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GSQ Convention 2003

GRAND SCALES CONVENTION

The Grand Scales Convention for 2003 is over but what a great time we  had! Over 200 guests came from around the US and beyond for this festive  3-day occasion! The Convention's head quarters was the Reedley Opera House, in beautiful  downtown Reedley.  This historic building turns 100 years old this month. Inside, guests  were comfortably seated in the beautiful Opera House for the morning  seminars (click on any image to enlarge).

 

 

 
Here, the Convention Conductor, Greg Robinson, greets Peter 

 

Note.  (For more information on the Opera House,  please visit: 
http://www.reedley.com/Lori/Community-Tourism/lo-operahouse.htm

 

Before the convention began, there was a lot of behind the scenes work  to be accomplished. Aside from laying a great deal of track at the  Hillcrest & Wahtoke RR, visiting equipment needed to be delivered and  unloaded. Here you see rolling stock from the private Hetch Hetchy &  Yosemitte Valleys Rwy. on its trailer, waiting to be unloaded.

 

 

After the morning seminars ended, the Hillcrest crew warmly invited guests to come tour their railroad. For those who wanted to sit and rest a while, music provided from these marvelous music machines entertained.  Ken Caulken's, owner of Ragtime Automated Music, kindly agreed to provide the music for us. Young and old alike enjoyed the wide array of tunes. (http://www.ragtimewest.com)

 

Many visitors brought equipment to run during the weekend. For some, it was their first opportunity to run on a railroad of this size. Here is Rod Plaistad's train, which he happily runs around his home in the S.F. Bay Area (click image to enlarge).  Rod enjoys showing people that it is possible to have a Grand Scale RR on a Budget. 

 

The guys from the Coyote Valley RR (http://coyotevalleyrailway.tripod.com/) brought this nice rail truck to share with everyone.  This is a nice bunch of guys. Be sure and visit their website too.

 

 

 

Jack Sessums brought along his gorgeous Shay. Here, engineer Erin Swain let's off passengers.Jack was also kind enough to present an interesting program on providing special effects for the movie industry. Very entertaining!

 

 

Another visiting engine belonged to George Whitehill. A special 12" gauge track was built for him to run on.  Learn more at http://www.amsmrp.com/train/

 

 

 

 

Throughout the program guests had the opportunity to run four of the engines, including the No. 18, No. 13, and the Redwood Valley's No. 11, which is a rare treat. Here, guest Becky Green enjoys the thrill of running the No. 13.

 

 

 


Of course, everyone had the chance to ride one of the many trains that were running all weekend.
   

 

The various seminars were well attended, and, we're told, very helpful. Here you see Hillcrest Shops owner Sean Bautista presenting the seminar on switch building.

Other seminar information can be found by clicking here.

 

 


Before long, the convention ended and it was time for everyone to return home.

To each of our speakers, who gave so much of their time and efforts, we truly appreciate you. To the crew and volunteers of the H&W, a thousand thank yous are not enough. To Manuel and the city of Reedley, who graciously co-sponsored the event, you have a real gem in the Opera House. Thank you for allowing us to hold the convention there. And to those of you who were unable to come, we hope that you can join us in two years for the next Grand Scales Convention. More details will be posted as they become available.

More information regarding the convention will be available in an upcoming issue of the Grand Scales Quarterly (issue 25).

Special Thanks To:
(for sponsorship and promotional gifts)

City of Reedley
Bonafonte Gardens
Camden Miniature Steam Services
Carolwood Pacific Historical Society
Discover Live Steam web site
Historic Railway Consultants 
Golden Gate Railroad Museum
Joyline Miniature RR
Live Steam Magazine
Orland Newville & Pacific
Ragtime Automated Music
Riverside & Great Northern

 


Robinson & Associates PO Box 8953, Red Bluff, CA 96080 USA

530-527-0141 fax: 530-527-0420

 

*Note: It is to be understood that in compliance with zoning restrictions, none of your convention registration fees or instructional fees will be exchanged at the Hillcrest & Wahtoke and are not payment to the Hillcrest & Wahtoke for services rendered. Convention attendees are unpaid, invited guests to the railroad. The Grand Scales Convention 2003 is headquartered in (and cosponsored by) the City of Reedley at the Reedley Opera House.

GSQ would like to thank the City of Reedley California
for Co-Sponsoring this year's event.

 © October, 2003 Grand Scales Quarterly.  All Rights Reserved This material may not be republished or  rewritten without permission.
GSQwebmaster@discoverlivesteam.com

 

 

 

 

Seminar Information

Friday, October 3, 2003
9:00 am: Cagney History and Design by Don Micheletti (at the Opera House)
Don is a mechanical engineer and was for many years the CMO of the standard gauge 2472. He has restored several Cagneys and is one of the leading authorities on these durable park engines.

10 am: Swanton Pacific: History & Operation by Ed Carnegie (at Opera House)
This 19" gauge railway is very well known in the Grand Scales world. The equipment was originally built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. It led a rather checkered history until it was finally all re-collected by Al Smith at his Swanton Pacific north of Santa Cruz, CA. Ed Carnegie has been in charge of the line since it was entrusted to Calpoly.

11:00 am: Commercial Operations by Robert Frank (at Opera House)
Traintown (15", Sonoma, CA) is among the best known and most successful Grand Scale commercial operations in the country. Robert Frank is son of Traintown founder Stanley Frank. Under his management this popular railroad has reached new levels of prosperity. He will speak on some of the factors and considerations involved in a commercial operation.

1:00 pm: Wabash Frisco & Pacific by Fred Keisell (in vendor bldg.)
The WF&P is one of the oldest Grand Scale railroads still in operation. Fred has been an active member for decades. He'll tell us how this volunteer organization has survived for so long.

1:00 pm: Automatic Brake Systems by Sean Bautista (at Hillcrest Shop building)
The difference in the distance it takes to stop a train with only engine brakes versus a train equipped with brakes on every car is amazing. Safety is becoming a greater issue every day. Learn about one approach to automatic “train air” that is both effective as well as forgiving of the novice user.

3:00 - 5:00 pm: Switch Building by the Hillcrest Crew (at Hillcrest shop bldg)
Every railroad needs switches. If they aren't built and installed correctly, the crew may spend too much time playing "pick up the boxcar". Learn the most important factors in designing and building a switch that will work well (and last). Be sure to bring your camera and your notebook.

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003:
9:00 am: 50 Years of the Redwood Valley by Ellen Thomsen (at Opera House)
Learn about the longest running, family owned Grand Scale railway in the country. History, logistics, joys, sorrows. Ellen is the General Manager of the RVRy and the daughter of founder Erich Thomsen.

10:30 am: MTC Trains by L. Andrew Jugle (at Opera House)
The tremendously popular G-12 and G-16 park trains have captured the imaginations of countless riders; young and young at heart. Mr. Jugle's series of articles on the history of MTC have been among the most popular in GSQ. His level of research and devotion to the history of this company has made him the premiere expert on the Miniature Train Company.

1:00 pm: Laying Track by the Hillcrest Crew (on the RR at the unfinished extension)
Real ties. Real rail. Real ballast. Really smelly gandy dancers. Come out to see the gang laying 15" gauge track that's built to last. Learn about some of the considerations in choosing a right-of-way, preparing the roadbed, using vegetation barriers, bending the rails, etc. There will be a chance for some in the audience to try their hands at the methods being demonstrated.

3:00 pm: Insuring the Grand Scales by Mike Deeble (In vendor building)
Everyone is all too keenly aware of the liability / insurance crisis these days. Learn what the issues are, and how to most effectively protect yourself. Mike has specialized in railroad and trolley insurance for years. He worked with railroads from private 7.5" gauge lines to standard gauge museums, tourist lines, and shortline railroads.

4:00 pm: Sheet Metal Forming by Jack Bodenmann (on the patio by the Hillcrest Station)
The ability to form and spin sheet metal with skill can greatly enhance the final look of an engine or car. And it isn't as tough as it looks. Learn some skills that will allow you to make all sorts of neat parts. Jack is a custom machinist and builder. He specializes in steam engines and high quality rolling stock.

4:00 pm: Boilers by Paul Boschan (in the vendor area)
If you own or operate a steam engine, you need to understand how boilers work and how they are constructed. This knowledge can save money and increase safety. And do you really need an ASME code stamp on your boiler? Paul Boschan is owner of Boschan Boiler and Restoration.

Sunday, October 5, 2003
9:00 am: Building the 0-4-0 by Chris Allen (at Opera House)
You've been reading about the construction of this engine in the pages of GSQ. Now you'll meet the face behind the name. And you'll have the chance to see this wonderful little 15" gauge engine.

10:00 am: Hollywood Train Wrecks by Jack Sessums (Opera House)
If it can go wrong, it will. Trains derailed by insects! Locomotives exploding for no apparent reason! Light weight subway cars with the inertia of a small planet! You won’t believe what movie directors have asked Sessums Engineering to do for their big screen train wrecks.

1:00 pm: Of Gears, Hudsons & Suppliers by Ed Yungling (in Vendor area)
Ed is currently building a 12" gauge Shay, and he quite a bit of work on the rebuilding of the 15" gauge Hudson at Traintown. Learn about some of his methods and where he gets some of his materials. Ed has worked in 16", 15", 12", and 7.5" gauges. He is perhaps most famous for his 1.5" scale Cabforward, which has appeared numerous times in hobby magazines.

2:00 pm: Hydraulic Drives by Paul Garin (in Vendor area)
What's the difference between a hydraulic drive and a hydrostatic drive? How big a motor do you need? How can you keep from cooking your oil? Paul will answer all of these questions. He is a mechanical engineer and the owner of Roll Models Inc.

PLEASE NOTE: We are attempting to produce a video featuring the various presentations. Stay tuned for more information!