In 2016 the Southern Division of the Train Collectors Association is commemorating its Golden, or 50th, Anniversary!

 

As the old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun!  So to continue having fun, during 2016 we will be celebrating the Golden Anniversary with special souvenir items and a party.  First, as already announced, there will be a 50th Anniversary Souvenir Trolley Car.  As you know from reading the SD Newsletter “The Layout”, the trolley project appeared to get off to an early start only to be derailed by the untimely death of the TCA member in Pennsylvania with whom we had contracted to decorate the trolley.  Due to the expected delay in finding another decorator for the cars with a possible change in design and increase in price, the orders that were received in late 2015 were cancelled and the payments refunded to the members who had ordered the cars.  As of this writing January 27, 2016, we believe we have found a new decorator.  We hope to complete an agreement soon and if so updated information with a new order form will be included in the next newsletter.  If all goes according to plan we will have the cars ready in time for distribution at the Venice meet on September 10th with shipment the following week to members who do not pick up their car.   Included in the trolley project will be a special one-of-a-kind Southern Division Golden Anniversary trolley painted GOLD which will be auctioned off during the year.

 

In addition we will be having special Southern Division 50th Anniversary Travel Mugs produced which will be made available to members.  Again watch the newsletters for more details on this very practical Souvenir item.

 

But the MAIN celebration will take place on Saturday, November 5th in the Orlando area with a party at Bruce Pemberton’s property in Fern Park.  Many members will remember the fun times we have had there in the past.  In addition to riding the trains on Bruce’s “Paradise Park” live steam railroad, members and their guests will be dining on a catered barbeque cookout luncheon.  There will be prizes, presentation of the annual awards and of course a speech or two, including a visit and remarks by the President of the entire TCA. 

 

We will conclude the Anniversary year with additional special prizes at the Jacksonville Meet on November 19th.  So please stay tuned to the Newsletter for more details on these events and the special Souvenir items.

 

Your Southern Division TCA 50th Anniversary Committee Members:

Bill Trappen, Richard Tashjian & Mike Mills