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PNWOn30 Modular Group Summer Report

Written by Rich Blake
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During the weekend of 19-20 July 2025 we enjoyed our annual participation in the 23rd Annual “Clamshell Railroad Days” at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco WA on the southwest coast. This is an open house event hosted by the museum and is one of the main fundraising events to support the various museum projects to include restoration of the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Co narrow gauge passenger car the “Nachotta”.

The Pacific Northwest On30 Modular Group was of course there with a large setup. Also in attendance for the weekend was the Mount Rainier N Scale, Cascade Z Scale, the Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railroad Club (HO Scale), and Dean and Donna’s Lego Layout.

One of our members, Daniel Bentz made a great video that showcases all the various layouts and a lot of fun train operations action. See the video here on youtube.

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Model Train Donations

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Mike Stepner

You’ve been offered a model train donation but you don’t have room or need for it. What do
you do now? The 4D Superintendent has an offer you can’t refuse. Mike has talked to several
brick-and-mortar train shops in the region who buy collections. They are willing to give the 4D a donation based on what they can sell the donations for. You take the donation from the person offering it; deliver it to your closest train shop. They sell it and 4D gets a portion of the proceeds. It is a win for everybody.
Here is the list of train shops that Mike has talked to. If you have additional recommendations, check to see if they would be willing to join the list.

  • Mike Huntzinger – Port Angeles
    360-797-4010
  • Electric Train Shop – Burien
    Scott 206-244-7077
  • PnP Trains – Renton
    Paul Pellegrino 206-909-2176
    Paula Pellegrino 206-909-8796
  • Train Center – Chehalis
    Kurt 360-736-2354

Mike

News

Eastside Clinic Thursday – June 19

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Russ Segner

The next Eastside Clinic is next week on Thursday June 19. Our program will feature my photos of several fan trips on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railway.  Included will be several trips to Morton when the entire line was operating over the large trestle that burned recently. Included will be photos of many of the entire engine roster including the Willamette #2 and the three truck Heisler and Climaxes.

Zoom meeting information:

Topic: Eastside Clinic June 19
Time: Jun 19, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84762302180?pwd=RFra0xOVB7y2skYvVRGVkveyQ8vwhF.1
Meeting ID: 847 6230 2180
Passcode: 551784

Russ

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

Join us for a Zoom “Second Saturday” layout tour by Kurt Laidlaw at 10am on June 14, 2025

Written by Burr Stewart
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The June 2025 “Second Saturday” will feature an update by Kurt Laidlaw on how he started his N scale layout and its progress to date. As usual, we will open the Zoom meeting at 9:30am, and Kurt’s presentation will start at 10:00am, on Saturday, June 14. Here is the Zoom info needed to join the meeting:

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87210657142?pwd=ZHhIWnZGMUU0YnAwNVUvMENheEZSUT09

Meeting ID: 872 1065 7142
Passcode: 805577

Layout Tour, Operations, ,

Fourth Division Achievement Program

Written by Anton Faulk
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By Jack Hamilton

Good Morning

You may be aware that our serving AP Manager, David Yadock, MMR is dealing with some family problems and will be heading to Arizona in the near future. To relieve him of the burdens of AP manager, I have agreed to step in while we recruit a more permanent replacement. So, until further notice, I will be the contact point for all things AP in Fourth Division.

I have received the AP Awards file from the PNR manager so I have good information on current award status. What I do not have good information on who is actually working on what, who needs assistance, and who would like more info. You can help me out by letting me know where you stand, contact me at gradiver@wavecable.com.

My first item of interest is the status of Golden Spike awards in the Division. If you have a home layout or modules that are 9 square feet or greater in area and do not currently have a Golden Spike award, please contact me at gradiver@wavecable.com.

Stay safe and have fun.
Jack

Achievement Program

Last Call for 4D Spring Meet, Saturday May 31, 2025

Written by Magnus Christerson
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If you haven’t registered yet for the 4D NMRA Spring Meet, this is your last chance. Register by downloading and filling out the PDF file below and send to bkenworthy4@comcast.net.

Spring Meet 2025 Announcement (1)Download

Cost:  $40 per person, payable at the Snoqualmie Depot on May 31st.  Includes train rides to/from the Snoqualmie Depot to the museum, lunch and museum admission.

Attendees must be NMRA members.  You may attend the 4D PNR Annual Meeting in person during the Spring Meet.

Parking at the Northwest Railway Museum is extremely limited and will not be available to Spring Meet attendees.  Please plan to park near the Snoqualmie Depot.  There is a significant amount of parking available near the depot and interesting train exhibits to view.  If you need accessibility assistance, please contact Bob Kenworthy at bkenworthy4@comcast.net.

TIMETABLE

7:30 to 8:15 am       Check-in at the Snoqualmie Depot.
8:30 to 9:00 am       Train ride from Snoqualmie Depot to Northwest Railway Museum (NRM).

9:10 to 9:55 am       Clinic Session 1
1A – Shop Tour – Meet at the Yellow Bollards at the Railroad Crossing – Presented by NRM staff and volunteers.
1B – Clinic in Conference Room in Railway History Center – “Layout Design with CAD:  How?  Why?” – Presented by Robin Peel.
1C – Clinic in Train Shed Foyer in Train Shed Exhibit Hall – “Building Bench Work with Extruded Aluminum” – Presented by Magnus Christerson.

10:05 to 10:50 am    Clinic Session 2
2A – Shop Tour – Meet at the Yellow Bollards at the Railroad Crossing – Presented by NRM staff and volunteers.
2B – Clinic in Conference Room in Railway History Center – “Operating Sessions for Beginners” – Presented by Bob Stafford.  Attendees are invited to sign up for a First Timers Operating Session at the Boeing Engineers MRC layout on Sat., June 14th.
2C – Clinic in Train Shed Foyer in Train Shed Exhibit Hall – “Using AI in Model Railroading – An Example” – Presented by Kurt Laidlaw.
2D – Clinic in Trains Shed Exhibit Hall – “O Scale Layout Progress Report” – Presented by NRM staff and volunteers.

11:00 to 11:45 pm   Clinic Session 3
3A – Shop Tour – Meet at the Yellow Bollards at the Railroad Crossing – Presented by NRM staff and volunteers.
3B – Clinic in Conference Room in Railway History Center – “Using JMRI for Operations on an On30 Modular Club Layout” – Presented by Rich Blake.
3C – Clinic in Train Shed Foyer in Train Shed Exhibit Hall – “I’d Build an Open Pit Mine If I Only Had More Room – a Mirror and Woodland Scenics to the Rescue” – Presented by Greg Wright.

11:45 to 12:40 pm   Lunch and Annual Meeting.
12:40 to 1:00 pm     Roundhouse Exhibit Gallery Presentation – NRM staff.
1:00 to 1:20 pm       2027 NMRA National Convention in Tacoma Presentation.
1:30 to 2:00 pm       Train ride from NRM to Snoqualmie Depot.
2:00 to 3:00 pm       Travel Time to Layout Open Houses.

3:00 to 5:00 pm       Layout Open Houses.
Greg Amer’s BNSF The Industrial Lead (modern era, HO)
Russ Segner’s Coal Creek Lumber Company (1930, Sn3)
3:30 to 5:00 pm       Larry Sloan’s South Olympic Branch (1970’s, HO)

Convention or Meet, Grab-Iron

Report from NMRA PNR 2025 Convention in Pasco, WA

Written by Magnus Christerson
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The annual NMRA Pacific Northwest Region (PNR) Regional Convention, Ainsworth Connector, was held May 9 – 11, 2025 in Pasco, Washington. Hosted by the PNR 5th Division (5D), the Convention offered self-guided layout tours, HO and N -scale Free-Mo layouts, operating sessions, many clinics, Modeling With The Masters class, Achievement Program (AP) evaluations, Celebration/Contest room, and more! NMRA President, Gordy Robinson, MMR, was also there and gave an update on all changes happening at the NMRA HQ national level!

A special highlight was the PF&S Railway Supply Manufacturing Tour. This manufacturing company, based in Pasco, produces the excellent Tomar Industries signals (I have some on my layout) and drumheads, Precision Scale brass and plastic detailed parts, and Utah Pacific model railroad parts. They gave us a detailed tour of all their manufacturing steps and warehouse. They also have a HUGE train store, selling not only their own products, but many, many other products. This is the biggest train store I have ever seen, and they have both new and old products. It felt like a time travel back 30 years as they have tons of *brand new* products from the last 30 years. Below are some pictures from the tour. If you want to visit them, they are located out on a farm here; their Facebook page is here. They are super friendly, so give them a call on (509) 528 2233 if you have any questions or check when they are open.

The op sessions were hosted by Tri-City Model Railroaders club, Facebook page here. It was excellent and I had a lot of fun switching through the layers of the layout (look at those helices!). Interestingly they are starting to deploy LCC for signals and block detection. They have weekly open houses, and also host many op sessions for their members. If you are in town, contact them and see if you can join – they are super friendly. They also have a small store in their space with some excellent deals from donations they have received.

Next year’s NMRA PNR Convention will be hosted by 2D in Tigard, Oregon (“not Portland”). It is called Oregon Rails 2026. The 2027 NMRA PNR Convention will be merged into the 2027 NMRA National Convention in Tacoma, Washington, and hosted by PNR and 4D together. More info on the 2027 NMRA National Convention in Tacoma, WA, will be presented at the 4D Spring Meet May 31, so make sure to join that if you are interested. You can always check updates online at the 4D website and PNR website.

Larry Sloan produced a video report of the convention you can see here:

Below are some pictures from the P F & S Railway Supply visit:

The store is HUGE with old and new products packed on the shelves.
More products…
And even more…
Lee Calkins from 5D, our new NMRA board Western District Director (our district) running for train deals.
Tons of brand new Preiser figures
Tons of new WalthersProto products
The founder’s grandson, is now running manufacturing and he showed us around their manufacturing and warehouse facililty. Note that he is wearing a gun; Mike Stepner thought it was because of the “snake country” they are in, I think it’s to protect them in case of robbery or burglary.
Ms Tomar herself showing Gordy Robinson, NMRA President, her products.
Tomar has a wide range of signal products, all made in Pasco.
Ms Tomar checking her inventory
Info about PF&S
News

4D PNR NMRA Spring Meet and Annual Meeting 2025

Written by Magnus Christerson
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SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025

Please register by downloading and filling out the PDF file below and send to bkenworthy4@comcast.net.

Spring Meet 2025 Announcement

TIMETABLE

7:30 to 8:15 am Check-in at the Snoqualmie Depot.
8:30 to 9:00 am Train ride from Snoqualmie Depot to Northwest Railway Museum (NRM).
9:10 to 9:55 am Clinic Session 1 – Shop Tour and 2 Clinics
10:05 to 10:50 am Clinic Session 2 – Shop Tour, NRM Layout Presentation, and 2 Clinics
11:00 to 11:45 am Clinic Session 3 – Shop Tour and 2 Clinics

11:45 to 12:40 pm Lunch and Annual Meeting

12:40 to 1:00 pm Roundhouse Exhibit Gallery Presentation
1:00 to 1:20 pm 2027 NMRA National Convention in Tacoma Presentation
1:30 to 2:00 pm Train ride from NRM to Snoqualmie Depot
2:00 to 3:00 pm Travel Time to Layout Open Houses
3:00 to 5:00 pm Layout Open Houses

News

NMRA PNR 4D Eastside Get Together clinic 5/15

Written by Doug Oldenburg
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Our Eastside Get Together will be this Thursday 5/15 at 7:00 PM. Sort of snuck up on both Russ and myself. 3rd Thusday of the month already!

Russ will present photos of a recent trip to Promontory Utah (Joining of the rails in 1869). He has photos of the shops there as well as some spectacular HO layouts in the Salt Lake City area while he was there for the Sn3 Symposium.

We may have time enough for others if you would like to share any recent experiences or provide status or update on your own model railroads. Any photos would be most welcome. We would love to hear how everyone is doing!

Of course we will also have time to share any timely announcements.

Please contact Doug and/or Russ if you have any suggestions for future meetings.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Doug and Russ

p.s. If you are no longer interested in getting these notices, please let us know.

Doug

Here is the link.  Russ will open the virtual Zoom meeting room at 6:30 for general informal chat.

Russ Segner is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Eastside Clinic

Time: May 15, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86260679789?pwd=8KJyg5mWa89m9ICeaDvOBZazEoMAC6.1

Meeting ID: 862 6067 9789

Passcode: 068484

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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kZMEVtbs1

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2025 4D Election Results

Written by Anton Faulk
1 Comment

By Mike Stepner

Congratulations to Bob Kenworthy, Lee Marsh, Scott Buckley, and Dennis Terpstra! And thank you to the 26% of our membership who voted.

The Board Members will be introduced at the Spring Meet.

Candidate: Assistant Superintendent
Bob Kenworthy (Incumbent) 95 votes, 100.00%
Votes tallied: 95
Abstentions: 7
Bob Kenworthy wins.

Candidate: Director
Scott Buckley: 67 votes, 24.36%
Bert Cripe: 31 votes, 11.27%
Lee Marsh (Incumbent): 74 votes, 26.91%
Dennis Terpstra (Incumbent): 66 votes, 24.00%
Chris Woodruff: 37 votes, 13.45%
Votes tallied: 275
Abstentions: 1
Lee Marsh, Scott Buckley, and Dennis Terpstra win.

102 of 391 ballots submitted – 26%

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