November 12th Meet Layout Tour

One of the things that folks look forward to after most meets is the layout tour.  This time we are only scheduling one.  This is one went to the first time we met in Fredericksburg.  Ken Meade has made significant progress since our last meet.  One of the the things that impressed me about Ken is how smooth his operation was in such a large layout.  Ken made an unusual choice to cut in his sidings after laying his main line.  This is unusual from a model standpoint but as Ken recently reminded me it is common practice for the prototype.  In the real world a customer requests new rail service and the prototype puts in one according to its engineering standards.  Ken may have hit on something we might need to consider as an alternative option to our normal practice.  Come to Ken's house and see his massive layout.

New Challenges with Older Motive Power

As we are now about a month out from the next JRD meeting in Fredericksburg I am beginning to look forward to hearing Andrew Dodge on scratch building a steam locomotive.  Years ago building a steam locomotive from scratch was considered the pinnacle of craftsmanship and I still believe it represents the high end of the art form and craftsmanship.  You may be a modern modeler with a fleet of diesels but many roads at different times have had steam excursions.  Some like the 611 are available but others may not available to run that excursion train.  So if you want that train you will have to build it which is an intimidating prospect.  Andrew Dodge current stable of scratch built Proto 48 steam locomotives are his first scratch built locomotives.  This gives me hope that we can all do this type of construction with some commitment and determination.  It will be a challenge but who does not need a challenge to keep the hobby interesting?  Also, it may check off one of those Achievement Program requirements.  Come on November 12th and take on a new challenge.

Fredericksburg Meet and we need clinicians

The next JRD meet is in Fredericksburg, VA on November 12th at the England Run Branch Library were we have met twice before.  This is a great location and allows those our northern neighbors to join us.   The contest is a box car so dig out your completed car or pull out that kit and start finishing it.  There is still a need for clinicians so if you have a suggestion or wish to volunteer please let one of the officers know soon.  Hope to see you there!

Model Citizens

This is not a political post but one to alert you the availability of the movie - Model Citizens - which gives an overview of what we do as model railroaders with our models and our time.  The movie is aimed at the general public who know nothing model trains.  The above link is for Amazon Prime which I know many of you use so please take an hour and watch it and then send the link to friends or family members

Lunch and Clinic Reminder this Saturday July 30th

Just a reminder that we will have our Unofficial Official no meet this Saturday starting at Noon at Wild Wings (next to Amtrak in Charlottesville) and we will leave at 130 to head over to Rail Tales for a clinic on installing the new Tsunami 2 decoders. Locomotives can be brought for evaluation but not for on the spot install after the clinic

Summer Get Together at Wild Wings and a DCC Install Clinic

Since the JRD is not having a formal July meeting I are scheduling an informal get together for Saturday July 30th.  If you are interested we will be meeting for lunch at Wild Wings next to the Amtrak Station in Charlottesville, VA for lunch at Noon.  We will try to eat on the deck and hopefully see some trains.  Give the hostess your parking spot number when you arrive at the restaurant.  About 130 pm we will break and head toward Rail Tales to attend a clinic by Bret on installing both the Soundtraixx Economi and the new Tsunami 2 decoders.  If you wish you can bring a locomotive for evaluation but not for an installation at the clinic.  Please let the superintendent know by email if you are coming to lunch and/or the clinic.  Again, this is not a formal meet but just a get together.

Weekend Reading Material

Most model railroaders in the dominant scales of HO and N would be hard pressed to name an S Scale layout they had seen in person.  I am talking about S Scale and not American Flyer which is still fun but usually is considered part of the toy trains realm. So when folks hear 'S Scale' they tend to tune out the message.  Perhaps it is time to listen up and look what is going on in S Scale.  One of my favorite publications is the S Scale Resource.  This is a free publication and worth the time to peruse the every other month issues.  The new issue has a large point to point layout designed for operation in it.  This should make us rethink our preconceived notions of what is S Scale.  Follow this link to the current issue.

[This post is from my personal model railroad blog Trainvision and used by permission]

JRD Members Meeting Survey

JRD members who are on the mailing list should have received an email with a link to a survey about the last meeting.  Please take some time and fill out the survey.  Ross has put together a way for you to tell us anonymously what you think about the meetings.  We do review the remarks and try to adjust things where we can adjust them.  Thanks for participating.

Great JRD Meeting Saturday

We had a great meeting the past Saturday.  John told us about Chain Link Fences while Martin explained contest judging and how to use it as a tool to make better models.  George opened his large and impressive layout to us. Thanks to all who helped setup and put away the chairs and tables.  The contest had some great entries and was well run by my Mike and Howard. Don and Jerry manned the entrance desk.  Thanks to all who made a great meeting.

John has provided a copy of his presentation as a downloadable handout.  The Chain Link handout  file comes in either full size or compact size.

Meeting this Saturday

Meeting this Saturday The James River Division of the NMRA will meet this Saturday in Palmyra VA.  Directions to the Fluvanna County Public Library and details are available through this LINK We will have two clinics.  John will be talking about modeling chain link fences which are appropriate from WWI to present while Martin will be discussing how the NMRA Model Judging can be used to improve your modeling. SALE - Ken is at it again helping a fellow modeler with disposal of his collection due to health conditions.  Deliveries will be at the meet.  Please follow this LINK  to letter from Ken, Order Form and the multiple spreadsheets.  Yes, multiple spreadsheets.   The contest will be photographs.  Bring your model and prototype photos.   Layout Tour - George Gaige's GGRR which has been seen in MR Trackside photos.  George has done a lot of work since his last open house.  Come and see Traffic Alert - There is a major event about a mile west of the library on Route 53.  If you are coming from Charlottesville on Route 53 you may experience a delay.  We recommend you come to the Library from the Palmyra end of 53.

Crossties New and Improved

Congratulations to our out going editor Ken and our incoming team of Rod and Richard on producing a magnificent issue of Crossties with a new look.  Please take some time to review the issue which is now the equal of and in many ways superior to any model railroad magazine now available.

Crossties February 2016

Timetable & Train Order Clinic Next Weekend on Saturday January 9th

Are you interested in operations?  Below is a summary of the clinic for next week along with a bio of our presenter.  We hope to see you in Fredwricksburg.   Click here for location and times

Timetable & Train Order Operation
By Steve King


This 3 ½ hour class will teach the basic timetable and train order operating rules used by prototype railroads to control the operation of trains into the 1960's.  The class will cover the key operating rules and then use those rules to simulate operation on a railroad.  Attendees will also copy a train order and prepare a clearance form.  Bring a pen or pencil, your thinking cap, and step back into the pre-CTC and pre-Track Warrant Control days of railroading.


Bio:  Steve has been a model railroader for over 60 years.  He grew up in Dayton (OH) with the opportunity to operate on the many great railroads of the time.  He was an operator and train dispatcher for the B&O and CB&Q in the early 1960’s before venturing off into other transportation pursuits, including almost twenty years in Chicago with United Airlines.  Steve’s model interest has always been focusd on operation and over the past 30-plus years on Timetable & Train Order operations.  He co-authored the Operation SIG TT&TO book, “19 East, Copy Three” and has authored numerous articles on the subject.