Michael Donnelly, Treasurer 4D-PNR-NMRA
The Fourth Division Budget for Fiscal Year July 2015-June 2016 as approved by the Board of Directors at the 30 May 2015 board meeting is available here.
Grab Iron Posts
NMRA National Layout Directory Project
Bob Chaparro, Chairman
Work is now underway on a member Layout Directory to replace the visitation feature of the old NMRA Pike Registry Program. Layout owner participation will be voluntary and built-in security features will protect privacy. The Layout Directory will be an on-line system that allows NMRA members (only) to:
- Identify the layouts of participating NMRA members by location, scale, gauge, era, prototype and area modeled, etc.
- Review the particular features of the layouts
- Contact layout owners to arrange visits or exchange common-interest information
A working group has been formed to develop the Directory and input is needed from NMRA members. One of the first tasks of the group is to survey layout owners from the old Pike Registry and visitors to their layouts to determine:
- What visitation aspects worked
- What didn’t work
- What features they liked
- What features they didn’t like
- Suggestions for the new Layout Directory
Please note that this is not a registry for layout names.
Members interested in having their layouts included in the Layout Directory also should contact me by email at chiefbobbb@verizon.net. Of course, comments are always welcome.
Snoqualmie Railroad Days Steams into Town August 14, 15 & 16
Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager
Snoqualmie’s essence and fun history come to life during the 2015 Snoqualmie Railroad Days festival. Enjoy Snoqualmie – past, present and future! Snoqualmie Railroad Days festival brings the variety of what makes Snoqualmie unique to life with Timber Sports and Living History demonstrations, 3 stages of musical entertainment, the Grand Parade, the Children’s Field of Fun, a variety of food & fun vendors, the Legends Car Show, a special model train show, Arts in the Park with numerous artists demonstrating their craft, Wine & Beer Gardens, a Fun Run, Wagon Rides and Steam Train Excursions. And of course the event that started it all, the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast!
Join the fun during the Grand Parade as band director Matt Wenman is honored for his community spirit in building the music program at Mt. Si High School including two years as finalists with the Jazz I group to the Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival in New York City!
For general information click on the museum website at http://www.trainmuseum.org, e-mail at info@trainmuseum.org or call the museum at 425-888-3030. I can also be contacted at ext. 7203 or peggy@trainmuseum.org. More information on Snoqualmie Railroad Days can be found at http://www.railroaddays.com.
Westside Clinic June Report
Bill Hupé
The June Westside clinic was a great success with eleven 4th Division modelers attending. Jack Hamilton shared his latest model railroad adventures as well as some new tools. Pete Rowe brought a flat car and two trucks with loads of lumber that he cut on a miniature table saw, for use on a lumber mill project.
Steve Hauff’s clinic was titled “Toto, I don’t think we’re on Amtrak anymore”. The clinic illustrated traveling on two of Africa’s (and the world’s, for that matter) finest trains: Rovos Rail and the Blue Train.
The Rovos journey went from Pretoria, South Africa to Swakopmund, Namibia via Kimberly, DeAar, and Windhoek, with side trips to the dunes at Sossesvlei and Etosha National Park. The Rovos equipment as well as South Africian and Namibian hardware was also viewed.
The Blue Train section centered on the opulence of what is considered to be one of the best appointed trains anywhere. While the journey is only slightly more than a day, it is a day spent in 5-star luxury.
Typical clinics have a “Model Contest” and “Show And Tell”. Coffee and cookies are provided and bringing a friend is encouraged.
For those visiting us for the first time our clinics are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the United Way of Kitsap Building, 647 4th Street, Bremerton, WA at 7 pm.
Tom Enloe Passes
Steve Haas
Tom’s wife Carol and daughter Jennifer have shared that Tom passed away July 5th, due to complications following heart surgery. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., July 18th at Bellevue Christian Reformed Church, 1221 148th Ave NE in Bellevue. This is in the Crossroads area. A casual reception with open mike will follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. All are invited to this memorial service.
Carol and Jennifer have expressed a strong desire to keep the Pacific Northwestern Railroad up and running in the future. They will be in touch with those interested.
4th Division Election Results and Leadership Changes
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.
Volunteers Needed For Day Out With Thomas at the Northwest Railway Museum
Cristy Lake, Volunteer Coordinator and Registrar
Here is a great opportunity to expand your railroad experience.
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.
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A Narrower View – Feeding the Dragons
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.
HO Estate Sale, Las Cruces, NM
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
Northwest Railway Museum 4th of July, Day Out With Thomas, and More
Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager
Upcoming events for 2015 at the Northwest Railway Museum include:
Steam at the Northwest Railway Museum