1987 Annual Meeting
Here’s an account from NCTA’s 1987 Annual Meeting, which: “kicked off with a star-studded panel of Railroaders: Darius Gaskins, Jr., President & CEO, Burlington Northern RR, William Holtman, Chairman and President, Denver & Rio Grande Western RR, Denman McNear, Chairman, President & CEO, Southern Pacific Transportation Co., Michael Walsh, Chairman, Union Pacific RR, and James Wolfe, Chairman, President & CEO, CNW Corp. That is quite an honor to get that many railroad executives all in one room. The panel was moderated by Joseph Dewey, Director of Transportation with Kerr McGee. You can imagine leading a panel of five powerful leaders might be a little stressful, but on top of that deciding the speaking order. Mr. DeWey wanted to be fair to all the distinguished guests so he did what any good moderator would do. He made himself a cup of tea in his Union Pacific mug and put all the names in his CSX coffee mug and drew names!”
Flash from the 2006 Past
This fond memory was offered by NCTA President Emily Regis: “In 2006 the NCTA Spring Conference was held at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley. I was one of the lucky invitees for Trinity Rail’s wine tasting tour put together by our good friend and former NCTA Board member, Gayle Tenbrink. Gayle procured two limousines for the trip up to wine country, one was a normal limousine while the other was a ‘Hummer Limo.’ You can guess which one I picked, the Hummer Limo. This was a luxury ride with leather couch-style seating, awesome sound system, ambiance lighting, and plush carpet. Things were pretty quiet on the way up the mountain into wine country, but after a few stops and sipping and tasting our way around the Napa Valley, everyone started to relax and my husband, Linas, started telling a few jokes. As the limos made their way up and down the winding narrow roads of wine country, we were laughing ourselves silly and slipping and sliding around on those leather couches. At one point, one of the limos got kind of stuck trying to turn around in a narrow driveway. More hilarity ensued. I wish I could remember some of the jokes Linas was telling that day, but I think we will just have to revisit the wine country in another Hummer Limo for a re-enactment. A great time was had by all. Thanks Gayle and Trinity Rail!”
“Emerging Troubles in the Coal Transportation Supply Chain” was the title of a 2006 NCTA magazine article that surveyed utilities on the capacity to serve some 140 coal plants that were then proposed for construction. “Some of the results are encouraging as selected utilities are taking action to meet their future coal handling needs,” the survey summary stated. “These utilities are upgrading facilities, purchasing equipment, improving cycle times, and leveraging performance measures to monitor performance. However, many results are troubling. Utilities report car shortages, outdated equipment and facilities, maintenance problems, slow process times, and limited use of performance measures. Utilities also indicate little focus on addressing those issues, shortages of capital to address them, and little teamwork with supply chain participants to address problems together.”
2006 Tuscan Arizona Conference
“Reporting on NCTA’s Spring Conference in 2006, the editor of Coal Transporter magazine noted that “the wine was fine” in Napa Valley, but pleaded for “some common sense on energy issues within the state legislature of California.” Plus: “Who in the world scheduled the O&M Conference in Tucson in June? The old thermometer hit 105⁰! That was convenient for the chefs at the cookout; they just threw the steaks on a section of the sidewalk and listened to them sizzle.”
Do you have recollections to share about NCTA’s history during this – the organization’s 50th anniversary year? Examples include personal anecdotes from NCTA events, tributes to memorable people, observations on major issues addressed by NCTA, and more. Vintage photos are also welcome. Submit your recollections by emailing NCTA Executive Director John Ward at John@movencta.org