Al Babinsky, photos by Chip Van Gilder
Master Model Railroader Gene Swanson started the clinic on time with 46 modelers present including several new attendees. Gene started a discussion about the rules pertaining to the use of the Library facilities. Since this is a public facility we cannot stop anyone from attending because he is not a member of NMRA. They also do not allow solicitations of any kind which we feel that we are not doing. We collect donations for our refreshments and for the food network which are entirely voluntary. Our PNR president and several clinic members will talk with the Library staff and explain our position which we feel do not violate their rules.
Several announcements were made concerning upcoming events:
- The Narrow Gauge Symposium is being held next month, their website is http://www.sn3symposium-2015.com.
- The 4D spring meet will be held on June 6th with location to be determined.
- Portland Daylight Express, the NMRA national convention, will be held August 23 – 28, 2015. Additional information is available at www.nmra2015portland.org.
- The Tacoma NW model railroad show and swap meet is being held March 21st-22nd at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma.
- The annual Olympia area layout tours will take place May 16th. Per the NMRA Pacific Northwest Region calendar, additional information will be available from Scott Buckley, sbuckley54@comcast.net.
“What’s New at the Hobby Shop” was presented by Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains & Hobbies and had only a few items: beer cars from Atlas, Milwaukee boxcar from Athearn, reefers from Roundhouse and N scale cars from Microtrains.
The “Model of the Month” contest included the following: Chris brought in a EMD SD38 that he obtained and weathered it heavily along with a set of gondolas and the loads for them consisting chunks of a rusted metal can as a scrap metal load, an item from a dishwasher that looked like a tank, a load of granite blocks that used to be tiles for a counter and a load of black and grey rocks to represent broken up asphalt and concrete. Tyler brought a barge that had a load of vehicles and a tug boat and vehicle that were part of the clinic. Walt brought a pair of weathered gondolas that carried a pipe load. Gene presented a Labelle 3-in-1 kit of a vegetable reefer that he hand painted. Dave brought a water tank kit for a town on his layout and Scott brought three ACF 3650 hoppers, two of which were shortened and equipped with discharge shuts that were 3D printed. The winner of the “Model of the Month” was Scott Taylor.
Scott Taylor’s modified hoppers with 3D printed discharge gates, the Model Of the Month winner.
The clinic for this month was on weathering vehicles and was given by Jim Sabol, Dale Kraus, Walt Huston and Tyler Whitcomb. Each had his version on weathering and the basic thread was using alcohol or water to create a wash with weathering powders or acrylic paints. The hand-out was prepared by Mike Shaw and had photos to accompany the text. All in all an excellent clinic with very useful information.
Next month’s clinic will be on April 9th at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg., the corner of Waller Road and 112th Street. Our clinician will be Steve Carter and he will talk about operating train order boards which he is building for PSMRE.
Chris Clancey’s SD-38 and gondola loads
Coors Brewing Company track plan
Dave Faucett’s D&D shops water tower kit
Gene Swanson’s hand painted LaBelle reefer kit
Tyler Whitcomb barge and tug boat with vehicle load
Walt Huston’s gondolas with pipe load
