Well...due to the many suggestions I have been recieving concerning giving the big boys a chance to help our cause I have decided to contact manufactures of HO products. Here is the letter that I have faxed out.
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Leroy Steigerwalt and I am a sixth grade mathematics teacher at Mayewood Middle School located in Sumter, South Carolina. My principal has agreed to allow the teachers to conduct clubs this school year. I belong to several large forums on the web and discussed the possibility of doing a HO layout at the school for the kids. The response has been tremendous. To date we have received items from Japan, London, Australia, Canada, and The United States. It is from the urges of many hobbyist all across the globe that I am writing your company. The students have two main goals concerning their layout. The first is to have it ready for the GATS show this coming April in Columbia. The second is to complete it and build a small switching yard that can be housed on a hollow core door in order to take to other schools and educate their peers about the hobby. For its ease and many advances we have chosen to use DCC on our 6X8 layout and the switching yard. However, we have not been able to secure all the items necessary to reach our goals. A gentleman from the states has donated a DCC starter kit which has the kids hooked on its apparent ease and versatility over DC. If possible we would like to expand upon it and use 5 hand held throttles to operate the locos on the 6X8 and 2 on the switching yard. We still need a system to operate the separate switching yard. Which brings to mind another set back. Our 6x8 layout will be able to handle five independent trains, and the switching yard will handle two, but we only have one engine that runs on DCC. We have five of the turnouts necessary to complete the layout but still lack the remaining eight and the 13 switching machines. We have the foam and roadbed to lay the track on but have no ballast, ground cover, and are very limited on trees. Please understand that any help no matter how small will be a great benefit to their club and my cause (getting them interested in math and wanting to come to school). A local sign shop has agreed to make a banner for us to display the names of all those who have contributed to our layout which will be going with us to the shows and various school functions. We would love to add your name to our list and hope you consider offering a helping hand in creating a passion in children that have so many trials to overcome in life. I thank you in advance on behalf of the many students and people you will impact through your generosity. I can be contacted several ways and eagerly look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Leroy Steigerwalt
Here is a list of the companies I have contacted. I will keep you all updated on the list as the contacts return. Lets see if the companies that make all the great items we love to use are as generous as those using them.
Broadway Limited
Internet Trains
Trains-usa
Jays Trains.com
Bachmann
Central Hobby
Mainlinehobby
A-Line
Accurail
Alpine Models
American Model Builders
Intermountain Railway
DigiTraxx
Kadee
Katousa
Life-Like
WoodlandScenic
Wish us luck
77Railer
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Leroy Steigerwalt and I am a sixth grade mathematics teacher at Mayewood Middle School located in Sumter, South Carolina. My principal has agreed to allow the teachers to conduct clubs this school year. I belong to several large forums on the web and discussed the possibility of doing a HO layout at the school for the kids. The response has been tremendous. To date we have received items from Japan, London, Australia, Canada, and The United States. It is from the urges of many hobbyist all across the globe that I am writing your company. The students have two main goals concerning their layout. The first is to have it ready for the GATS show this coming April in Columbia. The second is to complete it and build a small switching yard that can be housed on a hollow core door in order to take to other schools and educate their peers about the hobby. For its ease and many advances we have chosen to use DCC on our 6X8 layout and the switching yard. However, we have not been able to secure all the items necessary to reach our goals. A gentleman from the states has donated a DCC starter kit which has the kids hooked on its apparent ease and versatility over DC. If possible we would like to expand upon it and use 5 hand held throttles to operate the locos on the 6X8 and 2 on the switching yard. We still need a system to operate the separate switching yard. Which brings to mind another set back. Our 6x8 layout will be able to handle five independent trains, and the switching yard will handle two, but we only have one engine that runs on DCC. We have five of the turnouts necessary to complete the layout but still lack the remaining eight and the 13 switching machines. We have the foam and roadbed to lay the track on but have no ballast, ground cover, and are very limited on trees. Please understand that any help no matter how small will be a great benefit to their club and my cause (getting them interested in math and wanting to come to school). A local sign shop has agreed to make a banner for us to display the names of all those who have contributed to our layout which will be going with us to the shows and various school functions. We would love to add your name to our list and hope you consider offering a helping hand in creating a passion in children that have so many trials to overcome in life. I thank you in advance on behalf of the many students and people you will impact through your generosity. I can be contacted several ways and eagerly look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Leroy Steigerwalt
Here is a list of the companies I have contacted. I will keep you all updated on the list as the contacts return. Lets see if the companies that make all the great items we love to use are as generous as those using them.
Broadway Limited
Internet Trains
Trains-usa
Jays Trains.com
Bachmann
Central Hobby
Mainlinehobby
A-Line
Accurail
Alpine Models
American Model Builders
Intermountain Railway
DigiTraxx
Kadee
Katousa
Life-Like
WoodlandScenic
Wish us luck
77Railer