March 2009

Traction Getting More Attention in the Model Railroading Community!

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The Times learned recently learned that Railroad Model Craftsman (RMC) is developing a fantastic model trolley display for use at coming model railroad shows. It is not complete at this time but George Riley provided an interesting photo of this display:

The seven foot long display is not completed but it contains two separate O-scale routes for operation. Three cars can be seen on the module in the picture, including a Corgi PCC and a Bowser double truck streetcar. Operation from overhead wire is to be feature in at least one of the two routes. Looks like another major player in the model railroading hobby is recognizing the growing influence of traction modeling.

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Photographing Light Rail Vehicles or Amtrak Trains Can be Hazardous to Your Health!

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You know all those wonderful photographs of trolleys and light rail vehicles that you’ve been admiring all these years? They may soon become an endangered species, as rare as photos of an Abominable Snowman.

You see, thanks to enforcement of regulations recently enacted in the "War on Terror", this dangerous practice of taking photos of transit properties may soon end … or at least will be discouraged so strongly that none of us will want to take pictures of such vital national resources as heritage trolleys or other rail equipment. Here’s the whole cautionary tale:
Apparently, AMTRAK announced a national photography contest in which people were encouraged to submit photographs they had taken of AMTRAK railroad equipment. When a certain member of the American Press Photographers Association, which is --- not surprisingly --- an organization of professional photographers, heard of the contest, he went down to Pennsylvania Station (presumably the one in New York City) with his camera.  He was about to take a photo of some bright and shiny AMTRAK passenger cars sitting on one of the tracks, when he was stopped by two alert AMTRAK police, who questioned him concerning his reasons for taking pictures of such items of strategic national value as rail passenger cars. He tried to explain about the contest and his press credentials, but these guardians of our national security were too wily for the likes of him. They handcuffed him to a wall for an hour while they determined what to do with him. Apparently unwilling or unable to exercise their judgment --- by their strict code of regulations --- they finally had him arrested.

So, the next time you decide to memorialize some interesting public transit equipment in a photograph, think long and hard about the fate of our poor hero. Before you get consigned to share some cold concrete cell in the local Bastille with Bubba the serial jaywalker, think twice. Is it really worth incarceration to obtain another photograph of some heritage trolley or even worse, some shiny light rail vehicle?  Beware, be warned, be careful! [HNP]

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour Sold to Train Inc.

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On February 5, 2009, Train Show Inc. announced that it had acquired the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows from Competitive Intelligence Advertising (CIA Inc.) The acquisition is designed to allow Train Show Inc. to increase its portfolio of successful shows, which includes the Great Midwest Train Show and Greenberg Shows. This change also allows CIA Inc. to focus exclusively on its advertising and consulting businesses. Randy Bachmann, President of Train Show Inc, stated, “Having been deeply involved with the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour Shows for the last five years as Co-Chairman, I really see this purchase as a natural expansion for our business and a very easy transition. I have worked closely with Dave Swanson, President of CIA Inc. and founder of the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows and we have a shared vision of building these shows to promote the hobby of model railroading to the general public. I don’t believe our exhibitors will notice any changes in our operations.” CIA Inc.’s President, Dave Swanson, said the following: “I am very pleased to see the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows in the hands of Train Show Inc. I know Randy Bachmann and the entire Train Show Inc. staff will keep the shows at their current high level.” He further stated, “I am looking forward to focusing my attention on just promoting train shows and not operating them. I think in this new role I can improve the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour show
attendance and continue to promote model railroading." The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour shows are professional public events designed to introduce the public to model railroading. The shows are sponsored by the World’s Greatest Hobby Program, a non profit education organization, and supported by most of the major model railroad manufacturers. The show visits between four and six cities each year. In January 2009 the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour show set a train show attendance record by having over 40,000 people attend a show held in the Philadelphia area.

The Trolleyville Times is very familiar with the owners of Train Inc., and CIA and our readers should know that Randy Bachmann has been working with Dave Swanson for over twenty years in many endeavors, all of which were highly successful. Dave Swanson is to model train shows what Walt Disney was to theme parks. We will really miss Dave Swanson but even if there was a tag on his toe, you can bet that his influence will always be felt. For more information, contact Randy Bachmann at 630-279-5094 or e-mail Staff@wghshow.com.
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Product Improvements Still Being Evaluated for the New Bowser PCC!

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The new Bowser F-Line PCC continues in development and production and should be available this spring. Meanwhile improvements for the PCC have been studied. Although the car is to be made offshore, plans are for the current power and train trucks to still be fabricated in-house. Several options for including a flywheel have been evaluated and tested over the past six months as shown in the next photo. The test car is a Bowser PCC modified by Custom Traxx to represent the Kansas City 725-799 series PCC cars.

The first chassis, shown directly under the Body shell, uses the current Bowser motor with a Stewart flywheel. Below that is the current Bowser motor with the A-line 20040 Flywheel and drive train. The bottom chassis contains a new motor and flywheel designed for the new PCC car. Although not readily apparent here, a new drive shaft and drive line parts based on Stewart designs is also part of the package. The latter combination is under test and evaluation by Custom Traxx and the Southern California Traction Club and looks like a winner.

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