WPRRHS 1999 Convention Report - Fremont, California

Convention Chairman Thom Anderson addresses the crowd during the banquet. To Thom's left is his wife Barbara and his Co-Chair for the 1999 convention, Jim Dias.

On April 16 & 17, 1999, 92 people attended the third annual WPRRHS convention held at the Newark-Fremont Hilton Hotel. Convention directors Jim Dias and Thom Andersen did a great job of putting together a well-received group of presenters that resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable gathering.

Clinicians included John Walker presenting material from the society's archives detailing WP's plans for building their own line up the peninsula into San Francisco. Jim Providenza showed how to make era-specific models of the F-unit fleet. Tom Moungovan and Don Marenzi showed slides from their collections. For an unusual viewpoint, Rich Forst showed slides taken during cab-rides as a WP employee. Bill Decker showed how to modify the Life-Like GP20 into a high-hood WP version. Dave Pires showed several easily modeled WP flatcars, gondolas and tank cars. Norman Holmes showed slides he took in the Bay Area before his move to Portola. Dave Stanley presented slide shows on the Sacramento Northern, Tidewater Southern and Central California Traction Co. Vic Neves and Wayne Monger showed their ever-popular WP-theme slide shows.

Banquet keynote speaker Harold Meeker provided one of the most enjoyable and entertaining presentations we've had to date at a WPRRHS convention. Harold's son Ken, a former WP Dispatcher (left in the photo) tossed in a few anecdotes as well.

Saturday evening, following a buffet-style dinner, those attending the banquet were witness to a rare treat in the form of Mr. Harold Meeker, who joined WP as assistant to President Myron Christy in 1966. He regaled those present for over an hour with stories about the inner workings of the railroad that only someone who was there when it happened could tell. Mr. Meeker's presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

A few of the former WP employees who attended the 1999 Convention .

The evening was closed out with a viewing of favorite slides brought by the attendees. Norman and Barbara Holmes brought the PRM gift shop to the convention and did very well in sales. Norman also showed two company films he had converted to video, a training film and an introduction to the railroad containing footage shot in the 1950s and 1960s. It is planned to have the videos available for purchase later this year.

There was a strong showing of models at this year's event compared to previous years.

The member's swap table also did well. Compared to past years, the modeling displays and contest entries were tremendous! There were over 100 models on display and nearly every contest category had multiple entries. There were also a number of items of WP related railroadiana on display for viewing, including paintings, timetables, passes and lanterns. The WPRRHS would again like to thank Jim and Thom for their efforts in bringing us all a great convention!

 

 

 

 

Photos from the WPRRHS 1999 Convention - Fremont, California >

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