March 21, 2015 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S Gaugers held the March club meeting at the home of Raulf Polichar. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Oakley Warren, Dale Minard, Don Briggs, John Clary, Alex Sibbald, Ken Sadlock, Les Smith, Raulf Polichar, Wes Noel, Al Keil, Jim Patterson, Raulf Polichar and Mark Reinhard.
Special Guest:
Don Fowler, The Superintendent of the San Diego Division of the Southwest Region of the NMRA showed up to present Dale Minard with the Golden Spike Award for his work on the Air Museum Modules he created. The Golden Spike Award is the first step in the Master Model Railroader Achievement Program. Congratulations Dale!
Introduction of new faces / Show and Tell:
During show and tell the following items were introduced:
Don Briggs shared photos and brochures from a New Zealand tourist train ride. He noted that the track gauge was 1 meter.
Wes Noel displayed the Bar Mills wood structure that he constructed. He also presented a wall section that he prepared from a Downtown Deco wall kit.
Oakley Warren brought in a section of the new MTH flex track.
Dale Minard showed a bottle of canopy glue that dries clear on structure windows.
Mike Forys brought in a new reprint of Tom Baker’s AF Operating and Repair guide (3rd Edition) and a new reprint of an AF manual obtained from Amazon.
Raulf Polichar displayed two early 1950’s European trains; one that sported an original dc can motor.
Ken Sadlock brought back his project Atlantic locomotive and tender in which he installed a battery powered led headlamp. He also created a trailing truck assembly that he constructed with JB Weld products.
Treasurer’s Report:
The monthly statement was handed out in Bob’s absence. More dues received. Club is solvent.
Standards Report:
Raulf Polichar is attempting to create a universal wheel gauge for spacing American Flyer, high rail and scale wheel sets. He is also working on identifying turnout standards for our custom turnouts. Mike Forys displayed several power connectors that could be used to standardize our structure lights. The connectors used by Wes Noel in his Bar Mills Building were also discussed.
Publicity Report:
Dale Minard requested and received handouts from The World’s Greatest Hobby Organization.
Old Business:
Future Clubhouse Status:
Mike Forys reported that his search for a new clubhouse location is ongoing.
SDSG Website:
Bob Graves is working to add the latest GTE photos to the website.
New Clinics:
Dale Minard has suggested that he could hold a decal clinic.
New Business:
Future events:
The April 18th meeting will be held at the home of Mike Forys at 2:00 PM. The May 16th meeting will be held at the home of Ken Sadlock who has offered to host an engine repair clinic preceding the meeting. Details and directions will be sent out in the week of the meetings.
New clubhouse characteristics:
Mike Forys has asked for input as to what the club would seek in terms of a clubhouse location. The members agreed that the location at Grossmont Center was just about optimum however a site without foot traffic would also be useful for us to work on the layout rather than entertain the public.
501(c)3 status:
Mike Forys reported that any landlord donating space to a 501(c)3 organization that is only a portion of that structure would not be able to deduct that donation on his taxes. He could deduct the donation on his taxes if he donated an entire building. It would also be possible for a donor to claim a donation as a charitable donation on his taxes.
Future Projects:
The club discussed the plan to expand the Gilbert Yard to allow for a passing siding and the possibility of train operations. Mike Forys and Bob Graves have created drawings and the club got an opportunity to review them at the meeting. The expansion would require the creation of a new module and significant modification of the existing yard. One accessory on the expansion plan is the A.F. Guliford Passenger Station. Alex Sibbald brought one in for the club to see. Mike Forys also displayed plans to expand the Powel Yard to facilitate train operations. The expansion would require the creation of another module, additional turnouts and some modification of the existing yard.
Aux Buss test fixture:
Mike Forys displayed a test fixture that he constructed used to troubleshoot power loss issues on the layout.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:20PM.
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