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

September, 2007

Next Public Operation Session:

The Fall Home and Garden Show

October 6th and 7th, 2007
10AM to 5 PM both days

Upcoming Events:

October Business Meeting:

October 5th, 2007.
Bring something to grill while you socialize around the BBQ before the meeting,
if you dare. (Weather permitting, of course)

Fall Home and Garden Show:

October 6th and 7th, 2007

November Business Meeting and Club Officer Elections:

November 2nd, 2007

Great Train Expo (previously GWATS, and/or GATS):

Thanksgiving Weekend, November 24th and 25th, 2007

December / Holiday Potluck:

December 7 2007.
Signup sheet to be posted in November

Other Club Business

I'd like to thank everyone for the work that went into the layouts getting ready for the fair and of course for the time spent operating the railroads during the fair. That is our commitment to the Fair and sometimes it becomes drudgery. That's how we earn our keep and it takes contributions from everyone - that's why Fair participation is a requirement of membership.

Just a reminder, the Fair hasn't changed the parking rules so please don't be parking by the building unless you are unloading stuff from your car. I think for the most part, we've done really well, but all it takes is one of us being caught and we'll hear about it. The rule applies to everyone. I'm trying to set up further discussions with April to see if we can get things changed, but until then, we need to follow their rules. They have the gun and the badge, so to speak, and they're the landlord.

Let's have a good year and remember - this is a hobby, not a job. Let's enjoy it.

Gary

Wig Wag Signal Repaired

Bob Johnson reports that Pat Power was kind enough to give the wig-wag signal some
much deferred maintainence this spring, returning it to service in time for the fair.

Thanks, Pat, for taking the time and initiative to improve the public commons.

Unofficial Minutes of the September Meeting

President Gary Lewis called the meeting to order at 20:04 PDT, approximately 20 members attending.

Treasurer Paul Newhouse gave the treasury report. Details are available from him.
He stated that the bylaws provide for an automatic split of fair proceeds 50-50 between scales.
However, a vote would still be needed to split the GoodGuys receipts.
John Kohlberg then moved that we accept the usual 50-50 split.
Carl Klenk seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote.
Discussion ensued about the relative receipts and attendance for the 2007 fair vs other recent fairs. Gary Lewis pointed out that a graph of the relevant trends is posted on the club drink fridge.

Paul Newhouse and Carl Klenk then reported that the lock off the front door was stolen during an April workday.
Possession of the lock will confer on a patient criminal the club's combination.
The Board of Directors has chosen a new combination, which will go into effect the second regular meeting of September. Please see your Trainmaster or a Director for the new combination.

Gary Lewis reminded us that our next scheduled show is The Fall Home and Garden Show, which will occur on the 6th and 7th of October.

Dan Espinosa reminded everyone that the Operation Iron Horse Vote sheet was on the fridge.
For those who didn't hear or have forgotten, the ACCRS was approached by a soldier at Camp Anaconda, a logistics base in Kuwait, concerning the possibility of our donating some track to the soldiers so that they may build a modular HO layout. From the research done by several club members, it seems to be a legitimate effort.

Gary Lewis announced that a nominating committee has been empanelled to recruit candidates for the Board of Directors election in November. The members are: Henry Chandler, Bill Brisko, John Kolberg, and Andy Herrerra. If you wish to run for office, see any or all of these gentlemen; and if you are approached, please consider their request.

Dan Espinosa called to the attention of the membership that Richard and Joey Webb had served their probationary period, and had been an asset to the O-scale side during the fair and other shows. Paul Newhouse recommended a vote of confirmation be taken, Henry Chandler seconded, and the Webbs withdrew while discussion was entertained and a unanimous voice confirmation for both as full members was recorded. Please congratulate these new members when you see them!

There being no further business, Paul Newhouse moved, the customary many seconds were heard, and the meeting adjourned at 20:20 PDT.

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HO Scale News:

From the Assistant HO Trainmaster:

The 2007 fair is long past, a done deal for a couple of months. Thanks to everyone who participated in the big event of the year.

The August Good Guys show is now history and we ended up with an adequate turnout, but pre show signups certainly did not look that way. Thank you to those who signed up and also to those who showed up to help without signing up.

Our next show on the schedule is the Fall Home and Garden show on October 6th and 7th. Signup sheets are available. If the last show you participated in was the fair or back in the early part of the year, now is the time to start participating in club operations again. Signup today.

Some of the track on the layout is historic, about 25 years old in fact. During that time it has been subjected to a lot of heating and cooling cycles and this can result in the track getting out of spec. We have one such area in block 34 and since this is hand laid track, the approach to correcting the problem will be a bit different than if we were dealing with flex track. We could rip it out and replace it with flex track, a big project as it also affects ballast and scenery; or simply re-gauge the track. Since I have hand laid track in the past and have some experience with adjustments to the track, it will be re-gauged without ripping things up. Due to the location of the job site; the project will affect the mainline in other locations in addition to the work on block 34.

Just before the fair the DCC programming station quit working. Seth took a look at it and isolated the problem to the powerpax programming booster unit (blue box with wires in and out of it) as being the problem. The unit had died. Since time was of the essence (no time for a voting sheet and obtaining a replacement), Seth made a temporary fix by loaning his personal powerpax unit to the club as a temporary repair so we could program locomotives and get on with the fair. Since the fair is over, we need to move on to a permanent fix and purchase a new club owned powerpax so we can return to Seth his loaner unit. The price of a replacement unit including shipping should be approximately $56.00 from Tony’s Train Exchange. Look for a proposal and voting sheet on this item.

Be seeing you at the club,

Bob Johnson

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O Scale News:

From the O Scale Trainmaster:

George was busy with real life and was unable to comment for this month.

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General Hobby and Prototype News

NCRY Gets New 25 Year Lease on Right of Way

The Niles Canyon Railway, operated by the Pacific Locomotive Association, has been granted a 25 year lease on its right of way between Niles and Pleasanton, reports the Valley Times.

The vote opens the way for an effort to bring the NCRY to Pleasanton, and members of the PLA hope to leverage the obvious show of the supervisors' confidence into successful grant proposals for expanded amenities along the track.

That the Alameda County Board of Supervisors saw fit to write the PLA a new lease, rather than simply granting a 5 year extension to the existing one, signifies that the organization has been sucessful in portraying railroading and the people passionate about it as important parts of modern society and culture.

We of the ACCRS can do a similar job by being friendly and approachable during shows and meeting nights. Remember that members of the public frequently drop by on Fridays; a little politeness and care about the tone of our language will bring dividends, especially with many children being present. The more public goodwill we generate, the longer we can expect to enjoy our enviable real estate situation.

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The Gandy Dancer, a monthly publication of theAlameda County Central Railroad Society.

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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.