This year’s From The Desk is reminiscent of last year’s as many of the same events are in the news. FUNTRAK again joined with the Genesee and Ontario club at Syracuse to set up a large t-trak layout, which again utilized the red line for DCC operation, incorporated some new modules, and as always attracted large crowds of happy spectators. This year, however, FUNTRAK club member John Fleming provided his own miniature camera to take movies of the traversal around the layout. These will eventually be
edited and put up on YouTube. As usual, there was a plethora of vendors available to cater to everyone’s desires for the ordinary and the exotic. After two days of running, the show finally came to a climax, wares were packed up, and all was prepared for the next weekend in Fulton where the Oswego Valley Railroad Association sponsored their annual holiday show. FUNTRAK members John Fleming, Greg Brockway, and Brian King made the trip to Fulton on Friday evening where the N scale and HO scale t-trak layouts were set up. Provisions were made for outside participation in the N scale layout, and this occurred on Saturday when Neal Schantz showed up with two of his nicely detailed modules. These were quickly incorporated into the layout and trains were back up and running with minimal interruption. Greg’s HO layout went up without a hitch and trains were running everywhere. The weekend went by
quickly and tear down and packing up of the equipment went without any glitches. There is a lull in the schedule now until the second weekend of December when FUNTRAK, along with the Hudson Hollow Model Railroad Club, will sponsor a show in Amsterdam at the Amsterdam Riverfront Center. To round out December’s presentations, FUNTRAK will be setting up the two t-trak layouts at the Oneida County Historical Society on Genesee Street in Utica. This show is scheduled to operate
on December 24 from 10:00am until 1:00pm and then from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Thursday, December 26 through Saturday, December 29. This show is open to the public and FUNTRAK welcomes all to come and enjoy the trains! So, in the holiday spirit, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all. See you at
the show and keep on training.

Brian

The FunTrak Annual Banquet. We ran some trains, had a nice meal, and just enjoyed each other’s company.

A Banner Year!

It’s that time once more! The summer season is coming to a close, school is getting ready to reopen, and I am retired. No more school for me! FUNTRAK has completed the annual PicNik with the usual great success. Fun, food, games, prizes, trains, and people all gathered together for a fabulous time again this year. So now is the time to reflect on the results of all this activity and to review future plans for FUNTRAK. New this year for the PicNik were some innovations to attract attention and interest. The banner pictured above was designed and finished by Brandon White, long time supporter of model railroading and FUNTRAK. This beautiful banner is over ten feet wide and easily visible from nearly anywhere. There is finally a flag pole to hold the American flag, and after some searching, a Canadian flag, in recognition of our Canadian friends and participants for the past ten years with the PicNik. In recognition of the importance of this tenth anniversary, LED flashlights engraved with 10th PicNik were distributed to all guests. Besides the grand prize of half the proceeds in the fifty-fifty raffle, prizes were awarded as tickets were drawn from the hat. This gave many more participants a chance to win a prize and was very popular.

The usual food supply was wonderful and our great Canadian friend David King cooked everything to perfection. The littlest guests also had a great time. Games with squirt guns, balloons, hoops, and pylons kept the smaller participants busy and entertained all day. Even the weather cooperated! After an initial rain for a short time, the sky cleared up and the rest of the day was beautiful. Finally, trains were up and running in both N scale and HO scale thanks to club members John Fleming and Greg Brockway, who coordinated the layouts with the help of other FUNTRAK members and guests Al Wheeler and Mike LaCasse from Albany. Al and Mike brought some new modules to test and see how they operated in a T-Trak layout. Although not sceniked yet, the modules did operate flawlessly and were a welcome addition to FUNTRAK’s N scale T-Trak layout. These new modules presented some new advanced ideas as to construction and transport methods. T-Trak continues to grow and move forward in numerous areas.

FUNTRAK is currently developing a one-trak concept for an automated reverse loop using an Arduino micro controller. Revision 2 of the plan is shown in the pictures on page three. The loop can be used in multiple ways. The end spacing allows it to be used with the specialty reverse loop module or as a regular module that can connect to the two standard 33mm centered modules. This arrangement allows for increasing the size of the reverse loop but does limit the ability of handling larger motive power because of the radius of the curves. It also allows the use of a single tee module without a matching tee on the other side of the layout. Of course, a special length matching straight module is required to make the layout even, but FUNTRAK has two of those!

FUNTRAK’s next event is the Fonda Fair followed by Clayton and then Syracuse. Hopefully, the reverse loop project will be ready to test and operate at Syracuse. Come on out and join us for all the fun at these scheduled events. See you there!
Brian

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?

Upcoming events that FUNTRAK will participate in. February brings in a new show this year at the Fisher Elementary School in Mohawk sponsored by FUNTRAK and the local Parent Teacher Organization over the weekend of February 9th and February 10th. This inaugural event should prove to be an exciting event for all involved. The residents of Mohawk, especially the children, have been exceptionally supportive of FUNTRAK in the past and have enjoyed the many displays provided by the club. FUNTRAK hopes to lure in many new visitors for this show to help support the Parent Teacher Organization and FUNTRAK as well as promoting model railroading to the public in general. This will be an excellent opportunity for families to come and enjoy the many aspects of model railroading from history to construction to modeling of railroads of all kinds. Do not miss this chance to see what model railroading can offer to you and your family.

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

 

Southern Comfort. It appears that FUNTRAK is well respected and represented in Australia as is evidenced by the beautiful shirt FUNTRAK President Brian King is sporting in the picture above. FUNTRAK’s representative in Australia, Mark Bean, sent the shirt to Brian to assure him that FUNTRAK is not forgotten and that our relationship continues to grow over time. Thanks, Mark.

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

Lots to be done to get FUNTRAK modules ready for the November shows in Syracuse and Fulton.

FUNTRAK members gathered at the Family Fun Center for the annual club dinner where the new HO t-trak modules were assembled for the enjoyment of all. The new 20th Anniversary shirts were distributed and modeled by club members in attendance at the dinner. The food was excellent and plentiful as always and everyone had a great time!

Twenty Years! Seems like just yesterday when FUNTRAK was merely a thought. Now here it is all these years later and FUNTRAK has grown into a multiple scale model railroad club with portable and modular layouts to take to the numerous shows around the area. The club has grown from a handful of original members to many members all dedicated to supporting the hobby and FUNTRAK in particular. From many shows to fewer shows and back again to many shows, over these past twenty years, FUNTRAK has supported all venues of the model railroading hobby enthusiastically and consistently.  The club includes many different scales as well as many different concepts. We have expanded our layouts when necessary, reduced them when needed, incorporated new concepts, equipment, and methods, introduced new ideas, and carried out all of this reliably for twenty years. FUNTRAK is respected and invited often to many shows both as a supporting club or as an independent exhibitor. The club’s reputation has spread near and wide and our presence is welcomed wherever we go. All this is because of the dedication and hard work of the members of FUNTRAK. Without them, none of these things would be possible.

Each year FUNTRAK recognizes those special individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support FUNTRAK and the model railroading hobby. The “Service Person of the Year” award is presented at the annual FUNTRAK dinner each October. In addition to the award, t-shirts will be distributed to those club members who ordered them. These shirts are a testament to the longevity of the club. FUNTRAK is looking forward to designing and displaying twenty-five year anniversary shirts.

Building on past success, FUNTRAK expects to broaden our horizons, find new ways to attract new members, expand our presence in the hobby, develop more modules, concepts, and hardware, and generally grow with the technology and equipment being made today. The future is bright for FUNTRAK based on past performance. Some of the most recent developments in new concepts are presented this month with the HO t-trak layout being the newest addition to FUNTRAK’s roster of layouts. Also new is the concept of creating the “double bubble” using the tees and crossovers with the N scale t-trak. These ideas create more interest and move away from the simple oval idea usually seen at train shows. Diversity of this kind sparks interest in what others have done to make the hobby more interesting and involved.

The Internet has helped promote model railroading by providing faster communications and easy access to videos via YouTube and other available websites. FUNTRAK has taken advantage of these opportunities by posting updates on our website and sharing videos for the public to view on YouTube. What will the next twenty years bring? Hopefully, more camaraderie, members, and excitement for those involved in this great hobby of model railroading!

Until next issue, keep training!

Brian

As Labor Day approaches and the end of summer is nigh, I reflect on the activities of the past month. Model railroad wise, there was not too much going on. FUNTRAK members managed to assemble a rather large N scale t-trak layout in my basement in preparation for the PicNik as well as a smaller HO t-trak layout. The HO layout was compliments of one of FUNTRAK’s newest members, Greg Brockway. Greg did an outstanding job of finishing, scenicking, and detailing this small layout. The N scale layout used nearly all of FUNTRAK’s available modules and consisted of five separate loops. With the crossovers in use, a train was able to traverse four of the five loops making a total running distance of over three scale miles! See trains in action below.

Other activities include the ongoing construction of new t-trak modules in both N and HO scales. Specialty modules are the order of the day for the N scale modules with two being constructed to accommodate a new one track line and plans for a reverse loop addition to the one track line utilizing standard corners for the return side of the loop. All these are currently a work in progress. Hopefully they will be completed soon and allow FUNTRAK to use them in the upcoming fall model railroading season. More HO modules are underway to expand the size and scope of the HO side of the hobby with FUNTRAK. Specialty modules are being considered as well. Transportation, as always, seems to be posing the biggest obstacle to the expansion of the HO portion of the hobby. All of these issues will be addressed and eventually a solution will be derived and acted upon to solve these problems.

Problems aside, the N and HO modules are being assembled for display again this year at the Fonda Fair. A full review of this event will be forthcoming. Following the fair, FUNTRAK has a fairly rigorous schedule for the fall season. September 8-9 will see FUNTRAK in Clayton with the West Winds group. October will see the annual dinner and then on to November with Syracuse the first weekend and Fulton the following weekend. December may see FUNTRAK back at the Oneida County Historical Society. T-trak in all scales is becoming more and more popular and appears to be on the way to becoming a staple of the model railroading scene. FUNTRAK fully supports this effort and is looking forward to a bright future with many shows and lots of interaction with the public.

If model railroading is one of your interests, this is one of the easiest ways to get involved. The modules are small, inexpensive, and simple. Most important, they are easily transportable. This makes them ideal for people with limited space and transportation means. If you build it, they will come! Keep on training.

Brian