Category: News

On July 13^th and 14^th 2019, the Pacific Northwest On30 Modular Group, participated in the “Clamshell Days” event at the Pacific Columbia Heritage Museum in Ilwaco on the Long Beach peninsula. 

  This was our 7^th year participating in this event and it is one of our favorites as the museum provides a great gallery space for our layout.  Since this is one of the less known “trainshows” there is considerably less spectator traffic than the big shows around Puget Sound.  This allows us to focus more on operations and having fun with our layout and equipment.

  We ran two days of TTTO operations and are now sporting a new station stop semaphore built by Cliff Aaker that is controlled by an Arduino CPU board and a servo.  The dispatcher also acting as station operator can now use a TV remote control to operate the semaphore to indicate stop for orders at the station.  It really adds a prototypical element to our operations.

  The group also had the good fortune through Paul Vaughn’s efforts of gathering a large donation of structures from George Chambers of Issaquah.  He graciously donated the items due to a downsize in living arrangements with the only caveat that the structures be displayed for all to enjoy.  We have several spots for these finely detailed structures and they really add a lot of visual interest and operational opportunities.  Thanks George!!!  

Everybody had fun and enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend.  This event runs every year on the 2^nd weekend in July so start planning now and maybe we will see you next year.

Announcing the annual “Clamshell Days” in Ilwaco at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum 13 and 14 July 2019 celebrating the historic Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Co which was the northwest’s only long standing narrow gauge railroad. 

While not as famous as the Colorado and California narrow gauge railroads, the IR&N is no less interesting and is steeped in unique history. The museum keeps this history alive and well with their exclusive exhibit and preservation of an original IR&N passenger car, the “Nachotta” that is only open for public inspection during the Clamshell Days weekend.  Self guided tours are also offered over the southwest peninsula touring various historical sites and structures along the original IR&N railroad right of way.  If you have any interest in northwest rail history, the IR&N certainly shares a significant part and shaped the heritage of the southwest coast of Washington.    

This event is attended annually by the Pacific Northwest On30 Modular Group and the museum provides an ample space for a large layout configuration.  Operating sessions are hosted each day and any 4D member is invited to come out and run an op session with us.  Note that this is not a “trainshow” in the usual format (i.e. no vendors or swap meet) but is a celebration of local railroad history. The event is open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM on Saturday and Sunday.  See the Clamshell Days webpage for directions and more information.

Al Lowe

Would you like to donate to the NMRA without it costing you a cent? Or any trouble? You can! Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of your purchases to the NMRA. And it won’t cost you anything.

It’s easy to set up. You don’t need a new account or password. It’s easy to use. Just go to smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com. If you forget, Amazon will (sometimes) ask you if you want to change — without losing your place.

I recently received my quarterly AmazonSmile report. The National Model Railroad Association received $191.54 this quarter from smile.amazon.com. But think how much more that would be if just everyone in the 4D used it.

To date, AmazonSmile has donated a total of:

•           $2,924.79 to National Model Railroad Assn Inc

•           $134,890,393.33 to all charities

Make Jeff Bezos support our hobby! You can learn more at Amazon: https://org.amazon.com. And here’s an outsider’s perspective: http://bit.ly/2LuL2S9

A Reminder our Redmond Clinic starts at 7:00 PM.

Al Lowe

Yea, thy deadline approacheth!

You have only a few days left to get your free lunch. Oh, and also register for a day filled with fun, knowledge, comradery, fellowship, and donuts.

The 4th Division’s annual meeting will be held at the 4D Spring Meet on June 22 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Pamela Transue Center for Science & Engineering Building on the Tacoma Community College campus. Click here for a Google map.

Register by Monday, June 17! Or register afterward and you can watch the rest of us eat lunch. Or you can bring your own lunch. Just come!

Register me now!

Al Lowe

Look! It’s June already! It’s time to get serious. About you. And your procrastination problem.

Remember how you didn’t register for the 2019 4D Spring Meet because you “had plenty of time” or “I’ll do it later” or “I’m too drunk right now to type”? Well, now there’s only 3 short weeks left. Time’s a’wastin’!

Head on over to the Spring Meet website and register right now! You’ll be glad you did. And if you do it before June 17, you’ll get a free lunch. Plus great clinics by some of our 4D MMRs. Plus camaraderie with your fellow model railroaders. Plus coffee (which you need probably in the mornings) and donuts (which you probably don’t!).

So click here and register today while you’re online and it’s still fresh in your mind. And before you have too many beers to click!

Seriously, this year’s Spring Meet is shaping up to be a good one! Don’t be left out! See you in Tacoma!!

On 19 May 2019 thirty members and guests of the SV&W Clinic attended their second spring train excursion field trip on the Lake Whatcom Railway in Wickersham WA just east of Lake Whatcom and Bellingham. 

Our trip was once again coordinated by our excellent Program Coordinator – Susan Gonzales who also somehow gave us a brilliant sunny spring day as well.  A special note of appreciation also goes to Jan Clarke who coordinated food orders and provided picnic box lunches for our train riders.

Our trip started in the tiny village of Wickersham which was once a station stop for the Northern Pacific on it’s way to Sumas.  The BNSF branch still runs through this area today.  The railroad grounds contain a wye and a large engine shop/car shed.  We rode behind a vintage Alco S1 diesel which was originally assigned to the Northern Pacific Terminal Company as No 30 in Portland OR. 

After boarding we headed out on what was once a branch line along the south shore of Lake Whatcom on the Bellingham Bay and Eastern Railroad Company line that connected Bellingham to the NP Mainline at Wickersham.  Our ride took us to the shores of Mirror Lake for a picnic stop and some fun on a pump car for the kids (and adult kids). 

Once back at Wickersham, some of us explored the NP No 1070 Class L-9 0-6-0 steam locomotive in the shop and watched the crew turn the Alco on the wye to put the passenger coach away.  It was a great day out in the sun and everyone had a good time.  Check the Lake Whatcom Railway’s website for their event schedule, it is worth the trip. 

Russ Segner

There has been a lot of interest in trains the last few weeks with the celebrations of the completion of the Transcontinental Railway 150 years ago and the return of UP Big Boy 4014 to active service. So, has anybody asked you recently about your interest in trains?

Let them know that your Fourth Division (4D) is very active in promoting such interest in real trains as well as modelling them.  This involves more than talk.  We have developed resources and organization to be effective.

I think it important to restate what we in the 4D/PNR/NMRA are all about. The purposes of the Fourth Division (4D) are to:

• Educate persons engaged in model railroading in methods of building and operating model railroad equipment and prototype practices.
• Develop the technical skills of persons engaged in the art and craft of model railroading.
• Encourage the collection and preservation of historical data and to promote education about railway history through model railroading.
• Facilitate communication among all model railroaders, both members and non-members.

The 4D Board of Directors has determined that the best way to reach its audience, especially nonmembers and potential model railroaders, is through modular model railroad participation at train shows and other public activities. To achieve that public representation, the Fourth Division has created this Modular Model Railroad Sponsorship Program. This program provides financial assistance and administrative assistance to modular model railroad groups to help them achieve the Fourth Division’s organizational purpose.

We want to be sure we stay focused on these goals. Your Board recently revised and expanded several policies in the Executive Handbook. 

Appendix A – Modular Model Railroad Sponsorship Program

This section clarifies and condenses existing policy into one location.

There are two types of Sponsored Modular Model Railroads: “4D Modular Groups” created by 4D and “Supported Clubs,” which are Clubs with 100% NMRA membership who have asked the Division for support and which meet the Division’s criteria. Both types are eligible for financial support, administrative support, and publicity for their activities. 

Requirements for Sponsorship: The following conditions must be met for a Group or Club to be considered for inclusion in the Modular Model Railroad Sponsorship Program: i) It is based within the geographic boundaries of Fourth Division. ii) It achieves and maintains 100% NMRA Membership. iii) Any 4D member in good standing may apply for membership in it. iv) It demonstrates continued effort to achieve the Fourth Division and NMRA organizational purposes. v) It actively participates in and supports 4D and NMRA activities, in addition to its own activities. vi) It actively participates in general management of 4D with respect to support, funding and activities. vii) It has, or will create, operating documents governing its conduct, including referring to, and abiding by, the NMRA guidelines for anti-harassment and anti-discrimination, and will submit a copy to the 4D Board to validate that it agrees with 4D purposes. viii) It designates an individual to be the contact point with the 4D Treasurer for reimbursement. ix) 4D Modular Groups do not charge dues or fees for participation by NMRA members. Supported Clubs may charge. b. The 4D Expects such clubs to; i) Support the Fourth Division and the NMRA organizational purpose by: (1) Serving as active and effective NMRA and 4D ambassadors to layout visitors, promoting the hobby, and educating the public about model railroading, etc. (2) Encouraging existing NMRA members to attend local clinics and volunteer as clinicians.

Appendix B – Donations and Disposition of 4D Owned Property.

This is a new document to help members know how to deal with donations of equipment and models from families who want these items to be useful to the hobby.

Appendix C – Mileage Reimbursement Guidelines

(formerly the Appendix to the Mileage Reimbursement Form). The 4D actively supports participation by members at local clinics and clubs and presentation to the public at trains shows.  Because the Division is spread over such a large geographic area, some travel expenses are reimbursable.  So, there are specific policies in place to financially support those who travel long distances to present clinics and for those who pull the trailers for modular groups to train shows.  These expenses are authorized in our budget negotiated and approved each fall. This process is currently underway.

Members are encouraged to click here, download, and read the Executive Handbook published in the Members Only section on our website for the complete provisions.

Last call for ballots. Send those ballots in. Even though the three candidates, Al Lowe, Robin Peel and Anton Faulk, are unopposed, it is important that we give them a vote of confidence and thanks for stepping up to serve us on the Board of Directors.

Your Board is responsible to see that our area clinic facilities are made available and the clinics staffed. We also recruit presenters for programs and special events such as our shows at MOHAI and the Pacific Science Center.

Speaking of MOHAI and the Pacific Science Center shows, there is a meeting May 4 at The Yankee Grill in Renton at 10:00 to discuss and plan these two shows held this fall and winter. Al Lowe, Ed Ives, Mike Slease, Alan Murray and David Yadock with be there with me. We will be focusing on adding small demonstrations and displays in addition to the usual modular layouts.

If you have a small demonstration module to demonstrate some modeling skill, let us know, or, better yet, joins us on the 4th. Give me a call at 206 200 2211.

by Bob Parrish

Ladies and Gentlemen…

Again I am writing you about membership issues.
I want to focus on “memberships of expedience” (my term).

There are people who get on with the NMRA because an event is nearby; whether a division, regional or national event.  Within a year we are seeing them drop off and by year two or three they are gone.  If you are not sure of this happening please consult your monthly rosters from Ed Liesse to confirm this occurrence.

The decision some years ago that all people wanting to attend a NMRA event must be a member was a good one. I must confess that at first I was a bit skeptical but overall the numbers have proven me wrong.

About that same time the national board created the Rail Pass process. It was intended to be a gateway process to get on board.  Further, a person who might have been out of our organization for two or more years may again ride in on a Rail Pass.  What appears to be happening is a person gets on for a regional event, promptly falls off and then reappears five or six years later when a regional gathering comes to that division again. 

With that uptick in memberships in a division that might be hosting a PNR convention, we need to take another look at how we tend to these members.  I am suggesting that we treat these people like a first time membership that I directed you to in my last e-mail to you.  The problem is that often we know these people relatively well so we falsely think that they need no further attention.  They are often people who exist on the fringe of the hobby, have long been a part of the hobby, and are often well known to many.  We need to connect with them as if they had never been a part of us previously.  When they take a membership they take on a new relationship with us and now, again, require our attention.

To be fair to the existing membership, new members also bear a responsibility to the local divisions, regions and the national organization.  They are hanging their hat on our hook.  They may be getting on with us rather begrudgingly as they must be a member to attend a particular function, but they are a member none the less.  We may even have been a part of a conversation with a person who might have, in the past, spoken disparagingly of the organization but they are again a member now.  All former negatives must be set aside.

We must assist them knowing where hobby related information is located on our national pages plus when and where local events are happening. Yes they bear a responsibility to show up but we must engage them when they do, both in conversation and requests for service to the hobby, most frequently in the local division. New members have energy when they arrive that we need to seek out and offer outlet for them.

It takes work on our part to make single term members into continuous renewal members.  If your division had any successes along these lines, please let me know so that I can pass them along.  A division does not exist in a vacuum unless we let it happen.  Help us make the PNR better.

 Thanx
Bob Parrish MMR
VP PNR