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Special Offer For 4D Members to IMAX film “Rocky Mountain Express”

Written by Al Lowe
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Frank Dekker

The Pacific Science Center is giving 4D members a $2.00 discount on tickets to the new IMAX movie, Rocky Mountain Express! Alaina Schulner of the PSC arranged this deal just for us as a “thank you” for our years of work with the annual PSC Train Show. Just click here and enter the code “RME11” during checkout to receive your $2 off.

Not familiar with the film? Here’s a brief description:

Experience the adventure of a lifetime in Rocky Mountain Express, the new film that propels audiences on an exhilarating journey deep into the Rockies along steep cliff edges, spiraling tunnels and through the most beautiful and rugged landscapes on earth. Learn about the heroic human drama and epic engineering involved in shaping a nearly impossible transcontinental railway link.

And remember: it’s in IMAX! Just imagine the views!

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Skagit Valley and Whidbey Clinic

Written by Gordon Garnhart
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Gordon Garnhart

There were 20 people gathered on Wednesday, September 14th for a visit to Dr. Nick Muff’s fabulous layout. Most folks start a layout by working toward operating as soon as they can. Then they fill in the scenery and details as time permits. Nick has taken the opposite approach. He has, in HO scale, reproduced in exquisite detail, the main passenger depot in Kansas City, Missouri, of the Kansas City Southern Ry. and the surrounding infrastructure.

General view of passenger station and adjacent trackwork. Viewers include Steve Jaffray, Susan Gonzales (taking a photo), John White (back to camera), Dan Gould and Harvey Abrams. Dr. Muff is in green shirt just beyond roof of station. A portion of the real F-7 cab is visible at right.

In his own words Nick says, “This is a landmark year for my model Kansas City Southern/Kansas City Terminal Railway layout. Long past are the days of cement, plumbing, house electrical, insulation and wallboard. Also past are the bench work, control panels, wiring and track work. This month marks the completion of structures, scenery and detailing on the existing portion of the railroad. Last to be completed were the structures and detailing of the roundhouse, coach yard and locomotive servicing facilities. I have long admired the purposeful ‘clutter’ of the roundhouse area on John Allen’s G&D. Detailing around the

Front view of station

roundhouse area was done with his work in mind, a tribute to the ‘Wizard of Monterey.’”

To this, Al Frasch adds, “And this month also marks the transition to the mainline portion of the layout, yet to be constructed. It will take a little while to regroup, and prepare the construction site. Then work will begin on a two level section of

One of the two lower levels below the station

the layout passing from Grandview, Missouri through western Arkansas to the return loop and Union Station at Shreveport, Louisiana.”

These photographs, taken by Al Frasch, clearly show the meticulous detail that abounds on Nick’s layout. The city streets have lighted streetlights and traffic signals, and the many vehicles have illuminated headlights and

One of the throats to the passenger station trackage

taillights. And not only has he done an impressive job on treating the exteriors of buildings, but many of the structures are beautifully fitted with lighted interiors showing store fronts, office workers and other details. The huge passenger terminal is lighted by elaborate chandeliers, and people can be seen hurrying across the marble floors. It is awesome and inspiring to any model railroader.

Locomotive service area

Nick’s Kansas City Southern/Kansas City Terminal Railway layout is featured in the August 2011 edition of the Model Railroad Hobbyist online magazine which is available at: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/. This is a FREE magazine that you can either download and view on your favorite PDF view program or read online in your favorite browser. The article finishes a trilogy of layouts by members of the Skagit Valley & Whidbey Clinic. If you haven’t taken a look yet, check out the May 2011 issue for Jack Tingstad’s Cloud City & Western, and the July 2011 issue for Al Frasch’s Pilchuck Division of the BNSF. You can also view videos concerning the layouts.

Next month, on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:00 PM we will return to the Summer Hill Retirement Center for an unusual program that promises to be interesting, entertaining and informative. A panel of “experts” will be assembled, and will try to answer any and all of your model railroading questions.

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic

Camp 6 Sold

Written by Al Lowe
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Rick Bacon

Camp 6 has been sold to Chris Baldo, of the Roots of Motive Power Museum in Willits, CA. It is not yet known what is going where, only that all equipment will be out of the Point Defiance Park within one year. Dismantling 700 tons of hardware while preserving it takes lots of effort, as does cleaning up the site after operating a railroad there for 47 years. As sad as it will be to see the logging and rail equipment leave the Northwest, at least it is not going to a scrap yard. Who knows, maybe Pacific Coast Shay No.7 may have a better chance of being returned to service. Monthly updates will be posted at www.camp-6-museum.org. And I will post pictures when things start to roll.

UP Caboose 25722, that left Camp 6 in 2001 for Fife, WA, has received a frame-up rebuild and is now on public display at the Fife Historical Museum, 2820 54th Avenue E in Fife. It is a prototype of UP’s CA series of wood cabooses. The UP Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, shows this as ex-OWR&N 3564, built in July 1910, renumbered by UP to 25722 in 1964 and later donated to Camp 6. It is on a display track shared with ALCO C415 locomotive CWWR 684.

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HO Modular Lynden Lions Show Report

Written by Al Lowe
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by Robert Beise

The 4D HO Modular SIG (Seattle Pacific & Eastern) participated in the Lynden Lions Show on 1 & 2 October. The 32’ by 28’ layout was composed of modules belonging to the following members: Norm Curtis (2), Mike Slease (3), Ross Tabor (2), Mike Laughlin (3), and Robert Beise (6), plus the Kuranko Junction Wye (3), and Westin Yards (2). Also present were helpers, Don Voss, Frank Dekker, and Don Yeo. Everyone with modules arrived on Friday so by the end of the day the layout was up and electrical systems checked out.

On Saturday the modular layout was finished and trains were running by 9 AM when the show opened, right on time. On Sunday Frank had young children running trains on the layout. What a treat that was for the kids, their eyes wide open and a smile from ear to ear. The show closed on Sunday at 4PM and we were taken down, loaded up, and out of the show by 6 PM. A great time was had by all and we were awarded third place by the Lynden Lions. By this observer it did not seem as the show was as well attended as in the past and there were not as many vendors there either.

This was the first major show for Mike Laughlin’s 3 new modules. The woodwork, trackwork and wiring are excellent and an example of fine modeling. We request that new modules be tested in a layout that exposes them to a variety of rolling stock before ballasting so that changes can be made if necessary. Another first at the show was the extensive use of a new leg adjustment method. Since the adjustment screws are on the top of the leg, leveling and height adjustments can be made while standing up for comfort and easy viewing of the height gauge and/or level.

We welcome new members to our group. If you are interested you can call Norm Curtis at (425) 743-9035 or Bob Beise at (425) 488-2494. Our program consists of setting up layouts at local shows and a breakfast meeting almost every 2nd Saturday of the month unless there is a show that weekend, or during the summer when we hold work parties to help get modules up and going, and group outings. The breakfast meetings alternate between Redmond and Kent, Washington.

HO Modular Group

Seattle-North: Next Meeting of the 2011-12 Season is October 6

Written by Jeff Moorman
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By Jeff Moorman

Our next meeting is Thursday, October 6. Time and place are at the end of this blog.

If you like HO, last month’s meeting had one of the best marts seen in some time. A variety of rolling stock, motive power, and structures were all looking for new homes.

Seattle-North’s first operational HO gauge T-Trak modules were shown. Jeff brought his newly-built straight and corner with just the inside track installed. The first “train” run on them was a test drive of a locomotive being offered at the mart. Jeff is thinking that if no one else is going to build in HO, maybe he’ll convert these modules to a On30 diorama.

October’s meeting should see the first complete layout loop of Seattle-North N gauge T-Trak modules. We did this once before, but had to borrow a couple of corners to make it work. This time it should be all Seattle-North and you’ll see a few modules you have never seen before. If there is something you have been wanting to run in N gauge, bring it along and we’ll work out a dirt cheap right-of-way leasing agreement for 5 or 100 minutes.

We’ll start our discussion of DCC in October as well. This will be an introduction and Q & A to determine just what we want to have covered at later meetings. For that we have a clinician lined up – we just need to tell him exactly what we want to learn about DCC.

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. Most of the construction along this stretch of Aurora is now completed, but you may no longer make cross-traffic turns. You need to be going southbound (so you can make a right-hand turn into the church driveway immediately after passing the Deseret location).

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, except July and August. However, in June we usually do a tour. For regular meetings enter the lower level of the church from the parking lot at the rear. Doors open around 7:00 PM, announcements at 7:15, and the program starts about 7:30. Hope to see you there or at least sometime on down the line.

The next meeting is October 6 and the one after that is November 3.

Seattle-North Clinic

Superintendent’s Message

Written by Ken Liesse
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By Ken Liesse. Photo by Brian Liesse

Hello everyone. Since I’ve held this position for a month now, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself and let you know some of the things going on in the division (better late than never, right?). For those that don’t know, my name is Ken Liesse and I am the Superintendent of 4th Division (PNR/NMRA, etc.). I came to this job in a roundabout way: I had been working closely with Dennis Hill on some division projects at the time of his death this past spring. As Assistant Superintendent, Jim Byerley then took the reins as prescribed in the division bylaws. This left the position of Asst. Supt. open with the task of filling it up to Jim. He asked me to fill in, to which I agreed. At the BOD meeting in August, Jim stepped down as Superintendent, and again following our bylaws, I became Supt.

I am a Life Member of the NMRA and have been a member of the organization for over 30 years. I have served as a Director in 4D and was also on the committee that put together the 2004 National convention here in Seattle. Many of you have probably seen my clinics on painting and manipulating figures and I regularly attend both the Tacoma and Eastside clinics. I’m also a volunteer and member of the museum in Snoqualmie and a member of the American Radio Theater, a group that recreates old time radio programs.

Now that you a little bit about me, allow me to tell you about things going on around the division.

Ed Liesse, Ken Liesse, Sue Van Gerpen, Russ Segner. Brian Liesse Photo

At the BOD meeting last month, a motion was made on behalf of Director JJ Johnston (he was playing Grandpa in California at the time) to make a donation to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie to benefit their ongoing education efforts. The monies for this came out of the 4D education budget. The following week, Education Chair Ed Liesse, 4D member and museum volunteer Russ Segner and I presented a check for $1000 to Sue Van Gerpen, the museum’s director of marketing. I recently received a very nice thank you note from Sue on behalf of the museum, thanking the 4D and all of its members for our gift.

It’s never too early to start thinking about volunteering for the Pacific Science Center show, which will again be held over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January. Frank Dekker and Jeff Moorman are always looking for help, so plan ahead and think about donating some time to this endeavor. It is, after all, 4D’s largest source of income for the year.

There are two other big activities coming up next year that you’ll want to put on your calendars: the joint PCR/PNR Regional convention in Medford, OR May 2-5 and the Narrow Gauge convention in Seattle, Sept. 12-15. PCR conventions by themselves often rival NMRA national conventions; the combined convention should be a humdinger. The Narrow Gauge convention, although not an NMRA function, is one of the biggest model railroad conventions in the country and attracts more than just narrow gauge minded individuals. Many 4D members will be showing their layouts for this convention as well as participating in other capacities. Both of these events have web presences  Visit the joint convention at http://www.pcrnmra.org/conv2012/ and the Narrow Gauge convention at http://www.seattle2012.com/.

That’s all for now, but you can expect to hear from me again.

Superintendent’s Message

September NMRA News

Written by Al Lowe
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Gerry Leone, NMRA Communications Director

The Howell Day Museum is issuing a new release of its highly successful Gorre and Daphetid bobber cabooses. Two new bobbers, numbered 3 and 5, are now available from Headquarters at $19.95 for one or $34.95 for both. Add $4 S&H. The ready-to-run cars are HO only. They feature operating magnetic-knuckle couplers and free-rolling metal wheels. See the ad in NMRA Magazine. HQ’s phone is 423-892-2846.

Registrations for Grand Rails 2012, next year’s national convention in Grand Rapids, are taking off. Half of the available Furniture City Flyers Club memberships are already gone. Details at www.gr2012.org. 90 clinic slots are filled, with topics ranging from geared locomotives to timetable/train order operation. If you’re interested in presenting a clinic, have them fill out the application form on the website. They’re especially want clinics covering prototype modeling and operations.

Speaking of the convention, there has been a change in the visitation procedure for Bruce and Janet Chubb’s Sunset Valley Oregon System. The SVOS will now be open a portion of every day from Sunday, July 29, through Saturday August 4, for self-guided tours. Special commemorative tickets will be available each day. Attendees may visit any time, any day.

If you give adult or family classes on model railroading, Fred Bock, the NMRA’s Education Department Assistant Manager, is looking for ideas, lesson plans, and course material. Tell Fred what your program is about via email at fbockLSRDiv6@aol.com. Use “Adult Education” as the Subject.

News

Eastside Starts the New Year

Written by Ken Liesse
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Article and photos by Ken Liesse

On September 15, JJ Johnston opened the 2011-12 Eastside Clinic season with introductions of VIPs, MMRs, and guests and welcomed everyone back to Bellevue. Many exciting things have happened over the summer. JJ was proud to announce that his wife, Pat, had won First Prize and Grand Champion in the doll house competition at this year’s Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup. (I saw the doll house — it’s very nice.) Frank Dekker pointed out that JJ’s layout graces the cover of this month’s Railroad Model Craftsman (autographed copies were available as door prizes) with an article written and photographed by 4D member Paul Scoles.

JJ & Russ

JJ Johnston & Russ Segner prepare for the clinic

Frank also reminded everyone that it is not too early to start thinking about the Pacific Science Center Show in January and that everyone should be considering volunteering for the show. The PSC committee is also looking for new ideas for the show, especially in the areas of children’s activities and other hands-on events. Email Frank your ideas at rekkedrails@juno.com.

Di Voss was looking for volunteers to help with the NMRA Conformance & Standards Group, assessing decoders to see if they meet NMRA protocols. By now he should have the one or two volunteers he was looking for.

Other announcements for the good of the order included Bob Beise’s reminder of the Lynden Train Show coming up October 1st and 2nd; Russ Segner’s announcement of the grand opening of the Northwest Railway Museum Train Shed; and Ed Liesse’s commentary on the upcoming Joint PNR-PCR Convention to be held in Medford, OR next May 2-5.

David Yadock station

David Yadock won Model of the Month with this station.

The Model of the Month contest had several very good and varied entries this month. Jim Sabol brought a couple of wall pieces for his O scale Tacoma Union Station that he was building with the help of Kyle Davis, a student at Washington State University. Bob Beise showed off a #6 double-slip switch that he built with Fast Track jigs — in only four hours. Ron Cole presented a 1:32 scale 70-ton 40′ flat car for which he had built all the masters. Ron plans on making several more cars from these masters. Stu Rogers displayed an N Scale Architect lumber mill, which requires that the builder supply his own instructions as the ones in the kit are inadequate. The winner of the contest was David Yadock, who brought in the combination station seen at left. The station is a Campbell kit with details and interior lighting added as well as a good dose of weathering. Nicely done, David.

Our presentation for the evening was given by Russ Segner. Russ gave an overview of some of the highlights of the recently completed Narrow Gauge Convention in Hickory, NC (attended by several 4D members). He then talked about next year’s convention, which will be held in Bellevue, although the brochures tout the convention as being in Seattle. (We won’t hold that against the committee; whoever heard of Bellevue, WA?) It is shaping up to be a great convention. Russ reminds everyone that you don’t need to be narrow minded to enjoy the Narrow Gauge convention. Registration for the convention, to be held at Meydenbauer Center, is $110. There will be a special trip to the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad as an $80 additional fare. Several of our area’s famous layouts will be open for tours and there will be a ton of clinics given by well-known national and international model railroaders. Visit www.Seattle2012.com for more details.

Next month’s clinic will feature Glenn Farley, although the topic of his clinic is yet to be determined. You’ll want to drop by though, as Glenn’s clinics are always informative and entertaining. See you next month.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic,

F-7 Driver’s Seat For Sale

Written by Al Lowe
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Al Carter

Dr. Nick Muff is offering a rare find: one authentic driver’s chair from an F-7 cab. Nick sends the following description:

One center chair from GN F7A 462D (BN 682) 1951. The same as the engineer’s and fireman’s chairs, plus base. Sandblasted and repainted in correct GM 503d “Suede Green”. Knobs, and pedal allow the seat to adjust up and down, forward and backward and to adjust tilt. On rolling base to make it easy to move around.  Price $25. Pick up Sedro Woolley only, no shipping. Contact Nick Muff MD at muff_nicholas@msn.com.

More photos are here.

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