The Hotbox—Summer 2016 (Vol. 57, No. 2)

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

VOL. 57, NO. 2 SUMMER 2016

RAILFANNING the PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD Panhandle Division of Bill Neale, MMR

BASIC LAYOUT NORTH CENTRAL CONSTRUCTION 101 part 2 EXPRESS 2016 OPS event news!! X-FACTOR! part 1

RR HISTORY – TYPES OF TRAINS FOR MODEL RAILROAD OPS

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

OK!! Yeah!! Spring/summer is here! While that means more outdoor The HotBox activities than indoor, aka model railroading, here’s hoping you can keep SUMMER 2016 the passion and modeling going through the warm months! Yes, as Vol. 57, No. 2 mentioned here before, our hobby is mostly a fall/winter activity, but it

EDITOR can and should be a year-round activity. There are several ways to do Barry Hensel that... round robin groups, your local Division meetings and local model 43642 Lotus Dr railroad clubs. Of course, with good weather, we could all take-up garden Canton, MI 48188 railroading!! It is a very intriguing idea and expansion of our hobby. 734-649-3056 [email protected] Maybe your spouse or significant other would join in! Certainly kids or grandkids could help as well. Model railroading – the family affair! Editorial Advisers Of course, warm weather also means other hobbies (Camaros for me!) Dave McMullian & the NCR Board and activities, but it can also mean an expansion of our model railroading hobby. How about doing some on-site research of a structure you want Proof Readers Marge Hensel John Beres to model? How about some rail-fanning on a local steam line, or even the Marty LaForte prototype main or branch line? Pictures and good time can be had by yourself or with friends! Not too far for most NCR members is Fostoria, The HotBox is published quarterly by the Ohio and the “Iron Triangle”! The newly finished railroad park, made just North Central Region of the National Model Railroad Association. Publication for rail-fanning, is a great place to see LOTS of mainline action, all in one dates are- spot! Sounds like a good day trip! SPRING, March 1 SUMMER, June 1 Lastly.... the NMRA National Convention is always during the summer AUTUMN, Sept 1 WINTER, Dec 1 months. In 2016, the convention is “local”, Indianapolis, Indiana! The dates are July 3 through July 10.The National Train Show is always the The HotBox is available online at- www.ncr-nmra.org last 2-3 days, Friday-Sunday, July 8-10. Convention attendees get in All material, articles and advertising must early and for free! Sounds like another day trip!! be submitted to the Editor. All material should be electronic, preferably MicroSoft Well, time to do some model railroading… Word or Powerpoint. Pictures should be in Jpeg format and color. Material can be Thanks for reading… Barry emailed or sent via US Mail on cd-rom. Materials will not be returned, unless return postage and envelope are MODEL included. Material submission deadline is FIVE weeks before publication date. RAILROADING Business ads- 1/2 page $20 per issue or $65 per year IS FUN! 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! HOTBOX CORRECTIONS NCR "OOPS"…. NCR Division Event ads- FREE To pay for any ad space... send your Always striving to be correct is something we will do with the HotBox. payment to the Editor. All checks/money But, we are human and mistakes can/will happen. Please forgive us, orders need to be made out to "The North Central Region, NMRA" these are NOT intentional! The corrections for the March 2016 edition of the HotBox are - minor grammar and spelling! Send address corrections to the Registrar- David Simmons FRONT COVER PICTURES- Bill Neale’s PRR Panhandle Division - A 734-662-9807 pair of I1 decapods rumble past Steubenville Station in the afternoon, [email protected] heading east with a long coal train (The Pennsy called them “Mineral Feel free to contact the Editor via email, with any comments, questions or Trains”); NCX logo; OPS X-factor! Basic Layout Construction 101 part 2 corrections. REAR COVER PICTURES- NCX 2016 logo; Div 6 layouts of Don Barron and Ted Pilchak, OPS X-Factor part 2

2 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

NCR - NORTH CENTRAL REGION, NMRA OFFICERS and DIRECTORS

President Resident Agent Dave McMullian 419-878-4888 Dean Pyers 586-979-7319 [email protected] [email protected] Division Three Bob Jones 260-459-6339 Vice-President NMRA Central Director [email protected] Scott Kremer 734-420-2314 Peter Magoun MMR [email protected] 231-941-1669 Division Four [email protected] Mark Baldwin 616-437-9851 Secretary [email protected] Bill Neale 248-477-7875 Photo Contests [email protected] Howard Andrews 734-728-4697 Division Five [email protected] Andy Keeney 517-316-5660 Treasurer [email protected] Robert Baird 734-665-6408 Achievement Program [email protected] Larry Wolohon, MMR Division Six 734-454-4816 Mark Ellis 734-421-2673 Registrar [email protected] [email protected] David Simmons 734- 436-1164 [email protected] Division Eight Phil Doolittle 248-375-2513 Directors [email protected] Glenn Joppich 734-464-6004 Division One [email protected] Jim Lang 419-874-6962 Division Nine [email protected] Frank Zajac 269-598-7107 Skip Luyk 616-363-3453 [email protected] [email protected] Division Two Dave Capron 231-271-3352 Division Ten Jay Qualman 248-676-0234 [email protected] Don Westcott 810-513-5787 [email protected] [email protected]

RAILROADING "WHAT THE ???" NCR HUMOR

It seems that “OOPS” happened all through railroading history, as evidenced by the photo here....

It’s some time between March 1895 and September 1926, William Edwards is the NYC conductor standing on the right side of the cupula! William is the grandfather of Robert Fuerch, who passed this photo on to the HotBox offces. Robert is a good friend of Div 5 member Bob Truax.

THANKS for sharing!! OOPS!!

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 3

PRESIDENTS OBSERVATION by Dave McMullian

As Spring breaks forth in full glory, we are rapidly Well, the idea has really approaching another national convention right in caught on. Here’s an our backyard. I don’t think there’s a place anywhere update on names so far: in the country that’s been so close to so many Division 1 – The Black THE DAVE NMRA conventions in recent years. Since 2005, Swamp Division, Division 2 McMULLIAN we’ve had nationals in Cincinnati, Detroit, – Tip of the Mitt Division, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, and Division 3 – Three Rivers Indianapolis this year. That’s six in twelve years Division, Division 5 – The within a few hours drive. It’s a big savings when Capitol Division, Division 6 you don’t have to fly, and it’s great to have your – Motor City Division, Division 8 – Clinton River own car on hand for touring as well. I’ve attended Division, and Division 10 – The Tenwheelers. all of these conventions and enjoyed each one’s Thanks again to Division 8 for originating the idea, uniqueness. I’ve learned not to worry about specific and congratulations to all the other Divisions on expectations because inevitably I discover new your new names. Let’s all get busy on developing things, learn new skills, and make new friends. My logos for our new identities. We will be working to fondest memories are usually things I did not incorporate the names and logos into our expect or plan on! I just go, jump in, and have a publications, websites, and other communications. blast. Now I realize that sometimes time and/or money can put a crimp on attending a weeklong And one more reminder – if you have not registered event, but did you ever consider customizing a for NCX-North Central Express 2016, get on board “mini-convention”? You could drive down to Indy now! Our Fall convention will be hosted by Division early Wednesday morning and have two full days of 6 on October 6-9. Those guys have lined up a ton clinics, tours, and onsite activities, then catch the of action, education, and good times. There will be National Train Show on Friday and be back home all of the usual events you’ve come to expect from for the weekend. If you team up with some buddies, an NCR convention and they are trying plenty of the costs amortize out even better and the innovative twists as well. It’s a bargain you can’t fellowship completes the package. If you’ve been beat for three solid days of non-stop model sitting on the fence, unsure about this year’s railroading. Check out the convention guide here in convention for whatever reason, I encourage you to the Hot Box and join in the fun. think outside the box and find a way to be there at See ya on down the line..... least part of the week. Dave McMullian, President, NCR Hey, do you remember I told you in the last Hot Box about the new naming initiative for NCR Divisions?

JENNY’S ENGINE by David J. Vinci NCR FEATURE

When my daughter was 2 years old, she and I visited the Conrail Yard in Ashtabula, Ohio. While there, we were invited to climb into the cab of Conrail GP40 No. 3256. I built a model of that locomotive which we call “Jenny’s Engine” recently upgraded with a decoder and LED lights. A nice way to give substance to a memory. Originally published in the Feb 2016 issue of the NMRA NCR-Division 9 newsletter, The Yardmaster.

4 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

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- The email box had some more interesting links for you to view..... From former NCR President Jack Watson... Tour of Kalmbach offices- https://youtu.be/4YUGz-9M7qY and a neat drone video about the massive CSX bridge over the Ohio River between Evansville, IN & Henderson, KY. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHDiAnM9iO0 Here’s a video sent by Joe Bliss of Div 6 on Weirton Steel – neat video and train action!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9DwCBkd4p4 Video link from Rich Mahaney from Div 9 on a derailment in Fostoria- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI6TwKSRw24&feature=youtu.be

BTR#2- July 3rd through July 10th, 2016. The location will be Indianapolis, Indiana, and the activity will be the Highball to Indy, 2016 NMRA National Convention and 2016 National Train Show. The convention and train show will be held in downtown Indianapolis where quite a few attractions, sports arenas, museums, shopping, and restaurants are within walking distance of the convention hotel. Check out the Highball to Indy, 2016 website for further information at www.nmra2016.org

BTR#3- Don't use car batteries to find layout shorts! Starting on page 36 of the May 2016 issue of NMRA Magazine, we printed an article entitled "Wiring for DCC, Avoiding Short Circuits, and Fixing Them if You Get Them." In that article there was a description of a method for finding short circuits using an automobile battery. Just after publication, a qualified reader brought to our attention the fact that concerns for fire or even battery explosion exist before and during the use of a high-amperage power source, such as an automobile battery, in this manner. Even if extraordinary steps are taken to prevent problems, severe risk remains. For these reasons, we do not recommend this procedure for finding short circuits. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Cinthia Priest, Editor, NMRA magazine

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

NCR NEWS NCR NEWS

The NCR Board of Directors and Division Superintendents all met in Lansing in April, for a Spring meeting. The official minutes of the meeting will be posted on the NCR website. Here are some high-lights ..... Bob Baird was appointed new treasurer of NCR, as current treasurer Alan Godfrey is stepping down due to other activities. Thanks Alan for your service and welcome Bob! The up-coming NCR election has a field of candidates! The actual candidates background and ballots will be in the next, September issue of the HotBox. There is at least one person running for each office.... President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director. Don’t forget to VOTE!! NCR Rules of Operations are being revised-updated and should be ready for approval at the Fall NCR Board meeting. NCR Bylaws are also being updated and will be put before a vote of the members within a year. The NCR has grown!! Several counties have been added to the Div 3 NCR area, from the Mid-Central Region. This was done because these counties are very close to Fort Wayne and several NMRA members wanted to align with Div 3 because of that proximity. We are still working on getting NMRA members in the Saginaw area, to form an active division, or become part of another division and follow the “yard” concept that is in Div 2. A Committee has been formed to look into NCR convention guidelines, to help future convention planners do a better job and make convention planning and execution easier! It could also help make each convention more the same, as far as participant expectations. Future conventions are- 2017 - Thurs-Sunday Sept 14-15-16-17 hosted by Division 4, Grand Rapids 2018 – hosted by Division 5, Lansing 2019 – hosted by Division 8, NE Metro Detroit area

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 5

RAILFANNING the PRR Panhandle Division NCR TRACKSIDE

Bill Neale, MMR has a great HO scale layout and your HotBox roving reporter got a tour. Left to right.... A G5 class 4-6-0 heads east with a passenger local, about to plunge into Dinsmore Tunnel, while a big I1 decapod drifts out on track 2, heading west. The Steubenville Freight House is a busy place, with cars unloaded inside the covered tracks. Long view of Collier Tower, where the 4 track main is reduced to 3 running tracks. The spur to the right leads to the Locust Grove Mine. Engine 4578 crossing the Ohio River on the way to Weirton Junction where it will push trains eastward for the next 12 hours. (black-white retro photo...!) PRR Class H10 2-8-0 on the west bound local passing Hanlin Station PRR class H9 consolidation putting a cut of cars on an outbound train in Weirton Junction Yard

6 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

RAILFANNING the PRR Panhandle Division NCR TRACKSIDE

Left to right...... Engine 4613, an I1 Decapod, waits in Weirton Yard for assignment. Cove Valley ice house. Scratch built. Located just north of Weirton Junction. The New Cumberland Local is just crossing Lee Avenue, emerging from the confines of Weirton Steel. Mingo Junction Engine facilities. Plenty of big steam Burgetts town business district, showing A. A. Hines Hardware, and the public delivery spur (Team Track) Crazy action at Hanlin, An eastbound empty hopper train on track 2 splits two other trains, an eastbound local and the westbound coal shifter working Hanlin Cola & Coke. Jefferson Coal & Coke. A bit of Collier Yard shows in the foreground

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 7

OPS X-FACTOR! PART 1 by Norm Logan NCR FEATURE

Most of the jobs that are needed during operation Using a fast clock has been a popular way that sessions to move equipment and trains on the many layout owners have used. However, even layout are Yard Master, Road crews though the clock is going faster, the operator is (engineer/conductor), Train Master and Dispatcher. moving at real time speed. So, we need to add more tasks and steps to complete those tasks so that the “fun value” is greater by doing more things as the operator instead of waiting for time to pass.

Another problem with OPS sessions is that after a while, you “learn” the system and it starts become more routine. In the real world your job takes you

on many turns to complete a project. Your job may However, this assumes that all engines, cars, and be simply to keep a machine supplied with material equipment will function smoothly forever and never and keep it running. Stoppage, breakdowns and need maintenance or repair. In the real world, maintenance are what is missing from our model equipment must be checked to see that it is safe, railroads. The “X Factor” of not knowing when an reliable and able to interchange with equipment engine will not function, or be out of service is not from other railroads. Even the moving of trains and part of our OPS. equipment must be checked and rechecked to see that equipment and systems are working in order to I think that this “X Factor” needs to be added into protect the lives of the crew and insure the safety of OPS for more challenge. We all have more property and equipment worth hundreds of millions engines, cabooses and equipment than are needed of dollars. Even for a small or short line railroad this to service our customers on our model railroads. By type of incident could lead to bankrupting the having equipment “GO OUT OF SERVICE” at company. So railroads must take steps to be times gives us a reason to use (lease from other proactive and show that they check equipment railroads) those other engines, cabooses and before it moves for reliability and safe handling of rolling stock. This added complication to OPS consumer’s goods and commodities. This checking creates a more lifelike experience. and rechecking for safety and reliability takes time and slows down the pace and flow of the railroad. This need to maintain systems and equipment is missing in model railroad OPS sessions and therefore, most model railroads are missing this important prototypical part of the railroad operation.

One of the problems in model railroad operation, is that the distance from point A to point B is very small. Trains travel (in minutes) the distance that real world trains take hours to cover. One way to “close the gap” is to speed up the clocks.

Repairs to equipment creates other industries to build for your layout. The RIP track. car shop and engine service areas may need to be added to your layout to handle all the short and long term repairs. The need to move equipment to these repair areas adds extra crew members in the yard to handle these special moves. The removal of a car from the middle of a train may take some thinking and time to complete the task.

8 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

OPS X-FACTOR! PART 1 NCR FEATURE

Cars that have been repaired need to be moved We can simulate this CARMAN Job by having the back to the classification yard to be reassigned or train move slightly forward to check that the train is sent to customers. Moving goods from the RIP car coupled together. to a “clean” car may need to take place. A place to do this and support areas (ramps) to transfer cargo, and ways to lift equipment (cranes) from one car to another complete and job and get the goods rolling to the customer would be needed.

One way to get the “Fun Value” added to your OPS session is to invite BRUCE THE CARMAN onto your layout.

To complete the AIR TEST and check the brakes, you draw a card from the deck and flip it over……..Wait for it….. “ BRUCE SAYS…. YOU ARE GOOD TO GO. HAVE A SAFE TRIP.” You are now ready to get a release from the Yard Master to be assigned a route out of the yard and obtain a train order from the Dispatcher to move the train to its first stop.

BRUCE THE CARMAN is a set of cards you use when a train is to leave the yard. First a CARMAN on the railroad is someone the checks the whole train to see that the train is connected, that all the air hoses are connected to the train line, and that the engine can pump-up air to release the brakes so that the train can move. Once the Carman has completed the inspection and has given the OK, the equipment may then move.

Let’s look at train DS 101 leaving Detroit Caddy Yard on the Michigan Southern Railway. The train DS 101 has been put on the departure track.

.... more on the OPS X-Factor in part 2, in the next issue of the HotBox!

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 9

NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION

Division One - Black Swamp Division (Toledo and Northwest Ohio area) Division 1, the Black Swamp Division, completed our monthly meetings for the 2015-2016 year in April. We have a wide variety of clinic activities, both live and video presentations. We place a great deal of emphasis on member participation at our meetings, with several activities that enable folks to share models, ideas, and images. We also have a roundtable discussion each month on a topic of interest regardless of gauge, era, or prototype. In October, we embarked on a new project to study and share what we know about operations. We’re having monthly meetings at different layouts to study one aspect of ops, then practice what we’ve learned. Each month the host shares his layout plan, ops interests, and problems/issues, then we all pitch in with ideas. The attendance at these ops meetings has averaged almost half of our active membership, so we’ve obviously hit on a popular subject. We also incorporate some ops-related activities and teaching during our monthly Division meetings. Hopefully, by the end of 2016, there will be more ops activities and participation in Black Swamp Division territory! For our 2016 Spring Outing, we visited layouts in Lansing and then spent an afternoon operating on Andy Keeney’s Nashville Road. For regularly updated info on our schedule, meeting info, and directions, visit our website at www.divisiononencr.com (submitted by- Dave McMullian, Super)

Division Two (Manistee to Iosco counties, to the Tip Of The Mitten at the Mackinac Bridge) The ‘Tip of the Mitt” is starting its second year with an agenda of clinics, ‘show and tell’, op sessions, swap tables and our AP table. We are encouraging everyone to get involved in our operation sessions. While we have a core group that has been in a round robin for years actually operating is new to most of the modelers. We have two members that will be trained at the Indy Convention as AP Judges.. Our plan is to have an AP table at our two All Division meetings (spring and fall). We want our members to get the most out of their modeling and participate in the AP program. Several of us are finalizing plans for Indy and we are starting to make plans for the “North Central Express 2016” in Livonia. All considered it will be a great 2016 for model railroading in the “Tip of the Mitt” . Give us a call if you will be vacationing up north this summer, we would love to do some layout tours with you. (submitted by- David Capron, Superintendent)

Division Three - Three Rivers Division (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio area) Division 3 is working to complete adding 6 counties to our Division & will be trying to get the membership numbers from those counties up. We are gearing up to assist with Highball to Indy festivities as we have Clinicians, Layout Ops Sessions and various other personnel assisting with volunteering with the Convention. We are currently working on getting our Division Name & Logo finished up. The Division Name we chose is 3 Rivers Division.We also have finalized a date to which we will be working with the Boy Scouts on the Merit Badge in Railroading. Hope to see you in Indy. (submitted by- Bob Jones, Superintendent NMRA NCR Div 3)

Division Five – Capital Division (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan area) Division 5 had a great March event when Terry Davis led us all to scratch build a loading platform, board by board. This was followed by a visit to Doc. Fleming's fantastic On3 layout of the Nehi Lumber & Mining Co. Railroad. Superintendent Andy Keeney led the members in a discussion of a potential name for the Division and also for the 2018 NCR Convention that we will be hosting. As a result of these discussions, it was realized that the Division already had a name, The Capital Division and it was agreed to continue using it. An updated logo is being prepared. Ron St. Laurent presented a clinic showing how the Tortoise™ switch machine can be mounted in a horizontal fashion where space is limited. Details are shown in the May Div. 5 Journal. After the meeting, the group visited Craig Rosenbergers HO layout which is under construction. Craig has done cabinet level carpentry on his benchwork. The May event featured a clinic by John Bussard on Kitbashing Plastic Structues, followed by a tour of the ATSF HO layout of Division Paymaster Alan Godfrey. June will be a field trip to the Howell area, rescheduled from May. The Division members will visit the Grand Trunk Western caboose being restored by the Howell Area Historical Society and the ex Ann Arbor Railroad depot next to it, which is now a local history museum. Then the group will visit Howard Ziegel's O scale traction layout and Mark Cowles' N scale Port Authority Terminal Railroad. The Division is planning on another summer layout tour, this time in the Detroit area. You can subscribe to the monthly Division 5 Journal. Send a request to the editor, Mark Cowles, at [email protected] to be put on the list. For more information, please see the Division 5 website: div5.ncr-nmra.org (submitted by- Mark Cowles, NMRA NCR Div. 5 Clerk)

10 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION

Division Four (Grand Rapids and west Michigan area) The Division has no new news for this issue of the HotBox. (submitted by, Mark Baldwin, Superintendent)

Division Six – Motor City Division (Wayne & Washtenaw County) Division 6 has a new “moniker”... the Motor City Division! Since we do embody much of the Detroit area, this seemed a natural fit and really tells others, where we are located! We’re going to update our Division logo to include this new name and will be ordering new polo shirts. Our meetings continue to entertain and educate! We’ve had some great clinics by member Rich Kubic and other guests! Our show & tell that opens the meetings is always fun and we even learn a thing or two – both modeling and prototype! Our quarterly modeling contests (bragging rights only!) has been catching on and more entries are expected with each new subject selected. Div 6 enjoys great support through Nankin Hobby, who gives away a $10 gift card at each meeting. This is by a random drawing of those that brought a model for show & tell! THANKS Nankin Hobby!! We are your hosts for the next NCR Convention – NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2016! There are updates here in this HotBox, plus check out the website for more info and to register. YES... you can register online and use a credit card for payment! The convention Team is very busy and our membership is gearing-up to be your hosts! See the TIMETABLE page for our meeting schedule. (submitted by Barry Hensel, Newsletter Editor)

Division Eight - Clinton River Division (Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair Counties) Our meetings consist of a “Show and Tell” where members and guests show off models, books, photos, or whatever related to a specified topic each month, or alternatively they may show and describe a current model railroad project. After the S&T we have a short meeting followed by a featured presentation. You can find out the upcoming S&T theme and the presentation topic by visiting our web site, http://div8.ncr-nmra.org/ The Clinton River Division has been trying some new ideas to expand the model railroad experience of members. First, through the generosity of an anonymous donor, we have instituted a monthly drawing to encourage more participation in the Show and Tell. Each member who presents a model, etc. receives a ticket for a drawing, the winner of which receives a nice prize to facilitate his or her next visit to the hobby shop! The second recent program has been a road trip to Cincinnati for operating sessions on two great model railroads, both recently featured in the major model railroad press. We will also tour two additional layouts known for extraordinarily fine modeling. The third event is the Weathering Workshop that was previewed in the last issue of the Hot Box. As of this writing 18 modelers will spend part of a Saturday and Sunday weathering some of their rolling stock under the tutelage of Alan Bell and Jeff Youst who ran a similar clinic at the NCR Convention in Fort Wayne last fall. These events will probably be history by the time you read this issue of Hot Box, so be sure to ask us how they turned out. Stay tuned for more! (Submitted by Phil Doolittle - Superintendent)

Division Nine (Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and VanBuren Counties) Division 9 is meeting monthly on the 4th Saturday (usually) except for July and August. This year we have been having a layout tour and a regular meeting on alternate months (as schedules permit). In January we had a tour of Dick Divisser’s Layout. In February we met at the Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society facilities where we enjoyed a breakfast prepared by Peg, Jim and David Glenn and the proceeds went to the KMRHS Building Fund. We also had a Tree Making clinic using Goldenrod and Sedum by Frank Zajac and Dave Vinci. In March we had a Convention presentation and Background painting Clinic by Norman A. Logan. In April we had a Tour of Greg Stonerock’s Layout. (submitted by Dave Vinci, Paymaster)

Division Ten – Ten Wheeler Division (Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron Counties) Division 10 holds a monthly meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. At each meeting members bring projects or models to share with the group. Different techniques are discussed on building and weathering models and prototype information on custom models are shared. The meeting ends up with a modeling clinic or a DVD on modeling or on prototype railroading. Visitors are always welcome. Any questions can be answered by calling Division 10 Superintendent Don Westcott 810-513-5787 or Nick Racheff 810-265-0748 We have a great group of modelers that enjoy getting together and sharing modeling ideas and stories. (submitted by Don Westcott, Superintendent)

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 11

A SWITCHING PUZZLE by Bob Hanna NCR FEATURE

Chuck White, a friend and operator on the B&O Lost Division, is involved in organizing a train show in Van Wert in July. After an operating session on my home layout we were all sitting around the dining room table enjoying our “pay” of snacks and refreshments when the topic of switching layouts came up. Three of us, Bill Wemhoff, Gary Evens and myself, had made a switching layout. Chuck invited us to setup at the show to offer the attendees an opportunity to try to solve a switching We had about 50 people stop, watch or try their puzzle. We accepted! For the last two years we hand at switching. When they seemed a have been there showing attendees that there is bit reluctant, or when no one was around, I would more to do with a train than running it around in a run the puzzle and soon somebody would come up circle. and watch. Then I would ask them if they wanted Mine is a little bigger than the average timesaver to help me. Kids were the ones who most wanted with electric switch machines, and a corded remote to try it, and they had fun! I had one adult who with a center off DPDT switch for controlling the came over and excitedly, called his wife and engine. You push the toggle in the direction you another couple to see it. He kept saying “This is want the engine to go and put it in the center to insane, how do you do that!” Evidently he had stop. There are colored tabs on the cars. Match not seen uncoupling magnets before or he didn’t do the colored tab on the car to the colored post at the any switching. Showed him how it worked and had siding, and pick up all green tabbed cars to go with him try it. Something new to do with your model the train. trains! I had one little boy come up with his mother. When I asked if he wanted to try it, he was too shy. So I let his mother run the engine while I threw the switches. Soon mother was standing behind the little boy while he ran the engine. When we got to the end of the puzzle, I thanked him for being such a good engineer. You should have seen the smile on his face! They came back later and the mother said that he wanted to try it again. So we did! It was fun to show model railroaders, and future

model railroaders, that there is more to model railroading then running trains around in a circle, and that it’s fun! Do you have a switching layout that you could share with others?

12 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

Division Six of the NCR- North Central Region of the NMRA- National Model Railroad Association presents-

NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2016 A MODEL RAILROAD WEEKEND CONVENTION!

THURSDAY - FRIDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY OCTOBER 6-7-8-9, 2016 LIVONIA, MICHIGAN, USA

WELCOME to the NCR Model Railroad Convention, NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2016! The convention is being hosted by DIVISION SIX, located in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. We are planning a great weekend of model and prototype railroading, just for YOU! Please read through this flyer- application for all of the important information you need to help you to decide to attend this event. As you’ll soon read, we’re concentrating on having fun and learning all about model railroading! All you need to do is fill out the registration page, send it in with your registration fees and you’ll be part of one of the greatest model railroad events in Michigan! OR visit us online and register there using your credit card and PayPal security services! Come and join us for the MAXIMUM model railroad FUN, all in one weekend!

Ope n to ALL model railroaders! You do not have to be a NMRA member to attend!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE- * Operation sessions available Thursday, Friday, Saturday * FREE bag of model railroad “stuff” to first 200 registered * NO model contest – MODEL SHOWCASE – show off your work!! * Get a discount for participating in the Model Showcase!! * All-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday evening 5pm-7pm * Dinner Keynote speaker, Art Single, Board President Blissfield Railroad * 20+ Workshops on Friday and Saturday * 30+ model layouts to visit * Prototype tours available on Friday Ron King’s Erie Railroad * Door Prizes awarded Friday and Saturday * NMRA Photo contests and Awards * Silent Auction Fund-Raiser for Charity! * Event shirts available pre-order only * Special DAY PASS entry available! * Online Registration available, see website! * Event site- Ward Church, Livonia, MI Joe Bliss's Allegany Central * EVERYONE welcome to attend! For more information or questions answered, contact - Norm Logan, Chairman – 248-444-3491 [email protected] Mark Ellis, Div 6 Pres, Asst. Chairman - 734-421-2673 [email protected] Sand Hill & Western and visit our web pages at- www.div6-ncr-nmra.com

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 13 ALL ABOARD! THE SCHEDULE

Here is our proposed schedule for the NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2016 model railroad convention- THURSDAY, October 6 Operating Sessions by pre-register only FRIDAY, October 7 Registration 10am-10pm NCR annual Board Meeting 11am Operating Sessions by pre-register only Prototype Tours Model Display Room open 11am-9pm Clinics/Workshops starting at 6pm Layout tours starting at 6pm SATURDAY, October 8 Registration 7:30am-12 noon Clinics/Workshops from 8am-2pm Model Display Room open 8am-3pm Layout Tours starting at 12 noon Operating Sessions by pre-register only Dinner & Speakers 5pm-7pm SUNDAY, October 9 Layout Tours starting at 11am-5pm Walt Plentis’ PRR While Lake Division A pre-convention info package with the final schedules, clinic schedule and topics and any other late information will be mailed/emailed to you starting early September, if you are registered. You can also get updates on our website!!

THE SITE & HQ HOTEL For the NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2016 we have an excellent convention site – Ward Church! We are at Ward Church on Friday and Saturday. Ward Church is located on 6 Mile Rd just west of I-275 and Haggerty Rd Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church 40000 Six Mile Road Northville, MI 48168 248-374-7400 www.wardchurch.org Since our convention HQ is at Ward Church and the location is NOT at a hotel, you are free to get your best deal on any local hotel you may want to stay at. The hotels that are closest to Ward Church are- Marriott Livonia 734-462-3100; Livonia Holiday Inn 734-464-1300; Best Western 734-464-0050

NEW UPDATES!!!... Greeting to our North Central Region of the NMRA. Just a little tease to get your registration forms in. Here a sample of the clinicians and clinic that you can participate in at next fall’s NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS16 Regional in Division 6 at the Ward Church in Northville Michigan. Want to take better photos of your models? Come to Howard Andrews Model photography 101 clinic. Don’t have your backdrop up? Let Ken Chick show how to put up an Aluminum backdrop. Then check out how Pete Magoun uses Black and Yellow paints too match your GREEN foreground scene as you paint your backdrop! Want to be inspired to recreate a town scene? Come to Brook and Jay Qualman’s clinic on how they are Modeling Milford. Always wondered what it would be like to really work for a railroad today? Come and talk to Jack Watts who does this every day. Looking for something to brighten your buildings and signs? Let Pierre Willermet show you how to do Building Lighting with Electroluminescent Tape. Need help with DCC? Joe Bliss has the answers on Decoders, Signals and CVs (what the heck are those?) OK, that’s seven of the 24 clinics you can go to (not to mention Scott Kremer’s Catenary, the Prototype and an Easy Way to Model It)…..stop it…..no more! This regional will be a block buster of ideas and will get you off center to start that layout, model or detailing that you have been waiting to do. What?, need to see some layouts to get fired up? We got them in all shapes and sizes. From 25x25 to Jay Qualman’s 200x75. From plywood centrals to Ron Kings amazing detailed Erie Railroad layout. (Not to be missed!) All this SUMMER layout pics will go on line for you to get your list made to see them or sign up for an OPS session. But you need to go online to our web site: www.div6-ncr-nmra.com We are still working on Proto Tours and other activities for you. What you should be doing is getting a model ready to bring for the Showcase room. If you bring a model you get $5 off your registration! Crazy right? Well, we know your good and we want to see it all. So bring a model and be part of the fun. This is NOT A CONTEST. Yes we will have the folks to do AP stuff. However, the Showcase room is just that. BRING IT! Here is a very nice NCX promo video.... https://vimeo.com/143211744?utm_source=email&utm_medium=clip-transcode_complete-finished- 20120100&utm_campaign=7701&email_id=Y2xpcF90cmFuc2NvZGVkfDhlMjk2ZmQzZWJmYzE3ZTQyZm EzMzdmZTQ3ZDM1OGM1MzYzfDEyNDAxMDF8MTQ0NTQ4MTQzN3w3NzAx Shot and edited by Brian Golden from Div 6, it shows some layout and talks about the over-all convention weekend and activities. Please share this with everyone! OK….don’t wait. Send in the registration or go online. It’s going to be a great time with your friends. See you there! Norm Logan – Event Chairman NCX16

14 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 15

BASIC LAYOUT CONSTRUCTION 101 part 2 NCR EXTRA

Let us continue on basic layout construction.... need to mark on the roadbed, where the turnout TRACK throw bar is located. Then, drill a 1/2" diameter hole There are many options and manufacturers of in that spot, centered on your track center. This track. You will need to decide on which you want to hole will be used later when you install a motor or use. Track with plastic ballast works well, but you other device to control that turnout remotely. If you are confined to the pre-shaped sizes they make. do not plan on controlling the turnout from a remote Yes, these pieces can be modified, but only in location, you do not have to drill the hole. However, length, making them still a bit constrictive. Most if you change your mind later, it is most difficult to model railroaders use FLEX track. This is a 36" drill that hole when the track is in place. section that will bend just about any way you want it Once all your track is laid, or at least a section or to. Sections of flex track are connected with rail two, you should paint the rail sides a brown color to joiners, similar to the pre-set track. When make them look rusty. Even brand new track is connecting flex track on curves, you should off-set rusty, so your track should look as real as possible the rail connections, so that they are not directly too. An easy way to do this is to use a paint across from each other. This makes for smoother marker/stick and simply run it along the rail sides. travel and less chance of gaps in the rails and NOTE- you don't have to do both sides of each derailments. rail… only what you can see from your layout's aisle way! This saves paint and more importantly- TIME! Some model railroaders spray paint their entire track, which also weathers the ties nicely. Either way, make sure you scrap-off any excess paint from the rail heads, or your trains will not operate well.

FASCIA To make our layouts nice looking in appearance, we use a fascia board. This is usually made from 1/8" masonite board. Be sure to get the TEMPERED type! At this width, the masonite board is flexible and can be curved around corners of your layout. This gives your layout a smoother look! The fascia board is also cut to the contour of your

proposed scenery. This can be done as it's Your mainline track should also be placed on cork installed, or afterward. You'll have to plan how tall roadbed (yes, more roadbed!). The cork simply each section needs to be. You can use paneling nails to the wood/homasote roadbed and then your strips to help hide the joints between pieces, or track is nailed on top of that. The main reasons for simply tape and plaster the joint like drywall. Fascia cork is more sound deadening and to give the board can be screwed to the benchwork (counter- mainline the elevated look of real track. Your sink those screw holes) or even simply nailed with sidings and yard tracks can be directly laid on the paneling nails. Once installed, paint the fascia any roadbed, making them look more realistic and color you want to. Some suggestions are a green saving money in cork! A new idea is once the cork for eastern railroads or tan for western railroads. roadbed is down, paint it the color your ballast will This helps blend the fascia into your layouts be. Then when you do ballast the track, if you scenery missed a spot, the bare cork won’t show through! primary TURNOUTS, (we use that term so as to not colors. A confuse these with electrical "switches") are used universal to make one track into two, for sidings and cross- black is overs. These need to be placed into your track also OK work as you progress, as opposed to cutting them to use! into place later on- MUCH more difficult. You also

16 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

BASIC LAYOUT CONSTRUCTION 101 part 2 NCR EXTRA

ELECTRICAL a piece of the buss line, strip the end of the feeder Now it's time to start wiring your layout for track and solder the two together. An easier way is to power. Most model railroaders are now using DCC use "suitcase" connectors, which clip over the buss power systems. There are many different brands of line, place the un-striped end of the feeder into the DCC systems, but they all work together as far as connector and squeeze with pliers. The metal tang locomotive decoders are concerned. Do your in the connector cuts through the insulation of both homework and select a system that you are wires, connecting them. No soldering! There are comfortable with and has the options you believe other types of connectors that have been used too, you will need. Track wiring is the same, no matter and they do not require soldering either. which system you use. With DCC, there is power to Once everything is connected, hook up your the track at all times. system to the buss line and test run everything! It You will want to run a buss line all around your will be harder to correct problems once you start on layout. This should be at least 12 gauge wire. You your scenery - do it now!! can attach the wire to the underside of your benchwork, or drill holes through all cross-braces BASIC SCENERY and feed the buss line through the holes. Once the Most model railroader are now using construction buss line is in place, it's time to wire the track with styrofoam sheets to create their land forms. Both "track feeder" wires. These should be 18-22 gauge the pink or blue type are OK to use, but do not use wire. Make sure you use two different colors, so the white "beady" style as this makes an even you can keep track of positive-negative on your bigger mess when carving and shaping. Cutting the rails and buss line. Your track feeders should be as styrofoam is easy with a decent size steak knife. long as needed to reach from the track to the buss Pile the pieces to get a basic shape and glue them line, comfortably! Take a track feeder, strip about 1" together with either white glue of construction off of one end and "tin" it with solder. Once cool, bonding material, like Liquid Nails. HOWEVER- bend that end into a L shape with the "bottom of the make sure you purchase the type of adhesive that L" being about 3/8" long. This is the part of the is LATEX based!! If you try to use regular Liquid feeder that will be soldered to the side of the rail. Nails, it will eat through the styrofoam!! Once everything has dried for a few days, you can come back and shape your hills/mountains with a "surf- form tool". It looks like a cheese grader with a handle. NOTE- this will make a mess!! (get the shop-vac handy before starting!) If you wish… paint your land forms green or tan to give your layout an almost instant look as to its finished look! If you are so inclined… you can cover the styrofoam with plaster cloth material to give it a smoother surface and cover any imperfections. You Remember we painted our rails… now you have to can also use strips of newspaper and plaster in a remove the paint so that the solder holds to the rail "paper-mache'" style of covering. If using this side. (you could wait to get your track wired and method, when mixing the plaster, mix in some tan then paint it too!) Drill a small hole right next to the latex paint to color the plaster. This way, if you get track rail. Feed the un-striped end of the wire a plaster chip, it does not show through as a white through the hole until the L shape is next to the rail. spot on your layout! If using plaster cloth, once Apply the soldering iron to the tined wire and apply dried, paint everything in tan or light brown. This extra solder if needed. Try to keep this solder joint again, will hide the white plaster from showing neat and small, so it is undetectable. After a few through seconds, pull the wire through the hole to make any sure the joint is solid. You should add a track finished feeder to every section of rail, but do not solder to scenery. turnouts. Now to connect the feeders to the buss line. This can be done several ways- one is to strip

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 17

RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY In June 1940, I Joined a newly formed O gauge geared toward handling large amounts of mail and model railroad club that met in the B&O Grand express. Travel distance often determines the Central Station in downtown Chicago. It is now extent of services offered to passengers. December 1993, so I have been in model Accommodation trains traveling long distances may railroading for 53 years. Obviously model offer sleeping, dining, and lounge cars. At the other railroading must be fun or I wouldn’t be starting my end of the spectrum, though, are the short-haul, 7th layout. However, the most enjoyable hours that one-coach runs that seem to spend more time I’ve spent in model railroading were the once a stopping at stations than running between them. month operating sessions that I spent operating Al Huberty's N scale version of the Baltimore & Ohio RR. It was not a perfect railroad, for several reasons. It was located in the basement of an old home designed by an architect who was not a model railroader. The layout threaded its wav around the furnace, the water heater, and two men would have difficulty passing each other in the narrow aisles, but Oh Boy did it operate. The operating hours that I spent there just flew by. I’ve heard several different reasons why Al stopped operating, but I'm certainly ready to go back Limited-stop trains ("Limited’s") are geared for whenever I’m called. Tonight will be the first of passenger comfort, speed, and convenience and several sessions to teach all of us how to operate a frequently feature the newest equipment the model railroad in a prototypical fashion. There are railroad has on its roster. Station stops are usually many different types of trains and I will explain each restricted to only the most important cities on the type now.... route. Again, the services offered to passengers

Many modelers believe that passenger trains carry generally indicate the travel distance of the train. Limited-stop trains on a short-haul or corridor route the same cars day after day and merely shuttle back and forth between terminals, but this isn't will at least have a few coaches, some type of food necessarily true. Except for a very few featured service, and in some instances a parlor car. Those traveling longer distances may provide a full name trains and trains with consists that are more or less fixed (such as Amtrak turbo trains), there is complement of baggage cars, coaches, diner, lounge and sleepers. Occasionally mail and frequent shuffling of equipment which makes switching an important part of passenger operation. express is handled, but not to the extent that scheduling is affected. Each of your model passenger trains should have a purpose and a typical consist (this is where character comes in) although not necessarily the same cars every trip. The type of service a train performs reflects its purpose and determines its consist, so let's discuss train types first.

TYPES OF PASSENGER TRAINS Accommodation trains are local trains that serve all or most station stops on a given route. Once a commonplace conveyance in North America, accommodation trains have dwindled in number, especially in the US, but they are perhaps the most interesting type of passenger train. Their schedules overall are slow because they make numerous station stops, and their consists are often

18 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY Commuter Railroading offers more fast-paced controlled by the engine crew stationed in a built-in action and split-second timing per mile than just cab on the lead passenger car. about any other form of railroading, but it is a facet of railroading often overlooked by the modeler. Consider adding a commuter operation to your model rail system, or, if space is at a premium, designing your entire layout as a suburban railroad.

Some commuter operations utilize Rail Diesel Cars (RDC's). These self-propelled cars can be controlled from either end and can operate singly or in multiple. Some modelers consider the short distances between towns, the short train consists, and the close train headway’s associated with most

One-or two-car trains will do, so the main line can model railroads to be stumbling blocks toward be relatively short and still look believable (a scale achieving a realistic operation. But you can make mile or so works well). Some "stations" need be these "disadvantages" work for your model railroad nothing more than a level, open piece of ground because they are really the key features of a with a small asphalt or cinder platform. And suburban operation. because population density is high on a commuter Those Meandering Mixeds Mixed trains carry route, intervals between stations are justifiably both freight and passengers. Usually thought of as short. The commuter train is a distant relative of the inhabitants of branches and short lines mixeds short-haul accommodation train. Whereas the flourished (especially in the South) early in the 20th accommodation train may be long on mail, express, century when rural America's transportation needs and baggage facilities, the commuter train usually were very basic. These tranquil (but somehow lacks such equipment. The accommodation train adventurous) trains poked their way into remote may need long stops at each station for handling communities out of the mainstream of encroaching mail, express, and baggage, but the commuter train civilization. Many of us envision the classic mixed makes swift stops, often only a matter of a few train as having an elegant but unpretentious steam seconds duration, because the main purpose of a locomotive, a small assortment of red and brown commuter train is to carry passengers to and from freight cars, and-tagging along at the end of the their jobs quickly. During rush hours prototype train-a rustic wood combine. But remember that commuter trains may run on head ways as close as mixed trains have lasted well into the second half of 1 minute. You can accomplish this same traffic the century, so they can also be diesel powered density on a model operation by running commuter and feature modern equipment. If you thrive on trains on a 10-minute headway with a 10:1 fast modeling small, freight-oriented railroad operations, clock. A big advantage of commuter operation is but you have a hankering for a little passenger that it requires only minimal turnaround facilities, if activity, add a coach or a combine to your local any. Steam-era commuter trains sometimes had freight. It doesn't matter what geographical region bidirectional locomotives. At the end of a run, these you model or what era your layout depicts. And you locomotives ran around the train, recoupled, and won't need a coach yard full of equipment. ran backward for the return trip. Many commuter ... more train types in the next issue of the HotBox operations today employ the push-pull concept. Division 6 member Don Watson, gave these lessons The locomotive is always positioned at only one nearly every month and they always entertained and end (usually the outbound end) of the train, and informed. After Don’s passing at the age of 90, his family pushes or pulls depending on the direction of travel. presented them to Div. 6 and the NCR. When pushing, the locomotive is remotely

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 19

PROTOTYPE PAGE NCR PROTOTYPE

Durand Pictorial by Richard J. Cook, taken at Durand in the late 1940's These are interesting in several respects, but particularly that they were taken when the parlor cars were still being carried on 56 and 21. These pictures were taken on two different days, one apparently a Sunday because 56 has pulled up east of the diamonds and 21 is on the Ann Arbor side, which I believe only happened on Sundays, while in the first picture 21 is on the D&M (Detroit & Milwaukee) side. The other REALLY obscure item is that the little octagonal switch tender shanty, later destroyed in a derailment circa 1959, and which I assumed had been built on the spot, is sitting on ties as if it had just been relocated from someplace else.

20 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

IN MEMORIAM NCR NEWS Since our last HotBox, we have unfortunately lost several members and friends...... Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Richard F. Borsos I write to tell you that my precious father, Richard, died yesterday morning at 5:24 AM Colorado time. He professed the belief that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and we believe he is--after several difficult weeks--finally home with the Lord. Your relationship with my dad has been an encouragement to him. Thank you for the blessing of each of you in Dad's life. Thursday, the last day he was able to speak to us, he made a point of asking me to tell you he loves you all. Daughter Susan Richard was a member of Division 6 and was a real railroader, going from general worker, to fireman, to engineer and even Supervisor of Motive Power. He worked for the Michigan Central and NYC. The HotBox staff and NCR region members send deepest sympathies to his family and friends. From TRAINS magazine - Richard F. Borsos, who had a long career with New York Central and later wrote numerous articles about the railroad, died March 28 in Arvada, Colo., where he lived with his family. He was 90. Borsos was born in Chicago in 1925, served in the Army Air Force in the Pacific in World War II, and later hired on with the NYC at his hometown of Niles, Mich. He also earned a mechanical engineering degree at Northwestern University. He worked in numerous management positions at NYC and Penn Central, ultimately serving as superintendent of Detroit’s Union Belt, which was partially owned by PC. Borsos was active in the New York Central Railroad Historical Society and frequently wrote for its Headlights publication. He also contributed to Trains and Classic Trains magazines with articles about his experiences firing steam locomotives. His most recent story, “Low Water, Close Call,” appeared in the Summer 2015 of Classic Trains.

The HotBox staff and NCR region members send deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jim Sieradzinski, who passed away on Friday, April 15th. Friends went to Jim's for a work night and saw newspapers and mail had piled-up. After calling 911 the police broke in and found Jim passed away in bed. Jim was 71. Jim attended Div 6 and 8 meetings and was a great friend, as he brought his portable HO layout to the Div 6 Fall Show for many years! He also sold DCC items at many local train shows. He will be missed.

I received a call this morning, from Kris Ceasar, daughter of Russel Ceasar of Div 4, that he has passed. Russ was a life member of the NMRA and NCR (#69 NCR) and lived in the Div 4 area. He was proud at his low membership number! (no picture available) The HotBox staff and NCR region members send deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

In Memoriam, Bob Herbst, 1940-2016 Bob was a very involved member of the Lansing Model Railroad Club. If there was a job to be done, Bob was there to do it. Bob served as Club Treasurer for many years. In addition to being a club member he was also a volunteer for the American Red Cross and an “elf” for the R.J.Scheffel Toy Project. The Toy Project makes thousands of wooden toys each year for hospitals, shelters, etc. and these are all provided free. The HotBox staff and NCR region members send deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 21

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 Jackie’s Trains & Gifts, Erie, MI Whistle Stop Hobby, St Clair Shores, MI Rider’s Hobby, Grand Rapids, MI

22 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

NCR TIMETABLE NCR DIVISION meetings NCR INFORMATION

Division One Black Swap Division (Toledo and Northwest Ohio area) We meet at Collingwood Presbyterian Church, 2108 Collingwood Blvd., at the corner of Floyd Street west of downtown Toledo. Meetings are held on the 3rd or 4th Friday of each month from September thru May. The schedule is on our website at www.divisiononencr.com, where you’ll also find lots of information about our activities, member layouts, and other interesting links.

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 information, contact David Capron, Superintendent.

Division Three Three 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 September, November and March. Any updates/changes can be found on our website: http://div3.ncr-nmra.org

Division Four (Grand Rapids and western Michigan) Meets quarterly with other special events thrown in. For additional information contact Mark Baldwin at 616-437-9851 or [email protected]

Division Five Capital Division (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan) Meets at 1pm, on the SECOND Saturday of each month in the basement of the Capital Area District Library, at the corner of South Capital and Kalamazoo Streets, Lansing, September to May with additional activities added for the SUMMER. www.div5.ncr-nmra.org

Division Six Motorcity 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 (Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties) We are having monthly activities with a meeting and presentation alternating with a Layout Tour. We meet at a restaurant at 8:00am and then either have the meeting or depart for a layout tour, usually on the 4th Saturday of the month. For additional and up to date information contact Paul McGinnis 269-963-0149 [email protected] www.div9.ncr-nmra.org https://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 the home of member Nick Racheff, 9170 Hidden Oaks Dr. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 at 7pm. He can be contacted at 810 695-2677, [email protected]. Call 810-513-5787 to verify meeting date, time and location of meeting or directions to the meeting location. For more information please contact Don W. Westcott at [email protected] or 810-513-5787

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

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

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 23

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!

MICHIGAN RAILROAD CLUB PROGRAM June 01, 2016 Mr. Lew Hoy will provide us with one last slide program. (Mr. Victor Baird had to cancel due to unforeseen problems Hope to have him in 2017) July 06, 2016 Mr. Michael Kuentz with a digital program “Hello From Detroit.Rails, Roads and Water” August 03, 2016 MRC Andrew Waggoner with a Power Point presentation. September 07, 2016 Dan Maners with a program on interlocking towers. Meetings are held 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

Saturday, June 25, Sunday June 26, 2016 11th annual Miami Valley Rail Festival by the The Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society and Carillon Historical Park Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, Ohio 45409 Sat.- 9:30am – 5pm and Sun.- 11am – 4pm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children. Featuring model train displays, historical displays, live steam engines, food & merchandise vendors, flea market, and miniature train rides through-out the weekend. For more information, visit www.railfestival.com. Inquires contact David Oroszi [email protected] 937-238-5655

Sunday, July 3 – Sunday, July 10, 2016 NMRA National Convention Indianapolis, IN - Westin Hotel

Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2016 RR Heritage Week - Train Show Van Wert County Fairgrounds 1055 S. Washington St. Van Wert, OH 45891 Sat. 10am - 4pm and Sun. 10am -3pm Admission $3.00 - Children 12 $ under Free 100 plus vendor tables - operating layouts - Good Food Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information- Jan Dunlap - 419-238-4207 - [email protected] Website- http://Van Wert County Historical Society

Saturday July 30, 2016 2016 NAOTC Annual Convention and Railroadiana Show Don Halls' Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center 1313 West Washington Center Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46825 9am-4pm Admission Fees $5 per person National Association of Timetable Collectors Annual Convention and Railroadiana Show is mainly a "paper" show (timetables, rule books, etc.), but other forms of railroadiana will be allowed. This will not be a model train show. No model trains will be allowed. Contact Information- NAOTC P. O. Box 25514 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Website- http://www.naotc.org

Wednesday, August 10 – Sunday, August 14, 2016 National S Gaugers Convention Novi Sheraton Convention Center, Novi, Michigan http://www.smsgtrains.org/2016conv.html Sponsored/hosted by- Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers

Saturday, August 13, 2016 - Summerail 2016 Palace Theatre, Marion, OH Marion Union Station Association http://www.summerail.com/

Saturday, September 17, 2016 3rd annual Hastings Train Show by the Battle Creek Model RR Club & Iron Rails Model Railroad Club Hastings, MI - Barry County Expo Center

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - Mount Clemens Train Show St. Louis Social Hall 39140 Ormsby St. Mount Clemens, MI 48036 10 am to 3 pm $2.00 per person, $3.00 per family, children under 12 free Free Parking, Food & Drink available Contact Information- Carl Hikade 586-463-5184 [email protected] Joe Hiestand 586-924-0499

24 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

NMRA-NCR ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM NCR AWARDS

The talented members of the NCR just keep showing their talents by their being awarded more NMRA Certificates. Congratulations to our NCR award winners!!

Association Official - John D. Jackson (Div.8)

Gold Spike- Steve Hudler (Div.8) and Ernest Barry (Div. 2)

Model RR Author- David Capron (Div.2)

Model RR Eng- Electrical- David Capron (Div.2)

Model RR Eng- Civil- David Capron (Div.2)

AP QUESTIONS: If you have questions about the AP program or requirements, start with your local or Region AP manager, Larry Wolohon MMR. If you still have questions, contact Frank Koch at [email protected] or write Frank at 4769 Silverwood Drive, Batavia, OH 45103.

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 25

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS

YOU should join and attend your local NMRA – NCR –

Division meetings and activities!

Get the most out of our hobby – participate often!!

26 the HotBox SUMMER 2016

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS

SUMMER 2016 the HotBox 27

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 HotBox –

MORE LAYOUT PHOTOS