Grab Iron Posts

By Russ Segner

I was invited to an on-line clinic yesterday by one of the divisions in Texas. It was great. I got to interact with several guys I had met in various Conventions. Lots of good ideas were shared.

This reminded me of a recent conversation. Someone asked me, “What are the advantages of membership in the NMRA?”

So, I wrote a draft statement and shared it with Al Lowe and this is what we came up with:

The advantages of NMRA membership

We share. The NMRA is the one organization dedicated to sharing interest in model railroading.
We care about the future of the hobby by leading in the establishment of standards used by manufacturers and modelers. This has promoted a wide array of factory-built models as well as electronics used in the hobby.

We promote the hobby on a consistent basis to the general public at train shows and museums. A great many of our members are volunteers in restoration and operation of historic railway equipment. The NMRA led in recently establishing a very large permanent exhibit on model railroading at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

We educate one another and the public about railroads, their history and contribution to our economy. We also educate and promote safety around trains.

Membership comes with the NMRA magazine which contains information on activities locally and worldwide as well as articles on model building.

We have an array of local, regional and national meetings to share experience in “how to” clinics, history and research on various rail operations.

We challenge each other in model building contests with awards for excellence. We learn from each other and many work together in construction and operation of home layouts.

We have a program called Master Model Railroader which requires completion of work in the major skills of model railroading. This is a challenging program and the MMR Award and Designation is a lot of work well respected in the hobby.

The 4th Division has a strong effort going with modular layouts in several scales. This a great way to meet and work with other model railroaders, to improve modeling skills and share the hobby with the public. Camaraderie is the glue that keeps us active and strong. Model Railroading is fun.

I invite you to join us.

Russ Segner, 4D Superintendent
206 200 2211

So, if someone asks you about membership in the NMRA, here are some thoughts. Share this message.

By Russ Segner

The 4th Division Board of Directors conducted an online meeting last Saturday using the application ZOOM. It was very successful with a number of participants in addition to the Board members. The minutes of the meeting will be posted on the 4D website soon. Because there were no additional nominations to fill the one Director position and the Superintendent position, the Board voted to close nominations and submit the names of Ed Ives for Director and Russ Segner as Superintendent to the membership.

One of the actions the Board took was to amend the Rules and Procedures Manual of the By-Laws that related to the conduct of the election. We have in the past done this with a mailed ballot. The Board has decided to handle this election and future elections by electronic ballot to the 399 members who have email addresses on file. A paper ballot will be mailed to the 34 members who do not have email addresses on file.

Jack Hamilton will be sending the electronic ballots via email – a “PNR Special Run” email – and Mike Slease will send the paper ballots as done in previous election.

The email ballots and written ballots will have instructions on how to vote and return your vote. Please respond quickly so you do not forget. We have had great participation in all our elections and I hope this new method will achieve even greater results.

Russ