NCR Black Swamp Division (Div 1) Officers
Superintendent - Marshall Stull Assistant Superintendent - Brian Burr Chief Clerk - Ray Huber Treasurer - Randy Bosscher Trainmaster for Services - Steve Glass Director At Large - David McMullian Director At Large - Tony Kukwa
Appointments and Helpers
AP Program - Ron Gilbert Editor/Webmaster - Marshall Stull AV/Computer Support - Steve Glass AV/Computer Support - Steve Richwine New Member Outreach - Steve Kapela
We Need Help!
We need stuff for the Train Order! Please submit any article/photo/information/news to the editor. any kind of information is great, please tell us what you are up to!! Even if it's just a photo of your layout, something you saw, or what's on your worktable we would love to see it.
Sharing is the best way to spread the hobby and ideas.
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
October is here with cider, doughnuts and spookiness! My favorite time of year.
Traditionally this is the start of the Model Railroad Season too as vacation time ends and our thoughts turn to working in the basement or spare room on our hobby. If you did not see it, the September issue of the NMRA Turntable had many articles from around the internet on modeling techniques, layout tours and upcoming events.
I hope you enjoy this issue of the Train Order!
WANTED! - Photos, Articles, News for the Train Order!! I have seen some of you with layouts at the spring train shows. Why not send a few photos of the layouts and tell others what fun you had! Send a photo and a small paragraph. It does not need to be professional, just jot it down in an email and fire away. Any content is welcome. Email any content, ideas or news to the editor at blackswampdiv@div1.ncrnmra.org.
View from the Cab
We had a significant amount of business items to discuss last month. I want to take time to recap some of the things we discussed for those who missed it.
Meeting Costs are up! - Proclaim management has increased their monthly meeting fee from $100.00 per meeting to $120.00 per meeting. Additionally, they now require a $200.00 retainer fee refundable at seasons end.
Model Challenge 2026 - After the success of the 2025 challenge, the Membership agreed to move forward with planning a new model challenge for 2026. A team will look at what can be pulled together. Initial budget is approved for $400.
Spring Modelers Meet - Membership approved $1800-$2000 for deposits to secure the location for the event. The event is scheduled for April 18th, 2026.
Future Train Show - In order to secure Division One's financial future, the division will look at hosting a full train show in 2027. No financials have been set, only agreement that we should look into dates, location and scope.
NMRA Vision 2035 - National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) is undergoing some major changes. Due to the amount of material covered, it is suggested you visit the NMRA Sept/Oct 2025 eBulletin.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting!
Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent
Clinic Corner
The clinic this month is by Marshall Stull on how he scratch built a model of a Detroit River Ferry. The clinic will include techniques used to build the model and how he overcame analysis paralysis to finally bring the model to completion. But is a model ever really done?
See you there,
Brian Burr,
Assistant Superintendent
October 10th 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
- Q&A - Ask our members about anything
- Show and Tell
- Break
- Door Prizes
- Clinic - Building the Car Ferry "Detroit"
- Closing Remarks - Announcements and Open Discussion Points
The lighter side of the hobby
September Meeting Highlights
The following items were brought for Show and Tell in September;
Paul Kemner displayed a couple of vintage trolley cars kits he picked up.
Rich Marquardt displayed a vintage fire wagon and fire house he completed.
Steve Glass displayed and described how he built an Ulrich Hopper.
Ray Huber presented a Power Point show of a new layout he is building. A small layout with lots of operation!
Marshall Stull displayed a scratchbuilt N&W river car float/ferry (featured as a clinic at the October meeting).
Tony Kukwa displayed some custom box cars and a couple vintage stock cars from kits.
Bill Vollmar told us about a trip to the Lost Railway Museum in Grass Lake, Michigan. He highly recommended it as a future trip for the division.
Upcoming Events
If you know about an event happening in our division (or nearby), 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!
