Santa Claus Train

The Santa Train

This is a great trip! Highly recommended.

This years trip will be held Saturday, December 9, 2006.

The Jersey Central Chapter, in conjunction with Santa and Mrs. Claus, operates a Santa Claus Special for the kids. This year the trip will run on Saturday, December 9, 2006. The train departs from Raritan at 8:30 AM and also from the eastbound platform (off South Avenue) of the Westfield Station in Westfield at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There is no afternoon departure from Raritan. The trip features Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus along with a few of Santa's helpers. There are sing-a-longs, candy canes and coloring books for the kids. In addition, each car on the train features a drawing for a trainset; that's ten train sets per trip!

The train operates west from Westfield to Highbridge, NJ and back, a two hour trip. Santa pays a visit to each car and is more than happy to pose for pictures with the kids.

This year, tickets are only $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under 12.

We have tickets available in the store. Cash or personal check made out to the Jersey Central Railroad Historical Society. Sorry, no credit cards for train tickets. Seating is Limited! Get your tickets now. Any available tickets will be sold at the Westfield Station the day of the trip, but there will be a $1.00 surcharge per ticket. No credit card purchases will be available the day of the trip, cash or check only.

Tickets also available at: www.santatrain.net (Be sure to use .net and not .com)

BNSF Recognized by GI Jobs Magazine

"BNSF was recognized by GI Jobs Magazine as one of America’s Top 25 Most Military Friendly Employers."

• In 2005 alone, BNSF Railway hired over 750 veterans.
• Year to date 2006, 20 percent of all hires - over 900 - are veterans with over 150 serving as members of the Guard and Reserve.
• If present trends continue, BNSF is on track to hire more than 1,000 veterans in 2006.

To find out more about what BNSF does to help our Military Families:

www.bnsf.com/careers/military/index.html

Atlas O Rolling Stock on Sale

We have the following Atlas O items on sale at 20% off list price. All are new, in original boxes.
Limited to items in this list. Subject to prior sale. Come in and get them before they are gone. Phone orders accepted.

8505-1 40'Steel Reefer "Bar Bee" $43.95
6972-3 89' Flat Car "Providence and Worchester" $55.95
6972-4 89' Flat Car "Providence and Worchester" $55.95
6955-9 45' Pines Trailer, Dallas "front runner $55.95
6955-3 45' Pines Trailer, "Memphis" front runner $55.95
6955-2 45' Pines Trailer, "Fort Worth" front runner $55.95
6955-1 45' Pines Trailer, "Chicago" front runner $55.95
6271-1 GSC Pulpwood Flatcar BN $39.95
6277-2 GSC Pulpwood Flatcar Atlantic Coast Line $39.95
6577-1 50' PS1 Boxcar Seaboard $39.95
6501-2 Evans 53' Double Plug Door Boxcar B&M $39.95
6514-1 Evans 53' Double Plug Door Boxcar Aloha Shake $39.95
8016-1 36' Woodside Reefer Cudahy Puritan $47.75
6309-2 3 bay Cylindrical Hopper, Sterling Salt SHPX $39.95
6355-2 GATX Airside Covered Hopper, Firestone $39.95
6385-2 PS 4427 Low Side Covered Hopper, Producers Grain $47.95
6674-1 International NE-6 Caboose, Penn Central $55.95
6477-1 USRA Single Sheathed Boxcar PRR Lines $39.95

Model Train Show

2006 Annual Light & Sound Show

The Model Railroad Club, Inc. in Union, NJ, is having their annual train show the following dates and times:

• Friday, Dec. 1 & 8 : 7pm - 10 pm
• Saturday, Dec. 2 & 9 : 10am - 8pm
• Sunday, Dec. 3 & 10 : 11am - 6pm

If you have never been or have not been for a few years, you really should see this show and check out the progress on the new section. We have flyers in the store with details on how to find the layout building. Or you could call 908-964-8808. Or you could check their web site at www.tmrci.org

Black Friday - Christmas Shopping at the Big Little Railroad Shop

Avoid the crowds at the malls by coming to the Big Little Railroad Shop in downtown Somerville on "Black Friday." We have all sorts of wonderful model railroad items from full sets to individual cars, locomotives, track, buildings, scenery supplies, etc. And if you don't know exactly what to get your modeler, we have gift certificates. We also carry books, videos, and calendars. We have items in all the popular scales: G, O, HO, N, and Z. And, if we don't have what you want in stock, we probably can order it for you.

For your holiday shopping convenience we are open the following hours through Christmas:

Tuesday – Wednesday 11 AM - 7 PM

Thursday - Friday 11 AM -8 PM

Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM

Sunday 12 noon - 4 PM

President of NYS&W Agrees to Fine

Following article from the AP about Walter Rich. Kind of reminds me of the 1800's when railroad tycoons bought influence with the politicians of the day.

Railroad Executive Agrees to $75,000 Fine in Lobbying Probe
Mon November 20, 2006 3:52 p.m. ET
By MARK JOHNSON the Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Railroad executive Walter Rich agreed to pay a $75,000 fine to settle an investigation into lavish Baseball Hall of Fame induction events he hosts annually for state officials, lobbyists and others at his Cooperstown mansion, his lawyer said Monday.

James Featherstonhaugh said Rich admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement with the state Lobbying Commission. The commission is slated to approve the settlement at its meeting Tuesday.

Lobbying commission Executive Director David Grandeau declined comment.
The commission was looking into whether Rich, president of the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway Corp., provided illegal gifts to state officials.

Included on the guest list for the past two Hall of Fame weekends were state assemblymen Peter Abbate and Steven Cymbrowitz; Gov. George Pataki’s senior policy adviser, Jeff Lovell; State University of New York Chancellor Robert King; state Transportation Commissioner Thomas Madison; and Steven Boggess, secretary of the state Senate, according to records obtained by the commission.

The railway spends about $100,000 each year providing lodging, lunches, dinners and tickets to baseball games to various politicians, lobbyists, state officials and others, according to a report from Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and the state Inspector General’s Office. That report spurred the lobbying commission to begin its investigation last year.New York’s laws prohibit a lobbyist or client from offering or giving gifts valued at more than $75 per year to any individual.
Rich’s lawyers had argued that the events associated with the Hall of Fame weekend are exempt from investigation by the commission because they were political and charitable fundraising events, not lobbying.

Events in recent years have raised funds for Republican politicians including Pataki, state Sen. James Seward and U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert as well as the Salvation Army, according to a ruling by Acting Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNamara, who earlier this year ordered Rich to testify before the commission.

Lionel trains for Christmas

Need a Christmas gift for someone with a Lionel train set? We have several different Christmas themed cars that could suit your needs. For example, we have an animated caboose with Santa waving from the rear platform. We have a Christmas present dump car. We have a number of other cars decorated for Christmas. We also have Lionel add-on sets with 3 cars plus additional track, both Christmas themed and regular train themed.

Don't have any Lionel equipment yet. We have complete sets of various sizes and themes, including a Thomas the Tank Engine set.

And, if we don't have what you are looking for, we can order it for you. We are an authorized Lionel dealer. But come in soon if you need it for Christmas.

50% off Shelf

Located in the back of the store are shelves with items that are 50% off list price. Stock changes continuously, so come in often to check out the bargins. While you are at it, check out the regular stock. You just might see something you want. And if you don't see it, ask. We can special order almost anything.