Al Babinsky, photos courtesy of Chip Van Gilder
MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time with 45 modelers in attendance including 4 first timers – Molly Faucett, Randy who models European equipment, Budd who graduated from N and HO to G scale, and Larry Sloan who models BN from 1970-95.
Ed Liesse announced that the NMRA national election ballots are in the latest NMRA magazine. Please vote, especially now since one of our division members is running for president. He also mentioned that the 4D elections are coming up for a director and assistant superintendent position. Scott Taylor mentioned that a plastic model show was being held at the Museum of Flight and a future model show in Kent (editors note: The Museum of Flight models are from the Northwest Scale Modelers club).
Bill Sandstrom representing Tacoma Trains & Hobbies presented “What’s new at the Hobby Shop”. His first item was that Tacoma Trains is not closing as has been rumored, but that George Bourcier is planning on retiring and is looking for a buyer. As for the new items, there are books on BN and on DCC, Microtrains has a Z scale NP passenger set and HO boxcars, Foxhall a transfer caboose, Walthers a HO express boxcar, and Lionel a SP flatcar with trailer.
Bud Thompson is looking for volunteers to help with building and installing an NP railroad display in the Foss Maritime Seaport along with building 3 G scale modules for an interactive display.
“Model of the Month” items were brought by Chris Clancy, showing a DCC ready EMD CF-7 which he renamed for his railroad. Chris also brought a Bachmann boxcar, a TNW boxcar, RG boxcar and a Milwaukee Road transfer caboose, all of them heavily weathered. Walt Huston brought an SD80Mac renamed and numbered for his railroad. Dennis Reeves showed scratch built N scale signals in various stages of progression and a Woodland Scenics building kit. The building kit came non-painted and was very hard to paint after it was built. Gene Swanson brought a Red Ball billboard refrigerator car with cardboard sides and metal ends. John brought a NW mill gondola with steel load made from windshield wiper arms. Dave Faucett brought a Jacks Cabin water tower. Jim Flowers brought a ballast dump car and fire car with high speed tender trucks. Chip Van Gilder showed a self-designed 3D printed locomotive body and an exploded view of the Monroe station ready for 3D printing.
The winner of “Model of the Month” was Jim Clowers with his ballast dump car and the fire car.
Jim Clower’s ballast spreader and fire car, Model of the Month winner
For the “Tip of the Month” Al Babinsky showed a reel of LED light strip to be used for interior lighting in passenger cars or buildings. The LED strip is 5 meters long / 60 LEDs per meter / 12 volts and is waterproof. Al uses them primarily on cars to light up the underside with different color lighting. It is self-adhesive and can be cut at about 6 inch intervals. There are a number of manufacturers and the best way to order is through E-Bay or Amazon.
The clinic for February was given by Al Babinsky and was about converting an analog layout to DCC. This is achieved by installing a double pole double throw switch and, if loops are present, reversing modules. The installation of the switch allows the layout to be operated in DCC or analog mode.
Next month’s clinic will be given by Jim Sabol on weathering vehicles. The clinic will be on the 12th of March at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. on the corner of 112th Street and Waller Road at 7:30 PM. Hope to see you there.
Chris Clancy’s CF-7 and cars
Walt Huston’s SD80MAC
Gene Swanson’s Red Ball billboard refrigerator car
Dennis Reeves’s N scale scratch built signals
Dave Faucett’s Jacks Cabin watertank
Dennis Reeves’s Woodland Scenic painted building
John’s NW millgons with steel load
