08/16/2026
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. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend.
THIS MONTH’S PROGRAM. August 17, 2026 – Paul Michelson will present slides with his program he calls “Differences in Decades” series. He will show railroad scenes from Iowa and side trips from 1985-86, 1995-96 and 2005-2006.
SAM DILLON CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Sam’s family invites you to his Celebration of Life. It will be held in the Hickory Room at Lowe Park in Marion on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11 pm - 2 pm. Please visit when you can to help celebrate his life.
IMPORTANT TASK HELP NEEDED!! If you are interested in helping transport the screen back and forth to the meetings we could use your help. Thank you.
Meeting Location: St. Andrew Lutheran Church. 4420 Center Point Road NE; Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 6:30 PM, Program at 7:00 PM. Please contribute $5 per household to defray cost for room rental.
Thanks to: Luke Harden for his excellent Part 1 of the bridges of Linn County and surrounding areas.
Congratulations to: Noah Bolte who was elected to the office of Vice President.
Future-in-person presentations:
September 21, 2026 – Short Subjects Members night.
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
Links for interesting online content by local railfan friends:
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. We have the digital presentation equipment. You may want to use your own laptop. If you are presenting slides, you should plan 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.
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: Noah Bolte
Secretary/Treasurer: Darren Ferreter
Phone 319-573-8559
E-mail: [email protected]
