Philadelphia Division Meet

Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, November 9, 2019
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location
Brandywine Town Center
4050 Brandywine Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19803

Located near the intersection of US-202 (Concord Pk.) and DE-92 (Naaman’s Rd.)
Held at the Community Center in front of the shopping center near the fountain and pool.

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On November 9, 2019, we return to the Community Center at the  Brandywine Town Center, 4050 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19803. The time is 9:00am with doors opening at 8:30.

Our morning program begins with Master Model Railroader (#644) Joe Walters presenting his clinic  titled “Building the UP Rotary Snow Plow.” Joe will discuss how he built the Union Pacific’s rotary snow plow #076. The prototype was constructed in 1950 and was last used in 1977. It is unknown whether it is still in service. The model was constructed with sheet styrene and resin cast parts using photos of the right and left sides. The model has a working blade that is operating off a 9-volt battery and a slow-motion motor, and has a completed underside. The plow was an entry in the contest at the recent Liberty Bell Special MER Convention.

Born in Northeast Philly, and now living in Bear, Delaware, his career consisted of experience in the mechanical departments at the Reading Railroad, Conrail, and Amtrak. Over a 32-year period he has held jobs as a car inspector, car repairman, foreman, general foreman, manager, and assistant superintendent. If anyone can describe or explain the ins and outs of a piece of railroad equipment, it’s Joe. You’ll also find Joe’s regular column, “A Cup o’ Joe” in the online section of our full length issues.

A relatively recent member of the NMRA and Philly Division, Joe has already presented many clinics and this past summer earned Master Model Railroader #644, for which he was recognized at the Liberty Bell Special MER convention. We heartily congratulate him on his achievement. His own model railroad will be open to  attendees in the afternoon.

Next, Mat Chibarro, author of Kalmbach’s Model Railroading in Small Spaces, will present a PowerPoint filled with photos of his many small layouts. Space-saving ideas to be presented include sectional, modular, shelf, fold-up, roll-away, dual use, interchangeable inserts, and layouts in furniture. If you have told yourself you have inadequate space for a layout, this clinic will convince you otherwise.

Mat Chibbaro works as a fire protection engineer with OSHA, lectures on the topic, and as one might expect, is a volunteer fire fighter. His interest in model railroading began with the Raritan River Railroad, a shortline in Milltown, New Jersey, which led to a natural interest in small layouts. He has been a model railroader and woodworker for several decades, spending most of the last 15 years with Northern Virginia N-Trak. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

As usual we’ll have coffee, donuts, and Philly soft pretzels, the white elephant table, door prizes, 50/50 raf­fle, and a model display table. Members are encouraged to bring projects in any stage of completion to display and discuss if desired.

Originally this meet was to have included a special commemoration of the Division’s 50th anniversary. As a result of our hosting the MER convention, there was not enough time to adequately plan a program and celebration. That has been postponed to the spring or summer 2020 meet.

The afternoon fare consists of two Division member layouts as well as open house layout tours courtesy of ModelRailroadOpenHouse.com. Check that website for schedules and maps. Maps and directions to some of the nearby layouts will be available at the meet. Hope to see you there!

2 Comments

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  1. Howdy — How can I contact Mat Chibarro? I’d like to ask him a few questions about the Raritan River RR.

    1. Carl I can try to help, although I haven’t done any research on areas beyond what I saw as a kid

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