(rshsdepot) HELENA 2006 =?windows-1252?Q?=96_A_Big_Sky_Convention?=

[Jim Dent <jdent1_@_optonline.net>]

HELENA 2006 – A Big Sky Convention

NOW is the time to plan for your 2006 travels, and the Railroad Station 
Historical Society’s June 9-11, 2006 Annual Convention. We have taken 
your preferences into account, and we have come up with a first class 
venue, some 90 rail structures, and some special aspects.

Montana is, as most of us know, a superbly beautiful place, and a 
wonderful background to some fascinating bridges, tunnels, depots and 
other rail structures. Traveling from place to place will be as 
enjoyable as visiting our destinations.

We’ll travel west to Missoula and then on to Paradise on Friday, 
following the former lines of the Northern Pacific and the electrified 
Milwaukee Road. Because of the proximity of active lines paralleling 
much of our route, we’ll likely see a number of trains.

Saturday we’ll go west and south to Deer Lodge, and then to Anaconda. 
There we’ll have a very special tour of the former BA&P West Yard, where 
there is a 20-stall roundhouse, shops, and many other structures, along 
with rolling stock dating from 1900. We’ll then go on to Butte, where 
there are another nine rail structures.

Sunday will take us on an eastward loop to some shortline and interurban 
structures and some more Northern Pacific and Milwaukee Road gems. We’ll 
take some extra time at both the beautifully restored NP Livingston 
station and the elegant Milwaukee Road inn/station at Gallatin Gateway.

In response to many requests, we are offering a five-day extension tour 
June 12-16 which will take attendees on a 1900 mile grand circle tour 
around the state. It will cover many structures not readily accessible 
from Helena. We will need to know by April 14 if you are interested in 
this tour.

Our convention hotel and the site for our banquet will be Jorgenson’s 
Inn, which has given us a very special convention rate of $62.00 for 
either a one or two-bed room. To be certain of receiving the special 
$62.00 rate, you must make your hotel reservation by May 15, 2006. Call 
1-800-272-1770 or 1-406-442-1770, identify yourself as attending the 
Railroad Station Historical Society convention, confirm the rate, and 
guarantee your reservation.

If you have any special or disability needs, be sure to inform the hotel 
and us.

Free shuttle service from and to the airport is provided
by the hotel; there is a bus connection with the Empire Builder at 
Shelby, Montana for those coming by train (for details call 
406-453-1541). Alternatively, you can take the train to Minot, ND and 
get a rental car there (we recommend National, which has unlimited 
mileage). It is about 685 miles from Minot to Helena, so allow enough 
time. We can direct you to some stations en route if you take this 
option.

Basic registration includes the three days of motor coach touring, a 
convention tour book, a highlighted map showing our tour routes, soft 
drinks on the tours, a banquet ticket, and a door prize coupon. It does 
not include your hotel or the extension tour. Banquet registration will 
include a door prize coupon. The deadline for registration is May 15, 
2006.

Because it’s necessary that you be a Railroad Station Historical Society 
member to attend, we do have a registration rate for non-members that 
includes a year’s membership.
	
If you have any questions, you may call hosts Art & Lynette Peterson at 
1-252-756-7380, email them at stationarchives_@_msn.com or write them at 
the address below and enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope for 
their reply.

Please make your check for the amount on your registration form payable 
to RAILROAD STATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY and mail it with your 
registration to the following address:

RSHS Convention, c/o The Petersons
3200 Gordon Drive
Greenville, NC 27834-4926

Registrants will receive, well in advance of the convention, directions 
to the hotel, a list of structures on our tours and other pertinent 
materials.

Please register as early as possible. You can save some money by doing 
so, and it will enable us to make all necessary commitments and 
preparations. We anticipate a most worthwhile meeting and look forward 
to extending a warm welcome to many of you.

2006 RSHS Convention Registration

Name(s)_____________________________________________________________________

Street 
Address_________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip__________________________________________________________________

Phone # (include area 
code)______________________________________________________

E-mail 
address_________________________________________________________________

Name(s) for 
badges_____________________________________________________________

# Basic member registrations____ X $142.00* (until 4/22/06) = ______________

# Basic member registrations____ X $157.00* (after 4/22/06) = ______________

# Basic non-member registrations____ X $154.00* (until 4/22/06) = 
___________

# Basic non-member registrations____ X $169.00* (after 4/22/06) = 
___________

Banquet only tickets_____ X $25.00 (until 4/22/06) = ___________

Banquet only tickets_____ X $30.00 (after 4/22/06) = ___________

Total = 		______________

Check should be made payable to: Railroad Station Historical Society

I (We) will be arriving by: (  ) Auto  (  ) Amtrak  (   ) Air – Arrival 
Date ______  Flight # __________

Banquet choice: (   ) Roast Prime Rib  (   ) Sautéed Salmon  (   ) Roast 
Pork [Note: If we have 40 or more attendees, we will have a buffet]

Cold drink preferences: [Note: you may make more than one drink choice] 
___ Pepsi ___ Diet Pepsi  ___ Coke ___ Diet Coke ___ Sprite ___ Diet 
Sprite ___ Root Beer ___ Diet Root Beer
___ Mountain Dew ___ Diet Mountain Dew ___ Bottled Water ___ other? 
(what kind?) ________

I have special/disability needs (please describe) 
______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

*= There may be a fuel surcharge added; we will inform you as soon as 
possible.

Five Day Extension Tour – Let us know by 4/14/06 if you want to participate

I will definitely participate in the five-day extension tour (   ) Yes ( 
   ) No [Please check] Costs are expected to be around $120.00 toward 
van rental plus shared gas costs. You will be responsible for food and 
lodging costs during the tour. You will receive further information if 
you check “Yes”

I will bring a cell phone (   ) Yes (   ) No [Please check]

I will/will not (circle one) have a vehicle available for the tour and 
can accommodate ____ additional passengers.
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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