Skip to main content

Eastside Get Together This Thursday, 3/10

Written by Al Lowe
Leave a Comment

Russ Segner

Note – The Eastside Get Together is on the 2nd Thursday in March (instead of the usual 3rd).

This month John Morrison will present The Mt. Pilatus Railway (Pilatusbahn) which operates from a Luzern suburb to an altitude of 6,778 feet on Mt. Pilatus. It climbs a continuous grade of up to 48% and is the steepest rack (cogwheel) railway in the world. All the other railways with grades above approximately 25% use a cable and are called funiculars.

The Pilatusbahn uses a unique Locher rack, together with some very interesting switches. It was built in 1886 and most of the original infrastructure is still in use. It operated under steam until 1937 when it was converted to electric traction. John’s presentation was a result of his second visit to Switzerland last September. He will also be prepared to discuss any of the other mountain railways he has visited on his trips.

Read More

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Everything You Wanted To Know About 3D Printers

Written by Al Lowe
2 Comments

JJ Johnston

Join us this coming Thursday, November 19th at 7:30 for an information loaded presentation on 3D printers from one of our favorite instructors, Dave Hikel.

Payback Donations

Every year at this time we offer you the opportunity to donate funds to assist someone financially who is a member of the Church where we meet. This is our way of paying back the Church for providing us with a large room for our meetings including staff to set up chairs and tables and then put them away when we are done. The Church also lets us use their kitchen, coffee makers and provides us with coffee, napkins, condiments and cups. (The average donation over the years is about $20 per person.)

Read More

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Help Needed, Volunteer Now!

Written by Al Lowe
Leave a Comment

Kurt Laidlaw

I am the clinic chairman for the 4th Division’s Spring Meet, to be held next May. While that seems a long time away, from a planning perspective it’s just around the corner. And I need your help.

Hands-On Clinics

We are going to offer two hands-on clinic sessions this year. These will be 3-hour sessions teaching you about some area of interest. I need suggestions from you on what you want to learn. Email me here.

Read More

Grab-Iron, News

4D Members Only: Free Videos

Written by Al Lowe
Leave a Comment

Al Lowe

The 4D Board of Directors met last Saturday and, among other business, decided that the 4D Video Library’s time has come … and gone. Since most of the videos were on VHS tape, they’ve mostly sat in storage for years. It was a great idea in its day.

“But our loss is your gain.” We’re going to offer them for free to any 4D member. Take anything and everything you want for your very own.

All you have to do is email Superintendent Russ Segner before November 11 and specify exactly which titles you’d like. Those not claimed will be disposed of at the Boeing Swap Meet on Saturday, November 14.

Everything is on a “first request, first dibs” basis. So email Russ now.

For a (allegedly) complete list of what’s available, click here.

Member Ads

Eastside Get Together next Thursday, 9/17

Written by Al Lowe
Leave a Comment

JJ Johnston

Here we go. The first Eastside Get Together of the season will be held next Thursday, September 17th, 7:30 p.m., in the Bellevue Foursquare Church. Our guest presenter will be Bob Oates speaking about selecting and building a historically-based model railroad. We have all seen stunning examples of Bob’s modeling and he will show us how he used old photos to plan and build bridges and structures. What a fabulous way to start our Fall meetings!

I hope everybody built something over the summer to bring as your Model of the Month entry. Don’t forget the free coffee and donuts (donations always encouraged), door prizes, stuff to buy and sell, and an all-around good time.

For Eastside Get Together location and other information, see the 4D Clinics page.

See ya there!

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

NMRA National Layout Directory Project

Written by Al Lowe
Leave a Comment

Bob Chaparro, Chairman

Work is now underway on a member Layout Directory to replace the visitation feature of the old NMRA Pike Registry Program. Layout owner participation will be voluntary and built-in security features will protect privacy. The Layout Directory will be an on-line system that allows NMRA members (only) to:

  • Identify the layouts of participating NMRA members by location, scale, gauge, era, prototype and area modeled, etc.
  • Review the particular features of the layouts
  • Contact layout owners to arrange visits or exchange common-interest information

A working group has been formed to develop the Directory and input is needed from NMRA members. One of the first tasks of the group is to survey layout owners from the old Pike Registry and visitors to their layouts to determine:

  • What visitation aspects worked
  • What didn’t work
  • What features they liked
  • What features they didn’t like
  • Suggestions for the new Layout Directory

Please note that this is not a registry for layout names.

Members interested in having their layouts included in the Layout Directory also should contact me by email at chiefbobbb@verizon.net. Of course, comments are always welcome.

News

Tom Enloe Passes

Written by Al Lowe
6 Comments

Steve Haas

Tom’s wife Carol and daughter Jennifer have shared that Tom passed away July 5th, due to complications following heart surgery. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., July 18th at Bellevue Christian Reformed Church, 1221 148th Ave NE in Bellevue. This is in the Crossroads area. A casual reception with open mike will follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. All are invited to this memorial service.

Carol and Jennifer have expressed a strong desire to keep the Pacific Northwestern Railroad up and running in the future. They will be in touch with those interested.

News, Operations