Scranton Stories: An LCCA Convention Adventure
By Michael S. Oher, TCA #18-73531 Fall 2025 e*Train
When the LCCA chose Scranton for this year’s convention, they probably expected trains, camaraderie, and history. What they might not have expected was a merry band of characters descending on the Lackawanna Radisson, a hotel housed in the grand former terminal of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. With a crew like this, the week was destined to be part railroading, part comedy show: Kevin Quinn, TCA National President, and his wife Renee; Andy Hibell, President of METCA; Stu Rankin, TCA Past President; Bob Buehler, President of the Eastern Division; and Russell Youens, Secretary of the Eastern Division and former Train Master of the Ringling Bros. Circus Train.
Life in a Train Station Hotel
The Radisson was magnificent—arched ceilings, marble columns, and just enough echoes to make you feel like a train announcement might come at any moment. You couldn’t forget you were staying in what once was the Erie Lackawanna’s Scranton terminal. Every hallway felt like a concourse, and more than once, I half-expected a Lackawanna Phoebe Snow consist to come roaring through.
Of course, our group made the most of it. Kevin took in the magnificence of the departure hall, Stu swore he saw Andy trying to check his suitcase onto Track 3, Bob gave directions to anyone who looked lost, though whether they ended up where they intended is debatable.
And then there was Russell. When the clerk informed him that they couldn’t find his reservation, Russell took it in stride—well, in Russell’s stride. After a flurry of phone calls and some nervous looks from management, a key materialized. Russell walked away victorious, as if he’d just negotiated trackage rights through Scranton.
On the Convention Floor
Most of my time was spent in the trading hall, where I helped man the TCA booth alongside a distinguished crew. Kevin Quinn and Renee brought a polished presence, greeting members warmly. Stu introduced me to some hobby notables, including two of the fine folks from the Three Rails, Four Dads podcast, Del Hudson and Ray of Ray’s Trains.
Andy Hibell was on a mission to inspect every gondola in the hall, Bob Buehler quietly turned his conversations into Eastern Division recruiting pitches, and Russell kept the crowds entertained.
Pilgrimages and Detours
Our adventures didn’t stop at the convention floor. One highlight was visiting Grzybowski’s Train Store in Moosic, PA, where the Grzybowski brothers greeted us like old friends. Their shelves were packed tighter than a Lionel freight yard in the Christmas season. Bob and I both wondered how many more purchases Bob’s suitcases could handle.
On another afternoon, Bob and I followed some abandoned tracks around Scranton. We expected weeds, ballast, and maybe a rusty spike or two. Instead, we stumbled upon a working locomotive repair shop—a railfan paradise. Real engines stood in various states of repair, surrounded by the smell of diesel, grease, and history. It felt like we’d uncovered a hidden chapter of the Erie Lackawanna’s story.
And then came an excursion to Honesdale with Bob and Russell to ride the Stourbridge Line. Boarding was simple, and once on board, Russell transformed into an unofficial tour guide, pointing out scenery with uncontainable enthusiasm.
Wrapping It Up
By the end of the week, we had worked the booth, toured Scranton’s rails, met hobby legends, and uncovered hidden treasures in a city where railroading runs deep. The Erie Lackawanna may be gone, but staying in its grand terminal and riding trains through its former territory gave the convention a flavor you can’t manufacture.
For Kevin and Renee Quinn, Bob Buehler, Russell Youens, Andy Hibell, Stu Rankin, and me, the Scranton convention wasn’t just about Lionel trains—it was about laughter, discovery, and stories that will echo in the marble halls of that old terminal long after we’ve gone home.
