NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION-TRAIN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION. Terrific Toy Train Tall Tales. by Michael Andrews #

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1 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION-TRAIN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION the Terrific Toy Train Tall Tales NOR-CAL EXPRESS December 2006 CAL-STEWART MEET IS MARCH Don t miss the most exciting event of the Nor-Cal year! There will be lots of trains for your perusal, clinics, the always-exciting Saturday auction, the Saturday evening banquet with entertainment, and the silent auction. Be there!! NOR-CAL MEMBERS TO RECEIVE TCA CERTIFICATES OF MEMBERSHIP The following Nor-Cal members are invited to receive a certificate of TCA membership at 9:30 am on Saturday, December 9th: Robert Straka (40 Years) Craig Miller (35Years) Richard Vose Steve Slauson Charles Pack Chuck Schaffer John Woods (30Years) Robert Silberman William Tharp II Stanley Franson Chuck Stone Mike De La Pena Andy Clerici Al Sandecki Ray Austin (25Years) Ken Wilson George Guild John Williams Judith Timmermans Vern Brooks Bob Nichelini Dick Goulden Steven Noroian Jerry Jasculca John Dittmer Gordon Archambault Dennis Barber (20Years) Jefferson Graves Cliff Higgerson Rod Jorjorian Ronald Toomajian John Barnes Linda Wingate Gregg Lee Stephen Rodriguez PRESIDENT S MESSAGE by Michael Andrews # See the Nor-Cal Express in FULL COLOR At WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Kurt O. Hasenpusch, Crockett Jeff Pelz, San Ramon Robert Riede, Soulsbyville FUTURE MEETS December 9, 2006 (M) (Christmas Party, no guests) January 13, 2007 (M) February 10, 2007 (M) March 16-18, 2007 Cal-Stewart Meet Santa Clara Convention Center April 14, 2007 (M) May 26, 2007 (SRT) June 9, July 14, August 11, 2007 (tbd) M = Montera Middle School, 5555 Ascot Drive, Oakland SRT = Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H St., Sacramento Business Meeting: 9:30 AM Trading: 10-11:30 AM Greetings to all. Since my last presidents message much has happened. The National Convention in San Antonio was very successful. All of the activities were well attended and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Convention Chairman Pat Halpin did a fine job keeping things moving and big congratulations to him and his crew. A few noteworthy board decisions are the passing of the updated Strategic Plan, which sets a course where TCA is heading, approval of funding for a new sewer system for the museum, acceptance of the bid for the 2011 Convention to be held in Sacramento California, and the reappointment of Mark Boyd as the TCA Quarterly Editor. On a more local level much is happening. We are working on the upcoming Cal- Stewart Meet. The brochure is finished and at the printers. The hall is booked after a summer of negotiations to try and save some money. The Saturday Night Nor-Cal Banquet is all ready except for the entertainment. And most all Chairman positions are filled. There are still many things that need attention so please volunteer!! As announced at the November (cont d. on page 5)

2 SEARS SET #9656 = HAPPY COLLECTOR! Page 2 By Robert Chappell TCA # Photo courtesy of Timothy Gaughan I received the September 2006 TCA National Newsletter the other day and I immediately opened it and began reading. Towards the end of the Postwar Lionel section I spotted an item that read Set- Sears 9656, OBs, plus 6 cars. Well, after a telephone conversation with the owner confirming the makeup of the set pieces and the condition of the set box, as well as the piece boxes, I put the uncataloged set on order. The following day, September 18, 2006, I sent the owner a bank check. Then I sat back to wait! This #9656 set appears in the Sears catalogs, first in 1952 as item #79-N09656T and carried over in their 1953 catalog. This outfit was a six unit affair that was headed-up by a pair of number 2032 Erie Alcos and which sold for $ The second appearance came in the 1958 Sears catalog as Item #79-N This outfit was an eight unit train that was headed up by a pair of #210 Texas Special Alcos and sold for $ The final example of this outfit came in 1962 as Item #49-N9656 and was a seven unit train headed up by a pair of #218 Santa Fe Alcos, and costing $ What I was I was waiting to arrive was the Texas Special outfit from Well, on Friday the 22nd, a package finally arrived from UPS. I carefully opened the Photo courtesy of Jim Black Photo courtesy of Jim Black outer carton and sound a sea of foam popcorn. Pushing this aside I retrieved the set box. It was a conventional two-tier basket weave type with blue printing and having the Sears uncataloged number The box was as described by the seller with only some slight tearing and a small amount of tape. I opened the box and retrieved the individual boxes. Photo courtesy of Jim Olson Then the fun began- the Texas Special power unit Photo courtesy of Jim Olson was in Like New condition (the seller had placed it in a plastic sleeve to protect it) with no gouges, rubs, broken struts, etc. It came in its cardstock box (Part #210-54) printed #210P. The dummy A unit was in just as good condition, in its box (Part #210-62) printed 210T. The first car mentioned in Greenberg s Guide to Uncataloged Sets is the #6802 flat car (#6511-2) with girders, offered My car had only one girder, an elastic band (#6418-9) and had no box- a small obstacle to overcome, but was in excellent condition. The next car was the #6801(-75) flat car (#6424-1) with a white deck/blue hull boat, again in excellent condition. The third car was the more common #6014(-85) Bosco box car in excellent condition. Then came the common black Lehigh Valley hopper car in Like New condition. Next were the very common #6112(-85) blue gondola with three canisters ( ). Last was the most common of all #6017 brown caboose. The set did not contain its track or #1015 transformer, but I m okay with that! I am very well pleased with the outfit as a whole!

3 I M INCLINED TO LIKE THIS RAILWAY By Richard Zanotti TCA # Page 3 At the October York I purchased a battery-operated inclined railway (cable car) made by the Japanese firm of Alps. It measures 15 inches high and about twenty-five Inches along the incline, and is of tinplate construction. It operates on one D cell battery. Judging from the fact that there are no plastic parts, I would say that it was made in the middle 1950's Inclined railways were used to raise and lower rail cars on very steep slopes- inclines. A power house may be located at the top of the incline (as in this toy). Usually one car would be lowered down the incline while the other car would be pulled up. The weights of the two cars would counterbalance each other. Inclined railways were fairly common in the early 1900 s. Cincinnati, Ohio, had seven. Two (logging) incline railways were located at El Portal, near the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Even San Francisco had one the Filmore Street Hill. Nor-Cal member Cliff Gerard was instrumental in discovering the location of the intact underground power house for the Filmore Incline, twenty years ago.. Incline railways still survive in Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, and elsewhere. Toy incline railways are very scarce. My Alps inclined railway is the only one that I have ever seen. It still a car arrives at the upper station. Note the cable winding drums. overall view, left side works works well. When you turn on the switch a red goes on at the powerhouse, and a bell rings. One car descends the incline while the other car ascends it; they pass each other on a switchout in the middle of the incline. When the first car reaches the top, it trips a switch that reverses the action. It takes about thirty seconds for each car to ascend and descend. The 1897 Carlisle and Finch catalog offers an Inclined Plane Railway, for the princely sum of $4.00 (a lot of money in 1897!). The 1906 Gamages (England) Toy Catalog shows an inclined railway titled Funicular Railway Powered by Clockwork. I suspect that this was manufactured by either Carette, Bing or Marklin. early 1900 s. Cincinatti, Cars passing on the swithcout overall view, rt side (Cont d. on next page)

4 Inclined Railway (continued from previous page) Page 4 28 Photo 1 At the left, the Inclined Plane Railway from the 1987 Carlisle and Finch catalog [dimension added). Above, The Funicular Railway from the Gamages catalog I would appreciate receiving any additional information on toy incline railways. STROMBECKER KITS Photo 2 Photo 1 Photo 3 Kit contents for C&NW streamliner cars (HO) Kit contents for the C&NW Pioneer (O) Photo courtesy of Greg Faddis Photo 4 Kit contents for the Rock Island Rocket (HO) Kit contents for the Heinz pickle car (HO)

5 NOR CAL QUIZ Answers to September 2006 questions: (1) What type of locomotive was the one locomotive affectionately known as Old Rivets? Old Rivets was the first GG1 locomotive, #4800, and featured a riveted body as opposed to the welded body of all subsequent GG1 s. Old Rivets is preserved at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum at Strasburg, Pennsylvania. (2) What company manufactured a popular line of pinewood model train kits, in HO, OO and O gauges during the 40 s and 50 s? Strombecker. See the page at left for examples. An article in the March 2007 Express will give more details of Strombecker trains. (3) A packet of dry glue powder was included in the above-noted kits. Who was the manufacturer of that glue? CASCO see Photos 1, 2 and 4 on the preceding page. (4) Why was the Marx circular mechanical train marketed as the Honeymoon Express? [One version is shown at the right]. A play called the "Honeymoon Express" starring Al Jolson, had been all the rage on Broadway in 1918, running for 356 performances and touring for 6 years. [Many honeymoons in those days started with a train trip, and contemporary humor played on his]. The play was revived on Broadway in the mid-1930s, in the depths of the Depression, and was again wildly popular. The many versions of the Marx Honeymoon Express, manufactured during this period, capitalized on this popularity. (5) What Lionel trains were produced in 17/64 scale? The Lionel City of Portland was made to 17/64 scale. (close to the European standard for O-gauge, of 7mm = 1 ft., 1:45 scale). So the Hiawatha and Rail Chief passenger cars were also that scale. The scale Hudson and Hiawatha locomotives were made to the normal O-gauge 1/4 scale (1:48). (6) Who was the Nor Cal member who manufactured the Thorley Hoople line of Standard Gauge trains in the 60 s and 70 s? Tad Cody, of Palo Alto, deceased. A future issue of the Express will feature Thorley Hoople trains. (7) What American (not Canadian) railroad took Photo 8 delivery of a series of steam locomotives? The Reading Railroad see photo at right. These locos proved unstable at speed, so they were soon converted to Atlantic types, similar to the well-known American Flyer S gauge model shown on page 8. I wonder if any modeler has ever converted this American Flyer model to a 4-4-4? Michael Andrews Page 5 Photo 7 President s Message (cont d. from page 1) meet, Bunk Coleman will be stepping down as treasurer due to health reasons. Pete Goodier has volunteered to be treasurer until next elections. Many thanks to Bunk for all his good work, and to Pete for filling in. After missing many of our past monthly meets, I am looking forward to the upcoming Holiday Party. It will be held at Montera Middle School in Oakland. The day will start at 9 am for set up, coffee and donuts. A short business meeting will follow at 9:30. At that time we will hand out membership awards and then trading will start. Around 11:30 the meal will be served. This meet is for family only!! No guests permitted. I will be bringing some show and tell items to the December Meet. If anyone else is interested please bring something. The theme is green or red items. We could talk about these items around 11:00 after trading but before lunch. Happy Holidays to all! See you in December.

6 EARLY NOR-CAL MEMORIES Nor-Cal Division was about two years old when I joined. This Division was organized in 1957 and was the fourth division to be formed; the Eastern and Western Divisions were formed in 1954 and the Midwest Division was formed in Early members of Nor-Cal were: by Warren Heid, Nor-Cal Historian #HR Page 6 William Austin San Francisco George Critler San Francisco Ronald Decker San Francisco William Grant Lafayette Leland Hieronimus Oakland Wilton Red Hill San Francisco Fred Hines San Rafael George Janes San Francisco Leon Jacobson San Francisco * William Lowndes Berkeley Ted Murray San Rafael * Leo Noftz Vallejo Louis Roberts Pleasant Hill William Saunders San Jose * Albert Scheluermann Alameda This 1958 photo shows most of the Nor-Cal members. Bernard Scheluermann Alameda Front row (L to R): Leo Noftz, Will Saunders, Ron Decker, Richard Schlaich San Francisco Red Hill, Fred Hines, Leon Jacobson. Second row: Ted John Weybrew San Francisco Murray, George Critler, Dick Sclaich, John Waybrew (*) still listed as members of the TCA per the 50th Anniversary Directory. However, I m sorry to report that I just found out that Ted Murray passed away this summer [see below] The following served as President of Nor-Cal: Red Hill CM-23 (1957/58), Fred Hines CM-136 (1958/59) and Ted Murray CM-173 (1958/1960). The first meeting that I attended was in June of The meeting was at Will Saunder s home in San Jose and I was the guest of Bill Lowndes. The monthly meetings were held in members homes. It was great fun as we could see different members collections at each meeting. Toy train collecting was, as was life in general, much simpler at that time. Toy trains were readily available at the Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other organizations. The hobby was in its infancy and trains produced in the 1930 s were only twenty plus years old. I m not saying that collecting was better in the early days but it was quite different! Trains were, and still are, the catalyst that brings people with that common interest together. I have met some very fine people through this hobby, and I m still finding new friends in it. In Memoriam: Ted Murray CM-173 by Cliff Den Otter Nor-Cal member Ted Murray, an eclectic collector of trains, toys and other items of special interest, died on August 29, 2006 at the age of 80. A charter member of TCA and past Nor-Cal President, Ted particularly enjoyed collecting Dorfan, Buddy L, Ives, American Flyer and Lionel. He loved the trains that he still had from his childhood and sharing them with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed decorating his home during the Christmas season with old-fashioned model towns he set up with his assorted antique toys and trains. Ted is survived by his wife Gloria, four sons and a daughter. The officers and members of Nor-Cal extend their condolences.

7 TWO CUSTOM READING T-1 S by the Reverend Philip K. Smith, TCA # Lionel and MTH have each produced near-scale models of the famous Reading T s. However, even before that, modelers were making models of the T-1s. Each of the illustrated engines began as Lionel "small Hudsons (#2056, etc.)." The larger of the two is a Bob Gale Super Classic. Bob Gale was a TCA member who lived near Philadelphia, PA. In the sixties and seventies he modified small, common Lionel locomotives to make large models not available in "O" Gauge. These varied from switchers to twin-motor UP Big Boys. His models became more and more sophisticated, eventually meriting the name "Super Classic." They were featured on the cover of the TCA Quarterly about 20 years ago. This Bob Gale loco was purchased from Phil Klopp, well-known builder of 3-rail layouts*. A lengthened, authentically detailed boiler and cab rest upon a "small Hudson" running gear with a fourth driving axle added. This model is numbered No The prototype engine was the first T-1 selected to pull the first Iron Horse Rambles beginning in The only remaining T-1 with roller bearings on all axles, she now rests by the parking lot of Steamtown in Scranton, PA. Phil put his T-1 up for sale when Lionel introduced a near-scale model of No in Phil had installed an American Flyer smoke-in-tender unit and removed it before selling the locomotive. After I bought the locomotive, I installed a Lionel smoke unit, a Dallee sound system with a genuine Reading G-3 passenger whistle, and a QS Industries DCRU-E, designed to fit the same tight space as an E-unit. The tender, of course, is an expanded 2046W with MPC 6-wheel trucks and third rail rollers. The smaller T-1 was adopted, not simply purchased. Long ago, at a train meet, I spotted a basket case - literally. A #2056 "small Hudson" and her #2046W tender lay in a basket in pieces, forlorn and clumsily repainted a flat, lifeless black. I felt a pang of sympathy. This little engine had been built the year I was born She had obviously been treated badly. But the boiler, pilot castings, and tender were intact. The tender even had a whistle. A price was negotiated, and off went this neglected to a new home. During the next year or so, original parts were acquired - indented side rods, a smoke unit, motor brushes, and an E-unit. On her first test run she took off like a champ. She rivaled a locomotive with a can motor. She deserved a paint scheme that matched her performance. And then, inspiration hit. John Myers of Pottstown was making a name for himself for outstanding custom painting, especially for the Reading. After a cursory examination he thought that he could renumber the locomotive as No and apply an Iron Horse Rambles paint scheme. He decided to splice two 6466W tenders for a replica of the T-1 26-ton, 19,000 gallon tender. We installed a Lionel whistle and a Depotronics SuperWhistle relay. The results speak for themselves. Incidentally, Richard Kughn and three associates had invested about $1,000,000 in returning the prototype T-1 No to better-than-new condition. She is stored in the Western Maryland roundhouse in Hagerstown, Maryland. At first glance, these "kitbashed" T-1's are no match for 21st century, high-tech, 3-rail scale trains. But there is something nostalgic about their AC motors whirring, gears meshing, and that fleeting smell of ozone. Each smoke unit produces a smoke ring occasionally. That melodious Lionel whistle brings back memories, and the Dallee G-3 whistle impresses those who rode the Rambles. When these T-1's are running, the Reading rolls again.

8 TIN PLATE JUNCTION Toy and Model Trains, all gauges; layouts; die cast vehicles; toy train repairs 681-4th Street, Oakland (510) Hours: Mon-Fri 12-6 PM Saturday 10-6 PM Sunday 12-5 PM Website: JUST TRAINS Largest Selection in the East Bay Friendly help for the young and the young at heart O-scale Hi-Rail and Tinplate, G, HO and N 5650-H Imhoff Drive, Concord Tues-Fri 10-5:30 PM Joan Bradford, Owner Thurs. 10-7:00 PM Website: Sat. 10-5:00 PM (925) Sun. 12-4:00 PM FAX: (925) Submit all address changes to: Secretary Mark Boyd tcqeditor@sbcglobal.net the NOR-CAL EXPRESS