Archive News Story
Recap of May 12, Bald Knob Event
Despite drizzling rain conditions for most of the day, the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) celebrated National Train Day on May 12 in Bald Knob, AR. LCCA members staffed an operating layout, "talked trains" with visitors from 9 to 5, and "raised the flag" for the hobby we love.
Craig Christiansen, owner of Arkansas Traveler Hobbies in that town, estimated about 300 persons visited the store and participated in the indoor info clinics by SOUNDTRAXX and OPERATION LIFESAVER. Many of those visitors came outside to see Lionel trains running on the 6x12-feet layout placed within the outdoor sheltered porch of the former MO PAC depot. Kids in families watched the trains, blew the whistles, filled-in a door prize ticket, and submitted the RR Quiz in competition for the Grand Prize.
Numerous LCCA members and related family members were part of the crowd of attendees, and all members received a Special Event LCCA pin and an un-cut sheet of Special Event billboard inserts sheets. This is all part of President Dennis DeVito's plan to reach out and touch 2,000 LCCA members this year. The Lion Roars Editor Mike Mottler was on hand promoting the club and introducing potential members to the many benefits of belonging to the LCCA.
Special thanks go out to the following LCCA members who brought Lionel trains and operated them on the layout: Craig Gerard, Clayton Holderfield, Robert Lewis, John Vickery and Russell Derango. Russell won the "long distance" award (a Lionel logo T-shirt) for traveling the longest distance to this SE, which was an eight-hour trip one way from central IL.
An unexpected but welcome special guest appeared at the site - Ronald McDonald stopped by and visited the layout. He even pushed the buttons to blow the Lionel train horns and whistles. Everyone in attendance had a great fun day, despite the weather. The younger members participated in a Railroading Quiz during the LCCA Special Event on National Train Day. The following youths achieved the highest scores in order of ranking:
Ryan Christiansen Winner of the Lionel Train Set grand prize
Jamie Swain First Runner-up (tie)
Madisyn Witcher First Runner-up (tie)
Kyle Jackson
Jacob Abrams
Aiden Branscum
The Railroading Quiz was full of challenging questions. LCCA congratulated all of the participants in this contest.
Despite of the rainy weather conditions, the LCCA had another successful Special Event. On National Train Day, we successfully accomplished our club objective of "promoting and fostering an interest in Lionel trains". "Thanks!" to all LCCA members and their families for their participation in this fun and family oriented LCCA special Event.