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What’s happening now in the 4th Division
This is an estate sale of HO model trains and supplies. There’s a lot. Engines, box cars, already built buildings, unbuilt kits, paints, landscaping supplies, decals, electronics, portable modules, and parts of a layout that was included in a national model railroad magazine.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/gms/d/kirkland-estate-ho-trains-and-supply/7522066324.html
It has been a while since my last update. In this latest edition I’ll show you some of the new scenery that has been added to the Dry Gulch & Western layout. The alcove portion of the layout was targeted for scenery completion for the National Narrow-Gauge Convention. The convention will be held in Tacoma on September 1-4 of this year. My layout is one of many fine local layouts in the area that will be open for tours. If you haven’t already signed up for the convention, I really do recommend it. There will be lots of things to see and do. Here is the link for the convention www.seattlenngc.com , check it out today and sign up!
I decided to work on this portion of the layout to allow visitors a more complete view of my layout’s mountainous region and attempt to complete the town of Hayes River. The completed scenery in the alcove also tied together two large sections of the layout that already had scenery in place for a while. Naturally this is a progress report, some structures still need to be built, but most of the major scenery items are in place. I will continue to build structures up until the convention. Hopefully I’ll have all of them in place by September. Please don’t hold your breath on that one but I will give it my best shot!
To be a little different than previous updates I’ll show a photo progression of the scenery in this area. This will give you an idea of all the changes that have occurred over the years and how the scenery has evolved.
Photo 59 is a really old view of the layout looking down the aisle leading to the alcove. This photo shows the framework and track position. The photo also shows that the major bridges are being placed in position. Please note the large mirror in the room corner. Just a sprinkle of scenery and it is all done!
Photo 60 shows the same general area with the plaster applied. Application of Hydrocal plaster-soaked paper towels was messy but rewarding. It gave the general shape of the mountains and topography. It also reflected the overhead lighting quite well!
Photos 61 and 62 now shows some of the area with varying shades of paint applied to the plaster. This helped with the general appearance of the layout. This whole area was left dormant for quite a long time while I was concentrating my time applying scenery to other areas of the layout. The good thing about holding off with scenery application in this area allowed me to plan the types of terrain that will form the final scenery. Since I delayed scenery application I was able to re-adjust a critical access hatch. The hatch was condensed in size and shape. The retaining mechanism for the hatch was also changed to a simpler system. By changing the hatch, I gained some space to allow for another siding to be added. This increased operational capabilities in the small town of Hayes River.
Photo 63 shows the latest version of scenery in this area. The track has been ballasted, ground cover has been applied, and various trees have been planted. Yes, structures still need to be built and installed. In the photo you can see that the town of Hayes River now has a station! It is the green structure partially hidden behind the rock outcropping.
Photo 64 Is a great view of my version of the Canyon Diablo bridge. This bridge carries the mainline to the town of Alpine and beyond. As many of you know my layout is loosely based on the famous Gorre & Daphetid layout that John Allen built. On John’s layout the bridge was never completed. Due to the lack of a bridge, he never had a fully operational mainline. Early on I decided to construct all the bridges so that the mainline would be complete.
Photo 65 This is the view of a completely new hamlet on the layout. It is called Silver Hill and boasts a small flag stop station and mining operation. After the convention more structures will be added to this portion of the layout to add visual interest.
Photo 66 is a partial view of the Dry Gulch & Western layout. This is what the attendees of the National Narrow Gauge convention will be able to see during their visit to my layout. My layout is only one of the 36 excellent layouts open for tours during the convention. Everyone in the 4D should take advantage of this convention since it is right in your own backyard.
After the convention I plan on continuing scenery application to other areas of the layout. My two largest cities are still without structures! This will be my next targeted area to complete. I also have a large engine service facility to construct. So, the future holds many projects that will require my attention. I hope to see all of you 4D folks at the convention and especially when you visit my layout.
David
We will be hosting a national (international) convention within 4D’s territory in September – the 42nd National Narrow Gauge Convention will be held in Tacoma over the 2022 Labor Day weekend, at the Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma.
This convention is hosted by many local narrow gauge modelers, and sponsored by 4D. We will have 70 clinic sessions, a vendor room, modular layouts on display (including the wonderful Hangman Creek), contest, and tours to 35+ stunning local layouts (standard gauge AND narrow gauge). You don’t need to be narrow gauge modeler to enjoy the show – and many of the clinics will appeal to standard gauge modelers in any scale.
Registration for the four day convention is $150, but for local attendees a special one-day pass will be available for purchase at the door for $50. You can find all details on the convention website at www.seattlenngc.com. Looking forward to seeing you in Tacoma!
I am hosting two open houses at my layout in Newcastle September 2 and 3 and need some help. I need two helpers to run trains and control the potential crowds of visitors as part of the upcoming National Narrow Gauge Convention.
Here is a chance to meet modelers from around the country and also run a few trains on my narrow gauge Sn3 Coal Creek Lumber. If interested, please call me at 206 200 2211.
Russ Segner
The Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club in Alger, WA will be hosting Scale Trains for a Meet and Greet at 7pm on Friday, July 29th. They will have a presentation in the Fellowship Hall at Alger Community Church. Given the increase in COVID BA.5 in Skagit County, mask wearing is encouraged, but not required.
Come out and see what great products they are working on, hear about their plans, and ask any questions you may have. Also being shown on the 29th will be Karl Kleeman’s and Dale Bearden’s Monson Railroad layout. This fine On2 layout will be traveling to Maine in August, and then returning to be shown at the National Narrow Gauge Convention in Tacoma, September 1-4. It will be on display in the Church Fellowship Hall during the Meet and Greet.
Those who have not been to the Alger club, located next door in the old Alger schoolhouse, will be surprised to see highly detailed, fully sceniced and fine operating DCC railroads in both HO and N scales. Those who have been here before will be pleased to see plenty of scenery and operational improvements to both layouts. For directions, visit the WSMRC website at: http://whatcomskagitmrc.org/
Al Carter tabooma@msn.com
I went to my first national model railroad convention in 1991. It was here in Bellevue. I had started an HO layout of Tennessee Pass and knew several local modelers I had met through a couple of local hobby shops and an occasional visit to the 4th Division clinic on Beacon Hill. But I did not know a lot of model railroaders.
That convention changed my whole approach to the hobby. It was a National Narrow Gauge Convention, but the emphasis was on great model building and interesting and impressive layouts. The models were beautifully built and detailed, the clinics were extremely helpful in improving my model building. I learned a lot about many railroads I had never heard of, and I met a lot of great modelers from all over the country and many from outside the US.
I now have a closet full of shirts from many conventions all over the US. And I have a closet full of unbuilt kits and shelves full of books and magazines. Best of all, I have a layout that runs and is fun to share with many who come over to operate.
This September, many of you will take advantage of the upcoming National Narrow Gauge Convention in Tacoma. You will meet and learn from some of the best modelers from across the world and you can see firsthand the latest in model kits and supplies from national vendors. Finally, you will have access to many fine area wide layouts seldom open to those of us who do not know the owner of the layout.
The convention is at the Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma September 1 through 4. The next one will be in Denver and then in Pittsburg. So, here is your last chance for a long while to have all this so handy in your area. There will be over 30 clinics and over 25 local layouts featuring many scales and prototypes. Details of the clinics and layouts are on the website and in the files section of the NNG.groups.io site.
There will also be several large modular layouts in the Atrium and vendor room at the hotel. These include the Hangman Creek Logging in On3, the Arizona Mudhens in Hon3and the Monson Sheepscot River Railroad in Maine In On30.
Take advantage of this fine opportunity.
Visit the Convention website for full details at 2022 National Narrow Gauge Convention (seattlenngc.com)
HO rolling stock and engines FREE
I have been contacted by a family in Port Townsend who would like to donate to someone who would use the equipment. It is a nice collection of cars appropriate for northwest railroads. There are two diesel locomotives and one articulated steamer. All are in excellent condition.
They are available at the home on Becket Point near Port Townsend but can be brought into Kirkland by special arrangement. If you are interested, please contact me at 206 200 2211 or by email at
russseg@gmail.com
It’s official. The 2023 Pacific Northwest Region Convention—”The Prairie Line Experience”–will take place in Tacoma, WA on May 10-14, 2023. The host committee is working to put together an exciting set of activities for the convention, including multiple tracks of clinics, layout tours spanning the region, contests, AP evaluations, train spotting opportunities, tours and non-rail events.
2023 is the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad at Commencement Bay on the Prairie Line. It is also the 150th Anniversary of the City of Tacoma. Add to those significant dates the 50th Anniversary of the NTRAK modular model railroad standard, and you have exciting possibilities for celebration. The City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Historical Society have events planned throughout the year and we hope to leverage those activities to enhance our convention. Work continues on the Prairie Line Trail, which crosses the University of Washington Tacoma campus before continuing past the Tacoma Art Museum toward the original Northern Pacific Half Moon Yard.
The convention hotel is the Comfort Inn and Suites next to the Tacoma Dome and one block away from the AMTRAK, Sounder and Tacoma free light rail stations. This location provides quick access to downtown Tacoma with its many restaurants and museums, Seattle and points beyond. We will be opening hotel registrations as soon as possible. The hotel has given us a great deal on room rates for the convention. Standard rooms are offered as follows: two doubles at $119, two queens at $129 and single kings at $129. The hotel provides free breakfast and free parking. See their website for more information on amenities: Hotel in Tacoma, WA | Comfort Inn® Official Site | Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Tacoma.
We are still finalizing the registration costs and will have registration open on the website soon. The convention website is located here: PNR Convention 2023 – Prairie Line Experience. We will populate the website as information comes available so check back often. The Host committee is dedicated to making this an affordable convention. We are working hard to keep costs down so everybody can afford to join us next year. Mark your calendars and reserve the dates now. We look forward to seeing you in Tacoma next year.
Kurt
PNR 2023 Convention Host Committee Chairman
A visit was paid to the railroad as there had been a call for help with the Lionel layout there. The layout has been moved from the south side of the building to the north side and in the process the wiring was unsympathetically cut. This needs to be repaired as the museum would like for the layout to be operational for the Thomas event in July. I need to recruit 4D members for the task of repairing and running the layout during the event.
As to the museum’s long term plans for this layout, it seems that it is destined to be mobile at least within the building. To avoid the current difficulties, electrical disconnects would be desired under the layout. The life of the layout is expected to be only (in their words) 5 to 10 years (sound permanent to me).
The Railway has started construction of the roundhouse where several 12″ to the foot pieces of equipment will be on display. In the floor above there is a plan for a large HO (I believe) layout representing the local historic scene. When complete the Lionel layout will be decommissioned but the existing N gauge layout will be retained, or that is the current expectation.
Please if you have some spare time, do volunteer to assist in the repair of the layout (wiring and scenery) as well as operating it during the Thomas event. All volunteers must register as such on the railway website. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Questions? Call Ed Ives 425-391-3313 or email Gresley7@gmail.com
Ed
Your 4D Board of Directors will meet Saturday afternoon, June 11, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. As always, all members are welcome at all board meetings.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83348980762?pwd=KzYrK1JEVjdKd1dmZERyTUlJTm8vUT09
Meeting ID: 833 4898 0762
Passcode: 998623