HO MOD SIG MONTHLY MTG. MINUTES, May 3, 2008, Black Bear Diner in Redmond
by Norm Curtis, Chairman

COMMENTS:
1. Meeting Date: The next meeting is June 7, ‘08, 8:30 a.m., Black Bear Diner in Redmond.

PAST SHOWS:
2. Debrief TTMT 4/26-7/2008, Puyallup, Mike S
a. In general, the equipment worked very well and the show was a lot of fun.
b. The crew seemed to be very compatible
c. The kid (Cole) did very well.
d. Other kids seemed more like intruders, saying, "Norm knew about it." I didn’t. In the future, permission from someone off site needs a written note. This will be a policy added to our web site.
e. Since Cole is now NMRA and has been present at least 5 times, we will invite him to help with setup or takedown and other activities. Consider that he does have to help his mother set up her booth.
f. Photo directions of wiring the cab bus would be nice.
g. The kiddy layout worked very nicely indeed. Recent improvements seemed to be the final solutions to the nagging issues. These improvements consisted of rerailers in each oval so that trains could rerail themselves if they could make it that far and using a variac (from Dave A.) to control overall speed.
h. Bridge issues: The spacers were ripped off (trailer door damage). Bob and I repaired it for the next show. It is about 39 9/16" high instead of 39 ½.
I. Lost/found: A box of foam showed up in the trailer. Anybody know about it?
NEXT SHOWS:
3. Rollin’ Rails: May 10, Norm
This is a one-day show that emphasizes kids. The final update went out Monday, April 28. If you have questions, see our WEBSITE or ask.
4. 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 near future shows confirmed after Rollin’ Rails with the next "confirmed" show being Lynden in October. It looks like a good time to pursue NETC depending on the NP convention in July.
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 from the breakfast participants, after Rollin’ Rails to avoid confusion, I will ask our members if they want to participate.

NEW BUSINESS:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
6. UTP panels on corners: Norm
Last fall, we planned to put UTP panels on the corners. Several attempts to put sockets only didn't pan out because of the unavailability of suitable sockets. (Bob recently found one that we’ll try at Rollin’ Rails.) The second plan was to mount mobile UTP panels on each corner where the skirts join together. We were going to do this first at the UNW show, but the whole cab bus was so messed up that this was not attempted. We’ll try again at Rollin’ Rails.
7. Pete’s rail connectors: Pete
Pete has been pursuing an alternate method to install the jumper tracks. He reported that at TTMT the system worked well, but stressed that the adjacent modules have to be perfectly even. That is good advice anyway, but especially so as the uneven heights pop the rails out. Pete is going to make up a few more by Rollin’ Rails and let expert installers have a go at it.
8. Work Party, Bob B
We decided to have a couple of work parties instead of breakfasts since there are few shows this summer and so many things needing done. Some projects needing work parties are: backboard-painting, scenicing the Westin yards, re-laying track on the old corners, installing additional sidings on the extra corners, painting people and HyperTerminal.
9. Show Coordinators needed: Norm
I handed out a "job description" for show coordinators to anyone interested in this. If you want one and were not there, ask.
10. UTP powering plugs: Norm
Bob has made a number of UTP panel cords. If you have a permanently installed UTP panel on your module, you should obtain one of these cords and install it. If you have multiple panels, see me.
11. Module handling system: Paul
Paul reported on his redesign. We’re looking forward to seeing one in operation one of these days.
12. Ops at Cherry Valley, Norm C
There was NOT an ops session following breakfast as Tom was too sick during the week to set up the session. This was to be the last session of the spring. Ops will resume in September.


SCHEDULE 2008
PSC Seattle Jan 19-21 Norm Done
UNW Monroe Feb 2-3 Bob B Done
TTMT Puyallup Apr 26-7 Mike S Done
Rollin Rails Edmonds May 10, Norm Next
NETC Seattle Summer Norm
NP Conv Tacoma July Ross T
Lynden Lions Lynden Oct 4-5 Dave A
Maple Valley Ravensdale Oct 18-19 Ross T
GTE Puyallup Nov 15-16 Mike S
MTF Tacoma Dec 26-Jan 1 Mike S