THE C UPLER A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHEASTERN REGION • NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION ISSUE NO. 233 • JANUARY-MARCH 2009
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Canadian Pacific Railway’s 10th annual Holiday Train is seen deadheading south past the former Delaware & Hudson station in Plattsburgh, New York a little after midnight on November 27, 2008. What a sight at night! The train made a tour that included Pennsylvania and New York before returning to Canada to complete its journey. PHOTO AND LIGHTING BY GARY KNAPP WAYBILLS AND MANIFEST
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign - Adding period signage to your model landscape - by Ron Palmquist . . . . 6
Scouting for new members - Recruiting the next generation of railroaders - by John Stevens ...... 7
A wooden “classic” hits the rails - Bringing and old kit “back to the future” - by Bruce DeYoung ...... 8
First-time experiences at Empire Junction ‘08 - by Tom Kehoskie and Art & Pat Goldburn ...... 9
DEPARTMENTS AND L-C-L NER News and Events ...... 4 NER Empire Builders ...... 17 NER Brass Page ...... 2 NER Contest Results ...... 14 Made in the NER ...... 18 NER President’s Letter ...... 3 NER Photo Contest Results . . . . 16 NER New Members ...... 19 NORTHEASTERN REGION BRASS NER OFFICERS AND STAFF
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY KENNETH MAY PAUL ALLARD, MMR LARRY CANNON, MMR KEITH F. SHONEMAN 71 Buff Cap Road 53 Rollin Irish Road 516 Pond Road 21 Freedom Farme Road Tolland, CT 06084 Milton, VT 05468 Lewiston, ME 04240 Acton, MA 01720 www.nernmra.org (860) 872-3441 (802) 893-2228 (207) 786-3929 (978) 376-0080 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
OFFICE MANAGER ADVANCEMENT PRGM. CHAIR MODEL CONTEST CHAIR PHOTO CONTEST CHAIR MARK HARLOW PAUL ALLARD, MMR BOB HAMM, MMR ROGER OLIVER THE COUPLER 280 S. Main Street 53 Rollin Irish Road 460 Grand Avenue 61 Franklin Road Hopedale, MA 01747 Milton, VT 05468 Saratoga Spgs, NY 12866 Denville, NJ 07834-1558 The official publication of (508) 528-8587 (802) 893-2228 (518) 587-0743 [email protected] The Northeastern Region of [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] the National Model Railroad Association. CONVENTIONS CHAIR NER HISTORIAN NER OPSIG COORDINATOR NER WEBMASTER VACANT JOSEPH LECAROZ AL ONETO MIKE ROQUE Issue No. 233 PO Box 7150 327 Springer Road 60 High Manor Drive, Apt 1 Newburgh, NY 12550 Fairfield, CT 06430 Henrietta, NY 14467 EDITOR (914) 564-4626 (203) 255-1331 (585) 615-4862 PHIL MONAT [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 3125 Independence Ave. Bronx, NY 10463 (718) 884-0261 NER REGIONAL DIRECTORS [email protected] CONNECTICUT LONG ISLAND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND NMRA EASTERN DIRECTOR WORDSMITH & RHODE ISLAND & NEW YORK CITY TERRY KING KEVIN FEENEY FRANKLIN LANG VINCENT GALLOGLY ANDREW WASOWICZ P. O. Box 188 831 New Norwalk Road Stamford, CT 105 Woodhaven Drive P. O. Box 863320 East Livermore, ME 04228 New Caanan, CT 06084 [email protected] Trumbull, CT 06611 Ridgewood, NY 11386-3320 (207) 933-2477 (203) 966-5175 (203) 268-0437 (718) 366-3830 [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITOR [email protected] [email protected] EASTERN CANADA TOM BARTLEY NEW YORK STATE Vacant Pleasantville, NY NEW JERSEY MASSACHUSETTS MIKE EVANS ROGER OLIVER WILLIAM BARRY 838 Mason Street COPY EDITOR 61 Franklin Road 35 Blaiswood Avenue Morrisonville, NY 12962 BARRY ABISCH Denville, NJ 07834-1558 Marlborough, MA 01752-3910 (518) 563-3989 Somers, NY (973) 625-3414 (508) 251-1252 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ART DIRECTOR OTTO M. VONDRAK Harrison, NY [email protected] NER DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS NUTMEG DIVISION HUB DIVISION HUDSON VALLEY DIVISION ©2009 Northeastern Region NMRA. PRESIDENT PRESIDENT ACTING PRESIDENT The editorial policy of The Coupler, JOE SOKOL RICHARD JOHANNES RALPH GABLER the official publication of the 1170 Hartford Tpke #E-51 40 Pelham Street (845) 876-4930 Northeastern Region, shall be to con - Vernon, CT 06066 Newton, MA 02459 tribute, wherever and whenever pos - (860) 872-2240 (617) 244-0068 METRO NORTH DIVISION sible, to the promotion, growth, and [email protected] [email protected] SUPERINTENDENT understanding of the hobby of model CARL LIBA railroading. The Coupler is published HUDSON-BERKSHIRE DIVISION SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION 14 Adams Farm Road four times a year by and for the mem - PRESIDENT PRESIDENT Westport, CT 06880 bers of the Northeastern Region of PAUL HOFFMAN WALTER NEUMEN (203) 226-0562 the National Model Railroad 128 Woodfield Blvd 149 Clark Blvd [email protected] Association. Subscription rate is Mechanicville, NY 12118 Massapequa Park, NY 11762-2636 $7.00 per year. Any items related to (518) 899-5707 (516) 798-0575 LITTLE RHODY DIVISION the activities of the Northeastern [email protected] SUPERINTENDENT Region and its member divisions are CENTRAL NEW YORK DIVISION HENRY PIERCE gladly accepted. Please address all SUPERINTENDENT GARDEN STATE DIVISION 75 Shady Hill Drive correspondence, news, photos, and BRIAN CURRY PRESIDENT West Warwick, RI 02893-2336 drawings to the Editor. Any submis - 3594 Chamberlain Road TOM WORTMANN (401) 821-4256 sions sent by mail will be gladly Weedsport, NY 13166 68 Carmel Avenue [email protected] returned if the sender provides a (315) 689-1303 Staten Island, NY 10314 self-addressed stamped envelope. [email protected] (718) 494-0388 [email protected] SEACOAST DIVISION INACTIVE DIVISIONS PRESIDENT GREEN MOUNTAIN DIVISION # PIONEER DIVISION BRUCE ROBINSON PRESIDENT # MARITIMES DIVISION 19 Hunt Pond Road CHRIS CARFARO # DIVISION ALOUETTE Sandown, NH 03873 P.O. Box 9 (603) 887-5922 Richmond, VT 05477 [email protected] (802) 999-6520 [email protected] SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR COUPLER #234 IS FEB. 13 We want to hear from you—Contact Editor Phil Monat for more information
• THE COUPLER • 2 • ISSUE 233 • Quarterly news and editorial commentary regarding the NER President’s goals and activities of the Northeastern Region NMRA, and its member divisions. Letter BY KEN MAY NER President
Happy New Year! The tasks was to appoint an individual to serve thank you Don for your dedication. year 2008 is over, and as Secretary of the NER. This person With the arrival of the month of January, the second half of the would be responsible for attending NMRA it means it is time for the Railroad Hobby year included an excep - Board of Directors meetings, taking and Show at the Eastern States Exposition tionally successful con - publishing the minutes of those meetings, sponsored by the Amherst Railway vention program in and being a resource when it was neces - Society. With no NER Convention in 2009 Syracuse, NY hosted sary to research an issue in the minutes of due to the NMRA National Convention in by the Central New previous meetings. Bill Powers served Hartford in July, the NER booth at the train York Division. For three and a half days with distinction in this position for four show will be the location of the Hartford Jim Heidt and his outstanding convention years. On behalf of the membership of the National 2009 Convention promotion committee provided a convention program NER, thank you Bill for your dedication. booth. The program for the week is just of clinics, tours, layout visits and operating Don Irace of North Scituate, RI is our about completed, and early registration at sessions that kept nearly two hundred fifty second recipient. In the fall of 2002 when I the show will allow you the best possible participants active and happy. I offer my was elected President the NER was in need choice of convention activities. Please plan personal congratulations to all those who of an Office Manager. I appointed Don to to fill out and mail in a registration form. If worked very hard on a wonderful program. the position, and he served the Region in you would be willing to volunteer a small At the Syracuse Convention I had the this capacity for six years. Don was amount of time to staff the convention, great pleasure of recognizing two of our responsible for interfacing with the NMRA then the committee has a program to pro - members with President's Awards. The headquarters staff with regard to any mem - vide free participation in the convention in President’s Award recognizes an individual bership issue. He managed the subscrip - exchange. who offered a significant contribution of tion list for The Coupler, and he also dis - I look forward to seeing many of you in effort and time to the Region. tributed to the Division membership folks Hartford in July. I hope you will all be Our first recipient is Bill Powers of the monthly membership updates from there to welcome our guests from around Sutton, MA. In the fall of 2002 when I was NMRA headquarters in Chattanooga. On the country. Happy Model Railroading! elected President, one of my immediate behalf of the membership of the NER, —Ken May, NER President FROM THE EDITORS Places, everyone... It’s showtime! Over the past year you have seen in these group have put in countless hours trying to about you, but I really want the NER, one of pages announcements, discussions, and “get this show on the road,” but they can’t do the largest regions in our international organ - requests for support regarding that biggest of this alone. They need help, and lots of it. We ization, to put on a heck of a show. I want to all shows, the NMRA National Convention. need tour guides, ticket takers, silent auction be proud that we did a great job and that As most of you know, it’s coming to our own help, clinic support staff, bus captains, office everybody had a great time. And to do that, northeastern region in less than seven months help, contest help—you name, we need it! we need lots of volunteer help. and all of us are out of time. We can no longer And Don Straub, who is our volunteer coor - To be sure, someone can just appear un- procrastinate, delay, ignore, or avoid the fact dinator, needs to get a handle on how many announced and still be helpful, useful and that the single biggest event in model rail - folks are going to show up, raise their hand much appreciated—certainly that happens, roading is going to happen right here in the and say, “I’m here, show me what to do.” especially with many of our guest registrants NER—on our watch, in our back yard. It is, It’s really that simple. Just show up and we who occasionally volunteer some of their as they say in my theatrical profession, can put you to work. But we must know in time during the week. But if you can attend “Showtime!” advance how many folks we can expect. That (and if you live nearby and miss this party, Yes, I know. Since we don’t open till next is what makes the convention experience run shame on you!) I hope you can get in touch summer (July 5 to be precise), the proverbial so smoothly and enjoyably for our guests, with coordinator Don Straub know (his 8:00pm curtain-up is not quite upon us. But more than a 1000 of whom will be making email is [email protected] ) national conventions are not shows that hap - the trip to our party. And make no mistake, and volunteer some time. By assuring ade - pen quickly. It takes a tremendous amount of this is our party. We are the hosts, regardless quate staffing levels we will all have a much pre-planning and coordination and that is why of the NMRA’s convention committee and better time and do our home region proud. it is so important to step up and volunteer national convention structure—it’s in our See you there. right now. Vin Gallogly and his hard-working house this game is being played. I don’t know —Phil Monat, Editor
• THE COUPLER • 3 • ISSUE 233 • Schedule of model railroading events from around the NER News and Northeastern Region. To have your event listed here (space permitting), please contact Phil Monat, Editor. Events COMPILED BY THE COUPLER STAFF
GREEN MOUNTAIN DIVISION January 11: Division Meeting.
March 29, 2009: Division Meeting.
May 17, 2009: Division Meeting.
September 9-12, 2010: The Champlain Valley Flyer NER Regional Convention, Burlington, Vermont. This will be the first NER convention in Vermont in over ten years – don’t miss it!
GARDEN STATE DIVISION The Garden State Division will hold it annu - al reorganization / business meeting at 12 noon, Sunday 18 January 2009 (the 3rd Sunday in January at the Ramapo Valley Railroad Club, 620 Cliff Street, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423. The Ramapo Valley club is in the Thanks to the encourgement of the Garden State Divisiion, we finally got Tony Koester on track to Ho-Ho-Kus VFW hall at the east (downhill) start earning his long over due AP awards. Here we see Tony getting his first certificate from Paul Allard at the recent Empire Junction convention in Syracuse. Since Tony is such a busy man, he is end of the the commuter parking lot for NJ hard to track down for the paperwork required for the awards, but we will not give up until he earns Transit's Ho-Ho-Kus train station. (Parking his MMR. The division will encourge and help ANY member looking to be part of the AP program. in the commuter lot is free on Sundays.) In Contact Tom Wortmann or Paul Allard to get started today! PHOTO BY TOM GIFFITHS addition to the business portion of the meet, clinics will be held, with an operating It is with great sorrow that I must report the 8:00 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, session after the meet for interested par - passing of Rev. A. Murray Goodwin on Weston, Massachusetts. Topic: TBD. ties. To get there: NJTransit trains using August 12, 2008 in Tarleton, DE. Murray either the Bergen County or Main Line was an active member of the NER and HUDSON BERKSHIRE DIVISION trains from Hoboken and Secaucus Nutmeg Division. He was editor of the February 22, 2009: Worcester Model Junction (a.k.a. Secaucus Transfer) to Ho- Nutmeg Newsletter prior to his moving to Railroaders, Inc., one of the oldest Model Ho-Kus. Train 1865 departs Hoboken at Deleware in 1982. Condolences may be Railroad Clubs on the east coast, is holding 11:18am, Secaucus at 11:28am and sent to: Mrs. Murray Goodwin, 2508 Lori its annual show and sale at the Auburn arrives at Ho-Ho-Kus at 12:01pm. Return Lane North,Tarleton, DE 19810 Elks, 754 Southbridge St, (Route12), service operates roughly hourly near the Auburn, MA from 10AM to 3:30 PM. The half hour. Thru Secaucus, Ho-Ho-Kus can HUB DIVISION EVENTS Amherst Modular Club will have one of their be reached from any NJ Transit line serving January 3, 2009: HUB Holiday Party, 6:30 layouts on display. Admission $5, children North Jersey as well as from Penn Station PM, at the Common Market Restaurant, under 12 free. An open house at our new New York. Quincy, Massachusetts. club quarters will be held on the same day from 10 AM to 3 PM. at the Stevens Linen METRO NORTH DIVISION January 16, 2009: HUB Railfun Meeting Complex, 137 Schofield Ave, (Route 12) http://www.metronorthnmra.org/ 8:00 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, Dudley, MA. Our 40’x 50’ HO scale operat - January 18, 2009: Division meeting at the Weston, Massachusetts. Topic: "A Night For ing layout depicts the Boston & Albany line Stamford Branch Library on Vine Street, Swapping Tales and Sharing Tips", a collec - from Boston to Springfield with a branch Stamford, Connecticut. tion of 10-15 minute informal presentations line into Rhode Island and Connecticut. and demonstrations by multiple presenters. Visitors will be able to observe club mem - NUTMEG DIVISION bers operating steam and diesel trains and March 26, 2009: The Connecticut Eastern January 24-25, 2009: HUB Modular operate a train themselves. Handicapped Railroad Museum will sponsor a Model Railroad display at the 2009 Amherst accessible. Admission/donation $2, under Train & Die Cast Show at Windham High Railway Society's Big Railroad Hobby Show, 12 free. Free with show stamp. For further School, 355 High Street, Willimantic, Ct. Big-E Fairgrounds, West Springfield, information and directions contact Hours are 10AM to 3PM; Donations: Adults- Massachusetts. [email protected] or visit www.wmrr.org $6.00;Children (8-12) $1.00; Children (Under 8)-Free Door Prize; Handicapped February 20, 2009: HUB Railfun Meeting Accessible; Wide Aisles; Food On Site; 8:00 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT Vendors; Operating Layouts; Free Parking; Weston, Massachusetts. Topic: TBD. For Information: Contact Joseph Sokol www.nernmra.org 860-872-2240 or [email protected] March 20, 2009: HUB Railfun Meeting
• THE COUPLER • 4 • ISSUE 233 • HUDSON VALLEY DIVISION we meet and take a mini layout tour of 4-6 July 5, 10 and 11. It is our intent that the http://www.nernmra.org home layouts in the area. We end up at the long days work be split among volunteers. CNY large scale group’s layout at Drivers We have over 1800 NMRA members with - SEACOAST DIVISION Village shopping center. After enjoying the in our Region - if half of our members vol - January 10, 2009: The next quarterly G scale layout Ed Olszewski will present a unteer, then no one person will need to Seacoast Division meeting will be in clinic on modeling the DL&W Syracuse & work more than a few hours. Over 125 Portland, Maine from 10:00am-1:00pm. Utica Branch. Regional members have already said yes. Meetings are comprised of clinics, show- These are the members who will be opening and-tells and a business meeting. All Please visit www.cnynmra.org for more their layouts, or are working on the Host Seacoast Division members are invited to information on the Division and any sched - committee and still others are providing participate. The meeting will be at The First ule changes. We hope to meet you at one of needed expert help. Join us at the Congregational Church, United Church of our upcoming meetings. Convention Center to allow full staffing and Christ, 301 Cottage Road, South Portland, smooth running. Maine. Check the Seacoast Division web - LITTLE RHODY DIVISION Should you want to volunteer for work at site at http://nernmra.org/node/15 for fur - http://www.trainweb.org/lrdivision/ the convention or as a tour bus captain dur - ther information. The Division holds monthly meetings on the ing the convention please contact 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm at Volunteer Chairman Don Straub at May 16, 2009: The Division’s 2009 quar - the Pawtucket Congregational Church, [email protected] (note new terly meeting will held in Rochester, NH. 40 Wallcott St. in Pawtucket RI . email address). All committee chairs and committees are listed at www.hn2009.org , July 18, 2009: The Division’s 2009 quar - HARTFORD NATIONAL 2009 the convention web site. We include e-mail terly meeting will held in Auburn, ME. JULY 5-11, 2009 addresses there. If you are not on the web The Hartford National convention is only and wish to join in one of our planning activ - October 3, 2009: The Division’s 2009 seven months away and the planning com - ities please send your info to Paul Mangini, quarterly meeting will held in Concord, NH. mittee is working very hard to make this 215 Sisk Street, Middletown, CT 06457. national convention a success. Over fifty This convention will only be as great as we SUNRISE TRAIL DIVISION members of the NER are presently engaged in the Northeastern Region make it – January 10, 2009: Winter Meet at in sorting out logistical matters and plan - please step up and volunteer! Westbury Memorial Library, 445 Jefferson ning layout tours, prototype tours, general —The HN2009 Committee Street, Westbury NY. Contact Michael tours, rail clinic and general interest clinics. Siegel at (516) 334-3559 or please email Volunteer help is needed at home lay - [email protected]. outs, as tour guides, at the tour desk, reg - istration, servicing the clinics, and within April 11, 2009: Spring Meet at St. David's the silent auction to name a few. Why not Church, 20 Clarke Blvd., Massapequa Park give HN 2009 one day and use the rest of NY. Contact John MacGown at the convention days for yourself? Your one (516) 285-0876 or [email protected]. volunteer day will help assure a great time FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT for all and make the convention a success CENTRAL NEW YORK for everybody. Our convention activities will www.hn2009.com January 11, 2009: The Central New York run from 7 AM until 11 PM Monday July 6 WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER Division begins 2009 with a visit to the until Thursday July 9 and fewer hours on Central New York Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society’s model railroad layouts at Shoppingtown Mall in DeWitt from 2:00-4:00 PM. The chapter features two to three HO and O Scale layouts at any given time. Mike Fuller will be there to give us a clinic about how to model vehicles including weathering and loads.
February 22, 2009: CNY Division will be at the Syracuse Model Railroad Club’s annual show at the Eastwood American Legion. Bill Brown will talk about insuring your home and models and will hopefully provide an update on his new layout. The meeting runs from 2:00–4:00 PM but get there early so you can wander through the show and pick up some hard to find models or some sup - plies at a good price.
March 29, 2009: Our division meeting is planned to be a day full of model railroad - ing. Things get started at 10:00 AM when Get ready for Hartford National! July will be here before you know it. Please visit www.hn2009.org for all the details. MODEL AND PHOTO BY GEORGE J. LOY JR.
• THE COUPLER • 5 • ISSUE 232 • SigIt’snok,aysfoir gsignns ,to e“bvlocek urpythwe scheneryr” eon oaur lasyoiugts n
By Ron Palmquist cut to size can be mounted using a white Sources of vintage signage Seacoast Division glue such as Aleene’s Tacky Glue available for model railroads follows: in arts and crafts stores and in some Wal- Signage for model railroads offers a Mart locations. www.trainweb.org/tylick/signintro.htm descriptive stage for qualifying the era rep - If the sign is to be mounted on an exteri - www.trevinocircle.com/adsigns.asp resentated by a model railroad empire. In or wall surface, thinning the paper sign by www.oldwestsigns.com addition to the numerous commercial sup - carefully rubbing it over 220 aluminum www.adflip.com pliers of model railroad decals and period oxide sandpaper mounted on a glass sur - www.allposters.com signage, there exists a wealth of signage face can assist in the signage more easily scritporium.lib.duke.edu:80/adaccess web sites that can provide an ever-expan - adapting to the surface contours of the users2.ev1.net/~on30/Signs/signs.htm sive library of potential downloadable wall. It is suggested that application to home.earthlink.net/~zydaco source material for use by the creative these surfaces be done with a 50/50 www.antiqueadvertising.com/links.html modeler. water/white glue solution, brushing the www.barmillsmodels.com Placing signage on commercial kits and signage surface from the center to the out - www.barnsignworks.com/oldwestjumppage.html scratch-built structures can add a sense of side edges for best adhesion and removal realism, clutter, era definition, and con - of air bubbles. www.blairline.com vincing detail to a model railroad scene. Once the sign is dry (2 days minimum), www.btco.net/ghosts/ The sources identified below offer a broad one may brush on a weathering alcohol www.chickenhead.com/truth/ menu of signs that with imagination and solution; solution formula: one pint of www.fadingad.com/011.html careful attention to application and weath - rubbing alcohol with 1-2 teaspoons of www.frankjump.com/ ering can add an uniqueness to both the black India ink added. To help your sign www.prunka.com/basement/1949/ structure and the miniature fantasy scene blend into the model, additional weather - www.sightandsound.com/route66/old_signs.html and in many cases recharge childhood ing can be done by using weathering www.streetjewellery.com/ memories. chalks. The amount of weathering is www.the-forum.com/advert/index.htm The signage of choice captured by a dependent on the degree of the aging www.the-forum.com/ephemera/tobacco.htm color printer can be placed on a billboard, process one wishes to achieve. Following www.tias.com/stores/tsusa/ window, and/or the wall of a structure. If up with a light spray coat of Dullcote is I www4.tpg.com.au/users/ajransom/ framed, as on a billboard, the paper sign also an option.
• THE COUPLER • 6 • ISSUE 233 • WShecreowiull thteinnexgt genfeoratrion nof emowdel ramilroaedemrs cbomee rfros m?
By John Stevens today will have any interest in becoming program is always a lot of work, but it is NMRA National Boy Scout Coordinator the modelers of tomorrow. Without the also very rewarding. modelers of tomorrow, the number of mod - The National Board of Directors knows Have you ever sat and thought about where elers in this country will continue to shrink. that there are individuals and divisions the future model railroaders are going to We all know what happens to the availabil - throughout the NMRA who are doing a come from? Although there are areas with - ity of good modeling supplies as the num - wonderful job of presenting programs to in the United States where rail traffic is ber of modeler’s decreases. help scouts earn the Railroading Merit quite heavy, most of the youth of today One of the best ways that we as model Badge. Unfortunately, National doesn’t have no interaction with railroads. Most railroaders can help grow our hobby is by have a record of those programs. As the travel today is done by automobile or air - helping Boy Scouts earn the Railroading National Boy Scout Coordinator, I am plane. Of course, some major cities have a Merit Badge. My division has a program attempting to gather that information. If form of rail transportation, but in most that we started in 2002. We present our pro - you or your division runs a program to help cases it isn’t something that you would gram twice a year at a local NRHS muse - scouts earn the Railroading Merit Badge, think about modeling. We know that there um. We divided the merit badge into sta - we would like to hear about it. Please send is a great interest in trains with very young tions. We limit attendance to 30 scouts so me a brief description of your program. If people today. Have you ever tried to visit that we have only four or five scouts at each you are active in the Railroading Merit your local train museum when Thomas the of the stations at any one time. We have Badge program and would be interested in Tank Engine was going to be there? But, presented the program twelve times during being a regional coordinator, please con - without seeing trains on a regular basis, which we have had 289 scouts earn the tact me. In either case, I can be reached at I there is no reason to think that the youth of Railroading Merit Badge. Presenting the [email protected] .
LEFT: Scouts from Westchester-Putnam Council BSA pose at the Railroad Museum of New England during their 2008 Spring Camporee. More than 150 Scouts attended the event in Thomaston, CT, where museum volunteers helped them work towards earning the Railroading merit badge. The event was organized by Metro North Division’s Otto Vondrak (above), also a Scoutmaster with BSA Troop 1, Katonah, New York. PHOTOS BY TOM NANOS/www.nanosphoto.com
• THE COUPLER • 7 • ISSUE 233 • P H O T O B Y B R U C E D E Y O U N G A wooden “classic” hits the rails Bringing a classic Main Line Models wood kit back to the future
By Bruce DeYoung always torn whether to build it as designed, hangers by SS Ltd, door stops from my Garden State Division or to upgrade it using current materials and scrap box, brake wheel and some brake techniques. For this car, since it was a details from Tichy, chain (on the brake Somewhere in my travels, long before I commemorative timepiece, I decided to system) from A-Line, and turnbuckles became a member of the NMRA, I picked leave things like the ‘clunky’ roof walk and (used on the brake system) by Grant-Line. up a wood boxcar kit by Main Line roof ribs as originally designed. I did The coupler lift bars are from Detail Models. At the time, I did not recognize decide to upgrade the grab irons and steps Associates. the significance of the gold NER logo on to what is currently available. (Remember, Seen here is a picture of the car in rev - the green sides of this car. Fast forward to this kit is from the time period where sta - enue service, finished in dark green with last fall. I was digging through the closet ples were provided for the grabs and gold lettering and logo. With a little that houses my collection of un-built kits, steps.) I also added current couplers, weathering, the NER boxcar joined the when I came across the box containing this trucks, brake equipment and coupler lift roster of cars on my Jersey Highlands car. Now recognizing the boxcar as an bars, etc. Railroad. I held back on the weathering NER commemorative of some type, and I made my own jigs for drilling the on the car sides, because I did not want to always wanting to try my hand at building holes for the grab irons — one for the hide the NER Logo. a ‘classic’ wood rolling stock kit, I placed ends, and one for the sides. I ran the back Building this wood kit was a blast. It the kit at the top of my ‘to-do’ list. of a #11 blade down a piece of styrene was my first experience building a wood For those veteran modelers among us, that has the two vertical lines and as craftsman kit, but it will not be my last. construction of this boxcar proceeded in a many horizontal lines as I needed laid out Still in the closet are more kits by Main pretty typical fashion. The wood end blocks in pencil. The intersections of these lines Line Models, as well as kits from were glued to the wood floor, and then the provided the location for drilling the Northeastern Scale Models and Silver scribed siding was added to those end holes in the jig. This allowed me to easi - Streak. If you haven’t tried your hands at blocks. Next, the roof was glued to that ly drill the holes so everything came out building one of these vintage kits, I high - sub-assembly, and the scribed sides were neat, parallel, and even. ly recommend it!Finally, I was hoping glued to that assembly. Finally, the fascia Here is a list of the detail items that I that some reader of would be able to tell boards were added, as were details like the added to t he kit. I used grabs by Tichy, us the history of this model. I would love doors, grab irons, roof walk, steps, etc. and the steps were from A-Line. I added to know both when it was released by the When ever I build a vintage kit, whether Kadee couplers in a Kadee coupler box, NER, and the circumstances surrounding I it is rolling stock or a structure, I am Proto 2000 National B-1 trucks, door its release.
• THE COUPLER • 8 • ISSUE 233 • Central New York Division was our host for Empire Junction ‘08 held September 11-14 in Syracuse, New York. Convention attendees on the tour of the Finger Lakes Railway facility in Geneva, New York pose in front of one of the railroad’s GE B23-7’s, painted in a heritage scheme that pays tribute to the Lehigh Valley Railroad, one of the lines that once served Geneva, and operated by FGLK. PHOTO BY ED OLSZEWSKI Empire Junction ‘08 Two first-time NER convention attendees share their experiences
By Tom Kehoskie guide and directions to the local layout Central New York Division open houses. The space for each of the eight clinics Although the Empire Junction ’08 that I attended were very conducive to a Convention hosted by the Central New # Syracuse positive learning experience. I had no York Division of the Northeast Region in problems with the acoustics and found Syracuse, New York September 11-14, the use of the audio-visual equipment 2008 was the first model train convention added to the speaker’s presentation. Each I have ever been to, I have attended session offered very useful tips and infor - numerous local, state, regional and mation that was greatly appreciated by national conferences that pertained to my Arriving about one-half hour before this individual. Offering each clinic at profession over the past thirty-five years. the start of the convention on the first day two different times was a great idea as it In spite of ongoing construction at the I found the registration table ready to go allowed for some flexibility in the sched - convention hotel, Holiday Inn on and had no problem securing my pre-reg - uling of one’s time. I’m sure that we all Electronics Parkway, I found the parking istration packet. Included in my envelope weren’t able to see everything that we adequate and close to the entrance. was my name tag, handbook and layout would have wanted, but that only should
• THE COUPLER • 9 • ISSUE 233 • The tour of Hanson Quarry in nearby Jamesville was very popular, as evidenced by this “load” of convention attendees posing with a Caterpillar tractor. The tour fea - tured two live blasts of the quarry wall as a demonstration, certainly a unique opportunity! PHOTO BY HANSON QUARRY STAFF entice one to go to future conventions. I was impressed by one common com - ment made by Lou Sassi, Earl Smallshaw, Mike Fuller and Mike Shanahan that they were constantly learning a better way, a quicker way and a more efficient way of performing the task at hand. I took it to mean that we shouldn’t be hesitant to try something new or alter an idea taken from some other source, and to also heed the warn - ings of others to prevent making the same mistakes. I really appreciated their will - ingness to share their wealth of knowl - edge, and found this common to each railroad modeler that I have come in con - tact with to date. The prototype excursion to the Hanson Jamesville Quarry was an awesome event. Not only were we treated to a very personable guide by plant manager Gary Eno, but we got quite the history lesson. We were given a very informative tour of Tour guide and Plant Manager Gary Eno (in white hard hat) brings NER members inside the office of Hanson the entire operation and not one but two Quarry in Jamesville, New York, to inspect quarry plotting maps. Gary provided a great tour at a fascinating blasts of sections of the quarry wall. local industry and treated our group very well. PHOTO BY ED OLSZEWSKI
• THE COUPLER • 10 • ISSUE 233 • Unforgettable to say the least! My per - sonal thanks to Ed Olszewski for plan - ning this event. I was fortunate to visit eleven local layouts during the span of the convention and found each to be all that they were described in the layout guide. Directions to each location were easy to follow and the hosts were very friendly and willing to answer any questions. Visiting a vari - ety of different scales provided me with an abundance of ideas for my own layout. The registration cost I found to be rea - sonable and considering I was one of the lucky winners of a raffle prize I found it to be even more reasonable! My participation in this convention culminated with my own layout open house on the afternoon of the last day. Not quite knowing what to expect I was grateful to those who made the time to visit and appreciated their kind remarks and compliments. Overall, I would like to say that I found this convention very organized and defi - nitely worth attending. Many thanks to the Northeast Region of the NMRA; Brian Curry, Central New York Division Superintendent; Jim Heidt, convention general chair and his committee and all the volunteers who made this convention I a huge success. By Art & Pat Godburn Green Mountain Division
I’ve been interested in model railroading since I was a youngster. In fact my first train set I earned by selling boxes of Christmas cards to all my neighbors, and a Santa Fe freight train set was the prize I picked. I was also once a student member of the NMRA in Connecticut but I did not know of any active groups back then. That passed and life got busy with college and family. When I showed my girlfriend my trains she didn’t call them toys and looked
TOP: Former Metro North Division member Joe Cavanaugh (left) visits John McGloin (right), the Hartford 2009 Clinic Coordinator.
MIDDLE: Bill Brown of Central New York Division recently suffered the devastating loss of his home in a tragic fire, including everything in his model rail - road collection. The NER took immediate steps to replace Bill’s MMR certificate, pin, and plaque. NER president Ken May replaces Bill’s MMR pin. BOTTOM: NER AP Chair Paul Allard of Green Mountain Division presents Bill with a replacement Master Model Railroader certificate. PHOTOS BY ED OLSZEWSKI
• THE COUPLER • 11 • ISSUE 233 • Touring a beautiful outdoor garden railway, just one of the attraction at Empire Junction ‘08. PHOTO BY ART GODBURN in every building at the details, she’s now go, but I heard a lot about it before and The Hanson Quarry did a great job my wife. Much to my joy my son and after the event. I was now curious about showing us all around the area and they daughter thought trains were fun and over this and wanted to go to the next one. Our actually blew up two walls as a demonstra - the years they participated in the hobby. Green Mountain Division decided to ask tion! They had planned one but were hop - We would always go to the model railroad about hosting one in 2010. I didn’t know ing to do both, a secret they kept till that show “Vermont Rails”. This is where I how one worked but I was willing to sign day. These were the last two of the year so would see Paul Allard whom helped the up to help our chairman Glenn we were extra lucky that day. Going on the Boy Scout troop I was involved in with the Glasstetter . So it was important that I get tour was very easy. The registration desk Railroad Merit Badge. He would always to one to see what I got into. Next one was had the tickets ready and all I had to do invite me to visit the North West Vermont Syracuse, New York. was show up on time that morning. Model Railroad Assoc. on open meeting Right off I had two problems. I had a At first, I didn’t understand how the clin - nights to enjoy the fun. His continued planned vacation that was going to cut the ics and layout tours worked. I didn’t see interest won out and I visited. convention short for me in Syracuse, and I how you could be two places at the same I was hooked. missed the advanced registration. I was time. I soon found out from the registration It was lots of fun and soon I joined that doing prototype tours for our GMD 2010 material that some clinics are offered mul - group. Paul also asked me to an NMRA convention and I really needed to see how tiple times so you can do it all. Deciding meeting. I knew very little of what the that worked. I wrote a couple emails and what to do when was the trick. So with the organization did but I was curious and it ended up talking with Ed Olszewski . The maps in hand my wife and I set out to visit was more about railroads, how bad could CNY division was very helpful and under - some layouts. What a treat this is. The area that be? I found a different group of people standing, I wasn’t too late! They got me modelers deserve a big thank you for open - (some from the club too) with different and my wife on the Hanson Quarry tour, ing the layouts for us to see. There was a interests and different levels of skill and then Ed spent time with me so I could ‘pick large range of scales, sizes and levels of involvement. I liked what this group was his brain’ about how this works. There was completion. We visited home layouts and doing with trying to pass on skills, interests no need to pull information, Ed was very clubs. I love the sense of humor modelers and sharing of their efforts. At these meet - gracious and shared everything he could sneak into their layouts and I find that it’s ings there would be some conversations think of. It was a good experience with a fun to look for these tiny details. We did about “conventions.” I was quiet and lis - free sharing of information. I have a lot of show up at one home, right time but wrong tened for a while but then one came to tips now on what to do and not to do. day. We noticed two things, no other cars Albany. My schedule wouldn’t allow me to Thank you Ed. and no sign so we knew something was
• THE COUPLER • 12 • ISSUE 233 • NER volunteers were recognized after the convention dinner. TOP: Bill Powers accepts his President’s Award from Ken May for serving as NER Secretary for four years. MIDDLE: Don Irace accepts his President’s Award for serving as NER Office Manager for six years. PHOTO BY ED OLSZEWSKI BOTTOM: A vintage narrow guage train on display at the Hanson Quarry. The prototype tours were very popular despite last minute changes to the schedule. PHOTO BY ART GODBURN off. The signs were key in knowing you’re at the right place. The clinics were another great experi - ence. The range of subjects and skills of the presenters was top notch. I wasn’t dis - appointed with any of them that I attended. A lot of modeling is an illusion and seeing other’s tricks helps the entire hobby improve. Some of the things shared there I have already used. The exhibit room gained momentum as the convention went on. Models kept arriv - ing and the skill displayed in them was very good. I know how long it takes to build a beautiful model and though I didn’t see a sign that said “Don’t touch the mod - els,” though it was clear to that you should not. I wish I could have stayed to see the models judged. Seeing where the strengths and short-falls of a model leads to improvements in your own modeling. The location was easy to find. Reservations were easy to do. The price was reasonable. The registration was easy and the division was very helpful with my special needs. The maps were right on but the Syracuse roads were complicated and I was glad my wife was the navigator. We did meet up with a few other Vermonters, Paul Allard, Dana Brown and Glenn Glasstetter, which gave me a chance to visit some layouts and local hobby shops with them while my wife enjoyed the non- rail activities. We thought this was nice to have because it was vacation time for us so having something for us both to do was a good thing. Overall it was a good experience. I would encourage anyone, especially new members, to tag along with some one if possible to your first one. Just relax and do what ever comes along because you won’t be disappointed with any of it. We’re already trying to figure out how to take advantage of the Hartford National in Connecticut later this year. Of course our GMD has lots to do too, but now I know a bit more about a conventions and I’m glad I volunteered to help. See you at I the next convention!
• THE COUPLER • 13 • ISSUE 233 • Model contest results for juried Northeastern Region NMRA NER Contest model contests, NMRA national convention contests, and special thanks and recognition of NER showcase participants. Results BY BOB HAMM, MMR NER Model Contest Chairman Empire Junction judging results We had a great turnout egory with a First Place with his HO scale including a total of 74 CNR coach 3822. models entered in one The Structure Category proved to be the of the three model con- most popular with some fourteen entries. test events. This included 23 in the judged We had a four-way tie for Third Place in model contest, the highest number since the Craftsman Class including two models UticaLuty’s (25) Garagein 1999 (except respectively. for the tri- Dave Jasper slide a beautiful little byscene Bernie between Messenger Len’scomprising an HO regionalwork in taking Altoona Secondin 2000). The Place People’s with his HO scale coal and water tankscale display. steel bridge and passenger station Choice event had nineteen entries while (Welcome back Bernie); an HO barge pile theRich Model Walz Showcase had our had sole some Master 32 Class entry in the Diorama categorydriver by took Eddie First DeGan Placeand a 1924 NYC although this included a dozen or so of the passenger station by Russ Grills. Eddie dioramaswith his made gorgeous in the Modeling HO withscale the roundhouse scene garnering a totalDeGan of 118also points.took a Second Rich Place they Award Mastersjust keepclinic. Igetting am very pleasedbetter with and the better. Super work! Craftsman Class with his HO scale log numbers and the mix among the events and dioramas (5). Cars and locos totaled loader. Tom Griffiths blew us away tak- andMoving suspect we along may continue to the to special see mod- awards,four. I thinkLen theAmrhein proliferation took of the great Newing England First Place Railwaywith his magnificent HO est increases in all. There seemed to be a ready-to-run loco and cars may be hurting scale model of a massive passenger termi- lotConsortium on enthusiasm among Award the forentrants second and ushighest in these categories.scoring model by a newnal modeler with the secondwith hishighest HO point total of I don’tscale recall Texaco any real Teapotcomplaints. Gas StationLen Scene Amrheim takingtook a 94Second pts. Place Tom in Griffiths116. I want received to point out the that all of these JudgedSunrise Model Train Contest Division – TheAward 23 forCraftsman the highest Class in scoring Locomotive, model Other by guysa new are new modeler modelers with and allhis took merit entriesHO inpassenger the judged event station showed with very 116with pts. his If thatmodel wasn’t of the enoughRed Lobster Tomawards also tookwith their the entries. HUB Great Award work all; good quality with some eleven entries that Speeder. Nice going Len. Mike Bowler keep it up. earningfor second merit awards highest (> 87.5 pts.)point and scoring two also model grabbed witha Second his Place passenger in Craftsman terminal.Norm TheFrowley, Besta frequent of Show entrant, win- veryAward, outstanding the modelsBaldwin topping Trophy out the wentFreight to, Car drum with aroll nicely please, done HO Rich flat car, Walzner forand hisgreat truly modeler magnificent took the First and fieldround with house116 and scene 118 points. scoring Three 118while points. Ed Eggleston earned a third in Non- Second Place Awards in the Master entries were in N scale, two in S, one in O Revenue Craftsman with an S scale main- Classification Structures with his HO and the remainder in HO. Five New mod- tenance of way car. Neat models both. scale models of Threadwell Mill and elersA listentered of eleventhe winners models. This follows: is great. Paul Allard, MMR and Region AP Chair Kendall’s Country Store. Love to see your The mix continues to favor structures (13) nailed the Master Class Passenger Car cat- work Norm; keep‘em coming.
Judged Model Contest - Syracuse - Fall 2008 Merit New Scale/ Category Class First Name Last Name Place Award Score Spec Award Entry Description Award Mod. Gage Loco-Other Craftsman Leonard Amrhein 2nd Place 60 Yes HO Red Lobster Motor Speeder Freight Car Craftsman Mike Bowler 2nd Place 56 No HO Flatcar Pass Car Master Paul Allard 1st Place 98 X No HO CNR Coach 3822 STD (1st NM), Structure Craftsman Thomas Griffiths 1st Place 116 X Yes HO Passenger Terminal HUB (2nd OA) Structure Craftsman Eddie DeGan 2nd Place 91 X Yes HO Log Loader Structure Craftsman Russell Grills 3rd Place 89 X Yes HO 1924 NYC Station Structure Craftsman Bernard Messenger 3rd Place 89 X Yes HO Steel Bridge Structure Craftsman Bernard Messenger 3rd Place 89 X Yes HO Passenger Station Structure Craftsman Eddie DeGan 3rd Place 89 X Yes HO Barge Pile Driver Structure Master Norm Frowley 1st Place 94 X No HO Threadwell Mill Structure Master Norm Frowley 2nd Place 90 X No HO Kendalls Country Store Diorama Craftsman Leonard Amrhein 1st Place 94 * Yes NERC (2nd NM) HO Texaco Teapot Gas Station Diorama Craftsman David Jasper 2nd Place 81 * No HO Coal & Water Tower Display Diorama Craftsman Leonard Amrhein 3rd Place 74 * Yes HO Luty's Garage Diorama Master Richard Walz 1st Place 118 * No BLDN (1st OA) HO Roundhouse * Merit Awards not given out for dioramas
• THE COUPLER • 14 • ISSUE 233 • People’s Choice Awards – Now as I mentioned before we had some nineteen direct entries in the People’s Choice Contest which are eligible along with all of the entries in the judged model contest for popular vote by all convention attendees. Eddie DeGan took the Structures Award with his HO scale model of a pile driver. Bernie Duerr received top honors in Locomotive for his HO 2-4-4 Forney. Paul Allard had top place in Rolling Stock for his HO CNR coach 3822. Top Scene not surprisingly went to Rich Walz for his roundhouse diorama. Nice work all.
Model Showcase – And, we had a great one with 32 entries which I think is entirely appropriate since the idea and name, Model Showcase, came from the Central New York Division. Thirteen of the entries were cars, two were structures and the remaining People's Choice Awards - Syracuse - Fall 2008 dees. Eddie DeGan took the Structures Award with his HO scale model of a pile First Scale/ driver. Bernie Duerr received top honors Last Name Entry Description Category Name Gage in Locomotive for his HO 2-4-4 Forney. Bernard Duerr HO 2-4-4 Forney Motive Power Paul Allard had top place in Rolling Paul Allard HO CNR coach 3822 Rolling Stock Stock for his HO CNR coach 3822. Top Eddie DeGan HO Pile Driver Structure Scene not surprisingly went to Rich Walz Rich Walz HO Roundhouse scene Diorama for his roundhouse diorama. All entrants presented very nice work. In the Diorama category we had some with his HO scale Texaco Teapot Gas very nice entries as well. Len Amrhein Station Scene taking 94 pts. Tom Model Showcase – And, we had a great took the First and Third Place Awards Griffiths received the Sunrise Train one with 32 entries, which I think is with his HO models of the Texaco Teapot Division Award for the highest scoring entirely appropriate since the idea and Gas Station and Luty’s Garage respective - model by a new modeler with his HO pas - name, Model Showcase, came from the ly. Dave Jasper slide a beautiful little senger station with 116 pts. If that wasn’t Central New York Division. Thirteen of scene between Len’s work taking Second enough Tom also took the HUB Award for the entries were cars, two were structures Place with his HO scale coal and water second highest point scoring model with and the remaining sixteen were the scenes tank display. his passenger terminal. The Best of Show built by those who attended the Modeling Rich Walz had our sole Master Class Award, the Baldwin Trophy went to, drum with the Masters Class. All received entry in the Diorama category took First roll please... Rich Walz for his truly mag - Certificates of Participation. Thank you all Place with his gorgeous HO scale round - nificent round house scene scoring 118 for sharing your work. house scene garnering a total of 118 points. points. Rich they just keep getting better People’s Choice Awards – Now as I Putting on these events requires a lot of and better. Super work! mentioned before we had some nineteen help from judges and administrative Moving along to the special awards, direct entries in the People’s Choice helpers. Thank you all. Judges were Paul Len Amrhein took the New England Contest which are eligible along with all Lessard, Tom Casey, Jim Heidt, Mike Railway Consortium Award for second of the entries in the judged model contest Evans, Ed Fraedrich, Glenn highest scoring model by a new modeler for popular vote by all convention atten - Glasstetter, Tom Wortmann, Brian Whiton, Norm Frowley, Larry Cannon Model Showcase - Syracuse - Fall 2008 and Andy Clermont. Helping me at the desk were Ken May, John Campbell, First Scale/ Roger Oliver, Norm Frowley and Last Name Entry Description Category Name Gage Scooter Youst . I want to make just one last pitch to all Paul Lessard HO (8) Rutland Ry Freight Cars Car you modelers reading this little article. Paul Lessard HO (2) Ballast & Hopper Cars Car Our next contest in this region will be next Bernard Duerr HO Twelve freight cars Car summer at the national convention in Ed Spiller HO B&M / Rutland Ball Signal Structure Hartford. Yup, we’re hosting the big one! And, as I think you guys (and gals) of the Larry Cannon HO Purina Mill & Wood Chip Loader Structure NER are some of the best and most prolif - Mark Kennaugh HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama ic modelers in the NMRA I want to ask Jeff Brzezinski HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama you to consider building some new mod - Irwin Nathanson HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama els but also to bring some of your best past Carl Sardaro HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama models for entry in the national contest. (Even first place region winners are eligi - Dave Insley HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama ble for national entry.) You will see the Paul Hoffman HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama same events at the national as the NER Robert Wynne HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama events, Judged Model Contest, People’s Joe Parker HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama Choice, and Model Showcase and many of Paul Spierling HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama the same faces. Besides my own as I chair not only the NER event but also the Jack Cutler HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama national contests, I am hoping all our reg - Greg LeBlanc HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama ular judges will help us out at the national. Tom Griffiths HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama Please think about it. Last year at Anaheim Tom Hackey HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama we had 95 contest entries, more than dou - ble what we had in Detroit. Next year in Mike Hachey HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama Hartford I am hoping for 150, and I know Bob Hans HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama that the NER is the region that can do it. I Dave Jasper HO Modeling with the Masters scene Diorama I’m counting on you all!
• THE COUPLER • 15 • ISSUE 233 • Photo contest results for juried Northeastern Region NMRA NER Photo photo contests, NMRA national convention contests, and special thanks and recognition of participants. Contest BY ROGER OLIVER NER Photo Contest Chair
The Northeastern Region’s Photo Contest at Hartford National convention. I will also be I would like to thank our distinguished the Empire Junction convention was my working with our webmaster to put the judges; Joseph Rugarber, Norman first experience as the Photo Contest Photo Contest rules and supporting docu - Frowley, Tom Wortmann, and Tom Chairman. The general impression of the ments on the regional web site so that they Matthews, as well as Scooter Youst for participants and convention attendees was can be downloaded and filled out before taking the photos that were used during the very positive and the format used seemed to coming to the convention. I will be coordi - banquet presentation and hopefully will be be well received. In the past the NER Photo nating with Bob Hamm on this project. used in The Coupler. I would also like to Contest had used a format based on the The results of the contest at the Empire thank Bob Hamm for all his advise and achievement program and model contest Junction Convention were: support before, during and after the con - judging concept with “master” and “crafts - vention. I look forward to working beside man” levels and a point system. Since Category – Model: Color Print him many times in the future. There was entrants don’t receive credit for their awards 1st Place – Howard Dwyer; “Peddler also a Popular Choice Photo Contest where towards the achievement program there is Freight” the convention attendees voted on which no real need for a leveled or point based sys - 2nd Place – William Barry; “Dick picture they liked best in each category. tem such as this. In fact, the National Photo Ewell’s Hoosac Valley” Sometimes there were two way and even Contest is using a non-point based system. 3rd Place – William Barry; “Art three way ties. The results of the Popular The system that the NER will now be using Tammavo’s Groton Central” Choice Photo Contest are: is based on the National system. This sys - Honorable Mention – Ed Olzewski; tem was available to the entrants at the “Down the Mountain” Prototype: B/W Print Empire Junction and will be published in William Barry; “Three Railroad the Coupler in the near future. I enjoyed Category – Prototype: B/W Print Bridges… in Phillipsburg.” working beside Bob Hamm and I think he 2nd Place – William Barry; “Three enjoyed having another person to talk to Railroad Bridges… in Phillipsburg” Prototype: Color Print while we were busy at the contest room William Barry; “Railroad Bridge over tables. We were able to provide cover for Category – Prototype: Color Print Route 611.” each other and share ideas as to how to 1st Place – William Barry; “Railroad Rudy Slovacek; “Rambler in Sushan” improve various aspects of the contest for - Bridge over Route 611” mats and contest room operations. 2nd Place – Rudy Slovacek; “Rambler in Model: Color Print The Photo Contest itself was larger, by Sushan” William Barry; “Dick Ewell’s Hoosac report, than it has been recently with a total 3rd Place – William Barry; “M&E Alco Valley.” of 16 entries in 3 of the 8 categories avail - RS-1 #21” Howard Dwyer; “Peddler Freight” able. I will be preparing a series of articles Honorable Mention – Andrew Wasowicz; Bob Brannen; “Rock Tunnel” early next year to run in The Coupler on “Sunset Box Car, New Hope, PA” basic photography and the photo contest; its Congratulations to all our entrants! rules, and how to take photographs of the Category – BEST IN SHOW Thanks to everyone who participated in the prototype and models, in the hopes of William Barry; “Railroad Bridge over contest. I look forward to your entries at I encouraging greater participation at the Route 611” the Hartford National in July.
William Barry took third place in the Prototype: Color Print category with his “M&E Alco #21,” and second place in Model: Color Print with “Dick Elwell’s Hoosac Valley.” This shot was also a favorite in the Popular Choice vote as well. Will you submit to the next photo contest?
• THE COUPLER • 16 • ISSUE 233 • Occasional news and photos of layout construction progress, NER Empire showcasing the work of NER members as they go about building their empires—large or small. Builders BY FRANKLIN LANG Wordsmith
BLACKSTONE VALLEY RAILROAD
Ron LeBlanc of Dudley, Mass. is the sole owner (more on that later) of the Blackstone Valley Railroad (BVRR) a bridge route from Worcester, Massachusetts to Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Some people think it’s a real railroad which is fine by Ron, but (don’t tell anyone outside the NER) it is really an HO 12x18 conventional DC-powered layout that is very busy during World War II. Specifically, it’s June 5, 1943, with heavy wartime traffic bound for England in secret preparation building up for the D-Day invasion one year and one day away. Ron has over 150 engines and 650 freight cars (plus stan - dard passenger cars transporting troops) to support the inva - sion. As you can see the BVRR is one busy bridge route that needs two operators in the 14’ main yard and one to keep the main line traffic rolling. About 75 to 80 cars are active dur - ing an op session because of the many industries and service facilities on the layout. Ron says he has more smoke stacks than trees. Since the layout is set in New England at the height of World War II, the heavy manufacturing base is pro - totypical. Because of its size, the BVRR rotates rolling stock for each session so there are always “new” cars in view. The balance of the engines and cars are kept in staging yards out of sight (draws below the layout) ready for the next session. The BVRR was started in 1984 and although far along, it is still a work in progress because Ron treats it as a hobby that gives him much enjoyment. Ron takes his hobby a step fur - ther than many of us for he has hats, buttons and sweaters with the BVRR logo (BVRR, the Route of the Beaver) that he gives to his good friends. When he had the logo clothing made, the BVRR got itself on some mail lists and from that Ron, as “president, sole owner and purchasing agent,” con - tinually receives unsolicited offers from real life insurance, premium and industrial supply companies. A paint company contacted him to sell a special paint for his employee parking lot. Another offered air fresheners in 55 gallon drums for his warehouse. Numerous samples for calendars and insurance offers etc. come in the mail. Some of us might feel unsolicit - ed offerings are a nuisance, but Ron chuckles at all of it. It adds to the plausibility for his fictional empire. The “piece de la résistance” was the time Ron was at a local softball game wearing his BVRR baseball hat and some women kept looking at him. He soon found out why when one came by and asked what BVRR stood for. He said the Blackstone Valley Rail Road. She looked in disbe - lief and then asked, “Do you work there?” Ron said, “I own it.” She stepped back and said in a gruff voice, “I never Scenes from Ron LeBlanc’s Beaver Valley Railroad. Industrial scenes are heard of it!” and walked away. Ron left the game laughing I prevailent on this layout, set in New England during the height of World all the way home. War II. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR
• THE COUPLER • 17 • ISSUE 233 • MADE IN THE NER: S&S Hobby Products
By Barry Abisch Metro North Division
There are any number of manufacturers pro - ducing engines, rolling stock and structure kits. But when it comes to filling in the details on a layout, model railroaders often turn to small companies that produce the little extras which help set the scene. If the hobby shop can’t help, what’s left is scratch-building. That pretty much tells the story of Dave Menasco’s S & S Hobby Products. Menasco and a partner were building a lay - out in a California garage. Unable to find a few scenic details, they made their own. Menasco’s partner was in the printing busi - ness, and made the negatives they used to make some photo-etched brass scenic details. After making a few more, they found they were in business. S & S Hobby Supply was established in 1993. A few years ago, after the death of his partner, Menasco moved to southern Maine to be closer to his daughter. S & S made the trip with him, and now joins the roster of Some of Menasco’s products, including a very popular coloring book. PHOTO BY BARRY ABISCH model railroad businesses based in the Northeast Region. Most of the products Menasco produces kits, including street sections with pavement “and one thing led to another.” Menasco’s are etched brass detail kits. Many are kits to markings in place. Most of the kits are avail - partner began printing the coloring books, make roadside signs: not only stop signs and able in N and HO scale; the more popular and they remain a popular item. interstate highway signs, but also the kind of products, including a stop sign kit, also are Menasco has been in the model railroad eye-catching signs that can be real scene-set - available in Z. One product – plastic sheets business for 45 years. He was the head of the ters on the layout. For example, one set builds embossed in a safety tread pattern, are avail - train department in a California hobby shop up to make “Smoky the Bear” fire-warning able for modelers working in O or G scale. before retiring and moving east. Now, S & S signs, deer crossing and falling rock alerts and S & S also makes some detail parts, includ - is basically a one-man show. Menasco con - national forest speed limit postings. The S&S ing air grills for some Athern diesels. There’s tracts out the actual photo etching, but does kits include the brass signs, decals and wood also a kit to make a Santa Fe-style locomotive the packaging himself. His daughter helps or steel support posts. Painting and assembly antenna. Rather than brass, the antenna kit is with the business side of the operation. S & S instructions are included. etched from stainless steel. does not have a Web site and Menasco does Among the other products Menasco sells Probably the most unexpected product not sell directly to hobbyists. Walthers is his are brass stencils to mark railroad crossing made by S&S is listed in the Wm. K. exclusive distributor. warnings and speed limits on highway pave - Walther’s catalog as suitable for all scales: it’s Menasco said his retirement and his reloca - ment. “Because you can use them over and a coloring book. Menasco was working in a tion to Maine means he finally has the time over, model railroad clubs really like them,” hobby shop when he met railroad artist Ernie and the space to build a layout of his own. Menasco said. He also makes a few plastic Towler. “We got to talking,” Menasco said, “Now I have a full basement, and there’s a MADE corner over there I keep looking at,” he said. Dave Menasco All products available at: IN THE Not surprisingly for a man who spent most of S&S Hobby Products http://www.walthers.com his life in California, the layout will feature an I NER Old West setting and a Santa Fe look.
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• THE COUPLER • 18 • ISSUE 233 • List of new members joining the Northeastern Region NMRA, NER New compiled by the regional office manager. Please send corrections and additions to the Office Manager.
Members COMPILED BY MARK HARLOW NER Office Manager
New Members as of 11/26/08 Donald Robillard West Haven CT Jim Sullivan Deerfield NH Robert Saverese Milford CT Adam Frederick Salem NH Kyle Cugno Kensington CT Larry Sommo Wallingford CT Vincent Lee Manhasste NY Cory Cugno Kensington CT James Trowbridge Milford CT John Gilrein Clifton Park NY Beth Cugno Kensington CT Joseph Vollano Milford CT Robert Rubin Ossining NY Robert Cugno Kensington CT Howard Williams Milford CT John Brett Remsen NY Gerard Jodoin Plainfield CT Adam Williams Orange CT Joe Van Putten Tupper Lake NY Joseph Semeraro Waterbury CT John Young Seymour CT Warren Shelhorse Syracuse NY Joe Adam West Haven CT David Fuller Shelton CT Edward Skowronek Schenectady NY Irene Blatchley Stafford Spings CT Paul Eagan Plymouth MA Michael White Lake Luzerne NY Stan Brumberger East Haven CT David Kerns Needham MA Robert Hayner Schenectady NY Roger Dilliber Seymour CT Peter Barney New Bedford MA Deandre Walters Queens Village NY Charles Fleischman Milford CT Bruce MacCullagh South Hadley MA Carol Perasso South Kingstown RI Robert Gauvin Oxford CT William Hallsen Weymouth MA Albert Perasso South Kingstown RI Thomas Kane Derby CT Gary Shelton Marblehead MA Lewis White Richmond VT John Knott Cheshire CT Maureen Stone West Newfield ME Gerald Fox Essex Junction VT Raymond Kunz Beacon Falls CT Robert Stone West Newfield ME Andrew Woods Stowe VT Dana Lawrence Branford CT Omar Dawkins Union NJ John Livingstone Wallingford CT Mrs Odierna Northvale NJ Bob Henry Rothesat NB Kenneth Lord West Haven CT Arnold Rubin Basking Ridge NJ David Kerr Fredericton NB Garrett Menard Southington CT Stefan Dombrowski Glen Ridge NJ Lawrence van der Meer Saint John NB George Petrucci West Haven CT Philip Gatto East Brunswick NJ Leonard Reistetter Southington CT David Paul Flemington NJ WELCOME ABOARD! You Could Become a Member of the Coupler Team!
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