The meeting for March 2009 was called to order March 7th in the historic Moody Depot by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:30.

The minutes for February 2009 were presented. A motion was made by Joe Pyland and seconded by Mike Ross to approve the minutes as read. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted, read, and accepted.

Old Business

Library – Bill Lancaster had nothing to report.

Bill Lancaster reported that he had 2009 Sign-up sheets for treats and clean-up posted in the kitchen.

Ed Neill met with the city regarding the train order signal. Bradley Linda said there are some issues with installing the train order signal.

Clinics – Dick Copeland announced clinics for the next two months. Joe Pyland will conduct a clinic on HO Gauge Standards on March Run Day at 10:30 and Trace Bowen will conduct a clinic on N and HO Decoder Installation in April Run Day at 10:30.

Inventory – Betty Neill said she will be meeting with the scales this month.

Train Show – Ed Neill reported that flyers had been printed off and taken to other train shows in the area. Wylie Starnes announced that the raffle layout for 2009 will be O Scale.

Electric Bill – Ron Miller reported that he had not had time to change electricity providers.

New Business

Dan Ladd reported on the 2009 membership by scale.

Ed Neill presented a plaque to Buddy Burk in recognition of his 25 years of service to the club.

Wiley Starnes reported that some O Scale buildings belonging to the club were taken from the club meeting room area. Anyone having information on the building whereabouts should see Wylie.

Dan Ladd reported that the club had run out of large patches for club vests. JC Fisher made a motion for the club to purchase 50 patches. Steffon Norris seconded and the motion passed.

Bradley Linda said he had been asked by the RRHM to open for their railfan weekend in October. He will gather specifics and present them at next month’s meeting. Trace Bowen made a motion to give tentative approval to open the club for the RRHM Railfan Weekend pending specifics. Mike Hitzfelder seconded and the motion passed.

The RRHM will be holding a Train Camp on June 17, 2009 from 9-12 AM. Steffon Norris made a motion to support the RRHM Train Camp. Nan Lathrop seconded. Joe Pyland amended the motion to insert “tentatively support” and Mike Hitzfelder seconded. The motion passed.

Wylie Starnes read the list of nominees for the 2009 Board of Directors. There were no nominee retractions. There were no nominations from the floor. Bradley Linda made a motion to close nominations. Ron Miller seconded and the motion passed.

Wylie Starnes appointed members of the present board not running for re-election to serve on the Teller Committee. Those appointed were Betty Neill, Mike Ross, and Joe Teakell.

Instructions for completing the ballot for a preferential style election were given. Ballots were distributed, votes made, and ballots collected.

Wylie Starnes called for a recess at 11:12 to tally the ballots.

Wylie called the meeting back to order at 12:17. The 2009 Board of Directors was announced:

• Elected to a 3-year term were Jim Bush, Ron Miller, and Wylie Starnes.
• Elected to a 2-year term were Dan Ladd, Bradley Linda, and Joe Pyland.
• Elected to a 1-year term were Buddy Burk, Ed Neill, and Clark Overman.

Bradley Linda made a motion to adjourn and Steffon Norris seconded. The club adjourned at 12:21.

The meeting for February 2009 was called to order February 7th in the historic Moody Depot by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:31.

The minutes for December 2008 were presented. A motion was made by Trace Bowen and seconded by Mike Ross to approve the minutes as read. The motion passed.

The minutes for January 2009 were presented. Dick Copeland made a motion to approve the minutes as read as they only reflect the discussion among club members after it was discovered a quorum was not present and should not be considered minutes of a meeting for which a quorum was present. Mike Ross seconded and the motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read by Betty Neill. Dan Ladd was on a mission trip to Africa.

The Finance Committee met on December 10th and 30th, 2008 to develop the 2009 Operating Budget. Betty Neill presented and read the 2009 Operating Budget. The budget was accepted.

Old Business

Wylie Starnes reminded everyone that the 2009 dues are due and can be mailed to the club’s Post Office box.

Bylaws Committee Chairman Bill Lancaster reported that the board of directors accepted the new bylaws this morning before the business meeting and they were now in effect. The annual meeting will be held March 7th, 2009 to elect a new board. Wylie Starnes declared the Bylaws Committee discharged.

Library – Bill Lancaster reported that the club had recently received a large donation of magazine back issues.

Inventory – Betty Neill said she would like to start going over the inventory info with all of the scales next month.

Train Show – Jim Bush reported that the vendor train show packets were mailed out on January 15th. He wants to request help from the Temple Chamber of Commerce in developing a contingency plan for the 2009 show.

Baylor University Mayborn Museum Exhibit – Ron Miller thanked everyone that helped out. More than 12,800 visited the exhibit. Baylor invited the club to display again in December 2009. Ed Neill requested that Ron get a letter of appreciation from Baylor to include with the club’s 501(c)(3) application.

Waco Train Show – Ron Miller thanked everyone that participated in this show after all the time they put in at the Baylor show. Everyone agreed that it was a better show than in 2008. The show is scheduled again for 2010.

New Business

The following new members were welcomed:

• Scott Lee and Virginia model in HO.
• Dave Fuller models in HO.
• Nancy Lathrop models in HO.

Mike Cleveland resigned as Vice President and Clinic Committee Chair under favorable terms and returned his key to the depot. His resignation letter was read to the assembly.

Dick Copeland volunteered to serve as the Clinic Committee Chair.

Dick Copeland made a motion to send a letter of appreciation to Mike Cleveland expressing thanks for his service. Steffon Norris seconded and the motion passed. Wylie Starnes volunteered to write the letter.

A letter from the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum was read thanking the club for supporting their January 9, 2009 Family Day activities.

A letter from the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum was read thanking the club for supporting their 2008 Christmas Train Layout during which was exhibited to 1,265 people and school groups.

San Antonio World’s Greatest Hobby Show – Steffon Norris made a motion for the club to officially participate in the San Antonio World’s Greatest Hobby Show with the setup, operation, and takedown of the G Scale traveling layout. Anybody that would like to go should see Ron Miller.

Bradley Linda made a motion requesting permission to invite the Central Texas Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and members of the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum to an operating session on February 28th and run the HVAC as required. Mike Hitzfelder seconded and the motion passed.

Bradley Linda passed around pictures of the train order signal that has been offered as a donation to the club. Joe Pyland made a motion for Bradley Linda to acquire permission from the City of Temple to display the signal and explore firm costs for installing and restoring the signal. Mike Hitzfelder seconded and the motion passed.

The Blooming Temple Festival will be held April 18, 2009. Bradley Linda made a motion to move run day from April 18th to April 25th. Trace Bowen seconded and the motion passed.

Trace Bowen made a motion to move the business meeting and public open house from July 4, 2009 to July 11, 2009. Steffon Norris seconded and the motion passed.

Trace Bowen made a motion to adjourn and Ron Miller seconded. The club adjourned at 12:04.

The meeting for January 2009 was called to order January 3rd in the historic Moody Depot by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:35.

Membership attendance was light with many members still participating at the extended Mayborn Museum display. As a result, an inquorate meeting was held. The minutes for December’s 2008 business meeting were presented.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read.

Old Business

Ed Neill reported that the club will hopefully have the new bylaws and constitution for February’s business meeting.

The Waco Train show will be held the weekend of January 10th.

The RRHM will be hosting a hobby day from 1000-1400 on January 17th.

New Business

Wylie Starnes announced:

– Ed Neill will continue to chair the Building Committee.
– Betty Neill will continue as Inventory Committee Chair.
– Bill Lancaster will continue to serve as Librarian, Stationmaster, and Bylaw Committee Chair.
– Mike Cleveland will no longer serve as Vice President or Clinic Chair.

Bradley Linda said he had been contacted by a private party interested in donating a train order signal to the club. The prospective donor has offered to deliver the signal to the depot. Bradley will develop an estimate for restoring the signal and Ed Neill will contact the city of Temple to discuss display opportunities.

Wylie Starnes announced that the Board of Directors would meet after today’s business meeting to make the Waco Train Show and extended Mayborn Museum display official club activities.

Wylie Starnes declared the meeting adjourned at 11:01.

The meeting for November 2008 was called to order November 1st in the historic Moody Depot by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:30.

The minutes for October’s 2008 business meeting were presented. The following corrections were noted:

• “Dan Ladd that all of the …” should read “Dan Ladd reported that all of the …”
• “There were twenty-four votes for, one against, and one spoiled ballot. The proposed changed to the Articles of Incorporation passed.” should read “There were twenty-three votes for, one against, and one spoiled ballot. The proposed change to the Articles of Incorporation passed.”
• “Wiley Starnes made a motion to raise the club dues from $50/year to $100/year effective January 1, 2009.” should read “A motion was made and seconded to raise the club dues from $50/ year to $100/year effective January 1, 2009.”

Ron Miller made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected and Mike Ross seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read.

Old Business

Wiley Starnes reminded everyone that The Texas Association of Downtowns will be meeting in Temple on Wednesday, November 12th. Approximately 75 attendees will be visiting the club from 1-4 PM. Contact Wiley if you can help operate layouts for this special open house.

By-Laws – Bill Lancaster said they are still waiting to receive the new bylaws from the attorney.

Building Committee – Ed Neill had nothing to report.

Ed Neill reminded everyone on Noel Cowling’s behalf of the two upcoming Santa Fe facility tours. Only three vehicles can be used per tour. Maps were made available to those that desired them. Participants will meet at the North end of the BNSF yards at 09:00 on the tour days. If you have any questions, call Noel.

Inventory Committee – Betty Neill said each scale will be asked to review and verify their inventory in January.

Clinics – Mike Cleveland was not present to report.

Train Show – Wiley Starnes appointed Jim Bush as 2009 Train Show Chairman. Ron Miller withdrew his motion to extend pre-registration vendor table pricing to vendors that had reserved and paid for 2008 show tables. Bradley Linda made a motion for pre-registration pricing to be extended to all vendors registrations received or postmarked prior to March 15, 2009. Ron Miller seconded. There were fourteen votes for and five against. The motion passed.

Jim Bush said he thinks future train show chairs should be appointed in November instead of waiting until January as in the past. He also suggested that a train show contingency plan be developed in the event that something conflicts with the successful execution of the train show. He also suggested that while the club membership should vote on table and admission pricing for future shows, that other decisions related to show operation be left to the train show committee.

Baylor Show – Please contact Ron Miller if you are available to help load up on November 20-21 and with setup starting November 24th at 09:00 at the Mayborn Museum on the Waco Campus. They have been working just about every day at Ron’s church to prepare for the show. Give Ron a call if you would like to help.

Wiley Starnes discussed a needed correction to the September Special Meeting minutes and read the revised minutes. Ron Miller made a motion to accept the corrected minutes to show the result of the vote as twenty-three votes for, one against, and one spoiled ballot. Ed Neill seconded and the motion passed.

Wiley Starnes reminded everyone of the Christmas Dinner on December 4th at Raymond’s in Lorena. Dinner will begin at 1800 and be followed by a business meeting and a White Elephant Gift Exchange starting at 1900. Gifts should be $10 or less. Members should be sure they have signed up to attend the dinner and how many will be in their party. Contact Wiley if you didn’t get a chance to sign up.

Ed Neill reported they were still investigating Director and Officer insurance coverage.

New Business

Wiley Starnes announced he would be hosting an open house for his home layout from 1800-2000 on December 5th and 6th.

Wiley Starnes said he had flyers available for the January Waco Train Show. Please see Wylie if you are interested in helping hand these out.

Wiley Starnes announced that the Board of Directors would meet after today’s business meeting.

The RRHM is sponsoring a Hobby Day on January 17th, 2009. Wiley Starnes said he will get more information as it becomes available.

Bradley Linda made a motion for the HO group to be allowed to run the HVAC as necessary on November 8th and 29th. Joe Pyland seconded and the motion passed.

Joe Pyland made a motion to adjourn and Randy Hiersig seconded. The club adjourned at 12:00.

The N Scale group met on October 18, 2008 to discuss a direction and build plan for the N Scale permanent layout.

Scenery

The layout was divided into two areas – the Colorado timber area and incline that covers the hidden staging yard and the main layout area.

The Colorado timber area and incline will be set in the 1930’s. Some of the scenery ideas for this area were:

• Rock Quarry
• Sawmill
• Bunkhouses
• Company Store
• Office building in old XM along ROW

The main layout area will be set in the 1980’s and have an overall Southwestern Colorado feel. Scenery and industry options discussed by area of the layout were:

• Northeast Corner – Build a coal loader/conveyor going off layout to service coal trains coming out of hidden staging. Mike Ross’s coal mine modules and a turnaround could also be setup off the NTRAK interface to increase operating possibilities.
• North Side – Build a lift out or swing bridge to make it easier to access the center of layout.
• Northwest Corner (Roundhouse and Turntable Area) – The club already has a second 6-stall roundhouse kit to be built. The proposed third set of six roundhouse tracks could be represented as stalls under construction or a foundation only with tracks representing a portion of the roundhouse torn down.
• Northwest Corner – A railfan scene and Dari-Kreme on an overlook of the curve was proposed.
• West Side – A diesel service facility is being worked on by Bill Lancaster. It was proposed to add eight feet of backdrop with building flats and a track to increase switching opportunities. It was also suggested to add a car shops to the South end of the service facility.
• Southwest Corner – Add pieces of Plexiglas to the front of the layout to protect the town area and finish the town as is. Install a highway overpass over the NTRAK interface. Build a grain elevator across the tracks from the town to also serve as a scenic divider between the main layout and the yard area. This will require a turnout for a siding to serve the elevator.
• Southeast Corner – Build a power plant to function as a scenic divider between the main layout and the yard area.
• East Side – Ballast the track and finish the scenery consistent with the rest of the layout.
• Yard Area – Paint the track grimy black and rail brown and add towers. Rig a blue colored curtain to hang between the main layout area and yard area during operating sessions.

DCC and Wiring

The club has received the Digitrax Super Chief system and needs to install three UP5 Loconet Panels: (1) Inside E, (1) Outside W, (1) Yard area.

A wiring interface to the layout using flush-mount 2-position cinch jones plugs needs to be built to enable switching between Analog DC, Digitrax, and EZDCC systems. An adapter will be required to allow a DCC command stations to control up to five tracks (Red, Yellow, Blue, Mountain, Yard).

Track Plan

Two sets of crossover turnouts to service the yard tracks need to be installed. Just a little bit more is needed to finish wiring the yard.

Peninsula Track Plans

The peninsula adapter has been built and needs to be installed. Three concepts were discussed for the inter-changeable 2’x8’ peninsulas:

• Union Station Passenger
• Intermodal Yard
• Industrial Area

Track plans will need to be designed for each of these themes. The benchwork has already been built.

If you have any other ideas or comments, please see Randy Hiersig, N Scale Coordinator.