The old Realistic mono PA amplifier we were using for radio in the club died in spectacular fashion (bang!) several weeks ago. We still had the original manual for it (complete with detailed schematics), but upon investigation it was well beyond being economic to consider repairing. Being 45 years old though we reckon we got pretty good use out of it!

Garry stumbled across an ancient stereo amplifier when cleaning out some of his old junk and was about to send it to the tip when he suddenly wondered if it was worth trying. It needed a new plug, but after doing that and testing it at home it turned on and didn’t go bang. Last night we tried it at the club and low and behold it works — well one channel does anyway. We’ve simply wired both speakers in series on that one working channel — good enough for club use — job done! That stereo has to be around 50 years old now — so even older than the PA amplifier it replaced.

Talk about recycling! 🙂

Our sister club, the Edmonton Model Railroad Association (https://www.emra.club/) has once again sent us one of their excellent calendars for 2021. They produce this calendar every year using photos taken by their own members.

In a letter from their President (Tim Walker) accompanying the calendar, it sounds like their past year has been considerable more difficult than ours. We are so very lucky to have been as minimally affected by COVID-19 as we have!

This year has been unlike any other preceding it. With the COVID pandemic, we made the decision to suspend operations back in March. We had some relief from August to November when we able to access the building and work in small groups on projects. Unfortunately, at this time we have had to suspend operations until the new year. I’m sure this is like what you have been experiencing. Our model railroad community is small, and we have been trying to keep communication open between our members by hosting various online video events. Hopefully with the vaccine rolling out in Canada, we are nearing the end of these strange times.

Tim Walker, President — Edmonton Model Railroad Association

Thank you very much for the calendar EMRA and we wish you a speedy return to normal operations!