February 2023 Newsletter

United States President’s Office Car
This month’s cover photo commemorates President’s Day celebrated on the third Monday every February.  The Ferdinand Magellan was used primarily by presidents Franklyn Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower for transportation around the nation.  This particular Pullman heavyweight observation car was built in 1928 and included the standard kitchen, stateroom, and dining room amenities.  When selected as the permanent railroad car for President Roosevelt at the beginning of World War II, security features were added to the car including 5/8” cobalt-steel armor plating in the roof, sides, and floor; 3” thick multi-layered windows; two escape doors; and a 1,500-pound back platform door.  The unit was among the heaviest passenger cars ever used in the United States weighing 134.26 tons vs. a typical Pullman observation car’s 80 tons.  Pulled by diesel locomotives, the presidential consist included a communications car named “the Crate”, a modified baggage car for presidential vehicles, and a sleeper to accommodate Secret Service and other personnel.  On display at the Gold Coast Railway Museum in Miami since 1959, the Ferdinand Magellan was last used by Ronald Reagan in 1984 for a one-day, five stop campaign trip through Ohio.  For more details, click the link below.

Club News
The Lionel Group began its newest project railroad named, Oil Town, USA set in a remote area of Oklahoma sometime in the 1950-60's.  Click HERE for photos.

Luncheon Dates
February 3rd and 17th at the Bloomington Country Club at 11:30am.  If you plan to attend, contact Bryan Enarson (bryanlax@aol.com) no later than February 1st and/or February 15th. 

Club Dues
Larry Schneider is collecting club dues of $25 for 2023.  Be certain to make checks payable to Color Country Model Railroad Club. Dues can be paid by regular or electronic check and sent to Larry’s address below.

Larry Schneider
1681 Garnet Ridge Dr.
St George, UT 84790-4922

Once he has recorded your dues you will receive an email confirmation. If you don't receive the email 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 it to Larry.   
 
Member Layouts
Joe Adair (new member who models HO scale)  

Rick Hansen (new member who models G scale)

Dean Odenwalder (new member who models G scale) 

Keith Johnson tells us about additions to his G scale railroad. “Here are some photos of new construction I'm adding. I am rerouting one curve, adding 156 feet of track that runs down the side of the casita. I am using 2 wye switches I had left over from an earlier change in the layout. The intention is I can add a train to the new track and it can run on that loop without interfering with any of the other loops. I haven't laid the road bed yet; just verifying where the track actually goes.”  Click HERE and scroll down to the February 2023 Update for photos.

Richard Schacht revised his track plan as can be seen HERE.  Scroll down to the February 2023 Update.

Bryan Enarson combined Linda’s American Flyer train set with the existing G scale tabletop layout.  For photos, click HERE and scroll down to the February 2023 Update.

It looks like Rick Guercio has nearly completed his American Flyer layout in Cedar City.  Click HERE and scroll down to the February 2023 Update for photos.  

Upcoming Train Shows

Train Expo Colorado (TECO) - February 4-5, 2023 

Kanab Train Show - February 10-11, 2023 

Rocky Mountain Train Show - April 1-2, 2023 

Prototype News & Railfanning

Did Union Pacific create the chair lift for its ski resort in Idaho? 

Railroader of 2023: BNSF’s President & CEO Katie Farmer 

Erie Wabtec's First Battery-Diesel Hybrid Locomotive

Hydrogen on Track to Replace Diesel Locomotives 

14 Beautiful U.S. Train Trips to Experience in 2023

https://www.travelawaits.com/2844292/most-beautiful-train-trips-2023/

Southern Pacific "Cab Forward" Steam Locomotives 

Atlantic & Western RS1325 Bound for Illinois Railway Museum https://railfan.com/atlantic-western-rs1325-bound-for-illinois-railway-museum/

Grand Canyon Railway  

Silvis Becomes Rail Preservation’s ‘Shop of Dreams’  

Finally, the Nevada Northern Railway announced its mascot and greeter, Dirt, passed away earlier this month. Read more below.  
 
Our friends Dale and Karyn Angell also noted the animal’s passing in this tribute from their YouTube Channel, Toy Man TV.
 
Until March, All Aboard !!   
Lloyd Thomson