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Prairie State Railroad Club
Prairie State Railroad Club 2011 Calendar of Events Revised June 20, 2011 Membership Meetings Membership (business) meetings are held at 1:30pm, on the dates listed below. Most of these are Sundays, but a few Saturday dates are in there as well. Although subject to change, meetings are normally held at the Big Rock Town Hall, Rhodes and Fifth Streets, Big Rock, IL. If the Town Hall is unavailable the meeting will be held at our car barn/engine house at Plowman’s Park/Kenny Field located about one mile west of Big Rock on Hinckley Road (Second Street) just south of the BNSF tracks. Note that these meeting dates are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or for other reasons. 2011 Business Meetings March 20 – first meeting of the year. April 17 May 15 June 12 – one week earlier than normal July 17 Date change – Saturday, July 9th August 21 Date change – Saturday, August 13th September – no meeting scheduled due to Big Rock Plowing Match (9/16-9/18) October 16 November 20 December 17 – Holiday Party – Note this event is being held on a Saturday at 1:30pm. No business transacted this month. Set-up starts at Noon. Open Run Days Open run days are held on the first Saturday of each month, weather and other conditions permitting, from April through November at Plowman’s Park/Kenny Field, Big Rock, IL. All are welcome, however public train rides are not scheduled or necessarily available. Donations are welcome. The park is located less than one mile west of Big Rock on Hinckley Road (known as Second Street in Big Rock). Special Events/Railroad Shows The Club plans to staff booths at various railroad shows this year. The Club will also be operating trains for the benefit of the public at several events that are scheduled for the park by the Big Rock Plowing Association or other parties. Events will be posted as they are scheduled. Help to staff booths (including set-up, take-down, and transportation) is welcome – and needed! For events where trains will be in operation we will also need engineers, locomotives, station staff, etc. Saturday, March 19th: All American Railroad Show, at Lyons Township High School Field House (gymnasium) in LaGrange. The club will staff a display booth with static equipment displays. Contact Rusty Collier at (815) 272-8045, or Bruce Moffat at (312) 922-3515. Even if you cannot help, feel free to come by the booth and visit! A nominal admission charge may apply. Saturday, July 2nd: Second Annual Prairie State Railroad Show and Swap Meet, at Kenny Field/Plowman’s Park, Big Rock, IL. Vendors of railroad-themed merchandise and memorabilia are wanted! The Club will operate trains, so locomotives and personnel will also be needed. Contact Mike Mitzel at (815) 628-3416 if you can help.Saturday, July 23rd: Wine/Cheese Tasting at Plowman’s Park - Event has been cancelled.Saturday, July 30th: Blue Grass Fest at Plowman’s Park ( sponsored by the Northern Illinois Blue Grass Association). Trains will be operated from late morning through the afternoon. Assistance from the membership will be needed. If you can help, contact Rusty Collier (see number above).September 16 th-18th: Big Rock Plowing Match, Kenny Field/Plowman’s Park, Big Rock, IL (visit www.bigrockplowingmatch.com for more details about this event). Public are invited and we will operate trains on Saturday and Sunday. Visiting engines welcome at this event only if they can be used in public operation (see special notice below). Current boiler certification required for steam locomotives. Due to limited track space for display purposes, visiting live steamers should contact the club prior to bringing out any equipment. Use of the track is reserved for approved engines and trains that are being used to handle the public only.Special Notices OWNERS/OPERATORS OF VISITNG ENGINES HANDLING THE PUBLIC MUST BE PAID-UP CLUB MEMBERS DUE TO INSURANCE REGULATIONS. At the Club’s option, souvenir tickets may be issued to the public when train rides are provided. However, there is no charge or required donation for the public to ride trains at any time, or to obtain the souvenir tickets. If you would like to donate, please do! Your donations help to keep the trains running! Contact any club officer to learn how. Work Days Because the Prairie State Railroad Club is a membership-based, all-volunteer organization, we encourage members and friends to participate in maintaining the grounds, track, and related facilities. These can often be scheduled around your availability! Contact Rusty Collier at (815) 272-8045, or Mike Mitzel at (815) 628-3416 if you can help. Memberships The Prairie State Railroad Club welcomes anyone with an interest in 7-1/2" gauge model railroading to become a member. A membership form can be downloaded from the club’s web site: www.prairiestaterr.org. For current members, dues for 2011 are payable in March. Dues for Regular members are $100 for the 12 months starting with March (or two payments of $50). Reduced rates apply for Affiliate (out of area) and Junior members.
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