Make plans now to attend the R&LHS Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. This event is hosted by the Indiana Rail Road Company and will feature a special excursion train on their line. The convention hotel is the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Union Station. A block of rooms has been reserved at the rate of $139 per night for one to four persons. Rooms with additional amenities and rooms which comprise one-half of a standard heavyweight Pullman car are available at slightly higher rates. Room reservations may be made direct at (317) 631-2221. Be sure to mention R&LHS when making reservations.

Indianapolis was the site of the first union station in the country. The first railroad reached the city in 1847, and by 1853 there were seven lines. The Indianapolis Union Railway was established in 1850 and the union station opened in 1853. The existing structure replaced the original depot in 1888. The Crowne Plaza guest rooms have been incorporated into the trackage area. Recommended reading between now and the meeting is Railroads of Indiana by Richard S. Simons and Francis H. Parker published by Indiana University Press in 1997.

The planned schedule for the event is as follows:

Thursday, May 19—R&LHS Board of Directors meeting at 2:00 PM. The board meeting is open to all Society members and will include the report of the Mission Committee (see below), the adoption of the Society budget, the Railroad History report, the election of Society officers and other business. An informal fellowship gathering will follow the board meeting.

Saturday, May 21—Early morning charter coach departure from the hotel to the Indiana Rail Road facility in Indianapolis. Travel by special train on the Indiana Rail Road between Indianapolis and Bloomfield, Indiana. The trip includes the famous Richland Creek Viaduct (also known as the Tulip Trestle). This structure is 2,295 feet long and 157 feet high. The line is a former Illinois Central branch. Lunch will be served on the train. The bus will return to the hotel after the train trip. The evening will feature the annual R&LHS banquet to be held at the Crowne Plaza.

Sunday, May 22—Breakfast and annual R&LHS business meeting at the Crowne Plaza including election of Society directors. Depart after the meeting, or remain in the area for the Indianapolis 500 auto race the following weekend.

The all-inclusive cost for the event is $200. Checks should be made payable to R&LHS and sent to C. P. Zlatkovich at 1610 N. Vinton Road, Anthony, New Mexico 88021.

At the suggestion of several members and directors, a special Mission Committee has been appointed to develop a mission statement for the Society. This committee will report to the board of directors at the May 19 meeting in Indianapolis. James B. Caballero of Los Angeles, California, is the chairman of the committee. The other members are Jerry Angier, Bill Howes, Art Lloyd, Tony Thompson and Bruce Heard. Society members may communicate their thoughts on the mission of the Society to Chairman Caballero at 2785 Mandeville Canyon Road, Los Angeles CA 90049 or by e-mail at jimsignals@aol.com.

Cliff Vander Yacht of Jacksonville, Florida, has resigned as editor of the R&LHS Newsletter following the publication of volume 24, number 4. Cliff’s service to the Society during his tenure as editor is much appreciated. The Society is seeking a replacement editor. This issue has been prepared on an interim basis by the President in order to provide the members with timely notification of the 2005 annual convention.