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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.
January 20, 2026 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S-Gaugers held the January club meeting at our clubhouse. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Dale Minard, Ken Sadlock, Robert Graves, Scott Lewis, Dave Posladek, Don Briggs, Les Smith, Raulf Polichar, Allen Keil, Jim Sloan, Dave Horn, Craig Carlson, and Dennis Denk.
Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:
Mike Forys shared some family presents: a handheld device with a bunch of buttons that, when pressed, produced a train related sounds, a train fact book, a train word search book, and a wooden train scale model to assemble. Dale shared: a 1946 US Railroad Atlas with maps of trail routes, a Pullman book of passenger car descriptions, and a book of prototype lettering diagrams for locos and rolling stock. Bob shared that his brightly colored Washington engine is being use to pull the 250 Anniversary display flatcars. The engine may have a problem with unexplained stops. Dave Horn suggested to consider soldering a short segment of flexi-wire between the tow bar and rivet head it slips over. That improves electrical connection between the engine and tender (usually also makes them smoke better). Dave Posladek shared a spray accelerant for super glue, a special flux for tinning a soldering iron, and a potential low cost SDSG club badge replacement. Dave Horn also shared a superglue accelerant, Zip Kicker by Zap, as well as Chip Quick, a tack flux (syringe-fed gel flux), and Hakko 599B, a soldering iron tip cleaner wire ball (no water required). Allen Keil showed an article in the January, 2026 issue of the NASG Dispatch. The article was on a unique modular track layout. Allen was in the pictures.
Treasurer's Report:
Bob Graves reported that the club received $671.42 in visitor donations, $226.56 more than last month, and $162.45 above the average for December. $123.42 of these donations came from our Venmo account. We had 9 donations from 9 donors this month. We have received a total of $3142.47 in Venmo donations.
Other income included: $160 in other cash donations, $1,855 worth of donated trains, and $18.31 savings account interest.
Bob discovered $50.76 worth of Assets for Sale that had not previously been recorded.
We continue to clean, repair, and evaluate previously donated trains, resulting in an increase of $28.50 in the value of assets for sale.
We sold $53.01 worth of donated trains at a profit of $17.66 over the $35.35 at which they were carried in inventory.
To date, we have received $11,329.29 from the sale of donated trains, $632.47 this year.
Expenses included: $2.25 for repair parts for equipment on the club’s layouts, $30.00 for window cleaning, and $250.00 for annul NMRA liability insurance.
This month’s electricity usage was $154.96, $16.56 above last month and $4.43 less than the average December.
The result for the month is a net gain of $1783.87.
Standards Report:
N/A
Publicity Report:
Les recommended the chronology on the wall be updated to include the Audio Buttons, 250 Anniversary Train, and layout expansion.
Library Report:
See show and tell above.
Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:
Mike Forys reported that between December 13th, 2025 to January 17, 2026, the window buttons have been pushed 866 times. Window 1 = 484 times, Window 2 = 382.
Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 371,240.
Day One total (beginning May, 2011) = 410,798.
Visitor total since February 1, 2016 = 113,187.
The window button numbers are down due to mall construction blocking access to the window buttons.
2025 yearly totals: Visitors = 11.912, Button count = 35,808
Old Business:
Upgrade SDSG Website, Google My Business, and Facebook Page:
Need to add to the website that the layout with be open to visitors during mall construction.
Liberty Loop layout Status:
Can work on updating the lighting.
Right Window (Peter’s) Layout Status:
The layout is running well.
Sn3 Layout Status:
N/A
Front Wall Display Status:
Does anyone have any cars they would like to display?
Lego Days Status:
The next Lego Build Day is February 28th, 2026. Mike will check with the mall on where to put the tent during the mall construction.
Module Repair List, Window Layouts Upgrade/Repair:
Work day on Thursday, January 22.
Work/Play day Thursday January 22nd, 10:00am to 3:00am:
Plenty of work to do from the Repair list.
New Business:
Next Meetings, Tuesday’s February 17th and March 17th 2026
Both will be held at the clubhouse and on Zoom.
July 4th 2026. The Semiquincentennial Train is on Display:
The train is up and running and is well liked. A video of the train will be added to the web site.
Gilbert engine repair clinic:
No engine repair clinic days scheduled.
Main Layout Expansion, New Module Progress:
Will be worked on this Thursday’s work day.
NMRA Layout Tour March 14th, 2026 Celebrating 10 years at this Location:
Postpone until after construction?
Grossmont Center Tenant Meeting Jan 21st 9:00am Space next to Panera Bread.
Meeting will explain the detail on the construction. Macy’s will be closing at the end of March. In store up to 40% sale has begun.
SDCCE Visit Request Tuesday March 10 and Thursday March 12th from 10:00am until Noon
Lionel American Flyer 2026 New Box Cars:
Two new box cars (see Charles Rowe).
Other Items:
2026 Officer Elections:
The following officers were reelected: Mike Forys – president, Bob Graves – Treasurer, Raulf Polichar – Standards. Don Briggs was elected Secretary.
Mike will not be here on Saturday’s February 7th and 21st.
Need coverage for the above dates.
Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am.
Dave Posladek is putting together an article on the 250 year, anniversary, train for the July, 2026 issue of the NASG Dispatch magazine.
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