April 2025 Meeting Summary

Hello Chapter Members,

A wholehearted thank you to Dominique & Marielle Morel for hosting a magnificent meeting. The setting was hospitable, food utterly delicious, and layout spectacular. In addition, Dominique miraculously got the weather to cooperate.

For the head count, Willis revealed he tallied twenty-five people at the meeting.   Conversation was stimulating as we observed Dominque perform astonishing feats with his trains and the layout.   Andrei brought a track and transformer to test and repair  loks, which is a great idea for future meetings.   

Members were encouraged to provide an emergency contact to Mark Gee for the roster.

Chris Higgins is managing the ETE website and if you have information, photos or videos to be published please send them to Chris. Do consider sending photos and videos of the meetings and train shows.

Don Gaw held a sale of his train collection on April 12.  He revealed that several items remain available and email him if you need a copy of the Exel sheet showing the inventory.

Bill Henwood reported that SIG repairs aided in smooth running at the Train Show in Ventura, California. One siding is up for repairs adjacent to the turntable.

SD Model RR Association (SDMRRA) at the museum in Balboa Park has invited the ETE SoCal to join them as a Visiting Club. The cost would entail a $300 a year fee for the entire chapter. Approximately seven chapter members voiced interest and agreed to contribute to create a fund to cover the fee. The label of Museum-Special Interest Group (M-SIG) is being considered. Richard Coons motioned that the chapter follow through with the application and it was approved by attendees. The application has been submitted and we are waiting for the response from the SDMRRA. Some SoCal members have run trains at the museum on three trials and we had a fantastic experience.

A handmade quilt was donated to the Chapter for the auction by Debbie Tobias. In addition other items were auctioned and a total of $90 will be sent to the treasurer.

The April meeting was very enjoyable and quite a success.

We hope to see you at the next event.

Maintain the enthusiasm for trains!

Manny Tobias

President, ETE SoCal