by John O’Connell

The September Mt Vernon NMRA Clinic was held at 7:00 on the 14th at the Mt Vernon Senior Center. Ted Becker opened the Clinic and welcomed 13 attendees. It seems summer travels are still not completed.

Announcements

October 7, 8 Lynden Swap Meet, Northwest WA Fairgrounds Saturday 9-5, Sun 10-4
October 12, Mt Vernon Clinic – Mark Malmkar, “Passenger Train Consists”
October 14, 15, Chehalis Swap Meet
October 14, 15, Chilliwack, BC Swap Meet
October 21, 4th Division Make & Take, Mt Vernon Senior Center
November 9, Mt Vernon Clinic – Ted Becker, “Bridges”
November 11, 12, Vancouver Train Expo 2017, Pacific National Exhibition Forum
November 14, Boeing Employees Swap Meet, Kent
December 14, Mt Vernon- Mini Clinics, TBA

Ted distributed a questionnaire intended to elicit areas of interest for future Clinics. A digital version will be distributed for those not able to attend tonight’s Clinic.

Tool Time

Ted shared two items of interest:
The first, a Pantograph which we all know is an instrument for copying a drawing or plan on a different scale by a system of hinged and jointed rods. Ever a railroad connection, the second definition is a jointed framework conveying an electric current to a motor from an overhead wire. Ted’s was the former.

Ted’s Pantograph

Ted’s second device was a tool for uncoupling cars in tight spaces.

Ted’s Uncoupler

What I did Last Summer

Ted, Al Carter, Tom Buckingham, Ray Vaughn, Nick Muff, Paul Koren, Mike O’Brien and Marty Day all shared what kept them busy during off season. Many brought the fruit of their efforts

Previews

Ted introduced his November Clinic topic, Bridges and briefly showed the evolution of crossing obstacles from fallen tree trunks to marvels of civil engineering. This will be very interesting!

John O’Connell introduced a brief monthly segment in which he will share his progress and challenges as he builds a Diorama for display at home.

Mike O’Brien introduced “Forest Floors,” making forest floor scatters from natural materials, which he’ll do as a clinic in December.

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This is my last year as editor of the Newsletter and the Clinic Report and will pass the baton after the May Clinic. Roger Johnson’s organization and documentation of the process has made this very easy for me and I will pass it all off. Please let Ted or myself know if you would be interested. Painful to remind you of the obvious: No volunteer for editor: no Newsletter or Clinic Report.