Jerry, I'm s sorry for your loss.  IT was good you and he were able to reminisce about common interests.  I'm praying for you and your family.

Jerry ... Bugger... just Bugger...   ( and before anyone goes off at me, I'm an Aussie and thats just how we roll )

Take Care of you and yours our friend , and make sure you let them take care of you as well ... no points for toughness at times like these ...

What I took most from your announcement is an incredible connection between him and you ... and a man has lived full and well is he who has made a friend out of a son ... Vale Jerry's Dad !

Im sorry for your loss Jerry.  Don’t worry about anything here.  We will be here when you get back.  You and your family are in my prayers.  

I'm so sorry Jerry. My prayers are with you and your family.

Jerry my deepest sympathies for your loss.  From your last post it appears as though your dad found peace andsolace in his time spent with you.  Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Losing your Father is profound, and that needs tending. We will be here, and we are thinking of you.

Sorry for your loss, may the good Lord comfort you and yours!

Redball342

Deepest sympathies, Jerry, to you and yours.

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you;

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you + peace.

Jerry,

Very, very sorry for your great loss. May all the memories you have and cherish comfort you now and into the future. God bless you and yours.

Jim K

So sorry for your loss, Jerry.

Jerry, sorry for your loss.  Your dad is enjoying playing with his trains in the big train station in the sky now.  My prayers are with you. My Father-in-Law is currently battling cancer right now and we are fighting with him.

Jerry,

Sorry for your loss. It's good that you were able to spend some quality time with him.  I lost my dad to cancer some years ago, and we also spent his last months talking about trains; it was one of our common interests and he had some great memories. Those conversations brought me back into the hobby after a long absence, and I'm  forever grateful to him for that. I'm sure these happy memories will stay with you as well.

I just want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, it's been a long hard week but we laid my dad to rest on Friday. Being a former Marine there was a Marine Honor Guard there and they played Taps. It was eerie, when they sounded Taps everyone in the cemetery stopped what they were doing and just stood there, even the utility crew that was working on a pole outside the cemetery waited for it to finish, it was dead silence. I guess there is hope for the us all that we're not that jaded yet.

Anyways, I'm going to be getting back to posting a little more, still got a long road ahead for the family, the Grim Reaper cut a pretty wide swath thru the clan this past year, my mom and dad, my aunt (my dads sister), my uncle (moms brother), my brother-in-laws dad, my sister-in-laws grandmother and father, I think the rest of us have earned a bit of a breather and a chance to get back to some sort of normalcy.

@DaveP posted:

So... I've been 'lurking'  now for a while, wondering if my layout qualified - I know my signature says '5x9' but actually it's a hair over 4' and just a few inches under 9' (I rounded up ) I'd love to be included here.

I guess the first real Club business I want to attend to is to amend the size requirements a bit, if someone wants to join but their layout is no more than 45sq' (the area of a 5x9) I'm open to allowing them in as an Honorary Member, in fact when I told my dad he was an Honorary Member he asked a bit tongue in cheek what if the layout was 5x9 and not 4x8, so in his memory I'd like to make that the "Jerry Clause"

"So amended, anyone possessing a layout of more than 32 square feet but no more than 45 square feet shall be admitted to The 48 Club as an Honorary Member"

  The requirements for inclusion.

A. The layout can be no larger than a 4x8 sheet of plywood or what can configured from a single sheet

     1. Hollow core door slab layouts are definitely allowed

B. It can be permanent or seasonal since many 4x8s are set up during the Christmas season

C. In keeping with its seasonal origins the main focus will be S and O gauge, however if yours is one of the other gauges you are still welcome to join.

D. Anyone possessing a layout of more than 32 square feet but no more than 45 square feet shall be admitted to The 48 Club as an Honorary Member

Welcome aboard Dave!

Honorary Members
1. Harry Miller ... My grandfather
2. Jerry Makowiecki ... My dad
3. Thor Sheil
4. Alan Arnold
5. Allen Miller
6. Rich Melvin
7. Ed Boyle
8. Jim Barrett
9. Putnam Division
10. DaveP

And it's good to be back!

Jerry

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

I guess the first real Club business I want to attend to is to amend the size requirements a bit, if someone wants to join but their layout is no more than 45sq' (the area of a 5x9) I'm open to allowing them in as an Honorary Member, in fact when I told my dad he was an Honorary Member he asked a bit tongue in cheek what if the layout was 5x9 and not 4x8, so in his memory I'd like to make that the "Jerry Clause"

"So amended, anyone possessing a layout of more than 32 square feet but no more than 45 square feet shall be admitted to The 48 Club as an Honorary Member"

While there are many members of the 48 Club, this whole shebang was your idea from the get-go.  With the exception of yourself and the exalted Grand Poobah, the rest of us are just monkeys in the zoo!  You want a Jerry Clause, you make a Jerry Clause.  I can't imagine anyone fighting you over it!

All in favor of adding the Jerry Clause say AYE!

AYE!

You could add with "Ping Pong Table Distinction" to the membership Jerry.

You and your family have had a rough year. My condolences to you and your family.

Bob

Jerry, First of all, you and your family have my sympathy and continued prayers.  God bless all of you.

I agree, the Jerry clause sounds great!  I’m glad to have you back, even though I’m sure it may be on a limited basis for a while.  Like my cousin told me when I couldn’t make it to Colorado for his dad’s funeral because my parents, aunt, and mum-in-law need care, “We understand.  Take care of your own!”

Aye! That also means my regular 5x9’ is acceptable! Here it is before my upcoming expansion!

First of all, my condolences to you Jerry. It has been a terrible year of personal loss for your family, and I am glad the forum and the 48 Club has been a fun and welcome distraction for you. You certainly have provided a lot of fun for the rest of us this winter.

I vote for a Ping Pong Division as well (rather than honorary member designation, which I would like to see reserved for the special cases you have already included). We already have a second member in Artie.  Ping Pong division perfectly describes the size, and since many layouts were built on readily available ping pong tables as an even cheaper alternative to a sheet of plywood, it is completely in the spirit of the club.

Jerry, sorry for your loss.  My father passed away over 20 years ago.  Dad was a mailman so I've been on the lookout for any related items for the layout.  I have a Plasticville Post Office, several Lionel United States Mail Railway Post Office cars both operating and non-operating, and a PRR (Dad was born in Philadelphia) Madison Railway Post Office car for my passenger train.  I'm sure you can find a way to honor your father on your layout.

John

I just read your post about the loss of your Dad, my prayers are with you.

@Will posted:

I vote for a Ping Pong Division as well (rather than honorary member designation, which I would like to see reserved for the special cases you have already included). We already have a second member in Artie.  Ping Pong division perfectly describes the size, and since many layouts were built on readily available ping pong tables as an even cheaper alternative to a sheet of plywood, it is completely in the spirit of the club.

I thought about that but "ping pong" just doesn't seem to fit with the "upscale" style that permeates the logo and table tennis doesn't sound much better, are there any other names for ping pong?

How about Division 86 ?

I don't know, I'm just spit balling here. I kinda like the whimsicalness (?) of something goofy for naming protocol. Anyone else got anything goofy that would be a good "fit"? I will admit when compared side by side they both look good. What say ye?

I'd like to go on but I have a Jack and Coke with my name on it downstairs and it ain't gonna drink itself !

Jerry

“32 Square Feet of Happiness “

My Dad, Brother and Son passed in a 4 year period, I miss them everyday.
Sorry for your loss, if you do not mind, I will add one more to my prayer list.

Jerry's year ... (if it was an Australian Hilux ad from the 80's )

( I am 100% onboard with your club suggestions   Although for those who miss out just slightly on size .. they could be the "Bugger" Auxilliary ! LOL )

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

I thought about that but "ping pong" just doesn't seem to fit with the "upscale" style that permeates the logo and table tennis doesn't sound much better, are there any other names for ping pong?

How about Division 86 ?

Well, it's not exactly the same, but there is "Table Tennis."  Somehow, that one is even less satisfying . . .

Division 59 (parallels the 48)??

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

I thought about that but "ping pong" just doesn't seem to fit with the "upscale" style that permeates the logo and table tennis doesn't sound much better, are there any other names for ping pong?

How about Division 86 ?

I don't know, I'm just spit balling here. I kinda like the whimsicalness (?) of something goofy for naming protocol. Anyone else got anything goofy that would be a good "fit"? I will admit when compared side by side they both look good. What say ye?

How about The 48 Club Auxiliary "Bigger is Better"

Or The 48 Club Boosters "Coloring Outside the Lines"

@baltimoretrainworks posted:

I thought about that but "ping pong" just doesn't seem to fit with the "upscale" style that permeates the logo and table tennis doesn't sound much better, are there any other names for ping pong?

How about Division 86 ?

I don't know, I'm just spit balling here. I kinda like the whimsicalness (?) of something goofy for naming protocol. Anyone else got anything goofy that would be a good "fit"? I will admit when compared side by side they both look good. What say ye?

I'd like to go on but I have a Jack and Coke with my name on it downstairs and it ain't gonna drink itself !

Jerry

Best post I've seen in a while!

from wiki....

Table tennis, also known as ping-pong and whiff-whaff, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight ball, also known as the ping-pong ball, back and forth across a table using small rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net. Except for the initial serve, the rules are generally as follows: players must allow a ball played toward them to bounce one time on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side at least once. A point is scored when a player fails to return the ball within the rules. Play is fast and demands quick reactions. Spinning the ball alters its trajectory and limits an opponent's options, giving the hitter a great advantage.

Any votes for Whiff-Whaff Division?

Got it!  And it fits the club image. 

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the 48 Club's Magnum Chapter! 

Mitch

I don’t know. I’m sticking with my original 3x4’ Christmas/Area 51 layout, especially since my other layout will expand to 5x18’.

I found these:

• Ping Pong or Gossima.
• Ping Pong.
• Table Tennis.
• Whiff Waff.
• Parlour Tennis.
• Indoor Tennis.
• Pom-Pom.
• Pim-Pam.

I think "Whiff Waff Division" has a certain panache. Or Pim-Pam. Or we could be very secret society and use Gossima Division.

@Artie-DL&W posted:

I don’t know. I’m sticking with my original 3x4’ Christmas/Area 51 layout, especially since my other layout will expand to 5x18’.

I am thinking of a 3' x 4' myself, and maybe we can start a Micro Division. Love your layout.

Thanks, Will. The idea came from a series of articles by Jim Policastro in OGR. This is how it looks as a Christmas layout, just by replacing a few foam scenic sections:

Some very nice 48 club layouts. Keep them coming.

@Fatman posted:

Jerry's year ... (if it was an Australian Hilux ad from the 80's )

( I am 100% onboard with your club suggestions   Although for those who miss out just slightly on size .. they could be the "Bugger" Auxilliary ! LOL )

That is so Aussie. Love the stump flying into the shed.

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the 48 Club's Magnum Chapter! 

Mitch

And for the mini (3' x 4') chapter.

@palallin posted:

Well, it's not exactly the same, but there is "Table Tennis."  Somehow, that one is even less satisfying . . .

Division 59 (parallels the 48)??

I think this idea is the best yet.

  How about   The 48 club plus 13 division ?

@JohnnieWalker posted:

  How about   The 48 club plus 13 division ?

The 48 Club Extra “Cut Once, Measure… Wha?”

One more suggestion

How about The 48 Club. < = > Division?

just a few simple mathematical symbols. Covers those who have smaller layouts, or  4x8s  and those who run on 5x9.