Author: Al Babinsky

By Al Babinsky / Photos by Chip Van Gilder

I opened the clinic as guest moderator since MMR Gene Swanson was not available due to an operation. We had 36 attendees with one newcomer Rachel who stated that she was modeling in Z scale. Dale Kraus, Rick Bacon, and I made an announcement that books, magazines, and modeling material are available on the back tables for the taking.

Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s New at the Hobby Shop” which included items such as tank cars, a SW1 switcher, N scale hoppers, and a GP9 A and B from Walthers, Microtrains, and Athearn Genesis.

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By Al Babinsky, Photos by Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened our first clinic after the summer break and welcomed all. We had 34 modelers including one newcomer in attendance. Gene announced that Bill Sandstrom is Tacoma Trains new owner and we wish him well in his new endeavor. Bill brought in several “thank you” letters from kids that received a gift certificate from Tacoma Trains. These certificates are funded by donations from Tacoma Clinic attendees that visit Tacoma Trains for purchases. The certificates are given out to kids that have an interest in model trains but have limited funds to pursue the hobby. Bill Sandstrom presented new arrivals at the store that included a Walthers power and light building kit, a ready-to-use depot from Woodlands Scenics that comes in all scales, some coal cars from Atlas, and a 4-pack of grain cars from Micro-Trains.

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by Al Babinsky

Editors note: The date of Walt Huston’s open house has been corrected to May 23^rd.

Al Babinsky moderated the clinic since MMR Gene Swanson was unable to attend (he was bringing his wife home from the hospital). We had 45 modelers attending with no newcomers at this time. Walt Huston announced that he was having an open house of his layout on Saturday May 23^rd, and invited anyone that was interested to come out and visit. Jim Sabol made a couple of announcements on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and the future of the passenger service along the Prairie line. The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad will have its shop facilities at Mineral open for visitors and the owner will move his 7.5” railroad to Mineral in the near future. The Freighthouse Square Sounder Station will be expanded to accommodate the Amtrak Coast Starlight as well as the Amtrak Cascades and the line will go through Lakewood and connect to the mainline near Olympia.

“What’s New at the Hobby Shop” was presented by Bill Sandstrom for Tacoma Trains hobby shop which included a number of scenic items from Woodland Scenics, one of which was a burning structure. A firetruck and its crew could be used to make a scene of extinguishing the structure fire. A set of N scale weathered hopper cars, an Athearn Genesis locomotive, and a set of ON30 wood-sided dump cars from Bachmann completed Bill’s announcements.

In the “Model of the Month” category Chris Clancy had a couple of GE UC33Cs and weathered freight cars, some of which he purchased at an antique store. Paul Vaughn brought one of his HO to Sn3 conversions which always looks great. Tyler Wickham modified a Blair Line Pizzeria kit into a tavern called Drunken Clam which sported a Miller Engineering animated sign proclaiming the Drunken Clam. MMR Dale Kraus brought a European box car that he shortened so it could be used on his narrow gauge line. Jim Clower brought a couple of Oriental Import hopper cars. Ken Levine brought a box car and B&O passenger car kit that he purchased at a swap meet, adding weathering, metal wheels, and Kadee couplers. The “Model of the Month” winner was Tyler Wickham with his Drunken Clam tavern.

Our clinic for this month was given by Steve Carter on operating train order boards. These train order boards are going to be used in eight locations on the PSMRE layout. The train order board (signal) is from Tomar, the control board, servo motors and linkage are from several manufacturers including the radio controlled airplane world. At this time one train order board is installed on the layout at the Kanasket station and is operational with computer control. The signals will eventually be controlled by the dispatcher with a control panel.

Next month’s clinic will be on May 14^th at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin Bldg. on the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM. Hope to see all of you there. The clinic for May will be given by Mike Shaw on the use of Fast Track jigs when building switches and crossings.

Al Babinsky, photos courtesy of Chip Van Gilder

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time with 45 modelers in attendance including 4 first timers – Molly Faucett, Randy who models European equipment, Budd who graduated from N and HO to G scale, and Larry Sloan who models BN from 1970-95.

Ed Liesse announced that the NMRA national election ballots are in the latest NMRA magazine. Please vote, especially now since one of our division members is running for president. He also mentioned that the 4D elections are coming up for a director and assistant superintendent position. Scott Taylor mentioned that a plastic model show was being held at the Museum of Flight and a future model show in Kent (editors note: The Museum of Flight models are from the Northwest Scale Modelers club).

Bill Sandstrom representing Tacoma Trains & Hobbies presented “What’s new at the Hobby Shop”. His first item was that Tacoma Trains is not closing as has been rumored, but that George Bourcier is planning on retiring and is looking for a buyer. As for the new items, there are books on BN and on DCC, Microtrains has a Z scale NP passenger set and HO boxcars, Foxhall a transfer caboose, Walthers a HO express boxcar, and Lionel a SP flatcar with trailer.

Bud Thompson is looking for volunteers to help with building and installing an NP railroad display in the Foss Maritime Seaport along with building 3 G scale modules for an interactive display.

“Model of the Month” items were brought by Chris Clancy, showing a DCC ready EMD CF-7 which he renamed for his railroad. Chris also brought a Bachmann boxcar, a TNW boxcar, RG boxcar and a Milwaukee Road transfer caboose, all of them heavily weathered. Walt Huston brought an SD80Mac renamed and numbered for his railroad. Dennis Reeves showed scratch built N scale signals in various stages of progression and a Woodland Scenics building kit. The building kit came non-painted and was very hard to paint after it was built. Gene Swanson brought a Red Ball billboard refrigerator car with cardboard sides and metal ends. John brought a NW mill gondola with steel load made from windshield wiper arms. Dave Faucett brought a Jacks Cabin water tower. Jim Flowers brought a ballast dump car and fire car with high speed tender trucks. Chip Van Gilder showed a self-designed 3D printed locomotive body and an exploded view of the Monroe station ready for 3D printing.

The winner of “Model of the Month” was Jim Clowers with his ballast dump car and the fire car.

Jim Clower’s ballast spreader and fire car, Model of the Month winner

For the “Tip of the Month” Al Babinsky showed a reel of LED light strip to be used for interior lighting in passenger cars or buildings. The LED strip is 5 meters long / 60 LEDs per meter / 12 volts and is waterproof. Al uses them primarily on cars to light up the underside with different color lighting. It is self-adhesive and can be cut at about 6 inch intervals. There are a number of manufacturers and the best way to order is through E-Bay or Amazon.

The clinic for February was given by Al Babinsky and was about converting an analog layout to DCC. This is achieved by installing a double pole double throw switch and, if loops are present, reversing modules. The installation of the switch allows the layout to be operated in DCC or analog mode.

Next month’s clinic will be given by Jim Sabol on weathering vehicles. The clinic will be on the 12^th of March at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. on the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM. Hope to see you there.

Chris Clancy’s CF-7 and cars

Walt Huston’s SD80MAC

Gene Swanson’s Red Ball billboard refrigerator car

Dennis Reeves’s N scale scratch built signals

Dave Faucett’s Jacks Cabin watertank

Dennis Reeves’s Woodland Scenic painted building

John’s NW millgons with steel load

By Al Babinsky, photos by Chip Van Gilder

The first clinic of the year was started on time as usual by MMR Gene Swanson with 44 modelers in attendance. We had two newcomers, one modeling the Santa Fe in HO and the other hoping to model in N scale. Several announcements were made, including a model show at the Museum of Flight (MOF), the online magazine Trackside Model Railroading (TSMRR), featuring several layouts of Tacoma Clinic members, the Sn3 scale symposium, the 2015 NMRA National Convention in Portland, OR, and the 2015 Pacific Science Center Train Show, hosted by the 4^th Division. Gene mentioned that our March clinician Steve Young was very ill and had to abandon his live steam 4-8-4 Northern project.

Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s in the Hobby Shop”: an F 45 from Atlas, an FT45 from Arnold, a mechanical reefer, tank train, N scale GP-15 and U-25 from Atlas. Bluford Shops has hoppers, boxcars, and a transfer caboose and Micro Trains sells a Z scale NP passenger set and Kato with UP 844 and 7 car UP passenger set.

“Model of the Month” had several entrants including Chris Clancy with a rail tie load for a gondola, a Green bay and Western gondola and a 0-6-0 tank locomotive. Chip Van Gilder brought several 3D printed items, a cider mill, an S scale steam locomotive roof, and hopper flow gates. Kevin Klettke brought a kit bashed wood chip barge. Dale Kraus brought two weathered German railroad gondolas draw-barred to operate as one (matching the prototype). Walt Huston brought background photos for his layout. The “Model of the Month” winner was Kevin Klettke with his wood chip barge.

Our clinic for this month was presented by Steve Cox, the owner of Cascade Rail Supply, featuring roadbed materials and construction. His PowerPoint presentation covered the pros and cons of various types of available roadbed. Most roadbeds, such as cork, have the wrong angle of 45 degrees versus the proper angle of 30 degrees. He showed samples of the types of Homasote roadbed that he manufactures in all the common scales. Homasote seems to be the best product around since it is solid and holds spikes. Note that cutting and sanding Homasote creates large amounts of dust and manufactured roadbed avoids this irritation. It was an informative, well-done, great clinic.

Next month’s clinic will be on February 12^th at our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112^th Street and Waller road at 7:30 PM. The February clinic will cover “Analog and DCC at the Same Time”. Hope to see all of you there and bring a friend, significant other or any one that is into modeling.

Chip’s 3D Printing Projects. Photo by Chip.

Kevin Klettke’s Wood Chip Barge, Model of the Month Winner. Photo by Chip.

Dale Kraus’ German Gondola Unit Train. Photo by Chip.

Walt Huston’s Layout Back Drop Pictures. Photo by Chip.

Chris Clancy’s 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive. Photo by Chip.

by Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time as usual and dispensed with the usual announcements. The “Model of the Month” or “Bring and Brag” was held with several models being shown. We had 41 modelers attending this clinic, our “Dirty Santa” clinic.

Paul Vaughn brought two versions of molds, a hard rubber and a soft rubber mold. He explained the difference, which is the hard rubber mold is made to be used many times to create soft metal parts and the soft rubber is usually a one-time use.

Leo Scafturon brought a HO kit of Western Welding shop mounted on a corner module. The shop is complete with equipment welding hoses, shop personnel, forklifts, material, and a siding.

Chris Clancy brought some of his finds from antique shops including a gondola and an F7 A and B unit, all heavily weathered.

John Miller brought a Model Diecasting 0-6-0 with tender and a lengthy story of all the problems he addressed to make the model work properly. Very interesting.

Walt Huston brought a dual gauge track switch to show how the narrow gauge track diverged from the dual gauge track.

The “Model of the Month” winner was Leo Scafturon with his Western Welding module.

The next item on the agenda was our food, appreciated by all and attacked with great gusto. We then waited with anticipation for Dirty Santa to arrive which he did. As the program progressed many items switched hands and several modelers opened presents since someone had stolen theirs. Of special interest were a couple of power tools that seemed to change hands a number of times. The evening ended with the drawing of door prizes, enough for all attendees to receive one. The clinic was closed with the clinic committee singing “We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Our next clinic will at 7:30 PM on January 8^th in our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg on the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road. The presenter is Steve Cox on the subject of Model and Prototype Roadbed. Hope to see you there in 2015.

I don’t know how many of you know about an online publication called Trackside Model Rail Roading (TSMRR), their website is: www.tracksidemodelrailroading.com. It is run by a husband and wife team. The reason that I’m mentioning this is that three members of the Tacoma Clinic have been published in that publication: Dale Kraus and his layout are in the November issue and Walt Huston and Al Babinsky are in the December issue. Each layout article has an embedded video to give you a rail fan tour. In order to view you must purchase it, the cost is $1.89 per issue or $14.99 for a year. Check it out you may like what you see.

From all of us to all of you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Al Babinsky

The Tacoma Clinic report is back after a couple month absences due to the writer having a hip replacement. It went well and now it is like the old days — it works like a champ. This report has information from last month’s clinic and this month’s clinic.

Last month’s clinic was attended by 42 modelers. The model of the month was won by Ken Levine with his Great Northern gondola, weathered, KD couplers and sprung trucks. The clinic was given by Paul Rising on removable loads. If these are the same type of loads as he built for PSMRE, they have magnet imbedded in the load which is used to remove the load.

This month’s clinic started on time as always and MMR Gene Swanson gave recognition to all the veterans. November is also the month where the clinic makes a donation to the Emergency Food Network with Helen McGovern accepting a check for $1250.00 from money collected during this year’s clinics. Jim Sabol read an email he received from Bob Edwards, a modeler in the Olympia area looking for contacts, and he replied telling him about the Olympia clinic.

The “What’s new at the Hobby Shop” segment was given by Bill Sandstorm from Tacoma Trains. Athearn had passenger cars and reefers, Wheel of Time with a Piggy pack stacker, Walthers had several buildings, MicroTrains an N scale freight train, Broadway Limited with NP coal hoppers.

The “Model of the Month” had Ken Levine with a couple of cars obtained at a swap meet, a Western Pacific box car and a gondola, which he weathered and upgraded. Chris Clancy with a find at an antique shop, a three-truck Heisler, a depot kit and three 4-wheel high-side coal gondolas. Dale Kraus with what he called cheap Maerklin Banana cars which he reworked and weathered. Chip showed a drawing of an N scale NW-2 with was manufactured on a 3D printer. Paul Vaughn with an On30 Y module with a station and store built from paper. Bob Ayer with a model of the First Lutheran Church which he scratchbuilt; the roof is made with Plastruct tile. Bob Ayer was the winner of the model of the month.

The clinic for this month was given by Gene Swanson and Brian Liesse and titled “ The making of a book”. The book was on Gene’s layout and what it took to do the photography. Brian demonstrated the equipment he used such as light sources, lenses and the cameras he used. It was a very interesting clinic and informative.

Next month clinic is of course “Dirty Santa” along with refreshments and other goodies. Please don’t forget to bring a wrapped present and mark it as to what scale it is. The clinic will be held at our usual place in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road and the time is 7:30 PM. Hope to see you there and bring a friend, modeler or significant other.

Al Babinsky

Just a friendly reminder that the Tacoma Clinic will be held on September 11 at 7:30 PM in our usual place, in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. on the corner of 112th Street and Waller Road.

Hope to see you there.

Al Babinsky / Photos by Chip Van Gilder

First I want to apologize for the late report, but a number of things happened and I had to get the layout ready for the PSX 2014 tour as well as a few models for the contest.

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time as always and asked for topics for future clinics. We had 38 modelers attending including two newcomers. The up-coming conventions was mentioned and has since past with I believe great success. The Kitsap Live Steamers announced that they are operating on the 1^st and 4^th Saturday of the month.

What’s new in the Hobby Shop presented a number of new items in Z scale, N scale, HO and Lionel.

Walt Huston presented Al Babinsky with a structure merit award.

In the Bring and Brag category Chris Clancey had a Kato ALCO RS-3 heavily weathered and a Central Oregon & Pacific diesel. Scott Taylor had a Grandt Line 23 ton Box Cab diesel that he converted to an electric traction unit. It is powered with a Stanton drive. Dale Kraus showed a Bachurus locomotive test stand and a complete scratch built hardwood lumber mill. Stu showed an N scale curved turn-out and Mike Stepner had a weathered track mobile.

Scott Taylor won the Model of the Month award with his traction locomotive.

The clinic was presented by Robert Scott and was a slide show titled North Dakota – Requiem for a lost land. It showed the before and after the current oil boom which changed everything. An excellent show as always by Robert.

Our next clinic will be in September with Chip Van Gilder presenting 3-D photography. It will at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road. Have a great summer do some railfanning and enjoy, see you in September.