THE WHISTLESTOP NEWS

Weaver Tank Cars Report

The final decisions regarding colors (Black with White Letters and Red Logo with White Letters) have been determined. Orders are now being taken for COL club members, cars are $50 each or order the 4-cars set for $190 (a $10 savings). Member Order Forms are available at the club. Public Order Forms (at $55 per car) will be ready soon. Please see Phil Gravenhorst to order your cars before the next meeting (on September 11^th), so we have a count of how many members want how many cars. Thank you for your cooperation.

METCA Providing FREE Anderson Power Poles

The Metropolitan Division (METCA) of the TCA (Train Collectors Association), our local division, is providing FREE Anderson Power Poles (APP’s) to connect the modules of our modular layout. If you are a METCA member and are building or would like to build a module, you are eligible for 12 FREE APP’s. Contact Mike Gulotta or Larry Laskowski ASAP to get on the list for your FREE APP’s before this offer expires. METCA dues are only $5 a year, so please consider joining METCA to support the TCA locally.

Re-wiring of the Layout Grounds to Begin

We will be Re-wiring Grounds on the Red and Blue lines on September 13^th & 27^th. This should improve running in both conventional & command (TMCC & Legacy) modes, before our upcoming Open Houses.

Looking for Volunteers for Upcoming Projects

We have some new (and existing) projects, for which we are looking for volunteers, as follows:

- Elevated Mainline (see Roger Herzog)

- Modular Layout (see Mike Gulotta)

- Re-wiring Grounds (see Scott Firestone)

- Track Cleaning (see John Thompson)

- Training New Members (see Phil Gravenhorst)

Planning for the BIG Train Show in York, PA?

Have you ever been to the World’s Largest Train Show, at the York Fairgrounds in York, PA? The next show is Friday, October 16^th and the club is running several carpools. TCA members and guests (one-time ONLY) are invited to attend this bi-annual (next show April 23^rd, 2010) event. If you would like to be there, please see Phil Gravenhorst to get your name on the carpool list!

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs to be Served

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs (remaining from the COL Summer Party) will be served before the Business Meeting on September 11^th, starting at about 5 pm.

Swap Meets & Open Houses

- Our next Swap Meet will be Oct. 4^that the Farmingville Bingo Hall from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.

- Our next Open House will be Oct. 24^th & 25^that the club from 12 noon to 5 pm.

Complete Open House and Swap Meet schedules can be found on the flyers (at the club) or on the COL website (address on the top of this newsletter).

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Sept. 11th – Business Meeting, 8 pm to 9 pm (Hamburgers and Hot Dogs to be served about 5pm)

Oct 4^th – COL Swap Meet (Farmingville BINGO Hall)

Oct. 11 - METCA Train Show (Garfield, NJ)

Oct. 15-17 – TCA Eastern Train Show (York, PA)

Oct 24-25 - COL Open House (at the club)

Nov. 21 - METCA Train Show (Howard Beach, NY

Topics for Sept. 11^th Business Meeting

- Progress of COL Modular Layout Crew

- Progress of Elevated Mainline

- Layout Grounds Re-wiring Project

- Formation of Nominating Committee

The Official Newsletter of the Central Operating Lines model railroad club