NKPHTS

Art Lemke,
Co-chairman/Treasurer
The Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society
2012 NKPHTS CONVENTION
Mike Schafer, Chairman

September 28-30, 2012 - Peoria, IL

Contents

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS

 Embassy Suites & Convention Center of East Peoria

Embassy Suites & Convention Center of East Peoria, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria, Illinois, United States 61611. Tel: 1-309-694-0200, Fax: 1-309-694-0201.

The Embassy campus, which includes the world's largest Steak 'n Shake restaurant, sits hard against the Illinois River -- a navigable waterway -- with the Peoria skyline as a backdrop. The site was formerly occupied by the Illinois Terminal's Farmdale Yard and "new" (1950) East Peoria passenger depot/terminal, the Toledo, Peoria & Western main line (since rerouted), and one of the original Steak 'n Shake restaurants, so the Embassy sits on sacred ground. The Embassy complex itself includes the ten-story hotel building, an internet cafe with Starbucks coffee, the Riverside Cafe, outdoor dining (weather permitting), a 24-hour Steak 'n Shake, and, to the south in a semi-detached large building, a multi-room convention center.

The Embassy has set aside a block of 30 rooms of various arrangements -- one king bed, two queen-size beds, etc. -- all of which also include a pull-out couch, comfortably accommodating three people (or up to five if four share two double beds and all really like each other). Each room also has a writing desk, sink (outside the bathroom itself), two flat-screen TVs, refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, internet access, coffeemaker, hairdryer for those of us who have hair left, and a compact sitting area. Most rooms will have a view of the Illinois River and downtown Peoria proper, which includes the Tazewell & Peoria main line. Rooms facing south look out over the Peoria & Pekin Union main line in the distance.

The tentative NKPHTS room rate is $132 (tax and gratuities not included) whether there is one person or five people in the room. (The normal rate is at least $149, with additional charges for additional room occupants.) It should be noted that the $132 room price includes, for each room occupant, a complimentary hot breakfast with madeto- order omelettes, waffles, pancakes, and other egg dishes as well as a happy hour reception every evening between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with free drinks (wine, beer, etc.).

Please Note! The hotel is not yet ready to take reservations, so please do not call until you are advised to do so here.

Once reservations are open, it will be the responsibility of convention-goers to book their own accommodations. You must advise that you are with the Nickel Plate Road group.

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EVENTS

This is a tentative listing of events. Events and times are subject to change. Please check back for updates.

Friday, Sept. 28

  • Chartered motorcoach tour of railroad facilities of metro Peoria. We have reserved one 55-seat, restroom-equipped motorcoach for a two-hour-plus tour of the railroad facilities of Peoria, East Peoria, Creve Coeur, Pekin, and Mapleton. We do NOT intend to actually go into private facilities for tours, etc. Rather, this tour mainly shows how the railroads are laid out in the area and where their main yards, etc. are located. EXCEPTION: We should be able to see and photograph the Keokuk Junction's F-unit set at Mapleton, where we can deboard the bus for photos. We have someone in touch with the KJ, which has been known to position its A-B-A F-unit set here for other groups.
  • Special spouse activities. Hotel can supply free shuttle service for smaller groups to points of interest in the area. We are exploring such options as a riverboat cruise and a visit to the Peoria Riverside RiverFront where there are a number of venues, including antique stores, art exhibits, etc. The Embassy has offered a private dining area for a spouse/train widow luncheon.
  • Dinner on your own; we may arrange a semi-organized group dinner for NKPHTS officers and interested parties at Rizzi's Italian Restaurant across the river on Peoria's waterfront. They can handle a group of perhaps 20-plus people.
  • Friday afternoon and evening: Presentations/clinics in the Fond du Lac Room at the convention facilities.
  • Board of Directors meeting

Saturday, Sept. 29

  • Chartered motorcoach trip Peoria-Bloomington-Monticello, lL. We have reserved two 55-seat coaches this outing. Departure from Embassy facility approx. 8 a.m. Near Bloomington, bus will leave Interstate to drive past NS (ex-NKP) Good Yard facility, then into Bloomington past BN Cabin where NKP and P&E crossed GM&O mainline and over to warehouse district to see remaining landmarks around NKP main. Then, buses proceed down to Miller Park on south side of Bloomington. At Miller Park, former Monticello Railway Museum president John Sciutto will open up NKP Mike 639 display for up-close inspection.

    Monticello Railway Museum

    Coaches continue to Monticello Railway Museum (MRM) grounds to board our chartered train pulled by Wabash F-unit for three-plus-mile trip into downtown Monticello to restored depot area. At community center across from depot, we will be served a catered lunch before returning by train to museum grounds outside of town; photo stops are planned en route. Group will have approximately an hour to wander the museum grounds. Ex-NKP baggage cars and cabooses are there along with a nearly complete Illinois Central streamliner, among other items in the MRM collection. Buses to run express back to East Peoria, arriving there approximately 3:30 p.m.

  • Model exhibit and Company Store open; free time before dinner.
  • Convention happy hour and banquet.
  • NKPHTS Auction

Sunday, Sept. 30

  • Farewell breakfast in hotel (complimentary). Group seating planned.
  • General membership meeting.

REGISTRATION

Registration forms will be posted when available. All convention information, including registration forms, will also be included with the Summer 2012 Nickel Plate Road Magazine.

MODEL and PHOTO CONTEST INFORMATION; CONTEST ENTRY FORMS

Please Note! - To download the contest entry forms you must be registered for access to the Members Area. You can register here. (new window)

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