Category: Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

JJ Johnston

February the 19th, at 7:30pm (this Thursday), the doors will open for this month’s Eastside Get-Together, bringing the joy and happiness of model railroading to those fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend our glorious meeting. This month our presenter will be Steve Cox, owner of Cascade Rail Supply, makers of dimensioned Homasote roadbed. Steve will share prototype roadbed for modeling using a PowerPoint presentation and a large display of his product.

All the usual stuff including coffee and the ever popular selection of calorie-free donuts. Just kidding, we don’t have those (calorie-free donuts). We will have “Model of the Month” competition, things to buy and sell, a large number of VIP guests and great door prizes.

Speaking of door prizes, our Woodinville Inside Gateway Hobby Emporium and owner Steve Depolo, who has donated door prizes for years to our meetings, is offering his in-store 15×15 layout under construction for sale for $750 OBO. No, he’s not going away, he just needs more room for product for us to buy. See you in a couple of days.

For Eastside Get-Together location and other information, see the 4D Clinics page.

Ed Liesse, Photos by Ed Liesse

JJ Johnston welcomed everyone to the first Eastside Get-Together for 2015 and, as is his custom, introduced the members of the 4^th Division Board of Directors and the MMRs (Master Model Railroaders) in attendance. He then reported that we had collected $772 for our Christmas gift to the church and helped 4 members in need. The church minister also thanked us for our gift and further details of how the gift was utilized.

The announcements included Russ Segner (speaking for David Yadock, PSC show coordinator) and Bob Rorabaugh asking for additional PSC show volunteers (editors note: we had a successful PSC show this year, please see the previous Grab Iron article); Robin Peel mentioned that there were 130 people signed up to attend the upcoming Sn3 Symposium in April but there was room for more; Russ Segner as 4D Superintendent reported he had met with Stu Rogers about the 4D Video Library and will meet with several others to review what’s in stock and what tapes needed to be converted to CD/DVD’s; Russ also mentioned the 4D Board will be considering locations for a Spring Meet, possibly in May and will be looking for a location – Lynnwood, Everett, Mt. Vernon? He’s open to suggestions.

The “Model of the Month” had six entries this time:

Paul Pellegrino had a custom painted N scale Cascades Talgo train painted with original DuPont paint.

Paul Pellegrino Amtrak Cascades

Paul Pellegrino Amtrak Cascades

CJ Turner had the second of his buildings of Seattle, the original UPS Store where UPS got its start.

CJ Turner Original UPS Store

Mike Donnelley showed powdered rock that could be used for loads or other scenes around the layout.

Mike Donnelley Powdered Rock

George Chambers brought in an old style tank car built on a flat car modeled in brass (for display only).

George Chambers Brass Tank Car

Russ Segner lugged in his On30 module used for talks on Model Railroading at his local library (and also on display at the PSC show at the membership booth).

Russ Segner On30 Module

Sharon Ricketts displayed copies of photos from a book she had read and told a related story – after obtaining the copies from the book’s author she learned that he had lost the original pictures in a flood.

Sharon Ricketts Shows Photos From Book

Sharon Ricketts Shows Photos From Book

After our usual short break for refreshments, JJ introduced Dave Kreitler and his presentation of “Modeling with Paper and Playing Cards”.

Dave Kreitler presenting “Modeling with Paper and Playing Cards”

Dave Kreitler and his presentation of “Modeling with Paper and Playing Cards”

Dave said that his inspiration for trying this technique came from seeing a video of “Coast Line Railroad” modeled by Troels Kirk of Sweden. The natural look of the colors on the layout led him to look further for information on Troels work. He found he was an artist and found several references to his work and his ‘realistic color’ techniques. Several pictures were shown depicting the work of the artist that demonstrated the naturalness of the colors in his paintings. One picture showed the sketch made of a lighthouse scene and then the finished model made from paper.
Dave then went on to identify the materials he used to make paper buildings. The basic materials he used were blank playing cards or blank flash cards, styrene and / or basswood and aluminum foil (roofing). The usual mix of normal modeling tools – X-Acto type knife with new, sharp blades, straight edge for trimming, measuring tools, etc., plus paints (he used acrylics), and adhesives (ACC and transfer tape). Additional tools he found useful were a paper trimmer that uses a knife on a track and a rotary cutting tool commonly used to cut fabric. He also provided sources for card stock.

The process he followed was to: color the paper; cut the wall backing; cut strips; attach strips to walls, assemble the building; add roofing; finish trimming. He showed the various steps though photos and passed around some examples. All of this was being done in N scale.

Dave Kreitler final slide from “Modeling with Paper and Playing Cards”

For more on the work of Troels Kirk, visit his website or Google him. For more information on Dave’s clinic, e-mail him at davek@northbendeng.com for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation.

CJ Turner was (again) the winner of the Model of the Month!

The next Eastside Get-Together will be on February 19. Our guest speaker will be Steve Cox of Cascade Rail Supply and his topic will be everything to do with Homasote roadbed, including many kinds of applications and products in multiple scales. For Eastside Get-Together location and other information, see 4D Clinics page.

JJ Johnston

Dave Kreitler Speaks

Yes, you’re hearing it here and it’s big news. The Eastside Get-Together has once again pulled off an amazing feat of obtaining one of the world’s greatest modelers to present at our monthly meeting on Thursday, January 15th at 7:30 pm. We are expecting standing room only (SRO) so come early to get a seat and a donut. We have absolutely no idea what Dave is going to present although based on his international reputation, it will be informative, motivating, electrifying plus there will be great handouts. It has been quoted “Nobody does it like Dave!” Please cancel any other meetings and attend this once in a lifetime opportunity to hear Dave speak.

Plus we’ll have all the usual stuff like “Model of the Month”, door prizes, stuff to buy or sell, free coffee and donuts with donations. Of course we’re having fun with Dave’s introduction, but you seriously don’t want to miss his clinic as he always delivers something special. Happy New Year.

Ed Liesse, photos by Ed Liesse

JJ Johnston once again welcomed everyone to the Eastside Get Together and, following the script for our meetings, introduced the members of the 4^th Division Board of Directors and the Master Model Railroaders (MMRs) in attendance. He then asked if we had any new attendees and Tom Keys from Seattle was welcomed to the group!

Announcements: Russ Segner, as chairman of the upcoming Sn3 Symposium, said they had 112 registration to date and that operating sessions are still available and, as 4^th Division Superintendent, that the next Board of Directors meeting would be on Saturday, December 13 at Mitzel’s in Kent at 11:00 AM. 4D has a number of Fast Tracks turnout jigs available for loan to 4D members from the library and Russ is looking for someone to head the video library. David Yadock reminded us of the Pacific Science Center show, which is the 4D money-maker for the year. Volunteers are needed for the three days of the show and can get free parking and admission. Mike Kavanaugh said he has a small HO layout available, free, with trackwork and bridges but no scenery. Rick Jillard announced the availability of an 8’ x 24’ one piece layout in a garage with scenery and track plus car and engines.

The Model of the Month featured David Yadock and CJ Turner. David brought a 4-stall roundhouse where he started using linoleum blocks for walls but changed to Chooch stone walls. The front walls are still carved from the linoleum block, however. Paper shingles are glued to the roof to resemble slate. The interior will be finished later but the lighting is already in place.

David Yadock’s Roundhouse

CJ Turner brought a DPM kit resembling a 1901 Nordstom store. The store is well detailed with window decorations and a warning from CJ to be careful of what was happening in the upper story front room! See CJ for the answer to that one!

CJ Turner’s Original Nordstrom Store

After our usual short break for refreshments JJ introduced John Morrison for a presentation on Swiss Rack Railroads. Because of the mountainous topography in Switzerland, most of the railroads traveling up in the higher elevations use a rack system to traverse steep grades. In addition, railroads in Switzerland are a mix of standard gauge and several different meter gauges. There are two main rack systems, the Riggenbach and the Strub, used mostly in the higher regions. The Strub rack is machined from rail. Various scenes in the presentation give a clear look at the differences between the two types. John also showed several charts of the different meter gauges in use.

John Morrison

CJ Turner was the winner of the Model of the Month.

The December Eastside Get Together will be on December 18. This will be a last opportunity to make our monetary contributions to help some needy members of the church have a merry Christmas! Instead of a presentation, we’ll celebrate with a “Dirty Santa gift exchange” (?). Come join us for some extra fun!

JJ Johnston

Reminder: Eastside Get Together meets this Thursday, December 18, 7:30 PM. Bring a wrapped gift for our annual “Dirty Santa Gift Exchange Party” and celebrate the Christmas season. There are free donuts along with free coffee. Yes, everyone can help themselves to free donuts compliments of the Eastside Get Together. Bring your Model of the Month and let us see what you’re doing.

Your Santa gift can be around $12 or so, and the rules will be reviewed at the beginning of the exchange. Please wrap your gift and put the scale or gauge on the outside so it can be seen easily.

Oh, by the way – congratulations to Jim Easley and his resident modelers at Emerald Heights in Redmond. They are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their garden railway which Jim started for them shortly after he became a resident. The work now includes 275 feet of track, a train barn, 6 bridges and trestles, 45 structures plus various flowers, trees and shrubs. Jim also has a railroad around his unit to show off his wonderful collection of Swiss (I think) locomotives and rolling stock.

Our annual collection for donations has gone extremely well this year. This collection assists a few church members in need as a way of paying back the church who gives us our space rent free and lets us use their coffee and condiments at no cost. Thanks to all of you who made a generous contribution. If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet, we will pass the hat around one more time at Thursday’s meeting.

See you on Thursday and hope you get a great treasure from Santa.

JJ Johnston

The Eastside Get-Together is this Thursday, November 20, 7:30 pm at the Bellevue Foursquare Church in Bellevue. Please remember this is the month we do our collection to raise funds to help a member of the church. These donations are our way of paying back the church for letting us use the room and kitchen at no charge to us throughout the year. The church even provides us coffee and supplies as well as a person to set up all the chairs and tables for us and put them back when we’re finished. In the past these donations have averaged about $25 per person so it is our hope those of us who can give will be generous in our support.

Internationally recognized modeler John Morrison will be our speaker for the evening. John’s title is “The Jungfraubahnen-Top Of Europe” about a group of rack railways climbing into the Bernese Alps. With grades of 25%, there are two different gauges, two types of rack systems and three electrical systems reaching the highest railway station in Europe. The station is in a cavern at the end of a tunnel. This unique information includes lots of photographs from John’s trip. He will also bring some of his large scale European locomotives which he builds and runs on his local large garden railroad.

Bring something to sell, have some coffee and fresh donuts, win a door prize and enter our Model of the Month to show us what you have been working on lately. There will be lots of fun and conversation. See you there, JJ.

JJ Johnston

This month’s Eastside Get-Together clinic presentation will be by our very own John Thompson, discussing “Cajon Pass Operations, 1946-1956.”

This PowerPoint show is about operations on Santa Fe’s CajonPass in Southern California during the steam-to-diesel transition years. Its mostly color photos show the Santa Fe and Union Pacific freight trains, passenger trains, motive power, helpers, and stations along the route, plus maps and slides explaining operations.

Come join us this Thursday as we relive the glory years on CajonPass!

We also have all the usual stuff, including door prizes, prize-roasted coffee & assorted hand-selected donuts, railroad items to buy and sell, the Model of the Month and just good times. You do not have to wear a costume to the meeting – we’re all spooky enough! The Model of the Month can include a carved pumpkin, however. See ya there, this Thursday, 7:30 p.m. in the Bellevue Foursquare Church.