OCME FALL MEET – 2024

CALLING ALL LIVE STEAMERS – JOIN US AT THE GOATHILL JUNCTION RAILROAD IN SEPTEMBER

THIS YEAR WE’RE HOLDING THE MEET IN MEMORY OF DALTON “DJ” JOHNSON. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US TO CELEBRATE BOTH OUR HOBBY AND OUR GOOD FRIEND.

The OCME Fall Meet is a Private Event Open to Live Steamers, invited guests, and members of the club ONLY.
NO PUBLIC RIDES WILL BE GIVEN.

*Pricing, Food, and Events are Subject to change

WELCOME LIVE STEAMERS!

Hello Live Steam Enthusiasts,

As the crisp air of fall envelops us, we are excited to extend a warm invitation to all Live Steamers for our upcoming Fall Meet at Orange County Model Engineers! This is the perfect opportunity to gather with large-scale model train enthusiasts, share knowledge, and immerse ourselves in the joy of everything model railroading.

Additionally, we will hold this meet in memory of our good friend Dalton “DJ” Johnson, who passed away earlier this year. His mom and dad will host a special dinner on Saturday, September 28th. RSVPs will be required. DJ loved meets and events, and we’re positive this is the perfect way to remember one of our very dear friends.

Event Details:

• Dates: September 27th, 28th, 29th
• 7.5-inch gauge layout
• Location: Orange County Model Engineers, Fairview Park, Costa Mesa, CA

Highlights:

• Live Steam Showcases: Bring your impressive live steamer, your gasoline hydraulic, your electric locomotive, or your person-powered equipment for a grand showcase on our 7.5-inch gauge layout! Let’s marvel at the craftsmanship and engineering prowess of our fellow enthusiasts.
• Run the Goathill Junction Layout: Chug around our nearly 5 miles of track through beautiful Fairview Park. Enjoy perfect sunsets and nighttime fun!
• Limited Overnight Camping: We’ll have a small number of overnight camping available. Please sign up for the camping information form located on the website.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, share your passion for Live Steam, and forge new friendships within the thriving Live Steam community. And learn how you can join us at OCME!

Refreshments and Fun:
We’ll provide a delightful spread of refreshments to keep the energy high, ensuring a weekend filled with laughter, camaraderie, and trains. Don’t miss our Saturday Night BBQ Dinner from Newport Rib Company as we remember our friend Dalton Johnson.

See the flyer information below to find out about our meal services.

How to Reach Us:
For any inquiries, please contact us at info@ocmetrains.org

Let’s make this Fall Meet an unforgettable celebration of all things Live Steam! We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a long weekend of steam-powered excitement.

Complete details below

We can’t wait to see you there!

Warm regards,

Board of Directors
Orange County Model Engineers

SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER

Our biggest celebration of the hobby and our good friend DJ, join us for a Saturday Night Dinner under the Stars and lights of the OCME Compound.

Your $20 per person dinner comes with Ribs, Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Cornbread. You’ll also get water or soda and a dessert (either cookies or cake).

You must RSVP for this dinner prior to arriving at the club for the Fall Meet.

DINNER RESERVATIONS ARE CLOSED

Please see Josh Guesman at the meet if you’d like to attend the Saturday Night Dinner. There may be a few extra dinners.

CAMPING

A limited number of camping spots has been approved by the City of Costa Mesa for our event.

• Maximum of 6 RV’s
• Maximum of 25 Tents

REMINDER: There will be no RV hookups or outdoor cooking (OCME has meals available for purchase. See the flyer for details).

Camping will be allowed from Friday through Sunday. All campers must depart by Sunday at the close of the meet.

CAMPING RESERVATIONS ARE CLOSED

FALL MEET CHAIRMAN + COMMITTEE

Your Fall Meet Chairman is VP of Operations Josh Guesman

Josh is supported on the Fall Meet Committee by Adam Dupre, Jordan Rivera, Matt Rexroad, Mike August (VP Facilities), and Steve Collier

You can email Josh with any questions at OCME@OCMETrains.Org

FALL MEET T-SHIRTS

Below, you can find a link to our Bonfire store, where you can purchase the Fall Meet apparel. This is a print-on-demand service. Order in the first batch by September 6th, and you have a great chance of getting your shirts just before the meet.

You can also order at the meet, and your shirts will be shipped directly to you once that batch order has been completed. Volunteers on-site will help you with that order if you need help.

All proceeds go to OCME!

Each style comes in multiple colors. Some examples are below. Just click the picture to be taken to our store.

OCME RAFFLE – SATURDAY NIGHT

OCME will hold its annual raffle to raise money for the railroad. This year we are thrilled to be raffling off some amazing prizes from some amazing partners and vendors.

Tickets will be $1.00, or for $20.00, you get 25 Tickets. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday throughout the day. We will culminate with a drawing at 7:00 PM while everyone is finishing up dinner.

OCME would like to thank all the organizations that helped us offer some amazing raffle prizes. If you’re interested in making a donation for our raffles, please contact Josh Guesman.

COMBINED VALUE OF PRIZES IS NEARLY $1,500

YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN THE RAFFLE PRIZES

DIRECTIONS

ORANGE COUNTY MODEL ENGINEERS
2480 PLACENTIA AVENUE
COSTA MESA, CA 92626

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

The entrance to the club is located directly across the street from Estancia High School.
Signs will indicate the club entrance and the dirt road will lead you either toward the station or the compound. Take the road on the right for the entrance to the compound, the unloading area, and the steaming bays.

Parking will be restricted inside the fenced area. Signs will mark the unloading areas.

MEET SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

LAYOUT INFORMATION

SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE

Please read the rulebook, a copy of which is available at the club. The following rules are emphasized for your enjoyment of the scheduled events.

• Direction for MOTIVE POWER out of the station:
  • FRIDAY – SOUTHBOUND
  • SATURDAY – NORTHBOUND
  • SUNDAY – SOUTHBOUND

• All trains must be run at a SAFE SPEED and under full control at all times. Don’t let the wide-open space hypnotize you.  KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN!!
• This is an open park – kids and animals can be anywhere.
• All trains must carry a RED FLAG and must PROTECT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN when stopped
• Mackerel Flats & Goathill Junction Station is for LOADING and UNLOADING ONLY.
• Engines in need of SERVICING do so in YARD AREAS ONLY (Steaming bays, Skinner Yard, Platfoot Yard). City water is also available at Mehren Tower on the North Loop and midway on the Mountain Division at Sweetwater Siding.
• Dump ashes only in designated ash pits or in the Steaming Bays.
• Engineers and crew are responsible for proper switch alignment. Switches should always be left aligned for the designated run direction of the day.
• Trains must approach the double cross-over at the station at SLOW SPEED.  Yield to trains coming out of the station.
• USE CAUTION going down Higgins Loop (northbound – running – see map) as you approach the bridge – 2-WAY TRAFFIC is possible for a short distance.
• NIGHT-TIME operation requires a headlight and a red tail light. A flashlight is recommended.
• NO WHISTLES or HORNS after 7:30 p.m.
• Maintain a minimum safe running distance between trains of 200 feet.
• NO SMOKING on trains – locomotive exhaust excepted.
• City Park and Club rules (Gen. Rule G) prohibit possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages. 
• Dogs must be leashed (C.M.C.C Sec. 12-42).
• A Current boiler check/certificate is required to run at O.C.M.E. If you need one, we will arrange to check your boiler.
• OCME’s Layout is built and maintained to IBLS standards. ALL ROLLING STOCK (CARS AND ENGINES) MUST MEET THESE STANDARDS IN ORDER TO RUN AT THE MEET. Equipment not meeting IBLS standards will not be authorized to run. Please check the gauge on your wheels before running on the layout.
• MAIN GATE LOCKED AT 10:00 PM – See board member for special arrangements.
• OCME will monitor the fire danger on the layout. In the case of windy conditions, some restrictions may be placed on solid-fuel steam engines. But every effort will be made to keep those to a minimum.
• Steamers, please do not use the track immediately adjacent to the station – the ties will burn. Track 2 is authorized for live steam loading, unloading, and water-fill activities.

RADIO INFORMATION

Handheld radios are REQUIRED during the meet. We broadcast on CHANNEL 9, SUBCHANNEL 25. Please ask a member for assistance if you have any questions.

WHISTLES

For the benefit of all, please use the correct train whistles and hand signals when operating trains at O.C.M.E.  These signals have meaning and are professionally appropriate for our train operations.

NOTE:  Noise Curfew at 7:30 pm takes precedence over advised whistle signal usage

WHISTLES

• One short:  Stop or stopping; apply the brakes 
• One long:  Approaching railroad station or junction (if moving), or apply air brakes and equalize pressure (if standing)
• Two longs, one short, one long:  Warning when approaching a trestle or a blind curve or any other warning is needed. This is appropriate, especially on Higgins and Metassa Loops.]
• One Long – Three Short:  When an unscheduled stop is necessary, such as a track crew is working and signals the engineer to stop
• Two short:  A general answer to a signal or acknowledgment of a signal; identical to the “roger” or “10-4” radio terms 
• Two long:  Train is about to proceed forward; release the brakes 
• Two long, One short, or Two short, One long: The train is approaching a meeting or waiting point 
• Two long, One short, One long: The train is approaching a grade crossing (i.e., a road crossing) or bridge. This is a widely used safety signal used to warn motorists and is blown at every grade-level crossing, except where local noise ordinances prohibit it. Known in railroad rulebooks as rule ’14L’ 
• Three short: The train is about to proceed in reverse (if standing), or the train is about to stop at the next station (if moving) 
• Four short: The engineer is calling for signals
• Multiple short:  Danger, get off the tracks! Used to warn pedestrians or livestock who are on the tracks in front of the approaching train. 

ACCESS AND SERVICE AT ORANGE COUNTY MODEL ENGINEERS

1. An air-powered automotive-style lift is available for unloading and loading with a capacity of 2,000 pounds.  Please support each end of the lift (a jack is available) when unloading large locomotives.  Please roll your locomotive and cars off the lift expeditiously onto the turntable in order to allow others to load and unload.  Gas-Mechanical, Gas-hydraulic, and electric locomotives may be moved immediately off the turntable and into the Skinner yard. Steamers passing the wheel check can move onto the transfer table.
2. There are 21 open steaming bays accessed by a 20′ transfer table.  The braced bays are for very large, heavy narrow-gauge locomotives. Please PUSH; Don’t pull the transfer table. Remember – SAFETY FIRST! The steaming bay area features:
3. Boiler water on most bays – Culligan treated to remove hardness and particulates.
4. Two air connections are available on alternate bays.
5. Electric outlets are along the fence.
6. Lighting
7. Trash cans are at each bay – please use them.
8. A two-bay, two-level recessed work area that allows you to work underneath your locomotive.  Please use it and save your back.
9. Water and soda in the clubhouse – Honor system payment.
10. The porta-potties and hand-washing sink are behind the storage containers. Flush-type restrooms are in the station.
11. Shop for minor emergency repairs. Ask any member for assistance.
12. An Ash Pit is immediately outside of the steaming bays in Skinner Yard.  Two ash pits are also located adjacent to Goat Hill Station, at the Mehren water tower, and another in Platfoot Yard.
13. Treated Water for steam locomotives is also available in Platfoot Yard (in three recessed boxes). City Water is available at the Station (four recessed boxes), the Mehren tower, and at Sweetwater siding on the Mountain Division.
14. Locomotives should be blocked from rolling when on the steaming bays.
15. Moving locomotives onto the main: Line up the turntable with the transfer table.  Note the color coding of the turntable and align it so that your locomotive will face the intended direction.  Place safety chains over the ends, then roll; do not drive the locomotive onto the turntable.  PUSH, do not pull the turntable.  Watch your toes.  Safety First! Please do not use the lift for moving locomotives onto Skinner’s yard.
16. Blowdowns:  In Skinner Yard or on the turntable, please.  Avoid burns!
17. FRS Radio:  Use Channel 9; Subchannel 25.
18. Club-owned cars may be utilized during the meet.  Please return them when finished.
19. Gravel parking areas near the station will hold about 40 cars.  Please do not park at the loading area in order to keep it clear for trailers.
20. Operations: See the following pages.

OCME GOATHILL LOCAL GUIDE

FUEL

• Shell – 19th and Placentia; Gas and Diesel, 24 hours; South on Placentia; about four Signals. 
• Arco – 19th and Placentia; Gas only, 6 am to 9 pm; South on Placentia. 
• Shell – Wilson and Harbor; Gas Only, 24 Hours; South on Placentia to Wilson, turn Left to Harbor On the right.
• Mobil – Baker and Harbor; Gas and Diesel, 24 hours; Placentia North to Adams, turn right to Harbor, then turn left; about a mile north on Harbor. 
• Costco – north of 405; Take Placentia North to Adams, turn right to Harbor, then turn left on MacArthur Blvd and turn right at Newhope St.

PROPANE

• SINCLAIR – Corner of Harbor and Fair
• U-HAUL MOVING AND STORAGE – 2680 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa

Hardware 

• Home Depot – Wilson and Harbor; Placentia South to Wilson, turn Left at Harbor on the Right side at the next light on Harbor.
• Ace Hardware – Adams and Magnolia; Placentia North to Adams left to just before Magnolia.  Right turn into shopping center on right. 
• Hub Auto – Victoria and Harbor; Placentia South to Victoria turn left to Harbor turn Right on the left side.
• O’ Reilly Auto Parts – 17th and Newport Blvd; Placentia to 17th turn Left at Superior turn left stay on the right side of Allen’s Tire. 
• Auto Zone – 19th and Wallace; Placentia south to 19th turn Left it will be on the left.

Fast Food 

• Take Placentia north to Adams, turn right, then at Harbor, turn Left. There will be a McDonald’s, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Chick Fillet, Denny’s, Burger King, Golden Spoon, Canes Chicken Fingers, Sonic Burger, and IHOP before you hit the freeway.

24-Hour Drugs Stores 

• Rite Aid – 17th and Orange. Take Placentia south to 17th turn left 
• CVS – 17th and Irvine.  Take Placentia south to 17th and turn left. 

Stores 

• 7/11 – Victoria and Placentia; South three lights on Placentia. 
• Vons – Adams and Harbor; Placentia north to Adams turn right.
• Smart and Final – 19th and Pomona.  Take Placentia south to 19th turn left.
• Stater Brothers – Adams and Brookhurst; Placentia north to Adams turn Left to Brookhurst 
• Costco (see gas above)

ABOUT OCME

The Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) is a non-profit scale model railroad organization that was formed in 1985 and is dedicated to the hobby and education of others in larger scale model railroading in 1.5” scale. Our track gauge is 7 ½”.  OCME, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, has maintained a strong working relationship with the City of Costa Mesa since 1988, interacting with public, commercial, private, and other service-oriented organizations on a routine basis by providing tours and free rides on the third full weekend of each month at Fairview Park on the Goat Hill Junction and Mackerel Flats Railroad. 

There are over 20,000 feet of track on 40 acres of land where the co-habitation of wildlife, trains, and the public uniquely converge in an undeveloped landscape surrounded by the urbanization of Costa Mesa.  Visitors and riders on the railroad (approximately 40,000 annually) have the opportunity to see numerous species of plants, grasses, birds, and other wildlife that can only be seen at Fairview Park.  This is due, in part, to the wildlife habitat that was built on the western side of Fairview Park.  

The more than 200 members of OCME have 35 engines of various sizes that are powered by several means such as; foot pedals, steam, gas-driven hydraulics, and electric (battery and solar-powered). There are approximately 300 cars (rolling stock), of which some are scale models of real train cars or bench seating cars used when pulling guests and maintenance cars that are used to haul track ballast and a myriad of equipment needed to work on the railroad. This equipment and other tools necessary to maintain and operate the railroad are stored securely onsite within a 20,000-square-foot maintenance facility.  Financing for the OCME activities at Fairview Park is made available through membership dues and private and corporate donations. To maintain and operate these facilities and trains, the OCME membership works (donate) over 7000 hours annually so that others might enjoy the railroading experience at Fairview Park.

OCME offers public rides on the third full weekend of the month and provides rides for — or has in the past — special events such as birthday parties, spring and fall train meets, Pumpkin Run, Lyons Club, Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Kiwanis, California Fire Museum, Costa Mesa Fire and Police departments, Newport Beach Police, American Cancer Society, Raise Foundation, other train organizations including those of other scale railroads (e.g., HO, O, S and G scales), and others. Additionally, OCME actively participates and supports Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout programs, Girl Scouts of America, Kristie’s, Orangewood, and other charitable and civic organizations to make their ‘special events’ a more enjoyable experience for their supporters and clients.  

OCME has enjoyed supporting the Costa Mesa, California, community for the past 40 years and looks forward to continued community involvement for many years to come.

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