FUNTRAK

7

Aug/12

Another Fabulous FUNTRAK PicNik!

by admin under Community Involvement, Layout Progress, Meetings

Friends and family gather together

This year’s 9th Annual FUNTRAK PicNik was probably the best yet. This picnic just gets better every year. We had a great turnout! Lots of old friends, new club members, kids and family were all in attendance. The food was plentiful and varied. Adults had the opportunity to kick back and catch up, while the kiddies challenged each other to loop the ring overtop the inflatable Three Stooges punch bag. There was a bit of drizzle, but not enough to dampen the fun. It was a great picnic. Mark your calendar for next year, always the first Sunday in August. See more pictures here.

friends and family, picnic, picnik, summer Comments Off more...

1

Aug/12

From the Desk: August 2012

by Brian under Community Involvement, organization, Scenery & Structures, Scratchbuilding, Train Shows

So, summer is well on the way to the halfway point and so far it has proven to be a rather pleasant one. Much needed rain has arrived recently and the weekends have managed to escape torrential downpours despite the overall precipitation. None of the weekends have ended up as a complete washout, anyway. With the rain through the week, this leads to a reason to stay inside and, naturally, work on much needed model railroad items. Of course, I haven’t been taking advantage of this “free” time to accomplish the myriad of necessary things, but fortunately, one of FUNTRAK’s newest members, Greg Brockway, has been industriously employed and assembled the newest FUNTRAK addition in the form of a new HO T-trak layout.

Our newest club member has proved to be most industrious

Greg has managed to finish and scenic four corners and four modules in record time and make it all work. He displayed his handiwork at the most recent club meeting held at his home. The layout was up and running when we arrived and all looks wonderful. Everyone commented on Greg’s remarkable progress and the way the layout ran. This layout will be up and running at the PicNik this month. Do not miss this opportunity to see Greg’s craftsmanship in action. Speaking of craftsmanship, Brian Curry has given us some good news and some bad news. First the bad news. Brian will not be at the PicNik because of some other family obligations. We certainly will miss him and all the expertise he would bring to the event. On the other hand, the good news is to supply his T-trak module for the layout at the PicNik. As mentioned last month, we are all anxiously awaiting its arrival to see what the rest of us should be doing! Thank you Brian for your time, efforts, and consideration. Next year’s PicNik will be on the fourth of August. Don’t say you haven’t had enough time to plan ahead!

Other events this month include the Fonda Fair where FUNTRAK will be setting up a large T-trak layout in addition to the other layouts already there. Greg may bring the HO T-trak division as well. Plans are incomplete at this writing, but intentions are to have the new layout at the fair for everyone to enjoy. More future plans are in the works such as a show in Mohawk over Columbus Day weekend supported by the local schools and PTO. More details will be forthcoming as soon as they are available. Since this will be an inaugural show, it is difficult to predict how it will go, but FUNTRAK always hopes for the best and enjoys displaying trains for the public regardless of the obstacles that may present themselves.

Next on the agenda for FUNTRAK will be the annual show in Clayton the weekend after Labor Day. Again this year FUNTRAK anticipates bringing some N-trak modules and a T-trak layout. The rest of the West Winds group has promised to supply a few modules to enhance the T-trak layout with some new and exciting scenery. Come on out and support your local model railroad club. See you at the shows!

Brian

community, construction, layouts, modules, N-trak, rainy weekends, summer, T-trak, train shows Comments Off more...

30

Jul/12

Canadian Friends

by admin under Layout Design, Scenery & Structures, Scratchbuilding

Here are a few pictures of the handiwork of our Canadian friends, Justin Parry and David King. As with most model railroad layouts, these are all a work-in-progress. It is always interesting to follow the progress of a layout as it grows, and moves toward completion. Of course, no layout ever seems to be “complete!” Justin’s layout is a large N scale layout with numerous modern features that are being developed. The electronics involved are truly mind-boggling, but they sure make operation interesting! David’s layout is a smaller On30 layout with a reduced version of similar controls to Justin’s. David usually tries something on his layout and then incorporates into Justin’s after testing and evaluation. The smaller layout provides a “test bed” for trying new things before going upscale to the larger layout. David is doing all these electronics while at the same time scratchbuilding most of the structures for his layout. Retirement contributes to much of the time required to do all these things, but even then things do not go as quickly as one might imagine. FUNTRAK will continue to follow the evolution of these railroads as we overtake the future.

friends, hobby, inspiration, model railroading, N scale, retirement, scratchbuilding Comments Off more...

28

Jul/12

Canadian Express: A Tribute to Our Northern Neighbor

by admin under Layout Design

This post is a tribute to our Northern neighbors in Canada. Brian recently visited with longtime
friend David King in Hamilton, Ontario where he was fortunate enough to visit a few home layouts,
including David’s. One of the interesting layouts he visited is pictured below, the Credit
Valley Railway based in the company store in Mississauga.

in store layout at Credit Valley Railway

Besides the HO layout, which this and the other pictures below were taken on, there is also a Lionel layout as well as a small O gauge diorama. All these displays are well done and are a big asset to the hobby shop. The layouts illustrate what can be done with available supplies, of which the hobby shop carries everything needed to build these fine layouts. The selection at the store was wonderful, the help most gracious, and prices reasonable. Many hard to find and unusual items were readily available and easy to find in the well organized store. If you are in the area, do not pass up an opportunity to visit this fine Canadian hobby shop.

inspiration, layouts, model railroad Comments Off more...

2

Jul/12

From The Desk: July 2012

by Brian under Layout Design, Layout Progress, Meetings, Scenery & Structures

Inspiration and ambition. Two wonderful concepts that go hand in hand. FUNTRAK has never had a lack of ambition when it comes to model railroading and inspiration can be found in numerous places. Fortunately for club members John Fleming, Clayt Farrall, Greg Brockway, and myself, Brian Curry was kind enough to allow them to visit his exquisite N scale home layout. This layout will provide inspiration to anyone who has even the slightest interest in model railroading. The level of detail is absolutely astounding. This is to be expected as Brian is a Master Model Railroader. His craftsmanship, skills, and ingenuity are evident everywhere you look on his railroad. No detail has been overlooked. The scenery is so
realistic you feel like you are actually a part of the scene rather than just an outside observer. With this kind of inspiration as a background, FUNTRAK members are currently undertaking a new chapter in the club’s endeavors. With adept leadership from Greg Brockway, new HO T-trak modules are being constructed. This will enhance the club’s involvement in multiple scales and provide a new avenue for others to join in if they so desire. Pictures in the post below show some of the detail on Brian Curry’s remarkable railroad. You could spend hours viewing this railroad and still not see everything. As usual, Brian was a fabulous host and a most humble individual about his accomplishments. In recognition of some of his achievements, FUNTRAK presented Brian with a basic T-trak module with the proviso that he bring it to the PicNik next month where FUNTRAK will proudly incorporate it into a small T-trak layout. Everyone is anxiously awaiting this event and looking forward to seeing what Brian may do with the module.

Yours Truly, actually doing some real work.

Meanwhile, as shown in one of the pictures from the work session, yours truly is actually shown doing some real work. Lorenzo was also at the work session and took the picture. All in all, ten new HO modules were constructed during this session. On the 24th of July FUNTRAK members will meet at Greg’s house to continue construction of the new modules and anticipate having them up and running for the PicNik next month. So much for inspiration and ambition. Now to see how the two come together in the final result of accomplishment and what the new modules actually look like! Until next time, keep training.
Brian

Results from our work session

club meeting, construction, events, future of model railroading, layout design, master model railroader, model railroad, model railroading, team work Comments Off more...

26

Jun/12

Inspiration From A Master Model Railroader

by admin under Layout Design, Scenery & Structures, Scratchbuilding

FUNTRAK club member Clayt Farrall cheerfully presents Brian Curry with a T-Trak basic module

FUNTRAK was extremely pleased to give this module to Brian in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to model railroading. Of course, there is a catch. With the upcoming annual Picnik, FUNTRAK will be setting up a small T-trak layout at the Picnik and expects Brian’s new module to be the star of the show. The August cover will tell the story. We’re all rooting for you Brian!

Brian Curry was kind enough to invite Funtrak members to visit his exquisite N scale home layout. This layout will provide inspiration to anyone who has even the slightest interest in model railroading. See his exquisitely detailed layout below.

detail work, inspiration, layout design, master model railroader, model railroad, model railroading, scenery, scenicked, team work Comments Off more...

7

Jun/12

From The Desk: June 2012

by Brian under Community Involvement, Layout Design, Layout Progress, Meetings, organization, Scenery & Structures

John and Greg work on Funtrak's new HO module

The unofficial summer has arrived! Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and FUNTRAK members Greg Brockway, John Fleming, and I have begun a new chapter in FUNTRAK’s future. The HO division has been revived in the form of T-trak HO. The first of eight planned modules were constructed over the weekend, so there are now two corners awaiting track and electrical connections. Plans down the road include finishing two more corners and then building four straight modules. This will provide a minimal layout in HO of approximately four by eight feet. Club members are eager to support this new effort and look forward to the completion of the first layout. As usual, there are some minor issues that accompany any new endeavor. The first is transportation. Although HO is not really huge, it is considerably larger than the N scale modules used in T-trak. The larger size of these modules makes them more difficult to transport, but this is a problem that will eventually have a solution. Hopefully, it will be a simple solution!

Greg has volunteered to be the HO coordinator for the T-trak division and everyone in the club has promised to help him with whatever he may need to get things up and running. If you are interested in the HO side of the model railroad effort, get in touch with Greg or any club member and information, guidance, and help will be forthcoming.

In other FUNTRAK news, Golden Spike Day, May 10, saw FUNTRAK setting up an interesting layout back at Fisher Elementary School. Over four hundred “visitors” got to see FUNTRAK’s handiwork on Friday with more visitors on Saturday when the school hosted a PTA family fair. One of FUNTRAK’s newest members, Tim Brien, provided a beautifully scenicked Lionel layout for the students to enjoy alongside the FUNTRAK T-trak layout. Both of these displays were big hits for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens. This was a great learning experience for the students as well as adults as the importance of railroading was acknowledged in America’s history, both past and present. The miniature world of model railroading provides a hands on experience as well as an academic challenges for all the participants. It is a great way to learn about a myriad of skills, information, and history for both student and teacher alike. If you want to try a new approach to having fun while learning a variety of new things for yourself, your children, and your friends, try model railroading. You won’t be disappointed!

Brian

additions, children and grandparents, club meeting, construction, events, future of model railroading, Golden Spike Day, Ilion, layout design, model railroad, module, team work Comments Off more...

1

Jun/12

Memorial Weekend Work Session

by admin under Layout Design, Layout Progress, Meetings, Scratchbuilding

Constructing the first of the necessary modules for the revived HO division of FUNTRAK began over the Memorial Day weekend. Two corners were completed with more to follow. Greg, one of FUNTRAK’s newest members, proudly displays one of the completed corners.

Greg displays the completed corner for the HO module

additions, club meeting, construction, future of model railroading, model railroad, model railroading, module, organization, team work Comments Off more...

15

May/12

FUNTRAK Celebrates Golden Spike Day

by admin under Community Involvement, Train Shows

John and Lorenzo dress for the occasion, as they celebrate Golden Spike Day at Fisher Elementary School

FUNTRAK members John Fleming and Lorenzo Franchi dressed for the occasion as FUNTRAK provided the trains for the students at Fisher Elementary School to enjoy and celebrate Golden Spike Day. The display saw over four hundred students come to view the setup and enjoy the operation of numerous trains. Tim Brien, another of FUNTRAK’s members, provided a gorgeous Lionel layout in addition to the T-trak layout at the school. Everything finished up on Saturday with the PTA’s fair being conducted throughout the school and the trains remaining until the fair closed. FUNTRAK thanks all involved!

community, contributions, events, future of model railroading, Golden Spike Day, kids and trains, model railroad, NY, team work Comments Off more...

7

May/12

From The Desk: May 2012

by Brian under Layout Design, Meetings, organization, Train Shows

In this case, children were encouraged to 'touch' in this interactive display

FUNTRAK’s annual “Valley Rail Sights” show in Ilion has come and gone. This year proved to be a rousing success. Attendance was up, manufacturers were available, food was plentiful, and trains of all sizes were up and running. Much of this success is attributable to the club’s efforts at advertising the show this year. This helped promote better attendance and more interest from the community as well as other clubs. Train buffs from Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany all showed up to support the show in various ways. Everyone involved was elated at the way things ran so smoothly.

The N-trak layout was downsized somewhat this year to accommodate the larger T-trak layout, which was a huge success. The main T-trak layout consisted of five loops including a large over three scale mile long mainline along with the double bubble. This kept everyone fascinated with the trains as they made their way around this complex arrangement. The N-trak layout provided more trains to keep the public happy. Additionally, there were G scale trains running and Z scale trains on a small layout. For the younger set, there was the Lionel layout on another floor where the trains could be operated by the visitors. This always piques their interest as they are able to actually run the trains and blow the horn.

Parents and children alike appreciate the opportunity to interact with the trains. Most of FUNTRAK’s trains are set at a level that allows the youngest visitors to see the trains without having to find some means of rising up to a higher level to observe the trains. This makes it much easier on parents and grandparents since they do not have to pick up the children. Hopefully, these little things will help keep the smaller visitors interested and influence their decisions later to join a model railroad club.

Brian

children and grandparents, eventgs, family activity, family fun, fun for kids, model railroad, model railroading, train shows, Valley Rail Sights Comments Off more...

Another Fabulous FUNTRAK PicNik!

From the Desk: August 2012

Canadian Friends

Canadian Express: A Tribute to Our Northern Neighbor

From The Desk: July 2012

Inspiration From A Master Model Railroader

From The Desk: June 2012

Memorial Weekend Work Session

FUNTRAK Celebrates Golden Spike Day

From The Desk: May 2012

Helpful

Upcoming Events

PS&N Railroad Museum Open House at the Allegany County Fair, July 20-25

Middletown Railroad Day, July 26

23rd Annual FUNTRAK PikNik - August 2

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