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Just a reminder that the election for NMRA National offices is currently under way. Your ballot can be found in the February issue of the NMRA Magazine. Ballots must be postmarked by April 10, 2012 for delivery to the NMRA no later than April 15th. In our neck of the woods, we are voting for President, Vice President – Administration, Vice President – Special Projects and At-Large North American Director.
On Thursday, March 15th, JJ Johnston got the train out of the station on time at 7:30 with his words of welcome and introduction of guests. One of our guests was Sharon Ricketts, who models in 1:32 scale and holds two open houses a year at her layout. The next open house will be the 4th Saturday of April, so JJ may have more information on this at the April meeting. We also welcomed back Don & Beth McClaren, long-time Eastside members who have returned after a lengthy absence.
During the announcements, Charles Jackson stated that H&J (the tree making people) are having a roll out party at a hobby shop in Port Moody, BC and to see their brochure. There is no information about the roll out on their website, but you could probably email Charles to get the information.
Other announcements included reminders by Ed Liesse and Russ Segner about upcoming conventions (joint PNR/PCR and the Narrow Gauge Convention respectively), an open house on April 29th at John White’s layout (extreme north end), and a word about the upcoming elections by Superintendent Ken Liesse. Roger Ferris was present with the Mart and CJ Riley also had some items for sale from his vast collection.
Model of the Month consisted of two Milwaukee Road cabooses by Ron Cole; a collage of paperwork from Bob Rorabaugh’s mother showing a connection between her life and the trains and logging in this region; and a Campbell Products station built by David Yadock, who once again went home with the prize.
After the break, Ron Cole presented a clinic on how to cast resin parts for modeling. Ron makes 1:32 scale models. He walked us through the steps of transforming an idea into a passenger coach complete with seats. Some of the tricks Ron employs are using baby powder as a mold release and heating molds in a microwave oven before using them. Ron also mentioned that you can rebend a slightly warped resin kit by running it under hot water and gently bending it back into shape. He makes mold boxes out of PVC sheet, which is relatively inexpensive and can be glued together with the PVC pipe glue you can find in any hardware store. For a final tip, Ron told us that molds will last longer if you get the resin out of them as soon as possible. Ron demonstrated the mixing of the resin and actually cast a part for us to see. All in all, a very interesting presentation.
See you on April 19 in Bellevue.
We have a volunteer who has stepped forward to handle the ballots for this year’s election. A big hand to Di Voss for taking on this role.
Deadlines for nominations for this year’s ballot is Sunday, April 1st. We have two open positions: Superintendent and one Director. We also have two candidates for each office. If you would like to nominate someone or self-nominate, please make sure you have a short candidate statement to Di (davoss@pvmtengr.com) before next Sunday.
There will also be a ballot measure to approve a revision to the 4D By-Laws. These revisions (which amount to a complete makeover) can be found on the 4D website under the Members Only section. Please take the time to read them and vote when you receive your ballot.
This month clinic was opened by Al Babinsky filling in for MMR Gene Swanson who was still out due to his knee replacement surgery. The clinic was held at the Parkland fire station due to a scheduling conflict at our normal location. There were 36 modelers including a newcomer in attendance. Chip from the TNW made an announcement about their car that would on sale at their upcoming show on May 19 and 20. It was also announced that there would be a Spring Model Show in Renton.
Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains was a no-show and we did not have a What’s New at the Hobby Shop. Since Herb Buhl was in the hospital we had to ad lip the Model of the Month segment. The models were assigned numbers and slips of paper were passed out to all present with the instructions to write the number of their model of choice on the slip and their name on the other side for the door prize drawing.
After the break Steve Young presented his continuing clinic of progress on the construction of the narrow gauge live steam Northern. He brought the three axle tender truck along with axles, wheels, and the roll of spring steel for the springs. He showed us how the truck was constructed and how the springs would be mounted. Steve will be back next year with another segment of the ongoing construction.
For the first time that I can remember we had a draw in the model of the month category. Dennis Reeve and Diane Krause tied with their models. Dennis had a set of kit-bashed N-scale log trucks and Diane a Farm silo and shed. After the door prize drawing the clinic was adjourned. Next month clinic will be on April 12 at our usual place in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. on the corner of 112th Street and Waller road, hope to see all of you there.
A 2-foot gauge "Baby Garratt" at the coaling dock in Umzinto, in Natal Province
There were 32 people gathered at the Summer Hill Retirement Facility on Wednesday, March 15th. John White opened the meeting with an introduction of Susan Gonzales as the new program organizer. She distributed a sheet of ideas for future programs and led a lively discussion about them.
The main program of the evening was a showing of a series of still photographs and videos of steam railroading taken by Rich Thom. By the 1980s, steam had disappeared from most of the world’s railways, and large numbers of steam locomotives remained in service in only three places: China, India, and South Africa. South African steam was some of the most unique anywhere, with designs tailored to the region’s railway lines, laid mostly with light rail, steep grades, and sharp curves. South Africa was the first to use the 4-8-2 “Mountain” wheel arrangement, years before the USA, and also famous for its Garratt locomotives, an articulated design widely used in Africa, Australia, and many other parts of the world, but never adopted in America. Steam development culminated with 4-8-4 locos, including the famous condensing locos that hauled both freight and passenger trains on the double track main crossing the waterless Great Karoo. And all this was narrow gauge–South Africa’s rails are laid to a gauge of only 3’6”.
One of the magnificent Class 25NC 4-8-4's running at 55 mph on the double tracked De Aar to Kimberly mainline
This program was based on two visits to the region: one in 1980, to both the Republic of South Africa and its northern neighbor Zimbabwe, where together well over 1,000 steam engines were still in service. The steam fleet of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia Railways) was 100% Garratts at that time. A second visit was made in 2000, when only “museum” steam remained in South Africa. The program included both still photos and video.
Along the way, Rich included the story of the Garratt design; visited the “Big Hole” in Kimberley (which produced over 14 million carats of diamonds); the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River; the engineering features of the great 4-8-4 condensers; and of course (since this is Africa!) some four-legged critters, too. He also showed a ride behind the “Baby Garratts” on South Africa’s “narrow-narrow” gauge–2-foot gauge miniatures of their larger 3’6” gauge counterparts. His travels covered several rail lines from Capetown in South Africa to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. As always, he provided a running commentary filled with historical facts, statistics, and humorous remarks that held everyone’s attention for over 90 minutes.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 9th at 7:00 PM in Summer Hill Retirement Facility and will feature Mr. Di Voss, who will talk about “The Reality and Model of the Everett & Monte Cristo” and will also judge the entries in our weathered rolling stock competition. This promises to be a very interesting program. See you there.
A new N scale group is being started called omNi-Rail. It brings more realism, a better scenery to track ratio and overall operability to N scale modular. Two track mainline, broader curves, inline yards, mountain line, branchline, signaling, DCC transponding and more for more fun and enhanced operations. The group meets once a month to discuss standards, work on modules, how to clinics, etc. FreemoN, Bendtrak, oNeTrak and Ntrak are all combined and welcomed to join the group and bring your modules to shows with the group. We see the omNi-Rail standard going national in the near future. This is a 100% NMRA group so you must be an NMRA member to join. Please contact Rob Jones by email rob@mobileonemodelrrservices.com or Jim Merriam ntrakjim@yahoo.com to join or for more info.
The NMRA has a new Development Department Manager, charged with seeking out new donation sources and methods, and coming up with ways to expand our fundraising potential. Alan Anderson of Salt Lake City, UT, volunteered to fill the slot, which had been vacant for several years. In his full-time job, Alan works with a Salt Lake City area Chamber of Commerce.
The Cruise Convention idea was officially declared “not popular enough to pursue.” Initial estimates dictated that the idea receive 800 firm commitments from members, but only 300 were received via the survey, which was printed several times in NMRA Magazine and also sent to Sacramento convention attendees.
The NMRA is in the final stages of selecting a volunteer Marketing Department Manager. To date, several professional candidates have responded to a “help wanted” ad in NMRA Magazine. The Marketing Director will help the NMRA identify ways to retain and re-rail members, as well as recruit new ones.
Jenny Hendricks, NMRA Administration Director, reports that the number of RailPass members who convert to Regular members has reached the 80% mark. Congratulations to all of you whose hard work has made this goal a reality! Should we go for 90–100%?
The Celebration of Models in Grand Rapids will introduce a new contest award in memory of Dean Freytag, the “Dean of Styrene” and former National Contest Chair. The award is funded by a donation to the NMRA in memory of Freytag and is named “The Dean Freytag Industrial Structure Award.” The winning structure will be selected by the Contest Chairman.
White River Productions, the company that prints NMRA Magazine, announced that it has purchased the assets of the now-defunct magazine, Model Railroad News.
NMRA Secretary Bob Gangwish reports that the updated version of the Executive Handbook may now be downloaded from www.nmra.org.
The Northwest Railway Museum will officially resume full passenger service aboard its vintage railway on April 1. Each Saturday and Sunday through October*, the Museum will offer scenic rides through the Cascade foothills to the top of Snoqualmie Falls. Round-trip excursions are 75-minutes long and begin Sunday, April 1st. Board in Snoqualmie, 38625 SE King Street, 12:01 p.m., 1:31 p.m. or 3:01 p.m., or in North Bend, 205 McClellan Street, 12:31 p.m. or 2:01 p.m. $10 children, $12 seniors, $15 adults, under 2 ride free. For more, see www.TrainMuseum.org or call (425) 888-3030.
NEW: Guided tours of the Train Shed Exhibit Building will be offered on the first train every Saturday, beginning in late spring. Purchase a Tour Pass in the Depot Bookstore and ride the train to the Railway History Center. Enjoy a docent-led tour of the exhibits in the Train Shed. Re-board the train and continue your trip.
Spring signals the return of the Museum’s popular programming: Mothers Ride Free (Mother’s Day Weekend) and Fathers Ride Free (Father’s Day Weekend.) Greatly anticipated are the return of the Museum’s other popular family programs, including Grandparents’ Grand Excursion, Halloween Train, Santa Train® and Day Out with Thomas.
This year the Northwest Railway Museum is the Pacific Northwest’s only host of the Day Out with Thomas event, scheduled for July 13 – 15 and July 20 – 22 at the Snoqualmie Depot. The $19 tickets go on sale at the Snoqualmie Depot’s Bookstore and via TicketWeb beginning April 25. Tickets are on sale to Museum Members now. Members may buy their Day Out With Thomas tickets for $18. Purchase your membership at www.TrainMuseum.org.
Experience the excitement of a working railroad while learning about the important role railroads played in shaping the character of the Pacific Northwest. The depot and bookstore are open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.
*Regular round-trips suspended during Day Out With Thomas™, July 14-15 and 21-22.
The White River Valley Museum will host a spring open house and railroad lecture on April 6, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors and children, and free to museum members of categories Train Master, Conductor and Engineer. Cost includes museum admission.
Tim Repp, author of Main Streets of the Northwest, covers a small portion of a sequel to his 1989 book. Tim has been photographing railroading in the Northwest since the 1960s. His tour will cover Washington railroading from Class I main lines and branches to logging roads.
Repp’s lecture will place special emphasis on the 1980s when Burlington Northern and Amtrak hit their stride, before the branches were sold off or abandoned. If you’ve ever wondered what those bike trails looked like with trains on them, don’t miss this lecture!
The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with the open house at the White River Valley Museum. The lecture will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Auburn Senior Activity Center across from the museum.
The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railway. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., and is located at 918 H Street SE in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. For event information, call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org.