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Summary notes from the latest club meeting are below. For the notes on earlier meetings, click on the year link in the list below and then select the month you're interested in.
September 16, 2025 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S-Gaugers held the September club meeting at our clubhouse. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Ken Sadlock, Robert Graves, Raulf Polichar, Dale Minard, Dave Posladek, Don Briggs, Les Smith, Paul DeLaurell, Craig Carlson, Dennis Denk, Dave Horn, and Allen Keil
Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:
Dave Posladek showed a piece of Flyer track, to be used for engine display, to which he applied ballast for the first time using HO sized ballast, with excellent results. Dave is also working on collecting new sounds for Halloween.
Treasurer's Report:
Bob Graves reported that the club received $486.22 in visitor donations, $75.80 above last month, and $128 above the average for August. $154.12 of these donations came from our Venmo account. While the number and amount of Venmo donations were significantly above normal in May and June, they returned to the normal range in July. In the 37 months we’ve had Venmo service, we have received $2741.56 in donations from 267 donors, 19 of which were repeat donors.
We received $1981.65 worth of donated trains. This was mostly due to Peter Gagnon’s donation of a window sized layout plus engines, cars, and other accessories.
Other income included $11.36 savings account interest.
We sold $269.48 worth of donated trains at a profit of $21.98 over the $247.50 at which they were carried in inventory.
To date, we have received $10,063.73 from the sale of donated trains, $337.76 this year.
Expenses included $54.19 for printer ink, $3.00 for repair parts for donated trains, and $10.00 for window cleaning.
The result for the month is a net gain of $2142.30.
Standards Report:
N/A
Publicity Report:
N/A
Library Report:
Dale Minard reported that he has acquired the last two Car and Locomotive Encyclopedias to complete the set. He also acquired ”Track and Structures Encyclopedia” and a 1911 “Electric Railway Dictionary”.
Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:
Mike Forys reported that between August 16, 2025 to September 13, 2025 the window buttons have been pushed 1,416 times. Window 1 = 1,416 times, Window 2 = 0. Window 2 display was disabled during this time while getting the new window 2 layout ready to run.
Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 358,895.
Day One total (beginning May, 2011) = 396,986.
Visitor total since February 1, 2016 = 107,459.
Since the Window 2 display was disabled for a month, the total is not expected to reach 400,000 by October, but probably by November.
Old Business:
SDSG Website and Facebook:
The website has been updated.
Liberty Loop Update:
The engines have a slow spot that needs to be addressed.
Peter’s Layout Status and Provenance:
Peter’s layout was designed prior to 2008 to hold a Christmas Tree and was not modeled after any particular real location. Need to verify that the engines donated with Peter’s layout are DCC or AC. Also need to check which engines and cars can navigate the layout without interference with the scenery and also be able to climb the grade.
Window & Sn3 Layouts:
N/A
Front Wall Display:
Paul will be taking down his engines from the display case. Mike will put up his cars from Scale Trains (formerly MTH and S Helper Service).
Lego Days:
The Next Lego day will be October 25th.
Boxcar Wall Mural:
Last item to install is the door locking mechanism
Module Repair List:
Mike made a spreadsheet of items for repair.
New Business:
Next Meetings:
Tuesdays Octobers 21st and November 18th, 2025.
PY1 new business (Freight station) and new engine shed.
N/A
July 4th, 2026:
Put on display January 2026.
Dave Posladek is creating 6 flat cars and looking for objects to put on them. The objects should represent major milestones in the country’s history.
NASG National Convention:
Mike reported he will not be able to support the work to host the NASG national convention. Dale asked for volunteers to replace Mike. No volunteers came forward. It was decided not to host the convention. Mike will let the NASG president know and other interested parties.
Gilbert Engine Repair Clinic:
N/A
Main Layout Expansion, new module progress:
N/A
NMRA Layout Tour:
Jan 2026 celebrating 10 years at this location.
Mike to let NMRA know we want to host the layout tour for January 2026.
Operating Hours, Especially on Saturday:
The survey of the number of visitors by hour over the last month did not indicate an obvious time to be able to reduce the number of operating hours. A discussion ensued on how to advertise for new members including adding a notice to our “A” frame sign and advertising in newspapers and television. Dale will check on the merit badge tutorial for the Boy Scouts.
Storage Area:
Mike reported the rent on the storage space at the mall would be $400 per month. All agreed this was too much.
Great Train Show:
Del Mar fairgrounds October 4,5, 2025. Schedule through next Spring at Greattrainshow.com
Halloween Schedule:
2 to 4 pm on Friday October 31st.
Club support on Friday from 1 to 5 pm.
Halloween and Christmas layout?????:
Should the Window 2 layout be converted to the usual Halloween and Christmas layout with the lighted model buildings? All agreed to leave the newly set up layout donated by Peter Gagnon in window 2.
Next Month’s Meeting:
Pass any items for next year’s calendar to Mike so they can be incorporated in next year’s preliminary calendar.
Miscellaneous:
There will be a workday on September 25th from 10 am to 3pm.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:30.
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