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A Narrower View – Rolling with a Purpose

Written by Cliff Green
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Syd Schofield

Editors note: Welcome to the eighth 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.

Transportation for supporting human needs and wants has evolved from walking to rockets in space. In the not-too-distant past we managed to develop materials and technology to enhance this transportation. For the most part we move along the surface of the earth – land and water. Moving on water, once the buoyancy problems were solved, required an application of power. Wind and current were free if the direction of travel was favorable. Travelling on still water, going against the wind or moving upstream, required some extra effort.

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Articles, Narrow Gauge

Reimbursement Mileage Rate Increased for 4D Members

Written by Cliff Green
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Mike Donnelly, 4D Treasurer

Recently the 4th Division Board of Directors voted to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for 4D members from the federal rate for non-profits to the federal rate for businesses (currently 57 ½ cents per mile – note that this is the current federal rate and will change in the future). Please use the federal rate for businesses in all future mileage reimbursements and future year budget estimates. All other rules for mileage reimbursement remain unchanged.

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News

A New Season of Model Railroading in the 4th Division

Written by Cliff Green
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Cliff Green, Grab Iron Editor

The 2015-2016 4th Division (PNR, NMRA) model railroading season is under way and I anticipate another good year of clinics, train shows, layout tours, meets, and conventions. If you haven’t attended one of the many excellent clinics in this Division I highly recommend them – the presenters are skilled modelers and most of the clinics have at least one (if not more) MMR (Master Model Railroader) attending. More information on 4D clinics is available here.

Every month I add new (or re-newed) 4D members to the Grab Iron subscriber list. If you are seeing a Grab Iron post (or e-mail notification) for the first time: Welcome!

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Grab-Iron, News

Tacoma Clinic

Written by Al Babinsky
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By Al Babinsky, Photos by Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened our first clinic after the summer break and welcomed all. We had 34 modelers including one newcomer in attendance. Gene announced that Bill Sandstrom is Tacoma Trains new owner and we wish him well in his new endeavor. Bill brought in several “thank you” letters from kids that received a gift certificate from Tacoma Trains. These certificates are funded by donations from Tacoma Clinic attendees that visit Tacoma Trains for purchases. The certificates are given out to kids that have an interest in model trains but have limited funds to pursue the hobby. Bill Sandstrom presented new arrivals at the store that included a Walthers power and light building kit, a ready-to-use depot from Woodlands Scenics that comes in all scales, some coal cars from Atlas, and a 4-pack of grain cars from Micro-Trains.

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Tacoma Clinic

Eastside Get Together next Thursday, 9/17

Written by Al Lowe
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JJ Johnston

Here we go. The first Eastside Get Together of the season will be held next Thursday, September 17th, 7:30 p.m., in the Bellevue Foursquare Church. Our guest presenter will be Bob Oates speaking about selecting and building a historically-based model railroad. We have all seen stunning examples of Bob’s modeling and he will show us how he used old photos to plan and build bridges and structures. What a fabulous way to start our Fall meetings!

I hope everybody built something over the summer to bring as your Model of the Month entry. Don’t forget the free coffee and donuts (donations always encouraged), door prizes, stuff to buy and sell, and an all-around good time.

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

See ya there!

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Westside Clinic Today – Tue, Sep 8th

Written by Cliff Green
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Bill Hupé

The September 2015 Westside Clinic is Tuesday the 8th (today).

Last month’s clinic was interesting. We had only five 4th Division modelers. Jack Hamilton pulled a clinic out of his back pocket and put it back in for presentation.

Jack took over the meeting and updated us on what was going on in the PNR and NMRA. He encouraged us to attend the PNR and NMRA membership meetings. He talked about several NMRA initiatives: partnering with Scenic Railroads to provide NMRA members discounts; hobby shops giving NMRA members discounts; and changing the way manufactures can certify their products in compliance with NMRA Standards. He also touched briefly on Revisions to the NMRA By-Laws and Executive Handbook.

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Westside Local Clinic

A Narrower View – Monsters and Miniatures

Written by Cliff Green
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Syd Schofield

Editors note: Welcome to the seventh 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.

Well into the Machine Age, when cast iron foundries and machine shops were as common as weaving mills and breweries, the narrow gauge locomotives had many folks involved in their creation and development. The wheel arrangements were many and varied, not so much for pulling power and speed as for the capability of the rail and support systems. The smallest possible wheel arrangement (prior to the imaginary Smokey Stover Fire Chief car or the modern gyro-stabilized Segway) was the 0-4-0 and the 2-2-2, the middle number(s) being the number of driving wheels, capable of pulling only minimal consists (in the later years the 2-2-2 served as the power plant configuration for VIP and inspection cars) lightly rolling on small rail and primitive roadbed. The largest was the 2-8-2 and the 2-6-6-2 that required significant infrastructure but could pull dozens of car consists.

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Articles, Narrow Gauge

Seattle-North Clinic Season Starts September 3, 2015  

Written by Jeff Moorman
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by Jeff Moorman

Next Clinic:

Yes, it is before Labor Day and yes, the Seahawks are playing a game, but this Thursday is the first Thursday in September. And that means it is clinic night.

We’ll start by covering the latest trends in the hobby, based on some of our experiences at the National Convention. And we’ll chat a bit about the convention itself. And we will end with a round robin discussion of what we did (railroad-wise) this summer.

The church’s remodel looks to be mostly done, so we should be back in the “Fireside” room, which interestingly doesn’t seem to have a fireside any more. But, of course, things are always subject to change.

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Seattle-North Clinic

Take it Easy and Ride the Steam Train this Labor Day at Northwest Railway Museum

Written by Cliff Green
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Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

Our antique Steam Train makes a special Holiday Run on September 5th, 6th, & 7th.

The Northwest Railway Museum pays tribute to America’s workers this Labor Day with a special weekday steam train run of the Museum’s antique train on Monday, September 7th. This is in addition to the railroad’s usual weekend steam train schedule. The Northwest Railway Museum offers scenic train excursions through the Cascade foothills of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, including a ride past the top of Snoqualmie Falls and a splendid view of the valley below.
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Northwest Railway Museum