During 1998 the Association celebrated its 60th anniversary. Since its inception in 1938, the Association has had as its mission the bringing together of persons interested in the history, technology and operation of electric railways. To this end, CERA has been quite successful, having grown from a relative handful of Chicago area railfans, to an organization having about 1600 members scattered not only across the United States, but around the globe.

As in past years, the Association sponsored a full range of membership activities, the center piece of which was four day anniversary gathering over the Memorial Day weekend. The nine membership meetings held during the 1998 covered a wide range of topics pertaining to the operation of electric railways both past and present. In all cases these programs were prepared and presented by CERA members who gave freely of their time to share their interests in a particular facet of the hobby with their fellow members. The wide range of topics covered makes it possible to provide something of interest to all members, be it historical or contemporary, domestic or foreign. The subjects of these presentations were as follows:

Our thanks goes to these presenters for sharing their insights and the fruits of their photography with us. If you would like information on how you too can present a program, contact a director or send a letter to the attention of the Membership Activities Manager at CERA.

Brief “newscasts” covering current events in the electric railway field were also presented at most meetings. These are truly audience participation events because they rely solely on members bringing material to share. We encourage you to bring something for the newscast whether or not you have illustrative material. Material should pertain to some happening in the electric railway field and be relatively timely. A brief report on a visit to a transit property or museum is always appreciated. Since not all members read the same magazines, news from both trade press and popular press can be valid material. If you have newscast material, see the Membership Activities Manager or the projectionist prior to the start of the meeting. We ask that you limit your slides to perhaps a dozen or less and that they were taken during the last few months prior to the meeting.

As mentioned earlier, CERA held its 60th Anniversary convention in Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend. Our “headquarters” for the weekend was the historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel located on Chicago's famous State Street and adjacent to the equally historic Loop elevated structure. The weekend's events began on Friday evening with the regular membership meeting. Member Raymond DeGroote presented a slide program covering the major changes that have occurred to the electric railway industry in the United States and elsewhere during the past 60 years. Saturday was set aside for an enjoyable trip over the three Metra Electric suburban lines that were formerly operated by the Illinois Central Railroad. Numerous photo stops were made enabling members to photograph not only our four car train of Highliners but also regular service. That evening saw our “conventioneers” gather for the 60th Anniversary Banquet. The Palmer House staff provided a delicious dinner which was topped-off with a special slide program by CERA co-founder George Krambles. Mr. Krambles provided a fascinating look back at 60 years of CERA trips and activities. It was a memorable evening. On Sunday, visits were made to the Fox River Trolley Museum and the Illinois Railway Museum. The last event on the calendar as a trip over the Chicago Transit Authority's north side “L” lines using a train of 1969 vintage Budd cars. In addition to the charter train, members had the opportunity to tour the Authority's Skokie Shop complex and photograph representative types of equipment which had been spotted near the Jarvis station.

Although the weekend's events could be considered a success based on the many favorable comments received about the individual events, the weekend was not a success financially. The costs associated with chartering trains and buses, hotel space and banquet expenses exceeded revenues. Another factor was the lower than anticipated attendance compared to previous anniversary weekends. As a result, the association was forced to subsidize the event.

The year just ended saw work completed on CERA's 132nd bulletin, Northern Indiana Railway by George K. Bradley. This 244-page book chronicles the life of one of Indiana's lesser heralded electric railways which served the communities along the south and east shores of Lake Michigan and competed with another electric railroad - the South Shore Line- between Michigan City and South Bend. This bulletin will be issued this spring to persons who were CERA members in both 1996 and 1997. Meanwhile, work continues on several other bulletins. As you know, CERA depends on its interested members and non-members to develop manuscripts for consideration as bulletin material. Due to our limited volunteer staff and the limited amount of spare time they have available, there is no resident “book writing” committee. We depend on individuals who have the interest and drive to research and write on a particular subject to share the fruits of their labors with us. If you have a manuscript that you would like to have considered, drop us a line.

Sale of previously released bulletins continues, albeit at a slower pace than last year. This is largely due to the suspension of our advertising program while work on the Northern Indiana book was being completed. With the release of this bulletin, CERA will resume its advertising program and will issue a new book catalog which will be sent to all members.

Membership in the Association remained roughly the same compared to 1997 and is expected to be about 1600 for 1998. As always, we actively seek your help in recruiting new members. It is through members reaching out to others having an interest in electric railways and mass transportation that offers the best opportunity to add new members. The last decade has seen a light rail revival, not only in this country but overseas. These, plus the introduction of “heritage” operations may serve as a catalyst for increased interest in the historical aspects of the industry and serve as an opportunity to interest others in CERA.

When you are discussing current events in the electric railway field, be sure to mention CERA and its books. Bulletin 118, Westinghouse Electric Railway Transportation, provides a historic summary of many aspects of the industry. Bulletin 127, From Bullets to BART, provides a broad look at the electric railway industry from 1938 through 1988 and provides not only perspective on the past but also how it helped shape the present. CERA will be happy to send you extra book catalogs and membership information for you to pass along to others. With your support we can maintain CERA as a thriving organization.

Because CERA is an all volunteer organization, WE DEPEND ON YOU! As a member, your involvement is crucial if we are to continue to offer interesting membership meetings, inspection trips and well researched bulletins. Whether you live in the Chicago area or not, you can help. Mention CERA, its activities and books to potential members. Local community groups often look for programs. Perhaps your interest in electric railways and CERA's goal to educate and inform can be combined to interest others not only in electric railway history, but in the current state of the transportation industry.

Speaking of volunteers, we would like to acknowledge the assistance of two long-time members who, due to changing professional and personal obligations, will no longer be taking an active role in the operation of your association. Board member William Shapotkin has been responsible for organizing our out-of-town events as well as most of our local charters and securing speakers for our membership meetings. Former board member Donald MacCorquodale has been our gate keeper at the monthly membership meetings and has also worked to promote CERA to potential members. Their efforts on behalf of CERA are greatly appreciated and we wish them well in their future endeavors.

Finally, if you live in the greater Chicago area, do not overlook the opportunity to lend a helping hand by offering to serve on a committee assignment or to run for a position on the Board of Directors. The committees (Audit, Election, and Nominating) normally meet only a few times during the late fall or winter. The Board meets one evening a month in downtown Chicago. If you would like more information, please drop us a line.

Bruce G. Moffat, President January 1999

Note: The printed report also includes a list of Sustaining and Contributing Members. That portion of the report has not been produced here.

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