NOVEMBER, 2004 NEWSLETTER
The 2004 election meting
was held in the new, CLRC clubhouse located at 1311 S. Schoolhouse Road, New
Lenox, IL 60451. Vice-president Rich Thayer, Secretary Charlie Cereghino, and
Directors Ed Carter and John Flinn were each elected to serve another two-year
term.
In spite of the damp weather
and the rush hour traffic, the members present at this meeting were Herb Koch,
Rich Thayer, Bob Ciolino, John Flinn, Charlie Cereghino, Bob Gleason, Daniel
O'Neill, Richard Klouzer, Wally Dietzen, Tom Makinson, Ed Carter, Pete Conrad,
Kevin Barry, Jr., Ted Cwik, William Schroeter, Robert Stashak, Fred Zgobica,
Wally Sehnert, Lyle Eimen, Bob Lewis, Jim McPherson, Don Jennings, Swav Kojro,
Louis Napravnik, Tom Duszynski, and Glen Winkelmann.
The entire modular layout,
including the yard modules, was set up for members to run their trains. It was
a good feeling not to have to spend the time setting up and taking down for a
run-meet. The clubhouse looked quite different with the walls painted and the
floor sealed. A special thanks goes to Swav Kojro and Jim McPherson and his son
for their time and effort in sprucing up the building, to Louis Napravnik for
donating the paint and the window shades, and to those members who helped set
up the layout. Trains ran for the duration of the evening except for the
business meeting. Just a reminder that the only thing allowed to smoke in the
building is the trains. So thanks for taking it outside fellows!
During the business meeting,
President Herb Koch stated that the following Saturdays would be open run
days at the clubhouse for regular members from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Dec. 18
and Jan. 8, 15 & 22.
Herb also announced two
special runs in December. On December 3 & 4 the layout will be set up
at the church a few doors down from the Ace Hardware at 3935 W. Irving Park Rd.
in Chicago. The Ace telephone number there is (773) 463-1671. Set up on
December 1 or 2. December 3 is set aside for a CLRC run-meet so that members
can run their trains. Saturday, December 4 is the Train Extravaganza
featuring the club's layout and a raffle for a Lionel Train set. On this day
the layout is open to the public and "engineers" are needed to help young and
old train fans to run trains on the club layout. If you can help on Saturday,
contact Herb Koch at (708) 361-2483 or Lewis Napravnik at the Ace number. There
will be free hot dogs and popcorn for those who attend. We hope to see some of
the members who live in Chicago or the north or northwest suburbs this weekend.
Check with the personnel at Ace Hardware for directions to the church.
On the following weekend,
December 10 & 11, the layout will be set up at Proksa Park in Berwyn, IL.
Friday will be the annual CLRC Christmas Party. Bring your children and
grandchildren! Hopefully there will be a visit from Santa (usually between
7:30-8:00 P.M. so we don't keep him up too late). This has been an enjoyable
event for kids of all ages in the past few years. The layout will remain up for
Saturday's Park District events. Help will be needed Saturday to run trains and
for the take down.
You've probably received your
copy of the fall, 2004, Prairie State Express and the enclosed renewal
application. Herb discussed the reason for the increase in dues, which was
approved by your Board. If you are a regular member, you can renew for $40.
Read the renewal form to see the benefits that your membership includes. Renew
now, before you forget about it! The club is starting a special fund strictly
for the construction of the permanent layout. If you would like to donate
toward this fund, you may do so using the renewal form. A number of the board
members have started off the fund with donations of $20, but all donations are
welcome.
Bob Ciolino has put out a
request for ideas for the permanent layout from club members. If you have any
ideas contact him at (815) 469-9249 or Herb Koch at the number above. John
Flinn has requested help repairing some of the modules since they will be at
the clubhouse for an extended time beginning December 18. Contact John at (847)
541- 7339 if you would like to help.
Rich Thayer asks those who
have renewed or joined as new members recently, to be patient regarding the $10
certificates for club cars. He is experiencing some delay getting them printed.
They will be forwarded to you as soon as possible. Please send membership
renewals to Rich Thayer. Another form is included with the newsletter.
Be sure to order your new
"city" club cars. The Southern Crescent "City of New Orleans" and the NYC "City
of New York" are $55.00 each plus applicable tax and shipping, (See below.)
The Burlington Route and
Atlantic Coast Line operating boxcars are available at $67.95 each as are the
C&NW 3 bay yellow and green cylindrical hoppers for $59.95each. The
Illinois resident sales tax is 6.5%. Shipping is $6.00 for the first car and
$3.00 for each additional car. There are some CLRC GP 20 locomotives available
for $250.00 plus $10.00 shipping and applicable tax. Check your PSE for a
special combination purchase of GP 20 and C&NW hoppers. Orders may be sent
to the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club, Inc. at 20701 N. Raphael Avenue,
Prairie View, IL 60069-9608.
