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Minutes from HOTrack meeting, held 9/6/08 in Melville.
Members present:
The meeting started at approx 12:30 pm with a general discussion as to the why’s and wherefores of the reason for this second formal meeting to discuss the future plans of HOTrack.
As a recap there was a business meeting held on 6/28/08 where decisions were made on 8 separate topics. A subsequent discussion and informal meeting was had amongst the membership at the recent train show in Riverhead on 8/23/08. The minutes and notes of both meetings have been distributed to the membership and are available for review on the club Yahoo Group.
Two of the eight items from the June meeting were the focus of the discussion at today’s meeting, exclusive use of DCC and the planning and design of a new HOTrack layout. There was no discussion of the other items so it will be assumed that those items are considered done. To review they are:
1- Annual dues go to $20.00 per member, payable by 9/1/08
2- Members are requested to donate to the group treasury as warranted to help in funding any new layout
3- Members need to purchase their own Digitrax throttle
4- Members need to identify their rolling stock with a color code
5- Due to rising cost of transportation and limited member participation we will look to do fewer shows per season
6- We will have a donation box seeking funds from the viewing public to help defray costs
The following issues were raised at the all three meetings as the list of what is not going right and need to be changed:
1- current layout worn in appearance and performance
2- little or no scenery, and where scenery no change for many years-looks worn
3- little or no member owned modules at shows
4- 6’ (large) corners difficult to move and setup, legs are a hassle to mount, scenery worn and damaged, no effort to correct scenery on second modules-just buildings
5- Some shows are all modules from trailer with several bridge modules
6- Club trailer is stuffed to the rafters
7- Too much work for setup and breakdown for a select few members
8- Train shows seem too much like work, stressful, not fun
9- Members set up trains and then abandon their train and the layout to shop or visit with other clubs
10- No operations involved, just running trains around in circles
11- Even when limited switching is possible, or yards are being used there is no operations
12- No new members to HOTrack to any great degree, several long term members have dropped out or moved away, roster at lowest number ever.
13- Physical limitations of current members
14- In an attempt to make membership easy going we have moved to far from existing standards
15- DC versus DCC
16- Lack of organization during setup or breakdown
The discussion resumed on what to do next.
It was decided unanimously, after some dissension, to make the current and future HOTrack layout run on DCC only. The use of a combined DC and DCC was viewed as being to difficult to implement and the conversion of member loco’s to DCC was getting easier all the time. Existing members are more than willing to help those that need assistance in decoder installation. Some of this can be done at shows once the layout is up and running.
Next topic was the previously agreed on decision to make a new operations based layout, with either a single or double mainline in the middle of the module, setup in a point to point or point to loop layout. This layout would possibly be following the Free-Mo standards already in existence.
A number of points were made as to why this might not work under the current listings of show venues and the current membership. There would be few if any shows that would have the room to allow a typical Free-Mo style layout due to the typically large size. Member participation, which a Free-Mo layout requires, could not be relied upon. Operation sessions require time for setup and since 7 out of 8 of our shows are one day, usually 4-5 hours in length, this would be prohibitive to consider. Most Free-Mo layouts are a combination of other Free-Mo groups from the region or other states, that setup for two to three day events that often do not even allow the public in. The setups are for the enjoyment of the clubs themselves. This is quite opposite to our shows which are done for the entertainment of the public and exposure to the hobby of model railroading. If a decision to go to a Free-Mo style layout was made the time to accept new specifications, design, build and setup entirely new modules would be two to three years out. It was decided that this concept would be put on hold for now.
If not a Free-Mo or other similar style layout then what? After much discussion the members present decided that a review and updating of the current specifications would be able to more easily address and correct the issues as mentioned in the beginning of the meeting, in a quicker timeframe and at less expense.
The first decision was to have an organized club effort to build four new 4’ corners, that are easy to setup and would remain club property to be stored and transported in the trailer. These would be built during a weekend session at a members house (time and place not determined as of yet).
Secondly, in a similar session, new 4’ straight modules would be fabricated and distributed to those members that would like one so as to get member modules back into being the core of any layout. Members would then do the track work, wiring and scenery. If warranted the club can do the track and wiring work and only scenery would be a member responsibility.
Existing member modules can continue to be in use provided they meet all new specifications and are up to club needs in regards to performance.
The previously made inside or “T” yard would be brought up to spec and be used instead of the current “K” yard to allow for more train setup and operation off of the mainline, and allow setup of trains to go to any mainline.
The club trailer would only be for the corners, DCC setup, yard modules, filler or bridge modules and other club supplies (clamps, extension cords).
The revision to the specification would be for a two track mainline, one westbound, one eastbound and a third line to be used as a branch-line. All three lines would extend around the entire layout. We will remain with code 100 track and require the use of Peco Insulfrog turnouts only. If a member decided to add any additional track, that track could not extend to the end of a module as a pass through track and could not be parallel to the other mainlines. If a member made a set of two or more modules the additional line could extend through the set of modules. Offset of the existing three tracks would stay at 3”, 5” and 7”. No discussion of setback at module ends or joiner track was entertained at this meeting.
Modules must have attached hinged legs that comply with existing 40” rail height.
Backdrops will be continued but the height will be lowered to 10” above the table. Plexiglas or Lexan is still required, at a height of 8” above the table and must be ¼” thickness. 1/8” has been deemed to flexible and may cause a problem if held on to by a child.
A mounting method for the backdrop and Plexiglas that is uniform to all modules would be needed and decided on.
Each module would require a panel for throttle plug in, (commonly referred to as a UP-5 panel). One in front and one in back, easily accessible for a member to plug in a throttle. A provision to allow the LocoNet to plug into each module would be needed.
Wiring spec’s would be upgraded to require a 12 gauge bus wire in each module for each mainline and branch-line. The current white bus wire could be used to power turnout motors and other low voltage accessories so as to eliminate the need to run 110 volts AC around the layout.
A minimum layout would be 16’ wide by 24’ in length so as to allow for four corners, an inside yard between the corners and four straight modules on each side. Larger layouts or “L” shaped layouts are still a possibility depending on membership attendance.
Rules on member participation were discussed and the current practice of setting up a train and leaving the layout for another member to run the train would be discouraged. Trains in this situation would need to be parked off of the layout.
The topic of the upcoming national NMRA convention, to be held in
The meeting was adjourned at 2 pm due to the time and the need for several members to leave.
Thanks again to the hospitality of