Volume 50, Number 1 Spring 2020 Official publication of the Sunrise Trail Division of the National Model Railroad Association, Inc. Model Railroading in the time of Covid-19 It has been more than five months since the coro- type of event we all have come to expect.” navirus hit the Sunrise Trail area. The news has been Closer to home, the Sunrise Trail Division had to grim and life has changed dramatically for most peo- cancel the Spring Meet in March and is presently con- ple. For many, work is from home, sports have been sidering options for the November meet. cancelled, and all public gatherings, including model railroading events, are being postponed. Among the events that were cancelled were the National NMRA Convention, sched- uled for St. Louis, and now, the NER Conven- tions scheduled for October in Westford, Massachusetts. According to the organizers, the “Mill City planning team has finalized plans with the hotel to move the next NER Regional Convention out one year to October 8-11, 2021. This was a difficult decision, but it was But the hobby has been alive and kicking online— clear we would not have the ability to safely host the the National NMRA has been hosting a virtual lineup of the annual convention on line—the week- long marathon provides a bonanza of model railroad layout tours and clinics that can be found on the NMRA Youtube channel—go to www.youtube.com and type “NMRA” in the search field and you will get the links to all the sessions. Two Sunrise Trail Division members present- ed clinics—John Feraca presented a clinic on building the Beaver Creek branchline to his Stone Canyon Railroad, and Ed Koehler pre- SPRING 2020 1 sented an introduction to modelling firefighting. The Sunrise Trail Division has also started a series, “the Summer Solstice, and the schedule so far can be found on page 17. If you have something to offer, such as a layout tour using your cellphone camera, or a quick tip on modelling, send an E-Mail to Board Mem- ber Edward Koehler at EdwardMKoehler.nyc.rr.com and he will get you into the schedule. Neighboring NMRA Divisions are also holding virtual events—the Garden State Division is hosting a combi- nation of clinics and tours on August 1, information is at http://www.nergsd.com/upcoming.html Virtual National Train Show And while the country closed up for COVID-19, Trainland/ Trainworld held webcasts with model rail- road manufacturers, including the National Virtual Train Show, timed to occur when the National Show would have bee held in St. Louis. In addition to plug- ging new products, many of the manufacturer repre- Screenshots from Ed Koehler and John Feraca’s clinics pre- sentatives reported that after a very slow March, when sented during the virtual National Convention. Their clinics shipments were considerably delayed, demand has can be seen at https://bit.ly/3fGyhju picked up. Matt Herman from LokSound said “We were closed But as it turned out, he said they “were actually way for a month and thought we would be way behind .” ahead this year.” Another good source of information during this period is the NMRA Turntable at http:// bitly.ws/9aJq. This is a service to all NMRA mem- bers and is a good source of modeling tips and ideas. An another note, the venerable Willis Hobbies is changing hands in the coming weeks—the change is not COVID-19 related, but due to a planned retirement. The store in Mineola is un- dergoing a transition, with its stock drawn down. With new owners, it remains to be seen whether it will be a steady source of model railroading supplies. 2 THE CANNON BALL perspective / DENNIS DEANGELIS president’s corner Writing the President’s Message accounts. Even if we can not be to- EDITOR quarterly is not something I look for- gether, we can share what we are do- Dan Shepard ward to. What can I say that will be of ing. We are also looking for people to (718) 224-9278 [email protected] interest? Well nothing in the past has do clinics on Zoom. Do you have some- THE CANNON BALL any relevance to where we are today. thing to share? We can help you is published quarterly by the Sunrise As a member of HOTrack, I was looking putting the presentation together. Trail Division of the National Model forward to a full month of train shows Contact either Ed Koehler or myself if Railroad Association, Inc. for the benefit culminating with the Spring Meet. Well you are interested. Presentations of the model railroading community. we did get to do one show at the count towards points for the Author SUBSCRIPTIONS Hicksville VFW, but everything else was Achievement Certificate. U.S/. and possessions: $7.00 per year. canceled. Please make check or money order Speaking of getting supplies, one of payable to Sunrise Trail Division. Send When we were discussing whether Long Island’s premier hobby shops, requests for new subscriptions, or not to cancel the Spring Meet, could Willis Hobbies, is closing. Steve Ford is renewals or address changes to we imagine how wide spread this retiring. I have been a customer of Wil- Walter Wohleking would become. A lot of time and lis for over 30 years, when they had 5 Howard Drive Huntington NY 11743-3032 effort goes into planning an event like their 1st shop on Willis Ave. run by his (631) 757-0580 [email protected] the Spring meet but it is trivial com- father. It is hard to believe he is old CONTRIBUTIONS pared to what we are facing as a com- enough to retire. I wish him well in his Articles, photographs, and artwork are munity now. retirement. But he and the shop will be welcome in either hardcopy or as missed. Most of us are in the ‘high risk’ cate- computer files. Copy is due by the 1st of gory since we are mostly somewhat We are more than halfway through February, May, August, and November and should be sent to the Editor at the over 35. I hope all of you and your the summer. Normally, we would be above address. Submitted material will families are well and taking appropri- planning for the fall train show season. be returned upon request. ate safety precautions. Since I am in But all plans are on hold. The NER has what is considered an ‘essential’ indus- canceled the fall convention. It has try, I still went to work every day but been pushed back a year. We do not OFFICERS most of my staff was not there. Fortu- know if we will have a Fall Meet this nately, things have returned to some- year, but I am not optimistic. Dennis DeAngelis, President thing like normal or at least whatever [email protected] While not the same as a face to face normal will be. Michael Bowler, Vice President meet, I hope you will take advantage [email protected] I hope you are staying safe. This would of our Summer Soltice Series. Details Rick Mazzola, Secretary be a great time to take on some of are emailed each week. [email protected] those long planned projects, assuming I look forward to seeing you at a train Steven Perry, Treasurer you can get supplies. I am running out [email protected] soon. My sincerest best wishes for of styrene glue of all things. There is no good heath to you and your families. DIRECTORS place to go on the weekends, so the Michael Siegel (2017) [email protected] layout is getting a lot of attention. Post Dennis David Metal (2017) your work on our Twitter or Facebook [email protected] Joseph Bux (2018) [email protected] Kevin Katta (2018) Have a you got a story to tell? [email protected] Ed Koehler [email protected] Send it to the Cannon Ball Representative on NER BoD Kevin Katta ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM -Layout progress---Pictures Michael Siegel CONTESTS John Feraca -New Products--Tools—Tactics MEMBERSHIP Steven Perry WEBSITE Please send to: [email protected] www.SunriseTrailDiv.com Richard Mazzola SPRING 2020 3 Sunrise Photo-Ops Mike Siegel’s GMD1 leading train past Lehigh Canal on West Island Model RR club layout. Harvesting on West Island layout. Mike Siegel photos 4 THE CANNON BALL Safety First: General Machine Shop Safety By Jamie Soberman On my way to work one morning in March (when I was still going into work) I ran into an old friend on the train. I haven’t seen Kenny since I retired from teaching at the den- tal school. Ken is a periodontist and a great (bone and im- plant) surgeon. We had a nice conversation. As we went our own way he extended his hand for a fist bump. I immediate- ly noticed that three of his fingertips were missing. When I asked him about it he said that he has an accident with a table saw. I got a cold feeling. My grandfathers were tradesmen. One was an auto body and engine repairman. The other was a tool and die maker. His father trained my father. I spent a lot of time in shops with these three men and I learned my lessons. Where some kids had playrooms, I had shops. I was trained using old time techniques. Hand work, bench work, then power tools. Safe operation was enforced. In all the 60 or so years An understanding of safe shop practices prevents inju- of using shop equipment I have never had an injury that re- ries.