7^th Annual All-Brass Show in Ontario, CA

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            Bill Kift - The 7^th annual All-Brass Show was held at the Doubletree Hotel, 222 North Vineyard in Ontario, CA, on Sunday, January 20^th. As usual, a good time was held by all.  About 350 brass train lovers and vendors showed up this year for what has become a January Classic.

            This annual event is produced by the Brass Railroaders Association and supported by many hobby shops and suppliers, including All Aboard Model Railroad Emporium in Torrance, CA and the Original Whistle Stop in Pasadena, CA. The show opened to the public at 10:00 A.M. and this year saw the longest line of customers ever at 9:59 AM just before the doors opened. Custom Traxx, one of Trolleyville's established vendors, reported that he was forced to serve up to three customers at a time for the first two hours of the show.  So it is safe to say that a lot of brass models got new homes on that day.

            Several vendors that handle traction items on a regular basis were at the show including A-line (Joe Delia), Holland Traction Supply (Mitch Holland), Railway/Traction Miniatures (Ken Dively), Past & Present (Mina Cascadden), Heather Clark, Gunnings Hobbies, Custom Traxx  (George Huckaby) and MTS Imports, Inc.

            MTS Imports Joel Lovitch was unable to participate this year so George Huckaby displayed his latest brass models, including HO scale Forney steam locomotives, Budd RDC, and single truck open cars.  Photos of prototypes of future models of Los Angeles Railway P-3 PCC cars, San Francisco "Baby Ten" PCC cars and Pacific Electric 1601 class steeple cab locos were shown in the display this year. George also represented Earl Johnston of Transquip Company. Transquip displayed both HO and O scale display stands. Transquip also is a dealer for the now well-known line of Corgi 1:50 scale PCC cars. George also displayed the Custom Traxx line of mostly HO scale traction decals.

Demand for space and tables was so great at this years show that George was forced to display his traction decal line on a chair as shown above.

        The Brass Railroaders Association can be contacted by phone at 818-241-1785. You may write them at P.O. Box 128, Glendale, CA 91209-0128 or through their internet site at www.brasshow.com.  This show is usually held one weekend prior to the Super Bowl so mark your calendar for 2003 and check with the Association right after Thanksgiving later this year. We can assure you that anyone that was here this year intends to be back next year.

Trainquest Holds Initial Swap Meet

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                George Jones - On December 8, 2001, Jim Bromar of Trainquest, his wife and all their staff held their first swap meet since his new store was opened in 1999. Jim, as you may recall, is the former store manager of the Long’s Moreno Valley store who changed forever how model railroaders purchase their hobby items. Jim is shown below just as the meet got underway. Please note the store hours as when you are in the Riverside, CA area, you will want to go there and soon.

                Nevertheless, as we have found out on numerous occasions during the last few years, when Trainquest does something, it is always a “class” act.  Parking lot swap meets in Southern California are somewhat like “sunrise” services. Most of the vendors are on site by 5:00 A.M. and are shopping among themselves for the “unique” items. But there are always things that they miss and they are available to the general railfan public by the time the sun rises. Jim made sure that breakfast was available both sellers and buyers. Paul and Norma from All Beefer Dude, 11615 Davis Street, Moreno Valley, CA 909-924-3506. Provided eggs or pancakes hash browns or sausage, for $2.00. Each order was cooked to order as see below:

                The Swap meet vendors occupied the parking lot to the north, east, west and south of the Trainquest shop. Trolleyville vendors Custom Traxx and Holland Traction products were both present:

Custom Traxx was displaying the latest Corgi PCC cars for Capital Transit (Washington, DC) and New Jersey Transit (Newark, NJ) and some HO scale street railway trackage by Hartel.

Mitch Holland, another Trolleyville merchant, is shown above displaying his painted traction models and other wares.

                In all, this was a great swap meet. Even the weather cooperated with some unusually warm weather for December.  Remember to visit or call Trainquest for your hobby needs.  Trainquest can be reached at 888-777-2258. Tell Jim that Trolleyville sent you.