Quick recap
This month’s meeting focused on the upcoming open house event, with discussions about logistics, signage, and helper coordination. The group reviewed pending actions from January, including website updates and membership matters. Mike Hauk presented a clinic on static grass application techniques, sharing his workflow and tips for creating realistic scenery. The treasurer reported on financial matters, noting a checking account balance of $2,216.61. The group also discussed the need for a PayPal or Venmo account to facilitate electronic transactions. Finally, they reviewed the status of various clinics and membership activities, including the need for ideas on outreach to younger modelers.
Next steps
- Scheduled for May 1st – Paul: Make the detailed Google map with addresses available to registered attendees one week before the open house, and remove it after the event.
- Done – Paul: Post a picture of the open house sign on the invitation/website so attendees know what to look for.
- Jens: Make and distribute unified donation jug containers to each host for the open house.
- Board members: Develop plans/ideas for outreach to younger and new modelers, based on survey results, for discussion at the March board meeting.
- Al: Send letters/emails to new and delinquent members as discussed.
- Done – Paul (webmaster): Move the helper list spreadsheet to an online (e.g. Google Docs) version so all can edit in real time.
- Jens: Send the shared online helper list URL to interested members so they can add themselves.
- Jens: Speak with Father Fred to get donation jug containers for the food pantries.
- David (Treasurer) and Paul (webmaster): Take offline discussion about setting up PayPal or Venmo account for electronic transactions.
- David Zolnerek: Send updated pike ad (with name added) to Paul for editing.
- Paul (webmaster): Edit David Zolnerek’s pike ad to include his name.
- Done – Paul (webmaster): Add the ground goop recipe to the clinic page on the website.
- All members: RSVP for the open house event if planning to attend as a visitor (not a helper).
- All members with old clinic materials: Email clinic PDFs, card decks, or recordings to Paul for the website archive.
Summary
The meeting began with introductions from the attendees, who shared details about their layouts, scales, and modeling interests. Participants discussed various railroads and time periods, including HO scale, freelance modeling, and specific regional layouts. Paul demonstrated a new video for navigating to the meeting room at the Foster Family Community Health Center, which will become a standard resource for future meeting invitation posts. Ralph Moxley shared details about his Ann Arbor Railroad model layout and his experience publishing an article about it in Model Railroader magazine.
Model Railroad Certificate for John Campbell
Pete Magoun presented John Campbell with his Model Railroad Author Certificate, which was the seventh certificate he needed to complete his MMR.
Open House Preparation Planning
The group also discussed an upcoming open house event, the page for which is now live on the website. We expect 80-100 people to attend, including volunteers from local food pantries and NMRA members. The group discussed preparations for the upcoming open house, including the release of an interactive Google map on May 1st and the distribution of donation jug containers to support LCN and Father Fred.
Divison Housekeeping Topics
We discussed various tasks completed and in progress, such as collecting old clinic data, adding a video of Ernie’s layout to the website, and planning outreach to younger and new modelers based on survey results. The board members were asked to bring ideas for younger modeler outreach to the March board meeting. The group also addressed the need to host the helper list online to prevent double booking, and discussed the RSVP process for the open house.
We also covered website updates, membership review, and financial updates. Paul discussed working on Michigan Central stock certificate imagery for a division appreciation certificate. David provided a treasurer’s report, noting a $954 savings balance and $1,261 checking account balance. The group discussed setting up PayPal or Venmo accounts for easier transactions with the Division. They also reviewed upcoming clinics and events, including the aforementioned open house in May.
Clinic – Introduction to Static Grass
Mike Hauk presented an introduction to static grass techniques, providing many tips and tricks to creating excellent static grass effects in your scenery.
There is a dedicated page for this clinic, with video, in the Clinics archive.
Show and Tell
The show and tell session featured several members showcasing their model train projects.
30-Year-Old Atlas Locomotives – Keith Aleo
Keith Aleo showed off his restored vintage Atlas F units, which he equipped with DCC, sound, and modern LED lighting after 25 years of inactivity.
Petoskey Coaling Tower – Bill McCary
Bill McCary shared his scratch-built coaling tower model for a 1913 Petoskey, Michigan layout, which included detailed mechanical elements.
Custom Algoma Locomotive Shells – Keith Munson
Keith Munson presented two custom painted and declared locomotive shells for the Algoma Railway.
Yet Another Caboose – Paul Anderson
Paul showed the latest addition to his Burlington Northern caboose collection.
3D Printed Counter/Bar – Kevin Predmore
Kevin presented a 3D-printed ticket counter with modular inserts for various configurations.
Elberta Packing Company – Ralph Moxley
Ralph displayed a comprehensive model of the Elberta Packing Company, a 3×5-foot diorama featuring multiple buildings and a conveyor system, which he is donating to the city of Elberta.
Future Meetings
Looking into the crystal ball, and following our tendency to schedule monthly meetings on the third Saturday of each month, our upcoming meetings are as follows:
- March 21, 2026
- Clinic – Craig Wilson – Ann Arbor Cabooses
- April 18, 2026
- Clinic – Ralph Moxley – Ann Arbor Railroad layout
- May 16, 2026 – Open House
These meeting dates are best estimates until we post the official invitation (please check the Meetings archive). There are no monthly meetings during the summer months of June, July, and August.