Sunday is June 1. Summer starts in 21 days. Time flies. The calendar page turns and the year moves on. The club remains strong, a lot happening even in these somewhat more quiet summer months. Check out our Special Events page and see if there is one in your area. If you are planning to attend our LCCA 2014 Convention in late July, start packing. The Convention team is amping up the convention experience. We are quickly approaching our 400th member registered for the Convention. SIGN UP NOW if you plan on attending to be one of the first 400 members. There are still many exciting tours and events. If you have not been at a convention for a while, Indy is for you.
Remember, if you, family or friends are in the Indy area on Monday July 21, 2014 you can ride the Nickel Plate 765 steam excursion. This Fan trip is open to the public - riders on this tour need not register for the Convention. Contact Jerry Calkins (see topic below). The LCCA will broadcast directly from the 765 tour and provide a Ham radio QSL card to Ham operators who listen in. Click here for more.
If in Bloomsburg, PA tomorrow (Saturday May 31) be sure to stop by and attend the "Train Day" Special event. The Loose Ties Train Club will celebrate “Train Day” during the grand opening of their new train room at the Columbia Mall off Interstate 80 in Bloomsburg PA. Click here for details There is also a first for the LCCA - an International Special Event in the United Kingdom Click here for details.
Topics discussed in this issue:
 2014 Monon Convention Car
Lionel has committed to delivery of the 2014 Monon car before the start of the 2014 Convention. The most recent schedule from Lionel seems to confirm this date. This is good news.
 Election results
2014 LCCA Election results are in. Congrats to Sal, Dave and Harry. And a special thanks to all members who volunteered to run for office. Click Here for 2014 Certified Election Reports
45th anniversary celebration Preparation continues for the 45th anniversary year. Be on the lookout for events and activates to celebrate our 45 years of celebrating Lionel Trains. 45 year anniversaries are celebrated with the Sapphire stone. Might there be a "Sapphire Car" coming for the 45th?
Poll questions A new poll question (question set #10) has been posted - check it out. LCCA Poll Questions #10
We have been getting great member response to our LCCA poll questions. Experience has shown that these polls should be left open and on our site for more than the originally planned one week period. As members better understand the value of and interest from the polls and their answers and comments, the number of respondents increase. Recent poll questions come directly from interested members who sought out answers to questions or to define member interests. If you have a suggestion for questions, please send them directly to me at Dennisdevito@comcast.net. I would like to have member input on questions.
The LCCA seeks a poll question administrator, a person to set up the questions and post the answers. For those with the interest, this is an opportunity to help the club while you learn more about member interest. The club will teach you all you need to know to be an effective and efficient administrator of this project. If the poll project interests you, please contact Dennis at above address.
Convention WOW - what a positive response to our 44th Annual Convention in Indianapolis! With almost 400 members now registered, attendance this year will be among our highest participation conventions. If you can, be part of it. Lots of events, the best of the past and a number of new things planned. Read about the convention on our web site or in THE LION ROARS.
 Modules to convention - we are seeking and request that members bring their own LCCA modules to the convention to use in our modular railroad at the Convention Click Here for More
- Ham Radio - Ed Richter will broadcast LIVE from the Nickel Plate Road 765 Steam Train excursion. Tune in, earn a QSL card. Click here for more
- Angela Trotta Thomas again will offer a presentation. Be sure to check this out, an opportunity to work with a real pro- and friend of the LCCA -
- A commemorative item will be offered to all who ride with the LCCA on the NPR 765. This die cast vehicle will be a great reminder of the memories made on this trip and the 44th Annual Convention
 All attendees (Members and Guests) of the Tuesday Indianapolis Children's Museum will receive a FREE commemorative "Dino Recovery" pickup truck. This will be a sure winner for those who elected to take this tour.
- The LCCA has produced a 30 second TV commercial for the 2014 convention. Be sure to check it out! Click here for commercial
 Junior Membership (JM)
The Junior Membership program continues to grow. This is an active part of the LCCA and all members are encouraged to get Kids signed up as JM's. Let me encourage each LCCA member gift a Junior Membership to a Kid. Lets live what we preach. We ask where are the kids and newbies in the hobby. Well lets each sponsor one. For less than half the price of a new box car, you can sponsor a new JM or an Electronic Member for only $25.00. Help the hobby, help a friend, help yourself - sponsor a new member.
Member Recruitment contest - and 30 minute TV Video on RFD On the Member recruitment front, we had three members tie for recruiting the most new members. These thee members will be notified when their recognition prize, a 2014 LCCA Convention Car arrives. Thanks to all of our members who went out and recruited other members. Each of the new members AND the recruiters received a personalized billboard insert sheet and the popular LCCA USA produced billboard. These members not only understand the benefits of membership and of recruiting new members, but went out of their way to do so. Thanks Much!
As announced, the LCCA produced a 30 minute video to show on the RFD TV Channel - a full episode in the "I Love Toy Trains" show produced by LCCA member Tom McComas. This well received episode was broadcast on May 1. The LCCA will be making this video available to members. Thanks to Ed Richter and his team to get this epic produced and ready for airing. Click here for Link and more details
Special Events Our Special Events do not stop during the Summer - they continue with a number of great events in the next few months. Be sure to check back often on our web site for updates and new events. (Click here for Special Events Link)
Electronic Membership This new member category option has been well received. With all the benefits and rights of a Regular Member (RM) but who receive all publications digitally via the web, Electronic Membership (EM) is ideal for many. All Members can choose the member class best for them, and with the introduction of the EM member class, there are more options than ever on how best to enjoy all the LCCA has to offer. EM's the next issue of TLR will be available and posted on the web shortly. This 40 page issue is one of Mike Mottler's best.
Lionel Tracks
Lionel is now offering a new web site focused on trains and railroading. This is an added train resource Lionel is offering the hobby. Read more in a note from Mike Phillips of Lionel. Be sure to check it out.
From the historical to the foreseeable, from the informative to the interesting, Lionel Tracks brings you anything and everything related to trains and railroads. Through the imagination, ingenuity and passion of generations, trains have transcended time and logic. Join us on this journey of appreciation for and homage to all things railroading. Site Link: http://tracks.lionel.com/ Thanks. Mike Phillips Vice President, Brand Marketing |
Lionel interviews
The LCCA offers a number of interviews of key Lionel personal. Be sure to check out the new postings of Howard Hitchcock and J Don Reese - both interesting and will update you on current events and directions.
In Closing This e-blast ends as it was started, a reminder that time is moving forward. Sunday is June 1. Summer starts in 21 days. Time flies. The calendar page turns and the year moves on. Make sure you move with it, don't be left behind. Invest your time into worthwhile projects. Spend time with family and friends. Hug a kid. Enjoy your trains and the memories they may have in them. Celebrate for others during this graduation period. Our hobby is one of collecting and operating. But our hobby is best enjoyed when it is shared with others. Reach out to a friend, share the hobby. Task yourself to encourage at least one person to become active in our hobby.
Stay safe, enjoy late spring, keep training.  | Dennis DeVito - RM 6758
LCCA President and Fellow Member |
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