FUNTRAK‘s usual interesting layouts were the center of attention again this year at the annual Valley Rail Sights show in Ilion. In addition to the layouts this year, FUNTRAK also had vendors with trains and supporting equipment for sale. The vendors were pleased and promised to return next year. Attendance was good and everyone had a great time.
FUNTRAK appreciates having the support of the Fisher Elementary School PTO. We hope they get as much enjoyment from having the trains there as we get out of running trains.
Here it is February again and the same old problem persists; no activities to report. The Springfield show was last weekend, but FUNTRAK did not participate as a club and I did not attend. The Utica Toy Train Collectors Society show has come and gone, again FUNTRAK did not participate. Consequently, there is little to report for January. So what to write about?
From our 2012 setup, Fischer students enjoying looking but not touching model train layouts.
March looks to be a quiet month but April is fairly active. First up is the 25th Anniversary of RailRun in Boston over the first weekend in April. FUNTRAK club members Greg Brockway, John Fleming, and Brian King are scheduled to attend with our old friend from Canada, David King. This is always a fantastic occasion that everyone enjoys. The layouts are not only wonderfully scenicked, but extremely well organized and professional in their operation, which is the main reason for attending in the first place.
Following this will be FUNTRAK’s annual Valley Rail Sights Show at the Masonic Lodge in Ilion again this year. Even this is an historic happening as this marks the fifth year FUNTRAK has been associated with the Masons in Ilion. This has proven to be a great venue for FUNTRAK and the Masons as both benefit from the event. Participation by other clubs has made this show a favorite for FUNTRAK club members and those who join us in the fun. We look forward to seeing our friends from Syracuse, Rochester, Canada, Albany, and other places who help with this show each year. The layouts change each year and the excitement at seeing what is new keeps the spectators coming back for more. They won’t be disappointed this year as FUNTRAK will be bringing the HO T-trak layout for the first time to Ilion. People have been clamoring for an HO display and this year FUNTRAK will be able to accommodate their wishes. Additionally, the other scales will also be represented from G, to N, to Z and the ever popular Lionel layout the public operates.
Future activities are in the works and the PicNik this year is going to be a BIG DEAL! Mark your calendars for the first Sunday in August (the fourth) and don’t miss this one! Meanwhile, keep on training. See you next time.
Brian
FUNTRAK’s annual Oneida County Historical Society holiday show was well received and enjoyed by patrons and participants alike.
So as I sit here contemplating what to write for the new year, everyone is anxiously awaiting what is going to happen in the coming year financially and politically. Will these events affect FUNTRAK’s future and if so, how? Let me review what has transpired for FUNTRAK over the past twelve months and see how it relates to what we can expect over the next twelve months.
Up first is the FUNTRAK website. This has been ADDRESSED AND UPDATED OVER THE PAST YEAR. The website has been fairly well maintained and updated on a regular basis to keep folks apprised of what is happening with FUNTRAK and the model railroading hobby. Thanks to our webmaster, Anna K.Amendolare, who shamelessly gives herself credit for these accomplishments. So much for the website.
Successes and failures over the last year have also been a part of FUNTRAK’s ongoing endeavors. Unfortunately, not every venue continues to be a success as was the case with the Chocolate Train Wreck show in Hamilton and the Christmas display at Preswick Glen. However, along with less than desirable results, we also had some successes in our involvement with other shows. Of particular interest this past year was Fisher Elementary School where FUNTRAK displayed layouts on various occasions throughout the year and FUNTRAK’s involvement with the Genesee ‘N Ontario group and others at a giant T-trak display in Syracuse. These activities prove the viability of both FUNTRAK and the T-trak concept. These shows also point to the decline in the presentation of full sized N-trak layouts as they become less popular and T-trak rises in popularity, mostly because of transportation issues. The compromise between available space for scenery and the ability to transport the modules is being won by the smaller T-trak modules. N-trak advantages are longer trains and more scenery, while T-trak has the advantage of easier setup and transportation. There is certainly room for both concepts, but currently, T-trak appears to be ahead in the popularity arena. To support this claim, FUNTRAK recently finished a mountain division of the T-trak concept and is continuing to expand with more mountain modules on the way. Additionally, FUNTRAK is now fully engaged in HO T-trak with our newer members carrying the responsibilities for this expansion.
Other ideas for the N scale T-trak are utilizing current modules in new and innovative ways to create such fascinating layouts as the double bubble and triple bubble concepts and modules being constructed to support the one-trak concept. In the HO realm, an inside corner is in the works as well as many new double modules. Most of these ideas were displayed at FUNTRAK’s most recent show at the Oneida County Historical Society with both HO and N scale layouts being displayed for the public. This was FUNTRAK’s largest HO layout so far and was well received by the community. Supplementing the HO, the N scale T-trak layout was the longest club only layout at over two and three quarters scale miles long on the red line. Not bad for a small club!
Finally, FUNTRAK wishes to welcome our newest member, Paul Boehlert into our midst. Hopefully, FUNTRAK can contribute to Paul’s interests and he in turn can help FUNTRAK move forward in its endeavors to promote the hobby. It should also be noted that our other new member this year, Greg Brockway, has contributed significantly to the club, especially with the HO T-trak modules. Greg’s efforts have greatly enhanced FUNTRAK’s image as well as its abilities to attract new members by increasing the field of scales being presented to the general public. FUNTRAK really does appreciate your efforts, Greg. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to a great new year, keep on training.
Brian
Twenty 0ne. FUNTRAK has reached that pinnacle this year. Like the ace, FUNTRAK is the number one train club in the area and like the jack, FUNTRAK’s members are jacks of all trades. FUNTRAK’s newest venue, The Riverfront in Amsterdam, exemplifies FUNTRAK’s continuing efforts to support and entertain the public with its fantastic display of model trains. FUNTRAK will keep on working to preserve the model railroading hobby by presenting its fabulous displays whenever possible.
FUNTRAK shows off its newly constructed mountain division of the T-Trak layout. We were delighted to participate in one of the largest T-Trak layouts assembled in the area!
Here we are in November, National Model Railroad Month, and the schedule of events is extremely busy. Following a torrid building month in October, FUNTRAK members are now preparing to attend some of the larger shows with the new modules ready for display. First up is Syracuse where FUNTRAK will debut the new mountain module section of the N scale t-trak division. Club members worked diligently throughout October getting these modules ready to be displayed to the world. Three work sessions and numerous nights were devoted to making everything operate properly. John Fleming then worked his magic on the scenery to ensure the modules would be at least presentable for the shows. Hopefully, all goes well at Syracuse with FUNTRAK and the other participants. The planned layout will be over five scale miles around and should present an interesting layout. The main line is set to operate with DCC while the remaining loops will use conventional DC power. This arrangement will allow everyone to have a chance to see how mixed power can be applied to a layout and operated successfully.
Following Syracuse comes Fulton the very next weekend. FUNTRAK is scheduled to bring both N scale and HO scale t-trak layouts to this show. Again, work sessions in October enabled the club to construct six new HO modules, four standard and two doubles. Greg Brockway, FUNTRAK’s resident HO guru, has been charged with getting track put down and fellow club members have committed to helping him in the scenery department. The only glitch may come in the area of space that is allocated for the layout in Fulton. FUNTRAK will fill whatever space is provided.
With Christmas right around the corner, the annual show at Oneida County Historical Society is currently in the works. Clayt Farrall is doing his usual coordinating with the administrators to confirm dates, show times, space available, and details for the show. Anticipated dates this year are Wednesday, December 26 for setting up and running through Saturday, December 29. More information will be announced as it becomes available. Pictures of some of the new modules expected to be in the previously mentioned shows are on the next page. A well deserved “Thanks for a Great Job” goes out to all the club members who donated their time and effort to making these new modules possible. It is wonderful to have such enthusiastic individuals to associate with for such a great common cause. Next year will bring new challenges, different opportunities, and even more fun for our club as we move on to our twenty first year. Come on out and support your club!
Brian
We had a great time. Check back for more details.
