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For eighth time in NRHS History, NRHS Internet Services staff will provide daily updates and reports, including pictures, trip reports, and video clips, from the events at this year's convention, right here on nrhs.com. Ever since Glen Miller and his Orchestra popularized the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” back in 1941 in “Sun Valley Serenade,” there has been a certain mystique that has become associated with the City of Chattanooga, Terminal Station, and the entire railroad system in the area. The song was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren while traveling on the Southern Railway’s “Birmingham Special” train. The song tells the story of traveling from New York City to Chattanooga by train. While that is not possible today, you will have the opportunity to catch the spirit and enthusiasm of Chattanooga during the National Railway Historical Society’s 2007 Convention in Chattanooga. The headquarters hotel will be the Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn which contains the original Terminal Station in Chattanooga. The area is rich in railroad, Civil War, and southern history. Come experience and enjoy real Southern Hospitality and see and ride historic trains from the past. The Convention this year is being conducted by a committee representing the National organization, and not any one Chapter. The committee has put together an interesting, informative, and exciting program for the Convention. Three major excursions are planned, and one of those will involve steam. In addition, a day will be spent exploring the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, complete with a Shop Tour. A series of educational seminars is planned for Friday and evening movies and discussions are planned. Chattanooga offers a wide variety of family activities which range from visiting the worldfamous Tennessee Aquarium downtown to the Rock City and Ruby Falls attractions on top of Lookout Mountain. For the non-railfan in your family the convention has non-rail events include a one-way ride on the Incline Railway, 'Duck' tour and tours of the Tennessee Aquarium and Civil War Battlefields. As the convention sold out the hotel, additional space is being utilized at other area hotels, including the Marriott. How folks traveled to the convention:
NOTE: One of the cool things about NRHS conventions though is that once you get here, you dont need a car! Busses whisk you to and from events directly from the convention hotel! CONVENTION SCHEDULE & ITINERARY The list of convention events and a brief description of each are provided below. Monday, August 20 • Registration 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Crystal Room •Bus to meet Amtrak Train#19 Westbound Crescent in Atlanta • Movies– Gainesville Midland, N&W Robert Soule, III 7:30 p.m. Centennial Theatre Tuesday, August 21 • Registration 6:00 a.m. to noon & 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Crystal Room • Hiwassee Loop Trip Buses leave for Gee Creek at 7:45 a.m. near Hotel 1. Return approximately 7:00 p.m. Boarding site is NOT handicap accessible. •Southern Lumber Roads by Wes Ross and Mitch Dakelman 7:30 p.m. Centennial Theatre • Tuesday Night Photo Session (identical to Wednesday Night Session) Bus leaves at 9:00 p.m. near Hotel 1 Wednesday, August 22 • Registration 6:00 a.m. to noon & 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Crystal Room • Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad Trip RARE MILEAGE Buses leave for Blue Ridge, Ga. at 7:45 a.m. near Hotel 1. Boarding site is NOT handicap accessible Return by bus from Tate, Ga at approximately 7:00 p.m. • Aquatic Adventures (Duck Tour, Tennessee Aquarium, Behind the Scenes tour) Leave at 9: 00 a.m near Hotel 1 Return on your own via electric bus • Meet the Officers 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Rose Garden • Movies from the NRHS Collection by Mitch Dakelman 8:00 p.m. Centennial Theatre • At-Large Members meeting Finley Lecture Hall 8:00 p.m. • Wednesday Night Photo Session (identical to Tuesday Night Session) Bus leaves at 9:00 p.m. near Hotel 1 Thursday, August 23 • Registration 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Crystal Room • Two identical Rail Activities. Two groups will be used due to limited seating RARE MILEAGE Boading site for train is NOT handicap accessible. ´ Group A RDC trip on TAG line leaves from hotel at 9:00 a.m. Return approximately noon Buses to TVRM for shop/museum tour leave at 1:30 p.m. return approximately 4:30 p.m. ´ Group B Buses to TVRM for shop/ museum tour leave 9:00 a.m. return approximately noon. RDC trip on the TAG line leaves from hotel at 1:30 p.m. return approximately 4:30 p.m. • Civil War Battlefield Tour and trip on Lookout Mountain Incline. Bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. Bus loads near Hotel 1. Return approximately 4:30 p.m. • Southern Belle Riverboat Dinner Cruise. Buses leave at 6:00 p.m. near Hotel 1 Return approximately 10 p.m. • NRHS Film Presentation by Mitch Dakelman in Centennial Theatre 8:00 p.m Friday, August 24 • Registration 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Crystal Room • Seminars:
• NRHS Directors Meeting Finley Lecture Hall 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. • NRHS Membership Meeting Finley Lecture Hall 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Social Hour Reception Hall 6:00 p.m. All times are Eastern Daylight to 7:00 p.m. • Banquet in the Imperial Ballroom 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 25 • Registration 6:00 a.m. to noon .& 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Crystal Room • Summerville, Ga. Steam Powered Round Trip Boarding will be at the Choo Choo and departure time is 7:45 a.m. Return approximately 6:00 p.m. Boarding site is NOT handicap accessible Sunday, August 26 • Bus to Atlanta Amtrak Station leaves at 1:00 p.m. near Hotel 1. to meet Amtrak #20 the Crescent DAILY CONVENTION COVERAGE A detailed summary of most convention activities, including pictures, will be posted here within about 12 hours of the end of the event. Day 1 - Monday, August 20 Day 2 - Tuesday, August 21 Day 3 - Wednesday, August 22 Day 4 - Thursday, August 23 Day 5 - Friday, August 24 Day 6 - Saturday, August 25 OTHER RAILROADS AT THE CONVENTION The following railroads are providing support for convention activities. Tennessee Valley Railway Museum
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