Category: Tacoma Clinic

Al Babinsky, Photo by Skip

Dirty Santa, MMR Gene Swanson, opened the clinic and greeted the normal crowd of 38 modelers. Due to the scheduled activities most of the normally scheduled items were cancelled. We did pass the cans and had our Bring and Brag (model of the month) there were a number of nice models and for the first and only time we had prizes for the first three places.

Walt Huston brought a long N scale auto boxcar and a bay window caboose. Gene Swanson a LaBelle kit old time gondola, Dale Kraus a ready to run 0-6-0 from Bachmann that was kit bashed into a 0-6-0T. Jim Murrey brought a building flat, John Pritzlaff Hardware Co made from DPM brick modules, the building flat is part of his Milwaukee Road passenger station scene. John Miller had 4 hoppers two those Varney models and a pull toy.

The model of the month winners was; Jim Murrey 1^st place, Gene Swanson 2^nd place, and Walt Huston 3^rd place. After that we started our buffet consisting of croisanwiches, noodle salad, veggie and salami and cheese trays and for desert cake, pie and ice cream.

With all hands filled up, we started Dirty Santa and the first name drawn picked a Milwaukee Road jigsaw puzzle with NYC key and a $20.00 dollar bill attached, which was promptly stolen by Bob Ayers who in turn lost it to Jim Murrey. Scott Taylor pick a HO car with $20.00 gift certificate attached which was stolen by Gene Swanson and Skip stole it from him. A digital caliper and screw driver was stolen from Dave by Diane Kraus. Scott Taylor had to give up his present 5 times. As the first person to draw is allowed and the end to steal from all present he choose to reclaim the Milwaukee Road Puzzle.

We closed our clinic with a door prize drawing which had a number of gift certificates, calendars, models, and books.

Dave Liesse entertained us with his keyboard during the buffet and the accompanied the clinic crew while they sang “we wish you a Merry Christmas” at the conclusion of the clinic.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope to see you all at our next clinic January 10^th at our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road. The clinic will on Plaster less cloth shell scenery given by Jim Sabol. Hope to see you all there.

Building flat 1st Place, Long and short 3nd place, LaBelle old time gondola 2nd place

Al Babinsky / Photo by Chip

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic and asked Leon to come forward to make a presentation. Leon presented the NW Emergency Food Network with a check of $1,250.00 which was collected during the last year of clinics.

An announcement about last Saturdays Boeing swap meet was made. Another announcement concerning a donation can at Tacoma Trains Hobby store was made asking that anyone who stops by to ask for the can and make a donation. These donations are to be used by the Hobby Store owner to help youngsters to buy a model train that they otherwise could not afford.

It was mentioned that Tony Bentley is at Manor Care in Tacoma due to a mishap and would be glad for anyone to stop by.

Next month is Dirty Santa, so don’t forget to bring a wrapped gift marked as to the scale and the price to be at your discretion?

Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains presented what’s new at the Hobby Shop. He had a number of new items from Lionel, Atlas, Micro-Trains and some calendars and books.

Click to enlarge

Model of the Month or as we like to call it, Bring ‘n Brag produced a number of fine models Chris brought a couple of locomotives one with a custom paint job. Scott Croft a kit bashed kit of the Crystal Springs Creamery, Jim Murrey with a building flat of the Milwaukee Road Railroad Express bldg., Dale Kraus a 3 stall engine house for his 760mm narrow gage railroad, Jim Cobb 2 model A trucks, Patrick several hopper cars with loads, and Paul Rising a model of Barnacle Bills Tavern which was the subject of our clinic. The winner was Scott Croft with his creamery.

After the break Paul gave a clinic entitled, “A Case Study in Model Development  and Construction.” The subject was Barnacle Bills Tavern and how it came to be built. The tavern is part of the PSMRE display layout at the Washington State History Museum. The problem was that the building is not there anymore and no pictures exist to our knowledge. Paul was able to find someone that had worked at the tavern and by asking question about the building he was able to come up with a general idea of the building and being an architect was able to convert that information into a plan of the building from which he could construct the model.

An excellent clinic with a couple of great handouts for those who might want to try such an endeavor.

As mentioned next month clinic will be given by Dirty Santa and we hope you can attend and enjoy the evening of fun and food. We will meet at our usual place at the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM.

Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic and welcomed all to the October clinic. Announcements were made for 4D Board of Directors Meeting on November 17^th. November is National Model Railroad Month, the Boeing Model Railroad Club swap meet is on the 2^nd Saturday in November, the 10^th.

We had 35 modelers in attendance; three were newcomers. Bob McDuff is starting modeling in ON30 logging operations, Bill Gillespie and his friend Mike model in N scale.

George Bourcier presented what’s new in the Hobby Shop with books, 0-6-0 sound-equipped switcher from Mantua, and ready to use building from Woodland Scenics in N, HO, and O scale.

The Model of the Month contest had a number of models two of which were Dave Faussett’s entries in the Narrow Gauge Convention model contest. His black smith car won 2nd place and his other entry 3^rd place. Dale Kraus had a substation and 15,000 volt transformers for catenary and a 760 mm scratchbuilt turntable. Scott Groff brought an O scale resin freight house kit slightly modified with individual planks on the loading platform. Jim Murrey had a Milwaukee Road Train shed built from three Walthers kits plus some extra parts; the shed featured scratchbuilt floodlight towers. Paul Vaughn showed some SN3 cars and a HO building converted into S scale. Patrick showed a planted field using corrugated cardboard as rows and green pipe cleaner as plants. Stew showed a 30-year-old work car kit and Walt Houston a 14-car reefer set. Chip had some old passenger cars he picked up at a swap meet that he was going to redo but found out that they were cardboard kits with the sides made of individual cardboard strips. The Model of the Month winner was Scott Groff’s O scale freight house.

The clinic was presented by Paul Vaughn on a three-color signal system originally designed in the 70s and updated for modern use with LEDs. The system was reasonable in cost and easy to build. The information for this system is online here.

Next month’s clinic will be at our usual place in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Rd. at 7:30 PM. The clinic will be presented by Paul Rising on scratch building. We will also present a check to NW Food Network from the donations that we have collected in the past year.

Al Babinsky

In the absence of MMR Gene Swanson, Al Babinsky opened the clinic and welcomed all to the 2012-2013 season. Gene decided that he would rather be in Alaska than doing the clinic but he missed an interesting clinic on how to become a “Sparky.”

Only 24 modelers attended, mostly due to the Narrow Gauge Convention in Seattle. Ed Liesse read a letter from his friend in Alaska concerning Gene’s visit. Mike Shaw gave us some information about the Video Library and obtaining access to the library. Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains presented what’s new at the Hobby Shop which included books and models in the scales from O to Z, including a model of a saw mill from Woodland scenic, almost good enough to qualify for the model of the month.

Speaking of the model of the month, we only had two entries; a couple of GP’s from Walt Houston in N scale and three cabeese to show how weight was installed. Walt Houston won the model of the month.

After the break, Al Babinsky presented a clinic on how to build a DC adjustable power supply. Power supplies are available at reasonable cost, but sometimes the output voltage is not correct, so by building one you can correct that problem. Not everyone is a “sparky” but if you follow the rules and watch out you should not have a problem. The high amperage adjustable regulators have the case as the output which is positive and need a heat sink. Be sure that the case of the regulator has insulation between it and the heat sink and that the screws have an insulating sleeve and washer. The DC power supply is required to use the SPROG II to program and then run the programmed locomotive. In the hand-out it was explained how to get 16V out of a 12v transformer and how to carry the load required without a drop in voltage. The handout will attached to this report so that anyone desiring to build one has the required information.

Next month clinic will be on October 11 at our usual location the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM. Hope to see all of you there. Bring a friend to share in our good time and learn something new.

By Ken Liesse / Photos by Chip Van Gilder

26 hearty souls found their way to the Spanaway branch of the Pierce County Library system for an unusual meeting: it was in a different place on a different night. Due to scheduling conflicts, the clinic had to find another home for the month of June and this is where it ended up. First on the agenda were announcements and there were several. Gene Swanson, MMR, informed the group of a great estate sale he had visited, with lots of tools for sale. Jim Sabol then mentioned that the Greater Olympia Prototype History & Engineering Research Society was having an outing and picnic at the Jensen Antiques Museum near Kapowsin. Jim encouraged anyone interested to attend. (Note: apologies for this info not getting out sooner – the author misplaced the notes from the meeting.)

The Kitsap Live Steamers are back into their normal operating season and can be visited on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month through October. Hours are 10-4.

Supt. Ken Liesse reminded everyone of the upcoming “Spring” Meet in August, to be held at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Issaquah. Details on this event will be coming soon in the Grab Iron and other 4D communication devices. Ken also mentioned that a new N Scale modular group is being sponsored by 4D, called omNi-Rail. (See previous article in the Grab Iron.) Ed Liesse gave a quick follow-up on the PNR convention in Medford and said all who attended seemed to have a good time. 4D had a large presence at the convention, including staff, clinicians and volunteers.

Gene gave a recap of the recently completed Tacoma Layout Tour and said there was a pretty good turnout (the fact that we had the best weather in a long time on that day didn’t hurt). Everyone is looking forward to the next tour. Mike Shaw presented the Video Library, and in the absence of any representatives from Tacoma Trains, there was no “What’s New at the Hobby Shop.”

Herb Buhl officiated the Bring and Brag contest, which was won by Tony Bentley with his model of an HO Office Building and Pump House.  These models are part of a larger lumber yard complex that Tony has been working on. We were all spoiled with the presentation of the models as the library had a high-definition TV in our meeting room.

Since the regularly scheduled clinician (and normal Tacoma scribe) Al Babinsky could not attend due to last minute out of town guests (Germany is way out of town), Gene stepped up and presented a clinic on the Great Northern pool train 459/460 that ran between Seattle and Portland. The model version of the pool train resides at the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers’ layout at the Washington History Museum in Tacoma, but Gene had it stretched out on the table for all to see.

The engines on the train are both Proto 2000 units while the cars in the train are all Walthers kits, with some of the cars being kitbashed. Details set these cars apart from out-of-the box kits, and extras such as grab irons, coupler lift bars, diaphragms, window shades and figures really make a difference. The train consists of nine cars, including a Union Pacific through sleeper. Gene gave a neat tour of the whole thing, pointing out the little things that were done along the way. It was a great clinic.

Summer is here and that means no Tacoma clinics in July or August. Enjoy the hiatus and we’ll see you back in Tacoma on September 13.

by Al Babinsky / Photos by Chip

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time as always with 46 modelers present, there were no newcomers except one old newcomer, Clint Cannon who had not been to a clinic since we moved from TCC. Several announcements were made one of which pertains to next month clinic.

Please note: Next month’s clinic will be on the first Thursday, June 7^th at the Parkland/Spanaway library at Pacific Ave and 138^th St.

The Tacoma clinic layout tour is scheduled for the 12^th of May, and the TNW Swap meet and open house is on May 19 -20. The 4D spring meet is cancelled and will be rescheduled prior to the Narrow Gage convention.

What’s new at the Hobby Shop presented by Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains included items such as T-shirts with various rail road logos, Budd 10-6 sleepers in Amtrak IV scheme, El Capitan cars, Kato double stack runner pack, Microtrains 4 pack, each car for a different rail road, N scale cars from several manufactures, tank cars from Atlas in N and HO scale, and Atlas Trainman freight
cars.

Model of the month featured a set of buildings for background silhouette that were cut in half and slightly kit bashed to form a city block. A kit bashed ON30 Forney that had a swivel tender, an entry from German manufacturer Brekina a fifth wheel rail bus for the Sylter SVG in HO scale, and a purple freight car used for wine transport along with a scratch built passenger car and gondola. The winner of the model of the month was Scott Groff with his kit bashed Forney.

This month clinic was presented by Joe Welsh and was titled “The Art of the Streamliner”. The clinic started with how the Streamliner came about and what went into the various designs of the cars and motive power. The rail roads hired industrial designers like Loewy, Dreyfuss, and Kuhler to design their cars and locomotives. Loewy designed the GG-1 and PRR cars, Henry Dreyfuss designed the 20^th Century Limited along with its Hudson Locomotive, and Otto Kuhler designed for the Milwaukee Road. His design included the FM diesels and the Hiawatha consists. Brooks Stevens designed the California Zephyr 5 dome car train which was to be run in the day time to allow passengers to see the spectacular scenery.

Again next month clinic will be on June 7^th at the Library at 138^th St. and Pacific Ave. at our usual time at 7:30 PM. Hope to see you there, this will be our last clinic until September.

Model of the Month Winner

Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time as always to a great group of modelers including two newcomers. Several announcements were made about upcoming conventions; the 4D Spring met will be in Issaquah, June 3-4. A reminder of the PCR PNR combined convention in Medford, OR. Walt Huston announced that the Tacoma Clinic layout would be in May. The TNW will hold their annual show on May 19-20. The Kitsap live steamers started operating on Saturday the 14^th of April.

What’s new at the hobby shop was presented by Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains with a variety of items from Woodland Scenics, Atlas, Microtrains, and DPM in scales from Z to O.

Doug and Leo sent their cans around for the coffee fund and our food drive. Leo reported that at this point we have collected 561.00 Dollars for the food drive.

Model of the Month Winner

The Model of the Month contest had a number of nice models, a F-7 AB unit with the B unit powered by drive shaft from the A unit, An Athearn Genesis caboose and a 50’ boxcar heavy weathering and graffiti decals, a diorama with a Cornerstone building “Granma B café”, a TNW box car body with TNW logo, German locomotive with  wine vat cars of various designs, a water tank from the Wenatchee Appleyard, and trestle from Micro Engineering that was modified into a curved trestle. The Model of the Month winner was the Watertank.

The clinic for this month was given by Jim Sabol and was titled freight yard design. Jim started out with a section of track that had a siding on a board about four feet long which he called a model rail road layout. After explaining his theory he expanded on paper the design into a very complex design of a freight yard. A great clinic on yard design for operations.

Next month’s clinic will be May 10 at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Rd.

by Al Babinsky

This month clinic was opened by Al Babinsky filling in for MMR Gene Swanson who was still out due to his knee replacement surgery. The clinic was held at the Parkland fire station due to a scheduling conflict at our normal location. There were 36 modelers including a newcomer in attendance. Chip from the TNW made an announcement about their car that would on sale at their upcoming show on May 19 and 20. It was also announced that there would be a Spring Model Show in Renton.

Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains was a no-show and we did not have a What’s New at the Hobby Shop. Since Herb Buhl was in the hospital we had to ad lip the Model of the Month segment. The models were assigned numbers and slips of paper were passed out to all present with the instructions to write the number of their model of choice on the slip and their name on the other side for the door prize drawing.

After the break Steve Young presented his continuing clinic of progress on the construction of the narrow gauge live steam Northern. He brought the three axle tender truck along with axles, wheels, and the roll of spring steel for the springs. He showed us how the truck was constructed and how the springs would be mounted. Steve will be back next year with another segment of the ongoing construction.

For the first time that I can remember we had a draw in the model of the month category. Dennis Reeve and Diane Krause tied with their models. Dennis had a set of kit-bashed N-scale log trucks and Diane a Farm silo and shed. After the door prize drawing the clinic was adjourned. Next month clinic will be on April 12 at our usual place in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. on the corner of 112^th Street and Waller road, hope to see all of you there.

by Al Babinsky

The clinic was opened by Al Babinsky, filling in for MMR Gene Swanson who is recuperating from his knee replacement surgery; he is expected to be back home in about a week.

We had 42 modelers present including two newcomers who were getting back into the hobby. Leo reported that he had about 400.00 Dollars in the food drive account that were collected since last December. Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains presented What’s New at the Hobby Shop which included a church from Woodland scenic, a Kato N scale Amtrak set, a number of freight cars and vehicles from various manufacturers.

The Bring and Brag (Model of the Month) had a number of items, a  rebuild industrial structure using styrene instead of the original cardboard, a plastic trestle originally straight converted into a curved trestle, a Bachmann DCC equipped GE 44 Ton switcher decaled for the NP # 98 which was stationed in south Tacoma, a diorama that include a locomotive and two cars that were weathered using oils and weathering powders. The winner was the diorama by Kevin Kletke.

For the tip of the month, it was suggested that a paint pen is a good way to paint handrails on rolling stock.

After the break Jim Sabol as presenter of the clinic surprised us with a subject that was about a far away from model railroading as you can get. He brought a WW II veteran of the Navy submarine service, Quartermaster 2^nd Class Bart Bartell, to talk to us about his adventures on board the submarines he served on. Some very interesting duties and assignments. Many questions were asked and
it was very informative.

Due to some scheduling conflicts next month clinic will be held in a different location, the address is 100 E 114^th Street, Parkland. This location is a fire station with limited parking, please carpool if you can. Here are direction on how to get there; if you’re coming from the Puyallup area use Hwy 512 take the Pacific Ave exit, turn right on Pacific Ave and go to 112^th Street take a left on 112^th Street and go one block to ”A” Street, take a right on “A” Street and go to E 114^th Street. The station is on the corner on right side. If you’re coming from I-5 use Hwy 512 and take the Pacific Ave exit, take a left on Pacific Ave and go to E 114^th Street, take a left on E 114^th Street and go to “A” Street, the station is on the right hand side on the corner.

The clinic will start at 7:30 PM and our clinician will be Steve Young to report on the progress on his 4-8-4 Northern live steam locomotive. Come and joins us and bring your friend or significant other, see you there.