Category: News

I am looking for volunteers to run trains on my logging layout next week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I live in Newcastle.

My layout is Sn3 and runs geared locomotives. Sessions will be 10 to noon and/or maybe afternoons from 2 to 4. Each session can accomodate 4 or 5 operators. If you are interested, please call me at 206 200 2211.

Russ Segner

The Mount Vernon Clinic for December will be on Monday December 18 at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1411 Cleveland Street. Mark Malmkar, MMR, will be presenting a clinic on “Passenger Car Interiors.” Doors open at 6:30 for socializing. Or come to Round Table Pizza, 115 East College Way in Mount Vernon at 5:00 pm for a bite to eat. They feature pizzas, sandwiches and a salad bar. Bring a tool or material for Tool Time, and a model (in progress is encouraged) for Modeler’s Showcase. Further information: Al Carter, tabooma10@gmail.com

Rich Thom will present a “Two-Fer,” beginning with a brief description of a method he tried on his layout, “Coloring Scenery Using Alcohol-Based Solutions,” followed by the main program:

RAILS TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD Appropriate to the season, we’ll begin this journey to South America in Cuenca, Ecuador, where each Christmas Eve the children of this Andean city dazzle in the Pase del Nino—procession of the Baby Jesus. Cuenca is charming enough on its own account, but for rail enthusiasts getting there on the Cuenca Branch of the Guayaquil & Quito Railway was the real attraction: a 2-6-0 steam loco which emerged from Baldwin’s shops in 1900 was usually up front. We’ll look at the G & Q’s assault on the Andes—with gradients up to 5.6%–and the railroad’s entirely-American equipment and operations. But higher summits of the Andes were found further south in new destinations not previously shown at SV&W clinics. The best-known crossing of the mountain range was by the Central Railway of Peru, another American-built railroad which climbed from sea level near Lima to 15,694 feet at Galera in just 108 miles. For decades it was credited to be the highest railway in the world—but in fact wasn’t. It was the highest standard-gauge one, but you had to go south to the Bolivian Altiplano for the truly highest: the Potosi Branch of the Bolivian National Railways reached no less than 15,705 feet at a lonely, windswept and cold spot called Condor. The track gauge was one meter, though, and the remote branch was far more difficult to reach as well, and simply didn’t get the press of Peru’s summit. Your presenter convinced his wife that this was a “must do,” and after reaching Condor together in 1978, she never let him forget the journey, as only wives can.

This is an in-person clinic. December 13th @7PM, at the Oak Harbor Senior Center at 51 SE Jerome St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. 

Dennis Terpstra

Jeff Moorman passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 9, 2023, in his home in Ferndale, WA. He had recently celebrated his 75^th birthday.

Jeff was a friend to many within the Fourth Division. He was the leader of the Seattle-North Clinic. He was co-leader of the Pacific Center Science Train Show for more than thirty years. He was the 2007 recipient of the 4D Golden Grab Iron Award. We will always remember Jeff with his positive attitude and vibrant personality. For the last few years, he was a member of the 4D-NTrak Modular group. Jeff was a great gentleman to all.

Jeff’s participation in the 4D began before 1990. He served as the first 4D modular program coordinator for many years. He, along with Frank Dekker, Co-Chaired the Pacific Science Center Train Show from 1998 until 2017, with his last seven years Co-Chairing with David Yaddock.

Jeff was instrumental in getting me involved in 4D initially as a volunteer at the Pacific Science Center show and then with me helping him in the Seattle-North clinic. He traveled with me to two National NMRA conventions, the last in Salt Lake City in 2019. He was always helpful in answering my many railroad questions – some more than once. We were good friends and got along well together.

Jeff will truly be missed.

His obituary is here.

Ron Hopkins who presented his beautiful On30 layout last month will share how he builds those terrific O scale structures this Friday at a joint meeting with the Olympia Clinic. Our regular Thursday meeting of the Eastside Clinic has been invited to join the Friday evening Olympiia Clinic. So, all on our Eastside list have received that notice together with the zoom link. If you do not have the link, contact me at russseg@gmail.com

Russ Segner 206 200 2211

Many of you know that I am a S scale narrow gauge modeler. My layout is finished and so, I have a large number of unbuilt structure and rolling stock kits I will never use. So, I am bringing them to the Boeing Swap meet this Saturday.

These kits are from manufacturers you will not normally see unless you have been working in S scale for awhile. So, now is your chance to build one of these very fine models in a scale you may have wanted to try. Build a contest model or start a small diorama as a break from what you have been doing.

The models are appropriate for any S scale layout or display, not just narrow gauge. I will even have some narrow gauge trees and vehicles. Stop by and chat for awhile and take a chance on something new, or should I say different.

Russ