These excerpts from our club newsletter the Waybill have been selected from several past issues. For more newsletter clippings, see page 1 and page 3.
The August '97 Greenberg Show
by Ed Claypool (published Sept/Oct 1997)
The South Jersey 'S' Gaugers won first prize at the Greenberg Show in Pennsauken, NJ the weekend of August 16-17. That makes four in four shows! We're batting 1.000. The layout featured some additions; a 1:1 scale signal light, an elevated city scene by Wayne Schneyer and Walt Mumie, and a mail car. There were 17 club members in attendance on Saturday and 13 on Sunday.
Our sincere thanks to Don Thompson for allowing our club to use many of the S Helper Service releases on the layout. These included the bulkhead flat cars with load, steel rebuilt box cars, stock cars, USRA SS wooden box cars and PS-2 covered hoppers. Don, You're an ace!
Hank's How To... Pantograph Hold
Down for the GG-1
by Hank Worrell (published Sept/Oct 1997)
Did you ever see the horror of a GG-1 slamming to a dead halt because its panagraph was open too far to fit under a tunnel or overpass? Not a pretty sight, or welcome sound, when it happens. Here's how you can prevent that problem from occurring...
Materials needed:
-small flat needle nose pliers
-tape measure
-flat black paint, or Blackn-it
-thin stiff wireSteps to follow (see detail #1):
- From one end of wire, measure in 1/8 inch and make a 90 degree bend with pliers at A (make all bends in wire on the same plane)
- Measure 1/16 inch from same end of wire (half-way to bend A) and make 90 degree bend at B. This forms top of Hold Down.
- Measure 1 inch from bend A to point C; this will make the top of the panagraph 3 7/8 inches from top of rail (this length can be adjusted to suit).
- Measure 3/16 inch from bend C and make a 90 degree bend at D.
- Measure 1/8 inch from bend D and cut wire.
- File any sharp edges.
- Clean hold down, and paint flat black or Blackn-it.
Installing Hold Down (see detail #2):
- Place bottom of Hold Down under panagraph bar A to inside of bar B.
- Holding Hold Down, bring panagrah down and place top of Hold Down into hole at top of brass panagraph and release.
A Visit by the Baltimore Area Flyers Club
by Michael McConnell (published July/August
1997)
Early on May 3rd, a rainy overcast Saturday, the South Jersey S' Gaugers were paid a visit by eleven members of the Baltimore Area American Flyer Club. The visit was arranged through David Avedesian, who is also a member of our club. The other Baltimore members were: Ed Slicher, Bob Davison, Rod Charlton, Barry Berson, Joe Schmidt, Lee Scott, Ron Kolb, Bill Carder, George Glover and Ron Oktanec.
The day's itinerary included tours of the layouts of six SJSG members. The Baltimore Club joined up with tour guides Hank Worrell and Wayne Schneyer, who led them from one members home to another. The caravan of six cars made their first stop in Northeast Philadelphia at the home of Joe Wagner about 9:45 a.m.
Joe's layout, a work-in-progress, had some special features that caught the eye of the Baltimore group. In addition to the working Bascale bridge that raises and lowers over a waterway (complete with lighted tug), the upper level included a 27 car Illinois Central unit train. The lower level was no less impressive with some samples of Joe's painting and weathering expertise, including a four-bay engine house with multiple GG1's, two repainted in Penn Central colors. The addition of two 'S' welders with electronic welding effects give the engine house a look of bustling activity. A completed upper-level town also features a new Heritage trolley.
After a liberal dose of coffee and donuts, the traveling crew took a quick walk a few blocks away to visit Great Traditions. Proprietor Jim Paulie features plenty of 'S' products, including many top-notch Flyer collectibles. Handy-wipes were passed around to keep drooling to a minimum.
The next stop brought the group into New Jersey where they stopped at the home of Rick Wark about 12:30. Rick, with the help of SJSG member Tom McDonald, put out a nice spread for lunch and everyone enjoyed the fact the weather was clearing up nicely. Rick's attic layout is an active one, with seven trains running on six loops spread out over three levels. One track is a point-to-point that features the stop-and-go action of Dallee Electronic controls. Another feature is the pneumatically controlled switches, which are silent and move realistically slow. Rick's running gear is equally impressive and features a re-painted Challenger in UP colors, with "elephant ear" smoke deflectors, and an articulated 4-6-6-4 steam engine made up from modified Flyer parts. That really caught the eye of some of the Baltimore members.
Hank and Wayne had to work at getting the caravan back on the road to the next host, Henry 'Mort' Mortimer. Joining the group was SJSG members Neil Bishop, Steve Cuccinotta, and President Bill Moore. Mort's layout is growing nicely, now that the obstructing wall is out of the way. Mort's American models code 148 track is coming along, and his helix to the soon-to-be-started second level is ready to begin construction. Mort's almost-scale DC powered layout is smooth running and promises to be a real eye-catcher.
The fifth stop of the day was at Chicks Hobby Center, the local watering hole for members hopelessly addicted to railroading in 'S'. To prove the point, several SJSG members joined the crowd. Chick's layout is unique, more of a test track for testing his "Flyer can motor" modifications and custom trackwork. The layout's "work areas" have several experiments and mechanical creations-in-progress on display. Chick also modifies Flyer engines with Digitrax and SoundTrax modules, of which a few conversions were demonstrated to the Baltimore Club members.
Bill Moore took the opportunity to show off his SoundTrax converted 0-8-0 running on DC. The digital control includes working directional lights, a firebox, and even the sound effects of a coal-shoveling fireman. Bill's favorite toy was also demonstrated, a radio-controlled rail traveling crane made up from a Flyer Brownhoist and a box car turned into a maintenance-of-way car. The three-channel radio-controlled crane can swivel left or right, raise and lower the boom and/or the hook. It can really mess with your mind to see the work train pull into a siding, then reach out and lift a de-railed car. . . and no five-fingered crane in sight! The Baltimore members took the time to present our club with a custom painted Flyer caboose featuring their club colors and roadname and a build date of 05/03/97. A nice gesture by the Baltimore Area Flyer Club.
The last stop brought the car caravan to the home of Michael McConnell. Dinner for the Baltimore Club members proudly exhibited the local cuisine. Pizza, chips, crackers and other snacks were quickly dispatched with, then on to the center of attention. Michael's basement "Christmas" layout was still in operation despite the fact the Holiday ended months ago (see, it pays to procrastinate!) The traditional American Flyer toy train layout with two loops of Flyer track and roadbed on an 11x17 'L' shaped table had lots of Plasticville buildings forming a town, rural area, suburbs and industrial area. A background mountain had two additional loops of really far away Flyer trains (surprisingly close to 'N' scale!). Plenty of operating Flyer accessories including; sawmill, oil drum loader, seaboard coal loader, log loader, Gabe the Lamplighter and Mystic station were all demonstrated. A unique item was the twin overhead rail trolley that ran through the downtown area.
About 8:00 p.m. the Baltimore gang announced they had a very enjoyable day, and thanks were passed both ways. The visiting club faced a two-hour trip home to bring the long day to a close. The South Jersey 'S' Gaugers would like to express their thanks to the Baltimore Club members to taking the time to visit our member layouts, and giving us a chance to show off our hobby efforts. We look forward to seeing all the Baltimore members again.
Layout Display at A.I. Du Pont Childrens Hospital
by Michael McConnell (published March/April 1998)
Our club President, Bill Moore, first proposed the idea of putting our clubs layout on display at the Childrens Hospital in Wilmington DE around Thanksgiving of last year. Bill, who was a patient at the hospital in his youth, had a special interest in doing something for the kids at the hospital. Since then, the club has been organizing and putting together the two day display for the "outpatient" lobby of the hospital.
Sunday, March 1st was the day the layout was setup and prepared for the two day showing. We made several major changes to the layout to accommodate our special visitors. The biggest was accomplished by our resident carpenter, Tom McDonald, who made a complete set of new legs for the display. Our normal layout height of 42 inches was way too tall for a lot of the kids, especially those confined to a wheelchair. Tom’s new legs brought the layout down to a much more viewable 24" (I must admit, that height sure adds a new perspective to the layout!)
A small army of club members was on hand to setup the display. Hank Worrell, Tom McDonald, Rick Wark, Bill Moore, Dave Pierce, Tom WIlliams, myself and a few others whose names I did not record, were on hand to tackle setting up the new configuration. While Hank worked on shortening the layout side curtains so they would hang properly, everyone else pitched in and carted in materials from the trailer and started setting up the layout. Except for the new challenge of crawling under the layout, everything went smoothly. I won’t mention the number of times I heard someone shout "earthquake!" whenever I tried to stand up too soon and smacked my head under the layout. I know quite a few trees were replanted more than once.
The logistical problem of getting members to work the display during Monday and Tuesday of a normal work week was never an issue, since as many as seven club members were present at times. I was unable to make it on Monday (March 2nd) but I understand Bill Moore, Ed Savage, Walt Mumie, Ray Jones and Tom Williams were on hand, and several others as well. The lobby is quite large and full of large and small stuffed animals (Rick became quite friendly with a certain seven foot giraffe). The kids were instantly drawn to the layout when they entered the lobby (I suppose the train whistle and smell of American Flyer smoke may have had something to do with it!). The faces around the layout would come and go as the day progressed, but we always had an audience. As usual, the mail car was a big attraction getter, especially whenever the mailbag would get tossed over the layout edge and go bouncing into the hallway. A small race between several kids to be the first to retrieve the mailbag was the usual result.
On Tuesday, Steve Cucinatto, Jerry Mackey, Hank Worrell, Tom Williams, Bill Moore, Ray Ferrall, Joe Balcer and I were indoctrinated to the early morning crowd. I arrived about 8:00 a.m. and had to stand in line at the main door to get inside the lobby. What a crowd! I understand an average of three to four hundred children and their parents go through the lobby in the course of a day.
Once inside, I was curious why the layout seemed so quiet, until I was informed the steam trains and whistles and other layout items made enough noise to interfere with the signing in process of the patients. After about 10:00 or so, we had a free hand to run trains the way we normally do. Dave brought his home-grown circus train with the Franklin engine and modified circus coach. The coach has a Ott sound unit that plays calliope music, and it sure grabs the kids attention. Another little accessory that brought the kids around was the American Flyer Rocket car. Even though it wouldn’t navigate our tunnel (it’s too tall) the sight of the Rocket popping up five feet or so above the crowd makes you take notice.
I was really impressed with the kids though, mostly well mannered and polite, they were curious and seemed quite pleased that our layout was in the lobby. Many times I saw a family standing and watching, and comments like "see they’re just like ours" would just catch your ear. Some of the kids who were spending time in the hospital came down on Tuesday, on foot or in wheelchairs, and just spent time watching the trains run ‘round. Even the nurses and other hospital staff would stop by, some with cameras, and chat with us for a few minutes.
I was very glad I was able to participate in our club’s display, and want to thank Bill Moore for working so hard to organize the event, and all the other club members for making everything work so smoothly. I hope we will have the opportunity to try other events like this in the future.
Copyright ©2001, 2002 South Jersey "S" Gaugers. Portions of this WEB site may be reproduced by non-profit organizations providing proper credit is given. Total duplication of this WEB site is not permitted.
