The Spring 2016 OGR Forum Grandstand Meeting was held on probably the prettiest day we have ever had for a Spring York, seventy plus degrees and perfect blue skies. So, we had the meeting indoors in the Gold Hall just north of the grandstands. This location is regularly used for golf cart storage and occasionally sees a broom, like when Ronald Reagan was president.
For those of you that have read one of these reports before, you will recall we customarily have a Three Stooges episode with these guys trying to get the portable public address system they bring up and running by 2:00pm. It’s quite a show. This time they avoided all of that fun by forgetting to bring it to York. Speakers were directed to use their “natural voices.” More like their “outside voices” were required. Ed sort of lost control of the meeting without something to hand out and get back. I suggested he use one of the handles off of a nearby golf cart, but I was ignored. When we use this meeting space, Ed has to go over early and set up all of the chairs. Imagine the grumbling. I asked for some recognition for Ed for completing this task successfully, as this time, all of the chairs faced the same direction.
When I arrived, all of the chairs were full and I would estimate attendance at over 120. I had to go find my own chair. Likely it had the same dust on it that it had last fall.
The meeting started a few ticks before 2:00pm and Ed introducing Rich and Rich introducing Ed. Usually it’s Ed then Rich then Jim then Alan then Rich then Ed. This was refreshingly simple.
First up was Ed Boyle from OGR and he introduced Rich Melvin. Rich shared with the group that the new Great Layout Adventures Volume 12 is now available and includes a layout that is literally inches off of the floor. He’s just now finishing his physical therapy after filming it.
Angela Trotta Thomas
Angela was next up and she shared with the group that she has a new coffee table book out called Painting an American Icon: The Lionel Train Art of Angela Trotta Thomas. The book includes many of the family orientated paintings that she has done in the past 25 years. She shared with the group that she started down this path as a master’s thesis project. Very interesting. Her website with the book is http://www.angelatrottathomas.com/
Larry Harrington addressed the group next to share that Lee Riley, a long time Bachmann employee, had recently passed just a couple of weeks before his retirement. He was the principal catalyst behind the On30 product line including the new 2-6-0. We shared a moment of silence in his memory.
Ross Custom Switches—Steve Brenneisen
Steve was next and reported that he had completely depreciated all of the investments he has made in tooling for the transfer tables and the turntables so he has reduced their price about $200 each. He is passing the savings onto the customer.
They have re-engineered the drive mechanism for his tables and upgrade kits are available for previous customers and even for an old Bowser turntable if you have one. If I caught it correctly, the upgrades are $249. The turntable is operated via a key pad and also an IPad app. He has worked out with Lionel plug compatibility with Legacy for controlling the tables.
Korber Models—Dana Malliae
Rich was gone this week and couldn’t attend York, so Dana and Alex set up and staffed his booth at York. Lots of kits on display including the industrial buildings / walls that he acquired last year. Korber has more detail parts, and great items to add to your roof tops.
She also reminded everyone that they offer the Korber Complete model building services.
Miller Engineering—Chris Miller
Chris described their creation of a Budweiser Eagle sign with flapping wings. He also has a non-flapping Budweiser Eagle window sign. They’re offering a companion sign for your bad part of town, I believe it was "Foxy Night Club". They also have a custom billboard with alphabet letters to make your own sign. The sign features chasing lights. Also new is a rotating sign where you can add your name.
Schneider Model Railroading—Dave Schneider
Dave shared that he has been spending a lot of effort developing kits. The most recent one is a 14 wheeled artillery car. He also showed a 3D Printed piece from an 1830 primitive B&O flour car, I believe it was. His experiments making engines using 3D printing technology have not been successful so he’s reverting to making engines offshore again. His B&O Grasshopper 0-4-0 is almost fully reserved, so if you’d like one please get a hold of Dave. www.smrtrains.com
Mianne/Foley—Tim Foley
Tim shared with the group that they were demonstrating their power lift gate benchwork section in the Orange Hall. They also were displaying the multi-level capabilities of their benchwork system. Since last fall, they have added roll away carts for under the layout and a transformer table. Their benchwork system is customizable down to 6” increments. Learn more about their products at mainnebenchwork.com
3rd Rail/Sunset Models—Jonathon Peiffer
Jonathon was here representing Scott who was still in the orient. He showed one of the cars from the sold out Cincinnatian. They’re taking orders for a 6 car Amtrak set though I missed the name. Working on a scale Empire Builder and a scale Santa Fe Super Chief. Still taking reservations for a B&O E27 Steamer – about 29 away from making them. Still taking reservations for the EMD E7/E9’s with 20 road names available. Next up will be the ALCo PA’s
Atlas-- Jerry Kimble
Jerry was next and reintroduced Jarret Haedrich, the grandson of the founder at Atlas Model Railroad Company, and Jerry shared that he has to be nice to him because someday soon he will be his boss.
They shared that the 60’ Trainman Passenger Cars have arrived and that the artist renderings don’t do them justice – you really need to see them for yourself.
Atlas is putting a lot of effort into the California Zephyr Sets with 12 four car sets available, and matching engines. A 12 car set with three engines is 24.5 feet of train and they’re heard from customers that they don’t have enough track to run it – "well that didn’t keep you guys from buying Lionel’s Big Boy" – so don’t miss out on these models. You’ll be running them on a club or friend’s layout someday. Watch for additional information on the CAZ cars coming from Atlas.
Williams by Bachmann/ Bachmann Trains—Larry Harrington
The 44 Ton Switcher has been a big success and they are running three additional schemes: a second road number in PRR; Union Pacific and Canadian National.
In the booth they had samples of the new Pacific in 4 road names; and the NW-2’s in three road names plus a new number of the PRR.
In EasyStreets there’s a new sedan, and ice cream truck, a new panel truck and a fire chief sedan.
MTH—Andy Edleman
Andy was next up and started out by sharing that this is his 59th trip to York and that the group isn’t getting any better looking. many responded that neither is Andy.
They delivered the new catalog at York, again, and this time it was on time.
The SD60E samples were in the booth, and the 44 Tonner. We will see the SD60E’s in June and the 44 Tonners are in production now.
They have a new display layout that shows almost all of the gauges they make – HO; S; O; and Tinplate. They have used the layout at 8 shows so far this year and he wanted to share that this one, York, was by far the smallest in terms of attendance.
He also shared that if you see Mike, be prepared to be accosted about whether or not you’ve at least downloaded the free DCS app onto your smartphone. He suggested that if you haven’t, it would be best to just lie to Mike and tell him you have.
The LCCA - Al Kolis, President
The LCCA is a sponsor on the Forum and Al took a few minutes to bring the group up to speed on the LCCA’s mission, which is to promote running Lionel trains and to promote the hobby. He also shared that he has been meeting with the leadership of the TCA, LOTS and the NMRA to talk about how the groups can work together to continue to promote the hobby.
He reviewed that the FasTrack modular layout standard was developed by the LCCA with industry leaders like Ed, and that they believe it has been a big success. There’s a modular layout on display at the meet.
He also showed the Switching Tracks Traveling Box Car and asked if you’d like it to visit your layout for photos to let them know.
Finally, the next LCCA convention is in Kansas City this year. Come and enjoy the fun.
Lionel LLC—Mike Reagan and Ryan Kunkel
Mike reported that Lionel will start assembling roll stock from the acquired Weaver US tooling in May in North Carolina. The cars will retail for $50-55 each, and feature a new re-engineered truck and coupler assembly. This new assembly makes conversion to 2-Rail very easy. They’re planning to promote these cars through a new announcement sheet, 2 cars at a time, every two months. Watch for these later this summer.
Ryan shared that we will see more of the new passenger cars. Delivery is improving. Samples of all of the new tooling is in the booth, and they, too, would deliver their new SD60E’s this summer.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00pm. Errors in reporting are mine - please feel free to correct or add via replies to this thread. Thanks very much, OGR Team, for putting the program together and my thanks to all of the speakers.
