On Saturday, September 15, 2012, the Gateway Division NMRA and the St. Louis Chapter NRHS held the 5th Annual Picnic of two fine train groups for the first time at the Museum of Transportation, Kirkwood, Missouri. The museum hosts the most complete collection of American rail power in the world, along with its collection of automobiles, buses, streetcars, aircraft, horse-drawn vehicles and riverboat materials.
The sky was overcast most of the day with the temperature reaching about 70 degrees in the afternoon. But folks had fun exploring all the attractions, visiting the new Visitor Center, riding the miniature train and the 1914 vintage streetcar. The food, drinks and snow cones were plentiful. Some new train friends were made.
This year 97 members, families and guests from both groups attended the picnic.
There were 29 volunteer workers who were great in performing the many jobs at hand: Don Ayres, Neil Bedi, Mary and Bill Birdsell, Fred Blank, Pat and Phil Bonzon, Kathy and Steve Brawley, Tony Brawley, Nancy Carrol, Rich Eichhorst, Ron Gawedzinski, Bill Heger, Hank Kraichely, Ron Kraus, Bill Miksicek, Jean Myers, Joe Obernuefemann, Deb Salter, Bill Schaberg, Mark Schuermann, Rich Schumacher, Lynne and John Stoecker, Eileen and Al Weber, Gail and Kelvin Wilke. Without your help this event could not have been held. (If I have accidentally left off your name please let me know so that I can correct my error – Ron).
Special thanks go to Bud Anderson for donating his time and providing free snow cones to the people at the picnic. While the weather was a little cool many fine compliments were made about the refreshing and tasty snow cones that were provided.
A number of members of the Gateway Division and the St. Louis Chapter donated an extra-large amount of attendance prizes this year. Many thanks for your donations. Everyone got a chance to win something.
