Category: News

This is a reminder that this month’s Eastside Clinic will feature an opportunity to share our memories of JJ Johnston. I will share some pictures of JJ in railfanning and some memories of time together with him. I am sure many of us have things to share.

Doug Oldenburg will be posting the link to the meeting soon to all on our list. If you are not on the list and want to be included, contact Doug at douglas.oldenburg@yahoo.com

Russ Segner

We meet again online June 15 at 7PM.

Our meeting will feature A discussion on benchwork ideas and practices designed to encourage us all to build better and more quickly. Bring your experiences and suggestions to share, including some photos.

We will start, however with “A time to remember JJ Johnston, one of our best”. Take some time to remember and relate to us some of your memories of JJ. The family has not yet announced plans for a formal Celebration of JJ. That information will be shared as soon as it is available.

If you are not on our list to receive the link to the meeting, contact me at russseg@gmail.com.

Russ

Dan Peters

Just a reminder to you, that the annual meeting of the Hi-Railers will take place on Saturday June 17th, 2023. For this special event, all NMRA members are also invited, to participate in the Special Event Steam Train Ride to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Northern Pacific. Northern Pacific steam engine 924 only runs three to five weekends a year, and we have scheduled our event to take part in this rare treat.

The Northern Pacific calls itself the second transcontinental railroad, and the first Northern transcontinental. It started service to Tacoma in 1873 using borrowed tracks through Oregon, but it didn’t complete its own main line until 1883.

Steam engine Northern Pacific 924 was built in 1899, for work on the waterfront yard in Duluth MN. It later moved to the Puget Sound area, where it worked the yards around Tacoma and Seattle until 1923. Sold to Inland Empire Paper Co, it continued working until retired in 1960. After rusting away in a park, it was completely restored from 2015 to 2021 by Northwest Railway Museum, where it now serves as “The Pride Of The Fleet.”

Our special excursion has some special rules, so that we can enjoy the sights and sounds of a Steam Engine in action, while the Northwest Railway Museum does not offer “reserved seating” on their trains.

We will depart from the station at the Railway History Center (RHC) yard on Stone Quarry Road at 10:00 a.m. This station is not on the public timetable, only the employee timetable; but it will permit us to take our seats in SP&S coach 213 right behind the steam engine, before the public boards at North Bend. There is no ticket agent at the RHC station, so it is imperative that you buy your ticket in advance at the trainmuseum.org web site. ( Refer to the “Grab Iron” post of April 18th.) Print out your ticket in advance or save it to your phone, the train conductor will “punch your ticket” when you board.

There is parking in the lot adjacent to the yard tracks. Overflow parking is on the shoulder on the north side of Stone Quarry Road – the shoulder is narrow, so take care not to obstruct traffic – or in front of the landscaping business to the west of the yard – they’re closed on Saturday, but still don’t block their driveways.

Remember from the 19th Century, when “the trains run on time?” Don’t be late. There’s plenty to see before departure. The engine crew starts firing up the steam engine at 6:30 a.m., and starts switching the passenger train around 9:00. Remember “Safety First” — keep off the tracks, keep your eyes open, and watch your kids. Our train ride will conclude around 11:35, followed by our picnic in the picnic grove, extended tours of the Train Shed Museum building, a short business meeting, train watching, and photography of steam run-bys until 5:00 p.m. There is no food service nearby the museum, so bring your lunch. As usual on railroad property, Rule G is in effect.

A final word to anybody who feels the urge to run, build, or work on “real” trains. The museum is always looking for volunteers, both on the train crew and the Restoration Workshop. Contact Emily B, the volunteer coordinator, for information or to sign up at Emily@TrainMuseum.org or 425-888-3030x7203

Russ Segner

JJ Johnston passed away on Friday, May 26 at his home in Bellevue with his wife, Patt, at his bedside. JJ was a friend to many of us in the Fourth Division, a leader and fine model builder. He served many years as the leader of the Eastside Clinic and built it into one of our best attended. He was honored in 2011 with our Golden Grab Iron Award. He had a high regard and respect for his fellow modelers, many of whom became valued friends over the years.

We will remember his great smile, sense of humor and positive attitude. I never heard a cross word from him. We also remember his fine HO layout, The Puget Sound Iron Goat Railway. It was covered with detailed structures and humorous scenes, many of which told a story of their own. He was author of several articles in the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, had a cover on the Model Railroad Craftsman magazine and a DVD of his layout done by Trackside Model Railroading.

JJ was well known and respected for his work for over 30 years as a real estate professional. JJ was active as an instructor for the Association of Realtors and a member of the Master Builders. He handled the sale and acquisition of our homes twice for my wife, Susan, and me. He brokered several real estate investments for us as well.

He was a valued friend and good companion as we traveled together to model railroad conventions, especially to Colorado as I tried to lure him into narrow gauge.

He is missed.

Al Lowe has a short video tour of JJ’s layout on his YouTube channel here:

Most of you know JJ Johnston who led our Eastside Clinic for many years. JJ is now home in hospice care due to some long-standing health issues. Let’s send him some cards. If you don’t have his address, let me know.

Russ Segner
206 200 2211
russseg@gmail.com

There will not be a session this month. Instead, I am urging all 4D members to take a look at some of the recorded sessions from Off the Beaten Track, especially the May 9 session. That session included a presentation on DCC by George Bogatiuk of SoundTraxx. George is extremely helpful in understanding how DCC works, especially the CV’s.

Here is the link:
Click here to view our most recent sessions. This link will take you to a New YouTube channel “Narrow Gauge Off the Beaten Track”. There are clinics, vendors and layouts to view.

Our next Eastside session will be a discussion of benchwork; Basics like L Girder, Modules, Track height, Helixes, Support for backdrops, etc.

If you want to participate in our Eastside session, be sure you are on our email list by contacting Doug Oldenburg at douglas.oldenburg@yahoo.com

Russ Segner, russseg@gmail.com

Al Lowe

The results are in and, no surprise, all three of our 2023 candidates won!

So congratulations to Assistant Superintendent Bob Kenworthy and Board of Directors members Lee Marsh and Dennis Terpstra.

We had a 23% voting rate; not bad, considering that no one ran opposed.