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Bill Messecar Earns MMR #543

Written by Ken Liesse
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Ken Liesse

At the Tacoma Clinic on Thursday, January 8th, 4D Secretary Bill Messecar was presented with Master Model Railroader #543. Presenting Bill with this honor were PNR President Michael Highsmith, PNR Past President Walt Huston, 4D Superintendent Russ Segner, NMRA Director Jack Hamilton and members of the evaluation team, Roger Nulton, Ed Liesse and Ken Liesse.

Bill Messecar receives congratulations from Michael Highsmith, Walt Huston and Russ Segner.

Bill Messecar receives congratulations from Michael Highsmith, Walt Huston and Russ Segner.

Bill earned certificates for Author, Scenery, Structures, Volunteer, Dispatcher, Cars, and Prototype Model. Bill models the Santa Fe railroad in Southern California, and those who have seen his HO layout are always amazed at the detail, especially the oranges in their shipping crates. Bill has written several books and articles on modeling the Santa Fe and is active in the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society. His layout has appeared on 4D tours several times. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, make sure you watch for his layout to be on tour.

From the NMRA Achievement Program website: “The Achievement Program is a system of requirements for demonstrating a superior level of skill in various aspects of our hobby. It covers not only building various types of models, but also building other things which are important to the hobby, such as scenery, structures, track work, and wiring. It also recognizes service to the hobby and the NMRA, which are important as well. Use the links on the right to explore the different certificates and requirements.”

“An NMRA member qualifies as a Master Model Railroader when he or she has obtained at least seven of the eleven Achievement Certificates provided that he or she has earned at least one Achievement Certificate in each of the four areas of the Regulations. Earning the title of Master Model Railroader is the ultimate goal for many participants in the Achievement Program.”

Achievement Program, News, Tacoma Clinic

Why Attend a Convention? – Part II, PSX2014

Written by Ken Liesse
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David Yadock

There are several good reasons to attend a convention. I’m sure you have heard all of them before. None of which mean anything unless you attend! What other venue allows “behind the scenes” access to several local notable attractions? Is there another venue that gives the visitor unfettered access to multiple detailed how-to clinics? Where do you get to see home layouts and actually see how others are working in the hobby? There isn’t any, except at a convention. This is only part of a convention, there is much more!

Where else can you meet fellow modelers from places both near and far? This is one way to increase fellowship in the hobby. You can meet and greet with old friends. More importantly, you can make new friends in the hobby at a convention. New members to the NMRA can become acquainted with fellow members and find ways to become more active in the hobby. The convention allows members both new and old an open line of communication and put a “face with a name”. Sure, there is the internet, Grab Iron, and other forms of electronic communication but a convention allows fellow modelers a time to learn, to socialize, and to expand the hobby. All this and a bargain price!

PSX2014 Logo I think the above mentioned items are the important aspects of attending convention. Sure, they sound like a sales pitch but they are true. I admit going to a convention takes some time out of an otherwise busy schedule. The important thing is to make the time available and be an active part of the convention. Everyone needs to seek out the newer members and introduce them to your circle of friends. I feel this action helps promote the hobby from within that is bound to expand the hobby to more than just the NMRA. A convention is a good way to accomplish the social part of our hobby. It is a necessary part of this hobby we call model railroading.

Get the details at the PSX2014 website: http://www.wnrr.net/PSX2014/

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Why Attend a Convention? PSX2014

Written by Ken Liesse
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Roger Nulton, MMR

To me, the most rewarding benefit of NMRA membership is the privilege of attending conventions with fellow modelers. Over the past 25 years, we have attended dozens of them: locally, in the West, and nationally. My favorites are the Regional conventions: they have all the benefits without the high costs and the crowds. Especially attractive is the opportunity to visit great layouts at our leisure without relying on a bus and following a schedule.

PSX2014 is to be held in an excellent location for railfans. The La Quinta convention headquarters hotel is literally surrounded by railroads, and the Tacoma Amtrak station is at our doorstep! We are close to “Freighthouse Square”, the old Milwaukee freight station that has been re-purposed into shops and restaurants. Freighthouse Square is also a stop for the Tacoma “Link” light rail system, which can take you directly to the Washington State History Museum, containing the fantastic HO layout of the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers.  With all the activities that are planned: prototype tours; layout tours; contests; clinics and more, it’s going to be a great convention!

If you haven’t registered for PSX2014, there is still time before the price goes up. Visit the website at http://www.wnrr.net/PSX2014/

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Module Teachers Wanted

Written by Ken Liesse
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Ken Liesse

Have you seen the article in the NMRA Magazine about Build A Memory? The NMRA instituted it with Lowe’s Hardware for helping people get started in model railroading by giving instruction on how to build a module. Where does 4D come in? We are one of the first divisions to participate in the program.

Our first BAM session will be November 16 at the Great Train Expo in Puyallup. However, we need some folks to help with the process. 4D has always been a hotbed for modular construction, so there is a lot of available talent. Some of you are probably planning on going to GTE anyway, so this is the perfect opportunity to help the division while you’re there.

If you have module building experience, or teaching experience, or both, please donate a couple of hours to this effort. This is a great way to give back to the hobby as well as promote our great hobby by showing the general public how easy it is to actually build a layout.

Walt Huston and Jack Hamilton will be spearheading this effort, but they can’t do it alone. If you’d like to help, contact Walt (walthuston@earthlink.net) and let him know you’re available.

News

Board Meeting Set

Written by Ken Liesse
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Ken Liesse

The next meeting of the 4D Board of Directors has been set for Saturday, November 2nd. It will take place at the Mitzel’s Restaurant on 84th in Kent at 1:00 pm. All 4D members are invited to attend the meeting.

If anyone has agenda items for the meeting, please get them to Secretary Jean Melvin no later than Wednesday, October 30.

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Bob Beise Memorial and Traffic

Written by Ken Liesse
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Ken Liesse

Just a reminder to everyone that Bob Beise’s memorial service will be this Saturday, August 10th at 11:00 A.M. at St. Jude’s Church, 10526 166th Ave NE in Redmond. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the church.

One word of caution for those traveling to the service from the south: I-405 northbound will be closed all this weekend in Bellevue, so an optional route to Redmond is advised.

News

4D BOD Meeting

Written by Ken Liesse
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By Ken Liesse

The 4D Board of Director’s meeting originally scheduled for Saturday, August 10th has been postponed to Saturday, August 17th. This is to accommodate anyone wishing to attend Bob Beise’s memorial service on the 10th. The meeting will still take place at Mitzel’s in Kent at 1:00 pm. Note we do not have the room before 1:00 for lunch like we normally do, so anyone wishing to eat before the meeting will have to do so in the main restaurant.

News, Superintendent’s Message

Last Chance for the Spring Meet

Written by Ken Liesse
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Russ Segner

123 of you have registered in time for the low fare to the Spring Meet. There is still a little room, but not much. And, we are sorry, but the price is now $30. Lunches will be ordered Tuesday, so this is the very last time to get on board.

All who have registered should have received an email about getting there and where to park. There is plenty of parking, especially at the rear of the hotel. There is an entrance from that parking lot into the lobby which will take you directly to the registration desk.

Coffee and rolls will be available at 8:00 AM. There will be lots of us in attendance, so check in and pay and pick up your badge.  Please make room for those coming later to pick up their badges.

You will need your badge to get into the clinics and to the layouts Sunday.

Over twenty of your fellow model railroaders have given their time to put together some excellent clinics. Thank them for their efforts on your behalf.

A special thanks to Kevin Klettke who put together and maintains our website for the event.

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Six Days to the End of Early Registration

Written by Ken Liesse
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Russ Segner

Spring Meet – Six Days and Counting

Saturday, May 11 is the last day for the low fare for the upcoming Spring Meet. If your reservation is made online by the 11th or received by snail mail by the 11th, you can still get on board for $20. After that, the price goes to $30 and lunch will not be included.

So, get on board and sign up now. Limited seating is almost full. Check the 4D Spring Meet website for details and to register.

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