What is all that “stuff” hanging all over a steam locomotive? They’re called appliances and Ted Becker will decode these as the main attraction in the March Clinic.
Thursday, March 10, 7:00 at the Mt. Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mt. Vernon.
See the March Newsleter for more information.
We hosted 19 attendees in the Thurston County Office Complex in West Olympia. One person was new and one was a returning guest who had attended some clinics in the past.
The “Bring and Brag” included a variety of models and the “Give and Take” (offering items we don’t need / taking home something we can use) included a variety of items again this month.
Our program was a continuation of the theme: “Various Approaches in Developing a Freelance Layout.”
Scott Buckley drew upon the Tehama Valley Railroad he has been creating in his home for this month’s presentation. He used some highly artistic elements via a Microsoft Powerpoint to display his efforts. He showed a picture of a prototype or model railroad that he admires, explaining the key elements in the photograph.
The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society will be having its next meeting on Saturday April 2, 2016. It will be held at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive in Burien. WA. The meeting starts at 1 pm with dinner to follow. If you or your railroad friends have a casual interest in the Pennsylvania Railroad or want to learn more detailed information about the Pennsy come to the meeting.
The flyer for the meeting is available by clicking here.
For more information contact either David Yadock at hi61izq@hotmail.com or Jim Trunzo at jetrunzo@gmail.com.
Twenty-four modelers attended the Skagit Valley and Whidbey NMRA Clinic meeting in Oak Harbor on February 10th, featuring the long-anticipated display and judging of models entered in this season’s contest: Flatcars with Loads. Clinic Chair Rich Blake welcomed new attendee Barry Erb, who models Pennsylvania RR prototypes in HO. Rich also thanked Di Voss, MMR, for making the long drive from Mill Creek to judge some of the models for NMRA Achievement Program (AP) Merit Awards, and providing details and some expert advice about the NMRA AP and evaluating models for the program. Rich mentioned that it was not too soon to begin thinking about next season’s lineup of clinics, and encouraged everyone to get their ideas (and especially volunteer themselves!) for clinics to Susan Gonzales.
Before the evening’s contest, Rich, with assistance from Di, described the basics of the NMRA AP and judging, using materials available on the NMRA website (www.nmra.org) including the Achievement Program Judging Guidelines and the Model Description Form. A set of slides by Bob Hamm, MMR, on contest judging was also shown. Although the formal 125-point evaluation system was not used for tonight’s contest (instead judging was by a simpler popular vote) the discussion attuned everyone to the five attributes contributing to a superior model: construction (methods and complexity); detail; conformity (fidelity to prototype); finish and lettering; and scratch-built content, including any special refinements.
The 4th Division Spring Meet will be held at the Tacoma Community College on May 14th, with clinics running from 9 am to 4 pm. The website is up and running and taking registrations: http://www.wnrr.net/4DPNR/.
There are three clinic tracks, with the third track consisting of “hands on, make and take” clinics (there are additional costs with the “make and take” clinics).
The cost for the Spring Meet is only $20, which includes lunch – a great deal! (You must register by May 1st to receive lunch.)
The Westside Clinic is Tuesday March 8th, 2016.
This month’s clinic: TBA. Any volunteers?
Please bring a Model Railroad friend and an item you’ve been working on. As always we will have a “Model Contest” and “Show And Tell.” Coffee and cookies will be provided.
If you are visiting the first time our clinics are held at the United Way of Kitsap Building in downtown Bremerton (647 4th Street) at 7 pm. Additional details (including a map and contact info) are on the Clinics Page.
Note – The Eastside Get Together is on the 2nd Thursday in March (instead of the usual 3rd).
This month John Morrison will present The Mt. Pilatus Railway (Pilatusbahn) which operates from a Luzern suburb to an altitude of 6,778 feet on Mt. Pilatus. It climbs a continuous grade of up to 48% and is the steepest rack (cogwheel) railway in the world. All the other railways with grades above approximately 25% use a cable and are called funiculars.
The Pilatusbahn uses a unique Locher rack, together with some very interesting switches. It was built in 1886 and most of the original infrastructure is still in use. It operated under steam until 1937 when it was converted to electric traction. John’s presentation was a result of his second visit to Switzerland last September. He will also be prepared to discuss any of the other mountain railways he has visited on his trips.
The next Seattle-North clinic is this Thursday, March 3. The program will include the continuing series on fallen flags and a report on January’s Pacific Science Center model railroad show along with a discussion of the likely nature of future shows.
Astute readers will recognize that the proposed program is what was scheduled for the last clinic. But, as explained below, that meeting did not playout as planned. So, we will try it again.
Thursday, March 10, 7:00 PM, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon. Click here for map & directions.
Southern 4-6-2
What is all that “stuff” hanging all over this locomotive? They’re called appliances and Ted Becker will decode these as the main attraction in the March Clinic.
Don’t miss the big train show this weekend at the fairgrounds in Monroe! It is Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 10 to 4. Click here to see the clinics that are scheduled all weekend long and for additional information such as driving directions.
The United Northwest Model Railroad Club is proud to host this 24th Annual Model Train Show and Marketplace. This show benefits the Snohomish County 4-H Foundation.
