December 2022 Newsletter


Well, here we are closing out another year in the time-honored tradition of running model trains around trees we bring indoors or up from the basement or down from the attic.  For many of us though, Christmas represents our first introduction to “toy trains” or when we introduce the next generation to the greatest hobby in the world.  Wonderful season!

Club Business

The CCMRRC Annual Layout Tour was quite a success this year!  It included 22 locations and totaled 5,109 visitations over the 4 days.  Several members indicated their visitor counts were the highest they’d ever recorded!  New layouts included on this year’s tour were hosted by Joe Adair (HO), Scott Furniss (Lionel), Rick Hansen (G), and Dean Odenwalder (G).  Project railroads Timber Cove, City Scene, and Industry Scenes were sold on Saturday.

Various media tools were employed to advertise the tour including St. George News, Facebook, and 10 banners erected around town. All methods directed potential visitors to the CCMRRC website for complete tour information.  Between October 1 and November 14, there were 5,553 visits to the website leading to 1,342 specific views of the Layout Tour announcement. 

Visitor Kohlten Johnson toured Jim Harper’s layout and exclaimed, “I had a blast checking out the model trains this weekend! I created a little video for one of my favorites! I wanted to send this to you and you’re welcome to share it with others.”  https://youtu.be/wC4ODx-iWf0 and https://www.facebook.com/kohlten.johnson/videos/457263243210978Thanks Kohlten!

Dale and Karen Angell from Toy Man TV released a new video on their YouTube channel detailing Terry Schramm’s most impressive collections of Lionel trains and Department 56 buildings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0kDHuExnysWatch for future videos to be published on their channel about the 2022 CCMRRC Layout Tour.

This year is the first time the club has participated at the Jubilee of Trees since 2019.  (Proceeds from the event benefit Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital Children's services.)  The CCMRRC sincerely thanks the following members for volunteering to watch over our project layouts during the 3-day event.  Al Thorne, Bryan Enarson, Bob Mallory, Terry Schramm, Dan Mangiaricina, Keith Johnson, Larry Schneider, Dave Mansius, Scott Furniss, Bryan & Keith Osborn, M. David Merrill, Amy Meyers, Jim Harper, and Lloyd Thomson.

The remaining items from Joe Zukowski's HO and N scale collections were sold to Trainz.com earlier this month.  Proceeds were deposited into the club's treasury.

Reminder: Christmas Party, December 1st, Elks Club.

Due to the holidays, there will be no Friday luncheons in December but mark your calendars for January 6th and 20th.

2023 CCMRRC Dues 
Larry Schneider will begin taking dues of $25 for the 2023 year starting in December.  Be certain to make checks payable to Color Country Model Railroad Club. Dues can be paid by regular or electronic check and sent to the address below.
 
Larry Schneider
1681 Garnet Ridge Dr.
St George, UT 84790-4922

Once Larry has recorded your dues you will receive an email confirmation. If you don't receive confirmation it means Larry either did not receive your check or he doesn't have your correct email address. The process for mail generally takes 5-7 days to be delivered.  If you decide to mail a check, please notify Larry at 435-688-1150 of your payment.  You can also give your check (or cash) to one of the SunRiver club members at lunch who will forward the payment to Larry.

Modeling News 

The 8th annual Kanab Train Show is scheduled for February 10-11, 2023.  Visit https://kanabtrainshow.com/ for more information.

Prototype Operation

Replacing EMD 645E Cylinder Heads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w07Fm_7Bg3c

Locomotive Safety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9HkOYepjT8

Railfanning

Earlier this year Union Pacific announced a donation of certain equipment from its Heritage Collection to nonprofit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA).  Among the numerous pieces are 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985, Class TTT-6, 2-10-2 No. 5511, and EMD DDA40X No. 6936.  Read the full story at https://www.up.com/media/releases/challenger-rrhma-donation-nr-221026.htm.  As the Heritage Donation Special progressed east from Cheyenne, railfans posted numerous videos of its journey to Silvis, Illinois.  Here is just one example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCI3gM8Cpfg

To me Christmas is like chocolate; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every last taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.

Until January, All Aboard!!
Lloyd Thomson