ETMRC  RAILNEWS

July 2015 http://etmrc.org

There has been much squawking about continuous construction photos and nothing about operation of the layout. So here is one of the participants, Paul F, doing what is known as "Leroying" a train.

THE ROAD AHEAD

More work was done on the plumbing and more lights were installed in the back room, progress is continuing. Some roof leaks were discovered with all the torrential rains that have been happening in the month of May but are yet to be fixed, however a plan of action is in place. The newsletter is being undertaken for this month by Rob D who is filling in for Tom B who has been goofing off somewhere. So if there are any problems with the output of the newsletter you will be able to get over it, or not. Bob E, esquire who has performed his usual outstanding job, has assisted me and his minutes will be inserted without alteration or molestation of any kind. The second operation session only had two active participants Rob D and Paul F who spent nearly the entire morning running their respective trains and were able to get back to the respective yards with their trains just prior to lunch.

Here we see during the session that Paul is switching by the Erwin Screw plant and is being assisted by Bob A, while the yard that is rumored to be "never" used is in fact being used by Rob D to sort cars into a train for a mine run to drop mtys and run loads to their next stop on the way to becoming power for industry. Since the staging yard has not yet been built in the new room the cars will get back into the yard after running over the road. Later on they would go to a staging yard in the new room.

The operation of the layout went fairly well with a couple of exceptions. The DCC system was acting odd with trains running off and not responding to commands. The control box was reset a couple of times and the problem still persisted a bit but was nearly entirely eliminated by removing one particular controller from the layout. This will likely be one of those things that is maddening to find and will take time but we will endeavor to persevere.

Ron M was in work frenzy at the n scale layout and was assisted by other members. There seemed to be an issue with power and dead spots. It was later found that some drops were not connected to anything and subsequent work with the wires had things running again. Way to go Ron and all that helped.

Jared is still working on trains and having success with his rebuilding efforts and tuning efforts and is rapidly advancing in skill and talent.

Here we see some of the guys working on the railroad from front to rear George W, Bob T, and Ron M, Ron is in the pair of shoes just visible past Bob.

On the bottom of the preceding page you see the guys that were able to stay for the entire day getting into the picture as a meet took place, where else, next to the Erwin Screw plant. From right to left are Ron M, Jared P, Bob T, Bob A, and Paul F.

July BUSINESS MEETING

The meeting scheduled for July was moved back to the weekend after the Independence Day celebration due to the fact that many members would be unable to attend. So it was rescheduled for July 11th 2015.

June BUSINESS MEETING SUMMARY

submitted by Rob D in secretary Robert E’s absence. Again.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 9:30 am, June 6, 2015

PRESENT: Paul F, Tom B, Bob E, Ron M, LeRoy H, Bob T, Bob A, Rob D

PROXIES: None

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Approved as published.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Submitted by Treasurer Ron M
This section is redacted

COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Submitted by Council Rep Paul F
Council met 19 May 2015. Paul reported that the primary concern for out club is filling the more numerous work spots since the over night security slot Ft. Worth is no longer available. The work sheet was passed around and several members signed up for specific tasks.

OLD BUSINESS: Work on the partition is almost finished. Paul needs to provide bracing, and he will work on this today. There is now a light switch to the left as you enter the second room which allows lights in the second room to be controlled from that point. Conduit and plugs still need to be purchased.

Paul asked if there were any updates on the layouts; there were none. Discussion followed re: the replacement fo two switches on the N scale layout. Bob T. knows someone who could replace and adjust the switch machines. All members turned and looked expectantly in Bob's direction. Bob than continued, "But he doesn't want to do it."

Tom B said the Operation Session should be documented. Paul responded by saying that "Everything went pretty well. George, however, did experience some stress." Tom asked if it would be worthwhile having another one. Ron M suggested another one on the third Wednesday June 20. Rob D offered that the sessions should not be put in concrete so as to allow them to grow and develop. And perhaps an email should be sent out as a reminder. Emailed reminders, however, will serve not purpose for those members who remain in the stone age with scrapped knuckles. It was thought that LeRoy would respond to this point, but he was out of the room looking for knuckle bandages. Paul remained silent.

NEW BUSINESS: Upon his return LeRoy expressed his pet peeve which is the Council continues to charge admission into the last hour of the show. LeRoy stated emphatically that he would never pay to enter anything with just an hour to go. Rob D had a look on his face that indicated he thought LeRoy might enter a girly show with an hour to go. However, it is well known that he would never invest in email no matter how much time was available. Again our President was silent, and because of his inscrutable expression one could not tell if he were considering the merits of email or a girly show. Paul did state that he would bring LeRoy's pet peeve before the council.

Bob T expressed his desire that someone look over the information tht goes into the Council Layout Tour Booklet.

Tom B suggested everyone look over the King layout and take note of the work Ron M has done.

Paul indicated that there are now leaks which he believes to be wall leaks, and obviously need to be repaired. Rob D suggested that we also check for leaks in the membrane especially around the edges.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:05 am.

Overall things went real well with the operating session. – Switching was handled as George would often say with "no touching." A coupler pick was put into play at the Mathis Mine as there were no magnets in the area. It appears that the layout has shifted a bit again as I did not have to put objects in front of the coal cars to keep them from rolling away from where they were spotted.

Here we see a close up that shows the meet, non-stop, between two trains by the Erwin Screw Plant and the working signals. Non-stop meets are easy on double track, and the locomotives on the service track.

Tom should be back next month I hope!