You are browsing archives for
Carol Enloe, Don Trettel, and I held a recent discussion on the future of Tom Enloe’s Pacific Northwestern Railway (located in Duvall, Washington). Carol and Jennifer (Tom’s daughter) have both expressed a strong interest in keeping the Pacific Northwestern “alive” for the immediate future. To that end, we have tentatively adopted the following schedule:
JJ Johnston at his Eastside Get Together clinic September 17, 2015
JJ Johnston welcomed everyone to the Eastside Get-Together clinic of the 4th Division of the Pacific Northwest Region of the National Model Railroad Association (insert applause here for not stumbling through that statement!). This was the first Eastside clinic after the usual summer break and JJ, as is his custom, introduced the members of the 4D Board of Directors and the MMRs (Master Model Railroaders) in attendance. Bob Rorabaugh introduced his guest Jacob Stearns, who was welcomed to the group.
When I and my wife Tina attended PDX 2015 in Portland, OR this summer, one of the tours we took was to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. It’s definitely worthwhile! It’s not a large collection but certainly well represented. It’s one of the few places that one can get up close and personal with some the legends of Northwest rail history such as the SP X4449, the SP&S 700 and the Oregon Railroad and Navigation #197 (as well as other exhibits and restored railroad equipment). While we were there, they were in the process of overhauling #4449. Until I got fairly close to it, I simply didn’t realize how massive this locomotive really was! I hope you enjoy my photos!
Editors note: Alex loves to shoot black and white art photography, specially local jazz artists. Check out his website at http://alexbrikoff.com.
Steve Depolo, owner of The Inside Gateway hobby store in Woodinville, will be the featured speaker at this week’s meeting on Thursday, October 15th, 7:30 p.m., in the Bellevue Foursquare Church. Steve’s hobby store has provided door prizes for the Eastside Get Together for several years. Steve is also a fantastic modeler so you won’t want to miss this presentation.
Steve will present a clinic on how he uses photos to generate plans for scratch building structures. Learn how to turn styrene into unique structures. Bring something of your own to share. We will have a report of last weekend’s OLY-Ops and the recent Lynden Train Show.
For Eastside Get Together location and other information, see the 4D Clinics page.
The next meeting of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society Pacific Northwest Chapter is scheduled for October 17th, 1 pm, at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive, pnrarchive.org, in Burien. I can be contacted by e-mail at jetrunzo@gmail.com or by cell phone at 509-421-3111.
Last month’s clinic was interesting. We had only seven 4th Division modelers.
Jack Hamilton pulled last month’s clinic “Preparing Rolling Stock for Successful Operation” out of his back pocket.
Jack also talked about PSX 2015 in Portland. He said the Clinics were good. He also talked about the Command Control Initiative. He said although he was no longer a BoD member for the NMRA, he will continue his involvement as the the Chairman of the Membership and Retention Committee. Based on Jack’s track record, I’m sure positive changes will occur.
Normally I publish a “welcome” post once every three or four months and I published one just three weeks ago. But today I updated the Grab Iron subscriber list with the new and renewed 4th Division members and I noticed we have twenty three (23!) new subscribers, almost three times the usual amount. Is this due to signups at the NMRA National Convention in Portland in August?
Welcome!
Rather than reiterate what I wrote a few weeks ago, please click here to read an introduction to some of what the 4th Division has to offer.
Family Halloween fun that’s right on track at the Northwest Railway Museum October 24th, 25th and 31st. Everyone in costume receives a $2 discount.
Looking for a Halloween adventure that’s fun for families? Then gather everyone, wear your favorite costumes and enjoy the fall festivities at the Snoqualmie Depot on October 24, 25 and 31. Take a Steam Train with the 100+ year old Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. #2 Steam Locomotive. Check out the Cider Press demonstrations and even try your hand with one! Sip hot apple cider to banish the autumn chill as you enjoy your special Halloween trip. The Halloween Train takes you on a scenic excursion through the Cascade foothills of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley aboard a vintage train. Receive a $2 discount when dressed in costume. Everyone dressed in full costume will receive a prize. Trains depart every 90 minutes beginning at 11:30 AM from the Snoqualmie Depot at 38625 SE King Street and at Noon from the North Bend Depot at 205 McClellan Street. Roundtrip fares: $12 children (ages 2-12), $20 adults (ages 13-61), and $18 (ages 62 and up)!
Editors note: Welcome to the eighth 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.
Transportation for supporting human needs and wants has evolved from walking to rockets in space. In the not-too-distant past we managed to develop materials and technology to enhance this transportation. For the most part we move along the surface of the earth – land and water. Moving on water, once the buoyancy problems were solved, required an application of power. Wind and current were free if the direction of travel was favorable. Travelling on still water, going against the wind or moving upstream, required some extra effort.
Recently the 4th Division Board of Directors voted to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for 4D members from the federal rate for non-profits to the federal rate for businesses (currently 57 ½ cents per mile – note that this is the current federal rate and will change in the future). Please use the federal rate for businesses in all future mileage reimbursements and future year budget estimates. All other rules for mileage reimbursement remain unchanged.