boardwalk. Nothing on the boardwalk. And one of the weirder and what an exciting day for me to accept Recent donation from Ronald & Linda Robinson: but laughter and joy... all that changed when stories, about a man diving off the board- the donation! Sheet of Bank Notes, from Washington & Chesapeake I came across horror at the beach! Beach Railway Company walk and his head hitting a splintered wood piling and later dying. New Accessions (catalogued as of October 4, 2016) I had heard stories, hearsay, of accidents on the roller coasters at Chesapeake Beach. Once I got past the sadness or weirdness of Purchases: I thought perhaps they were just that, sto- these stories, it dawned on me in this day of ries... Until I came across two articles about SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY... there were no (29) Postcards, color accidents that happened on the Scenic Rail- safety regulations in place for amusement (20) Postcards, b&w way roller coaster ride in 1905. One of those rides. I then wondered when safety regu- (9) Postcards, leather accidents was fatal. The story is that a man lations were implemented for amusement (26) Photographs, b&w [beach scenes, Engines] had been riding the rides all day, he was parks and rides? Turns out, the answer is (1) Large collection of photos, in process of being catalogued, include images of fishing boisterous, and had been having a grand very sketchy and mighty complicated. I did outings, Rod n Reel, Chesapeake Beach time! On his last ride, literally, he stood up not find a date when safety became a prior- (1) Flyer, Hotel Betterton (showing similarity between it and the Belvedere Hotel) while the ride was in motion. He tried to ity, and from my understanding, there are, (1) Matchbook Cover, Twin Beaches Lions Club Fishing Fair grab a person’s hat on a passing car going to this day, no central safety rules and regu- (1) Napkin, “Swim Fashions Through the Ages” in the opposite direction. At this point, he lations. It appears that each state comes up (1) Pin, “S.S. Pilgrim Belle / The Wilson Line” lost his footing, and fell out of the car 30 feet with its own rules, and safety requirements, (1) Archival Collection, copies of documents about CBRY to the ground, and later was declared dead. with some states appearing more stringent The second story, does not have a fatal end- than others. Some have government inspec- ing, but the rider was thrown from a car on Donations: tions, some have local inspections, some a sharp turn of the Scenic Railway, dropping have no regulations. And even these regu- about 25 feet to the ground below. This rider Catherine Kauffman: Excursion Train Ticket, June 17, 1931 lations are broken up based on the types of does not appear to have been behaving bad- Charles Kilbourne: Charred Piece of the San Juan Passenger Car & (4) images of San Juan Car. rides, types of park, etc… very complicated! ly or irresponsibly, the poor man was just Ronald & Linda Robinson: Sheet of Bank Notes, from Washington & Chesapeake Beach Railway thrown! He was badly hurt, but I am not Company Well, all I can say, is that I’m glad I found sure of his outcome. William C. Smith: (3) Logbook, ledgers: from Seaside Park, MD, Inc. & Chesapeake Beach Hotel these articles after my summer trip to Bus-

Company ch Gardens... might have made my thrilling There seemed to be a lull in the accidents, Marilyn Sutherland: (2) framed items: [Misc. Railway Logos & Railroad Images] ride on “Appollo’s Chariot” roller coaster or I just didn’t find them... until 1908, when more of a nail biter... or actually, non-exis- another fatal accident occurred on the Scenic tent! Railway. I’ll spare you the gory details, but 4 5 A Day in the Life of a Docent (continued) Horror at the Beach!! wow, there were some details I was surprised by Karen Moreland by Kris DeGrace, Collections Manager to read in a 1908 article! This particular story was about a man at the park with his wife The couple opened the package and ex- and three of his daughters. They were rid- plained that it contained the original con- ing the Scenic Railway, and the father sim- struction records of the Chesapeake Beach ply leaned over to say “hi” to a friend on a Railway Company. They explained how it passing car when his head struck a support came into their possession more than forty beam. That is where I’ll leave the details, but years ago when Mr. Smith was in the mili- the man later died. He left behind a wife and tary and was stationed in the Washington, Recent donation from William C. Smith: six children. On a side note, I found an ar- DC area. One day, while he was exploring Logbook: original records of the Chesapeake ticle about the lawsuit his wife filed against an abandoned and vandalized train depot, Beach Railway Company the Chesapeake Beach Railway and Chesa- he found and rescued them from certain Images of idyllic Chesapeake Beach in its peake Beach Hotel Company… she won. destruction. The couple had been traveling heyday fill my head. Lovely ladies in their with the military for many years and was long dresses, carrying parasols, men in their I found other little tidbits, here and there now back in our area. Mr. Smith felt that the suits and straw hats, and the children all also. A broken leg from falling off the carou- records belonged at the museum and was gussied up in their dresses or knickers, stroll- sel animal. A lightning strike while strolling donating them. What an amazing donation ing up and down the boardwalk. Nothing on the boardwalk. And one of the weirder and what an exciting day for me to accept Recent donation from Ronald & Linda Robinson: but laughter and joy... all that changed when stories, about a man diving off the board- the donation! Sheet of Bank Notes, from Washington & Chesapeake I came across horror at the beach! Beach Railway Company walk and his head hitting a splintered wood piling and later dying. New Accessions (catalogued as of October 4, 2016) I had heard stories, hearsay, of accidents on the roller coasters at Chesapeake Beach. Once I got past the sadness or weirdness of Purchases: I thought perhaps they were just that, sto- these stories, it dawned on me in this day of ries... Until I came across two articles about SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY... there were no (29) Postcards, color accidents that happened on the Scenic Rail- safety regulations in place for amusement (20) Postcards, b&w way roller coaster ride in 1905. One of those rides. I then wondered when safety regu- (9) Postcards, leather accidents was fatal. The story is that a man lations were implemented for amusement (26) Photographs, b&w [beach scenes, Engines] had been riding the rides all day, he was parks and rides? Turns out, the answer is (1) Large collection of photos, in process of being catalogued, include images of fishing boisterous, and had been having a grand very sketchy and mighty complicated. I did outings, Rod n Reel, Chesapeake Beach time! On his last ride, literally, he stood up not find a date when safety became a prior- (1) Flyer, Hotel Betterton (showing similarity between it and the Belvedere Hotel) while the ride was in motion. He tried to ity, and from my understanding, there are, (1) Matchbook Cover, Twin Beaches Lions Club Fishing Fair grab a person’s hat on a passing car going to this day, no central safety rules and regu- (1) Napkin, “Swim Fashions Through the Ages” in the opposite direction. At this point, he lations. It appears that each state comes up (1) Pin, “S.S. Pilgrim Belle / The Wilson Line” lost his footing, and fell out of the car 30 feet with its own rules, and safety requirements, (1) Archival Collection, copies of documents about CBRY to the ground, and later was declared dead. with some states appearing more stringent The second story, does not have a fatal end- than others. Some have government inspec- ing, but the rider was thrown from a car on Donations: tions, some have local inspections, some a sharp turn of the Scenic Railway, dropping have no regulations. And even these regu- about 25 feet to the ground below. This rider Catherine Kauffman: Excursion Train Ticket, June 17, 1931 lations are broken up based on the types of does not appear to have been behaving bad- Charles Kilbourne: Charred Piece of the San Juan Passenger Car & (4) images of San Juan Car. rides, types of park, etc… very complicated! ly or irresponsibly, the poor man was just Ronald & Linda Robinson: Sheet of Bank Notes, from Washington & Chesapeake Beach Railway thrown! He was badly hurt, but I am not Company Well, all I can say, is that I’m glad I found sure of his outcome. William C. Smith: (3) Logbook, ledgers: from Seaside Park, MD, Inc. & Chesapeake Beach Hotel these articles after my summer trip to Bus-

Company ch Gardens... might have made my thrilling There seemed to be a lull in the accidents, Marilyn Sutherland: (2) framed items: [Misc. Railway Logos & Railroad Images] ride on “Appollo’s Chariot” roller coaster or I just didn’t find them... until 1908, when more of a nail biter... or actually, non-exis- another fatal accident occurred on the Scenic tent! Railway. I’ll spare you the gory details, but 4 5 Choo Choo and Ding Ding: By Rail to San ette; meeting folks in the lounge car and 2016 Children’s Programs and Concerts creating a new outreach display and to Francisco enjoying dinner in the diner (breakfast and by Correine E. Moore Karen Moreland and Toni Hopkins for by John Riedesel lunch, too); and de-training briefly at sta- This was another successful year with our their enthusiastic participation. In ad- In last fall’s Chesapeake Dispatcher I wrote tion stops and service stops along the way. children’s programs and concerts. Miracle dition, one of the featured speakers, Ms. about an odyssean train trip I took around Highlights of the trip included dramat- of miracles, all four concerts were actually Laura Lutz, was on hand to present her the country, leaving Washington and visit- ic mountain views. Heading for L.A., the held outdoors with no significant weather book, Chesapeake’s Western Shores. ing New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chi- Southwest Chief crosses the Rockies over events. The CBRM staff assisted with historical cago, and Boston. This year I took two train Raton Pass, New Mexico, at 7,834 feet. Then information and pictures for Ms. Lutz’s trips: a “short” one to Miami and back, and a traveling east from San Francisco on the The artists performing were The Blue publication. much longer one to San Francisco. There’s a Zephyr, the train ascends infamous Donner Rhythm Boys (early swing/jazz), The Dixie method to my madness. My goal is, in three Pass in California’s Sierra Nevada Moun- Ramblers (bluegrass), The Dave Chappell The CBRM participated in our second years, to ride every major Amtrak line. tains (elevation 7,056 feet), snakes along the Band (roots rock/rockabilly) and The Dixie new program with the Town of Ches- beautiful Colorado River Gorge in Colorado, Power Trio with the New Line Brass (New apeake Beach in the Mini-Golf Fund- Last year it was the Crescent, Sunset Lim- and conquers the spine of the Rockies Front Orleans jazz). The audiences for each per- raiser for the Prince Frederick library. ited, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Lake Range by punching through the 6-mile-long formance were gracious in their apprecia- A display was designed by Kelly Peake Shore Limited, and a Northeast Corridor Moffat Tunnel at 9,239 feet. (Yes, that’s the tion by continuing to support live music. representing the Town and the CB Rail- train back to DC from Boston. In May of same Moffat—David Halliday Moffat—who way/Park history. The fundraiser was a this year I took a quick trip to Miami—south helped finance our own Chesapeake Beach The children’s themed programs, as always, wonderful success for the library and we on the Silver Meteor and back on the Silver Railway.) incorporated learning while having fun. We were honored to be a part of the event in Star, with a rental car to Key West thrown had a couple of brutally hot days with the partnership with the Town. in for good measure. But the piece de resis- There are two Amtrak lines remaining to programs. These locally recognized pro- tance was an August trip across the country complete my three-year plan: the Texas Ea- grams were well attended with one of the to San Francisco. I added four new trains to gle from Chicago to San Antonio, and the programs having 54 children participate on my three-year plan: the Cardinal to Chica- City of New Orleans from Chicago to New one of the hottest days of the year. The de- go, Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, then a Orleans. I’ll soon be on the phone with Ju- tailing and planning to bring these programs quick trip north on the Coast Starlight again lie at 1-800-USA-RAIL to arrange for next to the public, while very involved, is worth to San Francisco. After four days in the year’s trip! its weight in gold as we watch parents and City by the Bay, I traveled on the California children bond in these learning adventures. Zephyr to Chicago and finally home via the Several new memberships and donations Capitol Limited. were received as a result of the programs.

I accomplished all my goals in San Francis- The Town of Chesapeake Beach/CB Railway/Park history display 2016 Outreach at the Friends of the Library Mini-Golf Fundraiser co, in spite of spending most of one day in a by Correine E. Moore & Mike Sweeney hotel room nursing a bad knee. I rode cable cars, trolley cars, subway, light rail; visited The CBRM was very fortunate to be in- The CBRM exhibited at the Baltimore the Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier vited to the launch of three new outreach and Ohio Museum in Baltimore on Oc- 39, City Lights Bookstore of Jack Kerouac programs. The first one was from Anne tober 1st and 2nd at their first annual fame, the wide, sandy Pacific coastline at Arundel County -- Beach Communities Railroad Society Days exhibition. Exhib- Ocean Beach, and even some of the less sa- of the Chesapeake held at Mayo Beach itors from numerous tourist railroads, vory parts of the city. One day I took a 400- on August 7, 2016. The event featured model railroad clubs, and museums mile bus excursion to Yosemite Park, and on many local beach communities from participated in the event to showcase another day a city bus tour which included a the area sharing their histories with the their organizations, which was attended drive over Golden Gate Bridge. community. The CBRM staff brought by railroad enthusiasts from near and crafts for children in addition to displays far. Our booth was visited by roughly Though San Francisco was a major goal of featuring the CB Railway and the Chesa- 135 visitors, many expressing a desire to this trip, there was also the pleasure of rid- peake Beach Park histories along with a come to the town of Chesapeake Beach ing cross-country by train: sleeping, reading, collection of bathing suits. Many thanks and visit us. A great time was had by all and taking in the view from my little room- to Kris DeGrace in participating and for in a fantastic place! 6 7 Choo Choo and Ding Ding: By Rail to San ette; meeting folks in the lounge car and 2016 Children’s Programs and Concerts creating a new outreach display and to Francisco enjoying dinner in the diner (breakfast and by Correine E. Moore Karen Moreland and Toni Hopkins for by John Riedesel lunch, too); and de-training briefly at sta- This was another successful year with our their enthusiastic participation. In ad- In last fall’s Chesapeake Dispatcher I wrote tion stops and service stops along the way. children’s programs and concerts. Miracle dition, one of the featured speakers, Ms. about an odyssean train trip I took around Highlights of the trip included dramat- of miracles, all four concerts were actually Laura Lutz, was on hand to present her the country, leaving Washington and visit- ic mountain views. Heading for L.A., the held outdoors with no significant weather book, Chesapeake’s Western Shores. ing New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chi- Southwest Chief crosses the Rockies over events. The CBRM staff assisted with historical cago, and Boston. This year I took two train Raton Pass, New Mexico, at 7,834 feet. Then information and pictures for Ms. Lutz’s trips: a “short” one to Miami and back, and a traveling east from San Francisco on the The artists performing were The Blue publication. much longer one to San Francisco. There’s a Zephyr, the train ascends infamous Donner Rhythm Boys (early swing/jazz), The Dixie method to my madness. My goal is, in three Pass in California’s Sierra Nevada Moun- Ramblers (bluegrass), The Dave Chappell The CBRM participated in our second years, to ride every major Amtrak line. tains (elevation 7,056 feet), snakes along the Band (roots rock/rockabilly) and The Dixie new program with the Town of Ches- beautiful Colorado River Gorge in Colorado, Power Trio with the New Line Brass (New apeake Beach in the Mini-Golf Fund- Last year it was the Crescent, Sunset Lim- and conquers the spine of the Rockies Front Orleans jazz). The audiences for each per- raiser for the Prince Frederick library. ited, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Lake Range by punching through the 6-mile-long formance were gracious in their apprecia- A display was designed by Kelly Peake Shore Limited, and a Northeast Corridor Moffat Tunnel at 9,239 feet. (Yes, that’s the tion by continuing to support live music. representing the Town and the CB Rail- train back to DC from Boston. In May of same Moffat—David Halliday Moffat—who way/Park history. The fundraiser was a this year I took a quick trip to Miami—south helped finance our own Chesapeake Beach The children’s themed programs, as always, wonderful success for the library and we on the Silver Meteor and back on the Silver Railway.) incorporated learning while having fun. We were honored to be a part of the event in Star, with a rental car to Key West thrown had a couple of brutally hot days with the partnership with the Town. in for good measure. But the piece de resis- There are two Amtrak lines remaining to programs. These locally recognized pro- tance was an August trip across the country complete my three-year plan: the Texas Ea- grams were well attended with one of the to San Francisco. I added four new trains to gle from Chicago to San Antonio, and the programs having 54 children participate on my three-year plan: the Cardinal to Chica- City of New Orleans from Chicago to New one of the hottest days of the year. The de- go, Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, then a Orleans. I’ll soon be on the phone with Ju- tailing and planning to bring these programs quick trip north on the Coast Starlight again lie at 1-800-USA-RAIL to arrange for next to the public, while very involved, is worth to San Francisco. After four days in the year’s trip! its weight in gold as we watch parents and City by the Bay, I traveled on the California children bond in these learning adventures. Zephyr to Chicago and finally home via the Several new memberships and donations Capitol Limited. were received as a result of the programs.

Get your Christmas Gifts at the Museum! Upcoming Holiday Events Sweet Treat Express Workshop The Chesapeake Beach Saturday, November 19, 2016 Railway Museum Gift at the Northeast Community Center in Shop is the perfect Chesapeake Beach place to find a gift for 2:00-3:30pm * FREE * drop-ins welcome your favorite history Museum Holiday Party lover! Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the Railway Museum We have a variety of 2:00-4:00pm * bring a dish to pass! items including books, magnets, vintage Dramatic Readings of The Polar Express postcards and Friday, December 16, 2016 even posters! (see left) at the Railway Museum Identical Readings at 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30pm The Museum and Gift * FREE * drop-ins welcome Shop are open from 1-4pm on weekends in Fall 2016 Newsletter November. Editor: Hilary Dailey Contributors: Carey Crane, Kris DeGrace, Please stop in to say Correine E. Moore, John Riedesel, Mike Sweeney “Hi” and take a look! Mailing: Janet Bates, Betty MacDonald, Chuck MacDonald, Nancy Young