It’s been a while since we’ve had a train show but they are coming back. The Lynden train show was the first out of the blocks, for this area at least on October 2nd and 3rd. The venue is a large modern (nice even floor) agricultural hall and both of our Hi-Rail and HO modular groups attended with layouts. There was more space between layouts and more space between vendors with some usual displays and vendors being absent. All the same, the atmosphere was very nice even though all in attendance, both public, vendors and train groups were required to wear face masks at all times inside the building. All were very compliant which was very gratifying.
The public came in considerable numbers with a sizable contingent of children. Maybe the attendance was down a bit in prior year’s but it is hard to tell with the more open spaces.
I did contact the organizers after the show for their perspective and here’s their response:
“Yes, you are correct, a major event like Covid changes things. Attendance was down some from two years ago when we last had the show, but not horribly and several vendors told us they did very well so it looks like those who did come were in a buying mood. Also some exhibitors dropped out for various reasons, but then we added a couple new ones so it kind of balanced out. Actually it was good for Covid protocols to have the aisles a little wider and a few more open spaces, Glad you guys came and hope to see you next year when the situation is (hopefully) more normal. Cheers. Gordon”
From the Hi-Railer’s perspective the public, both adults and children, kept their hands off the trains and layout, more so than in the past which was gratifying. A considerable number of children spent their day circling the layout keeping pace with their favorite train. I bet they slept well that night. The only downside we had was dealing with the effects of having train modules sit unused for so long and being stored in a trailer summer and winter. As with the prototype railroads, the Hi-Railer’s run our trains on steel tracks and like the prototype the rails rust when not used. Much elbow grease was spent with a Scotchbrite derusting the track. Oh for environmentally controlled storage! Overall the Hi-Railer’s at least had a good showing and a good time. We look forward to the show next year.
The Maple Valley train show started by Henry Holwedell, a local resident and NMRA member, has run continuously for over 20 years, except in 2020. Henry is long gone and we need to keep this show moving if not in his memory. The show is quite small with about 10 layouts located in the Gracie Hansen Center, a gymnasium located in Ravensdale.
Volunteers Needed
The organizer, Steve Hiester has requested us to help and provide 2 or 3 volunteers for the event this year as follows:
Friday 10/15 – Provide security in keeping the public out (usually not a problem) during set up, helping participants find their location on the site map and assisting the one man participants unload their vehicle.
Saturday and Sunday 10/16 & 17 – Maybe collect donations at the door; count the public entering the show; assure public safety that electrical cords etc. remain taped to the floor.
Sunday 10/17 – After closing, provide security in keeping the public out of the building and assist where required in getting the participants and their displays out of the building and loaded in their vehicles.
Please volunteer to help one day; two days or three, every bit helps.
The Pacific Science Center Show last weekend was a great success. It was attended by 13,948 paid visitors and was our largest crowd in seven years. The credit for this belongs to the following groups and individuals:
Lisa Murray handled much of the organizing of volunteers and paperwork needed to keep things running. This was in addition to her being an active participant with the HO modular group. Her son, Aidan, was also there as an operator. Lisa also chairs the Seattle North Clinic.
The staff at Pacific Science Center was excellent and were able to respond quickly to some of the last minute adjustments that always occur with such a large show.
The 4D Hi-Railers, led by Ed Ives, were set up right
inside the Denny Way entrance with a 14’ x 20‘ configuration. Club participants
included:
Wayne Grinnell Ed Ives Jack Klapwyk Woody Mathews Ed Pennington Dan Peters Gordon Sandell
4D Hi-Railers
The 4D N-Trak layout, led by Al Lowe, was set up in
the Ackerley building. Per Al: “We staged an 1,800 square foot layout, which
was set up in the allotted four hours and removed from the building in 61
minutes. Between which, we ran dozens of trains, did a lot of switching, and
discussed model railroading with hundreds of guests. All in all, yet another
good showing for our club, the Division, and the NMRA.” Participants included:
Neill Clift Stephen Clift Dave Cook Mike Donnelly Thomas Dye Edwin Hill Kyle Ilk Kurt Laidlaw Al Lowe Dennis Terpstra Bud Thompson Cole van Gerpen
4D N-TRAK Group
The 4D HO Modular group,led by Mike Slease,
was also set up in the Ackerly building with a 24’ x 28’ layout. The layout featured its well-known
video camera car, which drew a large crowd around the TV monitor. Members participating included:
Gordon Crawford Norm Curtis Bruce Davis Lou Davis Paul Fischler Brian Pickering James Monroe Aidan Murray Ian Murray Lisa Murray Joel Scott Mike Slease Larry Sloan Rob Staples
Thirteen other individual displays were involved in the
show:
ANorthwest Railway Museum booth was set up by Emily Boersma. She was assisted by several volunteers: Peggy Barchi, Jim Hale, Pete Kirchgessner, Michael Ledingham, Dennis Snook, and Harry T.
Bill Harper brought his interactive HO switching puzzle which challenged visitors (and volunteers) both young and old.
Mike Pettruzzelli had two operating N scale layouts on display. He was assisted by Jeff Weinstock and Caleb Wright.
Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction involved in building a module.
Operation Lifesaver had an info booth manned by volunteers Weylin Doyle, Carol Kachadoorian, Alan Nelson, Brian Sims, Mike Turcott, and Martin Young throughout the weekend.
Bob Stafford brought his N scale industrial layout depicting some of the switching involved at Boeing in Everett. His interactive display drew quite a crowd.
Russ Segner’s On30 display was also popular with little operators and had visitors queued up waiting their turns all day.
The 4D/PNR/NMRA Booth was manned by John Owens. He almost ran out of magazines and literature.
Baby Gramps was there along with Doreen to display his intricate and fanciful dioramas. They were assisted by Kevin Buster and Frances Wolfe.
Dan Kellogg had an excellent display and demonstration of techniques in modeling water features.
Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module complete with track work and wiring.
Larry Sloan built and demonstrated a very effective display demonstrating the application of DCC systems.
The vendor, Ravensburger, brought loads of Brio and wooden trains for the little ones to explore throughout the busy weekend.
Dan Kellogg demonstrated water modelling techniques throughout the weekend. The example on the right was made with glue, water, toilet paper, paints, and clear gloss.
Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module, complete with track work and wiring
Larry Sloan brought an interactive DCC display
Bob Stafford’s N scale industrial layout, depicting some of the switching at the Boeing plant in Everett, was popular with young and old
Bill Harper brought his always popular HO switching puzzle
Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction in building a module
Mike Pettruzzelli’s N-scale layout
ON30 layout for small operators
Operation Lifesaver works to reduce the likelihood of collisions between people/vehicles and trains through rail safety education
Northwest Railway Museum
Several volunteers helped in the loading in Friday night and
loading out Monday evening. They also
assisted the many exhibitors with rest and lunch breaks. Volunteers included:
Dave Enger Anton Faulk Fred Hamilton Eldon Jacobson Aidan Murray Ian Murray Paul OldenKamp Burr Stewart John Thompson Dave Woodrell David Yadock
It’s almost time for our annual really BIG SHOW. This is the major source of funding for activities within the Fourth Division. Three of our Modular Groups, Hi-Rail, N-Trak and HO will have very large operating layouts. In addition, there will be eight other exhibits including smaller modules and switching puzzles. There will also be several demonstration tables describing various modeling skills and techniques.
All this involves a great many of our members. I hope you are one of them. If not, there are still opportunities to participate in many support roles. We need help assisting the loading in of all the modules and exhibits on Friday evening, preparation and distribution of signs and printed materials, helping in the break room and providing relief breaks for those operating the layouts and displays.
So, I need to hear from many of you. Please consider helping for at least four hours on one of the days. Parking is provided for as well as admission to the event. It is your opportunity to contribute the continued success of the Fourth Division and share time with other model railroaders.
Give me a call at 206 200 2211 or email me at russseg@gmail.com
The Pacific Science Center Show is coming soon. January 18, 19 and 20. Our modular groups will be there as well as several individual members with their displays.
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We have some extra room this year and want to set up several demonstrations of the skills and techniques we use in our model building. We already have one offer to demonstrate a N scale module under construction; trackwork, wiring and scenery. I am looking for someone to demonstrate kit construction and perhaps special scenery techniques; rocks, trees and water.
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If you are interested or know of someone who might also be interested, please contact me as soon as possible. This is an opportunity for individuals or teams to show how it’s done.
Thanksgiving weekend was a great success led by Ed Ives for the second year. Three of our modular groups: 4D-Ntrak, HO, Hi-Railers and several additional small layouts and displays participated. The feedback from MOHAI staff has been very positive and we expect an even better event next year.
Here are some shots of the activities:
On30 switching puzzle
HO module
NTrak
On30 layout
Wooden Trains
Wooden Trains
Hi-Rail
HO kids layout
Operation Life Saver
Bob Stafford N scale
Dan Kellogg N scale layout
NTrak
NTrak
NTrak
NTrak
Coming up next weekend on Friday December 20, many of the same groups will be at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma for 11 days. This is a great show and I encourage you to go and attend to support this effort. The displays are very well done and it is a chance for all of our 4D members to share time together.
Several of our 4D Modular Groups recently participated in the Maple Valley Train Show. Thanks to John Schmidt of Covington for sharing a video he made while at the Maple Valley Show. Here is the video:
This is an example of what will be seen at the upcoming show at MOHAI over Thanksgiving weekend. Our Hi-Rail, HO and N-Trak groups will be there. Tom Stevenson will have his wooden “Brio” like trains and several small displays will also be there. If you are not already involved with one of our modular groups, here is a chance to get involved and run some trains.
We will be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Let me or Ed Ives know if you will join in and help. How about a four hour shift?
I have learnt over the years that things just do not happen without volunteers, be it the PTA, Boy Scouts, junior Baseball or commercial operations such as Boeing. They, Boeing, need volunteers in order to conduct the evacuation testing and certification of a new airplane. So for us, the 4th Division, we must have volunteers to man the events such as the Spring Meet, the Science Center show, the MOHAI show and others or they just DO NOT happen.
We need your help at the MOHAI show during the Thanksgiving weekend with the equivalent of a minimum of six persons all day for each day of the three day show. So far I have but three volunteers for part of one day each. Part of a day volunteering is great but I need a lot more of you doing just that.
So what would a volunteer be asked to do?
We have a number of owner operator displays where the operator will need some relief from time to time during the day. You could be attending temporarily to the BRIO display or the switching display or running a train on a small seasonal display. You will be selling nothing, just keeping trains off the floor and engaging in light hearted conversation with the public.
Yes, it’s a little late confirming our attendance at the Lynden Lions Train Show this weekend October 5th and 6th. To be honest last week I thought we might have to cancel as the guys were dropping like flies in DDT*. We are however in recovery and are eager to go. The plan is for a 31′ x 43′ double track layout comprising a total of 33 modules complete with our eleven track yard. The show runs from 9 am until 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am until 4 pm on Sunday. Come and play trains!
* Do you remember those days prior to DDT being widely available? Flyswatters and rolled news paper were used to attack these pesky insects. Alternatively you could use fly paper hanging from lampshades that had a sticky surface and a fly attractant. These things after a few days would collect a good number of those bugs but usually over the dinner table as that’s where the lamp was. Not nice! Then in the early 1950’s DDT became available in a spray form. A couple of pumps in the air with this spray and any bug passing through the mist would meet with instant death. Ah vengeance! We knew not what we were doing.
