Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington, PA, will host the Association of Railway Museums 2007 Annual Conference from Oct. 3 to 7. PTM is located about 25 miles SW of Pittsburgh, just off I-70 and I-79. Refer to the museum's website (www.pa-trolley.org) for registration forms and details of conference activities, or call 724-228-9256. Although PTM is primarily a trolley museum, there will be workshops featuring the "steam railroad" side of things. There is a considerable savings for early registrations. We hope to see you at PTM in October.

Dave Hamley, PTM Past President (2005-2006)

I'm looking forward to it. There are some seminars scheduled that are worth the cost of admission not to mention the other activities and networking opportunities. I am curious as to what other places are within a short driving distance for a day trip on Wednesday or Sunday. East Broadtop seems a little distant. Anything in Ohio to see or closer to Pittsburg?

EBT is about a 3 hour drive from the convention site. A long day, but doable. It is equally distant from any other major city so that this may be your best chance to get there. Don't go on Wedensday, as it will be very locked up. The nearesr thing in Ohio is the Ohio Central near Coshocton, about 1 3/4 hours away. Probably a weekday trip with advance arrangements recommended.

By all means take the opportunity to drive out to the EBT RR on Sunday Oct. 7. Sunday is the last day of the EBT's annual Fall Spectacular weekend railfan event, all operable equipment will be running. Catch a ride on the EBT's unique M-1 gas-electric car, the Fall Spectacular is the only weekend the M-1 is operated (for passenger rides) each year. They'll probably be running a steam-powered photo freight (buy a ticket for a train ride to a special vantage point) as well as numerous steam and diesel-powered passenger trains all day, speeder rides through the Rockhill yard southbound, as well as special rides and activities at the Rockhill Trolley Museum just across the street.

http://www.ebtrr.com/events.html

If you go to EBT on either Saturday or Sunday they should also be offering tours of the shop complex. This is a not to be missed tour. All the old machinery is still in place and the FEBT have been restoring the exterior windows and roofs. Also possibility speeder rides will be offered including the recently restored M-3