May 20, 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, Scott Lewis, Dave Posladek, Ken Sadlock, Les Smith, Dennis Denk and Michael Thomas.

Introduction of New Faces / Show and Tell:

Dave Posladek brought in a flatcar that he made on his 3D printer and passed around a new 3D printed tunnel portal for the Sn3 layout.

Treasurer's Report:

Bob Graves reported that the club received $659.23 in visitor cash donations, $424.07 more than last month, and $267.96 more than the average for April with $48.57 of the donations coming from our Venmo account. In the thirty-three months we have had Venmo Service, we have received $2274.06 in donations from 223 donors. Bob reported $16.59 in sales of donated trains this month. We have received $9726.65 from the sale of donated trains to date. Bob reported that we showed a profit of $772.26 in April.

Bob Graves will look into adding $600.00 to an existing CD or Get a new CD.

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 door bell button and have two spare buttons for the hill side layout.

Amtrak engines are now working.

Publicity Report:

Les Smith reported that he had received the new junior engineer badges.

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 April 19, 2025 to May 17th 2025 the window buttons have been pushed 2,005 times. Window 1= 1,080, Window 2 = 925 average 71.6 per day over 28 days.

Grossmont total (beginning Feb, 2016) = 347,866

Day one (beginning May, 2011) total = 387,424

Visitor Total since February 1, 2016 = 104,371

Old Business:

Club Mural:

The Mural door locking feature is the final task remaining.

Window Layouts:

Both window switches 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, June 17, 2025 and July 22, 2025 and will be held at our clubhouse and on Zoom.

Main Layout:

Dave Posladek brought in sound system with a sample of sounds used to enhance the visitor experience. The club voted to provide him with $50 to obtain parts to complete a sound module.

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. They need painting. C6 is partially built.

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. They will discuss the convention during their May 18th meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at noon.