Standard gauge trains were the premium toy/model trains in the interwar period, big, bold and tough. These have become quite the collectors items and a few of us are proposing that we form a Standard gauge running group using loose lay track and not, initially at least, a modular group. The idea is that we try out running these bold trains at shows and/or in retirement communities to see what the public reception is, understanding that these original trains may well predate the audience.
The BIG question is, are there any of you NMRA/PNR/4D members interested in participating with your Standard gauge trains and/or accessories in this exciting endeavor? If so please write to Ed Ives at Gresley7@gmal.com and do it soon, please.
The February 2020 Seattle North clinic is this Thursday, February 6, at 7:00pm.
This month’s program will be a presentation by Eldon Jacobson on his trip to Switzerland.
Also, we will definitely have Show and Tell time for everyone to share any train-related items that you have. Also, if you have anything you would like to swap and/or sell, feel free to put it on our marketplace table.
News & Upcoming clinics:
Arduino clinic: For those of you who were at January’s clinic, we watched another video about Arduinos and how you can use them to easily set up automation and lighting on your layout. I am organizing a clinic for either March or April at which we will be able to complete a hands on Arduino project. Look for more information about it in the next few weeks.
Water modeling clinic: If you didn’t have a chance to go to the train show at the Pacific Science Center, you will get to see one of the most popular demonstrations of the weekend. Dan Kellogg put together a slick presentation about how to model water. He has agreed to come to our clinic to present. I just need to confirm with him as to what month it will be.
I know that I have been remiss in sending out the links of the videos that we watched in past clinics. My apologies for that. I will be consolidating all of this information this week and sending out another email. Look for it by the end of the week.
The meeting location is at:
United Church 1420 NW 80th Street Seattle, WA 98117
The building is at the corner of 80th and Mary Ave in the north Ballard area of Seattle. It is one block east of 15th Avenue. There is a parking lot accessible from Mary Ave. There will be signage around the building to let you know what doors to enter.
The Pacific Science Center Show last weekend was a great success. It was attended by 13,948 paid visitors and was our largest crowd in seven years. The credit for this belongs to the following groups and individuals:
Lisa Murray handled much of the organizing of volunteers and paperwork needed to keep things running. This was in addition to her being an active participant with the HO modular group. Her son, Aidan, was also there as an operator. Lisa also chairs the Seattle North Clinic.
The staff at Pacific Science Center was excellent and were able to respond quickly to some of the last minute adjustments that always occur with such a large show.
The 4D Hi-Railers, led by Ed Ives, were set up right
inside the Denny Way entrance with a 14’ x 20‘ configuration. Club participants
included:
Wayne Grinnell Ed Ives Jack Klapwyk Woody Mathews Ed Pennington Dan Peters Gordon Sandell
4D Hi-Railers
The 4D N-Trak layout, led by Al Lowe, was set up in
the Ackerley building. Per Al: “We staged an 1,800 square foot layout, which
was set up in the allotted four hours and removed from the building in 61
minutes. Between which, we ran dozens of trains, did a lot of switching, and
discussed model railroading with hundreds of guests. All in all, yet another
good showing for our club, the Division, and the NMRA.” Participants included:
Neill Clift Stephen Clift Dave Cook Mike Donnelly Thomas Dye Edwin Hill Kyle Ilk Kurt Laidlaw Al Lowe Dennis Terpstra Bud Thompson Cole van Gerpen
4D N-TRAK Group
The 4D HO Modular group,led by Mike Slease,
was also set up in the Ackerly building with a 24’ x 28’ layout. The layout featured its well-known
video camera car, which drew a large crowd around the TV monitor. Members participating included:
Gordon Crawford Norm Curtis Bruce Davis Lou Davis Paul Fischler Brian Pickering James Monroe Aidan Murray Ian Murray Lisa Murray Joel Scott Mike Slease Larry Sloan Rob Staples
Thirteen other individual displays were involved in the
show:
ANorthwest Railway Museum booth was set up by Emily Boersma. She was assisted by several volunteers: Peggy Barchi, Jim Hale, Pete Kirchgessner, Michael Ledingham, Dennis Snook, and Harry T.
Bill Harper brought his interactive HO switching puzzle which challenged visitors (and volunteers) both young and old.
Mike Pettruzzelli had two operating N scale layouts on display. He was assisted by Jeff Weinstock and Caleb Wright.
Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction involved in building a module.
Operation Lifesaver had an info booth manned by volunteers Weylin Doyle, Carol Kachadoorian, Alan Nelson, Brian Sims, Mike Turcott, and Martin Young throughout the weekend.
Bob Stafford brought his N scale industrial layout depicting some of the switching involved at Boeing in Everett. His interactive display drew quite a crowd.
Russ Segner’s On30 display was also popular with little operators and had visitors queued up waiting their turns all day.
The 4D/PNR/NMRA Booth was manned by John Owens. He almost ran out of magazines and literature.
Baby Gramps was there along with Doreen to display his intricate and fanciful dioramas. They were assisted by Kevin Buster and Frances Wolfe.
Dan Kellogg had an excellent display and demonstration of techniques in modeling water features.
Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module complete with track work and wiring.
Larry Sloan built and demonstrated a very effective display demonstrating the application of DCC systems.
The vendor, Ravensburger, brought loads of Brio and wooden trains for the little ones to explore throughout the busy weekend.
Dan Kellogg demonstrated water modelling techniques throughout the weekend. The example on the right was made with glue, water, toilet paper, paints, and clear gloss.
Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module, complete with track work and wiring
Larry Sloan brought an interactive DCC display
Bob Stafford’s N scale industrial layout, depicting some of the switching at the Boeing plant in Everett, was popular with young and old
Bill Harper brought his always popular HO switching puzzle
Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction in building a module
Mike Pettruzzelli’s N-scale layout
ON30 layout for small operators
Operation Lifesaver works to reduce the likelihood of collisions between people/vehicles and trains through rail safety education
Northwest Railway Museum
Several volunteers helped in the loading in Friday night and
loading out Monday evening. They also
assisted the many exhibitors with rest and lunch breaks. Volunteers included:
Dave Enger Anton Faulk Fred Hamilton Eldon Jacobson Aidan Murray Ian Murray Paul OldenKamp Burr Stewart John Thompson Dave Woodrell David Yadock
The Eastside Get Together Clinic on January 15, 2020 has been CANCELLED due to the inclement weather conditions. The Eastside Get Together Clinic will return next month on February 19. Please watch the Grab Iron for an announcement about next month’s Clinic. Stay warm and drive safe!
The January 2020 Eastside Get Together Clinic will have its monthly meeting on January 15, 2020. Please note: that the third Wednesday is our new meeting day going forward until the June 2020 clinic.
The Clinic will meet at the: Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village 6505 176TH AVE NE, Rm. 202 REDMOND WA 98052-4930
Doors open at 7:00 PM and meeting starts promptly at 7:15 PM
We will begin by mentioning any noteworthy, upcoming model
railroad and railfan events in the area.
Let’s start off the New Year by bringing our best models and photos to
the clinic for our Model of the Month
and Rail Photo of the Month contest and show off what we’ve been up to in
our train rooms so far this winter! The
results from our voting last month have been tabulated for the “Mini Clinic Event” topics. The top four most voted for topics are:
Wiring for DCC, Bus and feeder wires, Accessories
Servo switch machines
Fine-tuning and maintaining locos
Weathering rolling stock and/or engines
I already have a volunteer for the DCC clinic but, at this point,
I still need three more volunteers to step forward for the other three
topics. Here is your chance to share
with your fellow modelers your knowledge in a particular topic. So, please, let me know if you are interested
in presenting a short, 15-minute, high level clinic on one of the above topics.
This month’s program will be presented by John Morrison. John will present three short programs about the rack railways in Switzerland. The three presentations will be titled:
Brienz Rothorn Bahn
(Railway):
A rack railway in central Switzerland that climbs 7500 feet through some
spectacular scenery.
The Locomotives and System ABT Rack
Riggi Rack
Railways:
Vitznau-Rigi Bahn and Arth-Rigi Bahn
We will have refreshments and snacks available as always.
