<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"> <style></style> </head> <body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word"> <div class="WordSection1"> ACCRS HO Members,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Here are the minutes from this month’s HO business meeting. We went over a lot of details about this year’s Fair during the General and HO meetings. I’ll try to summarize the major points, but if you have any questions, please contact Jorg, Gary, or myself.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> HVAC Recap<o:p></o:p> For those that haven’t heard, the Fairgrounds has approved our request to install a combined Heating and Air Conditioning system (HVAC) into our building. The actual installation won’t occur until after this year’s Fair. However, they are trying to get installation scheduled and it may be completed by the August Good Guys show. Watch for further details.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Swamp Coolers<o:p></o:p> The existing Swamp Coolers appear to be working. The Fairground’s Maintenance team is going to try to get the system inspected this week (before Fair) and make any repairs.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> There are several steps required to turn on and off the Swamp Coolers. If you are unfamiliar with the process, please ask one of the Sr. Members who can show you what to do.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Final Cleanup and Testing<o:p></o:p> This coming Wednesday, June 12, is our last day to access our building before the Fair. There is a special event on the Fairgrounds on Thursday, and we won’t be able to come in. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Welcome to JR!<o:p></o:p> We voted Jason “JR” Anderson in as a full member, effective on his 18th birthday on June 28. (Until then, JR will remain a Junior member.) Welcome JR!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alameda County Fair 2024<o:p></o:p> Please make sure you can access and have saved in some form your Fair entrance and parking tickets, as described by Gary in his previous emails.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> For those of you that have not participated in Fair before, and for everyone else as a reminder:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> The Fair is very different from our regular Friday night sessions. This is not “playtime”. This is a “Show”. It’s our most important show of the year. We are “on stage” and our trains are our props. We want to put on a “Good Show”.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> The public will be in out building constantly. Please act professionally, friendly, and always treat our visitors as our guests. Always remember – someone is watching you.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> We’ll be asked many questions throughout the day. Many times, it will be the same question over and over (such as “How fast do the trains go?”, “Can you make them crash?”, “What do the lights mean?”, etc.). Always answer friendly and with a smile. Remember, even though you have heard the question dozens of times, it’s the first time that visitor is asking.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> Your first priority is the safe operation of your train. If you get a question from a quest, and you can’t answer them right away, just politely say, “Just a minute, I need to watch my train.” When things calm down, then you can talk to the visitor.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> NEVER argue, lecture, or yell at a visitor! There may be times when we encounter a difficult visitor, or someone who wants to argue. Never raise your voice or argue with a visitor no matter what the reason is. If necessary, call a Senior member (from either scale) to help with the situation.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> All visitors must remain in the public aisleway. Only members are allowed inside the layout areas. Visitors are not allowed anywhere inside the wooden walls, behind or under the layout, the Hidden Yard and Port areas, in the locker room, Tower room, or upstairs. This is for safety and liability reasons. No exceptions during Fair.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> Power may be “flackery” during the Fair, especially Wi-Fi. We’ve seen many strange power problems that seem to crop up during the Fair daytime hours, and then disappear at night. Be aware of this and if you see any significant problem, let Wayne or Jorg know about it.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4"> There will be a sign-up sheet to help count visitors and answer questions at the Donation Chair. Members are asked to sign up each day (except for Junior members).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">The Fair can become stressful. It’s hot. It’s crowded. It’s dusty. It’s loud. And you may get frustrated by the long shifts over many days. If you need to, take a break. But it’s also fun. As we sometimes say, “Check your patience at the door.” This will be one of the best experiences of the year. Stay cool and enjoy it!<o:p></o:p></li></ul> <o:p> </o:p> HO Operations during the Fair<o:p></o:p> Attached to this email is a copy of our “HO Scale Rules, Standards and Guidelines of Operation”. Please familiarize yourself with it and follow it during the Fair.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Jorg and I went over many of our Rules of Operation for the Fair. Below are the major points. (Apologies if you’ve heard these many times now.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Our number 1 goal for Fair is to “Keep Trains Running!” Jorg reminded us that most visitors will only wait 30 seconds without seeing train movement through our layout before they will leave. That’s bad and we’ve tested this many times. Setup your train before your shift and keep trains running throughout your full shift.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Everyone is expected to work their full shift. You are not allowed to come in, work for a while, and then go to lunch. You must be present and helping during your full shift (running trains or working at the donation chair). If you work multiple shifts, you are allowed to take a meal break. Work with the Dispatcher for an appropriate time.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Try to keep at least 3 trains actively running on the layout at all times. At prototypical speeds, it takes about 20 minutes for a train to make the full loop around the mainline. With at least half of our layout hidden in tunnels, behind, or under the layout, that means that a train spends a lot of time when it can’t be seen. More trains mean more visible movement, and less chance that 30 seconds will pass without something visible.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Only Senior members are allowed to Dispatch during Fair. Sorry, no Junior members may Dispatch during Fair.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> When there is an operational question or problem, the “HO Scale Rules, Standards and Guidelines of Operation” takes priority. However, the Dispatcher has final authority over operation on the layout. All members must always follow the Dispatcher’s instructions.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Hidden Yard tracks 6, 7, 8, and 9 are reserved and are to remain clear except for member setup before a shift. Track 1 is reserved for the Cleaning Train. Tracks 2 – 5 have a good variety of club Rolling Stock that may be used.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Passenger Yard tracks 1, 2, and 3 are reserved and are to remain clear except for member use during a shift. In general, track 1 should be kept clear, except right before a shift (so that it may be used for passthrough and cleaning. Other Passenger Yard tracks may be repurposed as necessary, but please remember to replace static equipment neatly around the Passenger Yard area.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> ALL trains must fit within the rerailers at both ends of each Hidden Yard track. This is the safe length of Wills Point. ALL trains must fit safely within Wills Point during the Fair. No Exceptions!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The Cleaning Train is to remain as is - no taking apart, no rearranging, no changing directions! The green and orange Sierra Western locomotive has been added to the Cleaning Train (with the same DCC address as the other locomotives). We still have 3 engines and 10 cleaning cars.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The pads and locomotive wheels on the Cleaning Train should be cleaned each day, and more often as the layout requires. Run the Cleaning Train when needed. Often, it may be necessary to run it at the start of each shift. Clean the pads first. The Cleaning Train may be run with other trains while the building is open to the public. The Cleaning Train should be run on the Freight mainline, Passenger mainline (in the Freight direction), and the Interurban loop at least twice each day.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> There is to be no “switching” operations in the Port area at this time. We’ve had several problems that could not be addressed before Fair. The Port turnouts must remain set to allow proper routing of the Interurban loop.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> No one is to move or make any changes to the static Rolling Stock that is currently stored on the layout. If you feel a change is needed, please consult with Jorg or Wayne first.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If you find a problem with any club car, please remove it from the layout and place it upstairs with a note describing the problem.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If a train becomes disabled (such as for a derailment or power loss), try to repair or fix it as quickly as possible and then immediately clear the layout. It looks bad when we stick our heads out of the “pop-up” holes for long periods. If you can’t identify the problem quickly, remove the problem item and get your train running again. If a train has consistent problems, it must be removed from the layout.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Try not to congregate around the Dispatch panel. With all the visitor distractions during the Fair, the Dispatchers need their full concentration. It’s ok for other train operators to stand in other areas or walk in the public aisle. But please keep the Dispatch panel area clear for the two Dispatchers.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> There is to be nothing placed on top of the Dispatch panel! This includes food, drinks, train cars, cleaning supplies, controllers, phones, etc. This also includes the “farm” area in front of the panel. The top of the Dispatch panel is to remain clear at all times.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Food and drinks should be placed out of the direct public view. There really shouldn’t be any eating around the layout (go upstairs or into the locker room). Drinks can be placed out of sight or on the floor. Do not use the Dispatch panel drawers or the Interurban panel as drink or phone holders.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Wheel cleaning to be done in the Hidden Yard or upstairs whenever the building is open to the public. No cleaning wheels on the mainline when the building is open to the public.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> One last note about flyers and printed sheets. We need to keep the layout glass windows clean and clear for our visitors of all sizes to be able to see the trains and the layout. Printed flyers, sheets, and “QR” codes should not be taped to the glass windows. It tacky and looks bad. These sheets can be placed at the front and back door areas. The one exception is the area around the lower Tower room that faces the aisle (where we have other plaques and hung items). Please be tasteful when using this area.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Wrap-up<o:p></o:p> I know this is a lot to absorb, but this is our most important event. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Please notify me by text or email if there are any electrical problems. Include a detailed description of the issue.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Thanks to all. Please let Jorg or me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy the Fair!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> -Wayne<o:p></o:p> </div> ACCRS HO Assistant Trainmaster<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>