Hobbyist in Northeast, Ohio

I got it Mike.  9:30 at Perkins Elm Road works for me.  I will leave my home about 8:00.  I'm looking forward to it.

So about how many members do we have showing up tomorrow?  That way whoever arrives first can tell the hostess how many seats we need.  

I think that is a good number for a first time.  Looks like we will get a day's break in the weather to accommodate driving!    It is rough here in Butler today.  The ice then wet snow brought down a lot of trees and limbs, taking out utilities and blocking roads.  We here on South Hill fared okay, though.  

I'm looking forward to meeting you. 

Mike: I just sent you an email.

I am sure there are those who have not responded, who plan to come.  Anyone who wants to come, is welcome.   We'll see where this goes!!

I'm leaving Butler right now.  See you at Perkins!

We had our first meeting- 9 attending- Sat. Nov. 17.

Anyone interested in attending the December 15 second meeting-- send e-Mail: mikewyatt49@gmail.com and I will send out the notes from the meeting which have specifics on the next and future meetings.

I enjoyed meeting everyone, and look forward to our next!!

Mike

Well I was glad to meet everyone there.  Paul 2 was the only one I had met in person!  Thank you Mike for organizing.  Thank you Jeff James for showing us your wonderful layout!  We even got to sign Jeff's Wall of Fame!!  

December 15th is marked on my calendar.  Thank you for including Northwest Pennsylvanians!! 

NEXT Saturday-  

I am looking for an archeitect  to design my model railroad in northeast Ohio. Can anyone give me a referal? Thank you.

Why not come to our meeting??   There are guys there who would be considered as top tier model railroaders all involved in three-rail O Gauge.

You need to decide some fundamentals then turn one of them loose.

Or, I would think that the outlet selling you the track and other stuff could do the track layout for you.  I had the track layout designed by the hobby shop selling me the track, a transformer, and some engines.   

I used Matt Hewitt who runs Benchridge Benchworks to build custom tables to fit the track layout, He was reasonable, AND he builds the tables, and delivers and sets them up.  He came to my home, 3-1/2 hrs. later- he left and I was ready to set up track.  I recommend him, and you can come and see his tables and my layout, any time.

https://www.benchridge.com/ 

You can see HIS HO layout:

https://www.nmra2016.org/matt-...tts-shadowtown-ridge

Fundamentals before you design a track layout:

What do you want??  Basically, a toy train layout that has lots of track, and accessories crowded in, like back in our youth?  Or a depiction of a railroad in miniature? 

The average model structure is really a caricature of the prototype.   A scale model of Grand Central Terminal in NYC in 1:48th (O scale) would be 48" long X 22" deep X 22" high- and this does not include any trackage.  To put such a structure on a layout requires a lot of space.  

Highways and roads for scale cars, in O need to be 6" or more wide- and take a surprising amount of space.   So, we in model railroading use visual tricks to make the layout seem bigger, but there are limits to how that works.  All this needs to be in the plan.   

- You have to leave aisles to walk around/ in the layout, plus;

- you have to have access to all parts of it.  So- for example, any section that is against a wall has to either be about 24- 30" MAX deep, or have a removable/ lift-able access hatch for maintenance.

- You have to allow for access to things IN the train room- if the furnace needs to be replaced, do you have to dismantle the train to do it?

- Windows- can be a distraction if they are behind the train layout.

-  Access to work bench for working on trains- you wouldn't want to have to go up to the attic to work on an engine then test it in the basement.

- support columns - if they exist how do you hide them?

And dozens of more compromises and considerations.  I sent the drawing of my space to the track designer, first, after discussing what I wanted.

Thank you for the fundamentals Mike!

Mike Wyatt posted:

January Meeting: 

Breakfast 9:30 AM, at Eat N Park, Willoughby, OH

I-90,  exit 189.  At Rt. 91/ Chillicothe Rd., turn RIGHT, then go north about 1-1/2 blocks, to Eat N Park on the right.

 

6035 SOM Center Rd.

Willoughby, OH 44094    En'P Telephone: 440 - 943- 1050

 

To Bertha's with no breakfast:  Exit on Rt. 306 Chillicothe Rd.,  go SOUTH, past Lakeland Community College, thru Kirtland, another 4 miles or so to Rt. 6 (east/west crosses 306).  Bertha's is on Rt. 306, just south of the intersection of Rt. 306 (Chillicothe Rd.)  and Rt. 6  Just AFTER the intersection of Rt. 6/ 306, on the left is a small commercial section, with Bertha's Antiques.

 

The hobby shop is located IN Bertha's Auction House, at 10609 Chillicothe Rd., Kirtland (ph 440-256- 2580)

 

The guy who runs the hobby shop (Dale) is setting us up to do the technical presentation in their seated area.  The technical discussion: "Diagnosis and Repair of Postwar Locomotives etc." is scheduled for 10:45  AM AT Bertha's.

 

After the presentation on postwar trains, - we will go see what Dale has to offer!!!  Tons of postwar Lionel trains, accessories, as well as some American Flyer and even them little HO trains, too.  AND- ooodles of parts for those PW trains!!!

Any interested hobbyist is welcome!!

 

Mike

440-478-8208

I would like to attend one of these if my work schedule allows.  I do not see a date listed here.  Has the January meetup already happened?

Scott

Scott, I think Mike missed a line in his copy and paste from the email reminder he sent to those who have already participated.

The January meeting is this Saturday, January 19th.

I would like to attend this Saturday, but it is a 2 1/2 hour drive for me, and I am recuperating from some lower back problems.  I hope you can attend this Saturday, and I hope to meet you another time in the future.

Also just another invite since I am so close (about 3 miles from Berthas) (You actually drive by my street on the way to Bertha's from Eat N Park)  but if anyone wants to stop over after Bertha's I can open up my layout. Just excuse the dust because I am in a building phase on the layout and lots of projects going on, but enough to make it worth the extra time.   

Drat, I'm going to miss seeing your layout, Bryan!  Thank you for the invitation!!

Don't worry Mark, I am putting on the April clinic for the group and it will meet at my house.  By that time some of the projects I am working on right now will be done and the layout should be fully operational.  (not done but operational)  Right now I can only run about 4 lines due to construction.

Bryan, Sounds great!  I should be up for the trip by then!!

CANCEL!!  The big snowstorm forecast (12" in Willoughby)  for this weekend might make it best if we postpone the O Gauger breakfast and etc.,  how about ONE week?? 

Can everyone make it NEXT Saturday, January 26?? Still 

Next meeting, Saturday March 9

Mike Wyatt has taken a long vacation to the West!  He asked me to fill in and present the notices for the March 9th get together.  If your name is already on Mike's list, you should have received an e-mail a couple days ago from me with the information I am about to post here.  If you aren't on the list, just reply here and please send me an e-mail to the address in my profile.  I would like to get a rough idea of how many will attend.

If you are in Northeast Ohio or Northwest Pennsylvania, you are welcome!  I am not the only Pennsylvanian who has attended.  The Ohioans have been very gracious! 

NEXT: Saturday, March 9, breakfast 9:30 at Brown's Country Kitchen.  It is an easy access off either  I-79 or US 422, near New Castle PA.  Click the link

Brown’s Country Kitchen - Portersville, PA

1149 W Portersville Rd
Portersville, PA 16051

Discussion Topic will be:

“Considerations for updating PS-1 DCS locomotives to PS-3”, led by Mark Boyce 

Followed by trip to the Harlansburg Station Museum of Transportation, in, uh, Harlansburg, PA. 

Harlansburg is located at:

424 Old Rt. 19 New Castle, PA 16101  Phone: 724-652-9002  

This is North of US 422.  Check out the video on the Website - Home - Harlansburg Station  The Museum features exhibits of all kinds of transportation including an operating train display, which is located IN a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger car.  On the Website are many pictures of the museum's display.

Visit:      www.harlansburgstation.com

I reside in Conneaut, OH and would also like some assistance in designing a layout and building the structure to hold it all.  The closest Menards to me is in Warren, OH.  Kudos to them for delving into the model railroad market and making a success out of it.  Love the buildings.  We do have an excellent railroad museum here in Conneaut housed in the former NYC depot.  We're always looking for new members. 

Saturday, April 27- next meeting of the NE Ohio OGR Forum Group, 9:30 AM

Meeting in Kirtland, OH, breakfast topic:  Weathering Buildings.   Then a visit to Bryan Persing's contemporary-era layout.

Details regarding the breakfast location to follow.

You might consider joining up with our OGR Forum NE Ohio group.  Send me an e-mail- mikewyatt49@gmail.com, and I'll send you some information.  

NEXT (Correction from original post!!)   Saturday April 27-  NE Ohio O Gauge Group meets ate the Manhattan Deli Willoughby Hills location:

Then, from there we will go to Bryan Persing's home to see his layout- a modern-age setting, and some learning about weathering and detailing buildings.  Bryan runs full-1/48th scale equipment on 072 and larger curves, different than my layout.  I run smaller, traditional equipment and largest curve is 072.

Our group is turning out JUST the way the majority wanted it starting last December-

- informal

- not a REAL club, no organization, just breakfast talk and look-sees.

-  a look at different aspects of the hobby.  MANY ways to enjoy O gauge!!

Mike, So the date was changed from April 27th to April 20th?

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, So the date was changed from April 27th to April 20th?

NO- I made a mistake:  NEXT (Correction from original post!!)   Saturday April 27  

Oh good!  I wouldn't have been able to attend this Saturday, but hope to next Saturday.

Is new blood welcome at this?  

Mark Boyce posted:

Oh good!  I wouldn't have been able to attend this Saturday, but hope to next Saturday.

Hello Mark. I hope along the way you can get to stop back and see us again at Corner Field Model Railroad Museum & Hobby Shop. Be cool to talk and meet you again!!

Tom, It’s a good idea.  I will have to see if I have time because I’m committed to getting back in time to help setup for our daughter’s piano and vocal students’ recital.

Berkshire President posted:

Is new blood welcome at this?  

Of course! 

Also for anyone who can't do the breakfast but just wants to do the layout part email me for the address and time we will be back from breakfast. 

Now I have to really get to work as I am hosting my Friday group on the 26th, this group on the 27th, and my Tuesday night group on the 30th.  Hope I'm still married on May 1. lol  Just kidding my wife actually enjoys when the groups come over as it gives her a chance to try out some new recipes. 

Bryan, I heard it takes longer than     that to get a divorce. LOL

Sounds like Mrs. P. is a trooper!  All of our wives have to be to put up with our trains.

I hope to get up your way next Saturday.

We’re going to make it this time, but may 15 mins late for breakfast 

That's great Thaddeus.  I am sorry I won't be able to attend, and sorry I won't meet you today.

I had a great time at the meet up on Saturday. Thanks to Mike for coordinating the meet and Bryan for hosting. What a fun layout. I look forward to seeing everyone again at the next meet.

I wanted to make the trip, but it didn’t work out.  I’m glad it was a great day, Eric!

Ditto on the great meeting.  The Notes are in prep, and will be sent out to all on our contact list shortly.  I would LIKE to 

(a) set up a train show, probably for August-September at Bertha's/ Kirtland

(b) fund hosts for May- June- July- I want to visit a "traditional" O Gauge setup, using tubular track, conventional control and lots of accessories.     

There are MANY ways to enjoy three-rail trains:

- Traditional, toy train type, conventional transformer control, either prewar or postwar

- Tinplate

-  post- MPC era- Digital Control, mix of steam and diesel

- modern- all digital control

- Blend

Eras:

-  prewar"- depression, or even 19th century "The General" type trains

- "Transition"- set in as era 1945 - 1959, weathered equipment and buildings

- "Modern" - big curves, full 1:48 equipment, mostly diesels, modern buildings

They are all interesting, and fun!!!  And explore all skill-sets.

Skills:  Wiring, weathering, painting, repairing, layout design, benchwork, adding and upgrading.  There seems to be no end to it.

We want to explore ALL.