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In April of 2017 two of our KCMR members were invited to speak at a Sterling, Kansas Rotary Club luncheon. Fred Dugger and Javen Schmucker put together a presentation describing how they got involved with the hobby of modeling railroading. Or as some folks might say “Why do you play with trains?” As many of us started out with a train set as a child there are lots of folks who want to know what kept our interest in the hobby.
During the presentation, many of the attendees begin to smile as they remember the good times they had years ago playing with an electric train. This reaction is quite common when doing a presentation on this topic. As an adult, it is a magical experience that many have forgotten. How quickly the audience starts to remember those days of old and the joys it brought to many families.
Following the close of the presentation (and after the hot lunch) Fred and Javen answered many questions ranging from “will my old set still run” to “where can we go to buy or get repairs for my old train”. It was a fun time for all who attended.
On Saturday August 12th, 2017, the Kansas Central Model Railroaders were invited to help with the model train display being hosted by KCMR member Phil Aylward. The event was part of the “Halstead Old Settlers” yearly festival with the model train display in the old Arkansas Valley Interurban (AVI) depot. Phil is the current owner of the building and is in process of restoring the building. The train display ran for six hours from 11 am until 5 pm. The doors opened right after the parade which brought in a large crowd from around 11 am until mid-afternoon. After closing at 5 pm Phil and his wife feed the group with grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, and potato salad. Oh yes, don’t forget the sodas too. THANKS PHIL!
This year was the 130th time the residents of Halstead put on their annual festival. The event usually starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday. For more information about the event visit their website at:
http://halsteadoldsettlers.com/
NOVEMBER is NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD MONTH
KCMR's 2017 Library Display
Kansas Central Model Railroaders, LLC
"Why I Play With Toy Trains"
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"Halstead Old Settlers" Saturday August 12th, 2017
AVI Depot - Halstead, Kansas
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Hutchinson, Kansas
Presented to: Sterling, Kansas Rotary Club
"HOBBY DAYS" - Friday May 5, 2017
Clearwater, Kansas Middle School
The Kansas Central Model Railroaders invited the public to view their model railroad displays which were setup on the second floor of the Hutchinson Public Library. The display was put in place to celebrate National Model Railroading Month. The display featured model trains in various gauges from Z to G. Hutchinson was represented by a scale model of the original Santa Fe now Amtrak depot. Morton Salt’s presence in Hutchinson was also represented. Information announcing the organization's upcoming model train show in June was part of the display as well. An article in the local newspaper stated that the public was invited to attend one of the club’s monthly meetings held on the first Saturday of each month in the second-floor library conference room. Call Don Phillips at 620-662-5906, or email dphillips31@cos.net, for meeting times, which change due to holidays. Information was provided by club members Gary Essells and Angela Ratzlaff both of Hutchinson.
KANSAS CENTRAL MODEL RAILROADERS, LLC TOOK THEIR TRAVELING HO LAYOUT TO THE INTERMEDIATE CENTER (MIDDLE SCHOOL) IN CLEARWATER, KS. TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR END OF SCHOOL "HOBBY DAYS" ON FRIDAY MAY 5, 2017. PRESENTERS GARY ESSELLS, FRED DUGGER AND MATT VOGT DEMONSTRATED THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD HOBBY.
THERE WERE FOUR, 45 MINUTE SESSIONS HELD DURING THE DAY WITH BOYS AND GIRLS FROM 4TH THRU 6TH GRADES. THE STUDENTS INDICATED THEIR CHOICE OF HOBBIES TO EXPLORE PRIOR TO THE EVENT. WE SPOKE WITH ABOUT 40 STUDENTS. THE QUESTIONS ASKED DEALT WITH EVERYTHING FROM HOW LONG IT TOOK TO BUILD THE LAYOUT TO WHAT THE MODELS COST. THE CONSTRUCTION OF MODELS, LANDSCAPE, PAINTING, WIRING AND OPERATION WERE EXPLAINED. EVERYONE WAS GIVEN A TURN AT THE CONTROLS OF THE TWO MAIN LINES. THE GALS WENT FASTER AROUND THE LOOPS THAN THE GUYS DID. THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES WAS WORTH THE TRIP. 25 COPIES OF MODEL RAILROADER MAGAZINES WERE HANDED OUT TO THOSE WHO WANTED THEM. THE SCHOOL PROVIDED US WITH BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.
SGT. MATT VOGT OF THE VALLEY CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT SPENT TIME USING THE LAYOUTS VARIOUS MODELS TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY AROUND RAILROADS USING KANSAS OPERATION LIFESAVER MATERIALS. AN AVID MODEL RAILROADER AND PHOTOGRAPHER, MATT EXPLAINED SOME BASIC SAFETY STEPS APPLICABLE TO THAT AGE GROUP. I WAS SURPRISED AT THE KNOWLEDGE THESE KIDS DISPLAYED ABOUT CROSSING SAFETY. KEY CHAINS, RULERS AND PENCILS WERE HANDED OUT TO THE STUDENTS.
ALL AND ALL IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR OUR CLUB. THE STAFF AND STUDENTS WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.
written by: Gary Essells
Kansas Central Model Railroaders ©