Our next meeting of the new millennium will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2000. We will be at the JOHN C. WOOD Municipal Center, which is located at 3730 Old Lee Highway just behind the Fairfax City Police Station. We’ll be in Room #1 and the meeting will start at 07:00 p.m..

Overall the TRACKER show at the B&O Museum was a big success. Starting to set up at 7:00 A.M. on Saturday 29 April resulted in Junior Junction being up and running by 8:30 A.M. and the three loops of the octagonal main layout being up and running by Museum opening time of 10:00 A.M.

The Museum had good attendance both days, being a little heavier on Sunday. Everyone who visited the Museum had to pass by the TRACKER layout on the turntable in the roundhouse. Everyone had nothing but compliments for our railroad.

As usual, Frank Hale’s 20 foot long module assembly with trolleys, the band stand and other goodies was a big hit. Jack Frost’s newly refinished modules were a delight. Rick Hamilton’s Tee module assembly allowed access to Keith Webb’s and Tom Hargis’ Potomac Yard modules that formed the crossover. Next around the outside was Brandon Seyfried’s newly completed New York tenement fire scene, complete with a red bulb simulating the fire, smoke (from a tethered 0-4-0 docksider locomotive under the module) billowing forth and New York Fire Department trucks with flashing emergency lights. Initially, Chuck Lewis of the Museum staff questioned the amount of smoke being generated, but he recanted and said keep it going as long as there were no complaints from visitors.

The next module was Brian Kurtz’s module brought to the show by Gary Lavinus, Jr. and set up in Brian’s memory. Around the 45 degree corner was Brendan Lynch’s modules. He has a station, the Lionel Factory and two houses as well as a number of O scale figures for decoration. Good show, Brendan.

Following Brendan’s modules was the three module truss bridge setup of John Zampino, always a big hit with visitors. Another 45 degree corner led to Rick and Clair Eudy’s three farm scene modules which were followed by my Tee modules that connected the other end of Potomac Yard to the main layout. Of course, Parks Schaefer’s 11.65 inch makeup module in the crossover made the whole layout fit together.

Next around the layout came Jack Schmidt’s modules, then Carl Condon’s modules. This time there was a big addition to the Schmidt/Condon array as Jack had brought his new 45 degree Y module and 5 modules to form a storage yard. It took a little longer to set up Jack’s yard but it is off the main line and did not interfere with operation of trains on the three main loops. Jack also brought newly built 45 degree corners rounded on the outside to eliminate sharp outside corners and tracked with Gargraves track to match the track on his and Carl’s modules.

Other 45 degree corners were supplied by Ed Beaver and Jack Frost. Overall the layout was a wonderful display.

Train operation went well and was a big hit with the visitors. Frank Hale’s fish car and animal cars as always were a hit with the younger generation, and some of the older folk as well. Frank complied with my request to emphasize the B&O Museum’s heritage by making Baltimore & Ohio stick-on labels for his Union Pacific and Southern locomotives. Gary Lavinus had brought several prototype models from MTH including a Chicago & Northwestern Hudson with the new Protosounds 2.0 sound and control system. After Frank Hale placed B&O labels on the locomotive nose and the sides of the tender it masqueraded as a B&O leased locomotive.

At noon on Sunday Brian Kurtz’s Nickel Plate Berkshire and caboose made their final run around the TRACKER layout before having the battery removed and being boxed up to go to the TCA Museum in Strasburg, Pennsylvania where it will be on permanent display in Brian’s memory.

Dan Danielson’s Junior Junction was a hugh success with the younger crowd both days. John Harper brought his Choo-choo Camera with TV monitor and CSX dummy diesel with camera in the nose. This generated a crowd throughout both days as the youngsters and oldsters watched themselves on TV, to heck with the trains. A number of passengers helped with setup on Saturday and teardown on Sunday. My thanks goes to them as well.

There was only one glitch in the B&O Museum show and it didn’t affect the display or train operation. Somewhere in the layout is a cross connect between white (outside) track power and auxiliary power. When the layout was first energized the outside loop was live with the throttle closed. This ended when the auxiliary power was disconnected. Subsequently when power was supplied to the outside track, items powered from the auxiliary wiring lit up. At the close of the show on Sunday an attempt was made to localize the cross feed but layout disassembly quickly made that impossible. All TRACKERs who had modules at the B&O Museum show are requested to check their module wiring for a cross feed between auxiliary power and power to the outside (white) track.

Again, overall the show was a big success and I want to thank all the TRACKERs who participated. As you know we have been invited to return to the B&O Museum for the week between Christmas and New Years in December 2000 with the turntable available for our railroad. We have committed to set up on December 23^rd and run until December 29th based on a vote taken at the January 2000 TRACKER meeting. Since we had so much fun last weekend I’m sure we’ll have a good turnout next December.

-------------------------- 2000 ------------------------

May 6-7 Stapleton Spring 2000 steamup

May 21 Beltsville Day in Beltsville, MD (NCT is scheduled to appear)

June 03 Manassas Railroad Festival in Manassas, VA (NCT is scheduled to appear)

June 09-11 Fairfax County Fair in Fairfax, VA (NCT is scheduled to appear)

July 15-16 Greenberg Show at Capital Expo Center in Chantilly, VA (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Sept. 16-17, Greenberg Show at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Sept. 24 Gaithersburg Olde Towne Day in Gaithersburg, MD (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Oct. 07 Fall for Fairfax Festival in Fairfax, VA (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Oct. 07-08 Brunswick Railroad Days in Brunswick, MD (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Oct. 20-21, York TCA Meet

Nov. 11-12 Rockville Lions Club Train Show in Rockville, MD (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Nov. 25-28, Festival of Trees in Easton, MD

Dec. 02-03 Fairfax Station Railroad Museum Train Show in Fairfax Station, VA (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Dec. 06-31, National Christmas Tree exhibit on the ellipse in Washington, D.C.

Dec. 26-29, B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Dec. 30-31, Greenberg Show at Capital Expo Center in Chantilly, VA (NCT is scheduled to appear)

Just north of Maryland is the famous state of Pennsylvania, home of the TCA Museum and the twice yearly "York Meet". (Does this make York the Far Far Side?) This April at York proved to be a bonanza for Toy Train operators.

The Lionel tent was filled with all of their current offerings -- especially impressive were their new articulated locomotive prototypes and scale diesels.

MTH had a tent devoted to a PC Controlled prototype of the new PS2 and Digital Control System (DCS) -- just what computer types need! Very impressive sound and constant speed operation with synchronized variable smoke and chuff rates down to 1 per revolution. With the command uncoupler, it provides very realistic operations.

In the Yellow Hall, MTH had their usual new product displays. I found the proportions of the first RailKing Pennsylvania S-2 Turbine to be terrific in proportion to classic Lionel 031 Berkshires -- appropriately larger than the Lionel 671 Turbine. Similarly, the new RailKing UP 4-8-4 FEF Northern proportions are wider and higher than the other RailKing Mountains and Berkshires. It seems to have the same tender as the RailKing Challenger. On a different MTH product, yours truly found a great deal on a new NYC 60 foot Aluminum sleeper/diner set. MTH has improved the design of the coaches with (a) bronze oil bearings for less rolling resistance and (b) easier maintenance via a sub-frame panel which unscrews on the floor of the coach to remove the truck and allow access to the light bulbs.

Weaver had an impressive display of their new ALCO diesel offerings in scale -- all shown pulling long trains.

Williams announced new products for the fall including a wide selection of N5C cabooses in a wide variety of road names. Especially interesting for "031 scale" operators was their announcement of a Berkshire and a S-2 Turbine in the same classic proportions as the originals. The Berkshire has a gray smokebox and a different tender similar to their current small Hudson style -- it will likely be available in a variety of road names such as Reading, C&O, B&O Lackawanna, Southern, NYC, N&W, Santa Fe, SP, etc. Price is estimated at about $299 (list) with a DC flywheel can motor drive train (positioned the same as the original) and a digital whistle. From an operator's perspective, it will sure beat paying $350 for a postwar or MPC classic with an intermittent air whistle. My own experience with the newer Williams units has been great in terms of operating simplicity, durability, and pulling power.

Also at York were several additional independent vendors selling realistic scale structures such as city stations, freight transfer stations, factories, coaling towers, etc. Several new animated country / park scenes also debuted in the Yellow Hall.

The B&O Museum exhibit on April 29-30 occurred without any major snafus under trackmaster Skip Scheetz's leadership in spite of the early Saturday start. Using the extra caffeine in the M.E.S.S process (see the April Beltline) were Jack Schmidt, Carl Condon, Ed Beaver, Frank Hale, Jack Frost, Rich Eudy, John Zampino, Brendon Lynch, Gary Lavinus, Jr., Rick Hamilton, Park Schaefer (with a calibrated ruler since last April), Tom Hargis and Keith Webb. Skip's new transformer placement greatly improved the operations. It was also a treat to again see the Museum's Wanderer under steam during our breaks.

The May event in Maryland is Beltsville Day on May 21 -- Brendon Seyfried is Trackmaster -- he stills has a few openings left. May also marks the shift of focus to the Virginia events in June and July -- the time to volunteer is now -- call the Trackmasters! Frank Hale is the Trackmaster for the Manassas show on June 3^rd. Bill Buschmeier is Trackmaster for the Fairfax Fair and the Greenberg Show. Happy tracking!

Once again, we want to thank the Train Depot for printing our newsletters and brochures. This means a substantial savings to our club. So stop by their Manassas store and say thanks to Dennis Driscoll.

Our next appearance will be at the Beltsville Day event scheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2000. Brandon Seyfried is Trackmaster for that event. A layout is enclosed. Please contact Brandon if you have any questions.

The first weekend in June will find us at the annual Manassas Railway Festival. A layout for that event is enclosed. Frank Hale is Trackmaster for that event and any questions you have should be directed to him.

Scheduled for that show are: Arleigh Rice, Bill Buschmeier, Carl Condon, Dan Danielson, Frank Hale, Gil Baldwin, Parks Schaefer, Skip Scheetz, and Thom McKinney.

Once again it is time for the Fairfax County Fair. We will be setting up on Thursday evening around 06:00 pm (or sooner if you can get there). Bill Buschmeier is trackmaster for this event.

Scheduled to participate with modules are: Bill Buschmeier, Brandon Seyfried, Carl Condon, Ed Beaver, Gary Lavinus Jr., Keith Webb, Parks Schaefer, Richard Eudy, Rick Hamilton, Tom Hunter, and Thom McKinney. A show layout is enclosed.

This event requires lots of manpower. Every Tracker is needed to sign up for a shift. Sign up sheets will be available at the May meeting. Lots of trains are needed due to the long hours of operation. The fair hours are: Friday evening from 06:00 pm until midnight. Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 am until midnight that night. And Sunday from 10:00 am until 06:00 pm.

The hot summer days will find us back at the Capital Expo Center for a Greenberg Train Show on July 15-16. Bill Buschmeier is trackmaster for this event. A show layout is enclosed.

Scheduled to exhibit their modules are: Bill Buschmeier, Carl Condon, Gil Baldwin, Jack Frost, Jack Schmidt, Keith Webb, Gary Lavinus Jr., Rick Hamilton, Parks Schaefer, Skip Scheetz, and Thom McKinney.

All those participating should make an effort to setup on Friday evening (Maryland folks excluded). This allows us to accomplish the majority of the setup on Friday and complete the setup at a leisurely pace on Saturday morning. Greenberg allows Friday setups from 03:00 pm until 08:30 pm. Trackers should try and get there between 05:00 - 06:00 pm if they can make it on Friday night.

The Beltline is published 10 times a year on a monthly basis excluding the months of July and August. Its purpose is to provide notices of timely events, and information to its members. All inquiries, questions, and submissions should be e-mailed to the editor at: NationalCapitalTrackers@RRmail.com