Skip to main content

Grab Iron Posts

4th Division Election Results and Leadership Changes

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

Russ Segner, 4D Superintendent

Editor’s note: Updating the post to add the following note from JJ Johnston, Volunteer Chair, 2015 Election Committee: A special thanks goes to those who assisted on the election committee process of writing, designing, printing and tabulating the 2015 ballots including Russ Segner, Mike Slease, Ed Liesse, David Yadock, Mike Laughlin and JJ Johnston.

Great news! Kurt Laidlaw and Al Lowe have been re-elected to the 4D Board of Directors. Mike Highsmith was also reelected to Assistant Superintendent. These are two year terms which run from September 1 to August 31.

Now for some bad news: Assistant Mike Highsmith has resigned not only the balance of his current term, but also will not serve the term commencing September1. So …

Here is some good news: As Superintendent I have asked Kurt Laidlaw to step into Mike’s remaining term and also to fill the position for the two year term as Assistant Superintendent commencing September 1. He has accepted and will be confirmed at our Board of Directors meeting August 15. Thank you, Kurt.

More good news: Paul Pellegrino has agreed to fill the Board of Directors term which Kurt will vacate. This also will be acted on at the August board meeting. The leadership team is intact and we look forward to working on the balance of this year and preparing for 2016.

If you are interested in serving your fellow model railroaders, please give me a call at 425-228-7327.

News, Superintendent’s Message

Volunteers Needed For Day Out With Thomas at the Northwest Railway Museum

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

Cristy Lake, Volunteer Coordinator and Registrar

Here is a great opportunity to expand your railroad experience.

Day Out With Thomas (Photo Courtesy of NWRM)

Day Out With Thomas (Photo Courtesy of NWRM)


Russ Segner, Mike Donnelly and Ken Liesse are regular volunteers and already know about this.

The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie begins its largest fundraiser of the year and it is starting this week! If you can lend an extra set of hands for a day, we could really use your help. This will be our best Thomas so far, but it means we need a few extra people. We have sold over 17,000 tickets so far for the event! Tickets are only left for the second Friday, July 17.
Read More

Northwest Railway Museum

A Narrower View – Feeding the Dragons

Written by Cliff Green
1 Comment

Syd Schofield

Editors note: Welcome to the fifth 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.

The common sources of energy for heat engines have been wood, coal, and petroleum products. These carbon based fuels combine with oxygen at a sufficient temperature for a continuous release of heat. In the railroading scheme of things this heat is then converted to mechanical energy to provide locomotion. Since the system for this activity is self-contained, adequate carriage must be provided for the conversion mechanism and the fuel for a reasonable distance of travel. Provisions must be made along the route for replenishment.

Read More

Articles, Narrow Gauge, ,

HO Estate Sale, Las Cruces, NM

Written by Al Lowe
1 Comment

Jean Melvin, former 4D & PNR Secretary

As you may know, I now live in Las Cruces, NM, just 45 miles from the Texas/Mexico border. A local, very good modeler is down-sizing and thought you might be interested. His letter follows. If you’re interested, contact riograndeestatesales@gmail.com.

My wife and I have decided to move back to CA and are planning for an Estate Sale (due to down-sizing from a 4 bedroom house here in Las Cruces to probably a 1 bedroom apt in CA). Because of a tremor I have developed in my left arm, I am no longer able to do model work.

Therefore, I have made the very difficult decision to put my collection of limited-edition craftsman-style HO model RR structure kits, engines, and rolling stock into the Estate Sale. This is a collection I have developed over the last 50 years and I would like it to go to serious modelers. I hope that you can help put the word out to modelers in our Region.

I have concentrated on modeling backwoods logging and mining industries that a standard gauge steam railroad (pre-diesel) would have supported. Many of these structure kits are from Fine Scale Miniatures, B.E.S.T., Wild West Models, Western Scale Models, and Sierra West Scale Models. I have many 1880’s to 1920’s era rolling stock kits and supplies for scratch building cars.

In addition I am selling my Sherline Lathe, Mill, and Sherline tooling, along with machinist’s tools, taps, dies, Starrett gauges, and milling cutters.

The sale will be handled by Mark Leitch of Rio Grande Estate Sales: Email him at riograndeestatesales@gmail.com. The date will be Friday & Saturday, July 17-18, at 4715 Zeno Place, Las Cruces, NM88012, (650) 799-6060

Thanks and cheers,
Michael Morrill, michaelmorrill3@gmail.com

Member Ads

Custom Train Table Donation in Greater Seattle Area

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

Michael Highsmith

The following is from G. Deo. Please e-mail him at rigs2011@gmail.com for details, including a specific location:

We live in the greater Seattle area. We have a custom built train table that never got used for creating the layouts that it was meant for. Now we are downsizing and moving away. We would like to donate it. It is pretty big 8’L x 4’W x 3’H. Please see the picture below.

They will need to come pick it up since we do not have a big enough vehicle to transport it.

Custom train table available as a donation.

Custom train table available as a donation.

Member Ads,

Have a JAM Breakfast on Thursday, July 2nd

Written by Cliff Green
2 Comments

David Yadock

Thursday, July 2nd marks the birthday of John Allen. He constructed the famous Gorre and Daphetid Railroad (pronounced “gory & defeated”). It was a true model railroading marvel. The Gorre & Daphetid Yahoo group usually celebrates with a JAM (John Allen Memorial) breakfast. John Allen was a real pioneer in model railroading. Just like Frank Ellison, Whit Towers, and many others, he promoted many of the things we now take for granted in our model railroading hobby. So help celebrate his birthday by having a hearty breakfast!

Layout Tour, News, Operations, , ,

Eastside Get-Together on Thursday, Ted Becker Presenting Servos for Switches

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

JJ Johnston

Reminder: The Eastside Get-Together meets Thursday (tomorrow), June 18st at 7:30 pm at the Bellevue FourSquare Church. Our speaker will be our own Ted Becker presenting his special clinic on servos for switches. This program has been ranked as outstanding by those who have heard Ted. This will be our last meeting before the summer break so please plan to attend.

For Eastside Get-Together location and other information, see the 4D Clinics page.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic,

Mooselips Model Railroad Display at Palmer, Alaska Colony Days

Written by Marty Quaas
Leave a Comment

Marty Quaas

This weekend, June 12-14, the City of Palmer, Alaska will be celebrating its heritage with the annual Colony Days celebration. Along with a parade, antique cars, fire trucks, and tractor pull, the HO scale Mooselip Model Railroad will be on display Saturday, June 13 from 10 AM until 3 PM in the old Palmer depot.

All are invited to stop by and visit the imaginary town of Mooselip and see how much fun model railroading can be.

The Alaska Section, , ,

Westside Clinic in Bremerton Tuesday, June 9, 7 pm

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

Bill Hupé

This coming Tuesday, June 9th, is our next Westside Clinic in Bremerton. Steve Hauff has stepped forward and will present one of his excellent clinics.

Please bring an item you worked on this past winter. We will have our usual “Model Contest” and “Show And Tell.” Coffee and cookies will be provided. Please come and bring a friend.

For those visiting us for the first time our clinics are held at the United Way of Kitsap Building, 647 4th Street, Bremerton, WA.

See you at 7 pm.

Westside Local Clinic