Well, gang, here's a public invite to three upcoming special events at NCTM. The only reason I didn't insert this into the calendar without remark is that it is a milestone and also we're trying to pull ALL three events off in 2 weeks. One of the things we do best is special events. It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun to see bunches of people having a good time. Here's the slate, with some editorial commentary (in parnes). Jim

NCTM 25th anniversary is Sept. 28. Some highlights, courtesy of our PR department:
*10:00 a.m. is the Town of Spencer Steamfest Parade (this is the community event that grew out of the original Spencer Labor Day festival that grew out of the original shop workers' big Labor Day fest--it got moved because darn near all of Piedmont North Carolina goes to the beach at Labor Day!)
*11:30 a.m. is the Silver Spike Ceremony (1925 sb meeting, probably E8 6900 or FP7 6133 NB; yours truly on the scoop and injector; stop by and say hello)
*12:30 p.m. Cake Cutting Ceremony (don't know what flavor, but come out and get a bite)
*2:30 p.m. Cone Mills Boxcar Dedication/Opening ceremony (this should be pretty neat--the Greensboro NRHS chapter donated this car, used as a textile company's interplant materials car; we've repainted it and instead of just having an empty boxcar, our exhibits folks installed a display about the industry and transportation of textiles; it's a permanent exhibit and a good use of the car--both inside and out!)
*All day entertainment including: blacksmithing demonstrations, Indian
dugout canoe making demonstrations, antique automobiles, hit and miss
engines on display, special discounted train rides ($3 per person; ride early and often)

Thomas is on site Oct. 4-6 and 11-13; 1925 will be pulling a string of cabooses opposite it; if you've got little kids who love trains or want them to love trains, call 877 NCTM FUN and get some tix. (need i say more?)

Transcare is Oct. 8 from early afternoon into the evening. I'd seen pictures of NS' locomotive in a special paint scheme for this thing, but never realized that it is: It's a training program for emergency officials and responders to help them know what to do in a hazardous materials incident. It's supposed to have the NS engine, some special Du Pont cars, an Amtrak car, etc. It's open to the public.

Like they say on the Price is Right: Come on down!



http://nctrans.org
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