CENTRAL ELECTRIC RAILFANS' ASSOCIATION
Upcoming Programs
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Friday, October 13, 2023 7:00 PM • Via Zoom
SEPTEMBER AT CERA! Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at 7 p.m. CDT
Norm's fascinating program this month will consist of a review of a few of the many electric interurban railways that had at one time served much of the Midwest. A wide-ranging presentation, the scope of coverage will range from lines in Iowa and east to Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. It will be a wide assortment of interurban railway lines in images pre-dating widespread use of movie cameras. Be sure to join us, in person, at the Clubroom of 899 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago. September in Chicago is a beautiful place, renew old friendships and hear what's new with the Central Electric Railfans Association. The program, which begins promptly at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22, will not be recorded or live-streamed on Zoom. Our latest Zoom program Remembering Chicago's Streetcars and Wooden 'L' Trains, by Eric Bronsky was a resounding success on Friday, Sept. 8. CERA looks forward to posting the video of this Zoom program in short order. Also, stay tuned to this spot for more new video uploads in the coming weeks. We'll also post news of our next Second Friday Zoom program, set for Oct. 13. Questions? Send us an email at ceraoffice@gmail.com Remember, CERA's second Friday of the month Zoom programs are open to all. But we'd still love to have you as a member. If you aren't a member, please consider joining and visit https://cera-chicago.org/join Or let us know by email if you have questions at: ceraoffice@gmail.comFor more railfan programming listings, visit: |
THE RETURN OF CERA VIDEOS! After a brief hiatus from our webpages, CERA is happy to announce that previous videos hosted on YouTube, are now back up and running. Here is a list, and links, to currently available videos. Click on the date: September 2020: A visual appreciation of the South Shore Line by John Nicholson. October 2020: "Hungary for Streetcars? Czech this out!" a travelog of railfanning in Eastern Europe, by Raymond DeGroote, Jr. November 2020: The Loop: The 'L' Tracks that Shaped and Saved Chicago by Patrick Reardon. December 2020: Manhattan Transfer, by David Wilson TROLLEYS TO THE BOARDWALK Order CERA Bulletin B-151 today! The highly anticipated new book from CERA, Trolleys to the Boardwalk is now available. It is being shipped as a benefit of membership to all who were members in 2018. We also have books in hand at our Chicago offices and are ready to send them. Please click on Buy a Book to order. B-151 is a history of Atlantic City Trolleys from 1854 to 1955, written by James J.N. Henwood, who ecounts the story of trolley operation in Atlantic City, from humble horse cars to the modern Brilliners. Originally conceived of as a seaside shipping port, Atlantic City’s developers realized its potential for summer visitors seeking an escape from crowded cities to the inviting beaches of the Jersey Shore. Resorts and other businesses burgeoned, helped by the crowds brought to the city over three railroads. Local transportation began with a simple horsecart service as well as a steam dummy operation. It was traction Pioneer Frank J. Sprague who electrified the city railway in 1889. Under the control of the Pennsylvania Railroad, lines were ultimately consolidated into the Atlantic City & Shore Railroad. Over the years AC&S operated the local Atlantic City trolley service and a short interurban—the Shore Fast Line-between Atlantic City and Ocean City. There was also another electric line in the area, the Atlantic City & Suburban, that led a troubled existence and suffered an early demise. Come on board and ride back with us in time to relive Atlantic City’s colorful trolley era.
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