September Richard White Editor PRESIDENT S MESSAGE. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. See Page 7. See the Nor-Cal Express in FULL COLOR at

Transcription

1 Richard White Editor September 2011 The Newsletter of the Northern California Division of the Train Collectors Association See the Nor-Cal Express in FULL COLOR at The photos below show the American Flyer S-gauge factory-built layout that was on display at the Sacramento Convention. See Page 6 also. PRESIDENT S MESSAGE By Rod Cornell, TCA # It is hard to believe summer is winding down already and train season is rapidly approaching again. This year the summer weather has been so mild that I almost don t feel like we had a real summer. Nonetheless, fall will soon be upon us and as the days shorten and grow cooler our train senses will be heightened, a phenomenon we all enjoy. Well, we can all be proud of the overwhelming positive response from the TCA membership at the 57 TH TCA National Convention. The feedback I got was that this may have been the best organized convention ever with the most fun tours and held at the best hotel ever. As always there were a few minor problems but when running an enormous event such as this perfection is not a possibility. The positive vibe was way more powerful than any small difficulties. Convention Chair Mark Boyd and his staff did a magnificent job and are to be thanked and congratulated for their hard work and dedication, as this convention reflects positively on us, Nor-Cal Division. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. See Page 7 FUTURE MEETS September 10, October 8, at the Walt Disney School, 3250 Pine Valley Road, San Ramon; November 12, December 10, 2011 aat the Lafayette Memorial Veterans Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette Cal-Stewart Meet, Santa Clara Conv. Ctr.: March 2-4, Business Meeting: 9 AM Trading: 10-11:30 AM Some more good news: I asked our Cal-Stewart Chairman Michael Andrews to try to negotiate a deal with the Santa Clara Convention Center and he has done so. We will be returning to our roots again having the traditional 3 day Cal-Stewart on March 2 4, Further good news is that we will be occupying Hall A, which is immediately adjacent to the hotel. This means that folk who are mobility challenged will find it far easier to attend. I am looking forward to (Continued on Page 2)

2 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE (continued from Page 1) -seeing you on September 10. Although attendance has been good for the summer months and some nice items have been offered for sale we all look forward to the increased attendance in the Fall. Try to make as many meetings as you can this fall so we can all enjoy our hobby more. If you have something you d like to sell, bring it on. There s nothing like the buzz of a nice crowd before a meeting! Rod Cornell, President Important Notice! If you have opted for Page 2 the electronic version of the newsletter ONLY, it is essential that you have furnished our Secretary with your CURRENT address. President s Report on the 2011 National BOD Meeting Held 29 June and 30 June, 2011 This year s National Board meeting was far less intensive and far more enjoyable than last year s. This was principally due to the fact that last year the Executive Committee was formed and was able to execute many business matters during their three meetings held during the prior year, leaving the National BOD with a simpler, more routine agenda. The most important event of the meeting was the announcement from now Past President Ron Stowell that he was able to negotiate a settlement in the long lawsuit we have been involved in for many years. Not only will there be no more legal expenses going forward but also some monies will be coming our way as well. Mr. Stowell is to be congratulated for his work in bringing these matters to a close. I understand his report containing all the details is forthcoming. In other positive news it was moved and passed unanimously to have the two signature requirement for new TCA members eliminated. This will make it far easier for us to recruit and sign up new members. In order for this to be legal the motion will be on the ballot for National officers late this year and will unfortunately not take effect until the election results are announced. Please remember to vote YES on this and also vote for the National officers on the ballot. Virtually all other business was routine and there is thought being given to the idea that we may be able to conduct our National BOD business in one day in the near future. This will result in a significant savings of money to the National treasury and free up board members time during convention week. I for one am all in favor of the idea! Respectfully submitted, Rod Cornell, President, Nor-Cal Division TCA If anyone needs a reason for why we ran the Convention...here are the 44 new Nor-Cal members that we signed up this year: Daniel Amador, San Jose Elias M. Amaral, Sacramento Joe Barker, Alameda Tom Blinn Livermore Phillip R. Buehrig, Santa Cruz Phillip E. Cassou, Tiburon Gene Cerelli, Castro Valley Gordon Derencin, Placerville John English, Richmond K. Elias Enney, Monterey L. A. (Larry) Galetti San Anselmo Roger Graeber Sebastopol Don Gueffroy, Davis Bob Harder, Windsor Glenn Heestand Pleasanton Allen D. Hoek, Ripon Jason Jelich, Marysville John Krisch, Reno Merlyn Lausten Rescue Katherine Locher, Placerville Todd A. Lopes, Walnut Creek Peter H. Lotzmann San Jose Kevin Matsumoto, Sacramento John S. McCartney, Sun John McLean, San Francisco Valley (Cont d. next page)

3 SOME OLD FLOOR TOY TRAINS Floor toy trains have no flanges on their wheels. They usually have no motors. Page 3 This cast iron pull toy locomotive is unusual, in that cast iron toys rarely portrayed electric-type locomotives. It s a (1-B-1) type, and is about 15 inches long. This large (approx. 24 inch) tinplate trolley is similar to full-size Cleveland Transit center-entrance cars. This cast iron pull toy locomotive is more elaborate than most, with a wheel arrangement. The 4- wheel tender is missing one wheelset. The pair are about 20 inches long. This cast iron open-platform coach goes with the at the left. It is VERY heavy! It s about 20 inches long. This small cast iron train, with a locomotive, measures about 16 inches is total length. It sits in front of a Bing station. Here s another tinplate trolley (about 24 inches long). It s perhaps meant to represent an interurban car. It appears to have a friction motor. New members, continued Nyle C. Monday, Campbell John T. Murphy, San Anselmo Lee Neely, Livermore Eric Pfeifer, Moraga Dave Pinson, Mountain View Pamela Richmond, Sacto. Bert Robinson, Salinas Terry Rose San Ramon Layne Schultz, Rocklin Anton Seckler, Redwood City Ronald L. Silver, Carson City Roy Smith, Lodi David L. Thomsen, Woodland Barry Toomajian Lafayette Ted Tully, Pleasanton Russell Webb, Lincoln Ron Wheatley, Santa Rosa Donald Woolcott, Sacto.

4 ITEMS SEEN AT THE JUNE 11 MEET This beautiful 1/2 scale, 2-1/2 gauge live steam locomotive was brought in by Bob Morris. It was originally constructed by Al and Joe DeFreitas, circa They made their own castings! This Standard Gauge GG1 locomotive, by JAD (John A. Daniels) is owned by Allan Strand. This Carette 1-gauge train is owned by Richard Zanotti. It is shown in Carette s 1911 catalog. Above: This No. 372 Electronic Miracle Twin Train set (by Huffmeister) was brought in by Richard Hoffmeister. Richard has opened the roof of one of the Carette cars to show the interior detailing. Mark got these recently at a Stout Auction. Mark Boyd brought in the following TCA Convention cars: 1965 Blue boxcar Pittsburgh, PA 1966 Orange caboose Santa Monica, CA 1969 Red hopperclearwater, FL 1970 Yellow boxcar Des Plains, IL 1972 Orange tank carpittsburgh, PA 1999 Nor-Cal hoppersan Francisco, CA

5 MORE ITEMS FROM THE JUNE MEET This is the uncommon Lionel sawmill. Owned by Chuck Stone. This isn t exactly a train item but I loved it! It s a Marx representation of a WWII bomber, in camouflage paint. It s a freelance design, and oddly, it has no national insignia. ITEMS FROM THE AUGUST MEET The Hornby O-gauge Metropolitan loco is from the 30 s. Owner (?). The Bing O-gauge electric loco, above, from the 30 s, and the Bing O-gauge Budweiser reefer, from the 20 s, are both owned by Rod Cornell. The Tahoe Queen flatcar (at left) is the prototype for the Convention Car, and is owned by Mark Boyd. These boats belong to Joaquin Murphy. He began collecting them as a child. They are as follows: (A, B, C) unknown, (D) Lionel speedboat (E) Bing or Carette ocean liner (F) Bing submarine (G) early Ives destroyer, (H) Bing submarine (I) Ives submarine

6 PHOTOS FROM THE RECENT NATIONAL CONVENTION Page 6 Editor Richard White in his conductor s outfit Paul LeBrett, overseeing the silent auction

7 A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A DREAM LAYOUT! by Will Taylor TCA # About three years ago the Carquinez Model Railroad Society (HO gauge) asked a group of us if we would be interested in having a room in which to build an O-gauge Hi -Rail layout. This room (approx. 40 x 40 ) is in the old Odd Fellows Building in Crockett. Realizing the possibilities, some of us began initial plans, only to be notified that the building was up for sale. All planning then stopped. Now it is owned by the CMRS. They have again come to us wanting to know if we are still interested in the room and adjoining facilities to start a Hi-Rail (semi) club that would be predominantly O-gauge three-rail, but would also accommodate Standard Gauge and S-gauge. There are two outstanding reasons (there are many others) we believe that this chance should not be missed. First, not only would we have space for a large, modern first class Hi-Rail layout, but we would have kitchen facilities, ample storage, and our own restroom. Just think, in just a few minutes after a TCA meet in Lafayette, one could be running a fifty plus car train on large radius curves and eating at the same time! There would also be opportunities for running trains (and working on the layout) on weekdays and in evenings. What an asset for toy train enthusiasts in the Bay Area! Second, members of Nor-Cal TCA have expressed a concern about the ageing and dwindling membership. What better way to build membership than to have a modern, running layout where collectors and enthusiasts could come and run their own trains? Most people would agree that this is a great opportunity to expand our membership. This could add a new dimension to our train-collecting hobby! Of course there are many issues to be worked out: financial issues, additional leadership positions and layout design, to name just a few of these. Through informal discussions we have determined that many TCA colleagues share this goal of building a showcase layout and running trains on it. If you are interested in this project, we can discuss it at the upcoming TCA meetings. There will be an opportunity to add your name to our list to indicate your interest in this undertaking. You can also phone the following Nor-Cal members for additional information. Their tentative positions in the new group are indicated below. Will Taylor -- President ( ) John April -- Vice President ( ) Dave Pfeifer Vice President ( )

8 MTH PS1 PS2 DCS TRAIN REPAIRS, PARTS AND SALES Mike Raymond Lionel TMCC Lionel and MTH Authorized Service Center, 2575 Knolls Drive, Santa Rosa, CA Phone: 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 9650-H Imhoff Drive, Concord Tuesday-Saturday 10-5:00 PM Joan Saunders, Owner Sunday 12-4:00 PM Website: (925) FAX: (925) Submit address and changes to: Mark Boyd, E- mail: mark.boyd54@att.net