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The Logging Modelers Convention is a great place to meet and talk to fellow modelers. Jim Vail, Jack Burgess, and Dave Braun are taking a few moments to discuss a subject or two. |
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Glenn Tyra started it all by hosting the first "West Side Reunion" in his home way back in February of 1986. There were a total of 18 attendees including Glenn's Mom. Click here and see how many people you recognize. |
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Model railroad hobbyists can find a wide variety of model railroad equipment in the Logging Modeler's Convention dealer sales area. All scales, including N, HO, S, O, and G, are represented. Antique logging and railroad memorabilia, photographs, books, videos, and souvenirs are also available at the show. |
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Sometimes you have to hunker down low to see all the details of a scale model log car, caboose, locomotive or some other piece of logging railroad equipment on display at the Logging Modeler's Convention. Visitors can see scale model equipment representing hardware from the turn of the century all the way to modern times. |
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Skillfully assembled scale models of lumber mills, engine houses and all kinds of logging equipment are on display at the Logging Modeler's Convention. |
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Informative clinics that cover model building, historical and technical aspects of logging history and the model railroading hobby are part of the Logging Modeler's Convention. Shown is Joel Bragdon, presenting a clinic on mold making and casting for modelers. |
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The 22nd annual Logging Modeler's Convention takes place Saturday, April 18, 2009, at the Sonora California Elks Lodge located at 100 E. Elk Drive, Sonora, California.
The event began as a reunion type gathering of ex-employees and others interested in the West Side Lumber Company of Tuolumne, California, and over the years evolved to become a convention for model railroad hobbyists and others generally interested in the historic logging and lumber production industry and the railroads which served them.
Included in the event are informative and entertaining clinics presented by experts in the field of model railroad construction and operation, railroad and logging history and the technical aspects of those areas. Professional photographers, researchers, filmmakers, historians and others keep the audiences entertained and interested with their well presented programs.
A major part of the event is the model contest that's open to models in all scales and representing all kinds of railroad and logging equipment including structures and dioramas. Voting for the winners is by popular ballot, with each attendee allowed one vote. First, Second, and Third Place plaques are awarded in 5 categories as well as one "Best Of Show" Award. We heartily encourage anyone to bring models for the contest, even if they are only slightly related to logging and/or railroading. Our judge will help you determine the most appropriate category for your model.
There's also a large and well-stocked dealer area where attendees can find a wide variety of model railroad and logging related items to purchase. Children's toys, shirts, hats, video tapes, books and photographs are among the treasures to be discovered in the convention's dealer sales area.
Gerald French, author of the book "When Steam Was King", will be selling and signing copies of his fabulous book. In addition, John Hartline will have available for sale copies of the WSLCo photo CD used in his presentation. This CD is packed with rare photos of the West Side in the early 1960's.
Admission price for the all day event is $20.00 per person. 8 ft. Dealer tables are available for $40.00 for the first table, which includes 1 Pass. Each additional 8 ft. table is $20.00.
Each additional person at your table(s) is $20.00 for their pass.
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Related Activities and Events:
John Zach will host an open house showcasing his HO Scale layout depicting the Sierra Railroad, Pickering Lumber Company, and the West Side Lumber Company. Please click this link for a schedule and map to this beautiful Model Railroad.
Steve Hayes will open his extensive HO Scale Western Pacific layout to visitors, as well. If realisic operation and detail is for you, then this is one you don't want to miss. Please click here for his schedule and a map to his home.
Those persons interested in a "G" Scale Yosemite Valley Railroad garden rail road tour, Darryl & Linda Bramlette will host a Model Railroad Open House on Sunday April 19th from 10:00 to 4:00. Please click this link for a map to their home.
Railtown 1897: Steam Train Excursions and Roundhouse Tours Saturday and Sunday. Please check their website at http://www.csrmf.org/railtown/default.asp for schedule.
There is an excellent collection of old machinery, with a large collection of antique chain saws in particular, at the Horse-Around Ranch. Hal Hauschildt has graciously consented to opening his gates to our attendees Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Hal would love to give everyone a tour, so attendees should get together and go in groups. Please see the map to Horse-Around Ranch.
Don't forget Cover's Apple Ranch. Besides great food, especially pies, they have a miniature 12 inch gauge railroad, petting zoo and a very nice gift shop. They are famous for their Mile-High Apple pies. Closed on Sundays. Check out their website at http://www.coversappleranch.com/. |
Related Websites:
Please visit the following link: http://www.pacificmodelloggerscongress.com. Jeff Johnston and Lon Wall are hosting a day of logging for modelers in their neck of the woods Saturday, March 17th. I know it is short notice but it should be worth the trip. Jeff and Lon are both knowledgeable and fine modelers, and have contributed immensely to the West Side Reunion convention over the years.
Mike Azzarello has been actively involved in negotiating with the local Miwok Indian tribe, which owns the West Side mill property in Tuolumne, to preserve some of the historical equipment and remaining structures. If you would like to help him let the tribe know how important this effort is, visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/wsletter/, sign the petition, and show your support. Mike's website is http://www.wsrestoration.com/.
Also, try joining one of the discussion forums on Yahoo.com such as the West Side Lumber Co. forum, the Loyal Legion of Logged-on Loggers, Pickering Lumber Corp forum, Logging Railroad Modelers, South East Forest Industry Modeling, New England Logging and 3' Railroads, Railroad Logging, Northwest Rail Logging Society, an HO modular group, a generic railroad modeler forum , or even the Historic Sierra Railway forum. There is even a forum for Logging Railroad modelers in Europe.
Or how about Narrow Gauge? Australian Narrow Gauge Railways, Sumpter Valley Railway (logging, too), or go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ and search for narrow gauge groups. There are 171 different forums as of this posting.
Some Other Railroad Groups:
Tap Line's Southeast Railroad History includes some narrow gauge and logging, or if your interest is in all industrial railways try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/industrial-railway/.
Besides meeting some pretty great people, these are a great way to share information, photos, modeling ideas and techniques. |
West Side Reunion
50932 Cedar Ridge Cir. S.
Oakhurst, California 93644
Call: 559-683-7764 E-Mail: shayman@sti.net
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