The Monthly Newsletter of the Wichita Toy Train Club Established Wichita Toy Train Club and Museum 21 st Annual Train Show and Swap Meet

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1 The Monthly Newsletter of the Wichita Toy Train Club Established 1986 Visit us on the web at September Volume XXX Number 9 Wichita Toy Train Club and Museum 21 st Annual Train Show and Swap Meet It s almost here. Members need to help on Set Up, Friday, Sept. 25, starting at 9:00 AM. We need to set up over 185 tables and chairs. Some vendors will be arriving in the afternoon and WTTC will help them unload. For vendors and members helping, dinner will be served around 6:00 PM. Sign up for two hour time slot. your choice of date/time/track preference to mshockey@hughes.net. I ll update the schedule and resend to everyone. O Gauge, Saturday, Sept. 26 th, 9 to 5. BRING YOUR OWN HANDHELD. Time Outside Track Middle Track Inside Track 9:00 Gary Nicholas 10:00 Gary Nicholas 11:00 Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 O Gauge, Sunday, Sept. 27 th, 10 to 3. BRING YOUR OWN HANDHELD. Time Outside Track Middle Track Inside Track 10:00 11:00 Noon 1:00 Jim Jones 2:00 James Jones S Gauge, Saturday, Sept. 26 th, 9 to 5. BRING YOUR OWN HANDHELD. Time Outside Track Inside Track 9:00 10:00 11:00 Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00

2 Train Show & Swap Meet Run Schedule Continued: S Gauge, Sunday, Sept. 27 th, 10 to 3. BRING YOUR OWN HANDHELD. Time Outside Track Inside Track 10:00 11:00 Noon 1:00 2:00 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Tresa Miller will be contacting members for working in concessions and cash register, and bake sale items. See you Friday! TRAIN SHOW AND SWAP MEET ADVERTISING The Train Show Committee has selected innovative advertising for this year s show. Clear Channel Outdoor was selected for digital billboard advertising. Locations selected were I-235 and Central, Zoo Blvd. and 21 st, Rock Road and Kellogg, and 47 th and Broadway. The ad appears every 54 seconds. Drive by to see WTTC s name in lights, especially at night. KSN is also running a video ad on the KSN News-Noon, 12 pm to 1pm, twice during Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Thursday and Friday, KSN Today between 6 am to 7am and NBC Today Show between 7am to 8am will run the ad during these programs on each day. KAKE News at 11:00 am will interview me like last year on Thursday. On the Brett and Sierra Show, I ll be interviewed for the Friday 4:30 program on KSCW Channel 33, Cable Channel 5. Wichita Eagle GO! Section Click & Go will list our train show this Friday. Also, it s not too late to let all your friends know about our Train Show and Swap Meet this weekend. Post it on your facebook. 2

3 REMINDER: Fund Raising Activity! WIN A HENRY GOLDEN BOY AMERICAN RAILROAD TRIBUTE RIFLE All money and tickets must be turned in to Mike Shockey on Friday or by Saturday morning at the Train Show and Swap Meet. Donations: $5.00 per ticket or 6 for $25.00 Drawing date will be posted on Winner need not be present to win. Gun transfer will be in full compliance with all rules and regulations of ATF. The anticipated fund raising amount is over $2,000 for all 600 tickets. Next Business Meeting is Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 8:30 am. Parties/Tours Saturday, October 24, boy s birthday party, 12:30; Sunday, October 25, boy s birthday party, 2:00 IMPORTANT DATES FOR WTTC! NEW! September 25, 2015 (Friday 9am-evening) Set up tables starting at 9:00 am at Cessna Activity Center. Assist vendors with unloading merchandise. Dinner approximately 6:00 pm. Bake sale items shall be delivered on Friday. Rich Meister Coordinator. September 26-27, 2015 (Sat 9am-5pm and Sun 10am-3pm) Wichita Toy Train Club Train Show/Swap Meet, Cessna Activity Center, Wichita, KS. More details to follow. Rich Meister Coordinator. NEW! October 17, 2015 (Sat 9am-5pm) Inflate-A-Fest, Century II, Wichita, KS. O Gauge Carpet Central. Gary Nicholas Coordinator. 3

4 Important Dates for WTTC Continued: November 7-8, 2015 (Sat 9am-4pm and Sun 10am-3pm) Wichita Toy Train Club Train Show/Swap Meet, Arkansas City, KS. More details to follow. Javen Schmucker Coordinator. NEW! November 14, 2015 (Sat 5-8pm) - Child Start 2 nd Annual Breakfast for Dinner and Hats and Mittens Drive, at Expo Hall in Century II, Polar Express theme. More details to follow. Mike Gable Coordinator. NEW! November 21-22, 2015 Exploration Place Exhibit, Wichita, KS. More details to follow. Mike Gable Coordinator. NEW! December 5-6, 2015 Derby Library Exhibit, Derby, KS. More details to follow. Mike Gable Coordinator. NEW! December 12, 2015 Rose Hill Hometown Christmas Exhibit, Rose Hill, KS. More details to follow. Shari Shockey Coordinator. WTTC Open Dates Schedule October 10/11 October 24/25 November 14/15 November 28/29 December 12/13 December 26/27 WTTC HAD FUN RUNNING TRAINS AT THE KANSAS STATE FAIR. What fun watching all ages pushing the accessory buttons, hearing look Mom it smokes, and seeing many returning to visit WTTC s exhibit again and again. The Kansas State Fair Oz Gallery has already asked WTTC to exhibit our train layout at the 2016 Kansas State Fair. Save the date of September 9-11, Of course, WTTC is open that weekend, and we ll deal with that next year. 4

5 Kansas State Fair Continued: THE SEMAPHORE Norman Pfannenstiel, John and Kathy Flinn, Javen Schmucker, Gary Nicholas, Mike and Shari Shockey, Rick and Carol Malashchuk, Rich and June Meister, Bob and Pat Holt, Stephanie and Mason Pfannenstiel, Mike and Esther Gable, Brandon, Alisha, Chris Boettcher, Tony Cook. 5

6 History of the Wichita Toy Train Club By Howard Runft On August 26, 2015, Howard Runft was the speaker at a Kiwanis Club of West Wichita meeting. Kiwanis is a service club and enjoy hearing about organizations which contribute to the quality of life in the community. If you don t know how WTTC was started, you ll find this very interesting. Howard s introduction: Born and raised in Herington, Kansas. Whole life was railroad as his dad was an engineer on the Rock Island. His hobby is toy trains, railroad history, collector or anything to do with railroads. He is a collector, a toy train repairman, a runner, lecturer, story teller, author, a collection evaluator. That day he gave a brief history of the Wichita Toy Train Club. We are very proud of it. Speech: Prior to 1986, there were several train enthusiasts around the Wichita area, but was very isolated. Maybe 2 or 3 folks would meet at the train store and help each other plan and exchange information. Four categories of train people: 1. Collector 2. Operator 3. Modeler 4. Railroad enthusiasts history buffs One nationally known Collector runner was Myron Fields. One Modeler runner was Burnice E. Mead. A doctor had an HO display in the old Union Station. The Broadview Hotel had a European layout displayed in the foyer. One railroad enthusiast James McClain decided to start a calling list of railroad people and start meetings once a month at a restaurant party room. People were encouraged to bring items to discuss etc. This went on for about two years. Also sometimes one of the members would invite everyone to their home for discussion and refreshments. Then two men decided to start a club. Bill Hendrix was president, and Gene Rasler was the treasurer and repair person. They started regular meetings in Gene Rasler s garage located at Lewis and Poplar Street just one block from East High School. A club was formed, officers elected, and dues collected. The club was established. We may have had about 25 members. A big layout of three rail O gauge trains was developed in the garage. Plans and conversation got around to build a display layout which we could place in a public setting, preferably for children to enjoy. The layout was O gauge and S gauge. Because, at the time members of the club were into, Lionel, Marx and American Flyer. The club contacted the Wichita City Children s Museum located in the old Henry s store building, on the corner of Williams and Broadway. The Children s Museum accepted, and the layout was moved to the museum in Then the Children s Museum moved to a new location, the old IRS building at the corner of Water and Lewis (which is gone now). 6

7 History of WTTC Continued: THE SEMAPHORE Approximately one year later the Children s Museum closed and the Club had to look for a new location. The club found a store space in the old Pawnee Plaza Mall at Broadway and Pawnee, and moved the layout in By this time the Club had several members and they were all enthused to have a permanent public toy train display. More layouts were being built and many of the members did not have a layout at home so they enjoyed bringing their kids down and run their trains on the club layout. The name coined at this point was TRAIN MANIA. As luck would have it, the Plaza was going to be torn down and a new Wal-Mart shopping mall was to be build in its place. We were in the plaza for around 18 months. At the end of 2001 space for the club was found in the Twin Lakes Mall on North Amidon. We were in the basement area on the extreme northwest corner of the mall. We were under a video-tape store. The area was not heated, air conditioned, and was in very bad repair. However, the rent was free. By this time, we had almost 120 members. We remodeled the basement built and added layouts, moved walls, remodeled restrooms, and cleaned the space into a very nice area. Much time, effort, and money was donated by members to make this effort a success. We now started receiving railroad donation equipment. We were able to by display shelving, glass display cabinets, etc. from a store which went out of business. Now we decided to name the facility TRAIN MANIA II. Set open times for the public to come and visit. Scheduled run times of members during open hours etc. Then it was decided to not only have running displays, but should develop a museum atmosphere. We were in this facility until November At this point, we started using the name Wichita Toy Train Club. Now we decided to expand operations and start taking our layouts to public entertainment functions, both local and in other towns and cities. Members had vans, trailers, trucks and whatever it took to move our portable O gauge and S gauge layouts to public displays. We bought t-shirts and caps with our logo. We also featured community programs of education and service. Such as a boy scout program for badge work. We traveled to Exploration Place, Benton Days, Hutchinson Mall, Newton Mall, Salina Mall, Hays Mall, River Fest, Big Boys Toy Show, Kansas Cosmosphere, Dewey Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Wellington Fair Grounds, Wichita Transportation Museum, Wichita Kid Fest, Town West Mall, Town East Mall, Great Train Expo at Century II, Summer Fest at Derby Park, Old Cow Town, Cessna Train Show, Douglas Kansas, Kansas City Library, and our own yearly Train Show and Swap Meet. Also many members have given lectures, set up small individual layouts for civic clubs, churches, senior citizen facilities, etc. in between the big shows. 7

8 History of WTTC Continued: THE SEMAPHORE Now the big blow came. We were contacted by a company IPS out of Oklahome City, which was handling a Colorado group planning to purchase the Twin Lakes Mall and completely remodel it. We had to be out, lock stock and barrel by Nov. 20, Now the big blow, if we wished to remain in our space, after the remodel, we could stay for $8,000 per month. After all of our efforts to remodel and after we could show that we brought many people into the mall we now had to get out because we could not afford the rent. Not only that but that group was responsible for the disappearance of some of our shelving during our move. We had much, much train related items donated to us. What were we going to do with it? Also we needed to find a new building. We stored things in garages, attics, basements of members. Also a couple club members knew a local business which had extra storage space in their warehouses which they donated to us. While we were looking for a new building we found a former air conditioning building at the corner of West Douglas and Tracy Street. This facility served as our headquarters, some storage, monthly club meetings, and supplies to keep going to public appearances. At the same time, someone found a vacant shop space in Town West Mall in which we could put a small running layout in and display trains daily, and on weekends. This display was named, TOOT SWEET. So we ran Toot Sweet for a few months, while we were looking for someplace to put our stash, and again someone rented the Mall space and we had to close the Town West display. Now we started a search for a building to again set up our displays. We looked at an old closed restaurant on 13 th St. North. A large metal industrial building, at West St. and McCormick, an industrial building at 2026 W. 2 nd Street, and at the old Lettuce Club building at Central and Waco. About this same time, we contracted with the Derby Historical Museum and have set up the original club layout made in The museum wants us to expand our exhibit into a joining room. Finely, we had a club member volunteer to acquire the present facility at 130 S. Laura, with the stipulation, that we have three years to make the facility pay for its own operation. Again members went to work and completely remodeled the building and made room for several new donated private layouts. Our retrieval of all of our display cabinets, equipment, supplies and equipment is now complete and we have now updated the facility to an A-One Museum shape, all the time, keeping up with our obligations of shows and public appearances. We have received many donations of money, equipment, supplies, fixtures, and discounts on needed items for remodel. However, the most exciting donations were beautiful private train layouts from deceased families, or families who are downsizing. Layouts from Taggart, Vickers, Cohen, Marcus and Kadison, plus a layout constructed by the Handley Jr. High Train Club. In addition, we have received many donations of train collection equipment from several families, plus the remainder of the Rydell Ranch layout and equipment from the Burnice E. Mead collection. 8

9 History of WTTC Continued: THE SEMAPHORE We are now trying to come up with ways to acquire the funds to keep the present facility operational. We are almost to the end of our agreement. We have several fund raiser activities in motion. We have birthday parties, and have a gift shop. WTTC is open to the public on the second and fourth weekends. (Editor s Note: Great Job! Thank you to Howard for representing WTTC and providing a history of WTTC.) The 40 th Annual Fall S Fest Friday to Saturday, October 30 November 1, 2015 The Doubletree Westport Hotel It s just for the fun of it a family affair! Area Train Shows 8 th Annual Western Kansas Train Show---Hays, KS, October 17 th, 2015/9:00am to 5:00pm October 18 th, 2015/11:00am to 4:00pm; Ellis County Fairgrounds, 1343 Fairground Rd., Exit 157 on I-70, Hays, KS Admission: Adults $5.00, 10 & Under FREE. Hutchinson, Kansas 9

10 WTTC BUSINESS MEETING 5 September, 2015 called to order at 8:32 AM Thank you to Gary Nicholas for donuts today. Approval of August 2015 minutes: Minutes were passed out to those attending. Motion to approve by Nicholas, 2 nd by R. Parsons passed. Treasurer s Report: Treas. Pfannenstiel ready July report with Income of $3,236 consisting of Swap Meets $1,930; Birthday parties $600; admissions $297; Gift shop $8. Expenses of $ 813 consisting of Membership expense $371; Alarm services 82.34; Gift shop supplies 40; Postage/printing $50; Utilities $219. Net income for July was $2, August report: Income of $1,996 consisting of Swap Meets $1290; Gun tickets $185; Admissions $360; Gift shop $76; Expenses of Membership $133; Building Maintenance $1462 (paint building front(reimbursable) $1200; A/C special service $200); Swap Meet expenses $427; Insurance $362. Net income for August was -$ Pop machine fund $590; O Gauge fund $411; S Gauge fund $492; Gun ticket sales $1,260. Funds as of 31 August, 2015: Checking $26,209.11; Building $10, total $36, Next Business Meeting is 3 October, 2015 at 8:30AM. 1. New members: Sec. Gable reported with regrets no new members. 2. Fundraising: A Mike Shockey reported on sales with about 293 tickets sold. Jim Hickman reports he sold $440 worth of tickets.(91 tickets w/ 3 groups of 6, with 26 left and some of those committed.) B Pizza Hut dine out, never heard back from corporate so will pick another event. 3. Schedule for WTTC: These were listed in Semaphore. Many events between now and 31 December, A. NEW! Kidfest, 17 October: Mike Gable explained event we ve attended last several years. He regrets but conflicts require him elsewhere but will get background items cleared if someone else can coordinate. Motion by Nicholas, 2 nd T. Miller to participate passed with 8 yeas, 1 abstention. Gary Nicholas to coordinate and use Carpet Central O gauge. B. Hutchinson Train Show/Swap Meet, 24 October with S Gauge layout. Javen Schmucker coordinator. C. Child Start Fundraiser 14 November with Polar Express Theme at CII Expo Hall 5-8PM. BOD voted to accept the offer. Mike Gable to coordinate with help to create the scenery using Carpet Central. D. Exploration Place 21/22 November tabled from August. Motion by M. Shockey, 2 nd by T. Miller to attend passed. Will use O module (new) and S Carpet Central. Mike Gable coordinator. E. Derby Library 5/6 December: Mike Gable coordinator. F. Rosehill Hometown Christmas 12 December: Tabled in August due to lack of information. Pres. Shockey to contact Rusty Peterson for additional info. 4. The Square for credit cards: This will allow WTTC to accept credit cards using a smart phone that any Club member has. VP. Miller says discussion was for separate account but our accountant nixed the idea and says to put funds into the checking account. Big issue is determining admissions vs gift shop which can be done with cash register tapes. Cost is 2.75% for usage w/ $1,000 no charge per phone used. Any Club member can install the app and process the transaction which only goes directly to WTTC s account. Motion by R. Meister, 2 nd by Goforth to proceed with the Square. Motion passed. Rich Parsons brought up that the Club should have discussion about obtaining its own smart phone and not have to rely on a member being there with app on their phone. 10

11 WTTC BUSINESS MEETING CONTINUED: 5. S Gauge Permanent Layout: The design was approved by Permanent Layout Committee. Rich Parsons passed out the Javen Schmucker designed layout for member approval. The far east island is hinged to allow it to move out of the way so overhead door is accessible. Layout is 41'6" by 16' and runs east to west along south wall. The layout is a 2 track layout with 3 levels with cross overs. Estimated cost is $5,000 to $6,000 using Gargraves track, American Flyer switches and remote control. This has been discussed for 2 years. S Gaugers would ask the Club for donation of $2,000 seed money to purchase track and some other items. Schmucker thinks can have layout framework up in one weekend as cutting w/ basic assembly done elsewhere then set up at Club. After further discussion following motion offered. Motion by Weigant, 2 nd R. Meister to approve layout ONLY. Motion passed. Request made on behalf of S Gaugers for $2,000 seed money to start layout as they have good price on track. Discussion regarding the fact looking at spending $2K for Swap Meet vs. same amount for S Gaugers. Motion by Nicholas, 2 nd by J. Jones to approve $2,000 for the S Gaugers permanent layout. Motion passed with 2 abstentions. 6. Kansas State Fair, September: WTTC will setup on Thursday 10 September, at 7PM; run trains Friday, 11-9; Saturday 9-9; Sunday 9-9. Sign up on schedule. Remember: if not running trains you will not receive an admission ticket. No signs permitted. Covered for WTTC has been obtained for Saturday and Sunday at Club. 7. Cohen Layout: Is in Club and will be worked on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 PM 8. Birthday Parties/Tours: party on 12 September at 12:30 with Shari Shockey coordinator. 9. Train Shows/Swap Meets: Rich Meister noted that show is sold out on tables. This is good for vendors but not public as outgrowing space. May move to next level and move to Century II. New is Sgt. Shultz Train Repair, closed a deal for a pedal car track that will be outside or 2 nd floor. Pres. Shockey with others talked with Clear Channel at reduce rate of $1,100 for 3 digital billboards however they were sold for full rate. The committee is looking else where. After further discussion M. Gable moved, 2 nd T. Miller to allow $2,000 for September Swap meet advertising budget. Motion passed. To volunteer for Swap Meet contact Rich Meister at (316) Tresa Miller discussed concessions- sent out requesting donations of food items to increase concession revenue. Menu consists of Mike S s chili, chili dog, chili frito, hot dog, chips, nachos and drinks. Sauerkraut and dill pickles may also be available for Chicago Dogs. Mike Gable made pitch on behalf of Esther for bake goods such as brownies, cookies, cakes/pies. Homemade best but others accepted. Sugar free also accepted. No Arkansas City Show report available. 10. Donations: A Donation of nice N Gauge collection including 7x3 from Dale Wiggins. Barry Cooper, Bob Neil and Richard Kinney are working on this. It doesn t appear donation will be over $5K so IRS form may not be required. Lot of collection is in mint condition with rest with in very good condition. Motion to accept 7x3 layout and rolling stock donation by A. Hubl, 2 nd by Weigant/Nicholas. Motion passed with 1 opposed. B Tresa Miller reported on viewing of Ronald Hovan s O gauge layout on behalf of his sister Donna Lehane. Her brother has dementia and she has guardianship and needed to determine value of the trains for court purposes. The layout fills the basement, 3 track main line and goes into another room. It even has sound system. Visiting group consisted of Tresa and Mike Miller, Mike and Esther Gable and John Flinn. Based on what was seen (mostly freight, no passenger cars, some repainted engines) a general estimate was given of $13K for trains and salvage value of $500 for the layout as it is such it cannot be removed easily. Ms. LeHane forwarded some inventory papers she found and will contact Tresa if additional help may be needed. 11

12 WTTC BUSINESS MEETING CONTINUED: 11. Birthdays: Rich Parsons- 30 th. 12. Great Plains Transportation Picnic: WTTC has been invited to their picnic the 19 th of September. There will be track speeder and caboose rides. 13. Open Discussion: A Zachariah Hubl gave a brief synopsis of the Train Camp he was selected to attend back in Pennsylvania area. Look for an article or two in Semaphore. B Secretary Gable presented a request for payment from Zachariah for mowing for this year to date totaling $110. Motion to pay by R. Parsons, 2 nd by Weigant passed. C Howard Runft mentioned speaking to a group regarding the history of WTTC from its start in the late Gene Raslers garage to the present. He passed out brochures and membership forms. He also has other lectures he can give. D Adolph Weigant says doing well after surgery, can t drive yet. Joann to have shoulder surgery so can t make Fair this year. Nancy Parsons has had some surgery and doing ok. E John Flinn stated to boost attendance should have a Special Day, i.e. police, firemen etc. John also mentioned the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) convention in Kansas City in 2016 and would like to take the O gauge modular layout. This is mostly a Lionel show. E Tresa Miller will have a class on how to operate the cash registers after the meeting. 14. Adjournment at 10:21 AM on passing motion by Weigant, 2 nd by R. Parsons. Crew Roster: M. Gable, Nicholas, R. Malashchuk, C. Malashchuk, A. Hubl, Z. Hubl, R. Parsons, Goforth, Weigant, Alliston, M. Shockey, Runft, J. Jones, M. Miller, S. Shockey, T. Miller, S. Pfannenstiel, R. Meister, Flinn, R. Schmitt. Respectfully Submitted, Mike Gable, Secretary 12