Dr. Jason Davis has announced our 8th Cotton Belt Symposium.
Announcing the 8th annual Cotton Belt Railroad Symposium
Friday & Saturday, October 4-5, 2013
Sam Rayburn Student Center
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Commerce, Texas
Friday, 5:00pm-8:00pm - Show & Tell Mixer and open Acoustic Music Jam Session
Saturday, 8:45am-4:30pm | 8:19am registration - Symposium Programs
This is a free, public event to share, document, preserve, and celebrate the legacy and experiences of the employees and families connected to the St. Louis Southwestern Railway and all Ark-La-Tex-oma railroads. All former and current railroad employees, family members, and any interested individuals are encouraged to attend.
Join us this year as we write a new chapter in the book of Cotton Belt history. A highlight of the 2013 symposium will be the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s official ceremony for the induction of Harold J. McKenzie, former Cotton Belt Railroad President (1951-1969), into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor. We are excited and honored to host this most historic event!
Programs and activities include a presentation on the Cotton Belt’s FT “Flat Top” Locomotives by Ed Cooper; a panel discussion featuring members of the railroad family; the Harold McKenzie induction ceremony; a luncheon* sponsored by BNSF Railway and featuring live musical entertainment; a NETEX/Blacklands Railroad update by Blacklands president, Wayne Defebaugh; the premiere screening of Steve Goen’s newest video production featuring the Cotton Belt #819; a display of operating railroad motorcars provided by Railroad Partners, Inc., and an open house of the East Texas Model Railroad Club layout.
Saturday’s Luncheon meal is generously sponsored by BNSF Railway. Luncheon tickets must be requested by Tuesday, October 1, using our Online Luncheon RSVP form: