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Skagit Valley & Whidbey Ridin’ with the Chiggen at Snoqualmie

Written by Rich Blake
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Rich Blake / Photos by Rich unless otherwise indicated

Former Santa Cruz Portland Cement #2 0-4-0T AKA "The Chiggen" under steam at the Northwest Railway Museum

Former Santa Cruz Portland Cement #2 0-4-0T AKA “The Chiggen” under steam at the Northwest Railway Museum.

SV&W members, friends and family were treated to a special shop tour October 24th at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA. This event was set up by our own Susan Gonzales, SV&W Program Coordinator with Northwest Railway Museum Curator Stathi Pappas. Stathi is also owner of the now famous Porter 0-4-0T locomotive affectionately named the “Chiggen” which is being used by the NWRM for their special steam excursion weekends. This locomotive started its service for the NWRM in 2014 and is the first steam operation that the museum has had since 1989.

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Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic

Westside Clinic October Report

Written by Cliff Green
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Bill Hupé

October’s Westside Clinic was one of the best in a long time. Eight long time participants – Jack Hamilton, Reed Cranmore, Steve Neupert, Tom Brittell, Jim Byerley, Pete Rowe, John Pichler, and I (Bill Hupé) – were joined by first timers Mike Hunt and Bob Wojcikowski.

As Clinic Chair I welcomed the new members. Both Mike and Bob are long time modelers who have been out of the hobby and looking forward to learning what is new in the hobby. When they stopped working on their railroads, mountains were made out of papier–mâché and rock faces were hand carved from Hydrocal®. John mentioned he was in the same place.

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Westside Local Clinic

An Introduction to Free-mo, Part 1: Exploring this Form of Model Railroading

Written by Cliff Green
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by Alan Ashton

Editors note: Alan Ashton is the former 5th Division newsletter editor and is now promoting and explaining Free-mo. This article has been updated to clarify the Digitrix Loconet requirements as noted by Mark Clemmens in his comment. Articles on Free-mo from other authors are very appreciated and can be sent to gi_editor@4dpnr.com. Alan can be reached at inwafreemo@gmail.com.

I have been a model railroader for many years and it didn’t take too long for me to decide that I would like to build a Free-mo module. My reasons for doing so include:

  1. Building and storing a module won’t take up much space
  2. Having a module will enable me to meet and interact with more people who share a common interest
  3. Construction costs won’t be prohibitive
  4. I will learn about new materials and techniques
  5. I have the time and interest to learn about a new aspect of my favorite hobby

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Articles, Free-mo

4D Members Only: Free Videos

Written by Al Lowe
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Al Lowe

The 4D Board of Directors met last Saturday and, among other business, decided that the 4D Video Library’s time has come … and gone. Since most of the videos were on VHS tape, they’ve mostly sat in storage for years. It was a great idea in its day.

“But our loss is your gain.” We’re going to offer them for free to any 4D member. Take anything and everything you want for your very own.

All you have to do is email Superintendent Russ Segner before November 11 and specify exactly which titles you’d like. Those not claimed will be disposed of at the Boeing Swap Meet on Saturday, November 14.

Everything is on a “first request, first dibs” basis. So email Russ now.

For a (allegedly) complete list of what’s available, click here.

Member Ads

Halloween Train at Snoqualmie This Weekend

Written by Cliff Green
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Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

The Halloween Train will be running this weekend and next (24th, 25th, and 31st) at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. Watch an old-fashioned cider press demonstration, enjoy the depot and train decorations, and sip warm apple cider. Take a Steam Train with the 100+ year old Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. #2 Steam Locomotive. Everyone in costume receives a $2 discount.

Click here for additional details and contact info.

Northwest Railway Museum

The Future of Tom Enloe’s Pacific Northwestern Railway

Written by Cliff Green
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Steve Haas

Carol Enloe, Don Trettel, and I held a recent discussion on the future of Tom Enloe’s Pacific Northwestern Railway (located in Duvall, Washington). Carol and Jennifer (Tom’s daughter) have both expressed a strong interest in keeping the Pacific Northwestern “alive” for the immediate future. To that end, we have tentatively adopted the following schedule:

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Operations

Eastside Get Together Clinic Report for September

Written by Cliff Green
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Ed Liesse / Photos by Ed

JJ Johnston at his Eastside Get Together clinic September 17, 2015

JJ Johnston at his Eastside Get Together clinic September 17, 2015

JJ Johnston welcomed everyone to the Eastside Get-Together clinic of the 4th Division of the Pacific Northwest Region of the National Model Railroad Association (insert applause here for not stumbling through that statement!). This was the first Eastside clinic after the usual summer break and JJ, as is his custom, introduced the members of the 4D Board of Directors and the MMRs (Master Model Railroaders) in attendance. Bob Rorabaugh introduced his guest Jacob Stearns, who was welcomed to the group.

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Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Photos From Oregon Rail Heritage Center Tour During PDX 2015

Written by Cliff Green
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Alex Brikoff

When I and my wife Tina attended PDX 2015 in Portland, OR this summer, one of the tours we took was to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. It’s definitely worthwhile! It’s not a large collection but certainly well represented. It’s one of the few places that one can get up close and personal with some the legends of Northwest rail history such as the SP X4449, the SP&S 700 and the Oregon Railroad and Navigation #197 (as well as other exhibits and restored railroad equipment). While we were there, they were in the process of overhauling #4449. Until I got fairly close to it, I simply didn’t realize how massive this locomotive really was! I hope you enjoy my photos!

Editors note: Alex loves to shoot black and white art photography, specially local jazz artists. Check out his website at http://alexbrikoff.com.

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Articles, Railroad History

Mt Vernon Model Railroad Clinic will be on Oct 27th

Written by John O'Connell
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By John O’Connell

Date:    Tuesday, October 27
Time:    7:00 PM
Where:  Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon
Program: “Getting  a 1:1 Loco Cab into the Basement”

Have you ever wondered just how to park a real F-7 diesel cab in your basement?  Dr. Nick Muff, MMR, will explain just how he did it. Not to be missed!

Seeing is believing!

Seeing is believing!

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Mt Vernon Clinic