Welcome 2008

As I write this I have a hard time believing that we are half way through January 2008.  Time seems to be flying by so quickly.  2008 looks so far to be a great year where many new products are expected to hit the market.  Order forms are coming in rapidly for products that need to be ordered now for various delivery times throughout the coming year.  Stay tuned to our newsletter as more details on upcoming releases are announced.  We look forward to serving your modelling needs and questions in the coming year.

Here's to wishing all of you the best of health and happiness and, of course, model railroading in 2008.

New Products

The following new products have arrived since the last newsletter:

• Model Railroader February 2008 
• Trains February 2008 
• Branchline January 2008
• Canadian Railway Modeller--Train 15, Track 6
• Thomas & Friends Magazine January/February 2008
• Detailing Diesel Locomotives (400-12421)
• True Line Trains CN Wood Caboose available in the following:
  • CNR Green Maple Leaf
  • CNR White Maple Leaf
  • CN Noodle
• Woodland Scenics Forest Canopy available in:
  • Autumn Mix
  • Dark Green
  • Medium Green
  • Light Green
• Lead weights
• Canadian Pacific to the East - The International of Maine Division
• Athearn RTR HO Model A Coupes, Sedans and Pickups (various colours)
• Percy HO scale locomotive (160-58742)
• The Troublesome Trucks HO scale (160-77046 & 160-77047)
• James the Red Engine Freight Set Powered HO Train Set

New Products Coming

Watch for the following new products that should be arriving in the store. If there is something that interests you, contact us and we will set it aside for you when it arrives.  If there is a new product not on the list that you know is coming out and would like to reserve, please drop us a line and we will be happy to order it for you.

• True Line Trains Bulkhead Flat Cars
• CN Trackside Sign Kit by Rapido
• True Line Trains HO CP Wooden Caboose
• Turbotrain:  A Journey Book
• Walthers HO
  • Central Gas & Storage (933-3011)
  • RJ Frost Ice & Storage (933-3020)
  • Both items
    • Estimated in 2008
    • Limited production, reserve immediately to guarantee yours
• Athearn RTR 40' Stock Cars CN estimated February 2008
• Athearn HO RTR F7 A/A CPR Script #4106 & 4107 estimated March 2008
• True Line Trains--Canadian National 3000 cu ft Open Slab Side Hoppers
• Bytown 2008 Trackside Guide
• New Release Railtime DVD
• Branchlines of Midwestern Ontario
• Rapido "Totally Wired" telephone poles estimated Spring 2008
• Rapido CNR 1954 scheme baggage cars

Reserve Your 2008 Trackside Guide

The time is coming near once again for the Bytown Trackside Guide to be released.  We are now taking reservations for the 2008 issue.  If you are interested in reserving a copy please let us know.  Those that reserve (pre-order) their copy will receive $5.00 off the regular price.  Estimated arrival for these is usually the later part of February.  Pre-orders will be taken until February 17, 2008.

10th Annual Model Railroad Garage Sale

The details have been worked out and the flyers are in circulation.  Our 10th annual Model Railroad Garage sale will happen this year on Saturday, May 10th.  It will run from 8am until noon. 

As a reminder, this event is held next door in the big garage and goes ahead rain or shine.  Many vendors have already signed up to stake a claim to their table, so if you are thinking of being a vendor for this year's event please contact us so that your space can be reserved.  Space is given on first-come-first-served basis.  You can sign up the following ways: 

• send an email to carol@countylinecaboose.ca
• call (519) 884-6908
• or in person at the store

If you are not familiar with our event, here is a summary for you:

Fellow modellers, that have items that they no longer require, sign up and are given space to sell their items.  All that we ask is that anyone who wishes to be vendor sign up by May 3, 2008.  This is a deadline date and space may fill up long before this.  So, if you think you would like space please reserve as soon as possible.  Set up for vendors is from 6:30am to 7:45, sale opens at 8:00am sharp. 

We host this as a "modellers-for-modellers" event.  There is no charge to either vendors or browsers.  We hope that this is a day that you get to meet others in the hobby, share ideas, make new friends and find some treasures along the way. 

Stay tuned to the newsletter for more details on the day as they become available.

Pre-Order & Save

True Line Trains will be releasing HO Scale Canadian National 3000 cu ft. Open Side Slab Hoppers estimated in April 2008.  Estimated retail is $39.99 per car.  Pre-order any car by February 10th and pay only $36.99 each.  These cars are also available in 6 car set assortments (six different numbers in a set).  Pre-order any 6 car set and save an additional $3.00 per car.

These cars are available in the following:

• 6 Square hatches, Open Sides, Light Grey with small red block lettering
• 6 Square hatches, Open Sides, Grey, large Noodle Logo and red block lettering
• 8 Round hatches, Open Sides, Light Grey with large red block lettering
• 8 Round hatches, Open Sides, Light Grey with large Noodle Logo

Calling all Groups

At the beginning of the year we often have new modellers entering the hobby and wondering where they can go for further information.  They are often looking for something hands on, as well as for others that enjoy the hobby and don't mind sharing their tips, secrets, and knowledge that they have acquired over the years.  While as a model railroad store we offer assistance for our products, many people ask about different clubs and organizations in their areas. 

We often steer people in the direction of the nearest club that we are aware of, but sometimes there are clubs and groups out there that are unknown to us.  If you are a member of a group, please let us know.  We keep a listing of all of these, and then try to match the person searching for a group to the one closest to them. 

Model Railroading is the "World's Greatest Hobby".  Please let us know about your group so that we can help you share this great hobby with others.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reminder

With winter here, it is a good time to drop in and check out the new supply of model train magazines in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle bins.  This is a great way to get some free reading and save issues from the landfill sites.  If you have magazines that you would like to donate to the program please let us know in advance of bringing them by to ensure that we have somewhere to put them if the bins are currently full.

Over the last few months there have been lots of donations to the program.  We would like to thank all that have dropped their old issues off.  Many have gone to new homes and made other modellers quite happy.

Upcoming Train Shows

Paris Junction 2008*

• When: January 20, 2008 10:00am - 4:00pm
• Where:
  • Paris Fair Grounds 
  • Silver Street 
  • Paris, ON
• Contact Information: (519) 583-0975
  • sln@nor-del.com

TH&B Model Railroad Flea Market*

• When:  January 27, 2008 10:00am - 3:30pm
• Where:
  • Marritt Hall
  • Ancaster Fair Grounds
  • 625 Hwy 53 E
  • Ancaster, ON
• Contact Information: (905) 335-9112

Dundas Modular Railway Flea Market

• When:  February 9, 2008 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Where:
  • St. Paul's United Church Hall 
  • 29 Park Street West 
  • Dundas, ON
• Contact Information:
  • Tom Allan (905) 575-9326
  • tomallan@mountaincable.net

Barrie-Allandale Train Show

• When: 
  • February 16, 2008 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • February 17, 2008 10:00am - 4:00pm
• Where:
  • Bradford Greenhouses Garden Galleria
  • Hwy 90 @ Hwy 27
  • Barrie, ON
• Contact Information:
  • (Layouts) John Collette (705) 487-5185
  • (Vendors) Rick Hatton (705) 737-9363

Kitchener Model Train Show*

• When: March 30, 2008 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Where:
  • Bingemans
  • 425 Bingemans Centre Drive
  • Kitchener, ON
• Contact Information: Ian Ward - toyshow@kwic.com

Model Railroad Flea Market*

• When: April 6, 2008 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Where:
  • Humber College North Campus Entrance D
  • 205 Humber College Blvd
  • Etobicoke, ON
• Contact Information:
  • Steve McCoy (416) 656-4498
  • supertraindude@yahoo.ca

Woodstock Model Train Show*

• When: April 20, 2008 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Where:
  • Oxford Auditorium
  • Woodstock Fair Grounds
  • Woodstock, ON
• Contact Information: Ian Ward - toyshow@kwic.com

Railway Nostalgia Weekend*

• When:
  • May 3, 2008 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • May 4, 2008 10:00am - 4:00pm
• Where:
  • Michigan Central Shops
  • 225 Wellington St
  • St. Thomas, ON
• Contact Information:
  • promotions@ecrm5700.org
  • (519) 637-6284

10th Annual Model Railroad Garage Sale*

• When: May 10, 2008 8:00am - 12:00pm
• Where:
  • County Line Caboose
  • 014121 Bruce County Rd 10, RR#1
  • Elmwood, ON
• Contact Information: Carol - carol@countylinecaboose.ca

Grey Central Railway Club 3rd Annual Open House & Train Show and Ontario Midwest Chapter of CARM 3rd Annual Day at the Clinics*

• When:
  • September 20, 2008 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Clinics start every hour, on the hour
• Where: 5 minutes east of Holland Centre on side road #30
• Train Show Contact Information: Al - (519) 794-3692
• Clinics Contact Information: attheclinics@yahoo.ca

* - Denotes shows that County Line Caboose will be attending.