Article and Photos by Cliff Green

Dave Enger's tugboat, a Revell 1:108 scale model

Dave Enger’s tugboat, a Revell 1:108 scale model

The carpool I rode in to the Redmond Clinic (“The Bothell Express”, Alex Brikoff driving) was full and lively, and I specially enjoyed meeting Mark Allen for the first time and chatting about his marine salvage company (Underwater Admiralty Sciences). Syd Schofield, the Eastside Get Together Clinic Reporter (both Redmond and Renton) was sick and unable to take notes, so I was happy to fill in as temporary clinic reporter.

The date was November 17th, 2016, and the clinic was well attended with 22 people, including one for the first time (welcome, Zack Newman!). After David Cook provided a clinic welcome and discussed events happening around the area, Alex Brikoff talked about the “Photo Contest of the Month” he will be organizing for the Redmond Clinic starting in January – click here for details.

The “Model of the Month” contest had four entries from three people. Dave Enger brought a tugboat assembled from a 1:108 scale Revell kit. “It’s close enough to HO scale to work for me” was one of his comments. Mark Allen brought two models, an O scale tree and a On30 scale gas electric motor. Steve Depolo (owner of The Inside Gateway hobby shop, a long-time sponsor of the Eastside Get Together Clinic), brought an S scale orange fruit packing company. Mark Allen won the MotM contest with his tree and gas electric models.

Mark provides additional info on his models:

The On30 Gas Electric Motor Number 5 was made in recognition of the influence of Bob Hegge’s Crooked Mountain Lines on my modeling. I started with the “Really Short Combine” kit from Wiseman Model Services. A Few Grandt Line doors were used for the cab. The trucks are Bachmann passenger trucks. It is powered by a NWSL Stanton Drive and is DCC controlled with a Tsunami Sound Decoder. Marker lamps, headlamp and interior light are done using Ngineering LEDs. The custom dry transfers are from CyberColor, located in Ballard – http://www.cybercolor-inc.com/, Andrew Burr, aburr@cybercolor-inc.com, 206-783-9610.

The tree, O scale, stands a scale 85 feet in height. The trunks are clear cedar. The foliage is a pre-flocked plastic fern from Hobby Lobby, product number 540641, retails for $3.99 although it is often found on sale at 50% off. Root swell and fairing into the twin trunks is done with PaperClay, http://www.paperclay.com/. I’ll elaborate about the properties of the material during the January clinic.

Mark Allen's O scale tree and On30 scale gas electric motor number 5

Mark Allen’s O scale tree and On30 scale gas electric motor number 5

Russ Segner took the stage with a presentation and discussion about “Elements of Layout Design”. Key aspects of track planning include theme, period, and operations, considering both motive power and rolling stock in the operations planning. Russ then displayed six example layout plans, and we discussed aspects of each one:

  • Plan 1 – Key track elements in this modest sized plan included a wye, passing sidings, and both trailing and facing point turnouts.
  • Plan 2 – This plan tried to fit too much track into and was “too busy” for the given space.
  • Plan 3 – Designed for a basement, this plan had advantages including no windows and no duck-unders to design around (the stairs came into the middle of the basement). However, safety considerations must be made in case of fire or other emergencies.
  • Plan 4 – Coal Creek Lumber Company, Russ’ home layout, was the next example plan. Wide aisles are a big advantage, which Russ’ layout has, but he still ended up with a chokepoint. The layout portion above a stairwell is a creative use of otherwise unusable space, but required careful planning and pre-building before installing. Russ designed specific scenes all through the layout.
  • Plan 5 – Roger Nulton’s S scale Monon RR 4th Division was used as an example of a complex and creative plan, utilizing multiple rooms and walls and designed for multiple operators.
  • Plan 6 – Paul Scole’s Sn3 scale Pelican Bay & Railway Navigation Company layout was used as the last example. Of particular note was how scenes were always “broken up” so that only portions of a train could be seen (not the whole train at once). The track plan had many flowing curves to provide more visual interest.

The next Redmond Clinic is planned for December 15th. Click here for additional details, including a map.

Steve Depolo's S scale orange fruit packing company

Steve Depolo’s S scale orange fruit packing company