February 18, 2025 - Meeting Summary

The San Diego S-Gaugers held the February club meeting at our clubhouse and on Zoom Attendees were: Mike Forys, Robert Graves, Alex Sibbald, Dale Minard, Don Briggs, Scott Lewis, Dennis Denk, Ken Sadlock, Les Smith, and Craig Carlson.

Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:

Dale Minard brought in a Scotch-Brite Dobie scrubbing pad that he uses with a degreaser to clean track followed by contact cleaner.

Treasurer's Report:

Bob Graves reported that the club received visitor cash donations totaling $387.76 in Jan. $112.90 less than last month, and $156.22 above the average for January with $126.95 of the donations coming from our Venmo account. In the twenty-nine months we have had Venmo Service, we have received $2118.84 in donations from 209 donors. Bob reported $243.66 in sales of donated trains this month. We have received $9123.14 from the sale of donated trains to date. Since we have more than enough operating cash, the club purchased a $2,000 CD.

Standards Report:

N/C

Publicity Report:

N/C

Library Report:

N/C

SN3 Layout:

A #4 WYE was ordered from Empire Track Works with a projected delivery date at the end of March.

Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:

Mike Forys reported that from January 18th, 2025, to Feb 15th 2025 the window buttons have been pushed 3,141 times. Windows 1= 1,565, Windows 2 = 1,576 average 112 per day over 28 days.

Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 340,730

Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 380,288

Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 101,989

Old Business:

Club Mural:

The UP logo is complete and the door hardware will be next. The test of the stick-on lettering worked.

Window Layouts:

The track on Liberty Loop layout had a new bridge rail slider installed. The Winter ceramic village window display will be replaced with the Easter display after the meeting.

New Business:

Lego Days:

The next Lego Build Day is scheduled for February 22, 2025.

Future Events:

The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, March 18, 2025 and April 22nd 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.

American Flyer Clinic:

Bob Graves will be holding a repair clinic on Tuesdays for club members.

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. Some scenery is yet to be installed. The expansion requires an additional 2 curve modules that Mike is constructing. Mike is seeking scenery suggestions for these modules.

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.

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. No one responded to the search for 6 chairmen to run various convention activities.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.