One of our own makes good!

James Keena, longtime member and still an active member of the Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers, Inc, was named the Los Angeles Division of the National Model Railroad Association 2022 Member of the Year.

While James toiled quietly, keeping the finances of the club in order, he was also heavily involved in the LA Division as the Chief Clerk/Paymaster for 8 years (and doesn't that make sense?).

Here is the text that accompanied the brief article in Issue #4/2022 of the LA Coupler, the newsletter of the Los Angeles Division of the NMRA:

“First joining the NMRA in 1979, James has long been a “cornerstone” of the Los Angeles Division. Providing countless years of volunteer service, he has been a clinician (How many of you have attended one of his hands-on weathering clinics?), authored numerous articles in the pages of our LA Coupler newsletter, as well a being a frequent Celebration of Model contributor.

James also has served with distinction as the Division’s Chief Clerk/Paymaster for 8 years, chaired both its Contest and Achievement Programs, presided as Registrar at both the 2016 and 2020 annual PSR conventions, and been the primary driver (along with wife, Edna) of multiple SpringRail and FallRail meets.

Congratulations James. Recognition well deserved.

James Keena, LA Division Member of the Year

Quarterly Business Meeting Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Highland Pacific:

This is a friendly reminder for our upcoming Quarterly Business Meeting which will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM.  Please note that we have set the start time to 7:30pm as the earlier start time has been a success.

The meeting will be held at the clubhouse located at 854 Broadway, San Gabriel CA. 91776,  If you can not attend please submit your proxy. You can download a Proxy Form by clicking the image at the right. 

NOTE: If you are unable to attend the meeting, click on the image at the right to download a proxy form. Save, print a copy, sign and return to the Chief Clerk at the club’s address. Our Bylaws do not allow proxies by phone.

New Short Video Features the Mighty Highland Pacific Railroad


Greg Ruben, of the Los Angeles Times, visited about a month ago and shot some video while he was here. That video is now live on the LA Times' Instagram and TikTok accounts. Greg’s video seems to have generated some additional visitors to the club.

As Greg says, “It’s wild what you’ll find behind closed doors in a city as vast as LA.” We agree.

Quarterly Business Meeting Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Click to download a proxy form.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Highland Pacific:

This is a friendly reminder for our upcoming Quarterly Business Meeting which will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 7:30 PM.  Please note that we have set the start time to 7:30pm as the earlier time was a success.

The meeting will be held at the clubhouse located at 854 E. Broadway, San Gabriel CA. 91776,  If you can not attend please submit your proxy, which is attached to this email. 

Thank you and see you there!

NOTE: If you are unable to attend the meeting, click on the image above to download a proxy form. Save and print out a copy, sign and return to the Chief Clerk at the club’s address.

Southern Pacific SD-39 Locos Visit Highland Pacific Territory

Thanksgiving Eve saw a trio of new Southern Pacific SD-39 locomotives make an appearance for a test run on the Highland Pacific layout. These locomotives were Athearn production samples yet to be released to the public. Active member Jack Ross did the research and rounded up photographs of the locos “in the wild.”

These beautifully done and highly detailed DCC locomotives are “as close to real as it gets.” That incudes locomotive #5296 with the red Southern Pacific lettering on the side. That’s not a mistake. Jack points out the SP used reflective lettering for the name on the locomotives. When these stick-on-letters peeled off it left behind a red residue (presumably from the lettering adhesive). You can see the same effect on the lead locomotive #5316 where the lettering has only partially peeled off. That’s a touch of realism.

Jack says the locomotives are in production now and will be released in time for the holidays. Thanks Jack for the early look at some nice locomotives.

First Day of Open House an Unqualified Success

Heavy power at the ready

The 74th Annual Open House of the Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers, Inc was, according to General Superintendent Marc Thrasher, “an unqualified success.” Visitors were able to see a variety of freight and passenger equipment riding the high iron of the Highland Pacific.

The layout, a dual system with both DC and DCC options, performed as expected with no major glitches noted. Today was the first full-blown test in full public view despite a number of operating sessions held for members only. The layout, and the crew, put on a show of which to be proud. Will it be exceeded by tomorrow’s open house?

This first open-to-the-public since COVID-19 changed plans two years in a row was welcomed by visitors and members alike. It was aptly stated by Chief Clerk Stacy Ross who said “It’s good to be back. There’s nothing like throbbing diesels to give you goosebumps.”

The Open House runs one more day, Sunday, November 6th, from 11 am to 5 pm. Join us; admission is free!

Memberships available. Call (626) 285-1031