Frank Keller - North to Alaska | August 2025 Meeting
2025-08-07 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
About the presentation
Join photographer Frank Keller for an unforgettable presentation chronicling his 15-year photo journey through Alaska. This long-term project captures the state’s breathtaking and untamed beauty. You’ll see stunning photographs of trains in spectacular landscapes, highlighting their role as a vital lifeline in remote territories. This is a program you don’t want to miss!
About the Presenter: Frank Keller
Frank Keller’s passion for photography began in high school, sparked by a chance encounter with a copy of Trains magazine. While he had always been drawn to the powerful imagery of locomotives, it wasn’t until college that he found a community of fellow enthusiasts. Over the years, his fascination evolved, and photography became his primary focus and the most powerful way for him to share his unique perspective with the world.
Meeting info
All Cincinnati Railroad Club meetings are held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center and are open to the public at no charge. We’ll begin the evening at 7:30 pm with brief club updates & announcements, followed by our featured program presentation at 8:00 pm. Parking will be validated for attendees parking in the Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center parking lots.
Directions to Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal:
Enter through Union Terminal’s main entrance into the rotunda, turn left toward the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Newsreel Theater doors will be on your left between the escalator and the History Museum. Again, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm, with our featured program will start at 8:00 pm

Join the Club at SUMMERAIL 2025 | Marion, Ohio
2025-08-09 10:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | SUMMERAIL, 276 W Center St, Marion, OH, 43302, United States
Come and be a part of the Cincinnati Railroad Club as we embark on an exciting journey to SUMMERAIL! This event features an incredible Railroad Show and Sale, running from 10 AM to 5 PM, where you can explore a variety of railroad-related merchandise and exhibits. From 1 PM to 10 PM, immerse yourself in a captivating multimedia exhibition that showcases presentations from some of the nation’s leading railroad photographers and videographers. Don’t forget to visit our booth at this year’s SUMMERAIL event; we would love to meet you and share our passion for railroads. For more information, please download the 2025 SUMMERAIL Flyer here.

Jonathan Higgins Presents | Cincinnati Railroad Club Meeting | July 2025
2025-09-04 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
Program:
The Cincinnati Railroad Club invites you to an evening with its president, Jonathan Higgins. Known to many as the host of Train Aficionado and Scanner Guys, Jonathan will take you on a journey through his 2024 Illinois road trip.

His presentation, “The Ultimate Illinois Railfan Adventure,” will feature highlights from the renowned Rochelle Rail Park, the impressive collection at the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM), and a look at the famous Big Boy 4014.
About Jonathan Higgins
Jonathan Higgins is a prominent figure in the railfanning community, recognized as the host and blogger of TrainAficionado.com and the President of the Cincinnati Railroad Club. His deep knowledge and passion for Railfanning are at the heart of his work. As the founder of The Scanner Guys, Jonathan utilizes his technical expertise to provide custom programming for scanners, including those used by railroads, police, fire, and EMS. This dual focus on railroading and scanning technology allows him to bridge the gap between hobbyists and the intricate world of railroad operations.

This free presentation is open to everyone and will be held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., with the featured program starting at 8:00 p.m. Parking is validated for all attendees.

CMC 1940s Day | Club Open House
2025-09-06 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
Experience a journey back in time at 1940s Day, where you can fully immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of the 1940s. Enjoy the lively sounds of big band music, admire the gleaming chrome of classic cars, and appreciate the iconic fashion of pin curls and Zoot suits. This event serves as a colorful homage to a pivotal decade, highlighting the distinctive music, fashion, automobiles, and the remarkable people who shaped this era.
During your visit, be sure to stop by the Cincinnati Railroad Club booth, where we will proudly display the fascinating railroad history of the Cincinnati area. Our knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to provide insights about the legendary Union Terminal, a key landmark in our region. You can also learn about the second-oldest railroad club in Ohio and discover various ways you can get involved with this vibrant organization. We invite both members and guests to come and explore our club room located on Three North; from our windows, you can see the bustling railroad yard located just behind the terminal.

Queens of the Seven Hills: Cincinnati’s Inclined Railways with John Stewart
2025-10-02 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
Queens of the Seven Hills: Cincinnati’s Inclined Railways with John Stewart
Join us for a fascinating look at Cincinnati’s historic inclined railways with presenter John Stewart. More than just a quirky part of the city’s past, these inclines were essential pathways that powered the growth of our urban landscape.
On Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM, we’ll start with a brief member meeting, followed by the presentation at 8:00 PM. John Stewart will take you on a journey through the “ups and downs” of the inclines, sharing incredible stories, including a rare film of them in action, a bizarre “whale of a tale,” and the unbelievable story of a man saved by manure.
This event offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era of Cincinnati history. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind presentation!
About the presenter:
John Stewart’s interest in trains began when his dad took him to watch Chessie engines flitter about the New Miami ARMCO Coke plant at night. Stewart has developed an enjoyment of pre-1920s railroad history.
YouTube Live Stream: Coming soon!
All Cincinnati Railroad Club meetings are held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center and are open to the public at no charge. We’ll begin the evening at 7:30 pm with brief club updates & announcements, followed by our featured program presentation at 8:00 pm. Parking will be validated for attendees parking in the Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center parking lots.
Directions to Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal:
Enter through Union Terminal’s main entrance into the rotunda, turn left toward the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Newsreel Theater doors will be on your left between the escalator and the History Museum. Again, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm with our featured program will start at 8:00 pm

Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Club Room Open House & Book Sale
2025-10-25 16:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
Explore the Cincinnati Railroad Club & Historic Tower A!
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM Location: Cincinnati Railroad Club Room, 3rd Floor, Cincinnati Museum Center (Union Terminal)
Can’t make our regular Thursday meetings? Don’t let a busy schedule keep you from experiencing the heart of Cincinnati’s railroad history!
Join us for a special Saturday evening open house. We’re opening our doors for you to explore our unique club room and, most excitingly, to visit the legendary Tower A.
What to Expect

Browse Our Collection: Discover our vast collection of railroad books, with many available for purchase. It’s the perfect place to expand your library or find a unique gift.
Relax in the Club Room: Unwind in our welcoming club room, a true haven for rail enthusiasts.
Visit Historic Tower A: From the club room, you’ll head up a short flight of stairs to the legendary Tower A, which will be open exclusively for this event.
See Stunning Views: Prepare to be captivated by breathtaking, panoramic views of the bustling Cincinnati railroad yards. It’s an experience that truly brings the history of railroading to life.

How to Find Us
Finding the Cincinnati Railroad Club room inside the Cincinnati Museum Center (Union Terminal) is easy:

Enter the Cincinnati Museum Center and head straight across the main concourse.
Look for the restrooms on your left.
Directly opposite the restrooms, on your right, you will spot a small alcove with an elevator.
Take this elevator up to the 3rd floor.
When the elevator doors open, our club room will be immediately on your right.

We look forward to welcoming you!

115 years ahead of its time, or what are those rails during under Bluffton's Main Street?
2025-11-06 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
The Cincinnati Railroad Club & Fred Steiner Presents – 115 years ahead of its time, or what are those rails during under Bluffton’s Main Street?
PowerPoint presentation with maps, photos, timetables, and interesting stories, focusing on three railroads intersecting in Bluffton, Ohio, located in Allen County, between Lima and Findlay. The story reveals how railroads helped a small village grow during the Oil Boom of the 1890s-1900s and expand it connections in the United States.
The three rail lines are:
• Lake Erie and Western, later Nickel Plate Road, today Norfolk Southern
• Northern Ohio Railroad, eventually Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad
• Western Ohio (interurban)
Railroad Program includes:
• Paper handouts listing historical data involving railroads in Bluffton
About the speaker:
Railroads became a fourth grade obsession with me, when my teacher handed me a list of all the Class I railroads in the U.S. Soon, when other friends were memorizing sports statistics and collecting baseball cards I was writing to railroads, collecting timetables. As the editor of my hometown newspaper and later an on-line news website that I created I researched news articles about these railroads and interviewed men who worked on them. I’ve authored five history books on Bluffton, Ohio, and have included several railroad references in them.
All Cincinnati Railroad Club meetings are held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center and are open to the public at no charge. We’ll begin the evening at 7:30 pm with brief club updates & announcements, followed by our featured program presentation at 8:00 pm. Parking will be validated for attendees parking in the Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center parking lots.
Directions to Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal:
Enter through Union Terminal’s main entrance into the rotunda, turn left toward the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Newsreel Theater doors will be on your left between the escalator and the History Museum. Just look for our club banner outside the door. Again, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm with our featured program starting at 8:00 pm

Daniel Hadley Presents: “Becoming A Professional Railfan
2025-12-04 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
Merging a person’s hobby and their profession is not always easy.
A major railfan video producer was looking to expand, and we found one another at an opportune time. The program explains how this came about and explores many of the videos I produced. The program was originally done for The Center for Railroad Photography and Art. One aspect requested was that I speak about the differences between shooting stills and video. Now that’s a real can of worms, but I believe there’s an answer here.
About our speaker
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been interested in railroading. I owe that to my father who, though not a railfan in the modern sense, seemed to enjoy taking me down to the roundhouse, station, or switching tower. An early memory was being lifted into the cab of a steam locomotive and seeing the gates of hell open as the fireman shoveled coal. I was hooked!
In college, I majored in Broadcast Communication Arts and worked at various TV jobs. In 1980, I landed at WLS TV in Chicago where I worked directly for the ABC television network, doing segments for Good Morning America, Nightline, and local news. In 1990, that came to a screeching halt when ABC began layoffs. Being an avid railroad photographer and a professional videographer and editor, I decided to try marrying these two aspects of my life and, amazingly, it worked.

All Cincinnati Railroad Club meetings are held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center and are open to the public at no charge. We’ll begin the evening at 7:30 pm with brief club updates & announcements, followed by our featured program presentation at 8:00 pm. Parking will be validated for attendees parking in the Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center parking lots.
Directions to Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal:
Enter through Union Terminal’s main entrance into the rotunda, turn left toward the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Newsreel Theater doors will be on your left between the escalator and the History Museum. Again, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm with our featured program will start at 8:00 pm

Josh Cohen Presents: How I've Been Able to Photograph Two Small Railroads and Keep it Interesting
2026-01-08 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
My discussion will cover my last seven years of photographing the Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum and the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum. I will demonstrate how I document these locations by using light, weather, and people to create diverse and compelling images that change over time, even within the constraints of small spaces.
About the Speaker, Josh Cohen:
I have loved trains since birth. My first Lionel train, gifted to me by my dad’s best friend, set me on a path toward railroad photography and preservation.
I am most proud of my time as a fireman on the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad. I enjoy the challenge of switching cars, whether I’m working on my model railroad or operating full-size trains. My passion is photographing steam locomotives, and the most rewarding part of this work is sharing it with friends.
About the meetings
All Cincinnati Railroad Club meetings are held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center and are open to the public at no charge. We’ll begin the evening at 7:30 pm with brief club updates & announcements, followed by our featured program presentation at 8:00 pm. Parking will be validated for attendees parking in the Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center parking lots.
Directions to Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal:
Enter through Union Terminal’s main entrance into the rotunda, turn left toward the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Newsreel Theater doors will be on your left between the escalator and the History Museum. Just look for our club banner outside the door. Again, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm with our featured program starting at 8:00 pm

Photographing the Long Island Rail Road | February 2026
2026-02-05 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45203, United States
Long Island native Joe Stroppel shares his photography of the Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter rail system in North America. Visit busy stations and interlockings at the outer reaches of New York City, travel to scenic landscapes of the North and South Fork, and explore the LIRR’s rapidly changing infrastructure – including its endangered PRR-style Position Light signals, control towers, and stretches of non-signaled dark territory.
About the speaker
Joe Stroppel was born in Glen Cove, NY, on the North Shore of Long Island. He lived only a few blocks from the Oyster Bay Branch, which is where his fascination with the railroad began. On weekends, his mother would take little Joe on train rides to Oyster Bay. At age 13, he got his first camera, and he’s been photographing the LIRR ever since. Joe was one of the youngest docents to attend the Center for Railroad Photography & Art (CRP&A)’s Conversations conference in 2016, and he returned on another scholarship in 2025. His favorite aspects of the hobby include railroad photography, the sounds of the railroad (especially train horns), and train travel. Outside of the railroad hobby, Joe is a classically-trained singer and actor, and he performs around the New York City area.
About the meetings
All Cincinnati Railroad Club meetings are held in the Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center and are open to the public at no charge. We’ll begin the evening at 7:30 pm with brief club updates & announcements, followed by our featured program presentation at 8:00 pm. Parking will be validated for attendees parking in the Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center parking lots.
Directions to Newsreel Theater at Union Terminal:
Enter through Union Terminal’s main entrance into the rotunda, turn left toward the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Newsreel Theater doors will be on your left between the escalator and the History Museum. Just look for our club banner outside the door. Again, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm with our featured program starting at 8:00 pm
