NWI CHAPTER
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
September 2022 from
Jerry Pyfer

Board of Directors’ Meeting

The NWI Chapter Board of Directors met at the Oregon Depot prior to our chapter meeting.

This was more of an informational meeting other than the first topic. This is an election year, with that we need to form a nominating committee to seek candidates for all of our board positions. Jason Leverton has accepted to be the chairman. We would like to have two other folks to join this committee by the September 24th meeting. This makes completing the job much easier. The committee will report their findings at the October meeting.

The chapter meeting dates for 2022-2023 have been set. There are no holiday interferences. We will be off December, May, June, and July. I will host Running Extra Zoom meetings during the off months, usually the fourth Monday evening of that month.

Next was a simple financial review. We are in good financial shape. I don’t think the chapter needs a dues increase but, we will eventually need to bump up the dues. The question was asked, would a five dollar increase make members leave the chapter. Not this year, but one day it will have to happen.

Chapter programs have been lined up thru January 2023. If you would like to share a program beyond that, either solo or along with another program, let us know. Please contact either Program Director: Mark Broman or Lloyd Rinehart with your offer.

August Chapter Meeting

NWI members and guests enjoyed another fine gathering at the Oregon, Illinois depot. We had warm, sunny weather and a good number of BNSF freight trains, including a nocturnal meet at the end of our time together.

The grill fired up at 5pm for those with such needs. Several of us enjoyed pizza from Alfano’s just down the road.

Good fellowship and renewing acquaintances was shared among the attendees the entire evening.

Many were surprised by the recent addition at the depot. Former CB&Q observation-dome Silver View sets west of the depot on the house track stubbing at the parking lot. Closed during renovations, there are plans for use of the car to serve dinners. It appears black steel fencing, similar to the fencing between the main line and the depot, will surround the car in the near future.

On Display at the Oregon Depot

The Oregon Depot Museum now has a bonifide Chicago Burlington & Quincy passenger car for display.

The Silver View observation dome car is spotted on the house track to the west of the depot with the observation end facing east, making ready for eastward train photo-ops.

Another NWI Chapter member joins the 50 year club

The NWI Chapter can count one more member in the 50 year membership club.

Veteran National Railway Historical Society-NWI member Dennis McNeil has received the NRHS 50 Year membership award and pin.

We congratulate and thank Dennis and all of our 50 Year members for their faithful support of the organization for five decades.

According to NRHS records, our next member to join the 50 year club will come along in two more years.

September Zoom Meeting

The NWI Chapter will Zoom the September meeting. However, both programs are multi-media presentations. After testing the show via Zoom, it was revealed that Zoom programming is not capable of sending out a quality multi-media presentation. Zoom handles instant slide changes very well, it does not handle slow transitions from one image to the next.

Those of you, who are signed up for Zoom meetings, will receive an email with the code and password. If you are not already on the list and wish to join, contact me at: jrrchase@comcast.net.

Thats all folks.

For more information about the Chapter, see Meetings and Join.