Oct. 2009 Newsletter
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THE FIRST STATE MODEL RAILROAD
CLUB, INC. NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2009
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of The First State Model Railroad Club, Inc. will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at 7:30
P.M. at the Jarrell Station at 1282 McKee Road (the Old REA/Magnum Building) in Dover, DE. * NOTE: This is
the FIRST Tuesday of the month.* From Route 1 or Route 13, go west on Scarborough Road about two miles and
the building is on the right. From Dover, off Route 8, take Salisbury Road north, which turns into McKee Road and
the building is on the left next to Kenton Child Care Center. Come early and run some trains. If lost, call 302-222-
7552.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
The last meeting was short, but a lot of information was brought up and discussed. The Oaks, PA. Train Show that
we went to last year was only about one-third the size this year, according to Bill Benzin and Dick Lush who
traveled up to the show. They did pick up a few items while there.
The Boy Scout Merit Badge Project has not had a lot of interest and the two relatives of Dick Lush from Florida
are not able to make it as plans have changed. The date for that was November 14, 2009. If you know of any Boy
Scouts who would like to enter the Project, please advise as soon as possible.
The Open House was discussed and voted on to participate. I was to get up with Reverend Drummer and the date
for the Club’s layout will be November 7, 2009, 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Numerous members have volunteered
to help out. Be sure to express your intentions as all suggestions are welcome.
The Eastern States Exposition Train Show in West Springfield, MA. is scheduled for January 29, 30 and 31,
2010. Get up with Dick Lush if you are interested in participating. It will be a normal trip as in past years,
including spouses. There has been an offer of an Open House on Friday night. Show up at Thursday’s run session
for more details.
There has been an interest in a “Dinner Train” ride. The Wilmington and Western Railroad was suggested. It
operates over a portion of the former Baltimore and Ohio Landenberg Branch for a 5 or 10-mile excursion to Mt.
Cuba, Picnic Grove, Yorklyn and Hockessin. They have (2) SW-1 EMP Switchers, 1909 Alco Steam 4-4-0; 1909
Baldwin 0-6-0; 1910 Canadian Locomotive 10, 2-6-0 and a 1929 PRR Railcar. Call 302-998-1930 or e-mail
the website www.wwrr.com for date and times and tell me your desires. I was thinking of a dinner-murder mystery
train ride.
The White Elephant Table is coming along well with numerous items being sold or traded each week.
The web site by Ed Mace is running smoothly with more and more hits right after Jim Valle responds to Railroad
articles. Thanks to both guys and keep up the good work and information.
If you need a copy of the Newsletter or By-Laws, they can be acquired at the Jarrell Station on the entrance door
to the meeting room.
The Club Picnic was brought up and two places were offered. Bill Schrodel and David McWethy both kindly
offered to host the picnic. Bill Schrodel won out. Do you think it was because of the one-to-one train layout in his
front yard. The Club picnic will be at Bill and Kathleen’s on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Route 330, Massey,
MD., starting at 1:00 P.M. until … the completion of the Locolympics. Bring a dish. Meat and sodas will be
provided. From Cheswold, DE. take Route 42, west all the way to the Maryland line. When entering Massey, you
will see a standing yellow cross bucks and cross bucks painted on the road. Bill’s house is on the left at the cross
bucks painted on the road. From New Castle, take Route 6, west at Smyrna to Blackiston, turn right onto Route 42
and left at Delaney’s Corner. Look for the cross bucks painted on the road. If lost call 410-928-5061. Bill has
plenty of land and room for relaxing and Bill’s “O” gauge layout is in the basement, depicting numerous points of
interest to him as he was growing up. Just ask him and he will be glad to share and re-live the good old days.
Outside Bill has a walkway around a Japanese garden, with a large fish pond and some of the largest goldfish I
have ever seen. They have to be over 2 feet long. And now to mention the Locolympics. The run-off track (as
every year) is never the same. It is set up just before the run-off. The track is 20 feet long with the first 10 feet at
one angle and the second 10 feet at a steeper angle. There are 10 categories: Fastest Pocket Rocket, Slowest
Steam, Fastest Steam, Steam Pull, Slowest Diesel, Fastest Diesel, Fastest RDC/GG1, 4 Axle Pull, 6 Axle Pull and
last is Single Motor Pull. Last year’s winners were: Fastest Pocket Rocket went to Paul’s grandson Brett Murray,
Slowest Steam went to Bill Gellerman, Fastest Steam went to Paul’s grandson Casey Murray, SteamPull went to
Jim Valle, Slowest Diesel went to Jim Thompson, Fastest Diesel went to Paul Buckley, Fastest RDC/GG1 went to
Jim Thompson’s grandson Kenny Haltom, 4 Axle Pull went to Jim Thompson, 6 Axle Pull went to Paul Buckley
and last but not least was Single Motor Pull going to undefeated Les Souder’s Hobbytowns. Well, there is a list of
the classes and who to beat. As I said, the boards are never the same, and a unit that won last year, may not win
this year. So pull out your engines and get them ready. Hope to see you there for good food, good people and a
lot of good old fun.
A special thanks to Bob Wenteler who gave the Club a passenger car number plaque, silver stainless steel #7179
in black numbers. Check it out and tell me what it was on. Bob also generously gave us 4 crossing lites that need
refurbishing.
See you at the meeting on October 6, 2009. Jim Thompson, President
UPCOMING SHOWS:
October 4, 2009 New Hope, PA. Fire Co. Train Show. Rt. 202 &
Sugar Road, New Hope, PA. POC: 908-755-7989.
October 10, 2009 Laurel Lions Club 4th Annual Train Show,
Laurel Fire Dept., 10th Street, Laurel, DE.
October 10-11, 2009 Great Scale Train Show, Timonium State Fair
Grounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium, MD.
POC: 410-730-1036.
October 17, 2009 Northern Virginia Model Railroad Show, 231
Dominion Rd. Vienna, VA. POC: 703-938-5157.
October 17, 2009 Stratford Yellin School Athletic Booster Club
Fall Train Show. Samuel Yellin School, 111 So.
Warwick Road, Stratford, NJ. POC: 856-816-8802.
October 25, 2009 Nur Temple, Route 13, 198 S. DuPont Hwy.,
New Castle, DE. POC: 302-222-3030.
November 1, 2009 Nur Temple, Wilmington, DE., Split at Rt. 40
& Rt. 13. POC: 302-764-1627.
November 1, 2009 Montgomery Co. Fairground, Gaithersburg,
MD. POC: 703-536-2954.
November 7, 2009 Glyndon Vol. Fire Dept., 4812 Butler Rd.
(Rt. 128), Glyndon, MD. POC: 410-833-1262.
November 14, 2009 Northern Virginia Model Railroading, 231
Dominion Rd., Vienna, VA. POC: 703-938-5157.
November 21, 2009 Hartly Fire Hall, Hartly, DE. POC: 302-492-3755.
November 28, 2009 Tall Cedars #45 Hall, 2501 Putty Hill Ave.,
Baltimore, MD. POC: 443-506-5205.
November 29, 2009 Memorial Hall, York Expo Center, 334
Carlisle Ave., York, PA. POC: 717-424-4004.
CLUB, INC. NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2009
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of The First State Model Railroad Club, Inc. will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at 7:30
P.M. at the Jarrell Station at 1282 McKee Road (the Old REA/Magnum Building) in Dover, DE. * NOTE: This is
the FIRST Tuesday of the month.* From Route 1 or Route 13, go west on Scarborough Road about two miles and
the building is on the right. From Dover, off Route 8, take Salisbury Road north, which turns into McKee Road and
the building is on the left next to Kenton Child Care Center. Come early and run some trains. If lost, call 302-222-
7552.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
The last meeting was short, but a lot of information was brought up and discussed. The Oaks, PA. Train Show that
we went to last year was only about one-third the size this year, according to Bill Benzin and Dick Lush who
traveled up to the show. They did pick up a few items while there.
The Boy Scout Merit Badge Project has not had a lot of interest and the two relatives of Dick Lush from Florida
are not able to make it as plans have changed. The date for that was November 14, 2009. If you know of any Boy
Scouts who would like to enter the Project, please advise as soon as possible.
The Open House was discussed and voted on to participate. I was to get up with Reverend Drummer and the date
for the Club’s layout will be November 7, 2009, 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Numerous members have volunteered
to help out. Be sure to express your intentions as all suggestions are welcome.
The Eastern States Exposition Train Show in West Springfield, MA. is scheduled for January 29, 30 and 31,
2010. Get up with Dick Lush if you are interested in participating. It will be a normal trip as in past years,
including spouses. There has been an offer of an Open House on Friday night. Show up at Thursday’s run session
for more details.
There has been an interest in a “Dinner Train” ride. The Wilmington and Western Railroad was suggested. It
operates over a portion of the former Baltimore and Ohio Landenberg Branch for a 5 or 10-mile excursion to Mt.
Cuba, Picnic Grove, Yorklyn and Hockessin. They have (2) SW-1 EMP Switchers, 1909 Alco Steam 4-4-0; 1909
Baldwin 0-6-0; 1910 Canadian Locomotive 10, 2-6-0 and a 1929 PRR Railcar. Call 302-998-1930 or e-mail
the website www.wwrr.com for date and times and tell me your desires. I was thinking of a dinner-murder mystery
train ride.
The White Elephant Table is coming along well with numerous items being sold or traded each week.
The web site by Ed Mace is running smoothly with more and more hits right after Jim Valle responds to Railroad
articles. Thanks to both guys and keep up the good work and information.
If you need a copy of the Newsletter or By-Laws, they can be acquired at the Jarrell Station on the entrance door
to the meeting room.
The Club Picnic was brought up and two places were offered. Bill Schrodel and David McWethy both kindly
offered to host the picnic. Bill Schrodel won out. Do you think it was because of the one-to-one train layout in his
front yard. The Club picnic will be at Bill and Kathleen’s on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Route 330, Massey,
MD., starting at 1:00 P.M. until … the completion of the Locolympics. Bring a dish. Meat and sodas will be
provided. From Cheswold, DE. take Route 42, west all the way to the Maryland line. When entering Massey, you
will see a standing yellow cross bucks and cross bucks painted on the road. Bill’s house is on the left at the cross
bucks painted on the road. From New Castle, take Route 6, west at Smyrna to Blackiston, turn right onto Route 42
and left at Delaney’s Corner. Look for the cross bucks painted on the road. If lost call 410-928-5061. Bill has
plenty of land and room for relaxing and Bill’s “O” gauge layout is in the basement, depicting numerous points of
interest to him as he was growing up. Just ask him and he will be glad to share and re-live the good old days.
Outside Bill has a walkway around a Japanese garden, with a large fish pond and some of the largest goldfish I
have ever seen. They have to be over 2 feet long. And now to mention the Locolympics. The run-off track (as
every year) is never the same. It is set up just before the run-off. The track is 20 feet long with the first 10 feet at
one angle and the second 10 feet at a steeper angle. There are 10 categories: Fastest Pocket Rocket, Slowest
Steam, Fastest Steam, Steam Pull, Slowest Diesel, Fastest Diesel, Fastest RDC/GG1, 4 Axle Pull, 6 Axle Pull and
last is Single Motor Pull. Last year’s winners were: Fastest Pocket Rocket went to Paul’s grandson Brett Murray,
Slowest Steam went to Bill Gellerman, Fastest Steam went to Paul’s grandson Casey Murray, SteamPull went to
Jim Valle, Slowest Diesel went to Jim Thompson, Fastest Diesel went to Paul Buckley, Fastest RDC/GG1 went to
Jim Thompson’s grandson Kenny Haltom, 4 Axle Pull went to Jim Thompson, 6 Axle Pull went to Paul Buckley
and last but not least was Single Motor Pull going to undefeated Les Souder’s Hobbytowns. Well, there is a list of
the classes and who to beat. As I said, the boards are never the same, and a unit that won last year, may not win
this year. So pull out your engines and get them ready. Hope to see you there for good food, good people and a
lot of good old fun.
A special thanks to Bob Wenteler who gave the Club a passenger car number plaque, silver stainless steel #7179
in black numbers. Check it out and tell me what it was on. Bob also generously gave us 4 crossing lites that need
refurbishing.
See you at the meeting on October 6, 2009. Jim Thompson, President
UPCOMING SHOWS:
October 4, 2009 New Hope, PA. Fire Co. Train Show. Rt. 202 &
Sugar Road, New Hope, PA. POC: 908-755-7989.
October 10, 2009 Laurel Lions Club 4th Annual Train Show,
Laurel Fire Dept., 10th Street, Laurel, DE.
October 10-11, 2009 Great Scale Train Show, Timonium State Fair
Grounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium, MD.
POC: 410-730-1036.
October 17, 2009 Northern Virginia Model Railroad Show, 231
Dominion Rd. Vienna, VA. POC: 703-938-5157.
October 17, 2009 Stratford Yellin School Athletic Booster Club
Fall Train Show. Samuel Yellin School, 111 So.
Warwick Road, Stratford, NJ. POC: 856-816-8802.
October 25, 2009 Nur Temple, Route 13, 198 S. DuPont Hwy.,
New Castle, DE. POC: 302-222-3030.
November 1, 2009 Nur Temple, Wilmington, DE., Split at Rt. 40
& Rt. 13. POC: 302-764-1627.
November 1, 2009 Montgomery Co. Fairground, Gaithersburg,
MD. POC: 703-536-2954.
November 7, 2009 Glyndon Vol. Fire Dept., 4812 Butler Rd.
(Rt. 128), Glyndon, MD. POC: 410-833-1262.
November 14, 2009 Northern Virginia Model Railroading, 231
Dominion Rd., Vienna, VA. POC: 703-938-5157.
November 21, 2009 Hartly Fire Hall, Hartly, DE. POC: 302-492-3755.
November 28, 2009 Tall Cedars #45 Hall, 2501 Putty Hill Ave.,
Baltimore, MD. POC: 443-506-5205.
November 29, 2009 Memorial Hall, York Expo Center, 334
Carlisle Ave., York, PA. POC: 717-424-4004.