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

Transcription

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 4, N o. 4, September 2015 WEBSITE: nmra-ivd.org Greetings Fellow Modelers, 1 We had a great time in Spring Valley in May. John Stopa showed us how to make and use a static grass applicator. Scott Willoughby talked about care and maintenance of diesel locomotives. Marion, John, and Scott opened their layouts to us to see their fine craftsmanship. A big Thank you to all who came and made the day memorable. Hopefully you had a train filled summer. Mine certainly was. We went to Virginia to ride behind N&W 611 on July 4. The days before and after, I photographed and recorded its departure and return to Roanoke. I was even able to take my hardly able Dad to see one of the departures on Sunday the 5 th. He seemed to really enjoy it. No more excursions are scheduled for the moment, but negotiations with Norfolk Southern are ongoing to get some track time. I spent two weeks in Miami, Florida later in July. (Yes, bad timing, but the weather was about the same as Illinois and it beats having to return to Illinois in winter after balmy Miami temperatures!) There is the Gold Coast RR Museum on the property of the Richmond Naval Air Base, a home for dirigibles during World War II. Henry Flagler s railroad is well represented among the rolling stock at the museum. However, for a modest fee, you can drive a diesel locomotive all day and perform switching operations and pull the hourly train over about a mile of track. Also, you can be on the ground as conductor during switching. I did all these things and gained a much better understanding of safety, operations, and how to start an EMD There are also model railroads of many scales on the property. I encourage you to travel to Miami for the experience as a real railroader to influence your modelling. In June, I was able to attend and present a clinic at the N&W Historical Society Convention in Marion, Ohio. I talked about building JK Tower that resides in Roanoke, Virginia. I was glad I had taken pictures during the various building stages. The talk was well received and a few questions and comments centered on the various starts and stops and dead ends in construction. One question took me by surprise: Did you learn anything by building it in cardboard before plastic? I didn t have a good answer and I still don t. I really have no idea. I did it because I thought it would be the final product, but I missed some details that made it wrong when I was done. I guess it caused me to pay closer attention. So, here we are again. School will start soon, the air will get a nip in it, and we will start our meets again. Our first is in Aledo. This is a new venue for us and we look forward to enjoying all that it offers. We appreciate the efforts of Allen Holdsworth to get us a place to meet and a few layouts and Aledo s Model Railroad Club to occupy our day. Our friend and District 5 Trainmaster, Jacob Tatum, has made the decision to join the grand tradition of the US Army. We wish him well and appreciate his service to the NMRA and his Country. So that brings us to the need for volunteers to be officers in the Illinois Valley Division. If you want to be more involved in running our organization, you are welcome to ask one of us for the details. While it isn t a donothing position, you will have to full support of the Board of Directors to make sure you succeed. Please consider stepping forward to ensure that the IVD continues to step in the right direction. All Aboard! Michael Shockley 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.

2 Photo not Available OFFICERS SUPERINTENDENT (2016) Mike Shockley 1107 S. Apache Lane Peoria, IL (309) ASST. SUPERINTENDENT (2017) and NEWSLETTER EDITOR Minton Dings SR 78 Havana, IL (309) CHIEF CLERK (2016) Gary Baker 2004 Dane Kelsey Drive Pekin, IL (309) PAYMASTER (2017) Tom Ludlum 200 Dixie Road, McLean, IL (309) , TRAINMASTERS DISTRICT 1 (2017) - Peoria & Tazewell Co. Jack Andrews PO Box 657,Delavan, IL (309) DISTRICT 2 (2016) - Grundy, Livingston, McLean & Woodford Co. Jeff Trimble 1307 Red Abby Ave, Bloomington, IL (309) , jtrim817@yahoo.com DISTRICT 3 (2017) - Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam & Stark Co. Scott Willoughby 131 East Iowa Street, Spring Valley, IL (815) swilloughby2003@yahoo.com DISTRICT 4 (2016) - Fulton, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island & Warren Co. Jeremy Bubb PO Box 65, Vermont, IL (309) bnsf9555@comcast.net DISTRICT 5 (2017) - Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, Logan, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler & Scott Co. Jacob Tatum 1432 North Main, Lewistown, IL (309) jacobtatum45@yahoo.com 2015 Illinois Valley Division, Midwest Region, NMRA Photos by the contributors and editor All rights reserved but permission will usually be granted Contact editor at ivd_timetable@yahoo.com FROM THE EDITOR by Minton Dings THE NMRA Club or Service Organization Again, at the Galesburg Train and Toy Show in June of this year, I was meeting the community of model railroaders as we do each year. We made a goodly number of contacts, one who actually signed up at our table. There were a number of folks who were interested in trying the six month trial membership offer. But I was also disturbed by the number of modelers who response was, I don t feel I would get my money s worth from being a member. I am certain that some of those people have never been a member and are repeating what they have heard other former members express. It got me thinking about the meaning and value of membership in the NMRA. The primary reason I support the NMRA is because it is the one organization which has and will set standards and will defend them when necessary, even to the extent of going to court to defend the hobby we all enjoy so much. Secondly, following close behind, I greatly appreciate the people I have met, support and who are supporting me in my growth in the hobby. In the mix of my feelings about the NMRA is the sense that I am not a member purely for my own benefit. Through the years of my professional life, I was a member of a number of service organizations. The purpose of service organizations is to serve the community. In the case of my past, it was to serve the community in which I lived or to support a cause beyond the locality to include state or national campaigns. I also belong to a club for part of each year. I am a part time member of a model railroad club in Bradenton, Florida, called RealRail. It is a place for me, while in Florida, to practice my skills while joining in with the members who are building and maintaining their rather large HO layout. More than what I can give, I come away having learned much more than I bring to that body. Being a member of both a club and the NMRA. I sense that both have different functions. Being a member of a club is a value added proposition. Being a member of the NMRA feels to me like the service clubs to which I formerly belonged. There are benefits to being a member of the NMRA including a much improved magazine and the other opportunities listed in the flyer NMRA, Membership has its benefits But more than that, I support the NMRA for the health of the hobby because the NMRA is the single organization which sets the standards which facilitates the interoperability of model railroad equipment produced by the myriad of manufacturers, both large and small. 2

3 ILLINOIS VALLEY DIVISION MEET September 13, 2015 The Depot, Northeast 3rd Street Aledo, Illinois Doors open at 12:00 pm. The meeting begins at 1:30 pm. 50TH ANNIVERSARY HOPPER AND BOXCARS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC 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. The meeting in Aledo will be held at the restored depot located on Northeast 3rd Street just north of the Fire Station. The Fire Station will be found on the right side of the street when entering Aledo on IL-17 from the east. The model railroad club in Aledo is located at 118 East Main Street about a block north and one and a half block west of the depot. The model railroad club is located upstairs and is therefore not handicapped accessible. The second open layout is Dave Piskorik in Sherrad. See directions to Dave s layout below. Clinics will be presented by Tom Ludlum on use of LED lighting. Mike Shockley will present a review of his activities and pictures of his time spent at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum during a visit to Miami, Florida. Contests for this meet are diesel locomotives and photos of models. A donation of $2.00 per member helps to defray division expenses. DIRECTIONS FROM ALEDO TO DAVE PISKORIK S LAYOUT Dave lives in Sherrard, Illinois, north east of Aledo. Travel east on IL-17 eight miles to US-67 at Viola. Turn left, north, eight miles to Preemption. At Preemption travel east on County Road 2 past the village of Sherrard to 81st Street. Turn right at the BP Station, left at the wye to the second stop sign by the water tower. Turn left, then immediately right, then left again to 441 Highland Drive. See the strip map below showing the route from Preemption to Dave s home. N Layout Depot N Dave s Home 3 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 25 hoppers and 50 boxcars are left. Both cars will be for sale at the division meet, September 13, in Aledo. The cost is $20.00 each. For those who cannot be at the meet, the cars may be ordered 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. DIGITAL TIMETABLE Saving Paper and Expense By far the largest expense to the Illinois Valley Division is the printing and mailing of this newsletter. It now costs about $1.28 per copy for the paper, toner and a stamp for each letter. The articles and editing are done by volunteers. The cost of producing the newsletter costs the IVD more than it s annual income which is derived from contributions at the door of the meets and a fifty cent per member annual reimbursement from the NMRA. Presently a member of the IVD is donating the shortfall in the cost of the newsletter production. This issue of THE TIMETABLE will mail 77 printed copies and will send 20 copies digitally. There is no cost to the division for sending the digital copies. Members are encouraged to sign up to receive their newsletter by as a cost savings for the division. Enclosed in this newsletter is a form which enables members to signup for receiving THE TIMETA- BLE by if they so choose.

4 SPRING VALLEY MAY LAYOUT TOUR John Stopa, Illinois Central HO Scale Marion Brasher, Rock Island, OK Division HO Scott Willoughby, Chicago & North Western HO 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. 4 Additional information can be found at: Prototype Tours Layouts Highball to Indy or nmra.org or on Facebook.

5 5

6 6

7 Upcoming IVD Meetings 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 welcomed to attend Board Meetings. Members do not have a vote, but are welcomed 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. Meet, September 13, Aledo The Depot in Aledo Contest: Diesel Locomotives and Photos of Models Board Meeting, October 3, Pekin Lake Whitehurst Club House Meet, November 8, District 2 McLean Christian Church, McLean Contests: Buildings Off Line and MOW Equipment Board Meeting, December 12, Pekin Lake Whitehurst Club House Meet, January 10, District 5 Location to be Announced Contests: Scenery, any Season and Prototype Photos Board Meeting, February 20, Pekin Lake Whitehurst Club House Meet, March 13, District 1 ReMax Building, Election Meeting Contests: Scratchbuilt, any Category; Kitbashed, any Category UPCOMING EVENTS FOR MODEL RAILROADERS Aledo Model Railroad Open House, Saturday, August 29, 2015, 10 am to 2 pm, 118 East Main, Aledo, IL, upstairs and not handicapped accessible. Free admission. Route 66 Pacific Railfan Center Train Show, Saturday, September 19, 2015, Pacific Eagles Hall, 707 Congress, Pacific, MO, 10 am to 3 pm, Admission $5.00, Kids under 12 free with paid adult. Decatur Train Show, Saturday, Sunday, September 19 & 20, 10 am to 4 pm, at the Decatur Civic Center, Admission: $5.00, children 12 and under free. Green County Model Railroaders 37th Annual Model Train Show-Swap Meet, Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2015, 10 am to 4 pm, The Stateline Ice and Community Expo, th Avenue West, Monroe WI, no admission price listed. Model Train Show, Orthwein Visitors Center, Museum of Transportation, Saturday September 26, 2015, 9 am to 4 pm, 2967 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO. Admission not stated. Model Train Show & Swap Meet, Sunday, October 25, Gov. Small Memorial Park Civic Center, 803 South 8th Avenue, Kankakee, IL, 9:30am to 3pm. Admission $3.00. Peoria Train Fair, November 15, 2015, 10 am to 3 pm, Illinois Central College, Rt. 24 (1 mile east of Rt. 116), East Peoria, IL. Admission $3.00, children under 12 free with an adult. Dubuque Model Railroad Show & Swap Meet, Sunday, November 1, 10am to 4pm, Dubuque County Fairgrounds Ballroom, Old Highway Road, Dubuque, IA, Admission $3.00, children 50 cents with adult. Burlington Model Railroad Open House, Friday- Sunday, November 27-29, Gladstone, IL, 10 am to 4 pm except Sunday, noon to 4pm. Admission free. Donations appreciated. Springfield Train Fair, Sunday, March 13, 2016, 10am to 4pm, Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL, Admission $5.00, 9 am Early Bird Admission, $ Children under 11 free. 7

8 WANDERINGS by Marion Brasher, MMR THE NMRA GAME I have been a member of the NMRA since I joined when a sophomore in college. Why did I join? My memory fails me, but probably it was the thing to do since I was quite interested in model trains. In the first years I paid my dues, but did not participate in NMRA activities. In 1962 I attended my first convention, the Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I entered several photos and won an award. That was awesome. Several people from Central Illinois were there and have become life long friends. My second national convention was in Indianapolis. It was here that the NMRA bug bit me. Hiding in a corner, two ladies (NMRA Railets), Faith Rider and Rosella Nash, found me and introduced me to a number of people. Paul Shimata, a farmer from California, made quite an impression on me abut the NMRA. He was a member of quite a few regions and their divisions. WOW! During the late 1950s, the Signal House in Peoria became a weekly destination. It was there that I became acquainted with the likes of Jim Wise, Bob Bunch, Mel Gifford and a number of other modelers. During the Indianapolis convention Bob Bunch and I discussed the convention put on by the Central Indiana Division. A division was a local group in an area, NMRA members, who got together to enjoy what the hobby of model railroading had to offer. Our Saturday get together at the Signal House brought up the topic of a division in our local area. They railroaded me into finding out what needed to be done. At that time the NMRA put out a directory of all members. We looked at several counties along the Illinois River and sent a questionnaire to the members living in that area. We got positive feed back. An organizational meeting was held in October of 1964 and the Illinois Valley Division of the Midwest Region was formed. Jim Wise, a printer by trade, made cuts of our proposed logo and were on a roll. We had bimonthly meetings as we still do today. As the years passed my involvement in the division and region became more active. At the region conventions a large IVD plaque would be displayed to acknowledge our presence at the event. Serving as the division superintendent led to a term as the Midwest Region president and a seat on the national board of directors. The members of the Midwest Region elected me to the position of director-at-large. In those early years, the board got me going to almost every national convention for 30 years. I missed London because school started that week and the boss frowned on my being absent. Through the years, and as means allowed, I began to attend other region conventions. Over the years Life Membership was attained in the MNRA along with five other regions. Several other regions were joined from time to time. As has been expressed by me many times over the years, to get the most from the NMRA, you must participate. My event was photography and many plaques, ribbons and certificates grace the walls of my basement. I had for many years participated in the NMRA Pass and Detailed Car Exchange program. Most of these individuals I have never met. Others have become friends. From the introvert of 1962 to the old fart of today, I have met many wonderful people and have done things I probably would not have done including a good will trip to Japan in 1969 and attendance to many conventions throughout the United States and Canada. Yes, the NMRA has been good to me. When at an event, why not go up and introduce yourself. Remember, you are only a stranger once. IT HAPPENED ON THE WAY On the way to earning certificates in the Achievement program, it was discovered that quite a number of items needed to be made from scratch. Where does one find scratch? So, I contacted a well known, but not to be named distributer of model railroad supplies, to order scratch. Wouldn t you know, scratch was out of stock with no known date of availability. Oh, the woes of model railroading. DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER 2015 TIMETABLE Articles for the November TIMETABLE need to be submitted by September 28, Railroad and model railroad oriented materials are welcomed. 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)

9 As also printed on page 3 of this newsletter: DIGITAL TIMETABLE REQUEST FORM By far the largest expense to the Illinois Valley Division is the printing and mailing of this newsletter. It now costs about $1.28 per copy for the paper, toner and a stamp for each letter. The articles and editing are done by volunteers. The cost of producing the newsletter costs the IVD more than it s annual income which is derived from contributions at the door of the meets and a fifty cent per member annual reimbursement from the NMRA. Presently a member of the IVD is donating the shortfall in the cost of the newsletter production. This issue of THE TIMETABLE will mail 73 printed copies and will send 20 copies digitally. There is no cost to the division for sending the digital copies. Members are encouraged to sign up to receive their newsletter by as a cost savings for the division. Those who choose to continue to receive the printed copy of the TIMETABLE need to do nothing. This form may be completed and mailed to: Minton Dings, Editor IVD TIMETABLE 1548 SR 78 Havana, Illinois The TIMETABLE is now sent by to all IVD members who have given their addresses to the NMRA. It is delivered through notification by the Illinois Valley Division Website. That address is nmra-ivd.org. Your TIMETABLE will come to your designated address on the first day of its release. Your request to receive the digital copy will allow the division to save the cost of sending a printed copy. (Detach here and mail in an envelope or fold this form, tape both ends and mail) Name (please print) address Signature Check the appropriate lines: Please begin to send my TIMETABLE by e- mail only Please confirm that my address is correct for the IVD database. Date NMRA # (if you remember it) 9

10 Minton Dings, Editor IVD TIMETABLE SR 78 Havana, Illinois

11 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. Help is available to design an ad. Website ads are also available. 11

12 IVD TIMETABLE Minton Dings, Editor State Route 78 Havana, Illinois POSTMASTER: Return Service Requested FIRST CLASS MAIL September 13, 2015 The Illinois Valley Division of the NMRA Presents: MODEL train EVENT The Depot, Northeast 3rd Street (behind Fire Station) Aledo, Illinois DOORS 12:00 1:30 PM $2 Donation Clinics: LED Lighting in Model Railroading and Mike Shockley at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum Layouts on Tour: Aledo Model Railroad Club and Dave Piskorik s Lehigh Valley CONTESTS : (1) Diesel Locomotives and (2) Photos of Models Aledo SWAP TABLES (Closed before the meeting - Sorry, NO DEALERS) 12