Norfolk - 42nd Convention July 22-28, 2012
This convention supplied numerous opportunities for our camera buffs to capture very memorable shots. Norfolk in July was picturesque, and the tours were visually spectacular. The Norfolk Southern train ride on Monday the 23rd aboard NS vintage livery was wonderful. Then what better way to top off the day than to walk aboard the Spirit of Norfolk for a harbor dinner cruise and see the world’s largest naval installation at water side? If that’s not enough, re-learn the history and color of colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Enjoy the elegant plantations, aquarium, Army Transportation Museum, Military Aviation Museum, and ice cream in a fresh waffle cone from its inventor, Mr. Doumar.
If you are still asking yourself, “Why I did not attend this year?” Then let me say more. Our established practice is to give a FREE gift to the first 400 Convention registrants. It’s often a Lionel car. This year, the Early Registration Gift was a Lionel NS Vulcan Diesel Switcher in black décor. The LCCA is the first train club to present an operating locomotive to registrants! To be eligible to receive this great Early Registration Gift, club members must have been within the group of the first 400 registrants to the Convention, pick up the gift in person, and stay at the host hotel for a minimum of three nights. Members that resided in Norfolk or its contiguous suburbs were exempted from the three-nights hotel requirement.Here are highlights of some of the tours that were held:
Norfolk Southern Corporation, headquartered in Norfolk, is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products. LCCA conventioneers were provided an opportunity for a five-hour excursion featuring a Norfolk Southern Vintage Executive Train on a round trip from Norfolk to Petersburg. On the way to the depot, we passed the Norfolk Southern coal loading facilities at Lambert’s Point Docks, the largest in the world.
Because the limited number of tickets for the Norfolk Southern Vintage Executive Train Excursion were sold out in record time, the LCCA was able to add another train excursion to the schedule on Monday, July 23. Seating aboard the AMTRAK train for the tour was limited to 175 persons. This was a scheduled train on the NS schedule that we were able to get so that as many as possible were able to ride a great excursion at the convention.
After a short drive by motor coach to the AMTRAK terminal in Newport News, VA, we boarded the train for a 1.5 hour ride through the scenic Virginia countryside to Richmond, the state capitol. Upon arrival at the historic Main Street Station in downtown Richmond, we transferred to motor coaches and traveled the rest of the day to local sites before heading back to Norfolk and our hotel.
A highlight of this tour was The Triple Crossing in Richmond which is believed to be the only place in North America where three Class I railroads cross at different levels at the same spot. At ground level are the tracks of the original Richmond and York River Railroad which was extended after the Civil War to connect with the Richmond and Danville Railroad. Later, this line became a part of the Southern Railway System and is now a part of Norfolk Southern. The line runs east to West Point, VA. The middle level was the main line of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, now a part of CSX Transportation and known as the “S” line, just south of Main Street Station. At the top level is a three-mile long viaduct parallel to north bank of the James River built by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1901 to link the former Richmond and Allegheny Railroad with C&O’s Peninsula Subdivision to Newport News and export coal piers. The viaduct is now owned by CSX Transportation. This crossing is well known in photographs down through the years with trains from the 3 owning railroads posing for the cameras.
Science Museum of Virginia - We visited the Science Museum of Virginia housed within the original Broad Street Train Station. Designed by New York architect John Russell Pope and built in 1913, this museum pays allegiance to its railroad heritage with displays of renovated train cars, a railroad-themed IMAX movie, and other rail-related displays. We enjoyed learning about the restoration of Car One, the executive coach for the RF&P Railroad, and other rail cars which were opened especially for LCCA conventioneers. During an architectural walking tour of the building, we learned about the choices that John Russell Pope made when designing the train station. A catered lunch was provided at the museum before we boarded our buses for the return trip to our hotel.
We walked across the street from the Norfolk Waterside Marriott and boarded the magnificent Spirit of Norfolk cruise ship for a private charter exclusively for the members of LCCA - Feasting on a sumptuous buffet plus enjoying the informative narration as we cruised through the Hampton Roads Harbor. Lively entertainment followed dinner. The ship had two climate-controlled lower decks and an open-air upper deck. This was a great way to unwind from the excitement of the day.
The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, VA, is one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world and houses a treasure trove of more than 35,000 items inspired by human experiences with the sea. The museum’s collection of models is truly extraordinary. A recent addition to the museum is the USS Monitor Exhibit, a $30 million exhibit with artifacts, history, and accounts of the career of the iron- clad USS Monitor. The Museum exhibits were world class. Later, we visited Fort Eustis, home of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. Our guide led us through the museum with mighty steam locomotives of days past to the world’s only captive “flying saucer.”
For Civil War history enthusiasts and those interested in legacy tourism, this tour took you through the history of the United States during the time of the Civil War. The tour began with a stop at Chickamauga Battlefield to tour the Visitor Center, museum, theater, and a pre-revolutionary to WWI gun collection. We then went to the Gordon Lee Mansion for a tour of this former headquarters and hospital for Civil War soldiers. Following lunch, we rode up Lookout Mountain for a visit to Point Park and the Battles for Chattanooga Museum. The tour concluded with a drive-through tour of the Missionary Ridge area.
The Military Aviation Museum located at the Virginia Beach Airport is home to one of the largest and most extensive private collections of World War II and Korean War era fighters, bombers, trainers, and seaplanes. The aircraft have been meticulously restored to their original condition and are frequently used for flight demonstrations, static display and movie production. Next, we toured the Oceana Naval Air Station, the East Coast’s only Master Jet Base, and the home station for the Navy’s fighter/attack squadron – the screaming F-14 Tomcats and the F/A-18 Hornets. We enjoyed beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay as we rode through Virginia Beach. We were able to see the historic lighthouses and the First Landing Cross at Cape Henry where the English colonists first came ashore in 1607. We visited the old Cape Henry Lighthouse, silently guarding the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay since 1792. The lighthouse stands near the spot where in 1607 Captain Christopher Newport raised a cross to offer thanks for the safe crossing of the Atlantic by the first settlers. The recently renovated Virginia Beach boardwalk is consistently voted one of the most beautiful Boardwalks in the country. Lastly, a nice stroll along the beautiful wide sandy beach and shopping in some of the shops along the oceanfront.
We spent the evening at a special private LCCA visit to the newly renovated and expanded Children’s Museum of Virginia. The many attractions were enjoyed that are designed for kids of all ages especially one of the largest and most expansive model train collections in the country – the Lancaster Antique Train Collection. It is comprised of more than 10,000 trains. Many are rare and not normally displayed for the public. Portions of this collection were showcased in a gallery designed to look like a train depot platform, and railroad tracks were incorporated into the floor treatment. Trains travel on the layout through a three-dimensional landscape which represents the main lines that historically linked the Hampton Roads area of Virginia to the coal mining regions of western Virginia. A behind-the-scenes tour was available to see unique pieces of the Lancaster Collection not normally on display as well as gallery talks by the curator. Guests enjoyed a southern BBQ while browsing the collection and the many additional interactive museum exhibits. After spending an exciting day at the Hampton Roads Peninsula or the Virginia Beach area, we were able to relax at a special private LCCA evening at the Children’s Museum. Everyone enjoyed the many attractions including a special program featuring unique pieces from the fabulous Lancaster Antique Train Collection and layout.
At the town of Colonial Williamsburg we were able to step back into the 18th century and stroll through its streets. Our historical interpreter guided us through the past and the events that helped shape America’s history. Colonial Williamsburg is the restored capital of the British Colony of Virginia, and the largest “living museum” in the United States. After lunch at the historic Colonial Tavern, we enjoyed a tour of the Williamsburg Winery, an 18th- century-styled winery surrounded by over 50 acres of vineyards. Our guided tour featured Old World barrel cellars and modern winemaking equipment. Following the tour, a tasting session was offered of available wines. What more could you ask for than spending a day (seven hours) at historic Colonial Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Winery.
We learned about Norfolk’s colorful 325- year history as we rode through the lovely historic district and restored areas. We viewed the stately homes along The Hague, old St. Paul’s Church, the Moses Myers House, MacArthur Memorial, the historic Freemason District, Nauticus: The National Maritime Center, the Battleship Wisconsin, the restored waterfront area, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and the Norfolk Botanical Garden. No visit to Norfolk would be complete without a stop at Doumar’s, home of the world’s first ice cream cone machine. Abe Doumar created the first ice cream cone at the World’s Fair of 1904 in St. Louis. Today, the family business still bakes cones on the original cone machine. Following an introduction by Mr. Doumar, great nephew of Abe Doumar, all passengers were treated to an ice cream cone before boarding the bus and returning to the hotel.
Paul Sharp invited us to visit his private facility which houses extensive collections of autos, toys, games, neon signs, AC Gilbert American Flyer/Modern S Gauge trains, and two operating layouts. This was a FANTASTIC opportunity to see a really unique venue and collection on display. All left in awe to the experience at the end of the night.
At the charming town of Williamsburg, our guide provided an interesting and informative narration during our ride about the historic Virginia Peninsula and the Hampton Roads area. Upon arrival, we stepped back into the 18th century while strolling through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. We toured the Jamestown Settlement established in 1607 as the first permanent settlement in the New World. Guests and enjoyed the guided tour of the re-created village of Jamestown which chronicles the nation’s 17th century beginnings in Virginia in the context of its Powhatan Indian, English, and western central African cultures. Outside, history came alive in re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, a colonial fort, and the three ships – Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery – that transported English colonists to Virginia in 1607. Lunch was provided at Jamestown. Next was a visit to the Yorktown Victory Center and see exhibits relating to the Battle of Yorktown, the last major decisive battle of the American Revolution. Also a visit to a recreated 18th century farm site and the Continental Army Encampment. We were driven through the quaint village of Yorktown and past the Revolutionary War Battlefields where General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington thus ending the War for Independence from Great Britain.
This tour consisted of a visit to Charles City County which is strategically located between the James and Chickahominy Rivers and close to the colonial capitals of Jamestown and Williamsburg. Visits to the Berkeley and Shirley Plantations and lunch at the historic Charles City Tavern during your trip were included. Berkeley Plantation is considered Virginia’s most historic plantation, and is also known for its significance as the site of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619. We saw the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and President William Henry Harrison. Costumed guides hosted our tour of this lovely property. Shirley Plantation is Virginia’s oldest plantation founded in 1613. The Carter family’s 10th and 11th generations welcome us to visit their home, America’s oldest family- owned business. We explored seven original outbuildings including the unique Queen Anne Forecourt and shop in the beautiful gift shop on premises for unusual gifts and accessories.
Of course we had to tour the Norfolk Naval Base which is a part of Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval installation in the world. Home port to 78 ships ranging in size from aircraft carriers to submarines, 26 aircraft squadrons comprised of 133 aircraft, and headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet, this naval complex occupies over 8,000 acres of land and is home to more than 100,000 military personnel. Next, we visited our country’s newest National Park, Fort Monroe and the Casemate Museum, home of the Army’s Coast Artillery collection and the focal point of historic Fort Monroe, which was built in 1819. The fort, occupying 63 acres, was first established in 1607 by English Settlers, and has been used as a strategic site because of its vantage point on the Chesapeake Bay during all major wars. The Casemate Museum is housed within the thick walls of America’s largest stone fort and completely surrounded by a moat. Exhibits included the prison cell of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Civil War artifacts and displays relating to the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac. This was a great opportunity to visit one of today’s most active Naval Bases and historic Fort Monroe.
We visited the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach which contains 800,000 gallons of aquariums and more than 300 hands-on exhibits. All experienced Conservation Quest with a behind-the-scenes look at Animal Adventures where guests met some of the Aquarium’s Animal Ambassadors to discover how we can all make a difference in conserving wildlife and the habitats in which they live. Here’s a unique opportunity to spend the morning experiencing the famous Conservation Quest Behind the Scenes Program.
The ladies visited the Hermitage Foundation Museum nestled on 12 beautifully landscaped acres alongside the picturesque Lafayette River. This Tudor-style mansion was built in 1908 and features an outstanding collection of Eastern and Western art. The museum’s collections are displayed in a unique home-like setting and represent the arts of America, England, France, Italy, Persia, Russia, Spain and the Far East. This was followed with lunch at the Freemason Abbey Restaurant. Next, we enjoyed browsing and shopping in the many unique specialty stores located in the Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood before returning to the hotel.
July 22-28, 2012, was a memorable time. However, we are looking forward now to the model railroad train shows, camaraderie and more at the Chattanooga Convention in 2013.
These events held in Norfolk were just a taste of the type of things in store for you, your family, and friends when you come to an LCCA convention and help us celebrate the annual anniversary of the "Best toy train club on the planet" by making each convention one of the best in Lionel Collectors Club Convention history. Members may register online for the Chattanooga Convention early in 2013 and read the details of the event published in The Lion Roars, the club’s model train magazine. Nonmembers may join the club now and be prepared for a fabulous week of fun, great food, toy train shows and friendship with train operators and collectors who favor the Lionel brand and celebrate the world’s greatest hobby.
