Rich Thom / Photos by Rich (unless noted)
Clinic Chair Rich Blake welcomed 25 folks to the Skagit Valley & Whidbey Island Clinic’s October meeting at the Summer Hill facility in Oak Harbor, especially welcoming new guests Glen Sherwood, Doug Seward, and James Golder. Jim has acquired two second-hand HO layouts and is busy planning how to combine them in the available space offered by a three-car garage. Rich reviewed the calendar of upcoming events, highlighting the 42nd annual Pacific Science Center Model Railroad Show, 16-18 January 2016. SV & W clinic members have supported this popular show for years and continued volunteering was encouraged. Susan Gonzales, our energetic program chair, first mentioned the Oct. 24th self-drive visit to the Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie for a personalized tour of the Conservation & Restoration Center and other facilities, and train ride. (As this is written, a successful outing completed.) Susan then reviewed the season’s line-up of clinics. On November 11th a brand new program by Bob Stafford, retired BNSF trainmaster, will describe prototype operations in Bellingham, Everett’s Delta Yard, and other places. In December, Dick Haines tackles a weighty question which many of us of a certain age ponder: “just what exactly will become of my treasures when I no longer need them?” In January, a “make and take” is on the program (item to be “made and taken” still undecided).
