Category: Mt Vernon Clinic

by John O’Connell, Photos by Ted Becker and John O’Connell

Ted Becker opened the Clinic with seventeen in attendance including guests David and Paulette Sitzenstock of Ferndale and Mark and Chris Malmkar from Oak Harbor. During the announcements, Ted asked how many in attendance joined the NMRA due to their participation in the Mt Vernon Clinic. The answer: Six!

Upcoming Programs and Events

December 8 – Mini-Clinics, a virtual dim sum of railroad and modeling topics in bite size doses, including Al Carter, “Yet Another Way to Make  Streets  and Roads;” John O’Connell, “Catenary Poles.” There is still room on the agenda so let Ted know if you have a 10-15 minute topic.

January 12 – Nick Muff, “It’s All in the Details,” a clinic on how to add those important final touches to your model scene that take realism to the next level.

February 9 – Bob Stafford, Retired BNSF Trainmaster will speak on Operations on the Bellingham Sub.

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by John O’Connell, Photos by Rich Blake, John O’Connell

Thursday, October 13, Mt Vernon Senior Center

Despite the weather, we had a full house for this much anticipated Clinic. Ted Becker kicked off the evening with introductions: first time guest John Filippone and returnees Tim Silva and Jim Tartas.

Kit Build

Mike O’Brien reported that 25 had signed up for the Kit Build and he is ready to distribute the kits to the clinic members. It’s not too late if you haven’t signed up and chosen a kit. Let Mike at sales@xtrainsmodeltrains.com know and he can help you find the right kit. Plan to bring your in-progress project each month for Show and Tell.

Al Carter shared an important tip for first time builders: due to the molding process, building corners are not always square so it’s vital to “square” the edges on a flat surface, e.g. plate glass with adhesive-backed sand paper. Roger Johnson put together a compendium of helpful tips that he sent out to the distribution list. It is included in the Appendix at the end of this report. Roger also shared a YouTube video on building DPM kits. Find that by clicking here.

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by John O’Connell   photos: KCAL-Sky 9, John O’Connell, Ted Becker, Rich Blake

BNSF Stack Train Halted by Fire on Cajon Pass

September 8, 2016; Mt Vernon Senior Center

Ted opened the Clinic with a hearty welcome to visitors including Tim Silvas, Jack Vander Hoek, and Dave and Paulette Sitzenstock. We hope you’ll join us again!

Before Ted could get very far into his announcements, the tables were turned and Al Carter usurped the floor to provide some much deserved recognition of Ted’s Golden Grab-Iron Service Award for 2016.

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 by John O’Connell   Photo: 10News.com

BNSF Stack Train Stopped by Fire in Cajon Pass

Thursday, September 8, 7PM
Mount Vernon Senior Center
1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Click Here for map & directions

The Program

You will be a big part of the program as we all participate in “What I did this summer.” Whether it involved model railroading or full scale, live railroading – share what you did this summer to keep your hand in the game. Bring JPGs or PowerPoint Slides on a pen drive. Ted will have his laptop booted up.

Al Carter will put on a Painting Primer to help us get in the mood for the next month’s airbrushing clinic. He’ll cover rattle cans, techniques and open the floor to questions and open discussion on anything painting related.

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By John O’Connell

May 12, 2016, Mt Vernon Senior Center

Ted Becker opened the Clinic with twenty-one in attendance. Ted welcomed our guests Kevin Klettke, the evening’s presenter, Bill Sandstrom, owner of Tacoma Trains; and Cliff Green, Webmaster and Grab Iron Editor for our 4^th Division, Pacific Northwest Region website. Ted then asked new attendees to introduce themselves and the Clinic welcomed Ken Wagner, Mark Malmkar, and Kurt Boyd. We hope you’ll come back!

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By John O’Connell  Photo by Kevin Klettke

Kevin Klettke will present “Fleet Weathering” which those of us who attended PDX 2015 recall how well received his Clinic was. Kevin is going to emphasize how to “efficiently” weather large fleets of rolling stock. If you get a chance before the Clinic, visit Kevin’s website.

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By John O’Connell    Photo by Kevin Klettke

Date: Thursday, May 12
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon (Click Here for map & directions)

The Program

Kevin Klettke will present his “Fleet Weathering” clinic. This is a reprise of his well-received Clinic at PDX 2015 on efficiently weathering large fleets of rolling stock. Visit Kevin’s website at http://wnrr.net.

Another Example of Kevin’s Work

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By Roger Johnson and John O’Connell, Photos by Roger Johnson and Kevin Klettke

On the evening of April 14, Ted Becker kicked off the Clinic with 16 regulars and 3 newcomers in attendance at the Mt Vernon Senior Center. A special welcome to Chuck Wilkey, Dick Wilskey and Bonnie Hollingsworth. We hope you’ll join us again.

Announcements

April 30, 14^th Annual Olympia Layouts Tour, Olympia. Details

May 12, Mt. Vernon Clinic. Kevin Klettke wil present “Fleet Weathering”, a reprise of his clinic at PDX 2015 on efficiently weathering large fleets of rolling stock. Visit Kevin’s website at http://wnrr.net.

Another Sample of Kevin’s work

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John O’Connell

When?    Thursday, April 14
Time?    7:00 PM
Where?   Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Click Here for map & directions

Diorama Build Challenge

It’s been fun and interesting to watch the dioramas evolve over the last many months. Tonight each builder will present their final effort.

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By John O’Connell

Diorama Build Challenge

It’s been fun and interesting to watch the dioramas evolve over the last many months. Tonight each builder will present their final effort.

Mini-Clinics

Ted Becker sent out a request to advise him if you have a topic for a mini-clinic.

Show and Tell and Tool Time

We encourage attendees to bring models for “show and tell” – show us what you’re working on, even if it is not complete. And, if you have a tool or gadget that you have found useful, bring it along and share it with us. We also encourage folks to bring along items for sale or swap, or even “freebies” – we’ll have a table for those items.

When?    Thursday, April 14
Time?      7:00 PM
Where?    Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Click Here for map & directions

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