RED MARKERS Newsletter of the Central New York Division of the Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association, Inc. SERVING MODEL RAILROADERS IN AND AROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE NEXT MEETING... ED O ROURKE Sunday May 18, 2014; 2 PM to 4 PM An EP-2 lead eastbound passenger train and an FA/B-1 on the head of a Maybrook bound freight meet in the cut west of the passenger station. The station area has some scenery in place, including overhead wires from Model Memories. Eventually the catenary will extend through the station area. At this Meeting and in this Issue... This month we get our first look at Ed O Rourke s new HO Scale layout inspired by the New Haven. 1) DIVISION BUSINESS: Superintendent Messenger will report on division business 2) CLINIC: Bill Brown will give a clinic titled "Foreground Trees for All Seasons". This clinic will feature methods of creating highly detailed deciduous trees, economically from common materials. 3) RAFFLE: Don t forget your quality donations for the raffle and your wallet to get your raffle tickets. Also, a free raffle ticket to each member wearing their name badge.! PAGE 1
The Brass Hats Central New York Division - ELECTED - Superintendent Bernard Messenger 9388 Paris Hill Rd. Sauquoit, NY 13456 (315) 737-7437 bernardmessenger@gmail.com Asst. Superintendent Ken Cameron 8462 Poolsbrook Road Kirkville, NY 13082 (315) 687-3697 kcameron@twcny.rr.com Chief Clerk Ed O Rourke 36 Nursery Lane Syracuse, NY 13210 315-425-9224 eorourke@twcny.rr.com Paymaster Charlie Albee 215 Falls Blvd Chittenango, NY 13037 315-687-3282 calbee1@verizon.net - APPOINTED - NMRA Achievement Program Representative Dave Martini 6943 Shannon Way Liverpool, NY 13088 (315) 457-7437 kmartin1@twcny.rr.com NMRA Member Aid Chairman Jim Heidt, P.O. Box 25 Clockville, NY 13043 (315) 697-6227 jimheidt@hotmail.com Division Clinic Coordinator Bill Brown, 6002 Singletree Lane Jamesville, NY 13078 (315) 454-2516 larcproducts@yahoo.com Train Show Coordinator Lenn Amrhein, 6306 Meadow Drive Rome, NY 13440 (315) 334-4841 lamrhein@twcny.rr.com Division Storekeeper Ed Olszewski (315) 488-4193 eolszew1@twcny.rr.com Red Markers Co-Editors Ed Olszewski and Ed O Rourke 122 Blackstone Way Syracuse, NY 13219 (315) 488-4193 eolszew1@twcny.rr.com eorourke@twcny.rr.com Distributed through our web site at www.cnynmra.org, domestic US Mail Delivery available, 2014 CNY Division, NMRA, All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA. Loose Spikes (Notes from the Ashpit ) 2014 PAYMASTERS REPORT Don t Get Left at the Station... To stay onboard and keep receiving Red Markers e -mail notices, you need to come to this meeting (or at least every third meeting). If you absolutely can t attend and want to continue to receive a mailed issue, send $3.00 to Charlie Albee (see left), make the check payable to CNY Division, NER. Of course you are always welcome to pick up the latest issue on-line at www.cnynmra.org. But money is a poor substitute. Come to the meeting because your check book won t have half the fun you will!! We continue to grow and plan exciting things. So don t miss out!! Thanks. BEGINNING BALANCE - 26 January 2014... $ 2,653.30 RECEIPTS: Ops Weekend... $ 120.00 Donation... $ 50.00 TOTAL RECEIPTS... $ 170.00 EXPENDITURES: Ops Weekend... $ 107.82 Meeting Rent-23 Feb 2014... $ 50.00 Bank Fees, Jan Apr 2014... $ 26.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURES... $ 183.82 ENDING BALANCE, 30 April 2014... $ 2,639.48 Respectfully Submitted: Charles Albee, Paymaster Division Name Badges are available from Jim Heidt for $7.00. Price includes postage to mail your badge to you by First Class Mail. No more of this holding onto them or giving them to buddies to pass on. The $7.00 covers all costs. REMEMBER - Contact our Chief Clerk if you ever have trouble receiving your Red Markers. Also, if you need to change your e-mail address or post office address drop the Clerk a line. The Division Chief Clerk s contact information is listed in The Brass Hats sidebar to the left. Please have your articles and any items for Loose Spikes to us by the date listed below. Remember, EARLIER IS ALWAYS BETTER! Thanks for your support, Ed & Ed. 5/16/2014 (Continued on page 4 - LOOSE SPIKES) PAGE 2
From The Freight Shed The Large Scale club had a good meeting. The guest speaker kept me interested throughout his presentation. The topic was North Coast Engineerings' Product line for Model Railroaders. I know a little more about NCE and what they have to offer. Saw a few of our members there and the Large Scale Modelers were quite gracious hosts for this joint event. The Ops 'till you Drop weekend went very well. We owe Bill Brown a special thanks for putting this all together. Good job Bill. I also want to thank all of those who opened their layouts and all of those who helped at each layout. Their time and help made this a fun weekend for all participants. Looking forward we will begin meeting at our Division's members layouts. Ed O'Rourke has been working on his new layout and his modeling is first rate. Think about nominations for the MOW award. This is just a reminder. We depend on our raffles as a money raiser. If you have something to raffle off please bring it with you for this meeting, That's it. See you then. Bernie Messenger From The Dispatchers Desk Since the Division is paying a visit to my layout this month, I thought I d use Dispatchers Desk to set the stage a bit. We lived in our old home (site of two previous CNY Division meetings) 33 years. I had a fair amount of time and effort invested in my old layout, although during the early years it pretty much took a back seat to renovating an old home, earning a living and raising and educating three daughters. We moved to our new home three years ago this coming Memorial Day. It is not the basement with living space above many of us think would be the ideal retirement home. But I ve come to accept that this space will work for me, and that I have some reasonable chance of bringing this layout to relative completion over the course of my retirement, while still leaving time for the other interests that take up my time. The premise is the same as my previous layout modeling the changeover from Steam/Diesel Locomotives to Electric Motors in New Haven, CT, in the early 1950 s. I lived in the area until I was 16, and my earliest memories are of the big electrics hauling freight and passengers to New York, and four unit FA/B lash-ups hauling trains up the valley to the Maybrook Gateway. Four track mainline, catenary, pagoda-roofed concrete towers and fast hourly express trains with both New Haven and Pennsy cars spelled Trains for me growing up. The centerpiece of the layout is the New Haven Station area, with Boston, New York, and Maybrook depicted by staging. In addition, I m able to model a portion of the Canal Line, which ran up to Westfield, Holyoke and Turners Falls, MA. With a bit of imagination, it is possible to route cars to Pittsfield, MA by this route, interchanging with the famous Ogdensburg and Norwood. The mainline and most of the station area has track pretty well completed. The branch is still under development. I have some scenery in place, but a fair amount of bare plywood as well. Don t want to rush these things. My original plan was to fix the era within a couple of years either side of 1950. I wanted some steam, and that was pretty well gone in 1948. I also needed an RDC to run up the Canal Line, but they didn t show up until late 1953. A five-year swing didn t seem too bad somehow, pre- McGinnis as we say. However, I needed more electric freighters than my one EF-1 to haul cars to the Oak Point and Bay Ridge float operations. I found a brass EF-3 (1938) on ebay. The opening bid price of $1,199.99 seemed a bit steep compared to the Bachmann EF-4 for $45, so the era modeled has crept up to 1960. Oh well. I will wrap this up since I need to get a few more things done before you arrive. See you all on May 18. Ed & Ed PAGE 3
LOOSE SPIKES (Continued from page 2 The following is from the organizers of the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show (a.k.a. The Springfield Show): Due to constantly increasing costs of running the show, the Show Committee has voted to raise the 1- day admission to $14. There will be a discounted 2-day admission price with advance ticket purchase. 15 and under admission will remain free. Still a great deal for the largest show in the Northeast. NMRA Cleveland 2014 has gone mobile using Guidebook! The mobile guide will enhance your experience at NMRA Cleveland 2014. Plan your day with a personalized schedule and browse exhibitors, maps and general show info. The app is compatible with iphones, ipads, ipod Touches and Android devices. Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry users can access the same information via our mobile site at m.guidebook.com. To get the guide, you can Download 'Guidebook' from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, Visit http://guidebook.com/getit from your phone's browser or Scan the following image with your mobile phone (QR-Code reader required, e.g. 'Red Laser', 'Barcode Scanner') The guide will be listed under the "Download Guides" section of the application. The guide will automatically update whenever events are added to the convention calendar. In addition, you can follow the convention on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/2014-cleveland-nmra-national-connvention/104553906276358 Cleveland is a reasonable days drive from Syracuse. It is also possible to take the Amtrak Lakeshore Limited. If you d like to attend a National convention, this is a close to Syracuse as it gets for a while. 2015 is in Portland OR, 2016 is in Indianapolis, and 2017 is in Orlando. Somewhat closer to home: The NER Visits the Town of Seven Railroads. Three days of home and club layout tours, a day devoted to prototype railroading, nearly 30 clinics, a banquet and awards breakfast in a historic railroad station, and the hospitality area centered in a restored 1909 parlor car. All this and more await you at the New England Diamonds Convention on September 11-14 in Palmer, MA. Co-sponsored by the HUB and Nutmeg Divisions, the convention name comes from its host location in the community known as "The Town of Seven Railroads." Palmer's Converse Middle School, at 24 Converse Street in downtown Palmer, will host many of the convention activities. On Saturday, the gymnasium will house three modular layouts and a group of hobby vendors, while clinics, non-rail clinics and the model and photo contests will be held in classrooms throughout the school on Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday. Finally, the local school will be having an Operation Lifesaver poster contest, with students' posters displayed throughout the school. The Steaming Tender Restaurant, located at 28 Depot Street adjacent to the CSX-G&W diamond, serves as an important part of the convention. It is located in the former Palmer Railroad Station, a Romanesque-style building designed by famed architect Henry Hobson Richardson (who also designed Boston's Trinity Church and the New York State Capital in Albany). The station opened to the public on June 1, 1884 and, at the time, served both the Boston and Albany and New London Northern Railroads. PAGE 4
FIRST ANNUAL OP S TIL YOU DROP WEEKEND HELD BY CNY DIVISION By Bill Brown The Central NY Division hosted our first "Ops til You Drop" weekend on April 5 and 6. Five local layouts were opened for 12 hours of operations over the two days. The layouts of Drew James, Dave Martini, Bill Brown, Roger Beiswenger and Bernie Messenger were enjoyed by operation enthusiasts. The event was truly one of large geographic proportions. Participants from all over the Northeastern US converged on Central New York to enjoy the running of trains combined with the hospitality of many of our division members. Operators came from as far away as Massachusetts and Vermont. Out of town division member Steve Brown was also able to participate. The dispatch desk for Bill Brown s layout was located in Steve s apartment in Indianapolis Indiana. It is our hope this will become an annual event bringing even more of our divisions fine layouts into the fold. Jack Cutler operating on Dave Martini s layout. Ned and Eugene switching on Bill Brown's layout. Eugene and another guest switching on Dave Martini s layout. Ned Spiller switches Mohawk Printing on the Adirondack Division of Roger Beiswenger s New York & Pennsylvania Central. PAGE 5
Paul Malango is concentrating on his duties as he switches Boundary on Drew James layout. Team Work is the name of the game here at Boundary on Drew James home layout. Drew s layout is an over and under folded dog-bone with enough operations to keep you busy for hours. Layout host Dave Martini (l) looks on as operators switch a yard on Dave s NS inspired home layout. PAGE 6
CNY Division NER/NMRA General meeting minutes SMRRC Show Eastwood NY February 23, 2014 Meeting called to order at 2:05 PM by Supt. Messenger Informational: Russ Schiller had by-pass surgery and is still in Upstate Hospital Sy Diamond is also not well Paymaster Report see Red Markers Membership Last updated in September 2013 please sign in and check information 32 members present Election Current Officers elected unanimously by acclamation : Moved J.. Heidt, Second B. Brown, passed Bill Brown reminded all of the up-coming (April 5 and 6) Ops til You Drop. Bill also spoke about the fall NER Convention in Palmer, MA, September 11 14. Suggested members may wish to stay at Red Roof Inn in West Springfield about 25 minutes away. Also possible Op session at Dick Elwell s? No location or details yet for April 13 meeting May 18 Ed O Rourke June 29 Mike Shanahan? Meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM Clinic by Jim Heidt Using LEDs to Light Caboose Marker Lamps Respectfully Submitted by Ed O Rourke, Chief Clerk ESTATE SALE SATURDAY MAY 24 We have received information that 300+ pieces of HO rolling stock and locomotives plus many other pieces of railroad memorabilia will be sold at an estate sale in the Rome, NY area. The sale will be held Saturday May 24, 2014 at 123 S. Glen Rd., Rome, NY off Route 26. What doesn t sell will be tossed into the dumpster. If your plans for Memorial Day Weekend include some free time on Saturday it might be a good time to take a drive over to Rome, NY. PAGE 7
Area Model Railroad Groups: The Central New York Model Railroad Club: The CNY Model Railroad Club & Historical Society, Inc. Fri., 7:30pm. Operations 1st and 2nd Fri./month. New members and visitors always welcome. Info and directions at www.cnymrrc.com The Syracuse Model Railroad Club: Wed. 7p at the layout in the Eastwood American Legion, James St., Syracuse. One business meeting monthly, others are work sessions. Info: Jim Beach at 315-437-6221. Salt City N-Trak, Ltd.: Meeting schedule / location t/b/a as the club is no longer located at the Eastwood American Legion. Operating 14' x 42' N-Trak modular layout which often tours. Info: Rich Petitto at 315-437-2037. FUNTRAK: The Frankfort United N-Trak Model Railroad Club, Inc. meets at members homes, meetings are scheduled and posted in FUNTRAK's newsletter each month about two months ahead of the actual meeting date. Info: Brian King at 315-292-7066 or Clayt Farrall at 315-735-6268. http://funtrak.net Cayuga Valley Model Railroaders: Thur. 7:00p and on most Saturdays at 9:00a at the club at 3 East Genesee Street, Auburn, over Speno Music Store. Info: Call Bernard Watkins 315-283-2584. www.facebook.com/cayugavalleymodelrailroaders Oswego Valley Railroad Association: The group operates the Oswego Railroad Museum dedicated to the historic preservation of railroad history in the Oswego County area. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day on Sat, Sun and holidays Noon - 5pm. The museum is located in the city of Oswego at 56 West First St. The Oswego Railroad Museum Offers a 1950 s era 24' x 36' operating layout of the southern Oswego County area and an extensive railroad library. Contact Bill Nickolas at 315-342-0028. http://oswegorrmuseum.org Central New York Modelers: The CNYMOD group has moved to new quarters in the Museum of Science & Technology (The MOST) in Downtown Syracuse. Info: at www.cnymod.com or by contacting President Andy Rezsnyak at 440-4511 or e-mail cny187@gmail.com. Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society: Meets at Driver s Village (the former Penn Can Mall), with a major layout under construction, www.cnylsrs.com. Info: Bob Loran at rloran@windstream.net. The Bullthistle Model Railroad Society: Third Wed. of the month, 7:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 33 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY, and open Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and on special events... all in creating visual and operable multi-scale displays of historic railroading in Chenango County. Info: Elton and Anethma Ireland at (607) 334-4522 or club President, Philip Fairchild at (607) 847-8551, lpfair@frontiernet.net CNYNRHS Model Railroad Group This group maintains O gauge and HO Scale modular layouts. Currently meeting 7 to 9 PM Thursday evenings at the warehouse behind JR Junction Train & Hobby, 2716 Erie Blvd. East, Syracuse. It is recommended that you call ahead at 451-6551. Info at http://www.cnynrhs.org or e-mail to modelrr@cnynrhs.org European Train Enthusiasts, CNY Chapter Round robin meetings. 'N' scale modular layout, Info: Gordon H. Davis at 315-451-3199 or 492-8000, gdavis4@twcny.rr.com PAGE 8 2014 CNY Division Schedule (UPDATED) Sunday, Feb 23rd 2-4 pm SMRRC Show and Open House, Syracuse, NY Saturday, March 15th Joint meeting with CNY Large Scale Group at Drivers Village, NCE DCC Presentation. Sunday, May 18th 2-4 pm Ed O Rourke, Syracuse Sunday, June 8th 2-4 pm Mike Shanahan, Tully Saturday, August 9th, Division Picnic Noon 4 PM Jim Heidt Clockville, NY. NOTE: Other Division Meeting Dates Are Yet To Be Determined
Ed O Rourke 36 Nursery Lane, Syracuse, NY DIRECTIONS*: GPS will usually bring you to the mailboxes. Continue past that point, stay to the left and we are last house on the end. Come in through the garage and downstairs. From I81 Southbound, exit at Brighton Avenue. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto South State Street. Next traffic light is East Colvin Street. Turn Right. Next traffic light is Comstock Avenue (Manley Field House is to the left.) Turn right. The entrance to Comstock Commons is a left into Daybreak Lane and a left on Nursery Lane. From I81 Northbound, exit at Brighton Avenue, go through the first light on the ramp and turn right on South Salina Street. The third traffic light is East Colvin Street (Key Bank is on the right). Turn right. Second traffic light is Comstock Avenue. (Manley Field House is to the left.) Turn right. The entrance to Comstock Commons is a left into Daybreak Lane and a left on Nursery Lane. Parking: There is room for two cars in my driveway and three cars in the adjacent Guest Parking areas. Please leave those for folks with equipment to bring in or who have difficulty walking. There is No Parking along the roads in Comstock Commons. (Some of my neighbors are a real pain about this!) The best place to park is on Comstock Avenue alongside the park (marked for two hour parking, not enforced), or on Vincent Street. PARK HERE * As always, don t take our word for it. Verify these directions for yourself. PAGE 9
This one has been making the rounds on the internet and you may have already seen it. It was such a great shot we couldn t resist featuring it here. We have the greatest respect for the men and woman of the fire service but it is clear that some need to be educated on how railroads work. 2014 events calendar Wednesday May 21 7:30 PM, CNY NRHS Chapter Meeting, Art & Home Center, NYS Fairgrounds Early Railroads of Ontario County Robert Ward Jr., Ph.D. brings us back in time as he shares with us the early railroads that ran through Ontario County (Canandaigua area). Saturday, May 24, Estate Sale, 300+ pieces of HO rolling stock and locomotives, 123 S. Glen Rd., Rome, NY off Route 26 Central New York Division, NMRA Red Markers News Letter 122 Blackstone Way Syracuse, NY 13219 PAGE 10