WORLD’S GREATEST HOBBY

Sandy, Utah

TRIP REPORT 

The Rocky Mountain Division, TCA participated in the World’s Greatest Hobby - held in Sandy, Utah.  To prepare for the show, a warehouse was located so that the modules could be set up for work sessions. Our thanks go to RMD member Bill Thomas for use of the warehouse. The goals of the work sessions were to eliminate some recurring glitches and to restore DCS capability. The module electrical system was carefully evaluated.  Separate grounds were established for each of the three main lines and the yard.   Problems with the entry bridge and a bell button were identified and repaired.  One of the ZW transformers was reconditioned.   The ability to operate MTH trains in DCS mode was restored.   Additional TMCC upgrades are required however, due to lack of time the modules were loaded in the trailer and prepared for the trip. 

While module repairs were in work, Susan Deats reviewed her data base to locate TCA members who lived in Utah.  Letters were mailed to Utah members – inviting them to help with set up and with running trains.  Larry Franzen towed the module trailer to Sandy on 19 Jan.  Set up was planned for Friday, 20 Jan.  Initially, some doubts existed concerning help from Utah members.  I can assure you, the Utah members responded in force and were a great help in displaying the RMD modules.  Kathleen and Larry Franzen unloaded the trailer.  Herk Perschon and his grandsons Cory and Kyle helped with set up.    A banner furnished by Mizell Trains was displayed along the module skirt.  World’s Greatest Hobby magazine and RMD literature was placed in the display rack.  Set up required about 3 hours.   

The show opened on Saturday, 21 Jan and the place was packed.  RMD modules were very popular and were continually surrounded by the public. Xavier Villarreal arrived Saturday evening to help with some TMCC issues.  Herk Perschon, Arthur Wright, Burt Gowans, and Norm Osburn  from the UTCA provided trains and kept them running the entire weekend.  Kathleen Franzen along with James, Tanner, Levi, and Shaylynn Yaunick from Springs Creek, Nevada and Kyle Perschon from Sandy, Utah wandered around the crowd with their CAB 1 controllers offering many kids the opportunity to blow whistles and horns.    The trains ran very well and no overheating of transformers was experienced.. There were non stop questions about toy trains and the modules.  There were also many questions about Kids Clubs and sources for trains.  Mizell cards were passed out.  There were many, many nice comments about the modules. 15,000 visitors were reported on Saturday.   My guess is 5000 attended the show on Sunday.  

The show closed at 5PM on Sunday evening.  Once again. Herk Perschon and the Utah members stepped in to help pack boxes and load the modules.  Tear down was completed by 6:30 PM.  Xavier Villarreal flew back to Denver on Sunday evening.  Larry and Kathleen Franzen departed Monday morning and arrived home around 9 PM.  

The following individuals need to be recognized for their efforts in making RMD’s participation in the World’s Greatest Hobby a big success.  I apologize if anyone has been overlooked. 

Ted Piunno                    work sessions   electrical upgrades

Susan Deats                 work sessions   electrical upgrades         Mailings                       

Steve Jaroscak              work sessions   Module Chairman

Xavier Villarreal              work sessions   WGH show                    TMCC upgrades

Tom Vogel                     work sessions

Dwight Sterling              work sessions

Larry Franzen                work sessions   WGH show                    Set up and tear down

Bill Thomas                   work sessions   warehouse

Kent Schwarz                work sessions   ZW transformer overhaul

Kathleen Franzen           WGH show        train operator                 Set up and tear down

Herk Perschon               WGH show        train operator                 Set up and tear down

Burt Gowans                 WGH show        train operator

Arthur Wright                 WGH show        train operator

Norm Osburn                 WGH show        train operator

Kyle Perschon               WGH show        train operator                 Set up

James Yaunick              WGH show        train operator

Levi Yaunick                  WGH show        train operator

Tanner Yaunick              WGH show        train operator

Shaylynn Yaunick          WGH show        train operator

Chris     Perschon          WGH show        teardown

Dale Perschon               WGH show        teardown 

One other person requires recognition.  Warren Mizell provided the funds that made this trip possible. There are probably few aware that Warren previously donated the Lionel track used on the modules.  Prior to the purchase of the RMD trailer, Warren donated the use of his van to haul modules to the various mall shows.  Thanks Warren for your current and past support to the RMD modules.

 

Larry Franzen

Peyton, Co