March 22, 2022 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S-Gaugers held the March club meeting at our clubhouse and on Zoom. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Ken Sadlock, Robert Graves, Dale Minard, Raulf Polichar, Jerry Shiller, John Racey, Lenny Carapezza, Scott Lewis, Don Briggs, Les Smith and Alex Sibbald.
Introduction of new faces / Show and Tell:
Dale Minard displayed a headband that he purchased that had a bright built-in light. Mike Forys passed around a mural rendition which featured a roof addition.
Treasurer's Report:
This month Bob Graves reported $326.13 from clubhouse visitor donations in February setting a new record for all previous Februarys. He also explained that the electric bill we owed this month is lower and should go down again next month. It was decided that although we are full up on donated trains that we will accept future donations and route surplus donated inventory to The Model Train Museum at Balboa Park.
Standards Report:
Raulf demonstrated the test box that he constructed that allows the club to test and operate any train engine that will fit on the test track fixture that he built. This includes N, HO, SN3, S, and O gauge, AC, DC, and DCC. Raulf is currently developing a tender simulator for American Flyer Locomotive testing purposes.
Publicity Report:
N/C
Library Report:
Dale Minard is awaiting a 11 X 17 scanner to speed up his scanning capabilities. Dale has volunteered to setup his computer for visitors with train layout related how-to instruction videos.
Old Business:
Website Update:
Our website is now listed on "Google My Business".
New Clinics:
N/C
SN3 Addition Status:
Mike has installed several engines on the display to enhance the scenery.
Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:
From 02/19/2022 to 03/19/2022 the Window Layout Button 1 has been pushed 1,361 times and Window Layout Button 2 has been pushed 1,323 times for a total of 2,684 times or 215,884 times since Feb 2016 when we first installed one at Grossmont Center and 255,442 times since day one.
New Business:
Covad-19 Update:
After a brief discussion it was agreed that we will discontinue Covid-19 protocols for the time being.
Future events:
The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, April 19, 2022 and May 17th 2022 and will be held at our clubhouse and on Zoom.
Grossmont Mall:
The Mall is having an Easter Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, Apr 15th. It will begin at 11:00 AM and we will open early in order to support this event. We have set a tentative date of April 30th for our next Lego Day pending Mall approval.
Clubhouse:
Liberty Loop Window Display received upgrades this month. Dale Minard installed a bandstand and snack bar. Popeye, Bluto and Olive Oil are now hanging out on the canoe dock.
Club Mural:
Mike Forys presented several detailed pictures of a train car complete with rivets that could be a model for upgrading our club mural.
NMRA:
The PSR 2022 Convention is scheduled to be held in Kearney Mesa from September 7th to September 11th. The chapter asked us to bring the timesaver module. Mike Forys has prepared a list of projects items that we should complete before that time if we are to be on the list of open houses. It was suggested that we display our new test track and provide a free engine test for attendees at a NMRA event,
Club Layout:
Mike Forys and Wes Noel completed the bypass extension on module C4 and Raulf Polichar installed the switch indicator. The track is now in use and provides for expanded train operations on the DCC side of the yard.
Other Items:
Mike Forys is still looking for freight station ideas for that empty piece of track to fit in a space approximately 3 to 3 7/8 X 66 inches.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:35 AM.
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