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New Train Show at Eatonville

Written by Al Lowe
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Al Lowe

The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is starting a new train show called Trucks and Trains, Dollhouses and Planes Show, on Labor Day weekend, August 31–September 1, 2024, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Setup is Friday, August 30.

The indoor/outdoor event will take place on the campus, football field and surrounding streets of Eatonville High School, 302 Mashell Ave N, Eatonville, WA 98328. Layouts will be in the gymnasium and commons areas.

Exhibits will include vendors, antique trucks, planes from the Eatonville Airport, an 1896 Satsop steam engine, radio controlled plane exhibitions, food trucks, bouncy houses and other activities for the kids. Inside exhibits will include model train layouts, dollhouses, airplane models, and vehicle models.

More information is available at www.WFIM.org/train-show. Questions? Contact Betty Nokes, 253-222-4935, bwnokes@gmail.com

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Grab Iron Email Changes

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Anton Faulk

This week some changes to the Grab Iron emails are being rolled out.

Blog Post Emails (Grab Iron Emails)

  • Blog Post emails (also known as grab iron emails) will be sent once per day provided something was posted that day. If multiple posts are added on the same day there will be one email listing all the posts for the day.
    • Post authors: Please note that if you want your post email to go out on the same day you need to complete your post by 6PM otherwise the email will be sent on the following day.

4D Upcoming Events

  • Do you miss the “WAZZ UP?” emails? Then I have good news for you! A new automated email with subject “4D Upcoming Events” will be sent out every Sunday listing the events for the next 10 days.
    • Clinics organizers: Please find a volunteer from your clinic to keep the 4D calendar up to date with the correct clinic dates and descriptions. Have your volunteer contact gi_editor@4dpnr.com to get the necessary permissions to edit the calendar.

Email Provider Change

  • The underlying system that the 4D website uses to send emails will be changing. This should be a transparent change. But if you notice the emails start going to you junk folder please contact gi_editor@4dpnr.com.
    • The underlying email system is changing to MailChimp so you may notice their logo at the bottom of the emails.

Anton

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March’s “Second Saturday” Zoom now posted on YouTube

Written by Burr Stewart
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If you missed the March 9 “Second Saturday” Zoom layout tour by Jerry Boudreaux, on his HO Santa Fe layout near Corvalis, OR, it is now posted on YouTube at this link: https://youtu.be/sGjaFgxJeUA

It’s well worth watching! Not only does he walk through his track plan with illuminating photos and videos, he also explains in some detail a number of his benchwork, wiring, scenery and trackwork techniques. It’s a layout tour and useful clinic rolled into one. We plan to have Jerry back for a “part 2” presentation on his operations techniques at the September 14 “Second Saturday” Zoom meeting.

Layout Tour

Mount Vernon Clinic, March 18

Written by Alan Carter
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The Mount Vernon Clinic scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2024, will reintroduce attendees to one of Ted Becker’s favorite subjects, “Mini Clinics.” Come and see/hear a variety of clinicians presenting a “mini clinic”, which is limited to a maximum of ten minutes. Clinicians so far include:

Dave Sherwood, repairing/replacing cracked diesel gears

Bob Stafford, Many uses of Weldwood thick & quick glue

Mark Malmkar, car reweighing

Tom Buckingham, NP collision in his backyard (really!)

Doug Seward, paper/card models

Al Carter, renumbering cars

And don’t forget, a bunch of us get together at 5:00pm at Round Table Pizza in Mount Vernon (115 East College Way) for pizza, sandwiches, and/or salad bar.

Clinic starts at 7:00pm; doors open at 6:30 for socializing. Location: Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1114 Cleveland Street (easy access from I-5, Kincade Street Exit).

Questions? Email Al Carter at tabooma@gmail.com or leave a message at 425-577-1570

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Mount Vernon Clinic Schedule Change

Written by Alan Carter
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The Mount Vernon Clinic announces a change in the months we meet. Traditionally, 4D clinics meet Sep-May, taking the summer off. The reasoning behind this concept was that families typically would vacation during summer months and attendance at clinics would drop.

The 25 in attendance at the February Mount Vernon Clinic voted overwhelmingly to adopt the new schedule, and avoid driving during the dreary, dark, sometimes hazardous winter months. The Mount Vernon Clinic will continue on through the summer months of 2024 and adjourn for a winter hiatus during the months of November and December 2024 and January 2025.

While clinic attendance may drop a bit, it was decided that it was worth it, to mitigate the risk of winter driving, as most attendees are seniors and would rather stay home during the winter months.

Visitors and guest clinicians are always welcome. Contact Clinic Chair Al Carter with any questions at tabooma10@gmail.com or leave a message at 425-577-1570.

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March 21 Eastside Clinic

Written by Russ Segner
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We will honor Ted Becker, a long time contributer to the Fourth Division activities. I have a copy of a recent presentation by the Mt. Vernon Clinic which honored Ted Becker who recently passed away. We will use that clinic presentation as a springboard in a discussion of how individuals can share their interests and skills in model railroading.

There will be many updates to coming events, so be prepared to comment and share.

Share photos of recent modeling, discuss a favorite tool or technique or ask the group for help with a model project.

The link to our meeting is being mailed to all on our list. NOT on our list?? Contact Doug Oldenburg to get on the list to receive the monthly link. douglas.oldenburg@ yahoo.com
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Whidbey NMRA Clinic Wednesday March 13 – Decoder Pro – Removing the Mysteries with Jim Bentz

Written by Rich Blake
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This clinic will target users who either have never used JMRI DecoderPro or have recently started down the DecoderPro journey.  Just about any user of DecoderPro is welcome and not only can they help others during the clinic but it is likely that they will pick up some DP methods they didn’t know about.  We will have test tracks and demos setup for questions and review of features.  We will also provide the clinic livestream on Zoom for online participation.  In person clinic is held at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, 13 March @7pm,  51 SE Jerome St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Zoom link provided:

Rich Blake 4dPNR is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Whidbey 4D NMRA Clinic March 2024

Time: Mar 13, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88618333418?pwd=lJtgdJK3V8x8VrGXhVVvc7baB18hpW.1

Meeting ID: 886 1833 3418

Passcode: 742988

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