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Nostalgia & History > 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fell inDate: 09/17/17 04:55 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fell in Author: bandob The 2003 NRHS Convention was planned for Baltimore, July 1-6, 2003, and was to be an extravaganza unlike others. A re-creation of the "Fair of the Iron Horse" was planned, centered at the B&O Museum, with steam locomotives coming from all over the country. We on the planning committee were hard at work starting in the Fall of 2002.
Then, the roof fell in. One of the largest snow storms in Baltimore history collapsed the roof of the historic roundhouse on the night of February 16-17. The grief was felt through the entire railfan community. The future was in doubt, not only for the Convention, but for the entire museum itself. What happened, though, was an unprecedented outpouring of support from Museum staff, board members and volunteers, government officials, other railroads and museums from all over America. The roundhouse was repaired, artifacts saved, and although the museum would remain closed throughout 2003, it would eventually re-open, better than ever. That story deserves telling by people more knowledgeable than I, and this thread will focus on the eventual convention outcome. Hard work and dedication of NRHS members with museum and railroad support resulted in "Star-Spangled Rails, Baltimore 2003" going on. Throughout the day I'll be adding photos of the various trips held at the convention. This image is a page of the special brochure prepared by the Museum for convention members. While there was not a "Fair of the Iron Horse," there was a most enjoyable convention with numerous excursions and special site visits. But, in February, all looked bleak. B&OBill Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/17 06:44 by bandob. Date: 09/17/17 04:59 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob The convention began on July 1, 2003 with "The Delaware Duo," a trip to the Wilmington & Western Railroad, followed by a visit to Amtrak Wilmington shops.
At the Greenbank Station, the Reading F units were on display. A steam excursion was powered by W&W #58. B&OB Date: 09/17/17 05:01 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob Run-by on the steam excursion.
The W&W S1 and former PRR Motor Car "Paul Revere." B&OB Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/17 06:45 by bandob. Date: 09/17/17 05:27 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob Trips were also run with the PRR Motor Car. #4662 was built by Pullman-Standard, outshopped April 24, 1929. It was retired from Commuter service on the Parkton line, April 1959. It was restored to operation in 1980.
Today, some of the Parkton line sees Light Rail Service, from Cockeysville south into Baltimore and beyond. Following the W&W visit, the group went to Wilmington Amtrak shops, for a tour. July 1 was a very busy day. B&OB Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/17 06:08 by bandob. Date: 09/17/17 05:30 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob July 2 featured a trip to Cumberland, and a ride on the Western Maryland Scenic. I was assigned to work the cafe car, and had to stay with the train in Cumberland for re-stocking.
I did get this photo of the WMSR train returning, and the Amtrak units running around the train. I will add here, that working the cafe car for the day was one of the most strenuous things I've ever done on a train. To this day I tip liberally when I visit the cafe car. I've walked in their shoes. B&OB Date: 09/17/17 05:33 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob July 5 was another great excursion, to Harrisburg and back via the Port Road and behind Bennett Levin's PRR E units. Again, I was hard at work, and had very few photo opportunities.
I did get this shot of an N&W coach in Harrisburg, and an adjacent Keystone. I'd like to invite any other TO members who may have photos of this excursion to add them to the thread, and share your experiences. B&OB Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/17 05:39 by bandob. Date: 09/17/17 05:46 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob The final excursion was Sunday, July 6. The Blue Mountain Limited used MARC equipment and a few private cars on a trip up the Western Maryland "Dutch Line" to New Oxford, PA. Again, working the train limited photo opportunities, but here are two views at New Oxford.
I did not get to experience the trip to the Gettysburg Railroad, or the Baltimore Transit Tour. If any TO member have photos or tales to tell, please share them with us. A more in depth report of the convention can be found in the National Railway Bulletin, Volume 68, No. 5, 2003. I found the convention hard work, great fun, and a real lesson in how people can work together to overcome adversity. B&OBill Date: 09/17/17 06:02 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: GPutz Date: 09/17/17 06:04 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob Gerry, that's just what I hoped TO members would do! Thanks so much for posting.
B&OBill Date: 09/17/17 11:13 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: refarkas Thanks for sharing what those who went had a chance to experience that year.
Bob Date: 09/17/17 14:07 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: ClubCar refarkas Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks for sharing what those who went had a > chance to experience that year. > Bob I'll second that, the trip over the former B&O was super as was the trip up the Port Road of the former Pennsylvania. Many of us loved riding on the former Western Maryland, however the trip ran so slow on that line and only went up to New Oxford, Pennsylvania. It would have been better to have gone the few extra miles into Gettysburg as far as the majority of the passengers were concerned. In the good-ole-days when it was the Western Maryland (even during the Chessie years before CSX) these trips would climb up Jack's Mountain and go into Hagerstown, Maryland. But CSX would not allow the train to go any further as they down graded the old WM, a real shame. John in White Marsh, Maryland Date: 09/17/17 17:48 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: DRGWMark Here's a story for you:
A 9-year old boy obsessed with trains joins the NRHS and convinces his parents to spend their summer vacation in the DC area just so he can go to this convention (not that difficult, admittedly, since a lot of their family lived there at the time, so free accommodations!). They were only able to do one trip: the roundtrip from Baltimore to Cumberland plus the Western Maryland Scenic. That trip ends up being one of the biggest train trip fiascos they've ever done simply because of how LONG it was. Didn't they also have to stop in Harpers Ferry to let someone go to the hospital? But it was worth it for one reason: they had never seen a photo runby before, and that one with #734 on Helmstetter's Curve was absolutely awesome. They only ever did one other NRHS convention trip, the doubleheader behind 4449 and 700 in Portland, and after that, the boy's parents decided having to plan summer vacations around said conventions was more trouble than it was worth. Don't know if I can call that Baltimore trip one of my favorites, but it was an experience to say the least. And again, worth it if only for that photo runby. Signed, A kid who loved trains WAY too much Date: 09/17/17 21:34 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: Mudrock Click on Mudrock {No direct links please} and go the page of 2003 for all the things I did at that convention.
chris Date: 09/18/17 03:28 Re: 2003: Planning for the NRHS convention, and then the roof fel Author: bandob Thanks, Chris, for posting. For those of you who have never read it, by all means check out his report.
Several have mentioned medical issues, and there indeed were a few. Suggestion to rail fans on hot days: drink water! Lots of water! Suggestion to rail fans who may have respiratory issues and are on oxygen: when you think you must decide between bringing your camera and equipment or bringing the oxygen, bring the oxygen! B&OB |