From the Editor

Welcome to the November issue of the Train Order! Last month we had our "What we did over the Summer" show and tell meeting. I tried to make it a point to capture what people brought in order to share them with those who were unable to attend. I hope you enjoy this quick look at the great items that were brought to the meeting.

We need layout photos! Please send them to share in the Train Order and help keep the website updated and looking fresh. Email any images to the editor at blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org.

View from the Cab

As the weather cools and the leaves fall, most of us begin to move inside and do more hobby time. I know I have! I recently started a new Micro layout in HOn30. I am trying some new techniques with DAS clay. I have used DAS before and found it hard to work with. On this new layout (it's only 24"x24"), I did not want to mix up plaster for just a little terrain forming so I went back to the DAS. I watched a couple videos by UK modelers who use DAS on a regular basis to get some tips. Well, looks like I was doing many things wrong. As with most things some simple technique changes made all the difference in the world. I can now lay down a lump of this and smooth out any undulation/imperfection or create a ramp for a road or path with little effort. I think we may have the makings for a hands-on clinic here! Let me know if you use DAS and have a love or hate relation.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the October meeting!!!!

Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent

Clinic Corner

Welcome to the October Clinic Corner. Can you believe it's almost Halloween? Well this month's treat is that we're going to have Dan Merkel join us to talk about the interlocking tower down in Deshler, Ohio.

Dan designed and built a model of the tower, and then was able to have it produced commercially in several scales! He'll talk about the actual tower, designing and building the model, and then what it took to have the kit produced.

As always, if you have an idea for or want to present a clinic, let us know! You've seen me up there, and I'm barely a beginner in the hobby.

Brian Burr,
Assistant Superintendent

October 27th Meeting Agenda

• Rip Track Table - Have items you want to sell or just give away? Put them on the table
• Business
• Clinic
• Break
• Door Prizes
• Show and Tell
• Closing Remarks - Announcements and Open Discussion Points

Doors open at 6:00PM, Meeting Starts at 7:00PM
Proclaim FM Community Center
7112 Angola Road,
Holland, OH 43528.

The lighter side of the hobby

What I did Over The Summer

The following are some of the items people brought to our September Meeting. If you brought something and I missed it, please drop me an email with a photo and I will get it included in the next issue.

Bob Grogan brought two O scale buildings he scratch built. Bob used a combination of styrene and paper to build the structures.

Mike Finkler brought an HO signal from D5 DEM Model Smiths (https://modelsmiths.d5dem.com/). Mike gave a very positive review of their signal products.

Marshall Stull brought a completed structure which was once part of another kit. Vallejo Wash-FX was used to help create the stone look.

Bill Vollmar brought an On30 2-6-2 he was building. Bill used an HO mechanism as the basis for the build.

Jeff Schumaker brought an HO structure. Jeff created the structure from a modified Kibri kit.

Jim Treadaway brought two items to share, a structure and a box car. The structure was HO scale representing a plumbing supply company. The boxcar was a model of an early Quaker Oats with wood sheathing.

Jim Wolsiffer brought a pair of HO scale well cars with transformers. These cars were highly detailed with open grates and other details.

Brian Burr shared images from his trip to Alaska and his adventures on the Alaska Railroad.

Dave McMullian shared images of the new yard, trackwork and bridges on his layout. Dave also shared a DCC install he did on an HO scale BL2.

Division Happenings

The National Convention Comes to the NCR!

The NCR has won the bid to host the 2025 National Convention in Novi, Michigan. Things are already in full swing with big plans for the convention like lower costs and more value. The website is already up along with advertisements at the Texas Express. Additional information will be in the September issue of the HotBox and on the website at www.nmra2025.com/.

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!