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Great Southern California Model Train Shows for 2005
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Different organizations will be hosting some potentially really great train shows in Southern California during the first quarter of 2005 and we believe that you should reserve these dates on your calendar so to make sure that you are free to attend.

1. January 15-16, 2005 - The first of these shows will be held this weekend in Bakersfield. It is hosted by the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Ming and P Streets. Hours for the show are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. The show features a real layout for kids to operate; a raffle to win a train layout and hourly door prizes. Admission is only $5.00 and children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. A scenic drive through the mountain pass up Interstate 5 just adds to the experience. Parking is plentiful and close and there are ample refreshments. Usually there is a miniature train for visitors to ride. For more information, visit www.gehams.com.

If you don't wish to drive to Bakersfield, drop in to the On Track Productions Model Train Expo at the Queen Mary in Long Beach on the same weekend. This is a really upscale show that was held at Pomona in March 2002 and March 2003. We are not surprised that they moved from Pomona as our feeling about Fairplex are well known (See both the April 2004 and December 2004 Trolleyville Times for more about Pomona-Fairplex). This is NOT a "swap shop" show. This show is normally attended by the leaders in the model train industry. Refreshments are plentiful and varied and parking is relatively close. Usually there are good local model railroads at this show. The Southern California Traction Club will have it's modules at this show.

2. January 29-30, 2005 - The Great American Train Show, LTD (GATS) will host it's last train show at Pomona-Fairplex on January 29-30 in the same building that is drastically overdue for improvement or condemnation. Again, we are not surprised that they also have abandoned this facility. Hours for this show are 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days. The Southern California Traction Club is scheduled to appear at this show. For more data on this and other GATS, LTD shows, visit www.gats.com.

3. February 19-20, 2005 - The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour Show will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on this weekend. This should be the best model train show in Southern California since the National Train Show appeared at the same facility in 1996. Southern California train lovers should note that over 1000 people waited in line on both days into the Edison, NJ presentation of this show in December 2004. Also 19,000 train lovers attended the show. If you make any model train show in the first months of the year, be sure to attend this one. This is NOT your father's train show. This show is designed for the general public, most of which still love trains. There are to be hundreds of booths of manufacturers, many trains for children to operate and huge operating model railroads along with demonstrations, seminars and new products. The Southern California Traction Club is scheduled to appear at this show. There will be something for everyone there but you won't know if you don't go, so visit www.wghshow.com for more information.

4. March 5, 2005 - The Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA will hold its semi-annual Railroadiana Swap Meet from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This is the place to find some really unique items, especially traction items. This is one of the best shows for buyers of model trains and trolleys. For more information on the museum, its location and the activities offered, check their web site at www.oerm.org.

5. March 12-13, 2005 - GATS will host another model train show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa on this weekend. The hours are the same as the Pomona Show.

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Custom Traxx California Show Schedule!
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For the traction fan who likes to shop at model train shows, Custom Traxx told the Times that they will be exhibiting their line of traction decals, selected brass traction models and traction parts at the following first quarter 2005 California shows:

Great American Train Show, Sacramento
California Exposition & Fairgrounds - January 8-9, 2005

Model Train Expo
Queen Mary, Long Beach CA - January 15-16, 2005

Great American Train Show, San Francisco
Cow Palace - February 12-13, 2005

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Long Beach Convention Center - February 19-20, 2005.

Come see what's new in the traction area. See the new Bowser Standard Light Rail Vehicle and Light Rail Transit Vehicle mechanisms.


January 2005

Great Southern California Model Train Shows for 2005 ***** Different organizations will be hosting some potentially really great train shows in Southern California during the first quarter of 2005 and we believe that you should reserve these dates on your calendar so to make sure that you are free to attend. 1. January 15-16, 2005 - The first of these shows will be held this weekend in Bakersfield. It is hosted by the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Ming and P Streets. Hours for the show are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. The show features a real layout for kids to operate; a raffle to win a train layout and hourly door prizes. Admission is only $5.00 and children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. A scenic drive through the mountain pass up Interstate 5 just adds to the experience. Parking is plentiful and close and there are ample refreshments. Usually there is a miniature train for visitors to ride. For more information, visit www.gehams.com. If you don't wish to drive to Bakersfield, drop in to the On Track Productions Model Train Expo at the Queen Mary in Long Beach on the same weekend. This is a really upscale show that was held at Pomona in March 2002 and March 2003. We are not surprised that they moved from Pomona as our feeling about Fairplex are well known (See both the April 2004 and December 2004 Trolleyville Times for more about Pomona-Fairplex). This is NOT a "swap shop" show. This show is normally attended by the leaders in the model train industry. Refreshments are plentiful and varied and parking is relatively close. Usually there are good local model railroads at this show. The Southern California Traction Club will have it's modules at this show. 2. January 29-30, 2005 - The Great American Train Show, LTD (GATS) will host it's last train show at Pomona-Fairplex on January 29-30 in the same building that is drastically overdue for improvement or condemnation. Again, we are not surprised that they also have abandoned this facility. Hours for this show are 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days. The Southern California Traction Club is scheduled to appear at this show. For more data on this and other GATS, LTD shows, visit www.gats.com. 3. February 19-20, 2005 - The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour Show will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on this weekend. This should be the best model train show in Southern California since the National Train Show appeared at the same facility in 1996. Southern California train lovers should note that over 1000 people waited in line on both days into the Edison, NJ presentation of this show in December 2004. Also 19,000 train lovers attended the show. If you make any model train show in the first months of the year, be sure to attend this one. This is NOT your father's train show. This show is designed for the general public, most of which still love trains. There are to be hundreds of booths of manufacturers, many trains for children to operate and huge operating model railroads along with demonstrations, seminars and new products. The Southern California Traction Club is scheduled to appear at this show. There will be something for everyone there but you won't know if you don't go, so visit www.wghshow.com for more information. 4. March 5, 2005 - The Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA will hold its semi-annual Railroadiana Swap Meet from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This is the place to find some really unique items, especially traction items. This is one of the best shows for buyers of model trains and trolleys. For more information on the museum, its location and the activities offered, check their web site at www.oerm.org. 5. March 12-13, 2005 - GATS will host another model train show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa on this weekend. The hours are the same as the Pomona Show. ______________________________________________________ Custom Traxx California Show Schedule! * For the traction fan who likes to shop at model train shows, Custom Traxx told the Times that they will be exhibiting their line of traction decals, selected brass traction models and traction parts at the following first quarter 2005 California shows: Great American Train Show, Sacramento California Exposition & Fairgrounds - January 8-9, 2005 Model Train Expo Queen Mary, Long Beach CA - January 15-16, 2005 Great American Train Show, San Francisco Cow Palace - February 12-13, 2005 World's Greatest Hobby on Tour Long Beach Convention Center - February 19-20, 2005. Come see what's new in the traction area. See the new Bowser Standard Light Rail Vehicle and Light Rail Transit Vehicle mechanisms.	Southern California Traction Club Open to New Members * The Southern California Traction Club has openings for new members who are interested in promoting the fun of model traction. The club was founded in 1995 and has made 54 public appearances. As is usually the case, several of the original members have had many changes in their marital status, employment and job locations which diminished their abilities to fully participate and enjoy the club. If you live in Southern California and have any desire to embrace HO scale traction modeling, consider joining this club. Call the club at 323-936-2253 most Tuesday or Sunday afternoons or visit their web site at www.trainweb.org/socaltractionclub/. _______________________________________________________ Nickel Silver Wheels for Bowser HO Scale Trolley Mechanisms from NorthWest Short Line! * As initially mentioned in the April 2004 issue of the Times, Northwest Short Line, P.O. Box , Seattle, WA is making replacement nickel silver wheels for the Bowser HO scale trolley mechanisms in 26", 30", 33" and 36" sizes. The wheels are sold in 8 unit packages as follows: 26" wheels, #2634-6; 30" wheels, 2635-6; 33" wheels, #2636-6; 36" wheels, #2637-6 and retail for $6.95. Custom Traxx is also making nickel silver wheels available as an option for the Bowser SLRV and Kawasaki LRT mechanisms available from them. Check their catalog at www.customtraxx. com for more information. _________________________________________ New Large Scale Traction Decals Coming from Custom Traxx! *** The Times learned recently that Custom Traxx will offering more large scale traction decals with decal sets designed for the Hartland Locomotive Works Single Truck Birney Trolley. First to be released will be decal set GN-62 for the Sacramento Northern Railroad. One of these cars has been preserved at the Western Railway Museum in Rio Vista, CA. Next to be released will be set GN-143 for San Jose Railroads. One of these cars has also been preserved in San Jose at Kelley Park. If the first two sets prove to be popular with large scale modelers, the third release will be GN-331 for Pacific Electric Railway. Two of these cars have been preserved at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA. Look for more information at www.customtraxx.com as these decals sets are released.