HO MOD SIG MONTHLY MTG. MINUTES, Apr 12, 2008, Black Bear Diner in Redmond
by Norm Curtis, Chairman

COMMENTS:
1. Meeting Date: The next meeting is May 3^rd, ‘08, 8:30 a.m., Black Bear Diner in Redmond. Note: Week early because of Rollin’ Rails May 10^th. Also the June meeting will be one week early.

PAST SHOWS:
2. None

NEXT SHOWS:
3. TTMT 4/26-7/2008, Puyallup, Mike S
a. There MAY be some difficulty driving into the fairgrounds on Sat morning. If you are bringing modules on Sat, then let Mike know ASAP.
b. I am responsible for the signs at TTMT. If you are going down on Friday AND if you live near me, I would appreciate it if you could take a couple of the many signs down on Friday. Let me know. There will be two concrete deck pads, 8’ pipes, and signs.
c. A fire marshal will be visiting the site at 9:15 on Saturday. Please have the aisles cleared by then.
d. With the kiddy layout in the trailer, there was not room for the TV. I probably will have it in my truck on Saturday morning.
e. I will be bringing the trailer home. Please do NOT load the kiddy layout into the trailer. Instead load the trailer the usual way and put the kiddy layout in my truck. That way I won’t have to dig it out of the trailer when I get home.
f. Dave A. will have a variac transformer to TRY out at the kiddy layout. This reduces the overall ac voltage to the power packs and hopefully will allow us to slow down all the trains. In addition, there is a small rubber stopper in one of the power packs which will reduce the turning radius of the pot. This powerpack should be used for the Thomas. Speaking of Thomas, the locomotive was sent in for repairs 5 weeks ago. So far it has not been returned. Maybe a substitute will be used.
g. Remember that the TTMT will also be hosting a 4D minimeet with better than average clinics, a banquet, and a model room for exhibiting models which can be judged by the public and for MMR achievement. I encourage you to bring some of your best work for this.

4. Rollin’ Rails: May 10, Norm Confirmed
So far, we have enough modules. This is a one-day show that emphasizes kids. More on this after the TTMT gets organized to avoid confusion.
5. New show: Bob T
Henry H has invited us to participate in the Black Diamond Days show on Memorial Day weekend. It will set up on Saturday and run Sunday and Monday. Although there wasn’t much interest with the breakfast participants, I will ask our members if they want to participate again after TTMT to avoid confusion.
6. Other show status: Norm
Several shows are still unconfirmed. These are the NP Convention, Maple Valley, and MTF (Model Train Festival, Tacoma). There are no shows confirmed after Rollin’ Rails with the next most likely show being Lynden in October. It looks like a good time to pursue NETC depending on the NP convention in July.

NEW BUSINESS:
7. E-mail issues: Norm
I have had some e-mail issues recently with AOL and Comcast e-mail addresses being returned as undeliverable. Members indicated that they had received these, so it’s a mystery. Of course you wouldn’t know if something was undelivered, but if you miss expected e-mails from me, just ask if I sent one out.
8. Pictures from Portland: Norm
I shared some photos from the Portland show that illustrated the following concepts:
1. A Plexiglas device to support adjacent Plexiglas panels
2. A wye on a 4’ module (must be all of 15" radius) (for the fun of it)
3. A layout with the people on the inside and the backboards on the outside
4. A modular layout with loops at the end (inner track loops to outer track)
5. A modular layout with a loop yard (as opposed to being in the middle). Also the mainlines were moved to the rear of the yard.
9. Work Party, Bob B
Bob reminded us that there are plenty of projects that would be fun to do via work parties and that there are few summer shows. Also, with the Cherry Valley ops sessions done for the season (one more in May), we could meet after breakfast instead. Some needed projects are: backboard painting, scenicing the Westin yards, re-laying track on the old corners, installing additional sidings on the extra corners, & painting people.
10. Show Coordinators needed: Norm
With Dave A. moving to Hoquium, a new coordinator is needed for Lynden. Several people expressed interest. I have some files that I give to new coordinators that explain the responsibilities and provide some other information.

OLD BUSINESS:
11. Policies: Norm
Over the years we have developed a number of policies on different things and these probably get forgotten and new people are unaware. The group approved putting them on our WEBSITE. I have already put some of them on the WEBSITE.
12. Archiving Tips of the Week: Norm
The group asked to archive the Tip of the Week topics on our WEBSITE. I had planned to rotate these to attract members to the WEBSITE, but I can archive them as well. I haven’t gotten to this yet.
13. Module handling system: Paul
Paul is redesigning the system and will get back to us, I assume.
14. Ops at Cherry Valley, Norm C
There will be an ops session following breakfast. The next and last session is May 3rd. Ops will resume in September.