July 23, 2024 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S-Gaugers held the June club meeting at our clubhouse and on Zoom. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Ken Sadlock, Robert Graves, Alex Sibbald, Scott Lewis, Raulf Polichar, Les Smith, Craig Carlson, Don Briggs, Paul DeLaurell, Gary Clemons and Dave Horn.
Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:
We were introduced to our new member, Dave Horn, who recently moved to Rancho Bernardo from the east coast where he started an S-gauge club and ran it for 20 years before relocating. He has experience with a number of electronic train systems and will be a great asset to the club. Welcome aboard!
Treasurer's Report:
Bob Graves reported that the club received visitor donations totaling $367.44 in June $134 more than May, and $127 above the average for June with $68.09 of the donations coming from our Venmo account. In the twenty-two months we have had Venmo Service, we have received $1434.79 in donations. Bob sold $142.93 worth of donated trains at the All Gauge Club's Father's Day swap meet and a $3.00 switch controller to Craig. To date the club has received $8,146,77 from the sale of donated trains. We paid the semi-annual A/C service fee of $175 contributed to the club showing a net gain of $64.16 for the month after expenses.
Standards Report:
Ralph Polichar is assembling spare Fulgurex motors for the track turnouts.
Publicity Report:
N/C
Library Report:
N/C.
SN3 Layout:
N/C.
Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:
Mike Forys reported that from June 15, 2024 to July 20, 2024 the window buttons have been pushed 3,623 times. Windows 1=1,812 Windows 2 =1,811 average 103.5 per day over 35 days.
Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 320,606
Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 360,164
Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 95,252
Old Business:
Club Mural:
The Mural lettering, grab bars and ladder are complete. The UP logo and door hardware are next.
Craig Carlson has completed fashioning a hobo for the mural.
Window Layouts:
The Comet Locomotive has been replaced on the Liberty Loop layout due to worn contacts.
New Business:
Lego Days:
The next Lego Build Day is scheduled for August 24, 2024.
Future Events:
The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, August 20th, 2024 and September 17, 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.
Train Show:
The Great Train Expo is coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds on October 5th and 6th 2024.The members voted to participate in some fashion.
Halloween:
Mike Forys relayed a conversation with Larry Brown regarding Halloween. We told him we would support Halloween candy give away.
Visitor Celebration:
The club expects that we will see our 100,000th visitor at this location sometime between this November, and January 2025.
SDSG Layout Expansion:
Mike Forys has begun 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 some scenery have been installed. The modules are ready for installation.
Work Day Schedule:
August 22 and 23, 2024 have been selected as the time to modify the main layout to allow for expansion.
The 23rd will be a backup day in case the work isn’t finished on the 22nd. Mike Forys is seeking volunteers to aid in this endeavor.
Liability Insurance:
The club's liability insurance policy was modified to agree with our user license requirements.
July 4, 2026 Celebration:
Mike Forys asked everyone to start thinking about what features we can put into our layout and or clubhouse to celebrate our country’s 250 Anniversary.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am.