OOPS ! Biggest Blunder in Badgerland News History

(See Editor's Comments)

Sunday February 27, 2000,

Steve Jones's,

Whitefish Bay, WI

G. Children, A. Doty, D. Goeke II,
D. Goeke, S. Jones, D. Koehler,
J. Madden, R. Meissner,
B. Mosher, K. Pilon, C. Porter,
A. Pratt, G. Sarlitto,
D. Sengenberger, R. Schlicht,
D. Smukowski, J. Starosta,
Vergenz, J. Young. (19)

a) Train Trade Show Rental
$746.25

b) Trade Show Supplies
$20.00

c) Journal Trade Show Ad
$49.36

d) Memorial Lee Marotz Mother
$25.00

e) Stamps
$6.60

Chuck Porter brought along samples of the club shirt and club cap project. The shirt will be long sleeved, light blue and denim. If you want short sleeved, get out

your scissors, a needle and thread. We will have to have a minimum order of at least 2 dozen. If you are interested in purchasing one, or both of these items, fill out the order blank that is included in this newsletter. You can send it in or bring it to a meeting. Regarding the sizes. Chuck brought a number of shirts for sizing. You might want to ask someone who is about your size, which size they ordered. One of the main reasons for this project, is so visitors at the upcoming S-Fest 2000, will he able to snot club members, and use them as a source of information. We will also wear these at train shows and other events. As usual, a rather lengthy discussion broke out. The only style that was not brought up is rainbow. Chuck will be checking out whether or not, after the initial setup, an individual may be able to send ill his own shirt or tuxedo, and have a Badgerland logo put on it. Maybe we can have designer pants for women, with a badger on the back pocket. I'm sure that we will sell a million pairs of those. It's just what a woman would want plastered on her behind.

Chuck also passed around some literature on S gauge structures and some other informational items.

The Art Doty Report followed. Art passed around flyers on various train shows and conventions being held in the MidWest area.

Brio may have a play area, or a table, set up at S-Fest 2000.

New products Jeff Madden brought along a few trucks that he purchased and modified for layout purposes. From Hot Wheels, to Road Champs, to Hartoy, he has come up with some unique combinations, that create really neat custom made trucks, without spending an arm and a leg.

The Mad City Model Railroad Show was discussed. Unfortunately we were unable to get many passes for this show for club members. Since we did not have the club layout there, the six passes allotted to us, was more than generous. We had a table on which we had Train Trade Show flyers, S-Fest 2000 information, the S-Fest car order blanks, club application forms and some S gauge equipment. We were able to turn the passes in on Saturday, which enabled a couple more members to help out on Sunday.

All in all, even though the layout was not there, it was very important that we had a presence at this show. We gave out order blanks for the S-Fest cars and actually received an order for four cars. There were even a few people that took membership applications, and expressed an interest in joining our club. It remains to be seen, if we pick up any new members from the show. The amount of people that the expressed an interest in S gauge was pretty surprising. For years, people would ask, what is S gauge, and you would describe it as, the old American Flyer Trains. Now that isn't necessary, not only do we have many more suppliers of S

gauge, but the public knows who American Models, S-Helper Service and Pacific Rail shops are. There are a lot of S gangers out there, we just have to reach them.

Some of the passers-by actually asked where our layout was, since they had seen it in the past. There was a Madison group S gauge layout present, and Buck Guthrie's (ever popular) Flyer operating layout. Buck has committed to S-Fest 2000. His layout has been to many shows and is seeing a little wear, but this is one of the more action packed, entertaining, little layouts, that you will ever see. There are little things moving everywhere. -—-~

I'm not. sure what the final attendance was for this year. Last year it was over 10,000, this year it may have been bit less. Regardless of the amount, outside of Trainfest in Milwaukee, we can not get any more exposure, than this show. With people inquiring about us, it is important that we have our layout at this show. As their brochure read " See yoii next year ... Feb. 17-18, 2001."

As a side note, Jeff gave a highly descriptive, and more than glowing, report on the concession stand entrees. The "hot (luke warm, less than body heat) dog", served on a "cool (frigid, just after thawing) bun, was not listed as one of his favorites. But then, what can you buy for $2.25? Having been to many other halls of this type, I threw a sandwich together and tossed it a paper bag, with a muffin, bag of chips and a Pepsi. A gourmet dish by comparison, and cheap, like your Editor. (The Associate Editor attested to the last statement. She's already pushing it.)

Don Westby has a heated building, with lights and a "secured" area, large enough to set up the modular layout. The building is in Port Washington.

Although this may seem a bit far for some, it is actually only about twenty to twenty-five minutes, North, from downtown Milwaukee,

I-94. I think this is definitely an option that we should investigate. If nothing else. the club's ends, the four foot sections and some of the club supplies could be stored there, and members could work on the sections. We might even have a club meeting and working session there. The price is just right.
"It is free." ?????????????????????????????????

At this point of the meeting, the "Lionel" train clock sounded two o'clock. Over, and over, and over, and over, again, and again. What can you expect from Lionel ? I think that it was "rebelling" against S gauge trains. Steve finally, and mercifully, disconnected something. The thought did occur to me that this would make a great timer for the length of meetings.

Trainfest was discussed We have to know very, very soon, who, and who, will not be at Trainfest 2000. I have to send the plan in soon.

Remember, myself and Art Pratt have the blue backdrop paint. We want consistency and completely finished modules. We are improving, and do not want to take a step backward. If there are any members, who have any of the paint that we supplied for backdrops, and arc finished with it, return it to Ron Schlicht. I will remix it with the original batch, to keep it a consistent color.

Craig Wright from Madison, has volunteered to have a club meeting. He has a beautiful SN3 and standard gauge layout. We may plan this for next season. We already have some volunteers for next year.

Ron Schlicht gave a report on the S-Fest patch.

We will also look into a tax number, since we are a non-profit organization. This will reduce the cost of newsletters and other office supplies by not having to pay sales tax.

Ron also passed around the Lionel Club brochure. Maybe some day we might have a general informational brochure like theirs. It

was done in a very professional manner.

We had a major discussion on future club purchases. Any proposals will be put in a newsletter, and voted on at the next meeting, by the majority present. If you don't like the idea, come to the meeting and state your case. If you can not make the meeting, contact a club officer by letter, E-mail, phone, personal contact or shout it from the rooftops. If you decide not to, forever hold your peace. This club has made very few unwise decisions over the past years, and none that have brought the club, to the point of financial ruin. This-will "never" happen, with the current membership.

Dave Sengenberger gave a report on the Christmas type, ceramic buildings, that you see virtually all over, during that season. These items can be quite expensive, maybe. Jo-Ann Fabrics marked them down 75 %. Dave bought one. Then he thought about the price, went back and bought some more. There was a sign that read that the prices were going to be slashed even more. They will be buying this line again next year. I'm sure that the selection isn't as great after the big event. But the price is right. I haven't bought any of these buildings myself, but of the many that I've seen, most appear to be S gauge.

Fred Vergenz was the bearer of bad news. We held a meeting at Little A-Merrick-A last season. It was a joint meeting with the State Line club. For those of you who attended, you may remember the personal tour that we had of the facility, which included the train shop. Unfortunately there has been a fire and the train shop was destroyed. Some of the passenger cars that were stored there were saved, but most of the equipment was lost. Hopefully they will be able to rebuild soon. Thank God it wasn't where the engines were stored. They are not sure what caused the fire. Fred brought along a video tape of the results. Fortunately one of the engines that

might have been in the shop was at the Madison train show. All of the patterns and drawings were lost. The other sad part of this story is that, there was no insurance on that particular structure, or it's contents. No cause of the blaze has been established. We wish them the best of luck in their rebuilding process.

March 12 - Brad Nelson
|April ??? - Dave Smukowski

The April meeting will be the last one until next September.

Main criteria for hosting a meeting Not on a swap meet Sunday, Weekdays permissible.

Badgerland Train Trade Show Wankesha Expo Center 4-H Bidg.
Nl W24848 Northview Road
8:30 A.M. To 1:00 P.M

March 19
April 30
September 24
October 22
November 26
December 17
January 28
February No Show

Our last meeting was hosted by Steve Jones the founder of our web site. We had a great time. For those present, who don't have a computer, Steve had our web site up and they got a little taste of it. There was also "another" chili, that may have to have it's recipe published. S Gangers make great chili. (Maybe S Ganger's wives make great chili. I'm sure that if I made chili, it would have to be supplied with medical claim forms.) Along with the superb "taste of hospitality", it was a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon.

Now for an explanation of the big OOPS, referred to in the headline. I've had some items that were in error in past newsletters, but nothing as potentially disastrous as this one. The wrong date for a meeting notice. But I have a great excuse. It was my wife's fault. Now any "real man", who happens to be married, knows that he has never made an error, that

was his fault. It's always your wife's fault. In this case I can't put my finger on why it was her fault. I just know that it was.

The Badgerland club members are inherently, extremely intelligent, that is why I tried the "test". Just as there is no February 30th, there was no Sunday February 21st, at least not in the year 2000. But I knew that our adept, quick witted, and knowledgeable members, would see through the ruse. Therefore I knew that nobody would show up at Steve's house on Sunday February 20th by mistake. Besides that, there was the subtle hint just below the next meeting box, that show_rs~the right date. Now if I have not buttered you up enough, and you believe the above,-I will proceed with some more nonsense.

The newsletter was sent out on Thursday, and with President's Day on Monday, nobody would get the letter by Tuesday anyway, right. No harm done. However through the infinite wonders of the U.S. Postal Service and just dammed, bad luck, many of you received it Saturday. Of course, from where I mail the newsletters some members have actually received past newsletters, in less than 14 hours. So much for complaining about lazy post office employees. Those newsletters got to some of you like they were shot from guns. (Maybe that's a poor analogy.)

We have a new unofficial office in our club, it will be that of Associate Newsletter Editor. My wife will be proof reading the newsletter before I type the final draft. The term of her office will last until she starts telling me what to do in the newsletter. When that occurs, she's toast, and you will have to put up with the same old errors. Who knows, someday she might even find out why I spend all of that time in the basement.

It was pointed out by one gracious member, that one of the most interesting parts of my newsletters is looking for the mistakes. Ahha. I have duped you all once again. Those are not mistakes, but are put in on purpose to see if you are

paying attention, and are actually reading my newsletters. At the next meeting, tell me how many that you find, and I will tell you if you are correct. Since the next meeting is only two weeks from the last one, there will be plenty of mistakes fired out in this newsletter.

The April meeting may be held in early May. For the quick witted, this means that there "may" not bean April meeting, but "may" be a May meeting, "maybe". With various conflicting dates, it "may" or "may" not be on a Sunday in May. But "may" be on a weekday evening in May. (I may have over used the MAY word.)

Here is another newsletter. What new item has been added ? This was at the request of a member. Now the Jeopardy Music will start.............

I brought new club logo to the meeting, along with the renderings of the proposed Fall S-Fest patch. There was an unofficial vote on the preference of patch designs. The general layout on all of the proposals was the same, but the various lettering was in different colors schemes. I will be checking out the feasibility of the patch design with a local supplier. Some of the fine stripes may be difficult, at the size shown. Some of the finer detail is in question. We should have a final resolution within the next couple of weeks.

Keep thinking of a nickname for our mascot, nothing obscene. preferably railroad, state, or club oriented. Something that flows. Something that rolls off of your tongue, but is not a four lettered word. Something with iambic pentameter. Something other than Bucky.

I hope that everyone appreciates the work that Steve Jones and Norm Rutkowski have done on our web site. This "is" the biggest step toward the future, that our club has made, since it's inception.

If your area code changed please, please, please, pretty please let me know. Some of you who have the 262 area code are long distance from Milwaukee and some of you are not. At least that is the impression that I am getting.

I will update the list in the next newsletter an E-Mail address but do not want it published in the newsletter, you might still want to pass it on to other members. Please let me know.

For years, I have been doing the newsletters in an archaic software. I have converted the format, and I am now working in Microsoft Word Version 5. la. It is my hope that someday, T will be able to send most of you the newsletter by E-Mail. It will also be placed on our web site. This could save us money in the future, mainly in postage. You would also get the newsletter faster. This would also give you, me, and us, the opportunity to correct mistakes. And, heaven forbid, if we ever have a major blunder, like a wrong date for an event, we could get the news out in an instant.

"S" Hex Track or Miller Tie Strip, used or discounted, in good condition, not Gargraves. Contact Chuck Porter.

662 - American Flyer Vista Dome passenger car, chrome-finished, plastic shell, decent shape, not mint, original box not required, hopefully not converted to knuckle coupler (if converted I'll have to change it back), no repaints please I'm trying to match it with some other cars, hopefully within the price guide range. I can't believe nobody

has a car fitting the above description, Contact - Ron Schlicht.

Plasticville large filling station with pumps. Contact Jim Starosta. I only list items under "Wanted" for two or three newsletters.

Please contact me if you want a listing continued or it will be dropped.

The same goes for the "For Sale" column.

Interested in swapping, mention it. (Train Related Items Only)

Lionel Train Clock New in the box.
Received as gift. (It's not Flyer)
Best Offer.
Contact - Jeff Young.

a) Information for our web site Help make it grow.
b) Contact S-Fest committee members about helping out.
c) Modular layout end restoration.
d) New member modules.
e) Reminder if you are a new member and do not have a club patch contact Ron Schlicht. If you do not have a badge Art Doty has to receive your name.
f) Port Washington modular layout location.

I have nothing to report, but Dave Smukowski mentioned that Mikes Train House is reproducing some of the American Flyer accessories. The new style No. 785 Coal Loader is one of the items. From the picture on his web site it appears to be identical to the original version, right down to the color. This means nothing to the collectors, but to those who felt that they had no hope of ever getting one of these rare items, it's great news. Odds are the motors will be more of a generic version, which means the possibility of repair is there. There are other A. F. items, I will try to list them in future newsletters

Both myself and Jim Starosta have purchased MTH items and have been very pleased with them. The quality is very good and the scale is closer to S gauge than 0 gauge. I have done at least one report on MTH purchases.

My next newsletter will include articles from other S gauge- club's newsletters.

Until the next time. See Ya.

The views and opinions expressed in the Badgerland S Gangers newsletter are those Badgerland S Gangers newsletter are those of the editor, unless otherwise credited, and do not necessarily represent that of the club, it's officers, directors, or the membership. The Badgerland S Gangers do not offer any warranties, guarantees, nor assume any liability from the information contained in this publication.

Directors: Fred Vergenz (2000) - Chuck Porter (01) - Mac McGrath (02) - Trumann Garrett
Modular Layout Committee: Ron Schlicht - Chairman
Dick Kloes, Art Pratt, Jim Starosta, Jeff Young.

To: BSG Members

Date: February 27,2000

From: Charles B. Porter

Official club shirts and caps have been approved and orders are being accepted. Caps are a medium blue denim; shirts are a lighter shade. Both are embroidered with the club logo.

Orders for the first shipment will be accepted until April 30. Later orders will be welcome, but must be held until they accumulate to a minimum of four of either item.

Caps are size adjustable and are $12.00 each.

Adult shirts come in Small ($26), Medium ($26), Large ($26), Extra Large ($26), 2X Large ($28), 3X Large ($30), 4X Large ($32). Children's shirts are available for purchase, but the style may vary from the adult style and may not be available for reorders ($24)

$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$ORDER FORM$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$*$

Name of person ordering: ___________________________________ Date: ____________

Signature of person ordering: _________________________________________________________