The On-Line Clearboard

Model Railroad Club News.

February, 2000

Club News

Jambor Overwhelmingly Elected President

Bill Jambor was elected President of The Model Railroad Club, Inc. by an overwhelming majority at the annual membership meeting held on January 29, 2000.  He succeeds Rich Cornell who chose not to seek another term.

Although he has served on the Board in past years, this will be Bill's first term as President.  He defeated Bob Nalbone who was later elected a director at-large.  Joe Marateo who ran unopposed was elected Vice-President.  He previously served as Director-At-Large.  Gene Mikajanic was re-elected to another term as Secretary.  Dick Kunig was elected Treasurer.  He succeeds Bill Musgrave, who chose not to seek another term.

In the most contested election, five candidates vied for two Director-At-Large seats.  Each candidate made a brief statement and fielded questions from the membership.  When the votes were counted, Ray Russell and Bob Nalbone were declared the winners.

Rounding out the Board for 2000 are Ho Department Head Roger Oliver and N Scale Department Head Don Magee.  They were both re-elected during the annual meetings of their respective departments on January 8.  As prescribed in the Club's Constitution, the new Board members took office immediately after the conclusion of the annual membership meeting.

After the annual meeting adjourned the new Board met briefly.  President Jambor proposed moving the Board meetings form Monday to Friday. This was agreed to.

Membership Votes Dues Increase
Three Other Constitutional Amendments Approved.

In other business, the Club members present voted to approve a constitutional  amendment proposed by the outgoing Board of Directors that raises the dues for senior members to twenty-five dollars a month.  Junior membership dues will increase two dollars and fifty cents a month to twelve dollars and fifty cents.   Life membership will increase five hundred dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars.  Inactive membership dues will rise to twenty-five dollar per year, payable annually.  Sustaining membership will increase to one hundred fifty dollars per year, also payable annually.

An amendment proposed by Pete Ezzard establishing a new class of membership called "Friend" was also passed by the membership. Its purpose to to provide a way for individuals not wishing to take an active part in Club activities to support the Club financially.  Membership in this class is thirty dollars per year.  These members are entitled to receive two admissions to the Annual Club Show, five free Saturday admission passes, and one copy each month of the Clearboard.   The amendment also gives the Board of Directors the power to authorize additional privileges.

A new dues appendix amendment, made necessary by both the Ezzard amendment and the dues increase amendment also passed.  Also passed was an amendment stating that all members shall receive a copy of the Clearboard.

Two Proposed Amendments Fail

Two additional constitutional amendments that were proposed were defeated by the membership.  One would have permanently set the date of the annual membership meeting.  The other would have made the Board meetings open to any Club member.  Currently, members may only attend Board meetings by invitation.

Fred is Dead (Again)
By Rich Cornell

Fred - the Club's gas fired lithium bromide adsorption chillier/heater - died sometime over the Christmas weekend.  He was discovered on Monday December 27th with two blown F1 fuses.  Replacement fuses blew immediately and MAF was called for service.  The serviceman came on Tuesday January 5th and found that the twelve-volt side of one of the control transformers burned out.  Further investigation revealed that the solution pump had seized.  Due to the age and cost of repair, it was recommended that unit be scrapped.  The unit was assembled in 1985 and evidently sat in a warehouse until Elizabethtown Gas Company gave it to the Club in 1989.   Yazaki, the manufacturer, no longer makes this unit.  The smallest unit they make is thirty tons - which is three times larger then the Club's unit.

Global warming is helping us out so far.  The Trane unit in front has a gas fired furnace.  It should keep the existing building layout area comfortable and the new building above freezing.  However about two hundred mbtus/hr of heating will be required if we have a normal winter and want to be comfortable in the new building, meeting and office area. 

Fred at ten tons was two small to handle the combined cooling load of the new and old building.  We need about twenty tons of cooling to be reasonably comfortable on a hot summer day.  We would need more if were to have a show during the summer.  This can be satisfied with an electric or gas engine driven chiller.  We can reuse the cooling tower if this significantly lowers the cost of the chiller.  Two to three more units such as the seven-ton Trane unit in front could also be considered.  Heating need for the Club can be satisfied with a small gas-fired package boiler.

New Member Voted In

At the January 10 meeting of the BOD, Ronald K. Allen was accepted for membership.  Ron is an N-Scale modeler and becomes the twenty-first member of the ever-growing N-Scale Department.  Welcome aboard Ron, and congratulations to the Jersey Shore & Western!

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

With the show and the holiday season occupying most of my time, the JS&W News column took a small rest. We are back with a monthly report on N-scale happenings for the year 2000.  The Club's annual show was its usual class act.  The HO people must be commended.  Added to this production of excellence was the fine operation of the N-Scale Jersey Shore & Western.  Our customers weren't board between shows, as they were able to see a smaller sized, but not smaller quality railroad.  Whether it was an intermodal hotshot, a local freight, a passenger limited, an RDC local or a subway trolley going to Union Station, the public loved big railroading in a small scale.

The annual N-Scale meeting was held in the N-Scale room on January 8th.  It was agreed that the first priority for the year 2000 had to be wiring.  The helix module became the second priority.  Opinions were expressed on how to best utilize the newly acquired gallery area.  Finally, the purchase of the DCC system was approved.

N-Scale membership is up to twenty one with to applications pending.  The Magee Era was extended as Don was elected for another term as N-Scale Department Head.  Good move!  The committee chairmen for 2000 are: George Wiesner/Track; John Sawyer/Wiring; Claude Kelsow/Scenery; Don Magee/Benchwork: John Sawyer/Operations; John Cicero/Standards: Al Leto/Equipment Painting; Jack Grasso/N-Scale Communications.

Before we leave let us demonstrate how N-Scale committee chairmen are quick thinkers.  John Sawyer, chairman of wiring and operations, arrived at the annual meeting six minutes late. Did he say he was sorry?  No!  Did he make excuses?  No!  Being a quick thinker, he found a solution.  He went over to the wall clock and set it back to the starting time.  What a genius!   See you next month.

Back Issues
2000
January, 2000

1999
December, 1999 November, 1999 October, 1999 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.