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.
I am posting a layout for sale on behalf of my friend Dan Vencill. It is HO scale with code 100 rail. Dan and his wife are looking to move and he needs to sell his layout and rolling stock. It’s mostly 1930s to 1950s and locos are mostly steam. The layout can come apart in a couple of places. The rolling stock includes two cardboard boxes almost full of Tyco Billboard Cars. Most have not been opened at all and were for a display project Dan never got going.
He’d like $1500 for the whole thing. For more detail email me at larrylsloan@me.com and I will put you in touch with Dan.
The Olympia Clinic continued its January Guest Speaker tradition on the 8th, a Friday evening with 33 modelers, spouses and friends in attendance.
Our presenter Dave Sprau shared a variety of historical photographs. These he used to describe historical events of “how the railroads were run.” Dave humorously recounted many tales about himself and other Great Northern, Northern Pacific and Spokane, Portland & Seattle personnel performing their duties.
Google just announced its first ever mini-Street View and it’s of Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railroad. I was lucky enough to visit there a few years ago. Here’s an extremely up-close look at an amazing layout!
If you know of a railroad historical society event that is occurring in the 4th division area, please let us know so that we can get it onto the 4th division events calendar. Click here to email information to the Grab Iron editor.
Date: Thursday, January 14 (the Clinic is now on the second Thursday of the month)
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon; Click here for map & directions.
This is the first Clinic on the new date, the second Thursday of the month, as will each future Clinic.
Mike O’Brien will share his tree building process.