December 17, 2024 - Meeting Summary

The San Diego S-Gaugers held the December club meeting at our clubhouse and on Zoom Attendees were: Mike Forys, Robert Graves, Alex Sibbald, Dale Minard, Raulf Polichar, Don Briggs, Paul De Laurell, Scott Lewis, Dennis Denk and Jim Sloane.

Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:

We were introduced to Jim Sloane via Zoom. Jim has been connected to American Flyer Trains since 1948.

Treasurer's Report:

Bob Graves reported that the club received visitor donations totaling $371.15 in Nov. $65.54 more than last month, and $40.85 above the average for November with $63 of the donations coming from our Venmo account. In the twenty-seven months we have had Venmo Service, we have received $1916.25 in donations from 195 donors. Bob reported $411.41 in sales of donated trains this month. We have received $8718.08 from the sale of donated trains to date.

Standards Report:

Ralph Polichar received and installed a new motor for Liberty Loop RS3 Locomotive from American Models. He is also going to fix the crossing sensor to prevent trains from stopping on the crossing.

Publicity Report:

N/C

Library Report:

Dale Minard has added all but one of this year's train magazines to his database.

SN3 Layout:

N/C

Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:

Mike Forys reported that from November 16th, 2024 to December 14th, 2024,, the window buttons have been pushed 2,763 times. Windows 1= 1,092, Windows 2 = 1,671 average 98.7 per day over 28 days.

Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 332,657

Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 372,215

Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 100,012

Old Business:

Club Mural:

The UP logo is complete and the door hardware will be next.

Window Layouts:

The track on Liberty Loop layout needs a new crossover installed.

New Business:

Lego Days:

The next Lego Build Day is scheduled for December 21, 2024.

Future Events:

The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, January 21, 2025 and February 18, 2025 and will be held at our clubhouse and on Zoom.

Main Layout:

A circus display has been located on the S curve temporarily until the permanent town is completed.

Visitor Celebration:

The club plans to celebrate our 100,000th visitor at this location sometime soon.

SDSG Layout Expansion:

Mike Forys has finished constructing two new modules to support the layout expansion to include our turntable module. One is 24 inches deep and one is 30 inches deep. Track and scenery have been installed. The modules have been installed in the layout.

Holiday Hours:

The members decided to open on Sundays, December 22nd and Dec 29th and close on Tuesdays December 24th and December 31st.

NMRA:

Mike Forys reports that NMRA liability insurance for 2025 and 100% club application are complete and paid.

250th Anniversary:

Mike Forys asked everyone to start thinking about what features we can put into our layout and or clubhouse to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary In July 2026. Suggestions received included running The Freedom Train, an army train and a navy train. Another suggestion was to purchase and display a Lionel exploding fireworks warehouse accessory

Elections:

Nominations and elections of club officers will take place next month. Annual dues ($24) must be paid up in order to vote.

NASG Convention:

The members discussed the possibility of hosting a NASG Convention with another club. Mike Forys will contact the Southern California S-Gauge club and the AGTTA club. Dale will get two copies of the convention guidelines.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:23 am.