THE HotBox THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION, NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION VOL. 54, NO. 3 AUTUMN 2013 RAILFANNING the Layouts of Div 8 NCR-NCC Preview! $3 Part 2- History of Auto cars MoW VANS LAST INFO!! NCR - NORTH CENTRAL CROSSING CONVENTION PLUS- RR History, Timetable, NMRA-NCR-Division News & more!
HotBox Editorial The HotBox AUTUMN 2013 Vol. 54, No. 3 EDITOR Barry Hensel 43642 Lotus Dr Canton, MI 48188 734-649-3056 barry76lt@wowway.com Editorial Advisers Jack Watson Dave McMullian Tim Fisher Proof Readers Marge Hensel Marty LaForte John Beres The HotBox is published quarterly by the North Central Region of the National Model Railroad Association. Publication dates are- SPRING, March 1 SUMMER, June 1 AUTUMN, Sept 1 WINTER, Dec 1 The HotBox is available online atwww.ncr-nmra.org All material, articles and advertising must be submitted to the Editor. All material should be electronic, preferably MicroSoft Word or Powerpoint. Pictures should be in Jpeg format and color. Material can be emailed or sent via US Mail on cd-rom. Materials will not be returned, unless return postage and envelope are included. Material submission deadline is FIVE weeks before publication date. Business ads- 1/2 page $20 per issue or $65 per year full page $30 per issue or $100 per year business card $10 per issue or $35 per year -or- free business card for exchange of websites and/or sales of HotBox Pike ads- $15 small, $30 double and $60 quad for a 3 year period! NCR Division Event ads- FREE To pay for any ad space... send your payment to the Editor. All checks/money orders need to be made out to "The North Central Region, NMRA" Send address corrections to the Registrar- David Simmons 734-662-9807 david@aarailfan.com Feel free to contact the Editor via email, with any comments, questions or corrections. Barry Hensel, Editor HAPPY AUTUMN! Did we have summer? Last year was record heat, as we had many days at or over 100 degrees. This year, it s much cooler, but I m not complaining. I hope your summer has been a great one. With Autumn comes our time, model railroading time! Our hobby is viewed as mostly a fall-winter hobby, since we are doing our hobby indoors 99% of the time. And during those seasons, we are also indoor a lot, due to weather, so they go hand-in-hand. But that s OK... as I really enjoy our time of year and working or operating my model railroad. During the spring-summer months, I often feel guilty for not being more involved with my layout. Thankfully, being in Division 6 and a round-robin group give me my model railroad fix several times a month. I hope you too, have the chance to get that fix in the better weather days of the year. I also hope, you will embrace our time and enjoy our great hobby to the fullest! Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy our hobby, is a convention! The annual NCR Convention NORTH CENTRAL CROSSING is hosted by Division 8 and will be held in Troy, Michigan on November 1-2-3, 2013. Registration is open and the deadline is approaching fast. This is the last issue of convention news and information, then, it s time to attend! Hope to see you there! Well, time to do some model railroading Thanks for reading Barry MODEL RAILROADING IS FUN! HOTBOX CORRECTIONS NCR "OOPS". Always striving to be correct is something we will do with the HotBox. But, we are human and mistakes can/will happen. Please forgive us, these are NOT intentional! Corrections for the June 2013 edition of the HotBox are- a few spelling errors here and there and few grammar issues. Hope you didn t notice. FRONT COVER PICTURES- NC Crossing 2013 logo; C&O Greenbrier Branch Rick Ware HO Scale; Grand Trunk Western's Holly Subdivision South Oakland County Model RR Club HO Scale; RDG MoW Vans; open auto rack internet picture REAR COVER PICTURES- 2013 NCR convention logo- North Central Crossing; Rick & Shirley Breitzman G scale garden RR; interesting prototype scene that can be modeled 2 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
NCR - NORTH CENTRAL REGION BOARD MEMBERS & DIVISION LEADERS President Dave McMullian 419-878-4888 Davemcmullian@earthlink.net Vice-President Scott Kremer 734-420-2314 skremer@wideopenwest.com Secretary Marty LaForte 734-459-5173 lafortes@gmail.com Treasurer Larry Wolohon, MMR 734-454-4816 Larrywolohon@comcast.net Registrar David Simmons 734-662-9807 david@aarailfan.com Directors Glenn Joppich 734-464-6004 steambigot@yahoo.com Skip Luyk 616-363-3453 heluyk@yahoo.com Jack Watson 586-598-7407 jwatson1212@sbcglobal.net Resident Agent Uwe Thormaehlen 586-949-1878 u.thormaehlen@yahoo.com NMRA Vice-President Dave Thornton 248-879-6806 dthorn5552@aol.com NMRA Central Director Peter Magoun MMR 231-941-1669 centdir@hq.nmra.org Model Contests Joel Goldberg, MMR 248-514-3207 joelgoldb@yahoo.com Photo Contests Howard Andrews 734-728-4697 hwandrews@wowway.com Achievement Program Larry Wolohon, MMR Larrywolohon@comcast.net Division One Dave McMullian 419-878-4888 Davemcmullian@earthlink.net Division Three Chuck White 260-760-1666 Railcarman@frontier.com Division Four Mark Baldwin 616-363-1695 baldwinmw@att.net Division Five Andy Keeney 517-316-5660 hunter48820@yahoo.com Division Six Howard Andrews 734-728-4697 hwandrews@wowway.com Division Eight John Jackson 248-642-4825 jdsmjackson@sbcglobal.net Division Ten Don Westcott 810-513-5787 dwwestcott@yahoo.com Dr. Jan Gromada D.O. 810-688-4986 prrn5c@netzero.com RAILROADING "WHAT THE???" NCR HUMOR Here is a SERIOUS "Damm It Blake" moment! No doubt somebody s GONE for this one!! One goal while operating this car, besides being personally safe, is to NOT have the load do, what happened to this huge generator on shiny-new, green 20-axle car KRL #204001 in the Port of Charleston on its first trip! The photo is NOT a posed publicity shot, but IS compelling evidence of the need to pay attention to details...! AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 3
PRESIDENTS OBSERVATION by Dave McMullian These shorter days and cooler nights remind me of some things that are just around the corner: backto-school, football, and the NCR Convention: North Central Crossing. As I look over the schedule and programs that Division 8 has lined up for us on November 1-3 in Troy, I m rarin to go! But I m also reminded of the unexpected benefits that conventions hold. For instance, think about special people you ve met that you would not have encountered were it not for a convention. I met a guy from Traverse City during a clinic at the 2000 regional in Toledo, and we ve been best buds ever since. A year later, on a layout tour at the 2001 St. Louis national, I stumbled upon another very dear friend-to-be from Maine. In fact, I would hardly know ANY of you without conventions! That s the #1 networking activity that draws us together from across the North Central Region. Now I m always on the lookout for new guys that share my interests who cross my convention path. The same is true for a clinic about a subject you never knew anything about, or did not think you had an interest. Or a layout you discover with a plan, concept, or construction technique that s all new to you. Now when I head for a convention, I do some preliminary homework to scope out my agenda, but I also leave myself some flexibility to explore, and I maintain an expectancy that something or someone new is going to come along and enrich my modeling world. And speaking of conventions, here s a heads-up for the 2014 THE DAVE McMULLIAN NCR convention: Maumee Express 2014 in Toledo on April 25-27 next year. Yes, that s right, a SPRING convention. You ll receive full info in your registration package at the Troy convention in November, and there will be lots of coverage in the December Hot Box. For now, just mark your calendars, because the turnaround between regional events will be a short one! We are working hard here in Toledo to put together some new ideas and fresh approaches to activities, so stay tuned. I want to remind you that I appreciate the opportunity to work on your behalf, and I hope I meet you at North Central Crossing. Tell me your ideas, let me know if there are problems, and don t forget to give your board members a little attaboy too! See ya on down the line, Dave McMullian 4 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
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RAILFANNING DIVISION 8 LAYOUTS NCR GOES TRACKSIDE Here are some of the layouts to see at the North Central Crossing NCR Convention from top left then clockwise- Coal & Coke RR Alexander, W. Va. Bill Gawthrop HO Scale CNW Peninsular Division Grain Elevator Dick Hardin HO Scale Pennsylvania Division of the Baltimore & Ohio RR Shifting cars at a Coal Mine Paul Young The North Montana Line Rocky Mtn Elevator, Choteau, MT Dan Lewis N Scale B&M Green River Subdivision Crossing the Viaduct Gale Saxton 6 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
RAILFANNING DIVISION 8 LAYOUTS NCR GOES TRACKSIDE from top left then clockwise- Central Indiana RR Down by the Rock Quarry Ed Black HO Scale Loon Lake Railroad & Navigation Co Moving passengers across the railroad Rick Ware G Scale Eljin Joilet & Eastern RR Looking Down the Tracks John DePauw HO Scale Great Union Northern & Iron Range Ore Docks Jim Revenaugh HO Scale Detroit Union RR Detroit Model RR Club RS-3s in Keatington O Scale AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 7
RAILFANNING DIVISION 8 LAYOUTS NCR GOES TRACKSIDE from top left then clockwise- Michigan Lines Bustling evening around the station Jay Qualman HO Scale C&O Clifton Forge Division Mike Burgett HO scale Union Pacific and Santa Fe Moving produce Phil Maaske HO Scale Cimarron & Santa Fe Freight Passes the Cattle Pens Tim Fisher HO Scale Buffalo Creek & Gauley Engine 8042 at Tipple #4 Brooks Stover S Scale 8 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
MODULES ADDED TO CONTEST JUDGING NCR INFORMATION At this year s Division 8 Convention, we have included the judging of modules. The modules may be a part of the display area and do not have to be located in the model contest room. General guidelines for modular entries are found on the NMRA website, along with the required forms. Paperwork for the modular entries should be submitted no later than Friday evening. The paperwork, when completed, is to be submitted at the contest entry desk. Extra copies for the entry paperwork will be available at this desk. We are looking forward to seeing some great modules at this year s convention. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at joelgoldb@yahoo.com. My cell number is 248-514-3207, where you may always leave a message. Joel Goldberg, MMR, NCR Model Contest Chair Module Contest SECTION 4. Module Contest Rules Definition Competitive Event for modules: all entries shall be judged by a team of experienced judges using a point scoring system. There are no written judging guidelines at this time; however, the judge's score sheet provides the factors and the corresponding maximum point scores (see National Contest Judging Guidelines). Module Definition A small layout which includes supplemental scenery and track work which is designed to attach to and operate with other similar modules. Scale All scales shall be combined in each of the two categories. Categories Each entry is placed in a single category as follows: Module Individual A module entry built by an individual person Module Group A module built by a group of people Schedule Modules will be available for judging at the convention. They may be a part of a general display or, if possible, in a private area. Filled out forms shall be assembled with the Entry form (#901) on top and attached to the front of the Module being entered, no later than Friday evening of the convention weekend. Judging starts on Saturday. You need not be present at the time. The awards ceremony will be held at the convention banquet. Awards Place Awards Plaques shall be awarded for first, second and third places in each category based on point scores. Honorable Mention certificates shall be awarded to all models which do not receive a place award but attain a score of 87.5 points or greater. Best of Show Award Shall be awarded to the module (individual or group) receiving the highest point score. After selection, the winning module shall be removed from its individual category and the first, second and third place awards reassigned to the remaining modules in that category based on point score. Forms Contest Entry Form (#901) http://nmra.org/convention/contests/forms/nmra_contest_entry_form.pdf Module Contest Score Sheet (#903) http://nmra.org/convention/contests/forms/nmra_module_contest_judges_score_sheet.pdf AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 9
HotBox NEWS "BETWEEN THE RAILS" NCR INFORMATION Here is where your news items, rumors, and gossip of just about anything in the Model Railroading hobby can be reported. Whatever it is, send it to us and we'll let everyone else know! BTR#1- More good video links in our email box since the last issue. Check these out- Here s a guy that is REALLY excited about seeing a certain train - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rhyxnwvcl6a&desktop_uri=%2fwatch%3fv%3drhyxnwvcl6a From what I was told by the FROG at the GR train show last year, this is the last Frog Gulash tape. Train Town Toronto Railroad Video, by Green Frog... $14.98 go to www.greenfrog.com Order dvd #20272 Emery Gulash was a Michigan local that filmed many area railroads that have been turned into DVD s! Making of the Norfolk Southern commercial: This is a really neat video on how they made this particular video. this link that describes how the new Norfolk & Southern RR commercial "What's Your Function" was made... http://scenios.com/v/7f10adb89e16a145 Forwarded by Bro Schlick...This is really cool. Video of the new Sperry Rail Truck by Custom Finishing. The truck is not powered when purchased. This video is of a modified truck made to run with some Atlas parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=asyrolbesn0 Was looking up some modeling techniques on line and stumbled across this fellows website. He makes buildings from foam board and his work is astonishing. Thought you might enjoy seeing his work. http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/nouaillier_a.htm Lastly... Check out this Washington State lotto commercial - www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hzmfhr3ob4 BTR#2-12th Michigan Railroad History Conference to be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013, at the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Bay City, MI. Check for conference updates on www.michiganrailroadhistory.org or the Michigan Railroad Calendar at www.michiganrailroads.com, a major source for contemporary and historic railroad information. For questions, contact the MRHC Chairperson, Mark Worrall, at markxworrall@hotmail.com (preferred) or at 616-881-1375. BTR#3- The 2014 NMRA National convention will be in Cleveland. They are looking for clinic presenters. If you are interested in presenting a clinic, please email or call Dave Neff 440-488-3941 theneffers@sbcglobal.net DISCLAIMER!!- While we will try to verify most stories, the HotBox, HotBox Editor, NCR Board of Directors, its agents and representatives will not/can not be held responsible for mis-information presented in this column! 10 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
NCR TIMETABLE NCR DIVISION meetings NCR INFORMATION Division One (Toledo and northern Ohio) Meets at Collingwood Presbyterian Church, 2108 Collingwood Blvd. at Floyd Street, near downtown Toledo. Division One is a 100% NMRA membership organization. www.divisiononencr.com Division Three (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio) We're back to having monthly meetings, on the Second Monday at 7PM. Our location is the restored former Pennsylvania RR Station on Baker Street in downtown Fort Wayne. Exceptions to this schedule will be September, November and March. Any updates/changes can be found on our website: http://div3.ncr-nmra.org Division Four (Grand Rapids and western Michigan) Meets quarterly with other special events thrown in. For additional information contact Mark Baldwin at 616-363-1695 or baldwinmw@att.net Division Five (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan) Meets at 1pm, on the SECOND Saturday of each month in the basement of the Capital Area District Library, at the corner of South Capital and Kalamazoo Streets, Lansing. Meetings postponed until September. www.div5.ncr-nmra.org Division Six (Wayne & Washtenaw Counties, Michigan) Meets at 7:30pm, on the THIRD Friday of each month at the Livonia Senior Center, 15218 Farmington Road, one mile north of the I-96 Jefferies Freeway, Livonia. Division 6 meets year-round. www.div6-ncr-nmra.com Division Eight (Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair Counties) Meets at 7:00pm, on the THIRD Thursday of each month at Troy Christian Chapel, 400 East Long Lake Road, between Rochester and Livernois Roads, Troy. Division 8 meets year-round. www.div8.ncr-nmra.org Division Ten (Flint and Saginaw area) Meets on the SECOND Wednesday of the month, at the home of member Nick Racheff, 9170 Hidden Oaks Dr. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 at 7pm. He can be contacted at 810 695-2677, nick.b.racheff@comcast.net. www.ncr_division10.tripod.com For more information please contact Don W. Westcott at dwwestcott@yahoo.com or 810-513-5787 or Jan Gromada at 810-688-4986 (hm) or 810-245-9011 (wk) OTHER GROUPS meeting in the NCR AREA There are over 60 different model and proto-type groups within the Michigan area of NCR. They can be found at www.michiganrailroads.com NMRA-NCR ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM NCR AWARDS The talented members of the NCR just keep showing their talents by their being awarded more NMRA Certificates. Congratulations to our NCR award winners!! Golden Spike Awards Tim Verburg (Div. 4) AP QUESTIONS: If you have questions about the AP program or requirements, start with your local or Region AP manager, Larry Wolohon MMR. If you still have questions, contact Frank Koch at fjkoch@hotmail.com or write Frank at 4769 Silverwood Drive, Batavia, OH 45103. AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 11
NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION Division One (Toledo, Ohio area) Division One will resume our monthly meetings on September 27 and continue through May 2014, when we will break for the summer. Our monthly meetings usually consist of a business meeting, a show and tell segment, 2 minute clinics, a Tips and Tricks segment, and a program. Programs last for 45 minutes to an hour and may be presentation, hands-on, or demonstration. The May meeting is a family outing and this year s outing was to the Steam Institute in Owosso and the restored depot in Durand. Officers and board members are elected to two-year terms in April of odd years. New officers took office at the end of May and will serve two year terms. New officers for 2013 2015 are: Dave McMullian Superintendent; Jim Lang Assistant Superintendent; John Roth Chief Clerk; Phil Kauffman Agent; Steve Kellogg Trainmaster for services; Scott Davidson Director at Large; Fred Lux Immediate Past Superintendent (non-elected position) Since Dave McMullian is already serving on the NCR board as president, he cannot also serve and Division Representative. The Division One board of directors will fill the position of NCR board representative to serve in place of Dave. All in all, Division One has had a very good and fun year. We have had several NMRA members become active in Division for the first time and have attracted a few members from our web site who have since gone on to join NMRA in order to be a part of Division. We are actively preparing to host the 2014 North Central Regional convention, called Maumee Express 2014, on April 25-27. Our meeting schedule and directions can be found on our web site at www.divisiononencr.com along with some other interesting links. (submitted by- Dave McMullian, Superintendent NMRA NCR Div 1) Division Three (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio area) Our monthly meetings are back! We have a new/permanent location. Thanks to the Martin-Riley Architect & Engineering firm, not only has the Pennsy's former Fort Wayne Baker Street Station been saved from demolition, but it has been restored with loving attention to detail. We just held our second meeting there. This meeting included a behind the scenes tour of the facility. We won't be there next month (September), as it is time for our annual picnic, on Sunday September 8th, an event that dates back over 15 years. Our host is Alan Toy, at his farm in Ossian, from 1PM to 5PM. We'll be back at Baker St. on October 14th. Our new website, http://div3.ncr-nmra.org/, continues to grow and develop. The home page includes a listing of current events, including our Third Friday Round Robin Op Sessions. Our division, also hosts no less than 7 other regularly scheduled Op Sessions. We've started working on the 2015 NCR convention. Our hotel has been finalized and contracted. It will be the same facility we used in 2001 & 2009. However, it is no longer part of the Marriott franchise. It is now known as Hotel Fort Wayne. Other than the name, little has changed. We've negotiated a room rate identical to 2009's! We're thinking of making this a "Tours" convention with up to potentially 10 different Business/Industrial locations to be visited. Look for several new places, in addition to the popular ones we visited in '01 & '09. Of course we'll also have a fine compliment of clinics, op sessions, home layout tours, etc., as we had in 2009 & 2001. Planning meetings are typically on the first Friday of each month, at 6PM, at the Hotel FW. Our next one is September 6th. Our newsletter, "The Dispatcher," is on hiatus. With the passing of our good friend, Dick Moessner, we are lacking someone to be our editor/publisher. Dick's contributions to, and efforts on the behalf of, our division are sorely missed. (submitted by- Chuck White, Superintendent NMRA NCR Div 3) Division Five (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan area) Division 5 has elected new officers for the 2013-2015 term. Newly elected are Superintendent Andy Keeney and Ass't. Superintendent Mark Frechette. Reelected are Paymaster Alan Godfrey and Clerk/Newsletter Editor Mark Cowles. The June meeting consisted of our second Annual Christmas in summermeeting with members bringing model railroad supplies and railroadania to sell and swap. The July meeting consisted of a hands on airbrushing workshop led by scenery guru John Bussard. The executive committee met in June and is in the process of setting up another year of clinics, layout tours and opportunities for modelers to show off their latest model railroad projects and acquisitions. The Division continues to publish an email newsletter. If you'd like to see a copy, or be put on the mailing list, contact the Div. 5 clerk at nkpcowles@yahoo.com to be put on the list. For more information, please see the Division 5 website: div5.ncr-nmra.org (submitted by- Mark Cowles, Div. 5 Clerk) 12 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION Division Four (Grand Rapids and west Michigan area) No new news from Division 4 for this issue. (submitted by- Mark Baldwin, Superintendent) Division Six (Wayne & Washtenaw County, Detroit area) Division 6 has adopted an idea from Division 8 (hope they don t mind...) and we are doing quarterly modeling contests. The awards... only bragging rights! Voting is done by popular votes of the meeting attendees. The first contest structures was a tie with Jim Tilley and Barry Hensel. Our next contest is this month (September) and will be a square foot display! Our BIG event will soon be here the annual FALL SHOW & WORKSHOP! This is a how to do model railroad show with raffles, model contests and tons of information for the beginner and experienced modeler alike! This years show is Sunday, December 1 st from 11am-4pm. Division 6 continues to have great clinics, layout tours most months and a great and fun time at each meeting. (submitted by Barry Hensel, Newsletter Editor) Division Eight (Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair Counties) Division 8 has continued to meet on the Third Thursday of every month. We have enjoyed a variety of clinics and presentations over the past few months, ranging from: How I am Building my Layout by Bill Moore. Bill discussed his philosophy and techniques for building his current HO scale New England themed layout in Imlay City. Best of San Diego by Rad Jones and Dan Lewis. This clinic featured photos from the best indoor and outdoor layouts in the San Diego area. Modeling the Early 1900 s by Ed Black. Ed gave an overview in video and narrative of his HO scale Central Indiana Railroad. Ed has created a number of scenes featuring his many scratchbuilt structures and unique rolling-hills landscape a la 1900ish. Rad Jones was presented with his achievement award certificate for Model Railroad Author. John Jackson received his achievement award certificate for Association Volunteer. Congratulations to Rad and John. Division 8 has continued our Model of the Quarter contest with good participation. Our most recent winners (Second Quarter 2013) tied for first place. They are Marv Linke and Bill Gawthrop for their modules featuring water. (submitted by, Bill Gawthrop, Secretary) Division Ten (Flint and Saginaw area) Division 10 was semi dormant this summer. We did have a layout tour to Bruce Ernatt s Layout in July but we haven t had a regular meeting. Several of our Division that are also involved in the Mid-Michigan Railway Historical Society were involved with the Railfans Weekend at the Huckleberry Railroad in Flint the first weekend in August. There was a good mix of model railroads (N, Hon3, Ho, S, O27 and garden live steam to go along with the Hucks rare K-27 Rio Grande Mudhen running excursions out through the Genesee Rec Area. Division 10 sponsored a table with NMRA info among the historical groups that were displaying their organizations. I met several NMRA members at the event that indicated they saw the event announced in the Hotbox. It was a fun weekend of model railroading and railfanning all in one. Our regular meeting schedule will start up again in September with a meeting each month on the second Wednesday and a layout tour each month. Tours for the fall will be announced by early September. Our board believes strongly that the divisions in the NMRA are the focal point for meeting the needs of the members. We look to the region and national organization for support in meeting these needs. Division 10 Meetings are on the 2 nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm. Call 810-513-5787 (cell) to verify meeting date, time and location of meeting or directions to the meeting location. (submitted by Don Westcott and Jan Gromada, Co-Superintendents) Division?? (Kalamazoo-Battle Creek area) Our new proposed division includes 6 counties. They held an organizing meeting in August to discuss and vote on by-laws and elect officers. They will submit their rules to the NCR board for approval to make sure nothing conflicts with regional or national rules. Once that is done, the NCR will officially charter them. We hope this process can be completed in time for them to be represented at the Fall board meeting. AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 13
National Model Railroad Association North Central Region 2013 Convention NOVEMBER 1-3, 2013 TROY COMMUNITY CENTER Troy, Michigan Clinics Operating Sessions Model & Photo Contests Layout Tours Silent Auction For more information go to - www.ncr2013.ncr-nmra.org Sponsored by Division 8 Members in Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair Counties, Michigan 14 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
NORTH CENTRAL CROSSING - update NCR CONVENTION Greetings from the NCR Crossings 2013 Convention Committee!! Our 2013 convention - NCR Crossings 2013, is getting closer!! Registration is open with the registration form here in this issue of the HOTBOX as well as on our website www.ncr2013.ncr-nmra.org. The convention will be at the Troy Community Center in Troy, Michigan The center is a state of the art facility, with plenty of room for our presentation type clinics as well as our make and take ones, with additional space for our display layouts, contest room and our first Silent Auction. With our own silent auction, you need to bring those extra goodies that you have been meaning to move on, to the convention. We all know one man s extras is another s good stuff. As our time of departure draws ever nearer, we are making great strides in our preparations. Our committee met last on Thursday, April 18 th. Our subcommittees are making great progress toward meeting our goal of an unforgettable NCR convention. Layout Tours: At last count we had 14 layouts already confirmed for Layout Tours with more awaiting confirmation and scheduling. Layout tours will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the convention weekend. Ops Sessions: Layouts are now confirmed for the entire week prior to and during the convention with over 250 ops sessions slots to be available. Clinics: At this point we are in the process of filling approximately 18 clinic spots per day with make & takes, regular presentation style and demonstration type clinics. Silent Auction: Our Silent Auction committee is busy getting their process together. Marketing and Sales: Our marketing guru has produced a DVD and PowerPoint presentation for clubs and anyone else; advertising sales are also well underway as well as prizes and giveaway materials are coming in Facility: The facility is top notch and eagerly awaiting our arrival. The breakfast is contracted for and seeing action from the registrations. Display Layouts: We have commitments for 8 display layouts ranging from Z to O scales and everything in between. And yes we have traction for all you Trolley geeks. Gratiot Valley Train Show: We have also coordinated with the Gratiot Valley folks to get the best of both the convention and the show for our registrants. Website/Social media Presence: Both our website and our Facebook page are up and running and getting looks and friends. Contests: Joel Goldberg and Howard Andrews are getting their judges ready for a room full of great contest models and photos So all in all we are on track for the convention in November!!! We hope that you will all be there!!!!! www.ncr2013.ncr-nmra.org AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 15
National Model Railroad Association North Central Region 2013 Convention Troy Community Center 3179 Livernois Road Troy, Michigan 48083 http://www.ncr2013.ncr-nmra.org/ Registration Form Primary Registrant s Name (MMR # ) 1 st Convention Y/N Name on Badge Email Contact Phone # Family Members Attending Street Address City, State, Zip Code NMRA Region Division NMRA ID No. Registration Price Quantity Total Early Bird NMRA Member (Before Sept. 1) $60.00 Early Bird Non-NMRA Member (Before Sept. 1)* $70.00 NMRA Member (On or After Sept. 1) $65.00 Non-NMRA Member (On or After Sept. 1)* $75.00 Family member under 18 (half price) $30.00 Single-day Admission $35.00 *Includes NMRA Rail Pass Registration Subtotal Extra Fare Activities Size Quantity Price Total Sunday Continental Breakfast $10.00/ person Polo Shirt, Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL $35.00 (XL & XXL $40) Sweat Shirt, Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL $35.00 (XL & XXL $40) Make-and-take #1 Fran and Miles Hale $10.00 Make-and-take #2 Fran and Miles Hale $10.00 Extra Fare Subtotal Total (Registration + Extra Fare) Make check, money order payable to: Send completed form and payment by Oct 15, 2013 to: Division 8, NCR, NMRA, 2013 Convention NCR2013 Registration ATTN: Bill Moore 6160 Ewalt Road Imlay City, MI 48444 See website for refund policy [Registration Form 130203 16 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
READING RR MoW VANS by Barry Hensel NCR HOW-TO-DO A posting on the web-forum Reading Modeler.com about MoW vehicles showed pictures of Ford vans that the Reading RR used. These seemed to be an easy project and would add a proto-type item to my layout. I m in!! Plus, I had a package of Ford vans, Magnuson Models from Walthers, perfect for this project. I printed off the pictures posted for reference and a close-up picture of the sign that was on the side of these vehicles. After a coat of white spray paint primer, this project sat for close to a month. Once I got back at it, finishing the vans was fairly simple and quick. I painted the models with acrylic craft paint in blue and yellow, like the pictures. One van was a panel, but the models were both window vans, so I had to putty the windows to make a panel van out of one of the models. While the putty dried, I took a black Sharpie pen and started coloring the tires. Then painted the light details, grilles and used a silver Sharpie pen for the door handles and wipers. I took the door sign picture and simply reduced in on the computer and printed off 4 copies. I had tried decal paper but it did not work on my ink-jet printer, so I printed them on regular paper. I glued the signs on to the vans with Elmers glue. For the windows, I used a regular pencil to color them. I did end up doing the track wheels and the beacon and horn on the yellow van. For the beacon, I used a Bachman signal yellow lens and used a silver Sharpie to color the base. The horn is from an Athearn semi truck kit. The front wheels are from a diecast utility truck and I had to cut them down a bit to fit properly. The rear wheels are from a semi trailer support wheels, cut and fit to look as best as possible. Looking at the picture of the window van, it s rear wheelbase was altered to fit on track. While the real wheelbase is very close to HO scale track, I decided to move the rear tires in-board to get more of what the picture showed. Using a 5/16 drill, I drilled into the van to deepen the wheel wells. Not too bad of a job and now my maintenance crews can get around in style! AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 17
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PROTOTYPE PAGE NCR PROTOTYPE UP 1982 on Point of NS #264, Taylor, MI. 02/09/2011 CSXT Q132 n/b at Carleton, MI with KCSdeMexico units Aug 2010 For this issue of the HotBox, here s a look at some foreign power that made it s way into our Region. Pictures are from various people and received via email. We hope you enjoy a look at other railroads! Canadian National units in Jackson, Michigan, in 1976, when Conrail was power short and CN was willing to assist! CSX/Union Pacific running through Romulus in 2013 AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 19
ON THE B&O LOST DIVISION NCR FEATURE Chloe s Popcorn By Bob Hanna My 12 year old granddaughter, Chloe, has played trains at grandpa s house for years. Found many HO cars placed into gondolas or any open top car, where she had taken them for a ride on the train. Last month she noticed that I named the towns and many industries for people I know and that there wasn t anything with her name on it. A grave oversight on my part! She asked if we could build something with her name on it and put it on the layout. That sounded great to me! So we dug around in the storage room, an old coal bin in the basement with cobwebs and dead bugs, (which I was surprised that she stayed in there and kept looking). We found a small kit of grain silos that I had not put together yet. It could fit by the existing elevator in the town of Van Doren. As it was late, we made a date to start working on it the next time she came over. After she left, I read through the instructions and laid out the parts on the table. Next time Chloe came back we started in on it. I showed her how to cut the pieces off of the sprue with flush cutters and what glue to use for the plastic kit, clamping the pieces together with clothes pins to make each round course of the silo. She assembled each course for the silos, stacked and glued them together and glued the top onto each silo. Then the elevator frame was assembled with little guidance from grandpa. We mounted the silos and elevator on to a piece of foam board. But by then it was time for the glue to dry and for her to go home. Grandpa assembled and applied the tedious ladder cages and platforms later. As Chloe loves popcorn and her favorite color is purple, decided that these should be popcorn silos! Made up a sign on the computer with a purple background and applied it to the silos and added them to the layout. Oversight corrected. I believe I have some time before Lily, Chloe s 2 year old sister, needs something with her name on grandpa s layout, although she already toddles to the basement door and says choo choo. YOUR article could be appearing RIGHT HERE!! Please consider writing an article for a future issue of the HotBox!! Fame, Fortune (not really) and points toward your MMR await you when you write a HotBox article! YOU should join and attend your local NMRA NCR Division meetings and activities! Get the most out of our hobby participate often!! 20 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY HISTORY OF THE RR AUTOMOBILE CAR Part two- By 1916, the old idea of taking a train to the factory to pick up a new car was obsolete. By this time you went to an automobile dealership to purchase a new car. If your town was so small that there was no auto dealership, surely a bigger town nearby had a dealership. If a dealership was located close to the manufacturer, the new cars could be driven over to the dealer, but most cars were now shipped by railroad. Once the manufacturing of automobiles reached the point where many cars were produced in a single day, it became necessary to ship them out every day. Since there was no real precedent for shipping automobiles every day of the year both the car manufacturer's and the railroads felt that the new autos should be shipped in box cars to protect them from the weather. In the days when freight cars were largely made out of wood, the standard freight car was 40' 6" inside dimension, with a door opening of 6'. Since the automobiles of that era were not as big as some of the later day cars, it was possible to get at least two automobiles into a box car. I mentioned earlier about some new steel plants that sprang to life in 1900 at Gary, Indiana. Once these plants got into full production, building codes and specifications changed, because steel was stronger. Skyscrapers began to appear because a steel frame could support a lot more weight than iron. By 1910 the Pullman Company was only building its passenger cars out of steel. At the same time all freight cars coming out of the car builders factories were becoming all steel construction. Since steel equipment is heavier than wood rolling stock, bigger steam locomotives, rail and bridges were required. The railroad era of big equipment was coming of age. Since freight cars are manufactured to more rigid standards than automobiles and are not built with a power source" in the same car as an automobile, it is very common for a freight car to last 35 years or more. By 1940, when I completed High School, I was already suffering from a malady known as scale model railroading. But now I was looking at freight trains as they passed, through different eyes. I remember noticing that perhaps half of the freight cars were still primarily of wooden construction, with Arch Bar trucks and the manual brake wheel sticking up above the roof of the freight car. The steel cars would have newer style trucks and the manual brake wheel was now at the end of the car and located just below the roof line. Since automobiles were continuing to grow in size, the box car was no longer used to transport automobiles. In the meantime a modified box car, known as the automobile car had appeared on the scene. The new automobile car had two doors on each side instead of one and the opening was 15' wide. The automobile car also had one end of the car that opened (the end of the car that did not contain the manual brake wheel). The automobile cars were now manufactured in 40' 6" inside length and 50' 6" and 60' 6" sizes. Not many of the 50' and 60' cars were manufactured before World War II brought automobile and freight car production to a screeching halt. When automobile production resumed in 1946, 40' automobile cars were no longer produced, 50 and 60' cars were now in demand, but the United States had changed its opinion of the automobile. Basically prior to World War II, there was only one car per family and it was used strictly for pleasure. We had a car from 1936 to 1942, when my dad sold it when gas rationing began. During the years that we had the car. My dad never used it for work, my mother never used it for shopping and I never used it for school and because it was considered a delicate machine, my dad always kept it in a rented garage. After the War ended, the family car became a necessity and public transportation began to disappear from the city streets. People moved to the suburbs and the men found it necessary to drive to work and the housewives found a car necessary for shopping and convenient for taking the kids to and from school. By the end of the 1950 s, expressways were in place in most states and suddenly the 'trucking industry was taking over the delivery of automobiles. The railroads first response was an 80' automobile car, but that was short lived. (continued on next page) AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 21
RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY A closed automobile car was to cumbersome to load. If the trucking industry could haul automobiles in a vehicle where the cars were exposed to the weather why couldn't the railroads. The railroads responded with a tri-level open aired automobile car. Paint, acid, rocks or metal debris when dumped from an overhead bridge onto a tri-level auto train passing underneath causes tremendous damage to the automobiles. This sabotage lasted for many months until the arrest and conviction of certain guilty parties stopped the sabotage. In the mean time a new style tri-level automobile car was designed that used a perforated thin metal covering to protect the loaded autos. While this was the solution to regaining some lost business, it required several expensive changes. New style loading and unloading ramps were required. A loaded tri-level automobile car requires more clearance room at tunnels and bridges. Each railroad had to decide for itself whether or not the expense of the changes were worth the additional revenue. Most railroads elected to make the required changes. When the initial tri-level automobile cars were put into use, a new problem arose -sabotage. The trucking industry did not want to lose the automobile business back to the railroads. At the moment the railroads are still holding the edge over the trucking industry when it comes to transporting automobiles, but the future for railroads does not look optimistic. Don Watson April 23, 1989 * When equipped with an Evans loader, 4 cars could be loaded into a 40' 6" automobile car. Division 6 member Don Watson, gave these lessons nearly every month and they always entertained and informed. After Don s passing at the age of 90, his family presented them to Div. 6 and the NCR. PROTOTYPE PAGE EXTRA NCR PROTOTYPE There is a prototype for everything. So when you mark your model railroad tracks, know that the big guys do it too. 22 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
HOBBY SHOP & BUSINESS CORNER OTHER HOBBY SHOPS in the NCR First Place Hobbies, Bluffton, IN Phil's Hobby Shop, Fort Wayne, IN The Gladieux Train Depot, Oregon, OH Jackie s Trains & Gifts, Erie, MI Whistle Stop Hobby, St Clair Shores, MI Rider s Hobby, Grand Rapids & Flint, MI Please visit your local hobby shop! AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 23
NCR TIMETABLE EVENTS! NCR AREA EVENTS Wednesday, September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4, 2013 - MICHIGAN RAILROAD CLUB Meetings are held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Mich. 48126. Meeting starts at 7pm with program starting around 7:30pm September- Mark Cowles, slide program. October- MRC Member Tom Dworman with movies on GTW steam taken by the late Ken Utter. November- Open projector nite. This is where YOU bring something to show the rest of the Club members. We have a slide projector and an overhead projector. December- Gary Sample will present a Christmas program. This will be dual projector slide program. Contact- Kenneth Borg 3512 Merrick, Dearborn, MI 48124-3849 Sunday, September 22 and December 29, 2013 - Monroe Train Show MBT Expo Center 3775 Custer Rd. (M-50) Monroe, MI 48161 Early Admission 9:30am-4pm $10 Regular Admission 11am - 4pm $6 Children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. While not the biggest in Michigan, this is a high quality show featuring some of the best vendors around. We have over 200 sales tables, operating layouts as well as a play area for young children featuring "Riding Thomas" and many other toys. A great family show fun for young and old alike. Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information- Alan Mitchell Friend of Model Railroader (FOMRR) PO Box 1259 Adrian, MI 49221 Ph. 517-264-5707 e-mail Trainshow@modelrailstuff.com Sunday, Sept 29, 2013 - St. Sebastian Church presents Ford Model Railroad Club Train Show and Sale St. Sebastian School Gym 3850 Merrick Dearborn Heights, MI 48125 11am 4pm $3 per person or $6 per family Ford Model Railroad Club will have on display their HO & O gauge layout. Vendors will have items for sale. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information- John Sanchez 313-268-8598 or email at sanchezart@aol.com Sunday, October 6, 2013 - Ole Toy & Train Show St. Robert Bellarmine School Gym 27201 West Chicago Rd Redford, MI 48239 11 AM-3:30 PM $3 per person, $6 per family Food & Drink available Contact Information- Brain Klotzer 313-255-0466 7 PM-9 PM Sunday, October 6, 2013 - Holland Train Show Holland Civic Center 150 West 8th Street, Holland Michigan 49423 10am-3pm Entry Fare: $ 5 each, under 12, free w/ Adult Come learn more about Model Railroading. The hobby that the whole family can enjoy. Scales Z-G; Operating Layouts; BUY/SELL/TRADE; New and Used Merchandise; Learn about: Scenery/Track/DCC/ More, What scale is right for me? Where do I start? FOOD (Concessions) Contact Information- Paul Steketee at 616-204-0618 email: HollandTrainShow@Gmail.com www.grmrhs.org Sunday, October 13, November 10, December 15, 2013 - TTOS Wolverine Train Club Show United Food & Commercial Workers Hall 876 Horce Brown Drive Madison Heights, MI 48071 10 AM-2 PM $3 per person Food service provided by The Madison Heights Lions Club Contact Information- Bob Burgee 586-662-0225 Sunday October 20, 2013 2nd Annual Model Train Show and Swap Meet Lorain Party Center 2501 Leavitt Rd (OH Rt. 58) Lorain, OH 44052 10 AM 3 PM Ages 10 and over - $4 Model Trains-All Scales, Model Railroad Supplies, Railroad Historical Items, Free Parking, Operating Layouts and Displays, Lunch available, Thomas Items Wheelchair Accessible Contact Info - N&W RR PO Box 938 Norwalk, OH 44857 419-706-8038 Website - http://norwalkandwesternrr.com 24 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
NCR TIMETABLE EVENTS! NCR AREA EVENTS Saturday, October 26, 2013 - Maumee Valley Railroad Club Model Railroad Show & Swap Coliseum Bingo 911 W. Washington Center Road Fort Wayne, IN 46825 9:00am to 2:00pm $4 Adults, $6 Families, ages 12 and under free Attractions will include train layout, vendors, on site concession stand, free parking, historical and other organizations represented. Contact Information- Maumee Valley Railroad Club, Inc. P.O. Box 314 Harlan, IN 46743-0314 Richard Insley 260-482-2203 email- mvrrc.ri@gmail.com Website- http://maumeevalleyrailroad.com Sunday, October 27, 2013 - Trainorama 2013 Presented by the Redford Model Railroad Club Costick Community Center 28600 11 Mile Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 10am-4pm $5 per person, children under 12 free with paid adult Operating layouts, railfan films, model railroad and rail memorabilia show and sale. Contact Information- Pierre Willermet c/o Redford Model RR Club PO Box 40225 Redford, MI 48240 email- Pierre@hbc-benefitsandeducation.com or call 734-953-2546 Friday-Sunday Nov 1-3, 2013 NORTH CENTRAL CROSSING NCR convention Presented by Division 8, NMRA-NCR Troy Community Center 3179 Livernois Road Troy, Michigan 48083 http://www.ncr2013.ncr-nmra.org/ Saturday-Sunday Nov 2-3, 2013 Gratiot Valley 2-Day Train Show & Sale Presented by Macomb Gratiot Valley Model Engineers, Inc. Gibraltar Trade Center North 237 N. River Road Mount Clemens, MI 48083 Saturday- Noon - 5 PM and Sunday- 10 AM - 4 PM Admission $6 Children 12 & under FREE when accompanied by an adult admission. Discount Coupon at www.gvrr.org Admission Good for both Saturday and Sunday One of Michigan s largest model railroad hobby events a two day expo! Over 400 Dealer Tables; Door Prizes; Lots of Operating Layouts; Free Kids Train Set Raffle; Free 'How-To' Modeling Clinics Wheelchair Accessible Contact Info - Discount Coupon, Show Flyer, Dealer Information Package And Table Application Available On Our Website, or call 586-468-4877. Website - http://www.gvrr.org Saturday-Sunday, November 9-10, Thanksgiving weekend Nov 29-30; December 1, 7-8, 14-15 2013 Detroit Model Railroad Club Open House 104 North Saginaw St. Holly, MI 48442 Noon - 5PM Adults - $4, Seniors (65+) - $3, Children (5-18) - $2, Children under 5 Free See several O scale trains in operation, over a 350 foot double track mainline and several branch lines. Contact Info: 248-634-5811 webmaster@dmrrc.org Sunday- December 1, 2013 35th annual Division 6 Fall Model Train Show & Workshop Livonia Senior Center Five Mile Rd and Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 11AM 4 PM $4 per person over 17 years old, under 17 FREE THIS IS NOT A SWAP MEET SEE demonstrations on all aspects of model railroading!! Power systems, scenery, kit building, railroad history, operating layouts, Boy Scouts Merit Badge program, food-refreshments available; raffles every 45 minutes, model contest! Come and get your model railroading questions answered, wheelchair accessible Website- www.div6-ncr-nmra.com Sunday, December 1, 2013 - Railroadiana Toys & Trains SS. Simon & Jude Church Hall 32500 Palmer Road Westland, MI 48186 Noon-4 PM $2 per person, $4 per family, Early Bird $15 per person after 11 AM Food & Drink available Contact Information- Norm Swope 734/595-8327 Noon till 10 PM NOTE- Events listed have been compiled from listings on www.trains.com, website for Model Railroader magazine. If you have an event you want listed, it s FREE, but information must be submitted to the Editor at least 45 days in advance of our publication dates! AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 25
NCR HotBox PIKE ADS The NoWhere Line working to be NearSomeplace Operations on 4th Thursday except Nov. and Dec. http://div3.ncr-nmra.org/layouts /nowhere-line Gary W. Evans, Fort Wayne, IN YOUR Pike Ad could here HERE!!! Contact the Editor for details!! 26 the HotBox AUTUMN 2013
NCR HotBox PIKE ADS AUTUMN 2013 the HotBox 27
Permit Holder: National Model Railroad Association The North Central Region, c/o Uwe Thormaehlen 48266 Pheasant St. New Baltimore, MI 48047 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID LIVONIA, MI Permit No. 1230 in the next issue of THE HotBox MORE LAYOUT PHOTOS MORE HOW-TO-DO ARTICLES MORE INFORMATION 2013 NCR... stay tuned! Post Convention News OUTDOOR LAYOUTS TO ENJOY! Interesting Prototype Scene 2014 NCR Spring Convention News