Program Meetings are held, unless otherwise noted, at 8:00 PM on the Third Thursday of the month at the Union Church in Waban, 14 Collins Road, Newton, MA. These feature programs with speakers knowledgeable about railroad operations, history and travel. Upcoming programs are listed below.
On the first Tuesday of each month we hold a more informal social gathering: FIRST TUESDAY. This is where we usually prepare a trip flyer or our monthly newsletter, the Callboy, for mailing. These sessions are also held at the Union Church in Waban, starting rather casually about 7:00 PM and are usually followed by an impromptu slide show or video program unless there is a Board meeting or the work session runs unusually late. Members and non-members alike are welcome.
For last minute updates or meeting cancellations in bad weather, please call our information line at 978-470-2066.
The future of Third Thursday Program Meetings
The Mass Bay RRE Directors are seeking your input as we determine the future of in-person Third Thursday program meetings at the Union Church in Waban. We're particularly interested in hearing from those who attended our program meetings fairly regularly before the pandemic. Please fill out and submit the survey at:
Third Thursday Program Meeting Survey
Meetings will continue to be held monthly and streamed remotely via Zoom video webinar and simultaneously live-streamed on the Mass Bay RRE Facebook page. Video of our Third Thursday programs is available for later viewing on Facebook or the Mass Bay RRE YouTube channel.
You DO NOT have to be a Facebook user to access our live stream!
PAST Third Thursday Program Meetings
Past Third Thursday program meetings may be viewed at any time on the Mass Bay RRE Facebook page
or the Mass Bay RRE YouTube channel. For details of previous Third Thursday programs that are available for viewing, go to the PAST MEETINGS PAGE.
Thursday, July 21, 8:00 PM via Zoom Webinar & Facebook live stream:
Carl Fowler presents: "Lessons from the Vermonter"
With the long-anticipated extension of Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express to Burlington, VT scheduled to begin service in July, what better time to look back at what passenger rail service in Vermont has been and where it's going in the future. "Lessons from the Vermonter" is a brief history of passenger rail after WWII in Vermont and an analysis of what we've hopefully learned from both the successes and shortcomings of Vermont's Amtrak services.
Carl Fowler made the original written proposal for the replacement of the overnight Montrealer with a state-supported day service in 1994, when Amtrak announced that it was dropping the overnight service to Montreal. The Howard Dean administration in Vermont adopted this framework and Vermont became the smallest state to support an Amtrak regional service. Indeed, it continues to hold that distinction--but now supports two daily trains on two distinct routes, plus a new dedicated Ambus service as well. (Right: Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express at Rutland, VT)
The program will review the last years of the once extensive private passenger train network in Vermont (and adjacent states) and looks at the Vermont Amtrak experience in depth. We'll also look at other even more successful Amtrak routes like the Downeaster and see what Vermont and Amtrak could both learn from that remarkably successful service. Future expansions are reviewed as well. Finally the program looks at potential new services region wide, including the possible return of RDC cars (or new DMUs) to enhance passenger train options in Vermont and New England.
Carl Fowler worked full time selling passenger rail service for 34 years as General Manager, Vice President and finally President of Rail Travel Center/Rail Travel Adventures. He was able to travel over 350,000 miles by train during his life and can share perspectives both as a devoted train buff and as a rail travel professional. He is a 50-year member of the Rail Passengers Association (aka NARP) and served as a past Vice Chair of the RPA, as well as a long-term member of its Council and Board. This program, however, reflects Carl's own views.
To view the program LIVE, click a link below
on July 21 at 8:00 PM.
(Zoom Webinar link will be available about 1 week before the program)
VIEW IN ZOOM WEBINAR
Thursday, August 18, 8:00 PM via Zoom Webinar & Facebook live stream:
Dan Howard tours "Southwest Rails"
Dan Howard presents photos and video from his spring 2022 trip to the southwest US. Stops along the way include the Sky Railway (the former Santa Fe Southern between Santa Fe and Lamy, NM) and New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter service in Santa Fe. Dan also visits the iconic architect Mary Colter's southwest masterpiece La Posada in Winslow AZ – Fred Harvey's last great railroad hotel – on the BNSF transcontinental route . Also featured are steam on the Grand Canyon Railway, the Verde Canyon Railroad, and Amtrak's Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle from Tucson to St. Louis MO.
To view the program LIVE, click a link below
on August 18 at 8:00 PM.
(Zoom Webinar link will be available about 1 week before the program)
VIEW IN ZOOM WEBINAR
Thursday, September 15, 8:00 PM via Zoom Webinar & Facebook live stream:
Stationary Streamliners: Modernist Railroad Passenger Stations in North America, 1929 to 1965
Presented
by Adam Alsobrook
Amidst the dark days of the Great Depression, sleek new streamlined passenger trains captured the imagination of the traveling public. Some railroads built Modernist passenger stations to accompany their new streamliners. Architect Adam Alsobrook presents a fascinating look at these depots and the streamliners and interurbans that served them.
To view the program LIVE, click a link below
on Setember 15 at 8:00 PM.
(Zoom Webinar link will be available about 1 week before the program)
VIEW IN ZOOM WEBINAR
WE NEED MEETING PROGRAMS AND PRESENTERS!
We are now developing our Fall & Winter 2022 programs. To offer or suggest a program, contact us at info@massbayrre.org or call us at 978-470-2066.
We are also seeking volunteers for our Program Crew, to take responsibility for all aspects of our Third Thursday meetings, including refreshments, room set-up, audio-visual setup, etc. If you are interested in being part of the team, please contact us. No long-term commitment or special skills necessary - we need people who can be relied on to show up and make sure the program is ready to go at 8:00.
First Tuesday 'Members' Night' Meetings
(Held on the first Tuesday of odd-numbered months)
First Tuesday 'Members' Night' meetings are currently being conducted as a Zoom video meeting and will be live-streamed on our Facebook page, where they are also available for viewing later. The next 'Members' Night' is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 8:00 PM.
If you have photos or video that you'd like to show, please contact us!
To view the First Tuesday program LIVE, click a link below
on July 5 at 8:00 PM or later.
Meeting Location
MBRRE Program Meetings are usually held at the Union Church at 14 Collins Road (corner of Beacon Street), Waban, MA, (near the Waban MBTA stop on the Green Line):
If you are arriving on the T, exit the station onto Beacon St.; the Church is adjacent to the Waban Station.
If you are driving, take Exit 21 East off Route 128 (I-95) onto Rte. 16 (Washington St.). At the first traffic light east of 128 fork right onto Beacon St. and go 0.9 mile. The Union Church is on the right just before Beacon Street jogs to the left over the Green Line. If the church lot is full you may park on the street or in the Waban Station parking lot. CLICK FOR MAP
Check the Callboy or the website to confirm date, time, and location of meetings.
Contact Us:
Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc.
P.O. Box 4245
Andover, MA 01810-0814, or
Information Line 978-470-2066
Email: info@massbayrre.org or visit our "Contact Us" page.
