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4D Summer Meet — Last Minute Info & Driving Directions

Written by Al Lowe
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Al Lowe

Dress

Even though Saturday is predicted to be really hot, I must warn you: dress warmly! I stopped by the Hilton Garden Inn Thursday afternoon in my typical summer garb and quickly cooled down. So if you dress for Saturday’s outdoor heat, you may want to bring a layer with you. On the other hand, if your house isn’t air conditioned, you should definitely be at the 4D Summer Meet! It will be a great way to stay cool on the hottest day of the year!

Layout Day Change

There have been a few slight changes to the schedule but only one major change: Stafford Jones has to work Sunday and has graciously offered to open his layout to us on Saturday afternoon only. Since it’s only five minutes from the Hilton, it will be easy for you to drop over.

Payment

4D Treasurer Sherman Stevens will be on hand to take your $20 registration fee from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. He prefers cash, but will accept checks. Sorry, no credit cards. After 10:30, you will not receive a badge, nor directions to the layouts, and you won’t be admitted to the clinics and layout open houses. (The annual General Membership Meeting that closes the day is, of course, still open to any and all 4D members.)

Model Display

While we want you to share your models with everyone attending, we cannot take responsibility for them. You display them at your own risk. Of course, only 4D members will be anywhere near the model room, but still…

Directions

The Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn is southwest of exit 15 off I-90 at the western edge of Issaquah. The address is 1800 NW Gilman Blvd. Here’s a map and driving directions. Call (425) 837-3600 if you can’t find it.

In Closing

I hope you’ll be able to attend Saturday and Sunday. This is a good opportunity for members who attend one or another of our local monthly clinics to get to know members in other parts of our Division. See you Saturday!

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4D Summer Meet: Don’t come empty-handed!

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Al Lowe

Many people take the summer off from model railroading, but if you’re not one of them, bring something along this Saturday! The 4D Summer Meet will host a casual display of models all day. This is not a formal contest; there are no awards; it’s just a chance for you to share what you did this summer. Of course, if you want Achievement Program assessment, bring your paperwork and one of our many local A.P. experts will be there to make sure your efforts are rewarded.

Remember: The 4D Summer Meet is this weekend at the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn. Registration is only $20 and includes all the clinics and layout open houses, plus drinks and munchies, morning and afternoon.

Hilton Garden Inn, Issaquah‎
1800 NW Gilman Blvd
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 837-3600

Here’s the complete schedule:

Saturday, August 18, 2012 — CLINICS

8:00 – 9:00

Registration; Coffee & pastries in the lobby; Drop off models for display.

9:00 – 10:15

Board of Directors Meeting

“Development of Resin Model Railroad Cars” — Ron Cole

“Automated Layout Control” — Dave Hikel

10:30 – 11:45

“Weathering” — Walt Huston

“Track Warrant Control Operations” — Ken Liesse

“Bring and Brag” room opens (A. P. assessment available on request)

Noon

Lunch on your own

1:30 – 2:45

“Trains in Cuba” — Bobj Berger

“OmniRail” — Rob Jones

3:00 – 4:15

“DCC is Easy with Decoder Pro” — Di Voss

“NMRA Q & A” — Walt Huston PNR & Ken Liesse 4D

4:30 – 5:30

4th Division Annual Meeting; announcement of 2012 Grab Iron Service Award winners

Sunday, August 19, 2012 — Layout Open Houses

See Registration Packet for hours, maps and details. You must register Saturday morning to see these fabulous layouts on Sunday!

Puget Sound Iron Goat Railway, HO, JJ Johnston, Freelance railroad set in 1939. Recently featured in Railroad Model Craftsman. Up a flight of stairs. Shorter hours; see registration packet.

Rainier Great Western, HO, Michael Highsmith, Freelance running fromRenton to the Cascade coal mines south of Black Diamond. First time open to the public!

Aberdeen, Tacoma and Spanaway Forest, N, Walt Huston, Freelance. Built by a frequent contributor to N Scale magazine and cur-rent PNR president. Open later; see registration packet.

Dry Gulch & Western, HO, David Yadock, Freelance. First time open to the public. Somewhat handicapped-accessible but not wheelchair-accessible. Several prototype, fully-functional crossing signals, too.

Castle Rock Branch, HO, Stafford Jones, Set in west-centralWashington in the 1950s. DCC by NCE, sound locomotives. Many kitbashed structures. Hand-painted backdrop. NOT OPEN SUNDAY! Open 1:00–3:00 Saturday only!

Issaquah Central & Great Eastern Railway, O, Ed Ives, 2-rail & 3-rail outdoor layout; double track, 240′ loops.

Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. (NP/GN), O/On3,Mike O’Connell, Massive layout built over the shops of Chooch Enterprises. The lighting alone will intrigue you. Up a flight of stairs. May need to park in field below the hill.

Seattle & North Cascades Railway, HO, Boeing Employees Model Railroad Club, Freelanced bridge route connecting Pacific Northwest to theMidwest. Old club with a new layout in a new building!

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4D Summer Meet: Layout Open Houses Announced

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Al Lowe

As promised, here are the layouts we have arranged for you. And what a great collection they are! Indoor, outdoor, various scales, large layouts, small layouts, and all of them nearby. Many will be featured on the upcoming National Narrow Gauge Convention in September. Most have appeared in national model railroading magazines.

Remember: to visit these layouts, you must register for the 4D Summer Meet Saturday morning between 8:00 and 10:00 at the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn. Registration is only $20 and includes drinks and munchies morning and afternoon.

For information about the clinics planned, just scroll down the Digital Grab Iron, or click on the link to previous articles near the top and bottom of this page.

See you in Issaquah next Saturday, August 18, 2012!

Hilton Garden Inn, Issaquah‎
1800 NW Gilman Blvd
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 837-3600

Layout Open Houses

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Layout Open Houses are mostly from 11:00 – 4:00, although times are up to the layout owners. Your Summer Meet Registration Packet has the details, along with addresses and maps to the layouts. Packets are available to Summer Meet registrants only at the registration table Saturday morning. Addresses should not be publicized; however the public may be invited at the layout owner’s discretion.

Road Name

Scale

Owner

Description
Puget SoundIron Goat Railway

HO

 JJ Johnston Freelance railroad set in 1939. Recently featured in Railroad Model Craftsman. Up a flight of stairs. Shorter hours; see registration packet.
Rainier Great Western

HO

 Michael Highsmith Freelance railroad running from Renton to the Cascade coal mines south of Black Diamond. First time open to the public!
Aberdeen,Tacoma and Spanaway Forest

N

 Walt Huston Freelance railroad built by a frequent contributor to N Scale magazine and current PNR president. Open later; see registration packet.
Dry Gulch & Western

HO

 David Yadock Freelance. First time open to the public. Possible issues for mobility impaired. For hours; see registration packet.
Castle Rock Branch

HO

 Stafford Jones Set in west-central Washington in the 1950s. DCC by NCE, sound locomotives. Many kitbashed structures. Hand-painted backdrop.
Issaquah Central & Great Eastern Railway

O

 Ed Ives 2-rail & 3-rail outdoor layout; double track, 240′ loops.
Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. (NP/GN)

O/On3

 Mike O’Connell Massive layout built over the shops of Chooch Enterprises. The lighting alone will intrigue you. Up a flight of stairs. May need to park in field below the hill.
Seattle & North Cascades Railway

HO

 Boeing Employees Model Railroad Club Freelanced bridge route connecting Pacific Northwest to theMidwest. A great old club with a new layout in a new building!
Convention or Meet

4D Summer Meet Clinic Schedule Announced

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Al Lowe

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Time

Lobby

Catterall Room

Bergsma Room

Barlow Room

8:00 – 9:00

 Registration
Coffee & pastries

9:00 – 10:15

 Board of Directors Meeting “Development of Resin Model Railroad Cars” — Ron Cole “Automated Layout Control” — Dave Hikel

10:15 – 10:30

 Coffee & pastries

10:30 – 11:45

 “Weathering” — Walt Huston (Bring your own cars) “Track Warrant Control Operations” — Ken Liesse “Bring and Brag” Model Room with A. P. assessment available, if wanted

Noon

 Lunch on your own

1:30 – 2:45

 “Trains in Cuba” — Bobj Berger “OmniRail” — Rob Jones

2:45 – 3:00

 Soda, coffee, snacks

3:00 – 4:15

 “DCC is Easy with Decoder Pro” — Di Voss “NMRA Q & A” — Walt Huston PNR & Ken Liesse 4D

4:30 – 5:30

  

4th Division Annual Meeting; announcement of 2012 Grab Iron Service Award winners

Subject to change, of course.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Layout Open Houses are from 11:00 – 4:00. Addresses and maps will be furnished to Summer Meet registrants only at the registration table Saturday morning. Addresses should not be publicized, however the public may be invited at the layout owner’s discretion.

See you in Issaquah Saturday!

Convention or Meet

4D Summer Meet next Saturday, Aug. 18–19

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Al Lowe

Just one week from today, the 4D’s Summer Meet will be held in Issaquah. You’re going to want to be there. Just look at the wonderful clinics we have planned for you.

Clinic Schedule

“Development of Resin Model Railroad Cars” by Ron Cole

“Weathering” by Walt Huston

“Track Warrant Control Operations” by Ken Liesse

“NMRA Q & A” by Walt Huston PNR & Ken Liesse 4D

“OmniRail” by Rob Jones

“NMRA.net” by Di Voss

“Trains in Cuba” by Bobj Berger

“Automated Layout Control” by Dave Hikel

Plus

The day begins with a Board of Directors Meeting open to all 4D members.

The “Bring and Brag” Model Room (with optional A. P. assessment available if desired) will be open all day.

Refreshments will be served morning and afternoon and are included in your $20 registration.

The day concludes with the 4D Annual Meeting at which we’ll announce the 2012 Grab Iron Service Award winners.

And on Sunday

And remember: you must register Saturday morning to receive an invitation to the wonderful layout open houses we have scheduled for Sunday, August 19th! Complete list of all those layout will be coming soon!

See you in Issaquah this coming Saturday!

Convention or Meet

4D “Summer Meet” Next Weekend

Written by Al Lowe
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Al Lowe

Remember: the 4D Summer Meet will be held next weekend, August 18–19, 2012.

Clinics (and more) will be Saturday, August 18, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah.  Layout Open Houses will be Sunday, August 19. Maps and directions to each Open House are only available at the Registration Desk on Saturday morning.

Saturday, August 18

We have a great line-up of local Clinicians scheduled for you with two simultaneous clinics so you always have a choice.

In addition, there will be a “Bring and Brag” Model Room where you can display your handiwork. Don’t come empty-handed! A. P. assessment will be available, if you choose. This is an easy way to earn yet another of those A.P. Certificates that you deserve.

Saturday begins with the 4D Board of Directors Meeting (open to all members) and ends with our required annual General Membership Meeting. A complete schedule will be posted here soon.

Snacks will be available in the lobby all day: coffee & pastry in the morning; snacks and sodas in the afternoon. Lunch is on your own, but there is a good restaurant on the premises.

Sunday, August 19

Sunday’s Open Houses will be at your own pace and choosing. You provide your own transportation.

Eight local layouts will open just for Summer Meet attendees on Sunday, mostly from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (Times vary by host; see your Registration Packet for individual layout hours.)

More News Soon!

More information on layouts and clinicians will follow in the Digital Grab Iron soon. Stay tuned!

See you in Issaquah next Saturday, August 18, 2012!

Hilton Garden Inn, Issaquah‎
1800 NW Gilman Blvd
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 837-3600

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NMRA InfoNet News for July 2012

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Gerry Leone, NMRA Communications Director

The Board of Directors will meet in Grand Rapids Friday–Sunday, July 27–29. While the Friday meeting is a closed caucus, most of the Saturday and Sunday meetings are open to all members. Check at the convention for location.

We hope to announce soon our new Director of Marketing and his team who will meet with the NMRA leadership team inGrand Rapids to formalize the process of developing a program to recruit and retain members.

The Standards & Conformance Department needs an ATA Certified Translator to convert German documents into English. If you have the qualifications and interest, contact Didrik Voss, S&C Department Manager.

Atlantic District Director Nobby Clarke and his team have been invited to bring the NMRA Publicity Booth to the last-ever U.S. Railroad convention in Switzerland this October. This is a huge event, with attendance numbering in the thousands. More info here.

The 2012 Annual Convention begins July 29. Here’s some last-minute information:

  • Grand Rails 2012’s former 6-part ticket is now a booklet containing maps, directions, descriptions and schedules for the self-guided layout tours. The booklet is attendees’ single pass to all 70+ layouts on tour.
  • Sunset Valley Oregon System passes are also still available. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see one of the world’s most famous layouts.
  • You can put your hand on an SW-9 throttle at the Coopersville & Marne Railroad, beginning Thursday morning, August 2 at 9 a.m. Operate for 15 minutes for $35. Register at the convention tour desk.
News

4D Election Results

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Al Carter

Here are the results of the recent 4th Division election:

Superintendent: Ken Liesse
Director, Position 2: J.J. Johnston
By Laws Revision: Approved, 155 to 4

There were 163 ballots submitted, of which 162 were valid. The numbers do not add up because some voters only voted for one of the two positions open and some chose not to vote on the By Laws. Their ballots were otherwise acceptable for the categories they did vote in, so we counted those votes.

This year’s ballot committee consisted of myself as Chairperson, plus Steve Jaffray and John White (both of Anacortes).

My personal thanks to all four candidates who contended for the two positions. In my long history in the Fourth Division, I can recall several times when there was only one candidate for a given position. Your interest in the Fourth Division’s leadership is appreciated and I hope that you will consider running for office in the future.

News

6th Annual G.O.P.H.E.R.S. Field Trip

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By Jim Sabol

June saw the 6th Annual G.O.P.H.E.R.S. (Greater Olympia Prototype History & Engineering Research Society) field trip and picnic. Twenty-five happy modelers, including spouses, neighbors, and grandkids from the 4D Olympia Clinic and the 4D Tacoma Clinic toured the multi-acre grounds of the Jensen Antique Machinery and Artifacts Museum in Graham, Washington.

A sunny day and grilled deluxe Kosher hot dogs served by Jim & Mary Sabol and Paul Vaughn, with desserts and salads by Carol Beghin and others, was followed by an open house at Paul Vaughn’s Sn3 layout and Jim Sabol’s O scale layout. What more could you ask on a warm June day? Model railroading really is fun!

Both Jensens were hospitalized just before the picnic. Modelers passed the hat and collected over a hundred dollars to help with their expenses. Aren’t model railroaders a great bunch?!

Click for larger image

 

Olympia Clinic, Railroad History, Tacoma Clinic

Uncle Sam to Ride the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad!

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Sue Van Gerpen

The Northwest Railway Museum proudly salutes the birth of our country on July 1st with a scenic train excursion through the Cascade foothills, including a ride past the top of Snoqualmie Falls. The train will operate on both Saturday and Sunday that weekend, but Uncle Sam will only be aboard on Sunday, July 1st, ready to punch your train ticket. Come celebrate Independence Day with us!

Board the train in at 38625 SE King Street in Snoqualmie, at 12:01 pm, 1:31 pm, or 3:01 pm, or at 205 McClellan Streetin North Bend, at 12:26 pm or 1:56 pm. $10 children, $12 seniors, $15 adults, under 2 ride free. For more info, call 425-888-3030 or visit www.trainmuseum.org.

Experience the excitement of a working railroad while learning about the important role railroads played in shaping the character of the Pacific Northwest. The depot and bookstore are open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

Northwest Railway Museum