Midwest HOn30 Module Guild

The First Meeting of the Midwest HOn30 Module Guild Held July 10th, 1999 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Guild Members In Attendance: Mike Bauers, Bob Danielsen, Bob Hayden, Tom Hoermann, Keith Pashina, Jeff Schumaker, Brian Williams

Morning Introductions

The weather was beautiful all day in Milwaukee. Bob Danielsen graciously volunteered to host the meeting at his home in Wauwatosa. The meeting was scheduled to run from 11:00am until 4:00pm, but everyone ( see picture 1) had so much fun that most members stayed until 8:30pm! The first to arrive were Jeff Schumaker and Tom Hoerbornn (the Ohio contingent) at 10:00am. Brian Williams (the Illinois contingent) came about an hour later. At 11:30am Keith Pashina showed-up after a long drive from Minnesota. Lastly, Bob Hayden arrived shortly after Noon. Operations began early in Bob D.'s garage using three modules and trains on loan from Bob H. that were set-up the day before. These modules ( see picture 2) were built to the standards published on the HOn30 Mailcar website and feature a mainline which runs along the back of the module leaving plenty of opportunity for foreground scenes ( see picture 3). Each of the members brought a powerful array of HOn30 engines, locomotives and rolling stock. Much of the morning focused on viewing and operating the trains ( see picture 4) and swapping information on manufactures. Bob D. had recently purchased a Brass Car Works # 7 Forney which he was just itching to show-off. In an ironic twist of fate; Tom also brought his recently purchased Car Works # 7 Brass Forney to show ! Tom also had numerous engines, including a tiny Arnold Koef II N-scale diesel that everyone marveled at. Jeff brought several engines which he had kitbashed including a Chivers Forney, a Joe Works Forney (with a new mechanism), and a totally scratch built Forney. Keith showed several fine examples of his Gilpin Tramway equipment ( see picture 5) including a tiny shay and several ore cars. Brian brought an array of classic Egger-Bahn equipment including the rare "work engine" which Mike had been hoping to see and a complete 1966 Egger-Bahn catalog. At one point over 23 pieces of equipment ( see picture 6) were staged on the ready tracks! Unfortunently, the picture doesn't really capture the scale of the scene.

Lunch for Seven

Donna, Bob D's wife, made a wonderful lunch of brats, burgers, potato salad, etc.. Bob D. showed his basement room where his permanent layout will eventually be built. Everyone sat outside and discussed historical prototypes, casting techniques, and their experiences with various kits. Keith prompted some lively discussion of Michigan narrow-gauge prototypes. Bob H. retold his story about the origins of the AHM Minitrains line and then invited everyone to drive to his house for the afternoon and see the famous Carrabasset & Dead River layout.

An Afternoon in New England

Bob H. was in the middle of moving to Arizona during July. The day the guild members visited was one of last few operating days for the Carabasset & Dear River before it was dismantled for the move. The layout was even more impressive in person than in pictures. Based on the two-foot railroads in Maine this layout features beautiful fall colors and loads of details like signposts made from scrap rail just like the prototype. This had to be the highlight of the day for everyone! Bob H. gave everyone a preview of his latest project: an early C&DR passenger coach #12 ( see picture 7). Both Bob D. and Brian attempted to run their locomotives ( see picture 8, and see picture 9)on the C&DR with limited success. The C&DR trackwork strictly adheres to the NMRA track standards which caused problems for some of the "non-standard" equipment.

Long Goodbyes

After viewing the C&DR everyone met back at Bob D.s house for more operation and sharing. Eventually the discussion turned to module construction. All the guild members agreed to construct modules using the standards published on the HOn30 Mailcar website. Almost everyone plans to bring their modules to St. Louis in the Fall of 2000 to operate jointly with the New England Guild at the National Narrow Gauge Convention. Eventually, Brian had to leave to pick-up his family and return to Illinois. The rest of the group was having so much fun that they didn't break-up until 8:30 PM! The next meeting for the guild is tentatively planned during Trainfest in Milwaukee in the Fall of 1999. However, several of the members continue to keep in-touch and meet informally.

Click on Thumbnail	Description
	1. Group Picture - Here are the guild members assembled in Bob Danielsen's backyard. Show from left to right are Bob Danielsen, Brian Williams, Mike Bauers, Tom Hoermann, Jeff Schumaker, Keith Pashina, and Bob Hayden.
	2. A Module - Bob Hayden's three modules are built to the standards published on the HOn30 Mailcar site at <<<INSERT URL>>>. Note that the mainline runs along the back of the module leaving plenty of opportunity for foreground modeling. Each of the club members is constructing at least one module to this standard and expects to run as a group with the New England group at the National Narrow Gauge Convention next year.
	3. Foreground Scene - Here is a shot of an Egger locomotive #2 being turned on the turntable of one of Bob Hayden's modules.
	4. Operating Trains - Here is the guild doing what they love best: talking shop and running tiny trains in the garage. Bob Hayden brought the three modules in the foreground.
	5. Gilpin Ore Train - This is a picture of Keith Pashina's Gilpin Tramway Shay #3 and ore cars rounding a trestle on his layout in Minneapolis. This picture was taken a week after the Guild meeting during the National Train Show.
	6. Equipment - Here is the awesome combined motive power of the guild! Along the back are several pieces from Bob H.'s Carrabassett & Dead River line and Bob D.'s AHM Plymouth diesel. On the middle track (from L to R) are several pieces from Brian William's collection including an Egger work engine, AHM Plymouth, Car Works #7 brass Forney (Bob D.s'), Egger coal burner, Egger short box car, Egger passenger coach, Egger electric and Roco 0-6-0 locomotive. The foreground track shows an AHM 0-6-0 coal locomotive, Egger Western locomotive, Egger wood burner #5, Two Egger passenger coaches, #5, A Bemo electric, Arnold N-gauge electric engine, Egger diesel engine #1, and another Egger work engine. These are also mostly from Brian W.'s collection except the Arnold engine which is Tom Hoermann's and the second Egger work engine which belongs to Jeff Schumaker.
	7. New C&DR Passenger Car - This is one of Bob Hayden's latest efforts: an early Carrabassett & Dead River passenger coach #12.
	8. Brass Forney on the C&DR - This is Bob Danielsen's Car Works brass Forney #7 on it's virgin run atop one of the Carrabassett and Dead River's many bridges.
	9. Coal Burner on the C&DR - Here is Brian Williams' best-running steam engine (an Egger-Bahn #2) parked with a string of work cars on a siding along the Carrabassett & Dead River.

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