40TH. FALL ANNIVERSARY DOUBLEHEADER BUILD IT WITH BUZZY October 6, 2007 ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION. Founders to be honored.

Transcription

1 Official Publication of THE SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION Northeastern Region National Model Railroad Association VOLUME 37 NUMBER 3 FALL 2007 FALL ANNIVERSARY DOUBLEHEADER BUILD IT WITH BUZZY Time October 6, 2007 to register is running out MASSAPEQUA PARK IS THE LOCATION of the Sunrise Trail Division s upcoming 2007 Fall Participation Clinic, which will be held from 9:00AM to 4:00PM at St. David s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 20 Clark Boulevard. St. David s has been the long time venue for Sunrise Trail Division s Spring Meets, and other recent Fall Participation Clinics have been held there. Fernand Buzzy Washington will conduct the clinic, during which attendees be instructed in how to scratchbuild an HO-scale, grade crossing watchman s shanty in styrene. The structure is based on a 1905 Delaware, Lackawanna & Western prototype, and its hexagonal plan view and distinct concave roof panels should allow clinic participants to develop or polish valuable modeling skills, while producing an attractive and unique model. All materials will be supplied by the Sunrise Trail Division. Participants must bring tools. Suggested are an Opto-Visor or other magnifier, a modeling knife (e.g. Xacto), an HO scale rule, dividers, something to scribe styrene, a small square, and liquid styrene cement (e.g. Tenax-7R, Testors Liquid, or Plastruct Bondene). Cost is $15, but because space is limited and materials have to be ordered in advance, time is rapidly running out for those interested to register. More information and a last call registration form are provided on page 8. SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION 40TH NMRA ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION November 3, 2007 Founders to be honored AMONG THE SPECIAL EVENTS planned for the 40th Anniversary Convention will be a ceremony honoring the twelve individuals who founded the Sunrise Trail Division (STDiv). Of the twelve, nine are still alive, and some still attend Division events. Forty years ago, they gathered at Ira Rothberg s home in Westbury to set in motion events that would eventually lead to creation of the Division. Their first action was the announcement of a subsequent meeting for those interested in joining the soon-to-beformed NMRA Division. Minutes of that meeting, which, among many things, included the first STDiv clinics, are on page 5. Since then, Ira Rothberg, John MacIntosh and Herb Barnes have passed away. A number of the others still live locally: Graham Harvey in Bayport, Bill Kelly in Levittown, Bob Miller in Richmond Hill, Harold Miller in Lynbrook, and Frank Skutsch in Garden City. Bal Abrams is in Delray Beach, Florida, and Fred Leger lives in Bridgeville, Delaware. Alfred Thomas Prange, formerly of Woodside, and Ralph Thomas of Hempstead are yet to be located. In addition to the ceremony honoring the Division s Founders, Special Events for the 40th Anniversary Convention will include a pair of mini participation clinics on weathering rolling stock and making evergreens. Check out Walter Neumen s President s continued on page 3

2 EDITOR and PUBLISHER Walter G. Wohleking 5 Howard Drive Huntington NY (631) (Phone) wwohleki@suffolk.lib.ny.us ASSOCIATE EDITOR John MacGown burlyjohn@verizon.net THE CANNON BALL is published quarterly by Sunrise Trail Division of the National Model Railroad Association, Inc. for the benefit of the model railroading community. SUBSCRIPTIONS Rate for the U.S. and possessions is $7.00 per year or $14 for two years. Please make check or money order payable to Sunrise Trail Division. Send requests for new subscriptions, renewals or address changes to Cannon Ball, c/o Walter G. Wohleking, at the above address. CONTRIBUTIONS Articles, photographs and artwork are welcome in either hardcopy or as computer files. Copy is due by the 1st of February, May, August, and November and should be sent to the Editor at the above address. Submitted material will be returned upon request. SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION 40TH NMRA SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION, INC. Walter Neumen, President mmr205@verizon.net John MacGown, Vice President burlyjohn@verizon.net Howard Dwyer, Secretary dhdwyer@optonline.net Steven Perry, Treasurer seperry@optonline.net DIRECTORS John Jaklitsch (2009) johnjay1@optonline.net Kevin Katta (2009) boxcarny@yahoo.com Michael Martin (2008) mikeymart1@excite.com Michael Siegel (2009) viamdlr@hotmail.com Fernand Washington (2008) buzzyfernand@aol.com Andrew Wasowicz (NER) rwasowicz@aol.com Charles Weinhofer (2008) kinkchaser@aol.com ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM Michael Siegel CONTESTS Michael Siegel PUBLICITY John MacGown Steven Perry WEBSITE John Jaklitsch, Webmaster MEMBERSHIP Walter Wohleking wgw5hd@gmail.com the Mailbag contributions may be edited for clarity LIRR Milk Car Mystery Solved My 1926 OER shows 15 milk cars numbered 3000 to 3014 in the "passenger car listing. They are not shown in the December 1930 OER. It looks like a PRR RF class reefer. Al Westerfield might be able to help. He has a very extensive PRR library Last week I was out in the Shenandoah Mountains and along the James river getting more photos of the area that I model (Shenandoah & Tidewater RR). On the way I visited with Al Westerfield in Tennessee. He's producing a new model for release at Detroit, but is no longer taking new projects. He's still got some to finish up, but will keep going at a slower rate. He's looking to sell the business and his research material, which is phenomenal. He has original manuals on many of the PRR cars. It's always good to see more models being developed. I read a nice piece in the MER [Mid Eastern Region] Local on how Model Railroading is helping returning vets deal with PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]. I've always known it was therapeutic. So is research and keeping in contact with old friends. Bill Lorence, MMR Sycamore, Illinois Thanks to Bill Lorence for helping greatly to solve the mystery. Bill comes by his interest in the LIRR naturally. A resident of Long Island before moving to Illinois, he served the STDiv as its President between 1974 and He is NMRA Master Model Railroader 45, is a life member of the NMRA and four Regions, and is an active HO scale modeler. All of that and he has yet to reach is 70th birthday! Based on Bill s information and other data, there will be a piece on these cars in an upcoming issue, including how to model them using a Westerfield kit. Needs help. Does anyone know how I might get hold of the following two things? An HO decal set for locomotive #202 of the Washington County Rail Road (WACR), a rail road in the Vermont Rail System. A Bachman British Railways class 2 Ivatt 2-6-2T No I have been told by an official of the Worth Valley Railway that this unit is available from Bachman. We rode behind this locomotive last June. Ed Neale Sayville, New York railvermontrr@verizon.net President s Corner word from the brass hat / WALTER NEUMEN OUR MODEL AND PHOTO CONTESTS have been getting smaller each year. I would like to encourage more entries, particularly of models. One idea to further this would be to have an ordinary kit structure or car weathering contest. This would not be an official NMRA achievement contest, but one that would generate comments from judges, which would help entrants produce better weathering on their structures or cars. First, second and third place certificates would be awarded to participants. The models would not be judged for anything other than weathering, thus minimizing concern about detailing, construction or quality. Not only would this be interesting, in that it would show the dramatic changes that can be make to a plastic or wood kit, but it would indirectly develop skills that could apply to future projects the modeler might wish to enter in a regular contest judged according to NMRA standards. The forthcoming annual convention on November 3rd will include two miniparticipation clinics. One will be on weathering cars with pastel chalks. Participants can bring one of their own cars or select one the Sunrise Trail Division will make available at the clinic. After weathering the selected car, it will be the participant s to take home. Another mini-participation clinic will be devoted to making small evergreens from bumpy chenille. Materials will be supplied and participants can take home the completed trees. Hopefully, this will make modeling more exciting and eventually encourage more models to be entered into the contests. And speaking of the Convention, we now have the HO & N scale, 40th Anniversary Commemorative Reefers in stock for those who have made or will make a contribution to the Sunrise Trail Division as outlined elsewhere in this issue. They look just great, thanks in large measure to John MacGown s art work and its application to the cars by Double R Graphics. At this writing, the status of ten of the original twelve Sunrise Trail Division Founders has been determined, and efforts continue to locate the remaining two. Those who are still alive will be honored at the Awards Dinner, which normally follows the Convention day session. With a terrific lineup of clinics, more than a few extra special activities planned, and one of the hobby s better known and respected modelers and authors as a clinician and guest speaker, our 40th Anniversary Convention promises to be an unforgettable event. I hope to see you all there. 2 THE CANNON BALL

3 Annual Convention continued from page 1 Corner column on page 2 for more information. There will be a display of outstanding models from past contests, including the work of Ron Parisi, who was a Blue Ribbon recipient at the 1992 NMRA National Convention. Achievement Program and Contest Chair, Mike Siegel, has added a light hearted, Thumbs category to the modeling contest. Participants are urged to let their imaginations run wild creating humorous, bizarre, Rube Goldberg models with a railroad theme. Winners will be decided by popular vote. As we go to press, Steve Perry s clinic lineup is still a work in progress, but it already includes: Gail Picket, architect and Swiss Rhätische Bahn meter gauge modeler, with A Different Approach to Model Painting. Gail won Best in Show at the 2007 Spring Meet with models that drew judges comments about the superb paint work.. Tony Koester, well-known Editor of Kalmbach s Model Railroad Planning, who will most probably report on his new layout, which models the Third Subdivision of the Nickel Plate s St. Louis line. Joe Kavanagh, former STDiv member until he moved to Lake Luzerne to build his 4¾ inch gauge, 1inch scale layout, on Building a Large Scale Outdoor Railroad. Pictures of Joe s layout appear periodically in the Cannon Ball. Vince Lee, of the Long Island Sunrise Trail Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, with Making Tracks in Manhattan: The Erie s 28th Street Terminal. Among other things, this should appeal, particularly to fans of New York s waterfront railways. Those intending to enter models or photographs in the various contests and anyone wishing to place things for sale on the White Elephant Table are reminded that forms for those things are available on the STDiv website at Once again, we must apologize, because space constraints have forced articles promised for this issue into the next, including the honor roll of outstanding internet model railroad sites. MATERIAL FOR THE NEXT CANNON BALL, THE WINTER ISSUE, IS DUE NOVEMBER 1 ST. The Motor City, Matt and Me father and son bring us the 2007 NMRA Convention in words and pictures THIS WAS MY FIRST RAIL ADVENTURE in many years; and also my first vacation with my son Matt in too many years. Some of you will remember Matt as the tow headed kid running around the module shows, touching everything. He is now a head taller than I and going to Hunter College. Beyond the trains, I lived in Detroit for almost a year in 1958, and feasted on the last six months of Grand Trunk Western mainline steam operation, but that is another story. I figured it was a good way to engage in a little nostalgia as well as tickle a current itch. The convention was at the General Motors Renaissance Center, which is in the center of revitalized downtown Detroit. The Center took some getting used to. It is composed of five giant towers, one each at the four points of the compass and the hotel in the center. The five lower levels are connected by circular 'walkways' in between the towers with conference rooms and shops all around. The only problem was that you had to travel half way around these walkways to go up or down. The Convention activity occurred on three levels so one was constantly circumnavigating the walkways. People were every where staring at maps, wandering around bewildered, being able to see over the edges to where they wanted to go but being totally befuddled as to how to get there. All week long. Experience hardly helped. The Center is however located on a prime waterfront site (former Michigan Central RR story by RON PARISI / photographs by MATTHEW PARISI Editor s note: Ron Parisi was a first prize winner at the 1992 NMRA National Convention in Columbus and won Best in Show at Northeast Region and Sunrise Trail Division Conventions in the 1990s for structures he modeled. The December 1992 issue of Railmodel Journal included a cover picture and a feature article on his Westside Manhattan meat packing industry, which was served by the New York Central Railroad. After having put the hobby on the back burner for a while, he seems to be gathering a new head of steam, which is good news for all of us. Ron will exhibit some of his prize winning models at the 40th Anniversary Convention in November. property?) and offered a commanding view to the Detroit River, which because of some mineral content is a wonderful green color. There was a constantly passing parade of 'lake boat' ships and to my eastern waterway eyes they were at first strange, but as the week progressed (and armed with a Great Lakes Ship-watchers Guide) it became exciting. Prior to the trip, every one I told that I was going to Detroit had the same comment: Detroit? Why are you going there? Has it recovered? Is it back on its feet? Well I have to say in spite of all the bad press that it was a great week. The city itself is a contrast in still functioning heavy industry and rust belt ruins. There is evidence everywhere of its having been one of the richest cities in the country. The architecture (modern exempted) was magnificent. Matt picked up a book on the Art Deco architecture of Detroit, and on our day of exploring papa Ron's former Detroit life, we covered half the commercial buildings, old movie theaters, residences and, believe it or not, a magnificent deco church built in the late 1920's. Some of the buildings were of course in the devastated areas, but normal railfan techniques of clandestine photography, shabby dress and evasive answers to authority figures, etc. stood us in good stead. One evening, a local rail fan we met, Gary Setter, took us to the now abandoned Michigan Central RR Terminal. It was one of those continued next page FALL

4 Motor City, Matt and Me (continued from previous page) magnificent twelve story Beaux Arts 1913 beauties. (It was designed by the same architects that designed Grand Central Terminal.) It was sad to see it in such deplorable condition. The tracks and train sheds had been removed in the 1970's, and it was in the middle of a totally deserted area. The only remaining tracks led off to the first rail tunnel built to Canada earlier in the last century. Seeing it reminded me of how lucky we were to have saved Grand Central, though it took losing Penn Station to motivate us. There was much steam train activity. Three local railroads all have excursions, as well as the shops and turntables to service them. It had been years since I photographed Matt being scalded by a blowing down locomotive. Sunday's event was an all day excursion powered by former Pere Marquette Berkshire Being a New York Central fan I was awed by a beautiful example of Lima super power. They are big engines with a great deep throated whistle. Our Friday tour was 'Shops til You Drop' with the first stop a tour of the Greenfield Village replica roundhouse, where the museum s fleet of steam locos is maintained. Common to every thing at the museum, it was immaculate and top drawer. Our next visit was to the Huckleberry Railroad where were treated to a former Denver & Rio Grande Western engine returning to the engine house for our inspection and pleasure. I had never seen an outside frame loco up close (or heard one). It was neat. Our last stop that day was to the Steam Railroading Institute where 1225 resides. A once in a life time treat awaited five of the fans on the trip as a random drawing awarded them a lesson in driving an 0-4-0T locomotive up and down a long siding. It was great. Each one got to back up, go forward, toot the whistle, and ring the bell, the lucky dogs. Back at the Convention, I did a quick stint as a contest judge as there were two nautical models and a call for judges. I didn't award points but counseled the official judges on the finer points of marine modeling as needed. The star of the contest room, however, was not even in the contest but was there for viewing pleasure, and a pleasure it was. The magnificent HO scale model of Solano, a large, San Francisco Car Ferry from the first half of th the 20 century, was brought there by two of its creators, Bill and Thomas Rubarth. They were as delightful as the model, which is almost eight feet long and took fifteen years to complete (ask me about life works). It is one of the best models, if not the very best model, of a rail marine subject I have ever seen. And it works from the walking beam engines to the navigation lights on the pilot house phew! Editor s note - See The Solanao: Modeling a railroad car ferry by Dan Lewis in the March, 2007, Railroad Model Craftsman A trip to one of Detroit Edison¹s coal fired generating plants was exciting. Two 135 unit car trains serve the plant daily. Though the car dumper was down, we crawled through it. While hardly as grandiose as the dumpers I am used to thinking of, it was nonetheless highly efficient and neat. The highlight of the touring was a three hour river trip down the Detroit River, then down the Rouge River, site of Mr. Ford s famous plant. It couldn t have been better. The guide, whose name I am still trying to find out, was the best. He knew every inch of the route. He described who was there now, who had been there and what tribe of Indians was there first. As we nudged onshore in some places, he shouted hello to workers everywhere. They waved back, shouted through loud speakers and inquired how he was. We traveled under five working bascule bridges of every type and vintage. At some we even had to wait as freight trains went over. We passed a working steel mill, and I marveled at the activity, detail and assortment of wonderful earth colors caused by heat, rust, age and coal dust. I only hope some of the photos we took show these. We had to stop at the foot of the branch of the river that fronted the River Rouge plant as work was being done, but we had great views of it. A tour later in the week to the River Rouge truck assembly plant was OK, but somewhat sterile. Those of us who knew wanted to go to the real dirty, belching parts of the complex, not the green roofed modern part. Air travel was generally horrendous. I had one flight late by four hours (followed by lost baggage). Matt, who traveled separately, had his flight cancelled, rented a car and drove back to catch work. All in all, though, a great trip. 4 THE CANNON BALL

5 Minutes of the First Meeting The most recent Spring issue of the Cannon Ball reproduced the very first newsletter from March, It told the story of an organizational meeting, SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION NMRA 40TH ANNIVERSARY LOOK BACK which resulted in formation of the Sunrise Trail Division (STDiv) forty years ago. Prior to official recognition of the Division by the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), the STDiv-inprocess held its first meeting Saturday, March 25th, 1966, at the Levittown Public Library on Bluegrass Lane. The first set of officers and directors were elected and two clinics were presented. The minutes from that first meeting, dutifully recorded by newly elected Secretary, Bob Miller, are reproduced below. SUNRISE TRA1L DIVISION of the Northeastern Region, NMRA To: All Officers and Directors Avenue Jamaica. New York The first meeting of the Sunrise Trail Division of the MER, NMR.A was called to order at 1:47 p.m., March 25, Chairman of the meeting was Frank Skutsch, who stated the aims of the Division, which were to gather model railroaders together in order to both learn a few things about the hobby and at the same time enjoy themselves. Chairman Skutsch read off the proposed constitution. Mr. Ira Rothberg said this constitution had been pretty well hashed over at the preparatory meeting held February 6. He thought the rough edges were off of it. The constitution provides for a broad-based representation of model railroaders on Long Island. There would be no little clique of people running this group. It will be a Long Islander's group covering all four counties. It was motioned we adopt the constitution as presented. This was seconded, voted and unanimously accepted. There were eight nominees for the 7 director positions. Each nominee had his nominator tell the voters why the nominee would be a good director. The ballots were then cast. The three directors to hold a 2-year term are: Balfour Abrams Graham Harvey Robert A. Miller The four directors to hold l-year terms are: Ira Rothberg William Kelly Ralph Thomas Louis Krue Division President is Frank Skutsch Vice-President Harold Miller Secretary Robert A. Miller Treasurer Ira Rothberg Next order of business was the next meeting. It was voted we hold this on June 25, It was suggested that a joint "Little Convention" be held with the Garden State division. The only thing that would interfere with this, however, would be if the proposed and present Garden State divisions merged and held a convention. It would be too far away for Sunrise Trail members to attend. The business meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m. Mr. Bal Abrams introduced the first clinic, Doug Smith's "How I Model My Model Railroad". The second clinic was Scratchbuilding by the Hartford Workshop. NOTE: These are the corrected minutes for March 25, 1966, as corrected on April 17, FALL

6 MODEL RAILROAD SIGNALING someone who s done it successfully tells us how / DAVID METAL Part I: Block Occupancy Detection TO MY MIND THERE WERE FIVE MAJOR REASONS (excuses) for signaling my railroad: To animate the railroad. To have the scenic effect that the signals would provide. To aid in controlling the flow of the trains (to control conflicts). To make it easier for the operators to see what route a turnout is aligned for (this is hard to see in some places on my railroad). To show the condition of the next two blocks ahead. The use of a computer to control the signal display is a possibility, but the programming required was beyond what I wanted to do. Those interested in that approach will find an excellent reference in Bruce Chubb's book, Build Your Own Universal Computer Interface, as well as with his 16part series, C/MRI computer/model railroad interface, which appeared in the February, 1985, through August, 1986, issues of Model Railroader magazine. Dr. Chubb has also published extensively on signaling with and without a computer interface in Model Railroader and elsewhere. Check the online Model Train Magazine Index at for a complete listing. A number of need to be done on the layout to prepare for it for signaling: Divide the railroad into signal blocks. Provide a block occupancy detection circuit for each block. Provide turnout position indication. Construct signal head drivers for each of the signal heads. Construct signal targets and assemble them into the required signal assemblies. Provide a 5 volt regulated power supply to run the signal system. Each of these topics will be addressed in what follows. To create a signaling system you need block occupancy detection and turnout position information. You can create signal blocks on the layout by cutting and insulating the signal block rail into lengths you think are correct for the trains you will be running. I chose to use the south rail for signaling, whichever rail you choose, by all means be consistent throughout the layout. I chose six feet for the average block length for my railroad because I found it easy to join and solder two three foot sections of flex track together and make my track feed connections at the solder joints. I leave the metal rail joiners at the ends of the six foot section of track unsoldered for track expansion and use insulated rail joiners as required. The North rail would be used for block power control, if you use analog voltage. With digitasl command control (DCC) the feeds from all of the north rails in a power district would be connected directly to the north rail feed bus. To install a block detector I cut the track feed wire from the south rail and connect the two leads to the block detector track circuit terminals. There are a number of block occupancy detection circuits available on the market. Since I operate with DCC, I wanted the track circuits to be electrically isolated from the signal circuits. Consequently, I selected a block detector circuit that provided a negative logic signal (an output that is less than 0.6 volts above the signal circuit ground reference when the block is occupied and more than 3 volts above the signal ground reference when the block is empty). The use of negative logic for control signals removes most of the problems of electrical noise pickup which is the usual cause of false indications. In order to protect the entire train each of the cars in the train must have at least one resistor wheel set installed in a truck. I chose to put one resistor wheel set in each truck that way if a single car is in the block it has a good chance of being detected even with dirty track or wheels. If you run a lighted caboose at the end of each train and your trains are not longer than your shortest block and the trains never come apart, you can get by without using the resistor wheel sets. I chose to design the block occupancy detector I used for my layout and built them using wire wrapping methods. The circuit I am using is shown in Figure 1 it uses the voltage drop across two diodes in series (about 1.2 volts) to detect the occupied block. I build up to six circuits on each 4 x 6 inch card. This circuit needs no adjustments because the voltage drop across the diode bridge fixes the sensitivity of the circuit at a voltage above 1.2v. The output of the block detector is high when the block is empty and goes low when it is occupied. There is about a one-second anti-flicker delay when the block goes from occupied to empty to prevent the output from following momentary losses of track contact by the resistor wheel set. When I connected the blocks to the block detector, I made sure that each block detector circuit worked correctly before moving on to connect the next block. It is much easier to test, find and fix a problem when you know everything was working before you made the last change. All of the turnouts in a group are wired as a single block, isolated turnouts (spurs and the ends of passing sidings were each wired as a block); turnouts in a crossover are also wired as a block). By having these areas wired as detected blocks you will be able to protect against an accidental throwing of a turnout under a train after you develop and install the required interlocking circuits. There are three commonly used types of block detection: Current sensing detectors that use diodes to get a voltage drop (about 0.7 volts for each diode ). Current sensing using an inductor and the track feed Wire to make a transformer, this method has no voltage drop and works best with DCC systems. Spot detection using photo cells, this needs light to work correctly limiting the use of night lighting effects unless you use an Infrared (IR) light source and IR detectors. Any block detector that follows the negative logic concept is suitable for use with this signal system. If you purchase the block detectors they should be installed following the manufactures instructions. The subject of block detection is a very large topic and further discussion of the different types is well beyond the scope of this paper. Operation and construction of this block occupancy detection circuit is the subject of another paper. Turnout position can be signaled in many different ways, you can use a micro-switch that is mechanically activated by the turnout position, or a ground throw stand that has electrical contacts, or switch machines that have extra contacts or switch machines that you have been modified to provide the required ground signal. continued on next page 6 THE CANNON BALL

7 Signaling (continued from previous page) What ever system you use will have to provide a negative logic signal (Ground) when the turnout is in the nonnal position (not always the straight through position of the turnout but the nonnally traveled route) to signal the turnout position. All the signal wiring can use 24 American Wire Gauge data cable since the wires will carry only voltage level changes with a minimum current. The number of occupancy detectors that can be put on a card is a function of the size of the circuit card and the ability of the separate signaling power supply to satisfy it. Four detectors on a single circuit card are shown above. Each is connected between a block s track power return line and the common ground connection for all track power. to be concluded in the next issue this collection of hints and tips come from Steve Perry Maybe you ve heard me talk about the many uses for adhesive mounting putty, available at office supply super stores. My last batch came from Staples. Here are some of the things I use it for. 1. Hold drawings, notes, reference charts, etc over your work bench. I have small spring paper clip (with my to-do list) fastened to the wall with a gob of mounting putty. 2. To see how plaster castings will look on a mounting side, put a couple of gobs of mounting putty where you want the casting and rest the casting on it. I have not been able to make the putty stick to the backs of hydrocal castings. It might if the back of the casting was sprayed with Krylon first. 3. To see how that new plastic building will fit on the layout, stick the walls together with mounting putty. This great also if you are kitbashing a building. Machinists use patternmakers ink to make a scored line in metal standout. It contains organic solvents, smells awful, takes a few minutes to dry and isn't readily available. Instead, I now use a fine or medium point Sharpie. While it still doesn't smell great, I don't have to use it in my spray booth, and it dries in seconds. Alcohol or acetone will remove it. Have plenty of ventilation if you use acetone. Have you ever had something that would not stayed glued together? Glue the parts with ACC (I use the gap filling type exclusively) then sprinkle on a pinch or two of baking powder on the joint with the still wet ACC. The ACC will dry rock hard. The combination of ACC and baking powder is good for filling small gaps (e.g. where two walls don't perfectly meet). Wheel faces of sets used with solid journals have a lot of crud on them, which is caused by the grease leaking from the bearings and dirt kicked up from the roadbed. You can easily simulate this on your solid journal trucks. Paint the wheel backs and faces with a mix of rust and rail brown. Pour a half dozen drops of gloss black and a few pinches of baking powder on your pallet. Dip your brush (I use a 2-0 or 3-0 liner) in the gloss black and then in the baking powder. Paint the wheel face with this mix. Clean off the big lumps. this can also be used with rust colored paint to simulate heavy rust. FALL

8 MODEL RAILROAD PARTICIPATION CLINIC (not to scale) Sponsored by the Sunrise Trail Division of the NMRA Saturday, October 6, 2007, 9:00AM 4:30PM St. David's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 20 Clark Boulevard, Massapequa Park, N.Y. Conducted by Fernand "Buzzy" Washington The task of preventing street traffic from occupying a grade crossing at the same time as a train fell to the watchmen. The railroads built small huts with the minimum requirements to keep the watchmen from the elements: (a roof, a bench and a pot-bellied stove). The Watchman's Shanty for this clinic is based on a hexagonal prototype used on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR in Oxford NY. Three were built, the first appearing in Our model will be HO scale* built in styrene. TOOLS to bring: 1. Opto-visor 2. Scale ruler 3. Divider 4. Styrene scriber 5. Small square 6. Modeling knife (e.g. Xacto) 7. Styrene cement 8. Whatever other tools you prefer * Contact Buzzy Washington if you are interested in another scale. For information call or buzzyfernand@aol.com Please send the form below, along with a check or money order for $15.00 to: Sunrise Trail Participation Clinic c/o Fernand Washington Selover Road Jamaica, NY LAST CALL! REGISTRATION FORM Yes Buzzy, I want to scratch-build the shanty for my railroad. Enclosed is my check for $15.00 made out to the "Sunrise Trail Division". Name: Phone # Address: City: State YOU MUST RETURN THIS FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO GUARANTEE A PLACE! THANK YOU. 8 THE CANNON BALL

9 SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION MODEL RAILROAD MEET & TRAIN SHOW 10:00AM 5:00PM Saturday, November 3rd, 2007 First Church Baldwin United Methodist, 881 Merrick Road, Baldwin With everything you ve come to expect at our conventions... Live clinics Model contest with NMRA Merit Award judging Photo contest Bargain-filled White Elephant Table Door prizes galore Operating layouts... plus these 40th Anniversary extras! Noted guest clinicians Favorite models display A door prize for every child Thumbs contest Multiple raffles 40th Anniversary limited edition reefer Car Weathering Mini Participation Clinic bring in a car or use one of ours Evergreens Mini Participation Clinic we supply the materials, you make the trees Hot dogs, soft drinks and other light refreshments will be available for purchase during the day Admission $6 (Children under the age of 12 admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult) Then don t miss the catered smorgasbord dinner at 6:00PM Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door (limited availability) Entertainment by Mike Martin Buzzy Washington s Dinner Door Prize Blast While They Last Model and Photo Contest winner awards Special 40th Anniversary presentations and GUEST SPEAKER, NOTED AUTHOR AND EDITOR, MODEL RAILROADER Tony Koester For reduced price reservations contact Fernand Washington (718) buzzyfernand@aol.om FALL NMRA 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION

10 N NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY GETTING TO THE SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION CONVENTION First Church Baldwin United Methodist Church 881 Merrick Road Baldwin NY EXIT 31A FROM THE WEST Southern State Pkwy. east to Exit 20, Grand Ave. Grand Ave. south about 2½ miles to Merrick Rd. Turn left. Church is about 2 blocks down on the left (north). EXIT 20 SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY EXIT 22 MEADOWBROOK PARKWAY EXIT M6 VIA THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD Take a Babylon Branch train to Baldwin Travel south on Grand Ave. ½ mile Turn left (east) on Prospect St. Church is on the right behind the library. FROM THE NORTH & EAST Meadowbrook Pkwy. south to Exit M9, Merrick Rd West. Merrick Rd. west about 2½ miles through Freeport to Baldwin. Church is on the right (north). BALDWIN STATION GRAND AVE ½ mile 881 MERRICK ROAD BALDWIN SUNRISE HIGHWAY PARKING There is ample parking behind the church. Use the rear entrance. FREEPORT EXIT M8 EXIT M9 For questions or further information about the Convention, check the Sunrise Trail Division website at or contact Steve Perry (631) seperry@optonline.net. For questions or further information about the Awards Dinner, contact Fernand Washington (718) buzzyfernand@aol.com REDUCED PRICE AWARDS DINNER REGISTRATION FORM SAVE $ Sunrise Trail Division Convention Awards Dinner Advance Reservation How $25 each Please make check payable to: Sunrise Trail Division and mail to Fernand Washington Selover Road Jamaica NY Name: Address: City: Zip: Phone: Amount enclosed: $ DEADLINE FOR REDUCED PRICE AWARDS DINNER REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 19, THE CANNON BALL

11 Sunrise Trail Division extends Get a Limited Edition Commemorative Car with a donation to the Sunrise Trail Division 2007 SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION COMMEMORATIVE CAR DONATION How many cars? HO $15 minimum each (NMRA members) HO $20 minimum each (non NMRA members) If shipping, how many $6.95 each Please make check payable to: Sunrise Trail Division and mail to: Steven Perry PO Box 6050 Miller Place NY Sign-up with Sunrise AT ITS MOST RECENT MEETING, the Sunrise Trail Division Board of Directors voted to extend the Sign-up with Sunrise Program indefinitely. Initiated originally as one of the Division s 40th anniversary special events, the program will now extend into It provides anyone who has never before been a member of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) with an NMRA Rail Pass membership at no cost to the individual. Billed as the noform, no-fee way to the NMRA, it enables a person to join the national organization with a one-minute phone call. Sunrise Trail takes care of all paperwork and costs. Anyone interested should contact the Division s Membership Coordinator, Walter Wohleking, by telephone at (631) or via to wgw5hd@gmail.com. He will collect the information and arrange for the form and payment to the NMRA. NMRA announces updates to clubs webpages THE "100% NMRA CLUB" web pages on the national NMRA website have been completely revised and updated by the program's new coordinator, Chuck Diljak. Among other things, they now contain a listing of benefits clubs receive by having everyone as an NMRA member. Another listing delineates the qualifications clubs need to meet in order to be eligible and also contains some frequently asked questions about 100% Clubs. program by Gerry Leone, MMR The webpage, which includes a link to the "100% NMRA Club" application form and a link to a listing of all the 100% NMRA Clubs in the country, organized by state, may be found at Questions about the program can be addressed by contacting Chuck Diljak at the address found on the web page. $15 or more, if you re an NMRA member, $20 or more, if you re not, and we ll send you an HO or N scale Commemorative Car as our thank-you gift plus send a donation and order a ticket to the 40th Anniversary Convention Dinner before October 19th and receive a $5.00 refund! To receive a gift 40th Anniversary Commemorative Car, send your donation with the form below or contact: Steven Perry (631) seperry@optonline.net. Cars will be available by October and may be picked up from Steve Perry directly. Cars can also be picked up in Baldwin at the 40th Anniversary Convention, November 3rd. Cars will be mailed to recipients for an additional $6.95 shipping charge. 40th Anniversary Convention Dinner tickets are $25 in advance. To order dinner tickets, use the form on page 10 or contact: Fernand Buzzy Washington (718) buzzyfernand@aol.com Donation must be made and Dinner must be ordered prior to October 19, 2007 to qualify for the refund. Offer stands only as long as cars remain available. Refunds will be provided at the Convention. Name: NMRA#: Address: City: Zip: Phone: Amount enclosed: $ FALL

12 SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION QUARTERLY Name Scale(s): Address City State Zip Phone 1 year $ years $14.00 Please send a completed copy of this form and a check made payable to the Sunrise Trail Division to: Walter Wohleking, 5 Howard Drive, Huntington NY DOWN THE TRACK LOCAL Oct 6, 9:00AM-4:30PM STDiv Participation Clinic. St. David's Church, 20 Clark Blvd., Massapequa Park. Fernand Washington buzzyfernand@aol.com $15 Nov 3, 10:00AM-5:00PM STDiv 40th Anniversary Convention. United Methodist Church, 881 Merrick Rd., Baldwin. Steve Perry seperry@optonline $6 Nov 3, 6:00PM-9:00PM STDiv 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner. At above location. Fernand Washington buzzyfernand@aol.com $25 Jan 6, 2008, 10:00AM-4:00PM Great South Bay Model Railroad Club Train Show, Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Road, Freeport. Kevin McKay Jan 12, 2008, 1:00PM-4:00PM STDiv Winter Meet. Westbury Public Library. Admission free NATIONAL Oct Northeastern Region (NER) Fall Convention. Best Western Sovereign, Western Ave, Albany NY. John Campbell (860) john_ner@yahoo.com RECURRING Sep-Jun, NRHS L.I. Sunrise Trail Chapter meets 8:00PM-10:00PM 3rd Fri of each month at Christ Episcopal Church, Carll Ave. & Prospect St., Babylon 3rd Fri of each month Sunrise Trail Model RR Club meets & seeks new members to build an HO scale layout in Farmingdale. Mark Conca st Tue of each month Long Island Model RR Engineers meets at the location of its multi-scale layouts at 3661 Horseblock Rd, Farmingville FIRST CLASS MAIL PLACE STAMP HERE 5 HOWARD DRIVE HUNTINGTON NY IN THIS ISSUE PARTICIPATION MEET LAST CALL NMRA 2007 CONVENTION DIARY MINUTES OF THE FIRST STDIV MEETING SIGNALING A MODEL RAILROAD 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION INFO COMMEMORATIVE REEFERS ARE HERE MODELING TIPS PLACE MAILING LABEL HERE