​​​Lakes and Pines Division - Train Collectors Association

​​  Roundhouse Rick’s

RR Ramblings 

#122

#122 Did everyone enjoy our Holiday Party on December 10th? Every member went home with a door prize this year and there were plenty left over so anyone could grab another item for good measure. There was also a drawing for an Angela Trotta Thomas painting donated by Ira Levin, in honor of his wife who passed away last year. Tickets for the drawing were sold for $5 each with all the proceeds going to Lakes & Pines TCA. Ira had the pleasure of drawing the winning ticket. Ira drew the first ticket and it was his own. Well, let’s try another ticket. A second ticket was drawn and nobody responded to the number. Maybe that person left early. So Ira drew a third ticket. #3374295. Hey, those last three numbers sounded familiar. I looked at my ticket and, low-and-behold, it was MY ticket. So today that painting hangs proudly on my wall in Cottage Grove. More on Angela Trotta Thomas later. 2018 is starting out with the 2nd Annual Red Cedar Train Show, Saturday, January 6th and Sunday, January 7th at the UW Stout Johnson Field House, 220 13th Avenue East in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Saturday is 9AM to 5PM and Sunday is 9AM to 3PM. There will be vendor tables, operating layouts and concessions. It’s co-sponsored by the Southern Valley Railway. Directions: I94 to Exit 41; go three miles south on Highway 25 through Menomonie. There’s a large parking lot and field house on the east side of Highway 25; Parking Lot #4. Watch for the signs. January 20th is the Newport Model RR Club Train Show & Sale at the Woodbury High School, 2665 Woodlane Drive in Woodbury. Doors open to the public at 9AM and lasts until 2PM. You can send table reservations to Greater East Area Model RR Club, P.O.Box 0061, St Paul Park, MN 55071- 0061. A six foot table is only $25. You can also contact Ed Petry at 651-233-3310. January 27th is the 27th Annual La Crosse Great Tri-State Rail Sale at the La Crosse Center, 2nd & Pearl Streets in La Crosse, Wisconsin from 9AM to 3PM. This is sponsored by The 4000 Foundation, Limited. There will be equipment & accessories in all scales, plus railroad antiques & memorabilia, railroad books, magazines, pictures and all sorts of hobby supplies. ANGELA TROTTA THOMAS HAS PAINTED TOY TRAIN SUBJECTS FOR YEARS Since the early 90’s Angela Trotta Thomas has become the premier toy train artist in America. She is the only artist ever to be licensed by Lionel Trains Inc./Lionel LLC and has held than honor for years. Her Rockwell-like paintings have earned her the title of “The Train Lady”. Her work has been featured on the cover of numerous national magazines, catalog covers and Lionel train cars. In addition to toy trains, Angela has also featured classic and antique automobiles in her magnificent watercolor paintings. Her paintings allow the viewer to experience a warm feeling, relive a fond memory or create a bond with the painting. Angela believes a successful painting must evoke emotion. This is where she derives her greatest satisfaction. Roundhouse Rick will see you at our next meet, January 14, 2018 at John P. Murzyn Hall. Historian’s Corner – By Dale Ferguson Attached are some copies from the December 1948 employee magazine for the Curtiss Candy Company. The article gives some insight into the companies advertising with Lionel Trains.