The July business meeting is this Thursday, July 6th, at 7:30, at the club. Last July we met at Golden Corral because of 85 degree temps in the old place. But sweat no more in the new club!

Topics will include upcoming elections in September, Operations update and next steps, Estate sales update. If you have a specific topic you would like to discuss or be addressed, please let me know.

I hope to see you on Thursday and have a Happy 4th of July!

Larry B

A few members are meeting at the club on Tuesday, July 4th around 11am with fixin's to celebrate the 4th and probably run a few trains. If you would like to stop by, bring some snacks and enjoy the fun.

Here's a link to a prototype "operating session" explaining types of cars, commodities, and logic of car movements during interchange, blocking, and pick up and set out of freight cars. Very helpful in understanding what we're trying to accomplish during our operating sessions on our model railroad. Link: http://tinyurl.com/ycst6xz2

The first 'Beta' ops session went well.
As expected we found some things to improve, and some switches to repair.
For a 35 year old layout that moved last year, the layout is in good shape.

We had 6 folks present and running.
As per prototype, we started an hour late.
While not absolutely necessary, running with an engineer and conductor on each train makes things go much smoother, as one person will need to use the duck-unders when running a train.

Lots of fun.

Tuesday evenings, start time 6:00 PM.

Thomas

Cars used for Ops sessions will have car cards made before they may be used.
On the back of the car card should be the last certificationdate. Think Repack or re-weight dates on actual cars.
All cars should have the following:
1. meet NMRA weight standard
2. Have Kadee couplers. Either #5 or #14. If needed, the equivalent full size coupler compatible with #5.
3. Have metal wheels in gauge.
4. must be test run successfully.