You are invited !!

To What? The 1st Missouri Pacific Mini-meet

Where? Abilene, Texas

When? April 26,27

Why Abilene? The Grace Museum is located across the street from the Texas and Pacific Depot and houses the Don Watson Texas and Pacific collection. Mr. Watson published the book From Ox teams to Eagles in 1978 on the history of the T&P. His collection contains a multitude of items and a wonderful collection of steam engine photos. The Grace Museum has meeting space for us to use and we will hear from 10 speakers over Friday afternoon and Saturday morning on Texas and Pacific and Missouri Pacific topics. We have also arranged to have two model railroad layout tours on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

The Grace Museum has free parking on the west side which is great since the streets around are metered.

Hotel Information

The hotels that are listed have blocked off 10 rooms at each location. Important to note—— these rooms will only be held until March 26th which is 30 days before we have meet. Yes that is only 7 days from now. If you have already books at these locations and want these rates please call and have them change the rate before the 27th. Please tell them you are with the Missouri Pacific Historical Society.

  • The Doubletree by Hilton $169.00 base rate plus taxes etc. this is the closest to the Grace Museum.
  • The Courtyard by Marriott $121.00 base rate plus taxes etc. This one is close to the Abilene mall and about 10 minutes away.

We will try to begin at 12:00 Friday so it would be nice to be little early to register and pay your $5 dollars.

Currently lined up for Friday starting at noon

  • Grace museum presentation- Erica Parker
  • Tom Stamey : Tom will talk on the stepladder of change from steam to diesel on the T&P
  • Tom Stephens: Tom will talk on the change from steam to diesel on the MoPac
    NOTE: The T&P most of time saw things a little different than the MoPac. The T&P thought steam could last and be just as efficient as diesel.
  • Corrender Taylor: Corrender will give a presentation on Abilene and Southern engine #20 (2-8-2)
  • Ed Chapman: Ed will present a presentation on the MoPac in the Brazos Valley area. This will be his slides from the 1970’s in south central Texas.
  • Dusty Garrison: Dusty will present “Heaven on Wheels” . The history of railroad Chapel cars.

Evening on your own or as groups to dine out. The Abilene Model Railroad Club and Ken Riediger will open their layouts to us.

  • Saturday morning starting at 8:30
  • Jerry Michaels: Jerry will give a presentation on new caboose material found after the publication of his Missouri Pacific Cabooses
  • Jim Ogden: Jim will give a presentation on Mail Trains ofTexas (T&P and MP mail trains)
  • Steve Goen: Steve will present on The Cisco and Northwestern. Steve will also present on T&P freight and passenger operations at Gordon Texas.
  • Bill Sims: Bill will give a presentation on Hallmark’s Texas and Pacific brass steam engines imported by Bobby Halls hobby shop in Dallas.

Please tell me more

In addition to the T&P depot two T&P freight houses are with-in two blocks which we will visit. Downtown Abilene is very nice with the many hotels nearby. Bring a lawn chair and we will try to time the parade of freight trains going thru town 200 feet from the museum in a nice grassed unfenced area. If weather cooperates it is real nice.

Cost: $5 dollars.

Who is invited? Invitations are going out to the current listing of MPHS members living in Texas but bring your friends as everyone is welcome!

Questions: Patrick Pritchett, email [email protected], phone 806-777-1549

We have a variety of presentations with encouraged question and answers so we all can learn and maybe find out new pieces of knowledge. In addition to these presentations I am sure you will enjoy meeting some special people I have invited to attend. Much of this knowledge is being lost every year and it is my hope we can all share a little of what we know.