By Al Lowe
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I saw this on Facebook marketplace. I have no knowledge of it, other than it might be of interest to someone who reads the Grab Iron. Contact Tom here.
Jeff Moorman passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 9, 2023, in his home in Ferndale, WA. He had recently celebrated his 75th birthday.
Jeff was a friend to many within the Fourth Division. He was the leader of the Seattle-North Clinic. He was co-leader of the Pacific Center Science Train Show for more than thirty years. He was the 2007 recipient of the 4D Golden Grab Iron Award. We will always remember Jeff with his positive attitude and vibrant personality. For the last few years, he was a member of the 4D-NTrak Modular group. Jeff was a great gentleman to all.
Jeff’s participation in the 4D began before 1990. He served as the first 4D modular program coordinator for many years. He, along with Frank Dekker, Co-Chaired the Pacific Science Center Train Show from 1998 until 2017, with his last seven years Co-Chairing with David Yaddock.
Jeff was instrumental in getting me involved in 4D initially as a volunteer at the Pacific Science Center show and then with me helping him in the Seattle-North clinic. He traveled with me to two National NMRA conventions, the last in Salt Lake City in 2019. He was always helpful in answering my many railroad questions – some more than once. We were good friends and got along well together.
Jeff will truly be missed.
His obituary is here.
Our 2023-2024 shift is just starting. The first Open House of the season is coming next Saturday, September 9th. We will be opening the doors for the new season, so join us at the Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club on September 9, 2023 from 11 am to 3 pm. Bring the kids, the grandparents, your friends, your family, your boss, and your neighbor to experience the wonder that is model railroading. Come see the trains at the Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club this Saturday and every second Saturday until May 2024.
Check out the N Scale and HO Scale layouts. Suggested donations are $3 per person or $5 per family.
Below is a preview video of all the fun at WSMR.
More information is available here.
Just a reminder to you, that the annual meeting of the Hi-Railers will take place on Saturday June 17th, 2023. For this special event, all NMRA members are also invited, to participate in the Special Event Steam Train Ride to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Northern Pacific. Northern Pacific steam engine 924 only runs three to five weekends a year, and we have scheduled our event to take part in this rare treat.
The Northern Pacific calls itself the second transcontinental railroad, and the first Northern transcontinental. It started service to Tacoma in 1873 using borrowed tracks through Oregon, but it didn’t complete its own main line until 1883.
Steam engine Northern Pacific 924 was built in 1899, for work on the waterfront yard in Duluth MN. It later moved to the Puget Sound area, where it worked the yards around Tacoma and Seattle until 1923. Sold to Inland Empire Paper Co, it continued working until retired in 1960. After rusting away in a park, it was completely restored from 2015 to 2021 by Northwest Railway Museum, where it now serves as “The Pride Of The Fleet.”
Our special excursion has some special rules, so that we can enjoy the sights and sounds of a Steam Engine in action, while the Northwest Railway Museum does not offer “reserved seating” on their trains.
We will depart from the station at the Railway History Center (RHC) yard on Stone Quarry Road at 10:00 a.m. This station is not on the public timetable, only the employee timetable; but it will permit us to take our seats in SP&S coach 213 right behind the steam engine, before the public boards at North Bend. There is no ticket agent at the RHC station, so it is imperative that you buy your ticket in advance at the trainmuseum.org web site. ( Refer to the “Grab Iron” post of April 18th.) Print out your ticket in advance or save it to your phone, the train conductor will “punch your ticket” when you board.
There is parking in the lot adjacent to the yard tracks. Overflow parking is on the shoulder on the north side of Stone Quarry Road – the shoulder is narrow, so take care not to obstruct traffic – or in front of the landscaping business to the west of the yard – they’re closed on Saturday, but still don’t block their driveways.
Remember from the 19th Century, when “the trains run on time?” Don’t be late. There’s plenty to see before departure. The engine crew starts firing up the steam engine at 6:30 a.m., and starts switching the passenger train around 9:00. Remember “Safety First” — keep off the tracks, keep your eyes open, and watch your kids. Our train ride will conclude around 11:35, followed by our picnic in the picnic grove, extended tours of the Train Shed Museum building, a short business meeting, train watching, and photography of steam run-bys until 5:00 p.m. There is no food service nearby the museum, so bring your lunch. As usual on railroad property, Rule G is in effect.
A final word to anybody who feels the urge to run, build, or work on “real” trains. The museum is always looking for volunteers, both on the train crew and the Restoration Workshop. Contact Emily B, the volunteer coordinator, for information or to sign up at Emily@TrainMuseum.org or 425-888-3030x7203
The results are in and, no surprise, all three of our 2023 candidates won!
So congratulations to Assistant Superintendent Bob Kenworthy and Board of Directors members Lee Marsh and Dennis Terpstra.
We had a 23% voting rate; not bad, considering that no one ran opposed.
Remember: you have through April 23rd to cast your vote in this year’s annual election. Search your email for an email and go to ElectionBuddy to cast your vote with a few clicks.
This year’s annual meeting of the 4th Division will be held via Zoom on Saturday, May 20, 2023, a week after the PNR convention in Tacoma.
At this meeting, we’ll report the election results for Assistant Superintendent and two Board of Director members, the state of the 4th Division, the winner of the Golden Grab Iron Service Award, and summarize the results of the PNR convention.
Agenda
A Nominating Committee has been appointed to receive nominations for the upcoming election of the ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT and two DIRECTORS. The duties of these positions are as follows:
The ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT shall perform all duties assigned by the Superintendent and serve in the Superintendent’s absence. He is usually responsible for the annual Spring Meet.
DIRECTOR. Serve as the direct representative of the members. Act in the best interest of the members in the management of the Division.
The Board of Directors currently meets about six times per year by Zoom. These meetings last for less than two hours.
The current holders of these positions will be asked if they wish to continue and if so, their names will be placed on the ballot together with any others who come forward and are qualified. If you know of someone interested and willing to serve, or if you wish to nominate yourself, contact Al Lowe at 4dPNR@allowe.com.
4D member Ron Auletti is moving from his beautiful home in Sequim and giving up his beautifully-finished HO layout. The 2,900 sq ft home has a view of the Olympic Mountains, a spacious great room, a large daylight basement apartment, plus this 600 sq ft, museum-quality HO scale operating model railroad. Located in the Sequim, WA sunbelt, the home is available for a 2023 move-in. For layout details, see this link from the last SoundRails. If you are interested in acquiring this property and layout, email Ron.
Your 4D Board of Directors will meet Saturday afternoon, June 11, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. As always, all members are welcome at all board meetings.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83348980762?pwd=KzYrK1JEVjdKd1dmZERyTUlJTm8vUT09
Meeting ID: 833 4898 0762
Passcode: 998623