headlight issue 30-4 - hub div
TRANSCRIPT
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HUB HeadlightHUB Division Inc., Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association - Volume 30 Number 4, March - April 2014
http://www.hubdiv.org
RAILFUN TIMETABLE Path to MMR - Part 2by Gerald Abegg MMR 516
This is part two of the story of howI became an MMR. In Part 1, Idiscussed how I got started up
through earning my Engineer Electricaland Engineer Civil certificates.
MASTER BUILDER-CARS (2/1/2013)
Don Howd sent me plans for a woodenrail and tie car that I scratch-built in thesummer of 2012. It won a merit awardand 2nd place in non-revenue cars andthe best new modeler award at the NERin Syracuse last September. The twostructures that I scratch-built did notreceive merit awards but the judges'feedback helped me recognize where Icould and should improve the modelsand some of my constructiontechniques.
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Hands-on Clinic: Scenery, Scratch-Building an HO ShedBy Down Howd, MMR
8 PM Friday, April 11, 2014, Cambridge School of Weston
The HUB Division invites you to join us on April 11, 2014, to learn somescratch-building techniques and build a shed for your railroad. Some of usmay be reluctant to start scratch-building, either with wood or styrene. It's
really not as scary as you may have thought. Don is a strong believer inscratch-building, as well as all modeling. A scratch-built structure or piece ofrolling stock can be an attention-getter that sets your railroad apart from others.Plus, you have the great satisfaction of saying "I built that myself." The shed wewill build is based on one that was located on the Sandy River railroad. So suppliescan be ordered, everyone planning to scratch-build the shed, should be signed upby February 21, 2014. There will be a charge of less than $5.00 to cover the costof materials. Please bring the following: small work surface, single-edged razorblade (or other hobby knife), scale rule, pencil, liquid solvent for styrene, smallpaint brush for the solvent, model file and magnifiers, if you have or need them.We will not be painting the building, that will be left for you to finish at home.Some preliminary work will be done, but each of you will actually build and leaveRailfun with a shed for your railroad.
Presentation; Marion River Carry RailroadBy Sam Berliner III
8 PM Friday, March 21, 2014, Cambridge School of Weston
The Marion River Carry Railroad was 7/8-mile long, and standard gauge, noless! It was not in New England, but close by, deep in the heart of theAdirondacks. It was a "portage railroad," connecting an inlet on Raquette
Lake with a tiny lake opening into Blue Mountain Lake. A tiny 1901 Porter 0-40Twas its power, pulling three ex-Brooklyn horse cars! It makes a perfect 53' shelflayout in exact HO scale, ~29' in N, or 21' in Z (etc.)! The "only" features werevery nifty dock termini at each end, an on-line engine house, and a small hotel; therest was all run in deep woods. Think of all the pine trees you could make (or justmodel the ends and the two buildings)!
Profusely illustrated with old photos, this evening's program will focus on thehistory of this unique little line, its surviving engine and car, and how to model itin several popular scales.
Sam Berliner, III, is a member of the HUB Division, NMRA, NRHS, PRRT&HS,and Mass Bay RRE. He was the convener of the Long Island Motor ParkwayPanel, a group dedicated to preserving the 1908-1938 Long Island Motor Parkwayin situ, in minds, and in museums. Sam is also a bit of a historian of other forms oftransportation, especially the first diesels, heavy rail equipment, Long Island RailRoad and other railroads on Long Island in particular.
The Annual Meeting andElection will be held atthe March 21st Railfun,8PM at the Cambridge
School of WestonSee the January - February Headlightfor voting procedures and candidate
statements.
Gerald kit-bashed and super-detailed this SantaFe fire suppression water tank car from a Tichykit. Read more about it on Page 4.
(Continued Page 8)
The map to Cambridge School of Weston appears on page 11.
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by Manny Escobar
THEPRESIDENT’S
CAR
All aboard on the warmweather train! - I wish it werethat simple, just hang in there by
the fireplace, take your train stuff outand keep busy. The warm weather is justaround the corner.
As you read in the JAN-FEB Headlightissue, the annual elections are coming upon Friday, March 21, 2014 at theRAILFUN evening. We will startsharply at 8:00 PM with elections,Annual Report and then proceed to theevening presentation. So please come,support and elect the new Board ofDirectors.
Just a few reminders: The NMRANational Convention is July 13-20,2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The HUBModular Railroad will be traveling tothe convention and operating in acombined display with MCR Division 4.The 2014 NER Convention "NewEngland Diamonds," Palmer, MA,co-hosted by the HUB and NutmegDivisions, will be September 11 to 14.We have a lot of planning andorganization to be done for these events.
I would like to thank, Ken Belovaracfor a great job at our annual HolidayDinner Event at the Olde Colonial Café,Nahatan Street, Norwood, MA. Wereceived a lot of great reviews for thatevening. So he booked it again for nextyear. I also want to thank all of you thatcame out to support our annual event. Ilook forward to next time.
Now, if you have read my President'sCar in the past, I mentioned that I wasplanning a 3- to 5-year FundraiserEvent, so the HUB Division will have astronger financial foundation for thefuture. As you know, our annualfundraiser is the December "NewEngland Model Train EXPO." Thisevent has held its own and grownslightly every year. But, I would like tohave an additional financial cushion foreducation, presentation and maybescholarships in the future. I still want todo this with the approval of the Board.As you know, we do not live in a perfectworld and occasionally "monkeywrenches" pop-up. One did. As hasbeen done in the past, we tried to getgrants from various corporations for anew larger Modular Trailer, but so farno one has approved funds for our cause.
I would like to redirect my focus on thefundraiser to a plea from themembership to support acquiring a newtrailer for the Modular Group. We willbe getting information out to themembers on the first week of March2014 on this matter for your review andsupport.
Our Membership has done a great joband the modular group has grown to thecapacity that has affected our currenttrailer size. Honestly our NMRAmemberships only provides theDivision a couple of bucks per member,and we need to look outside and fromwithin to continue to support ourprograms. When the time comes, pleasegive as much as you can for thisendeavor. As a reminder, the HUBDivision is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Well that's all for now, "keep themrolling".
HUB Division Calendar of Events (Subject to Change)
2014Mar 21 (Fri) HUB Division Annual Meeting and Election, 8:00 PM, Cambridge School of Weston,
Weston, MA before RAILFUNMar 21 (Fri) HUB RAILFUN Meeting, 8:00 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, Weston, MAMar 22-23 (Sat-Sun) HUB Modular Railroad display at the Greenberg's Toy & Train Show, Shriner's
Auditorium, Wilmington, MAApr 1 (Tues) Submissions deadline for the HUB Headlight May-June issueApr 11 (Fri) HUB RAILFUN Meeting, 8 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, Weston, MAMay 16 (Fri) HUB RAILFUN Meeting, 8 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, Weston, MAJun 20 (Fri) HUB RAILFUN Meeting, 8 PM, Cambridge School of Weston, Weston, MAJun 29 (Sun) HUB Summer Picnic, Waushakum Live Steamers, Holliston, MA [tentative date]Jul 13-20 (Sun-Sun) 2014 NMRA National Convention, Cleveland, OH. HUB Modular Railroad on displaySep 11-14 (Thur-Sun) 2014 NER Convention, Palmer, MA, co-hosted by the HUB and Nutmeg Divisions
The HUB/Nutmeg Division-sponsored NER convention willbe September 11 to 14. Look for
the convention registration informationin the next NER Coupler, arriving inApril.
For updates, please see the conventionwebsite: www.nediamonds2014.org.
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Now what? The holiday seasonand Springfield are over andsome of you, no doubt, may be
thinking "what's next on my plate that Ican look forward to?" No matter whatthat is, it can usually be made moreenjoyable with a little planning, likeremembering to pack the sunscreen fora hot beach day. Or maybe checking thefreight car fleet you're planning tooperate at the next HUB train display?
Maintenance is not something we doafter there is a problem; it is somethingthat should be a regular part of thishobby. Your prototype rail carriers do itall the time as part of their operations,and I dare say, they are able to rack up alot of ton-miles because of it. Now let'sput this in perspective for some of youHUB module group members. Shackdesigned a rectangular loop of track withan inner and outer main with theapproximate dimensions of 20 feet by 54feet. If an HO scale train traveledaround that loop, it would have goneabout 144 linear feet or (at roughly60-feet-per-scale-mile) about 2.4 scale-miles. Now how many times did yourtrain make it completely around thatloop without any equipment relatedproblems? I mean break-aparts or un-couplings, or derailments not caused byhuman error, like an operator leaving aswitch open. While at our group layoutin Springfield, I spent about one hourmoving my general freight train at ascale 30-miles-per-hour withoutincident. The trip only came to anabrupt halt when an errant placed stringof holiday lights, strung inside a
passenger station, came loose anddropped between several cars, thuscutting my train in half. My point is,how many of you could reliably runyour train around the HUB layout at30-scale miles-per-hour, or for 12.5 lapsof the layout, without a singleequipment-related problem? If yousaid two times or less, then you have alot of maintenance work to do. If youhad attended our January RAILFUNclinic on maintenance, then you knowhow to do it; so get cracking. Otherwiseread on.
There are other little things that can helpyou to enjoy the hobby more. Like,perhaps finishing that model locomotiveor structure you started some time ago,before some of the pieces get lost ormisplaced from your workbench?
Or maybe, like many of us, you havemore equipment than you can possiblyuse at any given time, either at a show oron your home layout? So how aboutorganizing it around a theme for thatshow or operating session? And whileyou're at it, why not order a train case tohelp organize, store and carry it? I'mstill amazed by the number of people Isee taking each car out of its originalbox!
I have purchased several carrying boxes;one for my milk trains, one for mypassenger trains, one for cars of the 40'sand 50’s, and one for the modernConrail era ... you see how this goes.
I find that one does not need more thanperhaps four locomotives for a two-dayshow (for example, two or three speed-matched locomotives for hauling a longfreight of 60-plus cars and perhaps asingle switcher for short freights andlocal switching chores). Like the oldearlier Guilford, you may want to havea spare on hand for the consist in caseone goes down. Although that shouldnot be a problem if you take the time totest the unit, clean the wheels andcorrect any problems identified fromprevious operation sessions. I used tobring more in my engine case, but foundI wasn't running them all, just luggingthem around and breaking off detailparts by handling them so much.
Shanty TalkWhat’s Nextby Rudy Slovacek
As for rolling stock, everyone bringssome cars to run, so at 10 cars each, wecan usually wind up with 100 or morecars on the layout. Unless one plans torun a specific coal or intermodal train,there is again no point to bringing more.Besides, it's much easier to keep trackof, and maintain your own equipmentwhen you have fewer things to look outfor. Mark Harlow and I used to pool ourresources. He would bring his well carsand I'd bring my Tofcee flats. Togetherwe'd have one heck of an intermodaltrain stretching more than a third of thelayout. We'd sign up for consecutivetime slots and swap our motive powermidway so we each got to operate thelong train.
My wife and I are at the stage when wehave collected more than enough stuff,so we've adopted the policy of notbringing more in until something goesout of the house. Currently I'mdisposing of my N-scale collection andsome of my HO, so that I can focus onmore prototypical models of quality. Itis so much easier to do this in these offmonths rather than during the busyHoliday Season, before the Fall show, orduring the summer months when we'dall rather be outside. Consider it.
If you own a module, it can probably usea little sprucing up before the next show.As a participant in some of the 10-plusHUB shows per year, you know yourmodule can experience some wear andtear. Touch up that fascia board andpermanently glue down some of thosecars and trucks. You'll find it takes farless time to set up and take down. I'vedone that with my Schenectady Module,so that even if I forget to bring somecars, there are at least a few to make italways look good.
By now, I've found seven or eight thingsto do before the next event that canenhance your enjoyment of the hobby.Remember, model Railroading shouldbe fun, and with a little planning it canbe.
The Headlight is always accepting photos andarticles relating to model and prototyperailroading. Please email [email protected].
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(Continued Page 5)
Inspired by this "victory" and, sincebuilding cars was a totally newexperience for me, I decided to see if Icould succeed with Master Builder-Cars. I spent the next six weeksresearching and building more cars. Inorder to qualify, I needed to scratch-build three more cars and super-detail atotal of eight cars. This is where I had tolearn many new tricks and techniques.With the help of the MMR articles onthe NMRA website and several Santa Febooks in my library, I researched anddocumented cars to build.
I scratch-built a wooden reefer, woodenbox car, and wooden flat car. I then builta tank car and reefer car using Tichykits. These two models were built assuggested in the kit but I added moredetails. This required me to understandthe details of the braking system so Icould add the extra piping and hosingfor the air pressure lines and handrelease levers.
Next I kit-bashed a Tichy tank car kit tocreate a Santa Fe fire suppression watertank car. For this car I had to locate thebrakes on the platform level as well asadd other details to match the Santa Fedrawings and photos I used as reference.I also had to make my own decals sinceI could not find red decals to spell out"fire suppression" on a white tank car.
For the required passenger car I obtaineda set of brass car sides from the Santa FeModeling & Historical Society thatreplicate the Santa Fe Chief passengercars. These car sides are designed to fitCon Cor car kits with modestmodifications. As I proceeded to kit-bash this combination I had to learn howto glue plastic to brass and maintain aseamless joint. I added lots of details tothe undercarriage, and roof vents andgrab irons where appropriate to matchthe prototype Santa Fe Chief.
There were a number of challenges inbuilding these car kits. The hardestthing was to criticize my own work andimprove the imperfections. I learned that
my finishing work needed to be donemore carefully and that I also needed tobe more careful with excess glue on thewood. Although I have an airbrush I hadnot used it for detailed work where thefinal finish is critical. So, it took someserious practice to get the paintapplication in fine thin layers. I nowhave several old junk cars that haveseveral very bad layers of poorly appliedpaint. The lacquer paints required me towork outside so I installed my sprayhood in the garage. Although I had usedacrylic paints on buildings and parts ofmy layout, I never was able to get whatI considered great results painting carswith acrylics. I found that acrylics don'tdry fast enough and it is too easy to getthe paint on too thick and unevenly.
I delivered these seven completed carsto Don just before I left for a Christmastrip and received word that I earned theMaster Builder-Cars AchievementCertificate when I returned in January2013.
MASTER BUILDER-STRUCTURES(9/1/2013)
On to structures and scenery needed tocomplete the MMR. I set a goal ofcompleting everything by the end of thesummer so I could receive the MMR atthe fall Lakeport NER Convention inOctober.
The Master Builder-Structurespresented a different set of problems. Ineeded 12 structures including onebridge and 6 of them scratch-built. Overthe years I had built a number ofstructures. Many were clearly not of thequality that I wanted to submit forreview. However, I had built anicehouse in 1967 using a Suydam kit. Iupdated it with new scratch-built icingplatforms so I could make it a feature onthe two modules I built in 2002. Idecided to use it as one of my 12structures so I added more details andweathering.
Path to MMR - Part 2(Continued from Page 1)
Scratch-built wooden flat car
Wooden reefer car built from a Tichy kit
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In 2004, I built several buildings forBruce Robinson's layout whilerecovering from heart surgery. Whenpreparing the documentation for thestructures achievement, I was able tosubmit photos and a detailed descriptionof one of those buildings.
I had also built a triangular-shapedbuilding using DPM brick-facedsections and had done some detailing onthis. I added a roof-mounted HVAC,downspouts, gutters, and exteriorlighting and then weathered it a bit moreand mounted it on a better-looking,more prototypical foundation. So, nowI had 3 buildings I felt satisfied wouldwork.
While rail-fanning in Colorado morethan 10 years ago, I photographedseveral buildings. After I returned homefrom that trip, I used a few of thesephotos to scratch-build a modest westerncarpentry shop / furniture builderstructure. With some extra work on anew sign and better weathering, I hadbuilding number four for my set.
Next I turned to the two scratch-builtstructures that were not award-winners,and responded to the judges' comments.I added electric meters to the outside,improved the interior detailing and made
Path to MMR - Part 2(Continued from Page 4)
the weathering more realistic to matchthe photos and drawings I was using aspart of the construction plans. I also didsome touch-up painting. At this point Iwas half-way complete with threescratch-built (wood) and three super-detailed structures.
Two years ago I had started building twodifferent Craftsman kits. One was a BarMills building complex using laser-cutwood and card stock. The other was aresin kit of a Corner Store. These kitsused Grandt Line windows and lots ofdetails. The most difficult part of thesekits was the need to do very carefuldetail painting in several colors and toadd window treatments. With a fewweeks of focused work I was able tocomplete these two buildings and addthem to my list.
Now came the hard part – the final fourstructures that had to be scratch-built.Don Howd had sent me an article onwood pile trestles, so I revised this planto match trestles used by the Santa Fe inthe area I model, and built a trestle onmy home layout. There is a slight curvein the track where this trestle fits so I hadto develop a jig to prefab the pilings andthen fit them to the curve. It workedbeautifully and the trestle received aMerit Award and scratch-building credit.
The Santa Fe RR used the Harvey FoodService in all its diner cars so when Ifound a picture of the original HarveyHouse in Lawrence, KS, I decided tomake that my next scratch-builtstructure. Using the photo from a bookand info from the Internet, I madedetailed construction drawings of thebuilding and then built it entirely ofwood. After mounting it on a base Idetailed the building, yard, brickwalkway, handicap ramp etc.
The last two scratch-built buildings werethe Olpe, KS station and a Santa Fefreight house. The station is typical ofmost of the small-town western stationsof the Santa Fe. Since it is a framestructure with board and batten siding Iwas able to build the entire structureusing Northeastern Scale Lumber. Ifinished it in the colors of my Santa FeRR and added a brick platform and lotsof details. The freight house was builtusing the drawings and diagrams foundon pages 42 and 43 of the September,2011 Model Railroader.
Scratch-built Harvey House based on a picture of the original in Lawrence, Kansas
Scratch-built slightly curved wood pile trestle constructed using a custom jig
(Continued Page 6)
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MASTER BUILDER-SCENERY
The last achievement certificate Icompleted was the scenery. Therequirements stated that in HO I had todetail 32 square feet of scenery and thisneeded to be visually isolated from therest of the RR. Since my layout lookslike a tall "M" that is 14 feet wide and 28feet long, I decided to use one of thecenter legs that already had the mostscenery completed. This leg was 24 feetby 2 feet and featured two towns, adouble-track main line and severalsidings. The track work and basicscenery had been completed severalyears ago so, last summer, I went towork detailing it. I added a pond,several culverts to provide tracksidedrainage, new roads, power poles andlines, and trees, shrubs, and flowers.The backdrop was painted "HUBmodule blue" so I needed to addbackdrop scenery and backdropbuildings. The hardest thing for me wasto connect the scenery to the backdropsince my Kansas scene is mostly openspace, agriculture fields and pastureswith few trees. I cut most of the trees offthe photo backdrop to show only fieldsand then used static grass and tall weedsto connect the backdrop to the layoutsurface. This solution was not great butit worked. So, I got the Merit Awardand reached my goal of completing allthe work by the end of the summer(9/1/2013).
Path to MMR - Part 2(Continued from Page 5)
So, what did I learn that could help you?
● Use NMRA website/ Achievementprogram & articles for reference
● Build models for Merit Awards withas much detail as possible
● Learn air brush techniques - goodwith lacquer/ fair with acrylic
● Document the prototype and replicateit as closely as possible
● Describe what is planned, thendocument how it was done
● Scratch-build with wood; add detailsin wood, metal and plastic
● Prime all wood first, or stain beforegluing
● When working with styrene use verysmall amounts of solvent/glue
● Keep all building parts square
Scratch-built Olpe, Kansas station built from Northeastern Scale Lumber
● Detail the insides of buildings● Model electrical features: (non-
working) lamps, wires, lights overdoors, etc.
● Start with kits, then add details whenmodeling cars, which can be the mostchallenging.
● Discover inkjet printer decals fromMicro-Mark
● Keep records and document yourwork
● Use prototype references that matchyour railroad
I hope this long and detailed article willencourage at least a few HUB Divisionmembers to pursue the AchievementCertificates. Perhaps, soon, we willhave another MMR in our midst.
These three horizontal images provide anoverall view of the 24 feet of layout usedfor the scenery certificate.
Scenery details nearthe station.
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With the passing of John Prykeon December 22 at age 73,model railroading lost a
talented craftsman, a veryknowledgeable historian and a well-regarded advocate for the hobby. Andmany of us lost a great friend andmentor.
John was the author of some 40Model Railroader articles, aKalmbach book “Building CityScenery,” and many technicalpapers for the New Haven RailroadHistorical Association, of which hewas a founder. He was a member ofthe NMRA and HUB Division, andof the Nauset Model Railroad Clubin Orleans, Mass.
John Prykeby Jay Stradal - President, Nauset
Model Railroad Club
John's keen ability to observe and thenreplicate the real world was key to hismodeling success. Living in New YorkCity and near Boston enabled him tobuild his celebrated Union Freight urbanrailroad, a focus of his book. WatchingNew Haven steamers in Old Saybrook,Conn., led to many clinics and articleson weathering locomotives. Hispresentations on modeling salt water
came from observing wave and sunlightpatterns on the waters off Nantucket andCape Cod.
After retiring and moving to the Cape,John began his ultimate project --modeling the New Haven in 1948 fromBoston to Provincetown. Of course itincorporated the Union Freight, but italso required scratch-built models of
Buzzards Bay station and the ornate1935 vertical-lift railroad bridgeover the Cape Cod Canal.
As his health declined, John's senseof urgency increased in completinghis layout. He managed to finishboth the station and bridge, and wasworking on several other projects inhis hospital room right to the end.Such is the legacy of a very creativeman who was highly dedicated torailroading and taught us muchabout life as he saw it.
On Saturday morning, before the start of theSprinfield Shop, Peter Higgins makes a call to“Railroad” more volunteers for themembership table, while David “Shack”Haralambou explains module group operatingprocedures.Photograph by John Lutz
Dick Towle, Marty Klein and John Lutz at themembership table during the Springfield Show.Dick brought a Project Life Saver banner andpromotional materials for the PalmerConvention.Photograph by Peter Higgins
El Presidente, Manny Escobar, in deepconcentration as he sets a car on the tracks.Photograph by Andy ReynoldsSee more of Andy’s photos at www.hubdiv.org
Right: John Doehring and Debbie Ames workat the membership table.Photograph by Russ NorrisSee more of Russ’ photos at www.hubdiv.org
Springfield
Gerry Covino and Erich Whitney discuss theJMRI system running the railroad..Photograph by Andy Reynolds
Two trains pass over the swing bridge on Erichand Brenna Whitney’s new module.Photograph by Bill Barry
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This Year I Resolve …by John Doehring
Like many model railroaders, Ihave more hobby-related dreamsthan I could ever achieve, and
this reality gets worse at every turn.Coming up with new project ideas is, ofcourse, the easy part - following throughand completing things is hard. For me,progress comes in fits and starts, butalways through simply focusing on oneactivity at a time. For those of us withattention deficit issues, focus is themagic elixir of getting stuff done. Still,it usually doesn't taste so good goingdown.
With the start of this new year, I'vedetermined to take my model railroadingto a new level, and so I've resolved tofocus most of my effort on just threeprojects (out of perhaps four times thatmany possibilities).
Here are my three priority projects for2014:
NTRAK Module- This year, I'mfinishing a 12-foot straight NTRAKmodule - my first real modeling projectof any kind. The module is fullyoperational now, and I've participated ina number of modular layout displays.Scenery is about 60% done, but there arelots of details left. My goal is to fullyfinish this project by June 1, and(hopefully) through this effort achievemy Golden Spike award.
FREE-MO N Module- My next sizablemodule project will also be in N-Scale,this time using the Free-mo N standard.I've done a conceptual design for a15-foot module composed of threesections, and I've included all (or most)of the components I'll need to satisfy theCivil and Electrical certificaterequirements of the AchievementProgram. My goal for 2014 is to buildbench work, lay the track, and wire thething up properly for operation.
Armchair Railroader Blog- A whileback I built a blog site for myrailroading interests, and now it's time touse it more. This year I plan to writeregularly for the site, www.armchair
railroader.wordpress.com, and throughdoing it, learn more about publishingcontent on the web. And I hope thatmuch of this effort will count towardsthe AP Author certificate requirements.
Of course there are many morepossibilities - structure and rolling stockmodel kits, DCC equipment and decoderpurchases, and shows to attend like theNMRA National Convention inCleveland, NER Region Convention inPalmer, N-Scale Enthusiast gathering inRoanoke, and the Capital Limited meet(N-Scale) in Washington DC. Lots ofactivity - and lots of possibilities; soback to the focus!
That's my plan. In 2014 I'll likely wantto do a lot, but I resolve to focusprimarily on these three main initiatives-and really get them done.
So, how does 2014 look like for you?Will you be busy this year withimportant railroading projects, or is thisa year to step back and focus onsomething else? Do you need a project,a new idea, or a creative spark to getstarted? Or are you like me, with toomany ideas and dreams, and in need ofsome real focus and commitment toaction this year?
In 2014, what is it that you'll resolve?
If you would like to read more by John,see his article "Confessions of a(Reforming) Armchair Railroader," inthe March/April issue of N-ScaleMagazine.
Hands-on Clinic; Buildingan Operating HO Switch
StandBy Ray Barry
8 PM Friday, May 16, 2014,Cambridge School of Weston
If your switches are operated by anelectrical switch machine (Tortoise,etc.) or a mechanical controller
(Blue Point, etc.), adding operatingswitch stands can increase the realism ofyour model railroad. Severalmanufacturers produce HO-Scaleoperating switch stands, but most ofthese options are expensive and do notlook prototypical. However, there arenumerous options for prototypical non-operating switch stands that are alsoinexpensive.
At this hands-on clinic, you will converta non-operating HO Scale Switch Standby Details West into an operating switchstand that will move when the switch isthrown. Please bring the following:small work surface, pin vise with a #76drill bit, small model file, 35-wattsoldering iron, solder, small paint brush(for painting the switch stand) and CAcement to secure brass targets to brasswire, and magnifiers, if you have orneed them. We will provide the otherrequired materials. You will also learnhow to mount your operating switchstand and connect it to the throw bar sothe target will rotate as the points are
thrown.
Everyone planningto build theoperating switchstand, should besigned up byMarch 14, 2014, sosupplies can beordered. Therewill be a $3.00charge per personto cover the cost ofthe switch standsand associatedmaterials.
RAILFUN TIMETABLE(Continued from Page 1)
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HUB Module Kits Available
The HUB Division offers to its members a complete packaged module kit for $155. The kit has everythingyou need, including all pre-cut lumber, hardware, a complete wiring harness for the DCC and inter-moduleconnections, a panel-jack and wire, and even roadbed and the track! A module is the perfect solution if youdo not have the space for a full-size layout or just want to experiment or learn new techniques withoutcommitting the time and money to a larger setup. Please contact Mark Harlow at modulekits @hubdiv.orgwith additional questions and to order the module kits.
The HUB Division, Inc.P.O. Box 1154
Burlington, MA 01803-6154It Takes All of Us Working Together!
( ) $25.00 ( ) $50.00 ( ) $100.00 ( ) Other $_________ YES, I am happy to support The HUB Division, Inc. to fosterrailroading through displays, modeling and educational opportunities tomembers and the public at large. I show support with the enclosed gift.NAME ____________________________________________________ADDRESS_________________________________________________CITY______________________STATE_______ZIP______________
To make a donation using your credit card, email [email protected] make your check payable to "The HUB Division, Inc."Send your payment to the address above.
Treasurer's Reportby Gerry Covino
Stated below is our financial position as of December 31,2013, the mid-point in our fiscal year July 1, 2013 throughJune 30, 2014. The New England Model Train EXPO
continues to be the successful fund-raising event that enables theDivision to deliver its programs to members and the public.The Board of Directors wishes to express a sincere thank-you toall members who volunteered their time helping with the show'ssuccess.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to thank our memberswho continue making a conscious decision to support financiallythe HUB Division, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, as one of theirfavorite charities. Members’ generosity to our organization,both with their time and money, continues to be impressive.
Mid-Year Account Balances
Checkbook $ 1,206.00General Savings Account 3,523.00Reserve-Live Savings Account 28,444.00Program Checking Account 250.00PayPal Account 1,382.00USPS Permit Account 5.00
Total Funds Available $ 34,810.00Value of Club Car Inventory 2,444.00
Total Value of Cash and Assets $ 37,254.00
Above: Peter Higgins explains a maintenance item to two HUBmembers during the January RAILFUN.
Below: Rudy Slovacek explains coupler adjustments to Kevin Neprud.
Photographs by Ray Barry
January RAILFUN
In Memoriam: Walter J. Rogers Jr.Walter “Jay” Rogers passed away suddenly on February2nd. Jay was a HUB life member and served on the Boardof Directors from 1981 to 1986. He also served theDivision and Region in various capacities over the years.
HUB Headlight
Page 10
Order Form - HUB Division ApparelShort Sleeve Shirt and Sweatshirt Available Sizes S M L XL 2XL 3XL
Short Sleeve Shirts - Ash color Shirt with HUB Division Logo - $30.00 each Size: _______ Quantity: ___ Amount $ _______ Circle ONE With Pocket Without Pocket Name on Shirt _____________________________
Sweatshirt - Ash color with HUB Division Logo - Sizes as listed for shirts 8.0oz Weight $25.00 each Size: _______ Quantity: ___ Amount $ _______ 9.5oz Weight $30.00 each Size: _______ Quantity: ___ Amount $ _______ Name on Shirt _____________________________
T-Shirts - Ash color Shirt with HUB Division Logo - $18.00 each Size: _______ Quantity: ___ Amount $ _______ Circle ONE With Pocket Without Pocket Name on Shirt _____________________________
Long Sleeve Shirt - Heather color Shirt with HUB Division Logo (NO POCKETS) Small to XL $30.00 each Size: _______ Quantity: ___ Amount $ _______ 2XL to 5XL $35.00 each Size: _______ Quantity: ___ Amount $ _______ Name on Shirt _____________________________— (If you wish to have it mailed to you add $5.95) — Shipping $ _______
Total Check (Payable to The HUB Division, Inc.) Amount $ _______Your name: _____________________________________________Phone or email: __________________________________________
Mail to:Gerald Covino, TreasurerThe HUB Division, Inc.P.O. Box 1154Burlington, MA 01803-6154
Orders must be received by Oct.15, Jan. 15 or April 15. Youwill be contacted if there areany questions with your orderand you will be notified whenyour order arrives. People maypick up their orders at RAILFUNmeetings or shows to avoid theadditional mailing costs. If yourequest mailing, please provideyour mailing address.
To purchase using your creditcard, email your order [email protected] and aninvoice will be sent to you.
HEADLIGHT Subscription Form - HUB Division, Inc. - NER/NMRA
Name
Address
City State Zip
I enclose $7 for a subscription to the HUB Headlight for 2012-13.Make checks payable to:The HUB Division, Inc.Mail to: Gerry Covino, Treasurer
The HUB Division, Inc.P.O. Box 1154Burlington, MA 01803-6154
To order or renew subscriptions by credit card, send an email to [email protected] and anelectronic invoice will be sent to you.
JOHN DOEMODULE GROUP
NAME TAGS AVAILABLE AGAINNow with magnetic holders
Badge and first line of printing is $11.30, plus $3.00 S&H.Each additional line is another $2.00. You may have up to threelines on your name tag.COST: __$14.30 (1 line) __$16.30 (2 lines) __$18.30 (3 lines)
First Line2nd Line3rd LineMake checkpayable to:The HUB Division,Inc.
Send completed tag to:NAME ____________________________________STREET __________________________________CITY _____________________ST ___ ZIP ______
Mail order to:Gerry Covino, TreasurerThe HUB Division, Inc.P.O. Box 1154Burlington, MA 01803-6154
HUB Headlight
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HUB HeadlightVolume 30, Number 4, March - April, 2014
HUB Headlight, published by The HUB Division Inc., Northeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association, is issued in January,March, May, September and November. Contributions may be sent by email to the Editor or by mail to the Office Manager.
Headlight PrintersVersatile Printing Services, LLC
Burlington, MA
HUB Division Board of Directors
Membership: National Model Railroad Association members residing within theboundaries of The HUB Division: zip codes 01400 through 02699. (Barnstable,Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, andWorcester counties of Massachusetts.)
Other HUB Division Leadership
PresidentManny Escobar
Vice PresidentBill Roach
WebmasterDan Fretz
NMRA NER RepresentativeHeadlight Editor
Bill [email protected]
James [email protected]
Debbie [email protected]
Membership ChairmanPeter Higgins
TreasurerGerry Covino
Model Train Expo Show DirectorDick Johannes
SecretaryKen Belovarac
Railfun CoordinatorRay Barry
Office ManagerPete Watson
[email protected] Branch Road
East Bridgewater, MA 02333-1601
Module CoordinatorDavid “Shack” Haralambou
LibrarianKen Belovarac
Donations ChairmanRudy Slovacek
Model Train Expo Business ManagerMark Harlow
Director-Public RelationsTim Garner
NMRA AP ChairmanDon Howd
MAP TO CAMBRIDGESCHOOL OF WESTON
GEORGECOHANBUILDING
PAR
KIN
G
MAP OF EXIT 27BROUTE 128/I-95
WINTER ST.
DOUBLETREEGUEST SUITES
BERTUCCI’S
WESTINHOTEL
WES
TST
GEORGIAN RD.
CSW RTE
128
/I-95
TOTTENPOND RD
WYM
AN S
TEXIT 27Bfrom the north
EXIT 27Bfrom the south
TO RTE 20,RTE 30, MASSTURNPIKE (I-90)
ADMINBLDG
0.8 MI BETWEEN DOTS
LEXI
NGTO
N ST
to a
udito
rium
PARKINGPARKING
TAKE ELEVATOR OR STAIRTO SECOND FLOORWE MEET IN ROOM G6 PA
RKING
MAP TORAILFUNMEETINGS
N
N
RAILFUN Weather Note:If the school is closed, we will NOT have RAILFUN that evening.School closings are broadcast over the radio at WRKO 680AM andWBZ 1030AM, and on TV Channels 4, 5 and 7. The Cambridge Schoolof Weston recording is at 781-642-8600. Check the radio or TV stationsearly on the morning of RAILFUN! You can also check www.hubdiv.organd we plan to post notices on Facebook and Twitter.
Seacoast DivisionModel Railroading Night
� March 14th
� April 11th
Meetings are Friday night at 7 PM in the MarionGerrish Community Center, 39 WestBroadway, Derry, NH. Seehttp://www.seacoastnmra.org for info.