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Grab Iron Posts

Seattle-North Clinic Discusses Control Panels – October 6, 2016

Written by Jeff Moorman
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By Jeff Moorman

Next Clinic:

The next Seattle-North clinic is Thursday, October 6. Planned topics include designing and building control panels, plus the next installment in our fallen flag series.

Last Clinic:

September’s clinic included a discussion of “What did I do this summer (railroad-wise)?” and short videos on Union Pacific’s newly restored 844 FEF-3 steam locomotive and model locomotive maintenance. When the first clinic of the season precedes Labor Day, attendance usually suffers and this was no exception. Thanks to those who turned out and participated.

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Seattle-North Clinic

Pacific Science Center Model Train Show Volunteers Needed, New Background Check

Written by Cliff Green
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David Yadock

Notice!

To all volunteers that want to participate in the Pacific Science Center Model Train Show, the Pacific Science Center (PSC) is now requiring a background check for all volunteers. They will conduct the background check. This will require volunteers to provide a minimal amount of information to the PSC: full name, birthdate, and gender. It is easier for volunteers to provide that information prior to arriving at the PSC train show (see below). This will insure a fast and easy check-in when arriving at the PSC. I know this may be another hurdle for folks volunteering at the PSC train show but we must work together with the PSC staff to provide a safe show. Thank you.

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Model Train Show

A Narrower View – Our Own Miniature World

Written by Cliff Green
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Syd Schofield

Editors note: Welcome to the 15th article of a series on narrow gauge by Syd Schofield. In this article Syd writes about his personal interests and motivations for narrow gauge modeling. The previous article is available by clicking here, or by filtering with the category “Narrow Gauge”. Syd welcomes discussions and feedback, which can be made by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of the post.

Most of the model train hobbyists have a fascination, however slight, with the quest for travel across the great land masses. The motion from here to there and the machinery necessary to make that happen has been an interest as well as a necessity. Since man has wanted an improvement over foot sore, then animal-powered travel, he has looked at any and all machines for answers. The earliest means of movement across land sought a more level, firm, and direct path and the last one or two hundred years of progress in this effort find some interesting mechanical answers.

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Articles, Narrow Gauge

Eastside Layout Tour on October 1

Written by Russ Segner
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Russ Segner

On Saturday, October 1st from 1 to 5 PM is a wonderful opportunity to visit four fine layouts located about half an hour apart in Fife, Auburn, Kent, and Bellevue along the I-405 corridor and Kent / Auburn / Puyallup valley area. Take advantage of this chance to meet some great model railroaders and see how they have designed, built, and operate their layouts.

(Editor’s Note: The layouts are listed in south to north order. Two of the listings below have links to dedicated layout web pages, and the others have links to web pages with pictures of the layout.)

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Layout Tour

Eastside Get Together South (Renton) Clinic on Sep 29

Written by Russ Segner
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Russ Segner

The next Eastside Get Together South (Renton) Clinic will be in Renton at the Renton Highlands Library on Thursday the 29th (note – we’re meeting on the fifth Thursday of the month instead of the usual fourth). This is our first meeting of the clinic season and I am hoping that we have a good turnout. Our program will be “3D Printing” presented by Chip Van Gilder. Learn about this new and creative way to build that special model.

The evening begins at 6:30 with getting acquainted. Share some coffee and pastries and meet someone new. Bring a model to share. Parking is under the library. One of the nearby streets is under construction, so be careful finding your way. Additional details including an address and map are available by clicking here.

I hope to see you there.

Burien Clinic

Mt Vernon September 2016 Clinic Report

Written by John O'Connell
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by John O’Connell   photos: KCAL-Sky 9, John O’Connell, Ted Becker, Rich Blake

BNSF Stack Train Halted by Fire on Cajon Pass

BNSF Stack Train Halted by Fire on Cajon Pass

 

September 8, 2016; Mt Vernon Senior Center

Ted opened the Clinic with a hearty welcome to visitors including Tim Silvas, Jack Vander Hoek, and Dave and Paulette Sitzenstock. We hope you’ll join us again!

Before Ted could get very far into his announcements, the tables were turned and Al Carter usurped the floor to provide some much deserved recognition of Ted’s Golden Grab-Iron Service Award for 2016.

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Mt Vernon Clinic

Tacoma Clinic Report, September 2016

Written by Dale Kraus
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Dale Kraus

The September 2016 Tacoma Clinic saw 30 members assemble at the Pierce County Library Admin. building for a presentation by Dale Kraus on laying out grades using a tool made from yardsticks. The tools are easy to make and will produce “close enough” grades that allows for curvature compensation without resorting to trigonometry.

Seven models were shown in the “bring-and-brag,” with the favorite being a brace of N scale logging trucks, all different, built by Tyler Whitcomb.

The October clinic will be held at the PC Library Admin building, beginning at 7 PM. Come join in the fun, and be sure to bring your latest or your favorite model. Additional info, including maps, are available by clicking here.

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Tacoma Clinic

Nominations Needed For 2017 Golden Grab Iron Service Award

Written by Cliff Green
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Russ Segner

Each year, the Golden Grab Iron Service Award is given to the Fourth Division member who best exemplifies outstanding service to the organization. The winner is chosen by a committee comprised of the previous three winners of the award. We are proud to present well over a half century of award winners, each of whom sacrificed many hours to this hobby we love.

We solicit your input on this with suggestions of names of people to be considered. The past recipients are noted on the 4D website at https://4dpnr.com/gi-service-award-winners/.

You may contact Jim Sabol at jimsabol@msn.com, Jim Younkins at jcyounkins@comcast.net, or Russ Segner at russseg@gmail.com.

This Award will be presented at our 2017 Spring Meet.

Grab-Iron

Spokane Fall Train Show Last Call for Modules

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.

This is the last call for module participation at the Fall Train Show in Spokane. The deadline for registration is Friday, September 16th. If you haven’t sent us your form yet it is time to do so.

We are looking forward to a good sized layout with plenty of operating time on the weekend of October 8th and 9th. Saturday is set up and run time for participants and Sunday is the train show and swap meet. There is no charge for participation.

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Free-mo, Model Train Show

Westside Clinic in Bremerton on Tuesday, Sep 13th

Written by Cliff Green
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Bill Hupé

Tuesday, September 13th 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.

Jack Hamilton will be presenting a clinic on Steam Locomotives.

A reminder: This is the deadline for Aaron Lamar’s N scale layout competition.

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Westside Local Clinic