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2009 Convention News- click HERE
Nor-Cal member Randall
White's Colorado Fan Trip (posted 12-28-08)
Randall White recently went
on vacation to Colorado and New Mexico on a railroad photography
trip. Trains Tours Unlimited sponsors a photoraphers special
on the "Durango and Silverton" and "Cumbres
and Toltec Scenic Railroad" tourist railroads in September
and October of this year. The engines and all cars were painted
to their former "Denver & Rio Grande Western"
paint scemes to represent a mixed train of the late 1940's
on the Silverton Branch and a frieght of the early 1950's
on the line between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado.
Photo runbys were conducted at as many scenic locations as
time and light would allow. Randall reports that this trip
is well worth the cost.
K-28 #478 at Silverton with an old Model T. Taken 9-25-08
K-28 #478 crossing the low bridge just west of Silverton,
9-26-08.
K-36 "#485"just east of Los Pinos, easing downgrade
with a long freight train. The "real" #485 was scrapped
in the mid 1950's after being damaged when it fell into the
turntable pit at Alamosa. The charter organizers specified
that #484 be renumbered to #485. Taken 9-30-08
K-36 #488 passenger train passing the
freight train. Taken 10-01-08.
K-36 #485 at the coal tipple and sand house at Chama, New
Mexico, 9-28-08.
K-36's #485 and #489 just outside
of Antonito, Colorado. Taken 10-1-08.
K-36 #485 headed upgrade to
Windy Point and Cumbres Pass with a train of tank cars. Randall
reports "we discovered the pond to be a great photo location,
with its reflection of Windy Point." Taken 9-29-08.
K-36 #489 at the Chama, NM,
water tank. This was a specially arranged night photo shot.
Taken 9-28-08.
K-36's #485 and #489 eastbound
after Chama, NM, heading upgrade, toward Cumbres Pass, 9-30-08.
K-36 #489 in the lead and #485 as mid train helper passing
Los Pinos water tower. Randall reports: "Our charter
picked this scenic location since it will soon loose its charm
owing to the numerous "super-cabins" that are soon
to be constructed in the background. Tne owners are complaining
about the "smoky dirty trains!" Picture taken 10-01-08.
Fred Sill's Train
Collection Stolen (posted 12-18): I
was informed yesterday that the late Fred Sill's house in
Richmond had been burglarized and that just about everything
had been taken, including Fred's train collection. Apparently,
the burglars even took the train shelves off the walls. This
apparently happened a couple of days ago, apparently late
at night, and while Fred's roomer, who still lives there,
was out. Fred's trains included many nice prewar American
Flyer O-gauge sets, which included the 3011 and 3012 type
(4-4-4) and 3015 type (0-4-0) large electric type locos. Fred
also had lots of miscellaneous trains, almost all O-gauge,
some in pieces, and lots of used parts. About the only trains
not taken were some Marx trains. Nor-Cal members should be
on the alert for these trains while at flea markets, as this
is where they will probably try to sell them. And no, there
are no known markings on these trains to identify them as
Fred's. I will provide more details as they are available.
-Richard White, webmaster.
Your webmaster, sons,
and grandson attended the October 26 Open House at the Golden
Gate Live Steamers in Tilden Park (Berkeley-Oakland). Aren't
these trains great?!
This is the "Lionel" locomotive,
replendent with brass and chrome! This is scaled at
1-1/2" to the foot, and 7-1/2" gauge, the large
scale for live steam locos. Constructed and owned by Nor-Cal
member Bill Smith, of Alameda.
This is the obsevation car for the "Lionel" train.
This is patterned after the Lionel Standard Gauge #312 observation
car. But the arch-bar trucks are definitely "Non-Lionel,"
aren't they? I'm amazed at the craftsmanship that must have
been involved in forming the roofs of these cars.
Another view of the "Lionel" train. But who is that
on the observation platform?
It's none other than Homer Simpson!
Here's another loco, the 4-4-0 "Tahoe." This is
1-1/2 inch scale. Interestingly, the original "Tahoe,"
at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City (NV) is
a
2-6-0!
This is a GP7 in 1-1/2 inch scale, on the turntable.
Here's a closeup shot of the same GP7.
Here's an 0-4-0 switcher, in 1-1/2 inch scale. This loco isn't
quite completed, as it is missing the headlight and pilot
uncoupler bar, among other things.
This is a 4-6-0, in 1-1/2 inch scale.
This little vertical-boiler engine is in 3/4 inch scale, and
3-1/2 inch gauge.
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