Article & Photos By Russ Segner

The Pacific Science Center Show last weekend was a great success.  It was attended by 13,948 paid visitors and was our largest crowd in seven years.  The credit for this belongs to the following groups and individuals:

Lisa Murray handled much of the organizing of volunteers and paperwork needed to keep things running. This was in addition to her being an active participant with the HO modular group.  Her son, Aidan, was also there as an operator. Lisa also chairs the Seattle North Clinic.

The staff at Pacific Science Center was excellent and were able to respond quickly to some of the last minute adjustments that always occur with such a large show.

The 4D Hi-Railers, led by Ed Ives, were set up right inside the Denny Way entrance with a 14’ x 20‘ configuration. Club participants included:

Wayne Grinnell
Ed Ives
Jack Klapwyk
Woody Mathews
Ed Pennington
Dan Peters
Gordon Sandell

  • 4D Hi-Railers

The 4D N-Trak layout, led by Al Lowe, was set up in the Ackerley building. Per Al: “We staged an 1,800 square foot layout, which was set up in the allotted four hours and removed from the building in 61 minutes. Between which, we ran dozens of trains, did a lot of switching, and discussed model railroading with hundreds of guests. All in all, yet another good showing for our club, the Division, and the NMRA.” Participants included:

Neill Clift
Stephen Clift
Dave Cook
Mike Donnelly
Thomas Dye
Edwin Hill
Kyle Ilk
Kurt Laidlaw
Al Lowe
Dennis Terpstra
Bud Thompson
Cole van Gerpen

  • 4D N-TRAK Group

The 4D HO Modular group,led by Mike Slease, was also set up in the Ackerly building with a 24’ x  28’ layout. The layout featured its well-known video camera car, which drew a large crowd around the TV monitor.  Members participating included:

Gordon Crawford
Norm Curtis
Bruce Davis
Lou Davis
Paul Fischler
Brian Pickering
James Monroe
Aidan Murray
Ian Murray
Lisa Murray
Joel Scott
Mike Slease
Larry Sloan
Rob Staples

Thirteen other individual displays were involved in the show:

  • A Northwest Railway Museum booth was set up by Emily Boersma. She was assisted by several volunteers: Peggy Barchi, Jim Hale, Pete Kirchgessner, Michael Ledingham, Dennis Snook, and Harry T.
  • Bill Harper brought his interactive HO switching puzzle which challenged visitors (and volunteers) both young and old.
  • Mike Pettruzzelli had two operating N scale layouts on display.  He was assisted by Jeff Weinstock and Caleb Wright.
  • Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction involved in building a module.
  • Operation Lifesaver had an info booth manned by volunteers Weylin Doyle, Carol Kachadoorian, Alan Nelson, Brian Sims, Mike Turcott, and Martin Young throughout the weekend.
  • Bob Stafford brought his N scale industrial layout depicting some of the switching involved at Boeing in Everett. His interactive display drew quite a crowd.
  • Russ Segner’s On30 display was also popular with little operators and had visitors queued up waiting their turns all day.
  • The 4D/PNR/NMRA Booth was manned by John Owens.  He almost ran out of magazines and literature.
  • Baby Gramps was there along with Doreen to display his intricate and fanciful dioramas. They were assisted by Kevin Buster and Frances Wolfe.
  • Dan Kellogg had an excellent display and demonstration of techniques in modeling water features.
  • Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module complete with track work and wiring.
  • Larry Sloan built and demonstrated a very effective display demonstrating the application of DCC systems.
  • The vendor, Ravensburger, brought loads of Brio and wooden trains for the little ones to explore throughout the busy weekend.
  • Dan Kellogg demonstrated water modelling techniques throughout the weekend. The example on the right was made with glue, water, toilet paper, paints, and clear gloss.
  • Kurt Laidlaw demonstrated the construction of an N scale module, complete with track work and wiring
  • Larry Sloan brought an interactive DCC display
  • Bob Stafford’s N scale industrial layout, depicting some of the switching at the Boeing plant in Everett, was popular with young and old
  • Bill Harper brought his always popular HO switching puzzle
  • Al Turnbull had two displays—one the kids could operate and one that clearly demonstrated the construction in building a module
  • Mike Pettruzzelli’s N-scale layout
  • ON30 layout for small operators
  • Operation Lifesaver works to reduce the likelihood of collisions between people/vehicles and trains through rail safety education
  • Northwest Railway Museum

Several volunteers helped in the loading in Friday night and loading out Monday evening.  They also assisted the many exhibitors with rest and lunch breaks. Volunteers included:

Dave Enger
Anton Faulk
Fred Hamilton
Eldon Jacobson
Aidan Murray
Ian Murray
Paul OldenKamp
Burr Stewart
John Thompson
Dave Woodrell
David Yadock

All in all, it was an extremely successful event.

Russ