Jon Searles' photos with the keyword: national convention

This was taken at the 1998 National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) National Convention, although not in Syracuse, where the convention was based. Rather, I took this in Thendara, NY, at that time the northern end of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, after having worked (as a Trainman) on the first public passenger train (at least to NRHS members from around the country) to run from Utica to Thendara since 1981. The locomotive (this one, as well as ex-NYC #8223) had been run around, and I took this picture of the cab before reboarding for the trip back to Utica.

This was when we finally got back to Utica, as the sun was setting. ADCX trains no longer come into Utica Union Station this way, as these are the MA&N freight tracks. There is now a dedicated track into the station platforms accessible by a new pedestrian bridge.

The 1998 NRHS Convention was based in Syracuse, New York, and hosted by the Central New York Chapter. Nevertheless, because of Syracuse's close proximity to Utica, the Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter also played a key role, along with the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society (ARPS). The biggest event was, in my opinion, the re-opening of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad from Utica-Thendara, which had only been run once before since restoration, in 1997, when it was run for volunteers and dignitaries (the railroad is run completely by volunteers from the ARPS and NRHS). This was on the way back at Nelson Lake, a station that's privately owned, and while on the employee timetable, no longer an active station.

I took this during a photo runby while riding an NRHS Convention Special from Syracuse to Chanango Forks, New York in 1998. We never made it all the way to Binghamton, as the excursion ran so late that we lost our path, but a good time was had by all. Regrettably, I can't remember exactly where this runby was, so any info from other attendees would be welcome (it was probably the one at Tully depicted in another one of my photos on my website www.jonsearlesphoto.co.nr).