June 17, 2025 - Meeting Summary

The San Diego S-Gaugers held the May club meeting at our clubhouse. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Robert Graves, Alex Sibbald, Dale Minard, Raulf Polichar, Dave Posladek, Ken Sadlock, Les Smith, Dennis Denk, Don Briggs, Craig Carlson, and Paul DeLaurell.

Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:

Dave Posladek brought in a S scale DeLorean that rides on our track and a sound module that he made on his 3D printer. Paul DeLaurell described his trip on the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad.

Treasurer's Report:

Bob Graves reported that the club received $322.34 in visitor cash donations, $336.89 less than last month, and $18.74 more than the average for May with $105.86 of the donations coming from our Venmo account. In the thirty-four months we have had Venmo Service, we have received $2379.92 in donations from 232 donors. Bob reported $7.84 in sales of donated trains this month. We have received $9734.49 from the sale of donated trains to date. Bob paid the yearly insurance premium on our layouts and equipment which contributed to a loss of $216.71 in May.

Standards Report:

Raulf Polichar reported that he is working on the new turnout required for the new S29 module.

We have replaced batteries in the window layout doorbell buttons and have two spare buttons for the hill side layout.

Publicity Report:

N/A

Library Report:

Dale Minard is looking for a copy of the current April NMRA Magazine.

Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:

Mike Forys reported that from May 17th 2025 to June 14, 2025 the window buttons have been pushed 2,790 times. Window 1= 1,235, Window 2 = 1,555 average 99.6 per day over 28 days.

Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 350,656

Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 390,214

Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 105,497

Old Business:

Club Mural:

The Mural door locking feature is the final task remaining.

Window Layouts:

Both window pushbuttons are operating correctly.

New Business:

Lego Days:

The next Lego Build Day is scheduled for June 28, 2025.

Future Events:

The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, July 22, 2025 and Aug 19, 2025 and will be held at our clubhouse and on Zoom.

Main Layout:

Dave Posladek installed a sound system on the Green Acres Module with a selection of sounds used to enhance the visitor experience. The club voted to provide him with an additional $200 to obtain parts to complete five more sound modules.

American Flyer Clinic:

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

SDSG Layout Expansion:

Mike Forys has finished constructing two new modules (S29 and C7) to support the layout expansion to include our turntable module. C6 is partially built and is ready for sanding and wiring.

The club discussed various ways that the public could be able to observe construction techniques Mike Forys is working on a schedule of tasks which could then be publicized.

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. Michael Thomas suggested red white and blue bunting for passenger cars.

NASG Convention:

The members discussed the possibility of hosting a NASG Convention with another club. Mike Forys has contacted the Southern California S-Gauge club and they appeared interested although the money required may be a problem. Awaiting communication from NASG President to proceed with proposal.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 AM.