The Gandy Dancer

Upcoming Public Operation Sessions:

Good Guys

August 24 (Friday), 25 (Saturday) and 26 (Sunday). 15th West Coast Nationals.
Hours: Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Start time for the club display is normally 10:00 AM for this event.
The club is officially committed to being open for Saturday and Sunday of this show.

However, if enough members (to fully staff our facility) are interested in working on Friday during the day, then it may be possible to open our exhibit on Friday during the car show hours. Likewise if enough members are present, for full staffing, and they wish to open early on Saturday or Sunday that would be acceptable as well.

Good Guys

November 10 and 11. 12th Autumn Get Together. Hours: Saturday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Start time for the club display is normally 10:00 AM for this event.

GATS   -   Great American Train Show

November 25 and 26 (Thanksgiving weekend). Hours are 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

General Club News:

September Business Meeting

The September general business meeting will be held on Friday, Septemer 7th, Big Bertha the club BBQ, will be fired up for those wishing to bring your own meat for the self-service grilling session prior to the meeting. There will be a number of items to discuss at the meeting and the treasurer will be giving her post fair report so please plan to attend.

Annual BBQ well attended.

The annual club post fair BBQ had a good turnout, although, this years crowd was a bit smaller than previous years. Everyone had a good time and there was plenty of good food and good conversation. Thanks to all of those who participated and brought in all of the goodies for everyone to enjoy. A big thank you to all of those who took part in the pre-BBQ set up, food preparation and take down of the tables and chairs afterward. To those who were unable to attend, you should have been there.

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HO scale news:

Security improved at finger alley:

The long awaited sliding glass partition has been installed at Wills Point, AKA "Finger Alley". This area of the layout has been problematic over the years. Some visitors, old enough to know better, as well as some babes in arms could not refrain from touching or in some cases grabbing equipment. In one instance a person "lost" the ice portion of their snow cone on the mainline tracks, during a fair some years ago. Carlo and Carl finished installing the components in what Carlo termed was a "three beer job" on Friday, August 10th. The completion of this project is very much appreciated by the members who enjoy sharing some of their nicer equipment, with other members and our guests during shows. One added benefit of the project was the elimination of the cap rail, which obstructed the view for visitors that were about five feet tall.

Signups still available for Good Guys Show.

HO members are reminded that we still have several signup slots available for the Good Guys show August 25 and 26. If you have not signed up yet, and will be working the show please signup no later than Friday evening, August 24.

The following remarks are from the HO Scale Trainmaster.

Fair burnout is slowly healing amongst the loyal troops as September rolls into view.

Don Pomplun has begun installation of DCC phone jacks; I built a new shelf for the power supply and am supplying block wiring from the panel back to the new power supply plug for Don. Carlo and Carl put up new glass and woodwork at the former finger alley. I suppose now it will be called finger "print" alley.

I would like to recognize several members for their efforts this past year. I am not attempting to recognize everything done by everyone, so if I don't mention some one's project please do not be offended.

The biggest project of course this year was the city redevelopment. Linda, Carlo, Detlef, Seth, Dean, Bob Hopkins, Bob Johnson and others revised the structure, laid trolley trackage, scenicked, painted, built buildings and produced special effects. Linda, the spark plug on the job, had a good quote. "Its like herding cats". She was right.

Other projects and members to mention this year, in no particular order, Bob Johnson, Gandy Dancer Editor, and engine facility modifications, also new scenery lighting around the layout. Gary Lewis, the new station at Oildale, (I think that was this year). Dean Lewis for work on the new club engines and rolling stock. Cathy Chrisman our dedicated Treasurer. Carlo and Lois, once again a great BBQ. Other members, were in there as assistance on some of these projects and although, some were though not swinging hammers were there, interested, full of advice and made the time sociable and enjoyable. I see our new members Detlef, Keith and Lee getting involved and I'm sure this will continue as they are truly into the train thing (or whatever you foamers call it).

We had no business meeting during the BBQ in August. To hear a report on how things came out at the fair please attend next business meeting. In general, about average.

I would like to thank those who worked the fair again, I know and appreciate how much effort it takes to prepare for and work the fair. For the most part our membership worked all the hours requested of them, and more. There were a few cases of someone signed up to work that didn't show on time or at all. Some times this happened with good reason, but oftentimes not. Some got tickets and didn't sign up, or show up. To this select few I would say this:

Thanks to your lack of effort, someone else had to put out more. I understand that things happen; however a phone call, e-mail or carrier pigeon would have been nice. If you cannot commit for the fair as some times happens for any of a hundred reasons there are other shows to work and projects to be completed to show the rest of us your level of interest.

The ONE thing I ask though is please don't make a commitment and not follow through. That causes extra work and irritates the heck out of everyone. The biggest headache is that sooner or later someone will be irritated enough to raise this issue and put forth some proposed solution at a business meeting. I guarantee several people will get bent out of shape over the issue and the feelings raised will alienate many members besides those with the problem. These things are never clean, cut and dried.

A reminder... September is the time to elect a new Trainmaster. Therefore at the next business meeting / HO meeting, we will nominate and vote on the next volunteer for this highly paid position. Please be thinking of who you might want to vote (i.e. railroad) into the job. I say this as your almost former Trainmaster, and good luck to the incoming TM whoever ye may be.

--Gerald

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O scale news:

The following remarks are from the O Scale Trainmaster.

On August 5, the ACCRS O Scalers hosted a group of West Bay enthusiasts, plus a few from the Valley as well (Lou Cross of Right-O-Way in Chowchilla, for one). This group normally visits layouts in one another's homes once a month, and it was their first formal visit to ACCRS. Including our own members, the total turnout was about 40 people. There was plenty of opportunity for running (including DCC), as well as a Barbeque hosted by Chef Bill Oborne. As well, two people requested membership applications. Maybe we will turn this into a regular "midsummer meet," as everyone had a great time.

"Get well soon" best wishes to Bob Bunch who, after organizing the West Bay group's visit, had to miss it himself on account of back surgery. Hope things are going well, Bob.

The O Scale side is also making progress on our DCC operations project. A few bugs are being worked out, but we are pretty close to operations on a regular basis. Don't forget that if you are an active O Scale participant, you are entitled to two decoders. Errol Spangler has them; you can contact him.

Our monthly Sunday operations and DCC workday will resume on September 9. I hope you all can attend.

--George Cumming, O Scale Trainmaster

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Test your word power.

Listed below are the answers to last month's questions about American railroad slang. Some terms refer to people and others to equipment, facilities or actions.

1. A "diamond pusher" is a fireman.
2. An "underground hog" is the chief engineer.
3. A "captain" is a conductor.
4. A "club winder" is a brakeman.
5. A "cage full o' signals" is a signal lantern.
6. "Varnish" is a passenger car or passenger train.
7. A "hot shot" is a fast or express train.
8. A "black snake" is a train of coal cars.
9. A "mike" is a Mikado steam locomotive 2-8-2.
10. The railroad that was known as the "Big Suitcase" was the Grand Trunk.

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Editorial Notes:  

In the land of the giants.

It was just another day on the family run vegetable farm; harvest time and the crops were being picked. Both of the tractors, the farm truck and several workers were gathered in the field to start the harvest. Suddenly something very large blotted out the sun and there was a rush of wind from above as an incredibly large flat object landed on the field crushing a tractor, the truck and killing several workers. After what seemed like hours the object left and the damage was apparent for all to see.

The paragraph above is not an excerpt from a science fiction story. It is told from the point of view of some figures in the model farm field adjacent to the main HO control panel. The large object was an equipment box that was set on the top of the control panel that overlapped onto the farm field scene while a member put equipment on the layout or removed equipment from the layout. There have been other incidents also, bumpers near the passenger station and the grain elevator have been flattened by tool boxes during construction and maintenance operations.

The point of this editorial is that members should be careful of the many detail items on the layout that are easily damaged. There are a number of trackside signals on the HO layout, several of which have been damaged or destroyed by activities like track cleaning, layout modifications, and putting equipment on or off of the layout. Likewise there are a number of mileposts that are/were located along the front part of the layout. Most of those were taken out during the hand track cleaning process.

While in some cases the details are in a location where they are likely to take a beating; the signal next to the front aisle by the bridge is an example, located right at the layout edge. Many of the other damaged details were not in locations that promoted their destruction. Many members spend a lot of time and effort in detailing the layout. All members should exercise care to avoid damaging the many items that add interest and bring our layout to life.

News of the Prototype.

Canadian Pacific

Steam returned the Canadian Pacific on August 15, 2001 when H1b class Hudson 2816 was operated for the first time in 40 years out of Vancouver, BC. After some shakedown operations the 4-6-4 is expected head to Calgary at some point in September. Details and photos at Steam Central.

Southern Pacific

Former Southern Pacific 4-6-2 # 2467 will be operating out of Oakdale, CA on September 1 and 2 for the Sierra Railroad's Iron Horse Roundup. A number of opportunities to ride behind the 2467 will be available during the weekend.

Recently Southern Pacific 4-6-2 # 2472 was steamed up and operated in the yard at Hunters Point. This locomotive had been out of service for some time. Details. Word has it that an excursion trip from San Francisco to San Jose and return may be in the works for mid-November. Details when they become available.

Virginia & Truckee

The Gold Hill Historical Society is sponsoring a fundraiser and train ride, on September 2nd, benefiting the Gold Hill depot restoration and extension of the current V&T toward Carson City. Details.

Truckee Railroad Days.

Truckee Railroad Days Commercial Row, Downtown Truckee on Friday through Sunday, September 7-9 - Tour Historic & Modern Rail Cars. Activities that will last the entire weekend including National Handcar Races, a chili cook-off, huge model train exhibit, displays and train memorabilia vendors. Call (530) 546-1221 for more information.

California Western

California Western 2-8-2 # 45 will operate from Fort Bragg to Willits and return on Sunday, October 14th. The trip is sponsored in part by Pacific Coast Chapter, R&LHS and the Central Coast Chapter, NRHS. Details.

Sunday Signal Crew at Work.

The Sunday Signal Crew; Gerald DeWitt, Seth Abrahams, Ann Meisner, Carl Klenk and Bob Johnson, spent Sunday, August 19, 2001 working with signal components. This was an all-afternoon effort and resulted in the acquisition of several signal related items in addition to a lot of fun and some degree of sunburn for the crewmembers. The components are safely stored and will be used for an upcoming project to be announced at a later time. For those who might have concerns about this project, it was accomplished with prior written consent and permission from their previous owner. More details about the items acquired and plans for these items at a future date.

Museum Report:

In last month's issue your editor indicated that there would be a series of reports about railroad related sites and museums visited during his recent vacation. The following article is the first installment of this series of reports.

The first railroad related stop, during the trip, was at the yard in Dunsmuir, California. The Dunsmuir yard is a mere shadow of its former glory. Photo supplement for Dunsmuir.

There is still a functioning turntable at Dunsmuir, which is used to turn snow fighting equipment and the occasional locomotive. A disused building that was used as an engine house still stands and is the home to the famous Dunsmuir Railcam. There is also large steel tank that sports a Southern Pacific rails into the sunset logo with stylized SP diesel and GS2 steam locomotives. The old station building still stands and is used by Amtrak, but features an asbestos warning sign next to the door.

A single helper set of two locomotives was idling awaiting the call for helpers for passing freight trains. Both of the locomotives were SD40-2 in Armor yellow, no SP locomotives in sight. Nearby a string of snow fighting equipment was waiting. The equipment consisted of a Jordan spreader (sporting SPMW reporting marks); a flanger (also with SP reporting marks) and a bay window caboose completed the string of equipment.

My stay at Dunsmuir was a brief one and occurred during a gap in train movements. Next time on to Klamath Falls.

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Go to August 2001 Issue

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The Gandy Dancer, A monthly publication of the Alameda County Central Railroad Society, Inc.
Copyright ACCRS, Inc 2001 all rights reserved
Last Revised August 19, 2001
For more information contact Robert Johnson, Editor