March 2024 Newsletter


Club News

Last month’s Winter Social was well attended with 30 members and 21 guests gathering for all-you-can-eat pizza, salad, and cupcakes for dessert.  Great to see everyone had a good time !

CCMRRC Spring BBQ
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 11:00 - 1:00
Place: Tim & Dana Fitch house, 2734 E Rock Land Dr, Washington
Details and a RSVP request will be sent in future mailings/newsletters.
 
March Luncheon Dates
March 1 and March 15th - Bloomington Country Club at 11:30am.  If you plan to attend, contact Bryan Enarson (bryanlax@aol.com) no later than Wednesday before the luncheon.  Unlike a typical restaurant which welcomes any number of patrons anytime during business hours, the country club arranges tables and chairs specifically for our luncheons.  Again, if you plan to attend, contact Bryan at the email above.

Dave Merrill (NHRA Southern Utah Division Superintendent) is hosting an HO Group Meeting on Monday March 11 at 7:00pm. 
Address: 563 West 2040 S. Circle, St. George
Agenda: Scheduling regular group meetings, discussion of member layouts, clinic topics, and operating the ATSGRR (Ascape Tennsion & Sulphur Gulch RR).
Contact Dave Merrill (atsgrr@gmail.com) for further details. 

Rick Hansen is hosting the next G scale meeting on March 22 at his house. 
Address: 1459 E. Basswood Circle, St. George
Contact Rick Hansen (1emptynest42@gmail.com) or Larry Schneider (peggy.larry.schneider@gmail.com) for additional information.

Tim Fitch provides us with recent developments at the Children’s Museum and the Hospital’s Pediatric Department in this article.  (Note the links to three videos at the end of the article.)
 
N Scale Layout Update - Kim Proctor (who bought the refurbished N scale layout last December) updated Bryan Enarson on his project.  He rebuilt the table (reinforced the legs) and removed all the track and scenery. Only the two side panels remain.  He has painted the base and is laying new track and switches.  He says the project is the center of his activities and really enjoys model railroading.  Bryan encouraged him to join the club and take advantage of the wealth of know how that is available to him.  Perhaps we’ll see him soon at an upcoming luncheon.   
 
Member Railroads
Keith Johnson updates us on his G scale railroad. “Here are just 2 photos of some new roadbed I installed.  The original roadbed was too steep for some of my consists.  So, I lengthened the run and I updated to the new design at the same time.”  Click HERE and scroll down to the March 2024 Update for photos.

Upcoming Train Shows and Conventions
Hostlers Model Railroad 2024 Festival
March 1-3, 2024
Location: Ogden Union Station
Address: 25th Street & Wall Avenue, Ogden, UT
 
Ophir, Tintic & Western (OTW) Train Show
April 5-6, 2024 
Location: Spanish Fork Fairgrounds Tennis Building
Address: 475 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT

Rocky Mountain Train Show
April 6-7, 2024
National Western Complex
4655 Humboldt St.
Denver, CO

Surfliner 2024 NMRA National Convention
August 4-11, 2024
Westin Long Beach
333 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
 
Kanab Train Show - Date Change for 2025
Next year's show is scheduled for January 17-18, 2025. The newly-remodeled gymnasium/expo hall will double the floor space compared to 2024.
 
Modeling News and Information
NMRA Northern Utah Division recruiting next generation of model railroaders.

Rod Stewart – CBS Sunday Morning segment featuring video of Stewart’s HO railroad
 
How do I determine the value of my toy trains?
 
MTH Premier Line 3-truck Shay
 
Modeling Concrete
 
Wiring Basics
 
Guide to HO Couplers
 
A devoted nephew finishes layout for his beloved aunt Sadie.

Prototype Railroad News
What ever happened to the Great Circus Train?
 
Diesel Locomotive Builders Explored
 
Surface Transportation Board (STB) approves UP track linking with proposed Utah short line.
 
Trains Detour
 
Warren Buffett praises railroaders and expects Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) profits to improve.
 
Storage & Transloading: 
How shortline railroads find income.

Railfanning
2024 Union Pacific Heritage Fleet Super Bowl Train “City of Las Vegas” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4BAcbh1UN0   and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL1F8g4-cas
 
Durango & Silverton runs final coal-powered snow train.
 
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) - February 2024 Update

 

Until April, All Aboard !!
Lloyd Thomson