Whew! Well, we've done Rail Days in all sorts of weather (broiling heat in 1992); a wet cold (1997) and now this one, which we'll recall for years as the year it rained on the new FM and the Edwards car! My boots will be soggy for weeks!

Thanks to all who came, despite the rain. Your attendance is appreciated. It's a great way to support railway preservation and have some fun at the same time.

Feedback is always welcomed. Planning will start shortly for next year's event. 2005 is the centennial of the town of Spencer and the 80th birthday for 1925. Great ideas are always welcomed! Jim

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This was (unbelievably) my first visit to NCTM, and I was honored to be asked to come to speak at the handover of Amtrak F40PH 307 to the Museum.

To those who have never been to Spencer, I must strongly advocate a visit. After all these years, Spencer is still very much a work in progress, with both serious liabilities and huge potential. It's amazing to think the largest buildings there are still awaiting renovation and exhibits. The place takes up SO much more room than, say, the RR Museum of Pa.--and this is both a plus and a minus, as you well know.

Certainly there will always be room for fine-tuning of the exhibits. One example: Jenny looked at the plaque for the steel bridge preserved as a pedestrian overpass and asked "was this a railroad bridge or a highway bridge?" The plaque is unclear.

And you need a lighthouse. I know where you can get one that will fit in your back shop..... <;-)



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Feedback is always welcomed. Planning will
> start shortly for next year's event. 2005 is
> the centennial of the town of Spencer and
> the 80th birthday for 1925. Great ideas are
> always welcomed! Jim

As you know I contacted you a couple of years ago about going down for this event. However, I might suggest that you consider trying it at a different time of the year, or maybe more than once a year. Is there a rule that says you can't have rail days TWICE a year. Might mean (a) Some folks would come that couldn't make the spring event, and (b) Some folks might go both times especially if you do a few new or different things each time.
Just something to consider. I know if we head that way to the beachs of NC in the Summer we are more likely to go there in the summer than trying to cram it into a long weekend, which would be near impossible from Ohio!!!

Sounds like a nice event...just wish we were closer.

Greg Scholl

PS I remember seeing the Spencer roundhouse in 1980-82, and the place(yard area, etc) looked like something hit by a squadron of B17's


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Hi Jim,

It was fantastic. Hats off to you and the other volunteers for making it come together. It looked like you guys and gals were going 110% to make it a pleasure even with the weather not cooperating, and succeeded.

The Shay looked great pulling the caboose train. The FM looked great (and sounded impressive) too. And it's always great to see the GP30 pulling freight.

The guys with the Edwards car did a fantastic job with it. Between it and the Doris rides, I'd hope your foundation membership really climbed.

The Hobo village was a hoot and the guy doing the blacksmith demonstration was doing some really neat stuff too.

Hope your event for Mothers Day goes well too.

Randy P


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