Semaphore Lite

I felt we had a good business meeting last Saturday. It went longer than usual because we had three business items that needed full discussion, or vetting, as we like to say today.

First, unless you have been living in one of our mainline tunnels you know we changed our visitor hours and limited visitor access to the interior sections of the layout. The intent is to allow us to better handle the increasing number of visitors. Unlike the layouts at the Railroad Museum in Balboa Park our layout was not designed to handle the visitor load we are experiencing. Based on our discussion at the business meeting we may make some further changes to visitor hours. Visitors are and will continue to be welcome to visit our club. Nothing has changed in that regard.

Based on our discussion regarding signaling, I am convinced that we are moving forward on a logical step by step basis. We have ordered starter signal kits from two different manufactures for initial evaluation. Based on that evaluation we will signal some small portion of the layout for further evaluation. As this project progresses we will need additional member help for wiring and construction of the signals. If you want to see this project move along faster, offer your help.

On the subject of mainline power, or the lack of same, members were asked to express their concerns. We discussed everything from runaway trains to uneven or erratic running. The response was that there may be   several things causing what manifests itself as a lack of track power.  Additional boosters may or may not be the solution. For starters we know that we have a number of errant throttle connectors in the fascia. This situation will be corrected first. Additionally we will evaluate circuitry that might take the place of the current-robbing block-protecting light bulbs in the main control panel which may be contributing to the overall problem. We are on a path to correct the problem, so please don’t jump off of the John Allen Memorial Bridge just yet.

Mainline expansion in the back room is beginning to move forward. The first order of business is to finish the south and west walls in preparation for painting. At the same time we need to complete overhead wood work to support the track lighting for our new peninsula. It will take a lot of member help to keep this project moving. Please speak to Dan Conway and let him know how you would like to contribute.

Regarding events, the next Perris swap meet will be Sat Sept 12^th. If you are interested in making the trip contact Kevin or John Castaneda. If there is sufficient, interest the group will continue on to Cajon Pass for a little rail fanning.

The purpose of Semaphore Lite (pun intended) is to let the membership know what is happening at NCMRS.

All Aboard

Dick Miller

8/30/09