Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, April 9, 2022
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location
Henrietta Hankin Branch Library - Annex
215 Windgate Dr,
Chester Springs, PA 19425
Categories
The Philadelphia Division is planning a great meet for you on April 9, 2022. We will be meeting at a new venue, the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library, 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, PA 19425. The meet will take place in the Annex. Note that the start time is later than usual; doors open at 9:30am with the program beginning at 10:00am. Maps and directions on page 7. Along with our 50/50, door prizes, and white elephant tables, we have two great clinics for you.
Starting near the picturesque Conowingo Dam in Maryland, our first clinician will himself be following the route of the Octoraro Creek to join us. He is Chris Coarse, the owner of Conowingo Models. Chris will share both the inspiration and his challenges in designing and producing high quality wood craftsman kits. He will begin by looking at the current Conowingo Models product line and discuss the experience that he would like to share with his kit builders.
Chris uses technology to improve the modeler’s experience without driving up kit prices. Tichy and other high-quality parts can be found in these kits, but 3D-printed, resin parts offer very unique details specific to each kit.
Chris uses social media to engage kit builders, and their feedback results in even better products. It is conceivable that a completed Conowingo Model kit built by a Philly Division member could be on display at our show and tell.
Our second clinic features a model railroader whose reach spans the length of the Northeast Corridor. I am, of course, referring to the Philly Division’s very own Chip Stevens. Chip has titled his clinic, ”Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Stumbling Blocks on the Road to Master Model Railroader.” That road is seldom straight and often laden with many diversions. The choices that we make determine how long the journey will take. In all honesty, the road to becoming an MMR seems to be paved entirely of paperwork, and frankly who wouldn’t rather be building a model?
“Wait a minute—that is the fifth person that I had to explain that special feature I incorporated into my model! I thought that feature would be obvious!”
The harsh reality is that anyone who looks at a model can only consider it in the context of his own experience. If my special feature is not in his experience, then it will be missed. The only way to make certain that feature is not overlooked is to write it down somewhere so everyone will know to look for it. And while I am writing stuff down, I may as well fill out my AP paperwork, too.
Chip would love to see you get your MMR by taking his advice. Many members could meet or exceed the qualification for an MMRs today. But the idea of paperwork and getting models judged may discourage many modelers. By sharing his obstacles with the group, Chip hopes to get back on his path to MMR and at the same time inspire the audience to join him on that path.
All attendees are encouraged to bring a model to the meet. At the end our clinics, we have a show and tell. It is an open mike opportunity to share a recently completed project or give a glimpse of an in-progress work.
As usual we’ll have coffee, donuts, and Philly soft pretzels. The afternoon will feature home layout tours. We look forward to seeing you on April 9th.
