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SUMMER 2016Bob Johnson's West Virginia Midland RailroadBob Cook’S Port Road RailwayIn this issue: Business Car Achievement Program 2016 Minicon Report Mark Me Up! -Some Handy Rules Ancient Modeler # 10: Hats Company Cars -Fairbank's Gold Dust We'dLike You To Meet: Fritz Dahlin Golden Spike Tower -"I thought I had gone to Train Heaven" Perishable Freight - Opportunities for Operation (Part 2) Operations Initiative Report BobJohnson's West Virginia Midland Railroad Bob Cook's West Port Road Railway

POTOMAC FLYER – QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC DIVISION, MID-EASTERN REGION,NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATIONThe Division CrewSuperintendentBrian Sheron, MMR301-349-5754email: Superintendent *Senior Assistant Super.Marshall Abrams301-588-1005email: Sr-Asst-Super *Assistant SuperintendentJesse Cantrill301-718-7286email: Asst-Super *PaymasterTom Brodrick301-253-0558email: Paymaster *ClerkBill White410-535-4293email: Clerk *Achievement ProgramCoordinatorBrian Sheron, MMR301-349-5754email: Achievement-ProgramWebmasterBill Mosteller703-272-8190email: Webmaster *Potomac Flyer EditorMarshall Abrams301-588-1005email: Potomac-Flyer *The Potomac Division, Mid-Eastern Region,National Model Railroad Association includesthe District of Columbia; Calvert, Charles,Montgomery, Prince George’s and St Mary’sCounties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax,Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, andRappahannock Counties in Virginia, as well asall area independent cities.Bill of LadingFrom the Business Car ------------ 3Achievement Program News --- 42016 Minicon Report -------------- 5Mark Me Up! — Some Handy Rules ------------------------------------------ 10From the Webmaster Finding a Clinic You Remember ------------------ 12Ancient Modeler # 10: Hats --- 13Company Cars --------------------- 16Fairbank's Gold Dust ------------ 16Around the Bend ----------------- 17We'd Like You To Meet: Fritz Dahlin ----------------------------------------- 18Free Hosting of Model Railroad Web Sites for Members ------------- 19Golden Spike Tower —“I thought I had gone to Train Heaven” ------ 20Capitol Free-mo – Fun and Friendly D.C. Area-based Group of Freemo HO Scale Railroad Modelers ---------------------------------------- 24Perishable Freight — Opportunities for Operation (Part 2) ----------- 26Operations Initiative Report -- 30Layout Open House Report Bob Johnson's West Virginia MidlandRailroad ----------------------------- 32Layout Open House Report Bob Cook's West Port Road Railway --- 36Tip: All of the entries in the Bill Of Lading are links.Point to an entry and click to jump to that article.Layout ToursKen Wilson571-238-8864email: Layout-Tours *Layout Web Pagesemail: Layout-pages ** all email addresses end with@potomac-nmra.orgClick on address to send email.SUMMER 2016Potomac FlyerPotomac Division’s Quarterly NewsletterSubmission DeadlinesWinter Issue December 1Summer Issue June 1Spring Issue March 1Fall Issue September 1Cover photos: Marshall Abrams.PAGE 2

POTOMAC FLYER – QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC DIVISION, MID-EASTERN REGION,NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATIONFrom the Business Carby Brian Sheron, MMR, Division Superintendenthave any observations and/or suggestions toLast April 30th, we had our annualimprove the Minicon, please send them to meMinicon, and, with the exception of a slightlyat BWSheron@mac.com.lower attendance from last year (48We then spent most of the remaining partregistered attendees this year versus 60 lastof the meeting discussing plans for the 2018year), it was a great success. It is hard toMER Convention which our Division will host.predict the attendance at events like this,Every year, the Region conducts a regionalbecause so many unknowns come into play.convention in October, and the hosting dutiesUsually it comes down to what other activitiesrotate among the divisions with the resourcespeople had scheduled for that day. However, Ito host such a convention. In practical terms,think all of the members and guests that camewhat this means is that our division willwere not disappointed. We had 4 modularusually host a regional convention every 5clubs set up and operate their layouts, a fullyears (we hosted the 2013 MER convention).slate (8) of what were hopefully interestingThe Division sets up what is called the "localand informative clinics, a white elephant salecoordinating committee", or LCC, whichwith lots of model railroading bargains, and aoversees the planning and execution of thegreat guest speaker, Lance Mindheim, whoconvention. We have not yet formallyspoke about creating realistic scenes on yourestablished an LCC, and the Board is currentlylayout.acting as the LCC and is still exploringWe also held our annual Division businesspotential venues for the 2018 convention. Ifmeeting, and elected a slate of 5 directors,you are interested in participating on the LCC,who are Brian Sheron, Marshall Abrams, Tomplease contact me or any of the BoardBrodrick,, Bill White, and Jesse Cantrill.members.Subsequent to the Minicon, we held aCosts of the convention are a primaryBoard meeting at Bill White's house on Mayfactor, which primarily focus on both the cost21st, and at that meeting I was selected toof the facility (meeting rooms, etc.) and thecontinue on as Superintendent, and Marshallroom rate for visitors. Since it is a RegionalAbrams to continue as the Senior Assistantconvention, the Region actually signs theSuperintendent. Jesse Cantrill assumed thecontract with the convention facility selected,position of Assistant Superintendent, Tombased on agreement with the LCC'sBrodrick will remain as the Paymaster, andrecommendation. The plan is to make aBill White will continue as Clerk. We also haverecommendation to the Region by thisKen Wilson serving as the new layout toursummer/early Fall, and have them sign acoordinator. And both Jim Kinder and Johncontract with the recommendedPaganoni are working with2016 Welcome Aboardfacility before the end of thethe Board.(Name & County)year.Once we confirmedBrian Benoit, MontgomeryThe Potomac Division, justeveryone's position on theRichard Grulich, Fairfaxlike other divisions in theBoard, we turned toNMRA, is not static. Ourevaluating the Minicon. IPhillip Simpson, Fairfaxmembership is always changing.had previously asked theRon Snelson, Prince WilliamSome members move out of theBoard members to provideJohn Glover, FauquierVinod Jannu, Fairfaxarea and therefore become partme with their observationsDoug Moore, DCof another Division that coversand any "lessons learned."Jonathan Burns,Fairfaxthe new area in which theyWe discussed these, andRon Snelson, Prince Williamlive. We also get get newwill take them intoTom Sullivan, Montgomerymembers joining our division,account when we starteither by transferring theirplanning next year'sBill Dabney, Montgomerymembership to the PotomacMinicon. If any membersSUMMER 2016PAGE 3

POTOMAC FLYER – QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC DIVISION, MID-EASTERN REGION,NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATIONDivision or joining the NMRA for the firsttime. In order to let all of the Divisionmembers know who our new members are,we will publish a "Welcome Aboard" list withthe names of new members in every issue of"The Flyer." If you meet these new members,perhaps at an open house, please say "Hi" andwelcome them to the Division.While Fall and Winter are typicallyconsidered the seasons to focus on modelrailroading, I have always said that summer isalso a good time. While everyone should getoutdoors and take advantage of the summerweather, there are days when it gets in theupper 90's (both temperature and humidity!)and a cool basement is a good place to findrefuge from the midday heat and humidityuntil they drop to more tolerable levels.Have a great summer!Achievement Program Newsby Brian Sheron, MMRSince the last issue of “The Flyer”, I’mpleased to announce that Ron King completedBrian is a long-timethe requirements for the “Master Builder model railroader, andCars” AP Certificate. Ron submitted his lastmodels the Port Jeffersontwo cars for judging at the Division Minicon onBranch of the Long IslandApril 30th. Both cars were outstanding modelsRail Road in HO scale. Heand received scores well in excess of the 87.5earned Master Modelpoint minimum.Railroader (MMR)I want to remind everyone that judging forcertificate number 469 inAP certificates does not have to wait for2011 and is currently theconventions. If you complete theSuperintendent of therequirements for any of the AP certificatesPotomac Division. His goal is to make NMRAthat require items to be judged, pleasemembership, and model railroading incontact me (BWSheron@mac.com) and I willgeneral, a rewarding and fun experience formake arrangements to have the itemsPotomac Division members. In the spare timehe has, when he’s not working on his trains,judged.he enjoys playing bluegrass banjo and playsReturn to Bill of Ladingwith an informal group at monthly jamsessions.SUMMER 2016PAGE 4

POTOMAC FLYER – QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC DIVISION, MID-EASTERN REGION,NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION2016 Minicon Reportby Jesse CantrillGuenther discussed the pleasures andForty-eight members and some 20 visitorsproblems of modular railroading. Nigel Phillipsattended the annual Mini-Convention on Aprilexplained how to correct the (upside down)30 organized by the Minicon Committee. Thebrake system detail on Athearn 'Blue Box'all-day event was held at Saint Matthew'sfreight cars. Gil Fuchs showed how to installUnited Methodist Church in Annandale—aKeep Alive devices. John Paganonilovely space with plenty of room for layouts,demonstrated the use of artist's chalk toclinics, and socializing. Many thanks to churchweather locomotives and rolling stock. Late inmembers for sharing this facility. Tomthe day Nigel Phillips demonstrated theBrodrick was the Floor Chair.Setting up the modulesKen Wilson greeted members at theregistration desk and noted that “everyonewas in a good mood, happy to be indoors on adamp chilly day.”The eight clinics were each very wellreceived. Brian Sheron explained how hedesigned the expansion of his Long Island RailRoad, including car float operation and howhe modeled a working car float. Later in themorning Brian offered tips and tricks on layoutconstruction and operation. Marshall Abramsshowed how to use photographs and picturesto create realistic backdrops. Clarenceconstruction of working diaphragms fromfolded paper—a brilliant method that headapted from an idea developed in Elgin,Scotland. This technique must be up therewith such other important Scottish inventionsas the steam engine, block signaling, and acertain whisky. All of these clinicpresentations are available on the PotomacDivision web site. http://potomac-nmra.org/.Click on Modeling Ideas in the menu on theleft and then on Clinics and Libraries on thenext screen. There’s a wealth of resourcesthere!White elephant tablesSUMMER 2016PAGE 5