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INSIDE THIS ISSUE• Thanks High Wheelers
• April FVD Elections• Member News• February Meeting• Modeling Tip of the
month• Upcoming Train
Events• Mikes Minute• Where’s Emily• 2012 Calendar• Jim Allen & Don Cook
win big in Springfield• LVFX 2-19-12• Train set Drawing
Winners• Photos of High
Wheeler
FUN STUFF
FOX VALLEY DIVISION • MIDWEST REGION
THE SEMAPHOREMarch 2012
Thanks High Wheeler Volunteers!As usual, a huge amount of behindthe scenes work went into this year'sHigh Wheeler Train Show which ranMarch 3rd and 4th again at HarperCollege in Palatine. This annual FoxValley Division sponsored event takeslots of coordinated effort by lots oftalented FVD people. Public RelationsTrainmaster, Jim Osborn, generated aton of publicity. FVD board memberBert Lattan organized the fifty plusvendors, layout operators, andexhibitors for efficient set up, takedown and operation of their layoutsand displays. Clerk Leif Hanson haddozens of signs and banners made todirect people to the show and directthem around the show once they gotthere. Leif and Jim Osborn alsoorganized show participant trafficcontrol and the unloading/reloadingefforts needed before and after theshow. Board member Jim Allendeveloped the floor plan whichturned Harper's big field house into a28,000 square foot major Chicagolandtrain show. Paymaster, Tim Kleimeyer,expertly handled the show's finances.And board member Mike Hirvela builta 4 x 6 foot Thomas the Tank Engineportable layout especially for theshow.
In addition, under the direction ofVolunteer Coordinator, Dave Johnson,three dozen or so dedicated FVDvolunteers manned the ticket takingtable, activity tables, movie showing,
set up/take down efforts, FVD infobooth, and layout and display judgingactivities, etc. These great volunteerswere Ann Branstrator, Bobbie Cable,Debbie Cloos, Frank Cole, BarryCutaia, Gail Erickson, Gordy Erickson,Dave Flebbe, Gary Hendrickson, WaltHerrick, Jeff Jarr, Kathy Jarr, CharilieJohnson, Dave Johnson, Art Jones,Charlie Klingel, Diane Kostick, BobLandwehr, Jim Landwehr, DaveLeider, Kim Nagy, Madyson Nagy, TaraNagy, Mary Osborn, Gene Parkhurst,Linda Parkhurst, Janet Peterson, PetePeterson, Norm Smith, HarrySorenson, Bob Teuber, George Trandel,Will Westfall, Jim Wyruchowski,Sandy Wyruchowski, and DennisZamirowski. Overseeing and directingthe entire show, as well ascommunicating almost year round
continued on page two
PAGE 2
Walter RadkeCandidate for Superintendent
I have been in the railroad hobbyfor over 60 years starting with anO27 tin plate railroad in mymother's kitchen. In December1949, I acquired my first HOlocomotive and went on to build
two model railroad empires by the time I graduatedhigh school. After college, I discovered railroadclubs. I became president of the DesPlaines RailroadClub and designed and helped build both of theirclub layouts, one of which was open for the 1976NMRA National Convention. I later took leadershipin the creation of the Lions Den Railroad Club andserved as their president and later treasurer, as wellas designing and helping to build both of theirlayouts. I performed a similar role with theNorthbrook Railroad Group. Fifty years ago I joinedthe NMRA and became a member of the Fox ValleyDivision. I've served as the division's treasurer andtwo terms as Ways and Means Trainmaster. For thepast ten years I helped plan the FVD's High WheelerTrain Show, drawing floor plans of each year's eventand working closely with vendors and layoutexhibitors. For the past five years I have been HighWheeler's Show Manager. I was elected FVDSuperintendant in 2010, and look forward tocontinuing my service to the Fox Valley Division asits Superintendant.
Leif HansenCandidate for Chief Clerk
I have been a member of theNMRA since 1985 and would liketo continue contributing myservices to the Fox ValleyDivision to keep it running in an
efficient and productive manner. I have a lot ofcomputer experience and I know how to type,which are two key qualifications for the ChiefClerk's position. I have also served in this capacityfor the past eight years and have enjoyed the workwhich are also key qualifications to holding thisposition. I am now fully retired and will continue tobe able to commit the time to attend the variousmeetings and functions as required. I look forwardto another term as Chief Clerk for the Fox ValleyDivision of the NMRA and would appreciate yourvote on April 15th.
Jeff JarrCandidate for Superintendent
I have been involved in modelrailroading for about 38 years. Myfather got me interested in thehobby when I was 12. Togethermy father and I have built 7model railroads over the years. I
model the C&NW in HO scale and currently have alarge layout under construction occupying themajority of the basement in my current home. Ibecame a member of the NS&W Division of theNMRA back in 2006. While with the NS&W I was incharge of refreshments, became coordinator of theNS&W Modular Group and was elected asPaymaster. Since the merger of the NS&W and FVD,I have served as your Assistant Superintendent, andthe NS&W Modular Group has become a 100%NMRA Club. We continue to display our modularlayout at many of the local train shows. I have mademany new friendships at the FVD over the past fewyears, and I would be honored if elected to serve asyour Superintendent of the Fox Valley Division.
April FVD ElectionsOur April 15th monthly meeting is our annual Business Meeting. At this year's meeting we will elect twoboard positions to two year terms, Superintendent and Chief Clerk. Please contact Clerk Leif Hansen ifyou are interested in running for either of these jobs. Call Leif at 847-437-7124, or email him [email protected] mailto:[email protected]. Note April's meeting has an early 1:00 p.m. start thatday. Below are bios of the candidates who are running for office as of “press time”.
with all the layout operators, exhibitors andvendors, was Ways and Means Trainmaster, WalterRadke. FYI, Walter has served as the High Wheeler'sShow Director for the past seven years and assistedthe High Wheeler Show Director for many years
before that. In his spare time, Walter serves as theFox Valley Division's Superintendent.The FVD Boardsincerely thanks each and every volunteer for theirwork in this year's High Wheeler. Great JobEverybody!
PAGE 3
Member News
MMR David Leider and FVD member John Hokerhave had articles published in recent months.The December Railroad Model Craftsman had awell researched feature article on the Chicagoarea pickle industry titled, “The Pickle Industryand Railroading” by David. In February's ModelRailroader, David's “Scratchbuilding a StyreneStructure” explained how to scratch buildWaupaca, Wisconsin's Central Seed Company instyrene using easy techniques. David's scratchbuilding methods are also featured on line onMR's web site, ModelRailroader.com. JohnHoker's great article, “Railroading from theInside” appeared in the third quarter (fall) 2011Milwaukee Railroader, the magazine of theMilwaukee Road Historical Society. In his article,John tells of his “inside” work on the railroadfrom 1951 to 1957. We plan to run excerpts ofJohn's article in future issues of the Semaphore.But, if you'd like to read the entire article withgreat color photographs now, the magazine isstill available at better local hobby shops. (Theeditor got his copy at Des Plaines Hobbies.)
February Meeting
We had a great February meeting with fifty or soin attendance. More chairs actually had to be setup for the large crowd that showed up!Highlights of the meeting included not one butthree great clinics.
David Leider gave us a fascinating look at earlyChicagoland railroad milk traffic and the milkindustry. Mike Hirvela followed with a shortvideo tour of Don Cook's superb HO GreatNorthern layout set in the steam/dieseltransition era. David Crement concluded with aslide show presentation on how he obtained hisMotive Power AP certificate. As Dave pointedout, achieving the AP Motive Power certificate“Is not as hard as you might think it is.” Our
“On line Structures” contest was won by WillWestphall's old wooden water tower which heexpertly built from a Scale Structures Limited kitthat was produced in the 1960s and 70s. JimLandwehr's nicely done scratch built (from brass)multiple track signal bridge took second. Jim hadthe bridge lit up for the meeting and it lookedgreat. Mike Hirvela's neat kitbased interlockingtower was reworked and repainted from aninexpensive train show purchase, and took third.photos of the winners are by Jim Osborn's
1st Place, Will Westfall's HO scale,Water Tower
February contest winners
Second and Third place on page 4.
PAGE 4
Modeling Tip of the Month
This month's tip comes from David Leider's“Scratch Build a Structure in Styrene” article inthe Febraury 2012 Model Railroader. In it hesays, “After cutting the styrene sheet to theappropriate height, I used a fresh no.11 blade tocut the door and window openings....” Usingfresh, new blades in your hobby knife isimportant for any cutting, but especially inprecise cutting like for door and windowopenings. Make sure to keep a stock of new
blades on hand and change them out of yourhobby knife when your cutting starts draggingthrough or even ripping the material you arecutting such as card stock and wood. Yes, newblades are a little more expensive to use. But theyare much safer, easier to use and produce bettermodels. So go ahead, splurge on yourself and usenew blades. You don't use old razor blades forshaving do you?
2nd PlaceJim Landwehr'sHO Scale Signal Bridge
3rd PlaceMike Hirvela's
HO ScaleSt. Francis Tower
Second and Third place contest winners
PAGE 5
Deadline CorrectionYour new Semaphore Editor got off to an ominous start last month by printing incorrect informationabout (of all things) Semaphore deadlines! The real deadline for time sensitive material to run in theSemaphore is the day of the monthly FVD meeting. If your submission doesn't get to me by then, itwon't get in the upcoming Semaphore. However, it will probably get into the following month'sSemaphore. Please also know that I take Semaphore articles any time you want to submit them. AllSemaphore articles, info, photos, etc. should be sent to: [email protected]. Feel free to call(815-459-1334) or email me with questions.
This month we introduce a new column to theSemaphore, Mike's Minute, written long timemodel railroader, Mike Hirvela. Each month Mikewill give us a “minute” of his views on a widevariety of model railroading subjects. Here'sMike...
It’s probably a sad commentary on the realities oflife that someday our loved ones will face the ulti-mate dilemma – what to do with Dad’s, orGrampa’s, or Uncle Joe’s train stuff. Unless you’vegroom-ed an in-house model railroader who canbe the grateful recipient of all which has meant somuch to you, can appreciate it's value, and will
carry it on into the future, a difficult decision willhave to be made. If you haven’t made provisionfor this eventuality, now is a good time toconsider it. Does your family know what to dowith your trains? Do you know what you'd likedone with your layout, where you'd like yourcollection to go, how your railroad books can bedisposed of, etc.? My advice: figure these thingsout, and let your loved ones know what should bedone with all of your train items soon!
MIKE'S MINUTE
Upcoming Train Events
March 24, 25 Rockford Model Train Show and Sale, Jefferson H.S. in Rockford, IL
March 25 Prairie Scale Model Railroaders Open House, Lombard, IL
April 1 Great Midwest Train Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton IL
May 3 Great Midwest Train Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton IL
May 20 Kishwaukee Valley & Eakin Creek Club Spring Open House, Huntley, IL
June 3 Great Midwest Train Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton IL
July 29-Aug. 4 NMRA National Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan
PAGE 6
2012 CalendarFuture issues of the Semaphore will be on the internet at foxvalleydivision.org. If you do not have access to acomputer, you can purchase a subscription for only $8.00 a year. Contact Jim Allen for details [email protected]
Date Time Clinic AP Clinic ContestApr. 15 1:00 Annual membership meeting & Election of officers
Zephyr Route tours by Mike Abernethy
2012 Spring Convention recap & photo essay
- Jim Osborn
Time permtting “Revisiting Trainfest 2011”-
Mike Hirvela
Lunch and & Refreshments served Cars Vehicles
May 20 1:30 Weathering using chalks and other mediums
by Paul Gehrett Prototype Models Best of the Best for the year
1st, 2nd, 3rd and place
winners
NMRA Fox Valley Division Board ContactsSuperintendent, WWaalltteerr RRaaddttkkee [email protected] 847-255-2977Assistant Superintendent, JJeeffff JJaarrrr [email protected] 773-286-8755Chief Clerk, LLeeiiff HHaannsseenn [email protected] 847-437-7124Publications Editor, WWaalltt HHeerrrriicckk [email protected] 851-459-1334Circulation Editor, JJiimm AAlllleenn [email protected] 847-356-2061Clinics, DDaavviidd LLeeiiddeerr MMR [email protected] 847-253-7484Public Relations & Webmaster,
JJiimm OOssbboorrnn [email protected] 847-587-5654Achievements & Contests,
JJiimm LLaannddwweehhrr [email protected] 847-577-7984Membership Promotions,
MMiikkee HHiirrvveellaa [email protected] 847-360-9579Membership Records,Bert Lattan [email protected] 847-295-7959
Look for all FVD Board members contact information on line at the division’s website
www.foxvalleydivision.org
Where's Emily?
Mike Hirvela reports that at the Great AmericanTrain Show, while manning the FVD booth, alittle girl stopped by to watch Thomas the TankEngine. Thomas was running around Jim Allen'sAction-Reaction Railroad display. Like everyoneelse, the little girl loved the display, but she hada problem. “Mister,” she asked Mike, “how comewe always see Thomas at train shows and neverEmily?” Mike assured the little girl that Emily
would indeed be on the Thomas the TankEngine--Isle of Sodar model railroad he wasbuilding especially for High Wheeler 2012. Heinvited her to come see Emily at High Wheeler.“OK, I'll come. But please make sure Emily'sthere, mister,” she replied, “I don't want to missher.” And Emily was there, in her beautifulgreen paint and single large driving wheel.
PAGE 7
Jim Allen, Don Cook Win Big in Springfield
A dozen or so Fox Valley Division membersventured down to Springfield, Illinois March 8 –10 to the Midwest Regional Spring Convention.The convention was a good one with 6 -7 finelayouts and a couple of really fine ones. TonyKoester, Andy Sperandeo and Allen McClelland allgave great clinics as did FVD member DavidLeider. We got a to hear what Koester, Sperandeo,McClelland and NMRA President Mike Brestelthought about a variety of NMRA and modelrailroad topics at the NMRA Update clinic andModel Railroad Masters Unplugged presentationSaturday night. But the highlight of theconvention for several of us, was the awardsceremony held at the end of the festivitiesSaturday. During the ceremony FVD members JimAllen and Don Cook garnered fourteen model andphoto awards including three “Best of Show”awards. The Fox Valley “crew” in attendance verymuch enjoyed giving rousing applause each of thefourteen times Jim and Don went up for one oftheir awards. Below are the awards won by Jimand Don and photos of Jim's models. AbsolutelyGreat Job! you guys!
JIM ALLEN
On3 M of W tank car• Best of Show Model Contest• 1st place Non-Revenue Car• Narrow gauge award
HO Hot Metal Car• Best of Show Craftsman• 1st place Freight Car
On3 Work Motor• 1st place Diesel & Other
Photos• 1st place B&W Prototype• 3rd place B&W Prototype• 2nd place Color Print Prototype digital• 3rd place Color Print Prototype digital
(Photos of models by Jim Allen)
DON COOK
Photos• Best of Show Photography• Moscol Award for Best CNW photo• 1st place Prototype Color Print• 2nd place Prototype Color Print
Don’s photos and other contest entries can beviewed on the Midwest Region web site atwww.mwr-nmra.org/#News
On3 M of W tank car
HO Hot Metal Car
On3 Work Motor
PAGE 8
LYFX 2-29-12
by Walter RadkeToday started out earlier than usual. The
weather was predicted to go into the 50's andthat is unusual for the last day in February. Theplan was to run a special train on my gardenrailroad, weather permitting. It had to be in themorning as a weather change for the worse wasexpected for mid to late afternoon. Coldweather was coming back with a vengeance.Set up for my railroad takes only 10 minutes
for the electrical. Choosing which cars wereavailable at this late date in the winter posed thegreatest problem. After some searching, theconsist ended up with SP 9737, an SD40Llocomotive on the point, followed by UP#86265, a two bay hopper loaded with M&M'sof various types (regular, almond, coconut, etc.),then UP tank car #48404 which was filled withrum and Coco-vine wine. UP combine #140came next. It was converted into a “bar car”with space for a band and dancing in a widecenter aisle. The aisle was created by relocatingmost seats to the sides of the car. More dancingwas provided for in the last car—a coach—bybacking its seats up to the windows. This wasgoing to be one nice party train!The train left town about 10:10 a.m. with great
anticipation. It was soon apparent no one wasgoing to be disappointed. The music of choice
was the “Chicken Dance” and nobodyremembered anything else being played. Thetrain proceeded slowly but the passengers didn'tcare. Everyone was too busy celebrating withnumerous trips to the tank car and several trips tothe hopper. After quenching their thirst andabating their hunger, the passengers came backand chicken danced like crazy. The engineer andfireman being highly responsible trainmen, didnot join the celebrating. The conductor on theother hand... There was one minor derailmentwhich everybody celebrated by getting off thetrain and toasting the errant wheel set. Anothertoast was made when the train crew got thewheel set back on the rails. Still another toast wasmade when the train started rolling again. But,any delay was considered a good delay, because itgave passengers more time to “celebrate”. All good things must come to an end, and the
party train completed its round trip by mid day.When the train pulled into the station there werea few M&M's left in the hopper, but the tank carwas now bone dry. We all had lots of fun, butwere sad as well, knowing that Leap Year comesaround only once every four years. What doesLYFX 2-29-12 stand for, you ask? Why, Leap YearFun Express
PAGE 9
Train Set Drawing Winners
High Wheeler
PAGE 10
Best Module
Mike Hirvela descussing the finer points of Thomas the Train.
Facing Painting Father& Son ready to race trains
PAGE 11
LGB Floor Layout
Ingrid Drozak (the tree lady) and her coffee table z scale layoutadmired by future model railroaders.
PAGE 12
First place display 2nd place layout
2nd place display
Trains of Japan display
FVDʼs display layout built by Mike Hrvela.All High Wheelerphotos by JimOsborn
Next MeetingThe Fox Valley Division will hold theirApril meet, elections and annualmembership meeting on April 15, 2012.Note: 1:00 pm start time to 4:30 pm, at theGary Morava Center, 110 W. CampMacDonald Road, Prospect Heights, ILLunch and refreshments served.
W. Camp McDonald RdX Gary Morava Center
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Fox Valley DivisionMidwest Region-NMRAP.O. Box 1535Arlington Heights, IL 60005-1535
About the Fox Valley DivisionIf you receive this newsletter you live in the MidwestRegion and Fox Valley Division of the National ModelRailroad Association or NMRA. The Fox Valley Division(FVD) includes McHenry and parts of Cook, Kane andLake Counties in Northeast Illinois. About 150 membersof varied ages and modeling ability levels belong to theFVD. Almost all modeling scales are represented in ourdivision. Membership in the division is free as are theSemaphore newsletters.
FVD general meetings are held September throughMay at the Gary Morava Center in Prospect Heightsfrom 1:30 to about 4:30 pm. Each meeting features aclinic, model contest, information of interest to themembership, and a time for socializing. Outings, layouttours, and operating sessions are also held periodicallyin addition to, or instead of the general meetings. Topromote the hobby of model railroading, the FVDsponsors and runs a large train show, High Wheeler, inearly March each year at Harper College in Palatine,Illinois.
We encourage you to take advantage of all the FVDhas to offer. We are here to help answer your questions,help improve your modeling, and help you better enjoythe great hobby of model railroading. Join us at a FVDmeeting or outing. Weʼd love to see you. Or, visit us onthe web at: wwwfoxvalleydivision.org.
Questions? Contact FVD Superintendent,WalterRadtke or any board member listed on page two ofthis newsletter. We are here to help you!
