Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

ZERO MILE POSTMAY/JUNE 2015

MISSION STATEMENT:To preserve an important segment of history - Tinplate Toy TrainsThrough research, the establishment of collecting standards, education, community outreach and fellowship, and to promote the growth and enjoyment of the hobby.

Terminus Chapter Train Meet In Acworth Is Almost Here!The time has come. In just a few weeks we will christen our new meet location. Our May meet is shaping up to be a good one. Tables are selling fast and a lot of interest in the new location abounds. Come and hear what special member news I have to share, you should not be disappointed.Please enjoy the read! Comments welcome.

TERMINUS CHAPTER NEWS

T-C SEPTEMBER MEET DATE CHANGEFor more than one reason, it became apparent to the board that the current Sept. meet date would not work. The new date is Sept. 26

T-C LOSES LONGTIME MEMBERS T-C lost a few good men in this past 2 months. We pay our respect and appreciate them. ~ Pages 3&5

OPEN HOUSE IN JUNET-C is happy to announce the open house for June to be hosted by Bob Smith. Read all about it.~ Page 4

‘IN-TRAINING’ WITH RICK HEMERRick is back again this month with Lionel’s first attempt at putting sound in trains. ~ Page 7

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAIN SHOWSA full list of area train shows and events.~ Page 8

Also, the registration form for the May Meet is included!

VOL. 1 • NO. 3 This Newsletter Is On-Line

O F F I C E R S :

SECRETARYTOMMIE TURNER T R E A S U R E R(UNOCCUPIED)

Next T-C Train Meet: May 23rd 2015

Plenty of goodies at the Dixie Div. Ringgold Train Meet Lewis Collier awaits a customer.

PRESIDENTARNO BAARSVICE-PRESIDENTBILL FREY

Newsletter of the Terminus Chapter - Train Collector’s Association

Join fellow TCAmembers for all the fun, camaraderie and new treasures found ata TCA sponsored train meet!

ZERO MILE POST! PAGE 2

Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

Well, it’s been a couple months o f u p s a n d d o w n s . I t ’ s hard to know where to start.

The downside would surely be the passing of our beloved Treasurer, Mac. Followed shortly thereafter with the news of Dess Oliver’s demise. It was a tough couple weeks in March for sure.

On the upside, Dixie Division hosted a nice and well attended train meet in Ringgold. There were plenty of tables with trains of all eras, gauges, sizes and colors. A great deal for all to see and, hopefully, take home.

As I write this, I just returned home from another great York meet. Many trains I brought were sold and I picked up a few along the way as well. The best part of York is seeing all the people I have gotten to know. Whether they are friends from the Terminus Chapter or abroad, many good stories were shared.

My York week starts with the Bandit meets on Wednesday morning. For those who aren’t familiar, these are non-sponsored train meets at local hotels and firehouses. I think there are 4 all together, but I generally only visit the Holidome and the Billy Budd as they are affectionately known. Many fine trains were on display both inside and out. This is my first chance to pick up a few goodies, which I did, and meet up with a few friends.

Then it is off to the National Toy Train Museum and Library. I usually spend a lot of time in the Library doing research, but seeing how I forgot my glasses, research would have to take a back seat, thus turning

into a social visit instead. I also wanted to see the new display of homemade trains in the museum. This display was created by a good friend, Clem Clement. He brought together many oddball and previously unloved examples of trains made in earlier times. Some were made by people who lacked the means to buy the real toy trains. Others were constructed as a “what if ” scenario.... what if Lionel or American Flyer made this? What a wonderful exhibition. I noted that this spectacle of orphaned trains grabbed a lot of attention by the Museum attendees, more so than some of the other newer trains on display.

My Wednesday finishes up with a dinner party hosted by a friend in Lancaster. Many great collectors come from all parts of the country to be there. It is filled with great fellowship and some great train stories, some of which can be (and generally are) greatly embellished!

Then it starts, the TCA York meet. So many trains in one spot, it’s mind boggling. Three days of toy train jubilee! It’s so hard to explain the bliss, but there are over 2000 tables of toy trains... ‘nuff said!

The week could have ended on a down note, as our truck broke down in no-mans-land Virginia (first one in over 30 York trips, over 50K miles worth). But thanks to some fine people, we made the best of it. Most of all to Colleen Hall for bringing me the parts I needed to get going again. Not only a good friend but also the President of the WB&A chapter of TCA. Toy train people are the best.

T-C NOMINATIONS STILL OPEN

Bob Kettel is chairing the nominations committee and is eagerly accepting nominees for elected positions. With the recent loss of our t rea sure r, th i s becomes more important than ever. Contact Bob for info at: RobertKettel@gmail.com

Bob plans to present the slate of officers at the May meet. We will then have the election at the September meet. If for some reason you can not attend the Sept. meet to vote, please let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate you.

T-C PLANS OPEN HOUSE We have scheduled an Open House June 13th to be hosted by Bob Smith. Read more about it on page 4 of this newsletter. Hope to see you there.

Thanks for reading this far, enjoy the newsletter!

President, Terminus Chapter

The Prez Sez...

A group of homemade trains on display at your National Toy Train Museum. Courtisy of Clem Clement.

ZERO MILE POST! PAGE 3

Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

Not much can be said that would sum up the life of the man we lovingly knew as Mac. He was a special soul for sure. What I can tell you about is how he did so much for the Terminus Chapter and the TCA, and never asked for anything in return.

Before Mac moved to Atlanta, he was instrumental in helping the Southern Division TCA build their new division. He served as their treasurer and initiated many of the practices that are still in use to this day. Mac was a native of Miami, but made a real impact to most of us after he retired and moved north. He was an Air Force veteran, a Shriner, a member of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry and joined the TCA in 1982. He had a big heart. Mac succumbed to his long battle with cancer on March 11, at the age of 80. I think longtime friend and T-C member, Pete Trizzino sums it up best with this tribute. Godspeed my friend.

ON THIS A SUNLIT DAY - A FINAL TRIBUTE

The few steps stood in stark contrast to this sunlit day with spring just a heartbeat away,

The aforementioned led to the funeral home where Mac’s urn was for all to see.From near and from far the bereaved had travelled for this the tolling of the final bell,

All came to bid adieu, never ever goodbye, to our one and our only Mac McConnell.

Some were fortunate to have known him for many years,

To those, and all others, we fully understand the appearance of tears.He wasn’t especially tall and rarely did he speak gruffly,

Rather, Mac was all about genuineness, kindness and humility.

Words are simply inadequate to describe the pleasure derived from having worked closely with Mac in the Atlanta region,

His contributions to our beloved hobby were nothing short of legion.

I shall miss Mac as so many others will,Not so sure you can convince me that we can find someone to quite fit the bill.

There was simply no end to his love and admiration of the Terminus Chapter,

The countless years in the company of his many friends; reveling in both their knowledge and laughter,

Mac’s absence from our future meets will render them never the same,

And our loss shall be borne by our collective pain.

Much in life simply succumbs to the ravages of time; words however, are forever.

Remembering Enoch “Mac” McConnell, Jr.TCA#82-18757 - TREASURER, TERMINUS CHAPTER

This is how many members will remember Mac, he and Carolyn Pierson would greet everyone with a smile.

~Peter TrizzinoTCA 86-23860

ZERO MILE POST! PAGE 4

Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

TRAINS, TRAINS, TRAINS.... AND MORE TRAINS!

If you like seeing trains run, then Bob Smith has the place for you! And run they do. Bob likes the simplicity of the classic Post-War train layout and runs his with a modern twist. His 8‘x18’ multi-level layout features mountains, bridges and is filled with vintage Plast icvi l le bui ldings, some Lionel accessories, a carnival and lots of tubular O-gauge track. The kind of layout he remembered as a boy growing up in New Jersey. Bob runs 8 loops on the train board and 2 more loops up along the ceiling around the room. The trains run on either Lionel TMCC, MTH DCS or with conventional power. Ten trains can be run at one time, and they usually do.

Bob also likes running long trains. A couple notable trains include the 17 car freight train with triple-headed diesels, NS tank trains and a Santa Fe A-B-B-B-A behemoth with over 15 streamlined passenger cars. That’s just a small sampling of what he runs. You can always find many an engine traversing the rails, from Big

Boys, Hudsons and Berkshires, to a modern Amtrak loco.

Bob, and his wife Jane, moved south from New Jersey a few years back. Bob worked hard as an electrical contractor and owned his own business, but retired life kept calling. When he finally made the move, he knew trains were going to have to be part of the new house. So he made sure he had enough room for his tinplate empire.

The Terminus Chapter hopes you make plans to attend Bob’s Open House. Bob is very happy to show us his train room and talk trains. If you think you will attend, please be sure to rsvp.

OPEN HOUSEJune 13th, 2015

1pm - 4pm

ADDRESS:1415 Liberty Lane

Cumming, GA 30040

RSVP to:Dave Rodgers at

770-713-2025or

gahighrail@yahoo.com

Bob’s fills every bit of the 8‘x18’ layout. Bob has no shortage of trains, he can run 10 trains at one time. Your host for the afternoon, Bob Smith

Bob Smith’s Open HouseJUNE 13TH, 2015

ZERO MILE POST! PAGE 5

Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

Dess Oliver was a train nut for all his life. He originally joined the TCA in 1971. He collected, operated, built, drove and chased trains with vigor. He loved disco dancing too, but we will stick to the trains! Dess also had a great passion for teaching which was more than a career... it was just who he was. He certainly led an inspiring life and leaves quite the legacy behind. For the many that knew Dess, there are not many who will forget what he has done for them.

DeSaussure Ford Oliver II, or Dess as we knew him, was a Georgia native. After graduating from FSU, he began a teaching career that spanned more than five decades. Forty-three of those years were spent teaching at the Rabun Gap Nacoochee School as the Industrial Arts instructor. He retired in 2014 having mentored thousands of students through his remarkable career. Through the hands-on experiences of industrial arts

classes and many student activity programs, he taught students to think critically, to plan and to organize.

Combining his passion for trains and teaching, he and his students built the full-sized locomotive and railway cars that are now housed at the Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum located across from the RGNS campus. The project was featured in People magazine and numerous other publications. A dynamic personality and railroad historian, Dess took a personal interest in the long forgotten Tallulah Falls Railroad and has documented its heritage. He also co-authored the book on the short-line, Tallulah Falls Railroad.

Never still for very long, Dess taught us all to live life to its fullest. His sense of adventure led him on cross-country and backwoods journeys to learn about and explore historical sites. He enjoyed meeting people and learning about them,

and he was a frequent source of advice, encouragement and inspiration. Dess was short in stature, but big at heart. He was taken from us too soon.

The Terminus Chapter’s excursion to the Tallulah Falls Railway Museum wil l be rescheduled soon. We will let you know when we have a firm date for this event.

T-C MEMBER BILL HAWKINS PASSES

William T. "Bill" Hawkins, of Stockbridge, GA, died April 20, 2015 at the age of 81. He was born in Augusta, GA and never strayed very far. Bill had a lifelong love of trains, both big and small. He joined the TCA in 2001 (01-53659). Bill was a social butterfly, and he never met a stranger. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Dess Oliver’s Legacy Lives On For All.

JULY 14, 1937 ~ MARCH 30, 2015

Dess will be remembered by many at the controls of ol’ #7.

Always happy, Bill will be missed.

ZERO MILE POST! PAGE 6

Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

The Dixie Division TCA hosted their train show on March 7th at the Catoosa Colonnade in Ringgold, GA. This has been the location of their meets for a few years now and it works very well. It has a lot to offer; a large, well lit room with plenty of tables. Sounds like the making of a train show! Well attended by members from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. I spoke with meet coordinator, Bill Stitt, and he said they had over 65 tables sold and both public and member attendance was very good. There was a good crowd for the whole meet, young and old alike, and many looked to be happy customers as well! I met some neat people there, one of which was David Trickel. David is the current owner of the Trickel Cast Parts business which has been supplying reproduction parts for many years. David’s story is an interesting one and I will share it in an upcoming issue of the Zero Mile Post. Overall, the weather was great and the trains were even better. We look forward to the next one.

Parts manufacturer, David Trickel, eyes up a few Pre-War trains.

“There was a good

crowd for the whole

meet, young and old

alike and many

looked to be happy

customers as well!”

Dixie Division’s TCA Train Show MARCH 7TH, 2015 ~ RINGGOLD, GA

Bill Sewell had plenty of trains looking for a new home at the Ringgold TCA show.

Mike Brown is happy to be at a train show... as always!

~Arno Baars

ZERO MILE POST! PAGE 7

Terminus Chapter - TCA | Serving Atlanta’s Toy Train Needs Since 1970 | email the Terminus Chapter

“CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! SOMETHING NEW IN

LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAINS”

That is how the all new 1933 Lionel catalog read. They also declared “Now Lionel has made them sound like real trains too” and “This remarkable new feature” was known as the Chugger, Lionel’s first sound device/system. The Chugger was mostly a high-end standard gauge feature being installed on 400E, 392E and 385E locomotives. These were the largest and most expensive trains for Lionel at the time. But the Chugger was also installed on the top of the line O-gauge locomotive of the day, the beautiful 260E.

On the big standard gauge locomotives, the system consisted of a chugger sound device, chugger

controller and a chugger cam. The chugger sound device is an electrical coil attached to a sheet metal can with a disk, that when energized makes a buzzing (chugging) noise. No batteries required! The Chugger gets it’s power directly from the track. As the drive wheels tur n, the chugger cam (mounted on the drive wheels axle) depresses and releases the sterling silver contacts inside the chugger controller, which in turn actuates the coil of the chugger device causing a rhythmic “chugging” sound. There is an on/off switch, which is normally located in the cab. Primitive by todays standards, but this was revolutionary in 1933. The 260E’s Chugger arrangement is a little different. Instead of the chugger cam and controller set-up, it has a contact switch mounted on the

steam chest and is actuated by the motion of the drive rods. A 4-position lever inside the cab switches the Chugger and E-unit on/off in any combination desired. Some 400E locomotives reportedly also have this cab mounted 4-position switch.

In operation, Lionel’s catalog pronounced “As the locomotive gathers momentum the chugging speeds up until it sounds like the steam exhaust of a big Limited tearing by”. Some think it sounds like a noisy Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Others imagine that with proper speed control and a good bit of imagination, it sounds acceptable. But like it, love it or hate it, 1936 was the last year the “Chugger” was cataloged.

Note: If you want to hear the Chugger live in action, come to our May 23rd meet. I hope to have my 260E up and running for all to see and hear!

Lionel’s First Sound System! IN-TRAINING ~ WITH RICK HEMER

The Chugger’s sound unit (left) and the controlling switch (right) as seen in Rick’s Lionel 260E locomotive.

The 4-position switch located in the cab controls the Chugger and E-Unit.

~ CLICK THE SHOW NAME FOR MORE INFO ~

TERMINUS CHAPTER TCA MEETMay 23rd • 9am-2pm

V.F.W. Post #5408 • Acworth GA

GOLDEN SPIKE MODEL TRAIN SHOWAugust 8th • 9am-4pm

North Atlanta Trade Center • Norcross GA

MAGIC VALLEY CHAPTER TCAMay 16th • Huntsville AL

contact rupertsrails@knology.net for info

OPEN HOUSE @ BOB SMITH’SJune 13th • 1pm-4pm

1415 Liberty Lane • Cumming GA, 30040

TERMINUS CHAPTER TCA MEETSeptember 26th • 9am-2pm

V.F.W. Post #5408 • Acworth GA

EASTERN DIV. TCA YORK MEETOctober 22nd-24th • York PA

MAGIC VALLEY CHAPTER TCApostponed date TDB

Tallulah Falls Railway Museum • Rabun Gap GA

May/June 2015

FROM:

T E R M I N U S C H A P T E R • T C A1 4 0 1 H o p e d a l e C t .L a w r e n c e v i l l e , G A 3 0 0 4 3

Vol. 1 • No. 3

MAIL TO:

Member4321 First StreetAnytown, State ZIP

TOY AND MODEL TRAIN SWAP MEET

$1.00 OFF ADMISSION

DECEMBER 6, 2014AMERICAN LEGION POST 201

201 Wills Road | Alpharetta, GA 30009

ADMISSION:

General Public - $7.00/person

TCA Members - $5.00/person

Children ages 16 and under are FREE

Operating Train Layouts

New and Antique

Toy & Model Trains

3DUWV�v�$SSUDLVDOV

Train Collectors Association - Terminus Chapter

Show Hours: 9am-2pm

OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC

MAY 23RD 2015V.F.W. POST #5408

4764 Cobb Parkway NW | Acworth, GA 30101

Note: No trading or selling outside the meet hall. Table holders are asked to abide by the show hours and not leave early so all patrons can be served. Attendees agree to comply with all rules and regulations of the TCA.

Future Events & Train Meets

ZERO MILE POST

NAME ________________________________ TCA# ____-________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________ EMAIL __________________________ PHONE# (____) ____-________

"Pre-Registration (no table) $5.00 $ ______ "Pre-Registration (w/8’ table) $20.00 $ ______ "8’ Tables - buy 3 get 4th FREE! Qty ____ (x) $15.00 $ ______ "I will wear my chapter badge Total Amount Enclosed $ ______ "Request my table(s) next to: __________________________________ "Spouse "Child (if attending)__________________________________All Tables $25 at Door. ~ Pre-Register Now & Save! • No Phone/Email Reservations Will Be Accepted

TERMINUS CHAPTER TCATOY TRAIN SWAP MEET

VFW POST 5408 IN ACWORTH, GA NEW LOCATION! MORE TABLES! SNACK BAR!May 23, 2015 • 9:00 - 2:00(set-up Sat. 7am-9am, Business Meeting 9am)

Please Make Check Payable to: TERMINUS CHAPTER-TCA

Directions From ATLANTA: I-75N to EXIT 277, turn LEFT onto GA-92S. Turn RIGHT in .3MI & follow GA-92S. Drive 3.7MI & turn RIGHT onto US-41N/COBB PARKWAY & VFW is 2.2MI on RIGHT.Directions From CHATTANOOGA: I-75S to EXIT 285 & turn RIGHT onto RED TOP MOUNTAIN RD SE. Take 1st RIGHT in .3MI & follow RED TOP MOUNTAIN RD. Turn LEFT onto US-41N/COBB PKWY & VFW is 5.5MI on LEFT.

V.F.W. POST 5408 • 4764 Cobb Pkwy NW, Acworth, GA 30101

TO GUARANTEE YOUR TABLE(S), PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORM WITH PAYMENT TO: Tommie Turner 1401 Hopedale Ct. Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Pre-Registration Deadline:May 5, 2014

For Info on Event, call 770-339-4246

All Table Holders Eligible for a $50 Cash Prize

Bring Your SOUTHERN RAILWAYItem for the Display Table!!