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Grab Iron Posts

June’s 4dPNR Zoom Layout Tour tomorrow features Todd Von Stup’s new N scale MRL layout construction update

Todd Von Stup moved to Seattle just a few years ago and is now avidly constructing a double-deck N scale layout based on the Montana Rail Link. For the presentation tomorrow (June 11, 10am PST), our last Zoom layout tour until the fall, Todd will show us his layout plans and progress to date. As usual, the meeting will open at 9:30, and his presentation will start at 10:00am PST. Here is the Zoom info:

Topic: 4dPNR June Layout Tour – Todd Von Stup
Time: Jun 11, 2022 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89699848127?pwd=OVpMWmhmK3hQekxHUk9GS0lpcEtJUT09

Meeting ID: 896 9984 8127
Passcode: 149005
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,89699848127# US (Tacoma)
+16699009128,,89699848127# US (San Jose)

2022 4D Election Results

Al Lowe

The results of our recent election are in and, not surprisingly, both of the unopposed candidates won – unanimously! Congratulations to Bill Messecar and Ed Ives who will begin their two-year terms on September 1.

Election data:

407 emails were sent out. 42 paper ballots were mailed to members without an email address on file. We received 96 votes; 90 electronically and 6 via postal mail. Bill Messecar received 94 votes, with 2 abstentions. Ed Ives received 93 votes, with 3 abstentions. There were zero write-in votes.

If you’re calculating, that’s 96 responses out of 449 ballots for a 21% response rate. Not bad, considering they ran unopposed.

Respectfully submitted by your election committee: Dan Kellogg, Burr Stewart and Al Lowe.

Spring Meet Tomorrow!

Al Lowe

Even if you didn’t preregister, we still want to see you at the 2022 4D Spring Meet! There will be some great clinics, our Annual Meeting, the results of the election, and more. So come anyway. Complete details here – but don’t try to register. You’re too late. Just show up!

And when you come to Everett, don’t come empty-handed — bring a model with you! Any model that began life as a kit. No scratchbuilt. No paperwork. All we need is the name of the kit, your model’s name, and your name. That’s it.

There will be no judging, no ranking, no trophies – just the joy of sharing your hard work with others who appreciate it!

Skykomish Tunnel Days & Train Swap Meet

By Michael Walcker

On June 18th, the city of Skykomish is hosting Tunnel Days, a city event honoring the GN railroad and James Hill.  There will be a train swap meet included in the event.  Vendors can bring their own table, one table per vendor, and set up at no cost.  There is no admission fee and there is room for 20 vendors inside the fire truck barn with all others outside by the little train depot.  The indoor sites will be on a first come basis. Table space can be reserved by emailing mawalcker@aol.com.  The meet will be from 9am to 3pm, with a pancake breakfast at 7am and many family fun events planned for the entire day.

Michael

Kit Bash “Contest­” at Spring Meet

Al Lowe

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Don’t come to Everett this Saturday empty-handed — bring a model with you!

It can’t be scratchbuilt. It must be a kit. And bashed.

No paperwork needed. Just tell us the name of the kit, your model’s name, your name, and your NMRA number. That’s it.

Bring anything you want. Something you did thirty years ago? A tank car kit converted to a Vanderbilt tender? A passenger car that’s a diner or a shed or both? A flat car into a bridge? As long as it’s railroad‐related and suitable for a layout.

There will be no judging, no ranking, no trophies — just the joy of sharing your hard work with others who appreciate it!

You have until midnight Monday evening to pre-register at the 4D Spring Meet website. Or you can register at the door Saturday morning and get a non-printed, handwritten badge. Either way, we want to see you. In person!

Seattle North End clinic on June 2 – “Car Forwarding” options for your layout

June’s North End clinic on Zoom will feature a panel discussion on ways to provide “car forwarding” on your layout – that is, keeping track of which cars are directed to be moved where, in which train, etc. The panelists will include Burr Stewart, Joe Green, Russ Segner and Todd Von Stup, who will present different approaches they have taken to this subject, followed by open discussion with everyone present. As usual, we will open the meeting at 6:30 for meet and greet, with the panel discussion starting at 7pm. Here is the Zoom info to join the meeting:

Topic: North Seattle Clinic 4Dpnr

Time: Jun 2, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81371284719?pwd=UXFNbldBSlB6MDRtSER4cWlvMi84Zz09

Meeting ID: 813 7128 4719

Passcode: 845714

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,81371284719#,,,,*845714# US (Tacoma)

+16699006833,,81371284719#,,,,*845714# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

PNRA Invitation to a talk by Lowell Smith of RailSmith Models

The Pacific Northwest Archives is featuring Lowell Smith of RailSmith of Railroad Models as guest speaker this Wednesday at 1PM. RailSmith features outstanding N scale models.

Here is the link to the Zoom meeting. Please do not forward this to anyone not a regular reader of the Grab Iron.

PNRA Admin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: PNRA Admin’s Zoom Meeting
Time: May 25, 2022 12:45 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83745654188?pwd=UjU5bU0xa1pKZ25QcW5uRU9zNlg2QT09

Meeting ID: 837 4565 4188
Passcode: 375006
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,83745654188#,,,,*375006# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,83745654188#,,,,*375006# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 837 4565 4188
Passcode: 375006
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcTRRuBPx5

(less than 2 weeks to the) Spring Meet 2022

Al Lowe

Yea, verily, thy deadline approacheth!

You have only 10 days left to get your free lunch. Oh, and also to register for a day filled with fun, knowledge, comradery, fellowship, and donuts.

The annual 4D Spring Meet will be held for the first time since Covid on June 4 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Jackson Conference Center on the Everett Community College campus, 2000 Tower Street, Everett. There will be clinics, a model contest with no paperwork(!), and an in-depth FastTracks Make & Take session.

In addition, the 4th Division’s annual meeting will be held during lunch. We’ll announce the 2022 Grab Iron Award winner, some new Master Model Railroaders, the results of the ongoing 4D election (vote now if you haven’t!)  and much more.

Register by Monday, May 30 to get your free lunch! Or register afterward and you can watch the rest of us eat. Or bring your own lunch. Just come!

What are you waiting for? It’s easy to pay online with Paypal. Click here to register now!