Introduction
Blue Ridge Chapter NRHS Overview
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Our chapter was established in 1958 with a handful of members. Today we have more than 75 members from all over the central Virginia region, representing a variety of railroad related interests: history, preservation, modeling, and photography. What we all share in common is a love of railroading!
- We are a local chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the nation's largest railroad historical society with over 17,000 members in 170 chapters. Read more about the NRHS here.
- We hold official chapter meetings once a month and "fun" meetings every other month. Our members present a wide variety of programs highlighting their personal railroad interests. Special guests offer lectures and presentations on interesting historical and regional aspects of railroading. Many additional special events happen throughout the year. See the Train Departure Board.
- We publish a monthly newsletter, the Blue Ridge Dispatcher. Each edition features timely information about upcoming meetings, communications from our officers, railroad news, articles by chapter members, recent prototype sightings in the region, and much more! Our newsletter is a great benefit of being a BRC member. Download recent Dispatcher issues here.
- The Blue Ridge Chapter is also a Rail Heritage Region Partner. These partners are concerned with promoting interest and awareness of the role railroads have had on our region of the Virginia Commonwealth. It also inlcudes Virginia Museum of Transportation , the O. Winston Link Museum, and the Roanoke Chapter of the National Raiway Historical Society, all of Roanoke. Also the C&O Historical Society and its C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge is a partner.
- For more information on becoming a member of the Blue Ridge Chapter NRHS, see our New Membership page and contact a chapter officer with your questions.
Calendar Events
Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS 2016 Calendar of Events
58th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Chapter
A Virginia’s Rail Heritage Region Partner
Compiled By Norris Deyerle
Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS Chairman of Virginia’s Rail Heritage Region Partners
Newly updated or added events since last month printed in “Bold Italics”.
Renew your NRHS membership on www.NRHS.com today! Good things are happening with the new and improved NRHS! Also log on to www.NRHS.com to see what the future holds for today’s railroad preservation historical society! It’s alive!
Vote “Yes” for a future Amtrak stop in the Town of Bedford, Va. also serving the Smith Mountain Lake area riders. It’s easy and free! Go to www.thebedfordstation.com/petition
N&W Class J 611 2016 Excursion Schedule Info & Tickets: www.nctrans.org and www.FireUp611.org {VMT}. View the J 611 as she comes and goes through Roanoke at www.roanokerailcam.com! Listen to her crew’s conversations with NS dispatchers on the app Broadcastify.com on your cell phone or www.broadcastify.com on your computer. Covers both Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia areas.
Notice: I urge our friends with the other railway historical groups and museums to take advantage of these two websites to promote your train show: http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx or http://modelshopsusa.com/other/raillinks.php. There is no cost to promote your train show on these websites. It’s simple to add your event to their websites and your event approval is fast and efficient. These are websites that will help us all get the word out about our events!
AUGUST 2016
08-06-16: {Saturday} Virginia Train Collectors, Inc. Train Meet, Charlottesville, Va. The Charlottesville Elk’s Lodge, 389 Elk Drive, Charlottesville, Va. 22911. {Just off Stony Point Road – Rt. 20N} 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Adults $5.00. Children 12 and under {with paying adult} admitted free. Contact Russell Youens {804} 342-6023 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Listing courtesy of Tom Riddle
08-10-16: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Regular Monthly Meeting, Ed Fielding will present his side show on the original Norfolk Southern Railway from 1974 and back. This is perfect timing since one of our Lynchburg Rail Day 2016 vendors is the NSHS!
08-13-16: {Saturday} 38th. Annual Lynchburg Rail Day 2016 presented by the Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS, NOTICE: VENDOR TABLES ARE SOLD OUT FOR THIS MODEL TRAIN AND RAILROADIANA SHOW!! Air conditioned Boonsboro Ruritan Club, 1065 Coffee Road, State Route 644, Lynchburg, Va. 24503. For train show details please contact LRD 2016 Chairman Barry Moorefield, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , LRD 2016 Table Registrar John Tanner, Work {434} 316-9500, Home {434} 525-1318 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Or LRD 2016 Train Show Coordinator Norris Deyerle, Home {434} 237-4912 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , View past Lynchburg Rail Day train shows at www.blueridgenrhs.org. The longest running model train show in Central Virginia. Each year has truly become a “family reunion” for area model train lovers! Enjoy operating layouts in different scales and more! Handicapped accessible facility! The talk on the street is that this may be one of our best train shows yet! Please help spread the word! See you there!!
SEPTEMBER 2016
09-14-16: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Regular Monthly Meeting – Presenter Needed
09-28-16: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS “Fun Meeting”
OCTOBER 2016
10-12-16: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Regular Monthly Meeting – Kurt Reisweber Presentation
NOVEMBER 2016
11-06-16: {Sunday} 39th. Annual Gaithersburg Railroad – Steamship – Transportation Artifact Show and Sale and it’s 11th. Annual Gaithersburg Model Train Show and Sale, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, MD. Info: www.gserr.com
11-09-16: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Regular Monthly Meeting – Wayland Moore Presentation
11-23-16: {Wednesday} ALERT! NO BRC, NRHS “FUN MEETING” DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
DECEMBER 2016
12-03-16: {Saturday} BRC, NRHS Annual Christmas Banquet, Prior reservations required, social hour starts at 6:00 pm. with no alcoholic beverages, Buffet meal following. Slide or PowerPoint railroading presentation rounds out the evening. Former Southern Railway Station, the current Altavista Area Chamber of Commerce, 414 Washington Street, Altavista, Va. 24517 Directions: www.altavistachamber.org/directions
12-14-16: {Wednesday} BRC, NRHS Regular Monthly Meeting – Presenter Needed
12-17-16: {Saturday} BRC, NRHS Kemper Street Station Holiday Gathering
“Lynchburg Rail Day 2016”. Saturday, August 13, 2016.
Blue Ridge Chapter, NRHS Website: www.blueridgenrhs.org
Rails to Trails: High Bridge Trail State Park:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hig.shtml
http://www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/HighBridgeTrailStatePark/
https://sites.google.com/site/friendsofhighbridgetrail/
Historical USGS Topographical Maps: A great research tool for locating abandoned railroad lines, etc.
http://nationalmap.gov/historical/
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation – Free Official State of Virginia Railroad Map, Write: 600 East Main Street, Richmond, Va. 23219
Phone: 804-786-4440 Website: www.drpt.virginia.gov
Rail Cam Suggested Viewing by Lee Hawkins: www.railserve.com has been on my suggested list for some time but BRC member Lee Hawkins noticed that a new location has been added. Log on to http://www.railserve.com/RailCams/ You will see the Thomasville, NC rail cam located in downtown Thomasville, NC right on the Southern {NS} mainline.
Model Railroading:
High Bridge Railroad Club, Farmville, Va. Info: www.sites.google.com/site/hbrrclub
Modern Day Railroading:
Norfolk Southern and CSX Locomotives – The Diesel Shop, NS and CSX Loco rosters with professional quality photographs. The NS site includes NS Heritage locomotives. http://www.thedieselshop.us/NS.HTML & http://www.thedieselshop.us/CSX.HTML
“Fallen Flag” railroads of local interest:
NEWEST ADDITION: Nelson & Albemarle Railway Historical Society, www.nelson-albemarle-railway-org
Franklin & Pittsylvania Railroad, The old “fast and perfect” railroad that ran between Gretna and Rocky Mount, Va.: http://www.fandprailroad.org
Locomotive Search Tool And Railroad Photos Link: www.railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net
Railroad Related Events Information: Visit: www.varailheritage.org, www.vmt.org, www.linkmuseum.org, www.nctrans.org, www.RoanokeNRHS.org, http://nrhsrivanna.blogspot.com, www.dcnrhs.org, www.odcnrhs.org www.nwhs.org, www.cohs.org, www.csxthsociety.org, www.thecrhs.org, www.theruralretreatdepot.com, www.srha.org, www.rfandp.org www.vatraincollectors.com, www.traincollectors.org, www.railroadcollectors.org, www.nhvry.org, www.norfolksouthernhs.org, www.RailServe.com, www.gsmr.com, www.trains.com, www.TrainFinder.com, www.gserr.com, www.wghshow.com, www.drpt.virginia.gov, www.crewerailroadmuseum.org
Norfolk Southern/TVRM Steam Excursion Website: http://www.21stcenturysteam.com OR http://www.tvrail.com/pages/21st-century-steam
Steam Train Events in the United States and Canada: www.diary.svsfilm.com
Steam Locomotive Locations: www.steamlocomotive.com
Railroad Historical Information and Related Photos: www.hawkinsrails.net
Railroad Photos: www.railsinvirginia.com, www.railfirephotography.com
Key Lock & Lantern Railroad History and Preservation Organization, www.klnl.org
Railroadiana Collectors Association, Inc. {RCAI}, www.railroadcollectors.org
Danville & Western Ry. Website: Railway operated in Southwestern Virginia between Danville and Stuart. http://southern-railway.railfan.net/dw/
Trains & Travel International: www.traintrips.biz
Additional links to other NRHS Chapters, Railroad Historical Societies and Museums available at www.blueridgenrhs.org Keep track of Amtrak trains: http://asm.transitdocs.com
Virginia Museum Of Transportation Rail Cam: http://www.nwhs.org/cam/vmt
Roanoke, Va. Rail Cam: http://www.roanokerailcam.com {New 2016 Updated Address}
Accomplishments by Members
Accomplishments on railroad activities by Blue Ridge Chapter members
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Dale W. Diacont releases: Yesterday's Trains: Across the Commonwealth. Yesterday's Trains Across the Commonwealth is a truly different book focusing primarily on Virginia's more obscure railroad operations that are now either defunct or integrated into larger, less colorful operations. Most of all, Yesterday's Trains is a railroader's narrative in which you'll ride the end of a boxcar with a trainman, OS a passing train from a now-abandoned depot and mill about the hostler's track with simmering steam locomotives. Working on one of Virginia's railroads for over forty years has given the author a ringside seat from which to share. Illustrated in the seemingly lost art of black and white, Yesterday's Trains is also a photographer's book. Its horizontal pages include over 100 photographs, of which thirty are full page. An array of accomplished photographers helped the author complete his coverage. Don't be left at trackside—get on board Yesterday's Trains Across the Commonwealth. Available early April 2012 for $40. |
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Former Blue Ridge Chapter member Ralph Yoder passed away in September 2009. He left a collection of some 3600 color slides of mid Atlantic and mid Western railroads taken from about 1960 through the early 1990’s. Most are on Ektachrome film, but have been carefully stored and retain good color. Ralph was extremely knowledgeable about railroading (and several other fields), leaving a collection of 1500 railroad books, 400 employee and public timetables, 5000 history, geography and natural sciences books, and 500 USGS topographic maps. He was very meticulous, typing out two 3x5 file cards for every one of the 3600 slides he made, then filing one card chronologically and one by subject matter. The extensive collection has been assembled by Gary Quale. Details about the slides is available and access to the remaining slides may be arranged through Gary Quale (434-384-6308) or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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Rail Web Site: www.hawkinsrails.net Ralph Hawkins fascinating presentation of Railroading in the South. |
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Aubrey Wiley releases: Virginian Railway Pictorial - Pictures and Stories. The book was not published by a large book company, but under Aubrey’s personal direction. He has researched the material for years, wrote it, laid it out, designed and financed the whole process. It is 144 pages. Hardback printed on 100 lb. gloss paper with over 225 pictures. It was printed in the USA and the print quality is top of the line. It was printed by Mid Atlantic Printers which has a plant in Altavista. |
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The Kiwanis Club has been working for several years on a project to cosmetically restore the train in Rivermont Park in Lynchburg. The coach has been removed , the engine is 99% finished, and the caboose is nearly ready. That's where we need HELP. The city has been allotted money to upgrade and improve the park. They are urging us to complete the project as soon as possible. Work is scheduled every Saturday morning from 9-12 and sometimes work longer. For information get in touch with Bill Hodges: 582-1997 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you can give us a hand in any way, we would appreciate it. |
By Law Summary
By-Laws
Summary
The Blue Ridge Chapter NRHS is a non-profit educational and historical organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. View our complete chapter By-Laws.
Membership
The Blue Ridge Chapter NRHS offers membership in two classes:
• Regular membership, for individuals 16 years of age or older
• Family membership, which is available for the spouse and/or children (18 years old or younger) of a member
Dues
• Dues for the NRHS are set by the National Board of Directors. Dues for the Blue Ridge Chapter are set by the membership at a level calculated to cover Chapter expenses.
Current (August 2012) annual chapter dues are $49
Officers
• The President is charged with the responsibility of managing the Chapter. He conducts business meetings and is the program chairman, although this duty may be delegated to other officers or members. He oversees the duties of other officers and ensures the Chapter's adherence to its basic objectives as an educational and historical organization.
• The Vice President fulfills the duties of the President whenever he is unable to perform them, and other duties as assigned to him by the President. He is responsible for maintaining membership records, certifying new members to the NRHS, distributing annual membership forms, collecting membership dues, and conveying these dues to the Chapter Treasurer.
• The Secretary maintains accurate and complete records of the actions of the Chapter including recording the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Chapter. The Secretary communicates with the members and carries on the correspondence of the Chapter.
• The Treasurer is charged with the responsibility of handling and managing the monies of the Chapter. He is expected to report the financial status of the Chapter to the membership at each regular meeting.
• The National Director represents the Blue Ridge Chapter at any meetings of the Board of Directors of the NRHS and is also responsible for all liaison activities between the NRHS and the Blue Ridge Chapter.
Current e-mail addresses for our chapter officers can be found on our contacts page.
Committees
• Executive Committee - The sitting officers, (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and National Director), along with the immediate past President and the Editor of the Chapter Newsletter, shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is authorized to take emergency actions when a general Chapter meeting is not possible and shall also act as a General Short- and Long-Range Planning Committee of the Chapter.
• Nominating Committee - The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee prior to the end of the September regular meeting of the Chapter to prepare a slate of candidates for officers for election at the October annual meeting. No less than three regular members shall serve on the nominating committee.
Chapter Events
Chapter Events includes any activity of the Blue Ridge Chapter for which photo images are being shared with the general public. These are primarily picutres provided to reminisce about "the former days."
Rail Day is very popular and has been divided by the year of the event.
Excursions presents members and landmarks from various rail and/or road trips taken to rail-interest sites.
Other Events includes annual picnics and banquets.
Subcategories
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50th Anniversary Blog
50th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Chapter, 2008
What follows are BRC, NRHS, recollections by contributing current and former members as we celebrate our 50th year as a Chapter. I hope you will enjoy their stories. If these stories have jogged anything in your memory please feel free to share them here. Email them to the Editor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
