Category: News

Steve Cox presents Japanese Trains.
Japanese trains have continually set global standards. We will explore the evolution of Japan’s rail system and how that passion for trains is captured and celebrated through Japanese model railways.

We will attempt to get the Zoom media going again, here is the link info

Rich Blake is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Whidbey Clinic 2026-02-11
Time: Feb 11, 2026 06:45 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84845859150?pwd=F3ypIp0gTaC9iI64xJ4HQTwKhwxF5i.1

Meeting ID: 848 4585 9150
Passcode: 424841

Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/84845859150/invitations?signature=0R7DvoK_9vRhdAvOvFGRVlFn1xTsV6KK3D0xvzHSZSk

There is no “Second Saturday” layout tour Zoom meeting on Saturday, October 11. The next layout tour Zoom is planned for Saturday, December 13. We always skip November so we can attend the Boeing Swap meet, this year on November 8. For more information on the swap meet, see https://bemrrc.org/events

And please consider presenting a layout tour on your own layout’s progress. Everyone is as interested in seeing construction progress reports as they are in seeing a finished masterpiece. Contact Lee Marsh or Burr Stewart to get going on scheduling your layout for a future “Second Saturday” online Zoom event!

The September 2025 “Second Saturday” will feature an update by Burr Stewart on adding the West Seattle steel mill to his HO layout, and what he has learned about the steel industry. After the presentation, we will have an open discussion about industries in general and the traffic they generate. As usual, we will open the Zoom meeting at 9:30am, and Burr’s presentation will start at 10:00am, on Saturday, September 13. Here is the Zoom info needed to join the meeting:

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87210657142?pwd=ZHhIWnZGMUU0YnAwNVUvMENheEZSUT09

Meeting ID: 872 1065 7142
Passcode: 805577

If you have not already heard, 4D and the Pacific Northwest Region (PNR) of the NMRA will be hosting the 2027 NMRA Convention in downtown Tacoma, August 10-15 2027. Planning is already underway. Both the Tacoma Convention Center and several hotels have been contracted by NMRA HQ.

Now … we need everyone’s support to make this the best convention ever! We will be hosting guests from around the planet.

First, put it in your calendar: August 10-15, 2027.

Second, think about how YOU can contribute:

• Perhaps open your layout for a layout tour? 
• Or, offer an operating session.
• Or, present a clinic.
• Or be a volunteer … or just attend as a participant
• … Whatever you do, we need YOUR support!

Third, tell your friends and family about this.  They may not want to attend the core convention, but there is something for everyone – especially kids of all ages – at the National Train Show, open to the public, that will take place on the Saturday and Sunday following the Convention.

Our theme is Expand Your Horizon and we want everyone to come away with new ideas and new friendships.

We will welcome both NMRA members and non-NMRA members (though non-members will pay a little more).

Our website has just been published and will expand as we finalize our plans. But you can signup to our newsletter now. Visit us at:

2027.nmra.org

If you want to help us right now, or have any ideas, then please contact Magnus Christerson or Robin Peel (Co-Chairs) at conv2027@nmra.org

During the weekend of 19-20 July 2025 we enjoyed our annual participation in the 23rd Annual “Clamshell Railroad Days” at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco WA on the southwest coast. This is an open house event hosted by the museum and is one of the main fundraising events to support the various museum projects to include restoration of the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Co narrow gauge passenger car the “Nachotta”.

The Pacific Northwest On30 Modular Group was of course there with a large setup. Also in attendance for the weekend was the Mount Rainier N Scale, Cascade Z Scale, the Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railroad Club (HO Scale), and Dean and Donna’s Lego Layout.

One of our members, Daniel Bentz made a great video that showcases all the various layouts and a lot of fun train operations action. See the video here on youtube.

By Mike Stepner

You’ve been offered a model train donation but you don’t have room or need for it. What do
you do now? The 4D Superintendent has an offer you can’t refuse. Mike has talked to several
brick-and-mortar train shops in the region who buy collections. They are willing to give the 4D a donation based on what they can sell the donations for. You take the donation from the person offering it; deliver it to your closest train shop. They sell it and 4D gets a portion of the proceeds. It is a win for everybody.
Here is the list of train shops that Mike has talked to. If you have additional recommendations, check to see if they would be willing to join the list.

• Mike Huntzinger – Port Angeles
  360-797-4010
• Electric Train Shop – Burien
  Scott 206-244-7077
• PnP Trains – Renton
  Paul Pellegrino 206-909-2176
  Paula Pellegrino 206-909-8796
• Train Center – Chehalis
  Kurt 360-736-2354

Mike

The annual NMRA Pacific Northwest Region (PNR) Regional Convention, Ainsworth Connector, was held May 9 – 11, 2025 in Pasco, Washington. Hosted by the PNR 5th Division (5D), the Convention offered self-guided layout tours, HO and N -scale Free-Mo layouts, operating sessions, many clinics, Modeling With The Masters class, Achievement Program (AP) evaluations, Celebration/Contest room, and more! NMRA President, Gordy Robinson, MMR, was also there and gave an update on all changes happening at the NMRA HQ national level!

A special highlight was the PF&S Railway Supply Manufacturing Tour. This manufacturing company, based in Pasco, produces the excellent Tomar Industries signals (I have some on my layout) and drumheads, Precision Scale brass and plastic detailed parts, and Utah Pacific model railroad parts. They gave us a detailed tour of all their manufacturing steps and warehouse. They also have a HUGE train store, selling not only their own products, but many, many other products. This is the biggest train store I have ever seen, and they have both new and old products. It felt like a time travel back 30 years as they have tons of *brand new* products from the last 30 years. Below are some pictures from the tour. If you want to visit them, they are located out on a farm here; their Facebook page is here. They are super friendly, so give them a call on (509) 528 2233 if you have any questions or check when they are open.

The op sessions were hosted by Tri-City Model Railroaders club, Facebook page here. It was excellent and I had a lot of fun switching through the layers of the layout (look at those helices!). Interestingly they are starting to deploy LCC for signals and block detection. They have weekly open houses, and also host many op sessions for their members. If you are in town, contact them and see if you can join – they are super friendly. They also have a small store in their space with some excellent deals from donations they have received.

Next year’s NMRA PNR Convention will be hosted by 2D in Tigard, Oregon (“not Portland”). It is called Oregon Rails 2026. The 2027 NMRA PNR Convention will be merged into the 2027 NMRA National Convention in Tacoma, Washington, and hosted by PNR and 4D together. More info on the 2027 NMRA National Convention in Tacoma, WA, will be presented at the 4D Spring Meet May 31, so make sure to join that if you are interested. You can always check updates online at the 4D website and PNR website.

Larry Sloan produced a video report of the convention you can see here:

Below are some pictures from the P F & S Railway Supply visit:

Our Eastside Get Together will be this Thursday 5/15 at 7:00 PM. Sort of snuck up on both Russ and myself. 3^rd Thusday of the month already!

Russ will present photos of a recent trip to Promontory Utah (Joining of the rails in 1869). He has photos of the shops there as well as some spectacular HO layouts in the Salt Lake City area while he was there for the Sn3 Symposium.

We may have time enough for others if you would like to share any recent experiences or provide status or update on your own model railroads. Any photos would be most welcome. We would love to hear how everyone is doing!

Of course we will also have time to share any timely announcements.

Please contact Doug and/or Russ if you have any suggestions for future meetings.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Doug and Russ

p.s. If you are no longer interested in getting these notices, please let us know.

Doug

Here is the link.  Russ will open the virtual Zoom meeting room at 6:30 for general informal chat.

Russ Segner is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Eastside Clinic

Time: May 15, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86260679789?pwd=8KJyg5mWa89m9ICeaDvOBZazEoMAC6.1

Meeting ID: 862 6067 9789

Passcode: 068484

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