DUES (over) DUE!

The Gandy Dancer The Official Publication of the Alameda County Central Railroad Society

February 2006

Next Public Operation Session:

GoodGuys Spring Get-together

Club News

Rodent Traps Deployed

Due to recent structure damage and dropping discoveries, several large spring-type rat and mouse traps have been deployed around the layout room. The O Scale gang has also placed DeCon trays in a couple of tunnel portals. Most traps are well marked with signs at eye-level, but even so, use caution when reaching or stepping into areas that you have not visually scanned first. Even if you avoid the traps, you may find that a rodent has taken up residence or expired in your path. Bob Johnson has latex gloves available for dealing with the aftermath of a successful trap or poison tray, and there is additional peanut butter in the fridge if anyone feels the urge to rebait the mechanical traps.

Please do your part in discouraging the rodents by policing up your snacks, coffee cups and soda cans, and carrying food-related trash out to the dumpster before you leave. Besides, it's common courtesy.

Too, remember that we have been seeing a number of small visitors lately; keep an eye out for loose kids so they don't wind up tripping a trap, being bitten by a rodent, or snacking on stale food or DeCon. By and large, parents seem to do their part, but kids are curious and very fast. A little attention by the rest of us is cheap and easy insurance against a tragedy.

Also, history shows that our layouts need careful attention to track cleaning in order to operate well during times of rodent infestation, so expect to spend a few minutes with the abrasive blocks before you run. Removing valuable locomotives and rolling stock from the rails between operations may be a wise move.

Upcoming Events

March

Business meeting:
March 3rd.

Goodguys 24th All-American Get-Together
March 25-26
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Sat.);
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.(Sun.).
We will be open from 10ish or so to closing time both days, but as is usual, early visitors may be expected to wander in as soon as the lights are on.

April

Business meeting:
April 7th.
Come early, enjoy the spring weather, and flop something on the grill!
We have no scheduled shows in April.

May

Business meeting:
May 5th.
Charcoal smoke will be once again wafting through the spring air. Won't you bring your favotite meat and join us in our feast?

Bob Johnson's sharp eyes noticed that the RV show scheduled for mid-May will be presented by the same group that put on the one in January. This may mean that our access for layout projects and pre-fair cooler tune-up and other work may be severely restricted, as the RV group seems to be quite willing to lock up the fence to control access, and ACF parking is unwiling to MOVE the fence to allow us into the layout room. An early discussion with GoodTimes Promotions (the RV people), the Fair and contingency planning may be needed before any work days or projects that run past May 12th.

Further research shows that we will be afflicted with the same group again in late summer and in the fall, but no business meeting days will be affected.

Unofficial Minutes for March 3rd, 2006 meeting:

Meeting Called to Order at 20:00 3 March 2006 by Henry Chandler in lieu of Gary Lewis. Approx. 25 members attending.

Paul Newhouse gave the treasurer's report - Provided electronically under separate cover.

A motion to split the proceeds of the Home and Garden show 50-50 between scales was made by Jere Ingram, which Bob Bunch seconded. Motion passed unanimously by voice.

There was a brief discussion of a thank you letter sent by Paul to a donor who had left a personal check in the donation box.

Secretary Dan Espinosa presented the latest correspondance with other clubs and model Railroad organizations. Of note was the promise of 500 copies of the Kalmbach pamphlet Introduction to Scale Model Railroading that should arrive in time for the Fair.

The discussion of a motion to have a mutual run date with Antioch's Black Diamond Lines was reopened by Dan Espinosa pursuant to last month's directive to gather more information on doing so. Dan read out the correspondence with the Antioch club with their responses. Some discussion ensued, to point out that we have relatively little club-owned power and that Antioch members would be encouraged to bring theirs with the plan being DC operation. The question of how many of ACCRS can be accomodated at Antioch was raised.

Motion amended in light of comment to be "that the ACCRS travel first to Antioch in May and then BDL to Pleasanton after the Fair; both visits to be on Saturdays that are mutually agreeable to the clubs; further that Dan Espinosa continue to correspond with BDL to establish the dates, the numbers of visiting members and what the ACCRS should supply for their visit to Antioch." Motion seconded by Dick Stark. Motion passed by voice vote.

Dan Espinosa made a motion to get 1000 copies of the ACCRS brochure printed in time for the Fair, in light of the rate at which they are being handed out this year. Short discussion ensued with the result that the passage describing the cost of the layouts will be removed. Dean Lewis volunteered to oversee the revisions and printing. Unknown second; Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Seth Abrahams introduced propective member Pat Power to the membership. Pat is reentering the hobby after some time away and has expressed a preference for HO scale.

Dan Espinosa introduced prospective member Dave Butterfield to the membership. Dave has extensive experience in S scale and wishes to join the O scale contingient.

Dan Espinosa introduced a Motion to investigate getting a laser printer to go with the computer upstairs, the idea being that signup sheets, membership applications and other club forms could then be printed on site. A laser printer would have the advantage of needing less attention and not suffering from cartridge dry-out. A counterproposal was offered that Dan E-mail members to see if anyone has a spare laser printer, then price a basic black and white printer. Motion tabled until April.

A brief discussion of an opening time for the OSH how-to Fair was entertained. No motion resulted, as several people were merely seeking information.

A motion to adjourn was made by Bob Johnson and seconded by Dan Espinosa. There being no objections, meeting ajourned at 20:20 hrs.

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HO Scale News:

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HO Scale Trainmaster

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O Scale News:

From the O Scale Trainmaster:

Hey gang-
With one more show left for the spring, I'd like to thank the rest of you for coming down and running the layout so far this year. Several of you came down despite a persistant lack of signup sheets, iffy weather, busy schedules and in defiance of the nasty chest cold that was making the rounds in February. You are a pretty grand bunch in my book, so THANKS!

So now that I've buttered you up, it's time to schedule some facility work days so we can be in good shape for Fair. I propose Saturday, April 29th, with the goal of getting the 'new' fluorescent lights up, repairing the old ones as best we can, and checking out our swamp coolers. Also, I'd like to put in a day or two (in addition to the friday evenings so far allocated-- look for an e-mail on the subject) on the trolley extention and other trackwork; we've some frogs that need attention on the main, a couple of balky switch machines, and the railing on the south-eastern trestle/girder bridge needs replacement. For those who are keeping track, that is the same bridge that I patched two years ago. I don't think there's enough good material in the railing to repair again. (gotta wash that flux off!) During the OSH show I managed to talk a vendor into donating a sample of a liquid flux for Nickel Silver; it's supposed to be water soluble so we can clean it up with a damp rag. If anyone wants to try their hand at scratchbuilding and/or structural soldering, that railing could be a good project.

-Dan

O Scale Trainmaster

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More Modeling Madness

PCR Convention to be held in Sacramento

The 62nd Annual NMRA Pacific Coast Region convention is scheduled for May 3rd through 7th at the Sacramento Doubletree Hotel. A small brochure is available on the raffle desk in the clubroom; for a listing of events and more information, see: The convention website or email Ed Pultz at epultz at juno.com.

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The Gandy Dancer, a monthly publication of the Alameda County Central Railroad Society.
Last updatedApril 21, 2006.

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Copyright © 2004 - 2009 Alameda County Central Railroad Society. All Rights Reserved.
For more information, email Dan Espinosa at:
steelnomad2002 at yahoo dot com.