L.A. Live Steamers August 12th Picnic See page 3 Bring a Guest to the SWD Train Meets Recruit a New Member for the Club VOL. 25 MAY/JUNE LARRY PEARSON CALVIN SMITH NO. 3 2006 PRESIDENT EDITOR MERVYN LEW PHOTOGRAPHER President s Message LARRY PEARSON, President, Southwestern Division, 2004-2007 1108 West Palm Ave., Burbank, CA 91506 (818) 848-2653, (818) 994-4890 to leave a message 2006-07 DUES RENEWAL TTOS Southwestern Division Members renew their dues annually every July 1st. Dues renewal Chairman Peter Beam sent dues renewal notices out to current Members of Southwestern in late May, and everyone should have received their notices by now. Southwestern Dues continue to remain at $25.00 per year. We sincerely hope that all of you will re-join for another year. Your Board of Directors have worked very hard to grow the Monthly Meets in both size and in the variety of trains for sale. The Arcadia Masonic Center is spacious, air conditioned, and has convenient free parking, plus great reasonably priced food. Seller s tables remain at $10 each for Members. At least four times a year we plan to have Mike Marple selling parts. We always have at least two operating layouts, a free train repair seminar for Southwestern members, and a lively auction. You will receive a monthly Meet notification postcard, plus a bi-monthly Newsletter. Every August we have a great Picnic at LA Live Steamers in Griffith Park, and Cal-Stewart in November. Part of your dues go toward funding these activities. When you consider what you get, $25 is a terrific bargain! If you move, please send me your new address and phone number at the above address so you will continue to receive our mailings. MAY 5TH FRIDAY NIGHT MEET RECAP Our May monthly Meet was held in Arcadia on Friday night for the first time in many years. The Arcadia Hall was mistakenly double booked on this weekend, and we couldn t move to the following Sunday because that was Mother s Day. So, we de- (continued on page 2) SOUTHWESTERN MOURNS THE LOSS OF HARRISON BEMIS AND JERRY LATNER On May 15th, long-time TTOS Southwestern Members Harrison Bemis (Charter #65) and Jerry Latner (#1443) passed away. Harrison Bemis lived in Fillmore and had a lifelong involvement with toy trains and airplanes (real ones). Harrison had been ill off and on for some time, and finally it was his time to go. Many Southwestern Members attended Harrison s Memorial Service at Santa Paula Airport on Sunday, May 28th. His toy train collecting centered around pre-war O and Standard gauge, and his collection was extensive. Happily, his son, Randy Bemis, has taken over his dad s collection, plans to keep it, and has already had a group of us operators over to his home in Chatsworth to play with his trains. Jerry Latner passed away after a lengthy time of failing health. Jerry served on Southwestern s Board of Directors as a Member and as Division Treasurer. Jerry also handled the Cal- Stewart Pre-Registration and Car Sales for a number of years. An operator of toy trains, Jerry s extensive, six-level, well-designed O and G scale layout in the garage of their Woodland Hills home was featured in the Southwestern Limited. Jerry and his wife, Lorine, faithfully attended S.W.D. monthly meets until they moved to the Santa Clarita Valley area to be closer to their sons. Our condolences to Lorine, his loving wife of 60 years; sons Les and Mark, and grandsons Ryan, Michael, and Kevin. Both Harrison and Jerry will be very much missed! Please Note: Your newly designed Membership Card for 2006-2007 must be picked up at the Meet. T.T.O.S. National Convention Aug. 14-20, 2006 Hotel Reservations Needed & Must Be Made by Sunday, July 23, 2006 Costa Mesa, CA Register NOW!!! See page 6
Lost & Found Reward for Information John Stillman #591 reports the following items missing from his table at the June Meet: a brand new #6-18313 Pennsylvania GG-1 Electric Locomotive, gold with single red stripe; Stationary Steam Mill Engine on base; Mill Tool Set (drill press, saw, etc.) on base to go with above engine. John found on his table an MTH Milkcan Platform. Please contact John Stillman 24/7 at 951-440-9656 if you have information. 2006 Meet Dates Jan 22 Jul 23 Feb 26 Aug* Mar 26 Sep 24 Apr 23 Oct 22 May 28 Nov 26 June 25 Dec 17 *Natl Conv 14-19 Costa Mesa, CA Or Call Brian Fields, President at (714) 821-9966 Weekly Updates! 03/06-4/07 President s Message (continued from page 1) cided to try Friday night, because some Members (including myself) prefer Friday because it leaves the weekend open. But others work on Friday, or can t drive at night, or can t deal with Friday night traffic. We had a very good turnout despite these potential problems. However, we plan to stick with Sundays for the monthly Meets in the future. SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION ATTENDS FULLERTON RAILROAD DAYS, MAY 6-7 TTOS Southwestern went all-out to promote itself and our June 4th Open House Meet at the 2006 Fullerton Railroad Days, May 6-7th. Walter Olson purchased booth space and arranged for over 5000 passes and Southwestern Meet information to be handed out to those in attendance. Dave Gabay worked the front entrance on Saturday and handed out several thousand information coupons all by himself! Walter set up an American Flyer S-gauge layout in the booth to attract the toy train enthusiasts. Tony Deneve worked the crowd on Saturday and Sunday. I was there on Sunday. Al Vierich and his Southwestern Division layout crew set up and operated our Division large portable layout. Layout operators were Mike Morgan, Irv Hahn, Hal Rothenborg, Chris Kee, Bill Augustus, Ramon Garcia, and Fred Ruby. There were others who came by to help, but I don t have their names. JUNE 4TH OPEN HOUSE MEET RECAP If you weren t there, you missed another great Monthly Meet, with 96 tables sold (a sellout) plus our Southwestern layout. There were over 80 non-member guests in attendance. Mike Marple of Mike s Trains & Hobbies in Lompoc was there with his complete inventory of parts and did a brisk business. Mike is the largest train parts dealer west of the Mississippi. There were lots of HO and N-gauge trains for sale, as well as S, O and Standard gauge. Walter Olson, Meet Chairman, worked very hard on this over several months, and he deserves our applause! WARD KIMBALL SOUVENIR CARS I am happy to report that the American Flyer S-gauge Ward Kimball Souvenir cars are at the shipper and should be on the way to the lucky purchasers by the time you read this. The O gauge Lionel Ward Kimball cars are in transit to Detroit and should go to the shipper by mid August. Free Appraisals! Larry Pearson, President NicksTrains.com Now accepting quality boxed trains for our Fall auction Visit www.nickstrains.com or call (949) 305-TRAIN (8724) for details Welcome Aboard to New Members William R. McCloud David Miller 2 03/06-4/07
W N E S Forest Lawn Ventura Fwy (134) Drive Take 134 Freeway between I-5 and Hollywood Freeways. Westbound Exit Forest Lawn Drive. Eastbound Exit Forest Lawn Drive. Go East on Zoo Drive (left turn) past Travel Town to the Live Steamers (Live Steamers are east of Travel Town). Parking & Entrance at East end of Live Steamers Complex. Come to the Southwestern Division Summer Member Appreciation Party at the Live Steamers in Griffith Park Trains Running for Viewing & Riding Plus Operating Layouts Hamburgers & Hot Dogs with all the Trimmings, Chips, Sodas, etc. For Dues Paid SWD Members & Family and specially invited guests! Children must be supervised at all times! Zoo Travel Town Golden State Fwy (5) Drive Live Steamers Party Reservations Required by August 5, 2006 So we can order sufficient food! Saturday, August 12, 2006 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food Service stops at 1:30 p.m. $5.00 per person Children under 12 are free Griffith Park Live Steamers (on Zoo Drive, east of Travel Town) Free Parking in lot at east end of Live Steamers Please Note: No train sales at this social -- Park prohibits sales RESERVATION FORM--Live Steamers SWD Social--Reservations by Aug. 5, 2006 Name TTOS # No. of Adults & Children 12 & Over @ $5.00 each $ No. of Children Under 12 Free $ TOTAL $ Make your check payable to TTOS SWD and mail with your completed reservation form to: Peter Beam, 2126 Casa Grande, Pasadena, CA 91104-4103 Your tickets will be held at the gate. For answers to questions, 3 please call Larry Pearson at (818) 848-2653. 08-12-06
The Friday Night May Meet The first Friday Night Meet in years attracted members of Southwestern Division to Arcadia. Members and G u e s t s checked out tables of trains and train related items at the Friday Night Meet and enjoyed the Southwestern Division Layout. Auctioneer Vince conducted the regular auction. Some great vintage trains appeared on the tables. 4 01/06-12/06
June 2006 Open House Meet Another Success! The June Meet featured lots of action with 96 tables sold and over 200 attendees. The Foothill Model Train Club, a group of HO gauge sellers and operators, meet with S.W.D. and HO sellers bought tables for selling trains and related material. Mike Marple, the largest parts dealer West of the Mississippi, brought down many parts and supplies. Ed White brought ceramic buildings plus books and some parts. Sellers tables were laden with trains and train related items. Layouts were on display in the lobby. A number of guest attendees came as a result of the cards and information passed out at the Fullerton Train Days which were held in May. Prizes for the June Meet drawing were displayed on the stage. The Happy Winners of the Drawings at the June 2006 Meet Larry Kirk was the winner of the Passenger Set (see stage photo) 5
COME VISIT The Train Shack Service Buy Sell Trade One of the Largest Selection of Model trains in Southern California MTH, LIONEL, WEAVER, K-LINE, THIRD RAIL ATLAS, LGB, MARKLIN, KATO, ATHEARN ROUNDHOUSE, WALTHERS, THOMAS THE TANK & BRIO Large Selection of G, O, HO, N, & Z Scales Paints, Tools, Books, Videos, Audios, Scenery Collectibles, Old & New Collections bought Custom Layouts built AUTHORIZED FACTORY SERVICE for LGB, Lionel, MTH, & Marklin 1030 North Hollywood Way Burbank, California 91505 (818) 842-3330 Outside (818), call (800) 572-9929 FAX (818) 842-4562 www.trainshack.com 01/06-12/06 01/06-12/06 For some 40 years, the TTOS has hosted a National Convention. Join us this August to celebrate that milestone at the 2006 convention in Costa Mesa, California. Our venue is the wellappointed Hilton, Costa Mesa hotel located in the heart of Orange County. This contemporary hotel is near many of Southern California s major attractions: Beaches, Theme Parks, Upscale Shopping Venues and an hour or so from San Diego aboard the Amtrak Surfliners. Rooms are still available and reservations must be made by Sunday, July 23, 2006. The convention week begins with a number of exceptional railroad and layout tours. Visit the roundhouse at Knott s Berry Farm s famed narrow gauge railroad, ride the Red Cars at the Port of Los Angeles, view the vast collection of locomotives at Travel Town and tour club members operating layouts. In the evening on Wednesday, socialize in style with club members on the high seas onboard John Wayne s yacht the Wild Goose and cruise the scenic Newport Harbor. Thursday evening, make plans to attend our railroad themed Grand Reception. Displays of small operating layouts, railroad related memorabilia and scheduled, a rare vintage firearm once owned by a railroad tycoon. The Operating Layouts, Trading Hall and separate Auction Hall open for three days starting on Friday for your collecting pleasure. Purchase or bid on that elusive piece to complement your railroad. The highlight of the 40th national Convention is an entire floor of Operating Layouts with a special nighttime running session on Friday. Are you still seeking that hard to fine prized piece? The 40th Auction Banquet on Saturday evening may just have it. On Sunday, the 40th TTOS National Convention welcomes the public to visit the Operating Layouts and Trading Hall. We hope to meet you at the 40th TTOS National Convention, August 14-20, 2006. John Bowman and Brian Fields 40th Convention Co-Chairs www.ttos.org 6
33 rd CAL-STEWART 2006 SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION of TTOS NOVEMBER 17, 18, 19, 2006 Largest Toy Train Club-Sponsored Meet West of the Mississippi Over 450 Tables Trains/Parts Dealers/Manufacturers PASADENA CONVENTION CENTER EXHIBITION BUILDING AND ANNEX (40,000 sq.ft.) 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 Friday s Cal-Stewart King Party 6:30 pm to midnight Dean Mora Band Collector Cars LA Swingers Prizes 40 s Event Friday Night King Welcoming Cocktail Party (6:30 pm -midnight) at the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel. $10.00 per adult. Ralph Johnson Memorial Display celebrating 40 years T.T.O.S., 60 years of AF S-Gauge, 100 years Lionel Standard Gauge Exciting Train Races & Demolition Derbies Saturday and Sunday Contact Jon Pincus (818) 889-1005 for signup and classification information. Operating Layouts Grand Raffle Drawing Sunday 3:00 pm Auctions Saturday and Sunday No table limit for Sellers Look for the Cal-Stewart 2006 Brochure and Cal-Stewart 2006 Car Flyer with the September 2006 Bulletin For more information, call Cal-Stewart Chairman Jerry Blaine (909) 860-1952 or go to www.ttos-sw.org or www.cal-stewart.org
Southwestern Division TOY TRAIN MEET Table Sales Auction Operating Layout Test Track Some Repair Parts Books/Videos Repair Clinic Breakfast Snack Bar Saturday Aug 12-Picnic Must be current member to attend AND pre-pay by Aug. 5th Sundays 2006: Open House Meet Sept. 10, Oct. 8, *Nov. C-S 17-19, Dec. 3 Seller Setup 10:30 a.m. Club Members enter 11:00 a.m. Public 11:30 a.m. Admission $5.00 Tables are $10.00 Arcadia Masonic Center 50 West Duarte Road Arcadia, CA 91007 Plenty of FREE PARKING! Meet Entrance East Side Door From 210 Freeway, exit on Santa Anita Avenue and head south about 1.5 miles to Duarte Road; turn right on Duarte Road. Arcadia Masonic Center is on the left near the Arcadia Public Library. * Cal-Stewart will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center. Please Patronize Our Advertisers: The Train Stop, The Train Shack, Allied Model Trains, Nicks Trains.com, Villages Etc Dept 56 Retired, and Speer General Contractors. TOY TRAIN OPERATING SOCIETY SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION #1 A Non-Profit Corporation Larry Pearson, President 1108 West Palm Ave. Burbank, CA 91506 (818) 848-2653 Hot Line (818) 702-9588 www.cal-stewart.org www.ttos-sw.org TIME DATED MATERIALS STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PASADENA, CA PERMIT NO. 648 PRINTED MATTER The Southwestern Limited is the official publication of the Southwestern Division of the Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS) and is published bimonthly. To contribute articles, photographs and letters, mail to: Calvin Smith, Editor, 25 So. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105-1905, (626) 792-6594. Materials must be received by the first day of the month preceding publication. Original materials will be returned to the sender when return postage is enclosed. Thank you. 03/06-4/07 Contact Hollis Cotton, T.T.O.S. No. 5356 for Your Construction Needs