2009 Convention

        Improvisation is defined as managing with whatever you have in hand, or working in a makeshift manner. And, there is no better way to explain the circumstances during the week leading up the L&NHS annual convention in Chattanooga on September 24-27, 2009.

During the week or so before the planned convention, the Southeast was literally inundated with torrential rainfall, generating 100-year or higher flood levels at many locations. The Chattanooga area was not spared in this deluge. Convention chairman (and president of the Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railroad Historical Society, with which this was a joint convention) Warren Stephens—who lives at Austell, Georgia, an area that was especially hard hit by flooding—had to completely revamp the scheduled train excursions for Friday and Saturday. The initial Friday trip was to be a Tennessee Valley Railway Museum excursion over former TAG trackage to Flintstone, Georgia and return. Alas, by mid-week, the route was flooded and unavailable for use. The Saturday trip was to run behind steam (TVRM’s ex-U.S.Army 2-8-0 No. 610) to Summerville, GA and return, including lunch on TVRM’s heavyweight dinner Traveler’s Fare. This route was also rendered unusable by the flood waters.

Warren quickly worked out alternate trips with TVRM’s Steve Freer. The Friday trip would begin with a bus ride to Gee Creek, TN, where riders would board TVRM’s excursion train that operates over the ex-L&N “Hook & Eye” old line to Copperhill, TN. While this was a repeat from the 2008 convention, there wasn’t a soul who objected. The ride behind NC&StL-painted GP7 No. 710 ran to Farner, TN, where the engine ran around the train for a return to Gee Creek. Photo runbys were held at Reliance and also just north Farner. Upon return to Gee Creek, a quick group photo was held before box lunches were distributed. The conventioneers returned to our headquarters, the famed Chattanooga Choo-Choo, via bus.

The Saturday trip was an extended “Downtown Arrow” excursion to TVRM and back, boarding at the Choo-Choo. TVRM crews worked through the night to make steam available for this trip, and that morning, convention attendees were not disappointed when the deep steamboat whistle of the 610 could be heard in the distance. The engine backed its train into the Choo-Choo for boarding as the rain held off for the moment. The train had to zigzag through multiple NS and CSX trains at super-busy Central Avenue interlocking before gaining its trackage to TVRM’s East Chattanooga terminal. During this time, the skies opened up again---but everyone was warm and dry aboard the train.

During the layover at Grand Junction, the rain moderated a bit to allow viewing of TVRM’s extensive collection of equipment. A visiting O. Winston Link photo exhibit was also a highlight during the layover. Aboard the Traveler’s Fare, a delicious luncheon was served in three seatings. The menu including a turkey and Swiss croissant with fixings, a cup of homemade soup, cole slaw, chips, drink and dessert.

After watching the 610 being turned at East Chattanooga, the special reboarded for downtown. The train again worked its way through Central Avenue before backing into the Choo-Choo. As another rain storm began to sprinkle, a group photo in front of the 610 marked a successful culmination of the second improvised excursion.

Besides the quickly arranged excursions, the convention highlights included an L&N slide show by Dave Oroszi, a clinic on L&N-served creameries by Charles Bogart, and a wonderful show on the TAG by Warren Stephens, followed by a show on the relocation of L&N’s bases of operations from the old NC&StL yard at Cravens to Wauhatchie. On Friday night, an excellent clinic on L&N signals was presented by Sid Johnson, a retired L&N and CSX senior management official who saw service over the entire system during his working days. Sid was assisted by Lyle Key, an also now-retired L&N and CSX veteran from the legal department. Sid’s presentation was followed by an excellent show by Lee Singletary on his L&N steam modeling projects. Another highlight was Michael George’s O-scale layout, which was visited by a number of conventioneers on Thursday afternoon.

The Saturday evening program following the banquet featured Mark Womack, who retired as a long-time official with the NC&StL, L&N, Family Lines and Seaboard System. Warren Stephens also presented vintage movies of the TAG and all of the Atlanta-area railroads from the mid-‘50s. Door prizes were furnished by Brian Bunger, owner of Scale Reproductions Hobby Shop in Louisville. An outstanding oil painting of a TAG train by artist Jim Jordan was also unveiled at the banquet.

Kudos are in order for Warren Stephens, convention chairman, Lee Singletary, Lee Gordon, Dave Oroszi, Jeff Kuebler, Keith Kittinger (who did his usual outstanding job in negotiating an excellent package at the hotel, including room rates, services and the banquet), all the clinic presenters, TVRM’s Steve Freer and all the TVRM employees and volunteers who pulled together in challenging circumstances. John Landrum also produced an excellent railfan guide for the Chattanooga area.

The L&NHS board elected to accept a proposal from Charles Bogart for the 2010 convention to be held in Frankfort, KY September 16-19, 2010. Details will be forthcoming in the near future---so make plans now to attend next year and join the fellowship with other L&NHS members.

photos by Ron Flanary

photos by Lee Gordon

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