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The 4th Division will have tables at the BOEING SWAP MEET November 13 at the Kent Commons. Several items available are donations from local members who have taken their layouts down. Some items are unusual and should go for significant prices. These include an IWATA air compressor, a UNIMAT lathe and several quality airbrushes from AZTEK, BINKS and PASCHE.

The Hi-Railers will have several interesting items. Most of the items I am bringing are HO or applicable to any scale, scenery materials for instance include a number of rolls of printed backdrops. A great amount of painting supplies will be available.

Half of the money raised from the estate of Michael Murray items will be a donation to the 4th Division.

If you would to see the IWATA compressor or the UNIMAT before the Swap Meet, contact me directly at 206 200 2211 or by email at russseg@gmail.com.

Russ

Arduino Session, October 26, 2021

By Ted Becker

The next session will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2021 at 4:00 via Zoom. Topic this week is using EEProm. Heads up: Weather is causing power and Internet outings so keep that in mind if the meeting does not happen.

Subscribe to: https://groups.io/g/MR-Duino for more information and discussions from these sessions.

4dpnrOrganizer MountVernon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Arduino Session
Time: Oct 26, 2021 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81626124402?pwd=cDZ0Z29NSSs5SjVoeWl2ZTNVT2UwUT09

Meeting ID: 816 2612 4402
Passcode: 470438

Maple Valley Train Show Wrap Up

Article & Photos by Ed Ives

The Maple Valley train show was started some twenty years ago by fellow Hi-Railer Henry Holwedell. Henry is long gone now but we like to attend this show in his memory. The show is a small community fundraiser located in a gymnasium, the Gracie Hansen Community Center. There obviously was no show last year due to the COVID and it was uncertain if there would be one this year. I was fearful that if there were no show this year it may be too difficult to resurrect further downstream. Not to worry though, the show went ahead.

The show consisted of eight layouts; two group O gauge layouts, the Hi-Railer’s and Pierce County Lionel group; a Marklin HO group; a live steam group; a LEGO group and three individual presentations including a suitcase Z gauge display. Set-up on Friday went quite well in spite of access only through one door. We, the Hi-Railer’s, were up and running by 3.30 PM, a record for the location for us.

Saturday morning dawned at 7 AM where we were to do further development to the ex-Sam modules. Sam Hayden passed away three years ago and we managed to retain three of his modules and six of his accessories. Over the last two years we incorporated the accessories into the modules, added wiring, power supplies and button controls on the public side. Now we were to add the 1/43rd scale vehicles and people to add life to the scene. Thanks to the efforts of Ed Pennington, Dan Peters and Gordon Sandell who donated a plethora of material, the scene became alive with still action and a veritable traffic jam of vehicles. 

The show opened at 10 AM and immediately a steady stream of people came in, not crowds. Masks were the order of the day and full compliance was observed without any complaint. There were many families with children, all very well behaved. The Sam modules gathered quite a lot of attention which was gratifying. Over the two days some 520 paying visitors came to the show which was considered a success. A typical show there would garner anything from 400 to over 600 over the weekend depending on weather and sports events.

A BIG personal thank you to Jack Klapwyk, Ed Pennington, Dan Peters and Gordon Sandell who did the set up, running both days and the teardown at the end. Without them we could not have participated.

Ed Ives

Opportunities Abound

The local model railroad scene is finally beginning to open.  Already, the Lynden and Maple Valley shows have been held and the HO Free-Mo group led by Larry Sloan will be set up at the Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival in the Tacoma Dome starting October 21 through 24.  These guys know how to pick a venue.

Our local clinics are now operational again, although most are still virtual.  Check the Grab Iron for details on each clinic.

Next up is the Boeing Swap Meet in Kent November 13.  We will have a 4th Division table selling items donated to 4th Division over the last year.  There will be bargains galore, so come and collect more stuff to stash for future model building. Ed Ives is leading that effort.  I will be there and any of you who can are invited to join us for a while to greet people and promote the 4th Division.

By the way, Clay Hansen’s layout was picked up by a newer member who will restore it to operation in his home in Tacoma.

We will have at least two modular layouts at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma for the Annual Model Train Festival December 17, through January 2, 2022.

There is no word yet on a possible show in 2022 at the Pacific Science Center or at Monroe.  Stay tuned.

I want to also bring to your attention the scheduled National Narrow Gauge Convention  September 1-4, 2022 at the Murano Hotel in Tacoma.  The 4th Division is participating.  Clinics will be lead by local and national presenters. Manufacturers from all over the US and Canada will be there. So, you can meet model railroaders and suppliers seldom available locally.

In addition, there will be a contest room with classic work by some of the best modelers anywhere. It will be an opportunity for you to put your best work on display. Last, there will be self guided tours of over 30 local layouts in several scales and gauges.

Check out the website at www.seattlenngc.com

If you are interested in getting involved, please let me know.

Russ Segner, 4D Superintendent

Eastside Virtual Clinic for October 2021

Eastside Virtual Clinic will be held on THURSDAY, October 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM (lobby opens at 6:45 PM) PDT

The Eastside Clinic is inviting everyone to the October Eastside Clinic to be held virtually on ZOOM this Thursday, October 21, starting at 7:00 PM with our virtual lobby opening at 6:45 PM.  So be sure and save the date for the October Eastside Clinic this Thursday!  The log in info for the clinic is below.    

Topic: Eastside Clinic for October 2021

Time: October 21, 2021, 06:45 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86053242472?pwd=d1NDQWpIYkVwV3dFbmpnQmxEb2Zjdz09

Meeting ID: 860 5324 2472

Passcode: 342326

Our Clinic this month will be “A New Strategy to Represent Signals on a Model Railroad” presented by Dan Kellogg.  Dan will be presenting his thoughts and application methods on a new signaling system that has been developed by Model Train Technology of Orlando, FL.  MTT has developed a trackside Precision Detector for N, HO and O scale systems that detects the presence of a train on the track without the use of traditional track detection circuits, magnetic reed switches or infrared light.  The new system will be demonstrated on a module that Dan has built so modelers can decide for themselves whether this signaling system will be appropriate for their layouts.

Dan will state a disclaimer in his presentation:  “This signaling system is certainly not prototypically correct.  But for those who lack that interest and/or ability to implement more sophisticated and prototypically correct systems, the new MTT signaling system will provide a great option for animation and representation of signals on a model railroad.”

After the Clinic, there will be an opportunity for everyone to show off their latest model work that they’ve been working on in our “Show and Brag” event. 

Alex Brikoff, 10/19/2021    

Arduino Session, October 19, 2021

By Ted Becker

The next session will be held Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 4:00 via Zoom. Topic this week is PCA9685 PWM Multiplexer plus an idea for slow servo operation.

Subscribe to: https://groups.io/g/MR-Duino for more information and discussions from these sessions.

4dpnrOrganizer MountVernon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Arduino Session
Time: Oct 19, 2021 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86235498580?pwd=M2FzNmpkREZ2K3M1ZThLdW9NU2kvZz09

Meeting ID: 862 3549 8580
Passcode: 376268

Mount Vernon Clinic, October 18. Gary Dobias and the Austin and Heart of Texas.

By Ted Becker

The Mount Vernon Clinic for October 2021 will be held via Zoom at 7:00pm Monday October 18, 2021. Topic this month is Gary Dobias showing his progress on building his Austin and Heart of Texas RR. Meeting will start sometime between 6:30 and 6:45.

4dpnrOrganizer MountVernon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Mount Vernon Clinic, Oct. 2021
Time: Oct 18, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88652441849?pwd=VVJmRmE5akJqQWhWWnJDbGtzVFB4dz09

Meeting ID: 886 5244 1849
Passcode: 401105

Arduino Session, October 12, 2021

By Ted Becker

The next session will be held Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 4:00 via Zoom. Topic will be programming for some common I2C devices.

Subscribe to: https://groups.io/g/MR-Duino for more information and discussions from these sessions.

4dpnrOrganizer MountVernon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Arduino
Time: Oct 12, 2021 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84036672897?pwd=TVJDOGk1ZGp6dkxqcWFuK2FMalNCUT09

Meeting ID: 840 3667 2897
Passcode: 821376

Whidbey Clinic 13 October – Locomotive Kitbashing, Superdetailing and Scratchbuilding

At 7:00PM 13 October (this Wednesday) we will have a fantastic lineup of master model builders to showcase their work in locomotive motive power.

Ron Hopkins MMR

Jon Bentz

Gary Jordan MMR

Yoshi Ueda

Our presenters will share their building and detailing methods on some exquisite examples of finescale motive power.  These models are all top level “contest” models that exhibit high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.  Some of which were built to acquire the NMRA Master Builder – Motive Power certificate which is arguably the most difficult NMRA achievement to complete.  This will be a clinic not to be missed for anyone interested in locomotive detailing and scratchbuilding. 

ZOOM Link:

Topic: Whidbey October 2021 Clinic

Time: Oct 13, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86097738847?pwd=bHN0NWhIR0ZFRkpOT1JNMkNnRGpRQT09

Meeting ID: 860 9773 8847

Passcode: 298320

An example of Yoshi Ueda’s work, Mich-Cal Shay #2.
Scratchbuilt Rail Truck by Ron Hopkins
Superdetailed Climax locomotive by Rich Blake

Clay Hanson Layout Available

Long time 4D member Clay Hanson is no longer able to work with his layout and needs to have it removed from the home. It is a well built HO 5.5 foot by 10 foot layout constructed to move. Over 100 cars and a dozen locomotives (many DCC equipped) are included. The layout and all the equipment are available and free to anyone who will take the entire collection.

Here is a link to a PDF with photos of what is included.

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AhBTSQSpn0dniP4HwMAWgBmVLDJiHw?e=ZlbRq2

Contact me if you have questions.
Russ Segner – russseg@gmail.com 206 200 2211