April 26, 2014 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S Gaugers held the April club meeting in our clubhouse in Liberty Station. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Bob Graves, Ken Sadlock, Dale Minard, Alex Sibbald, Wes Noel, Al Kiel, Raulf Polichar and Les Smith.
Show and Tell:
Bob Graves brought in the AF Harbor Freight Station, which Dale and Bob repaired. Bob also displayed the AF 660 passenger car that he had cleaned up. They will be sold on Ebay. Mike displayed the sound source made by Big Dawg Greetings. He has a circuit that we can use to eliminate the battery. It is our intention to add sounds at various locations on the modular layout. Raulf brought in a brass Interurban car sold by Don Heimburger in the 1980’s. Les Smith brought in a book titled Train for our perusal.
Treasurer’s Report:
Bob Graves reported that we took in $168.59 in clubhouse donations during March. Donations have exceeded expenses again this month and we continue to be solvent.
Standards Report:
It was reported that the new, long AF engines by Lionel interfere with the switch indicator leds.
Publicity Report:
No report this month.
Old Business:
Lift bridge module:
The vineyard has taken shape on the module. Mike Forys has mounted the stakes and fencing and is ready to prepare the ground. Dale suggested the installation of a French Cleat to help close the gap.
SDSG Website:
Bob Graves has added videos and updated the section depicting member projects.
Donated Trains:
Bob handed out a list of remaining items to sell
PY2.5
This module still needs switch control motor and clouds. (On-hold)
Window Layout:
Our activity counter has recorded a total of 1,345 hits in the last month. Now into the 23rd month of counter operation, the counter has recorded 24,629 pushes on the Liberty Loop button. The scenery is currently under construction. Dale Minard displayed a prototype for the waterfall created with cotton balls and realistic water.
Roundhouse Addition:
Mike Forys has installed an ash pit on a spur next to the roundhouse foundation. He also added end-of-track bumpers to the spurs requiring them.
Twin Lakes Module:
Ready for the construction of low hills on the visitor side of the tracks.
New Business:
Future events:
The next monthly meeting of 2014 will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 2:00pm. Our next Open House will be held on Saturday May 10th, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, which is National Train Day. Again this year we have been designated an official host for an offsite event. Dale Minard has designed stickers and a flyer for advertising. Mike Forys will bring in a card table for the kids to use for the train themed coloring pages.
PSR Regional Convention:
Dale attended the PSR regional convention status meeting as the SDSG representative. The PSR is seeking persons who want to put on clinics as well as volunteers to help out at the convention.
S Gauge Vendor List:
Dale Minard has printed a complete list of S-Gauge vendors from the NASG website. It will be kept on the bulletin board at the clubhouse for reference and to show the public where S Gauge products can be purchased.
Labor Day Weekend:
Due to a conflict in our scheduling, the club voted not to take the layout to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum this Labor Day Weekend. We have committed to be on the layout tour for the NMRA Convention the week after the Labor Day Weekend. Mike Forys will discuss possible alternative dates with the museum.
Sunday coverage at the clubhouse:
Mike reported that there are plenty of helpers on Wednesday, but on Sunday when we receive a lot more visitors, there could be more helpers. Mike will post a signup calendar in the work area for members to sign up.
The soldering clinic scheduled for today had to be cancelled due to a conflict that Wes had. Mike also mentioned that anyone else who wanted to present a clinic to let him know and it would be scheduled on an upcoming Saturday before our regular monthly meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:35PM.
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