CERA presents programs for the benefit of its members and the general public, generally 10 times a year (all months except July and August). These programs usually consist of a slide and/or electronic newscast that highlights recent developments in the field of light rail and electric railways, followed by the main program, which is a narrated slide, video, or movie program dealing with a specific electric railway system or several systems. A program might feature recently photographed electric railway/urban transit systems, or it might be an historical reflection on an operation long since abandoned. Attendance runs between 80 to 160.
When: The 4th Friday of the month except for July and August when no meetings are generally held. Doors open at 6:00 pm. and the program starts at 7:00 pm. The program usually ends between 9:30 and 10:00 pm.
Where: University Center, The Lake Room
525 S. State Street, 2nd floor (State and Congress) Map of 525 S State St
Cost: Attendance is free for our standard monthly programs.
All programs are subject to change. Call CERA at 312-346-3723 to confirm if you are not an active member.
Our Next Program
Friday May 23, 2008 7:00 p.m.
A Century of Service on America's Last Interurban:
The South Shore Line
by William Shapotkin
Who would have known that a local streetcar line in East Chicago, IN, would become the country’s last existing interurban. Bill will take us for a journey on “The Little Train that could (and still does)” through the streets of South Bend, Michigan City, and East Chicago, before arriving in Chicago. He will also show the South Shore’s freight service, two streetcar operations, and interurban passenger equipment. Bill will also discuss the interurban’s plans for the future.
Electric Rail Highlights will follow the program.
Persons with electric rail photography or announcements are encouraged to participate. CERA volunteers can assist with presentations. Please send your digital images in advance to Tony Coppoletta at tony@elevatedconsulting.com.
The meeting starts at 1900 hours (7:00 pm). Doors open at 1800 hours (6:00 pm). This program will be held at University Center, The Lake Room, 525 S. State St., 2nd floor. Click here for a map of 525 S. State St.
June 2008 at CERA
Our next regularly scheduled membership meeting will be held on Friday, 27 June 2008, at 1900 Hours (7:00 p.m.), at University Center, 525 S. State Street, in the 2nd floor conference center. The June program, "Chicago Streetcar Memories" by Jeff Wien and Bradley Criss, presents the memories of 8 Chicagoans in addition to historic Chicago streetcar photographs and film footage in a manner similiar to WTTW's Remembering Chicago series.
For a complete calendar of events of other railroad enthusiast organizations in the extended Chicago metropolitan area, please go to http://www.railcc.org/Events.html.
July 2008 at CERA
A special July CERA event is planned for Thursday, 10 July 2008, at 1215 Hours (12:15 p.m.) at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph, in the 2nd floor Claudia Cassidy Auditorium. This July program, presented by Tony Coppoletta and Graham Garfield, is titled “The Mysterious Phantom ‘L’ Lines of Chicago.”
Upcoming programs
| Date | Presenter | Topic |
| May 23, 2008 | William Shapotkin | A Century of Service on America’s Last Interurban |
| June 27, 2008 | Jeffrey Wien | Chicago Streetcar Memories |
| July 10, 2008 | Tony Coppoletta and Graham Garfield | The Mysterous Phantom "L" Lines of Chicago
Note: This program will be presented at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph. at 12:15pm. The Chicago Cultural Center is located at the Southwest corner of Michigan Ave. and Randolph. |
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