$3

THE Box THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION, NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION

VOL. 59 NO. 3 AUTUMN 2018

PLUS- RR History, Timetable, NMRA-NCR-Division News & more! HotBox Editorial Barry Hensel, Editor

HELLO!! I hope your summer has been a good one. The weather did The HotBox finally get to be more “normal” and it’s been nice and warm. Just a bit of AUTUMN 2018 a shame that many weekends were on the wet side of things... as that is Vol. 59, No. 3 when many events are planned for. I hope if you had an event this

EDITOR summer, it was on a dry weekend! (my Camaro event was!!) Barry Hensel Last Chance! It’s really time to get registered for the LANSING LASH- 43642 Lotus Dr UP NCR Convention!! This event is only a month away!! All of the last Canton, MI 48188 minute information is here, in your HotBox, just pages away! Get that 734-649-3056 [email protected] form copied off, fill it out and send it in. You will not be disappointed as the weekend is packed with everything a model railroader needs.... Editorial Advisers clinics of information, layout tours and OPS of fabulous railroads and Scott Kremer & the NCR Board seeing and being with old and new friends in our great hobby. I’m registered... are you?? I hope to see YOU there!! Proof Readers Marge Hensel John Beres It’s getting to be train show season soon, but let’s not forget to support Marty LaForte the local hobby shops! Many of those shops give back to our local groups and we THANK-YOU for your support!! The HotBox is published quarterly by the Well, time to do some model railroading… North Central Region of the National Model Railroad Association. Publication Thanks for reading… Barry dates are- SPRING, March 1 SUMMER, June 1 AUTUMN, Sept 1 WINTER, Dec 1 MODEL

The HotBox is available online at- RAILROADING IS FUN! www.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 HOTBOX CORRECTIONS NCR "OOPS"…. To pay for any ad space... send your payment to the Editor. All checks/money Always striving to be correct is something we will do with the HotBox. orders need to be made out to "The North But, we are human and mistakes can/will happen. Please forgive us, Central Region, NMRA" these are NOT intentional! The corrections for the June 2018 edition of Send address corrections to the the HotBox are - minor grammar and spelling! Registrar- David Simmons 734- 436-1164 FRONT COVER PICTURES- The Buffalo Creek & Gauley RR of Brooks [email protected] Stover, MMR; Lansing Lash-Up 2017 logo; Interurban pole upgrade- Feel free to contact the Editor via email, H.Andrews; Michigan Central live steam with any comments, questions or corrections. REAR COVER PICTURES- 2019 NCR North Central Crossing logo; DTRR logo; Milwaukee Road F7A is leaving Harlowton on the North Montana Line of Dan Lewis, MMR (this photo was the August photo in the 2018 NMRA calendar!)

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NCR - NORTH CENTRAL REGION, NMRA OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

President Resident Agent Scott Kremer 734-420-2314 Dean Pyers 586-979-7319 [email protected] [email protected] Division Three– 3 Rivers Div Bob Jones 260-459-6339 Vice-President NMRA Central Director [email protected] Dave Capron, MMR 231-271-3352 Bill Neale, MMR 248-477-7875 [email protected] [email protected] Division Four – Grand Rails Div [email protected] Skip Luyk, MMR 616-363-3453 Secretary [email protected] Norm Logan 248-348-2473 Photo Contests [email protected] Howard Andrews 734-728-4697 Division Five – Capital Div [email protected] Andy Keeney 517-316-5660 Treasurer [email protected] Robert Baird 734-665-6408 Achievement Program [email protected] Skip Luyk, MMR 616-363-3453 Division Six – Motor City Div [email protected] Mark Ellis 734-421-2673 Registrar [email protected] David Simmons 734- 436-1164 [email protected] Division Eight– Clinton River Div Phil Doolittle 248-375-2513 Directors [email protected] Jay Qualman 248-676-0234 Division One - Black Swamp Div [email protected] Norm Cattell 419-377-3882 Division Nine – SW Michigan Div [email protected] Garry Johnson 269-365-6777 Dave McMullian 419-878-4888 [email protected] [email protected] Division Two– Tip of the Mitt Div Scott Pandorf 317-727-0417 Division Ten – Ten Wheelers Div Rich Mahaney 269-214-4221 [email protected] Wayne Wilder 989-823-3409 [email protected] [email protected]

RAILROADING "WHAT THE ???" NCR HUMOR

A few images taken from some FaceBook postings...... OH MY...... !!

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PRESIDENT’S OBSERVATION___ _ Scott Kremer I think it is traditional to say that as you read this A few months ago the summer is over and it is now model railroad MCR region just south of season. Time to get back to those projects you may us had a convention and have put on the back burner while you enjoyed my understanding is that those all too short months of summer activities. As they had over 400 attend. you consider the start of your model railroad Admittedly their region is season I am very hopeful that your plans include much larger than ours. Our the upcoming Lansing Regional Convention, largest recent attendance Lansing Lashup 2018, to be held October 11-14. was about 175. It would Let me blunt, all conventions are not created equal. be terrific to reward all of Despite a lot of effort by those who put on those who have put their conventions sometimes circumstances limit what hearts into this convention by exceeding that can be done. I have not had a bad time, or ever felt number. I hope to see you there. that one wasn’t of value in a long time. However, as most of our members have been with us for years it A quick note about one other aspect of the is a reality that they are looking more and different convention. In recent columns I have challenged things. This convention promises to give you all that and asked you to provide the Board with ideas to you could want. While the category headings are make the Region better serve your needs. The familiar the content is great. There will be plenty of Convention dinner will include a short, and great layouts to see and operating sessions to required, business meeting. Once again I invite participate in, more than enough to fill all of your you to attend and help us with those things that are available time during the convention. There will be important to you. We will listen and do our best at least 25 clinics, with a variety of topics. A number with your ideas. of them, covering things that should be new and Finally, a THANK YOU. Any volunteer helpful to most, if not all modelers. organization is often challenged finding people Perhaps the most impressive things available are willing to give of their time and effort to keep things the prototype tours. On one weekend you can get running and make them better. Mark Baldwin did a an up close view of steam engines and real great job in Division 4, including the very successful railroading. You can visit the backshop of the convention last year. However, Mark had to step Huckleberry Railroad and see real activity of an down and initially there were few, if any, willing to operating steam railroad. You can visit the Durand take over. I am very pleased to announce that the station and the Steam Railroad Institute, including following have agreed to the indicated positions 1225, with all of the history. Finally, you have a and will be working to keep the division involved chance to visit the Adrain & Blissfield Railroad and and a benefit to their members. get to see and understand the mechanics of real Skip Luyk – Superintendent trains and what it takes to put together and operate Bruce Van Huis – Assistant Superintendent the real ones. A critical note: all of these activities Tim Scott – Scribe must be reserved by October 5. Sorry, no last William Riter - Treasurer minute, at the convention, opportunities. So, if you When you think about the NMRA and this region are interested get your convention registration in please understand that your friends who serve in now and include your choices of prototype these roles, like those above, are doing the best activities. The Board hopes that this will be a they can to provide you with a great model convention you will attend. The Lansing group has railroading experience. When you have a chance, done more than we could ask to provide you with it would be nice to tell them thanks. everything they could think of. Given the central location, the great hotel rate and, most importantly, Hope to see you all there. the content, it will be wonderful. Scott Kremer, President, NCR

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NCR BOD ELECTIONS 2018 NCR INFO

It is time to have an NCR Board of Directors election. You may copy the ballot below, fill it out and mail it in. Ballots MUST be received by September 30th. Ballots that do not have a name and NMRA number on them will not be counted. Results of the election will be announced at the NCR Convention – LANSING LASH-UP and printed in the December issue of the HotBox. THANK-YOU to all of the candidates for running for a position on the NMRA - North Central Region Board of Directors!!

PRESIDENT Scott Kremer

Write-in candidate - ______

VICE-PRESIDENT

Dave Capron S. Kremer

Write-in candidate - ______

D. Capron SECRETARY Norm Logan

Write-in candidate - ______

TREASURER N. Logan

Robert Baird

R. Baird Write-in candidate - ______

DIRECTORS (vote for 2) Jay Qualman J. Qualman

Rich Mahaney

Write-in candidate - ______

Write-in candidate - ______R. Mahaney

NCR member name ______Division ______

NMRA number ______

BALLOTS must be mailed to – NCR ELECTIONS 6850 W. Herbison Rd. Dewitt, MI 48820

BALLOTS MUST be received by September 30, 2018.

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RAILFANNING LAYOUTS of DIVISION 5 NCR TRACKSIDE

These are some of the layouts to be featured during the LANSING LASH-UP! Left, then right- Port Authority Terminal RR, Mark Cowles; Iowa Central, Kevin Griffin; Stony Creek & Northern, Clark Becker; East Lansing & Elsewhere Dave Regan; Buffalo & Chautauqua, Gaylord Gill; Kentucky Southern Railway, Karl Scribner; City Trolley System, Howard Zigler

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RAILFANNING LAYOUTS of DIVISION 5 NCR TRACKSIDE

Left, then right- Wisconsin Central Heritage Division, Bill Selleck; Lyman & Ammonoosuc, David Wentworth; Nashville Road, Andy Keeney; Canadian Pacific Webwood Subdivision, Tom Weaver; Hogsback & Southern RR, LMRR; Great Northern Old Goat Division, Bob Truax; Duluth Superior & St. Paul, Rob Venzke There are 3 more layouts, 19 total, available for tours at the LANSING LASHUP 2018!!

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NMRA PRESIDENT NEWS NMRA INFORMATION

As you know... the new NMRA President is one of our own (North Central Region) Mr. Pete Magoun, MMR!! He has just taken office a few weeks ago at the NMRA National Convention in Kansas City. We are honored to have his first address to the membership, especially to us in the NCR......

It’s an honor to pen (well… type, but you get the idea) a “President’s Column” for the Hotbox! Many thanks to all of you who make the NCR function! As you know, we just finished up the annual Convention in Kansas City, and what a convention it was! Many of you attended; those of you who could not or did not missed a great week. You’ll hear more about this in several places, so I won’t belabor it. One gentleman, a “First Timer,” mentioned that he had attended 38 clinics (Wow!) over the week and thought each of them was a college-level course in model railroading. He was a Happy Camper, and will be back for more! The Board Meeting produced a number of good reports, we have a “clean” audit from the independent auditors, who are now using the NMRA as an example of Good Fiscal Management, our partnership programs are adding partners (think Discounts for purchases), we’re not competing with hobby shops, and the Model Railroading Exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum is slated to open in 2019. The CSRM, by the way is now part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum system, so we have been invited into a world-class museum. The Annual General Meeting on Thursday evening saw the “regime change,” as Charlie handed the virtual gavel to me. I’m looking forward to the next three years as your President —I’ll have a good Board to work with, and that means a lot. The contest room had examples of First Class craftsmanship; one model that blew me away was a scratchbuilt 0-6-0. In N-scale, no less. Scratchbuilt including machining the driver tires, soldering microscopic components to make the spokes and the wheel inside the tires, and so on. Complete cab interior, too! “Wow!” doesn’t really do this justice, either…. We were fortunate to be able to present several awards, about which you’ll read in the Magazine, the eBulletin and the website, but the ones closest to home here were the President’s Award to the Operations Road Show folks for their twenty years of hauling, setting up and teaching Prototypical Operations on their modular railroad, the President’s Award for Service to the Division to Barry Hensel for his years of service to his Division and the NCR, and a Meritorious Service Award to Larry Wolohon, MMR, for his service to the NMRA over many years. Saying “thanks” is always a treat for me, as it means that lots of people are working together to make the NMRA the great global organization that it is. To all of you, “Thanks!” Barry is telling me I’m out of space…. High Green! Pete Magoun, MMR, President NMRA

NCR CABOOSE CHALLENGE NCR INFORMATION

Hello fellow model railroaders and NCR members! It has been my privilege to serve the NCR and all of you as a Director At Large and I look forward to continuing for another term. As I have done for the past two years, I offer again to present my model railroad related presentations/clinics at your meetings. I enjoy making the presentations, traveling to your meetings and finding out what is going on in your Divisions and areas, plus getting to see some fine model railroads layouts. Please have your leadership contact me for clinic information topics and meeting dates if your interested. I know next year will be busy, as I am already scheduled to do clinic presentations at weekend conventions in OH, WI and Canada in May and TX in June. So between 2019 and 2020 I again hope to get around to all of the NCR Divisions again. The October NCR Convention, LANSING LASH-UP is just around the corner which means the showing off of models from the "Second Lives of Cabooses" modeling challenge is almost here. Here’s the simple guide lines: 1. The model or diorama needs to show a caboose in a second life or use. 2. The diorama can be in any scale. 3. The diorama should be brought to the NRC Convention to be shown off with all of the other models. 4. There is no judging of the models, there will be a certificate of participation that will be given out. 5. The model can be a stand alone model or something that will be placed back on your layout. We are hoping that 50 (or more) model railroaders will participate by building a diorama and bringing it to the Lansing NCR Convention! The concept of this modeling challenge has become popular and will now be the modeling challenge for the South Central Wisconsin Division of the Mid Western Region in Madison, WI for the year of 2019. Yes, they are copying us! Thanks! Rich Mahaney, NCR Director at Large

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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- Hmmmm... seems we haven’t had any new or important emails and links this past 3 months. If you have any links to good, fun or neat railroad information, please pass them along!

BTR #2- MICHIGAN RAILROAD CLUB PROGRAM September 5, 2018 - Mr. William Raul October 3, 2018 - A Power Point Program by Mr. Radford Jones on Presidential Security. This will include security for a POTUS train. November 7, 2018 - Open projector night. People can bring a short (8 minutes) of their own material to show. Slides, DVD, video. Please let program director know what you are bringing a few days BEFORE the meeting. December 5, 2018 - A nice Christmas program by Steve Sobel. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, Mich. Meeting starts at 7 pm with program starting around 7:30 pm. We must be out of the library by 9 pm. I like to have a “Newsreel” before the main program so if YOU have slides, video, digital of a current event (from a month or two ago) why not share it with other members. Contact: Kenneth Borg 3512 Merrick, Dearborn, MI 48124

BTR #3- It has been reported on FaceBook, emails and a few other places... that a major hobby factory in China has shutdown. Products are no longer being made. This affects several major manufacturers such as Atlas, Fox Valley, Bowser, Bluford, Trainworks, Exactrail, Tangent and Intermountain. Future products will most likely not be produced or take quite a long time to get them out. Each manufacturer is looking for alternatives. It will likely be a long process.

BTR #4- We have also seen announcements that Walthers has sold their N scale locomotive line to Atlas Model RR Company. We don’t believe Walthers is getting out of N scale, just cutting back on their product lines, maybe to concentrate on other projects and products. Interesting times in our hobby!!

DISCLAIMER!!- While we will try to verify most stories, the HotBox, HotBox Editor, NCR Board of Directors, its agents and representatives will not/cannot be held responsible for mis-information presented in this column.

DTRR NEW LAYOUT PLANS By: Jack Watson NCR FEATURE

NOTE: due to an order being lost, the backdrops that Jack would be installing did not arrive! IN THE NEXT HotBox ISSUE: backdrops, more to the point there are some pretty decent looking, ready- made, vinyl photo backdrops that come with adhesive on the back, (like contact paper) not cheap, but then I am not a great backdrop painter either! We hope you will return in December for the continued story of the DTRR! Jack Watson was NCR President from 2007 to 2012, NCR Director and was also Div 6 Superintendent and a member for many years.

DIVISION LOGOS & BACKGROUNDS NCR INFO

With each Division of the NCR, creating a nickname and revising their logos, we thought it might be interesting to know how these logos came about and the story behind them. We’ll go in order, Division Eight is next....

CLINTON RIVER DIVISION – DIVISION EIGHT LOGO With the new Division nicknames going around, Division 8 held a contest for our new nickname and a new logo to go with that name. We wanted something that identified our location. The logo depicts the Clinton River bisecting our "territory." George Anderson submitted the concept which was voted on by the members.

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NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION

Division One - Black Swamp Division (Toledo and Northwest Ohio area) Division One, the Black Swamp Division, enjoyed our Summer field trip to the Elkhart, IN, area on July 14. Twenty seven members and guests visited the New York Central museum and Elkhart depot. Then we were off to Jerry Macri’s hobby shop, a type of retail merchant that is painfully fading into our past! Following lunch at Villa Macri, we spent the afternoon visiting Jerry’s enormous and beautifully detailed Pennsy layout. It was a great day for fellowship and it was nice to visit another region and discover some new places. Recently, we began organizing a committee to host the 2020 NCR convention here in Toledo. The dates will be October 15- 18. We are finalizing the contract with an excellent hotel to host the event and we are excited about the facilities! As plans progress, we will be keeping everyone in the region up-to-date, but for now, please mark your calendars and be here. We will not disappoint you! Next month, on September 28, we will kick off our 2018-2019 meeting season. For more information on all of our meetings, activities, and location, check out our website at http://www.divisiononencr.com. (submitted by- Dave McMullian, Superintendent)

Division Two (Manistee to Iosco counties, to the Tip Of The Mitten at the Mackinac Bridge) News from "Tip of the Mitt" Division 2. We are getting ready for a very busy fall. First is our Traverse City Yard event on September 15th which will be learning operations on my Great Lakes Northern in the morning and then Scott Pandorf's Ohio and Mississippi in the afternoon. These sessions are being designed to introduce operations to members that have had little experience with operating a model railroad. We'll have a big pizza lunch between sessions. In October we are going to repeat the airbrush clinic we did last year up in Harbor Springs for the Petoskey Yard Event. We'll be learning and practicing on the box car shells we got from national. Also in October we have a one day Open House of 6 layouts. We want to introduce our hobby to those in the area to see if we can increase our Division membership. There are 5 HO and 1 N scale layouts on tour. Our All Division meeting in November will be the week after the Lansing Convention so there will be clinics and lots to report about for those few that didn't make it to Lansing. We take December off and are planning much more when things get going again in January. (submitted by- David Capron, Superintendent)

Division Nine – Southwest Michigan Division (Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and VanBuren Counties) Greetings fellow modelers, as I’m sitting here enjoying air-conditioned comfort, I’m usually outside doing construction work I appreciate creature comforts at times. Thank goodness my train room is also air conditioned. It allows me to spend time furthering my hobby during these hot summer days. Summer does allow me to take in the big boys (prototype). Of late this has taken me down history lane on one of the abandoned rail lines here in southwestern Michigan. Most enjoyable learning more about the impact railroads had on communities. Our Division 9 has been busy these past few months. April found us down in Sturgis MI for a tour hosted by Doug Van Meter of the recently renovated railroad station along with insights into the railroads found serviced Sturgis MI. In May Doug Van Meter presented a clinic on scratch building techniques. June found us in Grainger IN visiting Jerry Macri’s train shop and his own model railroad. On September 15th our annual membership meeting and voting for Board positions up for election will be held. Also, Dave Vinci will present a clinic on cabin cars (cabooses) and other end-of-train devices. At our October 20th meeting, Rich Mahaney will make a presentation about Trainfest, held in Milwaukee every November, including related attractions. That’s it for now. (Submitted by Garry Johnson, Superintendent, Division 9)

Division Ten – Ten Wheeler Division (Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron Counties) The 10 Wheelers have been busy this summer with a June visit to Greg Rich's well detailed HO train layout. In July we expanded our model railroading enjoyment by riding the 1-1/2" scale Michigan Central Railroad. Many of our members had the opportunity to operate a train over the several miles of 7-1/2" gauge track. August was busy with activities for Railfan's Weekend at the Huckleberry Railroad at Crossroads Village in Flint. HRR unveiled their recently rebuilt 4-6-0 10 Wheeler #152, several operating train layouts were on display, railroad shop tours were conducted, and DIV 10 had a display table to promote the NMRA. Many DIV 10 members will be busy as Thomas the Tank engine visits the Huckleberry Railroad in late August.The search continues for a permanent meeting location, you can contact us at [email protected] Contact Wayne Wilder at [email protected] or 989-823-3409 if you would like to attend one of our meetings. (submitted by Wayne Wilder, Division Ten Superintendent)

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NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION

Division Four – Grand Rails Division (Grand Rapids and west Michigan area) The Grand Rails Division met June 30, 2018 and held an election of new officers. Skip Luyk was elected Superintendent, Bruce VanHuis was re-elected Assistant Superintendent, Tim Scott was re-elected Div. Scribe and Bill Riter was elected Div. Treasurer. There was much discussion about what can be done to re-vitalize the division and plans are being put together to pursue the objective. The members of the Grand Rails Div. want to thank out going Superintendent Mark Baldwin for his service to the div. and wish him great success as he moves to Buffalo, New York with his company. Good Luck Mark. (submitted by, Skip Luyk, Superintendent)

Division Five – Capital Division (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan area) While the Capital Division is normally quiet during the summer months, this summer is busy as the Lansing Lashup Convention Committee continues to work on plans for this fall's Region Convention. In addition, the Division is planning a summer layout tour of several layouts in the Northville area which are too far away for a layout tour after our regular monthly get together. This has become an anticipated annual summer event for the Division. We are visiting Scott Kremer, Ken Chick, and Bill Neale's railroads in Northville with a cookout hosted by Bill and Terry Neale for both the Division members and their spouses after the tour. The Division has settled into its new gathering spot, the Meridian Township Fire Department event room in Okemos and found it to be an excellent facility. We will resume meeting there in Sept. 8 at 1 pm. You can subscribe to the 15-25 page monthly Division 5 Newsletter. Send a request, Mark Cowles, at [email protected] . For more information, see the Division 5 website: div5.ncr-nmra.org (submitted by- Mark Cowles, Div. 5 Clerk)

Division Six – Motor City Division (Wayne & Washtenaw Counties) At Division 6, the Motor City Division... we are now starting to plan our 40th Fall Show & Workshop event. This will take place a week later... Sunday, December 2nd, at our meeting place, the Livonia Senior Center. We feel this event is special, as it is NOT a sale show. Div 6 members demonstrate HOW we do model railroading, show off railroad history and more!! We are also going to start the planning of a NCR first... a spring one-day event. Since it is only a one day event, we will not be calling it a convention, but it will have all of those same components... clinics, tours and OPS sessions. Much more info will be in the December HotBox. Meanwhile... Div 6 has enjoyed summer meetings to keep our model railroading interests and friendships, up and running! See the SCHEDULE on page 27 for our meeting schedule and location. Our Newsletter and other information can be found on our website - www.div6-ncr-nmra.com (submitted by Barry Hensel, Newsletter Editor)

Division Eight - Clinton River Division (Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair Counties) Clinton River Division 8 is gearing up for the "NORTH CENTRAL CROSSING 2019" convention November 7 - 10, 2019 in Troy. Put it on your calendar now. More information coming at the Lansing convention. At our June meeting Rich Mahaney discussed the Second Life of Cabooses. Members displayed 5 caboose dioramas, which will be at the Lansing convention. July was our annual “whenever we have enough" Flea Market of railroad-related items. Lots of cash flowed! In August, George Anderson will present a clinic about the "Locomotives of the Copper Country." Regional AP rep Ken Chick, MMR, gave Golden Spike awards to Ken Scherer and Brook Qualman (from Division 6) and four AP awards to Greg Rich, Model Railroad Author, Master Builder - Cars, Scenery, and Structures. Congratulations to our modelers! You are welcome to join us! For directions and other information, see the SCHEDULE on page 27. You can find out the upcoming Show & Tell theme and the presentation topic by visiting our web site, http://div8.ncr-nmra.org/ Come join the fun. (Submitted by Kent Aughe, Secretary-Dispatcher)

Division Three - 3 Rivers Division (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio area) Here it is for Three Rivers Division as I'm in Kansas City! Hope you've had a good Summer as we in the 3 Rivers Division are just getting back together after a short break. Some of us are working on putting the finishing touches on our Caboose Challenge entries. We are also building several displays for our NMRA Informational Booth as we will be getting into our busy time of year for Public Relations events. Hope you have a safe and Train filled autumn! (submitted by- Bob Jones, Superintendent)

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TRACK CENTERLINES By: Don Harbin, Div 10 NCR FEATURE

DRAWING TRACK CENTERLINES AND CURVES

After having recently rebuilt my benchwork and starting a new layout, I found myself ready to transfer the track plan from my one inch to the foot scale plan, onto the table tops full size. I needed a way to transition from the curves into the straight tangent sections using easements. In the past I had used some templates with different curve radii that I I used two-inch long bead-headed pins used for had made from Masonite that included the sewing to pin the guide in place. I drilled small transition easements, but they would not work this holes slightly larger than the diameter of the pin time around with the larger, more random broad shank along the bottom lip of the J. That allowed curves I had drawn on my plan. Some modelers me to easily pin the guide in place without trying to have used the bent stick approach which uses a force a pin through the edge on its’ own (they won’t flexible wood slat to transition from curve to tangent go). It was easy to go from tangent track through track section, usually about three feet in length. I the curve and back to straight again. I was able to wondered if I could use a longer stick to lay out the easily draw centerlines for the track on the table entire curve. top. Wooden spacers allowed for drawing parallel tracks 2 or 2 ½ inches apart through the curve as per NMRA standards.

Digging through the garage I came across some old vinyl clapboard siding from when our house was sided many years ago. A ten-foot section of this scrap siding seemed like it would serve the purpose with just a little trimming. Using a sharp utility knife I trimmed off most of the siding leaving a large J shaped piece ten feet long. The added lip gave the piece strength and flexibility but it also kept it from simply kinking or It is easy to lay down center lines for any amount of folding in half when shaped around the curves. It track. I used different colors to designate different will kink (yes it will) if you are not careful laying out sections of track. If you are still in the planning the curves so handle it with care. The ten-foot stages of your model railroad think about trying this section was long enough to lay out almost every alternative way to draw your track center lines on curve. the benchwork.

I measured spot points for all of the curves at various points in from the edge of the benchwork. Ed Note: Don’s article is a perfect example of the After that all I had to do was connect the dots. By type of great, short and informative articles we are pinning the guide in place and connecting the dots looking for at the HotBox!! If you have an upcoming it was a simple matter to lay down the curve lines project, please document it with pictures and some on the foam base. text. Then email it to the HotBox!! Thanks!!

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NMRA-NCR ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM NCR AWARDS

Members of the NCR have been busy over the last few months pursuing a variety of certificates in the Achievement Program.... let’s go modelers!!! There are also several applications waiting for national approval. Congratulations to all. I hope more will get involved and look forward to those on the following list sending me more SOQ’s. Keep up the great work! Skip, Luyk, MMR, NCR AP Coordinator

GOLDEN SPIKE AWARD – from Div 8- Brook Qualman and Ken Scherer; from Div 6- Barry Hensel, Phyllis & Marty LaForte, Ted Pilchak, Ed Beamish, Norm Logan, Bill Deeter, Joe Bliss

MODEL RAILROAD ENGINEER – ELECTRICAL - Scott Pandorf, Div 2

MODEL RAILROAD AUTHOR – Mark Cowles, Div 5

ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER - Douglas Malaznik, Div 6

MASTER BUILDER STRUCTURES – Richard Murphy, Div 6

MASTER BUILDER SCENERY - Richard Murphy, Div 6 Mark Cowles (L) receiving his Author Certificate Something from the NMRA website. The answer to the often asked question: "What is the purpose of the Record & Validation form, and is it really required?" In the days before computers, many members found it useful to have a special form to keep track of those items that required multiple entries over time (Structures, Cars, Dispatcher, Author, Volunteer, etc.) and the R&V form was developed to help in record keeping. Today, it is optional as most of the information is contained in the SOQ. For some certificates (Volunteer, Dispatcher, and Author), it might still prove useful, but is not necessary if the information is provided in some other fashion. Page 2 of the SOQ requires all of the same information as the Record and Validation form so you can use either form to keep your records of accomplishment. Just remember that you will need one of the two completed when you submit your SOQ that has page 1 and 3 completed.

ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM QUESTIONS: If you have questions about the AP or requirements, start with your Regional AP manager, Skip Luyk, MMR. If you still have questions, contact NMRA AP Chairman Frank Koch at [email protected] or write Frank at 4769 Silverwood Drive, Batavia, OH 45103.

Golden Spike Awardees, all members of the Rail Gang

group from Div 6- L to R Phyllis & Marty LaForte, Ted Pilchak, Barry Hensel, Ed Beamish, Norm Logan, Bill Deeter, Joe Bliss.

L to R - Golden Spike to

Brook Qualman; Master Builder Structures and Scenery to Richard Murphy; Golden Spike Award to Ken Scherer and NMRA Volunteer to Doug Malaznik

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The CAPITAL DIVISION (Div 5) will host

“LANSING LASHUP 2018” 2018 NMRA North Central Division Convention

OCTOBER 11 – 14, 2018 Ramada Lansing Hotel and Conference Center.

CONVENTION THEME: “Bringing Your Layout to Life”

CONVENTION FEATURES Excellent Convention Facilities Modeling with the Masters Special Event Over 30 Clinics with Many Featuring Scenery

Several Operating Sessions

Reduced Rate for Lodging (see website or call 517-627-3211)

Saturday Evening Dinner with Speaker, Chuck Geletzke, Jr Over 20 Layouts to Visit Modular Railroads on Site Room for Family Members to Relax or Work on Crafts

Prototype Tours

Evaluation of Models Available Upon Request Model Showcase Display Room And Much More

For More Information: nmrancrdiv5.com

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Clinic line up for LANSING LASHUP 2018 Lansing has been fortunate this year with a number of unexpected offers from our members to present some unique clinics this fall. The following is a list of currently confirmed clinics, but we still have a few more in the works. We hope you find these an additional enticement to book a room at the Ramada Inn and join us for this year’s convention. There is going to be a lot to see and learn about.

Pete Magoun MMR and Dave Capron MMR are presenting a regional version of Modeling with the Masters for us this year. Pete is our future NMRA national President and Dave is the author of a series of articles in RMC about building structures. They will demonstrate wood structure construction using JL Innovations MA Tower kit. This is a hands on, full participation clinic to be held Friday evening starting at 7 pm and running until the models are complete (they have the room for four hours). Price for the kit is $30, pre-paid by August 1. Only enough models for clinic participants will be ordered, so sign up early. This clinic is limited to 18 participants. A list of suggested tools can be found on our website.

Pete Magoun MMR will be sharing with us his techniques on painting backdrops. Norm Logan will offer his take on backdrop painting Greg Rich that shows how he deeply details and blends backdrops into the foreground scenery. Dave Capron MMR will continue instructing about Wooden Kit Building with his clinic on the same. This clinic is scheduled to run two plus hours. Skip Luyk, MMR is also presenting a clinic on How to Obtain your Master Model Railroader certification. Hints on navigating the requirements, paperwork and getting your models judged will be some of the topics covered. Sam Swanson MMR is joining us from the Cincinnati area to share his knowledge on Tree Construction for your layout. Sam will cover various species and techniques to model them. He will also show how to build bulk versus foreground trees. Steve Gladstein is giving us a clinic on Using 3rd Planet CAD software. Steve is going to demonstrate the features of 3rd Planet in real time so you can ask questions and see them clarified in real time. Scott Pandorf will be sharing a clinic he has presented at the National NMRA Convention this AUTUMN on Using Arduinos to Animate Your Layout. If you are familiar, an Arduino is a micro-computer that can be programmed to drive lighting or motor circuits. Alan Bell joins us from Fort Wayne to share his knowledge on the Inter-workings of Mechanical Interlocking Plants. Alan will share the theory, installation guidelines and some learnings he has on the actual operation of the mechanical logic used on these installations. Brook Qualmann agreed to share her techniques for Scratch Building Prototype Based Buildings. Anyone fortunate enough to visit Brook and Jay’s layout has been astounded by the quality, and quantity of Brooks’ work, and the fidelity to the prototype structures she replicates. John Bussard, our local scenery guru, will treat us to an extended Scenery Clinic. John demonstrates his techniques real time to his audience, starting with basic scenery forms in his first session and moving on to explaining how to add each additional layer of scenery. Rich Mahaney has offered us a number of clinics this fall, from which we have chosen the following FIVE: A) Tanks Cars 101 for Model Railroaders will show the different styles and types of tank cars used in different eras. He will also offer suggestions on how to increase the tank car traffic on your layout. B) Interesting Flat Car Loads will give examples of the ‘stuff’ that is transported on flat cars and how you can replicate it for your own railroad. C) Railroad Car Traffic or Making Pancakes…no sleeping in this clinic. After discussing the parameters of industries and the freight cars that support those industries, students will be divided into groups to brain storm the products, raw materials and rail cars needed to support this industry. Someone from your group will be ‘elected’ to present your findings to the rest of the class. D) Junctions, Interchanges and Diamonds for Your Model Railroad will first look at the prototype and then transition to how to utilize Junctions and Interchanges to amplify the operations on your railroad. E) Perishable Operations in the 1950’s. He will look at refrigerator cars as they were used to transport meat, produce, milk and fruit and the infrastructure needed to support their operation. Included will be information on the documentation required to move perishables across the rail system.

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Clinic line up for LANSING LASHUP 2018 Nathan Holth is a local historian with and interest in Railroad Bridges. He will be offering a slide presentation on mid-west bridges with a close focus on the International Bridge Crossing at the Soo Locks in the World War 2 era. Bob Blake will give his clinic on Changes in the Hobby over the Last Fifty Years. Chris Thompson will show us how to Artistically Weather Freight Cars. This looks like this clinic will be a hands on, air brush using, clinic on how-to-do it. Car bodies for this clinic will be provided. Brooks Stover MMR has moved into the Lansing area and will be sharing with us tips on Creating and Scratch Building Structures. Brooks’ work is in S scale, but his techniques apply to all scales. Bob Blake will show you how to model and detail Gas Stations of the 1950’s Gaylord Gill will use his layout as a case study to share ideas for Improving Your Layout’s Representation of the Prototype without doing a total make over. Larry Wolohan MMR will demonstrate his techniques and secrets of building Resin Kits. Bill Rubarth will share the story of researching and building his model of the steam ship Solado. Bill Selleck will show you how to create and use Scenery Goop as a basis for creating landforms and that first layer of scenery. Mark Cowles will take you on a photographic tour of Lansing Then & Now. David Wentworth will share with us his techniques on modeling water, from meandering rivers to raging mountain streams to still ponds. Terry Davis will offer a Make and Take of basic model building techniques using plastics instead of wood. A $5 charge will be requested at the door to cover consumables for this clinic. Bring your basic tool kit with you, please. Jeff Fryman, Senior Dispatcher on the Wabash 2nd District will show you how to create a Schedule and Timetable for your railroad. Fritz Milhaupt will demonstrate techniques for Renumbering Railroad Equipment so you can eliminate duplicate locomotive and freight car numbers. John Young will offer ways to Implement Car Cards and Way Bills for your freight car forwarding system, and some hints of managing implementation. Ron St. Laurent will be demonstrating Digital Templates for car cards and waybills, plus instructions on how to digitally create them Fritz Milhaupt will also share with you his fundamental passion in model railroading, by sharing his knowledge of C&O Passenger Service in Michigan. Cars, infrastructures and how each was utilized will be a part of Fritz’s Power Point presentation.

This looks like about forty-eight hours of clinics for your enjoyment and education this convention weekend. Some of these clinics have never been presented before; some are long time favorites that you may have missed in the past. All offer a chance to share the fellowship of your model railroading buddies from around the Great Lakes.

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RAILROAD HISTORY By: Don Watson NCR HISTORY THE MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD of the three railroads. About the time the railroad Michigan achieved statehood in 1837 and almost reached Kalamazoo in 1846 it ran out of money. It immediately chartered railroads to be constructed was purchased from the State of Michigan by along three routes: The Northern, from Port Huron Boston interests and was reorganized as the to the head of navigation on the Grand River; the Michigan Central Railroad. Construction resumed in Central, from Detroit to St. Joseph and the the direction of New Buffalo rather than St. Joseph Southern, from the head of navigation on the Raisin and in 1849 the line reached Michigan City, Indiana River, west of Monroe to New Buffalo. about as far as its Michigan charter could take it. To reach the Illinois border the Michigan Central used the charter of the New Albany & Salem (a predecessor of the Monon) for which it purchased a block of NA&S stock. The Michigan Central continued on Illinois Central rails to Chicago, reaching there in 1852.

In 1993 the idea of building three basically parallel railroads across Michigan that didn’t connect with each other for the interchange of freight seems unbelievable to say the least. But in 1837, the United States was a completely different place than it is today. Most of the US population was still in the original 13 states. The first US railroad was only 7 years old, there was no vast railroad network in the country and the country itself had little manufacturing. The original master plan for the Southern route was to start at Toledo which was a part of Michigan territory when the plan was drawn. To become a state, Michigan had to give up Toledo The Great Western Railway opened in 1854 from in return for the Upper Peninsula, so the head of Niagara Falls to Windsor, Ontario opposite Detroit, the Raisin River west of Monroe was substituted for and in 1855 John Roebling’s suspension bridge Toledo. Monroe was on Lake Erie and New Buffalo across the Niagara River was completed, creating was on Lake Michigan. with the New York Central a line of rails from Albany to Windsor. The Great Western (which had There were no roads in Michigan in 1837, only a track gauge of 5’ 6”) installed a third running rail some well used Indian Trails and trying to take a for the standard gauge equipment between 1864 wagon over these trails in 1837 was a and 1866. Vanderbilt (of the New York Central) disheartening adventure! Detroit was a port on the who started purchasing Michigan Central stock in Detroit River and St. Joseph was a port on Lake 1869, tried to purchase the Great Western. He did Michigan. Port Huron was a port on Lake Huron not succeed and turned his attention to the Canada and the head of navigation on the Grand River Southern. It had been incorporated in 1868 as the could be Grand Haven on Lake Michigan or Grand Erie & Niagara Extension Railway to build a line Rapids on the Grand River, depending on the size across the north shore of Lake Erie and then cross of the boat. Sailing vessels did a big business on the Detroit River below the city of Detroit. the Great Lakes in 1837 and all three of the Vanderbilt acquired the road in 1876. The Michigan proposed railroads started and ended in port cities. Central leased it in 1882. The New York Central leased the Michigan Central in 1930. The state purchased the Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad in 1837 as the basis for the Central Route

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RAILROAD HISTORY By: Don Watson NCR HISTORY From 1930 until the present time, the Michigan Out of this failure, Conrail was born in 1973. Conrail Central has existed on legal papers only, but the is still alive in 1993, but is much smaller than the name no longer exists on rolling stock or old Penn-Central and somewhere in all the legal locomotives. 1930 was the beginning of the big papers, the name Michigan Central still appears. Depression and the New York Central would spend The Michigan Central does still roll the rails on the no money to change the Michigan Central name on rolling stock of Jim Woodward’s HO Michigan rolling stock to New York Central, but as new Central Railroad. equipment was purchased it bore the name New Don Watson January 1993 York Central. On February 1, 1967, one of the greatest railroad financial disasters took place Division 6 member Don Watson, gave these when the New York Central merged with the lessons nearly every month and they always Pennsylvania to become the Penn-Central. entertained and informed. After Don’s passing at the age of 90, his family presented them to Div. 6 and the NCR.

Editors note: Jim Woodward was an original member of Division 6 and lived in Dearborn. After his passing, his railroad was dismantled. And the more recent news is that the Michigan Central station in Detroit is now owned by Ford Motor Co and will be refurbished to be an engineering center with retail space. COOL!! There were numerous financial and railroad reasons for this merger to fail, but I do not have enough time to elaborate! To explain it in a few words let me say that the merger was a late in life marriage to which each partner brings a house, a summer cottage, two cars, several complete sets of china and glassware, plus car payments and mortgages on the houses. Oh June 21, 1970, Penn-Central entered bankruptcy and the nation’s sixth largest corporation had become the nation’s largest bankruptcy.

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NMRA & FRIENDSHIPS By: Ken Chick, MMR NCR STORY About 3 decades ago (maybe more) I wrote a short scalers do. Some of these railroaders travel all over piece for the Hotbox for National Railroad Month. It the country and some have no home other than talked about the benefits of the NMRA, primarily the their motor home. Their “home” is one of the many friendships we garner and keep thru the years. 7½” railroads around the country. Northern ones in During my 45 years in the NMRA, I have realized the Summer and southern ones in the Winter. some of the best friendships one could hope for. Unfortunately, some are now passed on but many During the day, I was able to ride on 4 different are still here and continue to share life experiences trains and enjoyed a great picnic where I met with me, model railroading among them. several other modelers that I’ll probably see again; and hopefully, operate with again. More friendships Recently I attended the July Div.8 meeting as I had in the making. One of the trains I rode was Bill’s two Golden Spike awards to hand out, besides I and I sat directly behind him and during our ride he enjoy the meeting. (I am a member of Div. 6) While explained a lot about the railroad. After we were on there Marv Linke, a friend that I have known for the rails for what seemed a very long time, Bill told over 30 years, asked me if I would like to attend the us all that we were about halfway thru with the run. 2018 South Oakland County Model Railroad Club There are several different routes that can be picnic. Although I have operated on the SOC layout taken. Some trains that had left the yard after us a number of times, I am not a member and felt were already back in the yard. honored to be asked. The picnic was to be held on Saturday at Bill Hayes’ Michigan Central Railroad. The last train I rode on was Doug Kass’ Grand (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan- Trunk. Doug is a Div. 8 member and has been a Central-Railroad/704369886301407) For those of friend for several years. When we were done, Doug you that don’t know, Bill’s railroad is a bit larger asked me if I had ever operated a 7½” gauge than my N-Scale railroad. He models in 7½” gauge. engine. I told him I had not. “Would you like to,” he It’s big and we ride on the trains thru the woods on asked. Now I may be getting up in years but I what must be over a mile of track. haven’t lost all my marbles. Yes, YES, YES!! I had the time of my life running his engine around the woods. Doug sat behind me to coach me and insure that I didn’t do anything really dumb, like fail to pay attention to what I was doing and run a signal. The railroad is signaled and you need to pay attention lest you have something bad happen - nothing did.

As it turned out, Saturday was a big day for Bill and several other 7½” gauge operators, It was also Bill’s birthday and he enjoyed our picnic with us. Beside SOC, there were about 10 trailers and/or motor homes there, whose owners came to run on the railroad. Some had been there for a week and a number were staying for a lot longer. Some operators bring engines and others are just there to Anyhow, because of a couple of friends, I was able operate on existing equipment. A few have their to enjoy one really great day. Thank You, guys. engines permanently stored in the MCRR Model railroading is fun and the NMRA helps make roundhouse. When there is an operating session, it so. they use a card system just as many of us “small”

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PRECISION SCALE POLE By: Howard Andrews, Div 6 NCR PROJECT

Converting the Bachmann Peter Witt to a Above- drill out a 1/16” clearance hole in the spring Precision Scale Pole for the trolley pole on the circuit board.

The Bachmann Peter Witt is a great model. But, like many models the trolley pole is leaves a little to be desired in reliability market. And, with it being a fixed pole you can not easily change it out. So, I like to convert them over to use the Precision Scale Poles, the standard I use with all my models. When Alex asked me to covert his to a Precision Scale Pole I decided to document it to help others who may like to convert theirs.

Above- a 1/16 diameter K&S tube supports the pole. Run a #61 drill inside the tube to assure the pole fits loosely. Then solder a small piece of brass stock to the tube to assure good contact with the spring on the circuit board. Test fit the tube to the circuit board as shown right.

The Peter Witt comes apart easy, simply spread the body and the lower portion will pull out. You can then reach in with a small screw driver and pop the roof off. Once the roof is free remove the pole supplied with the car. This leaves a large opening in the roof, fill this in with a short piece of 0.10 diameter styrene that has a 1/16” opening drilled in the center for the brass tube which will hold the Adjust the length of the tube to assure it doesn’t new trolley pole. The modified roof is shown above. impact the circuit board. Then glue the tube into the model’s roof as shown above. Now all that remains is to re-assemble the model and get it running!

The printed circuit board is removed with 2 screws. Below- Gently file the top of the pole spring to remove the ‘dimple’ and provide a starting point for drilling a clearance hole for the tube. I’ll be happy to answer questions on this conversion... just email me please..... [email protected]

This article reprinted with permission from the The Detroit United Railway Club’s November 2010 newsletter

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PROTOTYPE PAGE NCR PROTOTYPE

We’re on a Michigan Central theme this issue of the HotBox! Here, we present some of the more notable structures of the Michigan Central RR. Left down, then right – Michigan Central Depot Detroit, Niles station, Battle Creek station, swing bridge at Trail Creek Michigan City, Ind, Ann Arbor station (now the Gandy Dancer resturant), Ypsilanti station and freight house, Dexter station. (Note- all pictures from the internet)

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HOBBY SHOP & BUSINESS CORNER

OTHER HOBBY SHOPS in the NCR Whistle Stop Hobbies & Crafts, Decatur, IN Phil's Hobby Shop, Fort Wayne, IN The Gladieux Train Depot, Oregon, OH Rider’s Hobby, Grand Rapids, MI

It is with a very sad heart that we announce the closing of Dave’s TV & Hobby in Westland, MI. The shop closed in late July. There was no sale, but we understand that remaining stock will be posted online and sold that way. Dave, and his wife Lucy, were a big part of the westside hobby scene. They gave excellent service, were super friendly and a joy to deal with. Lucy passed a few years ago. With Dave now closed, the Detroit hobby shop scene will be at a loss. Best wishes for a happy retirement Dave!! THANKS for serving the hobby!

On the plus side of hobby shop news.... the Grand Opening of the Nankin Southgate store happened in mid-July and was a huge success!! THANKS Nankin Hobby for another location in our Detroit area and for supporting the local model railroading scene! THANK-YOU to our hobby shops for your support by selling the HotBox in your stores!

How about writing an article on your latest modeling project! At the HotBox, WE NEED AND WANT YOUR ARTICLES!!

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NCR SCHEDULE NCR DIVISION meetings NCR INFORMATION

Division One Black Swamp Division (Toledo and Northwest Ohio area) We meet at Proclaim FM radio station community center, 7112 Angola Rd., Holland, OH 43528, near the Airport Highway exit from I-475/SR23 in west Toledo. Meetings are on the 3rd or 4th Friday of each month from September through April. During the Summer, we take a field trip to a rail museum, prototype site, layout tour, etc. The schedule is posted on our website at www.divisiononencr.com, where you will find lots of information on our activities, member layouts, interesting links and our monthly publication, the Train Order.

Division Two Tip of the Mitt (Manistee to Iosco counties, to the tip of the mitten at the Mackinac Bridge) Our two annual division meetings will rotate between the two locations. We are currently scheduling Yard activities in both Traverse City and Petoskey. For more info, contact David Capron, MMR Superintendent.

Division Three 3 Rivers Division (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio) Our monthly meetings are at the Baker Street Station, the iconic/historic restored Pennsy Passenger Depot in downtown Fort Wayne. The meetings are held on the Second Monday, from 7 PM to 9PM, in one of the board rooms. Exceptions to this schedule will be March, June, July- no meeting, September, December. Any updates/changes can be found on our website: http://div3.ncr-nmra.org

Division Four Grand Rails Division (Grand Rapids and western Michigan) Meets quarterly with other special events thrown in. For additional information contact Skip Luyk, MMR at 616-363-3453 or 3165 Lost Creek Trail NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 [email protected]

Division Five Capital Division (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan) Meets at 1pm, on the SECOND Saturday of each month at the Meridian Township Fire Department event room in Okemos. We meet September to May with additional activities added through the year. Please check our website or contact the Supervisor for meeting location. www.div5.ncr-nmra.org

Division Six Motor City Division (Wayne & Washtenaw Counties) 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 Clinton River Division (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 Nine – SW Michigan Division (Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St.Joseph, VanBuren Counties) Meets monthly except the months of July and August. Monthly activities begin with a meeting at 10AM at the Comstock Public Library, Comstock MI, followed by either a clinic or a planned layout tour usually on the third Saturday of the month. An informal optional breakfast at 9 AM at a nearby restaurant is also a part of our routine. Visitors are always welcome. For additional and up to date information contact Garry Johnson 269-365-6777 [email protected] www.div9ncr-nmra.org www.facebook.com/DIV9.NCR.NMRA

Division Ten Ten Wheelers Division (Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron Counties) Meets on the SECOND Wednesday of the month. At this time we are looking for a new meeting location so we are moving around. Call Superintendent, Wayne Wilder at 989-823-3409 or email him at [email protected] to verify meeting time and location of meeting or directions to the meeting location. We hope you will join us for a night of fun and information!

OTHER GROUPS meeting in the NCR AREA There are MANY rail organizations in the NCR area. They can be found at www.michiganrailroads.com www.ohiorailtourism.org www.irtg.org

YOU should join and attend your local NMRA/NCR/Division meetings and activities! Get the most out of your hobby – participate often!!

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NCR TIMETABLE EVENTS! NCR AREA EVENTS

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!

Saturday, September 8, 2018 - Willard Train Fest Willard, OH - Willard High School & Willard Depot Contact information - Jim Heffley 419-935-0495

Saturday, September 15, 2018 5th annual Hastings Train Show by the Battle Creek Model RR Club & Iron Rails Model Railroad Club Barry Expo Center 1350 N M-37 Hwy Hastings, MI 49058 10am-3:30pm $5 under 12 free Operating layouts including a “hands on” Thomas the Train layout, displays, vendors, door prizes, food, unlimited free parking and fun!! Contact info- Brad Miles 269-953-9171 [email protected] www.bcmrrc.net

Saturday-Sunday, September 15-16, 2018 Blissfield Model Railroad Club Open House Blissfield Model Railroad Club Site 109 E. Adrian St. (US 223) Blissfield, MI 49228 11 am to 4 pm FREE!. Wheelchair Accessible Website: http://www.bmrr.org

Friday-Saturday, September 21-22, 2018 - Modeling Like a Pro (2 day workshop) South Bend, IN - Notre Dame KcKenna Hall Conference Center Contact information - NMRA Michiana Division 574-286-0309

Saturday, September 22, 2018 - Mt Clemens Train Show St. Louis Social Hall 39140 Ormsby St. Mt. Clemens, MI 48036 10am to 3pm $3 per person, $5 per family, children under 12 free Food & Refreshments on site, Barrier Free Access, Free Parking, Hourly Door Prizes, Operating Layouts Contact Information - Carl Hikade 586-463-5184 [email protected] or Joe Hiestand 586-924-0499

Saturday, September 22, 2018 - Canfield Train & Toy Show Canfield, OH - Canfield Fairgrounds Contact information - Elwood Woolman, 330-651-1042

Sunday, October 14, November 11, 2018 Wolverine Train Club Show United Food & Commercial Workers Hall 876 Horce Brown Drive Madison Heights, MI 48071 10am-2pm $3 per person under 12 is free Door Prizes Every Hour, Free Parking, All Gauges of Trains, Food and Refreshments Available Website- www.ttoswolverine.org Food service provided by The Madison Height Lions Club Contact Information - Bob Burgee 586-662-0225

Saturday-Sunday, October 6-7, 2018 The Great Berea Train Show see ad on page 23 Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Middleburg Heights, Ohio Website: http://www.thegreatbereatrainshow.org/

Thursday-Sunday, October 11–14, 2018 - “LANSING LASHUP 2018” 2018 NMRA North Central Division Convention, hosted by The Capital Division (Div 5) Ramada Lansing Hotel & Conference Center See website - www.nmrancrdiv5.com

Saturday, October, 13, 2018 – Train Show Grand River Valley RR Club Wyoming, MI See ad on page 8

Saturday, October, 13, 2018 – Downriver Toy &Train Show Woodhaven, MI Twin Oaks Christian Church Contact Info- Conan Brooks 313-673-8472

Sunday, October 28, 2018 - 39th Annual Gigantic Train Show and Sale Kalamazoo Model RR Hist Society Expo Center Building on the Kalamazoo County Fair Grounds 10AM to 3PM cost - $6 adults Kids under 10 Free with paid adult admission. We have Operating layouts, A Hands-On Children's Layout, RR hobby clinics, over 175 Vendor tables and tons of train and RR memorabilia in every scale. There will be Door Prizes, Free parking, and MORE!!!! Contact Information- David Hayes-Moats 269-344-0906 [email protected]

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NCR TIMETABLE EVENTS! NCR AREA EVENTS

Sunday, November 3-4, 2018 Gratiot Valley Train Show & Sale Mt Clemens High School 155 Cass Ave Mt Clemens, MI NEW LOCATION!! 10 AM - 4 PM Admission $6 Children 12 & under FREE with an adult admission. Discount Coupon at www.gvrr.org One of Michigan’s largest model railroad hobby events! Numerous Dealer Tables; Door Prizes; Lots of Operating Layouts; Free Kids Train Set Raffle; Wheelchair Accessible Contact Info - call 586-468-4877. Website - http://www.gvrr.org

Sunday, November 11, 2018 Lansing Model Train Show and Sale Hosted by Lansing Model RR Club Michigan State University Pavilion 4301 Farm Lane East Lansing, MI 48824 www.lmrc.org 10 am to 4 pm $6 adults, free children under 12 yrs and scouts in uniform. Wheelchair Accessible over 500 tables of model trains, railroad collectibles, toys, operating layouts, how-to demonstrations, and more! Contact Info- Dennis Morley 989-723-2870 [email protected]

Saturday-Sunday, November 10-11, Thanksgiving weekend Nov 23-24-25; December 1-2, 9 8-2018 Detroit Model Railroad Club Open House 104 North Saginaw St. Holly, MI 48442 Noon - 5PM Adults - $5, Seniors (65+) - $4, 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 [email protected]

Saturday, November 17, 2018- Maumee Valley Railroad Club Model Railroad Show & Swap Coliseum Bingo 911 W. Washington Center Road Fort Wayne, IN 46825 9am to 2pm $5 Adults, $7 Families, ages 12 and under free http://maumeevalleyrailroad.com Vendors, layout, 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

Sunday, November 25, 2018- Railroadiana Toys & Trains SS. Simon & Jude Church Hall 32500 Palmer Road Westland, MI 48186 Noon-4pm $2 per person, $4 family, Early Bird $15 per person after 11am Food & Drink available Contact Information - Norm Swope 734-595-8327

Sunday, November 25, 2018 - Rails on Wheels' Annual Southeast Michigan Model Train Show and Sale. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road Ann Arbor, MI 10 AM to 3 PM $4, children under age 12 free with an adult. Early Bird - $10/person (8–10 AM) A family-friendly event featuring operating train layouts, a Lego layout display, plus a train kids can run. Over 100 tables of scale and tinplate model trains, railroading and train-related books, videos and photo for sale, too. Food available and free parking. Contact Info: Walt Trancygier [email protected] 734-552-4581

Sunday- December 2, 2018 - 39th annual Division 6 Fall Model Train Show & Workshop Livonia Senior Center Five Mile Rd and Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI Website- www.div6-ncr-nmra.com 11am – 4pm FREE wheelchair accessible 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!

Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2, 2018 - Great Train Show Model Railroad Exhibit, Memorabilia, Show and Sale Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 4000 Parnell Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 10am - 4pm Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased on-site) Kids 11 and under are Free Hundreds of tables of new and used trains for sale at discounted prices; new product displays; operating model train layouts; free modeling workshops and clinics; activities for kids and more! Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information - http://GreatTrainShow.com www.giantshow.com/fortwayne.html

Sunday, December 9, 2018 - Trains & Trade Show Beacon Hill Golf Course, Commerce Township, MI Contact info- Brian McKee 248-698-3961

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NCR HotBox PIKE ADS

YOU too, can have a Pike Ad for your railroad or club! Just email the HotBox Staff for all the details. We’ll even help you design your Pike Ad.

And best of all... It’s cool!!

30 the HotBox AUTUMN 2018

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS

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Permit Holder: National Model Railroad Association NON-PROFIT ORG. The North Central Region, U.S. POSTAGE c/o Dean Pyers, Resident Agent PAID 8212 Clay Ct LIVONIA, MI Sterling Hgts, MI 48313 Permit No. 1230

in the next issue of THE Box –

MORE LAYOUT PHOTOS

.... stay tuned!

NEW! 2019 NCR Convention News!

RailFanning the North Montana Line of Dan Lewis, MMR