The Spring, 1995, Edition of the Railroadiana Express, The RCAI’s quarterly magazine, marked the 25th anniversary of the the RCAI with a historical overview. Here are excerpts from that article:

1971:

Mr. Dan Moss, a collector of railroad memorabilia from Alabama, creates the RCAI as a corporation in November, 1971. Drawing on his experience as an organizer of the Alabama Gulf Chapter for the National Railway Historical Society, he incorporates the organization in Alabama, placing his wife Francis, and friend Frank Phillips on the Board of Directors to satisfy State residency requirements for corporate officers. Dan advertises in Trains and Model Railroader to solicit membership.

1971-1979:

The first edition of the RCAI’s quarterly newsletter is published (xeroxed) with Dan Moss as the Secretary, Treasurer and Editor, in January, 1972. Dan holds a contest to pick a name for the publication. Member Thomas Trott wins with the RCAI Express. The Organization has 200 members by Fall, 1972, and Mr. Jim Bartz takes over as Editor.

The current system of Regional Directors is created and the United States and Canada are carved into 8 regions. Regional Directors (Vice Presidents) are elected from the memberships for 2 year terms in 1975.

Mr. Arnold Lang, a regular contributor to the Express, becomes the first elected President of the RCAI in January, 1976. In 1978, Mrs. Bev Birk becomes the third editor and the membership passes 600. Due to increased professional demands, Dan Moss resigns as Secretary, and Treasurer. Mr. Gerry Crowley replaces Dan as Secretary and Mr, Dave Handel as Treasurer.

1980’s:

With the membership approaching 1000, Gerry continues to encourage members to bring in more members and articles for the Express. Mr. Dale Bell is appointed Secretary by the Executive Board in 1982.

Mr. Everett Maffett, Author of "Silver Banquet, a Compendium of Railroad Silver Holloware," is elected President of the RCAI in 1983. Mrs. Bev Birk resigns as Editor after six years and the Express has grown into a glossy, black and white publication. Mr. Jack Barefield becomes Editor. Regular Express columns include “Photo Run-by” and “China Corner” by Mr. Richard Luckin, Author of "Dining on Rails, An Encyclopedia of Railroad China." He would later be appointed to National Vice President in appreciation of his dedication to the hobby.

The custom of RCAI Board Meetings by teleconference is started. Mr. Larry Paul is put in charge of a project to develop a publication on glassware, which would be published years later by the RCAI and would be called “Sparkling Crystal”.
In 1985, Mr. Jack Austerman is elected President and works to expand the membership and the size of the Express. Mr. Joe Mazanek is elected Secretary in 1986, and Jack Barefield passes the Editor’s torch to Joe’s brother, Steve Mazanek. Steve jokingly states his editorial policy, “All suggestions go to him and all complaints or criticisms go to Joe”.

President Austerman calls the first membership meeting of the RCAI at the Mile-High Railfair in Colorado,in 1988. The meetings would continue annually for the next six years until participation drops off. Jack and Richard Wright meet at the Sacramento Railfair, discussing the President’s job. Richard runs for President, wins the election, and continues to win reelection into the New Millennium. His goals are to continue to evolve with the trends of the hobby and keep the RCAI as the source for the hobby.

1990’s:

Mrs. Marty Neros would be holding the job of Treasurer until her passing with cancer and husband Craig steps in to assume the responsibilities of the position. The Express takes on the new look with color covers and improved printing. Mr. Bill Mill becomes the Editor in 1993 and brings his journalistic experience and desk top publishing skills to enhance the magazine. Many improvements are incorporated over time, and regular publishing schedules are maintained.

The membership continues to exceed 1000 as Joe puts even more efforts into renewals. This tradition would continue as Mr. Bob Chase takes over for Joe. Bob would create an efficient, computer-based, data base taking many years to evolve.
Efforts to merge the information of RCAI and Key, Lock and Lantern into one organization would stalemate.

2000 to Present:

The New Millennium would bring about more enhancements to the Express and the first scanned photo would be published as the computer world evolves. A stable Board of Directors would continue to bring efficient, volunteered service to members.

Mrs. Meg Coughlin is elected Regional Vice President and husband Tom creates our first website for the computer savvy. The dedicated Board and Staff continue the tradition with the cooperation of an expanding membership. Our 30th anniversary occurred with the Spring, 2001 issue.