July 2014 Issue - Page 1 Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club s Newsletter Since April 1993 Los Angeles Central Library Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) Pictures and Story by Marlan Woodside No Further West is the title of the exhibit now showing through 10 August at the downtown Los Angeles Central Library. As an added feature to the vast array of pictures and architectural drawings about the LAUS, or as it was known at it s May 1939 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) is AL- SO a model train exhibit that varies each weekend. It just so happened that the AV N Scale group was exhibiting the weekend I attended and our own Chris and Debra Howard were assisting the group in operating the display. At one time Los Angeles was served by three passenger stations, the Arcade Station (Southern Pacific), the La Grande (Santa Fe) and the Salt Lake Depot (San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad now Union Pacific). Given the rise in population and vehicle traffic on the streets of Los Angeles, the city government was anxious to get the trains off the streets and eliminate the triplication of passenger stations. Greatly oversimplifying the story, the city and railroads finally agreed to build what we enjoy today. This was at the cost of relocating the first Chinatown settlement to where we know it today. For those that may have experienced the LAUPT, there are many items on display that will bring back cherished memories. For those that have only known in as LAUS, then you will see where plans are affront to upgrade from today s offerings to a building that will support the future, high speed rail or NOT!. This is a free exhibit and of course with the Metrolink Weekend Day pass of $10, one can leave Lancaster at 8:55am, arrive LAUS at 11am, check out Nick s if you like by riding on the Gold Line Metro train, and then going down stairs at LAUS to catch the Red or Purple Metro line to the
July 2014 Issue - Page 2 10. Upcoming Events: The Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club A) July 12 th Crew Change Dinner, John Bell s Home, 19512 Sycamore Drive, Tehachapi, CA 93561. B) July 19 th Train Crazy Saturday, Mojave Transportation Museum, Mojave Air and Spaceport, 1434 Flight line, Mojave, CA 93501 Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Call 661-824-2889. C) July 26 th Heritage Square Metrolink Tour, Meet at the Lancaster Metrolink Station no later than 8:30am to catch the 8:55am train, Gold Line to Pasadena for Brunch at Marston s, then Southwest Museum stop for walk to Heritage Park (Highland Park area), then back to Los Angeles Union Station and return to Lancaster by 7:30pm. D) August 9 th and 10 th Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club Show Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, West Park Activity Center, 410 W D St, Tehachapi, CA 93561. 11) Superintendent: Ron Snyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dean Smith seconded it. Motion passed unanimously. Rex Welker adjourned the meeting at 10:58am. Pictures and Story by Marlan Woodside Los Angeles Central Library Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of LAUS (concluded) Pictures and Story by Marlan Woodside the Pershing Square stop and head towards the Biltmore Hotel and on up the block to the Central Library. The original train directory is displayed as in the picture below and in the second picture below is Chris Howard operating the AV N Scaler layout that was on display in the main gallery surrounded by the past, present and future of LAUS. On the previous page lower right is one of many maps that highlight the railroads paths through Los Angeles. Worth a visit! Guest of Mario Terrazas, Steve Hart, other guest Gary Tufts was unavailable for a picture.
July 2014 Issue - Page 3 Where to Eat in Los Angeles Story and Pictures by Marlan Woodside After a long string of submissions without a break, there was no G Scale article for the month of June. Trust me, I appreciate the long string of consecutive articles that Rick Passalacqua has provided and there comes a time when you just gotta take a break. So many thanks Rick for all the reporting you have done in the past and we all look forward to future articles covering the adventures of those in the club that lean to the larger model trains. Lower right is Dean Smith of the TLRC and the rest of the folks are from the Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD). Upper right in the background is Dodger Stadium. 17 folks went on the tour! So to fill the void in the newsletter this month I thought I d share with you a new eating place discovered in past scouting adventures for potential Metrolink tours. Anyone that has taken the Metrolink to the Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) has probably ventured down Spring street to enjoy the fabulous offerings of French Dip sandwiches and more offered at Philippe's and those of you that have NOT, you need to get down there if not for the food, at least to check out the model trains displayed in one of the dining rooms. If you find yourself in the area and want a little different menu selection, just head on down the street a couple of more blocks or better yet, use you Metrolink Weekend Day Pass ticket to hop on the Gold Line and get off at the Chinatown stop. That will save you a few steps! Go across Spring Street and head North for two more blocks on Spring Street to locate Nick s. This is a breakfast to lunch place that is open from 5am to 4pm and ONLY accepts CASH for payment. You may initially think there is NOTHING but warehouses in this area and for the most part you are correct, but NICK s is worth checking out. All kinds of sandwiches, salads, breakfast offerings abound at this place. They have seating inside and out. Across the street where the Los Angeles State Park is taking shape, was once a bustling Southern Pacific rail yard that was the predecessor to Taylor Yard, it was called the Cornfield Yard. The group that went on the Citizen Kane Metrolink tour stopped by to enjoy a lunch before taking in the movie. Which all had an EXCELLENT time by the way! At right is a pastrami sandwich, prices are in the $10 to $15 range and remember CASH ONLY! You might want to give it it a try nice time you are in the area.
July 2014 Issue - Page 4 TLRC Business Meeting Stationmaster s Report June 14th, 2014 at Kelcy s Restaurant 1. Superintendent Rex Welker called the meeting to order at 10:00am. 2. Members/Guests: 20 members and 3 guests were present; Fidi (Dean Smith s Mom), Gary Tufts, and Steve Hart. 3. Stationmaster s Report: Chris Howard made a motion to approve the May 10, 2014, minutes. Don Winter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Paymaster s Report: Mike Schmitt explained that the $18.98 Meeting Supplies expense was for coffee the members enjoy at the monthly meeting. Dean Smith made a motion to approve the 05/31/2014 Paymaster s Reports. Phil Cornyn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Committee Reports: A) Hospitality: Rex Welker reported that there was no activity this month. Marlan Woodside suggested that we send a card to John Schuler, our webmaster. B) Conductor: Chris Howard introduced our guests Fidi (Dean Smith s Mom), Gary Tufts, and Steve Hart. C) Historian: Rex Welker proclaimed that history is getting older every day! D) Membership: Rick Passalacqua is out of town, so Mike Schmitt is accepting dues. After all dues have been collected, the roster needs to be reviewed to determine whether membership has 5. Committee Reports (Concluded): D) Membership: Rick Passalacqua (concluded) dropped below 30 and if so, the 2 nd Inspector position needs to be suspended per by-laws. E) Loop Editor: Marlan Woodside assured every one that he will publish all articles and pictures that have previously been sent to him. He appreciates the submissions and will get them published in future newsletters. F) Facebook Site: Dean Smith reports 5 new likes. He has posted a new video on the Harvey Girls and reposts from other sites. G) Web Site: We have been informed that John Schuler, our webmaster/designer is terminally ill. Dean and Marlan will establish a transition plan. H) Promotions: Maureen Cornyn has ordered the pins and stickers approved at the last meeting and will be ready for Train Crazy Saturday on July 19 th. I) Publicity: Mike Schmitt will begin advertising for the August show in July. Marlan Woodside will get information into the August issue of Lifestyle magazine. J) Ways and Means: Vacant K) Tours: There are 19 people scheduled to go to the showing of Citizen Kane on 6/28/14. Marlan is working on an overnight trip to Sacramento potentially for the first weekend in August. He is going into L.A. on 6/21/14 to check out sites of interest for other trips. L) Event Coordinator: This is the last meeting before the August show (July meeting will be the Crew Change dinner). Wilson James will check ( Stationmaster s Report continued on next page )
July 2014 Issue - Page 5 TLRC Business Meeting Stationmaster s Report June 14th, 2014 at Kelcy s Restaurant 5. Committee Reports (Concluded): L) Event Coordinator: Wilson James (concluded) with Parks and Recreation to see if they will allow the Backyard Train Company to run their ride-on train for the show. Chris Howard is still planning a PPT presentation and demo on scenery building. Debra Howard will inform Gold Coast Station of the show dates and work with Trains, Etc. to set up a vendor tables. Maureen Cornyn and Debra will coordinate the bake sale and provide a food item for sale to members. 6. Scale Chair Reports: A) N Chris Howard has put together a new modular layout that he will be bringing to the show. B) HO Wilson James stated that the yard has not changed since it was built in 2010. It still needs detailing. He would like to set up a workshop before the August show to work on it. He would also like to incorporate the roundhouse and turntable into the layout for the next show. C) Toy Trains Doug Pickard was not present. D) O Vacant. E) G Scale Rex Welker has extended an informal invitation to the Lancaster Northwestern RR Club; he will confirm that they will be there. John Bell is planning on having his building cleared out within the next 1-2 weeks so that construction can begin on the new layout corners with 20 curves to accommodate 6. Scale Chair Reports (Concluded): E) G Scale Rex Welker (Concluded) his Big Boy steam locomotive model. 7. Old Business: A) By-law Review: On hold. B) Original Apple Shed Repairs: The Apple Shed has given gift certificates to those members who helped to repair their layout and successfully getting it running again. Nice job! C) Mountain Festival Parade: The TLRC caboose will be in the parade. Phil Cornyn has once again volunteered to pull the caboose and represent the club. D) Train Crazy Saturday: Train Crazy Saturday at the Mojave Airport has been changed to 7/19/14 from 9:00am 1:00pm. Promotions and the hospital layout will be set up. Set up starts at 8:00am. We will also hand out S.H.A.R.E. cards. 8. New Business: A) New Signs for Caboose: Phil Cornyn noted that the signs on the caboose are falling apart and need to be replaced. He will get a quote for a metal sign and present the information to the board for approval. B) Crew Change Dinner: The Crew Change Dinner will be on July 12 th at 5:00pm at John Bell s home. The club will provide bbq chicken and ribs. Club members will provide sides, desserts, and own beverages. Debra will coordinate the sides and guests by email C) Donated HO Layout: Dennis Keck s neighbor, Tom Metler, has donated an HO layout to ( Stationmaster s Report continued on next page )
July 2014 Issue - Page 6 TLRC Business Meeting Stationmaster s Report June 14th, 2014 at Kelcy s Restaurant 8. New Business (Concluded): C) Donated HO Layout: Dennis Keck (Concluded) the club. It is about 80% complete, but needs some sprucing up and repairs. It was suggested that we raffle the layout at the November show. We will display and sell tickets for it at the August and November shows. 9. Round Table Discussion: A) Events: If you know of any trainrelated events that might be of interest to the membership, email the information to the club account and it will be sent out to the membership. If appropriate it will also be posted on the FB account. B) Mountain Crossing stuff : Wilson James has Mountain Crossing stuff (scenery, cars, Athearn engines, odds and ends) that he will bring to the August show for Ann Tuma to sell on our sales table. Some of the items may also be used for the donated HO layout. C) Member Trips: 1) John Bell recently took a trip via Amtrak to Seattle. He was pleased to announce the train was consistently early, the food was delicious and overall it was a good trip. 2) Dean Smith and Marlan Woodside attended a presentation at the Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) Harvey House regarding the history of the Harvey Girls and their influence on women in the workplace. A DVD was is available of the program. 9. Round Table Discussion (Concluded): C) Member Trips (Concluded): 3) Rex and Cathy Welker had an opportunity to ride the Railrunner (commuter train) from Albuquerque to Santa Fe on a recent trip to New Mexico. D) Show and Tell: Train Crazy Saturday 1) Dennis Keck showed us his newly finished 1:120 stables and blacksmith shop. It was a kit that he adapted and then detailed all the way down to the nuts and bolts! He uses Malibu lights to highlight interior details. He has about 300 of G-scale track at his home. He is planning to have an open house in August. 2) Marlan Woodside shared his copy of Rail USA: Museums and Trips in the Western States. It is an extensive list of train points of interest. Available at the Tehachapi Depot Bell recently ( Stationmaster s Report concluded on Page 2)
From the desk of the Paymaster Mike Schmitt, the following reports are provided for your review July 2014 Issue - Page 7 TLRC FINANCIAL REPORTS Balance Sheet - As of 6/30/2014 (Includes unrealized gains) 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: tlrwww.tehachapilooprailroadclub.org July 2014 Issue - Page 8 Loop Editor s Corner The summer heat is upon us and that means another Crew Change Dinner, once again we appreciate John Bell host the event. Make sure to let Debra Howard know of your plans to attend and what you are bringing to the dinner. By the way, the event is bring your own drinks! Also if you did not pay your dues last month to either Rick Passalacqua our Membership Chairperson or Mike Schmitt our Paymaster, make sure you bring a check with you or mail it in. We need to get a head count of our dues paying members to see how many inspectors we need. We had a 17 person turnout for our last tour to see Citizen Kane at the Orpheum theatre and we have another trip forming for Pasadena and Heritage Square (Victorian home tours) scheduled for 26 July, so email me if you are interested (mw4ucla@verizon.net). Also TLRC will be at the first Train Crazy Saturday, 19 July at the Mojave airport, 9am to 1pm, hope to see you there. 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 Shed...Page 01 Shed...Page 02 Kern G Scale Railroaders...Page 03 Stationmaster Report...Page 04 Stationmaster Report...Page 05 Stationmaster Report...Page 06 Paymaster Report...Page 07 Officers & Contacts...Page 08 Next Meeting Date: 12 July 2014 @ 5pm Location: Bell Mountain, 19512 Sycamore Drive, Tehachapi