In the 3 pictures shown above, the folks attending the Colony Days Celebration in Palmer are enjoying the Mooselip Model Railroad Display.
So what is still coming up this summer? Well, the Alaska Live Steamers just north of Wasilla will be operating on weekends through the fall. The Tanana Valley Model Railroad Club located in the Fairbanks depot will have their railroad open for visitors every morning for about an hour before train time. The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad located in Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, will be operating their steam engine on July 4 and 25, and on September 7. This year, the Annual CSWRR Open House will be on September 12 and 13. For more information, please see the Special Events section below.
I am always looking for pictures to be included in this Newsletter. Pictures of recent events or of your model railroad, as long as it is here in Alaska. Please e-mail me pictures which I can edit to best fit the space available.
A reminder to all that I am the Alaska Section Representative to the PNR of the NMRA. If you would like to have a notice published in the Grab Iron, please send it to me at least 2 months in advance.
This Newsletter and the Model Railroading in Alaska Web Page are intended to provide a free exchange of information about model railroading activities here in Alaska. The Newsletter is published around the middle of each month and an e-mail notification is sent to all interested persons who have requested such notification. Club Secretaries are urged to make copies of the Newsletter for distribution to those in their group who do not have Internet access. I would like to invite any and all the Alaska Model Railroad Clubs, Groups and Individuals to participate in this Newsletter, by sending me your input by the 10th of each month and an e-mail list of members who wish to receive the Newsletter. I would also invite editorials or letters (Ranting) to be published with the authors name. The material presented in this Newsletter and Web site may be freely reprinted, but all original rights are maintained by the Editor/ Web Master, Marty Quaas. Any e-mails which are returned two months in a row will be dropped from the list.
Marty Quaas, Editor
Model Railroading in Alaska Newsletter
Palmer, Alaska
NMRA Life Member 1338
What's Happening, Special Events in Alaska:
The Alaska Live Steamers just north of Wasilla will be operating on weekends through the fall. The Alaska Live Steamers are located adjacent to the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. To get to the track, at Mile 47 of the Parks Highway, take Museum Drive about a mile and jog a couple hundred feet to the right to enter the parking lot.
The Tanana Valley Model Railroad Club located in the Fairbanks depot will have their railroad open for visitors every morning for about an hour before train time.
The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad located in Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, will be operating their steam engine on July 4 and 25, and on September 7.
This year, the Annual CSWRR Open House will be on September 12 and 13. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend. This is a great opportunity to visit this Model Railroad, enjoy watching the operation and chatting with the friendly crew. Bring the family, bring a friend, bring yourself and have a great time with fellow Model Railroaders.
In Anchorage, the Northern Lights Model Railroad Club will be continuing to hold its monthly Public Open House on the fourth Sunday afternoon of the month. These Open Houses have been well attended and have brought several new members into the club. The next Open House will be on Sunday, June 28 from 1 to 5 PM, followed on July26.
Club Meetings and Operation Sessions in Alaska:
The Northern Lights Model Railroad Club meets in Russian Jack Springs Park in Anchorage, on Friday evenings, at 7:00 PM,(doors are open around 6 PM) with the Business meeting on the first Friday evening of the Month. Phone Marty at (907) 746-6414, or visit the Northern Lights Web Page.
The Consolidated South Western Railroad Operation Session: The CSWRR Evening Operating Session is held on the second Saturday of the month at 6 PM. The Afternoon Operating Session is held on the fourth Saturday starting about 1 PM. Contact: Marty Quaas, 746-6414, e-mail or visit the CSWRR Web Page.
The Tanana Valley Model Railroad Club meets in the Alaska Railroad Depot in Fairbanks (1745 Johansen Expressway) on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm, with Business Meetings on the 1st Tuesday of the month and work sessions most Saturdays at 2:00pm. The Mailing Address for the club is P.O. Box 81576, Fairbanks, AK 99708, or visit the TVRR Web Page.
Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers (MSMRRE) Business Meeting: First Tuesday evening of month, at 7PM. Open every Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon. Club Phone (907) 552-5234 to leave message, or visit the MSMRRE Web Page. This club is primarily directed at military (Active duty and retired), DoD employees and other persons having Elmendorf Air Force Base access.
The Washington Belt RR (WBRR) Operation Sessions are held on the first Saturday afternoon of the month at 1 PM. The N Scale WBRR is located in South Anchorage. If you are interested in attending an operating Session or visiting the WBRR please visit the WBRR Web Page for more information.
Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers
June 2nd, 2009
The June 2nd, 2009 meeting was called to order by President R. Bjorgan with 9 members present (K. Elmore, D. Sherwood, S. Vangoor, B. Strauch, M. Philo, K. Stewart, T. Wilde, D. Murray, B. Sanchez)
Guest/New Members: Bob Sanchez returned for a summer visit and assist with the relocation of the BBBRRR to Vona CO.
Reports: Brief reviews on all club scales, treasurer not available.
Member Don Spooner has successfully undergone heart surgery and we hope to see his return in the weeks a head.
Old Business:
Bldg Renovation – No major changes/accomplishment in this area for the month.
HO Ops Session – Third Tuesday op-session set for Tuesday 16th.
Third Saturday – On hold until September
N scale Renovations – The layout is ready for test operations before final fascia painting and re-labeling. All track sections have been converted to simple DCC operation (no block control switches), all reverse loops are automatic; spurs, sidings and yard tracks have simple on/off power switches. Red switches (push-button or momentary toggle) are for electrified track turnouts. Power District indicators are wall mounted in two locations.
Library Shelving – The decision is “to build” as we have many finished shelf boards that need only slight modification. R. Bjorgan will work the shelving issues with K. Stewart.
Things to Do List – Is currently posted on the white board at the Layout Room entry, update as required.
Gate Passes – An updated list was sent to base security, currently passes can be made/updated at the People Center or Boniface Gate.
New Business:
General House Keeping – Clean and pitch old junk. No dates were set for a Clean-up Saturday, work on a day-to-day basis at this time. High interest among all to do major house cleaning and pitching of unneeded clutter. Some old modules and outdated items need to go.
New Rolling Stock – We received 5 new Alaska Passenger Cars in Z-scale.
Scenic Trees – R. Bjorgan presented a nice display of western conifers trees made and marketed by Don Carson in Central Oregon. We can learn from these!
Web Site Updates – Is still open, any volunteers?
Announcements:
SM & V Work night – Wednesdays, after work (maps for Jerry’s available)
SM & V Ops – First Saturday @ 1:00 pm, June 6th.
CSWRR Ops – Second Saturday @ 6:00 pm (maps for Marty’s available)
Reminder: Use of a Cell Phone while operating a vehicle on EAFB will get you a present from the Federal Government and loss of your driving privileges on EAFB for thirty days or worse.
KRE
The Northern Lights Model Railroad Club
June 5, 2009
Called to order at: 7:00pm by Ralph Hummel, president.
Determination of a Quorum - (1/3 of membership required): Matt Abbey, Joseph Coe, Mark Earnest, Roy Foster, Bruce Headle, Ralph Hummel, Benj Kammer, Ted Lemaire, Charles Leo, Fred Park, Marty Quaas, Kit Roberts, Richard Stephenson, Kirk Waldhaus.
Minutes from the May 1, 2009 Meeting: By Charles Leo Secretary: Motion for Approval as presented by Kit Roberts, seconded by Roy Foster. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer's Report: Ted Lemaire The Treasurers report was presented for May.
Suspensions for non-payment of dues this month? None.
The books were audited by Kit Roberts and Tim Donovan in May and were found to be in good order.
Motion to accept the Treasurer's report was made by Roy Foster and seconded by Matt Abbey. Motion carried unanimously.
Section Foreman and Committee Reports:
Track Reports: VP Pat. Pat was absent, so Ralph called for reports. Switch 21 was reported as missing in action yet again, and it was suggested that a new switch was in order. Matt agreed to take a look and see if he could devise yet another "fix" for the ailing device.
Tortoise Switch: VP Pat/Marty. No report.
Building Maintenance: VP Pat. Ralph reported the water is back on and all systems are working normally.
Unfinished Business:
Blinking Lights Report: Kirk reported that all parts are in and he would be installing the new crossing servos and adjusting the crossing arms the week of June 8th.
Fourth Sunday Open House Report: May 24, 2009, Visitors 10, Crew 4. The next Open House is June 28, 2009
The Camp Gorsuch Cabeese clean-up was completed in May by 4 volunteers from the Club (Pat, Roy, Richard and Charles) with the exception of the roofs, because we lacked a long enough ladder. The roofs will be done when Pat goes back to apply the wax coating to the exteriors.
New Business:
June 6 and 7 the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry will hold their Blast from the Past Transportation "Expo" - Pat (Flyers passed around)
The subject of elective versus mandatory online reporting for non-profits was brought up. After some discussion, Ted Lemaire agreed to research the issue and report back on his findings about whether or not the issue applies to us.
Membership: None
Correspondence: None
Adjournment: at 7:13pm; moved by Marty Quass, seconded by Matt Abbey.
Next Meeting: is on July 10, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Note date change, due to 4th of July holiday.
Tanana Valley Model Railroad Club
No report this month. Come-on guys, what is going on up there, we all would all like to hear something.
The Alaska Live Steamers
June 2009
President Katkus has moved the semi-annual membership meeting to Saturday June 20th at 4::30 pm. at the track. Also, this should be after any train runs (weather permitting and enough club volunteers).
Tentative Agenda:
President's Report
Treasurer's Report
New Members
City of Wasilla
New Business
PO BOX: Due to my not paying attention, we lost the PO Box 872002. Vice President Cherish Klingbeil has helped us secure PO Box 870191 for the club. Sorry for any inconvenience and that's why it would be helpful for someone else to takeover as treasurer so I can focus on secretary duties.
We are looking for members to help with run days.
We can use engineers, conductors, station master, storytellers (many people keep asking questions about our trains).
I have got a Conductor Class started at http://alaskalivesteam.org/education/course/view.php?id=2 to give you a refresher.
We particularly need help this Saturday morning. There are rumors of Grotto-lunkers getting loose in Palmer and some of us probably won't make it to the track until afternoon.
We are looking for help for:
Saturday, June 20
Sunday, June 21 (Fathers Day)
Saturday, June 27
Sunday, June 28
Please call me at 350-3508 or email me at carrington@rocketmail.com if you want to help out.
The Consolidated South Western Railroad
Operating Sessions June, 2009
The CSWRR Operation Sessions continue to operate smoothly with a mix of routine trains with some Extras and other variations thrown in to keep things interesting. On May 23, we had the pleasure of having Bob Sanchez visiting from Oregon. Bob was an old time CSWRR operator and it was great to have him visiting and operating trains. For the June 13 Evening Session, we had a good crew and a very large crowd of visitors including Walt Eichelberger, around 18 folks total. Most importantly, we all continue to have a great time, Model Railroading. If you would like to join us, there is always room for more, even if you just want to run easy trains or watch, come by and join us.
The CSWRR Operating Sessions are held twice a month on the second Saturday evening, starting at 6 PM and on the fourth Saturday afternoon, starting at 1 PM. The next Fourth Saturday Afternoon Session is on June 27 starting at 1 PM and the next Second Saturday Evening Session is on July 11, starting at 6 PM. If you would be interested in attending one of the CSWRR Operating Sessions to take an active part or to just watch, please visit the CSWRR Web-Page or call Marty Quaas at 746-6414. Do not be intimidated by the operation as there are many easy trains as well as complex ones. New operators are paired with experienced operators for the first several runs and we can accommodate different skill levels from beginner to experienced.
Marty Quaas, CEO
The Consolidated South Western Railroad
Palmer, Alaska
NMRA Life Member, #1338
