Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, April 20, 2024
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Trinity Reformed Church
532 East Main Street
Collegeville, PA 19426
Categories
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, the Philadelphia Division will hold its early spring meet at a new venue, the Trinity Reformed Church, 532 East Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426. Doors open at 8:30am with the program set to begin at 9am. Click the link for the map.
Our first clinic will be presented by Philadelphia Division Clinics Chair Mike Dettinger titled “The Kato Miniature Diorama Circus.” The only way to be a successful model railroader is to build models. Modeling great Lance Mindheim promotes the exploration of new modeling techniques by building test models on a “plank.” In other words, just build a test version to get a feel for a new technique you would like to learn before turning it loose on your permanent layout.
Taking Lance’s plank idea a little further, it is possible to try different techniques out on a small module, which, if successful, could be used as a display base or joined with other modules to run trains.
The Kato N-Scale Miniature Diorama Circus can be thought of as T-TRAK “lite.” Instead of a square foot, the module is under 24-square inches. But it is plenty large to try new techniques. We will be providing Miniature Diorama Circus modules to attendees of the June meet, however, I wanted to introduce this new way to model trains just to get everyone involved.
By now there is little doubt that most division members can recite Mike’s bio by heart, but we’ll repeat it for those newcomers. Mike is what you might call a “fringe” modeler…or “a little of this and a little of that.” If it’s odd or obscure, he’ll model it and put a decoder in it and/or animate it. He has authored numerous articles on his projects, most recently a log cabin made from toothpicks. His latest preoccupation is with N-scale T-TRAK modules, having most notably presented a clinic on a Japanese powered N-scale railcar with cab-view camera mounted inside. He has also presented on varied topics such as modeling corn and rail joiners.
For our second presentation, the members of the Railroad Prototype Modelers (RPM) Valley Forge will present a summary of the highlights of the recent 2024 meet. More than counting rivets, the RPM honors the history of the railroads through the research and craftsmanship that goes into bringing a historically accurate model to life.
Participants have the opportunity to bring in their models–finished or in progress; the opportunity to attend clinics that focus on rail history, operations, or planning; enjoy a lunch with modelers; participate in operation sessions; browse vendor rooms with great products; and visit local area layouts. Members of the Philadelphia Division were instrumental in the formation and continuation of this great biannual show.
All attendees are encouraged to bring a model to the meet to display and discuss, if you like, during our Show and Tell session.
In addition, the Achievement Program Committee is now judging models at the meets. If you wish to have a model judged, please inform either Earl Paine or Joe Walters in advance of the meet.
As usual we’ll hold our 50/50 raffle, draw for door prizes, and have coffee, donuts, and Philly soft pretzels.
The afternoon features some excellent model railroads for visitation. Hope you can make it!
