Joe Magarac’s Journal
The Quarterly Newsletter of the
Steel Mill Modelers Special Interest Group
Contents
From The Editor
Page 2
Welcome
Page 3
About the Steel SIG
Page 3
2014 NMRA Convention
Page 7
2014 Steel Meet
Page 8
Using Post Cards for
Steel Modeling Research
Page 9
Board of Directors (Interim)
John Glaab, Chairman
Richard Buchan
Doug Geiger
Mike Rabbitt
Joe Tonkin, Recording Secretary
Bill Wolf
Volume 1, Number 1
Spring 2014
From the Editor
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Steve Benezra. I have known John Glaab for a number of
years through my tangential interest in modeling steel mills as part of an operations based railroad.
My real interest is in model railroad operations and I am the editor of “The Dispatcher’s Office”(DO),
the official journal of the Operations Special Interest Group(OPSIG). John and I had many
discussions over the past 2-3 years about his interest in forming a Steel Special Interest Group. I
shared with him OPSIG’s documents to help in the formation of the Steel SIG. Part of a SIG’s bylaws
requires a regular publication of a newsletter, journal, or other type of published document to make
members of the SIG aware of the SIG’s activities, announcement of elections, articles of interest to
the SIG, and any other information the members of the SIG should have. I am but a conduit of the
information. I take what is sent to me and put it in a readable format for the members. This is my first
attempt at laying out your newsletter. If you have any suggestions for improvement, send them to me
at [email protected].
As far as content goes, that is your responsibility. As I occasionally mention to readers of the DO, no
content, no publication. I ask that you submit content that requires some knowledge of the steel
industry, steel mill modeling, and any other topics related to steel to John Glaab. I cannot edit the
content of that material because I do not have the in depth knowledge required for checking the
accuracy of an article related to steel. As mentioned above, my job is to put the submissions into a
readable format.
This newsletter will be divided into two parts, content related to the Steel SIG, such as meetings,
elections, contests, etc. and content in the form of articles related to the steel industry and modeling
the steel industry. Below are the submission guidelines.
Submission Guidelines
Articles should be in Word, Text, or PDF format. Images, figures, and illustrations can be embedded
into the text. Make sure the images, figures, and illustration are sharp so they can easily be read on
a computer screen. Photos need captions and must acknowledge the photographer. If people are
shown in the photo, they need to be identified. Any material taken from another publication must
have permission from that publication to be in this newsletter and credit must be given to the
publisher as well. We cannot published copyrighted material without permission and credit.
The newsletter is published in March, June, September, and December. Submission deadlines are
no later than the first day of month prior to publication date. For example, the June issue has a May 1
submission deadline. Keep these deadlines in mind when announcing meetings or other time
dependent notices.
Welcome who wrote this?
Congratulations! If you are in receipt of this newsletter you are a member of the Steel Mill Modelers
Special Interest Group (SMMSIG). That is until this Labor Day weekend!
A brief explanation is appropriate. After “The Magarac Society” meet in 2012 a small representative
group of Steel Mill Modelers decided that the best way to insure perpetuity and structure to our evergrowing community of modelers was to formalize the group with the structure that the NMRA affords
to its special interest groups. Hence an application was submitted and approved by the NMRA giving
us formal status as a special interest group and the Steel Mill Modelers SIG was born in the spring of
2013.
This announcement was made to the 85 attendees of the meet in Pittsburgh, PA this past Labor Day.
On the last day of the meet a session was held to determine the temporary structure of the Group so
that we could move forward with the formalization of the SIG. See the Magarac Society Section
Below.
Before I attempt an update, let us pause for a minute and review the genealogy of our group. It goes
without saying that we owe John Glaab and Mike Rabbitt special thanks for creating the “Magarac
Society” as we know it today. Their special story is told below. Without them and a host of
supporting members we would not enjoy our unique hobby. It gives me great pleasure to paraphrase
John and Mike.
Evolution, a Steel Mill Modelers Special Interest Group is Born.
It all started in 2004 with a conversation between John Glaab and Mike Rabbitt. They were both
lamenting that there did not seem to be any organization that was interested in the steel mill aspect of
the model railroading hobby.
The Rail Road Industry Special Interest Group (RRISIG) had held several meets where there were
tours of steel mill facilities and of course there were certainly other railroad industries that were
toured. The organizer of the RRISIG, Stan Knots, when approached by John let it be known that half
of the groups’ members were interested in seeing more steel mill related industries, whereas the
other half did not want to see steel mill related tours. What a difficult situation to be in?
Armed with that information John and Mike decided to hold a Steel Mill Modelers Meet. Expectations
were that perhaps 20-25 attendees could be expected. The group would get together to share
stories, slides and modeling information. This was to be a low-key informal meeting. At that time it
was decided that the best time to meet would be in the fall over the Labor Day weekend. John and
Mike were trying to avoid conflicts with the RRISIG who held their meets in the Spring each year,
making it possible for modelers to attend both events. They also discovered that hotel availability and
rates were accommodating over the Labor Day weekend. The stage was set for future meets.
Fortunately for all of us, John was willing to take the risk. The result was quite a surprise, a total of 55
people attended.
Several of the modeler’s offered to make a presentation. We call them seminars, but in the language
of the hard-core NMRA types it is a “clinic”. To the delight of everyone, Dean Freytag was on the
schedule providing and unexpected level of modeling mastery.
2004 was the point of origin for future meets. Seminars, layout tours, displays, contests and a place
to purchase, sell and trade steel mill related items combined with a casual Saturday dinner rounded
out the program.
The administrative details to make these meets successful fell in the shoulders of John. There are a
few of us in our life experiences who have had the responsibility of running a complicated event such
as one of these meets. I can appreciate the thankless work that goes into making a meet successful.
As time has gone by the meets have increased in size and complexity. The degree of difficulty has
increased. The standards have become high.
2006 was a year without a meet. The RRISIG decided to conduct their meet in the fall of that year.
Fearing that both meets occurring so close on the calendar would not be beneficial to either group the
“Magarac Society” delayed its meeting until the following year.
The popularity of the meets increased and the dinner became an awards banquet. Still a very
informal social event designed to allow more networking but an opportunity to recognize the special
accomplishments of its members. There is the “Dean Freytag” award given to the modeler who, by
popular vote, presented the best steel mill model. We have recently recognized that not all models
are transportable so the “Joe Magarac Award” goes to the best steel mill photo.
“The Magarac Society” was a name adopted for this focused group of modelers. Joe Magarac is the
fictional folk hero that is the “Paul Bunyan” of steel workers. Joe was repudiated to be capable of
mixing molten steel with his finger. He could taste this sample and declare the quality. Joe could
also grasp a ball of molten steel, squeeze it in his palm and extruded railroad rails from between his
fingers. Joe’s accomplishments are limited only to the imagination of the storyteller.
Every year the seminars explored more areas of steel mill modeling. Many members made elaborate
modifications to the Walthers’ blast furnace, built rolling mills, basic oxygen furnaces, specialty RR
cars, sintering plant, Hulett’s, coke ovens and the list goes on. Supporting these models was an
increased level of professionalism in the presentations. Today the high quality of our seminars is
recognized throughout the model railroad hobby.
The take away from a meet are copies of the presentations. Initially, offering attendee’s a copy of the
presentations on CD’s we now give everyone a thumb drive.
2013 saw the addition of prototype tours of steel mills. This popular addition is difficult to arrange and
coordinate. But, the members see enhanced value to the meet and we will continue to arrange this
where possible.
John realizes that he is not getting any younger. Three years ago he announced at the Baltimore
meet that he planned to curtail his participation in the group. With that departure would end the highwater mark of our modeling year. His reason was simple. Putting this program together with little
assistance had become too much. A group of volunteers assembled and determined to give our
“Magarac Society” more support. The program had become “too big to fail”. The focal point of the
discussion was how to continue.
So in 2013 the “Magarac Society” applied for recognition as a SIG with the NMRA. We were granted
status shortly thereafter as the “Steel Mill Modelers Special Interest Group” (SSMSIG). A move in
direction gives us several advantages.
•Larger exposure to a group of modelers via their magazine and conventions.
•We have been influential in providing clinics at the national and regional levels.
•Structure with bylaws. A necessary piece to provide organization and structure.
•Assistance in putting the meets together. Let John and Mike enjoy the hobby. Just a little.
•Longevity.
In John’s perspective, he feels that the greatest accomplishment of the previous meets has been a
marked improvement in steel mill modeling. In the years prior to 1995, when Walthers introduced
“The Works”, the Ashland Steel series of steel mill models and supporting structures, information
relevant to this unique type of modeling was limited. Steel mills were viewed as background
supporting structures rather than a functional element of the RR.
With more photos and data becoming more available, the transformation to prototype modeling has
been simply amazing. Several modelers build scale models of actual blast furnaces that are totally
recognizable when compared to prototype photos. The same can be said for coke plants, openhearth facilities, sintering plants, and steel mill RR rolling stock. The most significant change is the
interest in making the steel mill an operational element of a model railroad. No longer just scenery, it
is a live steel mill with a reason for existence. This transition has been due to the cooperation
between the Layout Design Special Interest Group, The Operations Special Interest Group and the
Steel Mill Modelers SIG. The communication of information as well as interest between the groups is
noteworthy.
So what can we expect for the future? The meets have been growing steadily; the most recent meet
attracted 85 attendees. The choice of Labor Day weekend will continue and the affiliation with the
NMRA shows promise for the appeal to a much larger group of modelers.
For the modelers, steel mills are fertile territory. The continuing stream of photos and information
continue to be published helping us t unravel the complexities of steel mills. New model
manufacturers are offering kits for rolling stock and the ever so important detail parts and structures.
New books are constantly becoming available to the modeling public adding to the excitement we all
enjoy The dramatic effects of sound and lighting are the new frontiers for the modeler. This is truly a
good time to be a steel mill modeler.
MAGARAC SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On September 1, 2013 The “Magarac Society” general meeting that was held at the conclusion of the
annual meeting. Below are the key points:
Governance: An interim board was convened consisting of:
John Glaab (Chairman of the Board)
Bill Wolf
Mike Rabbitt
Joe Tonkin (Recording Secretary)
Richard Buchan
A newly elected member: Doug Geiger
Purpose: Complete the formal introduction of the SMMSIG into the NMRA. The board will develop
the SIG’s Mission, Vision Statement, and bylaws that will be used to guide our organization in the
future. This project is currently under way. Other SIG’s Bylaws are being used to guide the board.
John will be leading this effort. More information will follow on the by-laws later this spring. At this
time our legal counsel is reviewing the by-laws.
Membership Privileges:
•Priority registration for events.
•Copies of all seminars at the annual event on flash drive
•
Newsletter.
•
Dues included in registration event fee.
Newsletter:
•To be named the “Joe Magarac's Journal”. Future newsletters will be sent to you under this
banner. Look for it.
•
Peach Creek Shops web site to be used.
•Editor is Steve Benezra
•Contents will include but not limited to:
•Announcements
•Events
•Member Projects
•Status of sub-meets, local meets, etc. The Pueblo local meet would have been covered here
•
Hobby news relating to the SIG
.
Adopted:
•Dues will be assessed beginning at the 2014 meet. Everyone in receipt of this email is a
member for now. Your membership will expire if dues are not paid in 2014. Assessment will
be sent out with registration for the 2014 meet.
•Member Dues:
$20.00 / Year.
NMRA National Convention
Cleveland is a steel town and the convention will be featuring several steel related tours and a series
of clinics called “Steel Track” that are focused on steel mill modeling.
The SMMSIG has provided assistance to the NMRA local clinics committee in selecting clinics and
we will have a SIG booth to provide a contact point for modelers interested in steel mill modeling.
We will also present the “Dean Freytag” Award for the best steel mill model in the general contest.
The contest room will also have space for general, non-judged display models. If you have
something you are working on and you would like to share your work with others, I highly encourage
you to bring it along. It doesn’t have to be finished. This is primarily a show-and-tell opportunity.
Lets all bring something and make a good showing for the SMMSIG.
I’m attaching the information for you to register for the convention. Register ASAP if you want to take
any of the steel mill tours. They fill up quickly.
To register for the convention go to: http://www.2014cleveland.org/registration.htm
Cleveland, Ohio July 13 thru July 19th. SMMSIG will have a presence in the contest and display
room.
•Doug Geiger to be the point man for the on ground coordination.
•Have a presence (Booth and in the SIG Room).
•Preparation of the SIG booth by Mike Rabbitt and Bill Wolf.
•Assist in the development of the “Steel Track” program of steel related clinics
•Provide assistance to the Convention clinics chairman
•Assist where necessary in the Model contest
•Encourage members to submit models
•Assist judges with questions on “prototypical correctness
•Present the “Dean Freytag Award” for the best steel mill model
2014 Steel Mill Modeler’sMeet
Local coordination responsibility: Eric Craig
Location:
Bethlehem, PA.
Dates:
August 27-31.
Hotel:
Best Western, Lehigh Valley Hotel
300 Gateway Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-954-5000 Mention “The Magarac Society”
$79.00 per night
Registration Fee:
$97.00
How to register: Go the Peach Creek Shops web site:
[email protected]
Presentation Coordinator: Mike Rabbitt: 610-688-3352 or [email protected]
At this meeting the appointment of officers will be completed during the business session. Time and
day to be determined.
Using Post Cards for Steel Modeling Research
By John Glaab
In the early 1900s the post card was the way to tell friends and family where you were and how
things were going. A “penny post card” would allow you to send a picture of some significant scene
where you were located and add a brief message to the folks. It was the Facebook of the day.
Post cards varied widely in content. Some were actual photos, referred to as “Chromes” but most
were “Linens” which consisted of a black and white photo that was printed on a linen textured paper
and hand tinted by an artist. Other types of post cards were cartoons and others were related to
holidays, seasons, etc. This was a big business and hundreds of thousands of Linens were produced
in Germany and sold in the US. A company would get a photo from the US and reproduce it on the
“linen” stock, hand color it and resell it.
Here is where the problem arises. The person doing the hand coloring did not have a color photo to
work from. Frequently there was written color information, of the most basic kind, supplied by the
photographer, e.g. “Color the flat area in the front grassy green” and so on, but as time went on these
artists began to take liberties, and buildings and roofs changed color or were painted out completely.
Most of the time, the changes made by the artist were minor and didn’t detract significantly from the
accuracy or content of the scene. But sometimes………………
Here is good linen of the Lebanon Furnaces in Lebanon, PA dated 1913. The artist did a very
reasonable job in choosing the colors fro the buildings. Can you count on the building in the center of
the photo being light red brick? Probably not, but it looks plausible. The scene is full of information,
the workers quarters with the clothes drying on the line, the mill owner’s mansion in the background
(You can bet it is upwind of the furnace), the location of the blast furnace and cast house, and the
large strange structure to the left of the cast house. (If anyone knows what the structure is please tell
me!) This is the kind of card you are happy to find.
Occasionally you find more than one post card of the same scene tinted differently and as shown
below, the results can be quite different.
This is Colorado Fuel & Iron in Pueblo, Colorado sometime in the 1910-1920 era. It’s obvious that
both post cards started with the same photo. The upper card depicts the scene in a most believable
fashion. Are the colors correct? Your guess is as good as mine. The lower card is, shall we say, a
bit more imaginative. There is fire shooting out of a total of 22 smokestacks!
What is the message? Do NOT believe everything you see on a post card!
I think this addition makes the scene a bit more “believable”. ;>)
(with apologies to Bill Watterson)
For a short history of postcards go to:
http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/historyofpostcards.htm