May 12-14, 2011

The following speakers are planned, subject to change:

Our opening speaker Thursday evening will be Alex Campbell. A Columbus native, Alex spent his teenage years watching railroading in Columbus and Central Ohio. With five major carriers entering the city, there was a lot to see! Alex will concentrate on the PRR as he remembers it in the 1950's.

A historian, preservationist and author, Jeff will present the story of this once proud and now long gone complex that served the five major railroads in Columbus.

"Stoney" believes that passenger train operations, with originations, terminations, exchanging cars between trains and other railroads, can make one passenger station as busy as an entire switching district. See how he plans on doing this in HO scale.

Author of the soon to be published PRRT&HS book, The Pennsylvania Railroad in Columbus, Rick will take us on a tour of the major PRR yards and engine facilities in Columbus. He will discuss their locations, functions, and how Columbus tied in to system-wide train operations.

Gary will take you on a pictorial trip of the PY&A Branch of the PRR from Ashtabula to Youngstown. Photos range from the 1880's to the 1950's.

A Master Model Railroader, Dick will take you through the process he used to develop and build his PY&A-based HO scale layout. When complete, the layout will feature a steel mill complex and the Ashtabula harbor. Dick's layout is scheduled to be on the layout tour. (This clinic will be presented only one time.)

A retired PC/CR/NS locomotive engineer, Chip will take you on a photographic tour of the giant Hulett unloading machines at the C&P ore docks in Cleveland.

This Columbus, Ohio historian and aviation enthusiast will talk about the "Airway Limited" and the PRR's connection with the fledgling airline industry in a joint venture that began in Columbus. (This clinic will be presented only one time).

. A double length session features the collaboration of two well known modelers and how they are modeling the eastern section of the Panhandle Division.

The Columbus 20th Street Shop complex was second only to Altoona as a steam locomotive back shop and car repair facility for the PRR. Ron will describe its importance to the western portion of the railroad.

In his early years Bill watched PRR steam and early diesels at the Emsworth, PA station and developed a passion for trains and the "Standard Railroad of the World". Bill will show that Columbus, Ohio was home to some not so "standard" PRR engines.

A Bucyrus, Ohio native, Mike will present an overview of the PRR Sandusky Branch. The Columbus to Sandusky, Ohio branch was a major artery for coal headed from the hills of Appalachia to the Lake Erie docks, and featured J1's and, in 1956, the ATSF 2-10-4's. This branch became a major player in the merger mania of the 1960's.

Avid O scale modeler, editor of the P&LE Society magazine, and author of a book and a number of articles, Larry will present a clinic on his O scale modeling of three specific PRR steam locomotives.

Prolific PRR modeler and historian, Bruce will present a clinic on PRR's X31 boxcar, its history, and how to model it.

Dave will present the after banquet program on life in Ohio coal mining in the early 20th century, and the connection with the PRR's Cleveland and Marietta Branch.

Other program highlights:

Hear what new PRR model projects are in the works (that are not top secret), share your opinions on what you'd like to see next, and show your appreciation for the efforts of these volunteers that are helping the manufacturers give us the PRR models we've ever had.

Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

(An all day tour, returning to the hotel by approximately 5:30 p.m.)

This tour will parallel the former Panhandle Line from Columbus to Dennison where you will enjoy a buffet lunch at the Dennison Yard Italian Tavern, then visit the beautifully restored 1873 PRR Depot and tour the museum. The Dennison Depot was once known as "Dreamsville", USA by 1.5 million soldiers aboard troop trains that stopped at the Dennison Canteen during World War's I & II. Part of the museum is in railroad passenger cars attached to the depot, and features rail travel during the World War II years.

You will also have the opportunity to see a Pullman car, the "TIMES SQUARE" and the PRR business car "WILLIAMSPORT". These two cars are recent acquisitions and will be restored. The museum also features an N scale operating model railroad layout depicting the rail yards that were once a major part of the Panhandle line. There will be stops along the way at Outville, Newark, Coshocton, Urichsville, Cambridge and Zanesville, where you can see and photograph structures that were owned or used by the PRR.

The motor coach is equipped with video viewing screens and a restroom. There will be an on-board guide who will show photos and point out features along the way. Cost will be $50 per person, which includes coach fare, lunch and museum tickets. Please pay by a separate check, made out to the Lines West-Buckeye Region Chapter with a memo tag of "Dennison Tour". This trip is limited to the first fifty-five registrants. Checks will be returned at the registration desk for those who do not get a seat.

(Approximately a 4-hour tour)

Our tour will start with a luncheon buffet at "Schmidt's Sausage House" in the historic German Village area just south of beautiful downtown Columbus. Schmidt's, established in 1886, is a popular venue for visitors to Columbus as well as the local residents. After lunch you will take a short motor coach ride to the conservatory.

A self-guided tour of the Franklin Park Conservatory features the "Butterflies and Blooms" exhibit with the release of dozens and dozens of exotic butterflies into the floral and botanical displays. Visitors may also view the signature collection of glass works by artist Dale Chihuly and visit the working glass blowing shop.

Franklin Park is a world famous horticultural and instructional institute, which hosted the "America Flora" International Horticultural exhibition in 1992. The conservatory showcases exotic plant collections along with botanical and floral displays.

The cost is $45 per person, which includes the lunch buffet, conservatory admission and transportation. Please pay by a separate check payable to the Lines West-Buckeye Region Chapter with a memo tag of "Conservatory Tour". In the event that the tour must be cancelled for lack of participants, your check will be returned at the registration desk.