RED MARKERS. NEXT MEETING... CAYUGA VALLEY CLUB, AUBURN Sunday January 6, PM to 4 PM

Transcription

1 RED MARKERS Newsletter of the Central New York Division of the Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association, Inc. SERVING MODEL RAILROADERS IN AND AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE NEXT MEETING... CAYUGA VALLEY CLUB, AUBURN Sunday January 6, PM to 4 PM Ed Olszewski Photo At this Meeting and in this Issue... We kick-off the new year with a visit to our friends to the west in Auburn. The Cayuga Valley group has been around for many years and have opened their doors to us on a number of occasions. Plan to come to the meeting and see what s new on their modular layout and brag a little about what Santa left under the tree for you. Here s what to expect at this meeting: 1) HO SCALE HOME LAYOUT... See Our Host at right. 2) 2008 OFFICER NOMINATIONS: We will be nominating the slate of candidates for Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, Chief Clerk and Paymaster. Voting will be at the Feb. meeting. 3) MODEL SHOWCASE: Passenger Cars. Show off your passenger equipment! We re not looking for coach cars only. Whether it carried two people or 200 we want to see it. Let s not forget the Lounge, RPO, Express and Baggage cars either. 4) EMPIRE JUNCTION 08 UPDATE... Learn about the latest plans for EJ 08. You can help by offering to attend another divisions meeting around the Region to promote our convention. 5) OTHER STUFF... The Raffle needs an infusion of model material. Any scale, any gauge, prototype or model, we ll take it and so will one of the raffle winners. Support your Division and keep it Dues Free. PAGE 1 OUR HOST! Cayuga Valley Model Railroaders Inc. was founded in the1940 s. We have been at our present location for six years. The twenty-four steps to reach our clubroom is a big draw back but rent is reasonable. Our oldest member is in his eighties and our youngest is fifteen. We are always looking for new members. Our regular meetings are Thursday at 7PM and quests are always welcome and encouraged. Members activity is not limited to just meeting night. Fun is our central goal. Almost anything to do with trains or a party is a possible activity for us. Field trips as short as five miles to the CSX mainline or as far away as Pennsylvania. West Virginia or Canada have been enjoyed. Certain members have a bit of a reputation for taking all day getting to and returning from a CNY meeting. The Club has an HO layout with DCC operation. The decision to use DCC when we moved into present location was a great decision on our part. We have just gone to all metal wheels requirement for all rolling equipment normally used. Anyone can run personal equipment. We do not operate in just one time period. Some nights we may run all 1940s. or all modern and just mix everything together when we feel like it. Please join us Sunday for our usual good time. Better still, bring a kid with you and make their day. We all were once a kid, some of us still are. We will have usual variety of good refreshments.

2 The Brass Hats Central New York Division - ELECTED - Superintendent Brian Curry 3594 Chamberlain Road Weedsport, NY (315) banddcurry@peoplepc.com Asst. Superintendent Dave Martini 6943 Shannon Way Liverpool, NY (315) kmartin1@twcny.rr.com Chief Clerk John Roland 1981 Shepard Road Marcellus, NY (315) JRoland855@aol.com Paymaster Ralph Hodson 3259 Bella Vista Drive LaFayette, NY (315) rhodson@twcny.rr.com - APPOINTED - NMRA Achievement Program Representative Martin Collard 1844 East Lake Road, Skaneateles, NY (315) borodinoscaleline@yahoo.com NMRA Member Aid Chairman Jim Heidt, P.O. Box 25 Clockville, NY (315) jimheidt@hotmail.com Division Clinic Coordinator Lenn Amrhein, 6306 Meadow Drive Rome, NY (315) LAMRHEIN@twcny.rr.com Train Show Coordinator & Past Superinttendent George Scooter Youst 691 State Fair Blvd. Syracuse, NY (315) gyoust@mac.com Red Markers Co-Editors Ed Olszewski and Ed O Rourke 122 Blackstone Way Syracuse, NY (315) eolszew1@twcny.rr.com eorourke@twcny.rr.com Loose Spikes (Notes from the Ashpit ) PAGE 2 Don t Get Left at the Station... Oh, oh! If the box shown above in your issue has a red X in it, it s notice that this issue will be your last.unless. To stay onboard, we need you to come to this meeting. If you absolutely can t attend and want to remain on the mailing list, send $3.00 to Ralph Hodson (see page 2) and make the check payable to CNY Division, NER. And see us locally at PAYMASTERS REPORT Respectfully Submitted by Ralph Hodson Paymaster Balance Oct 31, $2, Receipts: 32 RESERVATIONS...$ Raffle......$5.00 Expenditures: 36 Reservations......($540.00) Postage......($9.60) Balance Dec 31, $2, Division Name Badges are available from Jim Heidt for $7.00. Price includes postage to mail your badge to you by First Class Mail. No more of this holding onto them or giving them to buddies to pass on. The $7.00 covers all costs. REMEMBER - Contact John Roland, our Chief Clerk, if you ever have trouble receiving your Red Markers. Also, if you need to change your address or post office address drop John a line. John s contact information is listed in The Brass Hats sidebar to the left. Dick Senges of Victor, NY, has a new model railroad web site. Dick is an experienced modeler, national award winner and consultant to the Medina RR Museum. The site contains all the issues of his Rochester Model Rails e-magazine plus model RR photos, history of the Oil Creek Railroad and the Bath and Hammondsport RR. It also contains the only up to date regional Train Events Calendar. The site contains no ads, popups or sale items. You can view the site at: (Continued on page 5) OFFICERS of the NORTHEASTERN REGION, NMRA NER President NER NYS Director NMRA Trustee from the NER Kenneth H. May Mike Evans Paul Allard 71 Buff Cap Road 838 Mason Street 53 Rollin Irish Road Tolland, CT Morrisonville, NY Milton, VT (860) (518) (802) kenneth.may@comcast.net EvansM@co.clinton.ny.us NERT@HQ.NMRA.ORG

3 From The Freight Shed The From The Freight Shed column will return next issue. From The Dispatchers Desk The one facet of the model railroading hobby that differentiates it from many other hobbies is the people involved in it and their willingness to help. I have never met a person who wouldn t spend time with me to explain how they achieved a certain look on a model or what things they considered when they designed their layout. This fact is exemplified by two recent incidents. During the NER convention in Albany this past October I saw a model of a coal shed very similar to one I have wanted to build for some time now. I asked the layout owner for some additional photos of it and if he happened to have any drawings of the shed. Shortly after my request I received an with a number of pictures of the coal shed as well as several other structures on his layout. He is now putting together a package of drawings for me to reference when I build my version of it. The second example resulted in the two page Web Extra for this newsletter. A simple request Come join in the fun at the January 6, 2008 Division meeting hosted by the Cayuga Valley Model Railroaders. Ed Olszewski photo for permission to use a photograph was made. After trading a few s explaining our purpose for wanting to use the photo of the M-497 RDC-3 on page 10 of this issue we not only had permission to use it but permission to use another six photographs as well as the photos themselves. Then we received an from Mr. Koch with links to several internet references on the actual speed trial event held by the New York Central System. Both of these people have been unselfish and willing to do whatever is needed to help out a fellow modeler. These are not isolated cases, they are the norm in my experience. We all benefit from the same kind of unselfish help from our fellow modelers within our Division and the Northeast Region. Your skill level does not matter. There are always opportunities for you to contribute to someone's growth in model railroading. We just have to be ready when the opportunity arrives. Lenn Amrheim s article on PAGE 3 Two-Bit detail parts is another example. Lenn has taken our request for articles to heart and submitted one about super detailing on a budget. Lenn shares his thoughts on how to add details to buildings using small bottles and items from your scrap bin. Last item this time around. If you are reading this off the internet you will see two additional pages about the NYC Systems jet powered RDC car. We thought the opportunity to learn a little more about such an important, yet obscure, event was worth the extra time to put the article together. Because of postage and reproduction costs we are limited to a 10 page mailed newsletter. If you have received this newsletter in the postal mail I suggest you consider changing over to the notification, web version. In 2008 we are planning to do more of these Web Extras and we would hate to have you miss out on the fun. Ed & Ed

4 One of the many detailed scenes on MMR Brian Curry s N Scale railroad. LAYOUTS, LAYOUTS, AND MORE LAYOUTS! Art Fahie, Owner of Bar Mills Models is quoted in a 2003 Model Railroading Magazine article saying there are more outstanding home layouts in the Central New York area than anywhere I have traveled. This fact will be evident to visitors at the Fall 2008 NER Convention, Empire Junction, on September 11-14, 2008 in Syracuse New York. The biggest problem for attendees will be trying to select from the over 50 railroads on display during the course of the weekend. Choosing may be a problem but getting there will be made much easier as the map book will include GPS coordinates for all travelers with dashboard direction devices or an onboard laptop computer. Whatever gauge, era, or style railroad you are into, there should be something great to satisfy your interests. Railroads of Garden G Scale all the way down to N Scale, and everything in between will be on display within a reasonable commute of the convention hotel. Although there will be much excitement and variety in the numerous clinics, prototype tours, and non rail activities, there will always be a choice of open home layouts Thursday afternoon through Sunday evening, with the exception of the hours during the Saturday night banquet. by Bill Brown MMR Bill Brown s Lehigh Alliance of Rail Carriers on the August 2006 cover of Model Railroader Magazine. Over a dozen Central New York Division members are working towards their Master Model Railroader designation, and much of their handiwork will be on display as they open their homes to fellow railroad enthusiasts. Visitors will enjoy layouts that have been featured in leading model magazines, Baldwin Trophy winning works, and National Gold Award winners. You can preview several of these fine layouts at and get all your convention information including registration materials at Polish up your camera lens, gas up the car, grab your friends and head to Syracuse in September. All real model railroaders in the northeast will be there! Gary Frost and Martin Collard specialize in fine detail PAGE 4 Jim Heidt s HO Scale O&N is a don t miss treat.

5 On a sad note, Russ Schiller reports that that Brian Harris, long time member and VP of the Hartlot club, passed away Dec 4th from a heart attack. He was 45 years old. In addition to Model Railroading, Brian was an Over-the Road truck driver and a SCUBA diver. His layout was HO freelanced. He will be missed by the CNY Model Railroading community. Bernard Watkins reports that Jim Heidt s ordination was a beautiful event and everyone at the church was super nice to us visiting modelers. Jim, your modeling friends are proud of you and your new journey. We are glad we were there. Indeed we are. And were. It must be noted however, that this is first and foremost a Model Railroading group and you can take the modeler out of the basement, but not the basement out of the modeler s mind. Several of our members noted that the Church is a modelers dream with classic stone exterior and open wood interior construction. (Don Andrews most likely already has plans drawn!) It is evidently very tastefully weathered. The reception was held in an adjoining hall. Several members again observed that the hall has a nice balcony room that would be perfect for a layout. It was revealed at our Christmas party later in the day that the basement is dry and doesn t have too many supporting pillars. Jim confessed to us that the Bishop who ordained him has a collection of brass locomotives. (Bill Brown is going to get the Bishop s number and see if the cathedral can be on the layout tour.) Scooter Youst has sent out a Convention Newsletter via . Things are really starting to roll with the convention and the committee will need a great deal of help from the membership as the time draws closer. EIGHT MONTHS TO GO! Speaking of the Convention, here is a photo of the CNYMOD layout at the Museum of Science and Technology featured on the Convention Layout Tour. The Museum is located in Historic Armory Square and is also an outstanding Non-Rail destination, good for several hours of visiting. The Museum web-sit is To all members of the division who are interested in a DCC BASIC WIRING CLINIC, Dave Martini and Lenn Amrhein will do one at Dave's home on a Saturday. The date and time to be determined and then published in a future Red Marker. To sign up for the clinic Lenn at LAMRHEIN@twcny.rr.com. Or telephone Lenn at (315) There is an answering machine on this line. Please include a date and time for a Saturday that you are available. Sometime in January 2008 would be great A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS! See you in Auburn January 6. TWO-BITS FOR SUPER DETAILING PARTS By Lenn Amrhein, photo by the author Two-bits or 25 cents to create a detailed part is about my speed. Everyone knows I like being frugal, when working on details for my railroad. I actually like saving money, our hobby has gotten so expensive lately. This is one of my two-bits parts ; in the sense there s got to be a cheaper way to do things. I think I ve got about twenty of these 25 cent detailed parts. Well here s the first two-bits project. If you ve got a good scrap box, this one is free. Go to your medicine cabinet, see if that aspirin, Tyenol, or Excedrin bottle is empty. Empty plastic 24, 40, 50 or 100 tablet Bayer or Tylenol bottles make great vertical metal tanks. Remove the labels and cut off the screw threads at the open end of the bottle. I use Some of Lenn s handi-work. an Xacto miter box and razor saw here. The bottle has to stand up straight. The size of the bottle will decide on the size of the tank. So use small bottles for N and HO scale, and larger bottles for O and G scale. This tank could end up on top of a flat roof building, so watch the size. If there is any writing on the closed end of the bottle remove it with emery cloth or fine sand paper. Add the following, use ladder stock from your scrap box. This will be added to the vertical side of the bottle. Place top of ladder to the closed top of the bottle. Next cut off the ladder flush to the open end of the bottle. Glue to the side of the bottle. Epoxy or super-gel works great here. Add an entry hatch to the top of the bottle. Scratch build a hatch or use a reefer hatch from your scrap box. Glue the hatch to the closed end of the bottle. Next comes the costly item. Use a flexible soda or drink straw to add a fill pipe. I prefer a flexible drink straw in HO scale. It s about half the diameter of a soda straw. Simply drill a hole into the upper /top closed vertical side of the tank. This hole should be the size of the straw s diameter. Put the flex end into the hole, bend the straw 90 degrees along the vertical side of the tank; and cut off even with the lower open end. Glue the flex end into the bottle top hole and along the vertical. Spray paint the finished tank a medium grey, or whatever. Weather the tank. Signs also look good on this tank. Glue to a flat roof of a building or onto the ground next to a building. This makes a good looking vertical metal tank. That took maybe ten minutes to make. Cost wise, it was very frugal. Hope that bottle of aspirin/tylenol was empty. Anyway it s quick and it s cheap. Watch what you throw away, that throw away could end up a SUPER DETAILING PART. Use your imagination. PAGE 5

6 National Model Railroad Association Achievement Program: Cars Compiled by Martin Collard, CNY Division AP Representative CNY is a hotbed of great model railroaders. Allow this program to make us all better at what we love to do. With your help our Empire Junction 08 Contest & Showcase room will be the best ever and you can be a part of that. Martin may be reached via borodinoscaleline@yahoo.com or We all have cars on our railroads, why not try this one? It s only eight cars and only four have to be scratch built. Yes one scratch built car must be a passenger car. Remember a passenger car is a car which passengers ride on or in. A traditional passenger car or a drover s caboose or something like a gondola with passenger seats will suffice. These were cars used by many railroads for special excursions or on a tourist line. The following is from the NMRA AP web site. A Car is just about anything that runs on rails and is NOT self-propelled (if it's self-propelled, it's Motive Power). This includes freight cars, passenger cars, maintenance of way cars (including equipment such as cranes), cabooses, cable cars, unpowered (dummy) locomotives, etc. Actually, if you have a model which is self propelled, but is a model of something that was designed to carry something (besides itself), such as a rail car, it can be used as one of the qualifying models for either Motive Power or Cars, BUT NOT BOTH. Contact Martin Collard, your Divisional AP Rep. or Paul Allard your Regional AP Manager if you have a question about which category a particular model would fall into. To qualify for the Master Builder - Cars certificate: 1) You must build eight operable scale models of railroad cars: "Operable" means that they must be able to roll on the track, negotiate a curve, be pulled by something, etc. It doesn't mean that every door, valve, or other moving feature of the car must work as the prototype does. (However, any operating features that you can include in your car are likely to increase your score.) A.There must be at least four different types of cars represented in the total of eight. One of these must be a passenger car. The intent of this requirement is show that you can model a variety of types of cars, not just several variations of the same type. For example: a 40' steel-side box car and a 36' wood side reefer would be different types of cars, but a 40' steel-side box car and a 50' steel-side box car probably would not (unless you can show that there was a substantial difference in what it took to build them). Similarly, a wood deck flat car and a steel deck flat car would not be considered "different" types of cars, but a regular flat car and a depressed center flat car would, because it is a substantially different type of car to build. "Passenger cars" include anything that would normally be found in a regular scheduled passenger train including baggage cars, express reefers, business cars, or other passenger carrying cars like a drover's cabooses. Remember, it is only four different types that are required: you could build a set of five identical passenger coaches, a box car, a tank car, and a gondola, and satisfy the requirement. B.Each of the eight models must be super detailed with either commercial parts or scratch built parts (for extra points). When looking for ways to super detail your cars, brake wheels, grab irons and ladders are good places to start - particularly by replacing the "molded on" ones that the car came with. That's where many judges start looking. Another area that many judges look for is the under-frame brake gear. C.In addition to being super detailed, at least four of the eight models must be scratch built. The term "scratch built" implies that the modeler has done all of the necessary layout and fabrication that produce the final dimensions, appearance, and operating qualities of the model. This is a good statement of the intent and spirit of the "scratch built" requirement. Notice that it does NOT say that the use of a few commercial detail parts will disqualify the model as being "scratch built". In general, the same standard applies that in used in contest judging: "Completely Scratch Built" means that 90% or more of the model was scratch built. PAGE 6

7 D.The following parts are specifically excluded from the scratch built requirement: Wheels Couplers Light bulbs & electronics. Trucks. Brake fittings. Marker lights & drumheads. Paint, decals, etc. Basic shapes of wood, plastic, metal, etc. ("Basic shapes" are things that the builders of the prototype would have used as raw materials. For example, an "I" beam is a basic shape; a commercial door or window casting is not.) Something that you should remember if the idea of 'scratch building' intimidates you: There is very little difference between scratch building and building most craftsman kits. The big difference is that in a kit, the manufacturer has assembled the materials that you will need for you. Only the construction needs to be done from scratch. If you take someone else's plans and instructions (even those from a kit) and go to the hobby shop and buy the materials yourself and assemble them, that qualifies as scratch building. On the other hand, if you do develop your own plans, make sure that you tell the judges that, as it will earn you extra points. 2) You must earn a score of at least 87-1/2 points on four of the eight models in either an NMRA sponsored contest or in AP Merit Award judging. (Our Divisional Judges can do this) Note that only four of the eight must earn 87-1/2 points. The others don't even have to be judged! They do all have to be described on the Statement of Qualification (see below). 3) You must submit a Statement of Qualification (The SOQ forms are also available from your Divisional or Regional AP Manager ) which includes the following: An attachment giving a detailed description of each of the eight models, including: Identification of all scratch built features All commercial components used Materials used in building the model If the model is a kit, whose kit is it? Verification of the Merit Awards (photocopies of the certificates) Photos of the model are helpful, though not required. Remember, your eight cars do not have to be from the same era, part of the country, or the same scale. You also don't have to earn your four Merit Award certificates at the same time - you can earn one this year, another two years from now, and another the year after that. For further information contact National Achievement Program General Manager, Pat Harriman, achiev@hq.nmra.org, or your Region, Paul Allard pallard@wildblue.net or Division, Martin Collard borodinoscaleline@yahoo.com Achievement Program Manager. Also refer to the articles "Master Builder - Cars," NMRA Bulletin, February 1992, and "Merit Award Winning Cars" NMRA Bulletin March Forms available for this category: SOQ Form: (PDF), Record and Validation form: (PDF), Judging Form: (PDF) The Bytown Bobber 2008 NFR Convention April 25-27, Ottawa Ontario, Canada The 2008 Niagara Frontier Regional convention hosted by the St. Lawrence Division, NMRA. Clinics, workshops, layout tours, model contests, banquet, raffle and fellowship spread over three days. For further information: Web site: Chair Grant Knowles, gd.knowles@sympatico.ca or Registrar Greg Montague, gm.montague@rogers.com PAGE 7

8 Area Model Railroad Groups: The Central New York Model Railroad Club: Fri., 8 to 10p at the Hartlot NY railroad station, just south of Elbridge, NY. Operation 1st Fri./month, visitors welcome anytime. Info: Russ Schiller at The Syracuse Model Railroad Club: Wed. 7p at the layout in the Eastwood American Legion, James St., Syracuse. One business meeting monthly, others are work sessions. Info: Jim Beach at Salt City N-Trak, Ltd.: Meeting schedule / location t/b/a as the club is no longer located at the Eastwood American Legion. Operating 14' x 42' N-Trak modular layout which often tours. Info: Rich Petitto at FUNTRAK: The Frankfort United N-Trak Model Railroad Club, Inc. meets at the home of Brian King (240 East Main St., Frankfort) for work sessions or shows their various modular layouts on tour. Info: Brian King at Cayuga Valley Model Railroaders: Thur. 7:00p and on most Saturdays at 9:00a at the club at 7 East Genesee Street, Auburn, over Speno Music Store. Info: Call Bernard Watkins Oswego Valley Railroad Association: Sun., 7:30p at the New Haven American Legion, NY Rte. 104, New Haven (east of Oswego). Dispatcher/waybill/etc. operation on the HO scale club layout happens Sun. afternoons except during show dates. Business meeting 2nd Sun/month. Info: Bill Nickolas at Central New York Modelers: The CNYMOD group is in the process of moving to new quarters in the Museum of Science & Technology (The MOST) in Downtown Syracuse. Info: at or by calling President Bill Brown at Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society: Meets at Driver s Village (the former Penn Can Mall), with a major layout under construction. They also have a modular layout it presents at major area shows. Info: Gordon H. Davis at or , gdavis@twcny.rr.com. The Bullthistle Model Railroad Society: Third Wed./month, 7:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 33 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY, and open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and on special events... all in creating visual and operable multi-scale displays of historic railroading in Chenango County. Info: Elton and Anethma Ireland at (607) or club president Gordon M. Rose at (607) , grose@clarityconnect.com CNY NRHS Modular Group This group maintains O gauge and HO Scale modular layouts. Currently meeting 7 PM Tuesday evenings in Shopping Town Mall. NRHS membership is optional. Info: Mike Flannary at (315) , CNYNRHS9@twcny.rr.com 2008 CNY Division Schedule Jan. 6 - Cayuga Valley Club, Auburn. Back again visiting our Auburn friends. Beside the layout, we feature a model showcase of Passenger Cars. If it carried people we re interested!! Nominations for 2008 Officers are due at this meeting also. Feb Syracuse Model RR Club, Syracuse. This date set based on their train show. There may be a clinic or two and we will hold our 2008 annual elections. Mar. TBD - Through no fault of Roger and Bernie the meeting at their layouts will have to be rescheduled. Please watch this calendar for more information and a new location & date for March. May 3 (SAT, 1-4 PM) - Joint Meeting with the Hudson-Berkshire Division, Utica Train Station (Tentative Location). Meet our neighbors to the east at this joint meeting. This will be a special day, kind of a mini convention, with layout tours, model pre-judging, a Detroit convention video and several clinics. Don t miss this one! June 8 - CNY Model RR Club, Hartlot. This group was featured in the NER coupler in 2007 and have made a number of changes since our last visit. Our clinic this meeting will be a continuation of our Layout Operations series. Aug. 16 (Sat, 1-4 PM) - Brian and Denise Curry, Weedsport, Annual picnic, Brian has added an interurban line with operating overhead wire to his layout. Live clinic by Brian Curry MMR, on handrails and model showcase of Weathered Models. MOW Service Award presentation. Sept NER Convention, Holiday Inn, Syracuse. We are the hosts this year. See convention schedule for details. Nov. 2 - Cy Diamond, Ovid. Cy s N scale layout depicts the Finger Lakes region. Get a full report on the convention and we begin to prepare for our bi-annual auction. Dec. 6 (SAT) - Bi-Annual Auction, Fayetteville. Bring your auction items and a wallet full of cash because you never know what will turn up on the auction block! PAGE 8

9 CAYUGA VALLEY MODEL RAILROADERS 3 East Genesee St. Auburn, NY DIRECTIONS*: Take RT 5 West towards Auburn. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto John Street (Rt 38A). Turn RIGHT onto E. Genesee Street. The building is at the corner of E. Genesee St & Seminary Ave. The club room is located on the second floor of 3 East Genesee St. * As always, don t take our word for it. Verify these directions for yourself. PAGE 9

10 Chuck Crouse Photo Powered by two J47 jet engines this NYC RDC reached a speed of MPH during tests in Bryan, Ohio in July If you have a model of it, this months showcase is the place to display it. Both photos from Central New York Division, NMRA Red Markers News Letter 122 Blackstone Way Syracuse, NY Larry G. Lett Photo calendar January 6 Cayuga 6 Valley Club, Auburn. We feature a Modeling Showcase for Pas- senger Cars. We will also have nominations for the Feb. Elections. January 16 - CNYNRHS Chapter Meeting Log Cabin Build- ing, NYS Fairgrounds. See plenty of Steam and Electric PRR equipment in the 1941 film Broadway Limited. January 20 - Utica Train Show, Utica Union Station, Utica, NY. Featuring scratch building demonstrations and operating layouts. January 26 & 27 - Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show, Eastern States Exposition, West Spring- field, MA. February 17, Division Meet- ing at Syracuse Train Show, Eastwood American Legion PAGE 10

11 RED MARKERS - WEB EXTRA! An Extra Section to this months Red markers Newsletter While researching the photos to put into the page 10 area this month I came across a series of New York Central passenger car photos on the Fallen Flags photo web site run by George Elwood. I thought the photos would be an interesting addition to help promote the Model Showcase of Passenger Cars at our next meeting in January. As Paul Garvey says Now, the rest of the story. I had seen a photo or two of the NYC Systems Jet Powered RDC car before but had never known much about the car or why they built it. When I saw the two photos of this RDC in the New York Central section of the Fallen-Flags web site I thought they would be different enough to get your attention and think about bringing a car to show off at the meeting. I contacted Mr. Elwood for permission to use the photos in our newsletter which he promptly gave for the photo by Mr. Lett. He put me in contact with Mr. Wayne Koch for the other photo. Mr. Koch also quickly give his permission and then proceeded to provide me with seven more photographs of NYC M-497 for publication if we could use them. Mr. Koch also provided me with several internet links for additional information on the jet powered prototype. As I read about the car I discovered a link to Central New York and Syracuse. NYC M-497 started out life on the NYC System running passengers between Detroit and Mackinac City. The Beeliner then worked the St. Lawrence Division between Syracuse, NY and Massena, NY providing daily passenger service. Some of you may even have photographs of the car in service before it was sent to Collinwood Shops in Ohio to be outfitted for the testing. From these humble beginnings this car went on to set a US Rail Speed Record of miles per hour in Bryan, Ohio on July 23, A record that stands to this day. The engineer/pilot for the run was Don Wetzel and his co-pilot was NYC System President Alfred Perlman! It was the second run of the day for M-497. The rest of Mr. Koch s photos are on Page 12. Here are some links for more information about this historic event: The accomplishment was recognized in 2003 by the city of Bryan when they erected a plaque commemorating the event PAGE 11 NYC M-497 at Harmon in 1968 looking much like it did while working out of Syracuse. Wayne Koch photo An on-line book the tests and the development and modifications to the RDC car for the testing. magazine/it/1999/2/1999_2_63.shtml A magazine article about the tests. Kato makes an N-Scale NYC RDC-3 car and Proto 1000 made an undecorated RDC-3 in HO scale if you are interested in building a model of this unique piece of American rail history.

12 The A-end of RDC-3 M-497 at Bryan, Ohio, Sunday July 24, Chuck Crouse photo M-497 during Speed Run #4 on Sunday July 24, 1966 at Edgerton, Ohio. Don Wetzel s wife, Ruth, is responsible for the front mounting of the jet engines and sketched the design for the front cowl and paint job for the M-497 on a kitchen napkin to get her point across to her engineer husband. Chuck Crouse photo M-497 Pre-Speed Run #3 on Sunday July 24, 1966 at Melbern, Ohio. The RDC would be towed back to the starting position by a Geep locomotive. Chuck Crouse photo M-497 during speed Run #3 on Sunday July 24, 1966 at Melbern, Ohio. During the Sunday runs the RDC was using only one jet engine, the other one had failed after the record run on Saturday. Chuck Crouse photo The MEGTRANS button was made by one of the people in the lab at Collinwood and paid for out of their own pocket. They handed out a button to each person involved in the project. Chuck Crouse photo PAGE 12