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October Tacoma Clinic Report

Written by Dale Kraus
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Reported by Dale Kraus,
Photos by Chip Van Gilder

About 35 modelers showed up on a wet October 14th. Host Gene Swanson moderated the shindig, and Bill from Tacoma Trains showed us several new and interesting items. In the modelers’ showcase, Larry Sloan showed us a new backdrop method printer on Gatorboard, Jim Clowers a kit-built double track Palmer Truss bridge, and Dale Kraus brought in the interior detailed scratchbuilt “Goldener Glocke” Inn. Terrell Goble showed us an airbrushed and detailed “North Coast Limited” in N scale and two Tacoma Rail SD’s (45?). Paul Vaughn had a group of custom decaled freight cars in HO, Sn3, and On30 scales.

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Tacoma Clinic

Eastside Get Together South (Renton) Clinic is October 27

Written by Russ Segner
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Russ Segner

We return to Renton Highland Library Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 PM for the Eastside Get Together South (Renton) Clinic. The library is located at 2801 NE 10th St, Renton, WA 98056. Parking is in the garage below the library. Additional information including a map can be viewed by clicking here.

We will discuss the upcoming Boeing Employees Model Railroad Club Swap Meet and plans for the Pacific Science Center Model Train Show.

Bring a model or project you are working on. For instance, I am working on a new mine structure for my layout. It will be a wooden bunker based on a photograph from old Newcastle, WA. This will be an opportunity to meet some new model railroaders and exchange ideas.

I can be contacted at russseg@gmail.com or 206-200-2211.

Burien Clinic

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Clinic October 2016 Report – Trees, Trees, Rocks and Two-Foot Steam

Written by Cliff Green
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Article by Rich Thom, Photos by Rich Thom & Presenters as Noted

Fig 1 – Dave Clarke’s Shay

Fig 1 – Dave Clarke’s Shay

The Skagit Valley & Whidbey NMRA Clinic’s October meeting featured mini-clinics, a format which has been popular before and proved itself so again. The clinicians kept the group in the meeting room for a whole hour beyond the usual lights out — so it must have been interesting!

Dave Clarke, a master at taking old locomotives, mostly brass, and turning them into beautiful, smooth-running new power, brought in his latest transformation, a Roundhouse Products 3-truck Shay (Fig 1). Dave installed a 3/4 amp NCE decoder, replaced many plastic parts with castings, swapped out the original bull and axle gears for Northwest Shortline ones, and painted the loco. Nice work Dave.

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Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic

Eastside Get Together North (Redmond) Clinic is October 20

Written by Russ Segner
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Russ Segner

Coal Creek Lumber Mill on Russ Segner's Sn3 layout. It is scratchbuilt with stripwood.

Coal Creek Lumber Mill on Russ Segner’s Sn3 layout. It is scratchbuilt using stripwood.

Our next Eastside Get Together North – Redmond – Clinic will be October 20th at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 98052. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM. Additional information including a map is available by clicking here.

  • Meet modelers from the eastside area (and others who drive from farther away).
  • Share ideas.
  • Show your model projects.

The Clinic presentation will be a discussion of scratch building with stripwood, led by me (Russ Segner). Bring your questions and suggestions on techniques, weathering, and lighting.

Coffee and pastries will be available. See you there.

Eastside Get-Together (Redmond) Clinic

OmNi-Rail Show Schedule

Written by Cliff Green
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Jim Merriam

The 4th Division modules page has been updated with general information on the show schedule for the OmNi-Rail modular group. Here are the specific dates for upcoming shows:

Please contact me at omnirail.jim@gmail.com for additional information.

OmNi-Rail

Free-mo Layout Setup Report for Fall Spokane Train Show

Written by Cliff Green
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Alan Ashton

Editors note: Alan Ashton maintains a Free-mo e-mail list (to join, e-mail Alan at inwafreemo@gmail.com) and is a member of the Inland Washington Free-mo Modelers. A previous post on 5th Division Free-mo activities can be viewed by clicking here, and the latest article on Free-mo standards and construction can be viewed by clicking here.

Free-mo return loop created by the Inland Washington Free-mo Modelers group.

Free-mo return loop created by the Inland Washington Free-mo Modelers group.

The Fall Spokane Train Show was held on October 9th 2016 and the Free-mo layout was set up the day before. We had approximately 70 feet of mainline track and about 17 modules plus two return loops. Everything went pretty well during setup and trains were running before noon. One train ran successfully with 44 cars (including caboose) as a “stress test” for the layout.

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Free-mo

Special Victorian Santa Train Offered in 2016 at the Northwest Railway Museum

Written by Cliff Green
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Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

New for 2016 – Victorian Santa Train on Friday, December 16

Step back in time and enjoy the ambiance of the historic 1890 Snoqualmie Depot with a special visit with St. Nick himself.

This year for the first time, the Friday, December 16th Santa Train will be a Victorian Santa Train complete with a 19th Century Father Christmas to greet children and their families!

Victorian St. Nick at the Northwest Railway Museum

Victorian St. Nick at the Northwest Railway Museum

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Northwest Railway Museum

All Aboard the Halloween Train at the Northwest Railway Museum

Written by Cliff Green
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Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

All Aboard the Halloween Train (Oct. 22-23) & Halloween Storytelling Train (Oct. 29-30)

Hands-on cider pressing as part of the Halloween Train event at the Northwest Railway Museum

Hands-on cider pressing as part of the Halloween Train event at the Northwest Railway Museum

This Halloween season, guests to the Northwest Railway Museum can choose between two Halloween Train experiences! On the weekend of Oct 22-23, steam train excursions include cider pressing demonstrations, treats for kids, hot cider to ward off the chill, and the full train ride which includes a visit to the Train Shed Exhibit building and the view from the top of Snoqualmie Falls.

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Northwest Railway Museum

Westside Clinic in Bremerton on Tuesday, Oct 11th

Written by Cliff Green
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Bill Hupé

A reminder: Tuesday, October 11th is our next 4th Division Westside Clinic. For our newcomers the clinic is held at the United Way of Kitsap Building in downtown Bremerton (647 4th Street) at 7:00 PM. Additional information including a map can be found by clicking here.

Tuesday’s clinic will be presented by Bob Jensen: “Creating Realistic Coal Loads using Bragdon Foam“.

As usual there will be a “Show and Tell” and “Model of the Month”. If you have a friend or spouse who is interested in model railroading, they are welcome. Refreshments will be provided.

Please contact me if you have any related question at whopay@tscnet.com or 360-621-5041.

Westside Local Clinic