Each year at Brickworld in Chicago, attendees gather together to participate in what has become an fun, exciting, and unforgettable events held during the convention. The Esther Walner Memorial Charity Fundraiser. Th auction features unique LEGO® and LEGO Fan Community items donated by individuals, groups and companies to help raise money for charity. Proceeds benefit several deserving charitable organizations, including Creations for Charity, Riley Children’s Hospital, FIRST LEGO League, and the Make a Wish Foundation. 90% of the proceeds raised is donated to these charities. The other 10% Brickworld uses to support other opportunities to help kids in the community. Last year’s auction raised $22,300 with 100% of that money going to charitable organizations.

Trains at the Auction: Stoking Rivalries for a Good Cause

Wether it be vintage sets, memorabilia or models, trains have alway been a part of the Brickworld Charity Auction in some way. However, in 2015, Anthony Sava decided to up the game with the donation of a custom built, updated version of his American “Standard” 4-4-0 locomotive, along with the detailed track and decorative base. Custom models usually generate a lot of interest at the auction, and Tony’s 4-4-0 was no exception. All of us in the train community there at Brickworld that year were speculating on how much the little “American” would bring. There was a huge excitement in the air.

As the 4-4-0 came up to the auction block, several of us train builders, including Tony and I, were sitting together in the crowd. Just before the bidding started, Tony turned to me and issued a challenge. If his model went for over $400, then I would donate a model to next year’s auction.

Now I should state the Tony and I have had a rivalry between us for many years. A friendly one, as we both admire and respect each other and are good friends. But as friends we can’t resist the opportunity to poke at each other’s egos occasionally.

How could I resist Tony’s challenge? Of course I wanted to see Tony’s model bring as much money as possible for charity, and I was even going to bid on it myself, though unfortunately it quickly went above my limit. When the bidding had ended, the 4-4-0 had landed a sale price of $550.00, a full $150 above the mark set in Tony’s challenge. My fate was sealed, at the auction the following year, one of my models would be going up for sale.

A Mikado Pulls Into Brickworld and the Stakes are Raised

As Brickworld 2016 came closer, I was faced with the decision of what model of mine would go to the charity auction. I could have built a copy of an existing model as Tony did, or I could have built an all new model. But in the end I decided to send off one my locomotives from my existing fleet: my Baltimore & Ohio USRA Light Mikado. I chose this model because it was reliable, sturdy, and had classic locomotive styling. It was a good runner too. All things I felt would make it a good candidate to find a new home.

Tony, not being one to miss a good opportunity for some fun, decided to up the ante a little more for the auction. His proclamation was as follows.

“If this model goes for $1,000.00 or more at auction, I, Tony Sava, will build a custom 8-wide Caboose based on a Texas prototype and gift it to Cale Leiphart.

Furthermore, if the model goes for $1,000.00 or more I will, publicly, in front of all gathered at the PennLUG/TBRR layout at Brickworld, bow to Cale Leiphart and declare him the better train builder.

Further, furthermore, should this model go for $1,000.00 or more, I will build a railcar with a billboard stating Cale Leiphart is a better train builder, and will run it at every Texas Brick Railroad display until Brickworld 2017, including the upcoming Brick Fiesta 2016.”

Not only did my Mikado bring $1,000 at the auction, it hammered home at an amazing $2050. And true to his word, Tony made good on his wager, mostly. I’m still waiting on that caboose, but Tony hasn’t forgotten and I know he’ll get it to me someday.

The Sequel

Fast forward to 2019. Tony is once again donating a model of his own design to Brickworld’s Esther Walner Memorial Charity Fundraiser. The model this time is an AB set of his fantastic Santa Fe F7’s.

This is indeed an awesome donation by Tony, and I’ll be bidding along with I’m sure many others, but it is now my turn to issue Tony a challenge, so here it is:

If Tony Sava’s Santa Fe F7 set can reach the $1,000 mark that he set for me in 2016, I will build a custom caboose based on a Pennsylvania prototype, and gift it to Anthony Sava.

Furthermore, If the F7’s bring $1,000 or more, I Cale Leiphart will donate a new custom locomotive of my own design to the Brickworld 2020 Charity Auction.

Further, furthermore, If Tony’s models can beat the $2050 price raised by my Mikado in 2016, I will, publicly, in front of all gathered at the LGMS layout at Brickworld, bow to Tony Sava and declare him the better train builder.

Furthermost, if Tony’s Santa Fe F7 set brings more than my Mikado did in 2016 at auction, in addition to the aforementioned custom locomotive, I Cale Leiphart will build a full train for said locomotive to pull, to be donated to the Brickworld charity auction.

The game is set. I hope Tony’s donation brings a lot of money at the charity auction and I have to make good on my challenge.

Brick Model Railroader Donates to the Esther Walner Memorial Charity Fundraiser

Brick Model Railroader will also be donating to the Esther Walner Memorial Charity Fundraiser at Brickworld this year. We will be donating a special version of our 2019 Brickworld Exclusive B-50-25 “Challenger” Express Boxcar. Unlike the Premium Instructions version, this special version will include all the parts to build the model. It will include the special parts and decals as well as all the standard LEGO elements you normally would have to source on your own. You will be able to build this car as soon as you win it from the auction.

We at BMR are happy to support the Esther Walner Memorial Charity Fundraiser with the donation of this kit. We may also have another special item to bid on at the auction, but we’re going to keep that under wraps for now.

So for all of you coming to Brickworld this year, be sure to bring plenty of money. And if you can’t make it, see if you can find a friend to bid for you.