THE TIMETABLE O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E

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1 THE TIMETABLE O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E ILLINOIS VALLEY DIVISION N A T I O N A L M O D E L R A I L R O A D A S S O C I A T I O N Vo l u m e 3 5, N o. 3, May 2016 WEBSITE: nmra-ivd.org Greetings fellow Modelers: We had a great time in Peoria with the elections and dueling clinics. Thanks to all who re-upped for another term serving the community and our hobby. Bill Pearsall s Hillside and Northern and River City Model RR Club were both open for our layout tours. We thought this was one of the best Peoria meets in a long time since it didn t run over time and make it difficult to get to the layouts. Both layouts had made much progress since the last time we were there. Thanks to all who made the meeting so enjoyable. Minton and Marion put on a good show with lots of interaction from the crowd who got up close to see the action and ask questions. I enjoyed seeing the differences in constructing with wood and styrene. The tools were similar such as razor saws, calipers, knives, etc. The differences were how to cut the material and how to support the walls and, of course, the adhesives used. We come to Spring Valley, our last meet before a summer break. We hope the five meets this year have been good for you and provided a new bit of knowledge or an idea to try to solve a challenge. For my own part, I am continually analyzing a building in the real world that might make a good model, and then how on earth would I build it to look right but maybe not be an exact match, especially in its underpinnings. Of course, Minton and Marion answered many of my questions during their clinic and raised a bunch more, so we are still working. I found a few old wooden kits at an antique mall in Branson last November. I hope to practice on them before I scratchbuild a wooden structure board-by-board. It will give me experience and confidence to go further with buildings. Maybe it will help me judge what materials I will need when figuring out how to build other models. Here s hoping April 2 and 3 the IVD participated in Trains in the Heartland in Bloomington. Jeff Trimble, Minton Dings and I had our booth to recruit new members. We had several meaningful conversations with people who seemed sincere in their wish to join. Tom Dyrek, age 12, renewed his membership. He is a young and seriously up and coming modeler. His talk on Depots was one of only four presentations for the whole weekend. This is a different train show. There was no selling, just presentations on modeling and prototype railroading and layouts. Life members Roger and John Kujawa had their modular layout there. There was great discussion on how many combinations the modules could make. Heartland College, the location for the show, has offered courses in layout construction, etc. I really hope your summer is productive. Whether you garden or fish or work on your trains, I wish you a great summer. Don t forget to attend the National Convention at Indianapolis July See you in September with your great modeling results. Mike Shockley Superintendent, IVD Next ILLINOIS VALLEY DIVISION MEET May 15, 2016 Spring Valley City Hall, Community Room 210 North Greenwood Spring Valley, Illinois Doors open at 12:00 pm. The meeting begins at 1:30 pm. Information compiled herein is presented to the membership on an as submitted by the authors basis, and is assumed complete and accurate by the Editor as of the Deadline For Submissions date for inclusion in this edition of the newsletter, as posted in the previous, most recent edition of the TIME- TABLE. Statements contained in this document are strictly the beliefs and/or opinions of the writer presenting them and not necessarily those of, or endorsed by, the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) of Soddy Daisy, TN, USA, its Midwest Region,or its Illinois Valley Division of the NMRA or their officers, agents and designates thereof. Information presented as factual is assumed true and accurate to the best knowledge and intent of the presenter of that information, and are believed to be such in good faith when accepted for inclusion in this newsletter. 1

2 Photo not Available OFFICERS SUPERINTENDENT (2018) Mike Shockley (309) ASST. SUPERINTENDENT (2017) and NEWSLETTER EDITOR Minton Dings, MMR (309) CHIEF CLERK (2018) Gary Baker (309) PAYMASTER (2017) Tom Ludlam (309) TRAINMASTERS DISTRICT 1 (2017) - Peoria & Tazewell Co. (309) district1@nmra-ivd.org DISTRICT 2 (2018) - Grundy, Livingston, McLean & Woodford Co. Jeff Trimble (309) district2@nmra-ivd.org DISTRICT 3 (2017) - Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam & Stark Co. Scott Willoughby (815) district3@nmra-ivd.org DISTRICT 4 (2018) - Fulton, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island & Warren Co. Jeremy Bubb (309) district4@nmra-ivd.org DISTRICT 5 (2017) - Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, Logan, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler & Scott Co. (309) district5@nmra-ivd.org 2016 Illinois Valley Division, Midwest Region, NMRA Photos by the contributors and editor All rights reserved but permission will usually be granted Contact editor at asst.superintendent@nmra-ivd.org FROM THE EDITOR by Minton Dings, MMR MODEL RAILROADING ON THE ROAD Since retirement I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel. I also am an avid model railroader and total involvement in the hobby is the plan for my retirement. Many years ago I discovered that it was easy to take my model railroading with me. My model railroading time at home over the last few years has been spent building bench work, track and scenery along with writing about modeling trains and completing many of my certificates to secure my Master Model Railroader designation. As we traveled about, I found there was time I could work in modeling. Much of our time is spent in resorts for a week up to as much as a couple of months. Time was available to model easily transported kits which could be assembled with a few simple tools, glue and acrylic paints planned for those specific projects. As the habit of modeling on the road developed, a particular set of tools in a box has become a small tool box. A couple of small kits in a carrying bag is now a banker s box as the carrier for a few kits and specialized tools such as a squaring jig, small North West Short Line The Chopper, small combination gooseneck magnifier lamp, small self - healing cutting mat and a short extension cord. Since there has been carrying space in our vehicle and I don t to want my oops moments to happen on surfaces which are not mine, I take along a small work table. Because I work mostly in wood, there is always a box of stick and sheet lumber along for the trip. Although what I have described has become quite extensive and designed for long trips, a modeler could bring along only a hobby knife, hobby screw drivers, glue, and styrene freight car kits which come in their own boxes. A few Kleenex type tissues for padding around the completed car makes for a safe means for transporting the completed kit. Replacement wheels, couplers, a coupler height gauge and short test track would be nice, but not necessary. I have met modelers who have carried all these things in a modified large tackle box. Some may have seen two recent articles in Model Railroader about the rock singer, Rod Stewart, and his layout. Rod states that among the many cases of instruments and materials which travel with the band, two contain his travelling workshop which is delivered to his hotel room. In the down times he works on his railroad projects. If you model while you travel, it seems that you are traveling in good company. 2

3 ILLINOIS VALLEY DIVISION MEET May 15, 2016 Spring Valley City Hall, Community Room 210 North Greenwood Spring Valley, Illinois Doors open at 12:00 pm. The meeting begins at 1:30 pm. The meeting room is in the basement of the City Hall. The room is accessible by elevator for those who find stairs difficult. Parking is available off Greenwood street at the north side of the police station. The entrance is on the north side of the building. Swap tables are available to members. There is no commercial selling at the Illinois Division meets. Selling is closed at the beginning of the business meeting. There will be a short business meeting followed by two clinics. One clinic will be information on photographing our model railroads by Jim Tatum. The other clinic will be on weathering railroad cars by Scott Willoughby. A tour of layouts will follow. The contests for May will be Freight Cars and Dioramas Off-Line or On-Line. A donation of $2.00 per member helps to defray division expenses. 50TH ANNIVERSARY HOPPER AND BOXCARS The Fifty Year Anniversary cars are still available. If you are considering purchasing one or more of these IVD cars, you will need to purchase them soon. These cars have been made available to the model railroading community in the May 2015 Model Railroader magazine. These cars are selling and now only about 20 hoppers and 60 boxcars are left. Both cars will be for sale at the division on May 15th at the Spring Valley event at the Remax Center. The cost is $20.00 each. Those who cannot be at the meet can order the cars through Paymaster Tom Ludlam at the McLean Depot, 200 East Dixie Road, McLean, IL, 61754; The cost by mail is $20.00 for each car plus $5.00 shipping, $6.50 for shipping of two or three cars. DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER 2016 TIMETABLE Articles for the September TIMETABLE need to be submitted by August 15, Railroad and model railroad oriented materials are welcomed. The quality and success of an organizational newsletter is greatly enriched by the contributions of its members. We all have ideas we can share to enhance the understanding and abilities of our members. Editorial assistance is available for those who have an idea and need help with composition. Writing expertise is not necessary. Submit ideas and/or articles to Minton Dings, at SR 78, Havana, Illinois or call (309) Prototype Tours NMRA National Convention and Train Show, Indianapolis, IN, July 3-10, 2016 If you have ever said, I would attend an NMRA Convention if it was near home or something like that, then here is your chance. This is a nearby opportunity to meet the people of the NMRA, the masters of model railroading, clinics, prototype tours and some of the best model railroading around. Additional information can be found at: Highball to Indy or nmra. org or on Facebook, Highball to Indy Layout Tours 3

4 PEORIA MARCH 2016 LAYOUT TOUR Bill Pearsall, Peoria, Illinois River City Model Railroad Club Pekin, Illinois 4

5 WANDERINGS by Marion Brasher, MMR WHAT THE NMRA HAS DONE FOR ME Several days ago a friend asked me how long I have been a member of the NMRA. Checking a certificate received several years ago, my 50th year was So it looks as if the answer is 60 years. It seems that I have been around the block several times. What was it that got me involved with the NMRA? I really don t remember. During my college years, while a Junior at Illinois State, , several of my dorm mates were model railroaders. We decided to join the organization. It seemed to be the thing to do. At that time the NMRA headquarters and offices were in Canton, Ohio in the basement of Bob Bast s home. That was the whole thing! The first conventions I attended were those of the Midwest Region, which had two each year. One was a day fall convention and a three day spring convention. I was really a duck out of water at that time. The first national convention was The Liberty Bell in 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In those days it was a short, Wednesday through Saturday, event. There I met several people from Central Illinois, including Joe Carter and Sam Dinweddie from Jacksonville, who became life long friends. The Philly convention was the beginning of a parade of national conventions I have attended over most of fifty years. Also at the Philadelphia convention was a tomato farmer from California, Paul Shimata, who overflowed with enthusiasm about the NMRA. He made an impression on me. Entering the photo contest, I won a red ribbon. The die was cast. I became a convention junkie. Indianapolis in 1963 was my turning point when the railette gals got me out of my wallflower style to mixing with other attendees. Over the years I have made countless friendships with NMRA members from, literally, around the world. This was the beginning of a long relationship with the NMRA. It has had too many good things to list here. It was at the Indianapolis convention that Bob Bunch crossed my path and our discussions there led to the foundation of the Illinois Valley Division in Attending regional and national conventions allowed me to broaden my model railroad horizons as I became more active. As division superintendent I became a member of the Midwest Region Board of Directors. Those days we had a board meeting every month somewhere in the confines of the region. An honor bestowed on me was being the first division superintendent to be elected president of the Midwest Region. In the year 1968, Paul Shimata sponsored an NMRA goodwill tour of Japan. I was a member of that group. Visiting a foreign country was quite an experience. The people were friendly and wanted to practice their English on us as we were with our Japanese. The organization allowed me to travel throughout the United States and Canada, which gave me the opportunity to become an ambassador of the NMRA. It also allowed me to join several other regions, who s conventions I attend annually. Throughout the years many of the elite of the hobby have crossed my path and became friends. These were the likes of John Allen, Cliff Robinson, Bobby Hull Allen McClelland and Tony Koester, the Model Railroader staff, Bill Walters and the list goes on. In the recent past I have expanded on the problems that I see with our national organization. But, the NMRA has been good to me. Had it not been for the NMRA and the many opportunities they offered over the past sixty years, the hobby of model railroading would not be so special to me. I encourage everyone to attend the division events and get to know our talented membership. My trip has been great. Upcoming IVD Schedule At A Glance Our meets are subject to change. Updates will appear with each issue of the TIMETABLE Doors open at noon, Meetings begin at 1:30 pm. Board of Directors Meetings begin at 10:00 am unless otherwise noted. Members of the IVD are welcome to attend Board Meetings. Members do not have a vote, but are encouraged to voice their concerns and make suggestions. Directions to Lake Whitehurst Club House are: Route 29 south from I-474, left at Velde Ford Truck Dealership, first right on Susan Hope, immediate left down the hill to the club house. Event, May 15, District 3 Spring Valley City Hall, Community Room 210 North Greenwood Street, Spring Valley Illinois Contests: Freight Cars and Dioramas On line Board Meeting, August 20, Pekin Lake Whitehurst Club House Event, September 11, District 4 Butterworth Center Moline Contests: Passenger Cars, Buildings on Line Board Meeting, October 1, Pekin Lake Whitehurst Club House Event, November 13, District 2 Bloomington Normal Area Location TBA Contests: Steam Locomotives and Dioramas on Line Board Meeting, December 10, Pekin Lake Whitehurst Club House

6 RESULTS OF THE 2016 IVD ELECTION The 2016 election found that only one candidate for each of the open positions stepped forward to serve. Each of these persons were incumbents and all were elected. Superintendent Michael Shockley Chief Clerk Gary Baker Trainmaster, District 2 Jeff Trimble Trainmaster, District 4 Jeremy Bubb MY THOUGHTS ON THE STATE OF VOLUNTEERISM by Minton Dings, MMR From the days of my youth, I have been a volunteer. Beginning in the days of being a volunteer YMCA camp junior counselor until now, I have always been involved as a volunteer. Beyond the years of being a camp counselor, I have been a volunteer firefighter, EMT, volunteer responder in vehicle, wilderness and urban rescue, volunteer director of a food bank, church programs, a volunteer member of my local Emergency Telephone Systems Board (911), ESDA and now the NMRA. I even volunteered for the military, rather than be drafted. Some of my volunteer experiences have been life changing. The above list was not made to point out that I have volunteered for so much as it is a recognition to myself that my life has been oriented around volunteerism. This volunteerism has greatly expanded my horizons and given me opportunities far beyond my expectations. In the early years, it seems that volunteer positions were hard to come by, because so many wanted to serve their communities and other interests which had a need. But over the years, volunteers have become harder to find. Now many organizations are begging for volunteers to keep their organizations and their organization s mission alive. It appears the same for the Illinois Valley Division. As I look at our Illinois Valley Division, I notice a lack of enthusiasm to volunteer beyond participating as a member. It appears that model railroaders are not a competitive lot in general. So, it is not surprising that we do not see much competition in the desire to serve in the elected offices of the division. Yet I find that most model railroaders are willing to share with others what they know about the hobby. So what is it that keeps members from volunteering to be involved in the IVD? Is it that we are too busy? Is it the physical age of many of our members? Is it the feeling of not knowing enough about model railroading? Is their a lack of enthusiasm for the IVD programs in general? Or is it just a sign of our times? I believe that each member has something to share with the division. Whether a long time modeler or a beginner, it seems that each has something to share. I find that when I go to conventions, there are few clinics that I am not familiar with the content to be presented. But I also find when I attend these clinics, I always come away with some new information. My thought is that everyone of us has something to share for the good of the group. From volunteering to run for an office on the IVD Board of Directors, opening one s layout for viewing, presenting all or part of a clinic, presenting a new or innovating program idea or assisting in any of the above, volunteers are needed to make the IVD dynamic. Would you consider volunteering to be part of the IVD s mission to share the joys of being part of the World s Greatest Hobby? We need you to share your knowledge and enthusiasm about model railroading, even becoming part of the IVD Board of Directors. The next time a board position comes open consider volunteering. The IVD will become as dynamic as its membership makes it. Would you consider volunteering that we all may benefit? Your ideas are always welcomed. Let me know what you think. OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS FOR MODEL RAILROADERS 3rd Annual Train Show to Benefit the American Heritage Railroad, Saturday, June 11, 10 am to 4 pm, American Farm Heritage Museum, I-70 at Hwy 127, Exit 45, Greenville, IL (follow signs after exiting), $4.00, children under 12 free, free 1 mile train ride with every paid admission Railroad Days Train &Toy Show, Galesburg, IL, Saturday, June 25, 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, June 26, 10 am to3 pm. Galesburg High School Fieldhouse, 1242 West Dayton Street, Galesburg. Admission $5.00, children under 12, free. 250 tables of trains and 70 tables of toys. Free parking, shuttle from and to downtown, handicap accessible and stroller friendly. 40th Annual Kane County Railroadiana & Model Train Show, Sunday, June 12, 10 am to 3 pm. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 South Randall Rod, St. Charles, IL. $6.00, children under 12 free. 80% collectables, 20% model trains. Free parking, wheelchair accessible. Belleville IL Great Train Show, Saturday & Sunday July 30 & 31, 10 am to 4 pm both days. Admission $7.00 on line at Tickets@Trainshow.com or $9.00 at the door. Children under 12 free. Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 South Belt E, Belleville, IL Peoria Train Fair, Sunday, November 20, 10 am to 3 pm, Illinois Central College, Rt. US-24, east of IL-116, East Peoria. Admission $3.00, children under 12 free with an adult. Free parking, handicap accessible. 6

7 GREEN RIVER BRANCH Kentucky Division Illinois Central Railroad 1957 Affiliated with: Minton Dings, MMR Illinois Valley Division, NMRA State Route 78 National Model Railroad Association Havana, Illinois Illinois Central Historical Association (309) GM&O Historical Association Illinois Central RR Heritage Association YOUR PERSONAL LAYOUT OR BUSINESS AD CAN APPEAR HERE You are encouraged to place an ad for your layout or business in THE TIMETABLE. The ad will be published 5 times a year, January, March, May, September and November. Business card sized personal ads are $5.00 and business ads are $12.50 and $25.00 for business card x2 size per year. Help is available to design an ad. Website ads are also available. 7

8 IVD TIMETABLE Minton Dings, Editor State Route 78 Havana, Illinois POSTMASTER: Return Service Requested FIRST CLASS MAIL May 15, 2016 The Illinois Valley Division of the NMRA Presents: MODEL train EVENT Spring Valley City Hall, Community Room 210 North Greenwood Street Spring Valley, Illinois DOORS 12:00 noon 1:30 PM $2 Donation Clinics: (1) Photographing Models and (2) Weathering Railroad Cars Layouts on Tour: To Be Announced CONTESTS : (1) Freight Cars and (2) Dioramas Off Line Layout Tour will Follow with Maps Available SWAP TABLES (Closed before the meeting - Sorry, NO DEALERS) 8