OGR Forum Grandstand Meeting - Fall 2014 - The Bruce Springsteen Edition

OGR Forum Grandstand Meeting – Fall 2014 – The Bruce Springsteen Edition

Beautiful day in York. Partly cloudy; almost 70 degrees and virtually no wind as we arrived at the grandstands just before 2:00pm. We had beautiful color in the trees. We had a very large crowd, and plenty of the really bad seats were filled. As for me, I have lost enough weight I can finally get one cheek entirely on the seat now.

Jim, Rich and Allan/Alan/Allen (whatever) were there, but no Ed. Looked like they were going to play rock-scissors-paper for who was going to talk in the event Ed was further detained. Ed showed up like he owns the place, which he does, and then we were off and running.

First up, from Ross Custom Switches, was Steve Breneissen

Steve shared with the group the terrible news from the MTH Family, and the group shared a moment of silence as our prayers and best wishes for Rich Foster, his family and the whole extended MTH family winged their way south to Maryland.

Next up was Jerry Kimble from Atlas

He shared:

• The new production line has started.
• The California Zephyr O scale observation dome car decorated for several roads was on display in their booth
• The next two cars will be a dome buffet lounge car, and a baggage car. The baggage car will include undercarriage detail; a detailed interior; lighting by battery or track power; and opening doors
• The 60’ passenger cars are on the way and they have spare capacity in almost all road names so check them out on their website and order from your favorite Atlas O dealer.
• The Electra Theatre, based on the old Walthers’ building is out
• The RS-1’s ship in December; then the U23B’s and then the 840CW’s in first quarter 2015. I checked later in their booth and the SWs won’t ship until late 2015.
• Atlas new 3-rail trucks are shipping and I believe Jerry said they are being included in upcoming car shipments.
• They are starting to ship track and expect turnouts to be in the last week of November
• In closing, he said that we should be checking their website for “some surprises” before year end.

David Schneider – SMR – aka Mr. “Do it in the past”

• Due to price increases and the supply of brass, SMR’s O scale brass models will now be built in the USA (Lots of applause)
• Their first USA made model will be announced and shown by the spring York. It will be an early steam model; fully functional; and up to David’s standards; plus it will be several hundred dollars cheaper
• They are working on a new 28’ box car, laser cut, available as a kit and built up. He passed around a sample.
• They are also working on a set of 1/48^th figurines, both soldiers and civilians, from the Civil War era. Not soldiers shooting – but guys hanging out – leaning on their rifles. Sort of look like Ed, I assume.

Tim Foley from Mainne Benchwork

• Invited the group to see their line of bench work available in the Orange Hall. Their lift-bridge style bench work to end duck-unders has been very popular.
• The Mainne products are made in the USA

Chris Miller – Miller Engineering

• Lots of new models (I may have missed some):
  • Westinghouse, from Cincinnati – a larger sign
  • Mother’s 50’s era roadside signs
  • Good Humor
  • Chattanooga Choo Choo
  • Union Pacific Shield sign
  • 1 Hour Cleaners
  • All Aboard customizable sign
  • Chris showed the rotating sign they are working on and that will be available in December. They are starting with gas stations; motels; hotels and A&W.  

Rich Redmond from Korber Models was next

• Korber models have always been, and continue to be, made in the USA
• Korber has been focusing on additional building flat kits. They brought a grocery warehouse and a furniture warehouse
• Their buildings offer improved details
• They are offering a line of roof top signs, including REA
• The power plant kit is back, and with larger smoke stacks. There are several options available in the marketplace for making these things smoke on your layout. He suggested “coal” would not be the best smoke flavor, from his experience. There’s a story there. I understand from my later discussions with Rich that they sold all of these they brought to York.
• The continue to offer Korber Komplete buildings by Alex for those that would like a completed Korber model, painted and weathered, and ready to install on your layout.

David Goodhart represented Weaver Models

• Weaver Models continue to be made in the USA
• When you call Weaver you get a live person. It might even be Joe.
• The new Long Island Bradley Coach will be out by December.
• David showed several of the unique Milwaukee ribbed sided box cars in various configurations including one with replacement panels and another with roof hatches for barley.

Allen Arnold from OGR took the floor for a moment and thanked all of the participants for making the Forum what it is today.

Larry Harrington from Williams by Bachmann

• The 44 Ton paint samples were in the booth
• The new Easy Streets cars and sets were being shown in the booth
• The new On30 products are in stock. Sound is now an option that can be added by the hobbyist for each model.
• Larry described a new control system they are offering for HO that is blue tooth based and very easy to use.

Scott Mann – Third Rail, Sunset Models and Golden Gate Depot

• Scott showed the observation car for the Train of Tomorrow
• Scott reminded the group that he needs pre-orders, which are no-charge reservations, in order to get these models made.

Mike Wolfe – MTH Electric Trains

• Mike started his remarks with “My name is Mike Wolfe and I have a problem. I make my trains in China, Thailand and South Korea.” (Insert big laugh here)
• When you call MTH, you too can get a live person – just hit extension 230 and talk with Andy (and insert here!)
• MTH just released their new catalog and it includes new tooling with the Premier GE 44 Tonner. This model uses the new PS3 board made possible by their previous work in HO and then S scale
• Their announced Big Boy includes a smoking whistle which they were the first to develop in their G scale offering a few years back (was it the Triplex?).
• The MTH Premier Big Boy is also available in 2 Rail
• Mike talked about their license to make Marklin Tinplate starting with a 1910-1930 European station
• Finally, Mike talked about their announced Wi-Fi adopter for DCS that will allow one to run MTH engines; TMCC engines through connecting the TMCC base; or run conventional – all from your Android or Apple IOS 8 device.  

Mike Reagan – Lionel

• Mike wanted everyone to know that he was made and raised 100% in the USA
• In his 6 year at Lionel and is really enjoying doing this for a living – thanking everyone for making that possible
• Mike talked about all of the new tooling they are doing in American Flier. He wanted to remind everyone that American Flier are scale models – there’s no compression in American Flyer
• He showed the new A/F Polar Express with “Flier Chief Plus” and cars with 6 wheel trucks. This set will be available in December.
• Mike shared a poster they were using to describe their Plug n Play line of accessories
• Finally, Mike showed their Made-in-America box car. Well, everything except the trucks.

Mike Reagan turned the podium over to Lionel VP of Marketing Mike Phillips who chatted about how much the Lionel team, and Mike, enjoy being a part of the hobby and meeting people here at York. He reminded the group that Lionel is the reason it’s called the Orange Hall.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Thanks to OGR for another great show.

Any errors are my own. If you have corrections or additions, please feel free to comment or correct. I always get SMR’s stuff wrong – hopefully this time I did better……

Steve……..