Division members met in-person at the home of Steve & Hollis King near Fayetteville, PA. 21 or so were present. After admiring the layout and socializing, the Superintendant welcomed everyone and called the business meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
23.1–1 Paymaster’s Report: Paymaster Ray Price reported the SMD bank balance was $3,457.91 (the same as last month).
23.1-2 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes): The attendees dispensed with the reading/summary of the minutes (previously distributed by e-mail). As there were no comments or corrections, per Roberts Rules of Order, the draft minutes, as submitted, were approved by acclamation.
23-1.3 Superintendent Bob Johnson thanked Steve King for hosting. Steve spoke a little about his Virginia Midland Railway: This is the 5th version of it that he has built – 3 while he lived in Chicago, one while he lived in Germantown and now this one. He told of how the V M was developed with the Virginian & Ohio of Allen McClelland and the Allegheny Midland by Tony Koester. In their Proto-Freelance world the 3 lines realized that they, like the real railroads of the time, had to consolidate to remain competitive. Together they formed the Appalachian Lines and have managed to remain financially competitive in the harsh railroad world of 1969.
Old Business:
22-10.5 Mini-Con 2023 – the second Saturday in April – April 8, 2023: The general plan was reviewed.
22-11.4 SMD Summer Trip in 2023: The trip to visit the EBT in July was discussed. Jane and Pete Clarke were charged with preparing a plan and cost estimate. Discussion was had about the day of the week – weekend vs. weekday trip. While a vote was not taken, it was clear that everyone present felt that a weekday would make more sense.
New Business:
23-1.4 NMRA annual reporting: The Superintendent stated that it was completed and submitted.
Adjournment: The Superintendent accepted a motion to adjourn. The next meeting will be on February 12th at Jane & Pete Clarke’s home near Damascus, MD. Mat Thompson MMR will speak on the Car Builder Certificate (one of the steps to becoming a Master Model Railroader). Members will be reminded by e-mail.
Notes for the Minutes taken by Pete Clarke (with assistance from Jane Clarke) and formatted by Clerk Harvey Heyser
Following the meeting, host Steve King showed slides of his 2004 trip to China to see the last of their steam engines at work. These were 2-10-2 and 2-8-2 type locomotives working up heavy grades with coal cars – all real, no photo run by’s.
