Author: Russ Segner

The website for the Seattle 2022 National Narrow Gauge Convention, to be held in Tacoma, WA next September 1-4, is now live at seattlenngc.com. If you haven’t done so already, take a look. We plan to have a very full program of layouts, vendors and clinics. The 4th Division is participating in a big way.

I am the Clinics Coordinator. So here is a chance for you to present a clinic on a national stage. Not a narrow gauge modeler? Well, structures, trees, people and water work for any gauge and some of our members here are outstanding modelers.

Are you interested in presenting a clinic? Please let me know. I am available to chat online most anytime to answer any questions.

Russ Segner
russseg@gmail.com

We will have an online session this Saturday at 1000 to discuss how to make our meetings better. We will talk about how to prepare a presentation and how to present it.

Even if you are already comfortable with presenting, join us to share your experience. We also want suggestions on future topics for clinics and general meetings.

This meeting is for all members, not just leadership, so get involved and share your ideas and experience.

Zoom will be with us for some time, so let’s do our best to communicate with each other and the public.

Russ

Here is the link to the meeting:

Russell Segner is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: 4D Zoom Planning
Time: Sep 4, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82516359187?pwd=c1M4NjZmb01tczFLNm9pdk1HZ3BjZz09

Meeting ID: 825 1635 9187
Passcode: 891509
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,82516359187#,,,,891509# US (Tacoma) +16699006833,,82516359187#,,,,891509# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 825 1635 9187
Passcode: 891509
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kP7JzOMh0

It seems that Zoom meetings will continue for some time, which means our clinics and many meetings will be virtual for months to come. That’s not necessarily bad news since many of us have been able to better share with others across the entire Fourth Division. After all, traffic and weather have become great impediments to face to face meetings.

We will hold a Zoom meeting this coming Saturday, September 4, at 10:00 AM. We will discuss the many issues involved such as training leaders and members in how to be as effective as possible. Join us to learn the mechanics of Zoom, how to best run meetings, and how to prepare and present on Zoom.

Please join to share what you have learned and what you want to see added or changed. Please join and participate even though you may not have joined any of our other presentations.

The link to the meeting will be posted this Thursday.

Russ Segner, 4D Superintendent

I’m clearing out all my magazines. These are;

Model Railroaders from the 50’s to this year

Craftsman

Timber Times

Train Shed Cyclopedia

All are in good condition and organized by year.

They are free to anyone who will come and get them. Call me at 206 200 2211 or email me at russseg@gmail.com

Russ Segner

Many of us enjoyed the first day of the National Model Railroad Association Annual Convention today.

“Rails by the Bay” brings to us a lot of really good information and a fine experience with model railroaders all over the world. I urge you to check it out and get involved.

http://www.pcrnmra.org/NMRA2021/registration.html

By Russ Segner, Superintendent

Here is the link to the meeting Tomorrow, Saturday morning at 10:00. Any member may attend.

Topic: Board of Directors Meeting
Time: Jun 19, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86149646690?pwd=SFVCMmIzZnhPV0J3SWFXd3NEM2NLdz09

Meeting ID: 861 4964 6690
Passcode: 650471
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,86149646690#,,,,*650471# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,86149646690#,,,,*650471# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 861 4964 6690
Passcode: 650471
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ksqJKDO7

Russ

Article & Photos By Russ Segner

The year we honor Burr Stewart for his very significant contribution of skill and time to make our virtual world of meetings effective. Burr has tirelessly worked to record, edit and display the many layout tours produced within the Fourth Division over the last year. He has worked to organize and train many of us in conducting our meetings online. This takes a lot of time and requires patience with us as we have learned the necessary computer skills.

While doing all this, he has been actively producing many fine videos of his own extensive HO layout. His creative skills include many videos on one screen showing multiple views of the same scene, including onboard cameras. He has hosted several remotely controlled operating sessions with operators working trains from different locations. Count on him to lead the way in adopting new and more effective ways we can share our hobby.

Thank you Burr on behalf of all of us in the 4D.

Russ Segner, Superintendent

Our Host will be Gary Tarbox, Director PNRA

Learn about our local Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive and the stories and treasures it holds. Access to railroad records can expose new dimensions to railroad research, local history and communities. This presentation will get you started on learning more about railroad history in the PNW.

Topic: Uncovering Community Stories from Railroad History
Time: May 12, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

You should pre-register

Here is the event’s registration page for Uncovering Community Stories from Railroad History.

http://1.kcls.org/railroad Registering will speed the process of entering the meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://kcls.zoom.us/j/99109386022?pwd=Qm8wM2JFdVcrRXdhWlhweE4wbHVxQT09

Meeting ID: 991 0938 6022
Passcode: 035978
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,99109386022# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,99109386022# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 991 0938 6022
Find your local number: https://kcls.zoom.us/u/aUcFKXlsb

By Russ Segner

I am pleased to announce a very Special Event presented by Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive in Burien, WA. In partnership with Newcastle Historical Society and the the Newcastle Library, King County Library System.
This is an Online Event May 12th, 2021 at 6pm, “Uncovering Community Stories from Railroad History”.

This is a program featuring Gary Tarbox of the Pacific Northwest Railway Archives. Gary will discuss our local Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive and the stories and treasures it holds. Access to railroad records and maps can expose new dimensions to research, local history and communities. This presentation will help all of us interested in Northwest railway history with particular emphasis on the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, SP&S and Milwaukee Road.

Space is limited, so register early. Please register at this link to receive the Zoom invite. http://1.kcls.org/railroad
Here is the Registration Link: http://1.kcls.org/Railroad
Facebook Event for sharing: https://www.facebook.com/events/198816921628517

Russ

You should have received by now an email notice with an electronic ballot. Al Lowe is running to continue as Assistant Superintendent. Alex Brikoff is running for a full two-year term after serving the remainder of Robin Peel’s term as a Director. Robin stepped down as Director but remains Treasurer. Robin will Chair the upcoming National Narrow-Gauge Convention in Tacoma next year. Dennis Terpstra is running for a Director position. Anton Faulk chose not to run again but will continue on as Editor of the Grab Iron and manager of our website.

Please do vote even though none of the candidate positions are contested. We are very fortunate to have capable people volunteering to fill positions of leadership. This helps us all enjoy our hobby all the more. The candidates listed above are examples of such leaders.

There are many moving parts to an organization like your Fourth Division. Some are more visible than others, but all are important. If you want to be more involved, please make it known to me, your Superintendent, or one of the others such as a Clinic Chair. We expect to be able to meet together soon in scheduled meetings and at some Train Shows. Now is the time to plan and prepare for display our modules and models. We will keep everyone tuned into activities as soon as possible.

Thanks, for your participation.

Russ