News
News from Readers
A teacher in Colorado has sent us positive comments on this Web site (development@coloradostudentsuccess.org). She provided a link to a history of Texas railroading, which you can find under History in the External Links section. Feed back is always appreciated.
Club Meeting of 2024 March 21 (Under revision)
Shannondell Model Railroad Club (SMRC) held its monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Jim Rush at 2:00 p.m.
The Minutes of the March 21 Meeting (Secretary Bob Watson) were approved as submitted.
The Treasurer’s Reports (Treasurer Bruce Wintersteen) for March were accepted without modification. The SMRC Bank Account balance was $5,140.13 at 2024 March 31.
The Club now has 49 members and 49 Friends (the numbers change as people continue to renew or join the Club).
Bruce Wintersteen reported that the 2024 Recurring and Maintenance Items Budget of $2,725.00 has incurred expenses of $719.03 and the Major Task Items Budget of $2,700.00 incurred expenses of $1,121.97, both in line with budget. The Treasurer's reports were approved as presented.
Leon Butler (Vice President) presented the initial part of the President's Report. He noted under Old Business that work on the layout has been carried out by several Members including Bill Hardy, Leon Butler, Bob Bristow, Joe Hanson, Bob Watson, Bruce Wintersteen, Gerry Williams, Jack Maines, Rich Keckley, Maureen Carlson, Rod Randow and others. Replacement of some track near the livestock and ice house area and to the south of the main railway station, work on street lights, and control of the turntable via JMRI, work on the Low Grade signal system, work on rolling stock and other tasks has been carried out.
The video for March (Adelaide to Perth, Australia) was seen by 33 people in the AMT and by 25 in the BMT.
Visitors to the layout in February were 45 walk-ins and 12 by appointment. So far in March there have been 44 walk-ins and 5 by appointment.
Jim Rush reported that maintenance of the Website continued as required. Announcement of the passing of long-time Member Carmen Molinaro, appeared on the home page. Carmen was one of the founding Members, who performed most of the initial carpentry of the layout.
Under New Business, Rush reported that a letter of welcome and invitation to club membership was prepared to be sent to those residents who have recently moved in. This letter was sent to 32 new residents on February 23. A similar letter will be sent to residents who have moved in between February 23 and March 31. So far, 1 new Friend and one expression of interest have been returned.
Rush reported that he and Jack Maines have been at work to develop a document entitled GUIDE TO SMRC TRAIN OPERATION to serve as the basis for training Members as operators to improve our ability to demonstrate the layout to those who want to see and learn about Shannondell Model Railroad. The GUIDE is expected to be available for review and testing in 2024 March (late), with actual training to follow.
Work on education programs centered on model railroading is just beginning.
Bruce Wintersteen presented updated planning for installation of a Diesel Locomotive Maintenance Facility adjacent to the existing roundhouse and turn table. The most recent version of the plan is shown below. Bruce noted that further changes may be found necessary or desirable as the work progresses. He also explained that the original estimate of cost for the modifications and improvements called for in the diagram needed to be increased by $800.00. This is mainly due to trackage costs.
A motion to approve the latest design (below) was made, seconded and passed. A second motion to approve the budget increase of $800.00 was made, seconded and passed.
There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. Thanks to all who participated.
The next SMRC meeting will be Thursday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ashcroft Movie Theater.
Layout Changes
Several changes have been made to the Shannondell Model Railroad layout during 2023. Click here for details.
Bruce Wintersteen's presentations on Railroad Signal Systems are now available on this website.
Several changes have been made to the Shannondell Model Railroad layout during 2023. Click here for details.
Bruce Wintersteen's presentations on Railroad Signal Systems are now available on this website.