North Raleigh Model Railroad Club

News & Information

Highlights of the Club's October Meeting
Raleigh, October 1, 2008

Fourteen members attended the Club's October meeting, hosted by David McDowell — thanks David. Jim Anderson has rejoined the NRMRC after several years absence — welcome back, Jim.

President Wallis called the meeting together at 7:30pm. The Treasurer's reports for September was approved.

A number of train shows were discussed.

• The club received $150 and a certificate for our participation in the Great Train Expo Show on September 13 and 14, 2008

• The Danville Old 97 Rail Days was held September 27 – 29, 2008, and was a great success. The freeform layout had six up/down routes to/from the Mountain Division track, and many alternate routing choices. All tracks were DCC, and the layout was operated "any track, any direction".

• Selma Rail Days will be held October 3 – 4, 2008. Setup for Selma was Wednesday, October 1. The layout will operate for Selma school children on Friday and the public on Saturday.

• The NRV Train Show is scheduled for November 8 – 9, 2008. Our layout will be the same length as 2007, but will be 4' wider. (Raleigh Yard was not available for last year's show.) Bill Royse will be the on-site Show Superintendent. More information to come via the email list.

• A preliminary organization meeting for an NTRAK gathering in 2010 was held at the Danville show. As in previous years, this will be an uNcoNveNtioN — No Bull III. The tentative dates are March 12 – 21, 2010 at Broad Street Station in Richmond, VA. The overall layout concept will be the same as Danville, which will be set up and debugged the first weekend at No BUll III. Other attendees and modules will be added for the second weekend. RANTrak has the action to work dates and location with the Science Museum of Virginia.

Standards Committee projects were discussed.

• Some further tweaking of tee/yard module operations were done at Danville, including fixing some sluggish turnouts. David Derway agreed to repair or replace the left red turnout leading from the tee module into the yard. David Thompson is modifying the Crossover Module to provide for a more reliable operating mechanism, and replace a bent rail.

• Linwood Wells has ordered the turnouts and track needed for the update to the Mountain Turnaround Corner module.

• Jim Anderson agreed to do the scenery modifications and refurbishment to Anderson Transition.

In other business, Powerpole connectors have been ordered for the new modules that will be built by members, for the Mountain Turnaround module, along with spares some of which may be used for protected section jumper cables relating to Geezer Gate.

The replacement mirror signs have been received.

The business meeting ended at 8:15pm.

Following the break David Derway presented detailed program on the automation of the test layout using Digitrax components and JMRI software, showing each step involved with setting up the software for block detection, transponding and signal operation. A copy of the Power POint presentation covering this program will be sent to all members via the email list. Thanks, David.
 

Highlights of the Club's September Meeting
Raleigh, September 4, 2008

Twelve members attended the Club's September meeting, hosted by David McDowell — thanks David.

President Wallis called the meeting together at 7:30pm. The Treasurer's reports for August was approved.

A number of train shows were discussed.

• A Great Train Expo Show will be held at the NC State Fairgrounds (Exhibition Building) on September 13 and 14, 2008. We have received confirmation of out place in the show. The first cut layout diagram will be sent out for comment. Setup will begin on Friday, September 12 at noon, with loading at the storage shed at 11:)0am.

• Danville Old 97 Rail Days will be held September 27 – 29, 2008. Tim Hammack of LANS is show superintendent, and has sent out a preliminary layout design. Hotel information was sent to members via the email list..

• Selma Rail Days will be held October 3 – 4, 2008. Show Superintendent Don Cariss stated we would be up and running on Friday October 3 for the school children as usual. Setup for Selma will be Wednesday, October 1. Don will send an email to the list with details.

• The NRV Train Show is scheduled for November 8 – 9, 2008. Our layout will be the same length as 2007, but will be 4' wider. (Raleigh Yard was not available for last year's show.)

Standards Committee projects were discussed.

• There is a minor alignment problem with the T-module that must be addressed when setting up the module. This will be repaired as time permits.

• The club agreed to Linwood Wells' plan to modify and update the Mountain Turnaround Corner module, which will enable it to be used as a normal corner module while retaining the turnaround loop. Funds were approved for the necessary material. Linwood tentatively plans to have it available for the NRV show.

• Track modifications to Anderson Transition are complete, and wiring is underway. The module will be in the GTE layout, where the track changes will be verified. We will be then looking for a volunteer to refurbish the scenery.

• Recessed folding legs have been installed on the two inside corner modules and some tracks repaired by David Derway — thanks David. The LocoNet bus and scenery need to be installed on the second inside corner.

The club voted to pay for the repairs to the two broken mirror signs. The new mirrors have been shipped.

October refreshments will be provided by Mark Blaustein.

The business meeting ended at 7:53pm.

Following the break David Derway presented a 5-minute modeling clinic on Making Trees using the kit available from Woodland Scenics. Thanks, David.

David McDowell and John Wallis conducted the program on Basic Wiring and Wiring an NTRAK module. David demonstrated how to solder a feeder to N scale track and a module was used as an example of how a module should be wired. It was emphasized that the NTRAK Recommended Practice on Module Wiring is the standard in the NRMRC. Thanks, David and John.
 

Highlights of the Club's August Meeting
Raleigh, August 6, 2008

Fifteen members attended the Club's August meeting, hosted by David McDowell — thanks David.

President Wallis called the meeting together at 7:32pm. The Treasurer's reports for June and July were approved.

A number of train shows were discussed.

• A Great Train Expo Show will be held at the NC State Fairgrounds (Exhibition Building) on September 13 and 14, 2008. Our layout application (20' x 60') has been received by GTE. John Wallis, Show Superintendent, will be sending out an email this weekend re the show and soliciting module commitments for the layout.

• Danville Old 97 Rail Days will be held September 27 – 29, 2008. Tim Hammack of LANS is show superintendent, and has sent out a preliminary layout design. Module commitments and hotel room requirements were discussed.

• Selma Rail Days will be held October 3 – 4, 2008. Show Superintendent Don Cariss stated we would be up and running on Friday October 3 for the school children as usual. Normal set up for this show is the previous weekend, but this year there is a conflict with Danville. Setup for Selma will thus be Wednesday, October 1. Don will send an email to the list with details.

• The NRV Train Show is scheduled for November 8 – 9, 2008. Our layout will be the same length as 2007, but will be 4' wider. (Raleigh Yard was not available for last year's show.)

Standards Committee projects were discussed.

• There is a minor alignment problem with the T-module that must be addressed when setting up the module. This will be repaired as time permits.

• The club agreed to Linwood Wells' plan to modify and update the Mountain Turnaround Corner module, which will enable it to be used as a normal corner module while retaining the turnaround loop. Funds were approved for the necessary material. Linwood tentatively plans to have it available for the NRV show.

• Track modifications to Anderson Transition are underway. Once complete we will be looking for a volunteer to refurbish the scenery.

• Recessed folding legs have been installed on the two inside corner modules and some tracks repaired by David Derway — thanks David. The LocoNet bus still needs to be installed on the second inside corner.

The club voted to pay for the repairs to the two broken mirror signs.

September meeting refreshments will be provided by David Derway (food) and Jim Reske (drinks). October refreshments will be provided by Mark Blaustein.

The business meeting ended at 8:12pm.

Following the break Joel McCurry conducted the program on building an NTRAK module. The discussion primarily dealt with module frame and track requirements, and how to properly interpret the standards specified in the NTRAK manual. He also provided many hints and recommendations not written in the manual that help make things better and easier. Joel also made a very profound statement, that it takes approximately one man-hour per module to set up an NTRAK layout. Discussion also ranged over topics such as the number and location of track feeders, show etiquette, and types of track. Thanks Joel. Indications are that four modules will be constructed as part of this and subsequent programs.
 

Highlights of the Club's July Meeting
Holly Springs, July 9, 2008

Seven members and one guest attended the Club's July meeting, hosted by Jim Reske — thanks Jim.

President Wallis called the meeting together at 7:36pm. Since there was not a quorum present no official business was conducted; items requiring membership vote will be voted upon at the August meeting. The Treasurer's Report for May was presented and agreed to by those present. Four of the seven members who were dropped from the Club's Roster for non-payment of 2008 dues in June have since paid their dues and been re-instated.

A number of train shows were discussed.

• The National NTRAK Convention Derby City Express held in Louisville, KY the last week of June was discussed. All who attended enjoyed the Convention.

• A Great Train Expo Show will be held at the NC State Fairgrounds (Exhibition Building) on September 13 and 14, 2008. Our layout application (20' x 60') has been received by GTE.

• Danville Old 97 Rail Days will be held September 27 – 29, 2008. Tim Hammack of LANS is show superintendent.

Standards Committee projects were discussed.

• Based on the use of Raleigh Yard at Derby City Express it was determined that the red track turnout to the yard on the left hand side of the T-modules needs to be replaced, and that additional framework in the center of the T-module is needed to prevent flexing of the module.

• Linwood Wells has agreed to modify the Mountain Turnaround Corner module to remove the turnaround loop, add a normal Mountain corner track and add a mine spur replacing the turnaround track. He will retrieve the module from the storage shed this weekend and determine the schedule.

• After reviewing Anderson Transition and discussing plans for the track changes it was agreed that the alternate branch track would terminate on the module as a alternate branch-to-blue track. The group agreed with the funding request for the new turnouts.

• Tom Fredenberg has left for a 6-month work tour in Afghanistan. While he is gone we will keep Brothers and Traxtown Ridge modules and obtain Anderson Farm when he returns.

There was extensive discussion of the DCC equipment and operations at Derby City Express.

The business meeting ended at 8:20pm.

Due to the small attendance and the fact that only one of the members who wanted to build an NTRAK module was present the program on Constructing an NTRAK Module was deferred to the August meeting. Subsequent programs will be moved back one month with either the October or November program moved into 2009; this page will be updated once this is complete.

Members then went to Jim's train room where we did an examination of Jim's Hamlet NC module and ran trains; Linwood Wells demonstrated an Atlas GP40 that had a MRC sound decoder installed. Results of the module inspection will be sent to Jim; he is planning for this module to be in the NRV show in November.
 

Highlights of the Club's June Meeting
Raleigh, June 4, 2008

Thirteen members attended the Club's June meeting, hosted by Monty Smith — thanks Monty.

President Wallis called the meeting together at 7:31pm. The Treasurer's Report for May was presented and approved. Several members were dropped from the Club's Roster for non-payment of 2008 dues.

A number of train shows were discussed.

• The National NTRAK Convention is scheduled for Louisville, KY in June. Details of the Eastern N Lines loop, of which we are a part, are close to final. The DCC Design Specification final issue was released on June 1, and can be accessed at www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/DCE_DCC_Design_Spec_Final.pdf.
  
  Some module names and descriptions still need to be submitted so signs can be made to attach to the modules in Louisville.

• A Great Train Expo Show will be held at the NC State Fairgrounds (Exhibition Building) on September 13 and 14, 2008. Our layout application (20' x 60') has been received by GTE.

Standards Committee projects were discussed.

• Testing of the reconstruction and automation of the Raleigh Yard T-module and Crossover module have been underway, with several issues identified and resolved. Minor issues and scenery updating (ballast on the relaid track) remain.

• Linwood Wells has agreed to modify the Mountain Turnaround Corner module to remove the turnaround loop, add a normal Mountain corner track and add a mine spur replacing the turnaround track. No schedule has currently been set.

• Don Cariss advised that both inside corner modules will be complete and ready to go to Louisville.

• John Wallis has contacted Tom Fredenberg to arrange transfer of Anderson Farm to the club, and Brothers and Traxtown Ridge modules to Tom. The Club will need to construct a 2' bridge module to replace Traxtown Ridge. Once Anderson Farm is collected John Wallis will prepare a Statement of Work (SOW) for its rebuild. Following Louisville John will do the track and wiring work already approved for Anderson Transition then solicit a volunteer to finish the scenery. The same approach will be used for Anderson Farm once the SOW is approved. No response yet from Tom.

• The addition of folding leg to the Anderson and Harker Corner modules was discussed, and tabled. The construction of the frames does not lend itself to ready adaptation to folding legs. The issue will be studied for future consideration.

David Derway brought the Club shirts order for delivery and payment.

The business meeting ended at 7:55pm.

Following the break Bill Royse and John Wallis presented a preview of Derby City Express, plus programmed a number of locomotives to the operator's registration number. Thanks, Bill and John.
 

Highlights of the Club's May Meeting
Cary, May 7, 2008

Twelve members attended the Club's May meeting, hosted by Brian Sadler — thanks Brian.

President Wallis called the meeting together at 7:30pm. The Treasurer's Report for April was presented and approved. Seven members have not yet paid their club dues for 2008. The Club's cutoff date for dues is the end of March (per our Bylaws); these seven members will be sent a final notice; revocation of membership will occur at the June meeting for any who have not paid.

A number of train shows were discussed.

• The Spencer Rail Days show on April 26 and 27, 2008 turned out to be a challenge, yet overall was enjoyed by all. The space assigned was smaller than we had been told so Superintendent Dave Thompson's first task was to re-size the layout to fit the space; a few modules were not used. His next challenge was legs for the Club corners, which were left in the storage shed; this was solved by a visit to Lowe's. The final challenge was the uneven floor, thus setup took significantly longer than usual as we aligned the Schaefer blocks.

• The Springmoor Nursing Home show was again very successful and enjoyed by the residents. Eight members participated in setting up the 8' x 12' layout and running trains. We have already been invited back next year.

• The National NTRAK Convention is scheduled for Louisville, KY in June. Details of the Eastern N Lines loop, of which we are a part, are close to final. Draft 3 of the DCC Design Specification has been released and is considered virtually final; this draft can be accessed at www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/3rd_Draft_DCE_DCC_Design_Spec.pdf. The convention hotel is almost sold out so anyone still needing to make a reservation should do so as soon as possible. More information, including setup dates and times, will be sent via email.
  
  Module owners have been asked to prepare module names and description so signs can be made to attach to the modules in Louisville.
  
  John Wallis will construct some additional Powerpole-to-Cinch-Jones cable adapters.
  
  The June program will feature a Preview of the Derby City Express. Bill Royse and John Wallis will also have a decoder programming station so that attendees can have their locomotives programmed to their registration number; bring your locomotives.

• A Great Train Expo Show will be held at the NC State Fairgrounds (Exhibition Building) on September 13 and 14, 2008. Our layout application (20' x 60') has been received by GTE.

Standards Committee projects were discussed.

• Linwood Wells has agreed to modify the Mountain Turnaround Corner module to remove the turnaround loop, add a normal Mountain corner track and add a mine spur replacing the turnaround track. No schedule has currently been set.

• One of the inside corners built by Don Cariss, named Wreck Corner, was complete and used in the Spencer show; minor scenery details, removal of excess ballast and relocation of the LocoNet connector boxes are needed to complete the module. Don is working to complete the second inside corner and hopes to finish within a couple of months.

• John Wallis has contacted Tom Fredenberg to arrange transfer of Anderson Farm to the club, and Brothers and Traxtown Ridge modules to Tom. The Club will need to construct a 2' bridge module to replace Traxtown Ridge. Once Anderson Farm is collected John Wallis will prepare a Statement of Work (SOW) for its rebuild. Following Louisville John will do the track and wiring work already approved for Anderson Transition then solicit a volunteer to finish the scenery. The same approach will be used for Anderson Farm once the SOW is approved.

David Derway has received the order for Club shirts, and will bring them to the June meeting for delivery and payment. Prices are:

The business meeting ended at 7:58pm.

Following the break Brian Sadler presented a program on "Photography & Model Railroading". Thanks, Brian.
 

Older Meeting Notes

To access Monthly Meeting Notes older than 6 months Click Here to access the Meeting Notes Archives page.
 

The following are future Train Shows in which the NRMRC is planning to participate:

David Derway is taking orders for Club shirts. Estimated price is $20 + shipping for shirts without an embroidered name and $25 + shipping for shirts with name embroidered. Different shirts available are:

• Blue denim shirt with long sleeves and pocket including NRMRC Logo, with/without embroidered name.

• Blue denim shirt with short sleeves and pocket, including NRMRC Logo, with/without embroidered name.

• Light gray Polo shirt with short sleeves, no pocket, including NRMRC Logo, with/without embroidered name.

The Standards Committee has a number of projects underway, as follows:

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 7:30pm

Host: Donald Cariss

If you are visiting this area or you are a non-Member and would like an invitation and directions to this meeting, send us an E-mail.

NRMRC monthly meetings are normally held the first Wednesday of each month in various Members' homes, starting at 7:30pm. The Annual Meeting each January is normally a dinner meeting held at a local restaurant held the second Wednesday, and the July meeting is normally the second Wednesday to avoid the July 4th holiday. Meetings generally include a business meeting, a program topic (see below) and socializing.
 

October 16 – 19, 2008

National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)
Mid-Eastern Region (MER) Convention
Potomac Junction 2008

Sheraton Reston Hotel
11810 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20191

 
Prototype activities available during the Convention include tours of the Vulcan Quarry, the Merant Power Plant and Amtrak's Ivy City Maintenance Facility

Model railroad activities include clinics, model contest, auction, operations call board and home layout tours.

For up-to-date information go to home.comcast.net/~potomac_nmra/MER2008/

This is a listing of prototype excursions scheduled in the near future and departing from locations within a few hours drive of the Research Triangle Park area.

Spencer NC to Charlottesville VA & Return
November 1 – 2, 2008

The N.C. Transportation Museum will host the Virginia Autumn Train Excursion bound for Charlottesville, Va. on November 1-2. Presented by The N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the excursion offers rare daylight trips through the rolling hills of the Carolinas and the Western part of Central Virginia, using Amtrak and vintage rail equipment. The excursion departs at 7 a.m. from the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer and arrives at 8 a.m. at the newly restored Greensboro Amtrak Station. Passengers will then travel a railroad line that crests the legendary White Oak Mountain, past the Dan, Roanoke, and James Rivers, arriving in Charlottesville, Va. at 12 p.m.

Home of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is full of history, and a short walk to the historic downtown mall offers unique shopping and dining opportunities. This year, passengers can board at one of two locations, the NC Transportation Museum at 411 S. Salisbury Avenue in Spencer and the newly renovated Amtrak Station at 236 East Washington Street in Greensboro. The train will depart from Spencer at 7am and from Greensboro at 8:15am. The return trip will depart Charlottesville at 2:45pm and arrive in Spencer at 8pm.

These trips are sponsored by the N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation (NCTMF), the non-profit support group for the N.C. Transportation Museum, and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (WATV). These are not regularly scheduled Amtrak trains, and cannot be booked or tickets purchased through Amtrak. For reservations and information, you must call 704-636-2889 ext. 232, or visit www.nctrans.org.

Tickets are priced at $135 per person for Coach accommodation, $225 for Premium First Class and $250 for Dome First Class.

To read articles from TRAKing Ahead, the former Newsletter of the North Raleigh Model Railroad Club, click in the appropriate box below for prototype or model railroad oriented articles, or for stories of actual train trips taken by our Members.
 

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The NRMRC is a Not-For-Profit Corporation incorporated in North Carolina.
The various logos and heralds shown here are the property of their respective organizations.

Last updated: Monday October 6, 2008

North Raleigh Model Railroad Club
Webmaster: John M Wallis (Email)