Some of you know that the last newsletter was publish-ed on the Internet by way of our website. Thanks to David Keith, our webmaster, you now have the chance to see the photos in color. We will send each newsletter to David for posting. (And this time there will be additional photos.)

We have the email address for about 20 members. If you send your address to Ted, it will be added to the address book, and you will be notified when the news-letter is available on the Internet.

The April combined Midwest 2-Foot and Mini-Bunch Meet is just around the corner: April 5th & 6th. Refer to the detailed information in this news-letter. Reserve your hotel space now and get your meal money in post haste. Most importantly, plan to bring your models for both the contest and display. I consider the models in progress for display just as fascinating to view and ask questions about as the finished contest models. Space is a plenty so bring, bring, bring.

With spring right around the corner, now is the time to make the commitment to an outdoor railroad. This end of the model-railroading hobby continues to expand faster than all other segments. (Note the blatant plug here.) For those of you concerned that the standard heavy-duty 332 mm rail is not scale appropriate let me point you in the direction of 250 mm and 215 mm rail in brass, nickel silver, or aluminum from Sunset Valley Railroad (www.svrronline.com); Micro Engineering (#636-349-1112); California & Oregon Coast Railway (#541-582-4104). Manufacturers like Accucraft Trains, Berlyn Locomotive Works, and Hartford Products just scratch the surface of scale manufacturers for engines and cars. Nothing will ease the strain on your eyes like large scale and open up a whole new field (or yard as the case may be) of narrow gauge endeavor. Try it - you will like it.

With the April meet remember not only to bring your models, but also bring a friend to join the Mini-Bunch activities. Let us swell the ranks.

Gary Kohler’s Spring Narrow Gauge Meet
April 5 and 6, 2002

See Gary’s flyer for more information. Make sure that you register at the Mini-Bunch table as well.

Additional clinic information:
Friday: 6:30 to 7:30 - Maine Two Footers - in vintage color - by Gary Kohler
7:30 to ?? - The Rio Grande Southern and others - by Bob Richardson

Saturday: 10:00 - 11:00 - Jim Eakin - Critters
11:10 - 12:00 - David Keith - Tanneries and Chemical Plants
12:30 - 1:20 - Chris, Jerry & Gary - WW&F Part 2
1:30 - 2:20 - Sam Swanson - Building Ward’s Sawmill
2:30 - 3:30 - Darryl Sleszynski & Chris McChesney - Interactive Modeling
3:30 - 4:20 - Jim Weinschenker - W&W

The Fall 2002 Mini-Bunch Meet will be held October 19 and 20, 2002 on Ohio's Marblehead Peninsula (near Sandusky)

The headquarters motel will be the Sleep Inn located on Route 53N on the east side of Port Clinton near the causeway crossing of the bay. There will be a special group room rate available for reservations made before October 1, 2001.

A major feature will be a drive yourself tour guide of:

• The former Lakeside and Marblehead Railroad on the peninsula,
• The former Toledo, Port Clinton, and Lakeside interurban line, and
• Several little known quarry lines have been located and mapped by Kirk Hise.

There will be all the usual model and photo contests, and we anticipate having three speakers who will talk about the history of these lines.

We need both clinic presenters and layouts to visit in the area. If you can help, or know someone who can, please call Pete at (330) 483-3962, or email to pete.stroth-@att.net.

Rio Grande Southern Railroad - Follow the link to see John Hansen's Sn3 Rio Grande Southern.

Dan has asked us for recommendations for clinics. If there is something you would like to see or a particular speaker you would like to hear, send a note to us and we will forward to Dan. Or, his email address is: dkempf@ameritech.net

Dan would like to know about any modular layouts that could be at the show. 

Dan Kempf
4010 Loch Alpine Dr. W.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
dkempf@ameritech.net

Some members have never received a name badge since they have not been available for over 10 years. Others have lost theirs. Jim Eakin has found a new vendor who can make badges that are nearly the same as the previous design. (We lost the prior vendor due to a fire that destroyed the die for the badges, and we could not afford to make a new one.)

So sent $10 to me and we will get a new badge for you for the next meeting. (Tell us how to spell the name too - nickname - or whatever.)

This new Society plans to publish six newsletters and at least two magazines per year. Although it will include standard gauge, several of the founders are historians interested in the narrow gauge. If you are interested, go to the website - http://rgmhs.drgw.org, or write to the Society at PO Box 25114, Colorado Springs, CO 80936-5114.

John and Ted thank Jim Eakin for the help in getting these newsletters printed. Jim has been in the railroad printing business for a number of years. As a result, we were able to get the copying done for a really reasonable price.

We plan to send out 4 newsletters per year. We are looking for articles on modelbuilding and prototype that will be of interest for the members. John and I have a special interest in Western narrow gauge. Would anyone like to try their hand at preparing a column on logging or Eastern narrow gauge?

Sn3 Symposium
Feb 14-16, 2003 - St Louis, MO
Feb 2004 - Pasadena, CA