06/13/2026
Cedar Rapids Area Railfan Association Newsletter
The Cedar Rapids Railfan Association would like to invite you to attend monthly railroad slide and home-video presentations. Please see below for more information.
THIS MONTH’S PROGRAM. June 15, 2026 - Elections / Short Subjects Members Night! Here is an opportunity for anyone to present approximately 10 minutes of railroad photos or videos. We will provide digital equipment for you to use. If you are presenting slides, you will need to bring your projector. The office of Vice-President is open. The current President and Secretary/Treasurer are willing to accept re-election.
IMPORTANT TASK HELP NEEDED!! If you would be interested in helping transport the screen back and forth to the meetings we could use your help. Thank you.
NOTE: NICK THARALSON CELEBRATION OF LIFE…
The family of Daynor (Nick) Tharalson would like to invite you to attend Nicks Celebration of Life. Wednesday July 15, 2026 at the Marion Public Library. The open house is from 930am-1130am in the Board Room which is on the 2nd floor of the library. 1101 6th Avenue, Marion Iowa.
Meeting Location: St. Andrew Lutheran Church. 4420 Center Point Road NE; Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 6:30 PM, Program at 7:00 PM. NOTE: The church space is not free. A $5 donation per household is collected at each meeting. This is for room rental and equipment replacement.
Thanks to: Darrell Ferreter for his May 2026 program.
Future in person presentations:
July 20, 2026 – Luke Harden – History of the railroad bridges of Linn County and surrounding areas.
August 17, 2026 – Paul Michelson - Tentative
September 21, 2026 – open
October 19, 2026 – Darren Ferreter shows various collection highlights of CRARA members
November 16, 2026 – open
December 21, 2026 – Short Subjects Members night.
January 18, 2027 – open
February 15, 2027 – open
March 15- 2027 – open
Interested in presenting a program? There are open dates in the coming months. If you are interested, let Tom or Darren know. Contact information is below. We can also help arrange half-program slots if you wish.
Program Guidelines: Full programs usually feature around 400 images. Older subjects that include group discussion might be less than 400 images. Program begins at 7pm and should be timed to finish no later than 9pm including a 10-15 minute mid-point break. Commercially purchased and produced videos or DVDs are not allowed. Short Subject / Members night should be no longer than about 10 minutes.
Presenting a program? - If you have a program to present in the next few months contact Darren with your program subject for the newsletter. You will need to provide your own projector or discuss with Darren or Tom.
History . . . The Cedar Rapids Area Railfan Association was founded in May 1976 by a group of local rail buffs interested in sharing their collections of slides, movies, photos, and memorabilia.
Meeting Location: St. Andrew Lutheran Church. 4420 Center Point Road NE; Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 6:30 PM, Program at 7:00 PM. NOTE: The church space is not free. A $5 donation for the room is collected at each meeting.
How to receive reminder emails: Do you have a friend who might be interested in receiving these emails directly? Please send a brief note with the name and request to be added to the CRARA monthly email list to Darren Ferreter at [email protected]
Officers:
President: Tom Hogan
Phone: 319-431-1181
E-mail: [email protected]
Vice President: (Soon to be filled by ???)
Secretary/Treasurer: Darren Ferreter
Phone 319-573-8559
E-mail: [email protected]
