Bruce Petrarca
It seems as if spring break is spread out over more and more time as the years go by. We started having families (grandparents, parents and children) show up to our Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions in early March. We are still getting more than a few visitors in early April.
Over 100 folks came by to see all three layouts in operation on Good Friday when we had an open house. For this calendar year, we plan two more open houses near Thanksgiving and Christmas.
However, this club is more than a seasonal venture. We are here all year around. There is lots of work to do and fun to share, so we keep at it. If you are here during the hotter months and want some free air-conditioning, come on over and hang out with us. You may decide to join us in our ongoing adventures.
Some current projects include: A promotional video display is being installed to let folks see what we are up to even when the room isn’t open. There is construction work to install the display. We need some photography and editing for the video display.
We are fabricating modules for our O-scale layout. They are currently in the wood-working phase but they should be ready for track laying soon.
There are lots of scenery tweaks planned for the HO-scale layout. Here is a chance to learn how to make dioramas. Perhaps you want one for a holiday decoration. We can show you how and even coach you through the building process if you desire. One of the recent changes was the addition of the abandoned farm, as shown in the photo. Jonsey stayed too long at the tavern in town and hit the railroad cross-buck.
There are some electrical changes planned for the HO-scale layout.
The garden layout needs ongoing attention to keep the plants in check. Work is started to convert some of the club locomotives to run on batteries with radio control.
We are all learning various phases of this hobby and love to share with members of the community.
The PebbleCreek Model Railroad Club has been a part of community life here since 1998. We are headquartered in the Eagle’s Nest Activities Center, Room 106. Somebody is there on Tuesday and Thursday mornings – but not always running trains.
You can always keep up with the PCMRC on the web at www.pcmrc.org.