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Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society
E-News & Notes Vol. 2025-3
10 August 2025
Our Annual Convention, celebrating our 50th year is right around the corner. The registration fee is $125 before September 1. After September 1, the fee increases to $150. If you plan to attend, please get your registration form in the mail soon. This also helps us to better plan the logistics for the weekend. A registration form is attached to this email. (Remember transportation is provided to French Lick and return on Saturday only, you must provide for your transportation the rest of the convention.
Friday September 26 starts off in Salem, IN at 10:00 a.m. Our archives will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Rick Dreistadt, former Monon Dispatcherwill be present to answer any questions you may have or assist you with drawings, plans, or records.
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Friday morning at 10:00 is also our walk on the newly paved Monon South Trail over the former Monon roadbed. We plan to walk to the site of the Fogg wreck south of Salem. It is about 1 mile each way. (You may want to consider bringing your bicycle and riding the entire paved section of the trail).
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At noon we will tour the Historic Becks Mill, which was restored by the late Bill Cook. The mill has a Monon Railroad connection as this is where the Monon purchased ground corn meal, provided special [not allowed]mas bags, and then handed them out to customers all along the Monon.
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We move to Bedford for the evening. Our Social Hour begins at 5:00 p.m. at the historic Indiana Limestone Company Building (there will be a cash bar). We will have access to the banquet room and courtyard. Dinner will be in the banquet room at 6:30 p.m.
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At approximately 7:30 we will have at least three presentations. Frank Van Bree and Rick Dreistadt will share their experiences while employed by the Monon Railroad. George Lortz will give a presentation covering the beginnings of the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society share the many accomplishments made by society members over the past 50 years.
Saturday morning the bus leaves for French Lick from the Indiana Limestone Building parking lot in Bedford at 9:00 a.m. Don’t miss the bus! We will tour the magnificent West Baden Springs Hotel which was also restored by the late Bill Cook.
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Saturday at 1:00 p.m. we will be on board the French Lick Scenic Railway headed south on former Southern Railway trackage. (The Monon trackage ended a short distance south of State Road 56 crossing).
We return to Bedford for the evening and will meet back at the banquet room inside the Indiana Limestone Company Building. This is our traditional “night owl” and the evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a special guest, Bob Schultz. Bob, like his father, worked for the Monon and is a true railroad man. He will share his experiences and answer any questions you may have. Additional programs will be presented later in the evening. You do not want to miss these programs!
Sunday morning we will have the annual business meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Downtown Depot (former Milwaukee Road Depot) at 1401 J Street in Bedford.
Then at 11:00 we will have the Train and Collectors Show in the Depot . The admission is free to everyone and the show will end at 2:00 p.m. See you there!
We plan to return to the north end for the 2026 Convention.
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Any questions contact Ron Simunic at 812 332-7306 or email simunic22@att.net
Below, a registration form is attached to this email.
Thank you for being a member of the MRHTS!
Jim Craig President
jimcraig5185@gmail.com
Attachments:
1. THE 50th MONON ANNUAL CONVENTION Registration Form
(https://monon.org/1-ENews/Pics/pdf2.gif) THE 50th MONON ANNUAL CONVENTION Registration Form (https://monon.org/1-ENews/25-2_E-News/2025_Convention_Registration_form.pdf)
2. CONVENTION FLYER 50th
(https://monon.org/1-ENews/Pics/pdf2.gif) Convention Flyer 50th (https://monon.org/1-ENews/25-2_E-News/Convention_Flyer_50th.pdf)
Download the 25-3 E-News PDF:
(https://monon.org/1-ENews/Pics/pdf2.gif) 25-3 E-News (https://monon.org/1-ENews/25-3_E-News/25-3_E-News.pdf)