Photos from Sunday include Eckrich with 535, Neubie as conductor on an EB, Rich Owings with granddaughter Marianne, Lorance with 535 and a 1958 GM bus which brought in a group of riders courtesy of Rich Eichorst. Power for the day was 400, 535 & 5205. All the equipment ran smoothly and it was a relatively routine day. Thanks to all who volunteered on Sunday and made it a successful day.

The passenger count was 451 for Sunday. The weather was great but with so many lives in St. Louis disrupted because of the widespread power outage this was a good count. Damage at the WF&P was minimal and of course we had electricity so we were very fortunate. Others were not including member Paul Smith who's home was damaged when a neighbors tree landed on his roof. I talked to Paul today and the damage to his home is serious. He will know more on Friday when the Kirkwood inspector visits, he's already begun looking for an apartment to stay while the repairs are being done.

John Errante continues to improve after his operation on the 17th, we hope to see him at Glencoe very soon.

The farewell lunch for Joe Geders has been moved to Aug 6th. We will have hot dogs, chips & sweets. Please feel free to contribute snacks or a dessert. Joe will be at Glencoe on the 6th & 13th before leaving for Jackson, Wyoming on the 15th.

Chris Brophy will be visiting St. Louis for a week in August. He will be celebrating his 21st Birthday on the 14th. Congratulations to Chris and we look forward to seeing you at Glencoe on Sunday 8/20.

Our sympathies to Ralph & Barbara Voelpel who's son Jeffrey passed away recently. Visitation is 7/28 from 1:30 to 3pm at Stygar Mid-Rivers Funeral Home 636-936-1300. The service is at 3pm.

The signal system is in operation & performing well. I'm working with Dale on a summary of how the system operates and the meaning of each signal indication. There is currently posted on the roundhouse bulletin board a summary for the WB yard limit signal which is a 3 head signal. The upper light is for the main & station track 1, the middle light is for the main & station track two, the lower light is for either the ballast siding or service track whichever switch is open. The signal can be seen from just west of Bluffs so it's very visable. I've attached a photo of the signal also. Of course 3 reds mean stop and a yellow light will indicate which route is clear.

For those of you interested in seeing Chinese 2-10-2s in operation (in Iowa) head for this web site - www.261.com. If you are interested in riding behind SP 2-8-2 # 745. It will be leaving St. Louis for Chicago, New Orleans & return on Aug 24th with the return date of the 30th. It will come in to STL over KCS and head up the Amtrak line to Chicago then down the IC/CN to the Big Easy. Round trip fare is "only" $2,000. visit www.americanrail.com

Member Dennis Smith was at Glencoe on Sunday. Dennis is a conductor for UP. He showed me the new forms that UP requires their train crews to complete after a trip. One of the requirements now is to report any trespassers, suspected terrorist or RAILFANS on UP property. I guess if you are also wearing an unlicensed UP emblem you are in real trouble. Also with the storm 40 plus empty coal hoppers were blown off the rails on MacArthur Bridge. This was due to 70+ mph winds from the north. None fell off the bridge but that must of tied up traffic for quite a time.

Jim Strain