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Railroad History Open House and Lecture

Written by Al Lowe
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Patricia Cosgrove, White River Valley Museum Director

Join the 4th Division’s own Kent Sullivan and the White River Valley Museum for a lecture and slide show about the history of the Northern Pacific Railway’s Tacoma Division on April 1, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The cost is $5 adults, $4 seniors/children and free for museum membership categories Train Master, Conductor and Engineer. The open house is 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the lecture from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Kent will present a tour of the link from Puget Sound to Canada, circa 1955, with a special emphasis on Sedro-Woolley, Darrington, Arlington and Snohomish, as well as rare photos of businesses the railway served. He will also cover action on the NPR’s Sumas Line and connecting branches, and long-time Sumas Agent Lorren Coleman will provide commentary.

During the open house, be sure to check out Wrecked! Misadventures on the Northern Pacific Railway. The exhibit is on display through April 17 and explores pitfalls, pratfalls, hotboxes, split switches, telescoped trains, boiler explosions and derailments on the NPR’s sometimes bumpy journey over the Northwest. You can also climb aboard a 1924 NPR caboose in the museum’s permanent exhibit, “1920s Auburn.”

The next Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association and Museum railroad history lecture is Oct. 1, so mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more information.

Railroad History

Hobby shop closings

Written by Al Lowe
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by Bob Browne

Note: Bob wrote this as a a Letter to the Editor of the Seattle Times in regards to this article in February 22’s paper. –Al Lowe

Nice piece on the closing of American Eagles and North End Train Center. It is unfortunate that we live in times where the sources of much our learning is disappearing, the building of kits and railroads forces us to learn how things come together and how many things we take for granted are the result of technical revolution.

In addition to the electronic age taking away much of our free time and the potential for interacting with other age groups, shops like these are vital to neighborhoods and are not just part of the ‘Mall Scene’ where we see more and more jewelry, fancy clothes, food courts and telephone stores. The disparaged  ‘Strip Mall’ is where we find most of our necessary things such as groceries, drug stores, auto supply and even newspaper stands.

For the hobbies, we are doing it to ourselves as more and more of the sources of knowledge and assistance are moving to ‘on-line’ sellers and even these begin to dry up as inventory in shops that are closing is not replaced.

For my own life, it is a scene that will never be replaced. The 70 years I have spent in prowling hobby shops has been most enjoyable and a source of much knowledge. The ‘hands on’ feel of a product and the accessories that are needed to support it are gradually disappearing. Even the newsletter from our model railroad group has moved on-line and has largely disappeared. Thanks.

Articles

Sale of Authentic Canadian Railroad Artifacts

Written by Al Lowe
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by Al Lowe

The museum “Trains of the World,” based in Montreal is selling its authentic collection of Canadian railroad artifacts. Over 40 years in the making, this collection offers more than 800 historic items from the steam era, 1850 to 1960.

Comprised of over 200 antique railroad maps; 100 railroad photo albums; paintings by Folkins, Fisher, Kingsland; and other artifacts such as railroad tricycles and locomotive’s whistles, headlights, bells, lanterns, oilers, padlocks, and brass name plates. This one-of-a-kind collection is being sold by the owner himself.

For more details, go to http://museumtrainsoftheworld.wordpress.com. For price inquiry or to plan a visit, please contact:

Normand Delisle
Museum, Trains of the World
ndelisle@museumtrainsoftheworld.com
514-975-9150
9160 Saint-Laurent boulevard, Suite 302
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H2N 1M9

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AP Moments

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by Jack Hamilton

It has been a while since the last report and a lot of activity has been going on.

After a lengthy delay related to health problems at the national level, Roger Nulton, MMR 445 was presented his Certificate and Plaque by PNR President Walt Huston at the January Tacoma Clinic. Once again, congratulations and WELL DONE to Roger.

The following individuals have also been recognized for their work with the Merit Awards or AP Certificates, as noted:

David Faussett – Merit Award, Structures (8)
David Faussett – AP Certificate – Master Builder, Structures
David Faussett – Merit Award, Cars (3)
James Byerley – Golden Spike
William Messecar – AP Certificate – Association Volunteer, Master Builder, Structures, Model Railroad Author, Master Builder – Scenery
Dale Kreutzer – Merit Award, Structures (7), Merit Award, Cars (5)
Dale Kreutzer – AP Certificate – Master Builder-Scenery, Master Builder – Prototype Models
C. John Morrison – Merit Award, Cars (3)
Dale Kraus – Merit Award, Motive Power (2)
Rich Thom – Merit Award, Cars (3)
Walt Huston – AP Certificate – Association Official
Jack Tingstad – AP Certificate – Chief Dispatcher
Glenn Farley – Merit Award (1) – Structure
Ron Hopkins – Merit Award (1) – Structure
Norm Curtis – AP Certificate – Association Volunteer, Model Railroad Author
Ross Tabor – AP Certificate – Association Volunteer
Robert Biese – AP Certificate – Association Volunteer
Ken Liesse – AP Certificate – Chief Dispatcher

Achievement Program

Equipment Stolen at Monroe Train Show

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by Al Lowe

Be On the Lookout!

Several pieces of rolling stock were stolen off the 4dNTRAK group’s layout Saturday evening, February 5th during the UNW Model Train Show and Swap Meet in Monroe. Please alert the local hobby shops and share with your friends: be on the lookout for stolen equipment. A theft report has been filed with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

We lost:

  • Con-Cor DCC/DC Galloping Goose, Great Northern, worth well over $250.
  • Kato SD70MAC custom painted in Burlington Northern green, with MRC-1644 sound decoder, cost $190.
  • Kato GE C44-9W in BNSF silver warbonnet with Digitrax DN163K1B decoder. Value $115.
  • 6 Coal porter hoppers
  • 4 other locomotives, details to follow.

If you see or hear of anyone trying to fence property like this, please contact the police.

4dNTRAK Modular Group, News

Editor for a Day!

Written by Al Lowe
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by Jack Hamilton

Congratulations! You have just been appointed “Editor for a Day” of the NMRA Magazine. Well, not really, but you get to act like it anyway. During your assignment you get to revise, reformat, or recreate the magazine in any way you choose. Let out all those pent-up frustrations and “pet peeves” you’ve held for so long.

The question is: What would you change? How would you change it? What would the magazine look like after your change? Why would you make the change? (“Because I think it’s better” is an okay answer.)

Please send your input to kitsapmmr@wavecable.com.

Articles, Grab-Iron, News

Learn To Build A Garden Railroad

Written by Al Lowe
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by JJ Johnston, photos by Ken Liesse

Eastside Get Together. Mark your calendars for next Thursday, February 17, at 7:30 pm. The legendary garden modeler Dr. Jim Easley will describe the steps to design and build a garden layout. His work with residents at the Emerald Heights retirement community is a model of taking a group of people with varying talents, working together to create a stunning achievement in garden railroading. Jim’s presentation will also include a time-lapse video of this marvelous layout from start to the golden spike finish.

Thanks to Di Voss and Bob Beise for their informative January clinic on making turnouts with FastTrak jigs. Model of the Month was won by Jim Sabol and his almost all scratch built O scale 2-6-6-2. Due to the length of our program, door prizes were not awarded so this month we will have double door prizes. Plus the mart is always available for you to buy and sell railroad items, free coffee and fresh donuts. Join the fun.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic, , , ,

4D HO Modular SIG Report on UNW show

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By Bob Beise

The Seattle, Pacific & Eastern, (SP&E) or 4D HO Module Group had a 32’ X 48’ layout in the shape of a “U” at the UNW show this year. We had 8 different members bring modules for a total of 24 modules plus 10 modules and 8 corners of the SP&E. There were no long trains running this year, but we did have a real wide variety of trains running, everything from 10 car passenger trains (including Acela and Sounder) to freight trains. Some unusual freight loads were a Boeing 737 body on custom flatcars as well as a turnout in a gondola.

The set up went great as all modules showed up on Friday. Take down went real smooth too and all were out of the hall 1.5 hours after the show closed. I thank all of the people who brought modules and those who just came and helped. It was a fantastic show.

We welcome new members to join our group. If you are interested you can call Norm Curtis (chairman), (425) 743-9035 or me, Bob Beise (425) 488-2494. We meet just about every month for breakfast, usually the second Saturday. The place for breakfast changes as we alternate every other month from north to south to accommodate the wide range of our members homes.

HO Modular Group, Model Train Show

News from NMRA’s InfoNet

Written by Al Lowe
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Gerry Leone, NMRA Communications Director

Thanks to generous donations of members, The NMRA Online Archives should open by March 1st. We’ve scanned and posted 10,000 photos, drawings, and plans, which will be available for download at a discount price by NMRA members and at full price by non-NMRA members. Watch NMRA Magazine for the Grand Opening announcement. And remember: the more you donate, the more we can scan!

The NMRA is planning to help Regions and Divisions promote National Model Railroad Month next November with materials downloadable from our website, like poster and flyer templates, press releases, etc. Watch NMRA Magazine for more details this summer.

Jim Zinser’s Division Business Car column is a great place to see how other Divisions and Regions promote themselves, raise money, and have fun with model railroading. Take a few moments every other month to read Jim’s column for ideas.

The winter Board Meeting is being held concurrently with the Budget and Operations meetings this year in Las Vegas at the Palace Station Hotel (about 5 miles from the airport). The Budget and Operations meetings, which are by invitation only, begin on Tuesday, February 22 at 9 a.m. The Board Meeting runs from 9 to 5 (or later) on Wednesday, February 23, and 9 to 5 (or later) on Thursday, February 24. All NMRA members are welcome to attend.

Check the Help Wanted ads in NMRA Magazine. We’ve filled several positions, thanks to generous volunteers, but we still need your help. Remember: we’re a volunteer organization always in need of able bodies. Here are the positions we’re looking for—if you fit the qualifications, email the address in the magazine.

  • Electronics engineers with experience in setting up control systems needed to take part in discussions and development of NMRANET. Current bus is designed using CAN. Time commitment: several hours per week.
  • IT staff volunteer with experience in Content Management Systems. Able to program in PHP and PostGreSQL/MySQL, and good experience in HTML and CSS. IIS and VB experience a plus. Time commitment: ~3 hours per week.
News

New Product from S&NW

Written by Al Lowe
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Jim Bainbridge

Sound & Northwestern LLC has released The Rodessa: A Sears Catalog Home. This HO scale, multimedia kit is laser-cut from styrene, micro-plywood and Lazerboard, and includes cast resin details. The original Rodessa appeared in the Sear® Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans from 1919 to 1929. An advanced-level kit of over 180 parts, it is now available for $63.95 direct from the manufacturer at their new website, snwlines.com. S&NW also produces HO scale details. Watch for more new products coming soon.

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