ETMRC

Vol 18, Nr. 2 — February 2018 http://etmrc.org

It can be done – Two engineers, Dave and President Paul, mug the camera after completing a session with four trains, each with locomotives and cars belonging to the engineer were simultaneously in operation — without a delay or derailment. The other two engineers were Rob and Tom M. And while the trains in the background just look like a usual yard scene, if you look carefully, all four trains are there, more or less carefully posed for the photo.

THE ROAD AHEAD

This February is a real watershed for the club. The 2017-2018 show scene is past, and it was our last, since the ETMC voted in January to pull out of the Council activities, mostly to avoid having to drive to Dallas once a month when most members are unwilling to drive much after dark. And since participation in the shows meant open houses over both days of the shows, we are down to only one open house a year, for the Bois d’Arc Bash. The result: a much less demanding year 2018 is forecast. And even though the show income will be lost, the club voted to raise dues $5 per month to cover the shortfall and keep the treasury mostly full. We do hope the visibility the club has been receiving through Rob’s MRH website keeps our presence current in the model railroading fraternity so we still get some visitors. No matter what else happens this year, it will be markedly different and probably easier. In all, things could probably be better, but we are a lot better than we were a couple of years ago.

I Think I got it — Dave G is tuning his Atlas GP-38 following some earlier guidance from Rob. This is a fellow who joined the club just a couple of months ago as a complete newcomer to the hobby of model railroading. We must be doing something right! Both photos: Rob D

Another first — This loud yellow bulkhead flatcar and load is the work of Bob A, and is his first venture into the world of scratchbuilding. Not only is the car itself excellent, but the simulated load of plate steel is outstanding. The tie downs are thin drafting tape.

MEETINGS

The official weekly club work sessions are 9:00 to noon on Saturdays. The business meeting is the first Saturday of the month at sort of the same time. Some members are often present for work sessions, or just plain lollygagging on Wednesday and Friday mornings, about the same time as the Saturday schedule. but lately this has become a bit uncertain. If you want to come on a weekday morning and don’t have a key, it is best to call someone. For those not yet retired, a group meets starting about 7:00 pm on Tuesday evenings for a couple of hours. Many meet at 8:00 Saturday mornings at McKay’s Restaurant on 1113 Main Street, Commerce for breakfast, and extend an invitation to any who care to join them.

NOTICE — The next scheduled business meeting is 9:00 am, Saturday, February 3, 2018..

January BUSINESS MEETING SUMMARY

Bob Erwin, Secretary

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 9:15 am, January 6, 2018

PRESENT: Paul F, Tom B, Bob E, Ron M, Dave G, Bob T, Ray Y, Tom McC, Bob A, Jared P, Rob D, George F

PROXIES: None

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Accepted as published.

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

text

COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Submitted by Council Rep Paul F
No Meeting last month. Paul returned to the question regarding our continued membership in the Council: Do we stay or not? With an 80% share we still have to pull hours, but if we leave our share deposit with the Council we can rejoin at a later date. At the next meeting in ten days Paul will bring up the question at that meeting. Rob still wonders if Clinics can/will substitute for hours worked on the floor. No answer. Shares have been good to our pocket book. Our dues only cover the rent. Bob T brought up the annual price increases for the Plano Centre that are already reducing Council profits. Bob E made a motion that we dissolve our membership with the Council, but leave our deposit. This was seconded by Tom M. Motion carried. Paul will announce our departure at the next Council meeting.

Rob moved to increase dues by $5.00 a month to cover the loss of income created by our departure from the Council. Bob A seconded. In the discussion that followed, Bob T thought dues should increase only if and when our savings account dropped to a certain level. Tom M wanted to insure that new members would be told that a dues increase might occur. Rob stated that he thought it would behoove us to increase the dues now. Motion carried.

CLUB BUSINESS: Paul said he did not mean to insult anyone at the last meeting when he brought up the toilet paper problem. He also stated that he will retire from his job Feb 16, 2018. Rob reported the changes he made to the By-Laws to include child members. Rob read his addition to the By-Laws. During the discussion it was noted that the reduced dues for any child member would not create a draw on the club budget.

Bob T brought up a problem with the constitution. We do not have an official address. During the discussion Paul asked Ron if the club could use his address. Ron agreed. Bob T moved that the ETMRC official address become that of the treasurer, and changed if the treasurer changes. Rob seconded. Motion carried. Rob D presented his annual ETMRC awards. Since each member got one, we’ll pass on indentifying the titles, but they are on Rob’s blog site if you are interested.

Rob D moved that Nicholas be made ETMRC's first child member. Bob E seconded. Motion carried. Tom B reported on LeRoy H's condition. Added we might do something to cheer him up. A collection, a basket of fruit, etc. Membership agreed. Membership is to think about it and make a decision next week. Tom McCune suggested that the members call him.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:10 am.

Arborists at work — Ron M (left) and Tom McC (right)are planting grass and weeds at the north end of the Chyrokes yard near the tunnel under the main railroad terminal. Tom is applying glue to the area and Ron is waiting for him to move his big hands out of the way.

WHAT THE %*##% --?

A section to list strange happenings that really should be tracked down and fixed: Anyone? Anything?

Not too much to report this month. Bob T is attempting to trace and fix any electrical glitches as they are discovered, and Paul, Rob, Ron and others are doing the same for the track.

INFORMATION:

The following web sites are excellent sources of supplies (1) and data (4). (3) Is Rob D’s blog on the Model Railroad Hobbyist website. It is updated almost daily. One of our members also has a personal web site (3). Site (3) is Bob T’s summary of northeast Texas railroads. Site (4) has some interesting photos of Commerce area railroading over the years.

1. Micro-Mark
2. http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/18644?
3. http://geusnet.com/~rteeter/ for Bob T's personal web site
4. www.tamu-commerce.edu/library/collections/digital for Commerce Texas photos

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

February 10, 2018 — LSR Div. 3 Meeting, — Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Allen

February 20, 2018 — North Texas Council of Railroad Clubs, Irving.

REGIONAL RAILROAD PROTOTYPE NEWS

This is just a sampling of that’s going on in our area, which is defined to be whatever I think interesting, so the area can be fairly large. Or not. This month we are back to member profiles — Tom McC.

How I got into model railroading.
Tom McC

I really don’t know if I can say anything about how I got in model railroading you haven't heard. One of the many things my grandfather taught me in my first eleven years was to keep my mouth shut and ears open. I failed part one. He also threw me in the cabs of steam engines, which in my young age I despised. Diesels were neat. He insisted the diesels weren't here to stay. Must of had something to do with his being a retired Rock Island head boilermaker. As I matured, due to his putting me in steam engine cabs, I developed a uncanny love for steam engines and trains. My love never progressed far for diesels, but I do like Alcos.

At about age six my dad and granddad started having Santa leave Lionel, Marx and American Flyer under the tree. Soon I owned the dining table with trains, and when I discovered that S gauge Flyer trains didn't run on Lionel track, I also owned the living room floor. Somewhere in my teens I discovered HO scale and was hooked. However I still have boxes close to seventy years later which have lot of the Lionel. I doubt any of it runs and most are probably broken after many gentle military moves over 25 years and a couple moves imposed by me.

I was hooked on HO, but tried N scale for a few years and just couldn't water it enough for it to grow into a real train, so I shifted to HOn3. Narrow gauge has been a real love and passion for me. I have unbelievable movies and thousands of photos, having been to Colorado more than 20 times. However, when I was avid in it in HO, HOn3 trains ran like crap, even though the early brass models were expensive, accurate, and beautiful. Also, if you wanted cars it was mainly scratch build or early craftsman kits. Over time, I kept getting more standard gauge.

I had a layout that started in a 40 by 40 foot basement in the early 90's and kept growing and growing, eventually eliminating the narrow gauge. That would never have happened if Blackstone had been around. I tore it down when I moved to Texas, and am currently starting a newer smaller layout. I do not miss Washington or the layout, but I sure miss the op- sessions and my friends there. I wasn't born a train nut, but thanks to my Granddad, I have lived and will die one. I have managed to belong to three clubs and be officer in two, including president of one. Give Paul credit, no one in there right mind takes that job. But then again there is no other club I have ever seen that gets along like this one.

How Things Were — Ex-Cotton Belt 4-8-4 number 819 gallops along the old SSW main near Pittsburgh, TX on its last excursion run in 1999. The last four of these locomotives, the pride of Cotton Belt, were built by the railroad and were regular visitors to the C-line through Commerce and Greenville. The flaw in the center of the photo the looks like a hair and was probably on the camera lens.