TinPlate Trackers 2002 Year In Review

 

Its that time of year again for another TTAT Year In Review.  So here’s a quick recap of what we did in 2002.  As usual, I’ve probably missed a few items but here are some items that were highlighted in the newsletters.

 

Events/Meeting

 

We had a busy year in 2002.  The club had 21 official events last year.  In case you forgot about some of them, you may want to check out the photographs on the club’s web site.  The events included:

 

·      January 25/26 – Work day at Branch Creek Estates

·      February 2 – SAMRA Show at the Live Oak Civic Center

·      February 12 - Board Meeting at Fuddruckers

·      February 23 – Work Day at Ed Weltens’ house

·      March 2/3 – GATS at the Live Oak Civic Center

·      March 15/16 – Club Fun Run at Branch Creek Estates

·      March 19 – Board Meeting at Fuddruckers

·      April 16 – Board Meeting at Fuddruckers

·      April 20 – Model Railroad Jamboree in New Braunfels

·      June 7/8 – Club Fun Run at Branch Creek Estates

·      June 18 – Board Meeting at Fuddruckers

·      August 10 – Work Day at Scott Smiley’s house

·      August 24 – Board Meeting at Fuddruckers

·      August 24/25 – Texas Hill country Rail Fair in Burnet

·      September 12 – Annual Meeting at Luby’s Cafeteria

·      Octboer 5/6 – AMRE Fall Train Show at Live Oak Civic Center

·      October 26/27 – Czhilispiel in Flatonia

·      October 26 – Austin Jamboree in Round Rock

·      November 20 – Board Meeting at Fuddruckers

·      December 6/7 Club Fun Run at Branch Creek Estates

 

Projects/Improvements

 

Our main project this year was building two more corner modules.  Not only did this give us backups to our original corner modules but it also allows us to set up different styles of layouts.  A lot of planning and hard work went into this project and it was well worth the effort.  The first time we used the new corner modules at a public event was the AMRE Show when they were used to set up an L shape layout.  The new corners looked great and only required a few enhancements.

 

Besides this effort there were several other projects and improvements completed during the year.  Here’s a few of them:

·        Wire power into track E on all corner modules

·        FAT Controller duties were updated, reviewed, and a copy placed on the web site.

·        2 plastic totes have been purchased to store items that go with 4x8

·       An additional set of wheels was purchased for the crates.

·       Cheat Sheets on how to load the trailer were created and put on our web site.

·       Various configurations of layouts that we run have been added to the web site.

·       Additional reflective tape was added to trailer.

·      A shelf was built in the trailer over the switch modules for more storage space.

·      Plexiglass was added to two corner modules.

·      Experimented with An MTH DCS Controller.

·      Several track and module problems were addressed: replaced track, soldered joints, adjusted pins, adjusted alignments, fixed wiring, refastened decks, cleaned plugs made more legs.

·      Repaired the trailer door

 

World’s Greatest Hobby – We became a member of Kalmbach’s World’s Greatest Hobby Campaign to help raise public awareness of model railroading.  We are listed as a club on their web site, added the WGH logo on our web site, and have handed out copies of their magazine “Welcome to the World’s Greatest Hobby at some of our events

 

The Express – Steve did great work as editor of the club’s newsletter this year and we also received several articles from club members.  The articles covered topics from technical advice, reviews of new products, trips to local train sites, and information on the Photo Pavilion in Flatonia.  This is a good way of sharing information with everyone so keep those articles coming.

 

New Logo - In order to let people know who we are, the club came up with a new logo this year.  The logo has been transferred to 2.5” tall by 2.25” patches that can be worn on a cap, a shirt pocket, an arm sleeve, or anywhere else you can put a patch.  The logo can also be transferred to a T-Shirt, the trailer, and club documents.  We also have a banner with the logo that we have been using at our events.

 

Money – The club’s treasury continued to grow even though we made some major improvements this year.  In addition to dues we were paid to attend several events.  The club’s treasury also benefited from several raffles, the sale of some equipment, and several members donating time, equipment, and trailer towing expenses.  All of these efforts will allow us to make more improvements in the upcoming year.

 

Summary

Due to the efforts of a lot of members, 2002 was another great year for the club.  We had more events, more members, more modules, and hopefully more fun running trains.  We need to keep everyone involved in the club to make it better in 2003.