March 29 Meet Cancelled

We heard from the Shriners on March 16.  The governor has ordered the closing of the Syria Shrine Conference Center for at least two weeks.  As a result, our Fort Pitt Division meet, scheduled for March 29, 2020 has been cancelled.  We regret any inconvenience this may cause. 

Please stay safe and be well during these challenging and unprecedented times.  We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meet on September 20, 2020, at the Syria Conference Center.

New Member Initiative

Any new paying member in 2020 of both TCA National and the Fort Pitt Division, will receive a Miler Engineering lighted Duquesne Incline billboard as a bonus, while supplies last.

Sad News

I very sorry to report that Fort Pitt Division member, Merwin Weed passed away.  His daughter, Bonnie wrote,  

“My dad died on Sept 3rd after a brief illness (it did not seem brief at the time - his stomach ruptured on July 11 and he passed away in the hospital).  But my brother, our foster sister, my daughter and I were with him [when he] went into the arms of the Lord.  Even though I can hardly see thru the tears as I write this, it was a moment full of joy.  For the first time in his almost 83 years, he would be able to see (he was legally blind). That still thrills me!  We have started to take down his layout (4 tiers, 30 tracks of O gauge running simultaneously) and the precision and meticulous construction blows me away.  He did it all himself and never ever complained or even mentioned his handicap.  He left big shoes to fill and a HUGE collection of trains.”

I have included some pictures of his amazing layout.  Please take the time to view them. I think you will be impressed!

More Sad News

We have been informed by his family, that Ralph Thomas Ricketts passed away on February 2.  He was a long-time train collector and is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On February 9. Bill Swaney (71-3520) died.  Bill frequently setup at Fort Pitt Division meets.  In addition to his involvement with the TCA, he was a member of the North Hills Historic Auto Club.  There will be no service at this time, but a celebration of his life will be held at the Mars Train Station this spring.  The date and time to be determined.

Our deepest sympathies to Ralph and Bill's families.

January 2020 Lockon Now Available Online

The new edition of the Lockon, the official newsletter of the Fort Pitt Division is now available online.  From the Division website, hobbytraincollectors.org, click on the Newsletter link found under Quick Links on the left side of the home page.

Locomotion Days at the Carnegie Science Center 

The 2020 Locomotion Days, which took place on January 11 & 12 at the Carnegie Science Center was a huge success.  On display were toy trains in gauges Z, N, HO, O and G. Fort Pitt Division Members played a large role in the festivities.  The Hi-Railers and the Kids Club set up their traveling layouts on the third floor in the beautiful PointView Hall.  For more pictures and information, see the January edition of the Lockon.

Christmas Party

The Fort Pitt Division Christmas Party was held on Saturday, December 14 at St. Gerard Majella Church in Penn Hills.  President Dan Glover said, "This year's Christmas partyu was a lot of fun.  Sam & Jayne, as usual, made the party a success..." For more pictures and information, see the January edition of the Lockon.

Local Trains Roster

In our Lockon, we have been running a series of articles about model trains of local interest.  There is now a list of the trains we have featured, Montour, Isaly's and now Carnegie Science Center on our website, hobbytraincollectors.org. The lists can be found by clicking the Local Trains Roster link found under the Quick Links on the left side of the homepage.

Summer Outing