Skip to main content

Grab Iron Posts

Westside Clinic October Report

Written by Cliff Green
1 Comment

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.

Read More

Westside Local Clinic

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

Written by Cliff Green
3 Comments

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

Read More

Articles, Free-mo

4D Members Only: Free Videos

Written by Al Lowe
Leave a Comment

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
Leave a Comment

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
Leave a Comment

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:

Read More

Operations

Eastside Get Together Clinic Report for September

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

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.

Read More

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Photos From Oregon Rail Heritage Center Tour During PDX 2015

Written by Cliff Green
3 Comments

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.

Read More

Articles, Railroad History

Mt Vernon Model Railroad Clinic will be on Oct 27th

Written by John O'Connell
Leave a Comment

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!

Read More

Mt Vernon Clinic

Eastside Get Together this Thursday, Oct 15 Featuring Steve Depolo

Written by Cliff Green
Leave a Comment

JJ Johnston

Steve Depolo, owner of The Inside Gateway hobby store in Woodinville, will be the featured speaker at this week’s meeting on Thursday, October 15th, 7:30 p.m., in the Bellevue Foursquare Church. Steve’s hobby store has provided door prizes for the Eastside Get Together for several years. Steve is also a fantastic modeler so you won’t want to miss this presentation.

Steve will present a clinic on how he uses photos to generate plans for scratch building structures. Learn how to turn styrene into unique structures. Bring something of your own to share. We will have a report of last weekend’s OLY-Ops and the recent Lynden Train Show.

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

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic