The spring 2018 OGR Grandstand Meeting was held in the Yellow hall with the handicapped parking signs all piled up – seemed appropriate. The weather was improving – and by Saturday we could eat an Italian sausage with peppers and onions outside on one of the picnic tables.
We had a large crowd, and several new attendees, welcome! Ed started the meeting early, like at 1:56pm, probably nervous given all of the hobby dignitaries in attendance. Away we went.
Sprinkled throughout the meeting was reference to Andy Edelman’s basketball pool that’s been going on for 27 years, and the fact that Rich Foster’s wife is still smoking. How that fits together I really don’t know, but all of the trouble was started by Steve Brenneisen while standing on a chair for his presentation. A failed attempt to be smarter, taller and handsomer than Mike Reagan. As the song goes – “two out of three ain’t bad.”
East Coast Enterprises – Stan Wisniewski
Stan was a first time presenter, so he went first. Better chance he’d be really good if he hadn’t already seen some of the veterans. His firm builds custom layouts, bridges and buildings cut out of tempered hardwood. Bridges are of several varieties, single, double and triple track in lengths up to 8’, plus curved bridges from O31 to O128. He showed a couple of his items to the group.
J&W Electronics – Linda Getty
Linda was another first time presenter and showed her firms BCR products – they are battery replacement components for MTH PS1 and PS2, and Lionel, engines.
Atlas Model Railroad Company - Bill Serratelli
Bill was next and announced that the Dash 8-40’s were on the water and due to arrive late May at Atlas. The F3’s are in production and they are next to arrive. The have re-engineered their signaling system products and will be reintroducing them shortly. The turntable is coming back with several improvements including a redesigned drive system. The new Bradley passenger cars will be out soon and the VO1000 is currently announced for pre-order.
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.
Brennan’s Better Ballast – Dennis Brennan
Dennis showed his new building kit – a Frank Ellison Tribute Building duplicating in O Scale a building first designed and built by Frank Ellison. Dennis credited Frank’s writing as getting Dennis into the hobby. He plans to do a dozen kits in the series.
OGR Publishing – Allan Miller
Allan is looking for people that have editorial content suggestions and specifically “how-to” articles. Please contact him for additional details.
Miller Engineering—Chris Miller
Chris shared with the group a litany of issues he has had with organizations attempting to get their permission to make a sign. Quite amusing. He is working right now on KOA Campgrounds. He reissued one of the electric company signs, I missed which one (help here), and has Ringling Brothers Circus, with two overlays, and Soft Serve Ice cream.
3rd Rail/Sunset Models—Jonathon Pfeiffer
John reported that the ALCo PA’s were a terrific success and that they are planning a second run. Brass prices have gone up 300% and that is delaying some of the brass engine projects, like the VA EL2. They are working on E5’s/E6’s/and a third run of E7’s – all with the correct railroad specific details. They are also working on Phase IV F’3s; the Rock Island Rocket and the Olympian Hiawatha.
TW Trainworx – Roger Farkash and Mike Reagan
Roger reviewed that in addition to all of the custom layouts they are building, they have nine new products, including a light rail station, the Rock Island Freight House, The Municipal Works, and a chain link fence kit. They also showed a custom run MTH is making for them of a Santa Fe War Bonnet American Crane Car. They are taking orders if you’d like one.
The LCCA – Kevin Davis / Al Kolis
Kevin is the LCCA’s coordinator promoting and supporting their module layout system. He brought a 13’ by 24’ modular display layout partially shown in the promenade of the Orange Hall. He is promoting the development of modular railroads particularly by young hobbyists that have not yet laid down roots to accommodate a permanent layout. Al challenged the group to develop modules for the LCCA’s national convention 7/23-28 in Chicago (Lombard)
MTH—Andy Edleman
Andy talked about the new catalog that was introduced and encouraged people to read the first two pages where they showed the new Blue Comet Award diesel/caboose set; are seeking new nominees for the Blue Comet award for 2018; and where MTH announced a new contest for folks to suggest an engine or freight car paint scheme they haven’t done previously. There was some reference to Mike liking green vegetables – particularly peas.
Korber Models / MrMuffin’sTrains – Liz Nelson
This was Liz’s 11th trip to York, can’t believe that, and the second time she was asked to address the group. She spoke briefly about Korber’s move to Atlanta, Indiana with MrMuffin’sTrains and that Korber has all of the kits, both O and HO product lines, back in production and available. Her/We/They/It have successfully moved the kit production and fulfillment of the Ameri-Towne kits to Atlanta, Indiana for OGR.
She also mentioned the Muffin’s would be opening a restaurant, the Choo Choo Café, late this summer as the newly formed Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad starts excursion railroad trips running from Atlanta, Indiana to Noblesville, Indiana. The group has commenced repairing the 12 miles of track and 6 bridges; has ordered 4800 new railroad ties; purchased 4 ex-SantaFe El Capitan passenger cars, an FL9 has been leased and a GE50Tonner purchased. Watch for more news on the railroad, and please let her know of any small businesses that would like assistance with kit assembly and/or distribution.
Lionel LLC—Ryan Kunkel
Ryan announced that 2017 was the best year for Lionel in over a decade and thanked everyone for their purchases and their support. He said the factories have stopped asking Lionel for more work as they keep up with the shipping of new products. He said all of the LionChief Steam that they expected would be out by the end of September, and that the Niagara, Milwaukee S3 and the new F Unit samples were in the booth.
With the conclusion of Ryan’s remarks, Ed adjourned the meeting as it was already past the hour.
Thanks, everyone, for their reports.
Thanks again MR Muffins
