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The November 2014 NMRA Magazine has a beautifully-done article on “Modeling an Autumn Forest Background” on Roger Nulton’s exceptionally well-detailed S scale Monon Railroad. Pages 28–35 show the development of an Indiana fall scene. Roger also practices 1:1 scale detail work on the DuPont Railroad restoration at the Snoqualmie Museum, led by Russ Segner.
Well done, Roger!
After serving as your Grab Iron editor for the past ten years and webmaster for eleven, it’s time for me to move on and let some younger blood bring in fresh ideas.
Cliff Green
I’m pleased to report that Cliff Green has agreed to be our new young blood. Cliff is a professional computer programmer and is well versed in current technology. I know he will continue to keep the 4D in the forefront of model railroad communications. Cliff has worked on the Grab Iron for over eight years; he’s the perfect man to take over this position.
Twelve years ago, we were one of the few Divisions to even have a website, but our member communication was strictly one-way. Each month, 12 paper pages arrived in members’ mailboxes, containing information up to six weeks out-of-date.
One of our first changes was to offer the Grab Iron in PDF format, emailed immediately upon publication, weeks before paper copies arrived in the mail, while saving the Division the costs of printing, addressing, and mailing. We also implemented a Division YahooGroup for email communications. But our biggest step was four years ago when Doug Bulger and I eliminated paper entirely with the Digital Grab Iron. Now, our news is disseminated instantly. Doug has agreed to stay on as the 4D’s official photographer.
I plan to stay on, too, as long as it takes to provide a smooth transition. So you may continue to email your articles (and website problems) to me or send them directly to Cliff at cliffg@codewrangler.net.
And the next time you see Cliff, give him a hearty “Thank You” for stepping up to serve the Division in this important way.
4D Superintendent Russ Segner appointed two new officers to the Board of Directors at last Saturday’s meeting: Bill Messecar as Secretary and Bob Stafford as Communications Chair. Both of these men bring a wealth of experience that should serve the Board well.
Welcome aboard, Bill and Bob!
This month’s Eastside Get-Together clinic presentation will be by our very own John Thompson, discussing “Cajon Pass Operations, 1946-1956.”
This PowerPoint show is about operations on Santa Fe’s CajonPass in Southern California during the steam-to-diesel transition years. Its mostly color photos show the Santa Fe and Union Pacific freight trains, passenger trains, motive power, helpers, and stations along the route, plus maps and slides explaining operations.
Come join us this Thursday as we relive the glory years on CajonPass!
We also have all the usual stuff, including door prizes, prize-roasted coffee & assorted hand-selected donuts, railroad items to buy and sell, the Model of the Month and just good times. You do not have to wear a costume to the meeting – we’re all spooky enough! The Model of the Month can include a carved pumpkin, however. See ya there, this Thursday, 7:30 p.m. in the Bellevue Foursquare Church.
I am looking for a N scale Kato GS-4 of the DC variety. If you have one to sell, please tell me the price and condition at 253-535-2043. Thank you.
Dale Edwards
Lawrence “Dale” Edwards Sr., co-founder of Kadee®, passed away on Sept 19, 2014. Further information is available on the company’s website, http://kadee.com
The 4D Hi-Railers were mentioned on page 2 of The Bellingham Herald this week, next to an article regarding someone found guilty of embezzlement. I assure you these two are not connected.
We made it to Lynden on Friday in fine shape with set-up almost complete by 5:30 p.m., due in large part to Sam and his new (silent) red truck. Yes, it came with a muffler! He says the color is “sunset” but we call it red. We heartily congratulate Sam on his new truck. I hope he doesn’t mind the leg pulling we give him on it.
Running was made without major incident and no derailing, finger poking etc., that we sometimes get. Even the Kiddies layout came unscathed for most of the time. Teardown and pack up took just two hours, which meant that we were out of there before dark.
We are looking forward to the Maple Valley Train Show on October 18-19, from 10-5, the weekend after next. Set-up will be on Friday afternoon from 1 until done. I’d like to know who plans to attend set up and/or running so I can pass the numbers on to the organizers. As in the past, they will provide refreshments for each day, free of charge. For those of you that have never been there, here’s a Google map.
Superintendent Russ Segner has announced that the quarterly meeting of the 4D Board will be Saturday, October 11, at 1 PM, at Mitzel’s restaurant in Kent. Those wanting lunch are encouraged to arrive early.
As always, all 4D members are encouraged to attend.
The current 4D Board Secretary, Tina Ferguson-Brikoff, has submitted her resignation. Both Tina and Alex, her husband, have increased responsibilities outside the hobby and have had to step away for a while.
It is my responsibility to appoint someone to this very important position. Here is how the Secretary position is described in the 4D Policy Manual:
Secretary
The duties of the Secretary include, but are not necessarily limited to:
The Secretary is also the Registered Agent with the State of Washington.
If you are interested in serving, this is a great opportunity to help our membership. The Board meets six times each year, usually in Kent, and last about two hours. The next Board meeting is October 25 at 9:00 a.m.
Please contact me as soon as possible: 425-228-7327 or russseg@gmail.com. I intend to make my selection no later than October 1st.
Click to enlarge
The 4th Division’s very own JJ Johnston was recently honored in the August issue of the national NMRA Magazine, in the Division Business Car section. In case you missed it, here’s a scan of the article.
Remember: when you’re traveling, check the Magazine’s Club Car section for clinics to attend. This month’s Eastside Get-Together will include an NMRA member from Texas who is traveling in this area!