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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.

Member Ads

Tacoma Clinic

Written by Al Babinsky
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By Al Babinsky

MMR Gene Swanson opened the September Clinic and the new season on time as always. We had 43 attendees, five of which were newcomers: Cliff Chapman modeling HO Circus trains; Tony Dell and his son, George, modeling HO Milwaukee Road; Jared, just starting in HO; and Chuck Carlson, G scale garden railroad.

Under announcements were several items of note, one of which was that Ken Roe passed away and the estate manager gave his layout and other model railroad related items away to anyone desiring to take and put it to good use. Walt Houston announced that he was organizing a layout tour on November 19 to celebrate National Model Railroad Month. Also, for those of you that remember the Corkscrew Northern, which had its last home at the Boys and Girls Club in North Tacoma and then was in storage for the last twelve years, has found a new home. The layout is going to be moved to the Cannery in Sumner were it will be put back in operation.

Tacoma Trains presented “What’s New at the Hobby Shop” with new items too numerous to mention. There were books, calendars, DVD’s, cars, freight cars with several kits, a rarity these days.

In the “Bring and Brag” (Model of the Month) category were a number of interesting items. Carloads of gold ore, rocks crushed with hammer and then sifted to get the right size. (The rocks had streaks of mica and other shine veins which made them look like they contain gold.) Resin castings of car frames that had lead shot cast in to add weight. A depressed-center flat car kit bashed from three-axle crane trucks and other parts along with a kit-bashed 2-6-2 German-style locomotive. A kit-bashed N scale caboose, an N Scale Architect saw mill model, a HO scale BTS lumber mill kit with complete interior, and a template for brass etchings for the Tacoma Union Station for the PSMRE layout at the History Museum. The Model of the Month winner was Tony Bentley’s BTS lumber mill kit.

The clinic was “Airbrushing for Beginners” by Scott Taylor. Scott talked about safety and proper equipment to use while airbrushing, the different types of paint and how to mix them. Different compressed air sources were discussed as well as regulators and the types of air brushes that are available. And don’t forget the most important thing: clean up, so the equipment is ready to use when needed. He also discussed spraying technique, what to do and not to do. That last item was handy tips for
various things. Everyone was given a handout with all the items discussed. A great clinic and many thanks Scott.

Next month’s clinic is October 13 when Paul Vaughn will discuss resin casting. 7:30 PM at the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg., corner of 112th St. and Waller Rd. We hope to see you there, so please come and join us for a couple of hours of model railroading fun.

Tacoma Clinic

Superintendent Jim Byerley Steps Down

Written by Ken Liesse
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By Ken Liesse

At the 4D Board of Directors’ meeting on Aug. 27th, Jim Byerley tendered his resignation as Superintendent. Citing personal reasons, Jim felt he could not fully commit to the position he took over upon the untimely death of our previous superintendent, Dennis Hill. Jim had intended to retire from his position as Assistant Superintendent at the end of this term, but plans on continuing 4D work with the West Side Clinic.

Per the 4D By-Laws, Assistant Superintendent Ken Liesse has become Superintendent and will fill out the remainder of Jim’s term. Ken has said he will not appoint a replacement Assistant Superintendent as John Salzetti’s term in that office starts in just a few days. Sherman Stevens and Jeannie Melvin have agreed to stay on as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. No other changes to the Board or any Chair positions are anticipated.

Ken may be contacted at NMRAKen@liessefamily.net or 253-859-1335. The contact page on the 4D website will be changed accordingly.

Superintendent’s Message

Seattle-North: First Meeting of the 2011-2012 Season is September 1

Written by Jeff Moorman
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By Jeff Moorman

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 1. That’s the start of the 2011-2012 clinic season for Seattle-North (probably the start for all of Fourth Division as well).

Typically our September program revolves around “what did you do (railroad-wise) this summer?” If nothing else, you’ll hear about the National Convention. Several of our clinic attendee where there.

This is a quick reminder about the upcoming meeting. I know I still owe you a write-up from our June road trip and a few photos.  Sorry, I’ll get to those when I can.

If you got your T-TRAK kits or have decided to build your own, we’d like to see them (in running order) at the September meeting. By the way, I still have a few T-TRAK module kits. Contact me for availability and prices.

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 and Deseret Industries. Note that there is still a lot of construction along this stretch of Aurora. You need to be going southbound (so you can make a right-hand turn into the church driveway immediately after passing the Deseret location) because you can no longer make cross-traffic turns on Aurora.

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.

 

 

Seattle-North Clinic

4D BOD Meeting Aug. 27

Written by Ken Liesse
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By Ken Liesse

Just a reminder that the quarterly 4D Board of Directors meeting will be held this coming Saturday, Aug. 27. The meeting will start at 1:00 at the Yankee Grill in Renton. All 4D members are invited and encouraged to attend. If you have an item to bring before the Board, please send it to Supt. Jim Byerley (jmbtrains@comcast.net) by Wednesday, Aug. 24 to have it included on the agenda.

News

Siskiyou Summit 2012: Joint PNR/PCR Convention

Written by Al Lowe
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Ed Liesse & Jim Providenza, Co-Chairs

Mark your calendars now for May 2–5, 2012 and plan to spend those days in Medford, Oregon at the Medford Red Lion Hotel attending the first Joint Convention between PNR and PCR! This one has all the indications of being a convention to remember. Don’t be left out!

The Joint Convention Committee is putting together many activities to keep you busy. The PCR and PNR Boards of Directors will have their respective board and business meetings on Wednesday and Friday morning. Convention attendees will enjoy an ice cream social on Wednesday night. A series of high-quality clinics begin Wednesday afternoon and run through Saturday afternoon with a special LDSIG/OPSIG clinic track on Thursday. An editor from Model Railroader and Bill Schaumburg of Railroad Model Craftsman are two of the many clinicians scheduled. There will be two evenings of operations on the Rogue Valley Model Railroad Club.

Siskiyou Summit 1012 will provide both a contest and separate AP assessment. Saturday morning will offer the Hobo Breakfast. Throughout the period, Sidetracks (previously known as “Non-Rails”) will have their usual bevy of activities to keep everyone busy. We will wrap up with the banquet on Saturday night.

A special event on Thursday will be a day excursion to Train Mountain www.trainmountain.org, a 2200-acre model railroad with 7.5” gauge track and more than 20 miles of mainline track. During the week, tours of Micro-Trains will be available and possibly a few tours of Campbell Scale Models.

On Saturday afternoon Siskiyou Summit 1012 attendees will have the run of Medford Railroad Park soc-nrhs.org/medfordrrpark.htm, operated by the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the Morse Telegraph Club, the Rogue Valley Model Railroad Club, the Southern Oregon Live Steamers, and the Southwest Oregon Large Scale Trains group. All the above groups will have personnel on hand to show off their displays and let you take part in some of their activities. In addition to all the rail-related activities, there are a number of places in and around Medford to visit, many of historical interest. And Ashland, home of the well-known Shakespeare Festival, is just down the road.

All this is available to you for the low “early bird” registration price of only $45. We also have a low hotel room rate of $82/night double, with add-on days before and after the convention at the same rate.

The Siskiyou Summit 1012 website is up and running at pcrnmra.org/conv2012. Take a look now and watch for added items as the schedule fills up.

We plan to see you in Medford!

 

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