NCR Black Swamp Division (Div 1) Officers
Superintendent - Marshall Stull Assistant Superintendent - Brian Burr Chief Clerk - Richard Marquard Treasurer - Dean Pyers Trainmaster for Services - Steve Glass Director At Large - David McMullian Director At Large - Randy Bosscher
Appointments and Helpers
AP Program - Ron Gilbert Editor/Webmaster - Marshall Stull AV/Computer Support - Steve Glass AV/Computer Support - Steve Richwine New Member Outreach - Randy Bosscher Election Chair - David McMullian
Train OrderOur mission is to promote education and fellowship through the sharing of information and the promotion of the world's greatest hobby. - Model Railroading.
From the Editor
I want to thank those who have recently sent in information/articles to publish! Information does not need to be formatted in any particular way. For example, this month's article by Jim Treadaway was sent as a bunch of images and a separate Word document with his modeling notes. It was very easy for me to arrange the photos according to his notes and create the article for this issue. You do not need to be a writer or format anything to get your modeling published. Just send me what you have and we can make it look nice!
Anyone have new layout photos? Please send them to keep the website updated and looking fresh. For safety, I do not post who they are or where there were taken. The images help keep the front page/site looking new. Email any images to the editor at blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org.
We need articles for future editions of the Train Order! Please submit any article to blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org. Beyond full articles, please tell us what you are up to at blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org!! Even if it's just a photo of your layout or something you saw or are trying for the first time. Sharing is the best way to spread the hobby and ideas.
View from the Cab - SPECIAL ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
We now have a full slate for our election in April! Unless someone wants to challenge by the March meeting, we have only one candidate per position. Below is the list of candidates:
- Superintendent - Marshall Stull
- Assistant - Superintendent - Brian Burr
- Secretary - Richard Marquardt
- Treasurer - Randy Boscher
- Trainmaster for Services - Steve Glass
- Director - Tony Kukwa
- Director - Dave McMullian (by virtue of previous Supt., not elected)
Summer Outing
The February meeting was very productive and we are contacting several venues for what options and costs we have for them. We are expecting to have a final review at the April or May meeting.
Please bring an item for Show and Tell! We had some very interesting items in February, please continue to bring what you are working on. It does not have to be a physical thing, bring a photo of the layout or a place you went. Bringing a model is great but here are some other ideas:
- an item you are researching (photo/drawing)
- a track plan idea you have
- something you want to build
- a question to the group
- a unique industry you found
I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and seeing what you have for Show and Tell!!
Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent
Clinic Corner
Hello from the Clinic Corner.
This month we're doing something a bit different for the clinic. For March, Marshall is going to lead off the clinic talking about modular railroading and the Free-mo club he belongs too. The different standards and construction of the modules, operations, and how and where they get to show their displays. Then we're going to have some of our members that are also a part of other modular clubs talk about the clubs they belong to; their construction, standards, operations, and displays. We've got people from multiple scales to say a little about their clubs, so hopefully there will be something of interest for all.
Brian Burr,
Assistant Superintendent
March 24th Meeting Agenda
Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect at the meeting:
- Rip Track Table - Have items you want to sell or just give away? Put them on the table
- Business
- Elections
- April Meeting Location Change
- Show and Tell
- Break
- Clinic - Modular Model Railroading
- Closing Remarks - Announcements and Open Discussion Points
The lighter side of the hobby
Lumber from Coffee Stirrers
by Jim Treadaway
Wooden coffee stirrers are available from Amazon and are useful for model railroaders. They can be used for stirring coffee, stirring paint, mixing glue. They make great wooden fences, and I have even made an entire barn from them. But most of all they can mass produce stacks of lumber.
This is how I make lumber. First make a jig by gluing two blocks at right angles and marking the width of the stack and the location of spacers.
Next cut the spacers. I use 2X2 scale lumber. Then cut the stirrers to length. Individual stacks can be anywhere from 6 to 18 feet long.
Use the jig to stack the lumber placing the 2X2 spacers. Use lots of Elmer's glue to hold the stack together. Optionally you can rub the jig with candle wax to keep the Elmer's from sticking to the jig.
Stacks can now be placed, as is, in the lumber yards. If used for flatcar loads they will need some sort of banding. I used thin wire, thread would have been easier.
Alternately. If you don't want to do the work, you can always buy some plastic lumber
Division Happenings
Here is where we post news, announcements, items for sale, free stuff, or whatever message you need to get out. Just drop an email to blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org and we will get it in the next issue.
On the Black Swamp Division Facebook Page
Check out the Division Facebook Page for more.
Steve Kellogg received a present from his son Jonathan. It's the new release from Atlas and will need a non-sound decoder. It will join his other U28CG and U30CG pulling the Texas Chief. He plans on having them running on the modules when set up with club, Northwestern Modular Railroaders, on Train Day at the Amtrak station on May 13th.
Jim Wolsiffer conducted a roll test on his SD60 frame set and then began layout of major drive components. We also track tested the chassis with about 600 lbs added weight, pulled around the railroad just fine.
Conowingo Models has been added to the growing list of Model Railroad suppliers in the Partnership Program. They provide HO and O Scale wood craftsman kits designed for all abilities, beginners to advanced.
Upcoming Events
(click to enlarge)
If you know about an event happening in our division, please let us know so we can make everyone aware. If a club is having an open house, setup, or other activities, we could help promote it!
Check out the new Event Listings page on the NCR website!