Welcome to the Southern California Chapter of the European Train Enthusiasts

European Train Enthusiasts is the premier North American organization focusing on European railroading. Founded in 1973, ETE serves modelers, railway fans, related organizations and the community through public events, working model displays, media presentations, and the publication of our quarterly journal, ETE Express.

Our Southern California chapter offers train fans an opportunity to enjoy a more European perspective. Members come from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Our monthly meetings are a great chance to get to find others with similar interests. Our Module Special Interest Group (SIG) uses a modular building technique to create a portable piece of Europe for members to show their model trains.

Our module Special Interest Group (SIG) is getting ready to build some new modules. If you would like to be a part of this effort - either building your own or helping others in their module - please contact Cindy Gaw - - as soon as possible.

The following is an article submitted to ETE Express with the latest from our chapter:

ETE Southern California (ETE SoCal) recently completed its annual meeting at the home of Don and Cindy Gaw. As always, all members appreciated Don and Cindy’s hospitality and good food. It was time to reflect on its accomplishments for 2007. At the meeting in 2007 the general membership followed Don’s recommendation to rename the chapter from ETE San Diego to ETE SoCal to reflect the wide dispersal of its members, ranging from Los Angeles to San Diego and including Orange and Riverside Counties. The year has seen an increase of membership, both novices who seek advice and support and accomplished model railroaders who are looking for companionship of others in their hobby.

The meeting covered two main points: to defray the operating cost of the chapter, the general membership raised the chapter dues by $4.00 to $10.00, and re-elected Don as chapter president.

Many members had gone to the trouble of traveling a considerable distance to Northern California to attend the EuroWest show in San Carlos. A special effort was made by the chapter Modular group which had been active locally hosting several public displays. It offered a fine display in San Carlos successfully operating many trains on both days and attracting interest from local ETE members. I should mention that the group operates under the stewardship of Cindy Gaw. Cindy not only oversees the group but actively participates by having several modules in the pool and coordinates the scenery.

In addition, the Modular group displayed at the Great American Train Show at Del Mar in December and again at Del Mar in January for the Greatest Hobby on Tour show.

ETE SoCal has and will continue its practice of monthly meetings at individual member’s homes. These meetings are intended to accomplish two things: one to give the hosting member a chance to demonstrate his/her layout to other members and afford attending members a chance to see other layouts, pick up tips and ideas and in general socialize with all. Monthly meetings are always accompanied by a BBQ (weather in Southern California is very predictable and no contingency planning is required) , ‘Beer and Brats’ as the phrase goes, permit members without a layout of their own to bring their favorite loco and run it on the host’s layout.

For 2008 ETE SoCal expects to continue to grow, actively recruiting new members, and participating in local model railroading events.

(Thanks to member Ed Sehrt for this great article!)

Page last updated on 03/31/2008 02:01 PM