December, 2015 – Andy Sparberg presented “Before the Subways – New York’s Elevated Trains” Covering the history of the two separate 19th century elevated systems that were built in New York – in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Originally steam powered, the lines were converted to electric power early in the 20th century. Some were rebuilt for inclusion into the subways; many others were razed between 1940 and 1973. The key point is that the 19th century New York elevated systems created travel patterns that are still important more than a century later.
November, 2015 – Mike Boland presented a show titled “LIRR MP54s in Glorious Black and White” and it is a comprehensive look at six decades plus of service provided by this venerable MU veteran. The show, all in black and white, covered ALL kinds of LIRR MP54s with all subclasses and is an in-depth history of this car, from 1908 until about 1971 or so when the last cars were removed from service.
October, 2015 – Ed Koehler presented “Interurban Railways of the Isle of Man”.
September, 2015 – Our September meeting will include a slide show presentation by John Kilbride, “Supernumerary Brakeman” which features his brief career as an assistant freight brakeman on the Lackawanna Valley, Panther Valley and Reading & Northern Railroads – several diverse eastern Pennsylvania shortlines. Using vacation days from his “other” railroad job, John participated in several day-long trips that provided opportunities to throw switches and uncouple freight cars in an effort to both expedite the operations of those trains as well as get rid of frustrations from his regular full-time duties!!!! He’s also included views of his experience escorting newly-delivered NJ Transit electric locomotives from Baltimore to New Jersey.
June, 2015 George Wybenga presented a visit to the Spoorweg (Railway) Museum in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
May, 2015 – John Kilbride presented “The Albany Funnel” a historical review of rail operations through New York State’s capital region, and include views of B&M, D&H and PC freight trains as well as 30 years of passenger trains. Some “behind the scenes” views are included as the regions status as a rail funnel will be explained.
March, 2015 – General Meeting without a presentation due to inclement weather.
February, 2015 – FROM A NICKEL TO A TOKEN: AN EVENING WITH ANDREW J. SPARBERG. Author, transit historian, and retired Long Island Rail Road manager Andrew J. Sparberg presented a slide show about his new book From a Nickel to a Token. The book examines twenty specific events between 1940 and 1968, bookended by subway unification and the MTA’s creation. Beyond unification of the IRT, BMT, and IND, the system morphed into today’s network. The public sector absorbed most private surface lines, and buses completely replaced streetcars. Elevated lines were demolished, replaced by subways or, along Manhattan’s Third Avenue, not at all. Strategic track connections were built to allow a more flexible and unified operation. The oldest subway routes received much needed rehabilitation. Thousands of new subway cars and buses were purchased. The sacred nickel fare barrier was broken, and by 1968 a ride cost twenty cents. Labor issues were often front page news.
January, 2015 – Eliot Courtney shared his pictures taken while interning for Metro North during the past summer. He will also showed us the latest from the Rochester & Southern RR and other action around upstate NY .
Meetings
2014 Meetings
December. 2014 – Since the 1980’s Alaskan cruises have become a very popular vacation option. For a rail enthusiast these trips can have much to offer, especially if one adds a tour to Denali National Park to the package. Join Ed Koehler as he travels over portions of the Alaska Railroad and the legendary narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Route as a part of a cruise vacation. Images taken during this trip have been supplemented with photographs from other sources. The Christmas holiday occurs during December, but better way to acknowledge this then to feature a railroad that goes to North Pole! The presentation will last about an hour and will include full current locomotive roster details for both the Alaska Railroad and the White Pass and Yukon Route.
November. 2014 – Just before Thanksgiving and the holidays, it’s November and time for a LIST tradition: “Modelers’ Night.” LIST Modelers’ Committee members Bob Cecere and Mike Boland humbly ask all modelers of scale or tinplate, any railroad, and era to bring a model (or two) for display and speak for no more than 2 minutes on it. It’s a fun evening and inspirational for all. Following our display of models and presentations, we will have recently-retired NYCT conductor Vin Benkovitz returning to present another of his very popular freight car and rolling stock shows. This year Vin will feature all kinds of freight cars from railroads whose name begins with an “O” and “P.” Come one, come all as it promises to be a most enjoyable evening for anyone who loves trains!
September. 2014 – The Guest Presenter is Mike Boland. Mike Boland put together a fascinating and colorful show on the Long Island Rail Road. Entitled “The LIRR from 1945 to 1970…25 Years of Tumult and Change,” this two Carousel show focused on what happened to the railroad over this 25-year period. It was a time of transition and change from the end of World War Two through bankruptcy, reorganization and a plethora of other events that affected the railroad in one way or another, While not being totally inclusive, this show was be both informative and entertaining, featuring the slide photography of a number of well-known LIRR photographers who are members of our chapter and some who are not.
June. 2014 – The Guest presenter was Joe Calisi who presented a program on Trains in Italy. The presentation covered everything from high-speed Frecciarossas to trolley cars to subways. A wonderful experience.
May. 2014 – The Guest presenter was John Turkeli who presented a program on the NY & Long Branch Railroad. John has an extensive collection of photos of the NY & Long Branch RR. Included was Steam, Diesel and Electric trains and shots of the PRR famous GG-1 electric locomotive.
April. 2014 – The topic for the April Meeting was the story of Pennsylvania Station. We showed the video titled The Rise and Fall of Penn Station” and John Turkeli presented a slide show on Penn Station.
March. 2014 – The meeting featured a slide show on Conrail that was presented by Steve Williams.
Feb. 2014 – The meeting featured a presentation by Kevin Katta called – “50 States in 50 Minutes – Railroading in the USA”
