the main- the main ---linelineline - agtta poindexter idm ‘o’ reading hopper w/ coal load ......

May 2014 1 PDF Extended Version AGTTA Main-Line

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A message from the Club President of

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

“ Two If By Sea ” Chances are 60% of the household

consumer goods in your home are imports from another country. These items most likely came to the United States via shipping containers. The modern ships that have been designed for this purpose are marvels of engineering. The shipping containers are loaded at their home ports and generally are not reopened until they reach the end user distribution centers.

The ports that accommodate and coordinate this operation buzz with activity 24 hours a day. It is important to understand that this is not a one-way operation, with the United States being the only consumer in this chain of a well-

THE MAINTHE MAINTHE MAINTHE MAIN----LINELINELINELINE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALL GAUGE TOY TRAIN ASS OCIATION

VOL. 35, NO. 5 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA MAY 2014

HOWHOWHOWHOW----TO CLINICTO CLINICTO CLINICTO CLINIC Lionel Whistles

CLINIC START TIME: 5:15 PM This month’s Clinic will be guest-hosted by Larry Pearson . Larry has volunteered to return to the How-To Table to make a presentation on the unique Lionel Whistles. If your whistle is not quite up to sounding like it should then this will be your opportunity to find out why and also to learn everything there is to know about this wonderful element of the Steam Engine. And of course you’ll have the opportunity to ask all those questions that you have about its operation. This is another not-to-missed Clinic. Hope to see you around the Table this Thursday.


oiled machine. The empty containers are reloaded with goods from the United States for the return trip to eager consumers globally, for our unique Americana exports.

It’s the transactions that take place post and pre-ship that should interest those of us in the model railroad hobby. (The only hobby scale I have not seen a shipping container done in is “Z”) When a shipping container arrives stateside it is unloaded from the ships by American workers. There are strict rules regarding this process that are protected by government and union contracts.

The containers usually are loaded directly to rail cars. Those familiar with the “Dole” banana boat that arrives in San Diego might argue that those containers are loaded directly to trucks, and they would be correct. Contracts between the US government, the City of San Diego, Dole and local unions call for this and it benefits everyone including the consumer.

Locally in Los Angeles and any ports in the surrounding areas and other coastal areas of the United States that have these facilities, both truck and rail cars tackle the job with the majority of the inbound and outbound containers being loaded to rail cars. These consists are often referred to as “Wal-Mart Trains.”

These trains then deliver the items to distribution centers via direct off loading at the center or they are placed on trucks for the trip to a nearby distribution center. The relatively low cost and efficiency of this operation is passed along to us, the ones that purchase these items.

Trains once again have made getting the items we want to us in a timely manner with shortages of goods only affected by the demand. The shortages are hardly noticed with the exception of Christmas time. We can all be grateful that our consumer goods are less expensive and the balance of import/export is nearly fair due to the efforts of hard working Americans and the modern freight train. Thank you for keeping our hobby alive.

Dave F. Campbell - President AGTTA

MEMBERSHIP NEWS New Members – After a long string of new members joining our club this year Jim reports that for the first month in 2014 he received no new memberships. Bummer! OK guys, let’s get out there and start bringing new blood into our Club. Hopefully with the Spring Run of our 5-Rail Layout at the SD Model RR Museum we’ll be signing up a bunch of new members this month.

THE MAINTHE MAINTHE MAINTHE MAIN----LINELINELINELINE is published around 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 by 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 4:30 PM. Big All-Day Saturday Meets are held in June & December.

AGTTA CLUB WEBSITE www.agtta.com

2014 AGTTA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS President

Dave Campbell (619) 287-2099 [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

Andy Anderson 858-274-9178 [email protected]

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

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

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

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

Ed Samsen (760) 458-4791 [email protected]

Website Coordinator Alan Hamel (858) 453-5297

[email protected]


All Gauge Toy Train Association Of San Diego Presents Its 29 th Annual Family

Open House & Toy Train Meet

SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2014 7:30 Table Set Up 8:00 Sellers Set Up 9:00 Open to the Public 11:00 Big Auction 1:00 Giant Raffle

FREE ADMISSION & PARKING TORREY PINES CHRISTIAN CHURCH

8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North La Jolla (San Diego), CA

Delicious Food & Beverages Available At The Open Ho use Visit agtta.com for additional club information

ATTENTION SELLERS PRE-PAID 6-FOOT TABLES – STILL ONLY $10 EACH!

Tables must be reserved by 6 PM, June 8, 2014 Thereafter tables, if available, will be $15 each

FOR TABLE RESERVATIONS CONTACT: Anthony Tarantino

6444 Corsica Way, San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 569-6603

BIG AUCTION!

Buyers & Sellers MUST sign up prior to start of Auc tion at 10:30 Seller Club Donation of 10% for items sold up to Ma x of $10.00 per item

NO credit card payment will be accepted - Payment s hould be CASH (Checks will be accepted from Train Club Members (A GTTA, TTOS, TCA,

etc.) with current 2014 Membership card and ID only ) Ken needs TWO VOLUNTEERS (11 AM-1 PM) to record auc tioned items

Contact Ken Steele ASAP (619) 644-1247 to volunteer or to get answers to any auction questions you might have.


APRIL MEET RAFFLE RESULTS WINNER ITEM DESCRIPTION SOURCE

Richard Thomson Lionel ‘O’ SP Steam 2-4-0 Loco & Tender Provided by AGTTA Gene Mrowka Lionel ‘O’ Red & Grey Crossing Gate Provided by AGTTA Christine Poindexter AMF ‘S’ SP Silver Caboose SF Type Provided by AGTTA Gene Mrowka Lionel ‘O’ Erie Lackawanna Illuminated Caboose Provided by AGTTA Bob Shaw Lionel ‘O’ A&P Reefer Provided by AGTTA Lance Hom Lionel ‘O’ Sabine River ‘O’ Boxcar Provided by AGTTA Caroline Poindexter IDM ‘O’ Reading Hopper w/ Coal Load Provided by AGTTA Caroline Poindexter Lionel ‘O’ #9870 Dutch Cleanser Reefer Donated by Dennis Drake Caroline Poindexter Lionel ‘O’ #9260 Reynolds Covered Hopper Donated by Dennis Drake Steve Pierce Lionel ‘O’ #224 Alco, USN Donated by Ed Jablonsky Caroline Poindexter Marx ‘O’ #18326 Tuscan Caboose Donated by Ed Jablonsky Christine Poindexter ‘S’ GLB #24636 Red Caboose Donated by Ed Jablonsky Richard Thomson ‘N’ Reading Lines Green Boxcar Donated by Ed Jablonsky Steve Pierce ‘N’ Pennsalt 3 Dome Tankcar Donated by Bob Wall Caroline Poindexter Set of Preiser ‘O’ Figures Donated by Ed Jones Don Kirk MTH ‘O’ Santa Fe Metal Girder Bridge Donated by Ed Jones Kristian Tristan Athern DC Transformer Donated by Ed Jones Christine Poindexter Lionel #110 Boxed Trestle Set Donated by Bill Hungerford Steve Pierce DVD: “Luxury Trains of the World – The Ghan” Donated by Bob Wall Bob Shaw VHS Video: “the Sugar Cane Train” Donated by Syd Mason Christine Poindexter VHS Video: “Steam In The 50’s” Donated by Syd Mason Don Kirk ‘O’ Wooden Grey Trestle Bridge Donated Tom Barker Bob Gyde Schmid Puzzle: “Santa Fe El Capitan” Donated by Bob Raymond

A “Warm & Sincere Thank You!” to all you great Memb ers who donated to the April Meet Raffle

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

Model Railroad Swap Meet

Saturday, May 10, 2014 7 am – 11 am

Cost: Buyers $2 / Sellers $5 Sellers must arrive by 6:30 for setup & must

furnish their own tables

Coffee & Donuts will be available for purchase

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

the Museum Office – (619) 696-0199

www.sdmrm.org

San Diego Model Railroad Museum

AGTTA Spring Run MAY 19 – MAY 30

The dates for the Club setting up and operating our temporary 5-Rail Modular Layout in the Pacific Beach Room of the SDMRM have been set. The Museum will be open from 11-4 PM Tuesday through Friday and 11-5 PM on Saturday & Sunday. Bring your friends to experience a unique opportunity to see Lionel “Standard” and “O” gauge size train operation. Along with modern and vintage trains from the early 1900s we’ll be operating various toy train accessories, such as log, coal and barrel loaders not seen on the permanent Balboa railroad museum layouts. If you would like to help our Club make this another successful outing you can run your trains during this Spring Run. Just contact Layout Coordinator Lee Davis @ 619-267-3000 or Bob Wall @ 858-452-8955 to let them know you wish to help out.


2014 Renewals & Non-Renewals – But Jim was happy to report that four additional 2013 members have renewed for 2014. But unfortunately we still have 12 2013 members who have not submitted their 2014 dues.

2014 Membership Total – Jim Weatherford reports that as of May 1st our 2014 paid up membership total stands at 135. We are getting close to our 2013 total. With a few more renewals we’ll be there.

2014 Membership Cards – If you have not received your 2014 Membership Card please contact Jim Weatherford to make arrangements to receive yours.

HOW-TO CLINIC NEWS May How-To Clinic – Jim Weatherford would like to thank Jim Osborne for volunteering to be Guest Host at this month’s How-To Clinic. Jim has been a Guest Host several times over the years and is another one of the Club’s Technical Experts.

April How-To Clinic – Unfortunately last month’s Clinic was not able to be held. Guest host Luis Ramirez had to make a last minute, unscheduled out-of-town business trip and therefore could not be with us. However, Luis’s presentation on the

SPECIAL RAFFLE #5 GRAND PRIZE TICKET DRAWN

Yes, the GRAND PRIZE ticket for the beautiful MTH & Lionel TCA Convention Alco Aluminum

Passenger Car Set, donated so generously by Ed & Rebecca Jones , was drawn at the April Meet. With our ticket sales goal reached it was time to find out who was going to take home this beautiful set. With all the tickets in the raffle basket and after being tumbled over and over and over Raffle Master Bob Wall reached in and nabbed the winning ticket.

As luck would have it the owners of the winning ticket were present. They were Caroline and Christian Poindexter . The club would like to congratulate them both.

This Raffle simply would not have been the success it was without all of you who bought raffle tickets. We wish to thank each and every one of you who participated by buying a ticket. Through your generous contributions you have helped our club offset our basic operational overhead expenses (hall rent, insurance, newsletter, etc.) and also help to keep our annual dues at their current level and enable us to continue to offer free admission and free table sales at our monthly Meets. These raffles really have been win, win offerings. Thank you all so very much. ☺☺☺☺


modern Lionel Smoke Units will be rescheduled in the very near future.

Future Clinics – Our Clinics need your support to keep making them a success. Subjects – Jim is always soliciting ideas for future Clinics. If you have a subject that you would like to see covered please let Jim know. Guest Hosts - If you would like to host a Clinic and share your expertise Jim would like to extend a big welcome. Just let Jim know what you would like to cover and he’ll make it happen. Support – Bottom line – these Clinics are for you. So come to the Meets and support your Clinics by attending.

Reminder - How-To Clinic Has Moved – Don’t forget that the new location of the How-To Clinics is now the outside foyer. The advantages are many including better lighting, less noise, more room, less interruptions from folks doing business in the main hall and more room for tables in the main hall. See you at the May Clinic.

CLUB NEWS Thank You Cheryl For All The Goodies – Cheryl Lyman was generous and kind enough to bring the makings of Pulled Pork Sandwiches & delicious Easter Cup Cakes to share with all the hungry members at the April Meet. Umm good! Gary Jarvis Brings Another A. C. Gilbert Historic Jewel – Thanks to Gary for taking the time to bring his 1939 Erector set # 9 ½ from which a “Giant Power Plant” could be built, which he also brought along. As they say, they just don’t make them like that any longer.

A Long Drive – We were honored to have new members Bill & Tina Corsello with us. They made the drive all the way down from Arcadia.

Thanks Guys – Your Editor would like to extend a big “Thank You!” to Tom Flesher & Bob Wall for all the great pictures they took at the April Meet and for forwarding them to me. It is really appreciated. ☺

As always the Hall was loaded with lots of goodies

APRIL MEET PHOTO GALLERY Photos taken by Tom Feldscher & Bob Wall


Jerry Clark, Bob Wall, & Bob Gyde

It was so nice to have our newest members, Bill & Tina Corsello, with us.


This Erector Set from the ‘30’s is about as perfect as they come.

Gary Jarvis has one of the finest collections of Erector Sets in the States, no question!


Dave Otth has such a problem – To many M-10000 engines and cars

Bob Graves & Derek Westwood


Cheryl Lyman’s serves up some delicious Pulled Pork Sandwich goodies to a hungry Gary Jarvis

I’m almost positive that Gary would have also snagged one of Cheryl’s homemade Easter Cupcakes

12

The 6466W Freight Tender has four self-

tapping screws at each corner securing the shell to the chassis from the bottom. Remove the four screws and lift the shell clear of the chassis. Clean the shell with a liquid wax and a soft toothbrush. Wipe clean with a cotton cloth.

Lubricate the armature shaft between the two brush tubes. Use a lightweight oil that you can purchase at a hobby shop.

Clean the wheels and oil at each axle. Clean the roller pickups and use a spray degreaser on the roller axles.

If these actions don't get the whistle to work, in-depth service may be required.

One thing I do with relays (about 98 % of the time) is to add a jumper wire at the back of the frame to ensure absolute continuity from the frame to the armature. The original configuration provides continuity primarily by the brass tabs at the pivot points and this tends to go bad over time due to corrosion.

Cut a 1 1/2 inch length of flexible, stranded wire, strip 1/8 inch of insulation from each end, and tin the bare wires with solder. Clean a spot on the end (top) of the armature plate where it sticks out from the pivot point and solder one end of the wire to it. Clean another spot on the bracket terminal lug (opposite the coil wire terminal) & solder the wire to the frame.

This is a very good procedure to do to your relay and ensures the circuit path is waiting at the contact to energize the motor when the whistle control is actuated.

One last thing you should do is clean the relay mounting screw. Since this is a single point of failure for the whistle control circuit, make sure the underside of the screw head and the threads are free of corrosion.

OCTOBER 2010 TECH TIP

Servicing Your Whistling Tender By Jim Weatherford

13

Wendell Callahan sent along these pictures taken on the family’s recent trip to Lake Tahoe and a side trip to Truckee. That’s daughter Sarah above in front of the Amtrak stop with the Truckee museum in the background. And below is a nice family shot of Wendell and his wife Evette and Sarah. Thanks Wendell for sending these along. Looks like you guys had a fun outing. ☺

14

Again this issue we’ll focus on another of the special features of Pat’s Downstairs Layout. Here

are some pictures of the eight track, 21 foot long freight yard, where switch engines can operated to build a huge freight train. Then the long haul engine can make the short run from the Roundhouse to the freight yard to pickup an already made up consist of cars. Then it’s time to move out onto the mainline and begin its journey.

This freight yard includes 16 modified Lionel O-27 switches, un-coupler sections on each end of the eight tracks, and its own control panel. Jim Weatherford and Bill Hohnhorst worked together to construct this integral and necessary component of the layout.

PAT ARCHER’S SUPER LAYOUTS Photos taken by Bob Wall & Bill Hohnhorst

21

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 STATIONROCK HOUSE STATIONROCK HOUSE STATIONROCK 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 BUSINESSSUPPORTING BUSINESSSUPPORTING BUSINESSSUPPORTING BUSINESS

AGTTA CLUB MEMBER’S TRAIN AGTTA CLUB MEMBER’S TRAIN AGTTA CLUB MEMBER’S TRAIN AGTTA CLUB MEMBER’S TRAIN

STORES & BUSINESSESSTORES & BUSINESSESSTORES & BUSINESSESSTORES & BUSINESSES

Elystoys Lionel, Am Flyer, Marx, Ives,

Hot Wheels, Dinky, Aurora Slots Tonka, Tootsietoy, Smith Miller

Jean & Dave Ely (515) 664-8217

Urbandale, Iowa [email protected]

Steve Bovee, Owner

www.reeds-hobbies.com

E-mail: [email protected]

22

May 8 Thursday AGTTA May Meet Dave Campbell (619) 287-2099 May 10 Saturday SDRMR Swap Meet Jim Anderson (619) 224-1041 May 10 Saturday National Train Day Event @ S-Gauge Model RR Club May 19- Monday / AGTTA SDMRRM Spring Run 30 Sunday Lee Davis (619) 267-3000

May 25 Sunday TTOS-SP Open House Meet J. Keeley (714) 842-8190 May 31 Saturday Big Train Show June 1 Sunday http://www.scrpa.net/scrrdays.htm June 8 Sunday TTOS SW Open House Meet www.ttos-sw.org/activities.htm June 14 Saturday AGTTA All-Day June Meet Dave Campbell (619) 287-2099

ALL GAUGE TOY TRAIN ASSOCIATION 6621 Cartwright Street

San Diego, CA 92120-2407

NEXT MEET: Thursday, May 9 th

4:30 - 8:00 Torrey Pines Christian Church

8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North

NEXT MEET: Saturday, June 14th

AGTTA MAY NEWSLETTERAGTTA MAY NEWSLETTERAGTTA MAY NEWSLETTERAGTTA MAY NEWSLETTER

CALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTSCALENDAR OF EVENTS

the main- the main ---linelineline - agtta poindexter idm ‘o’ reading hopper w/ coal load ......

Documents