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PSC Show A Great Success – Thank You To All The Volunteers

Article & Photos By Russ Segner

The Pacific Science Center Show last weekend was a great success.  It was attended by 13,948 paid visitors and was our largest crowd in seven years.  The credit for this belongs to the following groups and individuals:

Lisa Murray handled much of the organizing of volunteers and paperwork needed to keep things running. This was in addition to her being an active participant with the HO modular group.  Her son, Aidan, was also there as an operator. Lisa also chairs the Seattle North Clinic.

The staff at Pacific Science Center was excellent and were able to respond quickly to some of the last minute adjustments that always occur with such a large show.

The 4D Hi-Railers, led by Ed Ives, were set up right inside the Denny Way entrance with a 14’ x 20‘ configuration. Club participants included:

Wayne Grinnell
Ed Ives
Jack Klapwyk
Woody Mathews
Ed Pennington
Dan Peters
Gordon Sandell

The 4D N-Trak layout, led by Al Lowe, was set up in the Ackerley building. Per Al: “We staged an 1,800 square foot layout, which was set up in the allotted four hours and removed from the building in 61 minutes. Between which, we ran dozens of trains, did a lot of switching, and discussed model railroading with hundreds of guests. All in all, yet another good showing for our club, the Division, and the NMRA.” Participants included:

Neill Clift
Stephen Clift
Dave Cook
Mike Donnelly
Thomas Dye
Edwin Hill
Kyle Ilk
Kurt Laidlaw
Al Lowe
Dennis Terpstra
Bud Thompson
Cole van Gerpen

The 4D HO Modular group,led by Mike Slease, was also set up in the Ackerly building with a 24’ x  28’ layout. The layout featured its well-known video camera car, which drew a large crowd around the TV monitor.  Members participating included:

Gordon Crawford
Norm Curtis
Bruce Davis
Lou Davis
Paul Fischler
Brian Pickering
James Monroe
Aidan Murray
Ian Murray
Lisa Murray
Joel Scott
Mike Slease
Larry Sloan
Rob Staples

Thirteen other individual displays were involved in the show:

  • A Northwest Railway Museum booth was set up by Emily Boersma. She was assisted by several volunteers: Peggy Barchi, Jim Hale, Pete Kirchgessner, Michael Ledingham, Dennis Snook, and Harry T.
  • Bill Harper brought his interactive HO switching puzzle which challenged visitors (and volunteers) both young and old.
  • Mike Pettruzzelli had two operating N scale layouts on display.  He was assisted by Jeff Weinstock and Caleb Wright.
  • Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction involved in building a module.
  • Operation Lifesaver had an info booth manned by volunteers Weylin Doyle, Carol Kachadoorian, Alan Nelson, Brian Sims, Mike Turcott, and Martin Young throughout the weekend.
  • Bob Stafford brought his N scale industrial layout depicting some of the switching involved at Boeing in Everett. His interactive display drew quite a crowd.
  • Russ Segner’s On30 display was also popular with little operators and had visitors queued up waiting their turns all day.
  • The 4D/PNR/NMRA Booth was manned by John Owens.  He almost ran out of magazines and literature.
  • Baby Gramps was there along with Doreen to display his intricate and fanciful dioramas. They were assisted by Kevin Buster and Frances Wolfe.
  • Dan Kellogg had an excellent display and demonstration of techniques in modeling water features.
  • Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module complete with track work and wiring.
  • Larry Sloan built and demonstrated a very effective display demonstrating the application of DCC systems.
  • The vendor, Ravensburger, brought loads of Brio and wooden trains for the little ones to explore throughout the busy weekend.

Several volunteers helped in the loading in Friday night and loading out Monday evening.  They also assisted the many exhibitors with rest and lunch breaks. Volunteers included:

Dave Enger
Anton Faulk
Fred Hamilton
Eldon Jacobson
Aidan Murray
Ian Murray
Paul OldenKamp
Burr Stewart
John Thompson
Dave Woodrell
David Yadock

All in all, it was an extremely successful event.

Russ

Day Out With Thomas Returns to Snoqualmie in July, Tickets on Sale March 6th

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

Thomas The Tank Engine™ To Visit Snoqualmie, WA on July 14-16 and July 21-23!

Thomas the Tank Engine at the Northwest Railway Museum

All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to join him for a day of friendship and family fun at “Day Out with Thomas: The Friendship Tour 2017”. Children everywhere can spend the day with their friend Thomas when the #1 Engine pulls into the Northwest Railway Museum on July 14-16 and July 21-23. “Day Out with Thomas: The Friendship Tour 2017” is presented by Mattel.

This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities. The tour, now in its 22nd year, will make 42 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2017.

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Northwest Railway Museum Rides Begin on April 1

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

It’s no joke – Northwest Railway Museum train rides begin on April 1st!

Excursion train ready to depart at the NW Railway Museum depot in Snoqualmie, WA.

It’s “Not Just A Train Ride” at the Northwest Railway Museum this train season! Beginning on the weekend of April 1-2, visitors can explore more of the Museum’s collection as most train excursions will include a stop at the Train Shed exhibit building in 2017. With a call of “All aboard!” Northwest Railway Museum visitors can step back in time and experience rail travel as it used to be aboard historic railway cars. The train excursions give visitors a glimpse back in time to discover how railroads influenced settlement and everyday life in Washington State.

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Northern Pacific Parlor Car 1799 Move and Restoration

Richard Anderson, Executive Director, Northwest Railway Museum

Note from Kent Sullivan: Hello regional NMRA friends, I am helping Richard Anderson of the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie to get the word out about saving this amazing all-wood Northern Pacific passenger car. It is rare in the extreme to find one in such complete condition. The issue is a chunk of money needs to be raised quickly in order to move it very soon, before the property owners condemn and destroy it. (It’s horrible to consider this happening but that’s exactly what is in store for the car in a couple of months.) The total cost to rehabilitate this car, if it can be moved soon, is projected to be far less than the typical restoration these days, due its superior overall condition.

Please, if you can donate to help raise the first chunk of money, contact Richard. His contact info is at the bottom of this posting. And, please forward this posting to anyone you know who might have an interest in helping – NP enthusiast or otherwise. The link is https://4dpnr.com/northern-pacific-parlor-car-1799-move-and-restoration/. Merry Christmas.

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Special Victorian Santa Train Offered in 2016 at the Northwest Railway Museum

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

New for 2016 – Victorian Santa Train on Friday, December 16

Step back in time and enjoy the ambiance of the historic 1890 Snoqualmie Depot with a special visit with St. Nick himself.

This year for the first time, the Friday, December 16th Santa Train will be a Victorian Santa Train complete with a 19th Century Father Christmas to greet children and their families!

Victorian St. Nick at the Northwest Railway Museum

Victorian St. Nick at the Northwest Railway Museum

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All Aboard the Halloween Train at the Northwest Railway Museum

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

All Aboard the Halloween Train (Oct. 22-23) & Halloween Storytelling Train (Oct. 29-30)

Hands-on cider pressing as part of the Halloween Train event at the Northwest Railway Museum

Hands-on cider pressing as part of the Halloween Train event at the Northwest Railway Museum

This Halloween season, guests to the Northwest Railway Museum can choose between two Halloween Train experiences! On the weekend of Oct 22-23, steam train excursions include cider pressing demonstrations, treats for kids, hot cider to ward off the chill, and the full train ride which includes a visit to the Train Shed Exhibit building and the view from the top of Snoqualmie Falls.

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NWRM Railway Education Center Dedication on Sat Oct 8

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

The dedication for the Northwest Railway Museum’s new Railway Education Center building is Saturday, October 8. The ribbon cutting will be held in conjunction with the 11:00 AM train excursion. This train will take guests to the dedication ceremony on the Railway History Campus, and following tours of the new building and the Train Shed Exhibit Building, passengers will ride to the top of Snoqualmie Falls before returning to the historic Snoqualmie Depot. During the special dedication train, guests will enjoy music by members of local band “Tinkham Road.” Light refreshments will be served as well. Passengers riding during other train ride times on October 8 will also have an opportunity to visit the new building.

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NW Railway Museum Hosts Grandparents Grand Excursion on Sep 10 and 11

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

A reminder – the last full weekend of steam train rides for the summer season is upon us. On Labor Day weekend, the steam train will run on all three days, Saturday through Monday, September 3rd through 5th. Click here to view the previous Grab Iron post.

Special Weekend Event Pays Tribute to National Grandparents Day

Celebrate grandma and grandpa on National Grandparent’s Day, September 11! It’s the perfect weekend to take the grands for a ride aboard the Northwest Railway Museum’s antique train. On both September 10 and 11, a grandparent rides free when accompanied by a paying grandchild – of any age! Listen to the stories and share the memories of your family members. Enjoy a day together and experience the scenic beauty of the Cascade foothills aboard the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad.

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Eastside Get-Together North Branch Clinic September 15th

By Alex Brikoff

We have a reserved room through June 2017 for the Eastside Get-Together North Branch Clinic at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center located at 16600 NE 80th Street in Redmond, WA. The clinics will be held on the third Thursday of every month with the first clinic being held on September 15 starting at 6:45 PM. Click here for clinic times and location, including a map.

Our first Clinic will be presented by Richard Anderson, executive director of the Northwest Railway Museum. He will be giving a presentation about all the current activities going on at the museum. Those activities include the construction of the new Railway Education Center, the restoration progress of the Chapel Car “Messenger of Peace” and its anticipated completion and dedication later this year. There will also be an update on the steam locomotive restoration program and the many other programs currently underway at the Museum.

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Special Labor Day Steam at the NW Railway Museum, Santa Tickets on Sale

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

A reminder – Snoqualmie Railroad Days is coming soon (19th thru 21st), click here to see the previous Grab Iron post.

Take it Easy and Ride the Steam Train this Labor Day!

The Northwest Railway Museum pays tribute to America’s workers this Labor Day with a special weekday steam train run of the Museum’s antique train on Monday, September 5th (as well as all of Labor Day weekend.) This is in addition to the railroad’s usual weekend steam train schedule. The Northwest Railway Museum offers scenic train excursions through the Cascade foothills of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, including a ride past the top of Snoqualmie Falls and a splendid view of the valley below.

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