All posts by centramod

Featured, News

CentraMod Club Members Visit Fort Worth Show

Leave a comment

Jim Bush picked up Mike Ross and Mike Cleveland and together they made the trek up to the Fort Worth Civic Center to attend the World’s Greatest Hobby Train Show last Saturday, March 17, 2007.

They arrived in Fort Worth around 9:45 AM and found $5 parking right across from the Center. Tickets to the show were $9 each and they were among the first entrants at the 10:00 AM opening. Once inside, they met up with other CentraMod members: the Hierzigs, the Linda’s, Bob Kibbe, Ron Miller, the Teakells, and Troy Wolff.

From a table for table perspective, the Temple Model Train Show appears to have about as diverse group as this show had. Mike and Jim met with many dealers and layout reps, extolling the virtues of the Temple show which will celebrate its 25th Anniversary this year on September 15-16, 2007.

Vendor Displays
Vendor Displays

The real difference between this show and the Temple show were the large number of Model Railroad manufacturers exhibiting. Such notables as Walther’s, MTH, Railroad Model Craftsman magazine, Micro-Trains, Woodland Scenics, Kato, Precision Scale Models, and others were present.

The size and scope of the railroad layouts was also different. Whereas the Mayborn Convention Center is quite a bit smaller, the Fort Worth Civic Center had ample space for a 90’ x 100’ NTRAK modular empire assembled by AustNTrak, TexNRail, and the Oklahoma N Scalers.

DCC operations made for interesting meets all over the layout consisting of more than 150 modules and a 22 scale mile red line.
DCC operations made for interesting meets all over the layout consisting of more than 150 modules and a 22 scale mile red line.

Also on display were the award winning N Scale Sugarland NTrak modules of Russell Straw. These modules depict Sugarland Texas as it appeared in 1951.

Sugarland NTrak Modules of Russel Straw
Sugarland NTrak Modules of Russel Straw

The Northwest Crossing Z Scale club set up their layout at the show. They were joined by CentraMod club member Ron Miller. The crowd was amazed that so much could be done with such a small scale (1:220). The modules had abundant scenery with a variety of rolling stock and motive power. Ron stayed busy connecting modules and placing cars and engines on the track.

The Northwest Crossing Z Scale club layout.
The Northwest Crossing Z Scale club layout.

This layout picture below was popular because of its modules’ neatness. It was completely sceniced and had many lighted accessories.

Significant interest in this layout.
Significant interest in this layout.

This S Scale layout – hence the ‘Flyers’ designation, was well received because of its impressive scenery. The majority of visitors seemed to be mostly unaware that there was an “S” Scale. They evidently didn’t remember American Flyer as youngsters.

Nice S Scale Layout.
Nice S Scale Layout.

After leaving with far less $$ and more “train necessities”, they headed back to Temple around 4 PM. “I believe a good time was had by all,” said Mike Ross.

Announcements, Meeting Minutes

Club Shirts Have Been Ordered

Leave a comment

The meeting for March 2007 was called to order March 3rd by Club President Earl Blanchette at 10:31.

The minutes for February 2007 were presented; a motion was made by Mike Ross and seconded by Trace Bowen to accept the minutes as read. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report for January 2007 was submitted, read, and accepted. 53 members have paid their dues and there are five unpaid. The membership roster by scale was handed out and the distribution as of February 28th was:

  • 14 members N Scale (26.4%)
  • 25.5 members HO Scale (48.1%)
  • 13.5 members O Scale (25.5%)

Old Business

The museum’s historical meeting and railfan day was cancelled.

Club Shirts – Today was the last day to order shirts. The minimum order has been met.

2007 Train Show – Mike Cleveland reported that 109 tables have been sold. The goal is to sell 183 tables.

He also said he has created a Special Activities Committee composed of Dan Ladd, Noel Cowling, and Neil Locke. The committee is tasked with adding something special to the show on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary.

Joe Pyland will chair the Clinic Committee. Attendance for clinics has been down over the last few shows, so they plan to use only two rooms for clinics. Paul Otis will get another room for showing videos. Ron Miller has volunteered to offer a clinic on building modules. The committee is also considering a make and take clinic.

Earl Blanchette and Wiley Starnes will begin working on the raffle layout in a couple of weeks. They will take pictures and post status updates to the web site as construction progresses.

New Business

Jim Fowler visited from Killeen.

Jeffrey and Ashley Govin from Fort Hood, TX and Kyle Penn from Temple, TX joined the club this month. Jeff is a combat engineer and models the DRGW in N Scale. Kyle is a conductor for the BNSF and models in HO. Welcome aboard!

Mentors were appointed for recent new members. Ed Neill will serve as mentor for Bradley Linda. Ron Miller will mentor Dick Copeland.

Chip Eller moved last summer to Frisco, TX and will be unable to participate in club activities. He sent an e-mail of appreciation for his membership in the club over the years.

Name Badges – The board has run out of space. Earl Blanchette will put up an extension. Mike Cleveland said he will take member pictures to put up on the board.

The club was visited by the Temple city tourism group on February 26th and was covered in a news article in the Temple-Telegram on February 27th. Club members that hosted the tourism group were Earl Blanchette, Noel Cowling, Dan Ladd, Bill Lancaster, Ed Neill, and Wylie Starnes.

Library – Bill Lancaster reported a new acquisition: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway by Brian Solomon [ISBN-10: 0760321086]. He also said they were in the process of getting another book, Miss Katy in the Lone Star State Volume 1: The Good Old Days (1942-1960) by Steve Allen Goen [ISBN-10: 1885614713].

The meeting adjourned at 11:42.

Featured, News

Governor’s Office and Texas Historical Commission Visit

Leave a comment

Robert Stinson reported on visit in the Temple Daily Telegram.

Officials from the governor’s office and the Texas Historical Commission visited Temple for a two-day assessment of Temple’s current and potential draw as a tourist destination.

Nate Gieryn, travel research specialist with the State of Texas, and Teresa L. Caldwell, Assistant State Coordinator with the Heritage Tourism Program of the Texas Historical Commission, arrived in Temple on February 26th to begin the assessment.

Their first stop was the Railroad and Heritage Museum and the Moody Depot, which houses the Central Texas Area Model Railroaders organization and its collection of model railroad layouts. They were hosted by Club President Earl Blanchette and members Noel Cowling, Dan Ladd, Bill Lancaster, Ed Neill, and Wylie Starnes.

While at the museum and modelers’ center, Ms. Caldwell said she was impressed with her first look at the city.

“I have to say my first impression is wonderful,” she said. “You (the city) recognize your railroad heritage and tie it to not only existing services such as your Amtrak station that is fully operational, but also to your railroad heritage, and that is huge for the heritage tourist.”

“That is a unique opportunity to recognize what you have and you’re playing off of that.”

Gieryn said he was impressed with the Moody Depot and the collection of models.

“This is very neat,” he said. “This is the most model trains I’ve ever seen in one place,” he added.

Last year, CentraMod and the City of Temple struck a 15-year, $1 per-year lease agreement with the modelers for the Moody Depot. In exchange for the lease, the club puts its building fund into renovation.

Guided by city officials, they also visited locations such as the Miller Springs Nature Center; entertainment, shopping, dining and cultural locations; the Cultural Activities Center; and the Mayborn Civic and Convention Center. The Mayborn Convention Center is the site for the 2007 25th Annual Temple Model Train Show.

About the Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. THC staff consults with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas’ architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks. The agency is recognized nationally for its preservation programs.

Announcements

End of Track for Model Railroading Magazine

Leave a comment

A longtime stalwart of the hobby, Model Railroading Magazine ceased publication effective with the August 2006 issue. This is really unfortunate since just last year the magazine had launched an initiative towards and electronic version of the magazine.

PDF versions of the magazine featuring every article, Sandhouse, Trek Plan and other regular features and advertisements were linked together so the reader could jump from one place in the magazine to another, or go directly to an advertiser’s website.

You can still order back issues, magazine CDs and books through their website at least through the end of February 2007. Orders can still be placed by phone or Fax at 303-338-1949, but ordering online is best.

They have great deals on back issues and bound magazine volumes.

Meeting Minutes

Club Memberships Dues are “Due”

Leave a comment

The meeting for February 2007 was called to order February 3rd by Club President Earl Blanchette at 10:40.

The minutes for January 2007 were presented; a motion was made by Bill Lancaster and seconded by Ron Miller to accept the minutes as read. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report for January 2007 was submitted, read, and accepted. 25 Members have paid their dues. There are three lifetime members. The deadline for dues is the end of February.

Old Business

HO Module Discussion – Ed Neill said that the club modules have a long history with the club and said they are an historical part of the club. Even though they are not being used, he doesn’t think they should be sold. Ron Miller said this position was pertinent to the disposition of some extra N Scale modules.

Buddy Burk said some of the modules are 25 years old and he doesn’t think they should travel. Ed said he wants to take some of the scenery off the modules and use it on the permanent HO layout.

Noel Cowling asked if the modules could be fixed. Ed said Paul Otis’ modules won Best of Show and doesn’t think they should travel. They need to be worked on. Joe Teakell said that if the N Scale modules are sold, the money should go back into the N Scale layout. He also said he wants first right of refusal to these modules since they were originally his.

Ron said that based on the discussion, he didn’t think there was any interest in pursuing the purchase of the old HO modules. The discussion was closed.

Club Shirts – Mike Cleveland said he thought the shirt was not meant to be a club uniform, but an opportunity to promote the club. On the e-mail sent around after the last business meeting, it seemed that the membership was interested in a choice of shirts.

Mike made a motion that the club accept Russ Covitt’s pricing on the blue denim and gray polo shirts and let members decide what shirt they want to buy, if any. Richard Zamudio seconded. There was one opposed. The motion carried.

Eric Boswell asked if other shirt colors were available. Other colors are available in the polo shirt style. Only orders for blue denim and gray polo shirts are being taken at this time.

The club logo will be embroidered on the shirt, not silk-screened.

Checks for shirts made out to CentraMod must be received by February 10th.

Ron Miller made a motion that we should honor the work Kennedy Gauger has done and tell him how much we appreciated his work on the shirts and that the discussion related to the shirts was nothing personal. Joe Pyland seconded and the motion passed.

Club Refreshments – Mike Cleveland said we still need people to volunteer for refreshments and cleanup. Richard Zamudio made a motion that the club take on refreshment expenses for the second run day of the month. There was no second.

Dan Ladd said he and Mike brought snacks today since they were signed up for February. The snacks (refreshments) are typically only for the second run day of the month (third Saturday). Ed Neill said we are published to be open the first and third Saturday of each month except September and December.

Club Cleanup – Bill Lancaster said that cleanup only entails picking up cups and emptying the trash. There are still empty slots on the sign-up list. He also said he is going to get a schedule over to the Museum. He is going to leave September and December empty.

2006 Train Show and Museum – Buddy Burk brought pictures for everyone to look at after the meeting.

New Business

Homer and Evelyn Martin from Killeen, TX and Bradley Linda from Waco, TX joined the club this month. Homer models in N Scale and Bradley models in HO. Welcome aboard!

The Museum will be hosting a Railfan Day the first Saturday in March on the 3rd. Railfan visitors could start visiting the club around 1130.

Troy Wolff had surgery and it went well. He will be out for four weeks and appreciated the Get Well card from the club.

Paul Otis’ mother passed and the club sent a sympathy card.

Train Show Report – Mike Cleveland said since this show is the 25th Anniversary, that everyone seems to agree that we want to do something special. Jerry Johnson and Ed Neill were asked to develop a plan for aggressively promoting the event.

Mike suggested on the Saturday of the Train Show that the club publicly acknowledge past train show committee chairs. Earl Blanchette asked that everyone get with Mike to find out who the past coordinators were.

Mike will be making special event committee assignments shortly.

Joe Teakell said that flyers for this year’s show haven’t been printed up.

E-Mail – Just a reminder that messages exchanged between business meetings shouldn’t be thought of as conducting club business.

Bloomin’ Temple Festival – Bill Lancaster asked if the club wanted to be open for the festival this year on April 14th and 15th. Last year was the city’s 75th Anniversary. Any volunteers would show up for the Museum and our participation would help them. Bill made a motion to be open from 10-4 on Saturday and from 12-4 on Sunday. Wylie Starnes seconded and the motion passed. Bill will tell the Museum and start taking a list of volunteers for these two days.

The meeting adjourned at 1214.