$3 box - north central region of the nmra€¦ · ncr - north central region, nmra officers and...

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

VOL. 57, NO. 4 WINTER 2016

RAILFANNING Scott Kremer’s GREAT NORTHERN RR

NCR 2017 CONVENTION

GRAND RAILS 2017 INFORMATION!

MODELING WATER

TRAINS FOR OPS – LAST SECTION

PLUS- RR History, Timetable, NMRA-NCR-Division News & more!

$3

HotBox Editorial Barry Hensel, Editor

WOW... what an election!! A new President and near the entire NCR Board of Directors. Glad that’s over! LOL! I hope you voted in BOTH elections. Have to do a shout-out to my grandson Luke... he has been “trained”... After receiving an Ikea wood train set, he has played with it EVERY day since! Pappap (me) found a good deal on more track and turnouts to expand the “layout”. Luke turns 2 just as this issue hits the streets! It’s a blast to see his interest in all things, especially trains! The NCX convention was a huge success. I hope you were among the attendees and had as much fun as I did. A wrap-up article is later in this HotBox issue. As one convention ends, we begin promoting the next – GRAND RAILS 2017! This is hosted by Division 4 – The Grand Rails Division, in Grand Rapids on Sept 17-19, 2017. See all the breaking news on our next NCR convention in this issue of the HotBox! Once again, since it is December, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2016 was an interesting year and I’m hopeful that 2017 will be better. Wishing you and your families the very best! Well, time to do some model railroading… Thanks for reading… Barry

MODEL RAILROADING IS FUN!

HOTBOX CORRECTIONS NCR "OOPS"….

Always striving to be correct is something we will do with the HotBox. But, we are human and mistakes can/will happen. Please forgive us, these are NOT intentional! The corrections for the September 2016 edition of the HotBox are - minor grammar and spelling!

FRONT COVER PICTURES- Grand Rails 2017 logo; Scott Kremer’s GN- First 401 X404 West along Hwy. 2; C&O F unit

REAR COVER PICTURES- Grand Rails 2017 logo; The Pennsylvania Railroad Oak Ridge Branch

2 the HotBox WINTER 2016

The HotBox WINTER 2016

Vol. 57, No. 4

EDITOR

Barry Hensel 43642 Lotus Dr Canton, MI 48188

734-649-3056

[email protected] Editorial Advisers

Dave McMullian & the NCR Board

Proof Readers

Marge Hensel John Beres

Marty LaForte

The HotBox is published quarterly by the North Central Region of the National Model Railroad Association. Publication dates are- SPRING, March 1 SUMMER, June 1

AUTUMN, Sept 1 WINTER, Dec 1 The HotBox is available online at- www.ncr-nmra.org

All material, articles and advertising must be submitted to the Editor. All material should be electronic, preferably MicroSoft Word or Powerpoint. Pictures should be in Jpeg format and color. Material can be emailed or sent via US Mail on cd-rom. Materials will not be returned, unless return postage and envelope are included. Material submission deadline is FIVE weeks before publication date. Business ads-

1/2 page $20 per issue or $65 per year 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! 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- David Simmons 734-662-9807

[email protected]

Feel free to contact the Editor via email, with any comments, questions or corrections.

NCR - NORTH CENTRAL REGION, NMRA OFFICERS and DIRECTORS

President Dave McMullian 419-878-4888 [email protected] Vice-President Scott Kremer 734-420-2314 [email protected] Secretary Bill Neale 248-477-7875 [email protected]

Treasurer Robert Baird 734-665-6408 [email protected] Registrar David Simmons 734- 436-1164 [email protected] Directors Glenn Joppich 734-464-6004 [email protected] Skip Luyk 616-363-3453 [email protected] Jay Qualman 248-676-0234 [email protected]

Resident Agent Dean Pyers 586-979-7319 [email protected] NMRA Central Director Peter Magoun MMR 231-941-1669 [email protected] Photo Contests Howard Andrews 734-728-4697 [email protected] Achievement Program Larry Wolohon, MMR 734-454-4816 [email protected] Division One - Black Swap Div Jim Lang 419-874-6962 [email protected] Division Two– Tip of the Mitt Div Dave Capron 231-271-3352 [email protected]

Division Three–Three Rivers Div Bob Jones 260-459-6339 [email protected] Division Four Mark Baldwin 616-437-9851 [email protected] Division Five – Capital Div Andy Keeney 517-316-5660 [email protected] Division Six – Motor City Div Mark Ellis 734-421-2673 [email protected] Division Eight– Clinton River Div Phil Doolittle 248-375-2513 [email protected] Division Nine Frank Zajac 269-598-7107 [email protected] Division Ten – Ten Wheelers Div Don Westcott 810-513-5787 [email protected]

RAILROADING "WHAT THE ???" NCR HUMOR

WHAT??? The parking brake didn’t hold?? Or.... OOPS... good thing those wires were there to catch us!

WINTER 2016 the HotBox 3

mailto:[email protected]



callto:+1810%20513-5787


PRESIDENTS OBSERVATION by Dave McMullian

As I approach this last column as your President, I can’t help reflecting on things we’ve done together over the last four years while looking forward to what’s next for the NCR. As much as I’d love to see the NMRA ranks grow, I’ve tried to stay centered on serving the members we have. Whether we’ve got 10 or 10,000 on our roster, I believe the NCR leadership structure exists primarily as a customer-service organization. The best way we deliver service is by promoting and supporting healthy and active Divisions. Four years ago we had 7 Divisions serving 51 counties. Now we have 9 Divisions covering 84 counties. Our Divisions are showing a lot of creativity in their activities and sharing strategies to pass on what works best. To help our Divisions host more successful regional conventions and reduce some of their repetitive preparations, we are currently rolling out a complete set of convention standards and guidelines that will be published on the NCR website. It will be updated regularly as our learning curve progresses, and we will maintain a growing reference library of data to help each new convention committee. We want to improve our event quality for attendees while reducing the stress and risks for our hosts, a true win-win scenario. As this new program is rolled out and posted, we’ll keep you informed via the HotBox. Remember that your Division Superintendent is also a member of the NCR Board of Directors, so he is part of the crafting process as well as the main communicator back to his Division.

So what’s next? Well, I’ve got some definite ideas, but I’m going to hold my powder now and step off the bully pulpit. I want to let incoming President Scott Kremer and his leadership team lay out their new priorities and agenda. By rule, I will continue as a Director on that team and I’m excited about stepping back and focusing on some key projects where I can be useful. And to be perfectly candid, having just retired last month from my advertising career, I am most excited about spending more time as a model railroader! Wow, what a concept! I’m going to hand Scott the gavel, put on my POM hat (plain old member), and play with trains more than ever.

For me personally, these last four years have really been special. I have made tons more friends in the NCR than I ever had before and I’ve been so impressed by the efforts extended to the cause by so many. Every time I’ve asked someone to help, folks have stepped up and overdone. At times it’s been time-consuming and stressful, but your support and follow-through made our efforts worthwhile, and Scott is going to enjoy that discovery as much as I did. I can’t say it better than Bob Hope, so “thanks for the memories”.

See ya on down the line..... Dave McMullian, President, NCR

NCR ELECTION NEWS NCR NEWS

Here are your NCR election results....

PRESIDENT - Scott Kremer VICE PRESIDENT - Dave Capron SECRETARY – Bill Neale TREASURER – Bob Baird DIRECTORS - Jay Qualman and Rich Mahaney

All other Board members remain the same, Dave McMullian becomes a NCR Director and each Division Superintendent is also a Board member. Thank-you for casting your votes! Congratulations to our new Board members! Here’s a note from your President-Elect, Scott Kremer..... The election results have been posted. I will be your President for the next two years and we have three new people who have agreed to serve. It is wonderful to have this “new blood” as well as the continued support of the remainder of the board, people who have previously provided their time and effort to support the organization and have volunteered to do more. I would like to thank Dave McMullian for the fantastic job he has done over the last four years as your President. There are two actions underway that we hope to complete at our next Board meeting in the spring. I look forward to the next two years. I think one of the most valuable things that the NMRA provides is a venue for the social activities of our hobby. There is nothing better than sharing time with friends of like interest. Take advantage of this, the best of all hobbies, and have fun.


THEDAVE

McMULLIAN

NCX – NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESS WRAP-UP NCR NEWS

Well, the North Central Express has steamed down the tracks. It was a great weekend of model railroading, clinics, and friends. Many thanks to my planning team: Mark Ellis, Howard Andrews, Larry Wolohon, Ron King, John Bopp, Jim Hockenberger, Ed Beamish, Barry Hensel, Doug Malaznik, and Bill McMillan. I felt like a giant OPS session was being conducted all over Division 6 and my planning team was in control of all aspects of the operations. When you add staff from the Ward Church and the 50+ volunteers from our Div.6 membership, there were many folks on board to help all of our registered guests and folks from the community and their families. Many THANKS to John Nowacki Director of Campus at the Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church. His staff helped in many ways to bring in equipment and “Golf cart” people back to their cars if needed. Lastly, it was a great treat to listen to our key note speaker Art Single, Board president of the A&B Railroad, share his stories of the building and development of a short line railroad at our Saturday night dinner. My Planning Team hopes that you had a weekend that you will remember, saw lots of clinics and layouts, and made new friends during this model railroading weekend event! It was a pleasure being your host. Norman A. Logan, NCX16 Chairman


RAILFANNING the GREAT NORTHERN RR NCR TRACKSIDE


The HotBox roving railfan was in the great north region and came across the Great Northern layout of Scott Kremer – what a great time we had! Left side- The East Bound Empire Builder. It is late October and there is already snow in the mountains. Y-1 leads X3395 into Tye after crossing Stevens Pass. Local East X182 switches Leavenworth Fruit Right side- First 401, X404 and X3395 in Alpine. The Westbound Empire Builder runs along Hwy-2. Local East X661 switches reefers in Leavenworth.

RAILFANNING the GREAT NORTHERN RR NCR TRACKSIDE


Left side- Double headed O-8’s. Second 402 X440 West enroute to Seattle. Break Time in Tye with GN Y1a in the background. Right side- Preparing to take merchandise to town in Tye. Waiting for a crew change in Tye. First 401 X404 Arrives in Skykomish.

MODELING WATER By Barry Hensel NCR MODELING INFO

This is an article based on a clinic that I presented at the 2016 Narrow Gauge Convention and a Division 6 meeting. I hope you get some information from it! Modeling water on model railroads has been quite a process over the years. In this article we’ll look at several methods and products. Like anything else in Model railroading, there are many ways to do something. One is not more right than another. It depends on your skill level and what you are comfortable in doing.

Water, water everywhere.... Unless you are modeling the dry western US, there is water everywhere and I will guess, not enough of us model all of that water. There are ponds, ditches, creeks, rivers, lakes, sea/ocean-side and even puddles! How many do you have on your layout? Water adds a nice feature to your layout, even the ditches and small ponds. There are many products you can use for modeling water, but why not use the real thing? There is one major layout (that I know of – other than garden railroads) uses real water – Miniatur Wunderland in Germany. They use real water because they have remote controlled ships that navigate through the waterways! Another layout/display is the Roadside America miniature village (somewhat O scale, located near Hamburg, PA) that also has real water running through it. The problem is... real water doesn’t translate well as in a model environment. It doesn’t look real! Plus, there are several distractors – leakage, sealing of area, evaporation, mold-mildew, and even critters!

PRODUCTS Let’s look at some of the more popular products and some comments on each. Woodland Scenics has several products for modeling water.

First, E-Z Water is a package of plastic pellets that you put in a pan and melt with heat, then pour on your layout. I’m not sure what WS was thinking of, but this doesn’t sound too appealing of a process to me! Hot plastic, possible smell and what do you do with the pan afterward? Next, Realistic Water is a bottle of liquid that you simply pour and let dry. Much better, but I have heard reports that is does not have a hard surface feel to it when dry, almost like it never completely cures or dries. Last is Water Effects, which is used for special water effects like water falls or large waves. This is used by pouring this product in lines next to each other in a container. Then when dry, you “peal” the water from the container and place vertically to make your water fall. I have seen this product on some local layouts and it seems to work nicely.

Some other similar products are Model Water by MTP-Model Train Products, is a water based acrylic that you pour and let dry. This product is good for small water details, that water in a ditch or small stream or pond. It does have some problems when used in large areas, it can crack and if poured too thick, will get a blue-ish cloudy look to it. Since it is water-based, you can mix latex paint in it to get solid color effects, like white for an icy surface. Another similar product is Still Water by Vallejo. It is the same as Model Water in most respects, but I do not have any information on it cracking (or not) and how clear it stays when poured deep. Mod Podge in the gloss format and even varnish can also give you a “wet” look when painted on a flat surface. You would paint the surface with dark colors in the middle to indicate depth, then lighter colors as you get to the shore line, to show less depth. The Mod Podge and varnish over the surface then looks “wet” when dry!


MODELING WATER NCR MODELING INFO

There are two products that are the heavy-weights for modeling water, EnviroTex Lite and Magic Water by Unreal Details. (based in western Michigan, NCR territory!) There is a regular EnviroTex, but it has nasty fumes when used. The “Lite” product has far less fumes, but can still have an odor, so keep the area well ventilated.

Both of these products are two part resins. You must mix these parts together, then pour into your modeled area. These products both work great for large areas with no cracking and a clear finish no matter how thick you pour them. One distracting feature with Magic Water is that it will “weep” up the shore line, into your scenery products. This can be fixed by simply adding more material over the affected area after the water has dried. I have used the Magic Water on several large water features and have had no concerns with odors or simply working with it. Both give an almost perfectly still finish, of which water is never THAT still... so back to another product mentioned, Mod Podge Gloss. You can brush that on to make waves and not have such a perfect still, flat water surface.

With most of these products, some care must be made when using these. Not so much as a safety thing, but to save you money, material and time. Again, most of these products are liquid-ity! When poured into your model river, pond or other feature, they will spread, seek their own level and find just about any hole or crack and thus leak all over your floor! When modeling your feature, you must make sure it is contained and level. If your river or stream comes to the edge of your layout, you may have to build a temporary dam to keep the water material from simply running off the edge of your layout and onto your floor!

THE MODELING PROCESS So, just how do you model a water feature? Like I mentioned in the beginning, there are many ways to do this modeling and it will depend on what you are trying to model, how big, etc. Here are pictures of two water features, a pond and a water front-

The pond is simply carved out Styrofoam scenery with real dirt and ground foam for the bottom and shore line, applied normally with white glue and “wet water” spray to help everything glue together. After that dried for a few days, Model Water was poured into the pond about 3/16” thick. While it was still wet, but had hardened for an hour or so, the weeds and branches were placed in the pond. The water front scene is simply flat plywood covered with hard board (like we use for facia). It was painted using latex paints, black and dark green to show depth and lighter greens closer to the shore to show shallow areas. Model Water was then brushed on, instead of poured on. Because it was so thin, the brushed Model Water has never cracked and gives this area that “wet” look. Varnish or Mod Podge could also have been used. Next issue of the HotBox, we’ll look at a larger water feature!


NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION

Division One - Black Swamp Division (Toledo and Northwest Ohio area) Division 1, the Black Swamp Division, kicked of our new program year on September 16. We have a wide variety of clinic activities, both live and video presentations at our monthly meetings. We place a great deal of emphasis on member participation, with several activities that enable folks to share models, ideas, and images. Sometimes we have a roundtable discussion on a topic of broad interest. Our meetings include a Show-n-Tell time for things we can bring in along with Pics-n-Flics where we share via photos and videos. Recently we gained internet access for our meetings, so we are going to present clinics and rail-related programs from a number of online resources. We have additional monthly meetings in members’ homes to study operations. Each 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. Our goal is to help more layout owners establish operations and increase member participation in ops activities throughout the Division and Region. For regularly updated info on our schedule, meeting info, and directions, visit our website at www.divisiononencr.com (submitted by- Dave McMullian, Superintendent)

Division Two (Manistee to Iosco counties, to the Tip Of The Mitten at the Mackinac Bridge) Division 2 (Tip –of-the-Mitt) just had a ‘make and take’ tree clinic for the TC Yard with 18 members making some really great trees. Mike Cipko and Scott Pandorf attended Mark Ellis’ clinic in Livonia. We secured the materials and they teamed up to present our clinic. It was such a hit that two of the Petoskey Yard members who attended Jim Kurbel and Dave Zolnerik repeated it in Harbor Springs for the Petoskey Yard. 11 participated including two new modelers. We may be growing slowly but we are finding new members. It is fall so a perfect time to get out and collect that Sedum needed to make these little beauties. Our plans for this winter include a clinic on a home made signal system, how to use that air brush you have had for years in a drawer and more operating experiences. Winter is model railroading season and we do have winter up here. Let us know when you are up north for a visit and layout tour. (submitted by- David Capron, Superintendent)

Division Three - Three Rivers Division (Fort Wayne, Indiana and western Ohio area) Division 3 - Three Rivers Division has just finished getting the Boy Scout Railroading Merit Badge program off & running with 5 Scouts already completing the program. We are also working on getting logo ideas so that we can get a logo hopefully completed by June 2017. We have several upcoming Events including our Train Show & Swap on December 17 & Santa Train Rides on several dates in December. (submitted by- Bob Jones, Superintendent NMRA NCR Div 3)

Division Five – Capital Division (Lansing and mid-lower Michigan area) Division 5 started the season with a clinic, Boats for Trains by Mark Cowles. After the Show & Tell, the club visited the HO layout of Rod Venzke, who is modeling the Duluth-Superior region. This very large layout has its own building. October's gathering was minimal due to the Region Convention going on at the same time. November featured a scenery clinic by Andy Keeney and a visit to the "Old Goat Division" of the Great Northern RR, as model in HO by Bob Truax. This is an exceptional layout. The Division's next scheduled get together is on December 10 at the Lansing Model Railroad Club. Check their website for the address. 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)

Division Ten – Ten Wheeler Division (Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer Tuscola, Sanilac and Huron Counties) Many of the "10 Wheelers" have been busy attending the recent North Central Express, the Railroad Prototype Modelers Conference, and one national railroad convention in the Pacific Northwest. Our monthly meetings have various projects brought for our "Show and Tell" with much discussion about construction and modeling techniques and methods. We have begun a lengthy weathering clinic presented by Train Masters video and will continue the series at our next meeting. Any questions can be answered by calling Div 10 Superintendent Don Westcott 810-513-5787 or Nick Racheff 810-265-0748 (submitted by Wayne Wilder, Chief Clerk)


NCR DIVISION HAPPENINGS DIVISION INFORMATION

Division Four – Grand Rails Division (Grand Rapids and west Michigan area) Greetings from your Superintendent. The NCR has been after all of the Divisions to change from a number to a name for the Division. After careful consideration and several suggested names your Board of Directors have decided that Division 4 will in the future be recognized as The Grand Rails Division. Your Grand Rails Division, Regional Convention Committee has been hard at work meeting, planning and advertising the upcoming Regional Convention which will be held in Grand Rapids Michigan on September 15,16 and 17th 2017. Special Notice: If you ever wanted to operate on a model railroad or even if you’re an old hat, here is your chance to have a great model railroad experience. The Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society will be the host for a Division 4 Op session. It will be open to all NMRA members to participate in. Please save the date of Jan 28th 2017, with more info to follow. (submitted by, Mark Baldwin, Superintendent)

Division Six – Motor City Division (Wayne & Washtenaw County) At Division 6, the Motor City Division... we’re resting.... after hosting the NCR convention and having a great crowd and an even greater time, we need it!! But, we didn’t rest too long as our annual FALL SHOW & WORKSHOP was the Sunday after Thanksgiving. While it has not actually happened just yet (as I write this) it will be a FREE event, so we expect a large turnout of people looking to get their model railroad questions answered! With a great convention in the books, the FREE entry to the Fall Show is our way of giving back! Our monthly meetings continue to be strong with 40-50 members attending each month. We are looking for a new clinic chairperson as Joe Bliss has withdrawn from the position. THANKS Joe for your dedication and work to make our meetings enjoyable. An “active” show & tell, general announcements, history lessons, tool tips and clinics make our meetings fun and informative! 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 get an opportunity to 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 of some sort. 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 is having a beauty contest! By the time you read this, the contest will be over, but due to publication deadlines you’ll have to wait until the NEXT HotBox to hear of the results. What makes a “beautiful” locomotive? Members will nominate their favorite in several different categories and we’ll have a vote after all get to campaign and examine the entries. What will the winners be? Wait and see. Now that we have a name to go along with our long-standing number, we should have a new or revised logo that fits the name! We are seeking suggestion from the members – don’t know yet how long it will be until we can get this settled. All NMRA members are always welcome, no matter what division is your home. You can find out more at our web site: http://div8.ncr-nmra.org/ Remember, third Thursdays, 7:00 pm. Come join the fun. (And join us for dessert at Big Boy after. Yum.) (Submitted by Phil Doolittle - Superintendent)

Division Nine – Southwest Michigan Division (Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and VanBuren Counties) Division Nine meets on the third Saturday of the month. Members and guests begin with an informal breakfast at Nikko’s Landing in Comstock at 9:00 AM and then move to the Comstock Public Library (three blocks away) for our monthly business meeting and a clinic or layout visit. In September the Division held its annual Business Meeting at which time the membership voted on “Southwest Michigan Division” as our alternate name. Elected Robert Provot at Assistant Superintendent, Bruce Nichols as Paymaster, and Paul McGinnis as Trustee. We thank outgoing members Jim Glenn (Assistant Superintendent), Dave Vinci (Paymaster), and Gary Johnson (Trustee) for their considerable contributions to the development of Division Nine. The meeting was followed by a superb clinic by Dave Vinci on “Scratchbuilding Small Structures.” Division Nine does not meet in July and August. (Submitted by Frank Zajac, Superintendent, Division 9)


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 Pete Magoun... Here’s a link for traveling, especially if you are “touring.” Depots from all over. Might be a good Hotbox item: http://www.depotmaps.com/DepotMap[WY].htm

BTR#2- MICHIGAN RAILROAD CLUB PROGRAM December 07, 2016 Christmas Program by Steve Sobel. January 04, 2017 Dave Regittko with a slide program on Great Lakes Steel. February 01, 2017 Kevin P. Keefe with a program on PM 1225 and his new book on the 1225. He will have book and will sign books if you got them for Christmas. March 01, 2017 Dave Jakubiec with a slide program 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

BTR#3- JUST announced – Caboose Hobbies to RE-OPEN with new owners!! Here’s the web page with details- http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index_brief.php

BTR#4- In case you didn’t get it, here is an excerpt from NMRA President Charlie Getz’s message in a recent NMRA E-Bulletin, concerning digital –vs- print formatted publications..... “In their October issue, Model Railroad Hobbyist, published a survey of reader ages for their digital magazine. They certified a 95% accuracy. We have heard that digital magazines, the wave of the future, appeal to those younger generations, whereas older readers are into print. Therefore, a decline in print circulation does not mean a decline in younger modelers for they are on a digital platform. The death of print media has been projected for over thirty years now and while newspapers are slowly eroding, the end of print is still nowhere in sight. There is something satisfying about a magazine that is hard to replace. One would therefore expect that Model Railroad Hobbyist, being a digital pioneer, would naturally attract the younger demographic which the blogs assure us are out there. Imagine my surprise to discover that 88% of MRH readers are 49 years old or older. Indeed 67% are 60 or older. Two conclusions can be reached from these numbers. First, the old chestnut that older modelers prefer print may not be true. Secondly, there are not hordes of young modelers reading digital and eschewing print. According to the MRH survey, less than 4% of MRH readers are 30 or under. Therefore the good news is that older modelers are not the fuddy-duddys portrayed who are out of touch in a digital world. But the bad news is the postulated large numbers of young modelers who prefer digital platforms may also be a myth.”

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!

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!!

Master Builder – Structures David J. Zolnierek, Div. 2, Gold Spike Kevin C. Smith, Div. 8 Merit Awards - John Bopp, D&IR 4-8-0 Steam Loco Roy Haeusler EBT Narrow Gauge to Standard Gauge transfer table.

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.


mailto:fjkoch%40hotmail.com

RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY

Last section on types of trains for your OPS sessions....

SPECIAL TRAINS Contrast between characters adds interest to a movie because it makes the characters more individual. We have already emphasized the importance of contrast by explaining the different types of trains that we can run on our model railroads, from stop-and-go commuters to swift streamliners to drag freights. We can add even more contrast and realism to our model railroads by incorporating some special trains into our operations.

WRECK - WORK TRAINS There it is, quietly parked behind the division-point roundhouse ready to be dispatched to the scene of a problem on a moment's notice- the wreck train. When there has been a derailment, one of the railroad's primary concerns is to get traffic flowing again. Wreck-train crews endeavor to clear the right of way of derailed equipment and at least temporarily repair the track to allow trains to get through. A work train, which we will talk about shortly, may also be called to the scene. The wreck train runs only on rare occasions, but when it must move, its train orders give it rights over everything on the line. The wreck train's consist may include a couple of flat cars full of extra wheels, ties, and rail; crew sleepers; a commissary (kitchen) car; a heavy crane; a tool car; and a caboose. Work trains help fulfil a number of tasks.

Work-train crews may be sent out re-ballast track, lay new rail, replace a washed-out trestle, or repair right of way damaged by a derailment. The work train is usually dispatched as an extra and stays on location until the job is done. Work trains are assembled to suit the job at hand, so their consists vary.

Before I relinquish the floor. I would like to relate two true stories regarding operation on a real railroad. At one time in my long life, I lived in Lombard, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago 20 miles west of the Chicago Loop. For at least 5 Years, I commuted to my job in the Chicago Loop via the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad, an electric interurban line. At certain times during the year, my job required working a lot of overtime.

When I worked late, I made it a point to catch a CA&E train that left at 9:25 PM and was due in Lombard at 10:00 PM. Since train crews have an opportunity to pick their runs, the same conductor would always seem to be on this train. This particular conductor had a weird sense of humor (a man after my own heart). The last two stops before the train came to Lombard were ARDMORE and WESTMORE and RR conductors were and still are required to callout the station names in advance. This rascal would always callout in a loud voice "ARDMORE, WESTMORE, THERE AIN’T NO MORE".

The other story was an operating nightmare. The CA&E went out of business in 1959 and during the last year management was reluctant to perform any extensive maintenance on the equipment. It was a warm summer day and I caught the 5:10 PM express that was to make no station stops after leaving the Chicago Loop until it reached Lombard. I rode the front car looking out the front window, the motorman's cab was to my right, and I always rode there just in case he might need my help. All went well, and the entire route was protected by block signals, until we hit a red signal about 5 miles away from Lombard.


RAILROAD HISTORY by Don Watson NCR HISTORY

I could see a local train ahead of us. The rule book required that the motorman must come to a complete stop for the red block, but then could proceed at a slow speed until he came up to the train ahead.

The Express Train that I was riding was modern steel coaches, but the local train was old wooden coaches still equipped with link & pin couplers and the local was powerless. There was no industrial siding nearby and it was rush hour. There was no room on the express train to take on any more passengers because our train hadn’t reached our first station stop. The crew called the home office in Wheaton and the express train was required to push the local all the way to Wheaton and also stop

at every station. I wasn’t able to see from my position how they managed to connect the two different types of couplers, but we did take off after a long delay. We know had a 10 car train with a motorman in the front cab but no power, and a motorman with power in car 5 who must rely on hand signals from the motorman in car 1.

It required more time to cover the last 5 miles than it did the original 15 and I had a lot of trouble selling that story to my wife when I got home. Don Watson Jan 1993

Division 6 member Don Watson, gave these lessons nearly every month and they always entertained and informed. After Don’s passing at the age of 90, his family presented them to Div. 6 and the NCR.

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!

Sunday, December 4, 2016 – 32nd annual Train Show West Michigan Railroad Club American Legion 179 2327 Wilson Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 10am-3pm $4 adults children 12 and under FREE Free parking, Door Prizes, Operating layouts, Refreshments Contact Information- Rob Brown 616-299-2298 [email protected]

Saturday-Sunday, December 3-4, 2016 - Model Railroad Exhibit, Railroad Memorabilia, Toy Train Show and Sale Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 4000 Parnell Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 10am - 4pm Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased on-site) Kids 11 and under are Free Hundreds of tables of new and used trains for sale at discounted prices; new product displays; operating model train layouts; free modeling workshops and clinics; activities for kids and more! Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information - http://GreatTrainShow.com www.giantshow.com/fortwayne.html

Saturday-Sunday, December 3-4 and 10-11, 2016 Detroit Model Railroad Club Open House 104 North Saginaw St. Holly, MI 48442 Noon - 5PM Adults - $5, Seniors (65+) - $4, Children (5-18) - $2, Children under 5 – Free See several O scale trains in operation, over a 350 foot double track mainline and several branch lines. Contact Info: 248-634-5811 [email protected]

Saturday-Sunday, December 3-4, 2016 - Model Railroad Exhibit, Railroad Memorabilia, Toy Train Show and Sale Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 4000 Parnell Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 10am - 4pm Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased on-site) Kids 11 and under are Free Hundreds of tables of trains for sale with new and used merchandise at discounted prices; new product displays; huge operating model train layouts; free modeling workshops and clinics; activities for kids and more! Wheelchair Accessible Contact Info - Great Train Show, 630-608-4988 http://GreatTrainShow.com

Saturday-Sunday, December 3-4,17-18, 2016 Model Railroad OPEN HOUSE! Blissfield Model Railroad Club 109 E. Adrian St (US223), Blissfield, MI 49228. 11am - 4pm Donations appreciated. See 1000 feet of mainline on 3 levels of Appalachian mountain railroading. On the web at www.bmrr.org


http://www.trains.com/


PROTOTYPE PAGE NCR PROTOTYPE


F is for FALL. It’s also for F-units! Here’s a nice collection of F units from the HotBox email archives. Pictured below (left side) CR units at Vickers Crossing near Toledo; PC units at Fort Wayne; GT unit in Durand

Pictured above (right side) are NYC units and PC unit with freight in the Toledo area

REPLACING A SWITCH AT MEGANTOWN NCR FEATURE By Bob Hanna

Had a few derailments when switching the Witteborg Wonder Works during the past few OP sessions. It is an old spur track, it’s not supposed to be in first class shape, and perhaps it was just a finicky car. Or maybe the ground throw switch linkage just needs some adjustment. But since the derailments were getting more frequent, time to have the maintenance crew take a look at it.

When the maintenance crew went to fix it, they found that adjusting the ground throw linkages was not going to do the job. The switch was in bad shape and needed to be replaced.

(Gee, it was only 40+ years old and had been in three previous layouts, so it has lived a good long life considering it’s travels.) Quickly looking for a # 4 right hand switch in the spare track box, found one! A Peco no less! That will be an upgrade from the old Atlas switch. And no ground throw needed either. So I laid the new switch on top of the track and marked where to cut the rails to fit it in. Scraped the ballast away from the cut marks and using the rail nippers, cut the rails. Then used a chisel to break the old switch out of the ballast. With the switch removed, started scraping off the ballast with a chisel, and used a vacuum cleaner to clear out all the debris. Now we have a clear, clean area in which to lay in the new switch. Worked on the rail ends next, with a screwdriver to scrape out any ballast that was in the way and a razor blade to cut the spike plates off the ties so new rail joiners could be slid on.

Putting down the new switch, the new rail joiners slid right on and we were ready for testing. Ran the engine and offending car in and out of the siding several times without any derailments or problems. Fixed! Or at least it is mechanically fixed, so the Witteborg Wonder Works could still be serviced. Time to go get the scenery supply box off the shelf! No matching cinder ballast to be found, but there is

some light grey with a few cinders mixed in that should do. Besides there hasn’t been a steam engine in these parts for years, so even the prototype railroad wouldn’t have cinders for ballast anymore either. Carefully applying a little white glue between the ties, ( Keep Away From The Switch Points!) applied the gray ballast and then put on some diluted white glue on with an eye dropper to hold the ballast down. Also added a little Woodland Scenic’s mixed turf along the right of way and to cover where the ground throw had been. And that’s it for now! We are not done yet, still need to paint the rails so they match the rest of the rails in Megantown. But let’s let the glue dry overnight so the water based rail paint I use doesn’t run down into the wet ballast. End of day 1!

The next day I got out the burnt umber paint and a small paint brush. Squirted some paint onto the plastic lid of an old butter container, and went to work painting the rails to take the shine off the sides. Was careful not to get any on the switch points where it makes electrical contact. Wiped the top of the rails off, and called it a day, let the paint dry. End of day 2!

On the third day, when the paint dried, went over the rails with an abrasive track cleaning bar, (ie. Bright Boy), to remove any stray paint. Tested it again just to be sure the glue had not gotten into the movable parts of the switch, and it worked fine. The Witteborg Wonder Works is once again shipping it’s products out to the world on the B&O Lost Division!


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

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 Rails Division (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 WINTER. www.div5.ncr-nmra.org

Division Six Motor City 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 – SW Michigan Division (Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St.Joseph, VanBuren 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!!


http://www.divisiononencr.com/

http://www.div5.ncr-nmra.org/

http://www.div6-ncr-nmra.com/



callto:+1810%20695-2677


http://www.michiganrailroads.com/

http://www.ohiorailtourism.org/


Saturday, December 10, 2016, Jan 7 & 21, 2017, Feb 4 & 18, March 4 & 18 Redford Model RR Club OPEN HOUSE 27316 Michigan Avenue Inkster, Michigan 48141 (East of Inkster Rd.) 12 NOON TO 4 PM FREE admission (Donations cheerfully accepted!) Always New Scenery, Double & Single track mainlines, Branchline ends at a ferry, HO layout 52 ft. x 26 ft, DCC & DC Operation. View various phases of continuous layout construction. Great for kids of all ages - train whistle & other train sounds. Variety of locomotives, cars and advertising train. Contact Information: www.redfordmodelrailroadclub.com

December 17 through 31, 2016 Festival of Trains Traverse City History Center Traverse City, MI hosted by- Northern MI RR Club See operatring layouts of several scales in a great holiday tradition and fund-raiser for the History Center. Contact Info: Rick Vandenburg 231-879-4404 or Bill Parrish 231-932-0243

Saturday, December 17, 2016 Train Town Swap, sponsored by Division 3 NCR NMRA. Allen County Fairgrounds, Highway 309 East, Lima, Ohio. 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is $5.00. Children 12 & under Free. Operating layouts, including several Time Savers. 140 tables, Free Parking, Food available. Handicap accessible. Contact Information: Chuck White 567-259-3340 [email protected]

Sunday, December 18, 2016; Jan 8, 2017; Feb 12; March 12 Wolverine Train Club Show United Food & Commercial Workers Hall 876 Horce Brown Drive Madison Heights, MI 48071 10am-2pm $3 per person under 12 is free Door Prizes Every Hour, Free Parking, All Gauges of Trains, Food and Refreshments Available Website- www.ttoswolverine.org Food service provided by The Madison Height Lions Club Contact Information: Bob Burgee 586-662-0225

Sunday, December 18, 2016- Monroe Model Train Show MBT Expo Center 3775 Custer Rd. (M-50) Monroe, MI 48161 Early Admission 9am-3pm $10 Regular Admission 10am-3pm $6 Children 12 and under free with adult over 200 sales tables, operating layouts, play area for young children featuring "Riding Thomas" and many other toys. A great family show, fun for young and old alike. Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information: Al Mitchell Friend of Model Railroader (FOMRR) PO Box 1259 Adrian, MI 49221 Ph. 517-264-5705 e-mail- [email protected]

Saturday, January 7, 2017 25th Riverbend Train Show hosted by- Riverbend RR Club School Building Gym 5625 Burlingame Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. 10am – 3:30pm $5 per person, 12 and under are free operating layouts, door prizes, test track for all gauges with DC or DCC control Contact Info: Rob Lamfers [email protected] 616-662-1221 7pm-11pm (weekdays) 12pm-10pm (weekends)

Sunday, January 15, 2017 - A Train Show Avondale High School 2800 Waukegan Auburn Hills, Michigan, MI 48326 10am - 3pm $4 13 & over 12 & under FREE Wheelchair Accessible, Michigan's largest one-day train show. 385+ tables (ALL railroad related) Operating layouts, door prizes, LIVE displays, Raffle prizes! Contact Info: Frank E. Lams 248-537-6008 [email protected]

Sunday, January 22, 2017 Trains & Trades Beacon Hill Golf Club 6011 Majestic Oaks Drive Commerce Township, MI 48382 10 am - 3 pm $3.00 per person 12 and under free Food & Refreshments available, Door Prizes Contact Information: Brian McKee 248-408-5262 [email protected]

Sunday, January 29, 2017 – 31st annual Ole Toy and Train Show St. Robert Bellarmine Church 27201 W Chicago Rd Redford, MI 48239 11am-3:30pm $3 per person $6 per family Operating Layouts, parts & accessories, Door Prizes, All Gauges of Trains, Food/Refreshments Available Contact Info: Brian Klotzer 313-255-0466 7-9pm





Saturday-Sunday, February 18-19, 2017- 47th Annual Train Show and Sale Saline Middle School 7190 N. Maple Road Saline, MI 48176 Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 10am - 3pm Adults - $6 Under 10, Free with paid Adult Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club in conjunction with the Huron Valley Railroad Historical Society are hosts. Featured at the show are over 100 vendors and Clinicians from Pennsylvania to Texas. With 400 tables of merchandise and displays, there is something for everyone at the show. Food service will be available. Wheelchair Accessible Contact Info: Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club 3487 Broad Street Dexter, MI 48103 Phone: 734-426-5100 Wednesday Evenings 734-426-0829 Answering Machine http://a2trainshow.com

Saturday, February 25, 2017 – 1st annual ALL Scale Train Show hosted by- Society of N-Scalers Detroit Model RR Club United Food & Commercial Workers Hall 876 Horce Brown Dr Madison Heights, MI 48071 10am-4pm $6 per person under 12 is free Operating Layouts, parts & accessories, Door Prizes, Free Parking, All Gauges of Trains, Food/Refreshments Available Contact Info: 810-444-5238 or 586-306-5306

Sunday, February 26, 2017 Lapeer Model Railroaders 31st Annual Railroad Swap meet American Legion Post #16 1701 W. Genesee St. Lapeer, MI 48446 10:00am to 3:00pm $3.00 per person Children 4 and under free Dealer setup at 7:00am FREE PARKING Train show and swap meet with operating layouts, collectibles, model railroading supplies, books-photos-magazines, trains and scenery supplies. Food/refreshments on site Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information: Jim Wilson 962 Timothy Lane Lapeer, MI 48446 810-664-7881

Saturday, March 4, 2017 Maumee Valley Railroad Club Model Train Show & Swap Coliseum Bingo 911 W. Washington Center Road Fort Wayne, IN 46825 9:00 am to 2:00 pm $5.00 Adults, $7.00 Families, age 12 and under free Vendors, layout, on site concession stand, free parking, historical and other organizations represented Contact Information: Richard Insley 260-482-2203 Website http://maumeevalleyrailroad.com

Friday-Saturday, March 3-4, 2017 Holland Modular Railroad Club Benefit Train Show Holland, MI - Overisel Reformed Church 4706 142nd Street, Holland, MI Friday, March 3rd from 5 to 8 PM Saturday, March 4th from 9 to 2 PM $4 Per Person $12 Per Family Contact Info: [email protected]

Sunday, March 19, 2017 Mid Michigan Train Show Mount Pleasant, MI - Finch Field House CMU Saginaw River Valley RR Club and DOG TAILS, inc. 10am till 3pm. $ 5.00 for anyone over 13 years of age - 12 and under FREE Contact Info: Terry Ewing 989-777-2046

Saturday-Sunday, March 4-5, 2017- Model RR Exhibit, RR Memorabilia, Toy Train Show and Sale Suburban Collection Showplace 46100 Grand River Avenue Novi, MI 48374 10am - 4pm Adults $7 ($2 more if purchased on-site) Kids 11 and under are Free Hundreds of tables of trains for sale with new and used merchandise at discounted prices; new product displays; huge operating model train layouts; free modeling workshops and clinics; activities for kids and more! Wheelchair Accessible Contact Information - Great Train Show, 120 Easy Street #4, Carol Stream IL 60188 - p 630-608-4988 Website - http://GreatTrainShow.com www.GiantShow.com/novi.html

YOU should join and attend your local NMRA – NCR – Division meetings and activities!

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


http://maumeevalleyrailroad.com/

http://www.giantshow.com/novi.html

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS


YOU too, can have a Pike Ad for your railroad or club! Just email the HotBox Staff for all the details. We’ll even help you design your Pike Ad. And best of all... It’s cool!!

NCR HotBox PIKE ADS


Permit Holder: National Model Railroad Association The North Central Region, c/o Dean Pyers, Resident Agent 8212 Clay Ct Sterling Hgts, MI 48313

in the next issue of THE HotBox –

MORE LAYOUT PHOTOS

MORE HOW-TO-DO ARTICLES

MORE INFORMATION .... stay tuned!

Latest News.... RailFanning the PRR Oak Ridge Branch of Dave Vinci – Div 9

More Modeling Water

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID LIVONIA, MI

Permit No. 1230

$3 box - north central region of the nmra€¦ · ncr - north central region, nmra officers and...

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