The On-Line Clearboard

Model Railroad Club News.

October, 1999

Club News

HO Department News

Era Vote Tabled at HO DEPT.
Meeting, Lack of Quorum Cited;
Department Reorganization Announced,
New H.D.&O. Superintendent Named

    A vote by the HO Department on the recommendations submitted by the Era Consensus Committee was tabled at the October 2^nd   meeting by department head Roger Oliver.  Citing the lack of a quorum of department members in attendance, Oliver stated that in lieu of a vote he would implement the so-called "free-style" portion of the committee's recommendations.   Under this part of the plan specific era equipment requirements will be relaxed from November 1^st through the end of the year.  The remainder of the committee's recommendations will be taken up at the next meeting of the department in January.
    The Era Consensus Committee was originally charged with developing a plan that would enable multiple eras to be operated on the HO layout.  Each era would would exist on the layout for a specified period of time with a free-style period during the last two months of the year.
    In other department news Ray Russell reported that the Trenton Northern was in the process of fully converting to Digital Command Control (DCC).  Conversion of the H.D.&O. to DCC is taking longer because of the amount of equipment to be converted.  Russell also noted that the issue of using DCC during the Show remains unresolved.
    Roger Oliver stated that members need to start putting rolling stock onto the layout.  He announced that rosters for the various eras will be posted with lists outlining what rolling stock is needed.   He also reminded members that all equipment must be inspected and cleared by the Master Mechanic or one of his equipment inspectors prior to being placed on the layout.  In addition, the master Mechanic should be informed when members are removing equipment from the layout.
    The HO Department is to be reorganized.  While many details remain to be ironed out, the plan is to have the department organized in a manner that will better suit the needs of the department both in the near term and the future.   Individual departments within the HO Department will be created and will be responsible for specific areas such as construction, maintenance, finances, and engineering.  Toward that end, Ray Russell was appointed chairman of the Constructions Project Committee.  He will authorize all department-controlled construction.  Dick Kunig was appointed to the newly created position of Manager of the Budget.  His duties will include developing budgets for materials and other monetary expenditures for the department.
    A new superintendent has been appointed for the Hudson, Delaware & Ohio R.R.  John Sawyer had been serving in that capacity since the position suddenly became vacant a year and a half ago.  He will be taking a leave of absence to assist the N Scale Department with developing their operating scheme.  In expressing his gratitude for John's time and effort, Department Head Roger Oliver noted that he would continue to be available from time to time to dispatch or work in other capacities with the H.D.&O.  Ed Small was selected to replace John as the superintendent of the H.D.&O.  Oliver cited the need to develop the operators and the infrastructure of all the railroads on the layout, particularly the H.D.&O.  He felt it was necessary that someone with a deep understanding of railroads and the complexities of their operations should serve in this capacity.

Work on Building Extension
Progresses, But C.O. Before
Annual Show May be in Doubt

   Work on the building expansion continues to make progress. With a little over a month to go before the annual show, some members are expressing doubt that the work can be completed, the building inspected and a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) be issued before the November 26^th opening of the show.  A number of jobs are ongoing.  Among them; the ADA ramp, ceiling grid, and miscellaneous finishing work.  As many members as possible are needed to help in this critical phase of the project.

DCC Classes Announced

   Classes for members interested in learning to operate the Digital Command Control (DCC) system will be held on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.  Ray Russell will be conducting the classes.  See Ray for additional details and clarifications and to sign up for the classes.

Jersey Shore & Western News
The N-Scale Report
By Jack Grasso

    In their commitment to excellence, the members of the N-scale department voted to close down railroad operations for two weeks after the Tuesday Oct. 5^th operating night.  Intensive ballesting work prompted this move.  The work will be performed an Tuesday and Thursday nights plus Saturday afternoons.  Operations will resume Tuesday Oct. 26^th.   Ballest colors that were chosen were light gray for the mainline, dark gray for the passing sidings, and cinders for all other sidings.  During this two week period operating policy will be evaluated.
The Saturday Oct. 2^nd N-scale meeting also produced a discussion of priorities.  The unanimous consensus was that the mainline had to be finished before working on the modules.  First things first!  Speaking of modules, protection is in the planning stage with Plexiglas barriers seeming the way to go.  A new bad order equipment form, based on the one used on the H.D.&O.. has been adopted with changes implemented to suit the J.S.&W. needs.  With shoe time approaching, post time has come to the J.S.&W.  The members of the N-scale department want so much for the show to be a success, and feel that they have the product to join with the HO brothers and sisters to make it a top shelf.  What an exciting time!

Railroad Trivia

-How many different railroads are currently operating regularly in New York City?

-Answer: There are at least seventeen separate rail operations operating in N.Y.C. - Metro North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak, PATH, NYC Transit Authority (subways), South Brooklyn, SIRT, CSX, NY Cross Harbor, NY & Atlantic, Providence & Worcester and Canadian Pacific via trackage rights, and industrial switching operation in the ex NH - Harlem River yard, 200' of trolley museum track in Brooklyn, the NYC water tunnel construction railroad, and the Bronx Zoo monorail!  Can you think of any others?

Back Issues
September, 1999

The One-Line Clearboard contains excerpts from the Model Railroad Club's membership newsletter The Clearboard.  All information published in The One-Line Clearboard is unofficial and is for reference and informal information.   No information contained within The One-Line Clearboard can be used without the express consent of The Model Railroad Club, Inc.