The Orange Empire Railway Museum, home of the Grizzly Flats Railroad collection, was the summer evening venue for a “by invitation only” celebration of the 50th anniversary of LGB—the first model railway for indoors and outdoors. Märklin representatives treated special guests in true “LGB style” to a memorable evening of museum tours, train rides, a charity auction of rare LGB memorabilia and previews of limited anniversary models and merchandise. The proceeds from this event supported Project Chloe – an effort to restore Ward Kimball’s beloved Chloe.
Special thanks to LGB/Märklin for the contributions they continue to make to the large scale model railroading hobby, and for generously hosting such a wonderful charitable event.
Built by the Pacific Coast Railroad, Box Car No. 704 adorned with the LGB herald and banner, greet invited guests to the event venue – the Grizzly Flats Railroad engine house.Guests were transported by trolley around the museum grounds to buildings housing some of the impressive collections.The museum’s Alco S-4 switcher (1952) shuttled guests onboard a Pullman coach along the museum’s main line.The beneficiary of the LGB event, “Chloe”, an 0-4-2RT switcher built by Baldwin Locomotive Works (1907). LGB/Märklin is a proud sponsor of the Chloe Restoration Project – an effort to restore this popular locomotive to operational condition. A newly engineered model of this popular locomotive was earlier released in 2018.Also on display inside the OERM Grizzly Flats Engine house was the 2-6-0 Mogul “Emma Nevada” built by Baldwin Locomotive Works (1881). The locomotive currently rests on blocks as part of her ongoing restoration.What do you serve to a hungry crowd of special guests for an anniversary party held in southern California? In & Out Burger, of course!Attendees from across North America enjoyed the beautiful weather and park-like surroundings of the Orange Empire Railway Museum to celebrate 50 years of LGB.LGB representatives congratulate many winners of the charity auction and prize drawings, including the grand prize winner of a limited edition LGB Grizzly Flats Chloe locomotive and cars.
