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