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September 2009 Meet Report and Contest Recap




September 2009 Meet Report



We had many beautiful models displayed again for all of us to enjoy.  We had switching contests, photo contests, and fun was had by all.  Thank you to *all* the participants who entered and put on such a good show for the rest of us;  we hope you enjoyed our deep admiration and apprection for your sharing it with us.

Click on the links below to see the:
Model Contest
Show and Tell
Switching Contest
Photo Contest
Volunteers and People - See photos of our new Superintendent, Mark Schutzer, as well as many of the friendly people who make our quarterly Coast Division Meets possible.

Click here to see the upcoming Coast Division Model Contest and Photo Contest categories for future meets

You can click on any of the thumbnails below, to see a larger photo of the absolutely gorgeous models presented at the September 2009 Meet.
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Model Contest

Unfortunately, we had a situation in the September 2009 Model Contest that hasn't happened for many years.

We had no entries in the Model Contest, in any of the categories!

We certainly encourage everyone to remedy that by bringing out a model, and making the participation for the December 2009 Meet's Model Contest a record-breaker.  The category is "Favorite Model", i.e. any category.   So, come on out and share with us your model railroading pride and joys.  We really look forward to seeing you   :-) .

We have much to be thankful for, as the past 3 years worth of Model Contest entries for September's categories of Steam Locomotive, Diesel and Other Locomotive, and Passenger Car have been stellar.  Therefore, below, we recap the 2006, 2007, and 2008 September Meet Model Contest entries and winners.
Enjoy - click on the pictures and thumbnails to see close-up views of the Model Contest entries.

 Here's our review of the Popular Vote Model Contest winners for September 2006, 2007, and 2008:
Category 1st Place 
2nd Place 3rd Place

Steam Locomotive Model Contest winners from:

2008
2007
2006

Mark Schutzer - Sept 2008
Southern Pacific 2-8-0 #2500 in HO


Mark Schutzer  - Sept 2007
Southern Pacific #2467
4-6-2 Pacific in HO scale




  Pat LaTorres  - Sept 2006
HO Johnstown & Reinstra Heisler #1

Steam Loco First Place Sept 06 to Pat LaTorres
   
 

Bob Booth - Sept 2008:
Highly detailed Shay in HO


  

   Mark Schutzer   Sept 2006:
 HO Southern Pacific 0-8-0 switcher #4503

Steam Loco 2nd_Place Mark Schutzer
  














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   Paul Ingraham - Sept 2008:
State RR of Thailand 2-6-0 in N


 



Diesel Locomotive Model Contest winners from:

2008
2007
2006
Tom Crawford - Sept 2008
Niles & Western GP38-2 in HO


Chuck Mitchell - Sept 2007
Great Northern SW9 #189


Tom Vanden Bosch  - Sept 2006
Gulf Mobile & Ohio Ingalls diesel #1900   - a work in progress.  Click the picture below to see the model:
Diesel Loco - 1st Place

Click here to see more information about the prototype for this model

  

Steve Anderson - Sept 2008:
Southern Pacific NW2 #1315 in N
 



 
 


























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Passenger Car Model Contest winners from:

2008
2006
          Bob Booth - Sept 2008
Santa Fe Dome Car in HO



Tom Vanden Bosch - Sept 2006
 Colorado Midland Chair Car #112
Passenger Car 1st_Place


 Bob Booth - Sept 2008
Southern Pacific Articulated Diner and Coach in HO

 

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Thank you to all who participated in past years - we loved seeing these wonderful models.  

In the end, NMRA contests are not about winning, rather, they are about the fun of participating, about sharing your pride and joy in modeling, and having fun self-inspiring yourself.  We all love love to see your pride and joys, and you are all winners for participating. 
      
Thank You to *all*, you put on a great show and inspired the rest of us.   We hope you enjoyed our admiration of your work.  

So for December 2009, bring an entry and participate!  Bring something to share, and enter for the Fun of it in the Coast Division Model Contest.
Click here to see the upcoming Model Contest categories.  :-)

Model Contest and Show and Tell Chair: John Sing
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Show and Tell   at September 2009 Coast Division Meet

At the September 2009 Meet, we had another excellent Show and Tell display.   This time, we had:
 Thank you to those who brought a model for us to enjoy!

Jim Eckman's amazing printed paper models (see more at http://home.comcast.net/~ronin_engineer/buildings.html ):

              
       

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Alf Modine's beautiful Harrison Avenue station platform in O scale – received an Achievement Merit Award:




Rod Smith's photos of historic John Allen locomotives saved from the ashes of the fire:

        

     

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Bob Booth's “Dollar Models” – making 60’Camino & lake Tahoe contest quality cars out of only $3 in former junk models!:

  

John Sing's “State of the "Off the Shelf" N Scale Sound Locos” display. QSI and LokSound systems in N Scale locos:

     
                                    Listen / watch YouTube of Walthers 2-8-8-2 sound N loco    Listen / watch YouTube of LokSound E unit N scale

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John Sing’s review of Coast Division Model Contest / Show and Tell for the past four years – 564 photos in a computer slide show!

  

Coast Division Model Contest and Show and Tell Chair: John Sing
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We had our Clinics and Model Railroad Roundtable as we do at every Coast Division meet:
 Coast Division Clinics chair:    John Marshall
Thanks again to all who participated, and we look forward to seeing you at Model Contest and Show and Tell in upcoming Meets.  Bring something that you would like share - a model(s), display about your current project, a work in progress, it's up to you, as any category is always welcome for Show and Tell.   We love to see what you're up to!
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Results of the September 2009 Switching Contest :  

Our winners in the Brakeperson category (5 car problem)!

First Place Second Place Third Place
   Steve Anderson   (time of 6:29)
  

   Steve Peters      (time of 9:25)



    Dave Payne      (time of 9:38)

Special note:  All of the guys above were doing the Switching Contest for the very very FIRST TIME - congratulations!


Our winners in the Senior Brakeperson category (6 car problem)!


First Place Second Place Third Place
 
Tom Crawford      (time of 4:45)
 
    Tom Van Horn    (time of 5:42)
  
  Steve Anderson   (time of 7:11)

(this is the very same Steve Anderson who was the Brake Person winner above, a first timer who is an up and coming Senior Brake Person)
 

A special thanks to our Coast Division Switching Contest Chair: Mark Schutzer,  who keeps the Allen Fenton Timesaver switching puzzle running smoothly like a (fast) Swiss watch.

The Timesaver :



Is a fun, devilish little switching puzzle devised by the late, great model railroader, John Allen. 

Click on  these links above to learn more about the Timesaver, about John Allen, or his world famous HO Gorre & Daphetid model railroad, which inspired an entire generation of model railroaders worldwide.   John Allen lived in Monterey, California, and was a long time member of the Coast Division until his passing in 1973.
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Results of the September 2009 Photo Contest :    (Congratulations to all who participated!)

The theme was:  "Railfans I Have Known".

There were many artistic, noteworthy, and creative entries, and every one is worthy of award and mention.   Thank you to all who brought your photo to share, we all love seeing your work.  

Click on any of the thumbnails below to see a larger copy of the Photo Contest Entry.   By Popular Vote, the Photo Contest winners were:
First Place Second Place
Third Place
 
"Glenn Joesten"
by Tom Van Horn


  "Pat LaTorres"
by Seth Neumann

      
   
"Ellen"
by Brian Boota

We had many entries, all of them interesting, artistic, and just excellent.  Click on a thumbnail below to see all of our other beautiful Photo Contest entries:    

  
     
Thank you to *all* who participated.  We hope you enjoyed a few minutes of fame and the ongoing admiration, of your fellow NMRA modellers and guests.

Bring a photo to the next Meet's Photo Contest!  Click here to see the upcoming categories.

Coast Division Photo Contest Chair: Pat LaTorres
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Upcoming Model Contest categories:

Coast Division Model Contest categories are rotated annually according to the following schedule.

Therefore, the categories for the Coast Division Model Contest September 2009 are:

----------

December 2009:      "Favorite Model" (open to any category)

March 2010:            Freight Car, Caboose, Maintenance of Way

June 2010:            Structure, Display/Diorama, Self-Propelled Cars & Traction

September 2010:   Steam Locomotives, Diesel & Other Locomotives, Passenger Car

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Results are determined by Popular Vote.  Arrive and enter early to get more votes!

Optional:  NMRA Judging is available at the Coast Division Meet to any Model Contest participant for:

- Achievement Program Merit Points
- Regional/National Contest entry preparation 'dry-run' and friendly expert advice     
- Or, just to see how you would have done (smile!)

Please contact the current Coast Division Model Contest Chair, John Sing,  or the current Achievement Program chair Kermit Paul, if you would to have your model judged at the upcoming meet.
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Upcoming Photo Contest categories:


December 2009:                             "Your Favorite Photo"

All photos should be matted (inexpensive, resusable mattes can be had at most art supply stores) and should be between 5x7 and 11x14 in size. Hope to see your work there!

Results are determined by Popular Vote. Bring your photos early to get the early votes.

Photo Contest Chair:  Keith Wandry  
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Volunteers

Our thanks to our many Coast Division volunteers, we could not do any of this without each and every one of you!
 
NMRA Director Charlie Getz
  • Charlie Getz, HLM - NMRA At-Large North America Director reported: 

    1) Due to the efforts of the NMRA and a dedicated group of manufacturers, the incorrectly awarded DCC sound patent award to Real Rail Effects a few years ago was finally over-turned, allowing companies that have been producing DCC sound units for many year to continue doing so without fear of litigation 

    2) There has been progress in the discussions between the NMRA and the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) in moving and integrating the Kalmbach Memorial Library with the CSRM. Also, the NMRA will build a large display layout for the CSRM for educational and NMRA promotion. 

    3) In reflection of the continuing shifts in the needs of today's NMRA and membership, as well as advances in technology, the NMRA needs far less space than in previous years.  Accordingly, NMRA is working on finding new offices, and putting the current Chattanooga, TN NMRA headquarters building up for sale.   The proceeds from the sale will fund will significantly refresh cash reserves and position your NMRA for continued growth and service.
Registrar volunteer thank you!
  • We would like to thank Ted Stephens, who did his first Meet as our new Registrar.   Thank you, Ted, for volunteering!
You can see our current Coast Division Call Board by clicking here.

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The Job’s Daughters provided the crowd-pleasing fare of Polish hot dogs, drinks, snacks and chili for lunch. Thanks a bunch as usual! 

Thank you all for your continued service!   We and Coast Division are all better due your volunteering.

Thank you to our visitors, both "young" and "Dad": 

and Thank You to all of you for enjoying our Meets:   

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Steve Wesolowski, our Publicity Chair (and super helper on Model Contest) recently said it well for all of us:  

"So many people happily volunteer to make our Coast Division Quarterly Meetings possible.  In appreciation, whenever you have the chance, please remember to thank someone else in our Division who in whatever way, helps to make our Coast Division Meets the success they are today."

Thank you, Steve, well said.  :-)

Invite a new friend to come to the next Meet, and see what we're all about!

See all of you at the Coast Division Meet in December 2009.
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