Dec. 2008 Newsletter
| THE FIRST STATE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB, INC. NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2008 NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of The First State Model Railroad Club, Inc. will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. at the home of Jim and Myrna Valle, 13 Medinah Court, Dover, DE (302-678-0283). Our usual business meeting will take place and then we will enjoy our Christmas exchange for train guys and their wives/girlfriends. Everyone should bring a train-related gift, books, coffee mugs, train cars, engines or structures, assembled or still in the shrink-wrap for the guys. For the ladies, please bring an appropriate gift. The gifts should not be too expensive and should be wrapped in Christmas paper or plain paper. After the meeting, we are going to have some Christmas fun. Also, please bring an hors d’oeuvre, finger food, snack or dessert for all to enjoy on this occasion. If you didn’t get a postcard, please let me know, or if you have any questions about the meeting/party, please call me at 302-222-7552. PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: Last month’s meeting at the Jarrell Station was productive with discussions about our upcoming shows such as the Laurel Show with our layout being set up. The layout was small but very effective. It was 3 modules wide and 5 deep plus the corners, which came out to 18 x 26 feet. Photos at meeting were passed around. The York Show was discussed with a letter from Sam Geiser, President-Eastern Division (TCA), thanking us with a great layout. He was impressed with us filling the Black Hall at the TCA York meet. Quote: “Please extend our thanks to all Club members for their labor of love.” All of the evenings and dedicated work paid off and was appreciated with the addition of four more modules coming out of storage. Again thanks to all for the numerous nights of work and enjoyment. Our next show set-up was in Jenkintown, PA. at Bryner Chevrolet Used Car Showroom. Seven of us braved the trip, which took one hour and thirty-five minutes, with a departure time of 6:00 A.M. in the morning. We got there at 7:35 A.M. and had a narrow one wide by ten deep, measuring 12 feet by 46 feet. All was successful with 7 of the 15 modules being 8 footers. A special thanks to Bill Benzin, Reggie Finch, John Gray, Kevin Herrmann, Les Souder, Jim Valle and Jim Thompson. Not only did we get $200.00 as promised, but also the monies were increased to $300.00 because of an outstanding display and an outstanding job. And we got breakfast and lunch! While there, Reggie Finch found the Super Transformer we had been looking for. He got 3 of them new in the box. They are $200.00 transformers and the guy wanted $80.00 each. Well, Reggie got one, Bill Benzin got one and the Club got one for a backup. Again, thanks for a fine show, which was packed. Paul Myers said they had over 1100 paid visitors plus packed vendors. Photos will be available at the next meeting. Speaking of transformers, Les Souder brought up at the meeting and passed to purchase another MRC 2400. He said he could get one for $169.00; that’s a $200.00 transformer. Jeff Megonigal called and stated a friend of his was placing an order to Walthers and could get us one for $139.99. I said get it. It was ordered before we came upon the $80.00 deal. The transformer is the one that can handle G-gauge trains, same voltage but up in amperes, which we use when set up. The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA was brought up. Dick Lush has been working on the project and recapped last year’s trip. It comes up to $160.00 a person or $320.00 a couple. So far, we have nine rooms filled. I have reservations for 12 rooms. We will leave on Friday morning, January 23, 2009 from Les and Ann Souder’s at 6:00 A.M. We will go to the Cracker Barrel for supper. Saturday the men will go to the show and the ladies can do whatever they wish, probably visiting the Yankee Candle location. Saturday night will be dining in the Hotel with chat time afterwards in someone’s room this coming trip because we broke the rules last year. Sunday will be train show until noon and then departing for Dover with a stop somewhere for dinner. I need a full count by next meeting for rooms and armbands. Also, I will have sheets for dinner meals. Be at the next meeting at Valle’s for more details or call 302-222-7552. Buyer beware is a slogan I have been saying for years. Well, it came true at our last show in Jenkinstown on November 16. Reggie Finch was looking for a transformer. Les told him to look for a PN MRC-6200. Reggie found three of them, according to the vendor he had two new ones and one used but in fine shape. He wanted $80.00 each for them. Well, we bought all three. Reggie tried his and it didn’t work. Bill Benzin tried his and it didn’t work. Kevin Herrmann has the one for the Club and it doesn’t work. What a crook. Reggie sent his back to the company for $40.00 and $20.00 shipping and he said it is better than new. Remember, if it is too good to be true, it is. Jeff Shockley’s Dad passed away last week and we send our deepest sympathy to Jeff and his family. See you at the meeting, Jim Thompson, FSMRRC President UPCOMING SHOWS: December 6, 2008 Hatboro Train Show, Keith Valley Middle School, 227 Meetinghouse Road, Horsham, PA. Call Bill 215-441-0131. December 6-7, 2008 Toy Train & Model Railroad Exhibit, Caroline County Public Library (North County Branch), Greensboro, MD 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – free admission December 6-7, 2008 Ocean City, NJ Train Show, Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City, NJ POC: 609-525-9300. December 7, 2008 Gilbertsville Train Show, Gilbertsville Firehouse, 1454 East Philadelphia Ave., on Rt. 73, Gilbertsville, PA. Call Mark 215-657-2477. December 7, 2008 York-Hanover Train Show, Porters Fire Hall, Porters, PA. POC: 717-632-3157. December 13, 2008 Lehigh Valley Collectible Show, Merchant Square Mall, 1901 S. 12th St., Allentown, PA. valleygoto@rcn.com December 13, 2008 Denton VFW Train and Toy Show, Caroline County 4-H Park, Detour Road, Denton, MD. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. POC: 410-479-2928 or 410-479-1173. Admission: $3; kids under 12 free with adult December 14, 2008 Earleigh Heights Vol. Fire House, Rt. 2 & Earleigh Heights Road, Severna Park, MD. Call Al 301-906-9354. December 20, 2008 Arbutus Train Show, Arbutus Fire Hall, Arbutus, MD. Call |
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