Time is waning for registering for Fall S Fest, hosted this year by
the Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers (CASG). This year's event
will be largest-ever gathering of "exclusively S" in the world.
We just went to our "Plan B" layout for the exhibit room, which
added 19 tables. That's because "Floor Plan A" was sold out. There
are less than 10 vendor tables left if you are interested. First
come, first served. The exhibit floor alone is larger than three-and-
a-half NBA basketball courts.
We also are within 10 of our guaranteed number of 175 guest rooms in
the adjacent hotel. You have about three weeks to make a reservaton
and get the guaranteed rate, but again, first-come, first served.
Based on what's come in so far, we are expecting to register about
850-900 for the event. We are also expecting over 4,000 members of
the general public to visit the (free admission) layout room, which
will be over 5,000 square feet and VERY kid-oriented.
This year's theme is: "100 Years of American Flyer." We are offering
for purchase both a commemorative boxcar and die-cast truck and
trailer, but only to those who register.
Fall S Fest is scheduled for Nov. 3-5 in Chicago, at the Tinley Park
Convention Center, I-80 and Harlem Ave. There will be over 25,000
square-feet of exhibit/dealer space and layouts. As we said, it is
the largest annual gathering of S gauge and 1:64 afficionados in the
world, encompassing all of S -- Scale, Standard Gauge, Hi-Rail,
Tinplate, American Flyer, and of course, S for the "Narrow-Minded."
Clinics & seminars Manufacturer reps Train races Layout
tours Hospitality parties Model Contest
Trading Room open to public Fri.-Sat. (admission fee) Free Train
rides (Fri.) Layout Tours
The banquet will be Saturday evening, Nov. 5. Our special guest
speaker will be Mr. Carl Luecke, a child actor from the early 1950s.
Among his significant roles was that of Prince Chulalngkorn in the
original Broadway production of "The King and I" with Yul Brynner.
But as you might guess, that's not why he's speaking at Fall S-Fest.
Mr. Luecke was in the cast of the most daring marketing campaign in
the history of model railroading -- "The Boys Railroad Club." This
was a TV program conceived by A.C. Gilbert & Co. to advance the
interest and sales of American Flyer S Gauge Trains.
Gilbert produced a total of six episodes featuring model and
prototype trains, often having a real-life railroad executive or
locomotive engineer visit the club, a basement layout room loaded
with -- you guessed it -- American Flyer!
The shows ran for three years in 50 different markets and were
viewed by millions of kids. Copies of the series are available at
most Flyer dealers.
Mr. Luecke played the part of Corky, and yes, he knew Herky! (Oh
Boy! Trains!) Mr Luecke will be auctioning off for his charity at
the banquet his personal 1946 American Flyer Hudson set -- which
includes cars with plastic frames.
The banquet will be limited to 300 persons, first-come, first-served
on the tickets.
Thanks to Andy Jugle, chairman, for setting up what should be a
terrific evening -- and Fall S Fest!
More information to follow in the next few weeks. Fall S Fest, now
in its 31st year, is the annual extravaganza that rotates between
the CASG, Badgerland S Gaugers, State Line S Gaugers, and the
American Flyer S Gaugers of the St. Louis Area.
The second and final mailing went out today to most of those who
attended previous S Fests or on our mailing list. If you did not
receive a registration packet within already, you have three
choices: visit www.trainweb.org/casg; call Will Holt at 630-969-
1982; or email him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and we'll get you
set up.
Phil K
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