RPI OL Presentations 9 June 2012 at San Angelo

RPI was invited to participate in the San Angelo Railway Museum's "Hobo Days" festival on June 9, 2012, by both setting up a motorcar display and doing Operation Lifesaver presentations under the eaves of the historic, restored depot that now serves as a repository of railway collectibles in San Angelo, TX.  I set up a table as well as an easel and did a total of 11 OL presentations to about 37 or so adults and children.  Not a lot of folks in the audience each time but the idea was to reach as many as possible.  TXDOT and the Texas-Pacifico Railroad, which leases the line through San Angelo down to Presidio from TXDOT, are eager to see more OL presentations since the TPRR is increasing the number and speed of its trains through town.  I was able to meet both TPRR and TXDOT officials during the day.  Here's a shot of me at my table, ready to offer an OL presentation:

President Leland Stewart, Jerry Light, Robert Casares and myself brought motorcars for an RPI display to help snag potential new members.  RPI member Marty Reimer dropped by to visit during the day.  Here's some photos of the RPI exhibit:

The first motorcar in the lineup, an MT-19, belongs to TXDOT and is on loan to the San Angelo Railway Museum.  It used to run on the former KCS line.  Then comes Jerry's renovated Woodings CBI, my Woodings CBI, Leland's MT-14K and Robert's M-9.  All in all, the motorcars gave visitors a good idea of the variety of motorcars used in the old days.

As we were leaving to have dinner, Jerry showed us some old motorcar sheds fashioned by the KCS out of old boxcars:

This exhibit and OL activity helped cement RPI ties with the TPRR and showed TXDOT that RPI is definitely willing and able to provide OL presentations to target audiences.  We hope these efforts will pay off in the long run for all RPI members.  In the meantime, a good time was had by all.