You are browsing archives for
News from the monthly Tacoma Clinic
MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time and welcomed all, 41 modelers including one newcomer who models Great Northern.
It was announced that the 4D spring meet would be on May 14 at TCC (Tacoma Community College). Click here to register for the meet. The Northwest Railway Museum is starting operations on April 2 with Ken Liesse as engineer. The trains will stop at the train shed so passengers can view the equipment.
Due to the fact that I had a number of things going on this report is very late and short. MMR Gene Swanson opened the first clinic of the year on time; we had no first timers. An announcement was made about the science center show which by now is behind us. Mid-winter rail, a multimedia show will be held in Corvallis, OR on March 19th and is about 1:1 railroading. Paul Vaughn completed his 50th year as a NMRA member.
MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic and welcomed the 38 attendees including newcomer Richard who said he models in all scales. Gene also thanked all the Vets in our group for serving. Leo presented Helen McGovern from the Emergency Food Network with a $1760.00 check from donations which our group collected since last November. Helen explained that the money is being used to pay for Break Bags which are given to low income families to provide food for them for weekends and school holidays.
Scratch built weed control train by Kevin Klettke
Model of the Month Winner
Under announcements it was stated that a long time clinic attendee and great modeler Tony Bentley passed away. Tony’s excellent models were never weathered because Tony did not believe in it. Kurt Laidlaw stated that the Spring Meet would be in May 2016 possibly in Everett. Jack Hamilton announced that he inherited 2000 car bodies to be used in clinics. Wayne Miller mentioned that the Clinic Layout book was up front to be looked at. Anyone willing to have his layout included in the book please bring a description and photos. Wayne also said that his 4′ x 9′ layout will be given away to someone that wants to give it a good home. Our video librarian Mike Shaw reported that the Video library is going away and the Videos and VHS tapes will be given away or sold.
I opened the clinic as guest moderator since MMR Gene Swanson was not available due to an operation. We had 36 attendees with one newcomer Rachel who stated that she was modeling in Z scale. Dale Kraus, Rick Bacon, and I made an announcement that books, magazines, and modeling material are available on the back tables for the taking.
Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s New at the Hobby Shop” which included items such as tank cars, a SW1 switcher, N scale hoppers, and a GP9 A and B from Walthers, Microtrains, and Athearn Genesis.
MMR Gene Swanson opened our first clinic after the summer break and welcomed all. We had 34 modelers including one newcomer in attendance. Gene announced that Bill Sandstrom is Tacoma Trains new owner and we wish him well in his new endeavor. Bill brought in several “thank you” letters from kids that received a gift certificate from Tacoma Trains. These certificates are funded by donations from Tacoma Clinic attendees that visit Tacoma Trains for purchases. The certificates are given out to kids that have an interest in model trains but have limited funds to pursue the hobby. Bill Sandstrom presented new arrivals at the store that included a Walthers power and light building kit, a ready-to-use depot from Woodlands Scenics that comes in all scales, some coal cars from Atlas, and a 4-pack of grain cars from Micro-Trains.
Editors note: The date of Walt Huston’s open house has been corrected to May 23rd.
Al Babinsky moderated the clinic since MMR Gene Swanson was unable to attend (he was bringing his wife home from the hospital). We had 45 modelers attending with no newcomers at this time. Walt Huston announced that he was having an open house of his layout on Saturday May 23rd, and invited anyone that was interested to come out and visit. Jim Sabol made a couple of announcements on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and the future of the passenger service along the Prairie line. The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad will have its shop facilities at Mineral open for visitors and the owner will move his 7.5” railroad to Mineral in the near future. The Freighthouse Square Sounder Station will be expanded to accommodate the Amtrak Coast Starlight as well as the Amtrak Cascades and the line will go through Lakewood and connect to the mainline near Olympia.
“What’s New at the Hobby Shop” was presented by Bill Sandstrom for Tacoma Trains hobby shop which included a number of scenic items from Woodland Scenics, one of which was a burning structure. A firetruck and its crew could be used to make a scene of extinguishing the structure fire. A set of N scale weathered hopper cars, an Athearn Genesis locomotive, and a set of ON30 wood-sided dump cars from Bachmann completed Bill’s announcements.
In the “Model of the Month” category Chris Clancy had a couple of GE UC33Cs and weathered freight cars, some of which he purchased at an antique store. Paul Vaughn brought one of his HO to Sn3 conversions which always looks great. Tyler Wickham modified a Blair Line Pizzeria kit into a tavern called Drunken Clam which sported a Miller Engineering animated sign proclaiming the Drunken Clam. MMR Dale Kraus brought a European box car that he shortened so it could be used on his narrow gauge line. Jim Clower brought a couple of Oriental Import hopper cars. Ken Levine brought a box car and B&O passenger car kit that he purchased at a swap meet, adding weathering, metal wheels, and Kadee couplers. The “Model of the Month” winner was Tyler Wickham with his Drunken Clam tavern.
Our clinic for this month was given by Steve Carter on operating train order boards. These train order boards are going to be used in eight locations on the PSMRE layout. The train order board (signal) is from Tomar, the control board, servo motors and linkage are from several manufacturers including the radio controlled airplane world. At this time one train order board is installed on the layout at the Kanasket station and is operational with computer control. The signals will eventually be controlled by the dispatcher with a control panel.
Next month’s clinic will be on May 14th at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin Bldg. on the corner of 112th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM. Hope to see all of you there. The clinic for May will be given by Mike Shaw on the use of Fast Track jigs when building switches and crossings.
Master Model Railroader Gene Swanson started the clinic on time with 46 modelers present including several new attendees. Gene started a discussion about the rules pertaining to the use of the Library facilities. Since this is a public facility we cannot stop anyone from attending because he is not a member of NMRA. They also do not allow solicitations of any kind which we feel that we are not doing. We collect donations for our refreshments and for the food network which are entirely voluntary. Our PNR president and several clinic members will talk with the Library staff and explain our position which we feel do not violate their rules.
Several announcements were made concerning upcoming events:
“What’s New at the Hobby Shop” was presented by Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains & Hobbies and had only a few items: beer cars from Atlas, Milwaukee boxcar from Athearn, reefers from Roundhouse and N scale cars from Microtrains.
The “Model of the Month” contest included the following: Chris brought in a EMD SD38 that he obtained and weathered it heavily along with a set of gondolas and the loads for them consisting chunks of a rusted metal can as a scrap metal load, an item from a dishwasher that looked like a tank, a load of granite blocks that used to be tiles for a counter and a load of black and grey rocks to represent broken up asphalt and concrete. Tyler brought a barge that had a load of vehicles and a tug boat and vehicle that were part of the clinic. Walt brought a pair of weathered gondolas that carried a pipe load. Gene presented a Labelle 3-in-1 kit of a vegetable reefer that he hand painted. Dave brought a water tank kit for a town on his layout and Scott brought three ACF 3650 hoppers, two of which were shortened and equipped with discharge shuts that were 3D printed. The winner of the “Model of the Month” was Scott Taylor.
Scott Taylor’s modified hoppers with 3D printed discharge gates, the Model Of the Month winner.
The clinic for this month was on weathering vehicles and was given by Jim Sabol, Dale Kraus, Walt Huston and Tyler Whitcomb. Each had his version on weathering and the basic thread was using alcohol or water to create a wash with weathering powders or acrylic paints. The hand-out was prepared by Mike Shaw and had photos to accompany the text. All in all an excellent clinic with very useful information.
Next month’s clinic will be on April 9th at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg., the corner of Waller Road and 112th Street. Our clinician will be Steve Carter and he will talk about operating train order boards which he is building for PSMRE.
Chris Clancey’s SD-38 and gondola loads
Coors Brewing Company track plan
Dave Faucett’s D&D shops water tower kit
Gene Swanson’s hand painted LaBelle reefer kit
Tyler Whitcomb barge and tug boat with vehicle load
Walt Huston’s gondolas with pipe load
MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time with 45 modelers in attendance including 4 first timers – Molly Faucett, Randy who models European equipment, Budd who graduated from N and HO to G scale, and Larry Sloan who models BN from 1970-95.
Ed Liesse announced that the NMRA national election ballots are in the latest NMRA magazine. Please vote, especially now since one of our division members is running for president. He also mentioned that the 4D elections are coming up for a director and assistant superintendent position. Scott Taylor mentioned that a plastic model show was being held at the Museum of Flight and a future model show in Kent (editors note: The Museum of Flight models are from the Northwest Scale Modelers club).
Bill Sandstrom representing Tacoma Trains & Hobbies presented “What’s new at the Hobby Shop”. His first item was that Tacoma Trains is not closing as has been rumored, but that George Bourcier is planning on retiring and is looking for a buyer. As for the new items, there are books on BN and on DCC, Microtrains has a Z scale NP passenger set and HO boxcars, Foxhall a transfer caboose, Walthers a HO express boxcar, and Lionel a SP flatcar with trailer.
Bud Thompson is looking for volunteers to help with building and installing an NP railroad display in the Foss Maritime Seaport along with building 3 G scale modules for an interactive display.
“Model of the Month” items were brought by Chris Clancy, showing a DCC ready EMD CF-7 which he renamed for his railroad. Chris also brought a Bachmann boxcar, a TNW boxcar, RG boxcar and a Milwaukee Road transfer caboose, all of them heavily weathered. Walt Huston brought an SD80Mac renamed and numbered for his railroad. Dennis Reeves showed scratch built N scale signals in various stages of progression and a Woodland Scenics building kit. The building kit came non-painted and was very hard to paint after it was built. Gene Swanson brought a Red Ball billboard refrigerator car with cardboard sides and metal ends. John brought a NW mill gondola with steel load made from windshield wiper arms. Dave Faucett brought a Jacks Cabin water tower. Jim Flowers brought a ballast dump car and fire car with high speed tender trucks. Chip Van Gilder showed a self-designed 3D printed locomotive body and an exploded view of the Monroe station ready for 3D printing.
The winner of “Model of the Month” was Jim Clowers with his ballast dump car and the fire car.
Jim Clower’s ballast spreader and fire car, Model of the Month winner
For the “Tip of the Month” Al Babinsky showed a reel of LED light strip to be used for interior lighting in passenger cars or buildings. The LED strip is 5 meters long / 60 LEDs per meter / 12 volts and is waterproof. Al uses them primarily on cars to light up the underside with different color lighting. It is self-adhesive and can be cut at about 6 inch intervals. There are a number of manufacturers and the best way to order is through E-Bay or Amazon.
The clinic for February was given by Al Babinsky and was about converting an analog layout to DCC. This is achieved by installing a double pole double throw switch and, if loops are present, reversing modules. The installation of the switch allows the layout to be operated in DCC or analog mode.
Next month’s clinic will be given by Jim Sabol on weathering vehicles. The clinic will be on the 12th of March at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. on the corner of 112th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM. Hope to see you there.
Chris Clancy’s CF-7 and cars
Walt Huston’s SD80MAC
Gene Swanson’s Red Ball billboard refrigerator car
Dennis Reeves’s N scale scratch built signals
Dave Faucett’s Jacks Cabin watertank
Dennis Reeves’s Woodland Scenic painted building
John’s NW millgons with steel load
At the Tacoma Clinic on Thursday, January 8th, 4D Secretary Bill Messecar was presented with Master Model Railroader #543. Presenting Bill with this honor were PNR President Michael Highsmith, PNR Past President Walt Huston, 4D Superintendent Russ Segner, NMRA Director Jack Hamilton and members of the evaluation team, Roger Nulton, Ed Liesse and Ken Liesse.
Bill Messecar receives congratulations from Michael Highsmith, Walt Huston and Russ Segner.
Bill earned certificates for Author, Scenery, Structures, Volunteer, Dispatcher, Cars, and Prototype Model. Bill models the Santa Fe railroad in Southern California, and those who have seen his HO layout are always amazed at the detail, especially the oranges in their shipping crates. Bill has written several books and articles on modeling the Santa Fe and is active in the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society. His layout has appeared on 4D tours several times. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, make sure you watch for his layout to be on tour.
From the NMRA Achievement Program website: “The Achievement Program is a system of requirements for demonstrating a superior level of skill in various aspects of our hobby. It covers not only building various types of models, but also building other things which are important to the hobby, such as scenery, structures, track work, and wiring. It also recognizes service to the hobby and the NMRA, which are important as well. Use the links on the right to explore the different certificates and requirements.”
“An NMRA member qualifies as a Master Model Railroader when he or she has obtained at least seven of the eleven Achievement Certificates provided that he or she has earned at least one Achievement Certificate in each of the four areas of the Regulations. Earning the title of Master Model Railroader is the ultimate goal for many participants in the Achievement Program.”
The first clinic of the year was started on time as usual by MMR Gene Swanson with 44 modelers in attendance. We had two newcomers, one modeling the Santa Fe in HO and the other hoping to model in N scale. Several announcements were made, including a model show at the Museum of Flight (MOF), the online magazine Trackside Model Railroading (TSMRR), featuring several layouts of Tacoma Clinic members, the Sn3 scale symposium, the 2015 NMRA National Convention in Portland, OR, and the 2015 Pacific Science Center Train Show, hosted by the 4th Division. Gene mentioned that our March clinician Steve Young was very ill and had to abandon his live steam 4-8-4 Northern project.
Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s in the Hobby Shop”: an F 45 from Atlas, an FT45 from Arnold, a mechanical reefer, tank train, N scale GP-15 and U-25 from Atlas. Bluford Shops has hoppers, boxcars, and a transfer caboose and Micro Trains sells a Z scale NP passenger set and Kato with UP 844 and 7 car UP passenger set.
“Model of the Month” had several entrants including Chris Clancy with a rail tie load for a gondola, a Green bay and Western gondola and a 0-6-0 tank locomotive. Chip Van Gilder brought several 3D printed items, a cider mill, an S scale steam locomotive roof, and hopper flow gates. Kevin Klettke brought a kit bashed wood chip barge. Dale Kraus brought two weathered German railroad gondolas draw-barred to operate as one (matching the prototype). Walt Huston brought background photos for his layout. The “Model of the Month” winner was Kevin Klettke with his wood chip barge.
Our clinic for this month was presented by Steve Cox, the owner of Cascade Rail Supply, featuring roadbed materials and construction. His PowerPoint presentation covered the pros and cons of various types of available roadbed. Most roadbeds, such as cork, have the wrong angle of 45 degrees versus the proper angle of 30 degrees. He showed samples of the types of Homasote roadbed that he manufactures in all the common scales. Homasote seems to be the best product around since it is solid and holds spikes. Note that cutting and sanding Homasote creates large amounts of dust and manufactured roadbed avoids this irritation. It was an informative, well-done, great clinic.
Next month’s clinic will be on February 12th at our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112th Street and Waller road at 7:30 PM. The February clinic will cover “Analog and DCC at the Same Time”. Hope to see all of you there and bring a friend, significant other or any one that is into modeling.
Chip’s 3D Printing Projects. Photo by Chip.
Kevin Klettke’s Wood Chip Barge, Model of the Month Winner. Photo by Chip.
Dale Kraus’ German Gondola Unit Train. Photo by Chip.
Walt Huston’s Layout Back Drop Pictures. Photo by Chip.
Chris Clancy’s 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive. Photo by Chip.