Lou Redman "Mr. TCA" Bobble Head

Lou was one of a kind. Met him when I was 7. Went to his home and saw his Christmas layout one year... fantastic person... My Uncle :  Rev. Dave Crowley who was very active in TCA in PA was always helping him package up the Christmas sets before the holidays. 

One year I got to go to the warehouse and they made me up a TCA Bicentennial set right there to take home... after I thanked Lou I was grinning ear to ear 

J Daddy:

I used to hear about Father Crowley of Holy Angels Church in the Hays section of Pittsburgh and his train collection from many different people but I never saw it.  I also heard that he was very well-liked by his parishioners which included people who didn’t even live near Hays. 

Bill 

I met Fr. Crowley several times, always in the company of Frank Hare and Don Fraley. I couldn't recall his name. Now I will be able to do so. You uncle, Don, Frank and Lou, what a bunch. Lots of good times and great company in the 2nd floor of Frank's store.

John,

Can you provide more info regarding the bobble head?  Do you have a photo? Do you know which convention it was released at?

I know of other Lou Redman figures, but not a bobble head.

Stu

As far as when it was issued, for reference, Lou died in February 2002. 

The 2004 Convention was in Pittsburgh (Monroeville actually).  I was there but I don’t remember if a bobble-head was included in the Souvenir items for that Convention.  As Stu mentioned there was a Lionel train orders building with a small Lou Redman figure offered plus the figures were also sold separately.

I’ll bet Carol Redman McGinnis, former president of the TCA, would know.

Bill

I met Mr. Redman my first time at York.  Over the years I had some good conversations with him.  At a TCA convention I obtained the figure standing in front of the station.  Another time he was kind enough to take a photo with me that he later signed.

I was at the 2004 convention, while I can't say "absolutely no", I don't believe any such thing was made in a quantity to be offered to members.  Maybe it was a special one of a kind item (or maybe a handful made for family/friends?)

There was a figure included with the Harmony Creamery milk car that was one of the convention cars.  I think that's the same figure shown above in Marty's pic .  I half think I might have also gotten a figure included as part of a later purchase at the TCA Museum for an extra 50th anniversary TCA plate(I don't think the figures came with the original plate orders), but my memory may be fuzzy.

These figures were different than the ones for the train orders buildings to the best of my knowledge.

I didn't know Lou personally, but it's hard to believe it's been so long since his passing and his always pleasant demeanor at his table in the Blue hall.  I do recall one or 2 meets after he passed his famous Train Suit was at his old table as a tribute.

-Dave

MartyF,

   Real nice memories for you, no doubt about it!  Marty the miniature in front of the station is just incredible, don't know how Mr Reman, Mr Hare, Mr Crowley & Fraley would have liked the Bobble Head idea.  Knowing Frank Hare as I did, I can't say he would have liked it at all.  Now a Frank Hare Box Car, such as the one they made for Billy Maz, he would have liked very much.  Always riding the Rails.

PCRR/Dave

I seem to remember getting the figure at the San Francisco TCA show in 1999.

Haven't found a Bobble head, but I have certainly had some great replies. Lou, Frank and cronies are not with us except in our hearts and memories. Attached are some memories from TCA Museum.

I used to love to see Lou walking around York in his train suit!

Peter

what is so bad is I met Lou when he didn't have any gray hair... suddenly I feel very old.

I was a member of the 2004 convention committee.  Sorry no bobble head.  Marty, your figure came from that convention. We have a division meet on the 13th.  I'll ask around.

I am probably thinking of the figure. I don't know where I got "bobble head" in my mind......I'm the bobble head! I any event it was a great topic.

Marty, your figure is from the Milk car I think. I have the convention figure here somewhere. I'll look and maybe post a pic.

Lou with Batman

Kurt, not from milk car.  Came from TCA convention.

OK, here’s a photo of my #6-52340 Lionel Train Orders Building with the Lou Redman figure which was sold in conjunction with the 2004 TCA Convention in Pittsburgh.  The second photo is a close-up of the figure.  Note that Lou is not wearing his white suit coat. 

There were also separate-sale Lou Redman figures available at the 2004 Convention.  Those were Lionel item #6-52353.  I bought two of them but I can't find them.  I believe they were the same as Marty’s figure but I’m not 100% sure.  Now, where did I put them????

And I have never seen a Lou Redman bobble-head.

HTH,

Bill

Yeah Marty, yours looks diecast. I think the one in the milk car was plastic but not sure

It is diecast.

AS I have said, I was probably the  Bobble-head.

HOWEVER, DOES ANYONE HAVE A DIE CAST OR PLASTIC LOU FIGURE THAT THEY WOULD SELL TO ME?????

E-mail sent.

Thank you, all of you, for the wonderful responses. Its been great fun sharing "Lou" (and  his friends) stories. A die cast Lou is coming into the station in a milk car via the Horseshoe Curve. Happy Holidays!