March Telltales 2014
Newsletter of the Boulder Model Railroad Club
“Rubbles Depot,” a plaster kit by Thomas Yorke, dominates this scene from Jack Rummel’s former layout, but glimpses of other railroad -owned structures fill the background. Coincidentally, this month’s contest theme is “Railroad-Owned Structures,” so why not bring in a depot, roundhouse, water tower, bridge, etc. and enter it? Our clinician is our own Jerry Gilland , who will demonstrate how to create custom parts from etched brass, so join us Thursday, March 20th at the Louisville (Tri -City) Elks Lodge, 525 Main Street in Louisville . Fellowship hour begins at 5:30 PM , dinner will start at 6:00 PM , followed by the meeting at 7:00 PM . Come and share in the camaraderie! (Photo by Jack Rummel. .) x EDITORIAL It’s a wonder I developed any interest in trains at all. The opportunity was certainly there, for I grew up in Tacoma, WA, surrounded by GN, NP and UP steam locos and CMStP&P electrics. Yet, my initial exposure got off to a bad start. When I was about six years old, a family friend with freight yard connections took me to the Tacoma Yards for a short ride in the cab of a steamer. It was huge, noisy and hot and I was so frightened that the ride was called off, much to everyone’s embarrassment. Despite all of those historic behemoths being close by – and now long gone – I never went back to the yards. Later, while in junior high school, my mother determined that I should have a hobby and suggested that we visit the local hobby store. After much exploring and indecision, I came away with a kit for a Varney caboose and a tube of Testor’s cement. The end result was a disaster, with traces of the cement showing everywhere, but I discovered that I enjoyed the process and subsequently built a few more car kits. By this time, I was in high school. I had amassed several freight cars and had assembled a Varney Dockside engine, but other than owning a small power pack and some test track I had no place to run my train. My mother learned of a model train club that met on an upper floor of the Tacoma Union Station, so I packed up my train and went for a visit. The members acknowledged my presence and even let me try to run my train on their club layout, but otherwise they showed no interest in me and it was quickly obvious that my model train didn’t measure up to their standards. I attended a couple more sessions and gave up. Yet, those early experiences helped me recognize my innate love of miniature “things” and working with my hands to create them. For a career, I chose dentistry and the lure of model building never really went away. Following graduate school and three years in Germany in the Army Dental Corps, I settled in Boulder and ultimately purchased a house with a sizeable unfinished basement. Shortly after that I made my first visits to the Boulder Model Railroad Club and also to a little hole -in -the -wall on 15 th Street in Denver called Caboose Hobbies. Once again, the train club acknowledged my presence but showed little interest in me until I entered a few models in their monthly contests and actually won a ribbon or two. Slowly, I made a few friends, volunteered for club activities and began to learn new modeling skills by picking the brains of others. It’s been an enjoyable association over the years and I hope I’ve given back to the club in equal measure to what I’ve received in friendship and guidance. And I’m really glad that I came out of that Tacoma hobby shop with a caboose kit instead of a kite or a book on stamp collecting or a butterfly net. X
—Jack Rummel, Editor E
Telltales Official publication of the Boulder Model Railroad Club, P.O. Box 1851, Boulder, CO 80306. The BMRC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Tri -City (Louisville) Elks Club, 525 Main St., Louisville, CO.. We are on the Internet at:
2 President’s Message:
On the Mainline Our next meeting is March 20th at 7:00pm. We are having our quarterly swap meet during the March meeting. Thanks to Alain Rigaud from Caboose Hobbies, for his clinic on the latest scenery techniques. I always learn something new to try. For those in our club who don’t know, there is a FREE online model railroad magazine, “Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine.” The web link is
“A girl phoned me and said, ’Come on over. There’s nobody home.’ I went over. Nobody was home!” —Rodney Dangerfield
3 20 years ago, more Tier II : First place: Clif Korlaske , Run Down Shed or less Second place: Everett Rowe, Olsen Contributed by Bob Uhr Feeds Third place: Jack Rummel , Car Dealership The club financial balance as of March 13 th was $5,625.54. X
ACTUAL SIGNS SEEN IN THE USA!
On a display of ‘I Love You’ Valentine cards: "Now available in multi-packs!”
The Ides of March will HO-SIG NEWS find the HO SIG taking a month off from meeting and working on the module layout — a rest after taking the layout to three train shows in three MARCH, 1994 months. So now the group will not meet in March Rich Virgin took this classic photo of an old but will be getting together again on April 10th, the mining structure outside of Idaho Springs. second Thursday, to begin getting the plans and Rodney Black hosted the March clinic about the layout ready to take the layout to the National scratch -building signal systems. His program Narrow Gauge Convention in Kansas City during examined the signal system designed for his the first week of September. If you have an layout and the range of options available to create interest in joining the group at the NNGC signals for everyone’s layout needs. And during in Kansas City or have any questions, give Frank Rodney’s clinic a “street person of excessive Smucker a call. inebriation” was escorted out of the club by the —Frank Smucker local police. It just don’t get no better than that! The Flatirons Division/BMRC held a full -judged NMRA contest at the Jaycees Depot Saturday, March 26 th . The contest featured 11 modeling and 6 photography categories. The basic rule was that you must have been an NMRA member to enter the judged part of the contest, but didn’t have to be a member to bring models for display. The February auction grossed over $1600.00 of sales, with net proceeds to the club of just under $300.00. The March modeling contest topic was General Structures. The results were: Tier I: First place: Kameron Price, N-Scale Haunted House Second place: Phil Evans, Small Cabin HO SIG narrow gauge at the TCA Train Show.
4 Library News
Visual Library Report
I've forgotten now who suggested it, but for well over a year " The Greatest Show on Earth" has been on my list. Now it's in our collection as S/N 734 . This, of course, is a drama about the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It stars Betty Hutton and Cornel Wilde as trapeze artists competing for the center ring, Charlton Heston as the circus manager, and James Stewart as a mysterious clown who never removes his make -up. This Cecil B. DeMille production also stars some 1400 circus workers who, along with hundreds of animals, perform an amazing number of acts, songs, and parades. However, perhaps the most important stars are two trains that haul this massive show from town to town. While they remain pretty much in the background for most of the show, they play the major role at the climax (which I like to think is the perfect example for the importance of block signals). The movie was filmed in Technicolor and released in 1952. It won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Story. It grossed about $12 million, which adjusted for inflation, makes it makes it one of the most successful movies of all time. We have a couple of similar videos you might find interesting: 708 "Water for Elephants" was released in 2011. It's the story of a young veterinarian who hops a circus train during the Great Depression. He's eventually allowed to tend the animals, but when his attention turns to the boss's wife (Reese Witherspoon), things heat up in what's billed as "the most spectacular show on Earth!" 700 "Great American Circus & Show Trains" is a documentary that describes in detail how the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus moved by rail. Also described is the James E. Strates traveling carnival. Mile -long trains enabled these shows to quickly move between the large towns and cities which had the crowds that made them profitable. —Loren Blaney, Visual Librarian
BMRC ELECTED AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS Position Name Began Club Historian Bob Uhr ??? ELECTED POSITIONS Layout Tour Coord. OPEN President Jerry Bengtson 2014 Layout Manager Jon Bond 2009 Vice -President David Ennis 2014 Photographer Keith Bobo 2008 Secretary Jack Curl 2014 Video Cameraman Mike Gleydura 2013 Treasurer Chad Horner 2013 Club Store Manager Jeff Morrison 2012 Past -President Joe Baldwin 2014 Lgmt. Library Layout Jerry Bengtson 2012 VOLUNTEER POSITIONS Jerry Gilland* 2007 TELLTALES Editor Jack Rummel 1997 WOW Museum Layout Bob Rothe 2008 Webmaster Joe Baldwin 2010 Train Show Manager Jim Froning 2013 Membership Chair Spen Kellogg 2013 TS Layout Coord. Jon Bond 2013 HO -SIG Leader Frank Smucker 2004 TS Raffle Manager Marv Van Puersem 2010 N-SIG Leader Warren Hester 2011 TS Advert. Coord. OPEN Club Auditor 2013 Appt. pending TS Vendor Coord. Jeff Morrison 2013 Contest Coordinator Jerry Gilland 2011 TS Setup/Teardown Coord. Derek Walker 2013 Video Librarian Loren Blaney 2001 TS Door Prize Coord. OPEN Book Librarian Mike Mead 2011 (*provides electronic tech support)
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Our club has two primary contact points with On The the ever growing internet. One is our website BMRC WEB
Graph showing BMRC internet contacts increase dramatically during Train Show month.
Graph showing BMRC internet contacts have increased steadily over the past four years.
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FEBRUARY CONTEST There was a moderately good turnout for the February contest, with 7 entries in the Senior Modeler Class. Unfortunately, there was only one entry in the Modeler Class, so there was no contest and Ray Hoppes was awarded the blue ribbon for his 3 foot narrow gauge 1 MOW model. This was a nicely finished model that likely would have won an award, even with competition. Ray , I am sorry that there is no picture of your model. Our usually reliable photographer, Keith Bobo , was absent and his substitute for the evening was somewhat incompetent. That would be me ; -). Ray , if you would provide me with a picture of your nice model, I would be happy to publish it in the next TELLTALES . Here is a brief reminder about the contest rules. Senior Modelers 2 are defined as any club member who has: Won two blue ribbons in the preceding 12 months. Won a Modeler of the Year award, or a Modeler of the Year award, in the preceding 3 years. The names of these modelers are posted at the contest tables each month. Senior Modelers are required to enter the Senior Modeler contest. Other modelers are free to enter either class. In February, there were some models entered in the Senior Modeler contest that could have been in entered the Modeler contest, where they likely would have won an award. There was stiff competition in the Senior Modeler class. The 3 rd 3 place white ribbon being awarded to Bill Bradley for his interesting marriage of N and Z scale units as noted in Photo #1 . I never cease to be amazed at how a man with such large hands can do the fine work he does at these miniature scales! The second place award went to Roy Johnson for his kit bashed PFM brass shay. This model, shown in Photo #2 had much additional detail added and was custom painted. The addition of three figures added to the realism of the model. The blue ribbon in this class went to Doug Wright for his nicely displayed Derelict Shay. This model, shown in Photo #3 was a Super Detailed B.T.S. kit. This entry, with its realistic clutter, added figures, and scratch built engine house shows the impact that the supporting 4 environment has on contest voters. I am happy to report that there were two “Welcome Back” ribbons award this month. Both Tom Johnson and Doug Wright received this recognition, since neither has entered one of our contests in the preceding 12 months. Tom’s kit bashed model is shown in Photo #4 . I am sure there are many more of you who fit this description, so clean off the dust and joins us again. This recognition also goes to modelers who have never entered a contest, so join in the fun! The March contest features “Railroad Owned Structures”. This includes the obvious things like engine houses and service towers, but also includes right -of -way structures like bridges, trestles, etc. Everyone who has a layout should have some of these to enter! Below is the schedule for the remainder of the year: Mar Railroad -Owned Structures Aug Cramped Dioramas (scale 900 ft 2 footprint) Apr Surface transportation & Utility Sept Open – Railroad related May Open – Anything goes Oct No Contest – Caboose Hobby night June Photos of Models (2 prints, Nov Un -powered Rolling Stock up to 8x10) Dec Model of the Year Contest July Off Line Structures
Happy modeling! —Jerry Gilland , Contest Coordinator
7 PART 2 OF 2 In Part 1 (January’s Telltales), I told of Powering Nn3 my efforts to create an Nn3 engine with a By Bill limited budget. I found two N on a budget Bradley candidates: a diesel switcher chassis and a tank steam engine. Using a
Marklin 8864 and the diesel switcher N chassis, with modifications, I put together my first Nn3 1 engine that was run at the last train show on my multi - scale layout, see Figure 1 (yellow blob, upper center). This month I will tell of my second effort to develop an Nn3 steam tank engine. I started with a used Marklin 8895 2 -6-0 Z engine from EBay for $62 and a used Bachmann 4733 0 -4-0 N Docksider switcher obtained for $15 at a swap meet. Both were running well, see Figure 2 . I knew the 8895 as reliable, having run one about 3 hours continuous at 1/2 power at train shows without overheating. Normally, I don’t like to mess with something that works, but my success with the diesel switcher helped me decide to go for the conversion. Plus, from the outside it looked like the Z engine would fit inside the N body, with its works removed. 2 Starting with the N Docksider, the motor and gear works were easy to remove by extracting the screw in the bottom front. But then I had a problem, as it looked like a weight was glued to the upper boiler area. It looked like the shell might be destroyed trying to get the weight out. However, with a little prying around I realized the smoke stack was threaded and holding the weight to the body. Figure 3 shows the re - assembled N works that will be kept in case I come across an appropriate HO scale body. The smoke stack was replaced with a piece of copper tubing from my stash. Removing the Marklin couplers from the 8895, its 3 chassis almost fit inside the N chassis, except being a little tight from front to back. So, again I went to work with my Dremel Tool to rout out some slight interference, but leaving enough to hold it snug. The next step was to use some styrene strips to form a mount for a MTL coupler in the rear and some added support framework in the front, see Figure 4 . It was
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important to determine the right coupling mounting height, so that the alignment would be maintained with Nn3 rolling stock. Again the Nn3 -Z height gage became essential. A preliminary fit -up showed the exposed European bumpers in the front (see Figure 5, next page), which didn’t seem to be appropriate for a CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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“Santa Fe” loco. So back apart came the pieces and the addition of more styrene and parts of a ladder for a cow catcher. See Figure 6 for the results before final fit -up and Figure 7 for the resulting front. Last, Figure 8 shows the completed Nn3 steam engine running with some converted Nn3 rolling stock on my latest layout. I had a good time putting together the loco and the cost of all the parts was about $80. Since starting my conversion projects, I have been on the lookout for additional N and HO scale rolling stock that have the potential to become Nn3 or HOn30 locos for the future. So there may be more project reports yet to come. X
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USEFUL DEFINITIONS NOT FOUND IN THE DICTIONARY Boxing: Like a ballet, except there’s no music, no choreopraphy and the dancers hit each other. —Jack Handley
9 Secretary’s Name Tag Drawing The drawing of a winning number to earn a $10 gift card at McGuckins just for wearing Report your name tag seems to have lost its FEBRUARY MEETING luster. Few people show enthusiasm. Some The February meeting of the BMRC took place even decline to take a ticket. The drawing at the Elk's Club with 36 members present and 5 does not seem to enhance the wearing of guests. The President opened the meeting with name tags. Indeed, the earning of a $10 gift the following announcements; card never was the intent of the introduction of The Longmont Museum is going to have a dis- name tags for members in the first place. That play, May thru September, and they need a volun- purpose was to assist the social interaction teer engineer for their ride -on train; between BMRC members. BMRC needs a Layout Tour Coordinator and a Therefore, I am announcing (via this volunteer to build the Raffle Layout; message) that the drawing at the April BMRC The 2014 Train Show will now run Friday meeting will be the last Name Tag through Sunday. Drawing. Anyone objecting to this decision is The 2014 budget was discussed and over- free to take over and manage the entire whelmingly passed. There will be a swap meet at project. the March meeting. I have four (4) additional gift cards but these There was a clinic presented covering various will be given to the Contest Coordinator for him levels of scenery. to use in the Contest Drawings. —Jack Curl , Secretary —Bob Rothe
Next T ELLTALES Deadline
Submissions for the MarchT ELLTALES should be SIG News Hello, N Scalers, sent no later than March 6, 2014 . N- Well it's March. The time is going to change this weekend and y that’s a reminder to shake off the cobwebs and start to do some railroading. I would like to get together on the 18th and go over the few things that we had trouble with at the December show. We have to start somewhere and by 2014 Timetable refreshing ourselves with these items it will give . us an idea as to what we will need to take care March 15 —Open Car Day, Colorado Railroad of to get back in the swing of things again. As Museum, Golden, 9AM —5PM. usual, anyone that is interested in N scale is March 15 —Swap Meet, at Green Mtn. Presbyterian invited to join us in our endeavors. We meet in Church, 12900 W. Alameda Pkwy. at Mississippi, the shop in my back yard from about 12:30 Lakewood - 9AM to Noon until about 3:30 -4:00 PM. After this meeting I March 20 —BMRC Meeting and Swap Meet, Tri -City will be sending out reminders to all the Elks Lodge, 525 Main St., Louisville, 7:00PM. members that are interested. Hope to see the Optional dinner 5:30 PM at the Elks. group of you again this year. April 17 —BMRC Meeting, Tri -City Elks Lodge, 525 —Warren Hester Main St., Louisville, 7:00PM. Optional dinner 5:30 PM at the Elks. April 19 —Bunny Express Train, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden, 9AM —5PM. April 26 —Layout Tours, Joe Baldwin and John Parker. Details to follow. erfgnx
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