November 2012 Volume 2 • Issue 5

www.trainfest.com

2012 Trainfest November The Journey Continues 10th - 11th What’s Inside with Eight Rebuilt Modules Hornby America By Angela Podewils Revives Rivarossi PG 3 “It is about the journey, not the finished the G-Whiz Gang has been rebuilding layout,” says Fred Holzapfel of the G-Whiz eight modules. Fred tells Trainfest Trainfest 2012 Gang on the model railroading hobby. EXPRESS that the modules create a fresh Floorplan look to their layout – but that we all have For the G-Whiz Gang, the journey began to visit the layout to fully experience this PG 6 around 1989 when a group of friends new and improved railroad. began a layout from several battery and Kids Activity Zone track powered large scale train sets. The Updating the railroad makes for a fresh PG 10 group’s vision was to create a railroad in new experience for not only the club but the same manner as a typical HO-Scale visitors as well. layout using large scale trains. Their Clinics And Demos primary goal was to create something Over time, the Gang has added several PG 11 train fans of every age could enjoy. scenes for the enjoyment of visitors. When looking closely at the railroad, visitors Manufacturers New The G-Whiz railroad is never complete will observe the subtle animated scenes in the eyes of the club members; there created by Corky Whitlock, a NMRA to Trainfest 2012 are always new ideas for scenes and Master Model Railroader. PG 12 modules to add to the layout. This year THE JOURNEY CONTINUES Continued on page 4 Luxury Travel On The North Shore PG 14

The Choo Choo Bob Show Cast Members PG 18 Did I say “lot’s” … there’s even more … we have several new layouts joining Trainfest. A big welcome to the Standard gauge Modular Association – SGMA hailing from Arkansas, the Ontario and Quebec Railway from Canada, and from closer to home from the Milwaukee metro area -- a new Winter Trainfest Wonderland LEGO® layout. Plus many of the returning exhibitors have new and improved layouts and modules (several are featured in this EXPRESS issue to help inspire you to build and improve your From the own model railroad.) Sponsoring Publisher Wisconsin Southeastern (I know this is getting a bit long, but there is so Caboose Division, Inc., NMRA much to share. So hang in there…) WOW!!!! Trainfest 2012 is just about a week away and I am still amazed the Green Bay Packers will We have expanded our list of manufacturers not be playing a game on Trainfest Sunday – for the participating at the Friday Product Showcase Publisher third consecutive Trainfest. and throughout the weekend. See new products John H. Tews, MMR displayed for the first time and let the manufacturers I thought the floor plan was complete until last night [email protected] know what new products you want to see in the when we decided to add another kid’s building future. They really do want to hear from you. block area. So the pieces of the floor plan puzzle Contributing Editors covering more than four football fields are back up The Clinic and Demonstration areas have been Angela Podewils on my computer one more time. We will repost the expanded (list on page 11) to help you solve www.trainfest.com Bonnie Moyer Topczewski floor plan on our website – – challenges, get ideas from fellow model builders, and if I have anything to say about it, it will be the and learn special techniques to create and expand Jody Delie final version! your own railroad empire. Please feel free to ask Julie Larsen questions and share your experiences with our Use the floor plan with the exhibitor list to pre-plan clinicians, manufacturers, exhibitors, and hobby your time at Trainfest. Booth numbers are included dealers. And if you need help in assembling that first Newsletter Design, next to the exhibitor name. A schematic of the train set, stop by our Basic TRAINing area (booth Web & Advertising floor plan and exhibitor list are also included in the 8248) and talk with the experts. program distributed at the show. Mercury Communication When you’re at TRAINFEST, please look me up Partners, LLC So what do we have in store for you at Trainfest and say “Hi”. I do appreciate your ideas on how 262-782-4637 2012? Lots!!! In addition to the over 60 train layouts, to make Trainfest even better. the hobby dealers and manufacturers, we have www.mercuryww.com Kid’s Activity Zone expanded our new (look for the In the spirit of Model railroading, orange banners hanging above the Zone). Photos Contributed by Clear Signals Always, Choo Choo Bob and his Holy Smokestacks Revue Choo Choo Bob Show band (sponsored by Walthers®) will be performing Hornby America in the Kid’s Activity Zone along with an inflatable Jeremy Topczewski Thomas the Tank® jump house, a Basic TRAINing John area to help mom and dad assemble the first train set, story time, a coloring, tattoo and kids craft John H. Tews, MMR area, and face painting. Radio Disney® returns Executive Director – Trainfest on Sunday between 12:30 and 2pm for even more TRAINFEST, Trainfest EXPRESS fun. When the Trainfest committee decides to do Trainfest EXPRESS is sent free via email as a and the Trainfest LOGO are something, we do it up right! PDF or can be viewed on the Trainfest website in an interactive, online paging-style format. You can also registered trademarks of the Kid’s activity favorites like the train races sponsored print out the pages or articles you desire. Wisconsin Southeastern Division, by the TCA-Midwest Division, two Lego train layouts Inc., NMRA. and now two Kid’s Build & Play areas sponsored We continue to look for your input on articles you by the American Institute of Architects and the Blau would like to see in the EXPRESS. Send them to us Pewaukee Road are back too. at [email protected] or [email protected]. www.trainfest.com

Trainfest Committee John H. Tews, MMR Gary Kamin Joe Russ Executive Director, Trainfest Treasurer Wisconsin Southeastern Division, Inc., E-mail: [email protected] NMRA Superintendent Ed Padgett Richard Cecil Volunteer Coordinator Mercury Communications Asst. to the Director Advertising Agency Kurt Wamser Cedor Aronow Floor Director Trainfest is possible due to the dedication Security and hard work of our volunteers and board Linda Sukup members. If you would like to volunteer for Scott Porinsky Ticket Coordinator America’s largest operating model railroad Computer Services show, contact us via email: volunteer@ Terry Thompson trainfest.com. Trainfest is sponsored by the 2 HMA-MRD Advisor Wisconsin Southeastern Division, Inc., NMRA DID YOU KNOW?

The only railway to go to the top of a volcano was built on Mount Vesuvius Introducing at Trainfest 2012 … in Italy, in 1880. Hornby America Revives an http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk Improved Rivarossi Locomotive Line

This year, Trainfest welcomes a dozen new manufacturers scale speeds. It wasn’t long before Rivarossi moved to a to its line-up of 50+ exhibiting manufacturers. Hornby two rail track system and production of HO gauge trains for America, with its highly anticipated Rivarossi product line American markets began. reintroduction, is one of these manufacturers. In the 1950’s, Rossi began to experiment with Bakelite Hornby America is the U.S. Division of Hornby, the well- plastic and discovered the product allowed for much known United Kingdom hobby manufacturer. Hornby more detailing than was possible with metal. He perfected UK began U.S. operations in late 1999 after purchasing the process and Rivarossi became the first model train Scalextric USA. The company’s initial focus was on slot manufacturer to use Bakelite. cars. Rivarossi products are also well known to the public as Within five years, Hornby America was into model they were imported under the AHM and IHC brand names railroading and introduced live steam kits and servicing. In during the 1960’s and 70’s. late 2004 Hornby purchased the Lima Model Railroading product group, which included the Rivarossi brand of Around 1998, model train manufacturers Lima, Jouef products. and Arnold were in bankruptcy and the tooling was sold to Rivarossi. In the early 2000’s, Rivarossi found itself in financial stress and in late 2004, Hornby purchased the History of Rivarossi Lima Model Railroading product group, which included Alessandro Rossi founded Rivarossi in 1945. It was a time Rivarossi, Lima, Jouef, and Arnold assets. when there were no other producers of model trains in Italy. Through Hornby and its commitment to the model Using a small inheritance as seed money, Rossi bought a railroading hobby, Rivarossi, the famous Italian brand section of a factory and began manufacturing trains. synonymous worldwide with offering the finest quality Initially Rivarossi concentrated on producing the ‘OO’ railway modeling products, is back in the forefront of the gauge (three rail trains) for children. Despite being hobby. marketed as toys, Rossi’s personal passion for true model HORNBY AMERICA REVIVES Continued on page 21 trains was evident in the detail of the trains and the ratio to 3 see THE JOURNEY CONTINUES Continued from cover One fan favorite is the scene of a fisherman sitting on a Model railroading has become a lifelong journey for G-Whiz bridge and if one watches closely, every once in a while Gang members. Together members have worked to build his pole bends as the line is pulled as if he has caught a their layout, while also having some fun. While members fish. For others, it’s a cat wagging its tail in anticipation of Lowell Woods, Jim Perske and Keith Koch have passed catching a rat. Still another favorite for many is the scene away, their memory lives on through the traditions of the featuring a logging operation complete with logging cars Club, and their contributions to the Club and its railroad. and a “Wannigan”, paying tribute to the logging history of the St. Croix River. (What is a Wannigan? See note below.) As Fred says, “the journey through these years has brought a few bumps and memories they will never forget. Yet the The G-Whiz Gang began bringing their railroad “on the most important part of the journey is the lifelong friendships road” to shows in 1991. Since the layout is geared for young and shared love of model railroading.” visitors, Trainfest was a natural fit. With its wide variety of visitors, club members have come to love this long weekend This is not the first time the G-Whiz Gang has been featured in Milwaukee to meet new hobbyists and catch up with in Trainfest EXPRESS. In the Summer 2011 issue we shared old friends. Fred especially enjoys how the Trainfest show one special tradition the club has maintained through the introduces children to the hobby. years, their “Junior Engineer” certificate. It bears repeating here.

4 One Trainfest day, Fred was manning the railroad when a young father walked up with his 3-year-old son. He simply said to Fred, “I’d like to What is a Wannigan? teach my son how to run the trains,” and in the very next breath the young father pulls from his pocket his own Junior Engineer certificate A Wannigan could be described as a house and hands it to Fred. boat, but they were really more like floating shacks. They were built 25 to 30 ft. in length The young father had obtained his certificate nearly ten years earlier, and designed low to the water for stability on and was now returning, as a certified “engineer” to teach his son how quick running rivers. to operate the train. Fred recalls their faces just beamed. This was truly a special experience for all and not one Fred will soon forget. In the days when the St. Croix was a Seeing one generation so excited about passing down the hobby to logging route, Wannigans were used by the next is really heartwarming. lumbermen. The "shanty-boat" had sleeping accommodations for the loggers during those The G-Whiz Gang has been giving out Junior Engineer Certificates long logging drives. since 1991. Fred estimates that the G-Whiz Gang gives out anywhere from 200-500 certificates at a show. “It was the idea of one of our founders, Jim Perske. I’m sure he smiles down on us with every certificate we fill out,” says Fred. This Club tradition has traveled across the country from Denver to Sioux St. Marie, from Winnipeg, Rochester, Minneapolis and St. Paul to La Crosse. And of course, Milwaukee, the home of Trainfest.

The Gang has no intentions of stopping any time soon and will have Junior Engineer Certificates at Trainfest 2012.

Editor’s Note: Check out page 19 for other great railroad layouts which are “fan favorites” for kids.

5 Your Guide to Trainfest 2012

6 Trainfest 2012 Floorplan

7 Trainfest 2012 Exhibitors Manufacturers 8115 Renewal by Anderson 8115 Richmond Controls 8307 Accu-Lites, Inc 8128 Ring Engineering, Inc. 8124 Accurail 8232 Ross Custom Switches 8119 Athearn 8238 RR in a Box 8301 Atlas Model Railroad Co. 8235 Scenic Express 8301 Atlas O w/ Atlas 8324 Sinbad Glue 8212 AYA Enterprises 8109 Soundtraxx / Blackstone Models 8219 Bachmann Trains 8327 Sparkling Star Models 5230 Badger Air Brush w/ Tool Man 8312 Spring Mills Depot 8116 Big City Hobbies 8306 Stoddart's LTD Company 8127 Bluford Shops LLC 8102 Stout Auctions 8008 Bowser Manufacturing 8105 Sundance Marketing 8227 Broadway Limited Imports 8328 Testors Corp 8304 Caboose Industries 8126 Trains Hoover 8228 Carstens Publication 8126 Traintek, LLC 8205 Daylight Sales 8104 True Line Trains 8208 Digitrax, Inc 8006 True Scene Modeling 8313 ESU LLC 8130 Wheels of Time 8321 ETS - Electric Trains Systems 8041 Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. 8001 Evan Designs 8319 Woodland Scenics 8202 ExactRail, LLC 8332 World of Model Trains & Industry 8311 Fox Valley Models 8106 Yard Goat Images 8002 G C Laser Innovations 8210 Golden Spike Artisans Group 8137 Heritage Art Editions, Inc. Display in the Manufacturers Area 8330 Hobby Manufacturers Association 8342 HMA Display 8100 Hornby America - ( Rivarossi USA ) 8501 Milwaukee Light Engineering Society 8129 Hunterline 8325 World's Greatest Hobby 8132 InterMountain Railway Co. 8302 Iwata-Medea, Inc. Displays in General Exhibit Area 8121 Kadee Quality Products Co. 1120 Trainfest Show Office 8325 Kalmbach - HMA 2316 Bunce Historic Displays 8101 Kato USA, Inc. 6301 Carlson Layout and Timesaver 8030 Lionel Collectors Club of America 6222 Great Circus Trains 8033 Lionel Operating Train Society 6121 Green Bay and Western Historical Society 8025 LIONEL, L.L.C. 1308 Kiekhofer Display 8138 Marklin, Inc. 4307 Lionel Railroad Club - Milwaukee 8201 Micro-Trains Line Co. 1224 Mid Continent Railway Museum 8314 Model Railroad Benchwork 4214 Midwest Division TCA - Train Races 8005 Model Rectifier Corporation 1230 Milwaukee Road Archives 8314 Model Train Travel 6102 NMRA Booth w/ WI Southeastern Division 8335 MTH Electric Trains, Inc. 1308 North American Prototype Modelers 8034 Neff Video Productions 2101 SS Badger Display 8112 NJ International 2106 SS Edmund Fitzgerald 8113 Phoenix Unlimited Ltd. 1218 Steiner Layout & Demonstrations 8110 Piko-America, LLC 6102 WI Southeastern Division - NMRA Booth Trainfest 2012 Exhibitors Historical Groups 2321 Southeastern WI HiRailers 2118 Rattin Railroad Antiques 4124 Standard Gauge Module Assn SGMA 2308 Richard Smyth - Advanced Illustrations & Design 6101 Chicago & North Western Historical Society 7310 T-Trak - Bloomington-Normal 5210 Sommerfeld’s Trains 6120 East Troy Railroad Museum, Inc 1121 Waukegan Modular Model Railroad Club 3318 South Side Trains 6201 Great Northern Railway Historical Society 7302 Waukesha County Gandy Dancers 5202 Spring Creek Model Trains 2307 Milwaukee Road Historical Association 2120 Whiz Kidz 5307 Star Hobby - D Veiga 2117 Motorcycle & Model Railroad Museum 4321 Wisconsin Garden Railroad Society 2219 Steves Hobbies 1224 Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society 7117 Wisconsin Standard Gauge Operators 5102 Tag Trains 2312 Soo Line Historical Society 2105 Teskeys Trains 5312 TMER&L Historical Hobby Dealers & Vendors 5230 The Tool Man 5110 3000 toys - also b2b Replicas 4230 TJ Howell Circus Train Layouts in the Manufacturers Area 5315 3D Picture Store 5115 TM Books and Video 5110 b2b Replicas - see 3000 Toys 6105 Wisconsin - Illinois Trains 8413 Badgerland S Gaugers 2230 Choo Choo Bob's Trains 8348 Badgerland S Gaugers American Flyer 5117 Classic Trains & Ferraris 8400 Blank’s Ahnapee & Western RR Kids Activity Zone 6111 Clear View Trains 8248 Basic TRAINing 8013 G Whiz Gang 5112 Daleiden's - Art of Motion 8051 Choo Choo Bob Band 8447 Independent Hi-Railers - Midwest Division 3308 Dickinson Kansas Depot 8256 Choo Choo Bob Train Play tables 8437 Kettle Moraine Ballast Scorchers RR Club 5120 Don’s Cars and Trains 8249 Coloring 8038 Lionel Modular Layout 5226 Enginehouse Services, LLC 8249 Kid's Crafts 8427 Milwaukee Operators Organization 6308 Friesch, Railroad and Marine Artist 8051 Story Time 8141 WI Southeastern Divison Youth Layout 3204 Greenfield News & Hobby Center Inc. 8154 Thomas the Tank Jump House 8407 Wisconsin & Michigan Model Railroad Club 5101 Greenway Products 8249 Trainfest Tatoos 8241 Wisconsin Bits & Pieces Railroad 3314 Heimburger House Publishing Co. 8141 Wisconsin Southeastern Youth Layout 6127 Jelsma Graphics (WISE Guys and Gals) 5318 John's Trains 8247 World's Greatest Hobby Layout

Layouts in General Exhibit Area 3101 Kalmbach Publishing 6216 Acela Express NE Corridor 6113 Ladysmith Rail Display Other Kids Activities at Trainfest 1101 Arlington Heights Society of Model Engineers 4309 Lionel Railroad Club - Milwaukee 1310 Blau Pewaukee Road (Lego) 1224 Bedell Layout 6126 Lochmann’s Train Group 6208 Ciofani Winter LEGO layout 1310 Blau Pewaukee Road (Lego) 5126 Lombard Hobbies 4220 AIA Kidz Build and Play Area - Lego's 2204 Bluff City Modular Engineers 2310 Luecke Books - Como Shops 5323 Rapant's Rusty Rails Railroad 4313 Capitol City N’gineers 5308 Madison Hobby Stop 1308 Pewaukee Road (Lego) Play Area 6301 Carlson Layout and Timesaver 6212 Miniature World 8238 RR in a Box - building a layout at the show 6227 Cedar Creek Central Railroad Club 3222 N Less Trains 3325 S. E. Wisconsin - Lionel Railroad Club 6208 Ciofani Winter LEGO 5320 Norm’s Train World 4230 TJ Howell Circus Train (extra fare) 2212 Colorado Narrow Gauge - Zeren 2315 Railroad Relics 8141 Wisconsin Southeastern Youth Layout 7228 Cream City Traction Group 2121 Railwear by Rebel Rails 4214 Midwest Division TCA - Train Races 7120 ETE - Milwaukee Chapter 1312 Fond du Lac Society of Model Railroad Hobbyists 7125 Glacial Garden Railway 6201 Great Northern Railway Historical Society 7102 Kenosha Garden Railway Society 6204 Kosma Gypsy Trolley Line 6315 Lake County Society of Modular Engineers 4308 Lionel Railroad Club - Milwaukee 1322 Madison HO Track 1101 Madison ‘O’ Scale 7328 MANTRAK _Bloomington Normal 7320 MANTRAK_Chippewa Valley 7322 MANTRAK_Dayton 7316 MANTRAK_Far North Rail 7314 MANTRAK_Great River Valley 7326 MANTRAK_Hertitage - IL 7317 MANTRAK_M & M 7312 MANTRAK_Milwaukee 7327 MANTRAK_Northwest Illinois 7315 MANTRAK_Thunder Bay 1117 Metro Milwaukee Z Scale 7223 Metro Model Railroad Club Ltd. 4203 Midwest Division - TCA 7202 Midwest Rails 1215 Milw Electric Ry & Transit Historical Society 3128 Milwaukee Electric Traction Club 2214 Milwaukee 'N' SouthEastern 7128 Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee 7216 ModUTrak 3212 North Shore and Western Modular Club 7112 NorthEastern Wisconsin Exhibition Railroading 3116 Northwest Traction Group 4102 Northwest Trainmasters 2210 Ontario and Quebec Railway 5323 Rapant's Rusty Rails Railroad 5216 Rusty Rails Layout 3325 S. E. Wisconsin - Lionel Railroad Club 1109 SDRT Railroad 4114 Sheboygan Society of Model RR Engineers 10

TF KIDS AREA POSTER-FNL.indd 1 10/15/12 5:01 PM Trainfest 2012 Clinics and Demos Niagara Frontier Region’s Craftsman Clinic Area 2 Booth 1224 Bedell Display & Demo Corner Clinics & Demos Booth 1203 Presents: Jansen Clinic & Demo Kitbashing piggy back cars from the 1950's - Al Crisp, MMR John Dornfeld Demo Scratchbuilding a backwoods water tower - Rick Hatton Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society Sratchbuilding a large coaling tower from Mike Carlson Demonstration St Thomas ON - Eric Roth Kitbashing an N scale depressed center flat car- Ron Clinic Area 3 Booth 1230 Colpitts John Drechsler Demo Working on a Labelle O scale passenger car - Brian Earl Karkoski Craftsman Kit Building Simple trees - Peter Hocking Kiekhofer Display Working on various rolling stock in HO - Andy Orr Milwaukee Road Archives Nefstead Demo Constructing simple trees - David R Smith Creating your own rock molds - Clark Kooning, MMR DCC locomotive speed matching - Martin Aldborough Manufacturer Area Demonstrations Working on a large South River model works Kit - Airbrushing - Neville Meades Iwata-Medea, Inc,. Booth 8302 Scratchbuilt HO cattle pens - Roger Davidson Stone water mill in OO gauge - John Robertson Structural bridge kits, weathering technique - Constructing resin Automobile kits - John Spring Hunterline, Booth 8129 Detail work on interiors and painting small animals - Laura Spring Scenery techniques & detailing for Styrofoam structures - Working on a large bridge - Dylan Harris Woodland Scenics, Booth 8319 Better Than Scratch lumber mill kits - Bob Douglas Upgrading ready to run freight cars - Bill Dewar Constructing a complete layout in a box over the weekend for giveaway on Sunday - Mirror table Demonstrations by Niagara RR in a Box, Booth 8238

Frontier Region (also at Booth 1203) Scenery Techniques - Mounting Tortoise switch machines in odd spots using True Scene Modeling, Booth 8006 model aircraft hardware - Al Crisp, MMR The process of constructing his backwoods water tower - Rick Hatton Making simple trees - Peter Hocking and David Smith Creating your own rock molds - Clark Kooning, MMR Building resin automobile kits - John Spring Upgrading ready to run rolling stock - Bill Dewar DCC locomotive speed matching - Martin Aldborough

Clinic Area 1 Booth 1218 Gutzmer & Timm Demos Mid Continent Railway Museum NAPM North America Prototype Modelers Steiner Layout & Demonstrations

11 Manufacturers New to Trainfest 2012

A several new manufacturers will join 1. Electric Train Systems (ETS) 6. True Scene Modeling over 50 returning industry leading 2. Hornby America 7. Model Train Travel manufacturers at Trainfest 2012. 3. Model Railroad Benchwork 8. Yard Goat Images The Manufacturer Area at Trainfest 4. RR in a Box 9. Stout Auctions promises to be “the best of both 5. Clearview Trains worlds” – returning favorites along with a dash of new friends.

1. Electric Train Systems (ETS) Czech Republic: http://www.ets-trains.com/ Model railroading is truly a global hobby. This year Electric Train Systems (ETS) from the Czech Republic will be at Trainfest. Established in 1991, ETS prides itself in manufacturing all-metal tin plate trains in O – Scale. Founder, Gustav Taus started ETS to combine the classic feel of all-metal toy trains with the functions and features of modern technology.

ETS Trains are created to reflect a faithful reproduction of their prototypical counterparts. Through the use of lithography and metal castings, they are able to create fine details, many of which are fully operational!

2. Hornby America – Fife, WA: http://hornbyamerica.com/ Hornby America is the North American distributor of Hornby slot cars, model railroads, plastic model kits, die-cast collectibles, paints and accessories. Established in 1999, Hornby America continues the tradition begun by Hornby in the United Kingdom as a premier manufacturer and household name in the hobby.

In 2004, Hornby acquired the Rivarossi line of HO scale model trains. Hornby America is the exclusive distributor of Rivarossi in the U.S.

3. Model Railroad Benchwork – Elgin, Il: http://modelrailroadbenchwork.com/home Model Railroad Benchwork offers quality customizable benchwork for model railroads. Constructed with quality, stability and flexibility in mind, the benchwork is built with “cabinet grade” plywood. We believe that benchwork should be affordable, easy to use, and adaptable to any modeler's needs.

4. RR in a Box – Philadelphia, PA: http://www.rrinabox.com The RR in a Box system aims to eliminate the apprehension of first time modelers in building a layout. Plans are offered in several scales (O to Z) with many variations to grow and create your own layout.

12 5. ClearView Trains – Lake Geneva, WI: https://clearviewtrains.com/ ClearView Trains offers crystal clear suspended railroad bed systems. With an unobstructed view, the trains will appear to be floating on air while running around the room. The systems are built with ½ inch crystal clear poly carbon acrylic with all front edges cut at a 45 degree angle, and installation instructions and customizable options.

6. True Scene Modeling: www.truescene.com True Scene is bringing their innovative scenery modeling product to Trainfest. Unlike any other plaster product, using Fusion Fiber is like adding a layer of top soil to your layout, and a great foundation in creating realistic scenery.

7. Model Train Travel: http://www.modeltraintravel.com Explore the model railroads of Europe through the Model Train Travel 13 day tour through Germany. Visit the “Miniature Wonder Land" in Hamburg, the Nuremberg Toy Museum layout and much more.

8. Yard Goat Images: www.yardgoatimages.com Yard Goat Images produces quality railroad DVDs. Their videos feature restored historical steam locomotives and rolling stock. Beyond the typical trains featured in railroad videos, Yard Goat images searches out rare or long forgotten trains, preserving them for years to come. Much like the hard working “yard goat” of a rail yard, Yard Goat Images films and produces these DVDs as their contribution to documenting the history of the rail industry.

9. Stout Auctions: http://stoutauctions.com/ Premier U.S. auction house specializing in scale and toy trains, Stout Auctions is the destination for Lionel toy trains, American Flyer, Marx, Ives, and more. Most sales are held in Williamsport, Indiana or West Middlesex, Pennsylvania.

13 LUXURY TRAVEL ON THE NORTH SHORE

Southbound North Shore train number 802 accelerates out The Electroliner, although promoted as “a fast way to travel” of the sheds of Milwaukee’s Downtown Terminal to begin between Milwaukee and Chicago, could not readily use her her 88-mile run down to the Chicago metro area during 80-plus mph speed with so many stops on her schedule. a pleasant early spring day in 1957. The Electroliner will However once in the outlying, sparsely populated tangent make twelve quick stops before entering North Chicago, rails, she reached speeds of up to 90 mph. With 24 then another 11 stops through the Loop district before scheduled stops within an 88-mile route, her average speed terminating at Roosevelt Road Station, approximately two computed to forty four miles per hour, still a very good time hours following her departure. as each stop averaged only about 2 minutes.

14 The Electroliner was delivered to the Chicago North Shore numbers. The cars were designated as A, B, C & A1 & Milwaukee Railroad Co. in January 1941. It was hailed sections. The power sections, A & A1 were numbered 801 as ‘luxury travel at its finest’, the train of tomorrow. Built & 802, B was a tavern-lounge and C section was a coach. by the St. Louis Car Company, the design was patterned A1 and A cars, besides being the power on both ends after Burlington’s famous Zephyr. The 144m-seat, air of the train, were divided into smoking and non-smoking conditioned, four unit consists became a serious contender compartments by a vestibule. The units in the second in the busy Milwaukee-Chicago passenger market. delivery were identical to the first shipment only they were numbered 803 & 804. The first unit to arrive on the property was Train 801-802. It was delivered to Racine, Wisconsin bypassing the shorter The two Electroliners made five trips a day between route through Chicago. Wisconsin had no sales tax so the Milwaukee and Chicago, or about 450 miles of revenue savings were quite huge. The second unit was delivered service. During the heavy passenger World War II years, via the same route, 9 days later. Although the four-car each Liner would make a sixth trip, a Sunday night run, articulated train operated as a single unit, it carried two departing the Chicago and Milwaukee Terminals at 10:30pm.

Following WWII, thanks to the increasing popularity of the automobile, the nation’s railroad passenger traffic went into steady decline. The busy Milwaukee-Chicago corridor also felt the squeeze. It would be a decline in which there would be no easy fix or any solution. The North Shore was losing up to 46,000 riders a month.

In 1958, the Susquehanna, now the corporate name of the North Shore, petitioned the ICC to discontinue all services. The end came on January 21, 1963, almost 22 years to the day that the first Electroliner was delivered to the company.

A sneak peek at Larry Fisher's original painting.

DID YOU KNOW?

The longest straight stretch of railway is in Australia. The part without any curves is 478km (301 miles) long and would take more than five hours to drive.

http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk

15 ZOO Spooktacular 2012

Trainfest was a treat stop sponsor at the 2012 Milwaukee County Zoo Spooktacular Family Event, October 26th & 27th. We had a great spot in the Big Cat Building next to a very active Cheetah. It was a great time connecting local families with Trainfest!

The Choo Choo Bob Show Cast Members: A follow up from the Ocober 2012 introduction of the Choo Choo Bob Show.

Choo Choo Bob Richard W. Kornbelt Choo Choo Bob loves to spend time with his friends, hang Rich is Bob's best friend, and the hardest working man in out at the clubhouse, sing songs and play with his trains. Bobville. Rich is a tireless worker, moving from career to In fact, Choo Choo Bob loves trains more than anyone else career, always putting his best foot forward and giving it his in the whole, wide world! best shot.

Engineer Emily Conductor Dave Engineer Emily is a great friend to the whole gang in Bob- Conductor Dave's job is to make sure that the trains always ville. She's super knowledgeable about trains, and likes to run on time. He loves playing checkers and keeping an spend her time volunteering at the Bobville Train Museum. eye on his best friend, Charlie Rat. 18 Hands-on Train Fun for Kids

With more than 60 operating model railroads, cool trains will be everywhere! However, as much as kids like to look at trains, they like playing with trains even more. So, for some hands-on train experience, check out these railroads with your kids at the show.

• The Lionel Operating Train Society will be bringing a 6’x8’ Thomas the Train® railroad Charlie Rat kids can operate. Checker player extraordinaire, Charlie Rat is Conductor Dave's best friend and co-worker. But sometimes it seems like Charlie Rat's most • At the G Whiz Gang railroad, kids can become train engineers in the making. They important job is to drive Conductor Davie-poo crazy! can take a turn running a train to earn a Junior Engineer Certificate!

• Young engineers can also operate the trains at the Southeastern Wisconsin Lionel Group’s classic Lionel Railroad.

• And, courtesy of Choo Choo Bob, there will be fun wooden train tables in the Kids Activity Zone for play.

• Keep your eye on Trainfest.com for what’s in store for the 2012 show… and to learn even more about Trainfest and the hobby of Model Railroading!

Ticket Agent Cee Cee Cee Cee works with Dave and Charlie, and that's a pretty hard job working with those two wacky guys! Cee Cee is always happy to share her knowledge of trains, especially with Choo Choo Bob.

Military & Scouts Free Admission for Military and Scouts All military that present military ID, uniformed scout masters/troops, or uniformed boy/girl scouts*, receive free admission at the door. *Boy Engineer Paul and girls scouts need to be accompanied by an Nobody knows more about trains than Engineer Paul. He loves going adult with paid admission on adventures with Choo Choo Bob, visiting fun and exciting train locations all over the world! 19 Get the most out of the Model Sponsors & Friends Trainfest would like to thank the following sponsors and Railroading Hobby friends for their support and donations to Trainfest 2012: Join the NMRA. Become a member of the Wisconsin Southeastern Division. Associations What is the NMRA? The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) was established in 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to bring model railroaders together to foster fellowship and provide resources to hobbyists. The NMRA is a worldwide QRQSUR¿WHGXFDWLRQDODVVRFLDWLRQKHDGTXDUWHUHGLQ Chattanooga, Tennessee. The organization is divided into geographic regions to best provide local support and camaraderie to model railroaders. Visit www.nmra.org. What is Wisconsin Southeastern Division, Inc.? The Wisconsin Southeastern Division (WI-SE Division) is made up of NMRA members living in the seven Southeastern Wisconsin counties of: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha. Sponsors With an educational mission to promote the model railroading hobby, the Wisconsin Southeastern Division creates opportunities for modelers who are “new and not- so-new” to the hobby to share new ideas and information. The Division sponsors free model railroading meets.

The Division also sponsors a group for young modelers and train enthusiasts to get started in the hobby. Visit www.wisedivision.org. What is Trainfest®? One way the Division pursues its mission is through its annual event, Trainfest. Hobbyists, hobby dealers, manufacturers and rail fans of all ages come together at Trainfest for two days to celebrate everything trains. Trainfest is the hub for bringing together new and experienced modelers to share ideas and pass on the passion for modeling to the next generation. What could be more fun? Become a Member. It’s Easy! To join, speak with a Division member or visit our website at www.wisedivision.org. If you do not live in Southeastern Wisconsin, please visit www.nmra.org to contact your local NMRA Division.

Trainfest ®

www.trainfest.com

Trainfest is sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern Division, Inc.

20 HORNBY AMERICA REVIVES Continued from page 3 5 pole can motors w/flywheels allowing for realistic and Hornby America and Rivarossi dependable operation. While the European outline has many possibilities and Hornby America is driven to bring the Rivarossi brand back variety, Hornby America has chosen to have the Rivarossi to its glory, but with operational improvements to make it line follow the American product outline. The reason was even better. simple … the American outline provides the best possible quality — and that value is in keeping with the reputation of Model Railroad Brand Manager Arvids Breikss is especially the Rivarossi line. enjoying the excitement around the reintroduction of the Heisler logging locomotives. The locomotives will be Trainfest visitors will be among the first to see the fruits of available as 2- or 3-truck with several roads and numbers. this decision. Hornby America will be introducing several new locomotives at Trainfest! Final production samples of At Hornby America, they look to create niche products that the following locomotives will be at the Hornby America no one else is fulfilling. According to Arvids, “By taking booth #8100 at Trainfest 2012. the time to produce quality products, US hobbyists will • Virginian Railway "Blue Ridge" Class Steam Locomotive appreciate and support the effort.” • Virginian Railway Hornby America at Trainfest • Big Boy Steam Locomotive (previous production run) With tangible excitement, Arvids is anxious to share the • Allegheny Steam Locomotive (previous production run) excitement about Rivarossi at Hornby America’s first • Heisler Steam Locomotive Trainfest. On display will be Hornby America’s currently available products as well as the touted production Hornby/ Rivarossi has updated the technology used to samples of new releases. power them. Many of the locomotives will be DCC ready or with DCC Sound. The small 3 pole motors of previous (Rivarossi history source: TCA Western www.tcawestern.org) Rivarossi trains have been replaced with larger modern

21 Saturday & Sunday Nov. 10 - 11, 2012 9:00am to 5:30pm

WI Expo Center at State Fair Park 8200 W Greenfi eld Ave. Milwaukee (West Allis), WI

ADMISSION COUPONS* ONLINE • DEMOS AND “HOW-TO” CLINICS • LEARN TIPS AND TECHNIQUES • MEET 100 MANUFACTURERS & HOBBY DEALERS • SEE 10 HISTORICAL SOCIETIES • ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND MUCH MORE (*KIDS 4-12 FREE W/ COUPON, 3 & UNDER ALWAYS FREE) Visit Trainfest.com for Online Coupons and Details Sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern Division of the National Model Railroad Association