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March 14, 2015 - OMRA Train Show event in Springfield, MO (Recap)

The LCCA Special Event at the OMRA Train Show event in Springfield, MO, was a huge success with 108 family members participating in the THOMAS TOY TRAIN TABLETOP CONTEST - a record! Contestants were in line during the entire Preliminary Round of the contest from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The trains on the three loops of track for this contest were Thomas, James, and Percy - all operated by Junior Engineers using LionChief controllers. Thanks go out to LCCA Member Mike Mottler for hosting this event for our Junior Members and Family members to enjoy.

Members of the Ozark Model Railroad Association volunteered their time and talent to the contest as: Registrar, Ron Williams; Recorder, Waine Kirby; and Timekeepers Dale Irvine and Al Freeman. The Train Show attracted nearly 2,000 visitors.

Each team was comprised of a kid as the Junior Engineer and a Coach - a parent or grandparent. Many girls and moms participated. The three divisions of the contest were defined by the age of the JE: 4 thru 6, 7 thru 9, and 10 thru 12.

The group shot includes the winner and runner-up teams of each division qualified to enter the championship round held that afternoon. The champion team of Christian McLaughlin (age 7) and his dad, Jack, logged the lowest elapsed time of 101 seconds and took home a THOMAS train set provided by the LCCA. All the elapsed times of that round were within a 30 second range, which showed that the contest is a valid test of skill and quite competitive. And fun!

LCCA offered a door prize exclusively for LCCA members attending the Train Show: a LCCA-designed Vulcan switcher with Lionel orange and blue décor. The winner of the drawing was Gary Rhodes (RM 34374) of Springfield.

LCCA member Roger Wasson (RM 28049) of Springfield brought his "LCCA Switching Tracks" boxcar to the Train Show and displayed it at the TTTTRC site.

Thank you to all of the LCCA members and their families for attending and participating in this wonderful event. This event exemplifies what the LCCA Junior Membership program is all about. Big thanks to Mike Mottler for creating the concept of this event and executing the plan so well! Thank you Mike!

Best regards,

Al Kolis
President Elect & Special Events Manager
Lionel Collectors Club of America
248-709-4137
agkolis@comcast.net

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