NMRA InfoNet May 2016

2016 NMRA Election Results

At-Large Worldwide Director

   Mike Brestel – 646

   Bob Ferguson – 371

Western District Director

   Stephen Priest – 181

   Don Fowler – 144

   Steve Barkley – 84

Atlantic District Director

   Kathy Millatt – 79

   Peter Bowen – 18

John Stevens – NMRA Secretary

World Trade Center Transportation Hub Opens

Nearly 15 years after September 11, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub recently opened.  The station, which opened months ahead of schedule, connects to 11 subway lines in New York as well as the underground PATH trains that link New York to New Jersey. Despite the early opening, the hub’s cost soared to $4 billion, twice the estimate when it was unveiled in 2004, and the space has been described by some residents as an architectural wonder and by others as an expensive eyesore.

   From National Association of Railway Passengers

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief derails

On March 14, Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train derailed west of Dodge City, KS.  The train was carrying 131 passengers and a crew of 14, and 32 people were sent to the hospital.  The National Transportation Safety Board is currently examining problems with the track, which could have been misaligned.

   From National Association of Railway Passengers

Message from Fred Headon, MMR current NMRA Canadian District Director:

As the Canadian District Director I am taking this opportunity to explain some features of NMRA Canada.   This entity has been established for NMRA members who reside in Canada.   It is an educational, non-profit association (paralleling its parent) that focuses on promoting and teaching the art and craft of model railroading.  Our membership which varies between 900 and 1100 ranks Canada as the second largest national membership within the global extent of the NMRA.

Our agreement with the NMRA Board of Directors allows us to set a dues structure based on Canadian residence and circumstances while maintaining all the rights and privileges of NMRA membership.  Volunteer administration allows a lower dues rate for Canadian members and allows payment in Canadian dollars to overcome exchange rate issues.  A similar agreement allows Canadian members to subscribe to the NMRA magazine.  Subscriptions to a member’s Regional publication (four Regions span the Canada – U.S.A. border) can also be paid through the offices of NMRA Canada.  Currently our Board of Directors includes representation from New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba.  We intend to expand our representation to better reflect our membership.

Within Regions of NMRA Canada are a number of Divisions most of which have a common pair of problems – considerable distance between centres and small member numbers.  One service to our members, the NMRA Clinic DVD’s (but not the Prototype or Modeling ones) are available through a Canadian address facilitating access.  The bi-lingual NMRA Canada website offers links to sites focused on Canadian railway history and to Canadian-focused SIGs including the Canadian National Historical Association, Canadian Pacific Historical Association, Pacific Great Eastern/BC Rail SIG, Ontario Northland Historical & Technical Society,  the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo SIG and the VIA Rail SIG.  Links are included to some member’s model railways and to clubs within each of our four Regions to enhance the fellowship that is so much a part of NMRA activities.

Fred Headon, MMR

Canadian District Director

If you have any questions or comments about any of the above, please send them directly to a Director or Officer.  You will find those addresses at www.nmra.org or in the NMRA Magazine

If the person holding a region or division office changes, or their email address changes, please contact me at tcdraider@aol.com with the corrected information.

Regards,

Tom Draper – HLM, DSA, FA, MSA, PA

Director – Support Services