European Train Enthusiasts

In 1999, I joined European Train Enthusiasts (ETE), the California based group of avid, what I might call, Eurorailmodelers. Their website is www.ete.org. In early 2002, I became one of the editors of the ETE EXPRESS, the group's national, quarterly magazine. Working closely with a professional graphic designer, we work continually to make the EXPRESS a more professional publication. Of course, it's all a labor of love but then that's what the model train hobby is all about.  

It wasn't long after joining ETE, that I had the idea of forming a local chapter. Using the membership directory of Märklin Enthusiasts of America, I sent out letters and in short order found out that an extremely enthusiastic modeler of German railroads lives no more than a mile and half from our house. Of course, you all know him. He's the one and only Carsten Ramcke  (www.getrichslowvideo.com). Soon after my mailing, a number of us model railroaders interested in European trains met and formed the ETE Great Lakes Chapter (ETEGL) (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etegl). 

Well, a local chapter should have a newsletter. So, I started one and with Carsten's enthusiastic cooperation, it was named Gleis Eins- Track One. In 2002 we changed the name to Gleis 1 and with the help of our professional graphic designer and European train enthusiast, the newsletter was completely redesigned. While we don't have a regular publication date but we try to get out at least three issues a year.