SATURDAY, April 12, 2025
Al. Ringling Theater, 136 4th Avenue, Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913 

Join us for our annual social gathering and history presentation event where like-minded individuals can share experiences, learn new history, and enjoy excellent visual programming of railroading-related subjects and great food. Event includes a catered box lunch, door prizes, and access to the “Company store,” a fund raiser featuring books, magazines, and other surplus items from Lake States archives.

SCHEDULE

9:00 am Doors Open for Check-in and Social Hour, Company Store Open
10:00 am Presentations Begin (see reverse side for details)
12:00 noon Box Lunch in Theater (please select your menu choice on registration form below)
12:30 pm Annual Report on LSRHA and “Best of LSRHA” Program
1:00 pm Presentations Resume (see reverse side for details)
2:45 pm Break, Company Store Still Open
3:00 pm Presentations Resume (see reverse side for details)
5:00 pm Symposium Concludes, Thank You for Your Support!

LSRHA Member(s)/Spouse(s): $40 per person
Non-member(s): $50 per person

Box Lunch Menu Choices (included in price above, select one for each attendee when booking/registering):
— Roast Beef/Cheddar on Brioch
— Turkey Club on Multigrain
— Tuna Salad on Croissant

Book On-Line Now With Credit Card

Or download RESERVATION FORM and mail (MUST be received by April 8, 2025) with check or money order payable to: LSRHA, 330 Lynn Street, Baraboo, WI 53913. Payment may also be made with PayPal (please add 3% convenience fee) to: lakestatesarchive@gmail.com. No cancellations/refunds after March 27, 2025.

2025 RAILROAD HISTORY SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

Chris Burger: The Chicago & North Eastern
Chris subscribes to the theory that if you love your job you’ll never work a day at it. That’s how he feels about his thirty-nine years of railroading starting as a NYC signal helper at Harmon, NY and wrapping up as president of a regional railroad holding company in Kokomo, IN. Along the way he worked for the New Haven, C&NW, and CV. Most of his time with the C&NW was in Wisconsin where in addition to managing the Wisconsin Division he was the moving force behind the railroad’s “Good-Will Ambassador” steam program.

Kevin P. Keefe: The Career of Railroad Artist Gil Reid
Kevin will review the career of artist Gil Reid as he grew in stature from a staff artist at Kalmbach Publishing Co. to one of the most widely respected railroad artists of his era. Over the years, Gil and Kevin became close friends, collaborating on a number of projects, some of which he’ll show in his program.

James Lewnard: The Harvard Subdivision
C&NW’s Harvard Line is one of the oldest railroads in northern Illinois. Incorporated in 1852 and completed in 1856, it continues to serve commuters and freight customers in 2025. Although it once reached the Dakotas, today trains run only as far west as Evansville, WI. Jim will examine the Harvard Line’s principal trains and stations between Chicago and Janesville in the modern era.

Scott Lothes: The Spectacular Burlington Steam Program
In the 1950s and 1960s, no railroad could top the steam program of the CB&Q. The railroad operated more than 260 steam trips carrying 100,000+ riders and left impressions on countless more trackside admirers. John Gruber, founder of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art, portrayed these trips as the events they were, capturing the power of their locomotives, the pride of their railroaders, and the wonder they inspired. The Center’s Scott Lothes will present highlights from a new book from CRPA and discuss the CB&Q steam program.

Jerry Pyfer: We Didn’t Always Haul Freight
Jerry served as a trainman for the Illinois Central Gulf and The Milwaukee Road in the 1970s and 1980s. His program, “We Didn’t Always Haul Freight” is a combination of Milwaukee Road and ICG photographs he will present along with his memories of his time with the two railroads between 1971 and 1982.

Steve Sandberg: What’s Happening at Silvis?
One of the biggest railroad preservation stories of the decade has been the acquisition of the former Rock Island shop complex in Silvis, Ill., and the ongoing restoration there of two Union Pacific steam locomotives. Steve Sandberg, president and chief operating officer of Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, will present an insiders view of what’s happening at Silvis and the restoration of UP No. 3985 and 2-10-2 No. 5511, plus work on RRHMA’s diesel fleet and historic passenger cars.

Mike Schafer: My Goofy Career
Beginning in 1971, Mike Schafer turned his hobby of railroad photography and writing into a career as editor of Passenger Train Journal, later employed at Kalmbach Publishing, and eventually with Andover Junction Publications and White River Publications. Today he owns his own company, which published his most recent book, My Milwaukee Road Volume 1. Mike will take a look back at his self described “goofy” career with often humorous stories and antidotes from his long career—with photos to illustrate his journey.

Mike Yuhas: The Basics of Drone Photography
Drones began buzzing around the skies over a decade ago. Hobbyists seized on them because they brought a camera to new heights. Today’s drones fly longer and return home safely with absolutely stunning photos and video. In this program, Mike Yuhas will present the basics of railroad drone photography, profusely illustrated with dozens of aerial photos, from mediocre to stunning.

OUR VENUE

The historic Al. Ringling theatre is located in the heard of downtown Baraboo. Dubbed “American’s Prettiest Playhouse,” it was built in 1915 by Albert Ringling, of circus fame. The Ringling Brothers’ circus wintered at Baraboo at the time. The Wisconsin Historical Society recently assumed ownership of the theater from the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc.

The Ringling is located just north of the Sauk County Courthouse in downtown Baraboo at:
136 4th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913
— The main floor of the auditorium is ADA accessible
— No photography allowed inside the theater
— No outside food or beverage is allowed in the theater
— LSRHA will provide beverages for the box lunches
— Coffee/snacks will be provided during the afternoon break
More information on the Al. Ringling may be found at: www.alringling.org

Street parking is available around the courthouse square and also within walking distance at public parking lots located at the following addresses:
— Behind Sauk County West Square: 505 Broadway Street
— Public Lot (off street): 126 5th Avenue
— Behind the Public Library: 224 5th Avenue