.... NEWS ....
Updated December 3, 2001

Phillip Bell Takes on Track Maintainence

Hello SWLS members.
I've been asked to head up the "Track Readiness Committee" by Harvey Mattison.
There is a lot of time and effort that goes into laying and maintaining a 7 1/2 inch railroad. Some track owners do all the work themselves, others have a regular group that helps with their tracks. If you are a track owner and have a work day scheduled, I can post that.
I know that everyone cannot take extra time to do track work, I also know that there are some groups that help at a particular track on a regular basis. We're not trying to interfere with your work days or organization. We're just trying to let members (and non-members) know when there will be a crew working.
This can be an excellent way to get more involved with our hobby. If you have a friend that is hesitant about getting involved because they think they might not be able to build a locomotive or engine right away, this could be an excellent way for them to get their feet wet.
Please let me know of any suggestions you may have, or any people that might want to be included on these notices.

Phillip Bell
email:sbell@apex2000.net

(Ed. Notes: The previous was Phillip’s first e-mail as sucker...er, Track Readiness committee. The following was his second. I would like to, as an aside, remind members to make sure the Secretary has complete and accurate addresses and email addresses on you. As Phillip mentions, he had several email addresses come back as undeliverable, and as Signal editor, almost every month we have newsletters come back as undeliverable as well. Your attention to this would be greatly welcomed!)

Hello SWLS Friends. Thank you for the response to my first attempt at mass e-mailing. I had several e-mail addresses come back as undeliverable. If you know of someone that would like to be included on these notices, please have them contact me.
One track owner, Jack Haskins, has workdays on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from March to November. No work day if there is a scheduled SWLS meet that weekend. His railroad the Able Springs & North Texas, is a great track to run on. The reason being is the time and effort Jack and his helpers devote to its maintenance and upkeep. Helpers are always welcome especially close to meet time. Thanks,

Phillip Bell

If you need more information you can email Phillip at psbell@apex2000.net


Event to be held at Ed Leatherwood’s Dublin, TX track.

As reported in last month’s Signal, the annual Labor Day Meet at Loren and Fleda Jenning’s Gotebo, OK track was cancelled due to Loren’s ill health. However, a long weekend of railroading fun can still be had. Ed Leatherwood has stepped up to host the weekend meet at his Dublin & Rio Grande track in Dublin, TX. He has been helped in his track preparations by Phillip Bell and Jack Lucks. So turn those cars around and head to Central Texas for some fun in the sun. Meals will be on your own each day except for the evening meal on Saturday, which will be a group meal at one of the local restaurants. Ed will have the details as to where and at what time. Lodging options are somewhat limited, with most people opting for one of the two motels in town. They are the Shamrock Inn, 312 N. Patrick St. Call them at (254) 445-3334. The other choice is the Central Motor Inn at 723 N. Patrick St. Contact them at (254) 445-2138. Ed says come when you want. It’s liable to be hot, but then you probably didn’t need to be told that! If you need more information you can email Phillip at psbell@apex2000.net

Important Notice:

The Labor Day Meet at Loren Jennings' in Gotebo, OK, has been cancelled due to health reasons.


TEXAS BOILER LAWS AMENDED TO EXEMPT HOBBY BOILERS
October 1995:
Texas issues a new boiler code which exempts minature hobby boilers from state inspection.

755.022. EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN BOILERS

(a) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) boilers owned or operated by the federal goverment

(2) pressure vessels or unfired steam boilers, other than steam drums of unfired steam boilers; or

(3) manually fired minature boilers that:

(A) are constructed or maintained for locomotives, boats, tractors, or stationary engines only as a hobby for exhibition, recreation, education, or historical purposes and not for commercial use;

(B) have an inside diameter of 12 inches or less or a grate area of two square feet or less; and

(C) are equipped with safety valve of adequate size, a water level indicator, and a pressure gauge.

(b) Heating boilers used to heat buildings that are exclusively for residential use and that have accomodations for not more than four families are exempt from sections 755.025, 755.027, 755.029, and 755.030