Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, January 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Deptford Senior Center
1341 Tanyard Rd.
Sewell, NJ 08080
Categories
On Saturday January 11, 2025 we gather at the Deptford Senior Center, 1341 Tanyard Road,
Sewell, NJ 08080 for a joint meet hosted by the New Jersey Division. The time is 9:00am with doors opening at 8:30.
Our morning program will begin with our own Eric Hansmann and his presentation of “Team Tracks and Team Yards.” This is an historical review of team tracks and team yards in cities and towns. These facilities are key for serving local customers who do not have a dedicated rail service. They are important delivery points for retailers and wholesalers that serve the local population. These underutilized layout additions are universal industries which can increase layout operational interest and play value across many eras. Modern railroads use a similar facility known as transload tracks.
Eric has been model railroading since the mid-1970s and built his first HO-scale layout following a John Armstrong plan in an Atlas track plan book. Eric has had articles published in the Layout Design Journal, Model Railroad Hobbyist, Model Railroad Planning, and Railroad Model Craftsman.
He is working on designing, building, and operating a new layout inspired by a forgotten B&O branch in Pittsburgh. He posts regular hobby activity updates to his blog (http://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/), and manages the Resin Car Works blog (http://blog.resincarworks.com/).
John Gallagher, superintendent and clinics coordinator of the New Jersey Division will present a clinic titled “Railcar Loading Procedures.” He will focus on loading equipment on flatcars and selected methods of securing the equipment for safe transportation over the rail network. A source of information for this clinic is the August 1971 US Army Technical Manual TM 55-601. From its military facilities, the Army needs to move vehicles, equipment, and supplies plus personnel quickly over the rail system to respond to military threats and frequently practices these procedures. The Civil War of the 19th century demonstrated early use of the railroads to move entire military units quickly across states to respond to military threats. Today, the military still uses railroads to move entire units. The procedures described here can also be used for non-military transportation. The era of these practices would apply to pre-World War II through the 1980s and possibly later.
John is a long-time model railroader and New Jersey Division official who models O-scale traction.
Please note that the clinic order is subject to change.
All are encouraged to bring model displays. The topic of focus this meet is layout structures from a kit. As usual, there will be door prizes, a raffle, and swap tables (to reserve contact John Gallagher at njdivsuper@gmail.com). In addition, a “last chance table,” where you can pick up models and modeling stuff and/or donate stuff you want to get rid of—free, of course. COFFEE AND DONUTS WILL BE PROVIDED!
The afternoon fare consists of five model railroad open houses, including the Cherry Valley Model Railroad Club located in the basement of the Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville, NJ. Layout information will be distributed at the meet. Hope you all can make it!
