Annual Conventions and Toy Train Shows

Vintage Executive Train Excursion - Norfolk Southern Corporation, headquartered in Norfolk, is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products. Join other LCCA conventioneers for a five-hour excursion featuring a Norfolk Southern Vintage Executive Train on a round trip from Norfolk to Petersburg. On the way to the depot, we will pass the Norfolk Southern coal loading facilities at Lambert’s Point Docks, the largest in the world.

Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise - Walk across the street from the Norfolk Waterside Marriott and board the magnificent Spirit of Norfolk cruise ship for a private charter exclusively for the members of LCCA. Feast on a sumptuous buffet and enjoy the informative narration as you cruise through the Hampton Roads Harbor. Enjoy lively entertainment following dinner. The ship has two climate-controlled lower decks and an open-air upper deck. This will be a great way to unwind from the excitement of the day.

Hampton Roads Peninsula - The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, VA, is one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world and houses a treasure trove of more than 35,000 items inspired by human experiences with the sea. The museum’s collection of models is truly extraordinary. A recent addition to the museum is the USS Monitor Exhibit, a $30 million exhibit with artifacts, history, and accounts of the career of the iron- clad USS Monitor. The Museum exhibits are world class. Later, we’ll visit Fort Eustis, home of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. Your tour guide will lead you through the museum with mighty steam locomotives of days past to the world’s only captive “flying saucer.”

Virginia Beach from the Air to the Sea - The Military Aviation Museum located at the Virginia Beach Airport is home to one of the largest and most extensive private collections of World War II and Korean War era fighters, bombers, trainers, and seaplanes. The aircraft have been meticulously restored to their original condition and are frequently used for flight demonstrations, static display and movie production. Next, tour the Oceana Naval Air Station, the East Coast’s only Master Jet Base, and the home station for the Navy’s fighter/attack squadron – the screaming F-14 Tomcats and the F/A-18 Hornets. Enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay as you ride through Virginia Beach. See the historic lighthouses and the First Landing Cross at Cape Henry where the English colonists first came ashore in 1607. Visit the old Cape Henry Lighthouse, silently guarding the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay since 1792. The lighthouse stands near the spot where in 1607 Captain Christopher Newport raised a cross to offer thanks for the safe crossing of the Atlantic by the first settlers. The recently renovated Virginia Beach boardwalk is consistently voted one of the most beautiful Boardwalks in the country. Enjoy a stroll along the beautiful wide sandy beach or shopping in some of the shops along the oceanfront.

Trains and Tapas at the Children's Museum - Spend the evening at a special private LCCA visit to the newly renovated and expanded Children’s Museum of Virginia. Enjoy the many attractions that are designed for kids of all ages especially one of the largest and most expansive model train collections in the country – the Lancaster Antique Train Collection. It is comprised of more than 10,000 trains. Many are rare and not normally displayed for the public. Portions of this collection are showcased in a gallery designed to look like a train depot platform, and railroad tracks are incorporated into the floor treatment. Trains travel on a layout through a three-dimensional landscape which represents the main lines that historically linked the Hampton Roads area of Virginia to the coal mining regions of western Virginia. A behind-the-scenes tour will be available to see unique pieces of the Lancaster Collection not normally on display as well as gallery talks by the curator. Guests will enjoy a southern BBQ while browsing the collection and the many additional interactive museum exhibits. After spending an exciting day at the Hampton Roads Peninsula or the Virginia Beach area, relax at a special private LCCA evening at the Children’s Museum. Enjoy the many attractions including a special program featuring unique pieces from the fabulous Lancaster Antique Train Collection and layout.

Colonial Williamsburg and Williamsburg Winery - At the town of Colonial Williamsburg you will step back into the 18th century and stroll through its streets. Your historical interpreter will guide you through the past and the events that helped shape America’s history. Colonial Williamsburg is the restored capital of the British Colony of Virginia, and the largest “living museum” in the United States. After lunch at the historic Colonial Tavern, enjoy a tour of the Williamsburg Winery, an 18th- century-styled winery surrounded by over 50 acres of vineyards. Your guided tour will feature Old World barrel cellars and modern winemaking equipment. Following the tour, enjoy a tasting of available wines. What more could you ask for than spending a day (seven hours) at historic Colonial Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Winery.

A Taste of Norfolk - Learn about Norfolk’s colorful 325- year history as you ride through the lovely historic district and restored areas. View the stately homes along The Hague, old St. Paul’s Church, the Moses Myers House, MacArthur Memorial, the historic Freemason District, Nauticus: The National Maritime Center, the Battleship Wisconsin, the restored waterfront area, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and the Norfolk Botanical Garden. No visit to Norfolk would be complete without a stop at Doumar’s, home of the world’s first ice cream cone machine. Abe Doumar created the first ice cream cone at the World’s Fair of 1904 in St. Louis. Today, the family business still bakes cones on the original cone machine. Following an introduction by Mr. Doumar, great nephew of Abe Doumar, all passengers will be treated to an ice cream cone before boarding the bus and returning to the hotel.

Evening Visit to the Paul Sharp Collection - Paul Sharp has invited us to visit his private facility which houses extensive collections of autos, toys, games, neon signs, AC Gilbert American Flyer/Modern S Gauge trains, and two operating layouts.

Virginia's Historic Triangle - At the charming town of Williamsburg, your guide will provide interesting and informative narration during your ride about the historic Virginia Peninsula and the Hampton Roads area. Upon arrival, you will step back into the 18th century while strolling through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. Tour Jamestown Settlement established in 1607 as the first permanent settlement in the New World. Guests will enjoy a guided tour of the re-created village of Jamestown which chronicles the nation’s 17th century beginnings in Virginia in the context of its Powhatan Indian, English, and western central African cultures. Outside, history comes alive in re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, a colonial fort, and the three ships – Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery – that transported English colonists to Virginia in 1607. Lunch will be provided at Jamestown. Visit Yorktown Victory Center and see exhibits relating to the Battle of Yorktown, the last major decisive battle of the American Revolution. Visit a recreated 18th century farm site and the Continental Army Encampment. Drive through the quaint village of Yorktown and past the Revolutionary War Battlefields where General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington thus ending the War for Independence from Great Britain.

James River Plantations - Visit Charles City County which is strategically located between the James and Chickahominy Rivers and close to the colonial capitals of Jamestown and Williamsburg. Visits to the Berkeley and Shirley Plantations and lunch at the historic Charles City Tavern during your trip are included. Berkeley Plantation is considered Virginia’s most historic plantation, and is also known for its significance as the site of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619. See the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and President William Henry Harrison. Costumed guides will host your tour of this lovely property. Shirley Plantation is Virginia’s oldest plantation founded in 1613. The Carter family’s 10th and 11th generations welcome you to visit their home, America’s oldest family- owned business. Explore seven original outbuildings including the unique Queen Anne Forecourt and shop in the beautiful gift shop on premises for unusual gifts and accessories.

Norfolk's Military Heritage - Tour the Norfolk Naval Base which is a part of Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval installation in the world. Home port to 78 ships ranging in size from aircraft carriers to submarines, 26 aircraft squadrons comprised of 133 aircraft, and headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet, this naval complex occupies over 8,000 acres of land and is home to more than 100,000 military personnel. LCCA has requested a visit to an active duty ship, pending availability and approval; however, no guarantee can be made. Next, visit our country’s newest National Park, Fort Monroe and the Casemate Museum, home of the Army’s Coast Artillery collection and the focal point of historic Fort Monroe, which was built in 1819. The fort, occupying 63 acres, was first established in 1607 by English Settlers, and has been used as a strategic site because of its vantage point on the Chesapeake Bay during all major wars. The Casemate Museum is housed within the thick walls of America’s largest stone fort and completely surrounded by a moat. Exhibits include the prison cell of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Civil War artifacts and displays relating to the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac. Take this opportunity to visit one of today’s most active Naval Bases and historic Fort Monroe.

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum - Visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach which contains 800,000 gallons of aquariums and more than 300 hands-on exhibits. Experience Conservation Quest with a behind-the-scenes look at Animal Adventures where guests will meet some of the Aquarium’s Animal Ambassadors to discover how we can all make a difference in conserving wildlife and the habitats in which they live. Here’s a unique opportunity to spend the morning experiencing the famous Conservation Quest Behind the Scenes Program.

Spouse Day Out - Visit the Hermitage Foundation Museum nestled on 12 beautifully landscaped acres alongside the picturesque Lafayette River. This Tudor-style mansion was built in 1908 and features an outstanding collection of Eastern and Western art. The museum’s collections are displayed in a unique home-like setting and represent the arts of America, England, France, Italy, Persia, Russia, Spain and the Far East. This will be followed with lunch at the Freemason Abbey Restaurant. Next, enjoy browsing and shopping in the many unique specialty stores located in the Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood before returning to the hotel.

Significant Convention events to be held:

• Annual business meeting
• Lionel seminar
• Informational seminars and hobby clinics
• Junior member activities for young club members
• Famous "Get Acquainted Party"
• Reception for first-time attendees
• Saturday evening reception and banquet

July 22-28, 2012, will be a memorable time. However, we are looking forward now to the model railroad train shows, camaraderie and more at the Chattanooga Convention in 2013.

These events to be held in Norfolk are just a taste of the type of things in store for you, your family, and friends when you come to an LCCA convention and help us celebrate the annual anniversary of the "Best toy train club on the planet" by making each convention one of the best in Lionel Collectors Club Convention history. Members may register online for the Norfolk Convention early in 2012 and read the details of the event published in The Lion Roars, the club’s model train magazine. Nonmembers may join the club now and be prepared for a fabulous week of fun, great food, toy train shows and friendship with train operators and collectors who favor the Lionel brand and celebrate the world’s greatest hobby.