February 20, 2024 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S-Gaugers held the January club meeting at our clubhouse and on Zoom. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Ken Sadlock, Robert Graves, Don Briggs, Alex Sibbald, Scott Lewis, Raulf Polichar, Les Smith, John Racey, Craig Carlson and Dale Minard.
Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:
Scott Lewis brought in a display of photographs and track samples from the recent flood which washed out another railroad club to which he is a member of. The members voted to donate $200 toward the recovery efforts of the Chula Vista Live Steamers.
Treasurer's Report:
Bob Graves reported that the club received visitor cash donations totaling $454.32 in January, which was the highest January amount in club history, with $91.16 of it coming from Venmo. The club showed a net gain of $615.46 after expenses which included yearly club dues and cash donations from club members.
Standards Report:
Ralph Polichar is working on an E-Unit simulator for the test track.
Publicity Report:
N/C
Library Report:
Dale Minard is working on merging sections of the club digital library and the NASG digital library. He has been scanning real train data from Train Shed Encyclopedia and others into his database.
New Clinics:
N/C
SN3 Addition:
A visitor and NMRA member, Robert Behm, volunteered to shorten our engine house which he accomplished.
Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:
Mike Forys reported that from January 13th, 2024 toFebruary17th the window buttons have been pushed 3,191 times. Windows 1=1,619 Windows 2 =1,527 average 91 per day over 35 days.
Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 306,570
Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 346,128
Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 91,238
Old Business:
Club Mural:
The mural has been completely painted and the back wall has been painted green to match the other side. The mural is now ready for some strengthening so it can carry the weight of the barn door. (After the meeting the strengthening of the wall and hanging of the barn door was completed.)
Window Layouts:
Mike Forys found and fixed a loose rail joiner on the Liberty Loop window layout.
New Business:
Lego Days:
The next Lego Build Day will be February 24th, 2024.
Future Events:
The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, March 19th 2024 and April 16th 2024 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.
Window Displays:
The Christmas window display has been replaced by the Easter layout.
The Toboggan Run centerpiece has been replaced by the Liberty Station Park display on the Liberty Loop layout.
NMRA:
The NMRA hosted a NMRA quarterly meeting at our clubhouse on February 10th, 2024. Mike Forys reported that the attendance was about 40 members. The activities included clinics and a silent auction.
Ladder:
The club needs an eight, foot step ladder to keep at the clubhouse. Jim Patterson bought and delivered a ladder to the club house.
SDSG Layout Expansion:
The club discussed a plan to create several new modules to incorporate the turntable module into the main layout. The members voted to move forward with the design. The members also discussed the possibility of adding more Gilbert Accessories to the main layout.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM.