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March’s “Second Saturday” Zoom now posted on YouTube

If you missed the March 9 “Second Saturday” Zoom layout tour by Jerry Boudreaux, on his HO Santa Fe layout near Corvalis, OR, it is now posted on YouTube at this link: https://youtu.be/sGjaFgxJeUA

It’s well worth watching! Not only does he walk through his track plan with illuminating photos and videos, he also explains in some detail a number of his benchwork, wiring, scenery and trackwork techniques. It’s a layout tour and useful clinic rolled into one. We plan to have Jerry back for a “part 2” presentation on his operations techniques at the September 14 “Second Saturday” Zoom meeting.

Mount Vernon Clinic, March 18

The Mount Vernon Clinic scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2024, will reintroduce attendees to one of Ted Becker’s favorite subjects, “Mini Clinics.” Come and see/hear a variety of clinicians presenting a “mini clinic”, which is limited to a maximum of ten minutes. Clinicians so far include:

Dave Sherwood, repairing/replacing cracked diesel gears

Bob Stafford, Many uses of Weldwood thick & quick glue

Mark Malmkar, car reweighing

Tom Buckingham, NP collision in his backyard (really!)

Doug Seward, paper/card models

Al Carter, renumbering cars

And don’t forget, a bunch of us get together at 5:00pm at Round Table Pizza in Mount Vernon (115 East College Way) for pizza, sandwiches, and/or salad bar.

Clinic starts at 7:00pm; doors open at 6:30 for socializing. Location: Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1114 Cleveland Street (easy access from I-5, Kincade Street Exit).

Questions? Email Al Carter at tabooma@gmail.com or leave a message at 425-577-1570

Mount Vernon Clinic Schedule Change

The Mount Vernon Clinic announces a change in the months we meet. Traditionally, 4D clinics meet Sep-May, taking the summer off. The reasoning behind this concept was that families typically would vacation during summer months and attendance at clinics would drop.

The 25 in attendance at the February Mount Vernon Clinic voted overwhelmingly to adopt the new schedule, and avoid driving during the dreary, dark, sometimes hazardous winter months. The Mount Vernon Clinic will continue on through the summer months of 2024 and adjourn for a winter hiatus during the months of November and December 2024 and January 2025.

While clinic attendance may drop a bit, it was decided that it was worth it, to mitigate the risk of winter driving, as most attendees are seniors and would rather stay home during the winter months.

Visitors and guest clinicians are always welcome. Contact Clinic Chair Al Carter with any questions at tabooma10@gmail.com or leave a message at 425-577-1570.

March 21 Eastside Clinic

We will honor Ted Becker, a long time contributer to the Fourth Division activities. I have a copy of a recent presentation by the Mt. Vernon Clinic which honored Ted Becker who recently passed away. We will use that clinic presentation as a springboard in a discussion of how individuals can share their interests and skills in model railroading.

There will be many updates to coming events, so be prepared to comment and share.

Share photos of recent modeling, discuss a favorite tool or technique or ask the group for help with a model project.

The link to our meeting is being mailed to all on our list. NOT on our list?? Contact Doug Oldenburg to get on the list to receive the monthly link. douglas.oldenburg@ yahoo.com

Whidbey NMRA Clinic Wednesday March 13 – Decoder Pro – Removing the Mysteries with Jim Bentz

This clinic will target users who either have never used JMRI DecoderPro or have recently started down the DecoderPro journey.  Just about any user of DecoderPro is welcome and not only can they help others during the clinic but it is likely that they will pick up some DP methods they didn’t know about.  We will have test tracks and demos setup for questions and review of features.  We will also provide the clinic livestream on Zoom for online participation.  In person clinic is held at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, 13 March @7pm,  51 SE Jerome St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Zoom link provided:

Rich Blake 4dPNR is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Whidbey 4D NMRA Clinic March 2024

Time: Mar 13, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88618333418?pwd=lJtgdJK3V8x8VrGXhVVvc7baB18hpW.1

Meeting ID: 886 1833 3418

Passcode: 742988

March’s “Second Saturday” Zoom features Jerry Boudreaux’s large HO Santa Fe layout

March’s 4dPNR Zoom layout tour is going to inspire you for sure! Long freights often exceeding 50 cars and 6 units, 14 car passenger trains with sparkling warbonnets in the lead, and southwest mountain scenery punctuate the Pasquinel Division of the Santa Fe Railroad.  This 1200 square foot HO scale model railroad running thru the wilds of 1967 Arizona features a 650 foot mainline, large yard, and a number of smaller towns.  The Pasquinel is fully operational and 14 person crews keep it humming once per month.  Come join us next Saturday (March 9) for a trip  thru the red cliffs and distant mountain vistas of northern Arizona.  Jerry Boudreaux will show us his framing, track plans, electrical, scenery techniques, trains, operations forms, and even Santa Fe’s definition of a “Shooter!”  This Zoom-only presentation will start at 10:00 am PST, and we will open the meeting at 9:30 for meet and greet. Here is the Zoom info to join the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87210657142?pwd=ZHhIWnZGMUU0YnAwNVUvMENheEZSUT09

Meeting ID: 872 1065 7142
Passcode: 805577