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Tacoma April Clinic this Thursday

Kevin Klettke

Hello Model Railroaders!

Our April 2024 Tacoma clinic will be this Thursday, April 11th at 7:00 PM. It will again follow the hybrid format with both in-person and virtual structure. Join us in-person at 9402 47th St. W, University Place, WA. If you can’t make it person, join us virtually on Zoom.

This month I will be digging into the archives to present a clinic I first put together and was published in Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine in 2010, entitled “Weathering Scrap Gondolas.” This clinic focuses on modeling the most abused of freight cars, with particular attention to the empty interior. This method produces great results, is easy, and pretty much impossible to screw up.

Attendees are encouraged to participate in the Bring and Brag portion of the meeting both in-person and virtually. I hope you can join us!


4dpnrOrganizer Tacoma is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: April 2024 4D Tacoma Clinic
Time: Apr 11, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87652192617?pwd=6nisCSGBI8l3kHpLSZI9IaGxI4qpEP.1

Meeting ID: 876 5219 2617
Passcode: 478064

Election of Officers – April, 2024

Bob Kenworthy

Your Nominating Committee has completed its work and we’re proud to announce that we have two candidates for the office of Superintendent (Mike Slease and Mike Stepner) and one candidate for the open Board of Directors position (Ed Ives).

Our election will again be held via ElectionBuddy. You should have received an email notice with your electronic ballot.

Besides the election of officers, the 4D Board of Directors would like to change our Bylaws so we have five Directors instead of three so we can provide members with more opportunity to participate in 4D leadership. The current policy and the proposed policy are shown below, with the only changes shown in boldface italic type.

If you have questions, contact Bob Kenworthy, bkenworthy4@comcast.net.


Candidates for Superintendent

Mike Stepner

I have been an NMRA member since about 2008 when I belonged to the Denver Area N Scalers. I was a volunteer at the Colorado Railroad Museum from 2007–2010. When I moved to Washington in 2010, I joined the 4dNTRAK group (2010–2012). I was a member (2012–2018) and president (2016–2018) of the 4D OmniRail group and currently belong to 4D Freemo HO group (2023–current). I have also belonged to some non-NMRA clubs over the years, including the PSMRE (2022–current) at the Washington State History Museum. I helped with the 2014 and 2023 PNR conventions, contest room and layout tour committees, and other things here and there. I have modeled almost continuously for about 45 years. I model in N, HO (currently) and On30 and working on a Z scale layout for my wife.

Mike Slease

I have been actively involved in the NMRA and the 4th Division since 2002. My primary focus has been with the 4D HO Modular Group, which I led for 5 years. In my professional life, I’m the owner of a small printing and sign-making business. I don’t claim any special knowledge that would make me the best choice for Superintendent of the Division, but I am willing to do all I can to make this amazing hobby of ours as much fun as possible for all the 4D members.

Candidate for Director

Ed Ives

I have held a position as Board of Director for several years and am open for reelection again this year. The past pandemic forced change in what the 4D does and how we do it. The question is: what should we do now? The Board has been and will continue to be working on that over the next years. I wish to be part of that effort. Another wish of mine is that there will be more of you 40-, 50- and 60-year-olds joining the Board, replacing us gray hairs and no hairs, to lead us into the future.


ByLaws Changes

(Existing Wording)

Article IV

Officers and Directors

2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and directors of the Division.

a. The officers of the Division shall consist of a Superintendent, an Assistant Superintendent, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

(1) The Superintendent and Assistant shall be determined by popular election by the Division members.

(2) The Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the Superintendent and approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

b. There shall be three directors elected at large by the Division members.

3. Officers and directors shall each serve a term of 2 years.

a. The Superintendent and one director shall be elected in even-numbered years.

b. The Assistant Superintendent and two directors shall be elected in odd-numbered years.

c. All elected terms of office shall run from September 1 to August 31.

d. The Secretary and Treasurer will serve terms concurrent with that of the Superintendent.


(Proposed Wording)

Article IV

Officers and Directors

2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and directors of the Division.

a. The officers of the Division shall consist of a Superintendent, an Assistant Superintendent, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

(1) The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent shall be determined by popular election by the Division members.

(2) The Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the Superintendent and approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

b. There shall five directors elected at large by the Division members.

3. Officers and directors shall each serve a term of 2 years.

a. The Superintendent and two directors shall be elected in even-numbered years.

b. The Assistant Superintendent and three directors shall be elected in odd-numbered years.

c. All elected terms of office shall run from September 1 to August 31.

d. The Secretary and Treasurer will serve terms concurrent with that of the Superintendent.

New Train Show at Eatonville

Al Lowe

The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is starting a new train show called Trucks and Trains, Dollhouses and Planes Show, on Labor Day weekend, August 31–September 1, 2024, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Setup is Friday, August 30.

The indoor/outdoor event will take place on the campus, football field and surrounding streets of Eatonville High School, 302 Mashell Ave N, Eatonville, WA 98328. Layouts will be in the gymnasium and commons areas.

Exhibits will include vendors, antique trucks, planes from the Eatonville Airport, an 1896 Satsop steam engine, radio controlled plane exhibitions, food trucks, bouncy houses and other activities for the kids. Inside exhibits will include model train layouts, dollhouses, airplane models, and vehicle models.

More information is available at www.WFIM.org/train-show. Questions? Contact Betty Nokes, 253-222-4935, bwnokes@gmail.com

Grab Iron Email Changes

By Anton Faulk

This week some changes to the Grab Iron emails are being rolled out.

Blog Post Emails (Grab Iron Emails)

  • Blog Post emails (also known as grab iron emails) will be sent once per day provided something was posted that day. If multiple posts are added on the same day there will be one email listing all the posts for the day.
    • Post authors: Please note that if you want your post email to go out on the same day you need to complete your post by 6PM otherwise the email will be sent on the following day.

4D Upcoming Events

  • Do you miss the “WAZZ UP?” emails? Then I have good news for you! A new automated email with subject “4D Upcoming Events” will be sent out every Sunday listing the events for the next 10 days.
    • Clinics organizers: Please find a volunteer from your clinic to keep the 4D calendar up to date with the correct clinic dates and descriptions. Have your volunteer contact gi_editor@4dpnr.com to get the necessary permissions to edit the calendar.

Email Provider Change

  • The underlying system that the 4D website uses to send emails will be changing. This should be a transparent change. But if you notice the emails start going to you junk folder please contact gi_editor@4dpnr.com.
    • The underlying email system is changing to MailChimp so you may notice their logo at the bottom of the emails.

Anton

Mount Vernon Clinic, March 18

The Mount Vernon Clinic scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2024, will reintroduce attendees to one of Ted Becker’s favorite subjects, “Mini Clinics.” Come and see/hear a variety of clinicians presenting a “mini clinic”, which is limited to a maximum of ten minutes. Clinicians so far include:

Dave Sherwood, repairing/replacing cracked diesel gears

Bob Stafford, Many uses of Weldwood thick & quick glue

Mark Malmkar, car reweighing

Tom Buckingham, NP collision in his backyard (really!)

Doug Seward, paper/card models

Al Carter, renumbering cars

And don’t forget, a bunch of us get together at 5:00pm at Round Table Pizza in Mount Vernon (115 East College Way) for pizza, sandwiches, and/or salad bar.

Clinic starts at 7:00pm; doors open at 6:30 for socializing. Location: Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1114 Cleveland Street (easy access from I-5, Kincade Street Exit).

Questions? Email Al Carter at tabooma@gmail.com or leave a message at 425-577-1570

Mount Vernon Clinic Schedule Change

The Mount Vernon Clinic announces a change in the months we meet. Traditionally, 4D clinics meet Sep-May, taking the summer off. The reasoning behind this concept was that families typically would vacation during summer months and attendance at clinics would drop.

The 25 in attendance at the February Mount Vernon Clinic voted overwhelmingly to adopt the new schedule, and avoid driving during the dreary, dark, sometimes hazardous winter months. The Mount Vernon Clinic will continue on through the summer months of 2024 and adjourn for a winter hiatus during the months of November and December 2024 and January 2025.

While clinic attendance may drop a bit, it was decided that it was worth it, to mitigate the risk of winter driving, as most attendees are seniors and would rather stay home during the winter months.

Visitors and guest clinicians are always welcome. Contact Clinic Chair Al Carter with any questions at tabooma10@gmail.com or leave a message at 425-577-1570.

March 21 Eastside Clinic

We will honor Ted Becker, a long time contributer to the Fourth Division activities. I have a copy of a recent presentation by the Mt. Vernon Clinic which honored Ted Becker who recently passed away. We will use that clinic presentation as a springboard in a discussion of how individuals can share their interests and skills in model railroading.

There will be many updates to coming events, so be prepared to comment and share.

Share photos of recent modeling, discuss a favorite tool or technique or ask the group for help with a model project.

The link to our meeting is being mailed to all on our list. NOT on our list?? Contact Doug Oldenburg to get on the list to receive the monthly link. douglas.oldenburg@ yahoo.com

Whidbey NMRA Clinic Wednesday March 13 – Decoder Pro – Removing the Mysteries with Jim Bentz

This clinic will target users who either have never used JMRI DecoderPro or have recently started down the DecoderPro journey.  Just about any user of DecoderPro is welcome and not only can they help others during the clinic but it is likely that they will pick up some DP methods they didn’t know about.  We will have test tracks and demos setup for questions and review of features.  We will also provide the clinic livestream on Zoom for online participation.  In person clinic is held at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, 13 March @7pm,  51 SE Jerome St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Zoom link provided:

Rich Blake 4dPNR is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Whidbey 4D NMRA Clinic March 2024

Time: Mar 13, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88618333418?pwd=lJtgdJK3V8x8VrGXhVVvc7baB18hpW.1

Meeting ID: 886 1833 3418

Passcode: 742988

March’s “Second Saturday” Zoom features Jerry Boudreaux’s large HO Santa Fe layout

March’s 4dPNR Zoom layout tour is going to inspire you for sure! Long freights often exceeding 50 cars and 6 units, 14 car passenger trains with sparkling warbonnets in the lead, and southwest mountain scenery punctuate the Pasquinel Division of the Santa Fe Railroad.  This 1200 square foot HO scale model railroad running thru the wilds of 1967 Arizona features a 650 foot mainline, large yard, and a number of smaller towns.  The Pasquinel is fully operational and 14 person crews keep it humming once per month.  Come join us next Saturday (March 9) for a trip  thru the red cliffs and distant mountain vistas of northern Arizona.  Jerry Boudreaux will show us his framing, track plans, electrical, scenery techniques, trains, operations forms, and even Santa Fe’s definition of a “Shooter!”  This Zoom-only presentation will start at 10:00 am PST, and we will open the meeting at 9:30 for meet and greet. Here is the Zoom info to join the meeting:

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

Meeting ID: 872 1065 7142
Passcode: 805577