As I write this newsletter it is hard to believe that in under a month 2009 will be another year gone by. Time has really flown by this year, and it is hard to believe that 2010 is just around the corner.
I would like to take this time to wish everyone the very best of the holiday season with your family and friends.
Happy Holidays and all the best for the upcoming 2010.
Carol
As the ice cream came to a close, we returned back to our winter hours of operation. If needing to contact us by phone during the week it is best to call my cell at 519-807-2345. The store number (519) 364-1390 is still the best way to contact us during the weekend store hours.
Our winter hours are as follows:
Saturday: 9:00am - 6:00pm (December 5th only we will be closing at 4:00pm)
Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
As a reminder, email can be sent at any time and is usually checked daily. So if you wish something special ordered and do not want to wait until the weekend to submit it, don’t--send it in an email and it will speed up the process. Our email address is carol@countylinecaboose.ca
We also continue to do mail order so if you are a distance from the store you can still shop with us. Orders are shipped with Canada Post to keep costs low, and can make it to most destinations in good time.
The following new products have arrived since the last newsletter:
Over the last couple of months many interesting items have come and gone through the consignment area. Have you been looking for a special something that is hard to find? If so you should be checking the listing we have on-line. Last week the on-line listing was updated to reflect all that is currently out on our shelves. For anyone looking for CN items you may want to take a look as there are some CN passenger cars and locomotives that have been received which are new and reasonably priced.
If you have items that you no longer wish and would like to have them added to our consignment area send us a quick email.
Hard to believe that the holidays are coming and time is running by quickly. We will be welcoming in 2010 before we know it. With the holidays comes gift giving and here are some things that you may wish to add to your list:
County Line Caboose Gift Cards, available in any amount
Stocking stuffers for the train lover starting at under $5.00
Tail End Accessory Kits custom built to add realism to your current layout or layout in progress
Books or DVD’s-check out our listing on line for available titles or email us your wish list
Woodland Scenics Learning Kits covering 6 different scenery topics
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.
Planning and preparation is currently underway for the 12th Annual Model Railroad Garage Sale. The date of the 2010 event is Saturday, May 15. So mark the date on the calendar early to avoid disappointment. More details will follow as event plans are brought together. If you know already that you wish be a vendor, please drop us a quick email so your space can be reserved. We are also looking for volunteers for the day to help the event run smoothly. If you think you can assist us please let us know.
Athearn recently announced that they are ceasing the production of their Blue Box line immediately. They have decided to focus more on the Ready To Run line in the future. While we still have some stock, once these kits are gone we will not be able to order any more. For a complete listing of the ones that we still have in stock please check out the on-line catalogue.
So what does that mean for the modeller that likes to build the kits over having the ready-to-run product? Well to fill the gap left by Athearn we will be stocking more Accurail car kits starting immediately.
We are also ordering in more of the Branchline Yard Master series kits for those that have been asking about us expanding that line.
While these are some of the items we are bringing in as standard stock to fill the gap left by the Blue Box line there are many other kits out there made by others that may have a high level of difficulty and are ordered in as well. Some of these are the George Taylor kits, Sylvan and Branchline Blueprint Trains.
It is this time of year that people think more of trains than any other time-the train running under the Christmas Tree, or the train display in the front window of one of the stores you may pass. Trains are a magical thing at this time of year, and seeing them run brings joy to many.
The Grey Central Railway Club is opening up their layout to the public on Sunday, December 13, 2009 from Noon to 5:00pm. Come see their layout in action, and talk to members of the group while you are there as they share their hobby with you. Admission is by donation and all are welcome. For the little train lovers Thomas The Tank Engine will be making a visit on the layout as well. This is a great holiday afternoon activity that can be shared by the whole family. Come experience the magic of the holidays through a train ride on the Grey Central.
The Grey Central Railway Club is located at the Participation Lodge Facility in Holland Centre. For more information call Al at (519) 794-3692.
A big thank you to the Saugeen Modellers who have donated their demonstration layout to be used in the store and to show off their love of the hobby. If you have not been in for while this is something you are going to have to stop in to see. Our current layout that was here for some time continues to be a work in progress, so it is nice to have a finished one to show off.
The Saugeen Modellers meet once a month and are always looking for new members to share the hobby with. If you are new to the hobby and would like to take in a meeting, please drop us a quick email and we will pass along their contact information. If you are new to the hobby, or are an experienced modeler this group may be just the right fit for you to share your knowledge with others or gain some along the way.
The Saugeen Modellers are located in Hanover and surrounding area.
December is structure month. Purchase any Pikestuff, Rix, or Smalltown USA structures and receive 10% off the regular price when you mention this special.
* - Denotes shows that County Line Caboose will be attending.
Well it has been a busy summer, but now with fall coming it is time for me to get back to doing the newsletters more on a monthly basis. I hope everyone had a great summer despite the poor weather and temperature for the majority of it.
For those that dropped by during the summer you may have found us busy redoing the front of the caboose. Yes there are 126 boards on the front alone and they are now replaced and the caboose is looking all new from the front side. While it looks a little off right now, plans are in the works to have the CN logo returned and the caboose number added either later this fall or early into the spring of 2010 depending on the weather.
With the onset of fall approaching it is time for all of us to start thinking of all the time during the winter months that we will have to work on our hobby. This may be a rather short newsletter as I try to get things caught up, more of the new and coming items will be covered in the October newsletter, I promise.
Enjoy the read, and as always I welcome all comments and suggestions on improving our little Tail End Publication.
For those of you that are local to the Grey-Bruce area I invite you to join us at the 4th Annual Open House and Train show presented by the Grey Central Railway Club along with the Midwestern Chapter of the Canadian Association of Railway Modellers as they host their Day at The Clinics. This proves to be an informative day for both the beginner and expert and if you have the time it is well worth a trip. You will be able to meet others in the hobby local to your area, gain knowledge from the clinics being presented, and the best part—attend a local train show in the Grey-Bruce area. If you are interested in attending and wish more details they can be found in he shows section of this newsletter.
The following new products have arrived since the last newsletter:
Well once again our Model Railroad Garage sale is just a distant memory. While the weather did not co-operate well this year, everyone that came found some treasures, made some new friends, and may have even learned a few tricks of the hobby that they were not aware of before.
Attendance was up even though the weather man forecasted gloom for the day. Plans for the 2010 event have already begun and more details will released in upcoming newsletters. If you wish to be a volunteer for the 2010 event please contact me.
I wish to thank all the vendors and buyers that came to make the show a success. A big heartfelt thanks also goes to our wonderful volunteers and all those that stayed to help clean up the event at the end—it was greatly appreciated. I think we got things put away in record-breaking time and in-between the rain drops—thanks again.
Also all the donations collected from the event go right back into it to improve it for next year. This year we added the 26’ x 12’ canopy for extra vendors to be able to sell outside when the bays filled. We also are slowly starting to purchase folding 6 foot tables to make the event more uniform in setup as well.
The following is a list of the items that we have at everyday low prices all the time:
* - Denotes shows that County Line Caboose will be attending.
Hard to believe the it is under a month before our 11th Annual Model Railroad Garage sale will be here. Plans are all coming together and the last minute preparation is underway. For anyone that is still wishing a spot please contact Carol by May 1st to ensure a spot is reserved for you. Space is filling fast, so if you are even thinking of a spot, please drop us a line so that we are prepared.
This is a day that finds many modelers finding a treasure, meeting others in the hobby, and gaining ideas and information that may otherwise not be shared.
Take a moment to mingle as you have a coffee and muffin with a fellow modeler.
I have been talking with many of the vendors so far and it looks like there are many goodies coming to this years event. There are layouts that have been taken down and everything from the track to the figures are coming to the sale.
In addition to the great deals the vendors will be giving, there will be in-store specials and a couple of draws again this year.
So once again here is the info for the event:
Don’t miss out, by coming out. Hope to see you there.
The following new products have arrived since the last newsletter:
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.
The following is a list of the items that we have at everyday low prices all the time:
These are just a few of the services that I would like to remind you are available at the store:
I would like to start an article in every issue on tips and tricks of the hobby. Everyone approaches aspects of the hobby differently and it is these ideas that I feel are best shared. If you have a tip you would like share please email me and watch for it to appear in one of the upcoming issues. Please indicate on the email if you would like your name credited to the tip or not, I know some of us are bashful when it comes to sharing and would like to remain anonymous, which is perfectly fine. Please send your tips and tricks to carol@countylinecaboose.ca
Model Railroading becomes easier the more we know, learn and share.
* - Denotes shows that County Line Caboose will be attending.
The 11th Annual Model Railroad Garage sale is coming up fast. Once again we will be hosting the event, a great day to find a treasure, meet fellow modelers and share your tips of the hobby with others. Space is filling fast so if you are interested in a space please let us know so that it can be reserved for you. Here are the details for this our 2009 event:
When: May 9, 2009 8:00am - Noon
Where: County Line Caboose (hosted in the large garage next door, goes rain or shine)
For those that may not be familiar with the event, here is a little about it. Each year we provide the space and the organizing for a model railroad garage sale. It is designed to be a modelers-for-modelers day. Anyone that has model railroad items of any scale are welcome to come and sell it. All we ask is that you have pre-signed up for a space. We will be taking space reservations until May 1, 2009. If interested in being a vendor please let us know as soon as possible, space is limited and given on a first come, first served basis.
This event is hosted free of charge to both vendors and browsers. We do have donation boxes out that day for those that like to donate to help cover some of the costs of making this event happen. There are free coffee and muffins during the event for all to enjoy.
So, mark the date on your calendar, contact us if you wish a space, and if you are coming to browse start your wish list now.
To become a vendor please contact Carol at 519-807-2345 or by email at carol@countylinecaboose.ca
The following new products have arrived since the last newsletter:
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.
Our special of the month for April is as follows:
10% off all Kalmbach books
Check out our listing of Kalmbach books. We are in the process of updating our product list, so if you don’t see what you are looking for, contact us—we may just have it in the store.
Have you ever thought that you would like to be in a model railroad group that shares your interest in the hobby? Many are shocked to find out that there are groups in their local area that they are not aware of.
Being part of a group enhances the hobby for many. It allows them to meet others in the hobby and be able to share knowledge and ideas. If you would like more information on clubs in your area, please feel free to contact us.
If you know of a club that you you feel we may not, please drop us a line with the details. We can only send people your way if we have the information to do so.
The following is a list of the items that we have at everyday low prices all the time:
Planning a large track expansion? See us for a bulk price on all your track needs. Bulk track orders are considered to be those in excess of $100.00 before taxes.
Did you know that if you are interested in some model railroad magazines there is a reduce, reuse, recycle area in the store. We welcome all magazine donations to this program and encourage anyone that sees magazines in this area of interest to them to help themselves.
This is a program that we have run for many years now and it works great. Magazines can be donated and given to someone else that will use the information from them. It is a win-win situation for all involved. The magazines find a new home where they are wanted and avoid the landfill sites.
Over the last little while there have been quite a number of donations and the boxes are full. If you haven’t checked it out in a while you should slide in and take a look. You may find one or two to take home with you.
* - Denotes shows that County Line Caboose will be attending.
