May 2023 Newsletter

Posted by Lloyd Thomson April 30, 2023

May 2023 Newsletter

Beginning in 2008, National Train Day is observed every year on the Saturday closest to May 10, this year on May 13^th. Amtrak came up with the idea as a way to spread awareness about the history of railway networks in the U.S. and to encourage more people to use this mode of transportation. Railways are one of the most eco-friendly ways to go from one place to another including countless cities in the U.S. and three cities in Canada.

Club News

As reported a few months ago, our agreement with the building owner on 700S ended which required us to relocate all club belongings to our original location on 100S. Unfortunately, the City of St. George who owns this building has requested we vacate the location within the next 30-60 days. Al Thorne and Jim Harper are on the hunt for new quarters but club members are also encouraged to keep their ears to the ground for a suitable (250-350 sq/ft) space we might occupy for free. Contact Al Thorne (homeplat@infowest.com) with any leads you might discover.

To maintain the CCMRRC-sponsored G scale layouts at the Children’s Museum and St. George Regional Hospital, the club purchased a track cleaning locomotive from LGB (LGB 21672). G scale club members needing to clean their track can rent the locomotive for a nominal fee. Contact Larry Schneider (peggy.larry.schneider@gmail.com) for details.

Club members might remember “disc jockey” Victor Lorch and the story we published in September 2019. We learned of Vic's love for radio and particularly Big Band era music. From racks and stacks, it's the best on wax! How 'bout another double-golden-oldie-twin-spin-sound-sandwich from Vic on Utah Tech's 100.3 FM on Saturday afternoons from 4PM to 6PM?

Spring BBQ

Come celebrate National Train Day on Saturday, May 13 for club members and one guest paid by the club. (Non-members will be asked to pay $15/attendee.)

Tim & Dana Fitch’s home - 2734 Rock Land Drive, Washington

· 11:00am - Fitch Layout Tour

· 11:30am - Quick Business Meeting

· 12:30pm - Catered Lunch (Dickey’s BBQ) Bottled water provided or bring your own beverage.

· 1:30pm – Saunders’ Layout Tour - 2649 E. Upper Canyon Drive, Wash.

Please RSVP to Tim Fitch at tififaf32@outlook.com or call him at 801-559-2112 no later than May 1^st. You can also call Al Thorne @ 435-668-1826. Plan on a good time. After the list of attendees firms up, volunteers will be requested to bring desserts.

May Luncheon Dates

May 5th and May 19st - Bloomington Country Club at 11:30am. If you plan to attend, contact Bryan Enarson (bryanlax@aol.com) no later than May 3rd and/or May 19th. NOTE: Unlike the typical restaurant which welcomes any number of patrons, the country club arranges tables and chairs specifically for our luncheons. Again, if you plan to attend, contact Bryan at the email above.

Member Railroads

Keith Johnson tells us about his recent addition. “I have added an additional 160 feet of down the side of my casita. This branches off the northern end of the layout and consists of a separate loop such that I can run a train on the loop and it won't interfere with the trains running on the other two loops.” To see the latest photos, click HERE and scroll down to the May 2023 Update.

Larry Schneider has also added to his backyard track plan as he explains here. “Each year in the Spring and Fall I try to do something different with my Garden Trains. This spring I decided it would be a good time to add more track. I had been thinking about an additional siding to allow staging more trains. I have the track and was able to procure 2 additional turnouts. In looking at what was there I decided that if I realigned my spur to the garage and then added the siding I could also extend the Mainline. The project began with removal of existing track and roadbed. Set new track in place to see how it would work, cut the needed sizes and made ready for new roadbed. Installed new roadbed, installed track and connected it all up. Poured new ballast on track. Installed power to turnouts and tested. I have extended the mainline five additional feet, have a new 15 ft siding and the rerouted spur allows bringing trains out without interrupting those operating on the mainline.” Click HERE and scroll down to the May 2023 Update for photos.

Upcoming Shows & Conventions

38^th National Garden Railway Convention

July 1-8, 2023

Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA

https://ngrc2023.org

Texas Express - Supercharged, High Speed, and Streamlined

August 20-26, 2023

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center

1501 Gaylord Trail

Grapevine, TX 76051

https://2023texasexpress.com

Rocky Mountain Region Convention - Rails Along the Rio Grande