NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION-TRAIN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION the Terrific Toy Train Tall Tales NOR-CAL EXPRESS The Toy Train Beacon of the West March 2006 FRED SILL AND OTHER VETERAN NOR-CAL MEMBERS HONORED AT THE DECEMBER MEET See the Nor-Cal Express in FULL COLOR at: www.norcaltca.com Fred Front row (L to R): Arnold Kloian (30 years), Fred Sill (45 years!), Rene Quillhart (20), Richard Southon (20) Second row: Hank DeGuc (35), Richard White (35), Richard Hofmeister (30), Paul Guaraglia (30), Douglas Bradley (25) Third row: James Manos (25), Hermann Pelz (20), Donald McKinsey (20) Fourth row: Bill Dwyer (30), Mike Zolna (20), Jim Groth (20), David Shanks (25) PRESIDENT S MESSAGE by Michael Andrews #95-41371 Greetings to all. Recently I usually have my annual bring the trains to school day at my son s preschool the week before Christmas vacation. But at that time Cooper was home with the flu, as were most of his classmates. So we had this just recently, and as one can imagine, it was an exciting affair. There were 30+ three and four year olds present, as well as students from other classrooms dropping by. At any one time there were over 50 kids watching the action. The setup consisted of one large loop with an F3 Santa Fe with numerous action cars and a B-6 Switcher, along with its set of action cars, all powered with TMCC. In the center of that were two smaller loops, one with Thomas, Annie and Clarabel and the other with the Polar Express. After the initial excitement had died (cont d. on page 4) FUTURE MEETS March 10-12 Cal Stewart April 8, 2006 (M) May 27, 2006 (Sacramento) June 10, 2006 (WDMS) July 8, 2006 (WDMS) August 12, 2006 (WDMS) September 9, 2006 (M) October 14, 2006 (M) November 18, 2006 (M) December 9, 2006 (M) M = Montera Middle School 5555 Ascot Drive, Oakland WDMS = Walt Disney Middle School, San Ramon Business Meeting: 9:30 AM Trading: 10-11:30 AM Fred Sill factoid: Fred was for many years the Lionel train repairman for Berkeley Hardware. THE CAL-STEWART IS MARCH 10-12! It s not too late to sign up for the Cal-Stewart Meet at the Santa Clara Convention Center. You must fill out a registration form and mail it to Mary Ann Nichelini, or call her (the phone number for Robert Nichelini is in the TCA Directory). And don t forget to sign up for the Saturday evening fun-filled Banquet ($40 each). This meet is the high point of the Nor-Cal year, with lot of train sales and layouts- fun for all!
INTERESTING ITEMS FROM ALAN SCHARLACH S LIONEL HO COLLECTION Page 2 Rivarossi (Italy) made Lionel s first HO steam locomotives (above). Consolidation #0610LT (1957) is an Americanized Italian prototype. It and Dockside #0600 (1957) have zinc alloy die cast frames (extremely prone to disintegration), Bakelite superstructures, full valve gear, lights, and real brass bells. Operating Millk car #0 (top hatch open, showing milk cans in rotary mechanism) and loading platform. hobo cop Cop and hobo car #0357 (62-66), with trestle bridge (as car passes under, cop jumps onto the trestle bridge, and the hobo jumps onto the car (and vice versa). Hustler based items. A= Athearn-made for Lionel (58, 59), L = Lionel-made (59-66), RB = rubber band drive, G = gear drive: (front row): black Eire 44-ton switcher #0545 (L)(G), (2nd row, L to R): black/orange #0560 snowplow (A)(RB), red #0561 rotary snowplow (L)(G)- blade is rubber-band powered, black/ red Rock Island #0058 (L)(G), (3rd row, L to R): yellow UP #0057 (L)(G), white US Air Force Minuteman #0059 (L)(G), white/red Atomic Energy Commission #0056 (L)(G), (4th row, L to R): blue US Navy #0570 (A)(RB), red Minneapolis and St. Louis #0055 (L)(G). These are all 4-wheel units, and run FAST! Operating turbo missile cars #0349 (62-66) ; the common red version and the rare maroon version which came in one set only. These are a few of Alan s Lionel HO trains. A second installment will be printed later. Northern Pacific GP-7 s, #0597 (front, 1960) and the rare #0593 (rear, 1963). This is a popular paint scheme in O-gauge too!
Page 3 Radioactive waste car #0805 (59-66) (with blinking red light) and Poultry Dispatch Car #0834 (59-60)(w/ flickering light to animate the chickens). Helicopter-launching car #0319 and satellite-launching car #0343 (both 60-63). Satellite and copter same as O. (F to R): Gold Bullion car #0845 (62-66), Giraffe car #0337 (61) and Sheriff and Outlaw car #0370 (62-66) Rectifiers (L to R): New Haven #0591 (59-60) (Lionel-made), Virginian #0590 (1959 only) (Athearn-made for Lionel), and Pennsylvania RR #0581 (1960 only) (Lionel-made). Note the scale-quality brass pantographs. Lionel-made steam locomotives (front row L to R): #0602 (60), an 0-6-0 loosely based on the John English Yard Bird 0-4-0, #0605 (59), an 0-4-0T, and (rear) #0642 (61-63), a high-wheeled 2-4-2. These all have plastic superstructures and die cast metal frames. Lionel Pacifics #0636 (front, 63-66) with smoke, and #0646 (63-65) with smoke, and whistle in the overly large 12-wheel tender. Superstructures are plastic. Lionel gang cars #0050 (59-63). The one with the white lettering (at the left) is the rare one. Fairbanks-Morse diesels (came in A-B-A sets w/one A- unit powered, Rivarossi-made for Lionel, 57-59, L to R): Wabash, MP, C&NW, WP, IC.
President s Message (cont d. from page 1) down, the kids all took turns with Thomas and the Polar Express, running the trains with, of course, non-stop whistle action. Those who were interested stood in line for a chance to use the remote to run the other two engines. It was a lot of fun and exhausting, but I am looking forward to doing this the next time. The Cal-Stewart Meet is just about upon us and it looks like all but a few details have been taken care of. This year we will have an auction that includes one of our past member s trains. A list of these was included in the registration packet. And of course there is the trip on Friday to the California State Railroad Museum and on Saturday there is the Cal- Stewart Banquet. There are still many jobs where we need volunteers, so please give me a call and help out. We are currently working on arrangements for our Saturday Meetings. We have checked Page 4 out other venues but we are not counting out Montera Middle School; we will keep everyone posted. Other items that are being worked on are: budgets for the upcoming year, bylaw changes to keep our club updated, action on the new Cal-Val Chapter, and next year s Cal-Stewart Meet. We are always interested in your opinion and more importantly your help in the many aspects of running Nor- Cal. Please see me or any Board Member for your input or to volunteer. The recent election to increase the National Dues resulted in a positive outcome. The new dues amount is now $32.00 for twelve months. 4,323 members sent in their ballots- only 14 percent of membership. Thanks to all of you Nor-Cal members who voted. I look forward to seeing all at the Cal- Stewart Meet in March. -Michael Andrews Nor Cal Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2/11/2006 Meeting convened February 11, 2006 at 11:15 AM, Montera Middle School, Oakland Voting members present: President Mike Andrews, VP Bob Nichelini, Secretary Mark Boyd, Treasurer Bunk Coleman, Editor Rich White, Immediate Past President Cliff Jarrard, Also present: Bob Spivock Absent: Sac-Sierra Chapter President President Mike Andrews called the meeting to order Cliff M/S/C Motion to prepare a ballot for adopting the proposed Cal Val Chapter to be distributed through the Nor Cal Express. If approved, it would be referred on to the National Rules & Regulations Committee, then on to the National BOD for approval. Bunk Coleman presented a brief budget review of where we currently stand. President Mike requested a detailed budget expense list for 2005 for the next BOD meeting. Nor Cal BOD meeting proposed for Thursday February 23 rd. Place to be determined by President Mike. Mark purchased a computer for the Cal Stewart Registration as voted at previous meeting. Meeting adjourned 12:10 pm. Signed: Mark Boyd, Secretary The new Sacramento-Sierra Chapter President is Lisa Loventhal. Congratulations Lisa! In Memoriam: Larry Lehman TCA # 67-1880 1929-2006 Larry s son called to say that Larry had died on News Years Day. Those who have know him knew that he had been battling emphysema for decades; despite that he played trumpet in an East Bay orchestra. Larry had a degree in music from Texas State. He was 76. Larry moved to Texas in 2001 after selling the last of his trains through our Nor-Cal meets. He had lived in Marin County and was always faithful to attend our meets. He never missed a Cal Stewart Meet until he moved. I remember how hard it was for him to move to Texas, but he was optimistic. Nor Cal member Bill McDermott writes that Larry helped him year after year in the Sausalito Christmas layouts and was a steady assistant during the construction of the Emporium Christmas Display. During the many hours we spent together minding the operation of the layouts, he would relate wonderful stories of his early days in Texas playing trumpet in some strange places The officers and members of Nor-Cal extend their condolences.
NOR-CAL DIVISION REVISION OF BY-LAWS at the April 8, 2006 Meet at Montera MS On April 8, 2006, at 9:30 am, a vote will be taken at the General Membership Meeting at Montera Middle School in Oakland to revise the By-Laws of Nor-Cal Division. This is to accommodate the group of Nor- Cal TCA members in the Visalia area that have requested to organize a Chapter within Nor-Cal Division for the purpose of meeting together, networking, and socializing in their geographic area within the Nor-Cal Division boundaries. Presented here is the proposed change to the By-Laws of Nor-Cal Division. A vote of the General Membership in attendance at a regular meeting is sufficient to accomplish this, as noted under Article X Revision of By-Laws, as follows: These By-Laws may be amended only by a majority vote of the members of Nor-Cal at a regularly scheduled general membership meeting, and no action to amend or revise these By-Laws may be taken at any such meeting unless notice thereof is given to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to such meeting in writing by mail. The proposed revision to the By-Laws is as follows: Article II, Section 2, (add) article E 4 a. May (upon request to Nor-Cal) be a member of the Northern California Division Board of Directors and attend board meetings when possible (limited because of the geographic travel distance involved). b. Shall keep Nor-Cal advised of activities of the Chapter. c. The Chapter may appoint an alternate to act as a Board member. Article II, Section 4, Terms of Office of Officers and Officials; Re-election (add) Article C C. Cal Val Chapter Superintendent The term of office shall be determined by the chapter Article IV, Section 1 Membership (added section in bold type) 1. The Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the Immediate Past President of Nor-Cal, the President of the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter, and upon request, the Superintendent of the Cal Val Chapter, and the Newsletter Editor. Nor-Cal Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2/23/2006 Meeting convened February 23, 2006 at 6:50 pm home of Bob Nichelini in Oakland Voting members present: President Mike Andrews, VP Bob Nichelini, Secretary Mark Boyd, Treasurer Bunk Coleman, Immediate Past President Cliff Jarrard Also present: Bob Spivock Absent: Editor Rich White, Sac-Sierra Chapter President Lisa Loventhal President Mike Andrews called the meeting to order Cliff M/S/C Approval of 2/11/minutes noting corrected adjournment time. Bob Nichelini M/S/C approval of the following Nor-Cal Meet dates: April 8, 2006 Montera Middle School, Oakland May 27, 2006 Sacramento Scottish Rite Center June 10, 2006 Walt Disney Middle School, San Ramon July 8, 2006 Walt Disney Middle School, San Ramon August 12, 2006 Walt Disney Middle School, San Ramon September 9, 2006 Montera Middle School, Oakland (continued on page 6)
Nor-Cal Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2/23/06 (continued from page 5) Page 6 October 14, 2006 Montera Middle School, Oakland November 18, 2006 Montera Middle School, Oakland December 9, 2006 Montera Middle School, Oakland It was noted that although Montera Middle School has been a source of scheduling problems; the school district will not charge us rent for the first 4 meetings of 2006 and it would be wise, in light of our financial status, to remain there for now, pending further investigation of other properties researched by our members. Discussion of the Cal Val Chapter ratification and modification of the By-Laws of Nor-Cal Division. Treasurer Bunk Coleman presented information of our current financial status with a graph of balances. We looked at how Nor-Cal is spending more than we are taking in. In the past we have been able to do that because we had a reserve of funds in our bank account which is now depleted. The main reason is the escalating cost of the Santa Clara Convention Center over the past five years. Our bill for just renting the hall for 2006 will be $17,210.00. Divided by about 550 registered members, that comes out to over $31 per attendee. The Banquet costs about $58 per attendee, yet we are only collecting $40 each. That is a loss of $18 per person that attends the banquet. That leaves us with no operating capital for running meets and putting out the newsletter. It was noted it is not as simple as cutting things out of the budget. The problem is the one single ticket item of rent for the Santa Clara Convention Center. That one item is more than we can afford. VP Bob Nichelini moved, second by Cliff Jarrard, Annual dues for 2007 at $20 per member. Cal Stewart Meet registration $40 to keep the Cal Stewart Meet operating at the same level. Motion was postponed. Secretary Mark Boyd M/S/C The Nor-Cal Board adopt a Pay for what each member gets, philosophy regarding Nor-Cal financial decisions. Meeting adjourned 9:30 pm Mark C. Boyd, Secretary Nor-Cal TCA Owing to space limitations, there is no new quiz this month. NOR CAL QUIZ Answers from the December 2005 quiz are as follows: (1) Who produced an O-gauge scale/tinplate WINE car in the 50 s? Thomas produced a kit for an O- gauge wine car (see Photo 1). Thomas also offered kits for single and triple dome tank cars. The kits used a sheet brass tank and running boards/underframe, with other parts of zamac alloy. (2) Who originally produced the O-gauge trolley car now manufactured and sold by Bowser? MiniToy Co. first produced the Brill trolley car (see Photo 2). Then the MiniToy trolley was obtained by Pittman (Pittman Electrical Developments Co. of Sellersville, PA). In addition to the version currently available from Bowser, Pittman offered a freight interurban motor and a four-wheel work trolley. (3) Who produced the first model of the Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electric in O-gauge? Edwin P. Alexander (TCA founding member). The 1937 kit was based on a large bronze superstructure casting. (4) Where are the two surviving 4-10-2 steam locomotives located? SP #5021 is at Pomona, California and Baldwin demonstrator, #60,000 is in the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. These were each 3- cylinder compounds. UP and SP were the only railroads using this wheel arrangement. (5) Who made the first HO gauge model of the Hiawatha 4-4-2 streamlined steam locomotive? Rivarossi produced this super-rare HO gauge model. It had a plastic superstructure for the loco and tender, with die cast chassis for each. See photos 3 and 4. (6) Who manufactured the first 3-rail tinplate model of a 4-wheel Birney trolley car? General Models Company produced the first Birney model, circa 1949. This was plastic with a ring-gap motor that required a push to get it moving. There was no reversing mechanism. See Photo 9 on page 8. (7) Who first imported a model (HO) of the Key System Bridge Units? Ken Kidder of San Francisco
(8) Who made the only B & O prototype steam locomotives in 3-rail O-gauge (pre-1960)? Page 7 Thomas produced a C16 class B&O 0-4-0 switcher, with tender, in kit form, in 2 and 3 rail versions, around 1949 (Photos 5 and 6). International Model Products imported a brass, ready to run, B&O C16 class 0-4-0T Little Joe saddletank switcher (same prototype as the famous Varney HO Dockside version) in 2 and 3 rail versions, around 1950 (see photos 7 and 8, of the 3-rail version). A photo of a super-detailed 2-rail brass version, imported by KTM, is shown in Photo 10, on page 8. (9) Who built and ran the old Delta Lines O-gauge layout, famous in Model Railroader magazine in the 40 s and 50 s? Frank Ellison. Go to http://users.foxvalley.net/~osn/frankellison1995.htm for details. (10) What were the two main differences between Lionel s construction sets and those of Gilbert and Meccano? The Lionel construction set utilized square aluminum tubing, as opposed to the flat steel segments of the Gilbert and Meccano sets, and used aluminum pins with rubber grommets to secure the parts, instead of nuts and bolts. This was not a good idea as this method made for very loose connections. (Your Editor had a Lionel set in 1948 or so, and can attest to this!). Photo 1 Photo courtesy of Brian Scace, Editor, O Scale Trains Magazine Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 7 Photo 6 Photo 5 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 8 bottom view; note worm drive from vertically mounted motor
TIN PLATE JUNCTION Toy and Model Trains all gauges; layouts; die cast vehicles; toy train repairs 681-4th Street, Oakland (510) 444-4780 Hours: Mon-Fri 12-6 PM Saturday 10-6 PM Sunday 12-5 PM Website: www.tinplatejn.com E-mail: toytrains@msn.com 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: www.just-trains.com Sat. 10-5:00 PM (925) 685-6566 Sun. 12-4.00 PM FAX: (925) 685-7997 FOR SALE: Prewar O-gauge train sets, individual cars, locomotives, accessories. Many top-of-theline sets, all in excellent or better condition, some with original boxes/set boxes. TCA Quarterlies 1970-2000, all for $50. Birch/plexiglass display cases, each 4 ft. wide, with 7 shelves, enough for 28 ft. of O-gauge trains. For list: Richard White at 925-376-5821 or e-mail: toytrain13@hotmail.com the Photo 9 NOR-CAL EXPRESS Submit all address changes to: Secretary Mark Boyd e-mail: tcqeditor@sbcglobal. Photo 10