November Meeting. at the Tiburon Train-Ferry Depot Museum. October December 2005

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Visit RED at Website: November Meeting at the Tiburon Train-Ferry Depot Museum The Redwood Empire Division will meet on Sunday November 20 at 1:00 PM at the train-ferry depot museum in Tiburon.

Following that, BILL KAUFMAN will describe the Belt Line Railroad of San Francisco. Bill is starting to model a HO scale layout of the railroad in his garage. More information is included on page 4.

Tickets can be purchased (3 for each dollar) for two special door prizes, which will be a 2006 NWP Historical Society calendar and a set of videos entitled America s Railroads: The Steam Train Legacy.

1 Visit RED at Website: November Meeting at the Tiburon Train-Ferry Depot Museum The Redwood Empire Division will meet on Sunday November 20 at 1:00 PM at the train-ferry depot museum in Tiburon. Two presentations are planned. Museum director Phil Cassou will talk about the historic depot building and the working HO scale model of the Tiburon yard and waterfront. Following that, BILL KAUFMAN will describe the Belt Line Railroad of San Francisco. Bill is starting to model a HO scale layout of the railroad in his garage. More information is included on page 4. Everyone attending the RED meeting will get a free door prize ticket. If you are wearing your division name badge it will be worth an additional free ticket, as will bringing at least one guest. Tickets can be purchased (3 for each dollar) for two special door prizes, which will be a 2006 NWP Historical Society calendar and a set of videos entitled America s Railroads: The Steam Train Legacy. No model contest will be held. Plan to have lunch before arriving or bring a bag lunch with you. A layout tour is scheduled after the meeting at JIM PROVIDENZA S home in San Rafael. The two-story NWP train ferry depot structure on Raccoon Strait at Point Tiburon is the only relic left from the extensive railroad yard, maintenance shops and waterfront piers established in the 1880 s by Peter Donahoe, a San Francisco industrialist. He developed the train and ferry system to provide faster transportation of goods and passengers between Northern California and the San Francisco bay area. October December 2005 The depot is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of three dual-use terminals known to survive in the United States and the only one west of New Jersey. It is one of the few extant two-story depots which provided housing upstairs for the station master. Driving Directions Turn off Hwy 101 onto Tiburon Blvd and follow it all the way to downtown Tiburon where it turns into Paradise Drive. Look for the big gray depot building on the waterfront side at 1920 Paradise Drive. If you get to the Caprice Restaurant, you've gone too far. For parking, there are three spaces (one is for a disabled sticker) on the north side and seven spaces on the south side. About 200 feet away is another parking lot with about nine spaces, although the Caprice Restaurant competes for these. Additional parking lots and street parking are located nearby in the Tiburon business area. We hope to see you on November 20th after 12 noon and before 1 PM.

STAFF ROSTER DIRECTOR Ron Plies P.O. Box 950, Fortuna, CA 95540 (707)725-5411 E-mail: rlplies@cox.

2 STAFF ROSTER DIRECTOR Ron Plies P.O. Box 950, Fortuna, CA (707) SUPERINTENDENT Nolan Alexander 95 Maria Drive, Petaluma, CA (707) CHIEF CLERK Steve Skold 5306 Yerba Buena Rd, Santa Rosa, CA (707) CONTESTS Steve Skold 5306 Yerba Buena Rd, Santa Rosa, CA (707) MEMBERSHIP Gus Campagna PO Box 6344, Santa Rosa, CA TRAIN SHOWS John Leins 731 San Marco, Fairfield, CA (707) LAYOUT TOURS (vacant) NOMINATIONS Ed Zakareckis 2408 Homestead Court Fairfield, CA (707) ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM Harold Mentzer 102 Berna Avenue, Napa, CA (707) ESTATE COUNSELOR Don Clauder 305 Garfield Park, Santa Rosa CA, (707) CALLBOARD EDITOR John Rolston 240 Chase St., Sonoma CA, (707) DIRECTOR S REPORT BY RON PLIES I was asked by one of the members of the PCR Board of Directors to come up with one or two sentences that would state the purpose of our organizations, the NMRA, PCR and RED. Here are some of my thoughts. One of the main reasons a modeler can buy a piece of the equipment from any American manufacturer, be it an engine or car and run them together on any model railroad track is a thing called standards. Who came up with these standards? The NMRA, of which the PCR and RED are a part, worked hard promoting uniform standards. The gauge of the track and the wheels, how the cars are weighted, the turnouts and their gauges, are all part of these standards. More recently, all the work to make the DCC systems compatible with each other, were developed by the NMRA. A modeler can take any number of decoders from various manufacturers and use them on different systems. So would this be the primary reason for our organization to exist? There's more. Today we have technology being offered to the modeler that we could have only dreamed about less than ten years ago. I just came back from the Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society convention in San Diego, where we were operating one of the new SP AC-4 Cab forwards from Broadway Limited on our club modules. This engine operated with DCC power, with lights and sound all controlled from our finger tips. Not that many years back you could choose to have the light on or off, depending on if there was power to the rails and the engine was moving. Sound was something few if any had and, if they did, it was a PFM sound system that was OK at best. The cost of the sound system was the same or more than the AC-4 is today. The current cost of this AC-4 is far less than any of today's brass models of the same type, not to mention the great deal of work you might have to do to get them to run as well as the new AC-4 from Broadway Limited. What do you think is one of the main reasons we have these options today? Could it be the NMRA, PCR, and RED? If you have not gone to a national train show and seen all the manufacturers showing off their new products, you probably have not listened to the conversations the members are having with these manufacturers. Many of the members are making their wishes known regarding the kind of products they would like to see in the future and the manufacturers are welcoming their input. Once again, is the primary purpose of our organization to get the kind of models from the manufacturers that we want? I am sure there are other factors that enter into the choices that are made as to what is going to be produced, but I know that this input carries a lot of weight when it comes to those decisions. Then we come to the human relations side of things. Do you enjoy getting together with other people who enjoy this hobby of model railroading and sharing ideas as much as I do? Seeing the work of others at a RED meeting when people bring their models to display for a contest or just for show and tell is a satisfying experience. Going to a PCR or (Continued on page 3)

(Director s Report Continued from page 2) NMRA convention and sitting in a clinic and gleaning all the information you can from other members who are giving these clinics, helps you do a better job

As an example, I was looking at the Free-mo layout that was at the last PCR convention in Concord and was impressed with the way they had done the tall weeds.

3 (Director s Report Continued from page 2) NMRA convention and sitting in a clinic and gleaning all the information you can from other members who are giving these clinics, helps you do a better job with your models, track work, scenery, etc. As an example, I was looking at the Free-mo layout that was at the last PCR convention in Concord and was impressed with the way they had done the tall weeds. I learned that they were using a material call Poly Fiber, which I did not know about, and I began using it on my modules with great results. Just one idea from one meeting has made a major difference in my scenery. Seeing the layouts on the tours, that are part of these meetings, not only gives you some great ideas but will inspire you to improve your work. And what about the friends you make? I cannot say enough on this subject. Over the last four years as a director of the PCR, I have made some wonderful friendships and the kindness from the members will always be remembered. So what do you see as the main purpose of our organization? Obviously I have trouble coming up with just one or two sentences to state the purpose of the organization. Give it some thought and I am sure you can come up with a whole set of reasons of your own. Let me know what you think. We sometimes forget what good things have been accomplished though the fine organizations we call the RED, PCR and NMRA. They have made our hobby much more enjoyable. We will be taking on a whole new group of PCR and RED members with the single-pay dues structure in the coming months. We need to get the word out to them why they need to be a part of this organization. I am hoping we can do that with a news- letter at least once a quarter. I would like to encourage all the members, new and old, to take advantage of the opportunities you have with the RED, PCR, and NMRA to improve and enhance your enjoyment of our great hobby. A number of such opportunities are coming up with the train show at Roseville, Nov. 12th & 13th and the CVL show at the Coddingtown mall on Nov. 19th & 20th. The RED meeting will be at Tiburon on Sunday Nov. 20th. See you there and let's talk about the good things we have done and the good things we look forward to in the future. From the SUPERINTENDENT BY NOLAN ALEXANDER It s just a few days until Halloween as I write this and then it will be November, Model Railroad Month. I hope that I ll see you all at the November Meet in Marin County. Be sure to take the opportunities that come up to share our hobby with friends and acquaintances. Next year at this time we ll be getting ready to put on a Model Railroad Show in Santa Rosa. If you haven t already volunteered to help (you know who your are), expect a call from me next summer asking you to work for a few hours on the door or helping visitors to run trains or to just stand around and answer questions. The weather person is telling us that the rainy season is about to start and I hope that means more modeling time for us all. There has been a lot of rhetoric about the NMRA and PCR contests of late and I don t know what side of the debate you may come out on but I encourage you to display your modeling efforts to your friends in the hobby anyway. You don t have to submit a model for judging, you can just display it. Give the idea some thought. I know that kit builders seem to stay away from the contests but I also know that there are some terrific models built from kits. Bring them out to the RED meets next year and let us all tell you what a great job you ve done. CLASSIFIED ADS This is where we run classified ads from members and non-members. There is no charge for Redwood Empire Division members to place an ad. Non-members will be asked to pay a nominal charge of $2.50 for each 4 lines. YOUR FOR SALE OR WANTED ADD GOES HERE

4 CHIEF CLERK'S REPORT BY STEVE SKOLD The RED summer picnic meeting at Lakeport was held on July 17th. It was hosted by the Lake County Model Railroad Club at the Lake County Fairgrounds. We had the picnic before it got too hot in the shade of large oak trees on a grassy area. There were approximately 25 in attendance and a lot of cold water was consumed. The club provided a gas BBQ and RED brought water, soft drinks and lots of ice. Two clinics were presented in the afternoon. DAVE FROMMER S clinic was on digital photography using Photoshop 7 on his computer. He used RON LEARN'S digital camera to take pictures and demonstrate some techniques. He also provided a free CD, labeled Digital Photo Help, to those who wanted one. The second clinic was by MIKE ERNST on the techniques of plaster casting various model building fronts, retaining walls and rocks. By that time is was approaching 105 degrees outside and everyone was wilting. The club has made a lot of progress on the layout and it will be interesting to see it after completion. I have bad news to report; DON AND LIZ CABRALL S Hessel & Lone Pine model railroad has been liquidated & put up for salvage. They have moved to Rohnert Park and Don was unable to move the layout. The good news is that he is planning on building a new H&LP in his three car garage. At our November meeting, BILL KAUFMAN S power point presentation on the Belt Line Railroad of San Francisco was put together because he is starting his HO version in his garage. If anyone has any literature or pictures on the Belt Line, please bring them to the meeting or contact Bill as he would love to see them. Due to a lack of room, there will be no model contest at this meet. Besides the special door prizes, additional 2006 NWPRRHS calendars will be available for $10 each. We will also be looking for nominees for RED Director as RON PLIES tour of duty will be over in May. If you are interested, please contact ED ZAKAREKIS, NOLAN ALEXANDER or STEVE SKOLD. Redwood Empire Garden Railway Society (REGRS), No. 1 gauge, various scales. If you are interested call Ken Brody at (707) or westie@sonic.net Napa Valley Model Railroad Historcial Society, HO layout. Meets Fridays 7:30 PM at Napa Fairgrounds, 575 Third St., Napa. For information call: Clubhouse (707) or Ron Rogers (707) or John Rodgers (707) Lake County Model Railroad Club, HO layout. Meets Wednesday at 7:00PM in the old National Guard Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Martin Street, Lakeport. Call Mike Ernst at(707) Coastal Valley Lines, HO modular. Meets 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at Sam s For Play Café, 2630 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa. Call Brad Squires (707) or Don Hanesworth Solano Rail Rats, HO Scale. For information call John Leins (707) O Scale Modular Group Contact Don Clauder at (707) Carquinez Model Railroad Society CLUB SCHEDULES (formerly Vallejo Model Railroad Club) has moved to Carquinez, CA. The telephone number is (510) The website is Sonoma County Model Railroad Society (SCMRS) is looking for members to help create a large permanent HO scale model railroad display located in the Historic Healdsburg Railway Depot building. Discussions regarding usage of the building are underway with various governmental entities. Contact Dave Gibbons at (707) or rrgibbons@sonic.net Humboldt Bay & Eureka, HO layout, Eureka, CA. Contact David Berriman, P. O. Box 915 Arcata, CA (707) NPC Operators. An On3 operating group meets one Sunday each month. Contact Steve Skold (707) or e- mail SandCSkold@aol.com Bay Area S Scalers. Contact Lee Johnson at (925) Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society, a Fort Bragg area group that promotes the hobby of model railroading. This group meets the 3rd Saturday of each month. At present, HO modules are being constructed. Contact Phil Miller at (707) for more information. Redwood Empire Live Steamers. A new group is forming with the goal to build a 7 1/2 inch track facility in a local park. For information, call Don or Ann Bruner Welch at (707) or write to PO Box 4594, Santa Rosa, CA North Coast Live Steamers, a group, from the Fort Bragg-Willits area, that promotes the hobby of large-scale railroading and other steam related history. Contact Bill Shepard at (707) Eel River Valley Model Railroaders, HO Scale layout. Meets each Friday evening at 7:30 P.M. at the Humboldt Co. Fair Grounds, Ferndale, CA. Write to P O Box 950 Fortuna CA or contact Ron Plies at (707) or rlplies@cox.net for more information.

5 SIGNALS III THINK SMALL Exploring the possibilities for signals on the layout is a continuing fun trip for me. I hope you too are enjoying the ride. Signals II closed with a promise about "Diode Duplexing". What am I talking about? The Electronic folks who sell LED's, diodes and other neat stuff sell two-wire red-green LED's. These items are really TWO LED's encased in one lump of milky plastic. The LED's are connected opposed (cathode to anode). When we change from 3 wire to 2 wire signals, a SPDT switch can still select Red or Green. We just add two diodes and connect the parts a bit different. One duplex wire does the work of warmed the tweezers. I had saved the flat wire trimmings from the LED's used for signals A and B. (With flat wire for steps, ladders are not as fussy to solder. Building signals grows easier as we learn the short cuts.) With series diodes, the wiring worked out like this: The rule still holds true: Series contacts for green and parallel for red. Signaling the southbound traffic off Diodes are stubborn critters. They only allow electrons through in one direction. Therefore, the bi-color LED glows red when current flows in one direction and glows green when current flows the other way. The power available from our transformers is dualistic. (It swaps direction of electron flow sixty times every second.) By throwing inexpensive ordinary diodes into the mix, we can use the red-green LED in a single light signal. Going down the same road, we can connect the red and green LED's of two-light signals opposed instead of parallel. It looks identical to the signal at Bodega station but the new version is twowire, not three. We now have three versions of our Simple Signals. two. Where tracks meet in complex tangles, duplexing can make signaling a simpler task. The original common anode design with three wires is great when separate grounds are available for green and red. When control wiring grows more complicated, the two-wire signals make solutions easier to find. At Bodega this old dog tried the new trick. Southbound signal D looks at two possible conflicts, the crossing and turnout B-8. A Class III signal is a good fit for the job. The ladder and the mast serve as the two required wires. Brazing rod of 3/32" diameter provided a sturdy mast. I knew the drill. The ladder jig came out of hiding and the little soldering iron the dual gauge into Bodega presented an interesting problem. Depending on the gauge of his train, an engineer should see either Red or Green. I needed two signals in one place showing opposite indications; and the throttle jockey better know which signal he should obey. I assigned the two light green over red signal to the HO trains. (Standard signal to standard gauge.) The new single light Class II is daintier and seemed fitting for the slim gauge folks. With the two-wire system, placing both signals on one mast was easy. I had 3/32" tube for the mast, a 3 mm (Continued on page 6)

(THINK SMALL Continued from page 5) Red-Green LED, 3 mm Red and a 3 mm Green quired. I opted for three relays. The crossing relay has four sets of SPDT contacts.

6 (THINK SMALL Continued from page 5) Red-Green LED, 3 mm Red and a 3 mm Green quired. I opted for three relays. The crossing relay has four sets of SPDT contacts. The turnout relays do the job with just three sets each. Micro switches added to the turnout throw bars would be a good alternate but I had the relays. Circuit Board #2 is under the layout with wire brad terminations for all five signals, AC and DC power, plus mounting space for resistors, diodes and the relays. (Circuit Board #1 got a bit messy as I learned.) Next time, as a caboose to this series, I will offer a better use of duplexing on a tangle of tracks with seven signals (Class I, II, III and IV) using just one SPDT relay. LED. The usual styrene scraps and the product of another session with the ladder jig filled out the kit. The complex signal for the dual gauge was soon ready and wired to provide track protection at Bodega. With signals at the four corners I could smile. The southbound problem was solved but I had created a possible point of confusion for the narrow gauge engineers. Signals B and E needed to look alike or narrow gauge engineers coming down the hill might obey the wrong green light. Both B and E had to be Class II. Replacing the original Class I signal B was simple. I cut three wires and yanked it out like a weed. The next steps were to splice diodes onto the wires for red and green, then connect the AC feed to the mast and run some trains. With dainty Class II signals controlling all narrow gauge traffic at Bodega, I could smile again. At Bodega, the wiring evolved one signal at a time as I learned. Both turnouts and the crossing lever had spare contacts. To satisfy all five signals, ten sets of SPDT contacts were re- Bill Williams The Ancient One Many of the art items used in this newsletter are courtesy of Ken Houghton Rail Images or came from the website:

This form can be used for both new memberships and renewals. A NMRA membership now also includes membership in the Pacific Coast Region (PCR) and Redwood Empire Division (RED).

7 This form can be used for both new memberships and renewals. A NMRA membership now also includes membership in the Pacific Coast Region (PCR) and Redwood Empire Division (RED). Subscriptions to the monthly NMRA Scale Rails magazine and quarterly PCR Branch Line newsletter are optional. The quarterly RED Callboard newsletter is included at no additional charge. If desired, a NMRA member can subscribe to additional regional newsletters. 10/05

8 COMING DOWN THE LINE November 12 & 13: Northern California Model Railroad Show (International Railfair) at Placer Co. Fairgrounds, Roseville. More information at November 19: Daylight Division meet in Bakersfield. Contact Doug Wagner at ( ) or November 19 & 20: Coastal Valley Lines train show at Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa. # November 19 & 20: Napa Valley Model Railroad HS holiday show, # November 20: Redwood Empire Division meet in Tiburon. Details on page 1. December 4: Coast Division meet in Redwood City. December 10 & 12: Napa Valley Model Railroad HS holiday show, # December 17 & 18: Great Western Train Show, San Rafael, 10 to 4. Information at February 2, 3 & 4, 2006: O Scale West meet in Santa Clara. Information at February 19, 2006: Redwood Empire Division meet in Santa Rosa. May 3 7, 2006: Pacific Coast Region Annual Convention in Sacramento. July 2 9, 2006: NMRA National Convention in Philadelphia, PA. EDITOR S NOTES: The January March 2006 CALL- BOARD schedule is: Staff Meeting: 7:30 PM, January 17 Text Deadline: January 24 Mailing: January 31 Meeting: February 19, 2006 Submit all articles, calendar items, adds and comments to the Editor. Send address corrections to: PCR, 530 Fig Tree Lane Martinez, CA # Contact information is listed on page 4. Visit RED at Website: CALLBOARD John Rolston, Editor 240 Chase Street Sonoma, CA FIRST CLASS

August Meeting. July September Summer Picnic at the Westside Farms

August Meeting. July September Summer Picnic at the Westside Farms Visit RED at Website: http://home.earthlink.net/~campgus/ July September 2006 August Meeting Summer Picnic at the Westside Farms Our summer picnic meeting will be held at Westside Farms as guests of PAM