Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/06/2008 10:24 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/23/2008 11:11 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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The "Calaveras Train Guy", Rich Kotowski
Calaveras County, CA....Rich "Lionel" Kotowski has been collecting trains for decades. His specialty is Lionel but he also collects other brands as well. Before he moved to Calaveras County he was a train legend in Lodi, CA. His hobby are Lionel trains from the 1950's - the 1970's. Rich brought just a small sampling of his collection to the St. Patrick's Christmas Arts & Crafts Show. In addition to the Classic Old Steam & Diesel Locomotives He has all kinds of specialty cars as well. He even displayed Santa and Mrs. Claus working on a hand pumped Christmas Car. Rich just loves trains....
He has been a train aficionado since he can remember. He received his first train set from his parents before his first birthday and the love affair has continued to the present day. At their home in Lodi before they moved to Calaveras County he had track set up that covered over 5 sheets of plywood.
It makes his day when someone contacts him with an old set that he can help them get running or wants to see if they have a valuable prized set that has been residing in an attic or closet for years.
His Motto as a Train Hobbyist is "Puttin Trains Back on Track". Rich is always looking for more trains and would love to talk to you about trains. If you would like to contact Rich he can be reached by email at rnlkotowski@yahoo.com or by phone at 209.736.0442
One classic we noticed was the transformer on his table. Rich has been using this transformer which can control up to 4 trains since he was a boy. This transformer like many of the classic old trains is well built, loaded with history and ready for generations of training.
We have video of The Calaveras Train Guy in action this weekend.
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