Kalamazoo Swap Meet, 28 October, Expo Center. 10:00am-3:00pm. Elkhart Model Railroad Club Announcements
The 14th Annual Train Show will be presented March 16, 2019 by EMRRC in Nappanee, Indiana at the Claywood Event Center. Don't Miss It.
Click Here for a link for general information and vendor registration.
and in various areas around the roundhouse. Studebaker Parts and Conn Selmer have both moved into warehouses near the yard. Rumours are PRR and NYC are both looking for building space nearby as are several other corporations and suppliers. 
We are looking at giving the Grand Elk access to our yards and mainlines. To do this there will be a diamond added to the mainline near Hammes Yard and several switches will be taken out or moved. More information to come on this as it develops. The track gang was out working on switches and trackage coming out of Elkhart. 
Also several members were setting trains for next week's operation session. Members were running trains as open running took place after the meeting. As mentioned Vendor Tables are going fast for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show so CLICK HERE for general and vendor information. As always for a video of Friday's running Click Here. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. The Kalamazoo Swap Meet, is October 28th at the Expo Center at the Kalamazoo Fairgrounds 10:00am-3:00pm. For 2018 Past Announcements at EMRRC Click Here. October 12, 2018
Also Friday night member Gary Pressnell brought in the new roundhouse for the roundhouse area near Hammes Yard. The roundhouse looks great with complete lighting and an auxiliary building with an overhead crane. The area is starting to come together with background buildings outlying buildings cropping up. Gary was going to line up tracks in the roundhouse with the turntable bridge but parts of the bridge came apart so Gary is also working on the bridge for the pit doing repairs, adding handrails, light and electrical tower and a control shack. After checking out cabeese and roundhouse several trains ran through EMRRC. 
A couple of unusual engines showed up including Allegheny and West Virginia Railroad (AWVR) train #1206 the chase train from the movie "Unstoppable". Behind it is the ultimate graffiti train C&O #4834.
4834 is the former CSX Transportation blue-and-gold SD70ACe No. 4834 with Progress Rail reporting marks is on lease to Norfolk Southern. The locomotive’s CSX lettering had been overwritten with PRLX’s reporting marks only to have those efforts re-patched with C&O logos. No one has any idea who patched the locomotive with C&O logos. Vendor Tables are going fast for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show so CLICK HERE for general and vendor information. As always for a video of Friday's running Click Here. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here.
Afterwards several members worked on the layout. Member Matt Glassman worked on signaling. 
David Menges finished up the and delivered the new tower for Shultz yard, and several members teamed up on the roundhouse service terminal area. Afterwards members brought out several trains. 
One interesting loco owned by Jim Ford (me) is a GP40 ran on the The Belt Railway of Chicago. The Belt Railway is the largest intermediate switching terminal railroad in the United States. With Chicago being the largest hub of the railroad industry, very few rail cars travel transcontinentally without coming through Chicago. Owner lines, as well as several other railroads, bring trains to the Belt Railway to be efficiently separated, classified, and re-blocked for cross-country departure. The GP40 is an Atlas Gold series with a Loksound decoder. Here are all the links of interest this week. For a video of Friday's running Click Here. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here. And for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show information Click Here. Dealers can download a PDF for Vendor Registration and Table Leases. NEWS for September 2018
September 28, 2018
A PRR E7A & E7B units showed up pulling a passenger train through. 
Also a couple of EMD SD40-2s were working Schult Yard and running road duty during operations. 4313 is a Rivet Counter patched Milwaukee Road orange & black “Bandit” from Scale Trains and 3657 is an Operator version of the EMD SD40-2 Union 
Pacific. Here's some interesting information on the two versions. The Rivet Counter™ line strives to create the most accurately detailed models imaginable. The real-world counterpart is meticulously researched to ensure prototype fidelity. Each model features numerous factory applied parts including road name and road number specific details. Operator™ trains are built for modelers who enjoy running high-quality, realistic trains at an affordable price. 
Designed from builder’s drawings and photographs, Operator models have fewer factory-applied parts and simplified printing. For added versatility, super-detail parts are available separately. whenever possible.
Check out the front end picture and you'll see some of the differences. As always for a video of Friday's running Click Here. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here. And for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show information Click Here. Dealers can download a PDF for Vendor Registration and Table Leases.
September 21, 2018
We canceled our regularly scheduled business meeting for September and hosted NMRA Michiana Division members at the clubhouse for an open house in conjunction with the NMRA conference "MODELING LIKE A PROtotype" held Friday and Saturday in South Bend. Thanks to VP Jerry Piatt and his wife for the delicious chocolate chip butterscotch cookies and brownies. 
During the open house we ran several trains and the "Old Woman" a New York Ontario & Western F3A #501 made a return trip. Another interesting locomotive that showed up was a UP Challenger. 
This unit was built by Broadway Limited and owner David Menges bought it from Jerry's Trains. The Union Pacific Challengers were a type of simple articulated 4-6-6-4 steam locomotive built by American Locomotive Company for the Union Pacific. 105 of these locomotives were built between 1936 and 1943. The Challengers were about 122 ft (37 m) long and weighed 284,800 kg.Primarily in freight service, they operated over most of the Union Pacific system. A few were assigned to passenger trains operating through mountain territory to California and Oregon. The locomotives were built specifically for UP and much of the experience gained later went into the design of the famous Big Boy. The name Challenger was given to steam locomotives with a 4-6-6-4 wheel arrangement. This means that they have four wheels in the leading pilot truck, which helps guide the locomotive into curves, two sets of six driving wheels, and finally four trailing wheels, which support the rear of the engine and its massive firebox. Each set of six driving wheels is driven by two steam cylinders. In essence, the result is two engines under one boiler. The Union Pacific Railroad sponsored development of this type to meet the need for higher speeds in main-line service. Historically, articulated locomotives had been limited to slow speeds by factors inherent in their design. The technical breakthroughs achieved with the Challenger enabled the carrier to develop the Big Boy with the same speed expectations. Speeds in excess of 60 M.P.H., while unheard-of on other railroads using articulated steam locomotives, became commonplace on the Union Pacific. We had several locomotives running Friday night and for a video of Friday's running Click Here. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here. And for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show information Click Here. We recently put the 2019 Train Show Pamphlet on the page which includes a Vendor Registration and Table Lease downloadable PDF form.
September 14, 2018
Even though Conrail and Norfolk Southern were the only two railroads to purchase C39-8 locomotives from GE, both railroads routinely operated C39-8s as run-through power on CSX, Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific. In fact, SP leased Conrail C39-8s in the early 1990s.
The only two C39-8 locomotives in operation today are owned by the Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad. 
Another locomotive that showed up was New York Ontario & Western F3A #501 pulling a local over E&W trackage. The railroad was more commonly known as the O&W nicknamed by locals as the "Old & Weary", "Old & Wobbly" or "Old Woman." The O&W ceased operations in 1957. Of course we have all of the latest information on events at the club. On September 21st we will not have a business meeting. Instead we will host NMRA Michiana Division members at the clubhouse for an open house from 6pm till 9pm. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 on the Friday Night Pictures page Click Here. For a video of Friday's running Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Click Here for a link to the NMRA conference which is right around the corner. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here. And for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show information Click Here. We recently put the 2019 Train Show Pamphlet on the page which includes a Vendor Registration and Table Lease downloadable PDF form.
September 7, 2018
Other members were working on other areas of the layout. If you have an interest in technology, networking, computers, economics, operations, planning, modeling, safety, soldering, design, electrical, carpentry, blueprints, planning, decaling, woodworking, business, negotiations and a great social environment come by and see us we are always looking for members with talent. Here's all of our weekly links of items of interest. 
We had several locomotives running Friday night including the NS #911 which was supposed to be a birthday present but somehow ended up on track ahead pf time. 911 is a 2,000-horsepower, 273-ton locomotive painted in honor of emergency responders with insignia recognizing police, fire, and emergency services. For current pictures from the club taken in 2018 on the Friday Night Pictures page Click Here. For a video of Friday's running Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Click Here for a link to the NMRA conference which is right around the corner. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here. And for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show information Click Here. We recently put the 2019 Train Show Pamphlet on the page which includes a Vendor Registration and Table Lease downloadable PDF form. NEWS for August 2018
August 31, 2018
Member Gabe Smith power washed the outside of the building, performed maintenance on the fence and the entrance making the outside of the building look much better. 
Inside the building member David Menges added smoke stains to a lot of the track tunnels and portals. 
Member Ron Breneiser is adding more buildings to the new industrial area as he and David have moved the construction of the new area to the point that it's getting close to being completed. Well as complete as any model railroad project ever is. We received a donation of N-Scale freight cars from Charles in New York. 
Charles is a bit shy and didn't want his named used but here's a picture of one of the cars setting in an area of the new N-Scale layout. 
We had a surprise as Stan Shatto paid us a visit. Stan had been in the hospital and rehab for heart problems and has recovered enough to run some Wood Creek locals. Glad you're back Stan. Here's all of our weekly links of items of interest. Current pictures from the club taken in June, July and August on the Friday Night Pictures Click Here. For a video of Friday's running Click Here. For a schedule on train shows and swap meets in the area Click Here (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Click Here for a link to the NMRA conference which is right around the corner. For 2018 Past Announcements Click Here. And for the EMRRC 2019 Train Show information Click Here. NEWS for August 2018
August 24, 2018
Bill Byer who was a member of EMRRC during the 70s brought by his NYC caboose which hadn't run on EMRRC trackage since the early 1970s. The caboose was built from a wood Ambrod kit right before Bill left for the army. Notice the yellow handrails and grabs, those are made from phone wire. The roof is cardboard and it does have lighting. Needless to say many railroad stories were told that night. 
On Friday we had our monthly operations session and several trains were making the trip from Hammes Yard to outlying businesses and yards. Also there are over the road trains running from Chicago and Toledo to deal with. Lot's of Monon and Nickel Plate making the run through Elkhart. 
We have current pictures from the club taken in June, July and August on the Friday Night Pictures page. Click here to take a look. Look for the latest action in our Friday Night Running at the Club section. Also click here for the latest weekly report on train shows and swap meets in the area (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Also here's an announcement on a great NMRA conference coming up on September 21st and 22nd in South Bend, IN. The presenters are well known in railroad modeling and include Jim Six who is modeling Sturgis Michigan and has an extensive blog at Railroad Model Hobbiest and Tom Johnson the creator of the Logansport and Indiana Northern Railroad. Registration information is at www.michiana-nmra.org. Here's a link to the flyer. If you have missed any of our previous months we store those under 2018 Past Announcements. Here's a link to that archive. And of course Here's a link to our page on the upcoming 2019 train show. NEWS for August 2018
August 17, 2018
Several items were discussed at the meetings including; Secretary and treasurer's report. EMRRC's private area for members only has moved from Yahoo Groups to groups.io. If you are a member of EMRRC, files, pictures messages and club documents are in an area club members can access. 
Chuck Hart President of EMRRC spent the last 8 days in Kansas City at the NMRA 2018 Convention and gave a quick report on all the great Barbecue joints in KC. After that he filled us in on the great convention the NMRA had in KC. There were nearly a hundred clinics covering everything from operations to weathering. Kansas City has a large and historical railroad presence that stretches back into the colorful cattle drive and cowboy days. There were railfanning trips that cover everything from the huge BNSF presence to historic Union Station. At Union Station there is a pedestrian walkway constructed from an actual single-track railroad bridge that was moved from the north side of Downtown Kansas City to its current location connecting Union Station with the "Freight House District". It's a great spot for a railfan.
The show itself at the Bartle Hall had over 180,000 square feet of exhibit space, hands-on demonstrations and 44,000 sq. feet of modular layouts. Had that railroad treasure for years that grandpa left you? There was even a "Ask The Collectibles Appraiser" area. All in all too much to cover here. For more information CLICK HERE. The 2019 Train Show Committee has been working hard on putting the show together. Be sure to hit the menu item above for more information. As mentioned last week longtime member Stan Shatto had been in the hospital. He is now in rehab doing well and looking forward to going home soon. 
After the meeting it was time for running trains and setting up for next week's operation session. As that great philosopher and sage Ron Breniser says "if you brought em run em" and there are plenty pictures and videos to take a look at. We have current pictures from the club taken in June, July and August on the Friday Night Pictures page.Click here to take a look. Look for the latest action in our Friday Night Running at the Club section. Also click here for the latest weekly report on train shows and swap meets in the area (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Also here's an announcement on a great NMRA conference coming up on September 21st and 22nd in South Bend, IN. The presenters are well known in railroad modeling and include Jim Six who is modeling Sturgis Michigan and has an extensive blog at Railroad Model Hobbiest and Tom Johnson the creator of the Logansport and Indiana Northern Railroad. Registration information is at www.michiana-nmra.org. Here's a link to the flyer. If you have missed any of our previous months we store those under 2018 Past Announcements. Here's a link to that archive. The most important link of all I saved for last. Here's a link to our page on the upcoming 2019 train show.
August 10, 2018
Here's a link for a download of the brochure. The facility we are going to be in the Claywood Event Center, a new building just southeast of Nappanee, Indiana. The building has all the amenities and we will take up about 14,000 sq.ft. for the show with operating layouts and 150 vendor tables. There is an onsite restaurant. Longtime member Stan Shatto has ended up in the hospital. He is recovering nicely and should be back at the club soon. Stan has been instrumental in many of the scenes you see around the layout including Chateau Woods, just about every water tower or tank and many of the buildings that on the layout. Get Well Soon Stan. 
We have current pictures from the club taken in June, July and August on the Friday Night Pictures page. Click here to take a look.Look for the latest action in our Friday Night Running at the Club section. Also click here for the latest weekly report on train shows and swap meets in the area (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Also here's an announcement on a great NMRA conference coming up on September 21st and 22nd in South Bend, IN. The presenters are well known in railroad modeling and include Jim Six who is modeling Sturgis Michigan and has an extensive blog at Railroad Model Hobbiest and Tom Johnson the creator of the Logansport and Indiana Northern Railroad. Registration information is at www.michiana-nmra.org. Here's a link to the flyer. If you have missed any of our previous months we store those under 2018 Past Announcements. Here's a link to that archive. Very soon there will be a seperate area for the "Elkhart Model Railroad Club 2014 Nappanee Train Show". Look for it soon. The show committee will meet this coming Friday at the club and we'll have more information posted from that meeting.
August 3, 2018
Also this evening we had a slideshow of 70 and 80s railroading in the Indiana, Michigan and Ohio areas. Some interesting slides including one of the Sample and Olive Street area before the railroad overpass was put in. Many members remember sitting there waiting for trains to go by. Also we delved back into our problem connecting phones or tablets and recognizing them as throttles to the system through JMRI. Matt Glassman brought his computer setup in with Windows 10 and the latest version of JMRI . Also Paul Ewing had cleared out the memory on the DigiTrax system. No problems were encountered. We are going to continue to test at our next meeting. 
As always we had several members and guests show up for open running with a variety of trains locmotives and cars. 
One of the more interesting units running Friday night was a Burlington Northern Fuel Tender. Member Gabe Smith owns these BN units. The BN started using fuel tenders on main line freight trains in 1987. They had MU connectors and fuel lines so they could run between units and supply both units with extra fuel. They were configured to work with BN’s GP50s, B30-7As, and LMX B39-8 lease units. Fuel prices were dropping in the early 1990s and the fuel tenders were too lightweight to keep up with wear and tear typical heavy locomotives endure. The fuel tender program ended by 1991. As always we have a variety of locomotives and trains to show. We have current pictures from the club taken in June, July and August on the Friday Night Pictures page.Click here to take a look. For the latest video Click here to check out all the action from this week. Also click here for the latest weekly report on train shows and swap meets in the area (this is the latest list) courtesy of Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, MI. Here's an announcement on a great NMRA conference coming up on September 21st and 22nd in South Bend, IN. The presenters are well known in railroad modeling and include Jim Six who is modeling Sturgis Michigan and has an extensive blog at Railroad Model Hobbiest and Tom Johnson the creator of the Logansport and Indiana Northern Railroad. Registration information is at www.michiana-nmra.org. Here's a link to the flyer. If you have missed any of our previous months we store those under 2018 Past Announcements. Here's a link to that archive. Very soon there will be a seperate area for the "Elkhart Model Railroad Club 2014 Nappanee Train Show". Look for it soon. The 14th annual Elkhart Model Railroad Show will take place on March 16, 2019 in Nappanee, Indiana.