Grab Iron Posts

Dale G. Kraus

Photos by author

It was a full house at the Tacoma Clinic on February 8.  After announcements, Rob of Rob’s Trains and Hobbies   showed us what was new… and not-so-new. He has several collections of gently-used equipment on N, HO, and O scales at bargain prices.

This month’s clinic was  HO Scale Wooden Trestle Construction  presented by Scott Taylor. He explained and demonstrated everything you need to know about posts, piles, braces, sashes, caps, stringers, girts, and ties.

The Modeler’s showcase was  well-populated, with 19 models shown by eight modelers.

Leo’s  HO flat car load.  (Model of the Month)

John’s old HObbyline tank cars

Kurt’s  N  diesel/overhead electric Japanese train

Kurt’s Laser-cut paper building kits (also N)

Dennis’ srcatchbuilt N Turntable

Mitch’s  HO  German water tower and  “Rathaus”

Mike’s On30 locos

Warren’s  HO “fallen flags”  U.P. diesels

Gene’s HO drover’s caboose with full interior

The next Tacoma Clinic will be on March 8  at 7PM in the usual place.  After that we will be moving.  Watch the Grab Iron for notification of our new location.

The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive

The Program:  We will show Vol. One of West Coast Logging by Warren Haack. This is the best video I have ever seen on the subject and features original film work of Jim Sabol. We will use the video to discuss the elements of logging which can be used in a layout or diorama.

Location:  Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive
425 SW 153^rd Street
Burien, WA 98166

Bring a model or photo to discuss.

Map

by Syd Schofield

After a two-month hiatus due to end-of-month holiday conflicts, the NMRA 4dPNR Burien Clinic was held at the Northwest Railroad Archives on January 25, 2017. The gathering was informal with a round-table discussion of visits to railroad preservation sites and model railroading activities. For the Show-and-Tell portion, Dave Yadock brought an HO scale trestle and Syd Schofield brought a brass HOn3 locomotive undergoing restoration.

Round Table Discussion

Show and Tell

Link to Mark Allen module pictures.

HOn3 Bench work

Mark Allen is moving and had has several HOn3 modules available. Mark is an award winning model builder, so these are a great start to building a new layout. Contact him at 206 227 1833.

by Syd Schofield

The January 2018 East Side Get Together was convened Thursday evening January 18, 2018 at seven-fifteen PM By Alex Brikoff. The new(est) venue for the NMRA 4dPNR Redmond Clinic is the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, second floor, 6505 176th Ave. N.E, Redmond, next to Marymoor Park. We expect this location for the foreseeable future.

After welcoming all, special introductions of notables, coming events and general happenings anticipated, Didrik Voss gave a presentation some aspects of digital command and control (DCC) systems for model railroading. Di is the focal for some of the NMRA technical specifications. Max Maginness supported with his electrical engineering expertise.
DCC involves electrical, electronic and digital logic with most of the tedious and rigorous aspects taken care of by the several popular equipment vendors. However, there are some special trackwork considerations requiring special attention that Di addressed.

After a short break the several entries for model-of-the-month (or Bring and Brag) were presented as well as photo of the month. Winners of these categories were then allowed first pick of the many door prizes. Richard Moore was recognized for his Interlocking railroad operations buildings and SW-2 diesel switch engine re-motor project. George Chambers showed several color (it was color photo month alternating with black and white photos) for that competition.