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

VOL. 51, NO. 3 AUTUMN 2010

2010 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS FINAL CONVENTION NEWS!!

RAILFANNING- Division 6 NCX-Convention Layouts

NEW- HISTORY LESSON

HOW TO- FINAL on TOOLS

PLUS- Layout planning, Timetable, Division News & more! HotBox Editorial Barry Hensel, Editor

HI !! Yes, it's time for another HotBox issue and that means I've been The HotBox working very hard to stay on track and on time. I hope it worked! Autumn, 2010 The NMRA National convention has just wrapped up and I would guess it Vol. 51, No. 3 was a great one, since it was held in the birthplace of our hobby - EDITOR Milwaukee! The NMRA, Walther's, Kalmbach… all started right there within Barry Hensel blocks of each other. The foundation of our hobby - cool! But now that the 43642 Lotus Dr National is over, it's time to turn your attention to the NCR Regional Canton, MI 48188 734-397-5182 convention - the NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS. Yes, this is a somewhat, [email protected] biased promotion and mention of what should be a great… make that what will be a great event. I hope we can count you among the participants! For Editorial Advisers all the latest convention info, please check out the pages later in this issue! Jack Watson Dave McMullian Tim Fisher So far the summer has been pretty warm, which means the basement, where most of our layouts are located, is very cool! I hope you have gotten Proof Readers some model railroading done this summer. Marge Hensel John Beres Marty LaForte Lots of news for this issue, so I'll quit rambling and let you start reading…. Thanks for reading… Barry The HotBox is published quarterly by the North Central Region of the National Model Railroad Association. Publication dates are- MODEL RAILROADING IS FUN! SPRING, Feb 1 SUMMER, May 1 FALL, Aug 1 WINTER, Nov 1 The HotBox is available online at- HOT NMRA NEWS! NCR NEWS www.ncr-nmra.org All material, articles and advertising must We've received news that huge Congratulations are in order to NMRA- be submitted to the Editor. All material Central Director and NCR member Dave Thornton who was selected by the should be electronic, preferably MicroSoft Word or Powerpoint. Pictures should be Board of Directors to be one of two new Vice Presidents at their recent in Jpeg format and color. Material can be BOD meeting held during July at the NMRA Milwaukee Convention. Upon emailed or sent via US Mail on cd-rom. Materials will not be returned, unless receipt of the resignation of former Vice President Allen Pollack, the BOD return postage and envelope are opted to divide the office of the vice president into two separate positions, included. Material submission deadline is one VP for administrate duties and the other, Bill Kaufman, for Special FIVE weeks before publication date. Projects. One cannot think of a better person to take on this position and to Business ads- business card size, help our hobby move forward and into the future! $20 per issue, multiple sizes possible Hobby Shop ads- FREE business card CONGRATULATIONS Dave!! ad for exchange of web links Train Show ads- 1/2 page $20 for one issue, $40 for two issues; full page $30 for one issue; $50 two issues. Pike ads- $15 small, $30 double and $60 quad for a 3 year period! NCR Division Event ads- FREE To pay for any ad space... send your payment to the Editor. All checks/money orders need to be made out to "The North Central Region, NMRA" Send address corrections to the Registrar- Marty LaForte HOTBOX CORRECTIONS NCR "OOPS"…. 44370 N. Umberland Cir Canton, MI 48187 Always striving to be correct is something we will do with the HotBox. But, [email protected] we are human and mistakes can/will happen. Please forgive us, these are Feel free to contact the Editor via email, NOT intentional! Corrections for the May 2010 edition of the HotBox are- with any comments, questions or corrections. * Oh-oh… we have no notes of any corrections for the last issue!!

FRONT COVER PICTURES- NCX logo, Div 6 layouts of Jay Qualman, John Wissinger, Bill Rubarth, Zinser’s tools part 3, NMRA 75th logo REAR COVER PICTURES- NCX logo, Div 6 layouts of Dewey Norton, Bob Polasky; NYC publicity photo

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NCR - NORTH CENTRAL REGION BOARD MEMBERS & DIVISION LEADERS

President Resident Agent Division One Jack Watson 586-598-7407 Uwe Thormaehlen 586-949-1878 Fred E Lux 734-856-6489 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Vice-President NMRA Director Division Three Dave McMullian 419-878-4888 Dave Thornton 248-879-6806 Dick Moessner 260-637-7609 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Secretary Model Contests Division Four Larry Wolohon, MMR Joel Goldberg 248-514-3207 Skip Luyk 616-363-3453 734-454-4816 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Photo Contests Division Five Treasurer Dan Lewis, MMR 248-852-7239 John Hartmann 517-694-8925 Dean Pyers 586-979-7319 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Achievement Program Division Six Registrar Larry Wolohon, MMR Glenn Joppich 734-464-6004 Marty LaForte 734-459-5173 734-454-4816 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Division Eight Directors Jerry Shanek 248-321-6097 Chuck White 260-760-1666 [email protected] [email protected] Division Nine Bill Neale 248-477-7875 David Simmons 734-662-9807 [email protected] [email protected]

Tim Fisher 313-881-2607 Division Ten [email protected] Donald Harbin 810-238-0703 [email protected]

RAILROADING "WHAT THE ???" NCR HUMOR

Ahhhh… I think I took a wrong turn officer! The real story is that the truck driver decided he would try a short-cut to avoid traffic. The driver had only had his license about a week.

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PRESIDENTS OBSERVATION by Jack Watson

General question: How is it that ninety days can fit site, The Marriott into a time slot of only sixty days??? I swear it has Hotel, at the Laurel NCR not been but about two months, since I had to write Park Mall in Livonia, a “Presidents Observation” Column, for the HotBox! Michigan, (I-275 and THE Where IS all the time going? I suppose the Six Mile Roads), it is JACK old saying still applies, that “time flies when your very easy to get WATSON having fun”, and model railroading is certainly fun!!! yourself there! Well it’s recognition time again! Members who Many different have attained a HIGH level of achievement, and activities are available have been awarded certificates attesting to their for your participation! accomplishment by the National Model Railroad You choose what you would like to do or try; you Association. All of these folks are working toward can spend some time at Operating Sessions, there the ultimate goal, of becoming Master Model are Model and Photography Contests, Railroaders! This issue we want to recognize; Tons of Workshops (Clinics) available, lots of John Bussard for the category, Master Builder – layouts to visit, there are Prototype Tours, Silent Structures, Auctions for Fundraisers, and an all you can eat Joel Goldberg, the category of Master Builder – Pancake – Awards Breakfast on Sunday!!! More Cars, and possibilities than you can shake a stick at, but you Saul Kalbfield and Mike Sutinen both in the have to participate in order to take advantage of category of Model Railroad Engineer – Electrical! what is available!! If you do not avail yourself to the Congratulations gentlemen and a very large WELL opportunities, you can neither learn much, nor DONE!!! have much great companionship, and the best of Now for some shameless promotion. You do all, FUN!!! As they say, “try it, you’ll like it!!! Hope realize that the “2010 North Central Express” is to see YOU there!!!!! quietly sneaking up on us all? Here comes your Remember comments are always welcome, feel opportunity to take part in another terrific Regional free to contact me, anytime 586-598-7407 or Convention! Located at an extremely access able [email protected]

RAILROADING "WHAT THE ???" NCR HUMOR

Bridge closed to road traffic for purposes of routine maintenance ......

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RAILFANNING DIV 6 NCR GOES TRACKSIDE

On the next three pages are some of the near 40 layouts that will be available for tours at the NCX - North Central Express convention!

Top to bottom- HO scale traction on Howard Andrews layout

Mainline action on the PRR HO scale of Bill Neale

Railroading in the mountains on the Sn3 layout of Dan Kempf

Big time railroading on the very large O scale Chi-Town Station layout (that bridge is over 6' tall!)

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RAILFANNING DIV 6 NCR GOES TRACKSIDE

NYC and Gibraltar railroad of Milt Moore in HO scale

A busy scene on the HO scale Copper Valley layout of Jim Zinser

Mountain action on the PRR-B&O HO scale layout of Jim Tilley

A heavy drag on the N scale layout of Ken Chick

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RAILFANNING DIV 6 NCR GOES TRACKSIDE

Steam and diesel action on the N scale Pere Marquette layout of Ed Beamish

A Reading switcher working the steel plant on the Reading Lines HO scale layout of Barry Hensel

Traction meets mainline on the Redford Model RR Club HO scale layout

Michigan Southern action on Norm Logan's HO scale layout

We hope these "sneak-peak" pictures will entice you to attend the NCX - North Central Express convention. It's coming very soon - are you registered yet? Read the latest details on NCX in a few more pages!

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YARN LIMITS by Dave Thornton NCR HUMOR

I’ve often said that model railroading’s motto DCC and sound decoders have really added a should be “Gee, that never happened before!” A new dimension to model railroading. Now you can couple of weeks ago, I heard a story that proves hear the prime mover start up, throttle up, ring the that would be an appropriate motto for our hobby. bell, blow the horn, hear the air compressor cycle, It seems as though one of my club’s members had and so on. Recently, to my dismay, I found that a built a really nice caboose model, with a full interior sound decoder can sometimes deliver a lot more and working interior lights and markers. To ensure effect that anticipated. During an open house at the best possible pick up for the lights, all of the the club, we had a 46 car coal drag pulled by a pair wheels were equipped with pick up wipers and all of F-7 A units running over the layout. This being four wheels on each side were connected with a an O scale train, it was about 45 feet long, including bus wire. The lighting circuit took power from the locomotives and weighed in the vicinity of 60 two bus wires to work the lights. The trial run of the pounds. As the train was slowly working its way up caboose was at a public open house. Everything the winding 1½% grade, the sound decoder was was working fine until Murphy’s Law struck. The really doing its thing as you could plainly hear the locomotive pulling the train to which the caboose chant of an EMD 567 prime mover in run 8. The was trailing stalled for some reason. The caboose train slowly came to a stop and would not move, just happened to be straddling a block boundary. even though the sound decoder continued to make The engineer running the train turned up the power run 8 sounds. I went over by the train to see why all the way, trying to get the train to start rolling the locomotive had stalled. As I approached the again. Meanwhile, the dispatcher, not realizing that stalled locomotives, there was a very loud bang, the caboose was on the block boundary, set the kind of like a fire cracker going off, followed by a trailing block for another throttle. The engineer large cloud of dense, gray smoke pouring out of the using that throttle had his throttle set to go the lead A unit. The smoke was so dense that it did opposite direction and turned all the way up. Being some weathering on the locomotive body. I quickly that the railroad was O scale, the throttles were lifted the locomotive off of the rails, worried that each capable of delivering 20 plus volts and 10 there might be a fire inside. Much to my relief, amps. Suddenly, each of the bus wires had 40 plus there was no fire, but there was a lot of white paper volts between the ends and up to 10 amps running looking material splattered all over the inside of the down the bus wires. For those of you who are not locomotive and the ruptured metal shell of a electrical wizards, that’s over 400 watts in each bus capacitor fell out. A capacitor on the motor decoder wire. The caboose quickly burst into flames as the had actually exploded. I had no idea that a motor bus wires became red hot from the high current. decoder could also make explosion noises, visual Fortunately, the layout did not catch on fire, but the after effects, and weather a locomotive at the same caboose was toast, with scorch marks running out time. Unfortunately, they can only do that one time. of every window. This was definitely not what the The decoder has been returned to the builder of the caboose had in mind when he manufacturer, who shall remain unnamed, and will installed the lighting. Once again, Murphy’s Law be repaired. Once again, I can say, “Gee, that strikes when you least expect it. never happened before!”

YOUR article could be appearing RIGHT HERE!! Please consider writing an article for a future issue of the HotBox!! Fame, Fortune (not really) and points toward your MMR await you when you write a HotBox article!

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RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY

This is the first of many Railroad History lessons pick-up and discharge passengers and probably and stories that were a staple of Division 6 stops at most every siding to pick-up or drop-off meetings for many years. Division 6 member Don freight. Watson, gave these lessons nearly every month The weather was miserable when the train left and they always entertained and informed us. Don Beaumont, but Beaumont is 20 miles from the Gulf passed away a few years ago at the age of 90, but of Mexico. There was no National Weather Service his lessons have been saved, scanned in 1900, so neither the railroad, the train crew or the electronically and we are now allowed to share passengers were aware that the full force of a these with everyone in the NCR. We plan to hurricane was to strike Galveston (just across the present a "Lesson" in every issue of the HotBox bay from Port Bolivar) on that day. and some may take two issues due to their length. After leaving Gilchrist, the mixed train fought its We have enough lessons to last many years! We way along a narrow (4-5 miles wide and 20 miles hope that you will enjoy these as much as the long) peninsula towards Port Bolivar. Some 11 members of Division 6 did, for all of those many miles outside of Port Bolivar, a gigantic wave broke years! Thanks Don for your lessons and stories. over the peninsula and swept the baggage car Thanks to Don's wife and family, for saving these some 500 feet off of the right-of-way! The rest of for us!! EDITOR the train remained engulfed in sand and debris. The crew and passengers decided that this was not a THE LATEST TRAIN ON RECORD good day for a railfan excursion and fought their During the week prior to this meeting, two things way back to the mainland on the basis of everyman happened to me that caused me to choose for himself. tonight's story. All during the week I had been After the hurricane, The G&I's finances were in following via TV the progress of Hurricane Gilbert. little better shape than its morning train. Thirty miles A week ago tonight, Gilbert struck the Texas of track were gone and it's morning train remained coastline. That same day I received a post card immersed in the sand on the peninsula for 3 years, from Bill Miller stating that he would not be ready by while the citizens of Beaumont and Galveston tonight to give his bit of railroad history. That meant raised $20,000 to restore the railroad and it's train. it was time for me to come up with a story. Again, I The line was rebuilt, the engine fired up and the listened to more words about Gilbert and wondered train returned to Beaumont for repairs including a if there might be a railroad story related to a fresh coat of paint and new cushions for the hurricane. There is such a story. coaches. On the next run, the railroad management In 1900, a short line railroad, known as The Gulf & offered to honor any tickets that had been punched Interstate ran two mixed trains a day between 3 years before, but not picked up at the end of the Beaumont and Port Bolivar, Texas. The morning run. Several hardy and venture-some souls showed train ran from Beaumont to Port Bolivar and the up for the run and Train #1 got to Port Bolivar at evening train ran the reverse route. The distance 11am on the morning of September 24, 1903 - a between the two cities is 71 rail miles. The same total of 3 years, 16 days and 10 minutes late! motive power and passenger equipment was used Probably an all time record. in both directions, but being a mixed train, the One irrepressible passenger who had expected to freight equipment varied each trip. (a mixed train is find breakfast waiting for him at the end of the one that carries both passengers and freight) original run, stamped into his favorite Port Bolivar At 7am the morning of Sept. 8th 1900, Train #1 of restaurant, screaming, "God damn it, aren’t those 3 the Gulf & Interstate (later to become part of the minute eggs done yet?" Santa Fe) left Beaumont for Port Bolivar, where it By 1916, the Gulf & Interstate had become part of was due at 11am. Now a four hour schedule for a the Santa Fe and Train #1 became #241, but was 71 mile trip is not a speed run, but remember, this still operating daily between Beaumont and Port is 1900 and a mixed train. The Gulf & Interstate is Bolivar. the only form of transportation between these two Don Watson Sept. 23, 1988 cities, so the mixed train stops at every station to

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HotBox NEWS "BETWEEN THE RAILS" NCR INFORMATION

Here is where your news items, rumors, and gossip of just about anything in the Model Railroading hobby can be reported. Whatever it is, send it to us and we'll let everyone else know!

BTR#1- Steam Excursions Returning To Norfolk Southern Railroad - From Railpace Magazine STEAM TO RETURN TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILS: Norfolk Southern Corporation is in negotiations with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum with regard to the operation of a limited schedule of steam locomotive event appearances and passenger excursions beginning later this year. "21st Century Steam” would highlight milestones in rail history and provide an opportunity for audiences to learn about today’s safe and service- oriented freight railroads. The program would feature three venerable coal-powered steam locomotives: Southern Railway 4501, Southern Railway 630 and Tennessee Valley Railroad 610. “This is the right time for steam to ride the Norfolk Southern rails,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “We have a fascinating history, and we have a compelling message about how today’s railroads support jobs, competition, and the economy. It is a forward-looking message that resonates with people everywhere.” “21st Century Steam can help introduce historic and modern railroading to a broad new audience of supporters,” said TVRM President Tim Andrews. “We are pleased to be developing this relationship with Norfolk Southern for the purpose of preserving and interpreting the steam age, and of bringing today’s railroad closer to people young and old, in communities large and small.” Exhibit dates, ticketing, and other details will be announced later. Later this year, Norfolk Southern and TVRM plan to launch a web site in support of the program. Correspondence can be addressed to [email protected]. (NS - posted 6/30)

BTR#2- I'm new here but would like to take a moment to invite you to preview the first Trainfest EXPRESS, a free newsletter for all model railroaders and enthusiasts. http://trainfest.com/TrainfestExpressNewsletter.html You will find 20-pages packed with craftsmanship, creativity, history and "behind the scenes" look at intricately- detailed layouts, people, products and manufacturers. You can sign up to receive this free monthly newsletter at www.trainfest.com. Ruth Johnson, Editor, Trainfest EXPRESS, [email protected]

BTR#3- I have participated in many model train shows since Oct. 1990, in the geographic area of your Regions. I have put in a shop [go to _ToolmanBIllyCarr's YouTube channel for an overview] in Shipshewana , In. at the Shipshewana Flea Market. It is a scaled down version of my commercial shows, 385 sq. ft. vs 600 sq. ft. I would like to, some how, let the club members associated with you know that I am in the area. I have been here 6 wks. The people I have spoken with are from Indiana and the adjoining states, Wisc. and Iowa . Driving 2 to 5 hours is the norm for the most of them. Most people I have talked with come down 2 or 3 times a year. It is big, 900 plus vendors and ULTRA Clean . More of a bazaar than a flea mkt. I have my own separate bldg. [290] and we are open on Tues. and Weds. weekly thru October. Go to Shipshewana Flea Market web site for all of the family oriented activities. You can reach me via e-mail [email protected] or cell 817-313-9555 I am staying the summer at the Shipshewana Camp Grds. Bought me a bicycle, so that, I can ride along with the horse and buggy crowd, dodging MANURE. HA! I will be at the IPMS Natl in Phoenix in August. I am in booth 290. By presenting their NMRA Membership Card, they will receive a 10% disc. on total purchase. If you can see to helping me I will give door prizes at your next regional cont. as my way of thanking you. Thank you, Billy Carr The Tool Man

BTR#4- Subject: Video of the NTS. There is a brief video from the National Train Show on YouTube. A few good modular railroads, some models and the crowds. Finish with a plug for 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWIhjo4Hc0U

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!

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NCR TIMETABLE NCR DIVISION meetings NCR INFORMATION

Division One (Toledo and Ohio area) Meets at Collingwood Presbyterian Church, 2108 Collingwood Blvd. at Floyd Street, near downtown Toledo. Division One is a 100% NMRA membership organization. www.divisiononencr.com

Division Three (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio area) Meets on the second Tuesday of the month year-round at the Community Christian Reformed Church 3434 Lahmeyer Road, Fort Wayne IN. (0.7 mi south of Stellhorn Road.) Meetings begin at 7:00 PM. www.hoosierdiv3nmra.org

Division Four (Grand Rapids and western Michigan area) Meets quarterly with other special events thrown in. For additional information contact Skip Luyk, 616-363- 3453 or [email protected]

Division Five (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan area) 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. www.div5.ncr-nmra.org

Division Six (Wayne County, Michigan) 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. www.div6-ncr-nmra.com

Division Seven (mid-upper Michigan area) Division Seven is currently inactive. Any Volunteers??

Division Eight (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. www.div8.ncr-nmra.org

Division Nine (Washtenaw County) Meets at 2:30pm, on the FIRST Sunday of each month except for July and August, at Keller/Williams Reality, 2144 South State Street, North of Briarwood Mall towards downtown, Ann Arbor. Use upper level entrance to the building, look for NMRA sign at reception desk. www.div9.ncr-nmra.org

Division Ten (Flint and Saginaw area) Meets at 7:30pm, on the THIRD Tuesday of the month at Woodside Church, 1509 East Court Street Flint. www.ncr_division10.tripod.com

OTHER GROUPS meeting in the NCR AREA There are over 60 different model and proto-type groups within the Michigan area of NCR. They can be found at www.michiganrailroads.com

REGISTER FOR NCX ONLINE USING YOUR CREDIT CARD!!

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

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NMRA & NORTH CENTRAL REGION NEWS NCR INFO

NMRA Until now, NMRA members had to scour your NEW Division or Region website to read the whole article... if it was posted there. Not any more! LOGO! In late July (planned opening of Members Only area), we'll be posting the articles that Jim Welcome to the new mentions in his column. In fact, we'll even be NMRA logo... and in posting articles that appeared in Jim's columns in many ways, the new the last 6 months. If we use an article that appears NMRA. On its face this wheel-on-rail symbol in your newsletter, we'll give your author and represents the oldest of the NMRA’s objectives: photographer full credit, and will mention that it interoperability. Yet, it also represents the future. came from your newsletter. It'll be a great, handy It’s a symbol of our willingness to keep pace with way for members from coast to coast to instantly the changes all around us. Changes in our world, see the full article that Jim was referring to. in our lives, in our hobby. While it honors the -Gerry Leone, NMRA Communications Director achievements of the past 75 years, it commits us to the continuation of those achievements in the next 75. NCR-Div 6 Obituaries Most important, our new logo is a symbol of the Former Division 6 member, N Scale enthusiast and NMRA’s commitment to you. As your wants and Hobby Dealer Stephen "Stevie" Mack died June needs evolve, so will we, with expanded content on 23rd at the age of 88. Years ago he was very active our website, easier accessibility to the information at Division 6 and was always seen selling hobby in our Library, and programs designed to position items at all the popular shows. He was a great guy us well for another seven-and-a-half decades. and a super modeler. Steve scratch built the most “NMRA” now replaces “National Model Railroad amazing models in N scale and was always willing Association” and becomes our brand, just as “NFL,” to share ideas and skills. “AARP,” and “CBS” have become brands in their Other recent NCR losses are- George Blyton, respective fields. Alma; James Smith, Ludington; Duane Thompson, We’ve even renamed our magazine “NMRA Oakland; Michael Phillips, Troy. Magazine” to further reinforce that brand. And our Our deepest sympathies to all of the friends and website, www.nmra.org, will become “your portal to families from all NCR members. more fun in scale model railroading.” So as we move into tomorrow, think of our new NMRA logo as a symbol of our promise to you – NMRA PRESS and our promises to each other – that we’ll all keep RELEASE the hobby of scale model railroading alive, EXTRA X2011 WEST vibrant… and ready for the future. National Model Railroad Association Convention NMRA WEBSITE UPDATE Sacramento - July 3-9, 2011 I have some pretty exciting news! As you've read, Jack Burgess, Publicity Chairman the NMRA will be "beefing up" its website with EXTRA 2011 WEST NMRA CONVENTION additional content, thanks to funding from The The 2011 NMRA Convention in Sacramento is Diamond Club. Part of that new content will be a being billed as the "Unconventional Convention," "Members Only" area. I can't tell you everything and one of the reasons is that the registration fee is members will find in that area, but I can tell you one only $99! But, that low $99 rate will be available thing that may be there: articles from your only until September 1, 2010, at which time it will newsletters. Every-other month, Division Business definitely increase. Register now to take advantage Car columnist Jim Zinser mentions articles he finds of this low rate at the Convention’s website - in the newsletters you send him. Maybe he'll talk www.x2011west.org about a function at a Division, or a how-to article, or any number of things that attract his interest.

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

NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2010

A MODEL RAILROAD WEEKEND CONVENTION!

THURSDAY - FRIDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY OCTOBER 21-22-23-24, 2010 LIVONIA, MICHIGAN, USA

WELCOME to the NCR Model Railroad Convention, NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2010! The convention is being hosted by DIVISION SIX, located in the western Detroit metro area. 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 services! Come and join us for the MAXIMUM model railroad FUN, all in one weekend!

Open to ALL model railroaders! You do not have to be a NCR or NMRA member to attend!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE- * Operation sessions available Thursday, Friday, Saturday * FREE bag of model railroad “stuff” first 200 registered * Extra Best in Show and Participants Choice Contest Awards * All-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning * Keynote speaker, Jack Ellis of Bar Mills Products on Sunday morning * Special event HO & N scale billboards on sale * 15+ Workshops on Friday and Saturday * 20+ model layouts to visit * Prototype tours available on Friday * Door Prizes awarded Friday and Saturday * NMRA Model and Photo contests * Silent Auction Fund-Raisers! * Limited special event shirts on sale * Special DAY PASS entry available! * Online Registration available, see website! * Event site- Livonia Marriott, Laurel Park Mall Joe Bliss's Allegany Central

* EVERYONE welcome to attend! Dick Harden's C&NW

For more information or questions answered, contact - Barry Hensel 734-397-5182 (5pm-10pm) email- [email protected], Glenn Joppich 734-464-6004 (5pm-10pm) email- [email protected] and visit our web pages at- www.div6-ncr-nmra.com

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NCX FINAL PRE-EVENT NEWS NCR SPECIAL REPORT

Here's your last UPDATE on this years NCR Operating Sessions will take place starting on convention, the NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS! Thursday night and could last all weekend. It is up to the layout owners on when they want to Are you registered yet? Over 70 of your fellow schedule operations, versus a regular layout tour. model railroaders are and we have room for as We have 6-10 layouts that will be open for many as possible, that want to attend. Please operation, sometime over the weekend. We hope remember, we are making it EASY for you to that you will be able to take advantage of one of register with two great items- you can register these sessions. online on our website by using your credit card and our late price increase is a very short 3 weeks Our clinic schedule is 90% confirmed and before the event. Thus you can take advantage of includes many great subjects - scenery, LED our lower price for a longer time! lighting, using computer photoshop for details and backgrounds, estate planning, virtual railroading, Speaking of registration, do you know someone and our own sponsored series - Model Railroading who is a model railroader "newbie"? It's hard to get 101! Presenters include Jim Six, Jim Sacco, Jack someone new involved in the hobby, but we have Ellis, John Bussard, Rad Jones and more! Clinics that covered for you as well. The NCX "DAY-PASS" will run Friday evening and again on Saturday is designed for those who are getting back into the morning and early afternoon. We may have one or hobby, or are new to our hobby. By purchasing a two clinics that will require an additional cost, as DAY PASS entry, they get to experience most of these will be make/take type of clinics. the fun and information of our event at a lower cost and time involved. The DAY PASS is just that - a Let's take a quick look at the Model Railroading pass to Saturday of our event that includes as 101 series - this is a series of 20 minute mini-clinics many clinics as they wish to attend and 6 great that will cover all aspects of building a model layout tours that we will pick. We choose these railroad layout. Starting with planning a layout, to tours in order to show the new hobbyist all aspects benchwork, track layout, backdrop painting, of layout building and several different scales, electrical systems, scenery and finally operations. giving them a well rounded experience. While the We're covering it all and our own Div 6 members DAY PASS was designed for the "newbie", anyone will be presenting this series. While this is designed can use it, just remember you ARE restricted to for the model railroader "newbie", you just never only Saturday, only 6 layouts of our choice, no door know what new tips you may also discover. prizes and no goodie bag. You can vote in the Proto-type tours, ops sessions and additional cost model contest and attend the Sunday morning clinics will all have limits on how many can attend. Breakfast (additional cost). A sign-up form will be mailed to everyone that has We are working hard to get as many proto-type already registered and those that will register, right tours as possible. As of this issue, we have 2 up until the last week before the convention. Here, industries to tour, twice each and another on tap you will fill out your choices and times, then mail near ready to go! Plus we're still working with 1 or 2 that back to us. Selections will be on a first- others. That could equal up to 8 tours for Friday, received, first go basis. These forms and a cover during the day! Our confirmed tours are the Triple- letter of all the latest NCX information- the Crown facility in Allen Park/Melvindale. Here we will "Acceptance Letter Package" will be mailed to see a train taken apart and the second tour will see registered persons starting September 1. If you are one put together! Our second confirmed tour is Bay registered - watch your mail! Logistics. This company ships GM engine Our layout tours are pretty well set, we have close assemblies from the engine assembly plant in to 40 layouts ready for you to tour! How many will Romulus, by rail to the car assembly plants. Here, you get to visit? Many of these layouts are NEW we'll see how boxcars are opened, loaded and from our last convention in 2002. If you attended closed for shipping. We are 95% confirmed for that great event, then you need to register and tours of a local Sunoco oil/gas distribution center. attend again to see all of these updated and new And our last possibility is an auto rack loading layouts! At near 40 layouts, that is almost a NCR facility! Why, maybe we'll even come up with more! record for layouts during a convention! more -->

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NCX FINAL PRE-EVENT NEWS NCR SPECIAL REPORT

Our convention book will be the size of standard Institute in Owosso for the refurbishment and paper and we'll have 2 layouts per page, giving you upgrading of their museum model railroad. a nice large map to get you to these layouts. Plus, Lastly, let us remind you of our great Sunday we'll have an over-all map of layout locations AND Awards-Wrap-up Breakfast! Held right at the hotel, some "area" maps of layouts! Yes indeed, we're it's an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast that also going to "map you" so much! The layouts have includes bacon, fruit and beverage! All that for been "grouped" into areas, which we hope will help ONLY $12 per person!! Everyone is welcome to you see how many are in a certain area and thus attend! Besides handing out contest awards and get you to as many layouts as possible. NMRA Achievement Awards, we'll have a great talk NMRA contests, you bet we have those at NCX from Jack Ellis of Bar Mills Models, our keynote too! The full range of photo and model contests and speaker! categories will be on hand in our contest room. Go to www.div6-ncr-nmra.com and click on Plus, we encourage everyone to visit the contest the NCX logo! We have a great website that will room, not only to see the great entries, but to vote give you all the information you need to know! The on your favorites. NCX will be giving away extra hotel information is there, layout photos are there, "Peoples Choice" awards! clinic plans/schedule is there, and so much more! Door prizes will be awarded by lucky draw of your And you can still register online using your credit registration number and will be YOUR choice of card! It just can't get any easier than that! prize! We'll also have 2 Silent Auctions of more This has been the LATEST, GREATEST and great model railroad stuff! One will take place on FINAL NCX news, until you register and get our Friday and the other on Saturday. The money Acceptance Letter Package! See you at the North raised will be donated to the Steam Railroading Central Express!!

NCX EVENT SCHEDULE NCR SPECIAL REPORT

Here is the known schedule for the NCX - North Central Express convention, taking place on October 21-24, 2010. This schedule will most likely change, but it's the latest information we have at the time of this printing. THURSDAY, Oct 21 5pm-?? Operating sessions on several layouts FRIDAY, Oct 22 7:30am-9pm Registration open at the HQ hotel, Registration room 8am-9pm NCR Contest Room open to register models and photos and for viewing 9am-4pm various proto-type tours 12 noon- ?? various layouts open for tour and operating sessions 10am-7pm Silent Auction #1 10am-7pm door prizes awarded 7pm-11pm clinics at the HQ hotel SATURDAY, Oct 23 7:30am-11am Registration open at the HQ hotel, Registration room 8am-1pm NCR Contest Room open to register models and photos and for viewing and voting! 8am-3pm clinics at the HQ hotel 8am-11am Silent Auction #2 8am-11am door prizes awarded 12 noon- ?? various layouts open for tour and operating sessions 11am-1pm NCR Board meeting 1pm-3pm NCR Contest judging (room closed during this time) 3pm-5pm NCR Contest room opened for viewing and model pick-up SUNDAY, Oct 24 9am-11am All you can eat Pancake Breakfast with Guest speaker Jack Ellis and contest awards and more! 12noon- 5pm various layouts open for tour and operating sessions

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NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS NCR INFORMATION

Division Ten (Flint and Saginaw area) Some familiar faces have been showing up lately at the meetings after being absent for a long time which is very nice! You guys know who you are, and in our small group ya can't hide! We don't meet in August which is good as most of our members will be volunteering out at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad. The Mid Michigan Railway Historical Society will have their HO layout operating for a very busy schedule of Railfan Days and Thomas The Tank Engine, for which most of our members will be out there running trains. Division 10 Superintendent, Don Harbin was in Milwaukee for the NMRA 75th Convention and took home a Third Place Award in the Favorite Train Popular Vote category. His Victory Train consisted of 25 flat car loads of WWII vintage military equipment, jeeps, trucks, artillery and more with some NYC motive power. It is currently on display at Riders Hobby Shop in Flint. We hope to make some layout tours in the fall to get the model railroad fever growing again in Division 10. Hope to see some more 'new' faces also. (submitted by Don Harbin, Superintendent)

Division Nine (Ann Arbor area) Division 9 is very active. (submitted by: John Wissinger, Div. 9 Clerk)

Division Eight (Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair Counties) Division Eight continues its string of strong meeting participation in 2010! During the quarter participants have enjoyed clinics on: 1. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Operations in the 1950’s by Bill Gawthrop and Dave Thornton (April) 2. The Brass Model Business by George Kohs (May) 3. Freight Cars Not of Your Favorite Prototype – Why You Need Them by Larry Wolohon (June). Division 8 and other NMRA members were treated to a layout tour in June featuring, Jack Watson’s Boston & Maine, Connecticut River Line (HO), and the Gratiot Valley Railroad’s Club (HO) Layout. (submitted by Bill Gawthrop)

Division Seven (mid-upper Michigan area) Division 7 is currently inactive. Any Volunteers?? Dave Comer with Whistle Stop Hobbies in Harbor Springs is interested in hearing from you if you are in upper Michigan! Phone is 231-526-9024. Whistle Stop Hobbies 275 East Main, Harbor Springs, MI 49740

Division Six (Wayne County, Detroit area) Our Division meets every month, year round! While our great NCX planning Team continues it's hard work, we're also planning for our annual fall MODEL RAILROAD SHOW & WORKSHOP which will be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28th. It's a great event that promotes our hobby and helps teach the art of model railroading! We are a dues free division and welcome everyone! Our monthly meetings are still interesting, informative and fun. (submitted by Barry Hensel, Newsletter Editor)

Division Five (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan area) Division 5 is working on the NCR 2011 convention. (submitted by- Mark Cowles, Div. 5 Clerk)

Division Four (Grand Rapids and west Michigan area) The Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society is working on the 2012 NMRA National convention. (submitted by-Skip Luyk, Superintendent)

Division Three (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio area) Division 3 has moved its monthly meetings to Community Christian Reformed Church, 3434 Lahymeyer Rd., Ft Wayne, IN. (2nd Tuesday of month, 7 PM) After taking a holiday in July, meetings resume in August. Featured will be "Making background trees" by Rick Van Laar. Unless you model the middle of the desert, no layout has too many trees. Come and learn another way to make them. The Div3 picnic has been set for the Sunday after Labor Day. (submitted by- Dick Moessner, Superintendent NMRA NCR Div 3)

Division One (Toledo, Ohio area) Division One has nothing new to report! (submitted by- John Roth, Division One Informer)

REMEMBER!!! We need YOU as a "DIVISION INFORMER" so that everyone else knows what your Division is doing! We will need YOUR help for future issues of… the HotBox!

AUTUMN 2010 the HotBox 17

HOBBY SHOP & BUSINESS CORNER

OTHER HOBBY SHOPS in the NCR- Great Lakes Hobby, Uitca, MI P&D Hobby, Frasier, MI TEMPORARILY CLOSED Rainy Day Hobbies, Ferndale, MI First Place Hobbies, Bluffton, IN Riders Hobby, Ypsilanti, MI Phil's Hobby Shop, Fort Wayne, IN The Gladieux Train Depot, Oregon, OH Jackies's Trains & Gifts, Erie, MI Rider's Hobby, Taylor, MI Whistle Stop Hobby, St Clair Shores, MI Whistle Stop Hobbies, Harbor Springs, MI YOUR BUSINESS ad could be here!! Low cost – lots of exposure!! Please visit your local hobby shop!

18 the HotBox AUTUMN 2010

HotBox PROTOTYPE PAGE NCR INFORMATION

Div 6 member Rich Mahaney took some great shots of a steel plant train - switcher and bottle cars, in April while he was in the downriver area after he had been on a job interview. He was stopped by plant security, but was not detained, even though he was in a dirt parking lot on their property, mistake was getting out of the car to get better photos. Some very interesting cars that are not seen often! Nice pictures Rich! NOTE: please!!, never go onto private or railroad property without permission! Editor

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INTERESTING and USEFUL TOOLS by Jim Zinser, MMR NCR HOW TO

PART 3- Welcome to the final installment of “My Favorite Modeling Tools.” These are the ones you FIBERGLASS ERASER Use for weathering buy after you’ve got the basic stuff like XActo techniques involving scraping away layers of paint. knives, NMRA track gauge or a Dremel tool. I’m Consists of fiberglass strands mounted in a plastic sure you’ll find they make your model building handle. The sharp ends of the strands are very easier and a lot more fun. Maybe you’ll find them effective at removing material. Caution! The glass useful too. fiber ends break off as you work. Avoid getting these tiny pieces on your fingers. They can get TONGUE DEPRESSORS/POPSICLE STICKS Use under your skin and become quite uncomfortable. as paint stirrers, or to mix two-part substances such Wear latex gloves. Also avoid rubbing your eyes as epoxy glues or molding and water-making while using this tool. Wear eye protection as well. materials. AVAILABLE FROM: Most craft stores, AVAILABLE FROM: Art supply stores and some such as Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics in 100-count craft stores. quantities for just a couple of bucks.

SOLDER SUCKER This tool consists of a small heat -resistant nozzle mounted to a large squeeze BATTERY-POWERED PAINT MIXER Even better bulb. Its conventional use is to suck excess molten then tongue depressors to mix paint. Consists of a solder away from a joint while heat is being applied. long shaft with a mixing blade on one end and a As model railroaders do a lot of soldering, its motor/battery compartment/handle on the other intended use is definitely relevant to us. However it end. Just open the paint bottle, insert the mixing also serves as a jumbo substitute for the blade a flip the switch. AVAILABLE FROM: Some conventional eyedropper most of us use to apply hobby shops and Micro-Mark mail order catalog. the adhesive or matte’ medium solutions we use to glue down track ballast and other scenery materials. The bulb of the solder sucker holds lots more liquid that the eyedropper does, so you can do a lot more scenery without stopping for a refill. One tool, two uses. Not bad! AVAILABLE FROM: Electronic supply stores such as Radio Shack.

AIRBRUSH PAINT FILTER Keeps paint "globs" from entering the siphon tube and clogging your airbrush. To use, simply slide the filter onto the siphon tube. Made by Badger and others. AVAILABLE FROM: Many hobby shops or the Micro-Mark mail-order catalog. Well there you have it. I hope you’ve found this series of articles helpful. But maybe you’ve found some tools I haven’t covered. If so, why not share them? The hard-working Hotbox editor is waiting to hear from you! Meantime, go buy yourself some new tools!

20 the HotBox AUTUMN 2010

AUTUMN 2010 the HotBox 21

MY NEW LAYOUT DESIGN by Glenn Joppich NCR LAYOUT DESIGN

Summertime! Man it's kind of tough getting down in the basement to work on the layout with all the great weather these days but I still manage to get some time down there and things are still progressing although a little more slowly than I would like. Electrical in the south yard is still not quite complete. It's complicated but it's not. Does that make sense?

diagram of how his were wired. I don't care for twin coils because they are loud. I like Tortoise machines. The trouble with Tortoise machines is that they use constant power for their wiring. Twin coil machines use momentary power. The push buttons used with the twin coil are momentary. As far as I know, momentary switches will not work The turntable is complete now. As I may have with Tortoise machines. I am thinking that I will mentioned previously I am using an old Walther's have to make a compromise in this situation and 90' turntable. I bought it used and it had been use the twin coil machine. assembled quite nicely by the previous owner. The Speaking of compromise. I have started painting pit is in good shape and the bridge turns freely. The scenery on the backdrop. Last month I had a rare only real problem I was having was transferring opportunity to examine two very different track power from the main bus to the rails on the techniques for painting backdrops. To me painting bridge. The kit uses two copper wipers running over backdrops is kinda scary. My mother is an artist but two brass bushings. From what I could guess, the that gene seems to have not found it's way into me. wipers were not making good enough contact with Unfortunately she did teach me to have a very good the bushings for the DCC signal to consistently be eye when it comes to art. So I am a bit critical. And read by the decoders. I played with it trying different real critical of myself! And that is where bends and trying Wahl oil to help with the compromise comes into the picture. Years back conductivity but nothing was really doing the trick. Larry Wright did a clinic on painting backdrops. Then the light bulb when on... What if I bent the Larry has an amazing layout and his backdrop wipers in a curve so that there was more contact blends exceptionally well into his scenery. He was surface with the bushings? Well, that seems to asked by a group of modelers, that our Pocatello have resolved the problem. For the time being, the group exchange op sessions with from time to time, turntable with an auto-reversing module and a to do a hands on clinic for painting backdrops. He DPDT switch will make a very economical knew I was at that point so invited me to join them. alternative to a $300 pre-built one. We met at his house and he did a Power Point The thing that is giving me the most trouble right presentation on his computer. Larry's backdrop is now is the three-way turnout. It's not so much how complete so we went over to Dewey Norton's to do it as it is how I want to do it. These turnouts house to actually paint some of his backdrop. can be confusing to operators to align properly. Larry's technique is more abstract and only Operating on Ron King's layout he has them set up uses half a dozen colors. By combining those so that you push one of three buttons on his control colors you get a wide variation in the colors on the panel and the switch lines up properly. He uses backdrop. The brush is dabbed and stippled into twin coil machines and he gave me a wiring the colors and then onto the backdrop.

22 the HotBox AUTUMN 2010

MY NEW LAYOUT DESIGN by Glenn Joppich NCR LAYOUT DESIGN

As in a lot of painting, it doesn't look all that great 1920's most of this areas' mature hardwood forest up close. But, if you get a few feet away it very had been logged out. Adding to that, the area of my effectively looks like a hillside in the distance. It layout I am working on is the yard and engine doesn't take long to do a fairly decent stretch of the terminal so the scenery in this area would be pretty backdrop and I like the final effect. much just dirt weeds and small scrub trees. The The other style of backdrop painting is a much forests in this area would have been more detailed approach. I went to 4 layout open young softwood in this time period. So basically at houses about a week later. All four had had their the ends of the south yard area there will be young backdrops at least partially painted by Norm Logan. forest which will require me to build trees. Woo These layouts were all in different stages of hoo!!! I love building trees (NOT!) construction and one of them had even received On my last layout I used Woodland Scenic trees. I the scenery award for the NMRA Achievement liked the pines I built but did not much care for the Program although I understand it was docked some deciduous trees. Since that time I have learned points because the owner did not paint the some new techniques for making trees that provide backdrop himself. Norm has done clinics on much more satisfactory results. The first is by John backdrop painting and while his backdrops are still Brussard. If you are not familiar with his technique I somewhat abstract they do include elements of am sure you will get a chance to see it at the North realism such as houses, lakes, roads, people and Central Express convention where he will be doing even birds. The trees were much more realistic a clinic on scenery. Basically he takes the even including trunks and branches. It is pretty Woodland Scenic tree armatures, glues different apparent that Norm is a practiced artist. size cuttings from sisal rope to them, paints them with a dark brown camouflage color, then sprinkles ground cover over that. They look pretty decent to my eye. I am also making trees based on a technique developed by several local modelers including Ron King, Ken Osen and Mark Olstyn. This technique uses a dried flower currently available from Barry Hensel. The flowers are stripped into tree size pieces, those pieces are wired and glued together to form a trunk, The trunk is coated with modeling paste, That is painted a dark grayish brown along with the branches, and then the leaves are painted in a color appropriate for the season you are modeling, summer in my case, so a nice green. The technique produces a very light airy tree. They As you can see in the pictures I am using the first are labor intensive but for the type of scenery I approach to painting my backdrop. It is my opinion want they are perfect. that the backdrop is just an element of the scenery. The nice thing about scenery is that once And as implied by the name a "back" drop. It should everything is ready it really does not take very long be there but not be so obvious as to detract from to install it. I don't have large hills or mountains to the real stars of the show which, in my opinion, are build. Small changes in elevation will be used as the trains and the structures and to a lesser degree view blocks from one section to another but other the scenery. As long as the backdrop conveys than that my layout and scenery is pretty flat. So, in distance I believe that the level of detail is not fact, the scenery will be one of the last things that terribly important. Besides, the further you are away gets done before the open house for the North from something the less detail you can discern. Central Express convention. If you do stop by the That leads us to talk about the scenery. Since my house to visit you may even find some of the layout is based on the Manistee and Northeastern scenery still slightly damp. Prep work involves which ran in the northwest part of the lower selecting the structures that will make up the scene. peninsula the terrain is low rolling hills. In the late

AUTUMN 2010 the HotBox 23

MY NEW LAYOUT DESIGN by Glenn Joppich NCR LAYOUT DESIGN

This is not as easy as one may think. I have a number of buildings that are left over from the old layout and are being re-used on the new one. You would think it would be easy to choose but in reality since I developed the track plan first I am working with predetermined spaces and fitting buildings into them. It can be a bit challenging. The pictures this month show this process. I am getting there but right now buildings are moving into and out of the scene. So if you have been following this series and come to the convention you can have a look and see how much I moved things around or changed out when you get here. I am planning one more installment to the series as a wrap-up. It will have pictures from the open house. For now here's hoping I will see you then. Have fun!

NCR TIMETABLE EVENTS! NCR INFORMATION

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 4 months in advance!

Starting April 17 – November 20- Saginaw Railway Museum - Saginaw Valley Railroad Historical Society 900 Maple St. PO Box 20454 Saginaw, MI 48602 989-790-7994 Open the First and Third Saturday of each month from 1pm-4pm. Closed holidays. Website- www.saginawrailwaymuseum.org

Sunday, Sept 19 - Toledo Train Show Lucas Co Fairgrnds, Maumee, Ohio 11am-4pm Parking- $3 Admission $5 - 12 & under FREE Contact Info- 517-264-5705

Saturday-Sunday Oct 2-3 - Grayling Historical Society Train Show and Swap 97 E. Michigan Ave. Grayling, MI 49738 10 am to 3 pm Train Show and Swap meet, model train layouts during the Grayling Harvest Festival. Tour the Crawford County Historical Museum complex in the restored Passenger Freight Depot which was built in 1882. Contact Info- Crawford County Historical Society P.O. Box 218 97 E. Michigan Ave. Grayling, MI 49738 989-348-2656 989-348-4461 Website- http://www.grayling-area.com/museum/

Sunday, Oct 4 - Trainorama 2010 Costick Community Center 28600 11 Mile Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 10am-4pm $5 per person, children under 12 free with paid adult Operating layouts, railfan films, model railroad and rail memorabilia show and sale. Presented by the Redford Model Railroad Club Contact Info- Pierre Willermet c/o Redford Model RR Club PO Box 40225 Redford, MI 48240 email- [email protected] or call 734-953-2546

24 the HotBox AUTUMN 2010

NCR TIMETABLE EVENTS! NCR INFORMATION

Thursday – Sunday, October 21-24 - NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS 2010 NCR Regional convention Times- varies per day Admission Fees- $25 to $65 A full weekend of model railroading activities – layout tours, clinics, model contests, OPS sessions, proto-type tours, Sunday Awards breakfast, goodie bags, door prizes, silent auctions Contact Info- Barry Hensel 734-397-5182 (5pm-10pm) email- [email protected] website- www.div6-ncr-nmra.org

Saturday, Oct 30 - Model Railroad Show & Swap Coliseum Bingo/Freedom Hall 911 W Washington Center Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46825 9am-2pm Adults $4.00, Families $6.00, Children 12 and under free Sponsored over 15 years by the Maumee Valley Railroad Club. Many large tables of model railroad, toy train/collectible, and railroadiana bargains! Space permitting, several operating layouts, and "Hands-On Trains Display" (for kids of all ages). Good food and plenty of free parking available. Handicap accessible. Contact Info- Maumee Valley Railroad Club, Chuck White 903 W Main St. #9 Van Wert, OH 45891 260-760-1666 email- [email protected]

Sunday, Nov 7 - Gratiot Valley Train Show & Sale Gibraltar Trade Center of Mt. Clemens 237 North River Road Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 10am-4pm Admission $6 - Children 12 & Under FREE - Discount Coupon on website Over 400 Dealer Tables; Door Prizes; Lots of Operating Layouts; Free Kids Raffle; Food & Refreshments Available; Free "How-To" Modeling Clinics Presented by Macomb Gratiot Valley Model Engineers Contact Info- Show Flyer, Dealer Info Package, Table Application available on Website, or call 586-468-4877 Website- http://www.gvrr.org

Sunday, Nov 21 - Lansing Model RR Club Train Show Michigan State University Pavilion 4301 Farm Lane East Lansing, MI 48824 10am-4pm This show is one of Michigan's largest train shows with over 500 tables of exhibits and dealers, 10 to 12 operating train layouts in all sizes from Z to G, and “how to” presentations. Watch web site for more information to be posted soon. Wheelchair Accessible Contact Info- Chuck Holman 616-522-9239 email- [email protected] Website- http://lmrc.org/trainshow/index.shtml

Sunday, Nov 28- NMRA-NCR-Div 6 Fall Model Railroad Show & Workshop Livonia Senior Center Five Mile and Farmington Rds Livonia, MI 11am-4pm $4 under 16 free! NOT a sale or swap meet!! Come and get your model railroading questions answered. See demonstrations on all facets of model railroading. Hourly raffles for prizes and model contests. Snacks-refreshments available. Website- www.div6-ncr-nmra.com

The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso has announced several events for this Fall- Aug 21 & 22: One-hour Diesel excursions at the Howell Melon Festival, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the city of Howell, Michigan. Cost $17.50 for adults, $13 children Aug 28: Hobo Days at the Steam Railroading Institute. 7 1/2" gauge train rides, tours of the PM 1225 restoration, hobo-themed events. Sept 11: One-hour Diesel excursions at Hamburg Railroad Days. $25 adult NEW! JUST ANNOUNCED: Nickel Plate 765 returns to Michigan for two days of Fall Steam Excursions Oct 16: Alma to Cadillac, $125 Oct 23: Owosso to Alma, $99 Nov 26 - Dec 19th: North Pole Express, weekends Details for all events and ticketing available at www.michigansteamtrain.com or 989-725-9464.

Event listings are FREE!! email us your event information 30 days before our publication dates!

AUTUMN 2010 the HotBox 25

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS

THIS SPACE FOR RENT!

This could be YOUR Pike Ad!

26 the HotBox AUTUMN 2010

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS

South Oakland County Model Railroad Club Hazel Park, MI Meets Tues & Fri at 7:30pm New Members Welcome Call Ron McCreight 248-879-0956 www.socmrrc.org

AUTUMN 2010 the HotBox 27

Permit Holder: National Model Railroad Association NON-PROFIT ORG. The North Central Region, U.S. POSTAGE c/o Uwe Thormaehlen PAID 48266 Pheasant St. LIVONIA, MI New Baltimore, MI 48047 Permit No. 1230

in the next issue of HotBox –

MORE LAYOUT PHOTOS

MORE HOW-TO-DO ARTICLES

MORE INFORMATION

.... stay tuned!