(Pat this would replace item 15, 'Flying Scotsman.')
(CC: Pete Shavney, in case to needs to amend anything.)
(I also sent two pictures earlier today which could go well with this item,
if you have space.)
AMRE, the Alamo Model Railroad Engineers, is basically a club owned layout
with privately owned trains run on it. Many of them are highly distinctive,
and reflect their owner's interest in a particular era or a particular
railroad company. Peter Shavney, for example runs a 100 ore car train, and
he has written what he terms an 'Historical Reference' to accompany it.
This allows the casual or not so casual visitor to get a better sense of
what he or she is looking at and, of course, it fits right in with the
educational nature of the museum as a whole. His tells the story of the
steam powered "Missabe" trains, the spectacular movement of over one hundred
filled ore cars at a time by huge Baldwin 2-8-8-4 engines, during the war
years. TTM Chairman, Hugh Hemphill, who is applying to join the club - no
special privileges here, folks - acquired a quite nice OO scale model of the
famous British train, the "Flying Scotsman." while in the UK recently.
Encouraged by Pete, he has written up an historical reference for it, with
highlights of its 40 years of service, from 1923 to 1963, and its unusual
history, spread over several continents since then.
To encourage more people to put pen to paper, or more likely, fingers to key
boards, about their trains historical significance, Peter has created a
$25.00 prize to be awarded to the best submission. His real intent is
simply to provide a motivating spark, so that AMRE is more than just a great
layout and pretty trains. He wants club members to share their interest in
the full historical nature of the hobby and to communicate their enthusiasm
to our visitors in a very tangible way.
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