Traction Action at Descanso Gardens

***

            The NMRA-LA Division hosted another two-day show at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge on October 26 & 27. The Southern California Traction Club was one of the model railroad clubs represented at the show. These shows are very pleasant due to the tranquil surroundings and the care taken by Mary Barstow to ensure everyone has a great time.

[See Descanso Gardens, below]J

________________________________________

Trolleyville Merchant Advisory

Bad Check Notice

***

            A check bearing the name of the individuals listed below was returned to one of the Trolleyville merchants indicating Non-Sufficient Funds:

James K Adair, Sr. 11-99

Linda H. Adair

1267 Eagle Road

West Chester, PA 19382

            The check was tendered at the 25^th Trolley Extravaganza on September 21^st and returned to the merchant on October 5^th. The check issuer was successfully contacted by phone on October 5^th and notified in writing on October 5^th with a copy of the check marked NSF enclosed.

After there was no contact from the issuer in the next two weeks, a certified letter was sent to the individuals shown above on October 21^st demanding payment in ten days. The merchant received a receipt of acknowledgement on October 28, 2002. However, as of October 31, the check had still not been made 'good'.

_________________________________________

[Descanso Gardens, above]

            The SCTC ran its usual trains of PERy 1000 series wood cars, 1200 series steel cars and 400 series Blimps. But, the highlight of show for the club members at least was the operation of a twenty -two-car freight train behind a pair of Pacific Electric steeple cabs, 1619 & 1631 and Cincinnati Box Motor 645. Seen on the point for a while was Illinois Traction Class D electric locomotive 1585. The train was even pulled by a 3900 series 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive. Most traction fans know that in the 1940's, the Pacific Electric had to mount trolley poles on its early diesels to actuate grade crossing signals. Borrowed steam engines had to run with an electric locomotive for the same reason even if the electric locomotive was 'dead'. In this "what if"' scenario, Pacific Electric found itself needing power during World War II and leased 2 Southern Pacific older 2-6-6-2 locomotives that were very "thirsty" engines. They required an auxiliary water tender so the PERy mounted the trolley pole on that auxiliary tender.  Since everything on the SCTC HO scale modules must run from overhead wire, this modification allows the SCTC to run a steam or diesel engine.  Note the two photos below:

In the next photo, Pacific Electric 1200 series interurban passes in the background, while a New Orleans Desire St. streetcar and a Twin Cities 1300 series streetcar pass on a narrow urban street. The same 22-car freight train passes in the foreground.

Above are the engine and caboose used in the Descanso Gardens miniature train, one of many features of this wonderful place to spend an afternoon. The next appearance of the Southern California Traction Club will be at the Pomona Fairplex Great American Train Show on November 9 & 10, 2002, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days.  See you there!

Progress continues on San Pedro Trolley

***

                In the last few months, we have been keeping you informed on the progress of car 1058 with the movement and operation of the car in June that we may have ignored the progress on the major two cars for the line, namely cars 500 and 501. We made a quick trip to Berth 155A on September 30 and documented the progress of both cars.

As you can see from above, the 501 has received a coat of Electric Lines Red and is now sitting on her ex-BostonTaylor trucks. Below is car 500 also sitting on her Taylor trucks.

Here are two more photos of the 501. The first shows the end of the car with the roof mounted destination signs attached.

The cab is shaping up fine as shown below.

The interior is a work of art. By the time we returned on October 30, we found the exterior of the car striped as shown below:

If we considered the 1058 magnificent, I do not have a word for these two cars. The woodwork inside has a glass like finish.. See for yourself below in photos of the bulkhead and cab taken on October 30:

We will end this progress report with another clear photo of the Taylor trucks that will be under both 500 and 501

These trucks were originally under Boston subway cars but have been thoroughly rebuilt for these cars. We hope to have more news next month.