SGMA At York/Random Standard Gauge Thoughts

Some random thoughts...

According to Google Gemini, I haven't posted anything on the blog since 2015.  I beg to differ.  But that's ok, it's a clear sign I need to get my fingers and cameras rolling again.  

I am cleaning out my train room this weekend and getting my act together, maybe even for another train layout!  I really have missed running trains, plain and simple.

The SGMA layout at York did not disappoint (as always).  

I am going to make a big change to my York strategy though, I am going to stay multiple days from now on.  I just can't do a day trip.  I miss too much of the show and the driving just punishes my body.  I also missed way too many of my friends that were there (secret: the trains are cool, the friends are better). 

The train collector that joined the TCA in 1994 (me) could drive 10 to 15 hours a day easy.  The train collector that is writing this now needs a nap after 4 1/2 hours of driving.

I had some feedback that I really need to start posting again.  And I will, I see tons of trains (both real and standard gauge) and I have been remiss.  I used Facebook and thought it was just as good as the blog.  I was not correct; FB is a quick shot.  Blogs also have their place (still) as there is way more freedom in what I can post and how.

Some random pics from York yesterday: 

I never in a million years would have thought that Erector Standard Gauge train could be that cool. But damn, that a really great take on a classic set.  Erector is still the toy.  My kids mostly liked Legos and I am betting there are some standard gauge Lego Hudsons floating around out there somewhere.

One last random thought: I really enjoyed the article this month in the Quarterly on R. Duck Wood Trains.   Alex did an article about the S3 in the TCA Quarterly and there was a full article this month on R. Duck this month.  These are some serious, nice trains and I am looking forward to building one or 5 of these kits.

Shorties from York 2025

Two absolutely gorgeous shorty sets from Norman Beaver.  This guy is one of the most prolific makers I've seen (ever) for his own standard gauge gear.  Plus every time I've been to the SGMA layout at York, he's there with Jim Waterman both with a great attitude while professionally managing a huge layout with tons of spectators.

Marc

October 2025 York Post

 I was lucky enough to be able to get to York this year.  

I love going to York because I get to see people that make the hobby WAY better because they're part of it.  

The other and unexpected curve ball from the SGMA layout was the dramatic showing of Modern Era Standard Gauge offerings.  For people that love collecting and running standard gauge, we are in a golden era.  From Jim Waterman to Dan Furmanski (Both Sr and Jr) to Dave Carse (CMT), we are in a fantastic spot on our timeline.  

If you are a TCA member, definitely go.  Here are some shots from the SGMA hall.

By the way, if you have a car while you are at York.... Get out your camera or phone and go over to the city of York.  It is a great old town with some really cool stores.  Hands down, the Camera store was my favorite (Camera Center of York).  The architecture of the town is really something and it's just a wonderful throwback.

I didn't take the camera store picture (that came from their website).  Again, 100% worth a visit if you're in town.  Almost all old school film cameras.

-Marc

USA Track and Multi-Gauge RaX

 

This was at the recent SGMA layout (which was amazing by the way) at York in April, 2023.  These two items are produced by members of the SGMA and are absolutely invaluable if you collect or even try to play with old toy trains.

USA Tracks is probably the best standard gauge track I've ever seen.  I've seen tons of this stuff over the years and I've paid for way too much of it.  With that said, the USA Track I saw at York is just head and shoulders above anything that has ever been produced by anyone, anywhere.  I'm going to be ordering some sections to kick around with some of my standard gauge.  If you get a chance to check out the SGMA layout at any event or function, there is a good chance you'll be seeing this track.  If there is interest, I'll be glad to ping the owner and SGMA Member, Kirk Lindvig. 

Multi-Gauge RaX is also a "best of the best" type of product.  The thickness and build of this for displaying trains is just better than anything I've seen.  I have a ton of tinplate display track sections and they just are nothing close to MGR.  Again, one of the key members of the SGMA is doing this (Wayne Strobel) and he is super-knowledgeable about these.  If you are building a train room or just want to display a few trains, this is really a must-have.  I would very much like to replace MANY of my sections (which are shoddy in comparison) with MGR's.

The two above items are really important to running trains and being successful collecting them.  They are both absolutely world class design and quality.  PS The prices, for this kind of quality, are beyond reasonable.  Worth every penny!

TCA York April 2023

 So I decided to celebrate my 30th year in the TCA by heading out to the York meet.  I've been in the TCA for 30 years and I've never gone. 

It is an impressive show.  I really went to see my good friends in the SGMA and run some trains on their magnificent layout.  I brought my Jerry Brown M-10000 and a little Wakeling car.  The Wakeling car had some problems, they M-10000 ate the layout (it ran really well).

One of the hidden gems of the show was Dave Carse and his new Glenn Tank Cars.  Now I will freely confess, I passed on many Glenn items over the years.  I was too snooty and very naïve.  I lacked experience with Modern Era Standard Gauge and tended to gravitate to the untouchable State Set.

No more.  Dave (with some help from some SGMA friends) put together some new Glenn Tank cars.  In a nutshell, they are amazing.  These are not toys that would have been sold to a kid in the 30's.  Let's settle the description right now, these are tiny works of engineering art.

Seriously, I saw these on Dave's table and I couldn't think of much else on the ride home (which was about 5 hours).  Dave has relaunched Classic Model Trains with these cars.  And they are stunning.

Whenever I see this kind of train now, I think to myself: if I had a chance to own a Van Gogh bought directly from the master, would I?  There's your answer.  

Dave's cars were absolutely the highlight of York for me.  

I was also overwhelmed by the amount of Postwar O Gauge stuff there was.  What a time to be a Postwar collector!  I think I'll need some help finding the standard gauge in the next show (yes, I plan on going!)

Again, I really appreciate the SGMA (Jim, Kirk, everyone) for letting me run a few trains and look over their shoulder.  It was a great moment and one I'll never forget!

Brad Kaplan - Early Standard Gauge Enthusiast

There is a downside to this hobby.  It isn't money, it isn't trades that go bad, it isn't toys that can't be had.  None of that.  It's when I see a note like this on Facebook before I go to sleep (and then fail to sleep at all):

When someone leaves us; whether expected or not.

When you have someone that is an important person.  To his family, his friends, to his co-workers and employees and is also a prolific collector and expert in his area.  Brad was tough as nails and incredibly diligent getting answers to questions about the rarest of rare toy trains.  And unlike Arno, he didn't have a great tome of work that we can look at and remember him by.  It is up to us to remember him as the important participant he was, both in our hobby and as a gentleman scholar of train history.

He will be missed by many, myself included.  We were scheduling and rescheduling lunch and time together.  Now I could just kick myself for not chucking my schedule and getting out to see him.  He was taken from us far too early.  Enough said.

Newt & Arno's Collections

 I've seen two great collections at Stout Auctions this week.  I am glad that they are going through Stout as they are incredibly reputable, honest and family owned.  As a buyer (in the past), I've been incredibly happy with their packing and shipping and was even glad to pay their auction house costs as their service was (in fact) that good.  They also accurately describe what they are auctioning and it was my experience that the in-person auctions are every bit as fun (maybe more) than online.  With Covid starting to slow down and go away, going to an auction house for a great auction should definitely be on the menu.

The Stout Team is 100% spot on showing the Jerry Brown Green Diamond as the highlight of Arno's auction.  I highly recommend checking out both auctions.  My guess is you'll see many of the items running around the SGMA layout @ York or in one of the shows coming up.  Most of these trains are better on a big layout (like any of the SGMA layouts) and not on a shelf.

Yes, Arno's collection does make me a little sad.  Although I am glad his family will benefit from the sale.  And if you do not have the book from Arno and Dave Carse, please buy it.  It will give you much better insight into this auction.

Newt Derby's prewar trains are also extremely well documented and there are some unique items such as the prewar layout, tunnels and scenic lots.  Makes me wish I didn't live in such a small house!

Interested to hear what everyone and/or anyone picks up at these auctions.  They're both for great people from a very solid auction house.

M

Arno's Book and More

 Hello Fellow Hobbyists!  It has been a very long time since I posted last.  It seems we are entering a new era for standard gauge and I have to tell ya, it is pretty exciting.  

First Arno Baar's and Dave Carse's Book -

I have pretty much every book on standard gauge there is (including the Louis Hertz stuff).  I've been trying to think of the best way to encapsulate how I feel about this book.  This book is so good, it in fact IS a collectible.  Yes, I've seen the books that debate what Mario Caruso was thinking in the Lionel Factory or what the Ives management team was thinking in 1922.  I read the McComas and Tuohy books as well as the David Doyle books for years (and they are pretty great)  They are all really cool and make no mistake, absolutely worth the read.  

But this book is different.  It does so much more than capture the story of a company.  It depicts artists and their work, mostly in their own words or in the words of family and close friends.

This is one of the first books that I can pick up at any time, flip to a random page and really be blown away at what I learn and see.  

I've owned quite a few of the items in this book at what time or another.  Not knowing what they were, I thought they were cool for a short period of time and then let them go, usually to someone like Arno that I thought was nuts for buying a "no name brand Japanese Trolley" which turned out to be something a bit more specific and valuable.

And I have vastly more appreciation for the work that I thought I understood and knew about even as it was happening right before my very eyes.

I opened this book for the first time and I got pretty emotional.  I miss my discussions with Arno about the state of the hobby, CMT and CMC and all of the crazy rumors that couldn't be put in the book (because they are rumors).  I consider it pure luck that I am getting to know some of the great people he surrounded himself with that build standard gauge now (you know who you are).  But that still doesn't take away some of the sadness I feel about not seeing Arno role out this wonderful book.

I also am grateful that David Carse took on this book almost like a religious quest.  His commitment resonates through every page.  The writing is brilliant and thorough and demonstrates the same dedication Arno had to shining a light on great builders and their works of art.  

Get this book.  Hopefully there will never be an electronic or softcover version.  It's too special to be in anything other than a hardcover version with thick, heavy bond paper.  Every builders story is well told, every picture is worth a thousand more words.  And one can only wonder what they built that we aren't going to get to see.

Standard gauge is alive and well and is flourishing with Arno and David Carse's book. The book itself is a long awaited collectible that will reward the reader over and over again with new facts, new ideas and great people that are part of the history of this great hobby.

M

PS: there are a couple of pictures from my collection that seem to have snuck in.  Anyone care to guess which one's?