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Feburary 2015
GGRS
2015
Business
Meeting
PAGE 5
•Shows
•Member Meetings
•Train Rides
•Clinics
ON YOUR MARK...GET SET...GO GGRS
Denver, Colorado
THE BOARD
Current Executive Board members Current
Board Members e-mail:
James Bando [email protected]
PAGE 7
Dave Bennett [email protected]
Ra Barr [email protected]
Chris Haon [email protected]
Dan Alvero [email protected]
Dennis Cherry [email protected]
Ted Yarbrough [email protected]
For information on membership, contact Chris
Haon, 404-966-1335, [email protected]
For information on club displays at train shows,
contact
Dave Bennett, 770-597-0038, davebennett@
traininstallations.com
2015
TRAINS
S
N
I
A
TR
S
T
IN
A
R
KENNESAW, GA
PAGE 8
Note from Chairman of the Board
January, 2015
Dear Georgia Garden Railway Society Member,
I am excited to be a part of the Georgia Garden Railway Society in 2015. As members of our
group, you will get to visit two new layouts that have not hosted our club. These are the layouts of
James & Sally Bando in March and Jesse & Kym Murrah in June. Three other meetings will visit
layouts that have not hosted over the last couple of years featuring the layouts of James & Angela
Robinson in April, Dave Bennett in May, and Ra & Barbara Barr in August. Chris & Leslie Haon
will host again this year in September. Members will see new ideas and be refreshed on some
older ideas as well as see how layouts can change over time.
A new feature this year will be clinics conducted by knowledgeable members on topics selected at our January business meeting. The clinics will highlight such things as installing Kadee
couplers, cleaning and repainting locomotives and rolling stock, LED lighting, trestles, DCC, and
other topics of interest to the club. Clinics have been presented in the past, but not on a regular
basis. I may even be convinced you can teach an old dog new tricks!
The Canton, St. Paul, & Pacific Railroad will once again host our July BBQ. This is on the way to
becoming an annual event as it is always popular with our members and the Canton group likes
our BBQ! If you have never been, then mark your calendar for July 18 starting at 11:00am. If you
have been, then you know you do not want to miss this delicious food and scenic ride event.
I cannot let the first couple of issues of our newsletter go by this year without putting in a plug
for the Denver Garden Railway Society and their hosting of the National Garden Railroad Convention July 6-11. Beautiful mountain scenery, real train ride opportunities, massive dealer hall
with many bargains, and spectacular layout tours. Lodging is available at $99.00 a night. Denver
hosted the first ever convention and they know how to put on a good show. I have already purchased airline tickets, made hotel reservations, and registered with the convention. Please join
me in Denver this July.
It is an exciting time for garden railways and for the Georgia Garden Railway Society. I’m glad
you are a part of it!
Sincerely,
Ted Yarbrough
Board Chairman
February 2014 pg.2
2015 Annual Business Meeting Minutes
Georgia Garden Railroad Association
Minutes of Annual Meeting January 10, 2015
The meeting was called to order at 11:45 AM by Chairman Ted Yarbrough at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Alpharetta.
Agendas were passed out. All in attendance (31) were welcomed.
Ted had the members present introduce themselves and their status as planners, builders or operators of garden railroads.
By acclimation, the members present re-elected the current Board of Directors of the GGRS to extended terms at least beyond
the 2018 national convention. There were no additional nominations from the floor.
The Treasurer’s report was provided by Chris Haon. We have a balance of $1641.09 in the bank account and membership is
holding steady. Major expenses in 2014 were for trailer maintenance and upgrades ($400+) and monthly meeting expenses.
(See the attached financial report) Chris also discussed his research into a new club email system.
Ted Yarbrough reported on recruiting efforts for monthly meetings in 2015 with all monthly meeting slots taken by members. In addition, we are planning to have a clinic at each member meeting to provide information on some aspect of garden
railroading. Ted solicited ideas for our annual 1:1 experience for 2015, listing several possibilities—email Dennis Cherry with
your thoughts.
Ann Cherry, newly appointed membership chairperson, discussed the importance of completing a new membership form by
all members, whether there has been a change to their status or not. Updated, complete information is needed on all members
and this is the easiest way to get information concerning all members. The new applications will be affixed to the reverse of a
new club pamphlet that will be distributed to hobby shops in the metro area and train shows
Dave Bennett reported on the show schedule for 2015. We will have a limited layout for Trains, Trains, Trains at the Kennesaw
Museum on 1/24/15. We will also have a limited layout at Railfest in Chattanooga TN in September and the full club layout
will be present at the Galleria show in November. Other opportunities to show the layouts should be reported to Dave (garden
shows, local festivals, etc.).
Dennis Cherry presented the 2104 Member of the Year Award to James Robinson, primarily for his work in editing and
distributing our newsletter to the club’s members. James also contributes to the annual Christmas gift exchange, usually with
wonderful hand-built items and he readily opens his home and layout to member meetings. Congratulations, James. Well
done.
Ted Yarbrough gave a brief overview of the 2015 National Convention in Denver CO on 7/6 through 7/11/15. Denver hosted
the very first National Convention and has been the host several times since and they run a very professional convention. Ted
encouraged all members who can to join him in Denver in July to help us get ideas for the Atlanta convention in 2018. Ted
also provided an overview of the 2014 Tampa convention and the GGRS bid for a future convention which resulted in the
2018 convention being awarded to Atlanta.
James Bando encouraged all members to consider having a clinic at regular member meetings so that we can all learn of various aspects of garden railroading. Several members volunteered on the spot to do clinics re Kaydee couplers, AirWire control
systems, and several others. Be sure to contact James if you have a clinic you would like to present at a monthly meeting.
The meeting was then adjourned so that the annual gift exchange could begin.
Respectfully submitted,
R.A. Barr, Secretary
February 2014 pg.3
GGRS Calendar
2015
March
James & Sally Bando - Woodstock, Ga
March 21st, 2015
Clinic - Building Trestles by Dave Bennett
April
James & Angela Robinson - Riverdale, GA
April 11, 2015
Clinic - Passenger Car compatibility by Norm
Lundin
May
Dave Bennett - Woodstock, GA
Date - TBA
Clinic - Installing Kadee Couplers on Rolling
Stock
June
Jesse Murrah - Sugar Hill, GA
Date- TBA
Clinic - Crest Revolution - Installing with track
/ Battery power - by Chris Haon
July
Canton, St. Paul and Pacific Live Steam Railroad - Canton, GA
Date - July 18th 11:00 am
Bring your favorite locomotive to show!
August
Ra & Barbara Barr - Powder Springs, Ga
Date - TBA
Clinic - TBA
*Don & Jane Nute
2015 SCHEDULE FOR OPERATING
SESSIONS/OPEN HOUSES
This is the schedule that is now on our
website. Notice that we have
included a mix of Saturday and Sunday
sessions to try to make it
possible for more people to find a time
when they can come.
http://laketownandshire.net
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1:30-4:00
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1:30-4:00
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1:30-4:00
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 9:30-12:00
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 9:30-12:00
SATURDAY, AUG 29, 9:30-12:00
SUNDAY, SEPT. 27, 1:30-4:00
SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 1:30-4:00
SUNDAY, NOV 8, 1:30-4:00
*NOTE: these are just open houses/
operating sessions and not the offcial
GGRS meeting.
Piedmont Pilgrimage Open House Tours
November
Piedmont Pilgrimage Open House Tours
Train Show @ North Atlanta Trade Center TBA
March
Open Date Clinic - TBA
April
Open Date Clinic - TBA
May
Open Date Clinic - TBA
June
Ted and Deborah Yarbrough - Chatsworth, GA
Date - TBA
Clinic - TBA
July
Open Date Clinic - TBA
August
Open Date Clinic - TBA
September
Chris and Leslie Haon - Marietta, GA
Date - Aug 8th - 6:00 p.m.
Clinic - Repainting rolling stocking and Locomotives. Adding Decals. - by Chris Haon
October
James & Sally Bando - Woodstock, Ga
Date - TBA
Clinic - LED lighting for buildings, locos and
rolling stock - by Dennis Cherry
2016
January
Business Meeting and Gift Swap
Date - TBA
Clinic - Making Signs for your buildings - Chris
Haon
September
Open Date Clinic - TBA
The Denver Garden Railway Society
is proud to host the
National Garden Railway Convention
July 5-11, 2015 - Denver, Colorado
October
Open Date Clinic - TBA
Piedmont Pilgrimage Open House Tours
November
Piedmont Pilgrimage Open House Tours
Train Show @ North Atlanta Trade Center TBA
December
February
2014pg.2
pg.4
GGRS 2015 Busness at Golden Corral
Georgia Garden Railroader of the Year
James Robinson was selected by
the Executive Board of the Georgia
Garden Railway Society as the 2015
Georgia Garden Railroader of the
Year. The award was presented at the
January 10 Annual Business Meeting.
Dennis Cherry introduced James and
presented a certifcate commemorating the honor and a prestigious green
name tag. James was recognized for
his years of service to the group by
publishing the newsletter, as well as
helping with the show layout, hosting
meeting, and his ability to craft outstanding model buildings. James has
won ribbons for his model buildings at
regional events. He and his wife, Angela, represent our club and the hobby
of Garden Railroading well. James
joins past winners of this award Ted
Yarbrough, 2011, Richard Garlinghouse, 2012, Dan Michel and Alan
Mole, 2013, and Ra Barr and Chris
Haon, 2014. Congratulations James!
February 2014 pg.6
Denver, Colorado
Driving Notes: Colorado Springs is about 70 miles south of
the hotel and takes about 1-1/2 hours to drive from the hotel.
Canon City is about 45 miles farther and will take about 1
hour from Colorado Springs.
Saturday July 4; Registration 5PM to 8PM
Sunday July 5
Registration 5PM to 8PM
Motor Coach Tour Leadville RR, 2-1/2 hour train trip. Lunch
stop in Leadville on your own. Buses loading at
6;
45AM, http://www.leadville-train.com/
Motor Coach Tour Georgetown Loop RR, 1-1/2 hour train
trip, Argo Mine & Mill tour, about 1 1/2 hours, buses loading
at 7AM Lunch stop on your own. http://georgetownlooprr.
com/ http://www.historicargotours.com/index.html
Self-Guided Tours: Colorado Springs; Layout Tours, Mining
Museum, Garden of the Gods, (free, drive through), Cliff
dwellings, Air Force Academy (free, drive through, exit
156), Pikes Peak Cog RR. (See Monday tour information),
Broadmoor Hotel; http://www.wmmi.org/ http://www.gardenofgods.com http://www.cliffdwellingmuseum.com/ http://
www.usafa.af.mil/information/visitors/ www.broadmoor.com/
Canon City area: Royal George Scenic RR, Royal George
Bridge. https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/ http://royalgorgebridge.com/
Monday July 6
Registration 7AM to 11AM and 5PM to 8PM
Motor Coach tour; Pikes Peak Cog RR., round trip is 3
hours and 10 minutes, buses loading at 7AM. Lunch stop in
Colorado Springs area on your own. http://cograilway.com/
NOTICE: You will be traveling up to an elevation of 14,115
ft. Some people may experience altitude sickness which may
include symptoms of dizziness, nausea and headaches. In addition, if you are pregnant or have cardiac or respiratory problems, it is not advised that you make the assent without first
consulting your physician. ALSO: It is generally much colder
(about 35 to 50 degrees F at the top) and windy at the top of
the mountain, bring appropriate clothing. The temperature at
the top is posted at the station before you leave. If you forget
they have jackets, sweatshirts, and such for sale.
Motor Coach tour; Royal Gorge Train, 2 hour train ride,
buses loading at 7AM, lunch stop on your own https://www.
royalgorgeroute.com/
Self-Guided Tours: Colorado Springs; (NO LAYOUT
TOURS), See listing above for Sunday plus, Trolley Museum, http://www.coloradospringstrolleys.com/ Canon City;
See Monday listings.
Tuesday July 7
Registration from 7AM to 11AM, Vendor setup 7AM to 9PM
Layout Tour Buses Loading at 7AM, will start returning at
1PM
Layout Tours self-guided open 8AM-1PM, 8 to 10 railroads
Clinics 2PM-4PM,
BBQ at Colorado Railroad Museum, Buses start loading at
4PM
Wednesday July 8
Registration from 7AM to 11AM, Vendor setup 7AM to 5PM
Layout Tour Buses Loading at 7AM, will start returning at
1PM, arriving about 1:30 to 2 PM
Layout Tours self-guided open 8AM-1PM, 8 to 10 railroads.
Vendor Hall open 2PM to 5PM, food will be available for
purchase in the vendor hall.
Clinics 2PM-4PM,
HAPPY HOUR in the banquet room 4 to 5 PM
Ice Cream Social 4PM to 5PM in the banquet room
Vendor Hall open 5PM to 9PM, food will be available for
purchase in the vendor hall.
Thursday July 9
Layout Tour Buses Loading at 7AM, will start returning at
1PM, arriving about 1:30 to 2 PM
Layout Tours self-guided open 8AM-1PM, 8 to 10 railroads
Clinics 2PM-4PM,
Vendor Hall open 2PM to 5PM, food will be available for
purchase in the vendor hall.
BANQUET at the Hotel, with guest speakers: Buffalo Bill
& Annie Oakley interpreters. Buffalo Bill will discuss how
the railroads helped him with his Wild West show and other
aspects of his life. Annie will talk about her life with the
Wild West show.
Future conventions presentation after the banquet, open to
all attendees.
Saturday July 11
Layout Tour Buses Loading at 7AM, Fort Collins tours,
expected return about 5 PM, lunch stop on your own.
Layout Tours: Fort Collins area, Self-guided, 8 to 10
railroads
HAPPY HOUR in the banquet room 4 to 5 PM
TRAINERTAINMENT BUFFET DINNER at the Hotel 5
PM, with three guest speakers including, DAVID MOFFAT,
interpreter, speaking about Moffat’s involvement, construction, and promotion, in building the railroads in rocky
mountain region, Richard Luckin video producer, and Dick
Kreck author of UP story “Hell on Wheels”.
Vendor Hall Open to the Public, 8AM to 3PM, food will be
available for purchase in the vendor hall.
Vendor move out 3PM-9PM and Sunday.
Sponsored by: Denver Garden Railway Society, www.
DenverGardenRailway.org
Friday July 10
Layout Tour Buses Loading at 7AM, will start returning at
1PM, arriving about 1:30 to 2 PM
Layout Tours self-guided open 8AM-1PM, 8 to 10 railroads
Clinics 2PM-4PM,
February 2014 pg.7
Trains•Trains•Trains
KENNESAW, GA
February 2014 pg.8
The Thirty Gallon Tunnel
The Shop
Having enjoyed running my G scale train around the Christmas tree and on the patio, I was ready to run it in the garden
year round. The layout of the Dogwood Branch, named for the tree it was under, was a short-line and going to look too
exposed … what it needed was some suspense. A tunnel should do the trick! Looking for an idea that was both quick to
implement and inexpensive, I thought of using plastic storage containers for the structure. So off to my local Big Lots
store I went to find the perfect 10 gallon storage container. I carefully cut a rectangular hole in each end. Notice I kept
the top of the container’s rim intact to maintain stability of the container’s shape. Next I painted the three of them with
a texture spray paint on the inside which would be visible once in place.
Using duct tape, I then fastened the three containers together and began setting the tunnel into a base of crush-n-run
already tamped in place for the track to be laid on. Then I started covering the tunnel with landscaping rocks and soil
which finished the basic installation. The track was laid and a few test runs for fun were completed. To make a more
proto typical tunnel entrance I had purchased two prefab stone portals.
scaping to be completed in time for
me to run my trains the same evening!
Submitted By:
Dennis Bass
Using duct tape and some stiff paper, I created a rough mold. I used
Great Stuff from Home Depot to fill
the gaps. Notice the plastic shopping
bag protecting the track, as this stuff
is quite tacky when it comes out of
the can. The Great Stuff expands and
dries hard quickly allowing the land-
Pros:
• Entire Dogwood layout was completed in a weekend
and tunnel is still in use 5 years later without any major
problems.
• Tunnel is the right length to easily remove occasional
debris.
• Good place to park the train during an unexpected
shower.
• Grandkids love the tunnel and so does Grandpa!
Cons:
• Heavy rain can wash landscaping off the outside
exposing the blue wall of the container. Next time I will
paint the outside as well before landscaping to eliminate
exposure of the blue container.
• The track curves coming out of the tunnel which limits
me to running my shorter train engines and cars. I will
be placing an additional 12” straight section to allow my
longer engines and rolling stock to use this line as well.
Supplies:
• 10 gallon plastic storage containers (3), 19.25 in. x 14
in. x 13.5 in.
• Duct tape
• Razor Knife
• Texture spray paint
• Prefab stone or wood tunnel portals (2)
• Stiff paper (File folder strength)
• Great Stuff
• Plastic shopping bag
• Bag of garden soil, small plants, and landscaping rocks
• Misc. garden tools
February 2014 pg.9
Sponsors/Classified Ads
Members of the Georgia
Garden Railway Society
‘Unoffcial’ Georgia Garden Railway
Society’s 1:1 Scale Train Ride(s)
Several years ago, Bachmann introduced a
line of geared logging locomotives in 1:20.3
scale that have proven to be very popular with
modelers. These include the Shay, Climax,
and Heisler models. You can have a chance
to ride and photograph all three locomotives
at the Cass Scenic Railroad’s Railfan Weekend May 15, 16, & 17, 2015. A rare mileage trip from Cheat River Bridge to the old
ghost town of Spruce will be provided with
a Hiesler powered Freight to photograph at a
number of scenic run-by locations. BL2 or F
Unit diesel power is expected to pull the passenger chase train on this trip. Shays will be
double-heading several photo trips Saturday
to Bald Knob, the second highest point in
West Virginia. A three or four Shay race well
be held Sunday morning at the Cass Depot.
Night photo set ups will be provided Friday at
the Cass water tank and Saturday night at the
Cass Depot. Sunday will again see the Shays
pull trains to Whittaker, and a 3pm ride (at a
small extra cost) Climax ride on the Durbin
& Greenbrier RR about 30 minutes from
Cass. All meals are included in the $280.00
per person weekend package. That is three
days of steam train rides and meals for less
than $100.00 per day! Lodging is available
at the Inn at Snow Show for the special price
of $69.00 plus tax (these rooms WILL SELL
OUT FAST, so secure one immediately if you
plan to go). There are other rooms available
at the Snow Shoe Resort, but at much higher
rates. Full info is available at http://msrlha.
org/railfan.shtml including how to order
tickets and the special lodging code for the
hotel. I invite you to join Deborah and I as we
experience true mountain logging railroads
at their best (and let me know by email at
[email protected] if you are going or
have questions) on our ‘unofficial’ 1:1 scale
train ride.
We have a wonderful group of members
and in order to make our group stronger,
we need more group gatherings in order
to share ideas and have fun fellowship. We
have traditionally met the second Saturday of the months April through October.
A covered dish has been the past tradition, too. These are all suggestions, but
are not carved in stone. The meeting time
and format is totally up to the host. The
organization does pay $100 to the monthly
host to help with whatever expenses the
host sees fit. I, personally, would like to see
some layouts that have not hosted meetings
before, or at least in a good while. Please
consider hosting a meeting in 2016. Right
now, you get your choice of dates! Feel free
to contact me to schedule your meeting or
to inquire further. Thank you in advance
for supporting the Georgia Garden Railway
Society and see you on Saturday!
Ted
Article By: Ted Yarbrough
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Rolling Stock Trains
A Value-Added Dealer of Large Scale Trains
Ask for Dan or Dave
Rolling Stock Trains
375 Winkler Dr
Suite D
Alpharetta, GA 30004
770-714-5545
P.O. Box 1223 Atlanta, GA 30009-1223
[email protected]
www.rollingstocktrains.com
NEXT ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER GOES OUT IN
March 2015
Editor’s Corner
THANK YOU Please check website for addional information;
http://www.ggrs.info/
Send all articles, and pictures to: GGRS Gazette c/o James T. Robinson
[email protected]
6809 Collier Way
Riverdale, Ga 30296
February 2014