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Post by spwolf on Sept 18, 2008 14:38:44 GMT -5
Hey Guys,
Can some one fill me in on the make up of our membership numbers. Mine is C2444, I have noticed other guys start with an L or an R.
Just curious,
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Post by SP 9811 on Sept 18, 2008 14:43:37 GMT -5
R is "regular" C is "contributor" L is...I have no idea  |
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Post by spwolf on Sept 18, 2008 14:52:13 GMT -5
Thanks!
That makes sense. I need to start thinking outside my little box.
Maybe John can fill us in the L
Maybe Lifetime--if there is such a thing. His number is L0004(Wow) A founding member?
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Post by SP 9811 on Sept 18, 2008 14:56:51 GMT -5
I think you are right about it being Lifetime. As I understand, he is a founding member.
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Post by espeelover on Sept 19, 2008 2:57:19 GMT -5
L= does equal Lifetime Membership, it is an Honorarium bestowed on past Presidents of the Society, of which I was the first one. And yes, I remember when there were only 2 members; I was supposed to get number 001, as I guess you can say it was my idea, but being a consummate salesman, I gave number one to the first contributor we had back in late 1980. Lyle Dautrich was 002, Don Meline is 003 and you know mine already. I just wanted the society to get going, so I let the others have the lowest numbers, it seemed more important to them than it did me. The kernel of the current SPH&TS began inside the the layout room of the model RR club in Long Beach. Don Meline was my mentor as far as SP modeling was concerned, and I used to keep asking him why there was no SP society. He told me somebody tried to start one, but took the money and fell off the face of the earth, or some such tale of woe. So I took that idea back to work with me and did some phone calling and asking folks who might help me get the thing off the ground. I got a lot of turn downs from some pretty famous folks; but they seem to forget that part now a days. You see, at the time, I was graphic artist for Micro Scale decals, so had in's with all the magazine publishers (my favorite decal sets are the SP two and 3 bay ribbed covered hoppers and those SP Loading Symbols that Don and I needed  ). Micro Scale was where I met Lyle Dautrich, who preceded me at Krasel Ind's, and he knew Jim Lancaster, who knew Ernie Towler and so on. The first mags to give us space were Bob Hundman's Mainline Modeler and Prototype Modeler, Craig Walker, of the Little Depot, gave us our first window sign in a store; and the idea took off from those humble roots. Technically, Don and I have been members since 1979, because we planned what sort of things the group would cover in its publications. But that was all dreaming on my part until all the others got on board. www.sphts.org/society_roster.php#1981There is a mistake in the info there, Don Meline was membership Chair and my "consigliere" from day one.  |
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Post by SP 9811 on Sept 19, 2008 6:55:54 GMT -5
Amazing story John. Its an honor to have you as a member here.
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Post by espeelover on Sept 19, 2008 12:10:06 GMT -5
Amazing story John. Its an honor to have you as a member here. You guys are making me remember stuff I thought I had long forgotten!  Way back when we had our first meeting, the official founding meeting where the numbers were assigned, my membership number turned out to be #014; like I said, all I cared about was getting the thing up and running, everything else was secondary to that goal. Finally, one of my board members said I had better get a number or my member number would be above 20, and that would not look right. I was sort of disappointed, as I wanted 013, but whats a mother to do? After I became vice president in mid 1983, I was able to ease up some; then, when "new" issues came up between a board member, who will remain nameless, and myself, I gradually drifted toward the side lines. I was never a true politician, and could not walk all over my friends and associates to get what I wanted; that is just not in my programing. (Clarification: it was NOT one of the original group of founders that I had the problem with). I remained a member for several years, then dropped out around 1985, but did keep buying Trainlines as they came out. Sometime, while I was away chasing Colorado Narrow Gauge steam and modeling the RGS in Fn3, an unknown individual re-assigned me number 004; probably when I rejoined the society in 2004. If I had to guess I'd bet it was Paul Koehler, who is a pretty special guy in my book. Then again, most of the board, past and present, are pretty nice folks; there are some notable exceptions, and they know who they are, but for my money, all had a big hand in keeping the SPH&TS alive and growing. What is really funny is how we tend to forget some things. When I came back to the SPH&TS, it seemed I had been elevated to sainthood or something. I was not comfortable with that, let me tell you. When I showed up to my first convention in 20 years, I got handed this big gold name tag, strangers wanted to shake my hand, even buy me a brewsky. I got my own table at the Banquet, and finally asked why this special treatment? I was told that I started the thing, to which I retorted, but I was not alone, hello! "Its in print! Its all your fault" they said. Finally I was handed an old issue of Trainline #1. The inside front cover, all the way at the bottom left side held the answer. I had forgotten what Editor Ernie Towler wrote 24 years prior, but it defined my life in one short sentence. If you have issue one, you can read it for yourself; otherwise, I'll keep it under my hat. |
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Post by espeefoamer on Sept 22, 2008 16:57:37 GMT -5
I joined the Society in 1999 when I was at the Sacramento Railfair. There was a timetable collectors show at the same time,and I joined then mainly because I recieved an SP Central Division employees timetable free with my membership.I have stayed with them ever since. My membership number is R3698-091. ;D  |
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). Micro Scale was where I met Lyle Dautrich, who preceded me at Krasel Ind's, and he knew Jim Lancaster, who knew Ernie Towler and so on.
