COLUMBUS GARDEN RAILWAY SOCIETY
The Columbus Garden Railway Society (CGRS) is a unique, organization whose goals are to have fun with garden railroading and the sharing of information. We have no formal organization, constitution or by-laws. We are simply an informal gathering of people interested in gardening and railroading. Our only rule is the 10-foot rule, which loosely translates to "If it looks good from 10 feet away, then it is good enough". Membership in the Columbus Garden Railway Society (CGRS) is open to anyone. While the name of our organization refers to garden railroading, ownership of a garden railroad is not necessary. Many of our members have a G-scale railroad in their garden or yard, others may have one in their basement or other room of their home, and yet others may choose to not have one at all. That is not important. What is important is that all of our members share a common interest in the hobby.
Benefits of Columbus Garden Railway Society (CGRS) membership include an informative monthly newsletter (sample newsletter), monthly meetings at host railroads, the multi-club tour, and the fall foliage trip. Meetings may include presentations or clinics on various aspects of modeling, gardening, railroading, electronics, or controls. Guests are always welcome. For more information go to the membership page or contact the Columbus Garden Railway Society (CGRS) membership at membership@thecgrs.org
TYLER’S MAKE A WISH RAILROAD
In July of 2014, I had the opportunity to design
and build, with help, an indoor HO and O
gauge railroad for a Make-a-Wish child in
Sidney, Ohio.
Of 13,000 wishes granted by the Make-AWish
organization over the years, this was the
first time they had a request for a model
railroad. Tyler is a nine year old battling a lifethreatening
genetic disorder that causes
premature aging and problems with his
internal organs. Playing with trains lifts his
spirits and encourages him to keep fighting.
When asked what his one true wish would
be, the answer was easy: Tyler wished to
have his own basement train room to play
trains, assemble models with his dad, and
share with his older brother and two sisters.
Difficulties –the build needed to be completed
in only three weeks while the basement was
being renovated by a local contractor. Two
layouts were planned – one a 24’ by 4’ HO
layout with digital controls, sounds, LED lights,
tunnels, mountains, a river bridge, and a lot
more. The second is a separate around-theroom
O gauge Lionel Polar Express shelf
railroad at the ceiling.
Practical decisions (it was about time) were in
order: (1) build the railroads in Columbus –
specifically in my son-in-law’s 2 car garage;
( 2) disassemble them; (3) transport them to
Sidney for final re-assembly; (4) all trains,
track and structures would be standard ready
to run.
This build quickly became a family affair – I
sketched out the design, ordered materials
and trains, my wife gathered all structures,
people and accessories, my daughter and
son-in-law helped build the tables, scenery,
lay track, complete wiring, and position
structures and 100 plus scale people - all told
about 160 man-hours.
The HO railroad was constructed, tested, and
cut in three sections for transport via a U-Haul
truck rental. At Sidney, two days were spent
with the assembly of both railroads. The reveal
day came. The news media, friends and family
were all present as Tyler came down the stairs
to flash photos and his new train room –
excitement and fun filled the air.
9 year old Tyler and Bill Logan
ready to run trains and his new train room –
excitement and fun filled the air.
by Bill Logan
Who's who in CGRS
| Newsletter related business, articles and classified ads Gail Klink & Cecil Easterday newsletter@thecgrs.org |
Principal Business Contact Bill Logan business@thecgrs.org |
| Bills and Invoices Cecil Easterday bills@thecgrs.org |
Meeting hosts Bob Duggan meetings@thecgrs.org |
| Membership Bob Collins membership@thecgrs.org |
Address Changes Richard Abler addresschange@thecgrs.org |
| Portable Layout Doug Kruest layout@thecgrs.org |
General Information Richard Abler info@thecgrs.org |
| Webmaster Wayne Beedle webmaster@thecgrs.org |
CGRS Event Schedule
| Month/date | Day/Time | What/where |
| 2014 | ||
| Oct 16 | Thus 7:30 | News Table Meeting : Logan |
| Oct 26 | Sun 2:00 | CGRS Monthly Meeting : Briane aand Connie Spangler (preparing for winter) |
| Nov 20 - Nov 23 | CGRS at COSI | |
| Nov 20 | Thus 7:30 | News Table Meeting : Hills |
| Nov 30 | Sun 2:00 | CGRS Monthly Meeting - G Scale Junction (product update & RR electronics) |
| Dec 18 | Thus 7:30 | News Table Meeting : Easterdays |
| Dec 28 | Sun 6:30 | Holiday Party : Klinks |
| 2015 | ||
| Jan. 15 | Thurs 7:30 | News Table Meeting : Easterdays |
| Jan. 25 | Sun 2:00 | CGRS Monthly Meeting : Mike Walls (building a log cabin kit) St James Lutheran Church, Hillard |
| Feb. 15 | Thurs 7:30 | News Table Meeting : Easterdays |
| Feb. 28 | Sat 6:00 | Annual Banquet : Worthington Hills County Club |
| March 7 |
Sat 10:30 - 3:30 |
Steam Up : Saint Anthony’s School and Church, 1300 Urban Drive, Columbus, OH |
| March 18 | Thurs 7:30 | News Table Meeting |
| March 29 | Sun 2:00 | CGRS Monthly Meeting : Madison Township Community Center (building a stone fireplace Kit and gravity race) |
Guests are always WELCOME
Have you hosted a meeting this year?
We're looking for future meeting hosts
Preference is given to those who have not previously hosted a CGRS meeting
Contact Bob Duggan to host a meeting at meetings@thecgrs.org
Webmaster at webmaster@thecgrs.org