Locomotion Weekend At Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh PA) Dec 13-14

Thank you Marty.  It was nice talking with you.  Thank you for all the work you did.

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) had a very successful weekend at the Carnegie Science Center (CSC) in Pittsburgh PA for Locomotion Weekend sponsored by Lionel.  Big thanks to Ms Patty Rogers and the entire CSC Staff for their warm welcome and hosting this great, fun event.  The LCCA gave continuous hands-on demonstrations “How to get started with Lionel trains.”  Several thousand visitors attended this two day event, often three generations of a family.  It was great to see Grandparents, parents and children all interacting with Lionel trains at our display.  Everyone learned how to operate and run Lionel trains with a conventional transformer controller as well as Lionel’s remote control “LionChief” system.    Everyone had FUN running Lionel trains all weekend long.   

 

LCCA Member Marty Eibek did a fantastic job representing the club and introducing the Magic of Lionel trains to visitors of all ages.   Thank you Marty!   There were several great layouts in S-Gauge and O-Gauge, plus the massive Carnegie Science Center model train layout.   The other local train clubs did a great job representing our wonderful hobby.   

 

Our sincere thanks go out to all of the LCCA members ( including new members who joined us from the LRRC) who stopped buy and visited our display.    This is all part of LCCA President Dennis DeVito’s goal of reaching out and having direct contact with 2500 members this year as part of the LCCA Special Events Program.   We are well on our way to achieve this goal.  

 

Welcome to all of the new members who joined the LCCA during this event.  I invite you to get involved and participate in our club.   The more you participate, the more enjoyment you will receive.  Everyone has at least one good story to share with other members in our club publications, website and Facebook sites.  So welcome to the club and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or one of our volunteer Officers or Directors near you.   For contact information go the  “About the Club” tab on our websitewww.lionelcollectors.org

 

It was another great day for the LCCA!  Here are some more photos.

 

Best regards,

 

 

Al Kolis

President Elect & Special Events Manager

Lionel Collectors Club of America

248 709-4137

agkolis@comcast.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty E,

   Great stuff with the kids, thanks for every thing you do for our Hobby.

PCRR/Dave

Dave

 

I didn't know what to expect but seeing literally hundreds of kids, parents, and folks come by and "play" was a great experience.  I encourage LCCA members to volunteer locally at these events.  If you're not a member take a look at what the LCCA has to offer.

 

Al asked why I didn't join sooner and I really had no good answer.  I still don't why but wish I did.  It seems to be a well rounded club that takes promoting the hobby very seriously.  I think that's something we can all agree is important.

 

I think this picture sums it up nicely...

 

 

 

 

One of the things I really like about the Carnegie Center layout, when I first visited there in the 80's, was the transition from day to night built into the controls as well as controls for various layout components.  I emulated the same on my layout one year by using X10 Active Home modules to control both the overhead light in my train room, which would gradually brighten and dim like a rising and setting sun, as well as individual lamp modules on strings of D56 Snow Village houses.  It was great fun seeing houses light up almost randomly throughout the layout.  Also used to activate various D56 accessories like the sledding hill and the skating pond.  Really brings it to life.

The typical run speed and direction this past weekend at the Locomotion event.  LOL!  Fast and backwards.

 

Moving from HO to O gauge only about 3 years ago, I only became aware of the LCCA a year or two ago.  It took a while looking at the web site and people's comments for me to decide to join just before the LRRC LCCA merger.  I'm not much of a joiner, so I want to check things out.  This seems like a good organization.  If possible, I may try to help out a few hours next year.  I have to hand it to Al and Marty working long hours with so many kids.  There should be an award for them!

 

 

 

Mark,

 

Thank you for your kind words and joining the LCCA. For me, representing the LCCA at events like this is a labor of love.  It's not work for me.  When a child connects or an adult re-connects with running a Lionel train, it truly is a magical moment.  Their facIal expressions of joy and appreciation is enough of an award for me.  

 

Sometimes, I think us hobbyiest forget about why many of us enjoy the hobby as adults today.  For me, it was that I played with Lionel trains as a child.  My 5 brothers and I enjoyed running our Lionel trains during the holiday season on a basement, L-shaped layout that my dad built from two  4' X 8' homoste board tables.   We played with the trains.  We used to crash them into piles of Lincoln logs to see how many it would take to stop or derail them.  We played cowboys and Indians, War etc.    We conducted durability tests for Lionel LOL.    They were toys to us, not collectibles.  Our Lionel trains withstood the strains and stresses that only  6 energic young boys could do.  But the 1954 vintage Lionel atrains still run today.  Even with all of the scratches and damage, my Dad's Lionel 2356 Green Southern F-3 and 736 Berkshire steam locomotive engine is priceless to me; because of all the great memories it created for me.  

 

I know eveyone is different and enjoys the hobby in their own way, that is what makes this hobby so great.  There is no wrong way to enjoy your trains.   But, I personally, really enjoy meeting with families and introducing people to the Magic of Lionel trains.  I feel like a kid again.   These smiles are plenty enough award for me.  It truly is fun!

 

I am  so gratefull for Marty E's help.  He did a great job this past weekend.  I am so glad he had fun doing it.  I encourage others to do the same.  Just introduce the Lioel trains and the hobby  to just one person and we will continue to grow or at least maintain our wonderful Hobby. Mark, I hope you can attend and help out next year.  

 

I also want to invite everyone to consider joining the LCCA.  It is a great organization with over 13,800 members all around this country and in several other countries.  We know how to have fun and how to enjoy our life with Lionel Trains.  Try it, you will like it.  

If you have any questions about the club, please contact me.

 

Mark, I hope you can attend and help out next year at the CSC event.  I also hope that we can host additional LCCA Special Events in the Pittsburgh PA Area.  If anyone has sny ideas about a LCCA Special Event, please contact me at 248 709-4137.  People automatically think train shows. Yes, we love train shows, but don't limit your ideas to just train shows.  We will consider any idea that gives our members a reason to get together and have fun with a train related activity.   We often combine train activities with various charities such as Make A Wish or Autism Groups etc.   So, please let me know of your ideas!  

 

Have have a great, safe and happy Holiday Season!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Al Kolis

President Elect & Special Events Manager

Lionel Collectors Club of America

agkolis@ comcast.net

248 709-4137

       
       


Yah, that was me in that picture. I didn't look close enough the first time.

And yes, I thought it was pretty dark as well.

I wonder how many more letters are on their way to the North Pole after your Locomotion Weekend?

       
       

Thanks, Marty! It was nice to meet you, too!!!

I am certain a lot of kids were asking Santa for a Lionel Train Set!

 

al K.

I guess Santa has those Lionel Elves working overtime cranking out more Scout and Thomas sets!!

A comment I heard a lot last weekend was..."we should get a train for under the tree."

Another one was,  I used to have these as a kid.   You did a great job re-introducing Lionel trains to some of our more "mature" guests.  The even like running the LionChief set!   

 

Al K.