More Color More Color - O scale trains

ObservationsJoe Giannovario, Editor/PublisherNews from the O Scale National Convention:Several congratulations are in order. The new inducteesinto the O Scale Hall of Fame are Irv Athearn, Cliff Grandt,and Ed Duddy. Ed was present at the banquet for theannouncement and was deeply honored to be included amongthe pioneers of O Scale. Ed owns and runs the House ofDuddy supplying track and craftsman kits to O scalers.The model contest winners were:Structures1st: Jim Zwerneman, MKT Section House2nd: J. Michael Miller, Texaco Gas StationTraction1st: Robert Robbins, Illinois Traction #2352nd: Alf Modine, North Shore #132Steam1st: Louis Bartig, CB&Q 2-10-42nd: Louis Bartig, C&NW 4-4-2Diesel1st: Darryl Townsend, CN FA22nd: Wayne Middleton, IC E8Passenger1st: Wayne Middleton, IC passenger train2nd: Wayne Middleton, NYC 20th CenturyCaboose1st: Jim Zwerneman, MKT Steel Caboose #10092nd: J. Michael Miller, Branchline CabooseThe 2003 O Scale National will be held in Dallas, Texas,June 8 - 11 and the theme will be “Where The Eagle MeetsThe Chief.” John Smith of Pecos River Brass outlined whatlooks to be a great convention. Watch for details in comingissues of OST. Meanwhile, mark your calendars for July 22,2004 for the national in the Washington, D.C. area, and June2005 for the national in St. Louis, Missouri.Rod Miller was elected president of the O Scale Kingsorganization by a 63% margin. Miller follows OSKer’sfounder/organizer John Smith (Pecos River Brass) into the hotseat. Forest Trent remains Secretary. The office of Treasurer isstill open to my knowledge. John Smith was given a plaqueexpressing the deep appreciation of the OSK membership forhis leadership in the founding years.Speaking of the O Scale Kings (www.oscalekings.org), Ihope that with the new leadership more manufacturers andvendors will join. I know a lot of people felt the OSKers wassomehow a personal marketing ploy by John for PRB, butthat’s just plain wrong. I’ve been a supporting member of theOSKers from the beginning, from before I decided to publishthis magazine. (I'm member #13.)Let’s step back a minute and review the purpose of OSK(taken from the website):“1. The promotion of O Scale to other modelers in themodel railroad community in other scales and 3-rail.“2. The promotion of O Scale to the public who might beready to become a model railroader, but have not yet made ascale decision.“3. The promotion of O Scale to the manufacturers, givingthem direct access to information on what products that the OScale community wants to buy. In return giving the O Scalemanufacturers a direct access to their already existing market.”So far, OSK has done a fair job of meeting objectives oneand two. OSK has exhibited at the York TCA meet, theNMRA national, at regional shows and has taken ads in all themajor publications promoting 2-rail scale train shows open tothe general public. Where OSK has been a dismal failure hasbeen objective number three, and largely because of personalitydifferences, and I think that’s really sad.Okay, now we have a new “el presidente” for the OSKers,Rod Miller, a well respected custom builder and thefounder/host of the O Scale West show. So, what is the excusenow guys? Every manufacturer of O scale equipment, everyvendor who sells O scale equipment should become a memberof the O Scale Kings to help promote O scale.The OSKers exists to push at the boundaries of the O scaleniche, to expand the market and draw in new blood. To dothat, OSK needs more horsepower, i.e., money, time, bodies.Volunteer organizations are all well and good but nothingmotivates people to do their best than when they are compensatedfor their efforts. We should think of OSK as a trade associationthat has as its only focus furthering 2 rail O scalemodeling. You should send the OSKers the $10 membershipfee because you want to help promote O scale, not becauseyou’re going to personally get anything from it. Send that $10to O Scale Kings, 560 E. Church Street, Lewisville, TX 75057And keep high ballin’!◆Errata from Issue #3Ben Brown lives in Massachusetts, not New York.Last sentence of Gene Deimling’s article should read;“...Richard Hendrickson’s article on detailing HO cars.”Errata from Issue #2Bill Wolfer write-up and photo by Bob Courtney of Texas.54 • O Scale Trains