Grab Iron Posts

Why I Couldn’t Run Trains Last Saturday

December 9, 2013Written by Al Lowe

By Jim Sabol

Dear Lee:

Last summer it seemed like a good idea to bring water from the outdoor standpipe into the barn where we could hook up a hose to reach the stalls. Much more convenient.

So I did.

Fed the feed line from the well through the footing/foundation wall into a stall, across the stall wall, into the center aisle to a spigot and hose. Always enjoy jack-hammering through concrete walls. Wonder what other people do for fun afternoons.

Doctor says cement flake in left eye will work itself out eventually.

Protected total run of new pipe from investigating horses with much stout lumber and screws. Not the horses, the pipe.

Wrapped all new pipe in heat tape. Plugged in heat tape about a week ago.

Didn’t notice horse had kicked plug out of socket several days ago. Or was it nights?

Amazed to see how large a lake that a day and night of free running broken pipe can deliver. Neighbor was amazed, too, when he saw his lawn and his RV inundated with ice. Thought it looked quite beautiful. Still do.

Discovered that neighbor’s sense of humor is considerably smaller than I had always assumed. Same to you, Bob!

Thought of you and guests running trains in nice warm basement while I knelt in ditch bailing water for two hours until I could cut in an emergency shut-off valve in feed line from well.

Artist’s Interpretation

Chuckled to myself when I noticed that 3/4″ valve from Home Depot didn’t fit 3/4″ line.

Enjoyed yard decorations on return trip to Home Depot. Smiled cheerfully to clerks commenting about returning so soon and possible discount for multiple trips. Great kidders.

Helpfully informed clerk who sold me incorrect valve how I could help him save money on his next colonoscopy. Can’t be too thrifty these days.

Installed shut-off valve with super fast-setting PVC cement. Great stuff. I hear that nail polish will separate thumb from eyebrow.

Opened valve, cut well pump back in, let pipe run clean, shut off valve. Pleased to see valve hold back water flow. End of adventure.

Will tear apart enclosure and repair rupture when freezing weather passes.

Will administer stern lecture to horses about stepping on cords.

Will administer similar lecture to Mary about monitoring her barn.

Me Tarzan. You Jane. Me build. You monitor.

Response from horses: “Yeah, right.”

Response from spouse: “Yeah, right.”

Enjoyed yet another chuckle after putting tools away and grasping gate with wet glove hand. I was never stupid enough as a kid to put my tongue on a frozen gate. Now, a wet glove…

Couldn’t believe how amusing I must have looked as I attempted to crack loose Levi legs frozen from thighs down. Could have sworn that Bob could have heard my cries for help. Response time from house not as rapid as your typical 911 call, but not bad. Same to you, Bob.

Well, Lee, I’m leaving out a lot of the more amusing parts, such as how the hot towel I wanted to wrap my hands in caught fire in the microwave oven (note to self: 90 seconds is about it) and how we all chuckled one more time as I tried to squat over the edge of the tub while Mary poured hot water onto the thighs of my frozen Levis. On the whole, it would have worked rather better if we had removed the cat form the tub first. (Note to self: next time wear thermal pants for outdoor jobs in freezing weather.) (Note to cat: how many times do I have go tell you not to play with spiders in the tub?)

And that’s why I missed the train meeting at your house this afternoon, Lee.

I hope you’ll invite me again when we’re not having so much fun in the barn.

I just notice Bob doing acrobatic stunts on his sidewalk. Had no idea he had a background in aerial gymnastics. Wait. He seems to be signaling me he’s O. K. Strange use of finger, though. Same to you, Bob!

Jim here.

Tacoma Clinic

Eastside Get-Together Report for November

December 4, 2013Written by Al Lowe

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JJ Johnston

Thirty-two attended the Eastside Get-Together. We had the normal introductions of JJ’s VIPs and three new attendees introduced: Jack Hunter from Bellevue with American Flyer S gauge; Paul Koren, recently moved from Portland to Mount Vernon, in HO; and Aaron Hunt, getting started in HOn3. Aaron also became a door prize winner later in the meeting!

Announcements included: an update on Pacific Science Center show activities from David Yadock; Rob Jones is now working at Eastside Trains and offers a discount to NMRA members; Russ Segner commented that the 2014 PNR convention already has about 25 registrations, three prototype tours available, and the website up and running, including online registration; Russ also mentioned he was doing a model railroad presentation at the Newcastle Library on this weekend at the request of the library. As new 4D Superintendent, Russ said that he’s looking for way to improve communication among the 4th Division members and is setting up a small committee to look at ways to do it.

As usual at this time of year, the group took up a collection to help repay the Church where we meet for their great hospitality in providing the room and kitchen facilities for us. Our donation goes to help several needy members of the Church, especially at Christmas time.

JJ also reminded us that next month would be the Dirty Santa gift exchange and to bring our “gift” wrapped and marked as to category: N, HO, S, O, any or whatever.

: George Chambers, MotM Winner

The contest had three entries: David Yadock with a modified HO Proto-Lifelike flat car with a corrugated pipe load made of aluminum foil wrapped around a carriage both and very carefully “unscrewed”; George Chambers with a modified Bachman On3 steam donkey mounted on a modified Rio Grande Models flat car; and Bob Rorabaugh with a UP switcher that needed a lot of work to get it working – hand-made handrails, clean wheels, rewiring, etc. The winner was George Chambers.

David Yaddock’s scratchbuilt freight station

David Yadock also brought in a scratchbuilt freight station model for AP assessment and earned a Merit Award after Di Voss, MMR, and Max Maginness, MMR, evaluated it. Congratulations, David!

Brian Pickering, Decoder Pro Expert

Our clinic was “Decoder Pro How To,” presented by Brian Pickering. He explained that Decoder Pro was a free program designed to take the mystery out of programming decoders. It translates Configuration Variables (CV’s) into English and uses various screens for the programming. An interface box of some kind (depending on your DCC system) is required to connect your computer to your DCC system. He used the example of assigning or changing the address of an engine. Using the computer and projector, we could see the Decoder Pro screen and the ease of making the change. He also demonstrated the changing the direction of the engine in case the wiring on the motor was reversed without having to rewire the engine by letting the decoder handle it. Brian answered any questions as they came up and also showed how the lighting on engines could be programmed using Decoder Pro. He emphasized that once the changes are done on Decoder Pro, they are saved in the program so you always have that record. There was more Brian wanted to demonstrate, but we ran out of time so he will reschedule a date in the next several months to continue.

Door Prizes

Here’s a picture of our door prize selection for the evening. Something for almost anyone!

Next Eastside Get-Together will be on December 19! Don’t forget your “Dirty Santa” gift!

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Seattle-North Discusses Decoder Installation on December 5, 2013

November 30, 2013Written by Jeff Moorman

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By Jeff Moorman

Please join us for our next meeting, this Thursday, December 5, when our topic will be DCC decoder installations.

Last meeting Tom K took on the subject of track planning software. He was going to just cover free track planning programs, but since there only appear to be three contenders in this category he branched out a bit.

Tom started with the three freeware offerings he found: SCARM (www.scarm.info/index_en.html), TrainCad (www.traincad.com), and XTrackCAD (www.xtrkcad.org).

SCARM, which stands for Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller, is the one Tom has spent the most time with. He used it for demonstrating the typical features one can expect in these programs. The very basic drawing features seem about the same, but there is quite a bit of variety in the how they are implemented. But more detailed features, such as the ability to do 3-D drawings, add structures and scenery, or run animated trains over the track plans you create, are not universally available.

And, although the developers of these programs may disagree, none of the features in any program seemed intuitive. You are going to have to dedicate some time to learning whichever automated track planning tool you choose. And, what you learn about one program may not necessarily carry over to another. For example, I personally have a couple of hours into XTrackCAD and do not feel I can really use it to design anything yet.

On the plus side, at least for these three, the price is right. You don’t have to invest any money to give them a whirl.

Tom then briefly covered some of the track planning programs that are for sale. Most of this was based on a MR article, entitled “Guide to Track-Planning Software”, that appeared a few years ago. It covered 3^rd PlanIt from El Dorado Software, CadRail from Sandia Software, and AnyRail from DRail Modelspoor Software.

All three of these products have demo versions that allow you to “play” with the product before making a purchase decision. These versions are either limited in size of the layout depicted or in the ability to save results.

There is also another commercial program Tom found that apparently wasn’t available when the MR article was written. It is called WINTRACK (www.wintrack.de/usa.html). It was created in Germany, but there is now an English version.

The MR article was not a comparison or review, merely a “guide.” Therefore, there was no clear winner. In fact, the general impressions seemed about the same as for freeware offerings: (1) they do not all implement functions the same way: (2) they do not all have the same specialty features; and (3) you need to invest some time to learn to use them.

Sorry, we couldn’t tell you to just go get a single “magic bullet” track planning package that will do everything. You will need to invest some time analyzing your needs and what the market is offering. It some ways it might be like deciding on a DCC system. They all work, but just what features do you need, at what price, and is there anyone around that can help you with it? Note that Tom’s research was not exhaustive, so you may find other programs out there.

For Show and Tell Chris F brought some used HO passenger cars he had acquired. They looked as if the previous owner had gotten half way through a truck replacement project before giving up. Chris’ challenge will be to complete the truck replacements and apply a UP paint scheme.

Dennis T brought an N scale Scottish train. There was a locomotive, a passenger car, and a small good wagon. The hobby store clerk in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Dennis got the models, assured him it was a typical contemporary consist in some parts of that country.

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 175^thand 185^th 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. For regular meetings enter the lower, left side of the church from the rear lot.

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, September through June. However in June we often do something different, like a layout tour. Doors open around 7:00 PM and the program starts at 7:30.

Remember the next meeting is December 5 and the clinic topic is decoder installation. The meeting after that is January 2. Hope to see you on December 5 or at least sometime on down the line.

Seattle-North Clinic

November Tacoma Clinic Report

November 26, 2013Written by Al Babinsky

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Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time and paid honor to the Veterans for their services in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and in the Gulf and Afghanistan. Our annual collection for the Northwest Food Network was presented to their representative in the amount of $1,250.00.

We had 44 modelers attend, including one new modeler, Bill Sandstorm, who models in HO.

Ed Liesse announced that Ken Liesse resigned as 4D Superintendent due to school conflict and Russ Segner will take over his position. Mike Highsmith will take over Russ’s position as Assistant Superintendent. The 2014 convention tours are filling up. The convention dates are June 18-21 and the registration is $59 and after March 1 it will be $79. PNR is looking for volunteers to fill in the president position.

The December clinic will be “Dirty Santa,” but remember to bring your “Bring and Brag.” The date is Dec. 12^th.

George Bourcier from Tacoma Trains presented what’s new at the hobby shop with his new helper Bill who will take over for him at the clinic. His display had models from Lionel, Walthers, Atlas, BLMA, Athearn, and Accurail.

We had a great number of “Bring and Brag,” scratchbuilt building, weathered cars, scratchbuilt trees, and a scratchbuilt rail storage building from the Wenatchee Apple yard around 1922.

The winner this month is James Jeffrey with his railroad storage facility in the Wenatchee Appleyard.

This month clinic was presented by MMR Gene Swanson, Mike Shaw and Bob Stumpf and pertained to making a working switch stand target. You can download the PowerPoint slide show in PDF format here. These switch stands were built for the PSMRE layout in the Washington History Museum.

Next month’s clinic will be December 12^th at our usual place: the Pierce County Library Administration Building at the corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road. The start time is 7:30 PM and, as always, we will have food and drink. Hope to see you there. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Tacoma Clinic 11.14.2013.1

Tacoma Clinic

Presentation Available Online for Eastside Get-Together Clinic

November 25, 2013Written by Cliff Green

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Brian Pickering

At the last Eastside Get-Together Clinic I didn’t have time to complete the presentation on Decoder Pro, so I’m making it available online (it has been online before when I presented it for the HO Modular Group).

If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me (Brian) at bpickeri@gmail.com.

The presentation (in PDF format) is available by clicking here.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Eastside Get-Together this Thursday

November 21, 2013Written by Al Lowe

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JJ Johnston

We collect donations at our November meeting to give to needy members of the Church where we meet in recognition of the Church allowing us to use the room at no charge for our monthly clinic meetings, use their kitchen and their donation of coffee and condiments at no charge, and provide a young man to set up the room each meeting with our tables and chairs and then clean the room and return it to a classroom for the school which uses the rooms daily.

Each year we work with the Church to identify a family or an individual who can benefit from a financial boost. The stories we have shared about the amazing things we have been able to do with our modest amount is significant. I’m always asked what is a good amount to donate. Last year, our donations amounted to an average of almost $20 per person who attended the November meeting. It would be meaningful if we could do that again this year. Of course donations are tax deductible and checks can be made payable to Bellevue Foursquare Church. We appreciate your consideration. See you this Thursday for a great DCC clinic and more.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

November Skagit Valley & Whidbey NMRA Clinic

November 19, 2013Written by Tom Buckingham

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Tom Buckingham / Photos by Al Frasch

Rich Blake started the meeting to a new record in attendance—43. This month’s feature Clinic was by Al Carter. Al had just returned from a Seattle to Australia repositioning cruise with his wife Nona. His comment: “hot, humid and fabulous!”

Al’s clinic was on building hydrocal structures. Al feels that there is a stigma about hydrocal structures that is not deserved. There are any number of sources for excellent hydrocal structures and in Al’s opinion the finished kit is oftentimes more realistic that it’s wood or plastic counterpart, especially stone and brickwork. It is easy to get good sharp details. Hydrocal is also easily kitbashed. On the negative side hydrocal is more easily breakable and does have significant weight—particularly if you are intending to use one or several in a module! (Plaster, like plaster of Paris, is much like hydrocal but is softer.)

The tools one needs to work with hydrocal are 220 grit sandpaper and a flat surface to mount it on; flat files, sanding sticks and emery boards; a scribing tool and/or a dull hobby knife; bar clamps; weights; a small square, steel straight edges—both 6- and 12-inch lengths; yellow carpenter’s glue or epoxy; 1/4″ square stripwood for corner bracing, spray primer; and spackle.

When beginning construction dry fit the pieces first. It will most likely be necessary to remove “flashing”; use your flat files to make the edges straight and flat. Cut corner braces or gussets and test fit one more time before beginning the gluing process. Have your bar clamps ready, glue one corner together and add strip wood for strength. Next, add the other walls and strip wood. Finally use your bar clamps to hold it firmly together, making sure the structure is square.

Once the structure is complete you will need to fix the joints. Mix a small amount of hydrocal or use joint compound. Mist the joint carefully. Apply the mixture with a small spatula. When the mixture is semi-dry, carve in the stone or brick lines at the corners.

Next, add the mortar. Several methods work—use a light grey paint, use slightly diluted joint compound or use your underlying primer color as the mortar color. Finally drybrush on the color of the bricks.

If by chance you break a piece, don’t pull your hair out (not an option I have). First check with the manufacturer. Many replace parts at no charge. If that is not an option use yellow glue sparingly and brace the back side thoroughly.

There are different schools of thought on priming before painting. CC Crow and Downtown Deco recommend priming first, while others do not. Al showed two test pieces that he had done. On each he had primed half of the piece and left the other half unprimed. It was difficult to see any difference in the two. If you do prime, Al suggested using Wal-Mart’s “Color Place” primer. It is about $.96 per can.

There are several sources of hydrocal kits and many of the sources have online help and tutorials:

Downtown Deco http://www.downtowndeco.com/

C.C. Crow http://www.cccrow.com/

Guts, Gravel & Glory

Morse Productions http://morseproductionsproducts.blogspot.com/;

Thomas Yorke http://trevorcreek.tripod.com/

Cibolo Crossing; Motrak Models https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motrak-Models/134023453307135

Railroad Kits (Ed Fulasz) http://www.railroadkits.com/

South River Model Works http://www.southrivermodelworks.com/

Other sources include: Mike McNamara http://mainecentral.blogspot.com/2011/03/hydrocal-structure-kits.html

and Dioramas Plus http://www.dioramasplus.com/site/

A very informative clinic by Al and one that will encourage me to dig out some as yet unbuilt Ed Fulasz hydrocal kits!

Finally, Bob Farley had a couple of interesting items to share. First he showed us a Proto 87 turnout that he had constructed and automated. And then he showed us his HO scale locomotive that runs on an RC battery. He says he gets about 30-45 minutes out of each battery. The best part is there are no reverse loops or shorts. And it is all run by his wireless Digitrax system. He was even willing to run the train across the floor for us! Thanks, Bob.

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic

Why You Should Attend PSX2014, part 1

November 14, 2013Written by Al Lowe

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Jack Hamilton, MMR

I have been attending model railroad conventions at the division, region, and national level for about 20 years. Obviously, I find something in them or I would not keep going back.

First and foremost are the friends I have made over the years. Convention is our time to catch-up and share experiences. Second is the ability to learn in a very concentrated time period. I go to plenty of local clinics and, as an AP Evaluator, I get to visit a fair number of layouts. At conventions, I get to attend clinics from very knowledgeable people, many of whom I have not previously met, presenting subject matter I always wanted to know more about. I also get a chance to visit local industries and rail facilities as well as some really great layouts.

In the end, in a concentrated period, I spend time with old friends, make new friends, learn more about the hobby, expand my skill set, and get to visit facilities and layouts that I would otherwise never even know existed. How could I pass up that opportunity?

I really would like to see you in Tacoma in June so we can share together. Register now at http://www.PSX2014/

Convention or Meet

4D to Host 2014 PNR Regional Convention

November 11, 2013Written by Al Lowe

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Russ Segner

Let’s assume you have raked up all the leaves and stowed all the lawn furniture and have moved back inside for the winter. While you were busy all summer and fall, a bunch of your fellow modelers have been busy putting together a really BIG SHOW.

Next June 18 through 21 we will host the Pacific Northwest Region’s Annual Convention. We will meet at the Tacoma La Quinta Inn for three days of clinics and tours of local rail sites. Over forty clinic sessions are planned and at least a dozen local layouts and clubs will be open. Several of these are new to the model railroad tours. Three special excursions are planned to Tacoma Rail, the NorthwestRailwayMuseum, and the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railway. These are ticketed events with limited seating. You must be registered to get a ticket.

Registration is only $59 through December. In 2014, it will rise to $79. You can register and get more detailed information at PNR2014.com.

Here are your fellow model railroaders who are putting this all together: Mike Highsmith, Sherman Stevens, Dave Liesse, Kurt Laidlaw, Kevin Klettke, Alex Brikoff, Tina Brikoff, Al Lowe, Russ Segner, Gay Liesse, JJ Johnston, Jeannie Melvin, Ken Liesse, Walt Huston, Barry Dupler, Robin Peel, Jack Hamilton, and Ed Liesse.

Convention or Meet

Want to Operate on a 4,000 sq ft Layout?

November 10, 2013Written by Al Lowe

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Thomas Dye

Click for larger image

The 4D’s NTRAK group is joining with the Mt. Rainier N Scale club to create a 76’x54′ combined modular layout at the Great Train Expo this weekend, November 16-17, in Puyallup. Besides each club’s NTRAK loop with circling trains to entertain visitors, we will also run operations. Saturday we’ll run full operations, complete with car cards. Sunday will be light ops, with freight movement along routes to and from yards.

If you’d like to run with us, even for an hour, email me to reserve a time. We’ll have plenty of modules, locos and rolling stock, but if you have a Digitrax throttle (of almost any type), bring it. If you’d enjoy running your own N scale equipment, bring it, too (locos must be equipped for DCC).

Even if you just want to loop a train, come and join us. We’ve got a lot of open track and rolling stock that needs moving!

See you Saturday?

4dNTRAK Modular Group, Model Train Show