Well, we’re getting into summer now! The setup scheduled for Dave’s Diner on June 25th fell through due to the inclement weather. It’s summer–such things happen. Members showed up all ready to set up and run trains, alas the rain started falling out of the sky and put an end to that idea. In spite of the bad weather, club members had a splendid dinner. Dave has always supported the club and we look forward to setting up at a future date when the weather will hopefully cooperate better.

FUNTRAK had a great work session this month, with Greg making vast strides in moving us ahead with HO t-trak. Hopefully, it will be up and running fornext months PicNik!

In addition to layout builds, Brian and team have been steadily persevering at the software program to operate the reverse loop for the N scale T-trak one trak project. With continued efforts the reverse loop may be ready for operation at the upcoming PicNik.

It’s time to celebrate! The 10th Annual PicNik will take place at Brian’s on Sunday, August 4. Everyone is welcome. Bring the family and plan to stay the day. It’s going to be a great time with food, games, and socializing.

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

WOW! What else can be said? The annual PicNik this year was a rousing success. The crowd was large, the trains were great, the weather was acceptable, the children were well behaved, everyone had fun, and, as always, the food selection, quality, and quantity were fantastic. Well over fifty people were in attendance for what has become the premiere event of the summer for FUNTRAK. Visitors from Albany, Rochester, and Canada brought diversity to the PicNik and kept things lively. David King did his usual wonderful job of providing chef service, club members John Fleming, Greg Brockway, and Lorenzo Franchi set up the trains, and My family provided the facilities and services necessary for another great PicNik. Watch for next year as it will be very special celebrating numerous different remarkable events. See you there!

Check out photos from the PicNik.

Brian

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.