Minutes of the most recent meeting

Santa Fe Model RR Club Trainsactions

Instant Minutes of the December 13, 2022 SFMRRC meeting

1. Welcome. At 6:44 p.m. Gary Lee, executive committee member, welcomed everyone to the Eldorado Community Center. He thanked Bob Dolci for serving as meeting host and for the presentation. We had 14 members present.

2. Treasurer’s Report. Treasurer Jeff Taylor (not present) last reported that the Club has roughly $7,400 in its checking account and $2,160 in CDs.

3. 2022 Holiday Bank Layout. Gary Lee reported that the Club had an excellent turnout on December 3 to set up the 2022 Holiday Trains. Fifteen members attended and the setup went quickly.

Lee reported that Club members have been hard hit by Covid, colds, and flu, and that there are openings in the operator list for the Bank trains. He asked that members send him their availability times via e-mail at lee.rg1946@gmail.com

Hours of operations are 9:30—12:00 and 1:3-0-4:00, Monday through Friday.

Lee added that the Bank has not had many visitors during the first seven days of operation, and suggested that the Bank may want to cut back to three weeks for 2023.

4. RARG Show. Bob Hayden of the Club’s Estate Committee reported that the committee sold items donated to the Club at the Rails Along the Rio Grande show in Albuquerque, November 19 and 20. Net income for the Club Treasury was $2,762.25.

Hayden thanked the committee and members who attended the show and helped in the Club booth: Tony Balano and Karen Sloan, Nathan Benn, Phil Haworth, Bill and Helen Stripe, Jeff Taylor, Neil Wenthe, Ed Williams, and Les Zody.

5. Nominations for Officers for 2023 and 2024. Secretary Hayden reported on nominations received for new Club officers:

President Gary Lee

Vice President Ron Batory

Treasurer Vick Thomas

Secretary Roger Moose

6. Election of Officers. Hayden explained since none of the nominees is opposed, the election could be held by show of hands or voice vote. He called for the vote, and all four officers were elected unanimously.

Gary Lee noted that Ron Batory could not attend due to a prior commitment, and Vick Thomas was out after having tested positive for Covid-19.

7. 2023 Spring Train Show. Ed Williams reported that el Museo is prepared to provide space to the Club for a train show on Memorial Day Weekend, 2023. Setup would be Thursday and Friday, with trains running for the public on Saturday and Sunday, and possibly on Monday.

Tear down would be Monday. Williams reported that Tony Balano has agreed to organize the O Scale 3-rail module setup, and Roger Moose will assist Williams with the HO modular layout. He added that he has Mark Kellerman’s HO modules, and that Kellerman’s O scale modules are on one of the Club trailers. The corners for the HO setup belong to the Club, as do the yard modules. Both are on the trailers.

Williams said members will be encouraged to bring trains to run on the O and HO layouts, and to help with both setup and tear down. The show is a great opportunity to recruit new members.

Dave Staples noted that he has a friend who might become a member and who has connections to the Scottish Rite Temple. Ed Williams added that the temple would be a great venue for our shows, but pricey.

Getting back to el Museo, Williams said we would not have the big room there (as in the past), but instead we would set up in two of the smaller spaces. He said negotiations on cost at el Museo are ongoing, but it could be as low as $500.

Tony Balano asked if the Club would hire helpers for setup and teardown. Gary Lee replied that we would, and added that there is plenty of time to plan out the details.

Williams asked if the Club’s insurance policy is current? Dick Haber responded that Treasurer Jeff Taylor takes care of hat, but he recalled that the policy used to renew in February.

8. Meeting hosts and programs. Lee asked for volunteers for hosts and presenters for January and future meetings. He added that the incoming officers planned to evaluate meeting venues closer to town.

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at the Eldorado Community Center.

9. Other Business, questions and comments for the good of the Club.

Neil Wenthe thanked the Executive Committee for their efforts in keeping the Club going since 2018, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a brief round of applause.

Wenthe asked whether the New Year would be the time to again levy dues. Lee replied that the new officers would discuss, and asked for comments from the members.

Ed Williams suggested the dues could be $10 per year, lower than the $25 levied last time, perhaps making membership a better value. Bob Dolci suggested the opposite -- $100/year, to give the Club enough money to fund serious activities and attract new and younger members. He added that the Club needs to upgrade all its modules, and do more hands-on model railroading.

Dick Haber noted that most of the HO and O modules belong to individual members, not the Club. Wenthe suggested that the Club needs predictable income from dues, and that $10/year is less that a dollar a month. He suggested $35 to $50 per year.

Dave Staples asked if the Club had an annual budget? Several members thought that would be a good idea.

Bruce Williams expressed concern that the Club’s HO modules are not representative of current HO construction standards. He said we need higher quality to show to the public, and suggested forming a committee to design and improve the setup. He added that he would be more than willing to help design, revise, and rework the HO modules to follow a coherent theme. Construction would require a workspace, and dues could help pay for that.

Tony Balano asked where he could find a copy of the specifications for the O Scale 3-rail modules.

The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Gary Lee thanked all present for attending, and asked all members to send suggestions and comments to any one of the new officers. E-mail addresses are:

Gary Lee lee.rg1946@gmail.com

Ron Batory brakeclub@yahoo.com

Vick Thomas sfmrrc@protonmail.com

Roger Moose rdmoose1@gmail.com

PRESENTATION: Bob Dolci presented an in-depth report on the origins and activities of the South Bay Railroad Historical Society in northern California. The Society restored and now maintains the 1863 Santa Clara railroad depot, which serves as its headquarters and museum. There are also extensive HO and N model train layouts there. Thank you, Bob!

Submitted by Bob Hayden, Secretary