The Passing Track
January, 2010 Newsletter of the
|
2009
Modeler of the Year
The Rogue Valley
Model Railroad Club has seen many significant changes this year: the Keno Helix and the entire Klamath Falls
District were designed and constructed, card shelves and handy pull-out drawers
have been installed throughout the layout, trackside industries and aerial
photographs were studied and numerous permanent and temporary scenes were
crafted, a multi-circuited electrical outlet system has been wired, our
signaling system has been integrated into the layout, our website has been
revamped, and our first op sessions in many years have been successfully
executed and dispatched.
All of this
has been the product of countless hours of work by many. There are, however, two individuals whose
vision and tireless work have made all these changes possible. Both these members have been involved in
every phase of work, and they have helped craft the layout to museum quality
standards. These members hold us all to
high standards so that the result of our labor is a model railroad of which we
can be proud and which differs from the real thing only in scale. These individuals are educators, they are
craftsmen, and they possess every quality necessary to be called this year’s
Modeler of the Year.
The
recipients of this year’s award were chosen, as always, by those who received
this award over the past three years.
The decision for the winners of this year’s award was unanimous.
The Rogue
Valley Modelers of the Year are Dave Spakousky and Larry Tuttle.
Permanent
Layout Work Continues
by Larry Tuttle
There's
been a rather amazing amount of progress on the P&E during December, a
month which typically sees members drift off to pursuits of the family and the
holidaze.
Ed Kleinman at work on the panel in the
Medco Pit. Shows some of the wiring and all that's going into the signal
system, and Ed's intensity when it comes to doing this work.
For starters, Ed and Dave have been doing an incredible
amount of work on the signal system and rewiring around Medco,
First a short quiz:
In the picture below, Dave:
A. Just stuck his finger into a 120 volt outlet
B. Being himself at the end of 24 consecutive night shifts.
C. Just got a Christmas "Goose"
D. Celebrating successful wiring of the second S-MINI board.
Actually, this is the new
S-MINI board and related wiring in the "Medco Hole". If you
guessed "B", you're correct.
The picture below features two
noteworthy accomplishments. First, on the left is new Medco Plywood mill
building which Jay and Larry have been working on. Getting the roof to
curve down and stick to the formers was a chore which finally worked.
(And yes, Larry removed all the scrap iron and cleaned up the mess at the end
of the KF peninsula.) The printed sides which Jay made are stood up for
effect (a very good effect!) while a train sits nearby. (Note the signal
to the right of the locomotive). Also, note the blue soffit above the
scene -- this was just installed today and will help create additional realism
with low angle photography. And, don't the doors look better painted sky
blue (just wait until Gerritsma comes across with his mountains of
Finally,
Jay and Larry have conspired to rebuild the
Amtrak
Came Calling
With the series of storms slamming
Amtrak
management was heard saying that the P&E was a nice change of scenery for
the crew and passengers alike and might consider a light schedule thru the
Southern Cascades rather than risk the hazards of the
Amtrak Coast Starlight dropping downgrade
between Butte Fall and Derby
(Web Master’s Note: Following the
publication of the January PT, our Erstwhile Editor and Backdrop Painter Extraordinaire,
John Gerritsma, offered to photoshop a trestle on this picture. Eventually, Tim Jamin volunteered to take on
the building of the high steel trestle from a Micro Engineering kit for this
location.)
The Rogue Valley Model Railroad Club board
of directors met on
Dave Spakousky shared the progress of
dropping feeder wires from signal #17 to signal #11 to the electrical bus
line. Replacement DB-200 Boosters and
some throttles are ordered and scheduled to arrive at Eugene Toy and Hobby on
November 17. Jerry Helinga requested the
Board approve an increase in the budget line for DCC equipment to cover the
cost of the additional supplies.
Brad Fawcett queried the board as to what
layout the club is planning for the railroad show and who/how many members will
be attending (for name tag purposes).
Dick Stark offered to arrange for the rental truck. The board approved the donation of P&E
boxcars (one of each color) for raffle prizes at the RR show.
Larry Tuttle's program for the January General
Membership Meeting is on the evolution of a scene.
E. Don has checked almost all of the rolling
stock now on the layout.
Jay Mudge provided details of the Club's
Christmas party. It will be held
December 4th at the Black Bear Restaurant at
The Eagle Point Library is asking for a
display. Jim will contact Bruce about
using items in our display.
Dave Spakousky proposes to build a small
basic children's layout to set up on Sunday runs, much like the Public Railroad
at the annual show. The goal is to give
kids hands-on opportunities.
The
meeting was adjourned at
Club members, families,
and guests enjoying the annual Club Christmas Party and Dinner
at Black Bear
Restaurant
February 2010
Calendar of Events