I guess (no, not guess, I know) another year has gone by for the VRA. After three great years as your President, one year as V.P. and now running for Director, I have witnessed many things go on in our group. I have seen many Santa trains as Santa, run on many Easter bunny trains, and done countless other fundraising for the VRA, and IT HAS WORKED. Through the shared efforts of all of us, WE as a group have done almost miraculous things.
We have moved the station (still more work to go there, so don’t be shy!), have started long due restoration of our 40B (still plenty to do there too), and contributed greatly both in manpower and funds to the URHS (and have witnessed great progress there due to our efforts for them).
Our speeder excursions are almost legendary, and we expect a full, great year of fun again on the rails, along with the infamous Hobo Party back at my place after the Saturday run on the Southern Division. I will be going for my excursion coordinator certification, so as better to assist in our speeder runs, and hope to make it an even better experience for all.
The VRA has had new people step up to help run these great projects, and their efforts are much appreciated. I look forward to working with all of you in the future. I thank all of you for the trust you have put in me in the past, and pledge to continue to work in our best interests in the future.
Sadly, this has been another year of loss to us as well, with long time member Charlie Roselius passing just a few weeks ago. His contributions, stability, and wit will be missed by all of us that were privileged to have known and worked with him. Ring those trolley bells in heaven for us Charlie.
As an aside, today I did some railfanning as I heard the mothballed NYSW plow unit was lashed up to CSX power and was clearing the way to Pelton. I took a few pictures at Pompton Lakes, Butler, Smith Mills and the Charlotteburg Reservoir. You can enjoy them in the photo section.