As the new President, I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and thank you for your support. I am fortunate to have such outstanding officers and Board members to work with. The club’s Presidents in the past have set a high standard for me to follow, and their council will be of great value for me in the future.

As we close the 20^th century our club has a great past to be proud of, and our future is in our hands to make it even better. We as a club of railroad and steam hobbies have an opportunity to give back to others with our sharing of our unique skills.

Los Angeles Live Steamers has many resources such as our beautiful place in the park, our facilities, and the ever-growing railroad. The most remarkable resources we have are our human resources and that is you, our members, who always rise to the challenge on occasion to make everything work. As we receive new members our resources grow to make our club even better.

I look forward to a very exciting year with your participation, and support to make the year 2000 very memorable.

- Dan O’Brien

In Memory of Jonathan P. Ortega

This year once again, the Metrolink Holiday Toy Express train roared out of the Taylor Yard and magically came to life through the talented efforts of LALS member Gary Baker, his staff and LALS volunteers Bill Goglin, Al Rowsell, Sam Calderwood, Les Kovacs and Dave Dobbs.

The five-week project sponsored by Metrolink is a tie in with the LA Firefighters Spark of Love toy Drive.

The fully lighted train pulled into 40 Metrolink stations where the local Fire Department arrived in a blaze of lights and sirens to collect toys brought to the station by the audience who came to see the train’s live Holiday Show. The donated toys were distributed in the local communities for Christmas by the firefighters.

The train featured Metrolink owned equipment consisting of an engine, cab car, a flat car containing a full stage with sound and lighting system, a flat car carrying a full size fire engine and an operational LifeSaver caboose. All five units were fully decorated with decorations, props, and over 30,000 twinkling lights.

The original idea, three years, was the brainchild of former LALS member Jonathan P. Ortega, who passed away November 14, 1998. After the first trial year of the project, Jonathan wanted to make the train more elaborate; and that’s when I became involved in the project.

Although Jonathan never physically saw the new train concept, I like to think he rides on the front of the engine platform, in spirit, as proud as can be of his Christmas Train.

I am honored to be part of a project that brings so much Holiday joy to so many.

Thank you LALS Volunteers for helping to keep the dream alive.

Wishing you all the best in the New Year.

- Gary Baker

Sam Calderwood was the driver of the Rose Parade float "Promises for Tomorrow." This was an FTD float. Participating FTD florists held a nation wide contest where engaged couples were asked to convey their unique marriage proposals. The winning couple was married on the float just before the parade began.

Sam is a long time float driver.

- Editor

The January Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President, Dan O’Brien. Secretary: The minutes for the December meeting were approved. Treasurer: The Treasurer’s report for December was approved. David Lazarus will continue a supporting role for the Treasurer. Membership: Five resident and one non-resident applications were approved. General Superintendent’s Report: Bill Goglin reported that because of the holidays and cold weather not a lot of work has been done. There is a lot of cleanup that needs doing. The Board toured the facility on January 2 and came up with four pages of things that need to be done to maintain or improve the facility. Shed Manager: Steve Harris read a letter from some members who want occupants in the Phil West Barn to accumulate hours from operating their equipment when hauling the public. The suggested changes were discussed and action deferred so the Board could think about it some more. Old Business: Dan has found a manufacturer of a railroad car that is made for attaching a wheel chair. Wolf Fengler reported that he had the parts for the railroad cars that Dick Carlyle had started and had one truck assembled which checked well on the track. The Board approved the use of the Club locomotive for the upcoming movie shoot this month. New Business: Because of the July 4^th holiday the Board Meeting was rescheduled to July 10. The Fall meet was moved from the first weekend in October to September 2, 3, & 4^th. This will be compatible with the Millennium Excursions now planned. The September Board meeting will be on September 10^th.

If any of you would like to run an advertisement in the 2000 Roster contact David Lazarus, the Roster Editor at 818/980-2846.

- Editor

It’s time to send your dues in if you want to be listed in the 2000 Roster. David Lazarus is raring to go on the Roster. The deadline for being included is February 1^st.

- Editor

Paul C. Corr, resident
Wolfgang A. Fengler, resident
Anthony Stein, resident
Greg Haff, resident
Steve Altmayer, resident
Eric Minton, non-resident

12/5/99 – 530 passengers (stationmaster: Gail Woodward)

12/12/99 – 559 Passengers

12/19/99 – 511 passengers (Stationmasters: Gail Woodward, Donna Valencia & Don Emmer)

12/26/99 – 464 passengers (Stationmasters: Ricky Hayes, Joe Hayes & Gail Woodward)

A.J. (Tony) Wilkins
22, Summerland Drive,
Churchdown,
Gloucestershire,
CT3 2L7
U.K.

Tel. (01452)712526

Jim Lesovsky, LALS
7853 Fairchild Ave.
Winnetka
CA 91306-2048

Dear Jim:

Firstly, let me say what a great pleasure it was to meet and talk with you at the track several Sundays ago. My immediate acceptance by all the members and genuine interest shown in the photos I showed of my loco-in-process was most heart warming. I have also written to Ted Berg.

The letterhead is of course my British address although I am still here in California. I don’t return until the 14^th Jan. Should you wish to write me there for whatever reason I will be happy to set up correspondence with periodic updates on the progress of my American Classic 4-4-0, Rogers, c. 1867.

Am writing this on my Daughter’s computer, and upon my return will continue with my lessons with the ultimate objective of acquiring my own and having an Email address. Are you on the net? I have, whilst here, done some surfing the web, still doing some loco research and general browsing in the area of model engineering. I subscribe to the British publication of that name, and am supposed one day to be writing a series of articles, the subject being the building of my engine etc. and the trials and tribulations thereof!

Am also very interested in expanding my contacts with fellow modelers, so please feel free to pass on my address to any of your fellow LALSers with a similar inclination.

All the best for the New Year,

President: Dan O’Brien
Vice President: Wolf Fengler
Secretary: Paul Sheedy
Treasurer: Gary Baker
Directors: Dick Brennan, John Goulding, Jim Lesovsky, Leonard Evans

1 ½" "Lucky" 2-4-4T engine and riding car, propane fired. It runs great. John Green built the engine. Complete ready-to-run with many extras. $6,500.00 Call me for details. Jim Enderwies 818/789-5617

Dear Hobbyists:

I am in the process of setting up a machine shop which will cater exclusively to the needs of live steamer enthusiasts and clubs nationwide. This venture is something I have always wanted to do, as I am fascinated by live steam. I do have Live Steam interests of my own and enjoy them immensely. I do not have a locomotive yet!

I am a twenty year Journeyman Machinist with many years of experience with companies including Lockheed Missiles and Space Company and NASA Ames Research Center. I have made parts and provided services for almost every major Aerospace and High Tech Electronic Company in Silicon Valley.

The precision machining services I offer to you will be the highest quality and of course competitively priced. I will be setting up equipment in my home shop so as to maintain low overhead and keep the cost down on the machine work and services provided.

I realize that most, if not all, Live Steamers have access to friends with machining capabilities, or may even have their own small machine shop. My goal, therefore, is to provide service to the craftsman who may be too busy to complete projects on schedule or perhaps for that special part that requires that "additional touch" of precision.

All work will be guaranteed high quality and will be manufactured to your specifications from supplied blueprints, sketches, verbal instructions or existing parts.

Sincerely yours,

Bruce McMillan
P.O. Box 24706
San Jose, CA 95154-4706
(408) 371-1982

The LALS ENGINE BOOSTER is the monthly publication of the Los Angeles Live Steamers, a non-profit organization. Club facility and track is located in Griffith Park, 5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Phone 323/669-9729. Mailing address: LALS, P.O. Box 2156, Toluca Lake, CA 91610.

The LALS ENGINE BOOSTER is laid out and edited by Wilbur Wilhelm and is produced with an Apple Macintosh computer and PageMaker software*. Articles and photos are welcome, although the right is reserved to reasonably edit all copy. Deadline is the last day of the month. Send your input to: Wilbur Wilhelm, 5376 Round Meadow Road, Calabasas, CA 91302-1165.

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