The Spring 2017 OGR Forum Grandstand Meeting was held on a summer day in late April. At least it felt like it. Probably the prettiest day we have ever had for a Spring York. It had to be 80 plus degrees and perfect blue skies. So, we had the meeting indoors in the Gold Hall just north of the grandstands. This location was recently entered as there were pallets and pallets of new, comfortable chairs with a large sign that said “do not use.” As this crowd tends toward following instructions, unless related to a new product, the piles went unused as we sat on the old folding chairs with the cushiony dust from dozens of years of storage.
Just Ed and Rich were in attendance, and after welcoming everyone to York, Rich had to go because they were expecting tour buses of the public to arrive any second and he needed to be on station at the booth. Duty calls!
This is probably the largest crowd that I have ever seen for one of these meetings. They were either a) general public that have come for a Taste of York to find out it has nothing to do with good food; b) expecting a raffle for prizes like we had in October; or c) Had heard Neil Young was in attendance, which was the last time one of my wives attended. I am not sure which. Because of the pallets, the crowd and the seating was divided up like a political convention – what – no band?
Ed called the meeting to order - and away we go!
Atlas Model Railroad Company – Rob Pisani, VP of new product development.
Rob was first up and he shared with the group that Atlas O was making a soon-to-be-announced C&O all steel caboose. Used by the C&O in several schemes, including the Pere Marquette, it was first introduced in 1937 and ran through 1985 for several lines. While in the Trainman product line, it includes LED lighting and separately applied details like grab irons and cat walks. This is the first time this caboose has been run in plastic.
He also shared with the group that the new body shells for the F-7’s arrived last week and, starting next week, a team will begin correcting all of the F-7’s that have been held up. He expects them all, including Santa Fe, to start shipping to dealers by the end of May.
Rob also shared that the Dash-8’s were now in production and we would see them next.
Korber Models – Tanya Burdick
Tanya introduced herself to the group and mentioned that while new to O Gauge and a new member of the TCA, she and her husband are long time HO modelers and members of the NMRA. She has been organizing Korber materials and has begun making all of the Korber Kits at the new location for Korber in Atlanta, Indiana. They have also started producing HO kits and several building flats. If you’d like a custom kit made up of specific walls / parts for a project you’d like to scratch build, she would be happy to put it together for you. She can be reached at Tanya@korbermodels.com
Williams by Bachmann/ Bachmann Trains—Jack Lynch
Jack shared that there new catalog was out and included product in all scales.
He said that the F59’s were about here and their next O Scale engine would be a GE 70 Ton Switcher in the road names of SP, CN, Rutland, and Tropicana.
He talked a bit about On30 being scale narrow gauge trains that run on HO track and how they can easily be added to an existing layout for logging or mining. They are introducing an 18’ caboose for On30, both with and without a copula. They would have other On30 announcements at the NMRA convention this summer.
Derrick Thomas
Derrick said the first printing of his book, The Madison Hardware Story, was sold through and he has a second printing coming. It’s due in in June. He thanked everyone for the success of the book.
He also shared with the group that Nothch6 Pod casts were approaching episode 100, and encouraged the group to check out these online interviews, available for free, at nothch6.com.
Mianne/Foley—Tim Foley
Tim shared with the group that it’s time for you collectors to get a layout going – and they are here to help you without your having to become a carpenter.
They are demonstrating their power lift gate benchwork section in the Orange Hall again this session and that a lot of customers have adopted the power lift gate to their existing layouts. They are happy to help you adapt one to your layout – give them a call.
The LCCA - Al Kolis, President
The LCCA is a sponsor on the Forum and Al took a few minutes to share with the group 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. At their national convention in Tacoma, WA this summer, any member of any organized train club is welcome to attend.
He also introduced Kevin Davis as the Manager of Programs for the National Standard Modular Layouts and talked about the first national event to be held in Orlando, August 3rd-5th. More information is available on the LCCA’s website.
Miller Engineering—Chris Miller
Chris shared with the group that this is their 20th year.
The new signs are the Glitter Gulch and the Chicken Ranch, both in two sizes, plus a window sign for Glitter Gulch. The window signs are designed so that you pop out the old window and use it as a pattern to trim the new sign, then install it.
Next up is a OK Used Car roof top sign, and they are working on licensing for Bob’s Big Boy and KOA Campgrounds.
3rd Rail/Sunset Models—Jonathon Peifer
Jonathon was here representing Scott who just arrived back from the orient.
He reported that the E-8’s are complete and on their way in 32 road names – there are 15 left to be reserved. He said that on the Santa Fe the sides are plated; and these engines feature ball bearings in the drives with all wheels powered.
He said the Sunset Limited are in production; the Harriman cars are in production; and they were making a complete Empire Builder next.
The F-7’s are being rerun and they are adding WP and C&O.
They have Alco PA’s for preorder in 11 road names and are designing the SD40-2’s now.
Ross Custom Switches—Steve Brenneisen
Steve was next and reported that he is running about 6 weeks behind and introduced two new employees that he has added to the team. These guys looked like they could help him catch up.
RR In a Box—Al Johnson
Al Johnson, from Railroad in a Box, and his assistant, addressed the group and demonstrated their foam-core based 4’ foot by 5’8” foot modular layout benchwork that can be quickly assembled and ready for track. This offering is designed to be easily assembled by kids for their first layout.
He reported that their traditional customer is a grandparent wanting to get their grandkids started in model railroading. Historically, the system is used for HO, N and O-27 layouts and they now have one for O that will handle any of the available track systems. The A & B modules are available for $499, and the C module can expand the layout to 4’ by 8’.
MTH—Andy Edleman
Andy was next up and started out by asking the group how many had a flip phone, and then he selected two of those guys and gave them a ticket for a free WIU.
He shared with the group that between the 2017V2 and the R-T-R Catalog, MTH has announced over 700 new products in the last few weeks, including that RTR Sets were returning and they would include a DCS Explorer unit for the family to run their trains with a smartphone or tablet.
He asked the group, whether they wanted to run their trains conventionally or under command control, to help promote the opportunities for families to run their trains on a device they already own and are comfortable with – their smartphone.
Lionel LLC—Ryan Kunkel
Ryan showed the group the sample of their first “hybrid” locomotive. They call it a hybrid because it’s a mix of traditional legacy internals with a brass body and separately applied details. In this way, they can make unique steam engines in limited runs that they just couldn’t afford to do in diecast. This first release is only available for preorder via their online store at Lionel.com
Ryan also shared with the group that the new Bluetooth ap has the capability to do a lot of playing around with the sounds – a lot of user control of features of the locomotive he believes people will enjoy.
He also shared that Polar Express is being retooled with new cars; snow on the roofs and lowered lettering.
Ed wrapped up the meeting a few minutes past three, and that was that. Do I hear tour buses? No. It was snoring in the back.
Any errors or omissions, please feel free to add them.
Steve........
The only comfortable seat in the house......
(See the Chris Finch photo above)