Newsletter Of The NAOGRRC --www.ogauge.org – March 2017

Joe C’s Fully Restored Lionel #52 Fire Car.

From The Editor: By Rick Big. As of this month’s meeting, I have been approached by three members about plans to build a modular layout. This is the only interest I have seen expressed since I mentioned it last month. Prior to that, there were at least six or seven people interested. Although I am willing to support the startup via this newsletter, there is currently no one taking point on this. For those interested, please plan to have a ‘post club meeting’ startup meeting. If you can’t make the club meeting, please e- mail Les at [email protected] if you are interested. Also, when I produce this newsletter each month, I send a copy to the club leadership to proofread. I can’t help notice that we are still short a club V.P. Please look at your schedules, and try to find time to volunteer for this important position. The club needs you.

Inside this issue: - Quick Hints - New Member Information – From The Editor - NMRA Corner - Upcoming Events – From Our Youth Members - TCA Corner - Minutes For Last Meeting – Event Report - Request For Pictures & Articles - Ron S.’s Club Calendar

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From Our Youth Members- Easley Train Show: By Nikhil J. Have you heard of Easley’s Central Railway Model & Historical Association’s (CRM&HA) train show? On Friday, February 10, 2017, I had the pleasure of attending this annual train show – another surprise from my parents. The moment I walked into the exhibit area, it reminded me of the Purple Hall at York! The CRM&HA promotes railroad history in the Carolinas. They own and operate a model railroad museum called the Central Railway Museum in Central, SC, where they have an HO layout, a “Heritage Room” with an American Flyer S gauge layout, and a Lionel layout under construction. A garden railroad is also being planned. They set up a 12x24-foot HO scale modular layout at various train shows in the Carolinas area. The CRM&HA holds a two-day train show in the month of February each year. See www.crmha.org for more information on the club. This year, the CRM&HA held its two-day annual train show at the Impact Center which is an excellent facility located on the campus of Rock Springs Baptist Church. There were about 40 tables at the show, including those by our club members Mr. Bill F. and Mr. Mike Y. The show featured five HO and layouts, the National Association of S Gaugers’ modular layout, and the Owens Valley Live Steamers’ G scale live steam modular layout. The South Carolina Railroad Museum also had its booth at the show and they displayed an outstanding antique railroad motorcar where photos could be taken. In addition to these, the George L. Carter Railroad Museum had a booth where they advertised their train show to be held in Johnson City, TN in June 2017.

My favorite layout was the live steam club that had a running Accucraft Class J 611 with accurate N&W passenger cars behind it. An Aster Hobby Great Northern S2 and narrow gauge were also running. There was a sign warning people not to touch the trains since they were dangerously hot. The operators were filling water into the engine with a water can to produce steam, just like you would see in the real railroads. The hot steam from the cylinders of the steam engines made my eyes water!

At the live steam club layout, I spoke to one of the club members who used to be the national distributor for Aster Hobby. I asked if they could bring their live steam layout to Georgia. He explained that the club could not do so because Georgia state regulations require that the engine boilers be inspected before they can be operated within the state. I was shocked to learn that each locomotive could cost from $15,000 to $20,000! We then talked about the live steam Carolwood Pacific Railroad built by Walt Disney. I had several other fascinating conversations with some of the show attendees. At the South Carolina Railroad Museum’s booth, one of the volunteers described the various train rides they have at the museum. I met members of the Piedmont Garden Railroad Society and learned about the club. At the NASG modular layout, there was a discussion about A.C. Gilbert and American Flyer history. I learned an interesting fact that the company, along with many other manufacturers such as Lionel, had to make war materials during the Second World War. I had a great time attending the Easley Train Show and hope to attend it again sometime. I am also planning to visit the Central Railway Museum to check out their extensive HO layout that is spread over 3 rooms and the Heritage Room S gauge layout. Sounds like a great trip to plan for this summer!

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Event Report- January Trains, Trains, Trains event: By Les L. and Rick B. We had 22 members help. Thanks to all who helped. The Layout was brought by Scott Y. and son. Scott had just gotten out of the Hospital with pneumonia. I told him to get home and rest. Rick Big. and new helper Bob S. took family pictures for people who had kids running trains. Breakfast and lunch for the two-day show was supplied, and we were given museum T-shirts. The lunch featured some excellent BBQ. We again were told by the adult visitors that we were the best attraction at the Museum. Thanks to all. Regards Les. The show had nine layouts of all shapes and sizes, ranging from a very large club N Scale layout that took up most of the room, to a small loop of Lionel track running a starter set provided and manned by an LCCA individual. The amazing Lego layout was there in all of its wonder. In all, there were six O Gauge Layouts, two N Scale layouts, an HO layout, the Lego Layout, and a G Scale layout (plus the museum’s Great Locomotive Chase Overhead G track),. Here is a list of the layouts and clubs involved: 1) Large N Scale layout: Combined Athens Bend Track and South Carolina N Track Clubs, 2) Chattanooga N Modular Modelers, 3) Middle Georgia HO Modular Club, 4) Dixie LUG Layout Group Lego Layout, 5) LCCA O Gauge Starter Set, 6) Middle Georgia Model RR Club O Gauge, 7) North Atlanta O Gauge RR Club (us) O Gauge, 8) North Georgia Tinplate Trackers O Gauge, 9) Museum O Gauge Layout, and 10) Georgia Garden Railroad Society G Scale. The museum also featured numerous musical groups that played a variety of blue grass, gospel, and train related music. One group I watched was a family blue grass and gospel group, with very talented tenagers playing a harp, mandolin, banjos, guitars, and other acoustical instruments with their parents.

But let’s not forget about the stars of the museum. On display in all its glory was the 4x4x0 General of the famous locomotive chase, the Georgia car from the 1949 Merci Train, and the Glover Machine Works exhibit.

According to the museum, over 4100 people attended.

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Quick Hints-Under Table Wiring: By Scott F. Looking under the train table is usually not what we expect visitors to see. I have a picture of some of my previous wiring as an example (Photo 1).

Photo 1 Some of us have tried labeling wires and had success. However, wires still go every which way. Another solution is to separate and route wires with similar functions. Decide what groups of wires go together and count the groups. Home Depot sells a tile boarder which comes in eight foot sections and costs less than $4.00. It is called Tile Edging Trim (H7201BW98) and is in the tile section. If you have nine groups then cut off a section of the border material that has the same number of holes. To attach the L channel to the table I used Power Grab Ultimate, made by Loctite and available at Home Depot, because the channel was not wide enough for a screw. Once you apply it to the to the L channel edge, all you do is stick it up where you want it under the train table and it stays by the strength of the Power Grab. Wait for a couple hours for it to harden and that is all. Print out labels than can be easily read and glue the label with the L-Shaped Channel to the underside of the table (Photo 2).

Photo 2

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The wiring is only partially completed but I really like the results. There are about 115 wires on the layout and by grouping them, resolving issues is much easier, labeling is less important, and there are no more hanging wires to catch on while working under the table. On the layout are currently fifteen of the wire organizers and they are all arranged on the front edge of the table. Any wire that is routed goes toward the front edge of the table and then travels in parallel with other wires to its intended destination.

Photo 3 You may ask what wires are in groups six through nine. Menards Building require 4.5 volts, Light Genie power is 3 volts, LED power is 1.5 volts, and 10 volt Accessory Power is for the regular bulbs found in Lionel and MTH buildings.

NMRA Corner: By Rick Big. The Piedmont Division of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM at the Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy NW, Atlanta. The meetings usually contain a short business meeting, followed by a clinic and a show and tell. The clinic this month is called “Routing Freight Cars Using Car Cards”. Their “Bring and Brag” is “Bring out your favorite CSX Locomotives or any of the fallen flags that make up CSX today”. They will also hold their Division 2017 Model Train show on March 18th and 19th at the Cobb Galleria. For additional information, visit the Piedmont Division website at http://piedmont-div.org/.

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TCA Corner: By Bill F. - TCA Terminus Chapter President I hope that you and yours are all well and doing good. Spring is in the air, and activities are heating up with the TCA. This Saturday, March 4, 2017, is a TCA Dixie Division Train Meet in Ringgold, GA at the Catoosa Colonnade. The TCA show in Ringgold is always a nice drive away to do some good hunting and catch up with our neighboring friends in Tennessee and Alabama. Grab a friend or two, and enjoy the day up there. There is a nice antique shops not far away where Lindys Trains has a booth to do some extra looking for trains and a nice place to grab some lunch. The TCA-Terminus Chapter will have a TCA Table at the March 18-19 NMRA Piedmont Division Model Train Show at the Cobb Galleria. Please come by to say “Hello” and to see what we have planned for the year to come. The TCA-Terminus Chapter will be having an Open House on April 1 in the Suwannee, GA area. We will be sending out an email invitation to members within the next 7-10 days. Plans for the TCA-Terminus Chapter Toy and Model Train Show for May 13, 2017 (National Train Day) at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History are going fantastic. We have sold 77 tables so far of 102 total tables available with ten weeks left to go. We are expecting a big crowd to share with one another and “The General”. So far, we have TCA members from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida who have purchased tables. We are building a diverse and new crowd to have a fun train day with everyone. Please circle the date, and make plans to join us for an amazing day in Kennesaw at the museum. I have updated a list of the train shows that I am aware of right now for 2017 below. Please let me know of any that I may have missed or need to correct. Remember that you can go to www.railserve.com to look for train shows and train events. You may go to http://www.dixiedivisiontca.com for further information regarding the upcoming TCA train shows, or contact me and I will be glad to share. Please be well and thankful for your good health and fortune. Please be mindful of those who are not, and keep them and all of us in your thoughts and prayers. Make some smiles happen, run some trains and blow that whistle!! 2017 Train Show Calendar: - March 3th-4th - Asheville, NC Train Show - 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC - March 4th - TCA Dixie Division Train Show - Ringgold, GA - Catoosa County Colonnade - March 18th-19th - NMRA Piedmont Division Model Train Show - Marietta, GA - Cobb Galleria - April 24th-29th - York Train Show Week - York, PA - York, PA locations 10/24th-26th and TCA Eastern Division 10/27th-29th at York County Fairgrounds - May 13th - TCA Terminus Chapter Train Show - NATIONAL TRAIN DAY - Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History - Kennesaw, GA

Request For Pictures And Articles: I have had a great response for articles and pictures for future issues, but I am now running low. Thanks for your participation. Nikhil has been doing an impressive job representing our youth members, but there are other youth members out there that also have great ideas for articles. This is your newsletter. Please submit articles on recent projects, train trips, etc. that you might want to share in future newsletters. I will try to include time sensitive articles first such as reports on recent events, followed by first come / first serve general interest articles. Please submit completed articles no later than the first Wednesday night after the meeting. Submissions received after that may not make it into the newsletter. I require a few days to process and perform minor edits in the new inputs, another few days for my proof readers to review the newsletter, and another day to incorporate corrections. This should help relieve some pressure from myself and my staff.

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New Member Information: Be sure to visit the clubs’ website www.ogauge.org (link also shown in all newsletter headings). This website has sections that contain information for the club charter, all past newsletters, links to various information sites, and an excellent member’s area which contains names, addresses, contact information, and pictures of all current club members. Refer to the Newsletter tab (link) on the left side of the page and select the April 2015 newsletter for New Member information. In addition, the following 4 items should be added: #1) Please DO NOT touch other peoples trains without first getting their permission, #2) The switch tracks used on the layout can tear off the operating shoes used on older Lionel cars and engines. Wide power pickup rollers can also short across the switch tracks. Use EXTREME caution the first time you run you train around a loop on the club layout, #3) Before you spend money for the club that you want reimbursed, check with Trustee’s Bob J. or Mike C. Make sure and save all receipts, and #4) Les L. will order parts for club members. E-mail him with the part number and/or description and he will obtain the price from the dealer, which he will then provide to you. Les must pay for parts in advance, so he requires your send him a check for payment PRIOR to him ordering the parts. Since he is doing the club members a favor by finding the parts and combining shipping at cost, all sales are FINAL at the time the parts are ordered. He usually has the parts 3 to 4 days after the order is placed, and will contact you after the parts arrive to make arrangements for you to get them. Upcoming Events: The events that the club will participate in are as follows: . March 18th-19th: NMRA Piedmont Division Model Train Show - Marietta, GA - Cobb Galleria. . March 7th: Parts order deadline.

Other events that you may be interested in are as follows: . Second Tuesday of each month: NMRA meeting. See NMRA Corner above for further information. . March 4th: TCA Dixie Division Train Show - Ringgold, GA - Catoosa County Colonnade. . April 24th-29th: York Train shows. . May 13th: TCA Terminus Chapter Train Meet at Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. . August 26th: Infinite Energy Center.

Minutes For Meeting On 2/16/2017 At HobbyTown: 1. President Les L. opened meeting at 7:00 PM. Introduced: 5 New Members. Introduced: 0 Visitors. Members Attending: 28 (including 2 Youth). 2. Treasurer's Report. Al C. . Club currently has 84 paying members, 5 honorary members, and 3 youth members. . Membership cards were passed out during meeting. . Treasurer Report was read and accepted. 3. Aquarium Car Update. Les L. . Car is currently on track. Waiting for conference call with MTH. . Have orders for 51 cars by club members. Currently around $50 per car. . Bob S. committed to buy an additional 24 cars for future use, and sell them back to club when needed. 4. HT Layout Accessories Placement. Bill D. . Rabbit Hunt - By mine entrance on restroom side of layout. . Oil Derrick - Corner of table opposite the swamp, near the rock slide shed. Page 7 Newsletter Of The NAOGRRC --www.ogauge.org – March 2017

. Neon Sign - In flat area by stream. . Men Sawing Log - Possibly by building by the stream, near the round house. 5. Alternate Meeting Location. Mike S. . Mike S. not present, but passed on that the new location at Cobb EMC did not work out. 6. Children’s Layout Report. Les L. . Infinite Energy Center: Weather was terrible. Vendor sales were good. . Trains, Trains, Trains: Good turnout. Museum supplied breakfasts, lunches, and T Shirts. 7. Children’s Layout Next Show Participation. Les L. . March 18th and 19th – 10 AM to 4 PM. . Setup Friday March 17th at Noon. . Show is Piedmont NMRA Meet at Cobb Galleria. . Need more volunteers Saturday PM, and Sunday both shifts. 8. Parts Deadline-Moved to March 7th. Les L. 9. Discussion: Spring Tour of Members Layouts. Les . Rich F., Rich Boe., Ron F., Dennis F., and Bill D. all volunteered. . Bob M. may be interested per Dick G, but Bob was not present. . Would like to have light refreshments be provided. . Rich Big. will look into having April club meeting at his house instead of an open house. 10. Hospital Layout Report. Dick G. . Dick G. is working on layout, and passed around pictures of the table. . Have 1 train that was donated. Needs another. . Warren C. will donate a wall wart transformer for existing loop. . Rich Boe. will donate a LionChief train set for the second loop. 11. Track Cleaning. Scott F. . HT had an MTH digital engine on the track. It would not run, unless you used the MTH remote. After discussion with Train Dr. Ted, it was determined that the easiest solution was to have HT only use conventional controlled engines when layout is in HT mode. 12. New Business. . Joe C. will look into HT swap meet and club operating session. . Club web site states meetings start at 6:30, and has visitor form that doesn’t work properly. . Blue Ox Trains in Roswell now has O Gauge Trains. . Scott F. demonstrated his under layout wiring solution. . Nikhil R. gave quick reports on Easley train show and Texas Engine restoration. . Bill F. gave report on TCA show on May 13th. 70 tables are already sold, They are expecting 100 tables total. TCA members will get in free. Family members will have to pay museum rates. . Oreo cookies never made it to my end of the table. 13. Meeting Adjourned at 8:17 PM. 14. Rick Bigs. showed MTH Railking Operating Service Stations, Lionel Lights, and metal cars for sale. 15. Reminders. . Members are invited to meet for dinner at Chic-Fil-A from 5:15PM to 6:30PM before each monthly meeting. . Members are invited to meet at the El Nopalito Mexican restaurant next door after the meetings.

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Club Calendar: By Ron S.

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