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Grab Iron Email Changes

Written by Anton Faulk
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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

Grab-Iron, News

Mount Vernon Clinic, March 18

Written by Alan Carter
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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

News,

Mount Vernon Clinic Schedule Change

Written by Alan Carter
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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.

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March 21 Eastside Clinic

Written by Russ Segner
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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
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Whidbey NMRA Clinic Wednesday March 13 – Decoder Pro – Removing the Mysteries with Jim Bentz

Written by Rich Blake
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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

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

Written by Burr Stewart
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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

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Hi-Railers Annual Train Trip 2024

Written by Anton Faulk
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Article by Dan Peters, Photo by Al Lowe

It’s that time of year again. Time to put on your engineer’s hat and work boots and red bandana, and take a ride on a REAL ( prototype scale ) passenger train.

This year we’re heading south, to the beautiful Nisqually River Valley, to ride the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. Our passenger train is powered by Polson Logging Co. number 70. This 100-year-old steam engine is a 2-8-2 logging locomotive, built by Baldwin and later used by Rayonier timber company on the Olympic peninsula. It’s been beautifully restored, and is ready to begin operations now that the COVID epidemic is past.

Our trip will be on on Saturday May 11th, 2024. We depart the station in Elbe WA at 11:00 am, for a round trip to the logging museum at Mineral WA. The museum is still closed for construction work by the new owners, but we should get views of the railroad equipment stored outside.

Our annual train ride and picnic is put together by the Hi-Railers module group, but is open to all Fourth Division and NMRA members.

To book your ride:

The adult ticket price is $37.00 ( or is it $40.00 ? ), with discounts for kids. Sorry, there is no discount for seniors. Don’t forget to select the number of tickets in each age category.

Bring your receipt, either a print-out or on your cell phone, and check in at the ticket office in Elbe. They will issue you an “official” ticket before you board the train.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

Join us for a fun steam train ride. And tell ’em John Henry sent you.

Dan

Hi-Railers Report, News,

Eastside Clinic – Thursday at 7PM

Written by Russ Segner
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Our Clinic this week will feature two parts. The first will be a discussion about operations on a layout. We will use the feedback from four sessions held on my layout, the Coal Creek Lumber Company. We will talk about how operations help us to better design our track plans and develop more interesting operating sessions..

The second part will feature a presentation by Bob Kenworthy who will share photographs of an HO model of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad’s Engine House and Shop in Carson City, NV. The model was built in the 1980s or 1990s by the late Tom Mercer of Sacramento. Tom scratch-built models of most the V&T’s structures between Carson City and Virginia City. Bob acquired these models when Tom disassembled his layout in 2014. The engine house model is interesting in its size, the use of some unusual materials, and the attention to detail.”

Join us and share your interests in model railroading. The link to the meeting will be sent to all on our Eastside email list. If you are not on our list and want to join us, contact Doug Oldenburg at douglas.oldenburg@Yahoo.com

Russ Segner
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Feb 10 “Second Saturday” Zoom Layout Tour by Chuck Lee of Puyallup

Written by Burr Stewart
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Here is how to join us on February 10 at 10am for a layout tour by Chuck Lee, covering his HO scale Colorado Front Range RR. The pike is based on Denver, CO and features local industries such as the massive Coors operation, features 3D-printed and LED-lit models, such as Denver’s Union Station, and even includes a full-size CTC control panel for the dispatcher.

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 link to join the event:

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

Meeting ID: 872 1065 7142
Passcode: 805577

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