January 14, Mt. Vernon Senior Center
Twenty-one attended this, our first Clinic of the year, on our new, regular Clinic date, the Second Thursday. Attendees included one new member and three guests from other NWR Clinics. Welcome all!
A photo type drawing of a steam locomotive was left at the Pacific Science Center Train Show on Monday. It was found by Barbara in the Ackerley building after everyone was gone. I have it in my possession.
Additionally, someone left a shoe box containing N-scale items after the show on Monday. That box was left in the crew lounge. Jeff Moorman has possession of that “stuff”.
For the photo please e-mail me (David Yadock) at hi61izq@hotmail.com and for the N-scale items please e-mail Jeff Moorman at kb7rr@arrl.net.
In brief opening remarks, Clinic Chair Rich Blake reviewed the calendar for upcoming clinics and other PNR events, highlighting the PNR’s regional convention, Selkirk Express 2016, to be held June 15-19 in scenic Salmon Arm, BC. Rich also mentioned that the Mt. Vernon Clinic has switched its meeting nights to the second Thursday of every month, and encouraged continued cross-attendance. Jack Tingstad reminded everyone of next month’s contest, in which flatcars with loads will be displayed and judged (categories and rules have been discussed previously), adding that cash prizes (!) (from the attendee kitty) will be awarded, as well as the usual certificates and, naturally, accolades. A show of hands promised a good number of entries.
Susan Gonzales launched right into the evening’s make-n-take, Modeling Rock Details for Structures. It’s a simple idea to create details such as chimneys, fireplaces and fire pits, root cellars, fences, even entire houses—and easily achieved, with a steady hand. A very steady hand! To get an idea of what you can build, search “river rock chimney,” for example, to find prototype photos.
The Golden Grab Iron Service Award is presented each year to an individual who best exemplifies “outstanding service to the organization.” This year the award will be given at our Spring Meet scheduled for May 14.
The winner of the Golden Grab Iron Service Award traditionally is selected by a committee comprised of three of the most recent winners. Currently that would be Russ Segner (2013), Jim Sabol (2014), and Jim Younkins (2015). This year the committee would like to make sure we have considered all deserving members in the selection process.
All clinic chairs, all club presidents, and all NMRA/PNR/4th Division members individually are invited to submit a name or names of fellow members they deem deserving of the service award for 2016. (Previous winners are listed on the Golden Grab Iron Service Award page.)
By March 1, please submit your nominations to Russ Segner, russseg@gmail.com, or Jim Sabol, jimsabol@msn.com, or Jim Younkins, jcyounkins@comcast.net. Please include a short paragraph detailing the contributions made by this individual toward the growth and well-being of model railroading in the 4th Division.
This is your chance to buy model railroad stuff at seriously reduced prices. After 17 years, my well known HO scale Puget Sound Iron Goat Railway has been taken down. Patt and I are moving. So, 120 built Jordon vehicles from the 30’s, Preiser people, foreground trees, rolling stock, lanterns, plaques, craftsman building kits, award winning finished structures, detail parts, logging kits, vehicle building kits, hard to find kits and lots of other cool stuff will be offered.
The date is this Saturday, January 23. Doors will be open from 11:00 am to 4 pm. Bring your own shopping bag and your GPS. My home is hard to find – 15808 SE 45th St, Bellevue, 98006, which is south of I-90 and just east of I-405. Parking is easy and everything is on one level. My layout has been featured in the Narrow Gauge Gazette several times and Railroad Model Craftsman gave me a cover and story in October 2011.
This is a “Mr. Magoo” Sale. “Model Railroaders – Make A Good Offer, Okay.”
This Thursday is our first meeting at our new location in the Redmond Library. The library is located downtown Redmond at 15990 NE 85th. There is plenty of parking. We start at 6:30. Our program is “Let It Snow” presented by Brian Pickering. This is a look at how railroads deal with the white stuff.
Bring a model to share and expect to meet and make some new friends.
For more information including a map click here.
The Pacific Science Center Train Show is a very busy and challenging event each year. Thousands of parents and children get to see what our modular groups have built and operate. We get a chance to explain our hobby, our interest in trains and why we are so enthusiastic about model building and operations. The public really likes what we do.
The best part of all this is the effect it has on us. We get to meet and share with our members from all over our very large region. This year, a significant number of our members have become involved for the first time. This is an opportunity for us to learn from each other and be challenged to do better ourselves. We also learn the value of sharing our hobby with others.
Editors note: Welcome to the twelfth article of a series on narrow gauge by Syd Schofield. The previous article is available by clicking here, or by filtering with the category “Narrow Gauge”. Syd welcomes discussions and feedback, which can be made by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of the post.
Most of the narrow gauge railroad models are based on steam powered locomotives. Since most of these steam systems are total loss, sources of water for the steam systems need to be strategically located for ready access. In later years some larger locomotives and longer trains brought the facilities requirements up to par with the standard gauge railroads. For locomotives based on other power plants (for example internal combustion and electric), incidental need for water as a coolant was much less of a problem. So the need for adequate water supplies available to the locomotive and along the route of operation require special consideration.
The weight of water in the boiler and the tender add to the burden of carriage. This is partially offset by the adhesion gained by the driving wheels of the locomotive but is purely dead weight in the tender. Curiously, where the configuration has driving wheels supporting the supply water (e.g. a saddle tank locomotive) there is diminishing adhesion offsetting the additional load with full tanks.
Sometimes things that you use to build your pike come in handy in the oddest ways. I’ve just finished fixing a coat tree that was knocked over, breaking out one of the slots that hold the legs in place. I needed some small brads to secure the splits while the glue dried, and was about to go searching a hardware store. Then the solution was found on my workbench: Atlas track nails. These little round head brads were the perfect size. Long enough to hold firmly and thin enough to avoid splitting the thin splits. Six of them did the job perfectly.
Ya never know what you may find on the ole workbench.
Editors note: Welcome to the third article on Free-mo by Alan Ashton and fellow Free-mo enthusiasts. The previous article is available by a clicking here, or by filtering with the category “Free-mo”. Alan welcomes discussions and feedback by comments at the bottom of the post or by e-mailing him at inwafreemo@gmail.com. If you’re interested in helping promote Free-mo in the 4th Division (e.g. event notification or writing articles) please contact me at gi_editor@4dpnr.com.
The third installment (in PDF format) of our series on Free-mo is available to read or download by clicking here. In this article we discuss some of the details related to building the legs and leg pockets for a platform. The purpose of these articles is to share our experiences and maybe help others avoid mistakes. Your feedback is always appreciated. Next up: Electrical Connections.