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Upcoming – Seattle North Clinic – Feb 6 2020

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Lisa Murray

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. 

Lisa

Seattle-North Clinic

PSC Show A Great Success – Thank You To All The Volunteers

Written by Anton Faulk
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Article & Photos By Russ Segner

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:

  • A Northwest 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

All in all, it was an extremely successful event.

Russ

4dNTRAK Modular Group, Hi-Railers Report, HO Modular Group, Model Train Show, News, Northwest Railway Museum

Upcoming Clinic – Eastside Get Together, Wednesday 1/15

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Alex Brikoff

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. 

See you there!!

Alex Brikoff

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Clinic Report – East Side Get Together – December 2019

Written by Anton Faulk
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Article & Photos by Syd Schofield

The NMRA/PNR Fourth Division Redmond Clinic for December was held Thursday evening at the Redmond Community Center, Alex Brikoff presiding.  The gathering was brought to order at 7:17 PM.  Notable and new attendees were introduced followed by upcoming events of interest being announced.  Refer to the Grab-Iron calendar for details.

***PLEASE NOTE:

An important announcement was regarding the day change of the Eastside Clinic.  Beginning in JANUARY 2020, the Eastside Clinic will be held on the 3rd WEDNESDAY of every month at least through June.  The meeting room and start time will remain the same.

There was no Model or Photo of the Month contest this month as there were no entries. 

This evening was the annual Dirty Santa gift exchange.  The usual door prize random pick format was used with modifications for the Dirty Santa twist.  Everyone in attendance brought a holiday wrapped model railroad-themed gift with only the model scale marked, if applicable.  Only the size, shape and weight of the package disclosed the contents.  Upon the gift pick, it is unwrapped and revealed to the group, an important part of the process.

The first drawing, perhaps the least beneficial, started the process and continued until the last item is picked.  Starting with the second drawing, “stealing” previously picked items is allowed.  Any gift may only be “stolen” twice before the holder retains permanent possession.  To even the process the original picker can then “steal” any item, resulting in a fresh pick from the gift supply or a trade with the “thief.”  During and after the drawing and “stealing”, side negotiations for redistribution occurred. 

Seasonally appropriate (although non-alcoholic) refreshments (coffee and cookies) were provided by C. J. Turner and Di Voss.  Stronger beverages were rumored to be available at undisclosed, offsite locations.

 Syd Schofield

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Upcoming Clinic – Eastside Get Together, Thursday 12/19

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Alex Brikoff

The December 2019 Eastside Get Together Clinic will have its monthly meeting on December 19, 2019.

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.  We will also have our Model of the Month and Rail Photo of the Month contest.  This year, our “Mini Clinic Event” in March 2020, will be done a bit differently.  This month, we will be voting as a group to select four Mini-Clinic topics from the list of topics we put together last month. The winners will be announced at the end of this month’s clinic. 

We will be having our annual Christmas “Dirty Santa Gift Exchange” this month.  Everyone is asked to bring a small gift to participate.  It is requested that the gift be inexpensive (less than $10 – $15 value) and gift wrapped with ONLY the scale marked on it if necessary (no names).

We will have refreshments and snacks available as always.  The winners of the contests will have first choice of gifts from the “Dirty Santa Gift Table”.

See you there!!

**Clinic Change Next Month**

Also, please note that starting in January, the Redmond Eastside Get Together Clinic will be moving to the third WEDNESDAY instead the third THURSDAY.  This will be our new meeting day until the end of the clinic year in June.  I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but we didn’t have much say in the matter.

Alex Brikoff

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic