A Message from Your Editor – Spring 2025
By Michael S. Oher, TCA #18-73531 Spring 2025 e*Train
All Aboard The e*Train, fellow train enthusiasts!
I’m Michael S. Oher, your conductor of the e*Train.
As we all prepare to converge on York this Spring, we must take the time to reflect on the year thus far. This year has had its ups and downs for all of us, and just before this year and just after this year began, our community of collectors lost two of our own, American Flyer dealers Michael Rosenberg (Honor Roll Member) TCA# 72-4234 of Millburn, NJ and American Flyer Dealer Robert Francis “Frankie” Merson TCA# 77-11802 of Clements, MD.
I was heartbroken to hear of both Mike and Frankie’s passing. They weren’t just American Flyer dealers; they were our friends and such an important part of our community. My late father Jay and I bought a lot from both Mike and Frankie over the years. They both had an incredible eye for quality, and their names were synonymous with some of the best of the best in American Flyer.
What stood out about both of them was the kind of people they were. They always had time for a conversation, always cared about fellow Flyer collectors, and always made you feel like you were part of something bigger. They weren’t just helping us build our collections; they were building relationships and memories that meant so much more.
I recall Mike once met my sister in York, and for years, remembered her, asked how she was doing, and sent his well wishes, anytime I saw him. I always remember him reading his book in a folding chair at the front of the ice cream sundae line at York. He and his wife Linda, were always first and second in line respectively. I was always third. We would chat and catch up while we waited for the event to begin. It’s gonna be a lonely wait in line moving forward 🙁
Mike and Frankie made the world of American Flyer trains something to truly be proud of, and their loss will be felt deeply by all of us who were lucky enough to know them. I’ll always be grateful for their kindness, expertise, and the friendship we shared over the years.
Linda and family, please know you’re in my thoughts. Mike’s legacy will always live on in this community and in the hearts of everyone he touched.
To the Merson family, may Frankie always be remembered as a true stalwart in the world of American Flyer who cared so much for his hobby and fellow hobbyists. Just like Mike’s, his legacy will also always live on in this community and in the hearts of those who he touched.
Now, as we begin to thaw out and as a new season blooms, we hold close the memories of not only Mike and Frankie but of other TCA Members who are no longer with us, because even though those fine folks are no longer with us, it is our duty as TCA members to honor their legacy and bring the spirit of toy trains to life.
On a happier note: I have a few photos to share as part of the ongoing photo series of myself and TCA President Kevin Quinn. The following images are from when Kevin, myself, Stu Rankin, and Andy Hibell met at NJ Hi-Railers for Trainstock 16 in January 2025, when I met with Kevin and a few others up in Springfield at the Big E in January 2025, when the crew got together at the Allentown Spring Thaw Meet in February 2025, when we made our back to NJ Hi-Railers for their encore train show in March 2025, when I met with Kevin and the crew in Kingston, NY in March 2025, and when we all met up at the NYSME/METCA Spring Swap Meet in East Rutherford, NJ in April 2025. A brief video from METCA’s visit to Greenberg’s Great Train and Toy Show in Edison, NJ in March 2o25 can also be found below:
From left to right – Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President
From left to right – Top Row: Brandon Sleight, Stuart Rankin – Past TCA National President, Irving The Conductor – NJ Hi-Railer’s Honorary Member, Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Andrew Hibell – METCA President; Bottom Row: Kevin Quinn – TCA National President
From left to right – Stuart Rankin – Past TCA National President, Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Steven Flanagan – TCA Member, Ed Barulli – NETCA President, Andrew Hibell – METCA President, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President
From front to back – Left Side: Kevin Davis Lionel Collector’s Club Of America Director, Social Media Manager & Coordinator, and FasTrack Module Layout Coordinator/Promoter, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President, Andrew Hibell – METCA President, Steven Flanagan TCA Member, Ed Barulli – NETCA President; Right Side: Stacy Leigh – TCA National Business Office Manager/Bookkeeper, Stuart Rankin – Past TCA National President, Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, James Petrusek, Keegan D.
From left to right – Kevin Quinn – TCA National President, Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Scott Bargisen – METCA Member
From left to right – Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Craig Kasmin – TCA National Treasurer, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President, Stacy Leigh – TCA National Business Office Manager/Bookkeeper, Melody Rogers – National Toy Train Museum Coordinator, Scott Bargisen – METCA Member
From left to right – Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Al Kolis – Lionel Collector’s Club Of America Past President, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President, Pat Scaglione, Jim Battista – METCA Director
From left to right – Top Row: Mike Hofmann – METCA Vice President, Jim Battista – METCA Director, Scott Bargisen – METCA Member; Middle Row: Xander F. – METCA Kids Club Member, Zach A. – METCA Kids Club Member, Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President; Bottom Row: Sampson H. – METCA Kids Club Member, Ben H. – METCA Kids Club Member
From left to right – Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President
From left to right – Michael S. Oher – e*Train Editor, Kevin Quinn – TCA National President, Andrew Hibell – METCA President, Shawn Conahey
As always, if you have ideas, questions, or suggestions about how we can enhance e*Train, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me at [email protected], and let’s keep our shared love of trains rolling into the summer!
Ever Upward,
Michael S. Oher TCA # 18-73531
Editor, TCA e*Train
