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Grab Iron Posts

New Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum – New Name, Owners, and Website

Written by Cliff Green
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By Andrew Fickes

Mt. Rainier Railroad offers guests an improved experience from start to finish!

When children and their parents arrive to Elbe this spring and summer to ride the train and learn about the history of steam locomotives and logging, their experience might look and feel a little bit different – but in a good way.

Mt_Rainier_RR

Earlier this year, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum rebranded and changed its name to Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. With the change has come the commitment to reinvest an approximate $300,000 in capital improvements in this year alone, and a 40 percent increase in payroll, meaning an additional seven paid staff and in peak season, an additional 10 part-time staff. Over the next three years payroll will double.

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News, Railroad History

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Clinic Mar 2016 Report, Fences are Structures Too!

Written by Cliff Green
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Article by Rich Thom, Photos by Al Frasch

Fig 1 – Fences Enclose Pastures on Al Frasch’s BNSF Pilchuck Division

Fig 1 – Fences Enclose Pastures on Al Frasch’s BNSF Pilchuck Division

Skagit Valley and Whidbey NMRA Clinic Chair Rich Blake welcomed 24 modelers to the March 9th meeting at the Summerhill facility in Oak Harbor. Rich made an interesting observation about attendance. Since the “new” Mt. Vernon NMRA Clinic was launched last fall the typical attendance numbers of the SV&W and Mt. Vernon clinics together have totaled more than the SV&W group typically drew when it served both geographic areas. That suggests the “splitting up” of our original group was a grand idea – more folks are discovering the value and camaraderie offered by these clinics and the NMRA. Our clinic has seen a steady addition of new people, model railroaders who might have thought they were isolated in our corner of the Puget Sound, delighted to find a large and active group of like-minded souls.

Susan Gonzales is putting together next season’s program and pointed out that she had only received one suggestion for clinics (and even fewer volunteers) and repeated her call for clinic topics and, especially, clinicians. The popular “mini-clinics” evening will be repeated in October – 10 to 15 minute spots to describe simpler, single topics — but volunteers are needed. Interest was expressed in another contest. Two suggestions from the floor for possible contest themes included (1) car interiors and (2) kit-bashing variations on one simple building kit. A contest will occur only if someone steps up to be Contest Shepherd!

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Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic

Memorial Ops Session For Tom Enloe at the PNWRR and Cherry Valley RR

Written by Cliff Green
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Cliff Green, Photos by Bill Sornsin

Peter Coulton scattering Tom Enloe's ashes at the crossing signal next to the building housing Tom's PNW and Cherry Valley RR layout.

Peter Coulton scattering Tom Enloe’s ashes at the crossing signal next to the building housing Tom’s PNW and Cherry Valley RR layout.

On March 12th, 2016, friends of the late Tom Enloe met at his home in Duvall for a toast, scattering of ashes, and an operating session on the Pacific Northwestern and Cherry Valley Railroad.

After everyone arrived, Tom’s wife Carol, daughter Jennifer, and granddaughter Ambellina joined a group of model railroading friends for a toast with Tom’s favorite drink. Remembrances and a few favorite stories were told and some of Tom’s ashes were scattered in front of the crossing guard close to the building where his “model railroading heart and soul” is contained – the PNW and Cherry Valley RR. An operating session was held, and during a mid-session break lunch was provided by Carol’s family. During lunch more stories were told relating to Tom, including his legendary BBQ for the 2004 national NMRA convention (PSX 2004, held in the Seattle area).

L-R: Steve Haas, Cliff Green, Paul Vaughn, Bill Sornsin, George Mooney, Rich Blake, John Bell, Peter Coulton, Carol Enloe, Don Trettel, Jennifer Enloe, Tom’s granddaughter Ambellina, Larry DuFoe, Byron Osborn

L-R: Steve Haas, Cliff Green, Paul Vaughn, Bill Sornsin, George Mooney, Rich Blake, John Bell, Peter Coulton, Carol Enloe, Don Trettel, Jennifer Enloe, Tom’s granddaughter Ambellina, Larry DuFoe, Byron Osborn

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Operations

4D Spring Meet Clinic Info Updated

Written by Cliff Green
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Cliff Green

The 4th Division Spring Meet is less than two months away! If you haven’t registered yet, click here to register and reserve a lunch (which is included as long as you are registered by May 1st).

The clinic information has been updated – click here to see the latest (including one clinic track that is all about operations). The hands-on clinic now has a link to register as well as information on what materials to bring.

The Spring Meet will be held at the Tacoma Community College on May 14th, with clinics running from 9 am to 4 pm. The website will always have the most current info: http://www.wnrr.net/4DPNR/.

For more information contact Kurt Laidlaw at tccrailroad@gmail.com or 253-566-7042.

Convention or Meet

Mt. Vernon Clinic Report March 2016

Written by John O'Connell
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By John O’Connell   Photos: Kevin Klettke, Ted Becker, John O’Connell

Thursday, March 10, Mt. Vernon Senior Center

Ted Becker opened the Clinic with eighteen regulars in attendance. He noted that May was the last Clinic before summer and encouraged us to share ideas for clinic topics as we start to think about the fall. Hands on airbrushing received a lot of interest.

Announcements

March 19, Santa Fe Mini-Meet, Burien. More details
April 1, Great Northern Electrification, White River Valley Museum, Auburn. More information
April 2, Pennsylvania Rail Road Meet, Burien. Details
April 3, NP Everett Operation Presentation circa 1955, Everett. Details
April 14, Mt Vernon Clinic. Diorama Challenge Finale and Mini-Clinics
April 30, Olympia Layout Tour, Olympia. Details
May 12, Mt. Vernon Clinic. Kevin Klettke “Fleet Weathering.” This is a reprise of his well-received Clinic at PDX 2015 on efficiently weathering large fleets of rolling stock. Visit Kevin’s website.

Here's another sample of Kevin's work...

Here’s another sample of Kevin’s work…

May 14, 4th Division, Pacific Northwest Region Spring Meet, Tacoma Community College Click here for more information.

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Mt Vernon Clinic

An Intro to Free-mo Part 4 – Electrical

Written by Cliff Green
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Alan Ashton, article by Frank Wilhelm with contributions by Al Cunningham

Editors note: Welcome to the 4th 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 4th installment (in PDF format) of our series on Free-mo is available to read or download by clicking here. Our series of articles is designed to share experiences building Free-mo modules. As always, your comments are appreciated. Enjoy this well thought out document that describes the elements of Free-mo electrical components.

Articles, Free-mo

Presentation on Northern Pacific Everett Operations Circa 1955

Written by Cliff Green
3 Comments

Kent Sullivan

Northern Pacific in Everett by Kent Sullivan

As some of you know, I have been writing a series of articles on the Northern Pacific’s operations in Everett, Washington, circa 1955, for the NPRHA (Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association) Mainstreeter. I am going to give a presentation on this topic for the Historic Everett group on Sunday, April 3rd at 2 pm. The venue is the Blue Heron Room at the offices of the Port of Everett, 1205 Craftsman Way, Everett, WA, 98201. There is a $5 charge (except for Historic Everett members). Everyone is welcome.

Railroad History

In Search of HOn3 Code 55 Turnouts

Written by Cliff Green
11 Comments

Syd Schofield

I’m looking for some HOn3 code 55 turnouts or turnout kits. I thought Micro Engineering made them at one time but if so, not anymore. There are a few kits out there which is some help rather than starting from scratch. The alternative is the Micro Engineering N-scale code 55 kits which will only need some additional rail and gauging (which has to be done anyway). I’ve built some code 70 turnouts using the printed circuit board ties on a home-built fixture, so I’m familiar with the process. Any ideas? E-bay has a couple as a last resort.

So others can see your reply please comment at the bottom of this article, or e-mail your message to gi_editor@4dpnr.com and Cliff (Grab Iron editor) will create a comment for you.

Member Ads

HO Layout Remaining Items For Sale in Sedro-Woolley

Written by Cliff Green
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Roger Johnson

Thanks to many of you who responded to my earlier Grab Iron ad and to many more who bought some of my things at the United Northwest Monroe train show and swap meet on February 27th and 28th. But there are still a fair number of things left that I do not want to move to a smaller house. Included are more than fifteen RTR locomotives (some with decoders installed), many freight cars (RTR and kits), structures (both complete and kits) and much more. I have revised my inventory lists to remove items recently sold and those not presently for sale and (best of all) to reflect new lower prices on most items. Please email me (Roger Johnson) at skagitrailbird@gmail.com for a detailed listing.

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Member Ads

Tacoma Clinic Report for March

Written by Al Babinsky
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By Al Babinsky, Photos by Dale Kraus, MMR

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.

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Tacoma Clinic