TSR friends elect new president
AHR manager addresses group
BY LELAND ACKER

October is a month of transition for the Friends of the Texas State Railroad as Ava Harmon settles into her new role as president and board members begin to work with American Heritage officials to continue the Murder Mystery Trains and New Year's celebrations.

Mrs. Harmon inquired if the Friends would be allowed to decorate the depots for the fall as they had in years past, to which Paul Schranck, vice president of American Heritage Railways, replied, "I think it would be wonderful."

As for the New Year's Eve train run, Mr. Schranck told the Friends to make a request in writing.

"It shouldn't be a problem at all," he said. "We'll have to make sure our staff is not on vacation because they will be wore out from Polar Express."

Mr Schranck reported the minor washouts were being repaired, with repairs to the big washout at Bean's Creek set to begin soon.

"We're working on culverts," he said. "We're going with culverts (instead of building a bridge). I have a guy lined up to have the new culverts here within 10-12 days of the purchase order being written up."

Mr. Schranck said he has a contractor lined up to install the culverts.

"The debate is with the engineers," he said. Mr Schranck said the engineers say that two 10x10 culverts are required, while American Heritage's maintenance superintendent says using two 10x10s would be overkill. Mr Schranck said there is no reason the state railroad cannot be operable by early November.

Mr. Schranck also reported that vegetation has grown over parts of the track, requiring American Heritage to contract with an individual to remove the vegetation at $1,500 per day for five days.

Mr. Schranck also reported that his company is ready to repaint the locomotives and cars, and replace 7,000 cross ties, when the state appropriates the $2 million promised to the Texas State Railroad Authority.

During the meeting, the Friends discussed the resignation and replacement for board member Mary Decker, heard a financial report from Charles Hassell, a Web site update from Sarah Welch and voted to pay their dues for membership in the Palestine Chamber of Commerce.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Friends of the Texas State Railroad will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Rusk Depot.