Spring 2024 President`s Message
Greetings Seacoast Members,
Summer is just a few days away and it will be in the high 90`s for the next few days. Working in the basement seems like a really good idea today. With my helix work complete (built but not installed) my current task is installing control circuitry and control panels for my West Chicago yard. I started by designing my own circuits. After getting them to work I realized how much time it would take to build them up. I looked at alternatives from Berrett Hill and NCE and finally chose NCE. Wiring up 39 Tortoises with the NCE modules is taking much more time than expected. That seems to be a common theme with all of my overly ambitious railroad projects - they take too much time. I hope all of you are making much more progress than me.
Seacoast Spring Event
The Seacoast Division Spring Event was held on April 6, 2024 at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center in Rochester NH. Thanks go out to Rich Breton for getting us the venue. Thanks also go out to Jay Ehlen for coordinating the event and Will Everitt for taking on the A/V operator role which resulted in much improved sound for those viewing on Zoom.
Clinics
Chris Oliver gave the first clinic on Wiring a Layout for DCC. His previous clinic focused on DCC circuit breakers and power modules. This clinic focused on wiring the layout so that everything works and keeps working in the future. He explained which wiring type and interconnects to use for specific purposes. He pointed out that frog juicer circuits cannot be wired to the track feed that has current sensing. Even without a train in the block, the frog juicer circuit board will draw enough to trip the detection circuit. Chris is removing frog juicers from his layout and installing keep alive circuits in all his locomotives. That is something to think about. Thanks Chris for another informative clinic.
The second clinic was given by Bruce Nickerson, the owner of Seaport Model Works. While his product line is primarily aimed at ship and boat modelers, many are in HO scale and can be used in model railroad layouts. Bruce discussed the history of his company and his product line. He explained a lot about resin casting and how he creates the molds for the hulls of his ship kits. His website is www.seaportmodelworks.com. Thanks Bruce for a great clinic.
The third clinic was given by Rich Breton. Rich discussed adding scenery, particularly shrubbery to a layout. He reviewed many of the scenery products that are available and went into detail about creating your own shrubbery using sisal and jute rope. Once again, the attendees learned new modeling techniques from Rich. Great job Rich.
Tage Erickson and John McHugh presented the status of the Concord Flyer 2025 Convention planning effort. The Concord Flyer 2025 NER Convention Committee, led by co-chairmen Tage Erickson, Peter McKenney and Will Everitt, continues to make progress planning the Concord Flyer 2025 NER Convention to be hosted by the Seacoast Division in Concord, NH on September 18 - 21, 2025. The publicity committee recently completed the logo for the convention.
Congratulations and thanks to all the Convention Committee members who are working to make the Concord Flyer a great convention. Please remember that we will need a lot of help from Seacoast Members to run the convention. If you are interested in helping and have not already signed up to support the convention please contact Tage Erickson or me.
Dave Delorey continues to do a great job with our website at www.seacoastnmra.org. The website has an incredible number of resource documents and clinics linked to it. Please take a look when you can.
Geoff Anthony, the Switch Tower Editor, is always in need of articles for the Switch Tower. Even a few photos of your latest project will be a welcome addition to the Switch Tower. The April 2024 edition of the Switch Tower was recently added to the website.
Seacoast Division - Upcoming Meetings
The Seacoast Division Summer 2024 Event is scheduled for July 13, 2024 at the Great Falls Model Railroad Club in Auburn Maine. The first event notice has already been sent out. Watch for upcoming details on the event.
NER Conventions
The Lakeshores 2024 NER Convention will be held on Sept. 19 thru 22, 2024 in Rochester Ney York. I hope to see many of you in Rochester.
The 2025 NER Convention Committee, led by co-chairmen Tage Erickson, Peter McKenney and Will Everitt, continues to make progress planning the 2025 NER Convention to be hosted by the Seacoast Division in Concord, NH on September 18 - 21, 2025. The Convention committee recently completed the name selection process which chose Concord Flyer as the convention name. Also, in late January the NER officially signed the contract with the Grappone Conference Center/Courtyard by Marriott for the venue. Congratulations and thanks to all the Convention Committee members who are working to make the Concord Flyer a great convention.
The Lakeshores 2024 NER Convention will be held on Sept. 19 thru 22, 2024 in Rochester Ney York. Clinic Coordinator Jim Fairbanks, MMR is looking for members to present clinics at the convention. If you are interested in giving a clinic at the 2024 NER convention contact Jim at jfair7021@gmail.com.
Looking to the Future
Again, we are always looking for members to give presentations and clinics at the Quarterly Events. If you are interested contact Jay Ehlen or myself.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Seacoast Spring 2024 Event either in person or on Zoom.
Respectfully Submitted,
Glenn Mitchell
Seacoast Division NMRA President & Director