All it takes is a little imagination. Hays T. Watkins wrote in an advertisement formally announcing the creation of Chessie System to the public in 1972, almost 50 years ago. The Chessie System Historical Society (CSHS) founded about 25 years later in 1997 included this important advertisement in a symbolic fashion at the end of Volume One (I) Issue One (I) of the Chessie News.
To announce in our first post of the newly designed online presence for CSHS, we have included a black and white photo as it appeared on the back cover of the first Chessie News:
Although CSHS has relatively been collaborating through other means and we have not had an easy means to do so on our own site, now you are invited to participate in our CSHS online community, contribute content here as if it were displayed for all to see in a museum. Measuring approximately 18 inches by 23 inches, the original artwork was in the collection of John B. Corns, the official Chessie System photographer, and eventually into the collection of former CSHS President Randall K. Fields.
Chessie System survives in the hearts and minds of many railroad fans and families that had members work for, or with, Chessie System Railroads. We dedicate this first post to CSHS lifetime member Hays T. Watkins; and to those who do remember, those who want to remember, and those interested in the preservation of one of America’s nostalgic railroads, still recognized by modelers and everyday folks, that recognize the Ches-C logo to this day.
Welcome to our new online site at chessiesystem.org and come back often as we will be working diligently to make this the number one place on the Internet dedicated to factual, accurate, and cumulative repositories of Chessie System information.
Please feel to comment and if you are not a member consider Joining today!
Warm Regards,
The CSHS Board of Directors and Executive Staff