Amherst Railway Society P. O. Box 2351 Amherst, MA

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The mission of the Amherst Railway Society is education regarding and the promotion of hobbies related to Railroading. Amherst Railway Society P. O. Box 2351 Amherst, MA 01004-2351 www.amherstrail.

Meetings are canceled if Amherst Regional Schools are canceled, if meetings are canceled, the notice will be posted at www.cbs3springfield.com and at www.nbcconnecticut.

1 The mission of the Amherst Railway Society is education regarding and the promotion of hobbies related to Railroading. Amherst Railway Society P. O. Box 2351 Amherst, MA The next meeting of the Amherst Railway Society will be 7:30 pm EDT Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium. Meetings are canceled if Amherst Regional Schools are canceled, if meetings are canceled, the notice will be posted at and at Life on the Circus Train by Nicole Portman Like many young people, Nicole Portman came out of high school trying to decide where to go to college. Unlike many young people, Nicole took the road less traveled. After a rigorous interview and audition process, Nicole was accepted to the prestigious Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. There she learned the skills that brought the true clown that resided within her to life. For the last 25 years, Nicole has toured nationally and internationally with Ringling Bros., performed at Disneyland and Disney World, and warmed the hearts of thousands of children and adults at birthdays, picnics, schools, and libraries. Many of us know Nicole as Maggie the Railroad Clown. Because for years, she has been a star attraction at the Amherst Railway Society s annual Railroad Hobby Show. And, because she understand railroads. For three years, Nicole traveled the country aboard the Ringling Bros. circus trains. On Tuesday, September 15th, Nicole will share her experiences living on a 60 car, mile long train carrying everything from performers, to lions and tigers, to trapeze nets. From the Treasurer All donations to the Amherst Railway Society may be tax deductible. As Amherst Railway Society Inc. is a 501 C(3) tax exempt organization, your donations (of either cash and/or property) may be deducted on your Schedule A, Form 1040 of your Federal income tax. Consider the Amherst Railway Society in your estate planning. Your gifts can be restricted or non-restricted (you can pre-determine how you want your donation used). Upon request, and proper documentation of course, the Treasurer will issue you a letter to be used as justification for your tax deductions Page 1 of 6

Board of Directors 2015-2016 President Bruce MacCullagh Pres Elect John Sacerdote Treasurer David Royce Secretary Bill Meier Jr.

2 Board of Directors President Bruce MacCullagh Pres Elect John Sacerdote Treasurer David Royce Secretary Bill Meier Jr. At Large (also on show committee) Kurt Jellinek Rudy Versailles Clark Huber Show Committee Chair - Dick Joyce Tom Laware Jr Brian O Leary Tom Laware Sr at large members of BOD President Treasurer ex-officio -Show Director John Sacerdote Strategic Planning Committee (Develop Strategic Plan, 1 and 5 year goals) Co chairs Ken Harstine and Kurt Jellinek Tom Laware Sr. Dick Joyce John Randall Joe Albano John Sacerdote -exofficio David Royce exofficio Bill Meier Jr. exofficio Clark Huber - exofficio Membership (Marketing, Trip Committee, Member retention etc) Chair - John Sacerdote Joe LePage Joe Kurland Joe Albano Jr. Greg Maas Tom Laware Sr. Ted Curtin Message from the President The Strategic Planning Committee continues to be busy as they are actively seeking a site for the ARS to call home. As we begin the new program year, the Board of Directors will be meeting to map out the goals for the year. Grant applications are due Oct 31, and the Board will once again be meeting to review which requests will be funded this year. Wed Oct 14, 2015 Wed Nov 18, grants Wed March 23, 2016 Wed April 27, 2016 proposed business for annual mtg. Wed May 18, budget meeting The October meeting of the Amherst Railway Society will be at a different location. Please mark your calendars to be at South Hadley s Tower Theaters, Tuesday Oct 20 for the World Premier Showing of the Tour of Railroad Heritage of Holyoke starring Richard Joyce, presented by the Amherst Railway Society. We have switched venues simply because we need a theatre setting to show this fantastic tour of the Holyoke Massachusetts area and its railroads. South Hadley's Tower Theaters 19 College St, South Hadley MA :30 pm Tuesday evening, October 20, 2015 From the AMHERST BELT LINES address: amherstbeltlines@amherstrail.org We have three events that ABEL is planning on participating in for the remainder of this year: Sept 26 Rutland Train Show Rutland VT Oct 17,18 Little Rhody Div Pawtucket, RI Dec 5,6 HUB Model Train Expo Marlborough, MA If anyone want's to be more involved with the Amherst Belt Lines, please reach out to us via an to amherstbeltlines@amherstrail.org Remember... Any form of Railroading is Fun!!! Amherst Belt Lines Modular Coordinators Clark Huber, Jim Fenner and Robby Cabrera Rail Fan Information For info...bens Bridge is a vehicular bridge that crosses over the CSX Selkirk Yard at Selkirk Yard NY...The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic several years ago but remains open to pedestrian and bicyclist traffic while the local govt decided what to do with the bridge. It was recently announced that funds have been appropriated to remove the bridge and not replace it...and this may occur by sometime this Autumn. With the removal of the bridge will come the loss of some nice photo angles of the Selkirk Yard and diesel shops for railfans. MEMBERSHIP DUES: Check your mailing label, or membership card to see if the year says 2015 If it does, your membership expired at the end of this past June. Memberships expire on June 30 of the year listed. Student memberships require an update of year and expected graduation. Regular adult memberships are $28 for one year, $70 for three years, or $112 for five years. The five year membership renewal is equal to one free year. Page 2 of 6

3 Silent Auction and Show Update! On Friday, August 21, we held our annual silent auction and swap meet at the Carriage House on the grounds of the ESE. In those catered 2-hours, we were able to raise $ for our grant program. But, it turns out to be a solid day of just plain old fun. Next year, you should think about helping us set up it starts at 8 am in the morning, making for a long day, but so worth it! With regard to the Show, we are in full swing. Over 450 contracts have been out the door for over 6 weeks and we have been working on Show items in detail. Our first deadline for contract returns is fast approaching and from that information, we will start assigning table space to those that have responded early. At the same time, we are already once again re-designing the layout of the four buildings based upon new ideas, and improvements over last year (as you know, it never ends!). Once again, I can say with excitement, that the new changes will keep the Show fresh and have people talking to be sure. Let me give you just a small taste of what is happening: The Reception Center and ARS Store are back in the BLC, as is the raffle layout. Our awards stage will remain the same in the front portion of the Mallary Complex. There are new manufacturers already signed, and, there is so much more. You ll hear about them as the Show continues to take shape for the 2016 season! Let me apologize in advance for this next section as this is my annual plea for volunteers that I am sure you are tired of hearing. The one constant that we have is the fact that our Show is only as good as the number of volunteers that we have to run it. With this year s new configuration, we need more volunteers than ever. Even if you can only put in 2 hours, we want you! Please, if you can help, fill out this year s volunteer form. Duties include simple tasks like door man, unfolding tables, to hanging number signs on posts, to checking badges to distributing flyers to escorting exhibitors to their area. If you are not sure, just come on down and we will get you an assignment. Please contact David Royce or myself if you are interested and, please try to get there on either Wednesday afternoon, Thursday or Friday. Remember volunteering gets you there early and that means the possibility of participating in the early horse-trading that goes on with the exhibitors and the volunteers! This is a site to behold. The faster an exhibitor gets set up, the quicker the trading begins. The tradition continues and it is a great deal of fun and all before the show opens! Exhibitors actually look forward to it and press us to get in earlier and earlier each year they know that it gives them more time to sell! Remember, during Show set up, parking is free. Please consider joining us for the Show setup and breakdown, sign up as a volunteer. Think about the fact that this show is one of the best and biggest shows in the United States you play a big role it that We want you Volunteer Today!!! John Sacerdote, Show Director Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Modeling Clinics January 28-29, 2016 Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show West Springfield, MA January 30-31, 2016 Page 3 of 6

4 Amherst Railway Society Announces the World Premier Showing of the Tour of Railroad Heritage of Holyoke Starring Richard Joyce Back on a Saturday in May, May 9 th, 2015 to be exact, approximately 40 people started out by school bus at 10 am for a 2-hour tour, yes a 2-hour tour. Unlike the folks on the Minnow, we did not get lost (well, once almost, maybe) as this was a unique ride through the streets of Holyoke. This Tour was all about railroads in and about Holyoke, Mass. With a foundation in railroads of the area, throw in some incredible architecture, amazing city planning for the times, and you are presented with one of the best ARS Tours ever! Our Tour Guide and the narrator of our film, Richard Dick Joyce, grew up in the Holyoke area. His model railroad is named the Ingleside and Oakdale all about this surrounding area. What better person to provide us with almost 75 years of history with regard to Holyoke railroads. This tour has been preserved and edited into a 30 minute video presentation and our World Premier showing will debut on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 as the Amherst Railway Society s October Meeting, starting at 7:30 pm. Please note that the venue and location have changed. We will be presenting The Tour at the following: South Hadley's Tower Theaters 19 College St, South Hadley MA :30 pm Tuesday evening, October 20, 2015 We have switched venues simply because we need a theatre setting to show this fantastic tour of the Holyoke area and its railroads. So, come for the nostalgia, the education, the fun and the camaraderie as Dick Joyce walks and drives us through the streets of Holyoke, Massachusetts. You will not want to miss this! From The Springfield Area: Directions of the Tower Theatres Follow Route 91 North to Exit 16, at Route 202 marked Holyoke/South Hadley. Turn right onto Route 202, which takes you through Holyoke, and across the Connecticut River. Continue on Route 202 and take the second exit marked, South Hadley Center Amherst To Route 116 North." The Village Commons is approximately 3 miles ahead on the left. Parking is in the rear of the building. From the Northampton area: Follow Route 9 East from the center of Northampton over the Coolidge Bridge to Route 47 South, marked South Hadley -The Village Commons. Take this right. The Village Commons is 11 miles ahead. You'll be approaching from the rear of the complex. Park along the back of the building and walk towards the marquee. From the Amherst area: Follow Route 116 South, past Atkins farms, directly to South Hadley, for approximately 12 miles. Shortly after the fire station, you'll see the complex to the right. Park along the back of the building and walk towards the marquee. From the Chicopee area: Follow Memorial Drive/Route 33 directly to South Hadley. At its end, take a right onto, Route 116. Follow for 2 miles to The Village Commons. Parking is to the rear of the building.

5 Amherst Railway Society Newsletter September 2015 to Volunteer for the Amherst Railway Society 2016 Railroad Hobby Show We need volunteers who are serious about helping with the Largest Show in North America! Please sign up using the form below: Please complete this form and return to us ASAP (see reverse for contact info) NAME STREET ADDRESS (IF APPLICABLE) CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE NUMBER ALTERNATE PHONE Check and list all that you are interested in: READ THE BACK OF THIS FORM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOBS AVAILABLE!!! Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday THE COMMITTEE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ASSIGN YOU TO TASKS REQUESTED; YOU MAY BE ASKED TO FILL IN WHERE NEEDED Page 5 of 6

6 All Volunteers are eligible for FREE PARKING!! Available Jobs Include: THURSDAY JOBS AVAILABLE (Show Set-up) - Signs, including table numbers (mostly in the am) - Tables and chair set-up and placement (all day long; coordinate with Boy Scouts in evening) - door monitor/traffic control (all day long, but in shifts) - Stanchions in Parking lot for bus and ARS Parking only; add appropriate signs to stanchions FRIDAY JOBS AVAILABLE (Vendors Arrive) - door monitor/traffic control (all day long, but in shifts) - barrier providers/set-up (all day long, but in shifts) - hands on volunteers - test tracks (if applicable) - time savers (if applicable) - reception center set up SATURDAY/SUNDAY (SHOW TIME) JOBS AVAILABLE - reception center (greetings) - reception center raffle ticket sales - door monitor/traffic control (extras on doors 3,5,7 in BLC) CLOSE JOBS AVAILABLE (Sunday afternoon) - door monitor/traffic control/door guard (no vehicles until notice; in shifts) - break down of reception center (late afternoon) - collection of signs, numbers, easels, homasote boards, AV equipment (late afternoon) - Boy Scouts assistance and coordination of table and chair breakdown (late afternoon) For more information or to return this form, contact: Show Office at ShowOffice@AmherstRail.org or call or send your form to: Amherst Railway Society P.O. Box 247 Monson, MA or just bring your completed form to the Next Meeting!!!

Update on the Nickel Plate by Tony Koester

Update on the Nickel Plate by Tony Koester The mission of the Amherst Railway Society is education regarding and the promotion of hobbies related to Railroading. Amherst Railway Society P. O. Box 2351 Amherst, MA 01004-2351 www.amherstrail.org