The Bunker Hill Train Club 30×60’ HO scale model railroad layout, with over 7 miles of track and multiple trains running at one time, will be open to the public on 15 December, 2018 (10AM – 4PM) & 16-December, 2018 (12PM – 4PM). The club has railroad artifacts, memorabilia, and a B&O wagon-top caboose. Light refreshments will be available.
Bunker Hill Train Club
1298 Sam Mason Rd
Bunker Hill, WV 25413
MER VP Kurt Thompson, asking for volunteers to take over as Convention Registrar, effective immediately. Please read the job description per the MER Executive Handbook below.
Appointed by: President
Approved by: Board of Directors
Reports to: Executive Convention Chairman
Position Summary The MER Convention Registrar shall perform the normal registration duties associated with mounting an MER convention. The MER Convention Registrar is an integral member of the MER Convention Action Team (CAT) and works closely with the Local Convention Committee.
Principal responsibilities:Registration records: 1.Sets up and maintains suitable registration records for each convention, working closely with the Local Convention Committee and the MER Convention Treasurer and the Executive Convention Chairman; Registration form: 1. Designs and maintains a convention registration form, both print copy and web form, e.g. one version in Word and another as a pdf file, with input from the Local Convention Committee and approved by the Executive Convention Chairman;2. Provides the registration form(s) to the Webmaster in a suitable electronic format; 3. Provide to Editor of The Local a registration form for inclusion with the ballot and as needed for printing in The Local; 4. Updates the registration form regularly working closely with the Local Convention Committee, and provide updated forms to the Webmaster and editor of The Local.
Individual registrations: 1. Directs all registrations to his office and manages all registrations, both prior to the convention and at the door, 2. Deposits all funds received in the registration process in the bank account for that convention and account to the Convention Treasurer for these funds, Registration Packages: 1. Creates and is responsible for the basic registration packages for all convention attendees, 2. Coordinates with the Local Convention Committee and the ECC for registration inserts, 24 Accounting: 1. Makes all deposits from registrations or other sources in a timely manner, 2. After the conclusion of a convention, transfers all financial records to the Convention Treasurer, 3. Acts as a back-up for the MER Convention Treasurer (or may also be the MER Convention Treasurer), (deleted 10/4/2018) Statistics: 1. Tracks the registration statistics of the convention, working with the MER Convention Treasurer. Provides the Executive Convention Chairman, the MER Treasurer and the MER Vice-President a final registration statistical report.
I’d like to relay a message from SMD member Don Florwick, letting you know he’s taking reservations for a January operating session on Mat Thompson’s Oregon Coast Railroad. The session is scheduled for Thursday, January 17th, with Tuesday, January 22nd as an alternate date in case of bad weather. It will be a daytime session, beginning at 10:30AM until around 2:30PM.
This session is Time Table & Train Order, and folks interested in learning about TT&TO are encouraged to join the group. The session can accommodate up to 15 people, and Don will be keeping a standby list in case of cancellations. If you’d like to go, please contact Don Florwick directly at DJFlorwick@comcast.net to reserve a spot for this exciting event. If you’d like to know more about the railroad, please visit oregoncoastrr.potomac-nmra.org/
Division members met at Bob Johnson’s home. 18 or so were present. After viewing the layout and socializing, Superintendant Alex Polimeni called the business meeting to order.
South Mountain Division
Mid-East Region – National Model Railroad Association
Draft Meeting Minutes – November 11, 2018
Division members met at Bob Johnson’s home. 18 or so were present. After viewing the layout and socializing, Superintendant Alex Polimeni called the business meeting to order.
Reports:
18.11-1 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes): Clerk Harvey Heyser summarized the draft minutes. Pete Clarke pointed out that Item #17.10-4 should read as follows: “The SMD gave $140.00 (most of the Mini-Con proceeds) to support Mainline Hobbies’ fall layout tour. Pete Clarke made the following motion (seconded by Jerry Skeim):
Motion: That the draft Minutes for the May 2018 meeting be approved as corrected. The motion passed unanimously.
18.11-2 Paymaster’s Report: Paymaster Ray Price reported that the Division has $4,017.11 in its bank account including dispersal of $119.40 to Yahoo and deposit of $41.00 from the MER.
Old Business:
17.5-3-d. T-Track Modules: Richard Benjamin of Hobbytown Frederick thanked the Division for the donation of the modules.
18.10-4 2019 Mini-Con: The date will be Saturday, April 13, 2019. Chair Pete Clarke indicated the date was selected to avoid conflicts with the Timonium Show and Easter. Members willing to give informal clinics should contact Mr. Clarke.
18.10-5 Web Site: Tom Fedor reported that he and Roy Hoffman are working on a new site format based on Word Press, a blog type web building tool that will allow better ties between the site and the Wheel Report. The new site format will provide a quicker way to publish (on a weekly basis if desired) but still allow printing of some content for the members receiving the newsletter by mail. The new format will also allow for easier archiving and will facilitate coordination with future officers. Finally, the new format will present a fresher web presence and will include more attractive material for potential members. No interface problems are anticipated with NMRA and MER.
18.10-7 Change of date and/or time of SMD meetings: Given the fact that the meetings have been held on Sundays at 2 p.m. for a very long time and that the meeting sites are varied throughout the area, the discussion tended toward keeping the day of the week and time as they are. However, it was suggested and agreed that in the future the social portion of the meeting will start at 1:30 p.m. and the business meeting will start at 2 p.m. giving members the possibility of leaving a bit earlier. (As this is not a part of the by-laws, no formal action was needed.)
New Business:
18.11-3 Host Bob Johnson welcomed everyone to his HO scale West Virginia Midland Railroad.
18.11-4 Gold Spike Award: Achievement Program Coordinator Jane Clarke presented Bob Morningstar with his Gold Spike award. She reported that host Bob Johnson is making progress on his Achievement certificates for MMR.
18.11-5 The Wheel Report Deadline for the winter edition is November 15.
18.11-6 Future notices and updates from the officers will originate from an SMD e-mail address rather than a personal account.
18.11-7 Operating Session: Herb Biegel reported that Matt Thompson of the Potomac Division has invited SMD members for an operating session on his Oregon Coast Railroad (layout in Gainesville VA) sometime after the holidays. SMD members interested in participating should contact Don Florwick by e-mail. donflorwick@gmail.com
Adjournment: The Chair accepted a motion to adjourn. Notice of the next SMD meeting will be communicated to the members.
Minutes submitted by Clerk Harvey Heyser
Following the meeting, host Bob Johnson gave an informal clinic on how he makes his layout’s many trees from wild hydrangea gathered at railway and highway cuts as well as from other recently disturbed ground. He reported that this method of tree making was developed by Harry Clarke.
I would like to invite everyone to our December meeting at Frank Benenati’s home this coming Sunday, December 9th. Doors open at 2PM for a tour of the layout, with the meeting to follow. If you missed our last meeting, you’ll find our clerk’s impeccably edited minutes attached below.
Afterward, Frank will be demonstrating how to use a Decoder-Pro and a Sprogg to re-program DCC engines and adjust sound levels and other CVs. Frank says, “I’ve had good results with the exception of first generation WOW sound steam. If anyone wants to bring an HO engine they want to “reprogrammed” we will use it as a demonstrator. If you have the manufacturer’s decoder information bring it along as that will be of assistance.” Folks are more than welcome to stay and socialize, as well.
Frank models a Western Maryland themed railroad, which he started while living in Germany and is modular in design. His layout uses Digitrax DCC and features Campbell, Bar Mill, Foss and more in addition to scratch built structures. A Timetable, fast clock, and waybill routing to simulate operations, with first generation diesels providing motive power.
Frank’s home is the last house on the left at the end of his street.
Please email southmountaindiv@gmail.com if you need Frank’s street address.
The railroad is in the basement, so if any members would prefer to avoid the indoor flight of stairs, you may walk around the side of the carport, continue around the back of the house, and down the gentle slope to the basement door. There will be a couple of steps inside the door, however. All others are encouraged to use the basement stairs adjacent to the kitchen/carport door.
Furthermore, Frank cautions, “Just about every road into and out of Damascus has a speed camera cleverly located to generate revenue for Montgomery County. Remember to keep an eye out for “safety corridor” and other warning signs. Occasionally there are “doubles” placed to catch those who speed up after passing the first camera.”
In other news, I’d like to apologize for not getting this out sooner! I’ve been trying to send only two emails a month- an update and a reminder- a couple of weeks apart, but as it stands, please expect another reminder email this Saturday. This is also the first email from the Division’s new address, so I’m hoping this won’t get “lost in the mail”, so to speak.
I hope to see you all soon,
Alex Polimeni
Superintendent