By Jeff Moorman

Next Clinic:

Our next clinic is this Thursday, October 1. Our topic will be coal mining in the northwest, presented by Russ Segner, our Fourth Division Superintendent.

Prior Clinic:

September’s clinic was mostly a round table discussion. One topic was the traditional “what did you do this summer (railroad-wise)”. This was followed by a lengthier dialog regarding trends in the hobby. The initial list of trends came from what was seen and heard at the National Convention in Portland.

Trends kicked around included:

  • Layout Command Control (LCC)
  • Functional modules that can be assembled to make an operational model railroad, not just a display model railroad
  • Modules that can be used for multiple eras, or even multiple scales
  • The value of doing prototype research and hints on how to approach it; for example, the value of the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive (PNRA) in Burien
  • NMRA’s creation of “member’s only” content on their website
  • 3D printing / rapid prototyping

Directions: We meet at the Ronald United Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA. That is on the west side of Aurora (State Route 99) between 175th and 185th Streets and more specifically, between the Cadillac dealer on the south and Deseret Industries to the north. Going southbound on Aurora, make a right-hand turn into the church driveway immediately after passing the Deseret location. The parking lot is at the rear of the church. From the parking lot go up the steps to the main entrance. Once inside, the Fireside room where we meet is on your left.

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, usually September – May. In June we often do something different, so there is no “regular” meeting. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the program will start at 7:30.

Remember the next regular evening meeting is October 1. The meeting after that is November 5th. Hope to see you there or at least sometime on down the line.