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4th Division 2016 Annual Meeting

Russ Segner, 4D Superintendent, Photos by Ken Liesse

Ted Becker receiving the 2016 Golden Grab Iron Award at the 4th Division Spring Meet.

Ted Becker receiving the 2016 Golden Grab Iron Award at the 4th Division Spring Meet.

Over 75 members attended our 4th Division Annual Meeting at Tacoma Community College last Saturday, as part of the Spring Meet. Kurt Laidlaw, our Assistant Superintendent, was in charge of planning the Spring Meet event and put together a fine list of clinics and presenters. We had several first time participants and very positive comments, especially from those attending the “Hands On” clinic (building laser cut structures). Many of the presentations focused on operations for layouts and we can expect to see more layouts use prototype methods in operating sessions.

Thanks to all who shared their experience and knowledge to help us enjoy this special part of model railroading.

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2016 4D Election Results

Al Lowe

On May 8, 2016 at 1:30 p.m., the 4D Ballot Committee (Bill Messecar, Burr Stewart and Al Lowe) met at Al’s home. We confirmed that each ballot received was from a valid 4D member in good standing, remained sealed until we took possession, and was submitted to us before the May 1 deadline.

The results of our count are:

Total Ballots                 143
Invalid Ballots                  0

Superintendent:
Russ Segner                  139
Write-in votes                  0

Board of Directors:
David Yadock                74
Scott Taylor                   69

Congratulations to Russ and David and our thanks to Scott and all of our 4D members who took the time and spent the effort to exercise their voting privilege.

Respectfully submitted and attested to by:
Al Lowe
William Messecar
Burr Stewart

Return your 4D Ballot

Al Lowe

You should have received in the U.S. mail your ballot for the 4D’s current election. Before you forget, vote and then follow the instructions on the ballot to return it to your Elections Committee.

We’ve received many ballots already, but we want your vote, too!

The deadline is May 1.

A Welcome to New Members, Many Activities in the 4D Including Spring Meet in May

Cliff Green, Grab Iron Editor

Welcome, new 4th Division (PNR) NMRA members (or former members recently renewed)! An e-mail notification is sent out to all subscribers every time a new Grab Iron post is made, so this may be one of the first messages you see from our Division. Our 4D web site has clinic info, modular group info, an events calendar, some excellent model train photos, and many pages of other related info as well as all of our Grab Iron posts – click here to navigate to the front page.

The 4th Division Spring Meet is on May 14th at Tacoma Community College, and there are three tracks of great clinics presented by multiple well known (and very skilled) 4D members. The clinic info is complete and up to date – click here to view. Lunch is included (if registered by May 1st) – click here to register and reserve a lunch.

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Ross Tabor Passes

Rob Staples

Ross Tabor, one of the original members of the 4D HO Modular group, has passed. Services will be on Saturday, April 9, at 2 PM at Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave S, Auburn, WA 98001.

His obituary at Cascade Memorial:

Ross Tabor was born on May 4, 1930 and passed away on April 2, 2016 in Des Moines, Washington. He is survived by his loving wife, family, and friends. He is and will be dearly missed.

New Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum – New Name, Owners, and Website

By Andrew Fickes

Mt. Rainier Railroad offers guests an improved experience from start to finish!

When children and their parents arrive to Elbe this spring and summer to ride the train and learn about the history of steam locomotives and logging, their experience might look and feel a little bit different – but in a good way.

Mt_Rainier_RR

Earlier this year, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum rebranded and changed its name to Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. With the change has come the commitment to reinvest an approximate $300,000 in capital improvements in this year alone, and a 40 percent increase in payroll, meaning an additional seven paid staff and in peak season, an additional 10 part-time staff. Over the next three years payroll will double.

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Tell Your Model Train or Railroad Story

Cliff Green, Grab Iron Editor

If you’re a new 4th Division (PNR) NMRA member (or a former member that has recently renewed), welcome! Every time a new Grab Iron post is made, e-mail notifications are sent out to those on the notification list. We have a lot of information and some great model train photos on the 4D web site (including all Grab Iron posts) – click here to navigate to the front page.

Photo by Cliff Green

Ron Hopkins On30 layout, under construction with mock-up buildings, in Edmonds, WA.

My job as Grab Iron editor is to publicize info relating to model and prototype railroading in the 4th Division and surrounding areas. I get paid well for this. Not in money (definitely not, hah!), but in the hobby relationships I’ve made and in the personal satisfaction of helping this organization. And I’m guessing that every 4D volunteer would say something similar.

But I don’t produce the content for the Grab Iron and the 4D web site – the articles and posts and web page content (mostly) come from other people. I may organize and edit and manage it, but I don’t originate it. For that I rely on our 4D members and Grab Iron subscribers.

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4D Election Coming – Nominees Wanted

Russ Segner

Per the 4D Bylaws, I have appointed a Nominating Committee which is now soliciting members interested in serving two two-year terms commencing this fall. One position is Superintendent, now held by me (Russ Segner). The other position is Director, now held by David Yadock. Both of us have already agreed to run for re-election.

You are encouraged to also submit other names for each position. You may nominate yourself or any other 4D member in good standing. Names must be received by the Nominating Committee prior to March 1st. The Nominating Committee will prepare the list of nominees for a ballot to be distributed in March.

Send nominations to Al Lowe, Nominating Committee Chair.