March 18, 2025 - Meeting Summary

The San Diego S-Gaugers held the March club meeting at our clubhouse and on Zoom Attendees were: Mike Forys, Robert Graves, Alex Sibbald, Dale Minard, Raulf Polichar, Scott Lewis, David Horn, Ken Sadlock, Les Smith, and Craig Carlson.

Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:

Dale Minard brought in a raw sample of 3D printed figures and a sample of the same figures primed. He also displayed to the club a volume of Train Builder's Cyclopedia.

Mike Forys obtained a clear roll of double, sided Alien Tape for the club.

Treasurer's Report:

Bob Graves reported that the club received $120.00 in member dues. We received $433.46 in visitor cash donations, $45.00 more than last month, and $147.32 above the average for February with $46.51 of the donations coming from our Venmo account. In the thirty-one months we have had Venmo Service, we have received $2,165.35 in donations from 213 donors. Bob reported $19.00 in sales of donated trains this month. We have received $9,142.14 from the sale of donated trains to date.

Standards Report:

Raulf Polichar reported that the Amtrak engines are both operational.

Publicity Report:

N/C

Library Report:

Dale Minard reported that he now has obtained 41 of the 42 Train Builder's Cyclopedias.

SN3 Layout:

A #4 WYE that was ordered from Empire Track Works has arrived. It needs a wire to be attached to the frog.

Window Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:

Mike Forys reported that from Feb 15th 2025 to March 15 2025 the window buttons have been pushed 2,371 times. Window 1= 1,128, Window 2 = 1,243 average 84.7 per day over 28 days.

Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 343,109

Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 382,659

Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 102,795

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.

New Business:

Lego Days:

The next Lego Build Day is scheduled for April 26, 2025.

Future Events:

The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, April 22nd 2025 and May 20th 2025 and will be held at our clubhouse and on Zoom.

Main Layout:

Dale Minard suggested that we allow the public to watch us while we are constructing the expansion. Mike Forys is working on a schedule of tasks which could then be publicized. The first work day will be Thursday April 3rd at 10:00am. The goal will be to move furniture and modules into the approximate final position and to paint the new modules.

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 (S29 and C7) to support the layout expansion to include our turntable module. They need the final top layer of homosote and painting. C6 is partially built.

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 12:18 pm.