Present & via Zoom:
Martin Wheeler, David Robinson, John Bobinyec, Ralph Messera, Ed Locklin, Bob Bischoff, and Joel McCurry

Treasurer's Report: Ralph Messera

Cash Balance	9/20/22	                $2,729.12
Revenues   Dues by Check		    10.00
           Dues by Chedder-up                0.00
                Donation                     0.00   
Expenses                                   149.90 
Cash Balance             11/15/22       $2,589.22

Checking Account-			$2,554.22
Chedder Account-                            25.00

North Carolina -24
South Carolina - 9
Other States   - 5  

Secretary's Report:
The report was sent via e-mail, but as Phil Astwood was not at this meeting, it could not be presented. The minutes were tentatively accepted as e-mailed.

Election of Board Members and Officers:
The following members are running for election to 2-year terms on the Board:
David Robinson, Ed Locklin and Bob Bischoff
Tom Darling was appointed for one year

The following have one year remaining in their 2-year terms:
Martin Wheeler
Ralph Messera
Don Yehle
Jim Frierson
Bill Cole
John Bobinyec
Phil Astwood

There is one vacancy on the Board for a representative from NC

David Robinson, Bob Bischoff and Ed Locklin were reelected to 2-year terms. No action was taken on Tom Darling.

The following officers are candidates for 1-year terms:
Martin Wheeler – President
David Robinson – NC Vice President
Jim Frierson – SC Vice President
Ralph Messera – Treasurer
All were elected

Status of 501c3:
CAPT’s 501c3 status was terminated several years ago because the organization did not submit sufficient paperwork. Martin Wheeler and Jim Frierson are planning to meet with Edie Sullivan (the lawyer who originally set up CAPT’s 501c3 status) to determine what is necessary to have the status reinstated. They also plan to ask Mr. Sullivan several other questions about our proposal for the route to Myrtle Beach.

R2R (Raleigh to Richmond) Developments:
David Robinson said there was not a great deal to report except that the DOT has let several contracts related to preliminary design work. Land acquisition is under way as well. If all goes as planned service is expected to begin in 2030.

Status of Infrastructure Funding for Western and Eastern NC Extensions:
Martin said that except for the $58 million used on the R2R, it is not clear how or where the remainder will be used.

Update on Florence to Myrtle Beach Pail Passenger Efforts:
During a recent visit to the area, Martin spoke with several parties who might be affected by our proposed service. In one case the Horry County Council pointed out that the county owns a portion of rail right-of-way and opposes removing that section to create a trail. Martin also discussed our proposal with several others including the city manager and the Chamber of Commerce, and was invited to return for a 2-hour meeting with government and tourism officials in the area to discuss the proposal further.

Update on the Resolution Drive in SC in Support of Extended Rail Passenger Service:
To date we have received about 40 resolutions. There has been no action on this item in several years.

Western NC Rail Committee Update:
Martin said the committee is currently concerned with the acquisition of information that would support the establishment of 3 daily trains each way between Asheville and Salisbury. Norfolk Southern has sold a portion of the route from Raleigh to Fayetteville to R.J. Corman and might well sell portions of the route to Asheville as well.

The Saluda Museum is working on a proposal for excursion service from Saluda to Asheville.

The committee will meet again on December 7.

Charlotte Area Transit Update:
Martin said the Silver Line proposed between Matthews and Belmont is still undergoing planning. Apparently one solution to some of the problems it has encountered is to interline downtown with the Blue Line or perhaps the Gold Line. This might utilize an automobile-free area meaning the very frequent trains would not interfere with traffic. Other options for the Silver Line include the very expensive choice of putting portions underground. Whatever solution is adopted, a decision will allow the work on the Gateway Station to proceed with a possible opening date in 2026. Another comment to keep in mind is the need for the Piedmont and Northern to have access to Gateway when commuter service is established on that line

Update on News in NC and SC Affecting Transit and Rail Passenger Service:
Ed Locklin – We still need to work on the extension of the Carolinian to Columbia. Martin – This may be facilitated by the addition of the next frequency to the Piedmonts. And even though the extension of the Carolinian to Connecticut is probably no longer being considered, there are those who would like to still adopt the schedule that had been proposed. Ralph Messera – The training for train hosts has begun. Report from Jim Frierson – He might be willing to exchange his SC VP position for Secretary. He also reported that we received no responses to our letters to gubernatorial candidates. He did receive a response from SCDOT about the I-73 project referring him to a report that said there was conflicting information about the project and SC might simply put it on hold.

CAPT Newsletter and Website Issues: John Bobinyec – All is OK with the website. Don Yehle – Sent a report to the Board indicating number of issues printed and requesting contributions of news.

Amtrak Update: Ralph – The current lack of baggage service on the Carolinian is said to be temporary. There are significant delays in acquisition of equipment and Amtrak believes it furloughed too many people during the pandemic and is trying to rehire many. Martin – There is a new FRA study of former and future long distance routes in which we might want to become involved. Public input on this will be taken over the next year. There is a proposal to create a national infrastructure bank. We need to find out how we can be involved.

Planning for Future Meetings:
Don Stewart has offered a meeting in Fayetteville and Tom Darling is willing to set up a meeting in Hillsborough. Martin offered to set up and circulate a proposed schedule. Temporarily Martin suggested:

January – Fayetteville				September - Burlington 
March   – Columbia				November  - Charlotte
May     – Hillsborough
July    – Charleston