Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time as always to a great group of modelers including two newcomers. Several announcements were made about upcoming conventions; the 4D Spring met will be in Issaquah, June 3-4. A reminder of the PCR PNR combined convention in Medford, OR. Walt Huston announced that the Tacoma Clinic layout would be in May. The TNW will hold their annual show on May 19-20. The Kitsap live steamers started operating on Saturday the 14th of April.

What’s new at the hobby shop was presented by Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains with a variety of items from Woodland Scenics, Atlas, Microtrains, and DPM in scales from Z to O.

Doug and Leo sent their cans around for the coffee fund and our food drive. Leo reported that at this point we have collected 561.00 Dollars for the food drive.

Model of the Month Winner

The Model of the Month contest had a number of nice models, a F-7 AB unit with the B unit powered by drive shaft from the A unit, An Athearn Genesis caboose and a 50’ boxcar heavy weathering and graffiti decals, a diorama with a Cornerstone building “Granma B café”, a TNW box car body with TNW logo, German locomotive with  wine vat cars of various designs, a water tank from the Wenatchee Appleyard, and trestle from Micro Engineering that was modified into a curved trestle. The Model of the Month winner was the Watertank.

The clinic for this month was given by Jim Sabol and was titled freight yard design. Jim started out with a section of track that had a siding on a board about four feet long which he called a model rail road layout. After explaining his theory he expanded on paper the design into a very complex design of a freight yard. A great clinic on yard design for operations.

Next month’s clinic will be May 10 at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. the corner of 112th Street and Waller Rd.