June 2021 Newsletter
It’s June already, and with Memorial Day weekend marking the calendar, the summer season has officially begun. Vaccination counts are rising, COVID case volumes are dropping, and the CDC says masks are HIS-TO-REE for vaccinated folks. Absolutely marvelous reasons to really enjoy the summer of 2021!!
Club Business:
On May 27, the 2021 CCMRRC Business Meeting was held at Thunder Junction All Abilities Park. The Meeting Minutes are available HERE. As a reminder, folks who haven’t paid this year’s dues, are strongly encouraged to contact Larry Schneider (peggy.larry.schneider@gmail.com) to pay $25.00 for 2021. Beginning July 1, the monthly newsletter and other CCMRRC correspondence will be distributed to paid members only.
Club Member Railroads and News:
Gathered from his Facebook page, these photos show Rick Guercio’s current progress. He says “I have resorted to real scenes on my train room walls, eliminating much of the argument. I still am a little weak on 3d scenery. Upcoming is my gravel pit and farm areas.” Click HERE and scroll down to the June 2021 Update.
According to Larry Schneider “May turned out to be a fun month. After almost 2 years, I finally brought my idea of a mural on my backyard’s retaining wall to completion. I had been working with a photographer in my community to conceive this and then print it. He has the capability of printing up to 8 feet long and 44 inches wide. The mural was printed in six 4-foot sections (24 feet total length) and about 37 inches high. He found a vinyl material that has an adhesive back and we mounted it on 1/8" melamine cut to size with the edges wrapped around so they do not show. As the photos show, it turned out great. Also, this was my first run with trains under engine control. I had 4 trains out and used 2 iPads to control them for our tour on May 15th. The Sunriver Junction group had 8 RR's operating for people to visit. I know everyone who ran had an excellent time. Can't wait for the fall when it will cool down again and I can continue building.” To see Larry’s mural, click HERE and scroll down to Sun River Spring Open House (May 2021).
I don’t believe Keith Johnson’s imagination ever sleeps. From 3D printing to drone images of his railroad, nothing escapes his consideration. “Here are photos of my layout at 60 feet elevation. When you post, add the following under the photo. That is the legal statement from the photographer and will keep the FAA at bay. Greg James part 107 Commercial pilot”. Click HERE to see these unique photos.
At the Business Meeting, we met the newest CCMRRC member Tom Lantry who models in HO scale. “Nice meeting everyone under the volcano. My Fast Track turnout kit arrived the same day so I guess I am now committed to the hobby. Layout progress: I’m presently upgrading my DigiTrax BD4N (Block Occupancy Detector for 4 detection sections) to a BXP88 for 8 detection sections and a DS64 (Quad Stationary Decoder) for turnout control on my 4’x8’ test oval. Once I convince JMRI to display my occupancy sensor status on a Layout Panel, I can dive into signaling. Growing up near NYC Penn Station I saw plenty of the Raymond Loewy influenced GG-1 locomotive. If you don’t know the number, you know the streamlined design. This iconic behemoth served from 1935 to 1983. I spent my lunch money on a Broadway Limited HO version. The metal pantograph detail is impressive, but non-functioning.” Click HERE to see photos of Tom’s GG-1 locomotive.
Prototype News:
· Wabtec, BNSF Conclude Initial Tests of Battery-Electric Locomotive
· Railfans Thomas and Irene Eckhardt share their video of Uranium Tailing Transport. “Spent some days in Green River, Utah, and by chance came across this action on the Moab branch. There was plenty of MOW work on the line during the day, but after having dinner in Moab and driving back to Green River, I spotted some container cars on the hillside where they’re usually parked. Closer inspection revealed they actually moved, so the chase was on!” https://youtu.be/KCAN84oYXY4
· It Takes a Lot of Thought and Planning to Paint a Train
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/amtrak-paint-designs
· Amtrak Gets OK for 110 mph Trains in Part of Michigan
· After bidding war with Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern to Merge with Canadian National Railway in $34 Billion Deal.
· CSX's Avon Rail Yard Tour and Indianapolis Railfanning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjLMSfzwTA
Excursion Trains, Tourist Railroads, and Heritage News:
· Photos: Niles Canyon Railway Fires Up Steam Locomotive
· Revisiting the Colebrookdale Railroad – HeritageRail Alliance
https://heritagerail.org/2020/04/revisiting-the-colebrookdale-railroad/
· Exciting California Railroad Museums the Whole Family Will Love
https://www.california.com/exciting-california-railroad-museums-whole-family-will-love/
· Historians Revise Book on Transcontinental Railroad in Utah for 1st time in 27 Years.
Railroad Modeling News:
· How Model Trains Are Made (Scale Trains Inc.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoxtnAYGwrc
· Stop Cleaning Your Track on Your Model Railroadhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBYxjcTWCB0
· Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know
https://www.invaluable.com/blog/inside-the-archives-lionel-train-prices/
· Toy Man Television shows us Bachmann O scale Locomotives Central Pacific Jupiter and Union Pacific No. 119.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PZBUoMv2AI
· Thomas and Irene Eckhardt share the most precise model railway layout in the world - Cab ride in the Kaeserberg Rail Museum. “Impressive track work and scenery. The catenary is as real as it gets. The train speed unfortunately is out of this world too!”
· Colorado Model Railroad Museum – Summer 2021 Newsletter