Author: Rich Blake

Update to the clinic tonight. This should be a very interesting clinic as we have a wide array of fantastic modelers to show off their train backside – the Caboose!!!

Thanks to all the volunteers who stepped up for this unique event.

Presenter Line-Up

Rich Blake

Ted Becker

Phil Gonzales

Ron Hopkins MMR

Lee Marsh

Gary Jordan MMR

Jon Bentz

Jake Swaney

Terry Kandzor

Zoom Link:

Topic: SVW June Clinic
Time: Jun 9, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92342184361?pwd=eUtkQ2p3d2ZLZGRjTEp2dEUxN1RwUT09

Meeting ID: 923 4218 4361
Passcode: 576499
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Meeting ID: 923 4218 4361
Passcode: 576499

Our last clinic before the summer break will be on June 9th at 7:00pm on Zoom.

Our topic – and volunteers needed – is on the last car of the train – THE CABOOSE.

We want to see your crummies.  What do you have, what have you done, lets see those train tushies!!!!

I will kick off the clinic with some examples of my own work in O scale (On30).  We also have a couple other volunteers lined up but a few more 5-10 minute segments are needed.

Would like to see models of any scale that have been weathered, kitbashed and/or super detailed or scratchbuilt. NMRA AP Merit award models are certainly of interest.

This is a great opportunity to show off your train’s back side!!!

All you need to be able to do to share your work is participate in zoom with a web cam or share pictures from your computer with screen share.  You could simply hold up your project and talk about your work.  Alternatively, if you have an external webcam or phone/tablet you could show off your model on your layout or workbench.  Whatever the case, we need volunteers to make this work so please RSVP via email and I will put you on the crew list for this clinic. 

RSVP to : slugsmasher@oakharbor.net

LINK TO ZOOM BELOW:

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: SVW June Clinic
Time: Jun 9, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92342184361?pwd=eUtkQ2p3d2ZLZGRjTEp2dEUxN1RwUT09

Meeting ID: 923 4218 4361
Passcode: 576499
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 923 4218 4361
Passcode: 576499

In early 2020 Paul and Nancy Rising took a 16-day cruise from Florida to California through the Panama Canal. On March 1 their cruise on the MS Rotterdam took them through the canal. This presentation documents that day long experience and shows how railroads facilitate that passage.

Presenter: Paul Rising

Background: Paul is a retired architect and has been an active model railroader since the early nineties and is an NMRA Member. He is Charter Member of the Puget Sound Model RR Engineers and has served as Scenery Engineer at the Washington State History Museum exhibit since the mid-nineties. Paul has presented NMRA clinics on numerous scenery subjects locally, regionally and at national conventions.

ZOOM LINK

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: NMRA Whidbey Clinic MAY 2021

Time: May 12, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94838546624?pwd=VkJLRGdZRk53R2lIS2g4L3dvYy8xdz09

Meeting ID: 948 3854 6624

Passcode: 161641

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+12532158782,,94838546624#,,,,*161641# US (Tacoma)

Our presentation will be provided by Susan Gonzales on “Making your own flatcar loads”. This presentation will cover a variety of interesting flat car loads that can be made from products easily obtained at the dollar store, or your favorite online or boxstore retailer. As the price of purchased flat car loads has increased steadily over the past few years, I began researching what could be made at home. In doing the research I found some highly interesting and entertaining flat car loads. In particular, the Army and NASA seemed to have the same philosophy as the Priority Mail in that “if it fits, it ships”. Included in the presentation will be instructions on how to make your very own UFO which I built for a flat car load contest within our club.

Hope to see you all on Zoom!

Link:

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: SV&W April Clinic

Time: Apr 14, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/95011698039?pwd=cWkzUDUzVVBkdzVDSzVLU2NTbWJ5dz09

Meeting ID: 950 1169 8039

Passcode: 484962

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+12532158782,,95011698039#,,,,*484962# US (Tacoma)

The March 2021 SV&W Clinic will be “The Railway that Ran by the Tides” a history of the narrow gauge Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Co. presented by Oysterville resident and railroad enthusiast/modeler Mark Clemmens.  The IR&N was a 36” gauge railroad that ran along what is now called the Long Beach Peninsula from the mouth of the Columbia River to the northern terminus at Nahcotta from 1888 to 1930.  It was the longest lasting narrow gauge railroad in Washington and one of the most unique lines in the nation at the time.  Join us on Zoom for this special presentation.

6:30 meeting open for chit chat

7:00 presentation followed by question/answer period

8:00 (or whenever done with presentation) Show and Tell if you have something

Topic: Whidbey Clinic March 2021

Time: Mar 10, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96809468050?pwd=N2dTekFjQVo2SU5PQzNDSlllUzJKdz09

Meeting ID: 968 0946 8050

Passcode: 907978

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+12532158782,,96809468050#,,,,*907978# US (Tacoma)

Rich Thom will be presenting our February clinic on the use of rubber rocks (not molds) which is very different that traditional scenery methods. (This is a re-do from last month where we needed to cancel due to wind storm induced power outages on wonderful Whidbey Island) 

Original post here with more description:

Whidbey Virtual Clinic – Rubber Rocks, a Better Alternative? (or at least another one) – 10 February 7:00PM

ZOOM LINK BELOW:

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: NMRA PNR 4D Whidbey Clinic

Time: Feb 10, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94937323423?pwd=OUZTSVZnb3RxdU4vQTdkS1dnaGVvZz09

Meeting ID: 949 3732 3423

Passcode: 860260

Meeting will be open around 6:30PM for chit chat before the presentation. See you there!

Rich Thom will be presenting our February clinic on the use of rubber rocks (not molds) which is very different that traditional scenery methods. (This is a re-do from last month where we needed to cancel due to wind storm induced power outages on wonderful Whidbey Island) Here is his newsletter description of the clinic:

Five years ago I presented a mini-clinic to the Skagit Valley & Whidbey clinic group about my initial trials of rubber rocks for scenicking my HO-scale Coldwater Creek & Cascade Railroad.  I had purchased enough of the “rocks” to complete about one-third of my terrain.  Compared with my past experience with conventional plaster castings, the rubber rocks were entirely different and presented a steep learning curve.

I was pleased with the first results (see photo) and decided to use the product—from Cripplebush Valley Models (www.cripplebush.net) –to complete the layout.  In this updated clinic I will cover how I trimmed the rocks to size; attached them to my hardshell (itself different from what most modelers use); and most critically, colored them.  I found coloring to be the biggest challenge and departure from staining plaster castings.  I’ll conclude with a comparison of advantages and disadvantages, and if you tune in, you can decide for yourself whether rubber rocks are a better alternative—or not!

ZOOM LINK BELOW:

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: NMRA PNR 4D Whidbey Clinic

Time: Feb 10, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94937323423?pwd=OUZTSVZnb3RxdU4vQTdkS1dnaGVvZz09

Meeting ID: 949 3732 3423

Passcode: 860260

Meeting will be open around 6:30PM for chit chat before the presentation. See you there!

Alan Murray will present a clinic on constructing the Viaduct for Jon Bentz’ Rio Como layout at the December 9th 7PM virtual meeting of the Skagit Valley & Whidbey NMRA Clinic. Construction of trestles often begins by constructing the girders, ties and installation of rails on a level base. After placing the assembly on the layout, trestle bents can be framed and trimmed to fit the topographic conditions that will exist below the trestle.

In the case of the Rio Como Viaduct, a single-lane vehicle crossing over the Rio Como main line needed to climb from the level of the mainline to a height sufficient to provide clearance for the largest Bachmann ON30, 4-6-0 locomotive. The viaduct contains a King Post span with tension rod, a 90-degree horizontal curve, vertical curves and short tangents with grades up to 15 percent. The presentation will concentrate on techniques in the construction of the viaduct. Material choices, cutting and drilling techniques, use of jigs and installation of NBW’s will be discussed.

ZOOM Link, waiting room will be open after 6:30pm for chit chat

Topic: SV&W NMRA December Clinic
Time: Dec 9, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97354958130?pwd=ZjB6VFJyZ3ZOOTc4djlSMUlhYlpWUT09

Meeting ID: 973 5495 8130
Passcode: 410875

Join the Skagit Valley and Whidbey online clinic this Veterans Day 11 NOV 2020 at 7:00. Rich Blake will be our presenter with the topic: “A Brief History of US Army Spruce Production in Washington”.

During World War I the allied aircraft industry was in critical need of the finely grained and light weight spruce lumber to support production of aircraft needed defend the skies above the Western Front. To overcome organizational difficulties with local logging companies in Washington and Oregon, the US Army formed the Spruce Production Division in order to coordinate logging interests and greatly bolster lumber production. Their efforts can arguably be credited with winning the air war in Europe. Rich will review some of the locally interesting logging sites, equipment, railroad grades and history in and around the Olympic mountain range related to this massive effort.

This meeting will be on Zoom and is open to anyone reading the Grab Iron. We also encourage any short “Show and Tell” segments for anyone who would like share their modeling or stories related to Veterans and Railroading.

Below is the information for the Zoom meeting. The lobby will open at 6:45pm and the meeting will start at 7:00pm.  

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Whidbey Monthly Clinic
Time: Nov 11, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98344008662?pwd=VmFnUEZwUnVmNjlyNEIxeUFmT3Q5dz09

Meeting ID: 983 4400 8662
Passcode: 738084

Adding to the library of 4D online clinics, SV&W will be kicking off monthly virtual clinics starting this Wednesday at 7:00pm. Rich Blake will be describing some of his techniques modifying and detailing some of his steam locomotives to enhance their appearance as well as better operation.  Disassembling and modifying a brand new locomotive can sometimes seem like a daunting task.  Emulating a prototype and super detailing a locomotive can however be one of the more interesting and rewarding parts of your modeling.

This will be a Zoom clinic with link details below.  For most people on a computer you just need to click the link below and run Zoom from a browser like Chrome or Explorer. After the presentation portion we will also allow time for short show and tell segments if you want to share anything.  All you need is webcam and microphone enabled on your computer or device for sharing.

4dpnrOrganizer SkagitValleyWhidbey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: SV&W Clinic

Time: Oct 14, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/98606087342?pwd=WDZnaWxuVHJvTWJwLzBzRjlMK1Brdz09

Meeting ID: 986 0608 7342

Passcode: 295294

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,98606087342#,,,,,,0#,,295294# US

Dial by your location

        +1 253 215 8782 US

Meeting ID: 986 0608 7342

Passcode: 295294

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acKkEO4FoH