Author: John O'Connell

by John O’Connell   photos: KCAL-Sky 9, John O’Connell, Ted Becker, Rich Blake

BNSF Stack Train Halted by Fire on Cajon Pass

September 8, 2016; Mt Vernon Senior Center

Ted opened the Clinic with a hearty welcome to visitors including Tim Silvas, Jack Vander Hoek, and Dave and Paulette Sitzenstock. We hope you’ll join us again!

Before Ted could get very far into his announcements, the tables were turned and Al Carter usurped the floor to provide some much deserved recognition of Ted’s Golden Grab-Iron Service Award for 2016.

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 by John O’Connell   Photo: 10News.com

BNSF Stack Train Stopped by Fire in Cajon Pass

Thursday, September 8, 7PM
Mount Vernon Senior Center
1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Click Here for map & directions

The Program

You will be a big part of the program as we all participate in “What I did this summer.” Whether it involved model railroading or full scale, live railroading – share what you did this summer to keep your hand in the game. Bring JPGs or PowerPoint Slides on a pen drive. Ted will have his laptop booted up.

Al Carter will put on a Painting Primer to help us get in the mood for the next month’s airbrushing clinic. He’ll cover rattle cans, techniques and open the floor to questions and open discussion on anything painting related.

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By John O’Connell

May 12, 2016, Mt Vernon Senior Center

Ted Becker opened the Clinic with twenty-one in attendance. Ted welcomed our guests Kevin Klettke, the evening’s presenter, Bill Sandstrom, owner of Tacoma Trains; and Cliff Green, Webmaster and Grab Iron Editor for our 4^th Division, Pacific Northwest Region website. Ted then asked new attendees to introduce themselves and the Clinic welcomed Ken Wagner, Mark Malmkar, and Kurt Boyd. We hope you’ll come back!

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By John O’Connell  Photo by Kevin Klettke

Kevin Klettke will present “Fleet Weathering” which those of us who attended PDX 2015 recall how well received his Clinic was. Kevin is going to emphasize how to “efficiently” weather large fleets of rolling stock. If you get a chance before the Clinic, visit Kevin’s website.

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By John O’Connell    Photo by Kevin Klettke

Date: Thursday, May 12
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon (Click Here for map & directions)

The Program

Kevin Klettke will present his “Fleet Weathering” clinic. This is a reprise of his well-received Clinic at PDX 2015 on efficiently weathering large fleets of rolling stock. Visit Kevin’s website at http://wnrr.net.

Another Example of Kevin’s Work

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By Roger Johnson and John O’Connell, Photos by Roger Johnson and Kevin Klettke

On the evening of April 14, Ted Becker kicked off the Clinic with 16 regulars and 3 newcomers in attendance at the Mt Vernon Senior Center. A special welcome to Chuck Wilkey, Dick Wilskey and Bonnie Hollingsworth. We hope you’ll join us again.

Announcements

April 30, 14^th Annual Olympia Layouts Tour, Olympia. Details

May 12, Mt. Vernon Clinic. Kevin Klettke wil present “Fleet Weathering”, a reprise of his clinic at PDX 2015 on efficiently weathering large fleets of rolling stock. Visit Kevin’s website at http://wnrr.net.

Another Sample of Kevin’s work

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John O’Connell

When?    Thursday, April 14
Time?    7:00 PM
Where?   Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Click Here for map & directions

Diorama Build Challenge

It’s been fun and interesting to watch the dioramas evolve over the last many months. Tonight each builder will present their final effort.

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By John O’Connell

Diorama Build Challenge

It’s been fun and interesting to watch the dioramas evolve over the last many months. Tonight each builder will present their final effort.

Mini-Clinics

Ted Becker sent out a request to advise him if you have a topic for a mini-clinic.

Show and Tell and Tool Time

We encourage attendees to bring models for “show and tell” – show us what you’re working on, even if it is not complete. And, if you have a tool or gadget that you have found useful, bring it along and share it with us. We also encourage folks to bring along items for sale or swap, or even “freebies” – we’ll have a table for those items.

When?    Thursday, April 14
Time?      7:00 PM
Where?    Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Click Here for map & directions

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By John O’Connell   Photos: Kevin Klettke, Ted Becker, John O’Connell

Thursday, March 10, Mt. Vernon Senior Center

Ted Becker opened the Clinic with eighteen regulars in attendance. He noted that May was the last Clinic before summer and encouraged us to share ideas for clinic topics as we start to think about the fall. Hands on airbrushing received a lot of interest.

Announcements

March 19, Santa Fe Mini-Meet, Burien. More details
April 1, Great Northern Electrification, White River Valley Museum, Auburn. More information
April 2, Pennsylvania Rail Road Meet, Burien. Details
April 3, NP Everett Operation Presentation circa 1955, Everett. Details
April 14, Mt Vernon Clinic. Diorama Challenge Finale and Mini-Clinics
April 30, Olympia Layout Tour, Olympia. Details
May 12, Mt. Vernon Clinic. Kevin Klettke “Fleet Weathering.” This is a reprise of his well-received Clinic at PDX 2015 on efficiently weathering large fleets of rolling stock. Visit Kevin’s website.

Here’s another sample of Kevin’s work…

May 14, 4^th Division, Pacific Northwest Region Spring Meet, Tacoma Community College Click here for more information.

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By John O’Connell

What is all that “stuff” hanging all over a steam locomotive? They’re called appliances and Ted Becker will decode these as the main attraction in the March Clinic.

Thursday, March 10, 7:00 at the Mt. Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mt. Vernon.

See the March Newsleter for more information.