| Volume 40 Issue 3 | November 2000 |
| Volume 40 Issue 3 | November 2000 |
The November Call Board is the one that many new members get for the first time, since the fall train show is when we often get new members into the Division. If you are one of those new members, WELCOME! We're glad to have you in the Division. Division 3 of the Mid-Central Region, National Model Railroad Association has been since 1959. Dayton has long been nationally known as a home of fine model railroads and railroad modelers, largely through Dayton's presence in the NMRA.
You're probably most familiar with the work of Allen McClelland, whose Virginian and Ohio has been published extensively, but there are many more fine modelers in the area. Bob Fink, Fred Schneider, Steve and Mike Hood, Dave Holl, and Jim Foster all have terrific layouts (although right now, Bob Fink and the Hoods are between layouts), as do many, many others too numerous to mention here.
One of the biggest benefits of being an NMRA member is the opportunity to meet regularly with other modelers and learn more about prototype railroads and how to represent them in whatever layout space you might have. Already this year, we've had presentations on scenic detailing, G gauge railroading, making your own figures, doing resin detail castings, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Meetings are normally the third Sunday of the month, at the Wright Memorial Library, 1776 Far Hills Avenue in Dayton. Meeting time is two pm.
In addition to conducting any division business and the program, we also have a monthly popular vote model contest where you can bring in your models and photographs related to a monthly theme. If you just want to bring in something that you've been working on to show off what you've been doing, we have a show and tell table, too. We try to be responsive to the needs and interests of the members, so if there's a topic you'd like to see covered at a regular meeting, please let one of the board members know. We'll see what we can do to get it on the schedule.
The Division is headed up by a Board of Governors, whose names are listed on the mast head somewhere in this newsletter. The BOG meets the first Wednesday of the month, at a member's house on a rotating basis. All members are welcome to the BOG meetings, although we ask that you contact the host first to make certain that there hasn't been a change in the meeting location.
Another major benefit of NMRA membership is the opportunity to go to the regional and national conventions. The Mid-Central Region consists (roughly) of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. The Region holds a three-day weekend convention in the spring each year, which draws between 200 and 300 model railroaders from across these states. Next year's event will be in Louisville, and it looks to be a lot of fun. There will be presentations by nationally known modelers, a contest room that will hold some of the finest models you'll see anywhere, prototype railroad and model railroad layout tours, and lots more.
If you don't want to go that far afield, Dayton is preparing to host the 2002 convention. That event will be the last weekend of April 2002, and include a full clinic slate, a switching contest hosted by the Dalmation Switching District, construction of a layout for raffle, model and photo contests, home layout operating sessions, and lots more. If you want to get involved with helping to host the convention, please contact me or one of the other board members.
Coming up in July 2001 is the NMRA National Convention, just a few hours drive from here in St Louis. This is a full week of model railroading, which draws literally thousands from around the country and the world. In addition to the clinics, layout tours, and prototype tours, this convention features the National Train Show, where nearly every model railroad manufacturer brings his products to show off. I've been to four national conventions in the last eight years, and had a blast at every single one.
Again, welcome. If there's anything we can do to help you as you get acquainted with us, please don't hesitate to call!
Many thanks to Frank Klatt and Denny LaMusga for putting on a terrific clinic on G-gauge railroading for our October meeting. Between Frank kicking over equipment (intentionally, to demonstrate G-gauge ruggedness) and Denny's terrific sounding F-unit lashup, it was something we'll not soon forget. For those of you who weren't there, the business meeting was something of an adventure, as the library didn't have our reservation entered on their calendar. My thanks to our members who put up with our efforts to recover from this snafu, and especially to Denny, who put on his portion of the clinic despite feeling very poorly.
The library also has a conflict for our November date, but a new location has been secured. Look elsewhere in the Callboard for the directions and address.
Fred Schneider has expressed a desire to curtail his activities in the Division. As you probably know, Fred is the assistant Superintendent, the chair for the 2002 convention contest room, the Achievement Program (AP) chair, and the keeper of the video tapes. He's also been helping with division publicity. He's been doing a terrific job, but that's a lot for one person to handle!
At the meeting, we discussed the need to find a replacement for Fred as Assistant Super. Since then, I’ve talked to Fred and we’ve discussed in more detail what we really need to do. Fred has agreed to stay on as Assistant Super, but would like for the Division to find somebody else to handle the AP chair responsibilities. This position requires promoting the AP program within the division, assisting members in properly filling out the AP forms, and filing those forms with the Regional AP Chair. It doesn't require a lot of time in general, but when you do have a member going for a certificate, you do need to act quickly to get the paperwork completed. Please see either Fred or me if you can help out with this.
It was decided at the October General Membership Meeting to not have a spring train show this coming year. The critical factors were uncertainty over the date and venue (we could not hold it in conjunction with the Baby Fair next year,) limited division manpower, and the lack of a show organizer.
I personally am not happy with this situation, as the spring train show is part of the legacy of past Superintendent George Mueller. Those of us who remember George know that one of his goals was to improve our promotion of the hobby. I truly wish George were still with us, because I deeply miss his friendship and positive can-do attitude. The spring train show is one of the ways we attempt to achieve the goals that George didn’t have the opportunity to accomplish.
I'd like for somebody to come forward to take the helm of organizing a show for 2002, sometime before the MCR regional convention. A spring show in February or March would be a way to bring Dayton area model railroaders into the NMRA in time for the regional convention. Please call me if you have any interest in this at all.
The fall train show is upon us once again. This is our biggest opportunity of the year to reach out to the public, attract new members, and at the same time replenish the division coffers. The proceeds from this show are what allow us to cover division operating expenses without charging dues (for example, we spend about $10 per member per year, just on the Callboard.) Hopefully, the weather will cooperate with us this year - we don't need another gorgeous weekend like we had last year! Something overcast perhaps, in the mid-forties, with maybe a threat of rain or snow.
Once again, we need your help to make the show a success. We are bringing the dealers in on Friday afternoon from 1 to 7 and Saturday morning from 7 to 10. We need as many members as we can muster to make this run smoothly. Please call Dave Decker (890-0611) if you can help with the dealer load-in.
We also need your help to keep things running smoothly during the show. We have paid Hara to provide ticket-takers, but we still need people to pass out tour books, help with the test track, and otherwise stay on top of things out front. We will have a signup board out front for people to volunteer their time. Expect to work at least a couple hours to help put on the show if you want to get in for free!
Ron Dietrich is also looking for people to help with clinics and demonstrations during the show. Call Ron at xxx-xxxx if you'd be willing to help with this aspect of the show.
While getting the members in the door is a necessary first step, it is keeping them that is most important. Please make certain to welcome the new faces to the Division meetings!
Happy Modeling!
Ray
© 2000 Division 3, MCR, NMRA