Admittedly, S Gauge enthusiasts, be they Scale or Hi-Rail, A.G. Gilbert, or any of the other manufactures, are fewer in number, than other model railroaders. As stated in our letterhead BSG was formed primarily for the promotion of S gauge.  

Back in time, BSG had over 90 club members. Through the years, attrition and age have been a factor. However, replacements (new recruits) have been somewhat sparse.  

For years BSG held their meetings at member's homes. At times this was difficult. After that, we met in church halls with little to offer outside of friendship. It seemed like BSG was just a nomadic tribe with no real base and little to offer its members. That has all changed.  

The Badgerland S Gaugers now have a clubhouse. Through the generosity of the Gandy Dancers HO Model Railroad club, BSG has been allotted a generous space in their facility. Our modular layout has been resurrected and setup with ongoing improvements. We have a storage area with cabinets, shelving a separate meeting room with a kitchenette, restrooms and a display areas. BSG finally has a home. Active members have keys to the facility for use at their leisure. 

 The facility has street corner, view windows to advertise and display model railroad items, club activities, and  a club open house schedule board. The venue changes seasonally. A motion detector sets a G gauge train into action. Multiple times of the year public open house events are held. This gives both clubs an opportunity to possibly recruit new members.

 Christmas Season Decor

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Yes, the Badgerland S Gaugers finally have a home. For 50 years our club has been the main promoter of S gauge in the state of Wisconsin. With a declining membership, our ability to keep S Gauge alive in our area is dwindling. What the club needs is an influx of new members with new ideas and energy. Being a nonprofit, we also need memberships to keep us afloat. Our dues at present is only $30.00 a year. We publish around nine newsletters a years and try to keep our members informed on our ongoing club improvements plus email updates.  

Clubhouse Clatter

So, what's happening with the Badgerland S Gaugers.

This column in our newsletters that informs our members about  clubhouse activities, informative articles, plus other model railroad events in the area and around the country. On occasion, members perform clinics on various projects that they worked on, plus helpful model railroading hints.

  BSG Layout Progress

 BSG members are constantly working to improve the club's layout. Prior to getting a clubhouse the layout was in storage and was a near basket case. The revised layout will include a lot of scale structures and an area utilizing Plasticville for a look at a nostalgic era of model railroading. Through the donations from various members, we are also going to be adding a lot of framed train photos throughout the clubhouse. Additionally, there will be historic displays with Milwaukee Road track laying tools.

 The Gandy Dancers HO model railroad club, that afforded us the space that we have, is constructing a massive, extremely intricate layout. It has some features that you will never see on any other layout in the country. This is just a bonus feature.

The BSG Searchlight

This is an area in the news letters that member can list items that they might be looking for. This worked particularly well for a member that was searching for a hard-to-find item.

On a limited basis members can post items that they would like to sell.

There are items that are in nearly mint condition, up to those that may need some tender love and care. They range from Gilbert accessories, Flyer rolling stock, American Models, S-Helper, Plasticville and multiple other manufacturers.

Local Area Meets

There is a listing and schedule of various model railroading shows and swap meets in our area.

The Photo Shop

 Periodically there are members who submit photos of projects that they worked on. These have varied from structures they made or modified, to electronic components and their installation. Some members have submitted unique items that they received. We also have a light side and occasionally add some humor.

BSG Inventory

 Our newsletter inform the members of new products. We also offer discounts on Fall S Fest cars to club members. In addition, there is a supply of new and like new S gauge engines, rolling stock and accessories for sale. Many are items from the estates of past S gauge members.  

The Bottom Line is :

BSG Needs You

This bulletin is going out to Wisconsin residents, that have attended Fall S Fest in the past couple years. For BSG it's 50 years and counting. Without any increase in our membership, we won't be promoting S gauge for very long time into the future.

Feel free to share this document with anyone that you feel might be interested.

It will also be posted on our website

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Badgerland S Gaugers Club Officers

Badgerland Website:
www.trainweb.org/bsg

Doug Stoll, Webmaster
 Omaha@frontier.com

BSG encourages its members to share any new or existing product information they may found to be beneficial. Share your scenery, technical or operational experiences on your own home layouts for the BSG newsletters.

Photos are encouraged.
Send any comments or suggestions to:

Ron Schlicht - rons48tblue@gmail.com

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