the main-line - agtta · the main-line official publication of the all gauge toy train association...

February, 2016 1 PDF Extended Version AGTTA Main-Line

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A message from the President of AGTTA to its membership and all those that help keep the hobby of model railroading alive.

“Toy Train Archaeology”

How many of you have at least one box of trains that has not been exposed to the light of day since telephones had

rotary dials? This may be a reach, but I figure that

every one of you has a dungeon full of wooden crates, cardboard boxes, plastic totes and military field lockers full of train treasures needing to be exposed to and appreciated by the likes of us many train nerds.

So, I propose a radical adventure: how about if each of us opens ONE box of probably forgotten trains and liberates one or two of them to bring to an ensuing AGTTA train meet? The item does not have to be rare, mint, old or new as the important thing is that it has a story attached to it. Maybe your Dad or Grampa owned it and handed

it down to you, or you found it for a dollar ninety-eight at the local Purple Heart Veterans thrift store. Perhaps you saved your tips from your days as a

The Main-Line OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALL GAUGE TOY TRAIN ASSOCIATION

VOL. 37, NO. 2 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 2016

HOW-TO CLINIC DCS VERSION 5.0

To keep us up-to-date, How-To Clinic Master Jim Weatherford has arranged for Jim Osborne to present a workshop on DCS Version 5.0, the latest MTH release on DCS and DCS Loader Version 5.0. The workshop will include demonstration of the MTH DCS Wi-Fi App for Smart Phones and Tablets.

And for members who need their DCS TIUs and Remotes updated to the Version 5.0 code, Jim will be available to do the updates.

CLINIC START TIME: 5:00 PM

Come to the Meet and support your Clinics! And as always if you have any ideas for future Clinics make sure you pass them along to Jim Weatherford. He would love to have your inputs.


are sustain our vitality for the future. It is important that we welcome and listen to ''new blood'' in order to guarantee our future prosperity.

a paperboy and bought a complete Marx Western Pacific diesel freight set finally from out of lay-away at Woolworths, or you fished for tuna one summer with the ''old man'' to buy an American Flyer Royal Blue locomotive that un-darkened your steam roster. How about that time that you mowed Grandma's crabgrass and rock lawn for a year so that you could finally get a Lionel lighted caboose? (Grandma was pretty tight) If we actually look at and think about those trains there must be an endless amount of background stories attached to those buys, and I think that our meetings could be that much more enjoyable with their telling.

The thing is, I will wager that there are a lot of swell items that have been in solitary confinement for far too long! It is time to liberate some of those forgotten treasures and share them not only with yourself, but with the rest of us. We should transform those prisoners in cardboard and cocoons of newspaper into the joys for which they were originally manufactured. I reiterate that they need not be among the higher echelons of rarity or condition, just that they are special and unique to the bearer, and by extension, to all of us.

And that brings us to the All Gauge Good Guy part of the message (what a segue!). For a long time we have relied almost entirely on Gary Jarvis to brighten our eyes and enlighten our minds regularly with his terrific Erector construction toys and he always has a story to

edify the display. Mr. Jarvis is due laudatory

thanks for his thoughtful and educational displays for our enjoyment. Because of his selfless attitude we can expect there will be more wonderments from his collection. Thank you, Gary!

There is some unfortunate news to relate. The AGTTA will NOT be exhibiting at the Del Mar show on the 13th & 14th of this month. Our application was lost and therefore we were not included in the layout section of the show. Please note that the Board of Directors will address this problem so that it does not happen again. We will enact a follow-up strategy that ensures that GTS has received our application and that we are ''IN' at all subsequent shows. Also, please remember that everyone is welcome to the Board Meetings to observe or to offer ideas and

constructive comment.

Respectfully,

Jim Andrews - President AGTTA

The Main-Line is published at the first of each month. The Main-Line is the official publication of the All Gauge Toy Train Association of San Diego.

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS

Please mail or e-mail all contributions for publication before the 1st of the month to:

Bill Hohnhorst, Main-Line Editor 8150 Pasadena Avenue

La Mesa, CA 91941-6425 (619) 461-5039 [email protected]

MONTHLY MEETINGS

Meets are normally held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Torrey Pines Christian Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North, La Jolla, CA. beginning at 3:00 PM. Big All-Day Saturday Meets are held in June & December.

AGTTA CLUB WEBSITE

www.agtta.com

2016 AGTTA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

President Jim Andrews (619) 441-8462 [email protected]

Vice President Ken Steele (619) 644-1247 [email protected]

Secretary Jim Weatherford (619) 287-8687

[email protected]

Treasurer Jon Everett (858) 538-0930

[email protected]

Directors Ed Jones 619-593-8350

[email protected] Al Keil (619) 482-8823

[email protected] Steve Pierce (858) 571-6238

[email protected] Greg Smyth (619) 476-9942

[email protected] Bob Wall (858) 452-8955 [email protected]

Immediate Past President Dave Campbell (619) 287-2099 [email protected]

Website Coordinator Alan Hamel (858) 453-5297

[email protected]

http://www.agtta.com/


MEMBERSHIP NEWS

New Members – After a lengthy string of months in which we welcomed new members to our Club, Secretary Jim Weatherford reported that we did not receive any new memberships in the month of January.

2016 Membership Renewals – Jim reports that the 2016 Membership Renewals have continued to come in slowly. At last count he has received 88 renewals, which means that 62 of you have not yet sent in your renewals. If you are one of those 62 we hope that you will complete your 2016 Membership Renewal form (that you’ll find on page 7) and get it in the mail today along with your Renewal Check. Or better yet just bring it to the February Meet. Being a past member you know what a small investment it is for being a part of this outstanding Club!

2016 MEET DATES

As you should be aware by now our date for the February Meet has had to be rescheduled. This is due to big changes taking place at the Torrey Pines Christian Church, which hosts our Meets. The Church has decided to merge with the Eastlake Church. Not surprisingly this merger will bring about changes which might end up effecting our relationship with the Church. It has obviously effected February Meet date. At this point it is unknown what other effects it will have. At least for now our calendar remains the same. Any future changes will be announced ASAP. Here again is our current 2016 Meet dates.

July 14 February 10 August 11 March 17 September 8 April 14 October 13 May 12 November 10

June 18 -Open Houses- December 3

BOARD MEETING REPORT

The first 2016 Board held on Thursday, January 28th at the SDRRM in Balboa Park. Here are the Minutes of the Meeting.

BOD Attendees: Jim Andrews, Dave Campbell, Jon Everett, Alan Hamel, Ed Jones, Al Kiel, Steve Pierce, Greg Smyth, Ken Steele & Jim Weatherford.

BOD Absentees: Bill Hohnhorst & Bob Wall.

Visitors in Attendance: Bart Grey, Caroline Poindexter & Christine Poindexter.

1. Del Mar GTE Show – Alan Hamel stated he had submitted the required application form to

have our 5-Rail Modular Layout in the show but had not yet received a response.

2. February Meet Date Change – Jon, our POC with the Church, announced that our February Meet Date had to be changed to Wednesday, February 10th due to a conflict with another item on the Church calendar.

3. Church Merger – Our church, the Torrey Pines Christian Church, in in the process of merging with the Eastlake Church. This may result in changes to our Meet Schedule and/or our monthly rental costs. With these uncertainties it was agreed that we should postpone our purchase of any additional Meet Tables until we know for sure what the Club’s expenses will be for the remainder of the year.

4. Motorman – It was agreed that the Club needs to publicize what they these three young members are doing. Alan Hamel suggested we build them a webpage and link it to the AGTTA website. Alan will follow up on this by contacting Brain Liesberg or Kristian Tristan to get their inputs on what the site should contain and what format to follow.

5. 501.c3 – Jim Andrews is working on this with Jim Hutchens to ensure that all legal requirements are met and followed.

6. Club Trailer – It was agreed that Bart Grey be authorized to purchase a suitable trailer for storing and transporting the Club’s 5-Rail Modular display. A figure of $2K was agreed to. If any member knows of an enclosed trailer that they think would be suitable for the Club you are asked to give Bart a call at (619) 281-9347.

7. Treasurer’s Report – Jon Everett stated that the Club has around $5K in the checking account. This does not include the most recent membership renewal deposits of around $700.

8. Secretary’s Report – Jim Weatherford stated that Club Membership has been around 145 for the past five years. We lose around 12 members each year through attrition and loss, but normally receive new memberships that equal that amount.

9. SDRRM Excess Inventory Sale – Jon Everett announced that the Museum would be having a sale of excess train inventory on Friday, February 26th. (Please see next page for more details.)

10. June Father’s Day Meet – The BBQ Pit has already agreed to again cater the June All Day Meet. They were very pleased with the amount of sales at the Holiday All Day Meet.

The Meeting was adjourned at 7:30.


CLUB NEWS

Great Train Expo at Del Mar – This year’s GTX show at the Fairgrounds will be held on the weekend of February 13/14. Unfortunately, even though the Club had submitted the paperwork requesting space for our 5-rail layout well in advance of the entry deadline it was somehow “lost”. Therefore the Club will not be displaying its 5-Rail Display at this year’s show. Our display has been a yearly success with the many guests that visit the show and our display. Sadly, it is definitely going to be a loss for everyone.

SDRRM Excess Inventory Sale – As noted in the above Board Meeting Minutes Jon Everett announced on behalf of the SD Model RR Museum that the Museum is going to have a sale Friday, February 26th. Throughout the year many donations are made to the Museum. Most remains

in their collection, but due to a variety of reasons some cannot be kept. Periodically the Museum has a sale of this excess inventory and that is what is going to be taking place. The sale will be in the 2nd floor Museum office from 7-9 PM. You can contact Jon (858-538-0930) for details and if you have any questions.

2016 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

2016 Club Dues Are Now Due – As you know it’s time to take care of a little bit of a little business as we head into the New Year. That being of course the payment of our Club Dues. If you haven’t submitted yours please consider this good news.

Even though postage rates have continued to rise and the rental cost of the Hall has risen, we’ve been able to keep the Club dues the same, for nine years in a row now.

JANUARY MEET RAFFLE RESULTS

WINNER ITEM DESCRIPTION SOURCE

Richard Thomson Lionel ‘O’ Rapid Transit Trolley Provided by AGTTA Steve Pierce AMF ‘S’ AFL Boxcar Provided by AGTTA Mike Kaplan Lionel ‘O’ Manufactures RR Boxcar Provided by AGTTA Doug Bowen Lionel Collectible Train Watch Provided by AGTTA Stanley Strom Lionel ‘O’ Maine Central Boxcar Provided by AGTTA Mike Kaplan Lionel ‘O’ Lehigh Valley Hopper Provided by AGTTA Caroline Poindexter Lionel ‘O’ NYC Gondola Provided by AGTTA Ken Steele Avon 381E “a928” Locomotive Engine Donated by Bob Wall Stanley Strom Lionel ‘O’ #16513 Caboose Donated Christine Poindexter Lionel ‘O’ #16258 Lehigh Valley Boxcar Donated Mike Kaplan K-Line ‘O’ #K90002 KCC 2-bay Hopper Donated Mike Kaplan K-Line ‘O’ #765-7426 Maine Boxcar Donated Wendell Callahan Lionel ‘O’ NYC Caboose Donated Stanley Strom Lionel ‘O’ N&W Boxcar Donated by SDRMR Richard Thomson CRWN ‘O’ New Haven Boxcar Donated by SDRMR Mike Kaplan ‘O’ Santa Fe Woodside Caboose Donated Marshal Carpenter Caroline Poindexter K-Line ‘O’ 3-bay PRR Hopper Donated by SDRMR Christine Poindexter AMF ‘S’ Caboose Donated by SDRMR Steve Pierce AMF ‘S’ Lehigh Valley Hopper Donated by SDRMR Caroline Poindexter Lionel ‘O’ Operating Milk Platform Donated by SDRMR Tim Lewis MTH ‘O’ Drawbar Set Donated by SDRMR Stanley Strom ‘G’ Wooden Trestle Bridge Donated by SDRMR Caroline Poindexter Plasticville ‘O’ LCCA Airport Terminal Building Donated by SDRMR Stanley Strom Plasticville ‘O’ Telephone Poles (8) set Donated by SDRMR Time Lewis Picture: #3450 Steam Engine Donated by SDRMR Doug Bowen Picture: BNSF Diesel Engine Donated by SDRMR Mike Kaplan DVD Movie: “Cheech & Chong” Donated by Nels Soderberg Christine Poindexter DVD Movie: “Young Frankenstein” Donated by Nels Soderberg

A special “Thank You!” to the good Members who donated to the January Raffle


How have we been able to do this? For two big reasons: proceeds from our Special Raffles AND to the majority of you who have opted out of receiving the printed/mailed copy of this MainLine. This past year that amounted to printing/postage cost savings of nearly $1,000!

To encourage members to receive the e-mailed PDF MainLine and to give back to those who benefit our Club by opting out of receiving the hard copy version, the By-Laws provide a $5.00 reimbursement on the 2016 dues for any Member who chooses to receive the e-mailed PDF MainLine only.

Last year 92 of you opted for receiving the PDF only with a total savings to those members of $460. That means that the club Treasury benefited to the amount of $559.36 ($1.019.36 –

460). Needless to say that is a significant amount of Club funds that is being saved, thus permitting us to keep our dues unchanged and as you know, very low.

If you haven’t done so already, we hope you will give serious consideration to receiving the electronic PDF MainLine. Yes, you’ll help the Club save money, BUT you’ll also receive a hugely superior 20-page plus electronic MainLine with all kinds of additional materials, pictures and other “goodies” that very simply will just not fit in the limited hardcopy 8-page version. AND you’ll have an extra Five Bucks in your pocket. It’s definitely a win-win. Just check the appropriate box on the Renewal Form that was attached to the e-mail with this MainLine and help keep our dues low for years to come. And Thanks for your continued support.


A fellow AGTTA club member, Don Hennig,

asked if I could convert his 464 Sawmill to operate with a DC motor and eliminate the string motor. His mill just wasn't performing reliably and it was frustrating to an operator. I had read many times over the years of guys using dc motors to run the mechanisms of various operating accessories that were designed to use the vibrating string motor (vibrotor).

Now this original motor, while a clever design and inexpensive to make, usually worked well or didn't. There didn't seem to be any in between operation. I've successfully repaired these motors by replacing the string, using talcum power to make the string slippery, and adjusting the spring tension. This usually works but sometimes the mechanism is touchy. Don's Sawmill fell into this category.

So, I told Don I would see what I could do. The Sawmill was a little bit of a challenge since there wasn't much room under the unloading platform for a small motor especially one with a pulley driven directly by the motor shaft.

DC motors typically run at several

thousand RPMs at 12 VDC so you have to slow them down by running the motor at a lower voltage (not generally a good idea) or find a small geared motor and use a small pulley and drive belt to get the final drive pulley rotating at the proper operating speed.

I looked on the internet to see what small geared motors were available. I found one with a 120 to 1 gear box and a 90 degree output shaft

FEBRUARY 2010 TECH TIP REPRINT

Replacing the Lionel Vibrotor By Jim Weatherford


that seemed it might work. It was reasonably priced at less that $5 plus shipping (more than the cost of the motor). I wasn't sure what size it was since the specifications only dealt with the gearing and not the physical size of the unit. However, it arrived (from India) in good shape and surprise, it would fit in the cavity under the unloading platform. (The motor was obtained from Shreee Labh Marketing, model RKL-1387, Gear Motor 120:1, 90 degree shaft.)

I asked long time AGTTA club member, Ed Karper, to make a one half inch diameter pulley with a groove to match the drive pulley on the Sawmill. He did a great job and I did some experimenting with a rubber band as a drive belt to see if the final rotating speed was ok. It was better than I expected so I set about finding a suitable drive belt. I was trying to find an O-ring about 3.5 inches in diameter and 1/16th inches thick. Not a typical size carried by the local plumbing supply houses. Again, a search on the internet revealed O-rings like this were available but buying just one was impractical.

I was going to use a string to measure

exactly the size O-ring I would need and decided to use a flexible wire instead. Then the realization hit me that I could make a drive belt out of the rubber coated roller pickup wire (Beldon 8890) by soldering the two ends together to form a belt. It worked great, should last a long time, and is strong.

I mounted the motor and gear box on a 3/4 inch piece of wood, drilled two holes through the wood and strapped the motor in place with three small cable tie wraps. After establishing the approximate location for the wood block, I drilled two holes in the metal base, elongated them for fine adjustment, and then attached the wood block with two small flathead screws from the bottom of the base.

Since most Lionel layouts have AC voltage transformers, I used a diode (from my junk box) in series with one of the motor inputs so I could power the motor with a variable AC voltage transformer set at about 10 volts. You will have to

orient the diode properly to ensure the motor turns the correct direction. It doesn't matter which motor contact you use, just reverse the diode connection if the motor turns the wrong way. You'll need a diode rated at least one ampere and 50 volts peak inverse voltage.

Model Railroad Swap Meet

Saturday, February 20, 2016

7 am – 11 am Cost: Buyers $2 / Sellers $5

Sellers must arrive by 6:30 for setup Sellers must furnish their own tables

Coffee & Donuts will be available for purchase

Location: San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park, Casa del Balboa Building,

Please us the Museum’s Rear Entrance

For additional info call Swap Meet Coordinator Jim Anderson – (619) 224-1041 or

the Museum Office – (619) 696-0199

www.sdmrm.org

http://www.sdmrm.org/


Editor’s Note: I thought you guys and gals would enjoy this e-mail that I received from Wendell Callahan. Thanks Wendell for taking the time to send it along.

I recently rebuilt the e-unit in my Lionel Fundimensions-era 6-8150 GG1.

The engine had stopped working and would smoke when power was applied, but not move.

I tore down the e-unit to find that the clear plastic e-unit drum had apparently jammed and then melted out of shape with the heat buildup from the resistance.

I replaced it with a newer model drum that is constructed from a more heat resistant material, Valox, supposedly rated to 302 degrees Fahrenheit.

I've included some pics showing the completed rebuild and the installation of electrical connectors, just in case I have to remove the e-unit again. I was able to use connectors on all but one connection, the power lead to one of the motors which I had to resolder.

I also included a short video of the engine back in service on my 4x8 layout. Feel free to share the pics via email or in The Mainline.

DO IT YOURSELF

GG-1 REPAIR By Wendell Callahan


Upcoming Model Railroad/Railroad Events

Area Covered: Counties of Imperial, Inyo,

Kern, Mono, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San

Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Ventura + NMRA National Convention

Updated 1/2/16

February 12 – 21 – Coachella Valley Model Railroaders Operating Display, Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, Indio

February 13 – San Diego Division Winter Meet, San Diego

February 13 & 14 – Great Train Show, Del Mar

February 14 – T.T.O.S. Southwestern Division Train Show/Swap Meet, Arcadia

February 20 – San Diego Model Railroad Museum Swap Meet, San Diego

February 20 & 21 – Orange Empire Railway Museum Steam Weekend, Perris

February 21 – California Express Railroadiana Show, Buena Park

February 27 – Train Collectors Association, Western Division Meet, Arcadia

February 27-28 – San Luis Obispo Model RR Assn. HO Scale Fun Run, Oceano

February 28 – T.T.O.S. Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

March 5 – Orange Empire Railway Museum Swap Meet, Perris

March 5 – Model Railroads of Southern California Layout Tour #46, Greater Hemet Area

March 11-13 – Model Railroads of Southern California Layout Tour #47, Kern County

March 12 & 13 – Golden Empire Historical & Modeling Society Train Show, Bakersfield

March 12 – San Diego Division Layout Tour, Location TBA

March 12 – Coachella Valley Model Railroaders Open House, Indio

March 13 – T.T.O.S. Southwestern Division Train Show/Swap Meet, Arcadia

March 19 – San Fernando Valley Railroad Historical Society Slide Show, Pasadena

March 19 – Santa Susana RR Historical Society Swap Meet, Simi Valley

March 19 & 20 – Iron Horse & Steam Weekend, Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris

March 26 – Train Collectors Association, Western Division Meet, Arcadia

March 27 – T.T.O.S. Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

April 2 – Western Prototype Modelers Meet (Tentative)

April 2 - 10 – Train Days, San Bernardino County Museum, Redlands

April 2 & 16 – Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Spring Brakeman Class, Campo

April 3 – T.T.O.S. Southwestern Division Train Show/Swap Meet, Arcadia

April 9 – Cajon Division Meet, Temecula

April 9 – San Diego Division Layout Tour, Location TBA

April 9-10 – San Luis Obispo Model RR Assn. N Scale Fun Run, Oceano

April 16 – San Fernando Valley Railroad Historical Society Slide Show, Pasadena

April 16 & 17 – Orange Empire Railway Museum Rail Festival & Steam Weekend, Perris

April 20-24 – PCR Convention, Modesto

April 23 – L.A. Division/PSR SpringRail Meet, Buena Park

April 23 – Train Collectors Association, Western Division Meet, Arcadia

April 23 & 24 – City of Fillmore SpringRail Festival, Fillmore (Tentative)

April 24 – T.T.O.S. Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

April 28-May 1 – Yahoo Calrailfans Outing, Tehachapi

April 30 & May 1 – Railroad Days, Fullerton

April 30 & May 1 – Fillmore Railfest, Fillmore (Tentative)


Al’s Choo Choo Loco Repairs, Layouts & Collections

Call: (714) 654-0726

Electric Trains Keep Roland Roland Frandsen Jr.

Mon - Fri 9 - 2 & Sat 9 - 1 (619) 449-9503

(Please call before coming) 10259 Escadera Drive

Santee, CA

Rock House Station Call Greg Anastopoulos for Hours

Cell: (760) 518-0802 [email protected]

2505 Main Street, Suite 5 Ramona, CA

Yours, Your Fathers or Your Grandfathers Trains stored in a box in a garage for years,

Call BOB: 760-579-2234 Lionel Trains-Restored for new families to

enjoy. Also L.G.B. and American Flyer.

SUPPORTING BUSINESS

AGTTA CLUB MEMBER’S TRAIN STORES & BUSINESSES

Steve Bovee, Owner

www.reeds-hobbies.com

E-mail: [email protected]

8039 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91941

(619) 464-1672 Fax (619) 464-6087

Elystoys Lionel, Am Flyer, Marx, Ives,

Hot Wheels, Dinky, Aurora Slots

Tonka, Tootsietoy, Smith Miller

Dave Ely (515) 664-8217

Urbandale, Iowa [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Feb 10 Wednesday AGTTA February Meet Jim Andrews (619) 441-8462

Feb 14 Sunday TTOS-SW February Meet www.ttos-sw.org/activities.htm

Feb 13/ Saturday/ Great American Train Show 14 Sunday @ Del Mar Fairgrounds

Feb 20 Saturday SDRRM Swap Meet Jim Anderson (619) 224-1041

Feb 26 Friday SDRRM Excess Inventory Sale Jon Everett (858) 538-0930

Mar 17 Thursday AGTTA March Meet Jim Andrews (619) 441-8462

ALL GAUGE TOY TRAIN ASSOCIATION 6621 Cartwright Street

San Diego, CA 92120-2407

NEXT MEET: Wednesday, February 10th

3:00 - 7:00 Torrey Pines Christian Church

8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North

NEXT MEET: Thursday, March 10th

AGTTA FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

http://www.ttos-sw.org/activities.htm

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