The 4D HO Modular Group will hold its next regular member no host breakfast meeting on March 11, 2017 at 8:00 to 10:00 am at Mitzels American Kitchen in Kent. The meeting is open to anyone interested. Larry Sloan will present a program titled “Modern Layout Lighting”. For further information, contact information is on our web site 4dho.com.
(Editor’s note: The HO Modular Group has an excellent series of presentations at their monthly meetings and are well worth attending.)
Dave Cook presided, calling the group to order at 7:00pm for the evening’s clinic and general model railroad items if interest. Recollections of recent model train shows were discussed, as well as similar upcoming events.
Russ Segner gave an outstanding video show of his Sn3 scale model railroad, “Building the Coal Creek Lumber Company.” Similar portions of the presentation were shown on a recent local afternoon TV show. The layout occupies a “spare” upstairs room in his house with the associated comforts. Many of the structures on the point-to-point layout were adaptations of real world examples and constructed from raw modeling materials. Much of the track was hand-laid, the scenery was custom fabricated, and the backdrop was hand-painted. With the addition of a DCC system, Russ was able to create a unique miniature world for realistic multiple train operation.
A fine group met together for the February meeting, with Russ Segner presenting the clinic.
We meet again this Thursday evening, Feb 23rd at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archives in Burien, from 6:30 to 9 PM.
The address is 425 SW 153rd Street, Burien, WA 98166. Additional info, including a map, can be viewed by clicking here.
Steve Hauff from Port Angeles has volunteered another one of his presentations on trains he has ridden. I thank him for all his sharing. It may be the only way we see these trains.
We are still in need of volunteers for clinic presentations.
What would you like to see in our Clinics? Would a local layout tour be of interest? Or how about we bring a project and tools, getting help on the project from other members? I would love for someone to show me how to upgrade my cars by installing stirrups and ladders.
As usual there will be a “Show and Tell” and “Model of the Month”. Bring your family or a friend who is interested in model railroading. Refreshments will be provided.
The group met at the Fircrest Recreation Center on February 2, 2017 with 11 attendees. There was at least one new visitor and several regulars were noticeably missing.
The first order of business was to review new products available. Then each person around the table shared their recent and current activities in the hobby. A couple of the samples brought to the meeting are shown in the photos below.
After a brief break, Mike Stepner gave a clinic on how he uses an “air eraser” in his modeling and some of the techniques he uses.
Ex-Great Northern Station, Bellingham
Nineteen hearty souls braved the worst weather of the winter to attend the Clinic. Ted Becker opened the meeting by welcoming our honored guest, Bob Stafford.
The idea of having a Saturday clinic in May was suggested and the proposal was well received. This would be a joint operation with our sister clinic in Oak Harbor. Three possible formats were discussed and Multiple Demonstrations won hands down, or I should say hands up. Several people volunteered to do demonstrations. Details to follow, but reserve the day.
Feb 25/26 United Northwest Model RR Club Swap Meet, Monroe. Click here.
Mar 9 Mt Vernon Clinic, Bring a project, materials, and tools and work on it and get your questions answered by the local experts. Well, not experts, but experienced modelers……
Apr 13 Mt Vernon Clinic, Mini-Clinics. Watch this space for details.
May 11 No Thursday evening Clinic!
May 13 Multiple Demonstration, all day event at the Mt Vernon Senior Center. Details coming soon.
Jun 7-10 Pacific Northwest Region Convention, Spokane. Click here for details.
Twenty-two modelers were on hand Thursday evening for the Tacoma Clinic, hosted by Al Babinski. The topic for the evening was “Kitbashing/Building Better Buildings”, presented by Greg Price. Greg’s approach is simple and effective. It consists of:
Greg giving the clinic.
Greg has graciously allowed us online access to his presentation, click here to view the PDF (warning – large file, 28 MB in size).
The modeler’s showcase had five entries.
We meet Thursday evening, February 16, at the Redmond Old Schoolhouse Community Center (Map) beginning at 6:45 PM.
Our program will be a description of the planning and construction of my layout, the Coal Creek Lumber Company, which was recently featured on KOMO TV. Here is the link:
http://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/we-took-a-ride-on-a-tiny-train-and-loved-it-all-aboard/
Chuck moved to the Panorama City physical therapy complex in Lacey. His right leg is coming back under control but the right arm and fingers will take longer. Panorama will be part of his life for another 3 or 4 weeks according to the therapist. I picked him up today to visit the optometrist, pick up some new eye glasses, then a stop at his home for more clothing and re-acquaintance with Smudge the cat. Good spirits and a desire to get on with it make him the best of patients.
Hey everyone, Chuck Ricketts was in the hospital for a few days with pneumonia until February 1, then was readmitted with stroke-like symptoms on Friday, February 3 (according to Jim Elder). Therapy started on the stroke affected right leg and arm. As of Tuesday afternoon, Feb 7th, Chuck has been moved to the rehab section of Panorama City (in Lacey, WA).
I’m sure he would enjoy hearing from all and his cell phone (480-861-3629) is at the ready. Wish him a quick recovery.
(Editor’s note: Chuck is well known for his world class layout, which is featured every year in the Olympia Layout Tour and Oly Ops. The first picture on the front page of the 4D web site is a wharf scene from his On30 scale layout.)
Excursion train ready to depart at the NW Railway Museum depot in Snoqualmie, WA.
It’s “Not Just A Train Ride” at the Northwest Railway Museum this train season! Beginning on the weekend of April 1-2, visitors can explore more of the Museum’s collection as most train excursions will include a stop at the Train Shed exhibit building in 2017. With a call of “All aboard!” Northwest Railway Museum visitors can step back in time and experience rail travel as it used to be aboard historic railway cars. The train excursions give visitors a glimpse back in time to discover how railroads influenced settlement and everyday life in Washington State.