august 2013 callboardartistry and they made a nice donation to shirely. i have a really good feeling...

REDWOOD EMPIRE DIVISION JULY - SEPTEMBER 2013

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In this EditionFront Office

Page 4

Show and TellPage 5

Fall PicnicSturgeon Mill

Page 7-8

NMRA NewsPage 9

CongratulationsMMR 5130

Tips and TechniquesPage 13

CALLBOARDSturgeon Mill Picnic

September 14thOperating SessionDon’t pass up this great gathering

Details on Page 7-8 Inside!

Check Page 8 for the secret lunch reward!


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Dave’s CornerDave Croshere RED Director

Empire Staff Roster

DIRECTORDave Croshere

1331 Enos AvenueSebastopol, CA(707) 829-9220

E-mail- [email protected]

SUPERINTENDENTDick Foster

219 Avenida Barbera,Sonoma CA 95476

707-935-6215E-mail: [email protected]

CHIEF CLERKVerne Alexander907 Grouse Lane

Petaluma, CA 94954(707) 763-9072

E-mail: [email protected]

CONTESTSGiuseppe Aymar

1330 Medical Center DriveRohnert Park, CA 94928


MEMBERSHIPGus Campagna

1915 William DrPenngrove CA 94957-9524

E-mail :[email protected]

NOMINATIONSOpen

ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAMGiuseppe Aymar

1330 Medical Center DriveRohnert Park, CA 94928


ESTATE COUNSELORDon Clauder

305 Garfield Park, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 (707)539-3510

CALLBOARD EDITORDick Foster

219 Avenida Barbera,Sonoma CA 95476

707-935-6215E-mail: [email protected]

It seems like it has been a long summer without a RED meeting. Many modelers have been away on vacation or just pursuing other activities. Not having our summer meeting at Ron Kaiser’s West Side Farms was unfortunate. We’re sure Ron’s new home and layout will be just as good, if not better than his last. That seems impossible. Our summer meet will be at Sturgeon’s Saw Mill on the 16th of September. It should be most interesting and a great time. Make sure to mark this date on your calendars. Directions are elsewhere in the Call Board.

The RED now has a new Superintendent in Dick Foster. Dick is a very well organized person and the RED will fair quite nicely under his leadership. Thanks to Dick for excepting the nomination and agreeing to continue to edit the Call Board.

Verne Alexander has agreed to continue as Chief Clerk for another two years. He said up front there will be some

mailto:[email protected]















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schedule conflicts with his commitment to attend his granddaughter’s cheerleading competition. Verne has done a very good job for the previous two years and I’m sure we can pitch hit for him when needed during the next two years.

Bill Murray is a long time RED member who contacted Gus Campagna requesting some help in dismantling his HO layout from an upstairs bedroom. The space was needed by a family member. Bill felt that his years with his very nice layout had run it’s course and wanted to donate the contents to the RED. Nine members answered the call and were eager to helped Bill with his request. During his years of modeling Bill built a large inventory of models and kits which will be sold at the Train Show in September. The proceeds of the sale are to be donated to RED. Thanks Bill! All this being said, we still hope you are not a stranger to RED meetings.

Redwood Director Dave Croshere awarding the RED Member of the Year to Gus Campagna.

On the same note, Clark Stewart organized a crew to accommodate Shirley Mentzer’s wishes to disassemble Harold’s exquisite Bellena Bay Railway and Navigation Company layout. Ten friends who regularly operated on the BBR&NC turned out to save as much of Harold’s layout as possible. Harold was one of our finest modelers. His models were taken by those who loved Harold’s artistry and they made a nice donation to Shirely.

I have a really good feeling about the direction the RED is headed. We need the support and help of everyone working together to bring our organization to it’s fullest potential. The next meeting is at Sturgeon Saw Mill on September 16th. See you there.

Dave CroshereDirector to PCR


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A Message from the Front Office

Superintendent’s Reportby

Dick Foster

First of all, a big thanks to the members who voted in this election. I do promise that Verne and myself will do all we can to make the RED even better and encourage new members and those “lurkers” to attend our quarterly meetings. Dave Grundman and the rest of your Board of Directors committed to making each meetings more inviting and fun. Every member can help by doing two simple things. First is to attend our quarterly meetings. Secondly, I would like each and every person who reads this column, please send in a simple e-mail or even a letter, stating what he or she would like to see in terms of presentations at our meetings. Please send your information to me or any BOD member. The hobby of model railroading is in a state of change and we must try and keep up with the “latest and greatest”. Some of it may not be your cup of tea and some of you will love it. What ever you choice, the fact is that this hobby has been around a long time and isn’t going away soon. I have seen demos of pad tablets, showing cab

views of your train on the layout along with throttles, whistles and bells. This can be controlled from anywhere near your layout.

From my own standpoint I would like to see more interest in operations, discussions and demos of new technology. Also “how-to’s” on decoder installs, new scenery techniques and working with an air brush for shading and weathering effects. The list could go on and on, but you get the idea.Unfortunately there are a few that limit the progression of our RED. Why would these people not want to share their knowledge and help and invite a new and younger group to get involved. Doing things the old way isn’t going to cut it in this new society. We wouldn’t have the things today if we had stuck with DC and block control, used furnace cement for scenery, never thought about “mushroom” layouts or switching layouts. The list is almost to long to talk about.

Just one thing about myself before I sign off. I don’t stand still for talking an idea to death, only to find that we don’t want to make the effort to make it happen. If an idea for a meeting, clinic, change in meeting format, or anything else that you, the member find important, PLEASE bring it up so the members can know about it and discuss it in a rational and thoughtful way. In this way I think that we can advance our division and make the meetings more meaningful for all and hopefully attract a new league of members. Again thanks for your attention and I will see you at the September 14th Sturgeon Mill Picnic. If you haven’t been to the mill I promise you an interesting day.

Dick FosterSuperintendent


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Steve Lewis gabs with Gus on nothing in particular

Ed Merrin talks about his award winning photo

Dave Turner gives details on his articulated lumber carload

Spring MeetingMonroe Hall Santa Rosa

The May 18th Spring meeting was well attended and very interesting from several stand points. As usual “Show and Tell” was a center piece of the meeting. There were models covering a wide range of subjects from specialty cars to bridges and structures.Carol showed the “N” scale layout that the RED was given. She called for volunteers to help, with some modifications and work, to have the layout ready for display at the September Home and Train Show. Hopefully we’ll have some new volunteers to run the booth and also have fun showing budding model railroaders how a layout can be fun even on a small size.

Verne Alexander shows the beginnings for a new passenger car


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Brice Benson describes for the gathered group how he built this beautiful wooden trestle which has curved bents to fit the terrain

A close view of the recently donated “N” scale layout shows that it needs a fair amount of rescue work by the volunteers

A closer shot of the double car articulated long lumber loads model. The load easily pivots with the unique cradles that hold the load


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My thanks to Dave Grundman who has organized the September 14th Picnic for all of us to enjoy. This is the last weekend that the mill will be open and operating for 2013. If you have never been to an operating lumber mill, this is your chance to get a good up close look and guided tour. Be sure to bring your video or still camera for some historic action! For the ladies the beautiful gardens near the mill will be open for viewing.

Delivery of LogsLate 1930’s

Sturgeon MillOperating Session 2012

Details and Directions for September 14th Picnic at Sturgeon Mill in Sebastopol


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Each RED member and spouse will receive a $5.00 certificate toward their lunch from the on site restaurant . Only one chit per

person.Guests not included


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• An Announcement from the Testor Corporation Pactra, Floquil, PollyScale and ColorArtz brands are being discontinued Decisions such as these are never easy. Trends in model railroading have changed over time. Creating product for weathering and scenery has been more of the focus as train cars have moved to pre-decorated. The good news is that the same great products for weathering and scenery can be found in Testor's CreateFX line that is available now

We’ve made the decision to exit the following businesses within the Testor ® Brand family - Pactra®, Floquil®, PollyScale®, andColorArtz®. Going forward, the following brands will be critical to our success and development - Testor®, Model Master®, and Aztek®. These brands will be infused with marketing support, innovation and operational efficiencies.

The Testor CorporationConsumer Affairs Department

N M R A N E W S

- The NMRA Gallery Exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum has raised over $530,000 - enough to begin construction. Bids have been received and a contract for a final design and fabrication will be signed soon. It's estimated that a total of up to $750,000 will be needed to complete the project. As promised, no member dues money will be used for the project, which relies on contributions. Projected opening date is Fall, 2014.

- The Board of Directors awarded the 2017 convention bid to Orlando, Florida. It promises to be a world-class model railroad convention, coupled with deep discounts to Disney attractions - a win/win for the entire family. Prices will be extremely

- Ed and Gay Liesse of the Pacific Northwest Region were recognized with a "Fellow of the NMRA" award for their tireless promotional activities and support for the NMRA.


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Giuseppe Aymar is MMR number 513!

Master Model RailroaderAn NMRA member qualifies as a Master Model Railroader when he or she has obtained at least seven of the eleven Achievement Certificates provided that he or she has earned at least one Achievement Certificate in each of the four areas of the Regulations. Earning the title of Master Model Railroader is the ultimate goal for many participants in the Achievement Program.

I don’t think Giuseppe needs any introduction to this group. As we all know, or soon find out, he is a great modeler and has great skills in castings and other detail work. It is a shame that we all weren’t dentists! All kidding aside, he has brought get attention to the art of models of not only trains but buildings and bridges. His huge diorama bridge was a standout in Reno, the Fox Theatre in Sacramento, the UP diesel scratch build in Dublin, are all a testament to his skills. He also has cheered and moved the AP program along in the RED. We are all grateful he is one of us, and someone that we can turn to for help when needed. Let’s all give a round of applause to MMR 513!

Giuseppe Aymar

http://nmra.org/education/achievement/ap_master.html





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RED members are saluted by Bill Murray

Gus Campagna recently received a very nice letter from long time RED model railroader, Bill Murray in Windsor. Bill had asked Gus for help in removing and getting rid of his long time Conrail layout. This layout was in a second floor bedroom which needed to be returned to its original purpose. Gus put out the word and the following crew showed up and in about 4 hours the layout was cleaned up and hauled away. Those responsible were:

Carol Alexander Steve Skold Dick Foster Peter Barnes Dave Croshere Dave Turner John Barry Charlie Siebenthal Gus Campagna

As Bill wrote in his letter, “How lucky I am, and all the members of our Division are fortunate to have such generous people to give up their afternoon and more hours to sort and prepare items for disposal.” Bill went on to say, “and my gratitude goes to Gus for his help and guidance, not just now, but over the years”.

Congratulations to all those who participated. This sort of project goes a long way in showing how RED is really part of the community. As a result Bill gave all his equipment including trains, cars and buildings to the RED. These items are all cataloged and will be for sale at the Fall Home and Train Show on September 20th-22nd at the fair grounds in Santa Rosa.

State of the Achievement Program and some more “Food for Thought” By Giuseppe Aymar, MMR

These past six months have witnessed an unprecedented step forward of the Achievement Program within our RED. Six Achievements Certificates were issued ( they equal one per month). Jim Providenza received his first Certificate. Dave Croshere was handed two Certificates and working on his third. Giuseppe Aymar received three Certificates. Additionally Giuseppe Aymar has earned MMR #513.

Ed Zakareckis wants to start the AP process as he begins his quest to build a basement layout. Steve Skold, Dick Foster, Carol Alexander, Stu Benson have already partaken of the AP. Brice Benson wants to join soon as well as Rich Mossholder. (Continues on Page 12)


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It awards a Certificate for Official which can be attained through your RED by serving as Superintendent or Director. Notice here that these are positions that have to be filled if we want to have a working Division. Someone has to step in and fill those spots. Again AP rewards you for your leadership, commitment and dedication; we all profit from it, the Division stays strong and keeps growing. There is nothing new here. Just jump in, put your name on the ballot when the next election of Officers comes up.

And if you are building a new layout like Ed Zakareckis, Carol Alexander and Dave Croshere are doing or if you have already built your Empire like Jim Providenza has done, why not look through the requirements which you very likely have already met and be awarded the Certificates you deserve. I have heard already the argument, ”I don’t need no stinking Certificate”. To that I reply: OK, then just do it to elevate the spirit of the Division. It seems that success within an Organization stirs up enthusiasm, lifts the spirit and provokes everyone to achieve more. Would you rather go to meetings where no one cares to give a talk, where no one cares to run the meeting, where no one cares to line up door prizes or hand out prize tickets, or bring lunches and make coffee, and , and …….. What if instead, these involved people waited for someone else to do it? What kind of a

All this is good for RED in that we are showing an active membership where members do not sit on their butts waiting to be spoon fed, but instead are taking the bull by the horns and creating their own path to a better hobby. Let me remind you that the AP is not only about building models as many people perceive it to be. No sirreee. There are other Certificates for serving the hobby.It awards a Certificate for Volunteer. You earn it by donating of yourself at your local level and that means RED, well PCR too, resulting in a better Division and Region when more folks are participating not only as spectators but as contributors as well.

It awards a Certificate for Author. You earn it not only by writing a few paragraphs on the newsletter to share your knowledge or to influence the growth of the Division or even the PCR, but you also earn it by becoming a lecturer. You have all enjoyed people coming in at the meeting and spending a half hour talking about a topic of interest. Well, now become one of those people. What calamity do you think will besiege you by exposing your friends and fellow modelers to new ideas and concepts, or revisiting some old but forgotten ways to do modeling. I have personally listened to some of you discussing topics of interest, and always wondered why you don’t want to share them with the rest of the group.

(Continues on Page 14)


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This is a short series of tips and techniques that have come from our

fellow members as well as from some of the best craftsmen in our hobby.

result.

Big Red’sWorkbench Tips and Techniques

If you have a trick or technique that you would like to share, please send your idea

to the CallBoard Editor.

R E P L I C A T I N G R U S TTexture and color are the two main components of rusting metal. There are many ways to achieve the “look”. Here is another simple techniques. Once you have got to the point of painting and weathering the first thing to do is lightly spray a mist coat of Scale MotorSports’ s Faux Fabric. Use Velvet gray color #5510, which is close to Automotive Primer Gray. When you spray on the texture, don’t hold the can in one position and just blast away. You probably will get a few large, unrealistic spurts of “texture”. In stead, sweep the can across your model as you spray, much the same way as a color coat. If you don’t over do it, you’ll get a subtly textured surface that a great base for your rust color.Now try a coat of Rust - Oleum American Accent Natural Rust. It’s a fine textured paint that not only will protect but gives a rusty color coat. Build up of crud and gunk around parts of machinery can be achieved by small deposits of baking soda placed in the the wet rust paint. When everything is dry you can go back and add an old greasy black color to heighten the effect.

(This is an edited clip from Scale Auto Magazine)


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Holy Soot!!I missed the Sturgeon Mill Picnic!!

Don’t forget September 14th 11:30 til 3:00 PM or whatever!!!

meeting do you think would come out of it? Would you then attend the next meeting? Of course not! What would you think would happen to the Division? It would go DEFUNCT, that’s what!

Thus the spirit of the AP is one of positive interactions and stimulation of good things to happen in a Division. We are the Division. Let’s keep meetings interesting and let’s maintain a healthy fervor. Let’s join the Achievement Program and follow it as a map to improve our railroading skills and share them with others. Go RED, Go RED

(Continued #om Page 12)


Coming Down the Line

CallBoard219 Avenida BarberaSonoma CA 95476

August 24,25th - 33rd National Gauge Convention, Hilton Hotel Pasadena

August 30th - Walnut Creek Club Train show - Larkey Park, Walnut CreekSept 14th - RED Summer Picnic Sturgeon Mill, Sebastopol

Sept 20 - 22 Home & Train Show Santa Rosa - Help man our RED booth

November 16th 2013 RED Monroe Hall, Santa Rosa Fall meet and ClinicFebruary 2014, TBA meeting and run session on guest layout

April 30- May 45 2014 PCR Convention San Luis Obispo - Sands InnJuly 13-20 2014 NMRA National Convention/Train Show, Cleveland OH

august 2013 callboardartistry and they made a nice donation to shirely. i have a really good feeling...

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