Now both Class I's have been swallowed by the same megaroad and the meetings are in a passenger station in the suburbs. Meetings are disrupted every 20 minutes or so when a train makes a passenger stop. I guess there are worse ways to disrupt an NHRS meeting.Phil Mulligan

Back in the day, our NHRS Chapter had the luxury of 2 Class I's headquartered within blocks of the meeting site. We had members from both Class I's. We got addressses from people of both roads.

Although when they did a survey of their favorite Class I a plucky smaller road about 85 miles to the East won.

Now both Class I's have been swallowed by the same megaroad and the meetings are in a passenger station in the suburbs. Meetings are disrupted every 20 minutes or so when a train makes a passenger stop. I guess there are worse ways to disrupt an NHRS meeting.

Phil Mulligan

I assume you’re a member of the Philadelphia chapter.

As to the Big Little Railroad 85 miles East - it's the CNJ. Reading Terminal to Jersey City Terminal is about 85 miles. Phil Mulligan

First, we discuss the latest rail news. We have people from local roads that are knowledgeable. Sometimes prior NHRS Conventions come up.

Currently in-person meetings are suspended. Restaurants, stores etc are operating at 100% capacity but the RR Station is publicly owned and capped at 15 people. They are not doing Zoom Meetings. The newsletter is printed and sent via US Mail.

As to the Big Little Railroad 85 miles East - it's the CNJ. Reading Terminal to Jersey City Terminal is about 85 miles.

Phil Mulligan

I am going to nit-pick here are and point out that "northeast" and not "east" is more appropriate in this case.

I am going to nit-pick here are and point out that "northeast" and not "east" is more appropriate in this case.

There were chapters that used to do 2-4 mainline excursions A YEAR. Over lines that no longer exist, in many cases. With equipment that, in some cases either literally wore out or was incapable of being maintained for decades. There were Chapters in the South that literally revolved almost entirely around offering a Southern steam special once or twice a year.

"Timetable direction" versus "compass direction."

I am going to nit-pick here are and point out that "northeast" and not "east" is more appropriate in this case.

The ONLY benefit most members get from the National is the now-twice-annual Bulletin magazine--and as one former railroad executive openly bellowed at a meeting where he asked National execs what would be done to improve it, "IT'S CRAP!!!!!!"

I beg to differ and point you toward this thread [http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45840] and add that, although the publication schedule is irregular, there are 4 issuers per year, not two. Last year, they did combine two editions into one larger one, which I hope is an exception.

The Bulletin of old would have 2-3 articles per issue of that caliber. True, they were on smaller pages and in smaller type, for what's that's worth.

And "combined issues" is perfectly acceptable when you have something like a commemorative "special issue" for the likes of the 50th anniversary of the formation of Amtrak or Conrail or whatever. Have we had that lately?

Don't be fooled by the cereal companies' practice of increasingly less product in a bigger box.