Grab Iron Posts

by Al Turnbull

First and most importantly – We hope all is well with you, your family and friends, and our thoughts and support go out to those impacted by the recent events.

The computer is (hopefully) fixed, software loaded (again) and I found a few of those emails I seem to have misplaced.

So down to business.

The clinics and local meetings are now in full swing.  I hope you will be able to get out to these and enjoy the camaraderie, maybe learn a couple of new tricks and use the opportunity for sharing your expertise with others.
My hope is that this will continue to be an informative forum and a source for the 4th Division members (present and future) to turn to and a way we can keep abreast of the happenings around the area.  I am looking forward to your support for providing news, articles and features to be included here.

So if you have ideas, articles or events scheduled forward them on to me.
As Russ stated send them to aeturnbull@outlook.com .

We’ll also be working at getting the rest of the website modified, updating the links and bringing the calendar up to date.  I’ll be reaching out to the various groups to get the information for events.  If you note any errors or discrepancies please let me know.

Thanks again to all who have welcomed me as the new editor for the Grab Iron.  Take care and please keep in touch.

We begin the fall season this Thursday evening at the north Seattle Clinic. The meeting starts at 7:00 at:

Ronald United Methodist Church
17839 Aurora Ave N
Shoreline, WA 98133

This will be Jeff Moorman’s last meeting which he has led for so many years. He is moving north, so we are working hard to replace him. Thanks, Jeff, for all the effort keeping things going in north Seattle.

The program will be reports from the recent National Narrow Gauge Convention held in Denver. I counted over thirty from our area. Rail events included the Durango & Silverton, Cumbres & Toltec, the Georgetown Loop, the Royal Gorge Excursion and many other great experiences.

Come and share videos and photos with those of us who were there.

Russ Segner

The Tacoma Clinic kicks off the season on
September 14 at 7:00 PM in the
Pierce County Library Admin building
3005 112th St E, Tacoma 98446. 
Plan to attend and meet old and new friends and fellow modelers.

Don’t forget to bring those models you’ve been building this summer and show them off for us.

A trip to old Durango where I rode the Cinco Animas, a business care built in the 1880’s.  The car rides at the end of the first daily train to Silverton.  The car was built with berths for eight with a galley and viewing lounge.  The platform is extra large and easily accommodates four for photos and watching the marvelous scenery along the Animas River.

Silverton is an old mining town which comes alive with thousands of daily visitors in the summer and slumbers with only 300 souls in the winter.  There are lots of shops and some very authentic leather craft shops.  My friend, Dale Kreutzer and I had a great lunch at the Grand Imperial Hotel before boarding the train for the return to Durango.  It was a great six hours well spent.

Here is a link to a video of part of the return trip.

https://goo.gl/photos/gixHcHAc8rAzCxB27

Post an article and some photos of one of your rail adventures. Send it to me or to our new Grab Iron Editor, Al Turnbull at aeturnbull@outlook.com

Russ

JJ Johnston, Chair of the Election Committee with David Yadock and George Chambers announced the results of the 2017 4th Division Election. With 151 ballots returned, Al Lowe running for Assistant Superintendent received 148 votes, Anton Faulk running for Director #1 received 142 votes and Robin Peel running for Director #2 received 146 votes. There were 4 ballots returned with no votes, 1 write-in vote for Al Frasch for Director and 1 write-in vote for Tylor Whitcomb for Director.

Congratulations to the winners who will commence their terms on September 1, 2017.

On behalf of Laurie Rathbun, I regret to inform you regarding the injury and passing of Allan. He fell in the house and suffered a head injury and was not able to recover. He died Saturday morning of the 24th of June.

The memorial service for Allan Rathbun will be July 29th at 1 pm at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 1717 Bellevue Way, Bellevue, 98004

Norm Curtis

The Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society will be having its quarterly meeting this Saturday July 15th in Burien at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive (425 SW 153rd St, Burien, WA). The meeting will begin at 12:30 and end around 5 pm. All are welcome to attend. After the meeting we usually go to Vince’s across the street for dinner.

David Yadock