NMRA Regional Mtg Pleasantville * Turnouts in spotlight

February regional meet/Metro North Div - Turnouts in spotlight
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 10 a.m.
Mount Pleasant Public Library
350 Bedford Road
Pleasantville, N.Y.

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y.—The Metro North Division of the NMRA will meet Feb. 6 at the Mount Pleasant Public Library. Two presentations will highlight the gathering, which marks the 14-year-old division’s third decade of meetings. Vin Gallogly will offer an overview of turnouts: should I purchase off the shelf or construct my own? Vin will look at some pluses and minuses of Atlas, Walthers and Peco DCC-“friendly” turnouts compared with handlaid turnouts using the Fast Tracks jigs.

Barry Abisch will take us to Adult Rail Camp on the Nevada Northern Railway, where learning railroading is a hands-on experience. Barry will discuss his experiences there and then offer a picture tour of the Nevada Northern. He will focus on the modeling opportunities offered by an operating railroad that retains the look, feel—and rolling stock—of an early 20th century standard-gauge short line. If you enjoy scratchbuilding or you’re looking for something different in an operating scenario, the Nevada Northern probably has something to offer.

General Interest
Members are invited to bring in and display models of “My favorite box car.” The membership will express itself with a popular vote. In addition, bring a model to share, paticularly if you acquired it at the Amherst Show, Jan. 30-31 in West Springfield, Mass.

Our swap table will also be open for those looking to cast off or acquire railroading gear.
After a break for lunch, members will have the afternoon to visit two nearby HO layouts.
In Armonk, John Stamatov is scheduled to welcome visitors to his Muscoot Valley RR while in Port Chester, Anthony Maida is expected to show members the latest additions to his ever-growing basement empire. Directions to both layouts will be available at the meeting.

To reach the library, just visit www.mountpleasantlibrary.org/ to obtain customized, door-to-door directions.

Westchester Show and MTL NH RPO

WOW what a great show Sunday at the County Center in White Plains. Thanks to the regional paper, that gave the show a cover story on their weekend edition (Lionel diesel in color on the cover with a $450 price tag), the promotors said they had a record crowd with over 3000 coming by in the one-day six-hour show. I know I met and made many N scale model railroaders and turned many others to Kato Unitrack.

Speaking of Unitrack, which I'm sure you all know I love, check out the current (March 2010) issue of Model Railroader. The third installment of their new 4x9 N scale model railroad project details the laying of N Scale Unitrack using the new superelevated dual main track. Mentions of ease of assemble and reliability understate their choice.

Finally, I found some MicroTrains NYNH&H RPO's which are out of production. I have one left I've listed on ebay and it's sure to draw a crowd for my New Haven fans. Isn't it a beauty!
For Westchester fans, the NMRA Metro North division is meeting this Saturday in the Pleasantville Library at 10AM.

Here's the location -

350 Bedford Rd Pleasantville, NY
10570-3015

Email me for meeting details. There's usually 2 seminars and 2 layouts to visit.

Westchester County Center Toy & Train Show

Well, the largest train show in the northeast comes to White Plains, NY tomorrow. With hours running from 9AM to 3PM you have SIX hours to enjoy model trains and other toys. Since they have a snack bar, you can make a day of it and keep warm, a consideration with weekend temps well below 30 degrees.
If you attend, do stop by my Buzz Hollow Railroad booth and say hi. More info is available here:

http://www.westchestergov.com/calendar/ccorgcalquery.asp

If you have trouble finding the place, call me at the show at 914-309-2395.

N Scale Starter Sets

Due to the size relationship, N scale takes up one fourth the tabletop area required for HO - that's a lot! A 4x8 layout in N (32 sq ft) would have to be 8x16 (128 sq ft) in HO to have the same modeling space. With today’s dwindling space, N scale provides a lot of railroading in a small space without breaking the budget.

With all things considered (engine quality, detail desired, layout size, reliability, etc) I believe track reliability is key. Over the years I’ve met many model railroaders who lost interest because their trains wouldn’t run. This was almost always do to poor track or poor track laying. I always recommend Kato N Scale Unitrack (which comes with roadbed so it can be setup on a carpet) to start and you’ll never have track problems. It is sectional track, so it is very easy for the chief engineer of any age to redesign his layout as inspiration dictates. Further, with Kato’s range of radii in curved track, the designer can produce almost any serpentine curves envisioned. The March 2010 issue of Model Railroader magazine (the current issue on stands now) describes their 4x9 N scale layout track laying step and clearly explains the editor’s decision to use Unitrack.

Therefore, I prefer the Kato sets because I like their Unitrack. They have sets with just track or complete sets with track, an engine, cars and power supply. As noted in above posts, if the track isn't the best, your trains won't run. No fun in that, regardless of the quality of the locos. Unfortunately, as sets go, the Kato sets are expensive.

Therefore, when I set up a newcomer with a set, I put it together from parts in inventory. I recommend a Unitrack layout (since it's sectional track, they can easily compliment the set with sections to make it as big as they have room for) and then offer engines and cars with a whole range of prices and quality. This approach provides a starter “set” that has great track and, with lower priced rolling stock, can start as low as $60 with a power supply, an engine and a few cars.

Another plus for N scale is that all the engines, freight cars and passenger cars come in storable, stackable jewel cases. Until you have a real train room where you can keep the collection on display, you can establish a habit of putting the trains away when you disassemble the layout and store the rolling stock in their original boxes. Many used collections on the market come with the cars still stored in those boxes. This definitely helps the collection retain its value.

And, as can be seen by my previous post, even boys 6 to 10 can handle the smaller size.

Although there are some great bargains with track from other manufacturers, if you start with Kato Unitrack, you’ll have more fun running trains. And regardless of the cost of the engines you add, your trains will always run.

As a last note, many NTrak modules come with Kato Unitrack sections to be used between the modules so they can be reconnected at a show and provide electrical reliability.

Well, it's on to White Plains and the Westchester County Center for their big Toy and Train Show this Sunday. I have my largest inventory of N Scale Unitrack ever and have a layout book with plans. Come pick out a starter set and start a new model railroader on the way to building an empire.
It's not called The World's Greatest Hobby for nothing.

Railroad Club Meeting

Well, here it is again! The third Thursday of the month. And the Northern Westchester Model Railroad Club is meeting at its usual place - the Community Room of the Apple Bank in the Rosehill Shopping Center in Thornwood, NY. The meeting begins by 8PM and usually breaks up about 10PM.
Come join the group and share stories, model building and just plain railroading.
You can see our layout in my last blog about the Cub Scouts. It runs pretty well for a portable setup.
If you'd like more info or better directions, do call 914-309-2395.
Hope to see new faces tomorrow.

Hank

Cub Scouts and Model Railroading

Tonight we entertained the regular meeting of a local Cub Scouts Troop with members in the first through fifth grades.
After a brief business and awards agenda, David Dykstra, a member of the local MetroNorth Railroad organization, introduced the president of The Northern Westchester Model Railroad Club, Joseph Pelzner. Mr Pelzner gave a brief history of railroads and then touched on model railroading and the many scales, track gauges and electronic powering systems.
After the talk, the Scouts had a chance to have hands-on on several layouts provided by the club. Included were the clubs N Scale layout built on a Terrain-4-Trains High Sierra module, a simple back-N-forth trolley setup and ovals of Lionel and MTH O gauge trains. Dave Dysktra also brought a very small Z scale Japanese passenger train.
One surprize was the youngsters obvious ability to rerail the small N Scale engines. I had always assumed that the concentration and dexterity required to get the small wheels back on the track would make it difficult for young people, but they managed to rerail the tiny cars as quickly as any adults.
Be sure to look us up if you know of a local club that would like a demonstration of model railroading. We are always looking for a reason to "Play with trains".
BTW - The next club meeting will be held on January 21 in the community room of the Rosehill Shopping Center in Thornwood. The meeting starts by 8:00PM.
There will also be a Train and Toy show at the Westchester County Center in White Plains the last Sunday of this month, January 31st.