|
A Little History: Riverside Live Steamers A post from the Facebook We Grew Up in Riverside in the 60's and 70's group: ¡°Back in the 1950¡¯s, Joe Hunter, a well known Riverside industrialist, realized that steam locomotives were disappearing from the railroads that passed through Riverside. Knowing that future generations would not know the excitement of seeing, smelling and hearing the sounds of steam locomotives, he had a vision. Why not duplicate a steam train in miniature? Setting aside 40 acres that surrounded his industrial complex, Mr. Hunter had a 4,300 foot railroad built at the corner of Iowa and Columbia avenues. While the railroad was being constructed, a locomotive and three cars were built. Steam up facilities were installed at the rear of the metal building now occupied by Familian Pipe & Supply. Trains were operated on a sporadic basis with no set schedule. Ultimately, the property was donated to the City of Riverside, and was named Hunter Park. When Mr. Hunter died, the city had an unusual problem. They had a park because of the railroad, but no one to maintain or operate the train. A group of interested railroad enthusiasts in Riverside led by Dr. John Creighton undertook negotiations with the city to assure that the 7.5 inch gauge railroad would not be neglected. In 1965, the City Council officially turned over to the fledgling Riverside Live Steamers, the responsibility for maintaining and operating the train. In 1966, RLS was incorporated under the laws of the State of California. During the past forty-six years, RLS has greatly expanded the original railroad to more than 10,000 feet of track, built three buildings and the station. With the cooperation of the city, six additional cars were built in 1972. Approximately 18,000-20,000 passengers ride the trains each year. The city owned equipment is greatly supplemented by privately owned locomotives and cars. Many times, three to four trains will be in operation. With the exception of major items, like a new boiler, all of the equipment and trackage is maintained at minimal expense to the city. All of this requires thousands of volunteer man hours, but our members have stepped forward for forty-three years to keep the facility in top shape. RLS is pleased to offer thousands of people an opportunity to see, hear, and smell what steam locomotion is all about. We like to think Mr. Hunter would be very proud of our accomplishments during the past forty-six years.¡± Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA
|
|
Thanks you for visiting my layout last Saturday
3
Thank you to everyone who visited my layout last Saturday. Really appreciated all of the feedback, comments, suggestions, and questions. Everyone seemed to have a different prospective. If you have not previously hosted an open house, I highly suggest that you strongly consider doing so. I believe you will find it is a highly rewarding experience.
|
|
Cajon Spring Meet Saturday 4/22/23
Just a reminder that our Cajon Spring Meet 2023 will take place this Saturday, 4/22/23, at the Messiah Lutheran Church at 6625 Dale St., Buena Park, CA. It will be a fun model railroadin' day, with six great clinics, a swap meet, modelers' show and tell, and more! Hope to see you there. For more information, please take a look at our flyer: https://www.cajondivision.org/Cajon_Library/2023%20Spring%20Meet%20Flyer%20with%20Clinic%20Details%20V3.pdf
|
|
Santa Ana Canyon Miniature Railroad
Santa Ana Canyon Miniature Railroad Information courtesy of Larry Hockensmith on the Facebook Santa Ana Canyon- History group. Once upon a time there was a miniature railroad in Santa Ana Canyon. If you have traveled on the 91 Freeway in the canyon you traveled over part of the mainline. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif https://www.facebook.com/groups/150347595443 ++++ http://ibls.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Santa_Ana_Canyon_Miniature_Railroad&fbclid=IwAR3ujPnj9GrTy4Zv8avL0a9TWVfMTbLaZSecHHk6ytf74-TrwiwimwsPsjg https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=654003802257959&set=p.654003802257959&type=3 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=640374453620894&set=p.640374453620894&type=3 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEoWPYb2UaA
|
|
Free Presentation On Santa Fe¡¯s Hemet, CA, Depots
Free Presentation On Santa Fe¡¯s Hemet, CA, Depots Learn history of Hemet¡¯s depots and railroads at Hemet Heritage Foundation program, February 13: https://www.pressenterprise.com/2023/02/03/learn-history-of-hemets-depots-and-railroads-at-hemet-heritage-foundation-program/ Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA
|
|
MODEL RR FESTIVAL - APRIL 15 & 16, 2023 (HEMET, CA)
2
MODEL RR FESTIVAL - APRIL 15 & 16, 2023 (HEMET, CA) This is an early ¡°heads-up¡±. If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor, clinician, or vendor, contact David Balser at: On30man@... [On30man AT gmail DOT com] Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif https://www.facebook.com/groups/150347595443 ++++ MODEL RAILROAD FESTIVAL APRIL 15 & 16, 2023 HEMET, CALIFORNIA FOUR SEASONS COMMUNITY LODGE, HEMET, CA Map Link: https://tinyurl.com/bddbtkae The FESTIVAL will be held in the 5400 square foot lodge ballroom and outside patio in a beautiful private gated community. We are located 8 miles east of Interstate 215 on Highway 74 east. Friday the 14th is set up day and the event will be the 15th and 16th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. General admission including complimentary parking is $5.00 for adults and kids under 12 are free. The following groups will be exhibiting: *California South Coast On30 Modular *Orange County HO Module Railroaders *ZoCAL Z Scale Modular MINI LAYOUTS *Gary Beatty ¨C Puerta Margarita On30 *Scott Carter ¨C Cinnamon Mining Company On30 *Robert Kurner ¨C Typhoon Lagoon On30 *Justin Rasas ¨C Arizona Dreaming On30 DeadRail ON THE PATIO *Riverside Live Steamers and Chula Live Steamers ¨C Locomotives *Self Propelled Handcar train for the Kids *Mini Car Show featuring neighborhood street rods *Live entertainment - Solo artist with Guitar ACTIVITIES ¡°FRANCISCOS BISTRO¡± ¿ªÔÆÌåÓý delicious food and Bar *All scale model contest 1st 2nd and 3rd place awards *3¡± by 5¡± model contest 1st 2nd and 3rd place awards *Saturday and Sunday Clinics *Railroad movies on a big screen *Background Railroad Music *Door prizes *Select Vendors LOCAL INFO The nearby Hampton Inn will provide a group rate with two very good restaurants across the street, Los Vacaros Mexican or Rockin K Steak and BBQ. Temecula wine country with over 40 wineries is only 30 minutes down the road. Southern California Railroad Museum in Perris is 20 minutes away. Hemet Golf course surrounds our community. The weather forecast is going to be pleasant. For more information or to become an exhibitor, clinician, or vendor, contact David Balser at: On30man@... [On30man AT gmail DOT com]
|
|
2023 Upcoming Model Railroad/Railroad Events (So. Calif.)
2023 Upcoming Model Railroad/Railroad Events (So. Calif.) Please note this list only applies to the Counties of Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Looking ahead to 2023, I have the following events listed on my Model Railroads of Southern California calendar. Please feel free to contact me to add additional events. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif https://www.facebook.com/groups/150347595443 +++++ January 1 - Christmas Tree Lane Model RR Society Open House, Altadena https://tinyurl.com/yw6mujev January 7 - San Diego Model Railroad Museum Swap Meet, San Diego https://tinyurl.com/32vjdvkn February 11& 12 - Great Train Show, Costa Mesa https://www.trainshow.com/ February 18 ¨C Cajon Division Open House, Garden Grove (Tentative) February 18 & 19 ¨C Great Train Show, Ventura https://www.trainshow.com/ February 19 - California Express Railroadiana & Transportation Show, Buena Park https://www.facebook.com/calexpressbuenapark February 25 - Roundhouse Gang Swap Meet, San Bernardino March 4 & 5 - Annual Bakersfield Model Train Show, Bakersfield March 18 & 19 - Great Train Show, Victorville https://www.trainshow.com/ March 25 ¨C Cajon Division Open House, Huntington Beach (Tentative) April 15 ¨C Daylight Division Meet, Bakersfield April 15 & 16 - Model Railroad Festival, Hemet https://tinyurl.com/33tj2y9s April 22 ¨C Cajon Division Meet, Buena Park July 22 - Roundhouse Gang Swap Meet, San Bernardino October 5, 6, 7 & 8 - Central Coast Railroad Festival Layout Tour, San Luis Obispo & Northern Santa Barbara Counties October 6, 7 & 8 - Central Coast Railroad Festival, San Luis Obispo Area October 21 - Roundhouse Gang Swap Meet, San Bernardino October 25 - 28 ¨C Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society Convention, Bakersfield
|
|
San Diego Division 3rd Quarter Mail Hook Available On-Line
3
San Diego Division 3rd Quarter Mail Hook Available On-Line Information from the San Diego Division/PSR/NMRA Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA ++++ Here is the San Diego Division's 3rd Quarter Mail Hook for 2022, detailing information about the happenings of the San Diego Division. This important Mail Hook issue covers our "PSR NMRA Back On Track In 2022" model train convention, held September 7-11, 2022. If you are new to model railroad Operations Sessions, you won't want to miss the article about this topic in this Mail Hook issue https://mcusercontent.com/8fd05bdf7dad22ef013cdb508/files/85da440b-51f8-8c00-9675-eed00d3afe33/Mail_Hook_2022_2nd_Quarter.01.pdf
|
|
New NMRA Special Interest Groups For Women
2
New NMRA Special Interest Groups For Women Information from Cydney George-Abatecola. Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA ++++ The NMRA has a new SIG - Women in Model Railroading. We got to announce it as an NMRA recognized SIG at the convention last week and are getting a good response. We are excited to offer the opportunity to women around the world to become members of the Women in Model Railroading SIG! As a recognized SIG within the NMRA, we expect this group to be vibrant in the world of model railroading. The purpose of the Women in Model Railroading (WIMRR) SIG is to introduce, encourage and connect women in or interested in the hobby of model railroading. The SIG is designed for education, enrichment, social interactions, and all-around fun. This group is meant to be inclusive and supportive of all women in the hobby and railfan world. We plan to host a few social meetings per year including online and at train shows/conventions around the country. The SIG will provide women in their local NMRA regions the support needed to create activities or gatherings, in order to grow the hobby and remove perceived barriers for women modelers. Join our Facebook Pages: "Women in Model Railroading" is for women in the model railroad hobby to share their world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/769365970927091 "The Steam Sisters Group" is for women railfans to share their photos of steam AND diesel trains: https://www.facebook.com/groups/801466170511941 Visit the SIG page: https://www.nmra.org/sigs/women-in-model-railroading Join: Please use this link to join the SIG: https://forms.gle/aKPhcXU1sthKW1MQ8
|
|
Photo: N Scale SP S-40-5 Livestock Cars Three recently completed Voltscooter livestock cars by Wolfgang Balandran. The scene is from his SP Coast Route in Westminster, CA. Voltscooter¡¯s web page for these cars: https://voltscooter.com/product/n-scale-stock-cars-southern-pacific-affiliated/ Bob Chaparro Moderator Railway Bull Shippers Group /g/RailwayBullShippersGroup
|
|
San Diego Division Meet ¨C August 13 (San Diego/Linda Vista Area)
San Diego Division/PSR/NMRA Meet ¨C August 13 (San Diego/Linda Vista Area) Information from the San Diego Division/PSR/NMRA. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif ++++ Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Summer Meet * Summer Meet: Our August Summer Meet is set for success with a potluck lunch, a Silent Auction, Show & Tell, two Clinics and door prizes. This will be a fun time to socialize and bid on various model train rolling stock, structures, books, memorabilia and more. Please mark your calendars!! * Date: Saturday, August 13, 2022 * Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. * Location: The location is in Linda Vista (central San Diego) at the Peace Lutheran Church, 6749 Tait Street, San Diego, California * Pot Luck: Last names starting with A-M are asked to bring a main dish and last names starting with N-Z are asked to bring a side dish or a dessert. * Silent Auction: The Silent Auction is where every Division member can bring an unlimited number of model train or prototype items to sell. Note: 10% of your sell price will be donated to the Division. * Show & Tell: Please contact Ryan and let him know you'd like to participate in Show & Tell. Show & Tell is a time to bring a project or model and show off your model railroading work or discuss any topic about model railroading. You can also talk about something concerning any real railroad, either historical or present day information. We would like several people to participate in the Show & Tell portion of the Summer Meet. * Clinic 1: Pete Steinmetz presents, "Paint". This will be a discussion clinic on paint and styles of paint application. Everyone is encouraged to bring some bottles of paint and explain what you like about the paint you use for your modeling. * Clinic 2: Clinic 2 will be a video tour of an outstanding layout and the name of the layout will be announced on the website as soon as possible. * Door Prizes: There will be door prizes at the Summer Meet. Free is always welcome! * Masks: Masks are not required. San Diego County follows the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and masks are strongly recommended indoors by these agencies, for all persons, regardless of vaccine status. * Accessibility: The Summer Meet is accessible. * Carpooling: Take the sting out of high gas prices and carpool with a friend. * For more details about the Summer Meet, please see our Division's Meets/Events web page here: https://www.sandiegodivision.org/index.php/events/2022
|
|
Orange County Model Engineers
6
Orange County Model Engineers These folks are up and running in Costa Mesa: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyModelEngineers/ Their bridge is back in operation. Their next free public run is this weekend, July 16th and 17th. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif https://www.facebook.com/groups/150347595443
|
|
San Diego Division Layout Tour ¨C This Saturday, July 9
2
San Diego Division Layout Tour ¨C This Saturday, July 9 Information from the San Diego Division/PSR/NMRA. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif https://www.facebook.com/groups/150347595443 ++++ * Layout Tour: This Saturday! John Vavra's Santa Fe Lines model railroad, modeling the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (HO and HOn3 scale). * Date: Saturday, July 9, 2022 * Time: Noon - 3 p.m. * Location: John Vavra, 1925 Paradise Street, Escondido, California 92026. (Located in North County of San Diego.) * Drinks/Snacks: John will be providing drinks and snacks. * Seating: A dozen chairs will be provided for people to sit, relax and socialize during the layout tour. You may bring your own chair, if you'd like. * Masks: If vaccinated, masks are optional. * Carpooling: Take the sting out of high gas prices and carpool with a friend. ABOUT THE LAYOUT: John Vavra has an accessible HO/HOn3 layout, the era of his railroad is set in 1994 and the railroad is named the Santa Fe Lines. John's layout is a freelance model railroad using artistic license and was featured on the front cover of Model Railroader Magazine's December 2021 issue. The location of the railroad is loosely based on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with locations on his railroad in Arizona and Colorado, USA. The cities modeled on the layout are Flagstaff, Arizona, and then going northeast to the cities of Durango and then Silverton, located in Colorado. John has made many scenes around the layout. Be sure to look closely for these scenes. Many of the business buildings are named after relatives, friends and coworkers of John. Don't forget to ask John about the origin of the names of the business buildings on the layout. John started his layout in 1997. The layout is still under construction and is 75% complete. He uses DCC & Sound with MRC Prodigy Elite Wireless to control his locomotives. * For more details about John's Layout Tour, please see our Division website here: https://www.sandiegodivision.org/index.php/events/2022
|
|
Rusty Rails Coffee Mug This was a mug produce long ago for members of the Rusty Rails group. This was a round-robin model railroad group, headed by Vic Prior, and centered mainly in North Orange County, CA. Its history spanned the 1970s through the early 1990s. A typical Friday night started with an operating session followed by videos or slide presentations. Afterwards, many members would go to Denny¡¯s for clam chowder or chili. This group supported and staffed many Cajon Division meets and put on the ¡°Cajon Rail in '86¡± Pacific Southwest Region/NMRA convention in Ontario, CA, and the ¡°Doing 90 Down Cajon¡± Pacific Southwest Region/NMRA convention in San Bernardino, CA, in 1990. Members I can recall included Tom Becker, Frank Cotta, George DeFrancesco, Ralph DuBois*, Cliff Edlund*, Steve Guccione, John Hachey*, Mike Hazzard, Dick Hutchins*, Mel Marquardt*, Jeff McKee, Ed McNamara, Terry Myers, Vic Pryor, Todd Scott, Dwayne Sikes, Pete Solyom*, Art Sousa, Allen Sterris, David Widrig and me. Frank Cotta owned Iron Horse Hobbies in Brea and Vic Prior and Steve Guccione opened Discount Train Warehouse, also in Brea. A number of these folks have passed (*) but they were all model railroaders to the end. I had a lot of great memories and friendships from those days long past. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif
|
|
Limit On Registrations For 2022 Pacific Southwest Region Convention
2
Limit On Registrations For 2022 Pacific Southwest Region Convention The Back on Track In 2022 PSR Convention is September 7-11 in San Diego. As of today, nearly 160 people have signed-up. Convention registrations are capped at 200 (Don¡¯t ask me why.) so if you plan to attend you should register now. Convention Website: https://web.cvent.com/event/1474b6bc-b18a-49ec-9b4e-9f58fb4665cd/summary Registration: https://web.cvent.com/event/1474b6bc-b18a-49ec-9b4e-9f58fb4665cd/regProcessStep1 Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif
|
|
On30 Layouts on Display Saturday April 23
On April 23 the Short Track Railroad at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, Ca is hosting an event for miniature showcasing four micro On30 layouts. The Typhoon Lagoon Railway, Cinnamon Creek, Punto Margarita, & the Isla Coco Distillery Railway will be on display to the public. Additionally Robbie Von Roll will be displaying his 1:25 scale Miniature Ropeways. The micro layout event runs from 09:00-14:00. Admission to the museum is $5.00 payable at the gift shop. Short Track Model Train club is located in building Q on the far north western corner of the grounds
|
|
|
|
Attention Getter This weekend was the Tehachapi Loop RR Club Train Show in Tehachapi. Here is one way the club called attention to their show. Photo courtesy of the Tehachapi News. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif
|
|
San Diego Division March 12 Layout Tour (Oceanside)
San Diego Division March 12 Layout Tour (Oceanside) Information from the San Diego Division. Bob Chaparro Moderator Model Railroads of Southern California /g/ModelRailroadsofSoCalif https://www.facebook.com/groups/150347595443 ++++ Saturday, March 12, 2022, Noon to 3:00 p.m. Presented by Steve Bradley 4615 Waverly Rd., Oceanside Map Link: https://tinyurl.com/2p84r89d (Scroll on map to change the scale.) Mina Subdivision Of The Salt Lake Division Of The Southern Pacific Railroad This layout is HO and HOn3 (narrow gauge) covering the Southern Pacific RR Mina Subdivision (Southwest Nevada to Eastern California). Steve designed the model railroad on digital software for a 10¡¯ X 10¡¯ room as a point-to-point operational layout. Many structures are scratch built to match real buildings from the area. Almost all of the rail cars are custom built and weathered kits. Many of the engines are brass and custom painted. A portion of the layout was featured in the Jan/Feb 2020 edition of the Narrow-Gauge Gazette. Download Steve's handout with special detains and location description of his layout: https://mcusercontent.com/8fd05bdf7dad22ef013cdb508/files/dad12cb5-3907-a568-3e17-69c2f6e4ebd1/Southwest_Desert_Railroading.pdf
|
|
Presentation: "Where did the Tracks Go in Highland?"
Presentation: "Where did the Tracks Go in Highland?" Jeff Staggs developed a PowerPoint presentation last year for the Highland Area Historical Society entitled, "Where did the Tracks Go in Highland" and presented it at one of their bi-monthly meetings. He contrasted historical photos which he obtained permission to use with present day photos which he took of the same locations. His presentation included stations at Patton, Highland, Molino and East Highlands. He would be happy to share what he can or do the presentation for a group if interested. If you wish to have Jeff give his presentation to your group, contact him at: jeffstaggs@... [jeffstaggs AT sbcglobal DOT net] Bob Chaparro
|
Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am