Page 9 - March April 1999
P. 9

   TIMETABLE
APRIL 1999
NMRA Membership Cards needed for all Region Meet Entry.
Early Summer Meet 1999
Sunday 20th June at Rainhill
Late Summer Meet 1999
August at De Ferrers School, Burton-on-Trent
NMRA (BR) CONVENTION ‘99
22nd, 23rd & 24th October Moat House Hotel, Peterborough Details & Booking Form in this issue.
LOCAL GROUP/DIVISION DETAILS ...SEE HEY THERE! OR DIRECTORY
ANNUAL DUES:
National Regular $32 pa to HQ Chattanooga by VISA/MC
British Region Dues £10.50 pa
Payment due by 1st April each year
APPLICATIONS for Membership, Changes of Details, address etc. to:
REGION REGISTRAR: Vernon Stone, Capilano, Moneyrow Green, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 2NA.
Tel. 01628 627537
See DIRECTORY for all other Officers and Dues Information.
The Views expressed in ROUNDHOUSE are those of the Individual Concerned, and not necessarily those of the EDITOR, OFFICERS or ASSOCIATION.
CARS...
(All items by the Editor unless otherwise credited)
  will have visited the real thing. Let’s hope the stores in Rock Springs are as good as those in Bournemouth! No doubt the railway room will be deluged with videos and photographs on their return, which will lead to much reworking of certain aspects, but we will be ready with a much advanced version of Rock Springs for the June outing.
We couldn’t finish without explaining that Bob still has at least 2 metres of the D&RGW on one wall of his railway room, which, we assure him, will become a real railroad when the time is right.”
Alan, Bob, Martyn, Mel, Mike, Vernon, Vick.
Geoff Meek...
...replies to letters in Uncoupled Cars, Feb. issue.
1) Regarding the criticisms asked for in Eric Belshaw’s letter, the report reflected my own personal feelings on the meet itself, which of necessity it has to. I’m sure that some other visitors would say the meet was okay - each of us has their own ideas on matters relating to model railroadng - who am I to disagree with this.
If Eric wants more detailed criticism on the buildings, I’ll give him the benefit of my considerable number of years of modelling - to what standard is for others to judge, I would not be so pompous as to pass an opinion on that. Regarding Eric’s statement about ‘throwing money at model making’, this is too simplistic - I would not advise that as a solution for excellence. The hundreds of modellers out there constantly striving to achieve the ultimate all go about it their own way. I’ll admit there are those with plenty to spend on the hobby but that doesn’t say they will have the best model. They are in the minority and it certainly doesn’t apply to Yours Truly!
Eric mentions the majority of the buildings are scratch built from scrap materials. He should examine the exquisite structures built by Dave Gunn, some of which are plasticard, card and wood. Maybe Dave is exceptionally skilled but skills can be learned. Whatever materials are used, expensive or otherwise, skills are important. Surely that is what NMRA is all about, the ability to pass on skills to members who wish to learn them.
With regard to the statement on the ‘orange rock and matchwood bridges’, let’s have my comments correct, Eric. I said the colouring was poor, and the bridges were spectacular, not matchwood. I have no doubt that many hours of work went into their construction.
 On train operation, I merely commented on the fact that the trains ran reasonably well, whatever delight the modules hold for the visitor operationally is a bonus. Incidentally other modules than the Black Diamonds have facilities for “off mainline” running too.
As to the statement in the last paragraph, I won’t comment on that, but I’ll repeat to Eric that Calder Northern would be happy to host five modules (we can’t fit in six) for a division meet. Just pick up the phone Eric and let me know when you would like to come. I’ll arrange all that’s necessary.
2) Reply to Gordon Wallis’ letter in same issue: Gordon, the days you refer to are long gone. I’ve been an NMRA member over 10 years, and modelling American railroads longer.
I don’t get the connection between Meet reports and Presidents Cars. One evolves a style of writing, and it doesn’t change depending on the article being written, as you will see if I last that long! Finally we are running a model railroad hobby organisation, not a Government. It is a democratic organisation despite what you might think, and as such everyone (and I mean everyone) has the right to express an opinion. That’s how we get things done! Otherwise we might just as well not have an organisation. It is a great hobby and an equally great organisation - nit picking like this does nobody any good, least of all the NMRA. I note the editor’s comments at the end of the letter, and thank him for them. I end this reply with the usual Roundhouse disclaimer!
Eds. Note: A lot of replies were received on this matter, and even more on John Wright’s Convention Comments. These will be summarised in the June issue.
Mike Smye...
...wrote to suggest that we place a regular “questions and answers” column in Roundhouse, a kind of “member aid” on paper. This is an excellent idea, and has been suggested several times before.
The problem with initiating regular features of any sort is that they demand a regular input, which usually doesn’t happen for long, at least not in that form.
In practice, such queries come in fairly often and get presented as individual points in “Uncoupled Cars.” The answers do likewise. Other queries go direct to Member Aid officers, or members depicted, in the Directory, as having the appropriate knowledge. These don’t usually see the light of day in Roundhouse, but generally produce the goods for the questioner concerned.
 Personally, I like having queries come through Roundhouse - it gives me something to do (!) and the answers, when published, can help other members besides the original questioner.
Vernon Stone...
...sent me a business card from a Continental manufacturer called HARZLANDmodell, run by a Mr. (or Herr) R. A. Schiner, Postbox 511611, D- 38246 Salzgitter (I’m assuming this is Germany but I suppose it could be Austria.) This firm works in 1:160 and is producing a White Pass & Yukon narrow gauge (Nn3) loco kit (brass/epoxy) for 1999.
Fax on 05341 392463
Would all Region Officers...
...who have e-mail available please oblige me with their address, as I am finding it much easier to communicate that way than by letter. In fact, any members who would like
me to keep their e- mail address on file, please feel free to send it (by e-mail if you like!) Ed.
 YARD LIMIT
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