Special Open house w/ a special Person

My kids and I look forward to attending.  When I see the guys from the Raritan Valley Hi-Railers this weekend, I'll spread the word around to see who else will attend.

Thanks again for the invite.

That is just awesome.  I haven't talked to Dick for a couple years.  One of my favorite people.

Dick is a great guy to talk trains to. 

Dick should have a very informative and entertaining presentation.   He was Lioel's President during a very critical and vicarious time period.

Al K.

What is a Lioel

Sorry about the typo.  It should read "Lionel's President"

Al (fat fingers) Kolis

I gotta find a way to get out of a Christening on this date!

--Greg

What time is the Christening?

Who is planning to attend this great LCCA/NJ Hi-Railers Special Event?   I am certain Dick Maddox's presentation will be both informative and entertaining.

Al K. 

The Dick Maddox presentation will be held in a cozy comfortable conference room behind the Sopranos layouts and well away from the noise and confusion of the main layout

Dick had to make some very difficult and painful decisions while he was at Lionel.  I think Dick and all Americans would  prefer to have Lionel trains made in America.  But the model and toy train industry is in a very competitive and price sensitive market.   It is easy to criticize, but very difficult to walk in someone else's  shoes.  Do you know of all the factors that went into those dificult decisions?   Do you own or have you ever owned a business?  We may not know all of the facts (I know I don't).   I do know that  Corporations are in business to make a profit.  I suspect  Lionel was losing  money at that time.  Dick arrived at Lionel and faced very stiff pricing competition from MTH?  It was a dificult time for Lionel and difficult decisions had to be made at that time.  Lionel is still in business today.  Who knows, if the Erie Railroad had a Dick Maddox, maybe they would still be around today. 

I suspect this topic will come up during  Dick Maddox's presentation.  Come to the NJ Hi-Railers club in Patterson NJ on Sunday 12-2-12, listen and learn more about what Dick has to say about this matter. Come to this event, respectfully listen and I am certain we will be better informed, and entertained.  Bring your list of legitimate questions and Dick will answer all of them to the best of his ability.

 We will also have a special  visit from Santa Claus!  Bring the kids, bring your trains and run them on this phenomenal NJ Hi-Railers layout.   Start your holidays  off with this festive event.  Let's have some fun!  We hope to see you there!

Al K. 

Al,

Thank you for clarifying up the topic of why Lionel moved overseas, something they did not want to do but had to do to remain competitive as MTH and others were eating "Lionel's lunch" and losing money every year.

You know there is always one in the crowd here who has little respect for a person who was an icon in the model train industry for close to 50 years and I have high respect to the LCCA and the NJ Hi-railers for inviting Dick Maddox to your event.

The last time OGR had their 4th annual Trainstock party there, I brought Dick to the event and he had a great time with the folks. He's a good friend of mine and when you hear the stories of why, what, when and where, etc of leading a true train icon company that was around 100 years when he was president, it is quite interesting to hear the facts that goes into producing model trains for us. It is no easy task whatsoever if they are made here or there.

P.S. I'd like to attend but my ill-fated NY Jets are on TV at home at 1pm and I need to be present to watch them blow another game at home!

Take care.

Ted

Thanks for being instrumental in getting Dick to participate. I guess Jack is a glass half empty type of guy 

We got the tree up tonight and Sunday should be a great day even thogh some people think we shouldn't honor anybody

Hi, any chance of having DCS and Legacy updates available during your open house?

Thanks, Art

Hi Art

I can update your DCS for you no problems.   I believe Jim D can update your Legacy for you to 1.5

Tree looks Great!  I don't know about the guy in front though.  Is he one of those cardboard stand ups? Let the festivities begin on Sunday.   I look forward too seeing you all there and experiencing Chef Vinnie's fine Italian Cusine.  

Hi Ben

     Count me in. Dick is an old friend of our club. Several members are a little jealous and want to say Hi to you and Dick.

Ray Marion

I will try to be there Ben.

Give me a break Jack  Nobody is more patriotic than me but I always see the glass as half full.  Unlike you I am not going to blame Dick Maddox for problems our government caused with their eyes closed to unfair practices from other less reputable countries.    Dick is a great train guy that saved one of the American icons.  I think you might want to try finding a political forum somewhere and leave this one to trains. 

Mario,

I look forward to seeing you there.  Is your wife and son comming with you?

Al

Ben,

My pleasure in helping out a fellow JETS fan like you and me!

Wait till Mike Wolf gets a hold of us in January besides what Marty will have to say.

Forget this guy. I am bringing my grandson because I understand Santa will be there in the early afternoon. Is that correct?

Only if he has been a good boy this year.

Al K. 

Ben,

Can you confirm the ETA for our special guest, Santa?

Al

Hi Ben, a little bad news, it seems I can't make it on the 2end of December.

 I promised my wife new counter tops for Christmas and the mechanic is coming on monday the 3rd to cut the templets.

Those that have been down this road know that I have to remove the old tops before they can do this and that has to be done on sunday the second. Then on Monday after the guy leaves I have to reset the old top so we can use it for the two weeks the new ones are being cut.

Oh well, it's my fault for letting her know I had the cash on hand.

I will be there in January. I plan on getting a room in the area for the weekend so I can spend a full day at the club.

As for Dick Madox, he is a great guy. He did what had to be done to keep the Lion roaring into the 21st century. In fact, he was the person who got the Fast Track prioject moving. True, there where others who had alot to do with it, but it was Dick who said it was needed and pulled the trigger.

I'm very pleased to see Mr. Maddox being honored. During his tenure at Lionel, the company conducted its affairs more like an actual model railroad manufacturer as evidenced by many of the splendid models which were announced and delivered while he was there. The C420, RS-11, H15/16-44, six motor GE units and several new steam locomotives come to mind. I also recall his segments on QVC while with Bachmann. Above all, he struck me as a very personable individual the few times I enjoyed brief contact with him. I suspect some of our present day O gauge manufacturers would benefit from some of his insights and experience.

Bob     

Mario

We will miss you but looking forward to seeing you at Trainstock

Mario,

Are you certain you can't finish the project on Saturday?  We would lIke to see you there!

Al

Nobody is more sorry then me Al. I'M at work today, Saturday and I promised Jeannette that the new counter tops would be in by Christmas. The only way I can get that done is to have the base cabnets exposed for the templet maker on Monday.

Not to  mention that my car has been running rough and I don't have to tell you about the ping-pong game back and forth to the dealer that can become.

Boy, the next time you folks feel toy train electronics are a headache just remember what a pain a car can be to find a problem.

In any case, give my regards to all  and have fun. If you really get lonely for me pal just pick up the phone.

Had a great time this weekend   The guys from the LCCa are the best  Dick Maddox had a very nice chat with the guys in the conference room and explained many tough decisions that had to be made at Lionel  He is one smaart fella.

Here are some pics.

This is Dick trying to talk to John S    John had so much lasagna in his mouth that we couldn't understand what the heck he was saying

This is Bill Scmelk ( Sorry if I misspelled it ) doing a presentation on the Lionel/LCCA module system  Very impressive  Nice templates and locking system 

This is Ed Richter from the LCCA trying to figure out how to use his camera.  Wait a minute I thought he was the photographer

 This guy from Chicago eats hamburgers when we had lasagna  Go figure

This guy had a tough day

 Santa trying to brainwash future members

This guy was teaching Santa how to run some trains

And this is Dick in a nice relaxed atmosphere in the conference room talking trains.  I think the guy in the white shirt is a little too relaxed

Ben

     Thanks again for a great day. Do i look like I missed the Lasagne? You guys are the best.

Ray Marion

Bluelne, Al K, gg1man.... I just read ponies whole thread, and it's guys like you that will keep this hobby getting new folks like me more involved. I am new to the "O" gauge world as Blueline found out on a different thread. I always had HO as a kid anus just put up an 8x12 to start in this great world called O gauge. I am learning a lot as I go along, but it's guys like you and many others on this site that truly make it easier and more enjoyable for guys like me. Don't know if you could be more "patriotic" than that. 

Ponies? LOL I meant ."through" ...wow...spell check is drunk!

Thanks for the kind words Polar.  Just be patient with things and don't get too frustrated because some things can drive you nuts in this hobby.  Its alot of fun though.  If you are ever in the NY NJ area come on down to the club

Ray

Hamburgers!!!  There was lasagna, sausage and peppers, etc etc etc  Hope you enjoyed it  Sorry didn't have too much time to talk  Was a little busy

Ben

Yes... The iPad spell-checker notoriously has a mind of its own.  I can't believe some of the stuff it comes up with -- like it's from another planet.  Gotta be VERY careful before hitting the "submit post" button!  

David

A string of poloponies

Rachel you've come back----  LOL

Alex