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South Texas Railroad Socials

Our next ‘Shop Talk’ will be Thursday evening, April 17th, 2025 These are virtual via Zoom, sometimes streamed on YouTube Shop Talk sessions are informal round-table sessions, running about 90 minutes Go see photos from recent Shop Talk sessions to see what we talked about We continue to host ‘Shop Talk’ sessions every few months. Folks on our email list get notices and invite link emails. To get on the list, please email us. The original Socials included clinics, presentations, Show-n-Tell, area news and socializing Plus at times there was a layout tour afterwards, plus some virtual home layout tours at times The Socials ran about 2 hours, at the restaurant. Hybrid Socials were a combination, at the restaurant plus via Zoom and YouTube We suspended the ‘Socials’ in June of 2022 as the NMRA LSR Division Meetings were ready to start up

Please plan to buy lunch and enjoy with others. Or buy lunch to-go after and take it home. Use of the restaurant party room is based on people buying / eating at the restaurant. Otherwise we would pay fees. The restaurant opens at 11am. Plan to arrive at 11am or minutes after to order lunch and eat before we begin. As of June 2022, the Railroad Socials are suspended to make room for the NMRA division meetings. Socials were held quarterly, on the fourth Saturday of the months (except early in December) The dates in 2022 were March 26th and June 25th, with Sept 24th and Dec 10th post-poned Can YOU give a mini-clinic, on modeling or prototype? How about a layout photo tour ? Want to but need help preparing, we can help. If yes, please email us now.

Our program may include an area museum update, regional railroad events, history moments, NMRA LSR Div 6 update, and some funny video clips too. This ain’t no sit and listen thing, we have Q&A, Show-n-Tell and fun stuff all mixed in. The Socials are about 3 hours plus a possible layout tour after, when available. The Virtual Socials were about two hours.

Four topics were presented at the last in-person Social...

100 Plus Years at Magnolia Junction by Ken Anthony Near downtown Houston is a railroad junction that has been in place for over 100 years, serving various railroad lines. Originally connecting to the line to the Port of Houston, later the Houston Belt & Terminal, Ken will talk about the location, the history and the various lines that used this junction.

Port of Texas - Lift Bridge, on the SAMRA layout by Bill Eubank The SAMRA club layout will soon have work started on a new addition, the Port of Texas. This new addition will feature a unique lift bridge that has similar design and appearances to the Bascule Bridge that crossed the ship channel in Corpus Christi, in past years. Bill will talk about the prototype bridge, some history, some photos and discuss how the HO model is being built for the new port scene on the club’s layout.

Show-n-Tell - bring something you built or working on… or email in a couple photos ! Just weathered a locomotive, finished building a car kit, working on a structure ? Finished or not, bring it to show the progress. Prototype railroading too! Maybe you chased some trains, saw a unique rail car go by, got some great engine shots. It’s fun to see what others are doing - it might encourage others to do similar… So share your trains or trips during Show-n-Tell. If pictures - please email them to use before the Thursday before the Social, so we can show them on the big screen

Building a Craftsman Kit by Tom Taylor Tom has been building an old Craftsman kit of a New England station. The kit ws made in 2000 and few were made. He will show photos and details of the project as he has been working to building this beautiful railroad station.

Railfanning - Southern Pacific Diesel Shops by Frolin Marek Over the last 35 years, I have been “chasing trains” around the Alamo City and have taken various photos of trains and places. From the SP roundhouse and turntable (touring inside) to the Transfer Table near SoSan Yard, to various bridges and places, this will be a photo tour of places and trains.