This
was truly a fantastic evening that demonstrates that there is
much more to the railroad hobby than merely railfanning trackside
or slapping a coat of paint on a piece of equipment.
Our
busses departed the hotel shortly after 6:00 PM for Belleville,
IL. The town of Belleville, IL is over 100 years old and at
one time was served by 5 separate railroads. About thirty days
ago Metrolink, the St. Louis Metropolitan light rail system,
opened an extension to Belleville using the old Louisville &
Nashville right-of-way, and response has been so overwhelming
that they are already having to build additional parking lots
to keep up with demand.
After
about a 30 minute ride, we arrived with the words "Welcome
NRHS" on the Marquee (see picture on right). Inside the
theatre we were greeted by the Dixie Banjos, a dixieland
band of 3 banjos and one tuba, playing polka music.
The
Lincoln Theatre is a history lesson in itself. It was built
in 1921 and is an old-style theatre with orchestra pit, big
screen, vaudeville stage, and organ. The organ is one of the
oldest of those few remaining in the United States. Many famous
people have played there, including Ginger Rogers at age 15.
After
the usher took our tickets, we got our popcorn and sodas and
headed for the theatre, where the middle section had been reserved
for the NRHS, for a viewing of the classic silent film The
General starring Buster Keaton. But the folks at Lincoln
Theatre had some additional entertainment in store for us too.
The
prelude show was provided by the Dixie Banjos (pictured
above), who played a rousing rendition of "I've been working
on the railroad" and a few other songs. Then a welcome
message and Introductions were provided by Richard Eichhorst.
Next
up was Mr. Jack Jenkins, who gave an excellent history and overview,
including a "behind the curtains look", of theatre
organs.
Perhaps
the highlight of the evening was the vaudeville singing of Sara
Amman (pictured on the right), a local talent with a beautiful
voice, who sang several of "Everyone's Favorite Railroad
Songs", including Chattanooga Choo Choo, Atchinson,
Topeka & the Santa Fe, and the Wabash Cannonball.
Mr. Jenkins played the organ.
Then
finally, it was time for the movie to start. A second organist,
Mr. Dennis Amman (pictured below at the organ), demonstrated
his prowess as the crowd howled at this hilarious comedy, which
was ranked #18 out of the top 100 comedies of the 20th Century.
The General is based upon the story of The Great Locomotive
Chase, an actual event in North Georgia during the Civil
War in which a Union raiding party stole a Confederate locomotive,
called The General, and the Confederates gave chase in
a second locomotive, called the Texas. 
Mr.
Amman wrote the original score for the music that accompanied
the movie. It was amazing. After a while you completely forgot
that the sound was not coming from the projector.
Of course
every silent film must have an intermission that leaves you
hanging, as did this one. After a fifteen minute break, and
then some traditional theatre promotions (aka door prizes),
the film resumed, to still more laughs.
At the
end of the movie, Mr. Amman provided a couple additional numbers,
and then, after a standing ovation, it was time to leave, all
too quickly.
