C&OHS progress

If you have not completed and sent in the Member Questionnaire from the May issue of the Magazine, please do so as soon as possible. We have had a good response so far. This questionnaire is, however, the only way that we can know who you are and why you are a member. We can better serve you only if we know what about the C&O and the C&OHS interests you. We can attract others, as well, if we know how you became interested in the C&O.

Our model projects continue to be developed. First, the HO scale Berwind hoppers are ready to be shipped. These cars are highly detailed and marked "WHEN EMPTY RETURN TO THURMOND." The prototypes were used at five New River area coal mines during the 1940s-50s era. The models are prized by many for their accuracy. So far, however, we have had only a small number of members interested in this project, which surprises me. Did we price them too high? Will interest pick up in the coming months? Only time will tell. Second, the Atlas hoppers, which have been a big success, are due shortly - hopefully in time for the Conference in Cincinnati. Third, our biggest project is the HO-scale Proto2000 GP30 offered in the flyer in the June issue. This is probably the most unusual second-generation diesel because of its massive size and imposing looks. We had to commit to a large number of models, a steep investment for an organization with little capital. Please consider purchasing this unique model to operate or display.

We will not have a sense for our first N-scale project until a month from now. Its success will guide other N-scale Society efforts. We are quite interested in hearing from anyone who has ideas about models that we could sell that are of interest to modelers and would generate enthusiasm for our mission.

Finally, we will have paid about $24,000 toward our debt by the end of this year. This is good news, but these payments continue to restrict us greatly. Please consider another donation this fall to help us out of this hole faster than we are now climbing. All contributions are tax-deductible. One option is to give the Society shares of stock that have appreciated in value since you bought them. If you would like to contribute in this way, please contact Margaret Whittington at the main number in Clifton Forge. It is imperative that we eliminate this debt as soon as possible, so that we are not constantly bled of resources that we could be using to manage, index, and make available the collections, publish books, and produce models. We are doing everything we can to pay it off, but we really need financial contributions to speed it along.

With Father Samuel Scott now in charge of the Magazine, I hope that more people will want to become active contributors. I think this fine publication has a great future.

- Thomas W Dixon, Jr., President Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Magazine

Copyright Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, Inc. Jul/Aug 1999
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