April 2014 Issue - Page 1 Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club s Newsletter Since April 1993 National Train Day at Los Angeles Union Station 3rd May 2014 Pictures and Story by Marlan Woodside The Annual National Train Day, a celebration of trains, will be conducted on Saturday, May 3 rd, 2014 from 10:00 am thru 4:00 pm at Union Station in Los Angeles. The even will feature live entertainment, interactive exhibits, culinary demonstrations, kids activities, model trains, tours of Amtrak freight and commuter trains, and private railroad cars. Trains have always been an important part of America s transportation legacy, and Amtrak has been America s Railroad for 40 years. Amtrak is setting new passenger records each year and will have a full train set on hand for this event. National Train Day will celebrate the unique excitement and inspiration train travel offers. National Train Day activities and exhibits mark the anniversary of the creation of the nation s first transcontinental railroad. On May 10th, 1869, in Promontory Summit, Utah, the golden spike was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, forever transforming America. The celebration at Los Angeles Union Station will include a wide array of family-friendly activities. Children who visit train day can enjoy the Kids Depot and explore and compete for surprise giveaways happening all day long at the All Aboard Explorers kids zone. Model Train Displays: Take a closer look at the miniature masterpieces and marvel at the wonder of the model train displays that will be featured on-site at National Train Day. K-9 Unit Demonstrations: Interact with Amtrak Security K-9 Units, one of the largest programs in the United States. Amtrak High Speed Rail Display: Explore the future of high speed rail travel. Amtrak Culinary Experience. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations by Amtrak celebrity chefs and taste free samples of regional culinary specialties. See More Store Union Station Los Angeles: Take home a print, a t-shirt, and other memorabilia that will remind us to see more, do more, live more from the passenger seat of a train. National Train Day Union Station Los Angeles Saturday May 3 rd, 2014. times 10:00 am thru 4:00 pm Admission FREE!!
April 2014 Issue - Page 2 TLRC at the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society (GEHAMS) Model Train Show 8th of March 2014 Pictures and Story by Marlan Woodside Each year a local area MUST ATTEND event for any model railroader is the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society (GEHAMS) Model Train Show conducted at the fairgrounds in Bakersfield California the second weekend of March. This year was no exception, as Rick Passalacqua mentioned in his article on page 3. Besides our friends at the High Desert Modular Model Railroad Club (HDMMRC), my apologies for not getting pictures, there was also the AV N Scalers of which TLRC members Debra and Chris Howard are active members. The N Scalers traditionally have not only a great N scale operational layout, but also promote the various scales that comprise the hobby by displaying a very informative poster depicting the train scales. The TLRC business meeting was conducted an hour earlier on that day, so members could leave from the meeting and still have enough of the Saturday left to take in the event. There is AL- WAYS something to find at the various vendors (which included TLRC members Linda Gordon (Trains Etc) and Theresa and Mike Bruno (Green Steam Products). The interaction amongst the various clubs is an added bonus as the GEHAMS conducted an open house of their downtown Bakersfield N and HO layouts and there is always an opportunity to join in on the informal after show dinners. For after all, after operating trains all day, one s gotta EAT!!!!..An event well worth the drive up the road!!! More coverage on Page 6 L to R: Debra Howard of TLRC and AV N Scalers discusses operations with TLRC and temporary HDMMRC member Wilson James L to R: Visual AV N Scaler s display of scale sizes and then the narrative description does an effective job of letting the viewer learn more about the hobby.
April 2014 Issue - Page 3 East Kern G Scale Railroaders Story and Pictures by Rick Passalacqua During March, Dennis Keck and Rick Passalacqua carpooled to Bakersfield to attend the Golden Empire Modeling and Historical Society (GEHAMS) train show at the fairgrounds on Saturday, 8 March. There were at least four G Scale vendors, and lots of HO, O and N scale stuff with some really nice layouts set up. There were only two G Scale vendors that really had bargains but they were very good bargains! Dennis bought four buildings including one that he especially wanted and got it and the rest for less than the retail price of that one building by itself! Rick bought three pieces of rolling stock including a crazy track cleaning caboose. (see picture) We also bought some sound systems without the batteries, one for a steam locomotive and three for diesel engines. Then we discovered that there was other good stuff at really great prices. We ran into Rex and Cathy Welker along with other Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club (TLRC) members that took advantage of the early TLRC general membership meeting start time and made the drive up to Bakersfield after the TLRC meeting concluded. Rick Passalacqua s home layout and new track cleaning caboose. Our last get together was at my house the Thursday (13 March) after the GE- HAM show. John Bell, Dennis and Dan Steinberg showed up. Rick had planned on leveling some track and adding fresh ballast but once everyone came he abandoned that idea. Instead, he cleaned some track and ran some engines. John was measuring Rick s double track clearances to apply those measurements to his layout. Dan and Dennis installed a new battery on one of Dan s engines. The group mostly just had a good time talking G Scale. Rick provided lunch and later the group planned the next get together along with a possible work party to be conducted at John s the following week. The next week the stomach flu was going around and I was the only one to go to John s (Rick was also kinda of weak!). John and Rick surveyed John s track plan, moved a few wheelbarrows of dirt and then relaxed. Our next get together will be at Dennis house on Thursday April 17th at 10am. His address is 28600 Cumberland Rd in Bear Valley Springs (661 821-0198). This will be an engine repair workshop. We will try fixing whatever engine that requires repair. Call me for a gate pass at 661 821-7277 or 972-5069.. Hope to see you there! See Ya Rick March 2014
April 2014 Issue - Page 4 TLRC Business Meeting Stationmaster s Report Marlan Woodside pitching hitting for Debra Howard March 8th, 2014 at Kelcy s Restaurant 1. Superintendent Rex Welker called the meeting to order at 9:03am. This was an early start to accommodate those that wanted to attend the Golden Empire Historical & Modeling Society (GEHAM) Model Train Show in Bakersfield. 2. Members/Guests: 12 members were present, to include only two board members as the others were committed to the GEHAM event. 3. Stationmaster s Report: Ron Snyder made a motion to approve the February 2014 Stationmaster s Report. Phil Cornyn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Paymaster s Report: John Bell made a motion to approve the February 2014 Paymaster s Report. Phil Cornyn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Committee Reports: A) Hospitality: Cathy Welker was not in attendance, Rex stated that there was nothing to report. B) Conductor: Chris Howard was attending the GEHAM show so there was no report. C) Historian: Rex Welker said there was nothing new to report and requested that members continue to forward him articles of historical significance. D) Membership: Rick Passalacqua has received all the files from Theresa Bruno and will be getting familiar with the files in preparation for tracking dues 5. Committee Reports: (Continued) D) Membership: Rick Passalacqua (Concluded) that must be paid in June, so get your checks ready. This is a tough job so pay up front please! E) Loop Editor: Marlan Woodside reported that the March edition of the newsletter featured the TLRC facebook site and encouraged everyone to check out the site and encourage ANYONE to log on to the site. Expressed appreciate for Rick Passalacqua s articles and encouraged anyone to submit articles and pictures. F) Facebook Site: Dean Smith solicited input of information and pictures tied to the Bakersfield to Mojave area of the railroad so the TLRC facebook site could relate the club to the railroad. He will send instructions out on how to get information to him via a special email account. G) Web Site: Dean Smith explained that the website still has a purpose as another social media medium to reach potential and current members and to serve as a repository of information about the club such as newsletters. (For email, facebook and website addresses see page 8) H) Promotions: Maureen Cornyn made a request to obtain more S.M.A.R.T cards to hand out at the next show. This is a means for the club to obtain extra revenue just by having folks shop at Savemart, we get a small percentage of sales, no TLRC membership is required. I) Publicity: Mike Schmitt was attending the GEHAM show, Rex reported that flyers addressing the TLRC April show were made and being distributed at the GEHAM show. J) Ways and Means: Vacant ( Stationmaster s Report continued on next page )
April 2014 Issue - Page 5 TLRC Business Meeting Stationmaster s Report March 8th, 2014 at Kelcy s Restaurant 5. Committee Reports: (Concluded) K) Tours: Marlan Woodside is still researching the possibilities of a trip to the California Rail Museum in Sacramento which would involve an Amtrak trip and an overnight stay. Closer to home is another Metrolink and Metro Red Line train ride from Lancaster to Los Angeles Union Station and then Metro to Pershing Square and lunch at Cole s (a French dip sandwich restaurant in the basement of the old Pacific Electric building) and then the Orpheum Theater to see Citizen Kane as a part of the Last Remaining Seats program of the Los Angeles Conservancy. The tickets must be purchased by 26 March and members of the TLRC and Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD) are the target audience but anyone may participate in this event. L) Event Coordinator: Wilson James was attending the GEHAM show so there was no report, Rex confirmed that the weekend of 26 and 27 April will be the TLRC show with a Friday evening meet at John Bell s to setup the layouts. 6. Scale Chair Reports: A) N Chris Howard was attending the GEHAM show so there was no report. B) HO Wilson James was attending the GEHAM show so there was no report C) Toy Trains Doug Pickard will be there and setup and operate the layout. D) O Vacant. E) G Scale Rex stated the Lancaster group will attend and contribute funds. 7. Old Business: There was no old business to be discussed. 8. New Business: A) Nomination Committee Update: Phil Cornyn reported that Dean Smith has agreed to run for Stationmaster, so all positions are filled. 9. Round Table Discussion: A) 1998 TLRC Tri-Fold: Marlan Woodside shared a tri-fold produced by Chuck Kirtland and the TLRC in August of 1998. It was found in a book he purchased at recent Roundhouse Gang meet conducted at the San Bernardino depot. B) TLRC Website should link to TLRC Facebook: Don Winter recommended this be done. 10. Upcoming Events: A) April 12 th Monthly Meeting 10:00 am at Kelcy s Restaurant. B) April 26 th and 27 th Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club Spring Show, West Park Activity Center, 410 W D St, Tehachapi, CA 93015, Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. C) May 3 rd National Train Day Los Angeles 2014 Saturday only 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Los Angeles Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. D) May 10 th Monthly Meeting 10:00 am at Kelcy s Restaurant. 11 Superintendent: Rex Welker requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Christine Winter made a motion, it was seconded by Phil Cornyn and the motion was unanimously approved by the membership present. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44am.
April 2014 Issue - Page 6 TLRC at the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society (GEHAMS) Model Train Show 8th of March 2014 (concluded) Pictures and Story by Marlan Woodside We all may know Phil and Maureen Cornyn as the keepers of the TLRC caboose and the Promotions table lady, but Phil also serves as a Kern County Sheriff's Citizen Volunteer. At a recent Appreciation Dinner at Hodel's Restaurant in Bakersfield, Phil was recognized for his 412 hours of service. Good job Phil, Congrats! and thanks for keeping the streets safe and the donut shops occupied! :-) As an HO modeler, I discovered for the first time the Cen-Cal free-mo display. As Mike Bruno explained the concept to me, this type of display is unlike the typical modular setup where the trains basically run in a continuous circle. The free-mo concept has a beginning and end, as in this case, I would call this particular setup a loop to point arrangement, wherein one end of the layout was comprised of a return loop that took the train back to it s point of origin. It was interesting that the front end SP engine end shot was the returning of a freight to the Mojave Yard (see display panel picture) where the power would be uncoupled and a yard engine would break down the train to form another train that would then head out of the yard with the destination being the loop which would then return that train back to the yard. In my view, this eliminates the running in a continuous circle to one of the look and feel of having a train run end. While on a pass by inspection it does not appear different until you watch the operation and realize each running of the train requires an end to the journey! TLRC Member Gets Recognition Picture by Maureen Cornyn and Story by Marlan Woodside
From the desk of the Paymaster Mike Schmitt, the following reports are provided for your review April 2014 Issue - Page 7 TLRC FINANCIAL REPORTS You are reading a special edition of the Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club newsletter. (You didn t want to read our financials anyway, did you?) We hope you enjoy reading about our activities and hope your interest in our club has been ignited such that you might consider joining in the fun with us! We are a non-profit organization that fosters the interests of our members in the hobby of railroading and modeling of railroads as well as seeking out railroad adventures to further our understanding and love of trains. We put on an occasional show or two as well over at West Park in Tehachapi and meet the second Saturday of each month at Kelcy s Restaurant (across the street from the Depot) in Tehachapi. Stop on by we d love to have you join us. To learn more, visit our website, send us an email or contact one of our board members or any member of the club! All this information is displayed on page 8 of this newsletter.
Activities: TLRC OFFICERS Superintendent Rex Welker 661-256-2147 Dispatcher Theresa Bruno N/A Stationmaster Debra Howard 760-559-7380 Paymaster Mike Schmitt 661-821-5271 1st. Inspector Wilson James 661-823-1665 2nd. Inspector Marlan Woodside 760-373-4765 ADMINISTRATORS/CHAIRPERSONS Hospitality Cathy Welker Conductor Chris Howard Historian Rex Welker Membership Rick Passalacqua Loop Editor Marlan Woodside Scale Chairs: N Chris Howard HO Wilson James Toy Trains Doug Pickard O Vacant G John Bell Facebook and Web Site Conductor Dean Smith Promotions Maureen Cornyn Publicity Mike Schmitt Ways & Means Vacant Tours Marlan Woodside Event Coordinator Wilson James TLRC Email Address: tlrc_club@hotmail.com Facebook Address: Search for Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club Website Address: www.tehachapilooprailroadclub.org April 2014 Issue - Page 8 Loop Editor s Corner What a busy time this spring has already been. It is time for our members to step up and support the TLRC Train Show by supporting you r Scale Chairs and of course the BAKED GOODS headed up by Theresa Bruno. Those goodies help defray the cost of our shows, so please consider making a contribution. Also TLRC dues time is coming up and our new Membership Chair Rick Passalacqua could sure use your help by having your renewal check ready, it is unpleasant to have to track people down for payment! We have 17 people signed up for the Citizen Kane and Metrolink trip on Saturday 28 June, most are Friends of the Tehachapi Depot folks but this is good interaction between our local clubs. Also on 21 June is the first ever TRAIN CRAZY Saturday at the Mojave Airport sponsored by the Mojave Transportation Museum folks as a fund raiser, more info on that next time. Thanks for supporting the club by getting involved! Happy Training!!! Marlan Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club Monthly Newsletter of the Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club Post Office Box 876 Tehachapi, CA 93581 Table of Contents National Train Day...Page 01 GEHAM Model Train Show...Page 02 Kern G Scale Railroaders...Page 03 Stationmaster Report...Page 04 Stationmaster Report...Page 05 GEHAM Model Train Show...Page 06 Paymaster Report...Page 07 Officers & Contacts...Page 08 Next Meeting Date: 12 April 2014 @ 10am Location: Kelcy s Restaurant 110 West Tehachapi Boulevard