Category: Convention or Meet

Al Lowe

On Wednesday, September 15, 2010, the 4D played host to the NMRA’s Pacific Northwest Region’s annual convention, Cascadian International 2010.

Held at the Embassy Suites in Lynnwood, CI2010 surprised everyone by attracting over 200 registrants who, by Friday evening, seemed settled in and enjoying the dozens of clinics, prototype tours, tours of local layouts, operating sessions, open houses, and many other activities.

One of my highlights was Friday’s “Mystery Tour,” arranged by 4D guru and convention prototype tour chair, Roger Ferris. Although we didn’t know what we were in for when we signed up, rumors spread and at least some of them proved to be true. Arriving in downtown Woodinville this morning, we were met by the owner of Eastside Freight Railroad, who loaded us onto his 1970 BN caboose pulled by an SW-1200 in beautiful spanking new EFRR livery. While some of us rode, others chased the train and staged many run-bys to the delight of all photographers present. Watch the video for a small taste of this 4-hour tour.

Meanwhile, back at convention HQ, hundreds of others learned, laughed and made new friends. Click any photo for a larger image.

John M. Reid

The 16th Annual Northwest Logging Modelers Convention will be held at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie the weekend of August 20–21.

Friday: A guided tour of NRM Logging Equipment; a tour of the Issaquah Historical Society Museum (Donkeys); and layout tours of Ken Schmelzer’s Pino Grande Lumber and Russ Segner’s Coal Creek Lumber Co.

Saturday: A diesel excursion behind Fairbanks Morse WRL #1; logging clinics; a presentation by Scott Barrett on Vail-McDonald Rail Tails with Vintage Steam Logging movies; and a Barbecue dinner in North Bend. BYOB.

Full registration is $25.00 (including BBQ), the train excursion is $20.00, and Saturday-only registration is $15.00 (without BBQ). For more info, contact J. Clark McAbee, (253) 906-5826, loggnhstry@aol.com.

John M. Reid

The Cascade Rail Foundation is sponsoring a Milwaukee Road Modelers Meet the weekend of August 27–29 at the Cedar River Watershed Education Facility, 19901 Cedar Falls Road SE, North Bend (I-90, exit 32). The cost is $15 for both weekend days or $10 for one day. Box lunches are available for $9. All proceeds go to the C.R.F.

Friday: There will be a van tour along the old Milwaukee right-of-way through the Cedar River watershed on August 27^th, from 10 AM to 4 PM for only $10/person. Registration is required and is limited to 21 people.

Saturday: There will be a model display in the morning plus clinics by Doug Nighswonger on MOW equipment and Mike Faletti on modeling bridges, structures & freight equipment. There will be slide shows by Al Currier on Milwaukee history and George Werkema on the Bellingham branch line.

Sunday: There will be presentations on Milwaukee history by Allen Miller, Paul Krueger, John Crosby and Noel Holley.

To register, contact David Newcomb, 206-799-3833, arch@davidnewcomb.com.

John M. Reid

The Puget Sound Garden Railway Society will host the 26th National Garden Railway Convention here from August 1-8. Watch this video and then check out their website for complete details. It’s not too late to see some of the great layouts of the Pacific Northwest…and in perfect weather! 26th National Garden Railway Convention, August 1-8, 2010

Rob Jones, Convention Chair / Photos by Rob Jones

The 4th Division is proud to serve as host of the PNR’s Annual Convention this September 16–18, at the Embassy Suites hotel in Lynnwood, WA. Rooms are still available, so reserve yours today. Even though you may live within driving distance, you’ll have a much better convention experience if you can stay at the host hotel. You can learn more about the convention at the 4D website, 4dpnr.com.

Wednesday, September 15, begins with an Ice Cream Social, Swap Meet and BBQ.

Clinics will be plentiful, with a wide variety by MMRs like Paul Scoles, Di Voss, Jack Hamilton, and Jack Burgess (of the famous Yosemite Valley Railroad) coming all the way from the Pacific Coast Region in California. Many other locals will also give clinics, including Walt Huston, Doug Bulger and Dennis Hill.

Prototype Tours will include Seattle’s St. Gobain Glass Co.; the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, (including a tour of the facilities plus a rail ride); a special rail tour of a local shortline with a 30-mile ride for the first twenty persons to sign up (a once-in-a-lifetime chance!); and a tour of Boeing’s Everett Plant.

Layout Tours will be in two flavors: Guided Tours and Open Houses. The Tours take you on a bus (for a fee), while the Open Houses are free (but you have to drive yourself or arrange your own carpool). There will be three Tours each day. Layouts on Tours include: Russ Segner’s Sn3 layout, JJ Johnston’s HO layout, and many more! Open Houses are scheduled separately and include: Tom Enloe’s HO layout on Saturday and Roy Cutler’s and Walt Huston’s N Scale layouts and more!

Operating Sessions are scheduled before, during and after the Convention and include Tom Enloe’s HO layout on Sunday and Roy Cutler’s N scale layout Friday evening.

Non-Railroad Tours and Events are also planned. There are many fine restaurants, entertainment, and shopping in the area. As always, see 4dpnr.com for complete information.

Friday morning’s PNR Annual Membership Meeting is open to all PNR members.

Saturday evening’s Banquet will be quite affordable and will feature as guest speaker John White on “The Inside Story on Developing Concrete Ties.” John was lead engineer in the development project. It begins at 7 PM.

And there’s loads of fun in-between. Hurry and register now so you don’t miss out! Go to 4dpnr.com, click on Cascadian International 2010 and follow the links. You can pay with Paypal or by mailing a check. For additional info or questions, contact Rob Jones, CI2010 Convention Chair, or Dennis Hill, 4D Superintendent, or any of the Committee members listed on the website.

This convention is for NMRA members only. You must be a member at the time of the Convention. So either sign up for regular membership or, if you haven’t been a member of the NMRA during the past two years, a RailPass will be included in your registration.