Call for Authors on "Modern Era"

The "so called" modern era of toy train manufacturing extends from 1970 to
date (1970 to 1985 MPC; 1985 through 1995 Kughn & 1995 to present). Many
TCA members have an interest in this era, particularly in toy trains
manufactured over the last 5 years or so. Technology has grown by leaps and bounds as
have scale like qualities and appearance.

The TCA Quarterly Magazine is looking for an author or authors who have the
knowledge and are willing to write articles that cover the aforementioned
modern era. Subject areas such as modern operation (TMCC + Protosound),
collectibles, product reviews, noteworthy layouts (of any size) covering
Lionel, MTH,
K- Line, American Models, Weaver, Marx et al.

Please contact TCA Quarterly Editor, Mark Boyd ( _tcqeditor@sbcglobal.net_
(mailto:tcqeditor@sbcglobal.net) ) or Mike Spanier ( _hspanier@aol.com_
(mailto:hspanier@aol.com) ) if you have an interest in modern era toy
trains or
have questions.

Mark Boyd
TCA#77-10940

Mike Spanier
TCA 85-21856

 

Public TV Special on 3985

The following information is courtesy of the UPRR and it's museum in Council Bluffs.

"Hear That Train a Comin'," a feature on Union Pacific's Challenger No. 3985, will air Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m. CT on Nebraska ETV and will be rebroadcast March 22 at 7 p.m. The program premiered March 10 during a special showing at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs.

"Hear That Train a Comin'" provides viewers with an extraordinary, high-definition trip on the Challenger. During the summer and fall of 2003, crews from NETV chased along the Challenger, rode with its crew and watched as the steam locomotive was repaired and fussed over by the UP steam team.

During the program, Art Lockman, retired UP steam shop foreman in Cheyenne and the last full-time steam employee hired by UP, and Bill Kratville, longtime photographer of UP equipment, reminisce about the Challenger. Steve Lee, UP's steam program manager, talks about maintenance of the steam locomotive. Other interviews are with Lynn Nystrom, fireman and engineer; Ron Tabke, Cheyenne steam shop foreman; Reed Jackson, conductor; and Mary Nystrom, concessions car operator.

The 46-minute documentary also will air on Oregon Public Television, Iowa Public Television and the PBS station in Houston. Broadcast times have not yet been scheduled. It's also expected the program will be distributed nationally. DVD and VHS copies of the program also are expected to be available for purchase later this year.

"Hear That Train a Comin'" is a co-production by Nebraska ETV, Oregon Public Broadcasting and Union Pacific Historical Society.

Hilding Larson
UPHS Boardmember
UPHS Webmaster<<

Grand Canyon Railway #29 Makes Test Run

Dave Franzen

February 27, 2004

The GCR 29 2-8-0 ex. LS&I made her first trip to the Grand Canyon on Friday 2-27-04. The engine ran great and we did not have any problems. We made stops northbound at Red Lake, Quivero, Willaha, Imbleau and Grand Canyon. Southbound we made stops at Imbleau, Willaha and Quivero. We had three coach cars and a tank car. We left after the regular train about 10:30 am and left the GC after the regular train about 4:00 pm and got into Williams about 7:30 pm. We ran northbound about 25 mph to Quivero, 35 mph to Willaha, 40 mph to Anita and track speed on into the GC. Going up Imbleau (Apex) we had the throttle wide open with 200 psi boiler pressure, 18 psi back pressure and about 190 psi in the cylinders. The engine had no problem maintaining 25 mph around the s-curve at mp 48. That's the steepest part of the grade 3 1/2%. We worked her hard and at track speed all the way back to Williams. The hottest any of the bearings got all day was 143 deg. F. Because it was snowing all day the pictures are not that great but better than the ones I sent earlier. In the past two days of testing we put 170 miles on the engine. The engine will go out next the week of March 15th for 7-8 more runs to the GC. 29 should open the season with 4960 and 29 trading off for the summer. Our new steam schedule for 2004 is daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. All the best, Robert Franzen Chief Mechanical Officer Grand Canyon Railway http://www.thetrain.com

If you would like to post any news items on this page, please email your submission to Susan Deats at susandeats@earthlink.net.

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