Train Show recap

[Scott A Smiley <sc.smiley@juno.com>]

I thought the show went well.  We have some pretty neat trains.  We had a
few power problems still.  I am open to suggestions on how to improve
that.  As I heard it, we had variable power on track 4, a slow corner on
track 3, track 1 with a whole side slow.  

One suggestion is to change out the power wires and plugs.  this is
estimated to cost $150 with one solution available and a lot of man hours
to re solder the connections.  Another is to change out track with new
38" track.  this will cost about $20 per module.  In order to do this
effectively, we will need to make 2 tee squares for alignment that are
long enough to handle 5 tracks.  Also, the track will have to be cut to
38" and then re soldered into the layout.

We also had some alignment problems.  This seemed to be particularly with
the 072 switches and 45 degree cross overs but there is also other track
issues.  I think the only way to fix the switches is to do some grinding
on them to make them smoother.  The crossovers need to be realigned and
maybe some grinding too.  

We are finishing our 10th year of operation as a club.  Some of the
modules were made before that.   It seems to me that the layout has
served us well and that it may be time to make changes to the basic
modules.. Plan to discuss this at the upcoming meeting.  We may need to
do a special assessment of the club members to get the funds or other
fund raising attempts.  The changes needed are to the members modules.

The raffle went well.  I think we did real good with as few of people
that were there.  We never really had a big crowd at our layout as we
usually do.  From my fast count, we took in $141.  I had $77 in the
layout but will take $75 since I did not buy any chances.  I heard Bob
say he had $5 in the tickets (these will last for several occasions). 
Therefore, we have $80 of costs to cover.  We need to decide if clearing
$61 is worth the trouble.  To be discussed at the Oct. 10 meeting.

Recommended to changes to the standard construction specs.  Require 38"
track unless some operating system requires some shorter (insulated
tracks to operate accessories).  Require 5/16 plywood decking instead of
the 1/4" used now.

I also heard that we had some trouble using the sidings.  i can see how
this happens.  WE need someone to make a poster that can be hung on the
inside of the layout to remind us how it works.  Once you get the hang of
it really is not that troublesome.  To have all 4 sidings independently
controlled would require adding two more transformers and powermasters to
the boxes and removing the block controller.   We only have 1 RW
transformer that we are not using, so the cost of this change would be
about $160. 

The sidings are there for all or us to use.  We all need to be able to
operate them.  WE also need to use them for putting trains on and off the
tracks.  IN my opinion, the best use of the sidings is to put a train on
the track while the mainline is in operation.  Then to trade places. 
This takes some coordination but keeps the tracks in operation.  Then the
old train can  be taken off making room for the next user.  Ideally, the
next user should be established 15 minutes before the exchange so the
train can be put together on the siding.  It seems that about 1 hour is
about the right length of time to have a track given the length of the
trains that we are running.  Therefore, theoretically, we would only have
some one changing trains every 15 minutes once we got into sequence. 
This is what the Fat Controller is to regulate though.

Just some thoughts about the run and the layout.  Hope to see you all at
the meeting to discuss these items.
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