Whatever happened to Little Engines of Lomita, CA?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Little-Engines-Live-Steam-Locomotives-1957-Railroad_W0QQitemZ320348189361QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4132QQcmdZViewItem

Not in the same town, but I was under the impression that they're still around. If that's correct, I'd say they're here:

http://www.littleengines.com/

I do believe that these are the successors to the operation in Lomita. For some of the story about Little Engines and the Lomita Railroad Museum go to the Museum website and then select "Museum History."

I remember years ago Irene Lewis of Little Engines was written up as one of the publications -- maybe as an "Interesting Railfan" in Railroad Magazine. Her husband started the business and after he died she chose to continue it, but realized that she needed more knowledge about steam engines. She tried to enroll with the International Correspondence School, but was rejected because she was a woman -- she then enrolled using her husband's name.

Later she started the Lomita Railroad Museum in 1966 on property next door to the business. It was after this that she retired from the business and it was sold on to others. I'm not sure if it went directly to the current owners or through someone else along the way.

The company has changed hands several times since Mrs Lewis passed away.

Current ownership split the company into two parts about 10 years ago as shown on the web site as listed above, http://www.littleengines.com/

The move of the 1.5" scale part of the business to PA from NJ (under the same ownership) is recent.

The owner Mike Venizia is also I believe a volunteer fireman at Steamtown.

Trevor Heath
www.livesteaming.com