modeling first north shore & western modular club. the ...jetco hiawatha hobbies 2026 west...

WE MADE IT! Wisconsin’s Bits ‘n Pieces Finished for Trainfest.

By Ed Varick

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Highlights this issue >>>

WE MADE IT! Wisconsin’s Bits ‘n Pieces Finished for Trainfest. NEW TO TRAINFEST South Eastern WI Hi-Railers family fun. MODELING FIRST North Shore & Western Modular Club.

RECLAIM, REPURPOSE, REFURBISH… The Model Railroading Hobbyist Mantra

Better than ever, Wisconsin’s Bits ‘n Pieces returns to the Trainfest showroom floor this year as a brand new version – a sequel

beyond compare.

Immediately following last year’s Trainfest, the group’s 18-year-old,

award-winning, beloved, 10’ x 24’, two-level exhibit was sold to a private collector and now resides in Colorado. However, the layout’s engineers immediately began building a new, downsized layout in the same Wisconsin-based themes as the original grand belle!

(We Made It! continued on Page 15)

Express Trainfest Trainfest

November

2010 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 6

South Eastern WI Hi-Railers

North Shore & Western Division

Photo by John H. Tews, MMR

Trainfest® EXPRESS November 2010 =======================================================================================

Table of Contents Trainfest EXPRESS November 2010, Volume 1, Issue 6

Features

Columns

Page 6 What is

Trainfest? A Delight for the Senses!

Page 1, 15-18 We Made It! Wisconsin’s Bits ‘n Pieces done in time for Trainfest.

Page 19-22 New To

Trainfest South Eastern WI Hi-Railers family fun.

Page 23-24 Reclaim,

Repurpose,

Refurbish… The Model Railroading Hobbyist Mantra by Bonnie Moyer Topczewski

Page 4 From the

Caboose Comments from John H. Tews, MMR, Trainfest Executive Director.

Page 4 Crossings A Bird’s Eye View from Ruth Johnson,

Editor, Trainfest EXPRESS.

Page 10-13 Modeling First North Shore & Western Modular

Club.

Page 5 Kid’s First! Projects for all ages.

Trainfest® EXPRESS November 2010=======================================================================================

Crossings A Bird’s Eye View By Ruth Johnson, Editor, Trainfest EXPRESS

From the Caboose Comments from

John H. Tews MMR, Trainfest® Executive Director

SLOW AS MOLASSES. That is how time seems to pass when you are waiting to go somewhere special like Trainfest. So close and yet so far except to the exhibitors and hundreds of volunteers who are getting ready for the show to start on November 13.

As I ready my interview packets for all the layout artists, manufacturers, retailers, museums and clinicians, I have

to keep remembering to slow myself down so I don’t forget anything. John has already warned me that once I get there I need to hit the ground running because the sheer size of the

facility and all the layouts and booths are immense. You might not recognize me if you see me because I will probably have my face hidden behind a camera as I snap away at the awesome displays. I will probably crash my computer with the huge number

of photos I plan to push through it. Time to stock up on memory cards and flash drives galore!

Be sure to feel free and stop me if you see me and let me know what you think of our issues thus far. I love to hear from our readers and your input can only help make us

even better!

Please continue to contact me with your feedback or if

you would like to gain recognition by contributing your

articles, photos or ideas.

Warm wishes,

Ruth

Trainfest 2010 is just about a week away. AND, WOW!!! This is the first time that the Green

Bay Packers have had a “bye” game on TRAINFEST Sunday for as long as I have been associated with the show.

The floor plan puzzle is complete and you can view it on our website, www.trainfest.com. Booth numbers are shown on the floor plan and are listed in the program distributed at the show. We have some great activities for kids, including

Radio Disney programs on Sunday, the new Trains 4 Kids magazine activity area from Kalmbach Publishing with a Rest Area for mom and dad, Train

Races sponsored by the Midwest Division of TCA, the Circus Train ride and several model railroads where kids can operate the trains.

We have new and improved layouts. Several are featured in this EXPRESS issue, which will help inspire you with ideas on how to build and improve your own model railroad. Clinics and demonstrations have been expanded

(see the list on EXPRESS, Page 3) to help you solve problems and get hints and ideas from your fellow model builders.

Please feel free to ask questions and share your experiences with our clinicians, exhibitors and hobby dealers.

Trainfest EXPRESS is sent free via email as a PDF or on the Trainfest website in an interactive, online paging-style format. You can also print out the pages or articles you desire.

We continue to look for your input on articles you would like to see in the Express. Send them to us at [email protected] or [email protected].

When you’re at TRAINFEST, please look me up and say “Hi”. I do appreciate your ideas on how to make Trainfest better.

In the spirit of Model railroading, Clear Signals Always,

John

Page 4======================================================================================

Crossings

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http://www.trainfest.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Trainfest® EXPRESS November 2010======================================================================================

KIDS FIRST! Projects for all ages.

Children are our future and we provide this project to get them away from the tube/video games to a land of hands-on building.

CORK TRAIN (Requires adult supervision)

MATERIALS • (3) Large, round corks • (4) Small corks and half a very small cork

• Piece of cork tile 1/8" (3mm) thick • Different color thumbtacks • Embroidery thread • Large needle • Knife • Some paraffin or a piece of candle wax

• Sandpaper

CONSTRUCTION

Cut the 4 bases for the cars from the cork tile (see drawing 1 for size). Use a ruler to do this.

The cork cuts easily if you pass the knife through the paraffin once. Sand the cut part. THE LOCOMOTIVE

• Glue the large cork to a base. • Glue the smokestack on the large cork. Make it from a little cork and half of a very small cork.

• Put (2) red thumbtacks on the front of the base. Stick in (4) colored thumbtacks to make wheels. FIRST CAR

• Cut a large cork in half. Sand the cut ends. Glue the two halves onto the base. • Stick in (4) thumbtacks for wheels. • Repeat for subsequent cars, changing direction of the large cork for added interest.


An enriching family experience, Trainfest is America's largest operating model railroad show, 39 years strong! Every November, tens of thousands

of visitors of all generations and lifestyles from North America and other regions of the world fill the Wisconsin Exposition

Center, just to connect with the sights and sounds of everything railroad, scaled down to a miniature size.

Over fifty clubs, historic organizations, groups and railroad modelers showcase truly exquisite and fully operational layouts and displays superbly represent the uniqueness of model railroading.

New and vintage trains loop continuously around a myriad of settings and fabulous scenes from train depots to entire cities

in intricate detail complete with people, animals, vehicles, equipment, buildings, landscaping, retail shops and more!

120 manufacturer and hobby dealer exhibitors display unique products and services, technology and equipment and consult with visitors on the perfect items and newest releases. Model railroad historical societies are

featured along with 20-25 clinicians and demonstrators plus several manufacturers share their knowledge in Trainfest clinics.

Join us at Trainfest 2010 for a wonderfully interactive opportunity to explore this

legendary world. Tour the award-winning layouts, take photos, watch demonstrations, hear the sounds of steam whistles, the clickety-clack of wheels on rails and see the excitement of children of all ages.

What is

Trainfest? A Delight for the Senses!

November 13-14, 2010

Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am-5:30 pm Wisconsin Exposition Center State Fair Park

8200 W Greenfield Ave West Allis, WI 53214 Admission and Further Details: www.trainfest.com/TicketsShowDetails.html

Madison Hobby Stop 6622 Mineral Point Road Madison, WI 608-829-3820 Engine House Services LLC 2737 N. Packerland Drive, 2H

Green Bay, WI 54303 920-490-4839

South Side Trains 2633 South Kinnickinnic Ave Milwaukee, WI 53207 414-482-1566

Greenfield News and Hobbies 6815 West Layton Ave Greenfield, WI 53220 414-281-1800

Jetco Hiawatha Hobbies 2026 West Silvernail Road Waukesha, WI 53072 262-544-4131 Walthers (Terminal Hobbies)

5619 West Florist Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53218 414-461-1050

Sommerfeld’s Trains 12620 West Hampton Ave Butler, WI 53007

262-783-7797

ADVANCE TICKETS

ON SALE NOW!

LINDA SUKUP

Advance Ticket Coordinator

WISE Division Superintendent

Advance tickets are now available at the seven hobby shops below, located throughout Milwaukee, Green Bay and Madison. Tickets are $10.00, which is a savings of $2.00.

Friday Product Showcase tickets are available for $40.00. This ticket allows you private entry into Trainfest on Friday, normally reserved for dealers who visit the manufacturers that attend Trainfest every year. It is a great chance to meet the professionals in your hobby world. Ticket is also good for Saturday and Sunday entry.

The following hobby shops are selling these advance and special tickets:

http://www.trainfest.com/http://www.trainfest.com/http://www.trainfest.com/TicketsShowDetails.html

Trainfest® EXPRESS November 2010====================================================================================== Page 7 ======================================================================================


Trainfest

EXPRESS

SPONSORING

PUBLISHER Wisconsin Southeastern

(WISE) Division Inc., NMRA

PUBLISHER John H. Tews, MMR [email protected]

EDITOR Ruth Johnson

[email protected] 715-340-4525

DESIGN &

PRODUCTION Ruth Johnson

[email protected] 715-340-4525

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHER Bob Gallegos

ADVERTISING Ruth Johnson

[email protected]

715-340-4525

SUBSCRIPTION

MANAGEMENT Mercury Communication

Partners, LLC.

WEB DESIGN Mercury Communication

Partners, LLC.

Trainfest Committee >>> Trainfest is possible due to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers and board members. If you would like to volunteer for America’s largest operating model railroad show, contact us via email: [email protected]. Trainfest is sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division, Inc., NMRA

Richard Cecil Asst. to the Director Cedor Aronow Security

Scott Porinsky Computer Services

Robert Sherman Treasurer Ed Padgett

Volunteer Coordinator Kurt Wamser Floor Director

Linda Sukup WISE Superintendent Gary Kamin

HMA-MRD Advisor Mercury Communications Advertising Agency

John H. Tews, MMR, Executive Director, E-mail: [email protected]

TENTATIVE TRAINFEST SCHEDULE

CLINICS / DEMONSTRATIONS >>>

Second Floor Classrooms Saturday, 11:30 AM

Sunday, 11:30 AM

Testors will conduct two (2) air brush/paint clinics.

Saturday, 10:00 am & 4:00 pm

Sunday, 10:00 am & 4:00 pm

Iwata-Medea, Leslie Eaton, MMR

Two (2) 1-hour weathering clinics each day.

Time Not Scheduled Yet

Broadway Ltd - Seminars on the Paragon 2 sound system.

Clinic/Demonstration Area-Show Floor Niagara Falls Region, NMRA

Andy Orr - Building resin boxcar kits.

Bob Douglas - Scratch building Skelton log cars.

Neville Meades - Scratch building structures using real glass in windows.

Al Crisp MMR - Kitbashing piggyback cars and trailers.

Ron Colpitts - Kitbashing plastic HO boxcars, N Scale car upgrades.

Gloria Bauer - Painting figures.

Eric Roth - Building open scrap loads for gondolas.

Brian Earl - Scratch building a station.

Lee Bauer - Building laser building laser cut structures.

Bill Dewar - Decals and dry transfers.

Rick Hatton - General scenery techniques.

Maureen Hunter - Modeling S Scale 170 Foot (32") Howe Truss Bridge.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.mercuryww.com/mailto:[email protected]


Actively involved in modeling, the North Shore & Western (NS&W) Modular Club encourages all members to create or participate in layouts as well as help exhibit them at various shows. Last year, the club won three awards: First Place for Best Layout and Second Place for Best Module Scene at the Fox Valley Division High Wheeler Train Show and Best of Show at Trainfest 2009 for member Jeff Jarr’s prairie farm scene module.

According to Jeff, who also serves as spokesperson for the club, “Trainfest’s award was the highlight of my modeling career so far.”

(Modeling First continued on Page 11)

MODELING FIRST North Shore & Western Modular Club.

Article photos taken by Jeff Jarr and Dale S.


(Modeling First continued from Page 10)

“That is because I can remember my father taking me to Trainfest every year. I dreamt of someday displaying my own modular layout at Trainfest,” Jeff continues.

“That particular module was the one my father and I worked on together. He passed away in April this year and this module has a lot of sentimental value to me. He was really proud when we won that award.” ACTIVITIES

Club members often spend around 5-10 hours per

week in model railroading, whether in working on home layouts, building new modules, NMRA Division meetings, rail fanning, building kits, reading magazines or visiting friend’s layouts. Attending train shows such as Trainfest is very important

to the group, who claim it is a great place to see other people’s layouts and ask them questions regarding their scenery and layout construction techniques. “I always bring my camera and take pictures of particular scenes I like or interesting module design solutions,” says

Jeff. “I try to use these ideas as I design my modules and

incorporate the best solutions into our modular system.” LAYOUT STANDARDS NS&W members create layouts in HO Scale and provide a very complete and easy-to-follow set of instructions

for those who would like to create layouts for exhibiting at shows.



(Modeling First continued from Page 11)

Overall size of each show layout varies based on the total number of layout artists that will be displaying their module. THE GREATER CONNECTION Jeff, himself, has built seven permanent layouts in his

basement, over the years with each getting bigger and better as he improved his modeling techniques. Until recently he was model railroading with just his father and brother. In 2006, he met some people at a local train swap meet and they invited him to see their home layout.

His new friends belonged to NMRA and invited him to attend their meetings, which is how he became a member of NMRA.

He soon became involved with the group’s modular layout and eventually became their modular coordinator. Over the last few years, NS&W doubled the size of our show layout

and became a 100% NMRA club. Jeff’s current layout is 30’ x 22’ with 700’ of code 100 nickel silver flex track and over 50 Atlas Custom-line Mark 3 turnouts powered by Tortoise switch machines mounted under the table.


North Shore & Western Modular

Club officers include: Jim Spice, Don Cook, Jeff Jarr, Dave Johnson, Bert Lattan


(Modeling First continued from Page 12) “I spent over two years just in the planning stage of this layout, drawing the track plan using CAD software,” Jeff

explains. “The track plan was influenced by all the great industry kits Walthers has been producing lately. Modeling scenery and kit bashing structures has always been my favorite part of the hobby, so I built my layout around the type

of structures I wanted to model. I have been building

modular sections for the club layout the last four years.” Jeff adds, “This year I am adding another industrial yard to service a junk yard and a large manufacturing plant I made using DPM modular wall sections.” TIPS

Jeff recommends weathering your engines, rolling stock, and structures to make them look more realistic, but not necessarily like a rust bucket.

A few heavily weathered items add contrast, but most

of your rolling stock should just be lightly weathered. This helps your rolling stock appear less like a string of toy trains rolling through your scenery. Take pictures of real trains and observe how they are weathered and try to recreate the effect weather has on them. In real life, very few engines or freight cars look

like they just came out of the paint shop.

INTERACTING “I find that being friendly and willing to talk with visitors

and answer their questions regarding scenery, modeling and layout construction techniques is a terrific way to make a show experience successful,” states Jeff. “I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the hobby with others and I feel good knowing I helped someone else improve

their modeling skills.”

Jeff says he sees many of the same people year after year and enjoys hearing how they are doing and how their layouts are progressing. He also loves watching all the kids’ eyes light up as the

trains go by. “Sometimes a boy or girl will ask if they can run the trains. A lot of clubs won’t let visitors get close to their layouts. We give them the throttle and show them how it works,” says Jeff. “You see these kids get hooked on this hobby right then, their faces beaming with enthusiasm as they work the

dials to control the train. That experience itself really makes this hobby worthwhile for me.” Jeff describes model railroading, “This is the only hobby that involves you with woodworking, electrical wiring, photography, painting, modeling structures, creating

scenery, researching history, exhibiting at shows, joining organizations and making great friends in the process!”


(We Made It continued from Page 1)

IT WAS CLOSE! In spite of a long hot Summer involving yard work, gardening, vacations and other recreations,

along with model railroading

slow-downs, our group completed the rebirth of Wisconsin’s Bits ‘n Pieces Railroad layout. While it is a little smaller than the original Bits ‘n Pieces, it is

designed for expansion. Measuring 8 x 14 feet, it depicts the four seasons of Wisconsin, similar to the original. As before, various locations in the

state are also represented.

Some scenes are the same as the original layout, but many are new. Overall, the new version is bound

to delight and excite our loyal fan base who have visited us at shows for many years.

(We Made It continued on Page 16)

WE MADE IT! Wisconsin’s Bits ‘n Pieces Finished for Trainfest. By Ed Varick



Layout Artists >>> ED VARICK Layout Planning

Fall Modules Track Laying

WAYNE DUNBAR Layout Wiring Track Laying Helps on Fall Modules

JIM LORBIECKI Winter Modules CHUCK GERARD Spring Modules

LEN BARAGA Summer Modules

Track Laying BOB SULOK Built Tables

Helps on Summer Modules TOM MABIE Helps on Spring Modules JOHN KLINK Helps on Winter Modules

BOB FREY

Planning Pictures RUSS ENNETTE Helps Overall

Tour Guide Tarp Manager



(We Made It continued from Page 16)

The Spring Season takes our trains through one of our

favorite destinations, the North Woods. Summer heads us South to Milwaukee County. Fall is depicted in Milwaukee and northern areas while Winter welcomes our locomotives to the Dells and Forrest County with a snowy blanket.

The photos on these various pages, taken by members

of our group, represent just a fraction of the many scenes that now populate our layout. Come view them all at Trainfest 2010 and experience the wonder of Wisconsin’s Bits ’n Pieces once more! Stop by

and say “Hello”.


Page 17 Trainfest EXPRESS November 2010=======================================================================================

We Made It continued from Page 16)


The Spring Season takes

favorite destinations, the us South to Milwaukee County.

Fall is depicted in Milwaukee and Winter County

The photos on these various pages, taken by members

of our group, represent just a fraction of the many scenes that now populate our layout.

Come wonder of Wisconsin’s Bits ’n Pieces once more!

and say “Hello”.

(We Made It


(We Made It continued from Page 17) REMINISCING The group has stayed together through thick and thin, sharing life’s ups and downs while building yards and yards of model railroad

layouts.

The whole crew pitched in wholeheartedly to get this new layout ready in time for Trainfest 2010 and the final outcome proved to be well worth the effort!

The photo at left captures the entire crew at Trainfest 2009. Left to right: Ed Varick, John Klink, Wayne Dunbar, Jim Lorbiecki, Bob Sulok, Russ Ennett, Len Baraga, Bob Frey, Chuck Gerard and Tom Mabie.

Photo by Chris Ennette

=======================================================================================


In 2004, several model train enthusiasts discussed creating a club that centered on a family

oriented atmosphere allowing spouses to get involved. Members participate in club activities besides just running trains.

MORE THAN A DREAM

The South Eastern WI Hi-Railers formed their LLC in 2005. We currently have six members: Gerald Anderson,President, retired WE Energies Gas Sales Representative; Fred Michalek,

Treasurer, retired Marquette University Administrator, Rob Montie, CEO, Meridian Homes; Mike Sadowski, Secretary, retired

from Operations Delphi Electronics; Gary Schlunz, retired Principal, Cudahy School and Hal Wortman,

City Manager Fond du Lac. JOURNEY TO TRAINFEST Mike Sadowski, spokesperson for the group, states, “Trainfest 2010 will mark our first exhibit

ever at Trainfest.”

According to Mike, “We think the mountain scene is the highlight of the exhibit, because it is difficult to produce in O Gauge modules.” LAYOUT SPECIFICATIONS

The club layout is 17x42 feet with three main lines and two sidings assigned to each main line. The three-rail, O Gauge track has Ross Custom switches and cross overs.

The supply buss wiring is #14 with #18 wiring soldered directly to the track in at least two locations per module. Power is supplied by two MTH

Z4000 transformers. We can run both TMMC and DCS. We made the layout in light, small modules, which seemed the logical route to take. We sized for ease

of handling and ability to transport via a trailer.

(New to Trainfest continued on Page 20)

Photo by Keith Schmidt

All Photos by Gerald Anderson

NEW TO TRAINFEST! Member Involvement and Family Fun from SE WI Hi-Railers. By Michael Sadowski and all photos by Gerald Anderson.


(New to Trainfest continued from Page 19) TOGETHERNESS According to Mike, “We are very committed to group harmony. Each member has an equal say in what goes on the layout and everyone respects everyone’s opinion regarding this.”

“We do not proceed with any phase unless we are all in agreement on what the scene will represent and how it’s built.” “We schedule work days and nights. Members

simply state their interest in building a scene or a portion and usually they will get the assignment,” Mike further explains. “We have members that possess a wide array of skill sets, who can teach and assist members who are leery or unsure of what to do. Our

skilled members are happy to pass on their

knowledge to help others enjoy the great fun of building their own layout or participating in creating a layout.”

(New to Trainfest continued on Page 21)


(New to Trainfest continued from Page 20)

TIPS & TECHNIQUES Use rubber ballast! First of all, it is lighter weight and second, it does not tear up the gears like stone ballast.

We use Brummies - great stuff! Use Styrofoam to create different focus points, its lightweight and you can paint it with latex paint, and then cover with ground cover. Don’t be afraid to try something different. That is how we all learned. And finally, share your enthusiasm for the

hobby with show attendees. Who knows how many young and old alike you can inspire to start a new interest.

SHOW FAVORITES

We go to shows with our spouses and significant others and make small vacations out of each journey.

We have a terrific group of members and the spouses all participate and help set-up and tear down. After the show, we often go to fish fry’s as a group and always have fun. Our mission centers on bringing the family activity aspect to light because we feel it is missing in today’s society.

That is an area in which model railroading excels – bringing families together in an enjoyable pastime.

(New to Trainfest continued to Page 22)


FUTURE DIRECTIONS The group is constantly creating new embellishments

and details to add to their scenery. Currently, they are discussing new scenes to consider for next year. They have just finished detailing the area where the modules meet and how the rails connect.

Whatever they do, Mike says it will definitely include “Anything Milwaukee Road and steam!” “We are looking for new attractions like our Hobo Hotel, which plays Beautiful Dreamer, driving Fred crazy.”

Come visit us at Trainfest 2010 and you will be amazed

at how much we pack into such tight spaces!

(New to Trainfest continued from Page 21)

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT

Mike recalls a special moment at a show last year in Green Bay, “A little boy was having a bad day and his mother was clearly frustrated. Fred noticed this and had the boy come inside the layout and sit on Jerry’s director chair. The little boy had a smile from ear to ear! The mother was very appreciative. We

have a photo of them on our website: www.sewihirailers.com.”

“I think the biggest comment we’ve heard about our club, is our friendliness and willingness to explain the layout, the trains, and how to get started,” remarks Mike.

“We also receive many comments on the models we run and how we can share the history of them.”

http://www.sewihirailers.com/


Being Green before Being Green was Cool. Don’t throw away the cap when you’re finished with that old toothpaste tube, it makes a great rooftop ventilator in a model train layout … just as swizzle sticks make great stacks of telephone poles on flatbed cars and lilac bush prunings transform easily into pulp wood loads. Sharing the love of model railroading has always afforded

hobbyists the opportunity to reclaim some of their own youth when they watch the eyes of kids light up as they

see the trains speed through the layouts. But today, reclaiming has taken on an expanded meaning. SALVAGING ARTISTS

While hobbyists have always scoured their basement and attics for castoffs and rescued items from the trash heap to build their model train layouts, their creativity and resourcefulness now has a new name – being green.

RECLAIM, REPURPOSE, REFURBISH… The Model Railroading Hobbyist Mantra. By Bonnie Moyer Topczewski.

Page 23 Trainfest® EXPRESS November 2010=======================================================================================

TIMBER RIVER RAILWAY John H. Tews’ famous HO gauge TRR ore hauler, featured in several media, is a study in reusing or repurposing existing items. He uses twigs as logs and painted goldenrod flowers and twigs serve as trees.

So whether it is taking a cap from an old prescription bottle to make a radiator or a grill, or turning the bottle itself upside down to become a water tank, hobbyists are

getting credit for taking everyday items and transforming them to serve a new purpose. Nowhere else can you see this in more evidence than at the granddaddy of train events…Trainfest – America’s Largest Operating Model Railroading Show held annually

in November. As children become more aware of the importance of being green and reducing our carbon

footprint, they are actually pointing out the repurposed items featured on layouts. “At Trainfest, kids are asking what things are made of and remarking about what a piece of scenery used to be. It

seems like they’re playing a Where’s Waldo type game, trying to spot some of the most uniquely reclaimed items,” remarks John H. Tews, Executive Director of Trainfest

(Reclaim, Repurpose, Refurbish continued on Page 24)

Photo by John H. Tews, MMR


(Reclaim, Repurpose, Refurbish continued from Page 23) John continues, “The awe when the kids look at the

layouts is still present, but now we see kids more engaged in how things are built.” LEGOS RULE

One layout in particular, epitomizes the model train hobby’s concept of reclaiming and repurposing, while intriguing kids on so many different levels. It is the Lego layout created by the Pewaukee Road Lego

Train Club. Begun by repurposing a Lego set from when the club’s sons were teenagers, the layout has been continually

modified. The current version uses thousands of Legos to create the complex, scenic sections of the layout. “The Lego layout is quite spectacular, and is a wonderful example of how old toys can be reengineered into model train layouts,” says John. “Yet, it is just one example of the more than 50 remarkable operating layouts

on display during Trainfest—all using reclaimed, repurposed and refurbished discarded items.” Trainfest will be held November 13-14, 2010 at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park. For more information and discount admission coupons,

visit www.trainfest.com.

Page 24 ======================================================================================

(Reclaim, Repurpose, Refurbish

John continues,

layouts is still present, but now we see kids more engaged in how things are built.”

LEGOS RULE

One layout in particular, epitomizes the model train hobby’s concept of reclaiming and repurposing, while intriguing kids on so many different levels. It is the Lego

Train Club.

Begun by repurposing a Lego set from sons were teenagers

modified. The current versionto create the

“The Lego layout is quite spectacular, and is a wonderful example of how old toys can be reengineered into motrain laof the more than 50 remarkable operating layouts

on display during Trainfestrepurposed and refurbished discarded items.”

Trainfest will be held Exposition

For more information and discount admission coupons

visit

Pewaukee Road Lego Train Club Created from thousands of recycled Legos.

Created from thousands of recycled Legos.

TIMBER RIVER RAILWAY Photo at left highlights the Iron water tank John crafted from an old orange juice can using a piece of wire for the water outlet. Photo at right serves as another example of twigs or prunings used as logs.

Photo by Keith Schmidt

Photo by John H. Tews, MMR Photo John H. Tews, MMR

http://www.trainfest.com/

Express3-Trainfest AdExpress14-Trainfest Ad

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