CRHA Niagara Division

Our upcoming meeting is THIS WEDNESDAY – April 29, 3 pm at Coppola’s in St. Catharines.  Our feature speaker is Ken Gansel RC.  Other presenters are those that could not present due to time restraints at last month’s meeting, including Glenn Cherry, Dean Brown and Andy Panko (NS&T film).  Hopefully there will be other members with their short (10 minute) shows that will help round out what looks to be a dandy meeting.

If you have a short presentation, please contact Bob Martin personally, not via the group’s .io address, so he can get you on the list.  We will hear via email from Secretary Doug and Treasurer Chris, vis a vis the previous minutes and current finances before Wednesday.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Wednesday afternoon.  The weather forecast so far calls for NO SNOW.

Note: Plans have changed and the February meeting will now be over ZOOM. Members will receive a link.

Regular Monthly Meeting

Wednesday,
February 25 at 2 pm
Coppola’s Restaurant
203 Carleton Street, St. Catharines
Directions: 300 m west of Lake St. – take QEW Lake St. exit SOUTH, then one block 2nd light, and left on Carlton

So far the weather looks agreeable for a face-to-face meeting.

If you park in front, come in main entrance and walk through to back. If you park on the east side, come directly into the meeting room through the back door.

Assembly as usual a bit before the meeting start time. Although the restaurant does not officially open until 3 pm, our host will accommodate us earlier, and therefore lunch can be ordered once we are assembled. Discussion within the Exec indicates a strong desire to make the meetings as casual is possible, so ordering during the proceedings will not likely be an issue. I have given many a presentation talking over the clanking of forks and knives on dishes – no problem for me, should be okay for you too, I trust.

Keep in mind that our host, the restaurant owner, is saving us over $1300 a year by offering up this great room, with screen and proper seating, for free, but he hopes that when he calls in his kitchen and serving staff early just for us, we will order lunch or at least something, late lunch as it might be (or is it early supper?) We need a good showing for this and future meetings, or this venue and the present situation will just not work for our group.

Recall we were getting around 18 people out to Ricki Jo’s for dinner and then another 6 or 7 added at the actual meeting. Hopefully we can keep up these numbers. Please do your best to come to the meetings, whether you order food or not. Remember, you have to eat food on Wednesday one way or the other, whether you come to the meeting or not, so nine times a year not eating at home, well, what can I say, do your best.

We really need Members and Guests to bring well edited, short (10 to 12 minute) presentations. You can do two different shows if you want, as long as they together don’t exceed 12 minutes each. The 2nd show can be done after the rest of the registered presenters have done theirs, and if there is time left. If you have a short show and want to present, best to get on the list by contacting Bobby Martin separately at trains1987@hotmail.com (i.e, please do not ‘respond to all’, just contact Bob directly).

If you have not paid your dues for 2026, it is past due and can be paid to Treasurer and Lord of the Exchequer Chris at the meeting.

Looking forward to seeing the gang out on the 25th. Bring a guest. Encourage them to join.

Andy Panko
President, CRHA Niagara Division

Notice to CRHA Niagara Division Members

The meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28 will be ONLY by ZOOM.

Gerry at Coppola’s called and indicated that for him to open the restaurant early for us, and call in waiters and kitchen staff, would be problematic if only 8 or 10 folks show up because of the weather.

Indications are that the weather will not be better than it is today, and if you have been outside this morning in the wind, you will have found it to be dangerous, especially if you are a senior. Having to deal with a malfunctioning car for instance, in conditions like this, could be a real problem.

I just got off the phone with Gerald, and he will be sending an email link later today that you can log into. In order not to do a wholesale disruption, the time will remain the same, 2 pm.

Regular Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, January 28 at 2 pm
Coppola’s Restaurant
203 Carleton Street, St. Catharines
Directions: 300 m west of Lake St. – take QEW Lake St. exit SOUTH, then one block 2nd light, and left on Carlton

If you park in front, come in main entrance and walk through to back. If you park on the east side, come directly into the meeting room through the back door.

Assembly as usual a bit before the meeting start time. Although the restaurant does not officially open until 3 pm, our host will accommodate us, and therefore lunch can be ordered off the regular menu commencing at 2 pm.

As with our previous 48 years of meetings, we will run 2 ½ hours, so clearing out around 4:30. I don’t think the room is being used immediately after that, so we will not likely be kicked out right at the end-time like at the museum.

Regarding Presentations

We really need Members and Guests to bring well edited, short (i.e., no longer than 10 to 12 minute) presentations. Please remember, that unless you are deemed the feature, negotiated and officially scheduled by Bobby Martin, whereby we get to enjoy your show for 30 to 40 minutes (that includes 5 minutes for questions and comments), regular presenters are limited to 10 to 12 minutes. You can do two different shows if you want, as long as they together don’t exceed 12 minutes.

If you have more to show, or want to do two shows that extend past the 12 minutes, you certainly are welcome. This can be done after the rest of the registered presenters have done theirs, and if there is time left.

In the old days, the Captain was the timekeeper and used to cut overtime presenters off before they finished what they wanted to show if they went overtime. We really don’t want to have to do that. Time your show by previewing and timing it at home, and edit down as necessary. It is acknowledged that there are relevant questions and comments that might interrupt your performance, and these are generally welcome, and presentation length can be adjusted as appropriate on the spot.

These rules were put in place many years ago after a lot of Member complaints, and getting to the end of the meeting night having too many people not having had the chance to do their presentations.

If you have not paid your dues for 2026, it is due and can be paid to Treasurer and Lord of the Exchequer Chris at the meeting. Also, we have very few calendars left, and they will be available for $20 cash at the meeting, or $25 postpaid if mailed. See JB for calendars, I think he might have four or five left.

If you have a short show and want to present, best to get on the list by contacting Bobby Martin separately at trains1987@hotmail.com (i.e, please do not ‘respond to all’, just contact Bob directly).

Looking forward to seeing the gang out on the 28th. Bring a guest. Encourage them to join.

Andy Panko
President- CRHA Niagara Division

CRHA Niagara Division Members and Associates:

Wednesday 26th November is our final regular meeting for 2025 and our last meeting at the Lock 3 museum. Join us for supper at Ricky-Jo’s @ 5pm and/or at the Museum for 7pm. We expect to see some great presentations and there are always interest door draw prizes (so bring cash). Also Ron Danielsen (our membership chair) is promoting our membership and calendar offer. His offer is outlined below.

There will never be a better time to renew your membership, or become a member, and get one (or more) of the fabulous 2026 CRHA Niagara calendars, before they are all sold out.

Benefits of CRHA Niagara membership

• Monthly meeting with fellow railfans featuring excellent presentations by members and prominent speakers.
• Stimulating conversation at monthly lunch/dinner with members prior to the meeting.
• Notifications of group outings with fellow members.
• Group walking tours with fellow members to historic railway sites.
• Advice from fellow members on photography and rail history.
• Frequent email contact, from fellow members, often with photos or video, featuring sites visited, experiences, and rail history.
• Opportunity to participate in the outstanding historic plaque programme conducted by CRHA Niagara.
• Direct contact with CRHA/Exporail through CRHA Board member Andy Panko.
• Camaraderie and friendships created by contact with fellow CRHA Niagara members.

Membership fee for 2026 $30.00 (Unchanged)
Calendar only – picked up at meeting in October or November $20
Calendar only prepaid postage in Canada  $25

Early payment bonus – for membership paid no later than November 29, 2025

Membership $30.00
2026 CRHA Niagara Calendar with prepaid postage $20.00 (regular price $25.00)
Total                                           $50.00
or with CRHA calendar at the meeting, or the lunch (no postage) $45.00                   

Methods of Payment

• Cash to Chris Paxton or Ron Danielsen at the next monthly meeting, or the Saturday lunch.
• Interac e-transfer to crhaniagara@gmail.com
• Cheque payable to CRHA Niagara – address: 72 Hillcrest Ave., St. Catharines, ON, L2R 4Y1

CRHA Niagara Division Members:

This is a long, but very important email setting out, literally, the next 9 months of our Division business, so you might want to sit down. All good news…..read on……

Your exec has been at work, with two meetings in the last month or so. The first meeting we met at Caroline Cellars in the lines and concessions of NOTL, and hosted CRHA President Robbie Robinson, where we were updated on our parent organization and the happenings at Exporail. Our Division provided a donation of $500 to Exporail, for ‘paint’, the intention to be used on the CPR observation car from the Canadian, Sibley Park, currently under restoration there.

The second meeting was held this past week at Coppola’s Restaurant in St. Kitts, where we managed to settle on the next year’s worth of things that needed to be settled upon.

Meetings This Year

The meetings from now ‘till the end of the year will be held at 7 pm at the Lock 3 Museum, as in the past, as follows:

• Wednesday, September 24
• Wednesday, October 29
• Wednesday, November 26

Our obligation at the Museum ends this year, as we are paid up for the room rental until December.

Meetings in 2026

GOOD NEWS

Meetings will be at Coppola’s Restaurant in their private presentation/dining room on Carlton Street, 500m east of Lake Street in St. Kitts and only about 1-minute south off the QEW, so no negotiating traffic in town or etc.

Our meetings will be held as follows, commencing at 2 PM on these Wednesday dates:

• January 28
• February 25
• March 25
• April 29
• May 27

The meetings will be held at the Coppola’s Restaurant meeting room.

THE REALLY GOOD NEWS…..

The room is FREEEE, so we save hundreds of dollars on room rental fees. There are no parking restrains, parking, like at Andyland, is FREEE.

From the parking lot to the meeting room, the path is FLAT, so no problems with walkers, canes, etc. – NO STAIRS or ramps. The room has a LARGE screen, designed for projection. The room has blackout curtains for meetings with presentations in the daytime
The room is equipped and designed for dining at the same time as presentations, and the restaurant has a BROAD menu. Therefore, we don’t have to change venues betwixt dinner and the meeting, although of course it is now a late lunch and meeting.

And best of all, especially for those having to drive back to Burlington, Stoney Creek, Mississauga, North York or beyond, the meetings will conclude by 5pm, so except perhaps for January, you will be driving home in daylight, instead of 10 o’clock at night!!!!

Note our meetings now run 2.5 hours, so we are adding a half hour, Why? Because we can !! As long as you don’t mind some fork clinking whilst doing a presentation, we will run 3 hours.

Many of our members were using the last Wednesday to chase trains (try to chase trains) in Niagara prior to the dinners and subsequent meetings. Now, it will be possible to do this in the a.m., up until after the noon hour, have lunch at the meeting, and still head back in the light. This saves having to pay for lunch, and then pay for dinner, a considerable savings figuring in the cost of even lunch these days.

Christmas Party

MARK THIS DATE DOWN, we need you and your +1 guest there in order to maintain our pricing with the venue. You don’t really need to bring a +1, just kidding there.

Saturday, November 29, at 1 pm (again, a daylight ride in both directions) at COPPOLA’S Restaurant. We spent some time with the owner of the venue and arrived at the following menu and pricing situation:
House salad, big bowls, served family style
Pasta (penne tomato) with meatballs, also served family style,

Entre – Roasted herb chicken breast, with roasted potatoes and vegetables, nobody is going home hungry

Dessert – tiramisu
Coffee, tea, pop all included, alcoholic and other beverages are on you, of course.

Normal price $45, not including tip and tax. NOW HEAR THIS, the ‘normal price ++’ comes out to, according to our mathematician Gerald A., to $60.01 per person. INSTEAD, the Division, because of careful management of finances, can, like it used to do in the past, subsidize a portion of the value of the meal for Members paid in full for 2025, and a guest of theirs. The Division will cover $15 of the meal, so the Members plus one guest will only pay $45 each.

Calendars (and Annual Dues)

John B. and Gerald A, have figured out a way to deal with calendar distribution after I actually produce them (in progress as you read this). Thank you to Tammy for providing guidance in calendar distribution. Calendars will be available for distribution worldwide in early October, and available to members at our meetings on October 29 and November 26 ,and at the Christmas Party on November 29.

Ron Danielson will be dealing with membership dues, coupled with calendar sales to members. There was talk at several meetings over the last year that the dues should be raised to $35 or $40, and most recently, that the calendars were too expensive at $25. Well, GOOD NEWS AGAIN on both counts….

Ron has provided the following:

September 24th marks the start on the next year of CRHA Niagara monthly meetings. It is also time to renew your membership, or join if you are not yet a member.

Benefits of CRHA Niagara membership:

• Monthly meeting with fellow railfans featuring excellent presentations by members and prominent speakers.
• Stimulating conversation at monthly lunch/dinner with members prior to the meeting.
• Notifications of group outings with fellow members
• Group walking tours with fellow members to historic railway sites
• Advice from fellow members on photography and rail history
• Frequent email contact, from fellow members, often with photos or video, featuring sites visited, experiences, and rail history .
• Opportunity to participate in the outstanding historic plaque programme conducted by CRHA Niagara.
• Direct contact with CRHA/Exporail through CRHA Board member Andy Panko.
• Camaraderie and friendships created by contact with fellow CRHA Niagara members.

Membership fee for 2026 $30.00 (Unchanged)

• Calendar only – picked up at meeting in October or November $20
• Calendar only prepaid postage in Canada  $25
• Early payment bonus – for membership paid no later than November 29, 2025

Membership                                       $30.00 2026 CRHA Niagara Calendar with prepaid postage
$20.00 (regular price $25.00)
Total                                            $50.00

or with CRHA calendar at the meeting (no postage)       $45.00                   

Methods of Payment

• Cash to Chris Paxton or Ron Danielsen at the next monthly meeting
• Interac e-transfer to crhaniagara@gmail.com
• cheque payable to CRHA Niagara – address: 72 Hillcrest Ave., St. Catharines, ON, L2R 4Y1

Ron adds:

We look forward to seeing you as we start the next exciting year at CRHA Niagara. From December to November, dinner is at Ricki Joes, 286 Bunting Road, St. Catharines, at 5:15 PM; meetings are at 7:00 PM, at the Lock 3 Museum in St. Catharines. the last Wednesday of each month.

From January to May, lunch and meeting will be at Coppola’s Restaurant , 203 Carlton Street, St, Catharines.
Meetings are “hybrid”, that is by Zoom link, and face-to-face, unless it is clear there is an impending winter storm, in which case the meeting will be Zoom only.

Thank you to Ron for taking care of membership and to JB and Gerald for dealing with the calendar sales, and to Tammy for providing me a bit of a history lesson on all these topics.

Hope to see you all this Wednesday, September 24 at either Ricci Jo’s for din-din at 5:15 or Lock 3 Museum at 7.

Andy Panko