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Russ Segner Published in Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette

Written by Cliff Green
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JJ Johnston

Congratulations to our 4th Division Superintendent Russ Segner who was recently published in the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette. A recipient of the Golden Grab Iron Service Award in 2013, his featured story is about his Sn3 Coal Creek Lumber Company model railroad. His home layout represents a 1930’s freelance logging and mining branch set in the state of Washington. A major structure based on the prototype Sanger Lumber Company mill is scratch built as is his LRB Mines mineral bunker. His mythical interchange between the Denver & Rio Grande Western and the Coal Creek Lumber Company gives Russ a chance to show off his motive power including Shays, Climaxes, Heislers and some rod locomotives. Finished scenery and great photos by Russ and Dale Kreutzer highlight four pages and promote the upcoming 30th Annual Sn3 Symposium to be held locally in Bellevue from April 16-18. Russ will hold an open house of his railroad during the convention.

Layout Tour, News

A Great Big “Thank You” To The PSC Show Volunteers

Written by Cliff Green
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David Yadock
Jeff Moorman
Bobj Berger (the PSC Committee)
and Russ Segner (4D Superintendent on behalf of our entire Board)

This year’s Pacific Science Center Model Railroad show was very successful thanks to the many volunteers and all the exhibitors that made the show possible. This show is the premier fundraiser for the 4th Division (PNR, NMRA).

The public was happy to see the trains at the Center for their annual visit and almost 12,000 attended. Yes, the square footage for the model railroad show was a little smaller this year since we had to make way for the Pompeii exhibit but the smiles from all the people attending the show were just as big as in previous shows. As usual, this show is a crowd pleaser.

Here is a listing of all who we have been able to identify as participants at the recent Pacific Science Center Show. Many were there all three days for the full sessions. They ran trains, answered hundreds of questions, re-railed and repaired trains and generally represented the great hobby of model railroading to a very grateful public.

Thank these folks for all their hard work on behalf of our hobby. If you missed out, we will be planning next year’s show very soon. Join one of these fine groups to share your skills and interest – info on most can be found at the 4D Clinics page or the 4D Modules page.

General Volunteers

Don Melnick
Linda & Al Pellegrini
Bob Richard
Seamus Richard
Charles Gerton
Fred Hamilton
Fred Philbrook
Phil Gonzales
Dennis Murphy
Ed Liesse
Rod Olson
Cliff Green
Nathan Green
Michael Posner
Fritz Grant
Alex Grant

Omni-Rail

Dennis Terpstra
Jim Merriam
Marcee Merriam
Walt Scotson
Nolan Deardorf
Paul Pellegrino
Bobby Pellegrino

Northwest Rail Museum (Snoqualmie Museum)

Peggy Barchi
Mark Wilkerson
Dennis Snook
Larry Dalke
David Olix

Northwest Transportation Museum

Al Ramey
Ruth Ramey
Linda Smith
Lawrence Holliday

Operation Lifesaver

Bud Thompson
David Agee

Baby Gramps

Dorë
Baby Gramps
Val Jones

Mike Petrocelli’s Layout

Rod, Zindra, Josiah, Jed, Jaden, Julia, Jeranna Nelson

United Northwest

Keith Lyons
Jim Morgan
David Moses
Jamey Morrison
Gil Hermans
Wally Davis
Charlotte Morgan
Mason Morgan
Keith Lyons
Dave Montgomery
Shawn Newkirk
Tim Finley
Bruce Porter
Adam Phillips
David Phillips

4dNTRAK Group

AL Lowe
Doug Bulger
David Cook
Edwin Hill
Neill Clift
Peter Clift
Mike Donnelly
Scott Marshall
John Marshall
Kent Sullivan
Sean Sullivan

T-TRAK

Mateo Kuo
Malcolm Kuo
Steve Kuo
Jennette Kuo

wTrak

Annette Shephenson
Tom Stephenson
Emily Korson
Marra Holmes
Debra Limon
Kim Tepe
Steven McKay
Kelley Heavey
Dwight Vantuyl

Build-A-Dream

Walt Huston
Jack Hamilton
Bill Hupe
Steve Hauff
Gil Hermans

NMRA table

Bob Rorabaugh
Russ Segner
Rick Jillard
Robin Peel
Wendy Yadock

HO modular

Rob Staples
Thomas Johnson
Dave Ellis
Tom Barrett
Larry Sloan
Ross Tabor
Joel Scott
Norm Curtis
Paul Fischer
Mike Laughlin
Judy Laughlin
Donn Yeo
John Johnson
Alex Brikoff
Tina Brikoff
James Monroe
Nicholas Arnold
Peter Gulick

Playmobile

Quin Jones
Shauna Jones
Burton Jones

Hi-Rail

Sam Hayden
Ed Ives
Wayne Grinnell
Woody Matthews
Marc Sachnoff
Ed Pennington
Ray Francis
Cindy Francis

Committee folks

David Yadock
Jeff Moorman
BobJ Berger

A special thanks to Al Turnbull who was able to attend and display his Cascades & Western layout.

Model Train Show

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Clinic January Meeting, Weathering Techniques for Buildings

Written by Cliff Green
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Article and Photos by Rich Thom

Clinic Chair Rich Blake welcomed 27 members and one new attendee, John Ballay of Coupeville (who we hope will become one of our regulars) to the January program: “Weathering Techniques for Buildings”. Rich reviewed the calendar of upcoming events in the PNR and reminded everyone that, as the new year has arrived, it was a good time to renew NMRA memberships. There being no old or new business, things moved directly into the program.

All had been encouraged to bring a weathered (or possibly not) building to share. Modelers responded by bringing more than two dozen structures in all scales from “N” to “F”, so there were plenty of examples to discuss. Space limitations prevent showing all of them in this report.

Various buildings brought to the clinic for discussion

Fig 1 – Various buildings brought to the clinic for discussion.

Several members described their buildings and construction and weathering methods: Rich Blake, Jack Tingstad, Dick Haines, Terry Kandzor, Susan Gonzales, Al Frasch, Tom Hawkins, John Marshall, and John White. Some common techniques include:

  • Use real life: photographs, field trip sketches and notes, internet resources
  • Weather wood with razor saw or Micromark “stresser” to create grain
  • Stain wood with water or alcohol-based washes made from acrylics, india ink, or leather dyes, or use commercially available stains from Micromark, Builders-in-Scale and others
  • Focus on irregularity and repairs: for wood structures built board-by-board, stain boards individually, varying the intensity; put a few new, unpainted boards in an old planked wall; add boarded-up doors and windows, broken trim etc.
  • Use chalks for final weathering: Bragdon powders (which contain a binder and need not be fixed in place), Doc O’Brien’s, artists’ chalks from Michael’s
  • Instead of chalks apply dry pigments, available from art supply sources e.g. Dick Blick
  • Don’t forget roofs: missing shingles, rusted corrugated iron, moss, leaves, foliage
Jack Tingstad’s abandoned mine.

Fig 2 – Jack Tingstad’s abandoned mine, a scratch foreground model built board-by-board; note individually stained boards.

During his remarks, Jack Tingstad passed around copies of the Judges’ Score Sheet for NMRA Model Contests to make the point that weathering can make or break a model earning an achievement award or winning a contest. Of the five qualities of a model that are judged, the fourth, “Finish and Lettering”, which includes weathering and how it was achieved, can earn a maximum of 25 points (out of 125 total possible), which is more than Detail (20 points) or Scratchbuilding (15 points).

Tom Hawkins’ Builder’s Supply

Fig 3 – Tom Hawkins’ Builder’s Supply, another scratch foreground building constructed of pre-stained stripwood.

Terry Kandzor describes his scratch-built yard office/interlocking tower

Fig 4 – Terry Kandzor describes his scratch-built yard office/interlocking tower, featuring a boarded-up door for former stairway, broken trim under eaves, and other “needs repair” details.

Some less common methods:

  • Weathering boards: stain or paint as usual, apply turpentine, paint the board before it dries with acrylics, then apply tape and pull it off; when it works (it didn’t tonight!) the resulting worn paint appearance is great (Rich Blake)
  • Peeling paint: apply Grumbacher “Miskit” Liquid Frisket over first layer of paint in patches where you want the peeled paint effect; apply second coat of paint; then use an artist’s gum eraser to rub off the top layer and masking material (Jack Tingstad)
  • “Chalk Slag”: when weathering a building with chalks, place a large clean sheet of paper underneath the model to collect the residue; the co-mingling of colors creates a great weathering powder for general use (Dick Haines)
  • Water staining (literally!): drip small amounts of water, possibly with pigments added, vertically down sides of buildings, on roofs etc. (take care with paper-based or wood structures!) (Dick Haines)
Dick Haines’ well-weathered city block

Fig 5 – Dick Haines’ city block, a well-weathered hydrocal kit.

Susan Gonzales' city block

Fig 6 – Susan Gonzales’ city block, the same kit as Dick Haines’; her rendering includes peeled paint exposing bricks underneath and other fine weathering techniques.

Finally, for those who like to let natural processes do the work for them, Tom Hawkins reminded everyone that just leaving a building on the layout for a few years is very effective. (We assume he wasn’t kidding.) Or as John Marshall suggested, build a garden railway. John brought two 1:20.3 buildings from his Coupeville railroad. One, a German plastic model, has been outside for 20 years and looked it. The second, of wood, is brought indoors over the winter but, protected by wood preservative, is outdoors the rest of the year, and was convincingly weathered, too. Whatever works!

Thanks to all participants, and Event Coordinators Rich Blake and Susan Gonzales, for a great clinic on improving the appearance and realism of our structures.

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic

Bill Messecar Earns MMR #543

Written by Ken Liesse
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Ken Liesse

At the Tacoma Clinic on Thursday, January 8th, 4D Secretary Bill Messecar was presented with Master Model Railroader #543. Presenting Bill with this honor were PNR President Michael Highsmith, PNR Past President Walt Huston, 4D Superintendent Russ Segner, NMRA Director Jack Hamilton and members of the evaluation team, Roger Nulton, Ed Liesse and Ken Liesse.

Bill Messecar receives congratulations from Michael Highsmith, Walt Huston and Russ Segner.

Bill Messecar receives congratulations from Michael Highsmith, Walt Huston and Russ Segner.

Bill earned certificates for Author, Scenery, Structures, Volunteer, Dispatcher, Cars, and Prototype Model. Bill models the Santa Fe railroad in Southern California, and those who have seen his HO layout are always amazed at the detail, especially the oranges in their shipping crates. Bill has written several books and articles on modeling the Santa Fe and is active in the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society. His layout has appeared on 4D tours several times. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, make sure you watch for his layout to be on tour.

From the NMRA Achievement Program website: “The Achievement Program is a system of requirements for demonstrating a superior level of skill in various aspects of our hobby. It covers not only building various types of models, but also building other things which are important to the hobby, such as scenery, structures, track work, and wiring. It also recognizes service to the hobby and the NMRA, which are important as well. Use the links on the right to explore the different certificates and requirements.”

“An NMRA member qualifies as a Master Model Railroader when he or she has obtained at least seven of the eleven Achievement Certificates provided that he or she has earned at least one Achievement Certificate in each of the four areas of the Regulations. Earning the title of Master Model Railroader is the ultimate goal for many participants in the Achievement Program.”

Achievement Program, News, Tacoma Clinic

PSC Model Railroad Show Today through Monday, Welcome to New Members

Written by Cliff Green
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Cliff Green, Grab Iron Editor

If you haven’t made plans to attend the Pacific Science Center Model Railroad show here in Seattle, now’s the time! As noted on the 4th Division PSC web page, the show is Saturday January 17 (today) through Monday January 19 (MLK weekend).

I also want to extend a welcome to the new 4th Division members (or those that have renewed their NMRA membership). I add new members to the Grab Iron e-mail distribution list on a monthly basis. Please e-mail me at cliffg@codewrangler.net if you would like to be removed from the Grab Iron distribution list, or have feedback you’d like to make.

There are many helpful clinics and members across the 4th Division (which includes Alaska). I encourage everyone to take advantage of the skill sharing and fellowship available (it’s the main reason I belong to the NMRA). More information can be found on the 4D Clinics Page.

Model Train Show

Dave Kreitler To Speak At Eastside Get-Together

Written by Cliff Green
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JJ Johnston

Dave Kreitler Speaks

Yes, you’re hearing it here and it’s big news. The Eastside Get-Together has once again pulled off an amazing feat of obtaining one of the world’s greatest modelers to present at our monthly meeting on Thursday, January 15th at 7:30 pm. We are expecting standing room only (SRO) so come early to get a seat and a donut. We have absolutely no idea what Dave is going to present although based on his international reputation, it will be informative, motivating, electrifying plus there will be great handouts. It has been quoted “Nobody does it like Dave!” Please cancel any other meetings and attend this once in a lifetime opportunity to hear Dave speak.

Plus we’ll have all the usual stuff like “Model of the Month”, door prizes, stuff to buy or sell, free coffee and donuts with donations. Of course we’re having fun with Dave’s introduction, but you seriously don’t want to miss his clinic as he always delivers something special. Happy New Year.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Ralph Oxhandler Passes

Written by Cliff Green
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Nathan Oxhandler

Ralph Oxhandler (my father) passed away on Jan 6, 2015. He was a 4th Division member in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Ralph performed publicity functions for the 1972 Seattle NMRA Convention under the name “P. C. Shay”. He also performed publicity for the 1973 Atlanta Convention under the name “The General”.

He attended most of the clinics at Loyal Heights Field House and the Burien Hobby Center. During his time in the Pacific Northwest Region (PNR) of the NMRA he modeled primarily in HO scale but also worked in N, Z and Large Scale. Shay’s were his big thing, having bought one of the first two truck models that Pacific Fast Mail (PFM) imported and was the first to buy the Pacific Coast Shay when they were released. He enjoyed going to the Cass Scenic Railroad many times over the years.

Ralph joined the NMRA while we lived in the Baltimore, MD area with a date of January 1952 and over the years was a member of the PNR, PSR, SSR, LSR, and MER regions.

No services are planned. If people wish they may make a donation to the NMRA in his name. E-mail can be sent to me at nathan@gvtc.com.

News

Tacoma Clinic

Written by Al Babinsky
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By Al Babinsky, photos by Chip Van Gilder

The first clinic of the year was started on time as usual by MMR Gene Swanson with 44 modelers in attendance. We had two newcomers, one modeling the Santa Fe in HO and the other hoping to model in N scale. Several announcements were made, including a model show at the Museum of Flight (MOF), the online magazine Trackside Model Railroading (TSMRR), featuring several layouts of Tacoma Clinic members, the Sn3 scale symposium, the 2015 NMRA National Convention in Portland, OR, and the 2015 Pacific Science Center Train Show, hosted by the 4th Division. Gene mentioned that our March clinician Steve Young was very ill and had to abandon his live steam 4-8-4 Northern project.

Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s in the Hobby Shop”: an F 45 from Atlas, an FT45 from Arnold, a mechanical reefer, tank train, N scale GP-15 and U-25 from Atlas. Bluford Shops has hoppers, boxcars, and a transfer caboose and Micro Trains sells a Z scale NP passenger set and Kato with UP 844 and 7 car UP passenger set.

“Model of the Month” had several entrants including Chris Clancy with a rail tie load for a gondola, a Green bay and Western gondola and a 0-6-0 tank locomotive. Chip Van Gilder brought several 3D printed items, a cider mill, an S scale steam locomotive roof, and hopper flow gates. Kevin Klettke brought a kit bashed wood chip barge. Dale Kraus brought two weathered German railroad gondolas draw-barred to operate as one (matching the prototype). Walt Huston brought background photos for his layout. The “Model of the Month” winner was Kevin Klettke with his wood chip barge.

Our clinic for this month was presented by Steve Cox, the owner of Cascade Rail Supply, featuring roadbed materials and construction. His PowerPoint presentation covered the pros and cons of various types of available roadbed. Most roadbeds, such as cork, have the wrong angle of 45 degrees versus the proper angle of 30 degrees. He showed samples of the types of Homasote roadbed that he manufactures in all the common scales. Homasote seems to be the best product around since it is solid and holds spikes. Note that cutting and sanding Homasote creates large amounts of dust and manufactured roadbed avoids this irritation. It was an informative, well-done, great clinic.

Next month’s clinic will be on February 12th at our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112th Street and Waller road at 7:30 PM. The February clinic will cover “Analog and DCC at the Same Time”. Hope to see all of you there and bring a friend, significant other or any one that is into modeling.

Chip's 3D Printing Projects

Chip’s 3D Printing Projects. Photo by Chip.

Kevin Klettke's wood chip barge

Kevin Klettke’s Wood Chip Barge, Model of the Month Winner. Photo by Chip.

Dale Kraus' German gondola unit train

Dale Kraus’ German Gondola Unit Train. Photo by Chip.

Walt Huston's layout back drop pictures

Walt Huston’s Layout Back Drop Pictures. Photo by Chip.

Chris Clancy's 0-6-0 tank locomotive

Chris Clancy’s 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive. Photo by Chip.

 

Tacoma Clinic

Pacific Science Center Show Still Needs Volunteers

Written by Cliff Green
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David Yadock

Don’t worry, there is still time to volunteer!

Yes, the Pacific Science Center Show still needs volunteers. This is the premier fundraiser for the 4th Division. This year’s show will be a little smaller in size but the need for volunteers is just as great. Any amount of time will be appreciated. So, come join your fellow modelers and help promote the hobby. This is the perfect opportunity for all those armchair model railroaders to become active in this local event. Remember, parking is free and you have access to the Pacific Science Center.

As noted on the 4D PSC web page, the show is Saturday January 17 through Monday January 19 (MLK weekend). On Friday the exhibitor set-up will commence at 5 pm and last till 9 pm. On Saturday the show starts at 8:30 am and lasts till 6 pm. Sunday and Monday the show is from 9 am till 6 pm. After the show on Monday will be layout load out till 9 pm. This year will be critical for help since we will not have one of our load in/load out docks available.

If you want to help out please contact me at hi61izq@hotmail.com or 425-226-7518.

Model Train Show

Seattle-North – First Meeting of the New Year is February 5, 2015

Written by Jeff Moorman
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By Jeff Moorman

Hope you are all enjoying the Holidays. You may have noticed that the first Thursday of next month is New Year’s Day.

Sorry. I know this comes as a disappointment to some who cancelled New Year’s Eve party plans in order to be well rested for the clinic, but we will not be meeting on the first.

Thursday, February 5 is our next scheduled clinic date. I’ll post a reminder with more details as that date approaches.

Directions: We meet at the Ronald United Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA. That is on the west side of Aurora (State Route 99) between 175th and 185th Streets and more specifically, between the Cadillac dealer on the south and Deseret Industries to the north. Going southbound on Aurora, make a right-hand turn into the church driveway immediately after passing the Deseret location. The parking lot is at the rear of the church. Go up the steps to the main entrance. We meet in the Fireside Room which is immediately to the left inside the door.

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, usually September – June. However in June we often do something different, so there may be no “regular” meeting. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the program starts at 7:30.

Meeting dates for the rest of the current clinic season are scheduled for the first Thursday of February, March, April, and May 2015. Hope to see you there or at least sometime on down the line.

Seattle-North Clinic