http://www.agsem.com/200706-mcdowellf.html

STRR
Fred McDowell

Just a quick stop in our clubhouse will tell you that the Short Track Railroad has been busy these past few months. Thanks to many of our hard-working members, we are now able to run trains, on a trial basis, on our permanent layout.

What just a few weeks ago, was a skeleton of 2 by 4’s and plywood -- picture above, is rapidly becoming a functioning railroad. Based on the route of the former Southern Pacific Railroad (now merged into the Union Pacific RR) through the Donner Pass, our permanent layout is progressing nicely. Hopefully by the next issue of The Ignitor, we will be able to report that our “plywood landscape” has sprouted some realistic scale mountains and trees.

Work will undoubtedly proceed a little slower in the next few weeks, as the STRR prepares our 9th annual exhibition at the San Diego County Fair. In the past edition of The Ignitor, we invited all our readers to become part of the model train exhibit at the Fair. Interest has been strong so far, but we still have some slots available for some guest operators. Once again, you do not have to own any trains or have any special knowledge to help “run” at the Fair. If interested, click this link for more information.

In addition to the “Donnor Pass” we will also be showing a small modular layout at the upcoming Harvest Festival at the AGSEM. The concurrence of the Fair and the Harvest Festival always presents a “staffing” challenge for us, so if you like, please join us at the Harvest Festival to run trains too. Even volunteering for one hour would help our crewmembers run the layouts. If computer links are not your cup of tea, please feel free to call the author’s cell phone for more information.

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