Topic this week will be a repeat of the session that didn’t get recorded a couple weeks ago. First example will be a method for servo slow motion using the Arduino servo library. The remainder of the session will be a review of the PCA9685 operation with an example of slow motion servo and variable brightness LED. The same example will be presented with a set of functions not requiring the use of libraries.
The next session will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 4:00 via Zoom.
There are some large items left from the Murray estate donated to the 4th Division. These include lumber, a large desk, ladders, portable work bench and the spray booth. If interested, contact me as soon as possible. There are photos of the lumber and some other items in the garage and a photo of the desk still in the train room.
Lisa is tied up with work issues and cannot host the meeting this month so I am stepping in to help out. As for clinic topic, Russ Segner will talk about the upcoming Boeing Employees MR Club meet. He also will talk about tearing down a layout.
The rest of the meeting will be an open forum. You are invited to show photos of current projects, past projects, interesting prototype photos or whatever else you think will interest the group. If you have questions about any model railroading topic, there is usually an abundance of expertise represented on these programs.
Topic: Northend Clinic Time: Nov 4, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
All of you that were able to see my Zoom layout tour on September 11th will know what this update is all about. I will go over some of the subtle changes that are in and around the Potter Flats/Raade Springs area. Some more scenery was added along the mainline. Trees were planted and Raade Springs was completed. That scene was finally joined in with all the other areas. The last piece of the puzzle is the Dry Gulch access hatch, you may see it hovering up in the air in some of these photos. That access hatch has been a slow work in progress but once completed it will allow the scenery to be finished off in the Dry Gulch peninsula area.
Photo 34 shows what Raade Springs, and the surrounding area looked like prior to adding scenery. I only had a small station placed in the town. The branch line that serviced Raade Springs was never really operational and most of the track was buried in tunnels. This was not good for operational capabilities, so this area was never fully developed. A remedy for the buried track was needed if I was to apply scenery to the entire area. The track to Raade Springs was relocated and now most of the track is no longer in tunnels.
Photo 34
Photo 35 is a nice view looking down the mainline that also serves as a branch line to Raade Springs. Potter Flats is on the left while Raade Springs is toward the right. The large yellow barn-like building on the right is a coal pocket that is accessible via the town of Wapwallopen on the branch line. A nice stand of trees has been planted to act as a view block.
Photo 35
Photo 36 Raade Springs is a small hamlet served by the branch line. It has two mining operations. The Cantby mine and the Higotta mine are both located on one side of the town. The Higotta mine ore bin is placed on the combination branch line and siding. This siding leads directly into Dry Gulch through a short tunnel just out of the picture by the ore bin. This becomes a dual-purpose track for either branch line or siding use during operating sessions.
Photo 36
Since Raade Springs is placed on a very narrow strip of real estate I cantilevered three structures so that they hang off a short cliff. This allowed me to place the buildings in front of a small road. The rest of the area was built up and many wooden retaining walls are placed in the area. This gives the location a mining town charm. You can see the main support for the Dry Gulch access hatch just above the ore bin.
Photo 37 Here you can see how small an area Raade Springs occupies. To the right is Higotta mine and its ore bin. In the photo at the top right is Cantby mine. To the left of A. Oster supplies is the vertical support for the Dry Gulch access hatch.
Photo 37
Photo 38 Cantby mine is next to Higotta mine and features a forest the was logged off years ago to supply wood for the mine. Opportunistic trees have taken over where the forest was cleared.
Photo 38
Photo 39 Give a clear view of Higotta mine with Cantby mine in the background. You can also see the many wooden retaining walls placed in the area. Floating in the top left portion of the photo is the Dry Gulch access hatch! This hatch gives me complete access to Potter Flats, Raade Springs, a good portion of Wapwallopen, and the backside of Dry Gulch.
Photo 39
Photo 40 shows the other side of Higotta mine. The little green building in the center bottom of the photo is Woody’s Gun shop named in memory of Woody Matthews, longtime member of the 4D. That covers this area of the layout.
Photo 40
Next time we will finally have a look at Dry Gulch and all the changes that have occurred over the past few months. This entire area of the layout has been akin to assembling a large puzzle. There have been many “mini” scenes needing to be tied together. The last piece of the puzzle is Dry Gulch and its scenery. Most of Dry Gulch’s scenery had to be put on hold till all the other scenery was in place.
The Northern Pacific steam engine number 924 is operating next weekend the 6th and 7th of November 2021. https://trainmuseum.org/ This will be the engine’s first time operating since the boiler certification was fully approved, and pulling a passenger train. This is an excellent opportunity for steam rail-fanning.
The train leaves North Bend station Saturday and Sunday at 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30. Station stops in Snoqualmie depart at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. Trains usually arrive 10 minutes before departure. Switching the passenger train will be at the “Train Shed” museum on Stone Quarry Road, between 8:30 and 10:00am. ( There’s free parking there, too. ) If it’s as cold out as it was yesterday morning, when you could see your breath all morning, the steam and exhaust pictures should be dramatic.
The best places I’ve found for action shots would be along-side Hwy 202 between Snoqualmie and the traffic circle ( near the Hwy 18 intersection ), or at the highway crossing on W North Bend Way, east of the Casino. The truss bridge over the river ought to be good, too, but I haven’t scoped out a location there. It would be best to snap the westbound train, so smoke is going the “correct” way ( not backing up ). Of course, audio recording would work either direction.
If you have in mind to ride the train, get your tickets soon. ( You can purchase tickets directly on-line at the museum web site. See link above. Bring your vaccination card, or a copy. ) Regular diesel trains have sold out for the past several weekends, and they expect the steam train will sell out quickly. Seating in the open-door baggage compartment of the combine car is popular – unfortunately, it is at the rear of the consist.
Unfortunately, cab rides are pretty much out of the question. Last time the steam engine ran in August, the cab was packed with a 3-person steam engine crew PLUS a 3-person diesel crew “in training” to run the steam engine. It looked almost like one of those little clown cars in the circus. Or the Keystone Cops on their way to “the scene of the crime”.
If you’re there on Saturday, stop by the Snoqualmie Depot and say Hi. I’ll be the guy doing his George Carlin “Mister Conductor” imitation. “And remember this is Mr. Conductor talking, I know what I’m talking about!” ( Probably the only time. )
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.
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.
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.
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.
