This was our 37th annual convention.

 It was held in Mt. Vernon, IL on October 5-8, 2017.

Here are the original details.

This event will be joint with the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Historical Society.

The MPHS invites the C&EIHS members to attend and celebrate our shared history and heritage. We hope to strengthen existing ties between our two societies and establish new friendships. 

Check out these messages from MPHS officers and managers. – Click Here

Current Overview: 

This years convention will continue the tradition of being a four-day event. Various admission packages will be offered. All members coming to this event are encouraged to attend Thursday through Sunday morning.

Check out the links below for details. Over the next couple of months we will post the details of the individual meeting days on this website and in The Eagle magazine. Check back often, as more information will be added as the date draws nearer.

The first activity is the Fall MPHS Board of Directors meeting on Thursday afternoon. This meeting is open to any interested member of the MPHS. Thursday evening’s activities include presentations and a “Meet & Greet” social event for all attendees. Refreshments will be provided.

Friday’s events include a driving tour to Marion, IL, the annual MPHS members meeting during the afternoon and various presentations during the late afternoon and evening.

Saturday starts with presentations in the morning and there will be the usual swap meet in the afternoon. There will be a catered banquet meal and key note speaker on Saturday evening. This year’s speaker is Woody Sutton, a former MoPac officer with ties to this portion of the railroad. The banquet is an extra fare item requiring an advance registration. Also, attending the banquet will be required in order to hear the key note speaker’s presentation. Get signed up, today.

Sunday’s activities will include a trip to view the former C&EI/MP yard at Salem, IL which is currently operated by Union Pacific. The UP1982 should be aailable for viewing, also. Transportation will be provided and, as such, will be an extra fare item. 

More Detail:

Presentations are always the core of our meetings. This year we have lined up some excellent presentations: 

• Tom Austin (MPHS): Joppa Subdivision (C&EI Operations Post-MoPac)
• Brian Banna (MPHS): MP/C&EI GP35s
• George Bogatiuk (SoundTraxx): Customizing Tsu2 Decoders for MoPac Diesel Operations
• Ed Bridges (CO&E Railroad): The Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad
• David Forbes (C&EIHS): C&EI Equipment — Hopper Cars
• Blaine Hadfield (ExactRail): ExactRail MoPac/C&EI Equipment offerings
• Jerry Michels (MPHS): The Coal Belt Electric
• Craig Ross (Bluford Shops): “I’d buy five!” — How Model Manufacturers Decide What to Make
• Rick Schroder (C&EIHS): The MoPac Arrives in Danville on the C&EI
• Norbert Shacklette (MPHS): Working in Mt. Vernon Area, a Railroader’s Perspective

There will be a time for displaying your MoPac and C&EI-related models. This will be similar to RPM meets wherein modelers display their models, whether finished or not, and share with others the knowledge and skills learned while working on these models. Please bring your models and show others what you have been doing. 

For those members bringing their spouses, we are working on several local attractions, such as Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, which they can attend during the convention. Please indicate when you make your reservation that you are bringing your spouse and include their name so that we have a good head count for tours, etc. There is no extra convention charge if you bring our spouse — your registration fee covers both of you.

At this years the annual membership meeting there will be elections for the following Board of Director positions; President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Directors 1 and 2. These positions are available to anyone who is a current MPHS member. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the MPHS or want more information on any of these roles, please contact [email protected].

Convention Flyer (PDF): Click Here

Venue: Drury Inn & Suites, 145 N 44th St, Mt Vernon, IL 62864

Keynote Speaker on Saturday evening: Woody Sutton – Read biography

Current Schedule