Metro Milwaukee Z Scale, A Club of Shared PassionBy Angela Podewils

What’s Inside

www.trainfest.com

PRE-SHOW ISSUENOVEMBER 2011Volume 1 • Issue 12

TrainfestA Family Affair

PG 17

From the Caboose PG 3

How-To Follow-Up with

Marcel Trautwein PG 8

New Static Grass Effects to

Demo at TrainfestPG 2

Spring Mills Depot Debuts First Signature Car

PG 11

see Metro Milwaukee Z Scale, page 12

Trainfest is:

November 12th and 13th

Preshow Issue

Trainfest 2011 Floorplan PG 4

Trainfest 2011 Exhibitor List PG 6

40th Anniversary Celebrations PG 16

Kid’s Activities Highlights PG 11

Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club was formed in 2008 by Kevin and Bonnie Domrois, both Z-scale modelers, after they realized the amount of work to exhibit at model train shows was just too much for two people.

With the decision made to start a club, they went to work recruiting members through flyers at shows and talking with other Z-Scale modelers. It didn’t take long for the group to form. Kevin and Bonnie even turned one of their friends from an HO modeler into a Z-Scale modeler.

Today, Metro Milwaukee Z Scale has a baker’s dozen of members. The friendships that have been created through their shared passion for model railroading contributes to the many good times and stories shared whenever the club meets.

The club is based in the metro Milwaukee area and stretches as far north as Sheboygan and south to Waukegan, Illinois. They meet once a month.

While not all members contribute to the club’s layout with their own modular

piece, each member brings their own unique skills to the club. “Whether

it is new ideas or techniques, each member adds to the camaraderie of the club and the overall layout,” says Kevin.

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Families Insider Guide to Trainfest As the 40th anniversary of Trainfest approaches, here are some insider tips for families to have a great Trainfest Experience!

Since many of the layouts are off the ground, consider bringing along a small stepstool for little ones to get an even better view of them.

Be sure to bring a camera to capture your children’s looks of pure joy as the trains make their way around the tracks.

Also, don’t worry about having to navigate in tight quarters; the aisles are wide enough to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs.

From the many kids activities to demonstrations on getting started in model railroading, Trainfest is fun for the entire family. The 40th anniversary of Trainfest promises to be a great event, so come and see some truly amazing model trains.

Page 11 lists special kids activities.

Are you a Trainfest Facebook Fan? “Like” the Trainfest page today to get the latest updates about Trainfest and to connect with other model railroad fans.

In keeping with their leadership position to provide the best tools and products for the static grass revolution, Scenic Express will be highlighting two new products at Trainfest 2011.

Achieving extremely realistic looking tall wispy fields, cultivated farmlands, pampas grasses, and light delicate tree canopies are now a reality for modelers. Jim Elster of Scenic Express will demonstrate how the Silflorâ line of products are an especially nice new development created by the company

this year including the grassy tuffs, which feature a variety of colors and natural grass blades.

HO, N and TT Scale static grass effects from Heki come in a new more user-friendly form. The static grass comes in a mat which can be laid down and simply glued to a layout. No special tools needed. It’s an ultra easy development allowing modelers to create a static grass look quickly on their own.

Don’t forget to visit trainfest.com for up-to-the-moment information

on Trainfest 2011NOVEMBER 12 + 13

New Static Grass Effects to Demo at Trainfest

see New Static Grass, page 10

Prairie Tufts

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Trainfest is just about a week away and it’s exciting to know that people from around the world are starting their travels to get here. One couple from Japan even emailed to share their plans. (In fact, as you read this article, they have already left Japan to give themselves ample travel time to get to Trainfest once they hit the States – traveling via rail, of course!)

Festivities begin with the special Friday Product Showcase. We only have a few tickets still available for this very exclusive event. Send payment right away if you want to purchase a ticket. I know I’ve said this before, but this is truly a remarkable evening if you are seriously into modeling.

So buy your ticket today and meet us at the Friday Product Showcase. Then chat with our manufacturers, visit some great layouts, and get a grab bag of items donated by the manufacturers. (The grab bag value is typically at least $20 alone!) The evening wouldn’t be complete without a catered supper and some 40th Anniversary cake – it’s included in the ticket cost! So don’t miss out on Friday evening.

Now as to our 40th Anniversary of Trainfest … we have over 60 manufacturers, including old favorites like Athearn, Bachmann, Atlas, MTH,

Accurail, Marklin, and our hometown Wm. K. Walthers and Kalmbach Publishing, home of Trains, Garden Railways, Model Railroader and more.

This year we welcome at least 10 new manufacturers to Trainfest. Make sure to check out Azatrax, Duplainville Clock Company, Exact Rail, Model Builder Supply of Canada, Motrak, Piko America, Ring Engineering, Spring Mills Depot, Traintek, and ColorFin, LLC.

Several of our new manufacturers, along with a number of our returning manufacturers will be introducing new products at Trainfest.

We’re proud to say this is our 12th issue of Trainfest EXPRESS. It gives you a preview of all our exhibitors and a floor plan so you can plan your visit to Trainfest. Up-to-the-minute 40th Anniversary pre-event details can be found at our website, www.trainfest.com.

We continue to look for your input on articles you would like to see in the EXPRESS. Send them to us at john@trainfest.com or editor@trainfest.com.

In the spirit of Model railroading,

Clear Signals Always, and see you at Trainfest!

JohnJohn H. Tews, MMRExecutive Director – Trainfest

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

From the Caboose Sponsoring Publisher

Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division, Inc., NMRA PublisherJohn H. Tews, MMRjohn@trainfest.com

Contributing EditorsAngela PodewilsJody Delie Bonnie Topczewski Newsletter Design, Web & AdvertisingMercury Communication Partners, LLC262-782-4637www.mercuryww.com

Photos Contributed byKevin DomroisMarcel TrautweinScenic ExpressSpring Mills Depot

TRAINFEST, Trainfest EXPRESS and the Trainfest LOGO are registered trademarks of the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division, Inc., NMRA.

www.trainfest.com

Trainfest

John H. Tews, MMR Executive Director, E-mail: john@trainfest.com

Richard Cecil Asst. to the Director

Cedor Aronow Security

Scott Porinsky Computer Services

Gary Kamin Trainfest Treasurer

Ed Padgett Volunteer Coordinator

Kurt Wamser Floor Director

Linda Sukup Ticket Coordinator

Joe Russ WISE Superintendent

Terry Thompson HMA-MRD Advisor

Mercury Communications Advertising Agency

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: volunteer@trainfest.com. Trainfest is sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division, Inc., NMRA

Trainfest Committee

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Display in the Manufacturers Area8429 HMA Founders Display8033 Hunterline8501 Milwaukee Light Engineering Society8154 Radio Disney Sunday only

Layouts in the Manufacturers Area 8051 Badgerland S Gaugers8401 Badgerland S Gaugers -Schlict8400 Blank’s Ahnapee & Western RR8017 G Whiz Gang8447 Independent Hi-Railers - Midwest Division8242 Kettle Moraine Ballast Scorchers RR Club8431 Milwaukee Operators8100 Wisconsin & Michigan Model Railroad Club8141 Wisconsin Bits & Pieces Railroad

Manufacturers8307 Accu-Lites, Inc8038 Accurail8228 Aristo-Craft Trains8121 Athearn8301 Atlas Model Railroad Co.8301 Atlas O8118 AYA Enterprises8310 Azatrax8221 Bachmann Trains8212 Badger Air Brush8112 Big City Hobbies8126 Bluford Shops LLC8008 Bowser Manufacturing8227 Broadway Limited Imports8304 Caboose Industries8034 Carstens Publication8407 Colorfin, LLC8001 Con-Cor International Ltd.8417 Daylight Sales8413 Deluxe Innovations8106 Digitrax8213 Duplainville Clock Co.8005 Evan Designs8205 ExactRail, LLC8308 Experience Grand Rapids8009 Fox Valley Models8002 G C Laser Innovations8326 Heritage Art Editions, Inc.

8409 Hobby Manufacturers Association - MRID8033 Hunterline8411 InterMountain Railway Co.8302 Iwata-Medea, Inc.8130 J.D.S. Limited Productions, LLC8314 JAM8125 Kadee Quality Products Co.8313 Kalmbach - HMA8105 Kato USA, Inc.8312 Lange - Milwaukee Speedrail8315 Lenz Div of AHD8030 Lionel Collectors Club of America8025 Lionel, LLC8131 Marklin, Inc.8109 Micro-Trains Line Co.8311 Model Builders Suply8113 Motrak Models8335 MTH Electric Trains, Inc.8137 NCE Corp.8132 Neff Video Productions8116 NJ International8238 OGR Publishing8029 Overland Models, Inc.8210 Phoenix Unlimited Ltd.8110 Piko-America, LLC8115 Richmond Controls8128 Ring Engineering, Inc.8232 Ross Custom Switches8237 Scenic Express8330 Sinbad Glue8325 SJT Enterprises8211 Soundtraxx / Blackstone Models8327 Sparkling Star Models8214 Spring Mills Depot8129 Sundance Marketing8006 Testors Corp8317 Tony’s Train Exchange8316 TrainCat Model Sales8306 Wheels of Time8041 Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.8321 Woodland Scenics8332 World of Model Trains & Industry

Clinics and Demonstrations1203 Niagara Frontier - Craftsman Corner1203 Show Area Seating1203 Al Crisp, MMR1203 Andy Orr1203 Bill Dewar1203 Bill Hambly1203 Brian Earl1203 Burnel Breaker1203 Eric Roth1203 Gloria Bauer1203 John Roberts1203 Lee Bauer1203 Les Kauffeldt1203 Neville Meades1203 Pete Moffit1203 Rick Hatton1203 Roger Berkley1203 Roger Davison

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Trainfest 2011 Exhibitors Tr

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1203 Ron Colpitts 1218 Clinic Area 11218 Gutzmer1218 Steiner1218 Timm Demonstrations1224 Bedell, William1224 Jansen Clinic1230 Clinic Area 21230 Drechsler, John1230 Drechsler, John1230 Trautwein Demonstration1230 Dornfeld Demonstration1230 Nefstead Demonstration1308 Clinic Area 31308 Karkoski Craftsman Kit Building1308 Kiekhofer Display1308 Mike Carlson demo

1308 NAPModelers

Displays4308 AIA Milwaukee - Lego Play Area2315 Bunce Historic Displays6201 Carlson Layout and Timesaver4307 Great Northern Railway Historical Society8429 HMA Founders Display1308 Kiekhofer Display3313 Mid Continent Railway Museum8501 Milwaukee Light Engineering Society1224 North American Prototype Modelers8154 Radio Disney Sunday only2101 SS Badger Display2114 SS City of Milwaukee2106 SS Edmund Fitzgerald4202 The Great Circus Trains

Historical Groups2315 Bunce Historic Displays6101 Chicago & North Western Historical Society6120 East Troy Railroad Museum, Inc4307 Great Northern Railway Historical Society5312 Green Bay and Western Historical Society6113 Ladysmith Rail Display3313 Mid Continent Railway Museum5316 Milw Electric Ry & Transit Historical Society2307 Milwaukee Road Historical Association1230 Milwaukee Road Archives2117 Motorcycle & Model Railroad Museum2312 Soo Line Historical Society2101 SS Badger Display2114 SS City of Milwaukee2106 SS Edmund Fitzgerald4202 The Great Circus Trains8332 World of Model Trains & Industry

Layouts 5323 Acela Layout - Northeast Corridor6214 Arlington Heights Society of Model Engineers1224 Bedell Layout7310 Bloomington - Normal - Mantrak7210 Bluff City Modular Engineers6315 Capitol City N’gineers6201 Carlson Layout and Timesaver4321 Cedar Creek Central Railroad Club7310 Chippewa Valley - Mantrak1223 Colorado Narrow Gauge - Zeren7112 Cream City Traction Group7310 Dayton Ohio- Mantrak7209 ETE - Milwaukee Chapter1312 Fond du Lac Society of Model Railroad Hobbyists4124 Glacial Garden Railway4307 Great Northern Railway Historical Society7310 Great River Valley - Mantrak]7310 Heritage, IL - Mantrak7102 Kenosha Garden Railway Society6219 Kosma Gypsy Trolley Line

7230 Lake County Society of Modular Engineers4230 Lionel Railroad Club - Milwaukee4230 Lionel Railroad Club - Milwaukee Raffle 3318 Lionel Railroad Club - S. E. Wisconsin1322 Madison HO Track1101 Madison ‘O’ Scale7310 MANTRAK_Milwaukee6210 Metro Milwaukee Z Scale6227 Metro Model Railroad Club Ltd.2214 Midwest Division - TCA2204 Midwest Division - Train Race Layout7216 Midwest Rails5316 Milw Electric Ry & Transit Historical Society3204 Milwaukee Electric Traction Club6311 Milwaukee N SouthEast6222 Model RR Club - Milwaukee7228 ModUTrak7310 Mr. & Mrs Rail - Mantrak7310 Niagara - Mantrak3212 North Shore and Western Modular Club7120 NorthEastern Wisconsin Exhibition Railroading7310 Northwest IL - Mantrak3116 Northwest Traction Group4102 Northwest Trainmasters2321 Rusty Rails Layout1209 S Scale Workshop1121 SDRT Railroad4114 Sheboygan Society of Model RR Engineers5216 Southeastern WI HiRailers1218 Steiner Kids Layout7310 T-Trak - Mantrak7111 Waukegan Modular Model Railroad Club7202 Waukesha County Gandy Dancers 4313 Wisconsin Garden Railroad Society4208 Wisconsin Standard Gauge Operators6107 WISE DivisionYouth Layout2120 WIZ Kidz

Hobby Dealers & Vendors5209 3000 toys5210 Action Hobby Distributors - St. Aubin Station2105 Chicagoland Hobby5117 Classic Trains & Ferraris4311 Como Shops - see Luecke Books5102 Conrad Specialty Mfg.5112 Daleiden’s - Art of Motion3226 DS Embroidery3308 Dickinson Kansas Depot5120 Don’s Cars and Trains5226 Enginehouse Services, LLC6204 Friesch, Railroad and Marine Artist3124 Greenfield News & Hobby Center Inc.5101 Greenway Products3314 Heimburger House Publishing Co.3221 J. Michael Gruber Mainline Photos5315 Jelsma Graphics3230 Jetco’s Hiawatha Hobbies2119 JMD Plastics3101 Kalmbach Publishing6113 Ladysmith Rail Display4230 Lionel Railroad Club - Milwaukee6126 Lochmann’s Train Group5126 Lombard Hobbies4311 Luecke Books - Como Shops5308 Madison Hobby Stop3221 Mainline Photos - see J M Gruber6301 Miniature World3222 N Less Trains5320 Norm’s Train World2316 Railroad Relics2121 Railwear by Rebel Rails2118 Rattin Railroad Antiques2308 Richard Smyth Illustrations1115 Sommerfeld’s Trains3322 South Side Trains

5202 Spring Creek Model Trains5210 St. Aubin Station - see Action Hobby5307 Star Hobby - D Veiga2230 Steve’s Hobbies5110 Tag Trains6121 Teskey’s Trains5230 The Tool Man4218 TJ Howell Circus Train5115 TM Books and Video

For Kids4308 AIA Milwaukee - Lego Play Area8401 Badgerland S Gaugers -Schlict3318 Lionel Railroad Club - S. E. Wisconsin2204 Midwest Division - Train Race Layout8154 Radio Disney Sunday only4218 TJ Howell Circus Train8148 Trains For Kids4313 Wisconsin Garden Railroad Society6107 WISE DivisionYouth Layout8348 WISE Face Painting

Other1120 TRAINFEST Show Office6102 WISE NMRA8148 Trains For Kids4218 TJ Howell Circus Train Ride5000 Info Tables North8300 Info Table SouthWest2210 Rest Areas8520 Rest Areas8250 Rest Areas

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How-To with Marcel TrautweinEditors Note: In response to the great feedback we received on Marcel Trautwein’s scenery building tips, featured in the October issue of Trainfest EXPRESS, we are happy to provide this follow-up with him.

In addition to building model railroad layouts, Marcel remains close to his childhood hobby of diorama building. In his dioramas, Marcel uses many of the same techniques that he uses when building layouts. His most favored diorama depicts the achievements of the famous Swiss Piccard family. This diorama uses many of the same techniques Marcel used when constructing the mountainous terrain of his layout.

Marcel built this diorama for the Swiss booth at the Folk Fair which was a display celebrating great achievements of the Swiss. Marcel, himself a Swiss, decided to construct a “split” diorama of the famous Swiss Piccard explorers record altitude flight and record deep water dive.

The upper part of the diorama was of the famous Breitling Orbiter 3 hot air balloon’s high altitude flight of over 33,000 feet into the stratosphere in March of 1999 and the lower part of the diorama was of the famous Bathyscaphe, the Trieste that made a record dive to a depth of over 36,000 feet to the bottom of the Mariana’s Trench January 23, 1960.

FOLLOW UP:

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A Scene from Marcel’s layout “The Grand D’Elusion”

European Craftsmanship Complements Scenic Express Line Scenic Express began in 1993 with a mission to provide unique scenic and accessory items for all scales, especially O, HO and N. They’ve met the challenge and have succeeded due, in part, as being the U.S. representative of five different German manufacturers producing higher quality modeling products.

To see these products is to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of German engineering.

In addition to offering European manufactured products, Scenic Express offers its own line of scenery and accessory products to create and shape terrain and ground cover. The line has a variety of color tones-boasting more than the competition. In addition, they offer about twenty styles of blended textures from natural sticks and twigs, to combing foam and static looks.

Most Scenic Express products are “ready to go” with little extra work needed from the modeler. One such example is the immensely popular SuperTrees. These economical trees are made life like from natural products grown in Scandinavia and Holland.

Scenic Express products are carried by select hobby dealers and offered through the Walthers catalog, as well as through their own Scenic Express catalog.

Exclusive products are offered direct to modelers often through train shows such as Trainfest. Jim Elster of Scenic Express especially appreciates the personal interaction with dedicated modelers at Trainfest. “I love the whole of the Trainfest event; it is a well run organization,” says Jim. Beyond the showcasing of layouts, the event has enabled Scenic Express to meet with enthusiastic customers and gain insights which effect product development. It’s a win-win relationship.”

Often a new product concept will be shared with a trusted customer base; this feedback shapes the ideas to best suit the scenery needs of modelers. “It is best to listen to consumers on what will and won’t work,” says Jim on this process.

Jim encourages anyone to come and ask questions at the Scenic Express booth as they are there to help customers know the use and application of their products…and to talk trains.

NEW STATIC GRASScontinued from page 2

Black Track Tack

Super Turf

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Spring Mills Depot Debuts First Signature CarSpring Mills Depot has announced their first signature HO scale car, the Pullman Standard Canstock Box Car.

Spring Mills Depot began when Bill Carl and Ken Braden met at a Four County Society of Model Engineers club meeting. Their mutual interest in modeling launched this “labor of love” to contribute what they could to the model railroading hobby.

While Spring Mills Depot has developed a reputation in producing boxes and bags for model train storage and transportation, for Bill and Ken their passion has been to produce a quality, highly detailed custom line of cars.

Neither Bill nor Ken are out to quit their “day jobs” and turn Spring Mills Depot into the largest hobby manufacturer. Rather, their goal is to design and produce limited editions of custom cars that hobbyists desire but big manufacturers lack interest in producing.

Bill and Ken have plans for 20 cars and plan to produce them one at a time in quantities of approximately 1000. The Pullman Standard Canstock Box Car, debuting at Trainfest 2011, is the first of many to come.

Original Blueprints Reveal Lost DetailsAccuracy and detail were top priorities in the production of the canstock boxcar. Bill and Ken wanted this car to be as close to the prototype as possible. In the careful study of the blueprints of the original prototype, Bill and Ken noticed differences between the blueprints and the actual cars. A total of 71 items were either drawn on the blueprints and never constructed on the prototype or there were items found on the prototype that were not drawn on the blueprints.

Bill and Ken spent hours measuring and taking note of every detail of the actual cars to ensure the initial signature car of Spring Mills Depot matched its prototype to exacting detail. The Pullman Standard Canstock Box Car retails for $49.95. See it first at Trainfest 2011.

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Kids Activities At Trainfest Trainfest 2011 brings back many favorite activities and adds some new activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Returning Favorites

Trains4Kids, sponsored by Kalmbach Publishing, will be entertaining kids at Trainfest 2011 on both Saturday, Nov. 12th and Sunday, Nov. 13th. Trains4Kids will feature story time, as well as a train themed coloring area. The newest issue of Trains4Kids will be premiering at Trainfest as well!

Radio Disney will be cranking up the fun on Sunday at Trainfest! Kids can make a craft, jam with the Road Crew, and register to win a Muppets® prize pack, that includes tickets to the new movie (opening Thanksgiving weekend) along with some other cool Muppets merchandise. The Radio Disney Road Crew will have two fun-filled sessions on Sunday, November 13th at 10-11:30 am & 1:30-3 pm.

Even More! Other Trainfest hits will be returning for Trainfest 2011 to help make the 40th Anniversary the biggest Trainfest yet! Face painting has been extended for both Saturday and Sunday. Step up to the challenge and race trains around a dog-bone shaped track. Don’t miss the circus train exhibit, and after seeing the layout, take a ride on a circus train (additional fee).

New to Trainfest 2011

The Station Stop game for kids 12 and under will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12th. This adventure through Trainfest will lead kids to many “Stations” on the show floor. Before beginning your adventure, pick up your Station Stop Card at the show office. At each station, the cards will be initialed by the exhibitors at the booth. Once the card has been completed, turn it in to the show office for a chance to win a train set!

The cards must be turned in by 3:00pm on Saturday for the drawing at 3:30. Participants must be present to win. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Building with LEGO.® The Milwaukee chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will be presenting the kids LEGO area at Trainfest 2011. Buckets and buckets of LEGOs will be available for kids to build and play. While the kids enjoy playtime, parents can explore the AIA’s presentation of the proposed Milwaukee Streetcar plan.

METRO MILWAUKEE Z SCALEcontinued from coverMetro Milwaukee Z Scale is a modular layout conforming to Z-Bend Track© Standards. Each module is owned and operated by individual club members.

The club offers lots of flexibility. Each club member chooses the setting of their module; most are based in the Milwaukee/Wisconsin area. The only requirements the club has for each module is that it has the same level of exacting detail, maintains a modern time period, conforms to Z-Bend Track standards, and uses DC power.

Each member is responsible for the cleaning and servicing of their own module. The club holds annual clinics on module cleaning. “Sometimes, Kevin chuckles, the message does not always sink in.” Kevin remembers once when setting up for nationals, a newer member left early to complete the roof of a building. Kevin set-up a train to test out the track. Once the train hit the new module, it began to rock on the tracks, which were full of dust. “We still haven’t let him live that one down!”

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Kevin Domrois’ first Z-scale module measures 3’x3’. All of the tracks and switches on his module require four power sources. Some notable features include viaduct and a cemetery with a track running through it. Kevin composed this module from scenes found in modern day Milwaukee, including the modern Milwaukee Road Station.

Kevin’s second module measures 2’x3’. Like his other modules, this one is modeled after Milwaukee landmarks including the Jones Island, ferry dock, and the Froedtert grain elevator. As an inside joke, Kevin replaced the F on the grain elevator with a D for his last name.

The Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club layout is comprised of five modules:

see Metro Milwaukee Z Scale, page 14

Kevin’s third module measures 2’x2’, and represents landmarks of North Milwaukee. Notable features include a gulley, a factory at the top of the gulley, a school, and typical residential area. Many of the structures on the module were kit bashed.

New Module Premiers at Trainfest 2011 Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club is eager to exhibit its newest module at Trainfest 2011. Built by Bill Hoeppner, the 2’x4’ module conforms to 2ft wide Z-Bend Track standard, but shifts 6 inches to form an angle. This departure from the typical square or rectangular piece increases the space needed to feature the club’s layout and, most importantly, adds visual interest.

The module depicts eastern US coal country. Some features to watch for include; the construction of the mountain, the realistic coal mine, and the detailing of the quintessential town.

Check out the new Trainfest Website!The new website is up and running! With

lots of train photos and up-to-the minute

information on the 40th anniversary

celebration. Get caught up in the

excitement for Trainfest 2011. Print out

your discount admission coupons too!

www.trainfest.com

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Bonnie Domrois’ module measures 2’x2’ and depicts an urban Milwaukee scene. Memorable features include the very recognizable ladybug building and the outdoor art piece named “The Calling” faces the William O’Donnell Park (located at farthest east point of East Wisconsin Ave). Milwaukeeans typically refer to The Calling as the sunburst or orange metal structure. Bonnie and Kevin found out its real name when looking up the structure’s dimensions.

The Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club layout is comprised of five modules:

Z-Bend Track Standards Z-scale is one of the smallest commercially available model railroad scales. These tiny railroads can become huge through modular layouts. Z-Bend Track Standards allow for free form shape and length allowing the imagination to go wild when modeling in Z-Scale.

The Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club layout modules featured in this issue conform to the Z-Bend Track Standards. These standards originated from the modification of N Scale Bend Track standards by members (Jack Withem, Chad Bryan, and Bill Kronenberger) of the Northwest Crossing multi-scale model railroad club in Houston, TX.

The basics of Z-Bend Track:

•50” from floor to top of the rails

•Two-foot wide interface with tracks 9” and 10” from the center line on both sides

•Minimum Radius 7-2/3 inches (Same as Marklin Snap Track 195mm)

•Powered by either (or both) DC and DCC

A manual is available at www.zbendtrack.com

“Visitors love to see buildings and scenes relating to their life experiences in such a small scale…and this layout delivers just that, says Kevin. Some people are amazed there are even any people in Z-scale!”

Kevin enjoys Z-scale for its portability. One reminder he has for club members when taking on a new module is to keep one’s car size in mind. The last thing anyone wants is to be packing for a show and find the module too large to

fit in a car. The advice Kevin shares with club members, he gladly shares with all beginning modelers of any scale. Always keep portability in mind when building. “When creating a layout, keep in mind a plan on how you might get it out of the house if you move,” says Kevin. “I never want a modeler to face the nightmare I’ve heard of when large permanent home layouts are destroyed due to moving.” That’s why he prefers modular layouts because of portability. Plus, the layout can be expanded “bit-by-bit” and modelers still have the satisfaction of a completed project.

Richard Eannelli contributes a rural scene 2’x2’ module. The detailing is exquisite. Richard actually uses real sawdust next to the machines in the scene’s sawmill for a realistic touch. Lifelike campers are depicted in the middle of it all.

Don Czerniejewski’s module illustrates the flow of the Milwaukee landscape, from cityscape to farmland, and measures 2’x4’. The railroad Don depicts is the Union Pacific. The module uniquely captures the spirit and environment of the area. Of special note is that everything on the layout was found in the Walthers catalog.

see Metro Milwaukee Z Scale, page 16

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METRO MILWAUKEE Z SCALEcontinued from page 12

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Model railroading is a great hobby for enthusiasts of all ages – and it doesn’t take an avid modeler to appreciate them.

Fans of arts and crafts enjoy the countless design features on display at Trainfest. With customization applied to nearly every aspect of a railroad model, the possibilities are endless. Favorites include the realistic handmade scenery, beautifully designed skylines, and intricately-painted townspeople – the skilled modelers at Trainfest are true artisans.

Fans of minute technology and intricate procedures enjoy the precision craftsmanship that goes into each individual module.

Model train hobbyists are always happy to answer questions about everything from blinking lights, to automatically occurring sounds, to digital train controls. Many modelers prefer to keep their railroads sharp and precise, but technologically simple. Others prefer to employ electronic gadgetry wherever possible. Be sure to browse them all and take in all the impressive design details that Trainfest’s modelers have to offer.

A walk through Trainfest is a chance to explore different trains, different places, and even different times.

Being the largest operating model railroad show in America means we have the most set-up and fully operating model train railroads and modules in one place, at any one time. It’s quite impressive. Over 200,000 square feet of model trains! Come to Trainfest and be entertained, and perhaps even be inspired to become a model train hobbyist yourself.

Endless Discovery

Enormous Fun!

60 Amazing Railroads

New to the TrainfestExperience?

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A Wife’s Gift Returns Man to Modeling HobbySpotlight on Kevin DomroisMetro Milwaukee Z Scale Club member Kevin Domrois remembers well his receiving an HO train set as a child. Since it was a very expensive set, his father unsurprisingly would hover over him as he played. Kevin’s grandfather, seeing how Kevin truly enjoyed trains, proceeded to purchase him a toy train he could play with at will. The love for trains was sealed.

Kevin began modeling in HO scale in the basement of his childhood home. In high school he saw Z-scale for the first time when Model Railroader featured a Z-scale Western Pacific layout, 1986. For a time he began to explore Z-scale as he faced the dilemma of moving his layout from his childhood home.

Then life happened. Kevin got older. He grew away from his model train hobby. When his mother started downsizing the childhood home, she asked him about tearing down his HO layout. There was a lot of angst. Kevin then saw firsthand the worth of a smaller modular layout that could move easily.

Yet it wasn’t until Kevin’s wife, Bonnie, bought him a Z-scale set as a gift did he begin working back at his hobby and in Z-scale. His return to the hobby brought her into it as well.

Today, Kevin’s time spent on model railroading varies on whether he is building a new module or performing basic maintenance. Further he spends more time modeling in the fall and winter months when the weather is more suitable for staying indoors.

Kevin and Bonnie share their common interest in model railroading. Similarly, they share time working on each other’s modules. While Bonnie helps with his painting; he helps with her track work. Which as any Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club member will confirm, Kevin likes his tracks.

Kevin is known for the amount of tracks and switches on his modules. It’s a common joke with all the members. And since he’ll help out on Bonnie’s module with tracks, she too is getting the reputation of being track laden!

METRO MILWAUKEE Z SCALE continued from Page 14

Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club generally attends two to three shows per year and is looking to add another show in the future. The club is always sure to make it to Trainfest and Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes Train Show. Kevin prefers shows like Trainfest which allow for set-up the day before; he finds them more relaxing and allows them to further the train show experience.

Meeting new people and showcasing the layout are the club’s favorite aspects of attending shows.

A special treat for club members is always the sharing of stories — of layout building blunders and successes, and of successful techniques and design ideas. It’s not unusual to meet someone who actually worked on the railroad shown on a layout, too. Those stories are priceless.

Having more women participate in the hobby has changed the dynamics of model railroading. In Kevin’s opinion, the change is great. Women are now more actively participating in the hobby from running historical societies and clubs, to building their own layouts. At train shows of

“old”, mainly fathers and grandpas were in attendance with men running the layouts. Now moms and grandmas are taking their children to shows, and they are seeing women run layouts. It’s what the hobby needed.

Kevin speaks for all the members of the Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club when he says “model railroading is a rewarding experience. In this hobby, people come together over a single common interest and passion; overtime other overlapping interests come out. Ultimately it is hard to pinpoint involvement in the model railroading hobby from the enjoyment of taking photos of model railroads and going to shows, to meeting new people and making friends.”

Editor’s Note: The Metro Milwaukee Z Scale Club will be at Trainfest 2011. Kevin remembers fondly his first Trainfest. In fact, he attributes Trainfest, in part, as to why the Club is in existence. Why? Trainfest had so much to offer and he was unable to walk around because he was tied to the layout. Being part of a Club was the answer!

40th Anniversary Celebration

Free Admission for Military and Scouts In celebration of our 40th Anniversary,

military and scouts may come to

Trainfest free of charge. (Uniformed

Scouts may be of any age but must

be uniformed and accompanied by

an adult. Military must present valid

military I.D.)

Trainset Giveaway!It may be our 40th anniversary, but

on Sunday we are the ones giving

out the gifts! Thanks to our sponsors,

four lucky Trainfest visitors will win a

train set! Winners will be randomly

selected at the north and southwest

entrances by Trainfest volunteers.

Patronize our sponsors. Because of

their help, Trainfest is as great as it is.

Tr

ainfest

40CELE

BRATIN

G 40 YEARS

1972 - 2011

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by Linda Sukup, Past Superintendent WISE Division

Trainfest to me has always been, and will always be, a family reunion. I first became acquainted with the Trainfest family in the early 1970s when Trainfest was in the Family Living Building at State Fair Park. My boyfriend at the time, now husband, took me there one Sunday afternoon and the rest is history so to speak.

At first, I was a spectator taking in all the wonder the train show had to offer. I enjoyed watching the exhibitor’s eyes light up as they spoke about their home layouts or the latest acquisition for their collection…and watching the crowd “ooh and ahh” over the displays.

As I came back each year, I met more people who have become great friends. Today, they are like family to me.

As Trainfest evolved through the years, so did my life. I graduated from college and became a teacher. I married my sweetheart who by that time was one of the exhibitors at Trainfest. Fast forward to 1986 when Trainfest moved to the North Exhibit Hall. It was at this time when I was hunted down by Jim Vick, then Paymaster, to sell tickets.

I was now an official member of the Trainfest family. From the ticket booth I watched the crowds eager to enter Trainfest. It was great fun talking to everyone from the little ones attending their first Trainfest to the grandpas bringing their grandchildren into the Trainfest family.

My spot at the ticket booth brings back many wonderful memories. I remember even getting a marriage proposal from Mel Andresen! He told me to leave my husband, and if I’d marry him, he promised to show me a good time. I will always remember his kindness and wit, and truth be told, he really did show me a good time. Thanks, Mel.

As our own family grew, my husband and I were sure to introduce our daughter into our Trainfest family. She was born in May of 1987, and attended her first Trainfest that November. I remember her eyes sparkling and taking in the activity of the event, of her being welcomed into the Trainfest family, and of course, peacefully sleeping under the table when it was nap time. (In reflection, obviously I was more excited that year than she was, but no one was willing to argue with a new mom when she says her infant loves Trainfest!) Though I will say, the year that Santa was at Trainfest was pretty special. He came up to my daughter and called her by name. It was very exciting. Her brown eyes got huge. She now personally knew the man!

My official Trainfest duties grew through the years. I was the Superintendent of the Milwaukee Road Railfans Association, now known as the Milwaukee Road Historical Association. I manned the booth for the MRHA for years, talking with folks about the association, and sharing its history and mission.

Then in 1995, I was voted onto the Board of Directors of the WISE Division. At this time, I was asked to be on the Trainfest Committee to serve as volunteer coordinator. I gladly accepted the invitation. Working with John Tews, Executive Director of Trainfest, promised to be interesting and it has proven delightful. I have learned so much from him.

In 2009, I was elected Superintendent of the WISE Division. This position presented me with a whole new perspective on Trainfest. I was now part of the larger coordination of this family event. Prior to that, it seemed one of my biggest challenges was deciding which doughnuts to get for Trainfest!

I have always loved my official Trainfest duties – big and small. It has meant so much to me to contribute to Trainfest and to help keep the family reunion going year-after-year.

Trainfest bonds people in ways that is hard to describe. What I can tell you is that the truly wonderful modelers, photographers, artists, layout groups, hobby shop folks, manufacturers, and spectators are more than friends; they are family.

Happy Anniversary, Trainfest. I am so honored to have shared the fun and love of trains.

Thank you Trainfest and John for everything!

TRAINFEST A FAMILY AFFAIR

We’ve asked Trainfest Committee and Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division Board Members of the NMRA to answer “Remember When Trainfest…?” We share their memories throughout 2011.

17

Linda in the early years of model railroading.

60 Amazing Railroads. Enormous Fun. Endless Discovery.

BRIN

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Visit trainfest.com – Coupons, Details, Lodging!

Demonstrations and “how-to”

clinics

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Learn tips and techniques

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60 manufacturers

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50 hobby dealers

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12 historical groups

WI Expo Center at State Fair Park 8200 W. Greenfield Ave. Milwaukee (West Allis), WI

Saturday & SundayNov. 12 – 13, 20119 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tr

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40• C

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TING 40 YEARS

OF MODEL RAILROADING

®