Edison WGHS from Feb. 26th, 2011

One thing about the SGMA, those guys sure are right; Standard Gauge needs a big layout and a ton of room to really shine (ha, funny, shine). I did really enjoy the mix of trains the guys had at the show, there was some plain vanilla, some eclectic, some passenger and a ton of freight. One constant: friendly discussion all around from highly curious onlookers and the experts in the SGMA area. Kids went completely nuts for the stuff too. I saw quite a few folks at N, S, HO and O gauge and G gauge layouts. But the SGMA layout was constantly packed. Was great meeting the gang as well, they are just great guys. Can't tell what's better, the people in the booth or the trains. Probably both.

Marc

More WGHS Pics

More pics from the SGMA. I saw Mr. Kelly taking pics and movies thus I am guessing we'll be seeing great stuff from him shortly as well....

WGHS This weekend

Big Show in Edison this weekend. Good to see all of the SGMA guys doing their thing. Was also really nice to see all of the vendors there like Lionel, MTH and Aristocraft (to name a few). Turnout was just insane.

SGMA Baltimore TCA 2010

Wow, check out this Youtube of the wonderful SGMA showing in Baltimore! I have got to get to some shows and do some volunteering for the SGMA! These guys really are the best of the best. I did enjoy the N&W J and the Big Boy. I am guessing they are probably from Arno's collection? It's one of the reasons we have to encourage the manufacturers to do some "out of box" thinking. Lionel Classics are great but these two engines are really a sight. Hopefully we'll hear where the next SGMA gathering will be soon....

Thanks again guys, great job as always.

Marc

SGMA Website

Hey Folks,

Go check out the Standard Gauge Module Association's website. Mrs. Lindvig posted some wonderful pics today from the Oaks, PA meet. I'm jealous! I just couldn't get out to PA today, I am still holding on to (and grasping) every second of holiday vacation (that is until I have to go to work tomorrow morning).

Check out the site here.

Marc

PS I'd recommend going out to this site - if you would like to see some very rare trains stretching their legs (Boucher Blue Comet or a Standard Gauge Challenger) go check out the movies.

Big Day for SGMA Jan. 3rd and 4th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jim Kelly, SGMA Publicist, Philadelphia WGHS (kk3k@yahoo.com)

STANDARD GAUGE MODULE ASSOCIATION DISPLAY SET FOR WORLDS GREATEST HOBBY ON TOUR TRAIN SHOW IN JANUARY

The Standard Gauge Module Association (SGMA,) the only national toy train club dedicated to the construction and operation of Standard Gauge (2-1/8” three rail track) toy train modular layouts, announces its participation at the Worlds Greatest Hobby On Tour train show in Oaks, PA on January 3 & 4 2009. The SGMA will help inaugurate a spectacular brand new venue for exhibitions in the mid-Atlantic region, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, located at 100 Station Avenue, in Oaks, PA.

The SGMA plans to construct a massive rectangular- shaped operating standard gauge layout 32' wide X 72' long, with a smaller the inner layout 12' wide X 24' long. Up to six standard trains will be operational at one time.

A SGMA layout attempts to recreate all the excitement, color and sound that go with the operation of Standard Gauge toy trains from the "Classic Era" of model railroading, when massive tinplate Standard Gauge toy trains dominated the toy train industry. There is something very exciting, even magical about seeing, smelling and hearing a classic era Standard Gauge "Blue Comet" locomotive puffing smoke and going "click-ity-clack" while barreling at full throttle down a long length of Standard Gauge track. No other gauge toy trains create the same high level of
sensory (sight, smell, sound) overload.

Members of the Public are always welcome to bring and run their Standard Gauge toy trains on a SGMA modular layout. For those who do, the opportunity can easily become a life changing event as a SGMA layout can easily be the largest Standard Gauge layout on which they will ever get a chance to operate their Standard Gauge toy trains.

For more information about the Standard Gauge Module Association click here:SGMA


For more information about the Worlds Greatest Hobby Show on Tour click here:WGHS:


For more information on the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks click here:Expo

I'm not sure but I think this might be a bit of history in the making in 2009. Could this be the largest standard gauge layout ever?

Marc

SGMA Website

I think everyone should take a quick peak at the SGMA pics out on Kirk's website (click the title to go there). There are some nice shots of the SGMA team as well as some unusual toys and trains. I downloaded this shot just because I liked the Buddy L Scarab. I'm not sure but I think that's a Wyandotte Ambulance and the engine is Rich Art, not too sure about the cars, could be MTH or Rich Art (need to get closer to figure that out)...

I have a couple of Buddy L toys. They always intrigue me because they are just so well made and always look ahead of their time. I'm sure they'd sell in just about any toy store today (except they'd be made out of plastic - yuck).




Marc

More On The Boxcab

The brass and copper boxcab pictured in my last post is owned by SGMA member Pat Rolland. Pat writes:

...I purchased it at the TCA Atlantic div. show off of some guy. He said
that a machinist for the Pennsy made it for some exec there. It is mostly copper
with hand punched rivet marks, DC can motor with a reduction gearbox. We timed
it at Altoona and it is slow as molasses we had it running at 22 volts (full
throttle on the Z4000) and it was only drawing 1/2 an amp. Took a full 4 minutes
to make one trip around the Altoona loop."

Sounds like it was geared to run at a slow prototypical speed.

Jim

Neat Boxcab!

Here's a photo that fellow SGMA member Jon Hinderer sent me. Jon took the photo at the recent TTOS Altoona convention where the SGMA had a display. Isn't that a great looking boxcab? (Click on the picture to enlarge it.) I wrote to Jon to ask him if he made it.

Jim

SGMA Layout in Altoona

Seeing this terrific video by Bert makes me even sadder I missed Altoona last weekend. Unfortunately Altoona falls about the same time my son's birthday does thus I can never seem to make it.

Here's Bert's first vid:



And Bert's second vid:



And the 3rd (a good shot of the Bhurlpasa tunnel):



And #4 (I liked the double header #9E Engines and the different color state cars):



And video #5 (I think it is a 42 and some 10 series cars):



All in all, some very smooth operation from the SGMA. All that hard work and debate paid off wonderfully. I can see that these modules fit together beautifully. I haven't seen standard gauge operation come together so smoothly and disparate parts work so cleanly. If nothing else, I plan on learning a bit from the SGMA list and incorporating it into my layout.

After I watched these clips from Bert I went up to my train room and did further clean up. A friend of mine who is a master carpenter came up with a new ceiling storage and display system that should look alot like Tom Sefton's. If I can pair that with some SGMA benchwork.... The ideas just keep rolling like an out of control train.

Regardless, this layout is inspiring and the people that built it are on to something and are just exceptional! I love it when 100 year old technology can still create new ways of seeing things. I can't wait to see it in person.

M

PS Speaking of cool stuff, go check out the Prewar Times. Josh has some pics up of the new MTH 1694 and Ives set. It is a stunning knockout!

Standard Gauge Module Group YORK Lunch

Here's an invitation from Jon Hinderer and the Standard Gauge Module Association (SGMA):


Join us for lunch at the York meet: 12 Noon in the cafeteria between the Red and Black Halls on Friday, April 20th.

Review the latest news on module construction and standards, and hear about the schedule of module displays for this year.

Bring your questions, suggestions, and Standard Gauge stories, and met the other members of the Association.

The SGMA will be presenting an operating standard gauge layout at the Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS) convention in Altoona later this year. There are some special features planned for the SGMA layout including a horseshoe curve! It should really be something to see.

If you are going to be at York next week, be sure to stop by and grab a bite to eat with the SGMA group on Friday at noon in the cafeteria on the fairgrounds.

Jim