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Westside Clinic is Tuesday the 9th

Bill Hupé

The next Westside Clinic (in Bremerton, WA) is Tuesday, February 9th, 2016. This month’s clinic is “Basic DCC Programing” and Tom Barrett is presenting.

Please bring a model railroad friend and an item you’ve been working on. As always we will have a “Model Contest” and “Show And Tell.” Coffee and cookies will be provided.

If you are visiting the first time our clinics are held at the United Way of Kitsap Building in downtown Bremerton (647 4th Street) at 7 pm. Additional details (including a map and contact info) are on the Clinics Page.

HO Layout Moving Sale in Sedro-Woolley

Roger Johnson

A hoped for move to smaller quarters this spring meant dismantling a moderately large HO scale layout and I’m now selling thirty plus years’ accumulation of model railroad gear. This includes locomotives, freight cars (RTR and kits), structures (complete and kits), passenger cars, cabooses (RTR and kits), vehicles, decoders, electronics, and track. Please email me (Roger Johnson) at skagitrailbird@gmail.com for a detailed listing.

In the spreadsheet list you will see there are far too many items to photograph everything but I will be happy to provide pictures of specific items upon request. If you are unable to come to the Sedro Woolley area I will ship via a mutually agreed upon method at buyer’s expense (actual cost). Payment may be made by check or cash. What doesn’t sell before February 26th will be going to the United Northwest Monroe train show and swap meet on February 27th and 28th.

Thank You to PSC Volunteers

David Yadock

Jeff Moorman and I, along with the 4th Division, would like to thank all the volunteers that came out on MLK weekend to help with the Pacific Science Center Model Train Show. The public had a great time at the show. There were over 12,000 people that attended the show over the three days. Listed below are all those that helped or were part of the show. I know this is not a complete list and I apologize if your name is not listed. Again, your help
with the show is much appreciated.

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Steam Loco Drawing Photo and N Scale Items Left at PSC Train Show

David Yadock

A photo type drawing of a steam locomotive was left at the Pacific Science Center Train Show on Monday. It was found by Barbara in the Ackerley building after everyone was gone. I have it in my possession.

Additionally, someone left a shoe box containing N-scale items after the show on Monday. That box was left in the crew lounge. Jeff Moorman has possession of that “stuff”.

For the photo please e-mail me (David Yadock) at hi61izq@hotmail.com and for the N-scale items please e-mail Jeff Moorman at kb7rr@arrl.net.

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Clinic Jan 2016 Report, Modeling Rock Details for Structures

Article and Photos by Rich Thom

In brief opening remarks, Clinic Chair Rich Blake reviewed the calendar for upcoming clinics and other PNR events, highlighting the PNR’s regional convention, Selkirk Express 2016, to be held June 15-19 in scenic Salmon Arm, BC. Rich also mentioned that the Mt. Vernon Clinic has switched its meeting nights to the second Thursday of every month, and encouraged continued cross-attendance. Jack Tingstad reminded everyone of next month’s contest, in which flatcars with loads will be displayed and judged (categories and rules have been discussed previously), adding that cash prizes (!) (from the attendee kitty) will be awarded, as well as the usual certificates and, naturally, accolades. A show of hands promised a good number of entries.

Susan Gonzales launched right into the evening’s make-n-take, Modeling Rock Details for Structures. It’s a simple idea to create details such as chimneys, fireplaces and fire pits, root cellars, fences, even entire houses—and easily achieved, with a steady hand. A very steady hand! To get an idea of what you can build, search “river rock chimney,” for example, to find prototype photos.

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Golden Grab Iron Award Nominations Needed

Jim Sabol

The Golden Grab Iron Service Award is presented each year to an individual who best exemplifies “outstanding service to the organization.” This year the award will be given at our Spring Meet scheduled for May 14.

The winner of the Golden Grab Iron Service Award traditionally is selected by a committee comprised of three of the most recent winners. Currently that would be Russ Segner (2013), Jim Sabol (2014), and Jim Younkins (2015). This year the committee would like to make sure we have considered all deserving members in the selection process.

All clinic chairs, all club presidents, and all NMRA/PNR/4th Division members individually are invited to submit a name or names of fellow members they deem deserving of the service award for 2016. (Previous winners are listed on the Golden Grab Iron Service Award page.)

By March 1, please submit your nominations to Russ Segner, russseg@gmail.com, or Jim Sabol, jimsabol@msn.com, or Jim Younkins, jcyounkins@comcast.net. Please include a short paragraph detailing the contributions made by this individual toward the growth and well-being of model railroading in the 4th Division.

JJ Johnston Layout For Sale on Jan 23

JJ Johnston

This is your chance to buy model railroad stuff at seriously reduced prices. After 17 years, my well known HO scale Puget Sound Iron Goat Railway has been taken down. Patt and I are moving. So, 120 built Jordon vehicles from the 30’s, Preiser people, foreground trees, rolling stock, lanterns, plaques, craftsman building kits, award winning finished structures, detail parts, logging kits, vehicle building kits, hard to find kits and lots of other cool stuff will be offered.

The date is this Saturday, January 23. Doors will be open from 11:00 am to 4 pm. Bring your own shopping bag and your GPS. My home is hard to find – 15808 SE 45th St, Bellevue, 98006, which is south of I-90 and just east of I-405. Parking is easy and everything is on one level. My layout has been featured in the Narrow Gauge Gazette several times and Railroad Model Craftsman gave me a cover and story in October 2011.

This is a “Mr. Magoo” Sale. “Model Railroaders – Make A Good Offer, Okay.”

A Narrower View – Dealing with Water

Syd Schofield

Editors note: Welcome to the twelfth article of a series on narrow gauge by Syd Schofield. The previous article is available by clicking here, or by filtering with the category “Narrow Gauge”. Syd welcomes discussions and feedback, which can be made by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of the post.

Most of the narrow gauge railroad models are based on steam powered locomotives. Since most of these steam systems are total loss, sources of water for the steam systems need to be strategically located for ready access. In later years some larger locomotives and longer trains brought the facilities requirements up to par with the standard gauge railroads. For locomotives based on other power plants (for example internal combustion and electric), incidental need for water as a coolant was much less of a problem. So the need for adequate water supplies available to the locomotive and along the route of operation require special consideration.

The weight of water in the boiler and the tender add to the burden of carriage. This is partially offset by the adhesion gained by the driving wheels of the locomotive but is purely dead weight in the tender. Curiously, where the configuration has driving wheels supporting the supply water (e.g. a saddle tank locomotive) there is diminishing adhesion offsetting the additional load with full tanks.

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An Intro to Free-mo Part 3 – Legs and Leg Pockets

by Alan Ashton, article by Mike Tietz and Jerry Barsness with technical assistance from Frank Wilhelm

Editors note: Welcome to the third article on Free-mo by Alan Ashton and fellow Free-mo enthusiasts. The previous article is available by a clicking here, or by filtering with the category “Free-mo”. Alan welcomes discussions and feedback by comments at the bottom of the post or by e-mailing him at inwafreemo@gmail.com. If you’re interested in helping promote Free-mo in the 4th Division (e.g. event notification or writing articles) please contact me at gi_editor@4dpnr.com.

The third installment (in PDF format) of our series on Free-mo is available to read or download by clicking here. In this article we discuss some of the details related to building the legs and leg pockets for a platform. The purpose of these articles is to share our experiences and maybe help others avoid mistakes. Your feedback is always appreciated. Next up: Electrical Connections.