Archive News Story
April 13, 2013 LCCA Special Event at NJ Hi-Railers (recap)
Kids of All Ages Have a Great Time During 4-13-13 LCCA Special Event Commemorating the 151st Anniversary of the Great Train Chase of 1862. (Recap of Special Event in Paterson NJ)
The Lionel Collectors Club of America hosted a Special Event on Saturday, April 13, in Paterson NJ, that appealed to toy train enthusiasts, real train enthusiasts as well as Civil War History Buffs of all ages. There was something for everyone to enjoy. We were in Paterson NJ to commemorate the 151st Anniversary of The Great Train Chase of 1862. Junior Members and guests attended several activities at the Paterson Museum throughout the day and other activities throughout the afternoon at the NJ Hi-Railers club. We believe this event which featured an entire day of Lionel Trains, Real Train history, Civil War Re-enactment activities and music was enjoyed by our members of all ages.
LCCA's newest Junior Member, Duncan (Age 11) of the local Make-A-Wish Foundation was designated the honorary Engineer of the Day at the NJ Hi-Railers Club. At 10:00 AM Duncan kicked off the event by starting up the Standard Gage Trains on the Tom Snyder layout. Duncan is an avid train enthusiast and a strong Susquehanna fan. The MAW Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
For me, the highlight of the day was when LCCA President Dennis DeVito and NJ Hi-Railers Vice President John Scaravella presented a brand new Lionel Christmas Train Set to 11 year old Duncan and his family. Duncan was ecstatic when he received his first Lionel Train set. Duncan wore out his parents and he stayed all the way to the end of the evening events. In fact, his parents had to push for Duncan to go home. He was having so much fun, he did not want to leave. He stayed almost 11 hours there enjoying and running the Lionel Trains on the NJ Hi-Railers layout. Duncan really made this LCCA Special Event even more special. Thank you Duncan!
Kids were having fun throughout the day watching the 12th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Company "K" Reenactment group demonstrating encampment and daily life back in 1862. The kids really enjoyed when they fired blanks with their civil war style guns. Many were also entertained by the music of the Libby Prison Minstrel band which played civil war themed music.
Thank you parents and Junior Members for attending and participating in the LCCA Special Event commemorating the 151St anniversary of The Great Train Chase of 1862.
Sincerely
Al Kolis
Immediate Past President & Special Events Manager Lionel Collectors Club of America