The Mount Vernon Clinic for October 2021 will be held via Zoom at 7:00pm Monday October 18, 2021. Topic this month is Gary Dobias showing his progress on building his Austin and Heart of Texas RR. Meeting will start sometime between 6:30 and 6:45.
4dpnrOrganizer MountVernon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Mount Vernon Clinic, Oct. 2021 Time: Oct 18, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
At 7:00PM 13 October (this Wednesday) we will have a fantastic lineup of master model builders to showcase their work in locomotive motive power.
Ron Hopkins MMR
Jon Bentz
Gary Jordan MMR
Yoshi Ueda
Our presenters will share their building and detailing methods on some exquisite examples of finescale motive power. These models are all top level “contest” models that exhibit high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. Some of which were built to acquire the NMRA Master Builder – Motive Power certificate which is arguably the most difficult NMRA achievement to complete. This will be a clinic not to be missed for anyone interested in locomotive detailing and scratchbuilding.
ZOOM Link:
Topic: Whidbey October 2021 Clinic
Time: Oct 13, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Long time 4D member Clay Hanson is no longer able to work with his layout and needs to have it removed from the home. It is a well built HO 5.5 foot by 10 foot layout constructed to move. Over 100 cars and a dozen locomotives (many DCC equipped) are included. The layout and all the equipment are available and free to anyone who will take the entire collection.
Here is a link to a PDF with photos of what is included.
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.
October’s Layout Tours will have a theme of layout construction. Scott Stoll from Puyallup will give us a tour of his HO MILW themed layout as it has progressed so far, and Jeff Johnston from will show us inside views of his double-decked SP themed layout, including a very tall helix under construction. You won’t want to miss it! As usual, we’ll open the meeting up about 9:30am PST and the formal program will start at 10:00, ending about 11:30. Below is the Zoom info for the meeting. As usual, please change your Zoom screen name to include your first and last name so we can let you in from the Zoom waiting room.
Topic: 4dPNR Layout Tours
Time: Oct 9, 2021 09:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
October’s Seattle North End Clinic will be a new version of last year’s “Virtual Operating Session” at Burr Stewart’s HO layout. This year we plan to have a few people available in the actual basement to run trains, with the participation of everyone else viewing and commenting on the action in the live Zoom meeting. The session is scheduled to run from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday, October 7. Here is the Zoom link to join the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82326170958?pwd=L2RXUWkzeFNGVzY0VGN0ZWFvTk16dz09
The next session will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 4:00 via Zoom. Topics this week will be an introduction to interrupts with discussion of polling vs interrupts followed by an overview of I2C devices available.
The next session will be held Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 4:00pm via Zoom. Topic this week will be an overview of various types of optical detection and discussion of pros and cons.
We’re Loco for Locos – Open Forum on Locomotive Kitbashing, Superdetailing and Scratchbuilding!
Superdetailed Bay Lumber Company No. 2 15 ton “Tee” boiler shay. (Model by Rich Blake)
Our last clinic of the last season was on the last thing on the tail end of the train – the Caboose. It was a very successful clinic with many volunteers to describe and share their work. Just incase you missed it, YouTube link here https://youtu.be/fTJzl5ZYfrM
We are kicking off the beginning of the virtual season with the Front End of the train – the LOCOMOTIVE!
Volunteers are needed – keep reading.
The locomotive is arguably (and because physics) the most important part of the train – Motive Power is needed to move goods and passengers to their destinations, without which we would not have railroads!
What have you built or detailed? There are endless subjects out there from steam to diesel to electrics. We want to see those superdetailed and kitbashed locos that are the stars of the model railroading show.
NMRA AP for Master Builder Motive Power (MBMP) requires three locomotives – two kitbashed/superdetailed and at least one that is scratchbuilt. If you have achieved MBMP merit awards or hold the Master Builder – Motive Power certificate – we would all be interested in seeing your work for this clinic. The MBMP is one of the most challenging NMRA achievements. https://www.nmra.org/master-builder-motive-power
Many regional and national “Best of Show” models fall into this category. This is a great opportunity to show off your work!
All you need to be able to do to share your work is participate in zoom with a web cam or share pictures/Powerpoint slides from your computer with screen share. You could simply hold up your project and talk about your work. Alternatively, if you have an external webcam or phone/tablet you could show off your model on your layout or workbench. Whatever the case, we need volunteers to make this work so please RSVP via email and I will put you on the crew list for this clinic. Looking for 5-10 minute presentations and up to 10 volunteers. First come first serve, THANK YOU in Advance!!! Let’s make this happen.
